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{ What I Wore: skirt ℅ Chicwish // faux leather jacket from H&M // Steve Madden over the knee boots // J.Crew Factory tank // nameplate necklace ℅ T. Audrey }

All Photos | Kate Davis Photo

Black and white and easy all over.

P.S. Stretchy skirts are key during this season of eating.

What is your post-Thanksgiving meal outfit trick?

all the statements

{ What I Wore: hat ℅ Surf Dome // ASOS leopard jacket // oversized sweater ℅ Front Row Shop // Windsor Store leggings // Steve Madden boots (similar) // purse ℅ Yes Walker // necklace ℅ iSanctuary }

{Get the Look for Less}
hat {$47.50} + leopard jacket {$95} + camel sweater {$42} + liquid leather-look leggings {$36.90} + over the knee boots {$62} + black cross body purse {$25} + statement necklace {$42}

Ok, so apparently this outfit is a culmination of all the "statement" pieces I am drawn to these days:

statement jacket - check

statement hat - check

statement boots - check

and statement necklace - check

(pretty sure a sweater this oversized could be considered a "statement" too - like a "hi I stole this from my boyfriend" kind of statement)

But the necklace is more than just a stunning piece, it is a statement of support. 

Since 2007 iSanctuary has been employing & supporting the survivors of human trafficking through the sale of products handmade by the survivors themselves, in both the US & India. 

(the "i" stands for International)

Their shop promotes "purchases with a purpose" - an idea of conscious consumerism that has been heavy on my mind this season especially.

Why not give two-fold during this season of spreading love?

Ok, just one more statement - today I have the great pleasure of co-hosting the Spotlight of the Week link-up with Elle & Jacqueline. This week we are spotlighting Statement Jewelry… so pile on your bling, & link up after the page break -->

Cyber Monday Mixing

How was everyone's Thanksgiving weekend!
It was so lovely to unplug for the past few days & truly take a moment to take stock of everything I am so very thankful for & to surround myself with those I love.

And now we are back to it - greeting a new Monday & a new month…
With only 24 days until Christmas I am 1 part merry + 1 part frazzled!

While I currently am frustrated with 99% of my wardrobe (one of those weeks!), these are all pieces that I can't ever imagine being subjected to my epic closet purges. And look at how nice they all play together!

{ What I Wore: dress ℅ Boutique Onze // J.Crew scarf & chambray top // necklace ℅ Yuni Kelley // Steve Madden Boots }

Be sure to enter the current giveaway for a $30 shop credit to the darling Etsy store from which this sparkler of a necklace hails. {Enter here.} 

Also, shop the Boutique Onze Cyber Monday sale & get 40% off everything (including this classic striped dress!) - code "WOW40"

AND I have updated my mega-huge list of Black Friday sales to include the amazing sales that are going on today for Cyber Monday. Get your deal scoring on here. 

gray matter

{ What I Wore: Old Navy blanket sweater // Windsor liquid leggings // Steve Madden boots // Everlane tank //  Seams to be hat // Clinique Raspberry Glace lipstick (from free gift!) }

{ Get the Look}

wrap sweater {$19.97}+ liquid leggings {$19.90, exact} + tall boots {$89.99} + gray tank {$15) + knit hat {$28) + lippy {$15, exact}

Well, I pulled out my sundresses, started planning garden parties & rocked bare legs in hopes that Spring had officially sprung.

Boy was I wrong! Yesterday I woke up to snow on the ground (ok, not like your Northeastern snow) - sweaters, hats & boots are back out from the depths of my closet!

I might just live in this sweater that I call my blanket with arm holes in protest! 

(that first picture is my best WTF Spring face!)

So, returns the gray clothes that make up my Winter wear.

People sometimes ask my why I wear so much gray & it isn't an accident!

White stains too easily & black shows pug hair, but gray goes with black, navy & brown.

So yea, gray is my neutral of choice (you should see my t-shirt drawer!)

What is your neutral of choice?

Is Spring teasing you too? Let's all do our best Spring dance!!

P.S. Don't forget to enter the J.Crew gift card giveaway {here}

Day 29: tone

If Wednesday was 4 color dressing, then this is my attempt at a tone on tone outfit.

And that is all I can think of to say today... is it day 30 yet?

** sorry for the blurry pictures, misplaced my remote over the Thanksgiving holiday**
{ What I Wore: J.Crew Factory skirt // H&M sweater // Steve Madden boots // Homemade snood (thanks Mom!) // eBay bubble necklace }

{ Get the Look }

burgundy sweater {$59.50} + red skirt {$24.99} + burgundy snood {$21.11} + bubble necklace {$38.00} + tights + boots

Day 26: country air

So maybe my 30X30 should be called "how to wear one article of clothing like another".

First it was wearing a pencil skirt like a mini, then a dress as a skirt, & today a scarf like a vest

{ What I Wore: H&M sweater & purse // Tolani scarf // boutique dress // Steve Madden boots // Guise sunnies }

{ Get the Look }

comfy chic sweater {$4.95} + cozy scarf {$44.95, perfect for making into a vest} + black jersey dress {$29.80} + tall suede boots {$69.95} + classic cat eye sunnies {$16.99}

I love going home, and I think it is funny/interesting seeing a different side of my life. 

Things that are totally normal in Nashville aren’t always the same at my family home in Arkansas (and vice versa). Not sure I am making sense, so here are some examples:

{1.} Ever since the sun started setting at 4 pm, I have been taking my outfit photos on Saturdays and Sundays – changing outfits 5 times and running outside with my tripod just seemed CA-razy at home, pretty sure my family though so too

{2.} In Nashville I typically enjoy 7 hours of blissful uninterrupted sleep, but at home I had the pleasure of sharing a room with my sister and her 2 eight-month old baby girls who do not understand the joys of sleeping through the night yet (hello 3 am screaming)

{3.} In Nashville Doug is my child, the only baby I interact with, and I spoil him accordingly. At home there are actual babies and somehow rubbing their ears doesn’t have the same calming effect that it has on Doug.

{4.} At home there are a few bars, but magically everyone from high school shows up at the same one on the same night. This year was no different, but the ridiculous shenanigans were better than ever

Do you live far from your childhood home? Notice any differences from you day-to-day life to you life at home? Don't leave me hanging, I can't be the only one!

Day 24: lift & tuck

How to turn a pencil skirt into a mini skirt: lift, tuck under a sweater, and secure with a belt. 

Oh you already knew that nugget of information? 

Well how about this revelation - watch out for the back slit... you're welcome

Only 1 more week of my 30X30 Fall Challenge, and I can't believe I haven't had to put on a heavy jacket yet! Although, as I am currently running a little low on 30X30 inspiration, I might have to start wearing coats exclusively.... good life plan, huh?!

{ What I Wore: Gap sweater // J.Crew Factory skirt // Steve Madden boots // BaubleBar necklace // Target sunnies }

{ Get the Look }

polka dot sweater {$24.94, currently on 30% off sale) + skinny belt {$18.00 for a two pack, currently 30% off) + colored pencil skirt {$24.97, currently on 30% off sale) + tall black boots {$89.95, currently 30% off, code "HOLIDAYS30") + sunnies {$16.99, exact pair} + statement necklace {$32.00, love this unique stunner!}

Cyber Monday deals are already popping up, and I will have my complete deal guide going live at midnight tonight - some I think are even better than the Black Friday deals... stay tuned!

P.S. My current giveaway for a $30 store credit to Gabrielle Rose's Etsy is ending tomorrow morning. Be sure to enter { here } before it is too late!

Day 9: bonfire bash

{ What I Wore: J.Crew sweater & skirt // Steve Madden boots }

{ Get the look }

felted wool mini skirt {$79.50} + ribbed v-neck sweater {$39.99} + patterned scarf  {$32.00}+ over the knee black suede boots {$44.50}

I can't make up my mind... I grow my hair out, then I don't want to bother to fix it. 

I cut my hair short, and I dream of it being long again.

Ultimately, I prefer my hair long - it is like my security blanket

but, the boy likes my hair short { see my hair the shortest it has been on the blog here }

So before I do something drastic that I regret, I have decided to start actually fixing my hair... novel concept over here!

Day 1: look at what I got

{ What I Wore: Urban Outfitters plaid button down // J.Crew skirt // Kate Spade armadillo belt // Steve Madden boots // GoldenPonies clutch }

{Get the Look}

plaid button down {$14.99} + red skirt {$13.98} + leopard clutch {$44.00} + black boots {$23.50} + gold belt {$21.00}

Day 1 of my Fall 30X30 Challenge is officially in the books - guess that means I can't back out now!

awkward & awesome: "katniss with a pug face"

{ What I Wore: StyleMint tee // Tolani scarf // Old Navy rockstar skinny jeans // Steve Madden over the knee suede boots }

{Get the Look}

blue tee {$20.99} + patterned scarf {$32.00} + skinny jeans {$29.50} + black boots {$69.00}

{ Awkward }

• I have worn these jeans for more than the past week (have you noticed!?), and they are still pretty tight. Moral of that story, the Old Navy Rockstar skinny jeans are very cute, but order a size up!
• For the person who found my blog by searching for "toplesspics", I hope you were disappointed... who does that?! awkward
• If you found my blog by searching "katniss with a pug face", and are still around, will you come forward? I want to shake your hand, that is an amazing search (we are talking about Hunger Games, right?)! (and now my blog can be found that way... and I love it!)

• the boyfriend and I moved in together this summer, and I wanted to share some more about that experience in the near future, but I didn't know how to bring it up... so, there's thaaaaat... was that awkward to anyone but me??

{ Awesome }

• Being sick means eating lots of soup, and I have perfected my own butternut squash soup recipe... no spoon needed, slurp, slip and enjoy
• My boots are out, fluffed from their summer storage, and lined up along the bottom of my closet... brings a smile every time!
• my new iPhone 5 made its way to my welcoming arms last night... I. Am. Obsessed! Watch out Instagram (@jesshereandnow) - I am back in the game!
• saw Argo with my girlfriends last night (it was goooood!). Even if we were just sitting in silence, I really enjoy and cherish my girlfriends time (especially since moving in with le boyfriend)
• annnnd my sister and brother-in-law are coming to visit me in Nashville for the first time EVA! So excited to show them around my fair city, and soak up some Fall goodness!

Did you have any awkwards or awesomes this week?
Dish it ladies!

layering liquid leather

Old Navy Blanket Sweater (similar here)
Steve Madden over-the-knee boots (similar here)
Windsor Liquid Leggings
Cover Girl outlast Lipstain in Plum Pout (my new love)

I am loving my new Windsor Liquid Leggings. While they can easily read Sandy from Grease or Disco Diva, I think with the right layers my fancy pants are actually quite versatile. Here I wore them paired with my new Christmas blanket sweater from Old Navy, and basic black boots. This look could go from day to night by simply removing the sweater to reveal a girlie tank/blouse beneath...

 how easy is that!?

xx

Jessica

rocks my socks

"Gypsy" Top - Lefler's Boutique
Gap light skinny jeans
Over-the-knee Steve Madden boots (scrunched down)
Mellie Bianco black woven purse

You know don’t you? You have figured out my secret!?

I’m wearing a sock in my hair!

(…Yes, I will pause while you do a double take…)

Have you heard of the sock bun? Or are you like me, and late to this sock bun party? Due to some recent hot water heater issues at my home (cold shower=crank, greasy Jessica) I resorted to said sock bun to mask my 2 day unwashed hair… and ladies (and gents) this rocks (my socks… hehe!)

Are you questioning the sock bun? I think it is only natural to second guess the viability of wearing socks in one's hair, but this seriously is my new favorite thing! I wish I would have known about this when I was in ballet... 1 sock and you are done, no pokey, hurting bobby pins, and it stayed put all day!

If you are ready to venture into this brave new world with me, I have two tips for a successful sock-bunage (these will make more sense after you watch the video)... 

1.) use a thick sock, the tighter your "donut" is, the easier this will be

2.) use a sock of your general hair color (i.e. brown/black haired girls use black/brown, blonde/gray hair girls use white socks).

I used black above, and while you can't "see" it, if I were to use a white sock I would fear accidental show-age)

Go forth and sock-bun

xx

Jessica