what works

For my first outfit post since last September (read this post to learn about where I've been for the past 5 months), I wanted to share an outfit that represents where my style is now in one look, the pieces that I gravitate towards most, the things that I know work, & what I always enjoy putting on.

This sweater is from the Melissa McCarthy Seven 7 collection. Did you know Melissa McCarthy had a clothing line, & it is awesome? I have worn this sweater A TON since receiving it, it is fitted at the waist, has the most beautiful forest green stripes, & the mock neck makes me feel chic! 

I also recently added this suede moto jacket to my closet after seeing it on everyone & drooling enough times that I just HAD to have it! For a real suede leather jacket, the price point is great, & I cannot get over the amazing details! One thing to note, it is a pretty heavy jacket, but I like that it feels so substantial when I wear it.

Paired with my go-to jeans (on sale for $29 now!), favorite necklace, clutch & easy to wear booties - this outfit is a no brainer, but I like it because it makes me feel GOOD!

What do you wear when you want to feel comfortable & confident?

jacket: Nordstrom suede moto jacket - I'm wearing the Small, in "coffee bean"

jeans: Old Navy "Rockstar" skinny jeans (now only $29!)

bag: Clare V leopard clutch

top: Melissa McCarthy Seven7 mock neck turtleneck - I'm wearing the XS (similar style also available at J.Crew - shop it here)

necklace: Kendra Scott (old, but I've linked similar styles at the end of this post)

sunglasses: Ray Ban aviators

shoes: Older style Vince Camuto booties from Nordstrom Rack // this peep-toe style is very similar.

All Photos: Noah Berg Photography

{Shop these exact pieces}

90's child

I will always be a dresses over pants girl - not only can you get fully dressed in 30 seconds flat when you wear dresses, but they are so much more forgiving & easy to find the perfect fit than when pants shopping!

I reviewed this dress on Snapchat last week (are you following? Find me by searching for jesshereandnow), but I'll repeat my gushing here too :)

I initially saw this dress online, & then again in the store, & didn't think much about it. However, when I was headed to the dressing room at Old Navy, it caught my eye once again & I thought "why not!?", adding it to my armful of clothes to check out in the fitting rooms. 

Once on, I was pleasantly surprised by its fit & details. Adjustable straps, slightly nipped in waist that looks great with or without a belt, flattering midi length, & smocked back to help it fit just right. And most of all, this dress *almost* makes me want to throw on a white baby doll tee underneath & re-live my 90s child glory days! But only if I still had my pair of Doc Martens! 

dress: Old Navy slip dress
Not a joke - Old Navy just posted an awesome coupon code: 41% off 1 item + 30% off the rest of your order! Code: NOTAJOKE

clutch: convertible clutch c/o Gigi NY

necklace: Kendra Scott chain necklace (no longer available, but achieve a similar look with this or this piece)

belt: J.Crew leather belt (from the men's department - I had my cobbler add a few extra holes so I can wear it at my natural waist)

shoes: Nisolo sandals

All Photos | Catherine Truman Photography

Are you embracing the fact that the 90s are back?

Any other late 80s babies that are excited to finally embrace the more grown up styles of this decade??

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relaxed? check!

Tyler & I snuck away to Asheville, North Carolina last weekend to try out their world class breweries, hang out in the mountains & pretend we were billionaires for a day while at the Biltmore Estate.

Tomorrow I'll be divulging packing tips + our favorite Asheville spots, but I just couldn't wait to share my traveling outfit any longer. I've said it many times (sorry not sorry!), but my favorite clothing silhouette is an oversized top + slim bottoms, so this "boyfriend fit" popover top is my dream item! It is the perfect balance of slouchy & feminine with the softest fabric! I have noticed the split back detail on several other pieces for Spring & it might just be my favorite subtle detail of all time.

shirt: Thread & Supply oversized gingham top 

(fit: I ordered a size small, order your regular size for a comfy "boyfriend fit")

denim: Old Navy rockstar skinny jeans

sandals: Jack Rogers sandals 

(the platinum color goes with everything & I swear it looks more gold tone online than in person!)

earrings: Kendra Scott druzy studs

backpack: Michael Kors leather backpack 

(I also love my canvas backpack - also in gray, I *might* have a gray bag problem - from Herschel)

All Photos | Catherine Truman Photography

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coming up tulips

top: June & Huson halter neck tank

I originally got this top to wear with work dresses & cardigans, but was surprised that it was slightly shorter than I expected, but it totally works with highwaisted jeans for Spring! 

jeans: Hart Denim cropped skinnies

shoes: Steve Madden (lower heel option)

purse: quilted clutch c/o Vera Bradley

sunglasses: Carerra sunglasses c/o Sunglasses Shop

jewelry: Kendra Scott cuff + stacking rings 

All Photos | Catherine Truman Photography

Ok, I know I have been wearing a ton of baby blue + pink - but in my defense I totally warned you! I admitted to my increasing love for this year's Pantone colors when I wore this blush dress +  blue suede mules (you've got to check them out - full post here), then I couldn't help but wear the combo again with this amazing blue tiny tote + light pink accents in my new Spring dress (full post + be sure to check out that post for a discount code on my Spring bag!)

Happy Friday!!! I hope you all have a totally awesome weekend! I am headed to visit a friend in NYC - so expect lots of oversharing on Instagram & Snapchat (username: jesshereandnow)!

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tiny but mighty

dress: ASTR racerback swing dress (ASTR clothing: http://bit.ly/1VRz5Sd)

bag: Tiny Tote c/o Dagne Dover (in limited edition "trench blue")

PROMO CODE: Score this purse for 20% off using code HEREANDNOW20 (valid until 4/1)

shoes: cognac heels via Kohl's gift card (currently on sale with all sizes in stock!)

watch: Le Coeur leather strap watch c/o Fab.com (Don't forget to enter the $1,000 Fab giveaway - enter here!)

necklace: Kendra Scott "Coby" necklace (from last year's collection, but you can achieve a similar look with this or this from the current Spring collection)

sunglasses: Ray Ban aviators

All Photos | Catherine Truman Photography

I have talked at length about why cognac accessories will always be my favorite - they look better with age & match everything! I am still in shock at the price I found these Spring staple heels! (currently at sale on Kohl's & all sizes stocked!)

I just added this tiny purse to my line-up for Spring & can't get enough of the amazing craftsmanship that Dagne Dover puts into all of their products. This purse might be small in size, but there is no scrimping on the organization that this baby packs! This is one of their limited edition Spring colors & it is a great way to inject personality into any outfit!

As I am always on the lookout for new brands to feature here on Here&Now, I have to share with you a new-to-me favorite: ASTR, available from Nordstrom. They are killing it with their bold prints & modern cuts! Next on my wish list: this hi-low wrap dress & a polished romper!

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lack of color

blazer: J.Crew camel blazer (now on sale!)

dress: J.Crew Factory crepe work dress (currently sold out, but I also love this dress with scalloped details & this dress is very similar + has pockets!)

necklace: Kendra Scott "Rayne" necklace

purse: Angled bowler bag ℅ Vera Bradley

See more of my teacher style outfits here.

All Photos | Catherine Truman Photography

I spoke last week to my teacher style rut & goal to find some FREAKING work pants... still working on the whole pants situation, but I am allowing myself to bust out some of my Spring clothes in order to break the monotony of my weekly wardrobe.

This transitional time of year - not quite warm, but not absolutely deathly cold either - can be a fun time to experiment with your clothes. This dress (previously worn on the blog here) was always in the Summer section, while this blazer (see all the ways I've styled it before here) solidly lived in the Winter area of my closet, so they never had a chance to meet before. Luckily I really wanted to wear this dress, but it was too cold to sport on its own, so I started seeking out appropriate outerwear & the blazer just stood out to me! A new combo was born!

So now that you have some insight into how my style choices get made before I've had an adequate amount of coffee... what recent mixes have you been surprised by?

This purse is a recent addition to my closet & I was shocked that I didn't own any white purses!

I then immediately remembered the time that I wore my brand new white purse with my brand new pair of jeans, causing my pretty Spring bag to have a giant indigo striped down the side... resulting in me dousing this baby in Scotch Guard & vowing to treat it better than bags that have come before it.

Vera Bradley is continuing to wow me - first with their release of amazing leather bags, & now for Spring, some super fun shapes! This is their "angled bowler" bag & I am equally in love with this sporty belt bag too!

Did you see Monday's post revealing my home office makeover?

Don't forget to enter to win the $1,000 shopping spree from Fab.com! Enter to win here. 

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bling bling

sweater: J.Crew Factory "Teddie" sweater (J.Crew Factory currently has 9 green sweaters on sale, shop them all here)

skirt: faux leather skirt c/o Chicwish

shoes: Chris booties c/o Sole Society

jewelry: All items loaned from Kendra Scott Green Hills store. Featuring Tristan choker necklace, Gavin cuff & Naomi 3 stone ring. 

All Photos | Kate Davis Photography

If you talk to a teacher, they will tell you that the two worst months are October & February. Hard to understand if you aren't in the profession, but for some reason the kids are just extra rowdy around these times, & the stretch between where you stand & the next school break feels like FORRREVVVERRRRRRRRR!

To combat the February blues, I plan on pulling out my brightest clothes & faking an ear to ear smile all the way until Spring Break! Oh and LOTS. OF. COFFEE.

I just got this neon sweater as a little Christmas surprise from my parents & it makes me endlessly happy - if you can believe it, it is even more electric in person! When I spotted these gunmetal pieces from the Spring 2016 Kendra Scott collection, they instantly asked me to be paired with my new little slice of neon - although, now I'm dying to try them with some creamy whites too! My go to jewelry metal is gold, but I think Kendra Scott has finally gotten me officially out of my jewelry rut comfort zone

I have been having so much fun showing off the new Kendra Scott collection over the last week. Did you miss a post? Catch up below:

Distressed denim + polished crystal necklace + earrings

Mosaic skirt + stained glass inspired jewels

Shop exact pieces from this outfit:

This faux leather skirt is really soft & luxe looking in person - oh & did you spot those pockets?! Money!

work of art

skirt: mosaic skirt c/o Shabby Apple

sweater: J.Crew

heels: old from ShoeMint (shop similar from Sole Society - available in 6 colors)

jewelry: borrowed from the Kendra Scott Green Hills store. Featuring the Caroline earrings, dainty Cory necklace, amethyst drop Carole necklace, & Lyle hand chain. 

sunglasses: Ray-Ban aviators

All Photos | Kate Davis Photo

This is the skirt that inspired my Winter wonderland photoshoot outing. I had this gorgeous skirt from Shabby Apple hanging in my closet & I just knew how dreamy it would look against the amazing white-out Nashville experienced last week. Luckily, my amazing photographer Kate lives close to me, & was willing to brave my snow driving skills to capture these images. The giggles we shared while I navigated this sheet of ice in heels was just a bonus! #doitfortheblog - amiright!?

This maxi skirt truly is a work of art & I love how the stunning purple stones in the Kendra Scott gems pick up on some of the stained-glass-esque colors. All of the jewelry I'm wearing with this outfit is from the Spring 2016 Collection just launched by Kendra Scott, & the inspired-by-modern-art pieces are beyond fabulous!

Shop exact pieces from today's outfit:

Shabby Apple is truly a brand that I adore (in fact one of my all time favorite dresses is Shabby Apple - full post), & I always look to their clothing for great teaching clothes, & items that will be a little different from what everyone else is wearing.

Today I'm partnering with Shabby Apple to give away a $50 gift card to their online store.

Come get social with us on Instagram to enter! Details in the Rafflecopter widget below. A random winner will be selected in 1 week.

a Rafflecopter giveaway