not so basic

Adulting update: Tyler & I have been saving our buns off to make our dream of owning a house an actual reality, & the time has come for us to pick one out! I am simultaneously so stinking excited/terrified! After living in apartments/shared houses for our entire 8 years together, we keep pinching ourselves over the fact that we might get our OWN yard, driveway, garage, and HOUSE! I don't even care if we have any furniture, every night will be a dance party for 2 anyways!

Denver has a HOT housing market right now, so we have already seen about 10 houses, put in a bid, gotten in a bidding war, lost a house, & kept on trucking! We saw 2 amazing ones over the weekend that checked all our wish list boxes & while I think they might have forgotten some numbers in the price, we are going to put in a bid today (attempt #2) so please cross all your extremities for us!

Another thing that is HOT, is the weather in Denver. People (AKA me before I moved here) assume that Denver is in the mountains, but really it is NEXT to the mountains & that makes a huge difference when we are talking Summer heat! I call Denver the HIGH plains - because it is literally a mile above sea level, but flat as a pancake - a pancake that is baking a mile closer to the sun. During our recent 100+ degree days, I have been enjoying the ease of simple dressing - throwing on a sun dress with my quick sandal slides & hitting the door (makes these last minute house showings less hectic!) - & this outfit is my go to basic combo. I love maxi dresses for this time of year because I am already over shaving my legs since moving to an every day effort when the sun made her appearance in May & maxi dresses transition easily to night (scarf stashed in my tote!), while also easily going from casual to fancy with the right accessories.

I also can't gush enough about my latest Nisolo purchase - these slides! I have been a long time supporter of Nisolo, because they have an incredible mission, my high school friend co-started it, & their products are gorgeous, comfortable + make me feel good when I wear them! I have previously shown you my Nisolo oxfords, strappy sandals, wedge sandals, & leather bag, but these slides might be my favorite yet. The only word I can think up to describe them is BUTTER! They are so soft & just the most delicious color of leather. If you are looking to get on the slide trend in a classic way, this is your ticket!

Shop Nisolo through my referral link & get $25 off your next Nisolo order: https://www.talkable.com/x/9uK9oX

(I also get $25 for each person that uses the link)

dress: Old Navy maxi dress (I love the X-strap back & the fabric feels high end!)

shoes: Nisolo "Isla" slides (available in 4 gorgeous colors, mine are "beige")

Shop Nisolo through my referral link & get $25 off your next Nisolo order: https://www.talkable.com/x/9uK9oX

(I also get $25 for each person that uses the link)

bag: J.Crew straw tote

hat: J.Crew Panama hat

lipstick: Nars "Heat Wave"

All Photos | Noah Berg Photography

{shop these exact pieces}

polished

{ What I Wore: wrap dress ℅ Shabby Apple // J.Crew Panama hat // DSW booties (similar) // bracelet via Rocksbox* }

All Photos | Kate Davis Photo

As you all know, I have been working on building my Teacher Wardrobe. Finding what works for my new lifestyle of bending over to pick up dropped pencils, reaching up to write on the white board, standing on my feet all day, all the while trying to not expose too much around a classroom of 12 year olds. This means no low necklines, saying good-bye high hems, & avoiding straps that aren't wide enough to hide my bra/under garments. 

I have purchased things from Shabby Apple before (like my fun tulle skirt!), but now I am perusing their website with a new filter - stylish workwear that keeps me comfortable & polished all day! And while this is a little thing - I adore that they show their styles on women wearing mostly flats. I try to bust out my comfiest pairs of heels once or twice a week, but I will mostly be wearing any of my work clothes with flats - so I appreciate seeing them styled that way.

I am currently in a wrap dress phase of my life & instantly fell in love with the fun colors & print on this one from Shabby Apple! I wore it with black flats for work (even got a compliment from our rockstar principal!) & then will heels and my weekend hat for Saturday adventures around Nashville. This dress has earned a front row spot in my closet!

What pieces have been the major players in your work week style?

Get social with Shabby Apple: Pinterest // Twitter // Facebook // Instagram

And be sure to check out my Teacher Style Pinterest Board with lots of stylish teacher outfit inspiration! 

this dress was gifted to me by Shabby Apple, but all reviews/opinions are my own. 

long weekend ready

Like any proper Southern Belle, I received a matching set of Vera Bradley luggage & accessories upon High School graduation. The hot pink motif was my signature look & it covered all of my luggage (weekend bag, flat iron cover, make-up box, school books tote, & hang-up bag), & went with me from my dorm room, to class, to holiday trips. I still have every piece, hoping to one day pass it on to my daughter. Even after almost 10 years post High School graduation, I am impressed with the pristine condition in which it has remained.

As I enter this new chapter of my life, I am excited to have a new set of Vera luggage coming with me. I am obsessed with this black & white print (love the pop of neon yellow!), & as always Vera blows me away with her attention to details. I can't be the only one who's love language is pockets! With inside & outside pockets for EVERYTHING, each piece that this brand puts out clearly has had extreme thought & consideration. 

{ What I Wore from work to travel: J.Crew Panama Hat // J.Crew Factory chambray shirt & black pants // Vera Bradley travel bag and make-up case ℅ }

all photos | Kate Davis Photo 

My travel bag is ready to go for a long weekend trip to see my bestie in Texas this weekend, & I might be even more excited about my high level of organization than the outfits I have planned.

I also adore the new makeup case - with special pockets for brushes, make-up & larger skin care products. Check out my 3 must have travel products below:

Travel essentials: Murad spot corrector // Bigelow & Co rose salve // Living Proof "perfect hair day"

While the quilted cotton bags from Vera will always be a classic in my book, I am also enamored with their new line of leather goods. Shop my favorites here: leopard wallet, drawstring backpack, accordion clutch, shoulder satchel.   

What are you long weekend plans? Packing bags for a trip? Or staying close to home?

This post is sponsored by Vera Bradley, through a partnership with Adorn Media Group, but all thoughts & reviews are my own.

druzy does it

{ What I wore: J.Crew Panama hat // J.Crew factory pants // Old Navy tee (similar) // DSW shoes // bracelets ℅ Mickey Lynn}

All photos | Zipporah Photography

To say that my style is trending towards more minimalistic tendencies would be an understatement. You can't beat a pair of (my as well be) pajama pants, lived in grey tee & a Panama hat. I am certainly drawn to the little details these days. Like these fabulous drusy bracelets from Mickey Lynn. I was introduced to this Atlanta based jewelry designer last month & it was love at first sight (as evidenced by Instagram here). And today I'm SUPER excited to be giving away one of the Mickey Lynn bracelets I am wearing above. 

To enter to win a "Sea Star" bracelet of your own, enter in the Rafflecopter widget below & be sure to check out Mickey Lynn online: website // Facebook // Instagram

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Bloggers Who Budget: White Out

July is flying by & if there is one thing I have learned about Nashville in my 5 years here, is that the Summer heat hasn't even started yet. I'm excited that this month's Bloggers Who Budget theme is all about staying fresh with Summer whites. 

I am also linking up with my friend Julie Leah for her Style Files series - we are both styling up this fun Fresh Produce tee. Check out her post here. 

Sharing My Sole | The Style Letters | Let It Be Beautiful | Here & Now | Pearls & Twirls | Stylin in St. Louis | Living in Color | The Pumpkin Spot

{ What I Wore to the Flea Market: tee ℅ Fresh Produce // J.Crew denim & Panama Hat (just ordered a second Panama hat as I have loved this one a little too hard over the last 2 Summers!)  // Jack Rogers sandals // Ray Ban sunglasses}

all photos | Alyssa Torrech Photography

When I saw this Fresh Produce tee (a limited edition item celebrating 30 years of color) I knew it was made for a white out. The loose fit & fun graphic print is perfect for warm Summer afternoons. bonus: the Panama Hat hides the sweat.

 

States of Style: Nashville

I'm excited to finally share an amazing project I have been working on for the past couple of months! 

Macy's teamed up with Style Bistro to showcase the style & attractions of 5 very "All American" cities, with local bloggers serving as each destination's host. I was beyond thrilled when asked to serve as Nashville's ambassador. I have called this town home for the past 5 years, and have seriously fallen in love. Nashville & I have both changed a lot in our years together, but I've got to say, it is for the better!

These are the States of Style, highlighting the Iconic American style that Macy's is famous for.

See Nashville through my eyes as I take you on a video tour of my favorite local spots & get some Music City inspiration with the street style we tracked down. 

all photos | Alyssa Torrech Photography

{ What I Wore for Nashville sightseeing: INC jumpsuit (similar options below), Jessica Simpson wedges, Charter Club tassel necklace, Vince Camuto link bracelet, Fossil clutch - all ℅ Macy's // J.Crew Panama Hat // Rayban Sunglasses }

Want to win 4 tickets to the 2015 Macy's 4th of July fireworks show + $1,000 to spend at Macy's? Enter the sweepstakes here!

Shop my Macy's All American outfit here: