tie dye for

{ What I Wore: maxi dress c/o Altar'd State // J.Crew men's belt // J.Crew gladiator sandals (love these ones on sale!) // rings c/o Emitations } 

I love a maxi dress that is more than first meets the eye. Secret side slit & exposed back? Yes, please!

This also extends to where I shop. A shop that is more than just a pretty face, one that gives back & supports the community around it... I'm game!

I of course loved looking at all the pretty clothing eye candy on Altar'd State, but it was their commitment to giving back & sponsoring charitable work that really inspired me to share their store & story with you.

Mission Mondays, funding employee volunteer efforts & teaming up to support other vendors who give back... why yes, it does feel good to shop!

Have you checked out Altar'd State yet?

P.S. I wore this to the Nashville Southern Blog Society member meet up last week.

Live in a Southern state & not a member of SBS yet? Find out more here.

Looking for some pretty new faces on your blog roll?

Hop on over & say hi to these Nashville ladies:

DahliaLynn // Ellen Loves // Fringe & Lace // Scuttle // J’s Southern Chic

weekend wear

 {What I Wore: Oasap tote bag (c/o) // J.Crew baseball tee (similar $15, similar $29), maxi skirt (similar $39), gladiator sandals // Target sunnies ($15) }

Not much is more satisfying than heading out on a Saturday to get some work done on the list of errands that inevitably piles up every week. Comfortable clothes and shoes are a must for making this icky but necessary errand running comfortable - but it is a functional bag that is the hero of tackling my to-do list. 

This bag from Oasap is not only easy on the eyes (look at those fierce studs!) but big enough for farmer's market goodies and my laptop (yes, grad students even work on the weekends!), has pockets for my keys and phone, and 3 strap options make carrying it all a breeze!

out of the ballpark

I have a blog crush on Crystalin from ITCWC, and I have her to blame thank for totally inspiring me to purchase a baseball tee. One day I was sitting at work, and the next thing I realized (while reading her blog) was that my life wouldn't be complete without a baseball tee... as if my life was a total sham before said baseball tee came into my life!

I mean, how fabulous is her styling board!? And check out how she rocked it in real life here, here & here

I finally had a chance to take my baseball tee out for a spin this weekend while getting some errands accomplished on my bicycle... basic white jeans and my favorite gladiator sandals were a nice initiation for my baseball tee... but I have big plans for this baby all. summer. long.

{What I wore: J.Crew baseball tee (on sale now!), white jeans (love these), gladiator sandals (fabulous ones on my wish list), straw tote (similar) }

Any items in your closet that you expect to go the distance this summer?
xx

Jessica

P.S. Have you signed up to be a part of the Oasap fashion hunter program?

 (if not, Join Now )

Have you also entered their Super Giveaway?

Check out this post for more details and the link to enter!

Giveaway ends July 10th, and winners will be announced soon after

friday's fancies: safari chic

Yes, neon is fitting for warm days, but when I think hot, I think of white hot...

Bright colors are fun, but celebrity fashions are trending toward more neutral palettes for Summer/Fall... and I am jumping on board!

Taking my own advice to be a bigger part of the blogging community, I am linking up with Friday's Fancies over at Long Distance Loving, and rocking my white! I wasn't afraid to work white prior to Memorial Day (here & here), but now just try and hold me back! Today, I am channeling Jessica Alba and her safari chic neutrals (see bottom picture)

{ What I wore: J.Crew hat (similar), shorts (similar), sandals (love these jellies) // Forever 21 tunic (basic white shirt you will live in!) }

Safari Chic Necessities:

Panama Hat // Light Scarf // Neutral Bag (lust list) // Light Pants // Nude Heels

Looking for more "white" items... look here for affordable options!

{via}

Have you rocked your white yet this year? 

Thinking about bringing out the whites this weekend?
Check out the rest of the Friday's Fancies links here for some inspiration!
xx

Jessica

verbatim

3 years ago I spotted this sweater + shorts + sandals styled together on the pages of a J.Crew catalog... and immediately purchase all three items... and continue to wear them all together. 

J.Crew styling gets it so right, and sometimes, it is just better to not mess up a good thang. 

{ What I Wore: J.Crew sweater (this year's version), shorts (LOVE these), sandals (similar) // Matt & Nat purse // Spike the Punch necklace // Michael Kors watch }

Looking at this outfit actually makes me realize that I am (slowly but surely) building a functional wardrobe - I bought quality items that I loved, and three years later the individual items are still relevant. With the addition of a statement necklace, and on trend watch, this outfit is lifted out of 2009 to 2012

Have you ever ordered an entire outfit from a styled page out of a catalog?
What are some items that have been long time residents in your closet but you still find "on trend" today?xx

Jessica
P.S. I am trying to branch out, and joined the ASOS style competition... vote for my street style outfit here (I seriously appreciate every single vote!)