taco Tuesday

Happy Taco Tuesday! I am excited to share another local Denver spot with you, in partnership with car2go! When visiting the Mile High City, you have to put the RiNo neighborhood on your list for mural peeping and brewery hopping, but The Source is also a must visit spot in this hip area just north of Downtown. Located in a gorgeously restored warehouse, The Source has options for everyone - a brewery (featuring sours, my favorite is the rosé!),  yummy farm-to-table restaurant, small batch liquor store, whole animal butcher, florist, coffee shop, bakery & one of my favorite taco spots - Comida!

Don't tell me you don't have a #TacoTuesday dress? I do, & it makes this weekly tradition that much more festive! While Denver is currently experiencing snow, I know the sun is just waiting to make its return, so this dress will be ready to go once it does! 

Do you celebrate Taco Tuesday? Where is your favorite local spot??

{shop these exact pieces + other favorites}

dress: Chicwish pom-pom trim dress (now 25% off!)

shoes: Nisolo slides (forever favorites along with their Serena sandal - both now on sale!)

Shop all Nisolo products (their leather goods make sure to please presents!) with my referral link & you get $25 off your purchase (+ I get $25!)

sunglasses: Ray-Ban aviators (green + gold is a classic combo)

lipstick: By Terry liquid lipstick (makes a great gift set!)

All Photos | Walnut Street Photography

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}

Summer Capsule Wardrobe: patterned shorts

For those of you just tuning in (welcome!), I have been trying to shed my overpacking ways & for my Summer travels, I challenged myself to stick to a minimalistic "capsule" wardrobe. See what I packed in my Summer capsule wardrobe (10 foundation pieces that fit in a carry on!) & check out all of the Summer capsule wardrobe outfits here. Today I am focusing on a fun piece that I had added to my wardrobe this previous spring: patterned shorts.

{ Summer Capsule Wardrobe foundation pieces: J.Crew Factory patterned shorts (no longer available) }

Outfit 1: Gap jean jacket // J.Crew Factory tank // Michael Kors cross body purse (available in lots of pretty colors!) // black wedges ℅ Nisolo**

Outfit 2: J.Crew Factory chambray shirt // Converse sneakers // Ray Ban aviators

**Get 10% off your next Nisolo order using this unique referral link: http://nisolo.refr.cc/JXVHV36 

(I also get $10 for each person that uses the link)

All Photos | Kate Davis Photography 

When I pulled out some of my shorts this past Spring, I was honestly shocked at how microscopic some of their inseams appeared to be! At almost 28, I am not yet ready for full on bermuda shorts all the time, but the teeny-weeny shorts I rocked in college already feel like a life ago!

When I found these polka dot shorts at J.Crew Factory, I'm pretty sure I reacted like someone who has just won the lottery! Pockets!? Polka-dots!? A reasonable length that doesn't make my legs look like their are stuffed into sausage casings appropriate for a 12 year old!? Score! (& being that they are from J.Crew Factory, I'm sure they were on sale too… tip: don't ever fall for buying something full price from them!)

Shop my current patterned shorts favorites:

What I love most about these shorts (besides their reasonable inseam length) is that they are still sassy enough to be fun daytime shorts that transition into nighttime shorts. Again - when trying to use a "capsule" approach to packing: everything must have a dual purpose! No one hit wonders here!

Do you have any patterned shorts that are giving you heart eyes?

Shop my current favorite patterned shorts above & all of the capsule collection pieces below:

Summer Capsule Wardrobe: the sleeveless button down

For those of you just tuning in (welcome!), I have been trying to shed my overpacking ways & for my Summer travels, I challenged myself to stick to a minimalistic "capsule" wardrobe. See what I packed in my Summer capsule wardrobe (10 foundation pieces that fit in a carry on!) & check out all of the Summer capsule wardrobe outfits here. Today I am focusing on a trendy piece that I wanted to experiment with on vacation: the sleeveless button down. 

{ Summer Capsule Wardrobe foundation pieces: Old Navy sleeveless button down, J.Crew Factory white denim }

Outfit 1: Michael Kors cross body purse (available in lots of pretty colors!) // Converse sneakers // Ray Ban aviators

Outfit 2: Panama hat ℅ Goorin Bros // Clare V leopard clutch // black wedges ℅ Nisolo**

**Get 10% off your next Nisolo order using this unique referral link: http://nisolo.refr.cc/JXVHV36 

(I also get $10 for each person that uses the link)

All Photos | Kate Davis Photography 

I had seen this type of sleeveless button down shirt popping up a lot at super hip places like Madewell (exhibit A), so I was thankful when I spotted this similar style at Old Navy for a price that fit well within my budget (low risk is my motto!).

For a person on the more petite side (5'3" here), I liked it just ok when it was worn long - it kind of become a tunic dress with jeans, which is apparently in style right now, so I went with it. But I really fell in love when I tied the shirt up! The linen cotton fabric & classic stripes made it feel modern, but a retro twist!

Because I was trying to maximize the style bang I packed with minimum pieces, I really appreciated what a chameleon this shirt proved itself to be! Casual & comfy for day, but cute & playful for evening adventures!

Shop similar sleeveless button downs:

Have you tried a sleeveless button down shirt this Summer? How did you find worked best for styling it?

Shop the full Summer Capsule Collection below:

Summer Capsule Wardrobe: The Sundress

For those of you just tuning in (welcome!), I have been trying to shed my overpacking ways & for my Summer travels, I challenged myself to stick to a minimalistic "capsule" wardrobe. See what I packed in my Summer capsule wardrobe (10 foundation pieces that fit in a carry on!) & check out all of the Summer capsule wardrobe outfits here. Today I am focusing on one of my favorite clothing shapes of all time - the fit & flare sundress!

{ Summer Capsule Wardrobe foundation piece: Old Navy fit & flare sundress }

Outfit 1: J.Crew Factory cardigan // Nisolo** tote & sandals // woven brown belt

Outfit 2: J.Crew Factory chambray top // Michael Kors cross body bag (available in lots of pretty colors!) // Converse sneakers

Outfit 3: Panama hat ℅ Goorin bros (budget friendly option) // black wedges ℅ Nisolo**

**Get 10% off your next Nisolo order using this unique referral link: http://nisolo.refr.cc/JXVHV36 

(I also get $10 for each person that uses the link)

All Photos | Kate Davis Photography 

I used to approach dresses as very un-remixable, but somewhere along this style journey I found out that quite the opposite was true for me. Especially when on vacation, the weather can be more unpredictable than what you are used to at home, so I am thankful that this style of dress easily allows for the addition of more layers (cardigan, or button down to give it a skirt look) + looks equally polished with both flats & heels.

Looking to mix up your Summer sundresses even more? Try adding a jean jacket & lightweight patterned scarf for cooler evening temps or if you are into pattern mixing, then a different print button down top would be fun knotted over the dress (I'm imagining gingham with this dress - just ordered this pink gingham check top from J.Crew Factory & will update you with how it works!).

So, moral of the story: put those sundresses at the front of your closet & get creative (let me know how it goes in the comments!)

What is your favorite way to remix dresses? Which look do you like the best from my 3 outfits?

Shop the full capsule now (many pieces still on sale from the 4th of July holiday - click over for updated prices)

basic black

{ What I Wore: hat ℅ Goorin Bros (budget friendly option) // Everlane "Ryan" tank (the only kind of tank I own) // Old Navy rockstar skinny jeans (stretchy, high-waisted, basically the most perfect jeans ever, for so CHEAP!) // wedges ℅  Nisolo* }

*I know I have talked a LOT about Nisolo before, but these new wedges are amazing! Shop through my referral link & get 10% off your next Nisolo order: http://nisolo.refr.cc/JXVHV36 

(I also get $10 for each person that uses the link)

All Photos | Kate Davis Photo

This is where I am right now: It is a million degrees hot in Nashville + 100% humidity, & I feel like all of my Summer clothes have turned on me (nothing fits!)… so this has been my combo for the last couple of excursions out into the elements. I guess black is supposed to be the worst color for hot days, but for some reason this is what I keep reaching for.

What has been seeing you through hot Summer days? Anyone else have the most difficult time ever finding shorts that are longer than crotch length?!?!

P.S. I am on the road back from Charleston today & cannot wait to share the outfits, explorations, & new bloggers that I met while down there! If you are a Southern or Southwestern blogger & aren't a part of the Southern Blog Society yet, you HAVE to check it out!

love more

I present you the 3rd & final story for the kickoff of a new "conscious consumerism" thread on the blog. And today it's all about the shoes. (I mean, it's always all about the shoes, but today's shoes rock a little more than usual!)

My friend from High School (AP Bio Lab partner - what what), Patrick Woodyard, co-founded Nisolo Shoes, a social enterprise that is committed to giving Peruvian leather workers a fair & honest wage for their beautiful work.

Seeing & hearing the story of Nisolo unfold in front of me over the years since we graduated college has been a great joy. I was thrilled that the Nisolo team decided to root themselves in Nashville, they not only have one rocking showroom (you have to check it out if in town), but they are also such a strong voice for socially conscious consumerism, one that hasn't always been so prevalent in the South. (you can read about why they chose Nashville for their Headquarters here).

{ What I Wore: headphones ℅ Dillard's Green Hills // Forever21 vest (similar 1 // 2 // 3) // Lands End Canvas sequin skirt (sold out, love this one!) // J.Crew chambray shirt // Nisolo "Oliver" oxfords (borrowed) // fashionABLE leather clutch (borrowed) // Fringe & Lace necklace, not yet released }

all photos | Zipporah Photography

While working for a microfinance organization in Peru, Patrick & his business partners witnessed first hand skilled artisans living amongst poverty, despite their fine talents. A seed was planted, & in what would become Nisolo, the team knew that they had to find a way to get these beautiful products to market. Nisolo provides the "vehicle of opportunity" for these leather artisans & aims to inspire others to do the same around the world (read their whole story here).

"Nisolo" means "not alone" in Spanish & I love how well this truly encompasses the "conscious consumerism" movement. We are not alone on this planet, we all have skills that can be used to benefit others. We have the means to look out from ourselves, & to the rest of the world. 

We are not alone in the world. And I hope this "conscious consumerism" series will at least make you think a little more about your purchases, open your eyes to the fact that sometimes a slower pace, a more expensive product, is a better choice. For each of us to continually be conscious of our great privilege. Let us use that privilege for positive change.

And because I love this so much, I must quote from the Nisolo website:

"Our goal is for the quality, style, & comfort of our products to reflect the talent that exists among producers in the developing world, thus showcasing their ability to newer, much larger markets in the developed world. We live in a time period where there are more & more brands emerging everyday that enable us to make a very positive impact on the world without having to sacrifice our usual desires as consumers. Why then, would we ever choose to support a brand with mass produced products that primarily benefit only those at the very top of the production pyramid? If you can still get what you want, why would you not choose to support brands that are making a difference in the world?"

And seriously, Nisolo makes some gorgeous products! Be sure to check out the Nisolo video relsease… it's a beaut! 

Please consider the origin of your products & how they are made!

And one more gigantic hug to the people that made this shoot possible: Jordan Duncan, stylist // Zipporah Photography // Natalie Sawyer, Fringe & Lace // the fashionABLE team // Kate & the entire Nisolo team.