Trending December

Shop this look at Nordstrom Rack: knit beanie // gray cardigan // white blouse // olive wool coat // dark wash skinny jeans // metallic heels

All Photos | Kate Davis Photo 

This month is all about making a statement while staying warm. Think playful beanies, patterned puffer vests, embellished sweaters, and tailored outwear. Look to mix slouchy & cozy, chunky knits with printed scarves. Contrast of soft creams with bold reds with touches of glam from gemstone jewelry and statement accessories. 

My December style secret? I like to sport a beanie for bad hair days, but no one has to know it wasn't just a fabulous style statement!

I’m usually shopping for myself when I go to Nordstrom Rack, but now that it’s December, I’m realizing it’s also a great place to pick up gifts for others. I easily found 11 gifts for everyone on my list! Looking to gift that man in your life? I love giving stylish bags & watches, two things they never think to get themselves!

{1} playful leather gloves // {2} a stylish watch // {3} follow your arrow necklace // {4} add stylish sound to your gift recipient's home - wireless speaker // {5} even your phone should have good style // {6} sleek weekender bag // {7} for your friends with New Years resolutions for good health - a pretty activity/sleep monitor // {8} cozy slippers that won't break the bank // {9} put a bow on it - the daintiest of earrings // {10} headphones to up your street cred // {11} classic cashmere glove/scarf set

 This post was sponsored through a collaboration with Nordstrom Rack. All opinions and review are my own. 

borrowed from the boys

Stealing from the boys & doing it better! 

This month I am craving "borrowed from the boys" details like ties, tough button downs, and schoolgirl chic loafers. The look might be channeling menswear, but with a definite feminine flair. The cooler temps also have me reaching for rich gem tones, and warm gold accents!

Get all of these hot fall trends at Nordstrom Rack. Pair pencil skirts with chambray tops, or ladylike dresses with boyish loafers and blazers. Ties and oversized coats add a fun twist to your work outfits!

All Photos | Kate Davis Photo

Shop my look at Nordstrom Rack: chambray top, pencil skirt, men's tie, loafers, sunglasses, gold watch 

I am also excited to announce that I am partnering up with Nordstrom Rack for their store opening in Nashville! AND, you can join the pre-opening private shop event with me! Nordstrom Rack private shop events are typically reserved for Nordstrom Reward members and VIPs, but as my readers, Nordstrom Rack wants YOU to join in on the fun too. You could be among the first to shop the new store when the merchandise selection is at its best.

What: Brentwood, TN Nordstrom Rack Pre-Opening Party

When: Thursday October 2, 4 - 8 pm 

Where: 330 Franklin Road, Brentwood, TN 37027 (off Franklin Road within Brentwood Place Shopping Center)

**UPDATE: Congrats to Marcie R on winning the 1 on 1 styling session! Can't wait to fix you up with some great pieces for Fall!

Sign up to join the store opening festivities with me and Nordstrom Rack.

I am also super excited to be offering 1 on 1 styling for one local reader as well! One person who signs up for the private shopping event will be chosen at random to be styled by me at the event! 

This post was sponsored by Nordstrom Rack, but all reviews and opinions are my own.

#ShopGenius

{ What I Wore to teach: J.Crew sweater (similar) // dress ℅ Muse Apparel // shoes ℅ Sole Society (see similar below) // sunglasses ℅ Silvano // Pour La Victoire purse via Nordstrom Rack* }
*purchased with a gift card from Nordstrom Rack

all photos | Zipporah Photography

Shopping for me is a treasure hunt. I do not have the budget nor the closet space to bring home everything I "like". The items that come home with me have to be serious LOVE status.

I had the great pleasure of attending the Nordstrom Rack Market Street store Grand Opening while in San Francisco & it was the ultimate treasure hunt! So many designer labels, dreamy Spring pieces & budget friendly finds! It was hard, but I kept my eyes on the prize, looking for a high quality cross-body bag. Pour La Victoire has been on my radar for a while (#wishlist) & I was pleasantly surprised to find a great selection of their bags at the Rack! 

I had hit the jackpot: classic black, more pockets than I could handle & in soft leather with high quality finishing details. Best part, this bag was originally $325, but the Rack price was $119 - a 60%+ savings! This highly versatile, & budget friendly item was a no-brainer purchase, filling a hole in my closet that will be a go-to bag for YEARS to come. Certainly a piece with a cost per wear of pennies!

My shopping confession: it only looks expensive! #ShopGenius #Frugalista

Have you had a shopping treasure hunt score at Nordstrom Rack? Share your shopping confessions & shopping treasures found at Nordstrom Rack on Instagram using the hashtag #ShopGenius. The best submissions may be featured on Nordstrom Rack’s Instagram account & if you tag me, I will be regramming my favorites as well! Follow along with Nordstrom Rack on Instagram for all the juicy shopping confessions in the months to come.

What is your best shopping secret? Any shopping confessions to share??

Nordstrom Rack

It is a point of pride for me that I am a blogger who also has a day job. I really do get to enjoy the best of both worlds: pursuing a job that fulfills me by day, & then getting to talk about fashion, style & my favorite products by night. But things like studio fashion shoots & flying to the opposite coast for blog business meetings just aren't things that I ever saw myself doing… but when the opportunity presented itself, I jumped on it! Nordstrom Rack invited me out to San Francisco to learn about a fun new collaboration. In doing so I got to cross many "firsts" off my bucket list: first time being around so many bloggers in one place, first trip to California, & first photo shoot. I also can't publish this post without first thanking YOU, my readers, as brands would never believe in me if I didn't have you guys. I always say, I have the best readers & it is true! Thank you for making this a positive & fun place to hang out.

Let's just say that my first photo shoot wasn't filled with beginners luck. If we were to play a game called "Spot Jessica's robot fingers" it would get old really quickly. Luckily, we got to work with some awesome photographers that made me feel less like my "I don't know what to do with my hands" awkward self. And playing dress up with your new friends isn't so shabby either!

Seriously little pinkie finger!? Sporting a studded Rebecca Minkoff purse & chain detail bow necklace, both from Nordstrom Rack.

Lots of laughs to go around! Taylor, Kat, Liz & Natalie were so much fun to shoot with!

This pink skirt from Nordstrom Rack is on my wish list for Spring!

That Oscar selfie has nothing on us! #selfie

The whole group! Loved getting to know each & everyone of these wonderfully talented ladies.

Being an Ambassador for Nordstrom Rack this year is a dream come true. All of us will be serving as your "Shopping Geniuses", sharing our shopping confessions & dishing out our best secrets! But you can get in on the action too! Share your shopping confessions & shopping treasures found at Nordstrom Rack on Instagram using the hashtag #ShopGenius. The best submissions may be featured on Nordstrom Rack’s Instagram account & if you tag me, I will be regramming my favorites as well! Follow along with Nordstrom Rack on Instagram for all the juicy shopping confessions in the months to come.

What is your best shopping secret? Any shopping confessions to share??

rack it up

Wow, we are just halfway through March & it has already been an out of this world month. The first weekend in March I headed down the road to my home in Arkansas for my bridal shower. The women from my church (like my extended family of aunts and grandmothers) hosted, & my BFF/MOH drove all the way from Houston to surprise me (Who does that you crazy bestie!). It was a day overflowing with love… seriously, I wasn't sure my heart could handle it. I also go to celebrate my mom's birthday & squeeze my twin nieces A LOT… good for the soul! I in Arkansas for 3 days, then drove straight back to Nashville to pack my bags for an early flight the next morning to… SAN FRANCISCO. 

As you might have gleamed from my Instagram, I recently took a quick trip to San Francisco. Sorry I am just posting about it now, life has been a whirlwind (in a good way) & my processing time is slightly longer than usual. I flew to the left coast to meet with the Nordstrom Rack team. It still hasn't quite sunk in yet, but I am going to be an ambassador for Nordstrom Rack this year. They have lots of goodies planned include LOADS of store openings (Brentwood, TN in October!!) & I can't wait to spill all the details about everything soon. 

I also don't know if I told y'all that I have accepted a teaching position for next year! I will be teaching 7th grade science & am currently co-teaching at the same school. As I just started teaching at the beginning of February, I was so scared to ask for 3 days off for the San Francisco trip so soon into my position, but my fiancé convinced me that it didn't hurt to ask (thanks honey bunches!). So I asked, my boss said yes, & then Nashville had an ice storm. So while the ice made it difficult for me to leave the state, it also caused the schools to be closed for 3 days… making my days off completely guilt free!! Isn't it funny how things work out.

Now I am back in Nashville & finally settled, unpacked, & back on my new teacher schedule (hello 5:30am alarm!). Tyler & I celebrate 1 year being engaged tomorrow, & then my bachelorette party is in 1 month… can. not. wait. 

But one step at a time. Let's start with a recap of the San Francisco trip, with pictures from a fun Nordstrom Rack photo shoot coming in the next few days!

Day 1

Top: packing! I rented this red lace Shoshanna dress + a graphic beauty from Tibi // Thanks to the ice in Nashville my early arrival in San Fran to explore some sights, turned into a long layover in the LA airport, but I tried to make the most of it // Flying up the Cali coast from LAX to SFO.

Bottom: arrived & checked into the Hotel Zetta, shoes off! // prepping for the welcome dinner // I don't think I packed enough shoes!

Day 2

Top: early morning call - a photo shoot with Nordstrom Rack // I've never been to a blogger conference before, so this was the most bloggers I've met in 1 place. Everyone was so sweet! Loved shooting with Taylor, Kat, Liz & Natalie. // A line of stylish bloggers lined up to NOM on some food truck tacos.

Bottom: Talking with Jessica of What I Wore in the gorgeous Hotel Zetta lobby // enjoying a local brew // the Nordstrom Rack "pop up dinning experience" was something else… personal chefs, a roof top bar & lots of good friends!

Day 3

Top: Getting ready to explore the Mission District; in red lace & leather  // A quick photoshoot with Le Tote // Loved meeting the Le Tote team & snooping around their stylish loft work space - tear sheets + new baubles!

Bottom:  Look 1 from the Le Tote photo shoot - how great are those stripes! // Look 2: the blue embossed skater skirt was perfection! // The souvenir I picked up (for 80%+ off!!!) from the Market Street Nordstrom Rack - we got to attend the private store opening shopping event & it was such a party! Makes me excited about the Nashville Rack opening in October!

Oh & speaking of Rent the Runway, I rented this dress for my bridal shower & it might be my favorite RTR dress yet!

So that's a little peek behind the curtain my world. What's up with you? It's Friday, let's chat!