stomp around

At the end of the Summer OnlineShoes.com reached out to me about a shoe styling competition. The words shoes + styling in the same sentence give me the exiting type of chill bumps, so of course I said YES! And then these gorgeous boots from Merrell Shoes arrived, teasing me during the final weeks of 90+ degree weather, silently taunting me, waiting for me to take them out & stomp around in the woods.

{ What I Wore: Urban Outfitters button down // J.Crew stripe tee (love this) // Old Navy Rockstar denim // Merrell Autumn Haven c/o OnlineShoes.com }

Now that Fall has arrived, these are my go-to boots. Our first excursion together was to a local park with my new friend Zipporah. Thank goodness for Zipporah's fabulous photography skills & for taking these photos! (see her photography blog here).

So back to this little competition. I am going head-to-head with 3 other fabulous bloggers, to see who wore it best (cue Joan Rivers!)

I love this more tom-boyish look, perfect for stomping through those crispy Fall leaves. If you like it too, I would really appreciate it if you could take a second to vote for me in the competition, it is super easy & only takes 1 click! (& you can do it once per day... thanks!!)

You will also be entered to win a pair of your own boots & should definitely check out their fabulous selection of women's boots while you're there!

Recap: please go here to vote for me (once per day!!) & enter to win a pair of boots too!

thank you thank you thank you for all your support!

(the contest runs through November 1st!)

Midi-Winter Blues (& a giveaway)

Admission - I don't have a "seasonal" wardrobe. All of my clothes hang in my closet year-round. My 975 sq. foot apartment doesn't afford me the luxury of any storage space to pack away out of season styles, so my tank tops & down coats live together in harmony 365 days a year.

{ What I Wore: UO plaid top // Oasap midi skirt // J.Crew belt }

{ Get the Look }

plaid shirt {$19.90} + pleated midi skirt {$35.00, exact one} + brown belt {$4.80} + riding boots {$39.80}

For me this is a good thing, because it makes me be more intentional about my purchases to make sure they fit into my "year-round" wardrobe style (**granted, I live in the South, & Winters here are typically mild, so mate it is easier for me). 

Tank tops have to be layerable & skirts have to be flexible enough for humid Summer days & chilly Winter nights (see how I wore this skirt in the Summer here)

My best skirt outfit maximization: thick tights & knee high boots. By minimizing the amount of skin exposed, your favorite warm weather skirts will be your cold weather saviors (I know I'm not the only one little worn down by the sweater + skinny jeans Winter routine with months to go until Spring rears her dainty head)

** my favorite Winter tights are the Spanx Reversible Tights (brown on one side, black on the other... genius!)

And guess what is WAY better than Winter-time skirts? 
A SUPER GROUP GIVEAWAY hosted by the fabulous Because Shanna Said So.
You want to get in on this, 14 glorious prizes (a $200+ value!) - WINNER TAKES ALL! 
(I am throwing in a Bauble Bar necklace, others have generously offered up giftcards galore, & wonderful ad space to grow your blog!)
(Yep, I'm officially jealous that I can't enter myself!)

a Rafflecopter giveaway

DailyBuzz Style 9X9: Holiday Makeover

I am so excited to be participating in the DailyBuzz Style 9x9: November challenge, "A Month of Makeovers". I decided to not only challenge myself personally, but learn something new that I thought you would like knowing about too - easy holiday make up.

I am not a make up guru by any means, but I AM a girl that wishes she could put eyeshadows in the right place, and apply foundation without missing a chunk of skin to be found at the end of the work day... so I visited my girl Dianna at Woo skincare & cosmetics here in Nashville, set up my tripod, and got down to business. Even if she wasn't my girl before, she is now that she has hooked me up with some easy holiday makeup magic!

So, how DO you get easy holiday makeup?

Start with a fresh-faced base - {PREP} hydrate skin, {PRIME} cover up red spots, lighten under eye circles, and use a foundation coverage that you feel comfortable with (I like only a bit of coverage, so the Bobbi Brown BB cream is juuuust right for me). Then add some {COLOR} with bronzer, mascara, define your brows, and a sweep on brightening eye shadow.

This is your "day face" that you can run around in all day, and then, right before the party you only have to complete three easy steps to get {GLAM}...

Day 21: much to be thankful for

Happy Thanksgiving!
I have much to be thankful for today - I am surrounded by family, looking forward to a weekend of feasting, sharing my family traditions with Ty, and enjoying all the comforts of home.
I am also very thankful for all of you lovelies! And I hope you are having a warm holiday too!

{ What I Wore: J.Crew cashmere sweater // Urban Outfitters plaid button // Gap khakis // Old Navy ballet flats // vintage necklace }

If you are venturing out for Black Friday shopping tomorrow - good luck, and be safe!
Since I fancy myself an online shopping connoisseur, I am working on gathering up all the best of the internet's deals to share with you Sunday night in preparation for Cyber Monday - stay tuned!

Day 16: Autumn Mix & a giveaway

Good morning ladies!
I have a bunch of great stuff to share with you today, so put on your big girl panties, & let's roll

{1} Half way in to my 30X30 Challenge & I am totally cheating! This jean jacket isn't part of my 30 items, but I wanted to recreate this look. In the J.Crew lookbook it just looked so darn perfect with the classic jean jacket that I couldn't help myself! Please forgive me! (**Don't worry, I took these photos last weekend when it was 75 outside, but I would definitely have to put on some opaque tights today!)

{ What I Wore: Gap jean jacket // Urban Outfitters plaid shirt // J.Crew skirt // Old Navy ballet flats // Estarer jewelry (won in a giveaway from Always Maylee) }

{ Get the Look }

jean jacket {$28.90} + plaid shirt {$19.80}+ floral skirt {$12.80} + black ballet flats {$19.94}

{2} The newly settled in cold weather here in Nashville, is leaving me looking for a fun new cocktail to keep me warm at night, & enjoy with friends. This "new fashioned" cocktail looks to just fit the bill!

{via}

Day 14: make it a double

I'm trying TWO new things in one outfit.... stop. the. presses.

{ What I Wore: J.Crew chambray shirt & olive wool skirt // Urban Outfitters plaid shirt // ShoeDazzle cap toe flats }

{ Get the look }

chambray shirt {$26.99} + plaid shirt {$19.99} + green mini skirt {$19.99} + black belt {$9.00} + cap toe flats {$29.99}

First, I am trying to continue enjoying my long hair by actually fixing it (before the my urges to chop it off take over) - this 'do is a half up with braids thing. Took about 4 minutes, and my hands didn't fall asleep - WINNING!

Second, I am wearing not one but TWO shirts. I have oogled at every way that Blair has rocked her double button downs { here & here to show off just a few }... but never thought I could pull it off. However, my need to get creative during my 30X30 Challenge finally gave me the courage... and I can't lie, I'm hooked!

Days 3 & 4: weekend style

{ This is the first thing I have ever made in PhotoShop... only took some creative YouTube searching... and now I can't wait to learn more! }

{ What I Wore: Old Navy vest // Urban Outfitters shirt // boutique dress // Frye boots }

{ Get the look }

vest {$48.80} + plaid shirt {$19.99} + black dress {$29.80} + boots {$79.50}

{ What I Wore: J.Crew chambray button down // Old Navy Rockstar skinny jeans // ShoeMint loafers // H&M purse }

{ Get the look }

chambray shirt  {$22.90 borrow from the boys!}+ skinny jeans {$29.50} + gold loafers {$29.00} + crossbody bag {$30.00}

Thank you daylight savings time... that extra hour of sleep was much appreciated!

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!

busy body

Coat: J.Crew (old)
Skirt: Splendid
Shirt: Urban Outfitters (super sale last year)
Tights: Spanx (amazing!)
Booties: Charlotte Russe (My Cyber Monday purchase)
Gold chain necklace: J. Crew
Purse: Melie Bianco

I am a busy body... I literally cannot stand still for more than 2 minutes in a day. After work I can usually be found watching TV while blogging while reading a magazine and checking up on Instagram,  in the least.

In fact, my idea of a perfect Saturday morning is getting a cup of coffee, making a to-do list and then getting it all checked off before noon. Done, done, and done!