rawr means i love you

In my opinion, when you have the right accessories, you can make everyday closet staples look like standouts. This Kate Spade T-Rex purse was just too much perfection to pass up, and adds the perfect pop of interest to an otherwise straightforward combo. It is pretty spendy - especially when you consider its limited functionality - but with tax refunds on their way, I say TREAT YO SELF!

This is the 2nd outfit in my teacher capsule wardrobe - I swear I am going to post a round-up of the pieces included in my capsule collection SOON - but until then you can check out my first outfit here (mock turtlenecks for the win!)

My comfort zone is certainly skinny cropped pants with an easy top, but I did try to take a little risk by layering this sweater shell over the tunic length button down. It feels a little 90s "Clueless", but I dig it! What risks have you taken with your everyday outfits lately??

{Shop These Pieces}

pants: Old Navy polka dot trousers

top: J.Crew Factory white button down (this longer tunic style can be worn so many creative ways, but this classic white button up is my favorite if you are looking for a more traditional style)

sweater: J.Crew Factory sweater shell

purse: Kate Spade T-Rex purse

shoes: J.Crew Factory flats (love the bows on this similar style, but also crushing on the x-straps from this pair)

sunglasses: Ray Ban aviators

watch: Daniel Wellington watch

All Photos: Noah Berg Photography

be bright

top: J.Crew Factory stretch classic button down

skirt: old Boden pencil skirt (similar linked below)

heels: old Sole Society wedges (similar from J.Crew Factory)

purse: Bowled Over Satchel ℅ Vera Bradley

sunglasses: Krewe du Optic (similar from Warby Parker)

watch: Michael Kors

All Photos | Kate Davis Photo

Today is my 28th birthday & I feel more comfortable in my skin than I have ever felt before. I have always been a control freak (& am OK with that), but I am finally making peace with "enjoying the journey" & making the effort to cultivate a group of people that I want to be surrounded by as we journey together.

This past weekend I had a good friend visit from NYC. She treated us to an amazing sunset concert, we ate at our favorite Nashville spots, & stayed up until the wee hours of Saturday morning just giggling.

Things I have learned in 28 years: You don't have to be friends with everyone. You should tell the people you love that you love them as much as you can. You are never too old to decide what you want to be when you grow up. Life is too short to not rock the hot pink purse!

This teacher outfit is a mix of old + new, but I have found many similar pieces below:

summer work style

{ What I Wore: J.Crew Factory white button down + floral peplum top (from last year, shop similar styles linked below) + black pants // Michael Kors cross body bag (if you haven't yet noticed, this is one of my favorite bags & has been on heavy repeat this Summer!) // matte black Tieks }

All Photos | Kate Davis Photography

As I've said before, most of my closet is what I wear all year long, adding or subtracting layers & accessories as necessary. One of the key pieces in my 365 day closet? This white button down (on sale now for under $30)! I have bought it in multiples because it gets so much wear & I never want to be with out it. I love the fun print on this peplum top, but I can't wear tanks at work & the thought of putting on a sweater in this humidity is insane! So insert my pinch hitter - the white button down & everything works! It really is my ultimate layering piece.

Another part of my 365 day wardrobe, is that many of my foundation pieces stay the same, regardless of the season. These black pants are the most comfortable thing ever & I am coming to realize that my matte black Tieks literally go with everything! 

Building a wardrobe of functional, versatile basics is very important to me (& my sanity when I am getting dressed in the morning) - without these foundation pieces, the more fun & trendy items would just feel disjointed! 

And many of you have been asking for my feedback on the fit/comfort of Tieks. I now have 2 pairs (pink Tieks as seen in this post & this pair of black Tieks were previously worn in this post) & think that the price point is great for the quality of leather & comfort of the shoes. I am a solidly 7.5 shoe size, but as Tieks do not come in 1/2 sizes, I went down to a size 7. This means that my toes go right to the end of the shoes. I also tried on a friend's pair of 8 & they also fit, but there was a much roomier toe situation happening. Also, I have pretty high arches, & sometimes wearing flats all day causes my arches to ache, but the Tieks have a firm foot bed that is comfortable while still being very supportive. If you have any more questions before taking the plunge of purchasing a pair of your own, just let me know in the comments!

See how I wore my matte black Tieks for weekend fun in this post.

Do you wear ballet flats even in Summer? What is your favorite way to wear them?

This post was sponsored by Tieks, but all reviews & opinions are my own. I only work with brands that I am truly passionate about, & Tieks are the real deal!

Shop this Summer Work Style Look (basics don't have to be boring!)

power of the pants

{ What I Wore to Teach: J.Crew white button down (more affordable option) // necklace ℅ Daisy Gem // pants ℅ Darling Clothing // DSW booties // Ray Ban aviators }

All Photos | Zipporah Photography

I hope everyone had a lovely long weekend! Ours was filled with sunny lake days, home cooked meals, glorious fireworks, baby kisses (love my nieces!), groggy afternoon naps, & belly laughs. My face is slightly more freckled & my body is rested & ready to hit the ground running again today… back to teaching kids math!

Lately I have been trying to mix up my teacher wardrobe of skirts & cardigans with funky pants & fun jewels.

True story - one of my Summer School 3rd graders told me that when I wore bold prints, all my prancing around at the front of the room made him dizzy… guess that is why you have your eyes on the board & not on my pants kids!

Looking to mix up your Summer wardrobe? I suggest adding pretty jewels from Daisy Gem! Shopping at Daisy Gem is now even better with their new GemRewards program which rewards members for all their purchases with points. Sign up today & receive free 50 points. Every $1 spent = 1 point, & 100 points = $10 gift card, so everyone is half way to $10 just by signing up!

And if you are looking to shake up your Summer wardrobe even MORE, enter to win $500 from the lovely ladies below. A random winner will be selected via Rafflecopter after 7 days.

My Style Vita | Elle Sees | Life With Emily | Katie's Bliss | Side Smile Style

Pearls & Twirls | Living After Midnite | Sparkling Footsteps | Style Cusp | Let It Be Beautiful

Fashionably Lo | Living In Color Print | Allyson In Wonderland | Baby Shopaholic | What Dress Code

The Pumpkin Spot | Sunday Beach | Fashion Truffles | Charmingly Styled | The Fox & She

Belle De Couture | Hosting and Toasting | Here&Now | Sequins & Things | Stushi Gal Style

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Bloggers Who Budget: Fall For Less

With the holidays coming up, most of my shopping budget is set aside for presents. So I love when I spot something that will go far towards sprucing up my own wardrobe without breaking the bank. Today I'm excited to team up with 7 other bloggers to show you looks created around budget friendly items.

{ What I Wore: Old Navy sweater // J.Crew Factory button down // Forever 21 pants (sold out) // Steve Madden pumps }

{Get the Look}

critter sweater {$25} + white button down {$32.50} + polka dot pants {$19.80} + nude heels {$54.95} 

(total outfit = $132.25)

I picked up this Old Navy sweater on super sale & while it probably doesn't help the fact that I am 26 & still get carded for e-v-e-r-ything (including lotto tickets!) I love it & that's what matters in my book!

I also got these Forever21 pants for under $20 & was super impressed that they were not only fully lined, made of a thick, rich looking fabric & had the polka dots embroidered on (why I love the LOVE21 line the most!). For an extra $20 I got the waist taken in slightly & the legs tapered at the ankles by my dry cleaners... so $40 later these pants are fun & perfectly tailored for my body! Score!

 

Check out the other bloggers who style Fall for Less: Sharing My Sole | The Style Letters | Let It Be Beautiful | Here & Now | Pearls & Twirls | Stylin in St. Louis | The Pumpkin Spot | B Soup

Tweet us, how you stay stylish on a budget? #FallForLess 

just like old times

{ What I Wore: sunglasses c/o Silvano Apparel // J.Crew button down // Forever21 shorts // Target wedges // Philip Lim for Target satchel }

Holy cow, it's Fall! Time to pull out the layers, put on the boots, wrap yourself in scarves & sip on some PSLs. Or not, in case you are somewhere like Nashville & the weather literally hasn't changed. Maybe by the time Thanksgiving rolls around there will be some of that much awaited chill!

So here's to dressing like the weather it is, instead of the weather I wish it was... because nobody wants to see me sweating in leather & wool just yet!

P.S. Thank you to my friend Natalie for taking these photos for me! Sure beats that silly tripod ;)

P.P.S. If you are looking for some unique & flattering sunglasses, might I recommend these wooden ones... the side arms are made of seriously stunning wood with exposed grain!

P.P.P.S. Enter to win my J.Crew giftcard giveaway {here}

all dressed up

{ What I Wore: J.Crew button down, belt // necklace c/o Yuni Kelley // skirt c/o Gentle Fawn // ShoeMint "Elizabeth" heels }

All dressed up, and nowhere to go... 
Since turning 26 last month I have been reflecting on how my personal style has evolved with age. All my life people have told me I look young. When older men see the engagement ring on my finger many tell me that I am too young to get married. I get carded for lotto tickets (must be 18 to purchase), & people never look twice when I try to milk college discounts. I actually have the image of my 18 year old self in my head (anyone else?), & wear clothes that I bought during my sophomore year of high school.

As a graduate student I am trapped in this time continuum where no one ever seems to age. There never really was a major leap from college to where I am now, & I still have the luxury of wearing ratty t-shirts & jeans everyday if I choose to do so.

Truth be told, I am that nutty person who dreams of having a job that would require me to don pencil skirts, silk blouses & pretty shoes. But without that current requirement I am stuck struggling to look put together & age appropriate all on my own volition.

I continue to buy the clothes that I think someone my age should own (a white button down, power heels, longer skirts), & yet have no where to wear them out to...
until then I will play dress up & dream, enjoying my youth while it is at hand (age is just an number, right!?)

Do you dress for your age, your body or just what you like?
What age do you see yourself as in your mind?

P.S. Enter to win a store credit to Bella Fusion {here}