highlighter & a giveaway

Yes, this dress naturally fluoresces.
I don't think it is technically neon, but I tamed it down with some basic neutrals - just to be safe!

{ What I Wore: Old Navy dress // Nisolo tote // Nine West sandals (similar, from Nisolo) // J.Crew cashmere hooded sweater, bought on super sale ages ago! }

Holy cannoli, THE bag is MINE! Mwhahahahaa (<-- that's my evil laugh)

After months of hemming & hawing (official terms there), I took the plunge & brought home a classic leather tote, with clean lines, soft leather & a match-everything rich brown color.

I am beyond happy with my purchase. 

The bag itself is the perrrrrrfect size for toting around my camera, wallet, 17 lip products that I insist on carrying at all times, possible dog accessories & has a separate pocket for storing keys & iPhone (the first things that typically go missing in the dark abysses of purses)

I am also super ecstatic that instead of caving & getting the blog-popular Madewell version, I supported a brand that is not only connected to a friend of mine, but also has a beyond worthy cause - Nisolo.

If you haven't had the chance to check out Nisolo yet, I hope you will.

In keeping with yesterday's post about smart shopping, these quality leather goods will be total work horses in your closet. 

And to get you started, Nisolo is offering 10% off your first purchase with the code "WearChange"

Another fabulous brand that you KNOW Scout & I lurve is Posh'mina (see our feature here).

And the lovely ladies behind the genius invention that is the Posh'mina, want to give YOU your own scarf to be draped, wrapped, belted & rocked this Spring (or given to your beautiful mom for Mother's Day.. hint hint)

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Happy Weekend!

is simplicity ignorance or bliss?

I have gotten a couple of comments lately about my "simple" style/outfits... and I honestly don't know whether to take it as an insult or a compliment. When I get dressed - I strive for a combination of covering my top & bottom, adding shoes, and finishing it off with jewelry. Sometimes when I want to take it to the next level, I might even add a hat/belt/scarf or all three (look at me, cah-razy!)

{ What I Wore: StyleMint dress // J.Crew chambray button down // Nine West sandals (similar) // brown belt (similar) }

Nashville Tourist

Ty and I entertained out of town visitors this weekend. Nashville can be such a tourist trap that I typically avoid the "when-in-Nashville-sites" so I don't run into Midwesterners/Australians/retired Floridians/etc. in cowboy hats and boots (after 3 years, I feel like a local)... but when friends come to town, it is fun to get down with some honky tonks and Southern fried cooking.

If you are ever looking to come visit Music City, there are some great guides out on the internets. My personal favorite (most true to what I would actually want to do in Nashville) comes from the lovelies over at Design*Sponge (Nashville guide)

P.S. they have great guides for other cities too!

The weather here has been down right oppressive, and I was finally brave enough to bust out my crop top... and yes, it is the tamest crop top you have ever seen (my arms have to be over my head for my belly to show)... baby steps!

{ What I wore: H&M top // J.Crew necklace // Blank Denim via ModCloth mint jeans // Nine West sandals } 

{Get the look}

coral, ruffled top + mint jeans + statement necklace + nude sandals {splurge // save}

What exploring have you been doing lately?
Do you ever act like a tourist in your own town?
Happy Monday!
xx

Jessica
P.S. Have you grabbed my button yet? Let's swap... check out more {here}

Afternoon update: If you like this look, check it out on my first contributor post to Teen Vogue Fashion Click {here}

friday's fancies: who wears short shorts

Good morning! Today is my final installment in how wardrobe staples can give a long life to the fun, trendy residents in your closet. The silk blouse is close to my heart... this week I am pairing it with the (faux)leather shorts that I finally scored (on the CHEAP from Arden B.), but I know that I will continue to wear it with classic pencil skirts, and trendy bottoms for years to come!

I am linking up with Friday's Fancies over on Long Distance Loving and showing off my short shorts!

These new (faux) leather shorts are so sassy, and totally worth the little bit of cheek sweet when worn on warmer days! (TMI?! thought so!)

{ What I wore: Arden B leather shorts (great, cheap pair from Forever 21, and these high waisted ones are fabulous!) // J.Crew silk blouse // Nine West leather sandals (love these & these) }

Check out all of the other ladies who wear short shorts here!

TGIF

xx

Jessica

P.S. I will be back tomorrow telling you about what I would rather be doing this weekend...

in the mean time

Oh hey there... excuse me while I unpack and re-locate all of my clothes. I swear I packed in some sort of organized fashion, but now unpacking is proving to be a difficult task. And yes, I did only move across the street - not even to a new town, or a different part of town... just a couple of streets over!

Hopefully the dust will settle soon!

In the mean time, I might be wearing whatever comes out of the boxes first... should be interesting!

Can't wait to make the new place feel like "home"

{ Urban Outfitters top (love this one) // J.Crew Cargo Pants (similar) // Nine West Sandals (similar) } 

 xx

Jessica

band wagoner

Sunday night I had a rare opportunity to attend the NCAA March Madness Regional Tournament here in Nashville (thanks friends!). Being that my bracket is blown to pieces (like I knew what I was doing anyways), and I do not have allegiances to any of the teams still in the competition, I decided to cheer for the team that had the cutest colors... le duh! 

Luckily I had a pair of red jeggings in my 30X30 Remix Challenge items, and two of the teams (Florida State vs. Cincinnati) playing had red as their team colors, I was a shoe in to be wearing colors of the winning team. I sure can band wagon with the best of them!

{ Boutique Lace Tank {similar} / Gap Jeggings / Nine West Sandals {similar} }

Ok, I also have to fess up. I made a slight error in judgement when selecting shoes to include in my 30X30 Remix Challenge items... no open toe flats... what was I thinking?! 

Being that it was over 85˚ F Sunday, and my feet hurt from wearing heels all day on Saturday, I had to break the rules and pull out a pair of "non-list" shoes to save my sore, sweltering piggies... So sorry to disappoint you! I promise it won't happen again! Only 13 more outfits to go!

xx

Jessica

P.S. Don't forget to enter my first every give away for a beautiful BaubleBar necklace {here}, contest ends Wednesday at midnight