knitted

My usual Christmas present M.O. is to purchase a few presents each month so that by the time November rolls around, all of the people have been crossed off my list & the presents are all ready wrapped & ready to go by Thanksgiving... I know, I was the annoying overachiever kid who always wanted a gold star.

This year however is very different, & I'm freaking out! The intensity of our whole home buying process threw a wrench in my plans, & I haven't even thought about presents since we started the house hunt in the Spring... meaning, I have crossed off no names, & am looking at Thanksgiving looming straight ahead with ZERO presents stashed away (plus a bank account that I have already mentally squirreled away for appliances + furniture).

So this year, I am going to have to buy all of my presents in the next month, on a budget & am looking at uncharted territory! I plan to do just a few gift guide posts over the next couple of weeks, purchasing on unique, budget friendly shops, and am kicking off my share-fest with today's fabulous shop: 7 Charming Sisters.

I love that you can shop for pieces curated by the personality of each "sister", including "social butterfly" & "all-American girl", by style, or by trend - with pieces to impress every lady on your list, for any budget. My favorite include this necklace, & this gorgeous pair of earrings! Shop on to get the necklace from my most recently teacher style outfit.

Are you a buy gifts all year, or wait till the end type of person? Who is the toughest person on your list?

{shop these exact pieces + other similar favorites}

sweater: Chicwish tunic length cable knit sweater

necklace: "Golden Gathering" necklace c/o 7 Charming Sisters (only $27!)

pants: J.Crew Factory "Lexi" cropped trousers - available in 4 colors, and both regular & petite sizes for under $65

shoes: J.Crew Factory leather ballet flats - currently on sale with code BUNDLEUP (I have my eye on the "warm beige" color!)

purse: Vera Bradley leather/calf hair purse

watch: Fossil square face watch

All Photos | Walnut Street Photography

stripes + spots

sunglasses: Carrera sunglasses ℅ Sunglasses Shop

top: J.Crew Factory

jeans: "twiggy" jeans ℅ James Jeans

shoes: J.Crew Factory

purse: "Natalie" crossbody in cheetah print ℅ Vera Bradley 

All Photos | Kate Davis Photo

I've been in a sunglasses rut for a while, so when Sunglasses Shop reached out about trying out some new frames, I jumped at the chance to step out of my comfort zone & I am so happy I did! I love these oversized, slightly cat-eye sunnies from Carrera. I am amazing by the quality & can't get over how lightweight they are (seriously, I make everyone hold them to prove their feather light status!)

I've never been a designer sunglasses gal - well except for that one time in college when I splurged on a pair of Chanel glasses from eBay, only to promptly lean over the edge of a boat the first time I wore them - they dropped (along with my heart) into the water never to be seen again, & I swore off expensive shades from that moment on.

Now I have proved to myself that I am responsible enough to have nice things, and high quality sunglasses really do make all the difference! The selection of frames at Sunglasses Shop is incredible & I know I will be back for my next pair soon!

Lucky you! Sunglasses Shop is giving away a pair of designer sunglasses (excluding the polarized, titanium, and limited edition frames)! Enter the using the widget below & a random winner will be selected next weekend. (Worldwide entries are accepted!)

a Rafflecopter giveaway

school's in session

{ What I Wore: blazer ℅ ASOS, matching skirt via ASOS // "Natalie Satchel" with leopard calf hair ℅ Vera Bradley // Sole Society wedges (shop similar) // Kendra Scott necklace }

All Photos | Kate Davis Photo

Ok, I know I've been teasing about it for ages (I mean, teacher training started back in July), but school is officially, officially back in session! Today is the 3rd full day & we are full steam ahead!

I will never be someone who grows out of back to school shopping. Every August I get a sudden craving for new school supplies & Fall clothes (even if it is still hot as blazes here in Nashville). I am drooling over the day I can wear ALL the blazers, boots & scarfs! Until then I will be window shopping like a crazy person, & trying to sneak in my Fall favorites whenever possible.

I love this new blazer from ASOS & I seriously couldn't resist the matching skirt to make it a full set! I know both of these pieces will get lots of individual love this coming season!

Haven't thought about ASOS for blazers recently? Check out their colorful selections, or shop my hand-picked favorites below!

For more back to school style inspiration, follow ASOS on Instagram!