my Minkoff story

Well, I guess I should just come out & say it. I've drank the kool-aid. That whole "other half" that loves designer bags... I totally get it now!

For my 26th birthday (this past August) I used some birthday cash & bought my first "designer bag". 

No it isn't a LV that I dropped $5k on, but being that it was a couple of Benjamins, I spent LOTS of time deliberating over which bag would be my "first" (Ty, not that I am going to buy many more or anything...)

I have had a girl crush on Rebecca Minkoff & her fabulous bags for some time. So I popped into my Nordstrom & totally annoyed the sales girl checked out the RM bags (& by that I mean I meticulously touched, turned over, tried on, stuffed my phone into all the pockets, etc... you know what normal people do)

{ What I Wore: Old Navy utility vest + flannel shirt // Madewell jeggings // J.Crew belt + socks // Frye "Campus" boots (we have the factory in my town & they only cost $80 there!) // Rebecca Minkoff purse }

In the end I fell in love with this style (the "5 zip mini") & particular color because it makes a statement but is still so versatile. Those little nubs on the bottom & the long tassel-like zipper pulls are SO luxe to me!

The bag can be worn 4 ways (long shoulder, crossbody, short shoulder bag or clutch), with all the pockets I was looking for. I went with gray not only because it is my favorite neutral, going from brown to black with ease, but because I didn't have a gray purse in my closet yet.

So that is my Minkoff story.

Have you drank the designer purse kool-aid?

Do you manage to turn something as fun as purse shopping into a neurotic pro & con column like me? (haha, j/k... but seriously)

Sorry I'm Not Sorry

{What I Wore: Wallis sweater & wedge sneakers // Madewell jeggings // Forever21 necklace // Guise Archives sunnies }

{ Get the Look }

sweater {$35} + jeggings {$98.50} + sneakers {$56, exact} + necklace {$6.80, so cool!} + sunnies {$17}

Sorry, I'm so not sorry:

- I used to be anti-wedge sneakers, but I am SO on board now & I'm not even sorry

- I just can't seem to put on much jewelry, if any at all, now that I have this rock on my finger

- I can't stop talking about my blogger competition to be Wallis' first US Ambassador (please vote here & maybe I will shut up about it)

- My new favorite hobby is painting my fingernails, now I get the obsession!

- I'm that been-engaged-two-seconds lady who already has entirely too many wedding pins & I just keep them coming!

What are you so not sorry about?

P.S. Have you entered to win a $500 Visa Gift card?
 or bundle of $700 worth of J.Crew, Sephora & Target gift cards yet?

leaving on a jet plane

{ What I Wore: Everlane Tank & Tote // Madewell jeggings // Charlotte Russe booties // J.Crew scarf // Guise Sunnies (won in giveaway)

Get the look:

tank + jeggings + leopard scarf + booties + tote + sunnies

trends that make you go hmm... denim on denim

Are you familiar with the "Canadian Tuxedo"? While often considered a mistake of the 90's (there is even a website dedicated to the worst offenders), denim-on-denim looks have lost the boy band stigma, and are once again fashionable! 

(I wonder if my children will question this in another 20 years!?)

I think the proprietor of thecanadiantuxedo.com said it best:

"Sometimes it’s important to look your best. Sometimes everything else is in the wash. Sometimes you just don’t need a reason. In these situations, it’s good to know there’s a fashionable option to ensure you feel comfortable as well as good looking. Couple your jeans with your denim jacket in a delicious double denim ensemble that tells the world just how super cool you are"

Chloé/D&G/Twenty8Twelve {found here}

The runways and street-style sidewalks have embraced the head-to-toe denim esthetic (hello Spring 2010), have you? I was reluctant to give it a try (aka late to the party again), but now that I have embraced this lifestyle, I think I'm hooked (it doesn't hurt that my chambray shirt is easily my favorite shirt in my closet!) Good thing fashion is a little behind here in Nashville. I also am looking forward to pairing my chambray shirts with colored/patterned denim come spring - so fun!

J.Crew Chambray Shirt
Madewell Jeggings
Riding boots (old)
Modcloth Necklace

What do you think? Love it? Hate it?

Keep it classy internets

xx

Jessica

secret agent woman

Banana Republic Jacket
Madewell Jeggings
J. Crew sweater and tank

I have long admired the classic lines of a well tailored trench coat. This very iconic piece (for secret agents and glamorous ladies alike), has been on my wish list for quite some time. My original crush was on this $300 J.Crew trench, but then this little beauty at the Banana Republic outlet stole my heart! It is a trench miracle - I found this $200 Banana Republic trench at the outlet store for $140, and then it was marched down 70%... to less than $50! I'll take it!

Ever since I brought this trench home to live with me, the weather has been unseasonable mild in Nashville and my trench baby has functioned as the perfect all-season cover up. Can't wait to give this beaut some miles in my other favorite seasons- fall & spring!

  

 Now I have 23 of the "50 classics"... working on making my short list of the items I will have my eyes open for next, in case a good deal pops up again!

xx

Jessica

a dab will do ya

Sweater - Lefler's Boutique
Necklace - ModCloth
Jeggings- Madewell
Rain Ballet Flat Wellies - J.Crew

Yesterday drizzle, today torrential downpour... not sure which one I like less! ha. But today's pictures had to be taken inside... cold and rainy outside... not so much my jam. At least my beloved J.Crew ballet flat rain wellies are getting some good use lately :)

I found this silver belt in my closet recently... didn't even know I had it! I guess I need to get on that purging/cleaning/assessing my closet bullet point on my to-do list soon...

I did tie said never-knew-I-had-it-belt in my new favorite way. And topped off my rain depressed black outfit with this pop of torquoise. This necklace is such a le duh for making an outfit (see D.O.N. for "le duh" reference).

Second time out for my new jeggings... This time trying them out with flats. I think I preferred them with boots... the jeggings into flats transition... eeep... still super comfy!

orange you glad it's fall?

Loving the yellows, oranges, and reds on the foliage around town. 

What I love more...? That I finally got off the fence and bought my first pair of jeggings. This pair from Madewell is pretty snug (picture crazy yoga moves needed to put them on), but once they are actually on, they are crazy comfortable, and not scary. I don't know why I have been hesitant to jump into the jegging pool... but I am happy that I finally did. If you too are ready to embrace some jeggings, the pair that inspired my bravery is on sale now at Madewell.

So... my favorite color is orange (can you tell from the outfit below?). My college colors were even orange and black... a little spooky, but I did get to rock lots of orange clothing and not look (too) crazy. My favorite yellow peace sign scarf and beloved orange pattern Tulle coat pair great with my orange Tano bag, while a basic white tunic, dark jeggings, and classic Frye Campus boots prevent me from looking too much like a giant pumpkin