coming up tulips

top: June & Huson halter neck tank

I originally got this top to wear with work dresses & cardigans, but was surprised that it was slightly shorter than I expected, but it totally works with highwaisted jeans for Spring! 

jeans: Hart Denim cropped skinnies

shoes: Steve Madden (lower heel option)

purse: quilted clutch c/o Vera Bradley

sunglasses: Carerra sunglasses c/o Sunglasses Shop

jewelry: Kendra Scott cuff + stacking rings 

All Photos | Catherine Truman Photography

Ok, I know I have been wearing a ton of baby blue + pink - but in my defense I totally warned you! I admitted to my increasing love for this year's Pantone colors when I wore this blush dress +  blue suede mules (you've got to check them out - full post here), then I couldn't help but wear the combo again with this amazing blue tiny tote + light pink accents in my new Spring dress (full post + be sure to check out that post for a discount code on my Spring bag!)

Happy Friday!!! I hope you all have a totally awesome weekend! I am headed to visit a friend in NYC - so expect lots of oversharing on Instagram & Snapchat (username: jesshereandnow)!

shop these exact pieces:

Bloggers Who Budget: Neutrals for Less

Sharing My Sole | Lou What Wear | Let It Be Beautiful | Here&Now | Pearls & Twirls | Stylin in St. Louis

sweater: Nordstrom long open cardigan

jeans: ASOS Ridley jeans (I have the petite version)

tank: leather tank via Nordstrom Rack

scarf: J.Crew (solid version)

heels: Steve Madden "Stecy" heels

purse: "Carly" convertible purse c/o Gigi New York

hat: J.Crew Factory felt hat (also loving this similar style at Nordstrom)

All Photos | Catherine Truman Photography

I hope everyone had a wonderful Valentine's Day weekend! Tyler & I tried out a new Nashville brewery - Smith & Lentz - on Saturday, & then continued our V-day dive bar tradition with burgers & pool at Gold Rush (super smoky, but with cheap beer + $1 pool games, we were willing to give it a try!)

Today the Bloggers Who Budget are back showing off our neutrals for less. I have been living in these ripped black jeans ever since I brought them home at the end of the Summer. In fact, they have already appeared on the blog 7 times (8 now with this post!), which is wild because if I photographed my outfits every single day, I'm sure the number would be closer to 70! The base of this outfit (black jeans + black top + black shoes) is also what I refer to as my "cat suit" because I can add accessories to it a million different ways, making a new outfit each time.

This leopard scarf was one of those J.Crew purchases that I paid way too freaking much for at the time, but now it's cost per wear is down to pennies & I wish they still sold this exact piece! I think it's best feature is that it is oversized & looks great worn looped around or just hanging straight. Plus it will always be my airplane wrap because it is the perfect size + weight for wrapping around my self during an on board nap (one of my super human skills is being able to settle in for a nap even before the plane takes off!). This print is currently sold out, but this is the exact J.Crew scarf (only available in solid colors) & I am loving the print on this scarf for Spring. 

I am also super excited that I tried out this long sweater look & it actually worked. As someone who technically qualifies for petite status (5'3" over here), I was worried that the longer length cardi would overwhelm my frame, but I am quite happy with the end result.  Unfortunately it looks like this exact sweater is now in limited sizes, but I've rounded up similar styles below: 

What have you tried out lately? Anyone else living in neutrals lately? 

Although, everything I've purchased in the past month is either baby blue or blush pink - I blame Pantone!

Shop these exact pieces:

hopeless romantic

skirt: swan print midi skirt c/o Chicwish (Love the fit of this skirt! The back has several inches of elastic, so it easily slips on, & fits perfect. I ordered the S/M size & it fits great, no alterations needed)

sweater: bedazzled neck sweater c/o Chicwish (last worn with jeans here)

heels: Steve Madden Stecy heels (I adore the minimal look of these heels!)

clutch: "Carly" convertible purse c/o Gigi New York (get ready to see A LOT of this cutie - it is love!)

All Photos | Catherine Truman Photography

Maybe I'm the only one, but I think it is hilarious that we have made personalities for so many different types of animals. Polar bears like to party with Coca-cola, Pandas are couch potatoes, Raccoons are little robbers, pugs are the best dogs ever (duh!) & Swans are obviously birds of romance. I mean, they do mate for life, so I'll just go on assuming that they are die-hard romantics!

I also think that this skirt is so cute for Valentine's Day! This is going to be my teacher outfit on Friday (with my black Tieks of course), but it is equally adorable for a chilly date night look too!

What are you feelings on animal print clothes? Are you pro-swan?

Shop these exact pieces below:

do it for the Christmas card

shirt: J.Crew Factory plaid popover (wearing a size small for a slightly loose fit)

skirt: old style from Lands' End Canvas (sadly it is unavailable, but I found some super similar ones below at all price points, some short, some longer + 2 pairs of fun sequin leggings!)

heels: Steve Madden 

All Photos | Kate Davis Photo

I'm not sure I going to convince my other half to take Christmas card photos with me, but if I am successful, this is what I'm wearing! I just can't get enough of plaid or sequins, so this combo is a favorite of mine.

I've had this sequin skirt for years & am always surprised by how much I wear it each Fall/Winter (see the 5 ways I've worn it on the blog here). Last month I picked up this plaid popover top from J.Crew Factory & it has the perfect colors to be either casual or a fun Christmas party top with pencil skirts/slacks + it is super soft.

The weather is sure to turn chilly soon, & I'm already imagining this outfit with tights + booties! Time to bundle up y'all!

Looking for your own sequin skirt? This mini skirt style is under $25 & I'm also crushing on this splurge worthy style from Forever21 (when did they start doing higher end pieces!?)

Not a skirt gal? Try a fun pair of sequin leggings! Love the chunky sequins on this pair!

wedding ruffle

Another wedding went into the record books this past weekend. My good friend got married here in Nashville, & my recipe for wedding guest success is below:

1. Humidity protection. The Living Proof "No Frizz Styling Spray" is worth its weight in gold. We have had some very rainy days here lately, & my curls stayed frizz free without being oily & slicked down. 

2. Dancing dress. I love this dress from Entourage! All of their clothing is super affordable & their new Summer arrivals are on fleek!

3. Lawn friendly heels. While the wedding was in a church, I knew I needed some all terrain heels for the garden reception. I love my Steve Madden nude heels, & with the help of the SoleMate heel protectors, they become resistant to sinking into grass. Of if you are a clumsy city gal like myself, they protect you from ripping your leather heels on city grates too! Check out how seamlessly they blend into your heels in the photos below.

{ What I Wore: dress ℅ Entourage // necklace ℅ Chloe + Isabel // Steve Madden heels // heel covers ℅ SoleMates }

All Photos | Kate Davis Photo 

What are your wedding guest survival secrets?

Stay tuned for a giveaway for this necklace + earring set tomorrow!

the lady in the watermelon shirt

{What I Wore after work: shirt ℅ MiH jeans // ASOS skirt // Steve Madden heels // bracelets ℅ Ellie & Ollie }

all photos | Zipporah Photography

black ballet flats for day, nude heels for night

How amazing are these bangles made of old coins and bullet casings?! Check out Ellie & Ollie to shop for your own. 

I cannot get enough of this watermelon print top (previously worn on our honeymoon here). In fact, I loved that my students called me "the lady in the watermelon shirt" the day I wore it to school last week!

P.S. Don't forget to enter to win a Mickey Lynn bracelet now on the blog.

on change

{ What I Wore on a date: (old) H&M tank (similar) // Storets {vegan} leather skirt // Steve Madden heels ℅ Macy's // clutch ℅ Gigi New York }

all photos | Alyssa Torrech Photography

It is funny to look back at the version of myself that moved to Nashville 5 years ago. I was ending a 4 year relationship, moving away from all my college friends, embarking on a crazy journey towards a Ph.D., living in the "big city" after calling small town Arkansas home my whole life, & oh so young! 

5 years has brought change - new friends, new experiences, a degree, different last name, a career change, many moves, the loss of friends (growing older sadly sometimes means growing apart), & 2 adorable pug children.

I hear change when my alarm now goes off at 5am. I see change when I look in my closet & the pencils skirts have replaced the comfy blue jeans at the front of my wardrobe. I feel change when I come home from work after a 12 hour day of teaching & have never felt more fulfilled. I smell change when my husband cooks dinner, as we both adjust to the new life that is ours (he's shaping up to be pretty skilled in the kitchen!). I taste change when my Friday nights are more like ice cream and a movie on the couch rather than beer and honky tonks downtown.

Change is good. Change is hard. Change is refreshing. Change is the only thing we can grow to count on in this life.

I am so thankful to be surrounded by friends and family that embrace, support, love, and comfort during the many changes and stages in my life.

And just so you know, 26 going on 27 year old Jessica can totally still rock this skirt like 22 year old Jessica once did! Age is just a number right!? (less than 2 months till my 27th birthday and it's making me all sentimental!)

*Except this time, I'm headed out to dinner with my husband instead of dancing on bars with the ladies. Yup, things have changed.

How are things changing in your life? Any profound reflections on how the past 5 years have looked?

P.S. Change up your Summer wardrobe with the J.Crew gift card giveaway going on now. Enter to win here!

wifey

Well, we did it! I am all wifed up! Thank you for all the love you poured upon us during our big special day! We are now off to enjoy some relaxation as Mr. & Mrs., but please stay tuned around these parts as I have some phenomenal guest posters lined up in my absence! Enjoy :)

{ What I Wore for wedding errands: Ily Couture tee // Le Tote* necklace // jeans ℅ Hart Denim // Steve Madden heels // purse ℅ Pink Basis // Target sunglasses }
*I received a complimentary subscription to Le Tote.

all photos | Zipporah Photography