Dear Mother Nature,

{ What I Wore: J.Crew striped peplum // Paige Denim shorts* // Converse sneakers** }
* gifted by the Southern Blog Society
* seems to be a popular week for chucks around these parts!

Dear Mother Nature, 

I get it, it's still Summer. If the 90 degree days didn't fill me in, the 100% humidity sure did. Sorry for all those posts about Fall booties, sweatshirts & layers... Apparently I have pissed you off.

Please cool down soon... is there a furry rodent that can help me estimate when this might occur? I'm pretty sure the pugs predicted Fall would come early... that counts for something, riiiight!?

Until then I will wear my skimpiest clothes in efforts to not sweat to death, but proudly sport my new wool hat inside my air conditioned home. Sorry, I'm NOT sorry!

P.S. It's the last full day to enter to win a stunning Stella&Dot statement necklace {here} (you might recognize this top from that post too!)

stress melter

{ What I Wore: J.Crew Panama hat + striped shirt (similar 1, 2, 3) // Paige Denim shorts* // watch c/o May 28th }
*gifted in the SBS brunch swag bag

I made a spur of the moment decision to make the 6 hour trek home for the weekend. 

Just me, the pugs & my cooler so I can bring back home-cooked deliciousness.

My backyard is a beautiful lake, & coming here always melts my stress away.

Say Yes to the Dress

{ What I Wore: J.Crew panama hat & t-back tank // Urban Outfitters blazer // Paige cutoffs // Nisolo tote // Target mini wedges // Little Glamour necklace } 

Oh wedding dress shopping. 

As much as I am into fashion, I went into this whole wedding planning business with zero preconceived notions of what I wanted in the outfit I would wear to marry the man of my dreams. Our wedding is modern boho-chic & I was looking for a dress that allowed me to be me, capable of being danced in, & pockets are always a plus.

Things I learned while dress shopping:

1. other women ARE going to see your boobs & probably more (but this isn't their first rodeo)

2. most of the white dresses look very similar & you will find yourself discussing minute merits of different laces

3. twirling IS more fun in a wedding gown

4. Just go ahead & throw that dang budget right out the window

5. Putting on the veil changes everything #HolyWOW

The first time I tried on a wedding dress was with my maid of honor at Olia Zavozina here in Nashville (definitely recommend this shop to any Nashville area brides). This little shop has the most amazing dresses & I had so much fun playing dress up for an afternoon. 

But I didn't find The One.

You guys know I love me some J.Crew, so it was always a wish of mine to try on the dreamy J.Crew Wedding gowns, but the only store is in NYC. After I won a coupon from The Ruffled Blog for a Brooklyn Wedding boutique, The White Gown, I mentioned to my sister how it would be a dream come true to find my wedding dress in New York City, & the #SeesterTripNYC was born.

I still am in awe that we were able to both get away for the same weekend & am beyond thankful that she was there with me!

The J.Crew wedding store was a little underwhelming (maybe because I had hyped it up in my head for so long).

Macy's Demetrios Wedding Salon was gorgeous & I found a top contender there.

But I found The One at The White Gown in the DUMBO neighborhood of Brooklyn.

Emily at The White Gown totally got my boho-chic vibe (the flower crown I was wearing might have clued her in) & I immediately fell in LOVE with two equally gorgeous, but completely different dresses. I could have seen myself in either gown, but in the end I had to bleed to find The One.

As I was slipping on the dress I barely scraped my foot against the exposed brick wall of the dressing room. It was the lightest scratch, hardly hurt at all, & I didn't think anything of it at first.

But I soon realized that my pinky toe was GUSHING blood (my swollen feet were under a lot of pressure I guess!) - all over the sample dress, on the floor, on me, on the chair, on everything.

I looked like a zombie bride!

I said YES to the dress! 

The shop girls sprang for the first aid kit & my crafty sister quickly had all the red spots out (apparently hydrogen peroxide is a super blood remover!) - PHEW!

After the whole ordeal was over, we put the veil on with the dress & I knew it was The One.

Fingers crossed that is the worst thing that happens while I am wearing the dress!

The ADORABLE neighborhood of DUMBO 

I am going the superstitious route & not going to let Ty see the dress until our wedding day, but the winning dress is currently on The White Gown's website...

I will just have to leave you hanging, but feel free to make guesses & start your own side bets :)

I've got my arms full + a giveaway

{What I Wore: Posh'mina scarf* // J.Crew blythe blouse // Paige Denim shorts** // Target sandals // Nisolo leather tote}
*Posh'mina scarf on loan to me for this giveaway
** Paige Denim shorts gifted to me from The Southern Blog Society as part of an event swag bag

First things First:

Yes I'm still a student. No I do not get Summer break. And I don't want to talk about it anymore either #bitter

I actually love Summer. Well maybe I should say, I love Summer weekends, since I don't really get to go outside during the week.

I pack my Summer weekends to the brim with trips to the dog park, outdoor movies, music festivals, anything associated with water (including but not limited to: pools, lakes, slip-n-slides), patio drinking, flea markets, and road trips.

So I need clothes that change from one activity to the next right there with me.

Layers, not-too fussy, pug-hair proof, & of course look good ;)

Right up there at the top is my all season scarf - The Posh'mina

I love it so much I have a top 10 list, a la David Letterman

10. Makes a wonderful gift

9. Gorgeous designs, like wearing a work of art

8. Company created & run by women

7. I get cold… a lot!

6. To bring out my inner boho

5. Versatile styling potential

4. Perfect travel companion

3. The owners love pugs too!

2. All season accessory

1. Slotted scarves, because… yea, I've got my hands full

(see the slots clearing in the 2nd photo from the top)

I love my posh'mina & the lovely ladies over at The Posh'mina love Here&Now readers (& pugs!). 
Everyone can get 20% off any posh'mina & free shipping with code "PugSweetPea" (valid until June 28th, email promo code to info@theposhmina.com and the 20% discount will be refunded immediately after purchase), 
but one lucky reader is going to WIN a Posh'mina of their own!

a Rafflecopter giveaway