Poppies!

Talk about a dream dress! I have been obsessed with poppies ever since I convinced myself that I was indeed Dorothy from The Wizard of Oz & love the amazing print on this super comfortable, breezy dress that also has pockets! But that's not it... wait for it... it's only $39!

dress: c/o August Mae

purse: Michael Kors crossbody 

earrings: c/o Kendra Scott (I love that they look like Amber!)

shoes: suuuuper old, but I was inspired to pull them out again after seeing lots of similar styles currently in stores. I've had these since the early days of my blog - including this post from 2011 - so it is cool to see the trend come back around.

lipstick: Nars matte lipstick in "Heat Wave"

All Photos | Walnut Street Photography

duplicates

{ What I Wore: J.Crew Factory dress (not currently available, but I'm pretty confident it will be back soon!) & leopard belt // lace up heels (old, similar linked up below) // Rebecca Minkoff purse // Ray Ban Aviator sunglasses (mine are the green + gold) }

All Photos | Kate Davis Photo

I used to not believe in "duplicates", but as I have grown more into my style, I have found that if I love something it is usually worth getting a back-up! I have this dress in purple from J.Crew (see all the ways I've worn it here) & LOVE it, so when it popped up on J.Crew Factory in new colors, I new it was coming home with me! It makes a perfect work dress, but is also so versatile for many other occasions!

Do you believe in "duplicates"?

Shop all of the versatile dresses I'm currently crushing on from J.Crew Factory below:

matchy-matchy

Hey! So far I have been making a huge effort (thank you boyfriend) to take pictures of my 30X30 Remix Challenge outfits every morning or right after work. However, there were a few outfits that slipped thought the cracks.... from weekends, after work outings, or days on which I just couldn't get out of bed (it happens!) So this is my "re-enactment" of those looks to round out my next few outfits. 

I love mint + red, and sometimes more IS more! Red shirt, mint pants, why not add a red+mint necklace!?

I have had this necklace from Old Navy for years, and I am pretty sure this is the first time that I have worn it... how does that happen!?

{ Blank Denim via ModCloth Mint Jeans / StyleMint Striped Tee / Banana Republic Trench / Vince Camuto Derby Pumps / Boutique Purse {similar} / Old Navy necklace (super old) (super wish/lust list item) }

xx

Jessica
P.S. The boyfriend has been signing this song for the past couple of days (I imagine he is singing it to me), and now it is stuck in my head... not a bad thing!

missing out

 I have a confession… I have been working really hard at sticking with my 30X30 challenge for me and you. I am usually someone who is super gung-ho at the beginning of a project, but have in the past lost steam before seeing it to completion (not a good habit). As silly as it may be, I really wanted to break this cycle and impress you with my remixing abilities. I had a low point a couple of days ago when I concluded that I was letting you down, and missing out. I hadn’t been able to show off my abilities to rock the mint nail trend, pull off floral jeans, or try my hand at a peplum top… would you still want to stop by? would I still be a good “fashion blogger”? 

But then I had an epiphany… this blog is for the every day girl. The girl who wears the same skirt for 3 seasons in a row, wears flats everyday, has a modest shopping budget, but still wants to get the most out her closet, and feel confident getting dressed everyday for work, for dates, for drinks with the girls, or when just running around at the dog park on the weekends (AKA me)

{ Citizens of Humanity Jeans / J.Crew Sweater / JC Penney Sweater / Mat&Nat vegan purse / vintage scarf }

I have learned a lot about myself, my addiction to shopping, and what I want for my blog over the past 26 days (only 4 more to go!), and hope that this is a good spring board for what is to come with my little spot on the internets!

Ok, enough heart to heart confessions, time to enjoy the weekend!
I am headed down to Dallas to spend a weekend with my Bachelorette friends, and besties from college!
Have a great one!
Oh, and please check back in over the weekend I am going to post the rest of my 30 outfits, including one this afternoon, 2 on Saturday, and the final look on Sunday! eep!

a little awkward, mostly awesome

Day 25 of my 30X30 Remix Challenge! Today I am bringing back the awkward&awesome

{ Blank Denim for ModCloth Mint Jeans / Splendid Sweater / J.Crew Silk Tank & Belt / Thrifted purse / Vince Camuto Derby Pumps {lust list} }

{AWKWARD}

 1. Apparently, the only way I know how to spice up an outfit is by adding a belt... {here, here}
2. The neighbors just got a dog, and Doug isn't allowed to meet it until it is "trained", says the owners... oh sorry, wow people, wow...
3. Driving by the place I am going to move to (see below) no less than 3 times per day... yes, I am stalking it until May 1st!
4. Living out of boxes... I got excited and already started packing... whoops!

{AWESOME}

1. Yesterday's wet bun turned into decent curls for today... usually it looks like a small creature has taken over my head when I attempt this... so I'll take this as a win

2. I became an Aunt yesterday, my sister gave birth to two beautiful twin girls (Etta Jane & Claire Elaine)! You can call me Aunt Gigi from now on!

3. I found a place to live! This is beyond awesome. I had a little bit of impending homelessness that has been stressing me out... but no more! Now I can look forward to decorating (I am going to ignore the chore of moving for the time being)

4. Bachelorette Party this weekend in Dallas... besties, girlie drinks, glitter, and lingerie party oh my!

5. Um, the weather in Nashville is beyond amazing right now. I can totally get over the 2 inch layer of pollen on my car in exchange for this Spring time lasting FOREVER!

6. I may or may not have (pssss... I did!) fall in love with a little black girl pug... and am currently trying to convince myself that this time of moving, traveling to weddings/visiting friends, and generally transitioning is not a good time to adopt a new pug baby.... so far it isn't working!

I really like how the belt changes the shape of this sweater... if I can't buy a peplum, I'll make a (faux)one!

7. Getting to see my talented roommate Kiernan McMullen play a show last night in town. You should definitely check out his music!

8. My boss has been gone from the office this week, which means that I have gotten lots of furniture stalking accomplished (picture inspiration boards for every room of my apartment that I am not even living in yet... obsession!)

9. Close to being finished with my 30X30 Remix Challenge... it has been wonderful so far, but I am ready to hit up the mall to pick up some inexpensive trendy items (neon, neutral sandals, peplum top), and also some investment pieces that I have identified as being lacking from my wardrobe (a tweed jacket is at the top of this list!)

10. Just found out that I get to attend a science conference in the South of France this Fall! Being a nerd finally has its perks! yay!
xx
Jessica
P.S. Share your awkward&awesome with me!

simple life

Oh Spring, so good to see you! Let's hang out!

Day 21 of my 30X30 Remix Challenge, and this weekend I found my self keeping it simple and easy. Top knot, sundress, sunnies, market tote, and a repurposed scarf as a belt. Done & done!

{ J.Crew sundress (thrifted, similar) & tote / Vince Camuto derby pumps (loving these) / vintage scarf }

I'll be twirling

licking it in

This is the life...

xx

Jessica

patio weather

Around these parts, they say that March weather is in like a lion out like a lamb, and that has certainly been true this year. Last week was storm filled, but this weekend was a nice treat of warm, clear, non-humid days (a rarity indeed)! This is what I call patio weather! In my opinion, eating and drinking is instantly more fun when done in the out of doors, and that is just what I took advantage of this weekend!

{ J.Crew blouse & skirt {similar}, Vince Camuto Derby Pumps {similar} }

How was your weekend? 

Did you wear green or get pinched for St. Patrick's Day?

xx

Jessica
P.S. Don't forget to enter my first every give away for a beautiful BaubleBar necklace {here}, contest ends Wednesday at midnight

white out

Hello, hello!  How was your leap day?
Day 1 of my 30 day 30x30 Remix Challenge... this is so easy! 

Famous last words right?!

Well I love this lace tank, but haven't worn it in ages, 
so I guess the (self-imposed) challenge is already working!

In case you are just joining, check out my 30X30 Remix Challenge intro page {here}, 
and please consider joining me and linking up too!

Citizens of Humanity wide leg jeans {similar}
Lace tank (old) {similar}
Splendid sweater {similar}
ModCloth Necklace (you have to stalk it)
Vince Camuto derby pumps {similar}
Shop Suey purse {in green}

1 down, 29 to go! I (we) can do this!

xx

Jessica

wu me

Good Morning Lovies! How was your weekend? Did you get a piece of the Jason Wu for Target collection? After seeing previews of the Wu+Target collaboration, I was super pumped to purchase some of the items, and set a reminder on my phone for Saturday at midnight. I couldn't decide whether I wanted to shop online or wait outside the Target Sunday morning, but somehow between drinking wine with my girlfriends Saturday afternoon at the downtown Nashville Art Crawl (so. much. fun.) and loving sleeping in on the weekends, I totally forgot about the collection launch until Sunday around noon. As soon as I woke up, I rushed to my nearest Target and was very surprised to see the entire collection fully stocked on the racks. Add that to the numerous reasons why I love Nashville!

Lucky for me, Nashvillians apparently do not appreciate the talent of Jason Wu or understand the magic that is knife pleats. So, I scooped up the floral mesh tank, floral pleated skirt, lace shirt, and black pleated skirt - and they all are going to be wonderful additions in my Spring closet and a part of my overall "grown-up" wardrobe!

Jason Wu for Target tank and skirt
Target neon belt {similar}
Urban Outfitters Blazer {similar}
Vince Camuto Heels {similar}

Upon arriving home with my new purchases I had fun playing dress up to see how the items would mix into my existing wardrobe (the fur babies wanted to play along too!)

This formal tank + skirt is going to be getting a lot of play this Spring - paired with neutral layers (blazer + heels) and a pop of neon it is officially perfection for all of the wedding related parties coming up this Spring/Summer (are all of your friends getting married too!?)

twirling is my favorite!

Hope that silly Groundhog was wrong and Spring is just around the corner

{fingers crossed}

xx

Jessica

fancy pants

Happy Hump Day!

Ok - so I am in love with my new camera, but oh boy, he is a tough cookie! My photographer (le boyfriend) and I are working on figuring out Mr. Camera... but in the mean time, things might be a little  off. For example, why are these pictures so grainy!?... it has been overcast lately (haven't seen the sun in days!), but Mr. Camera promises that he is better than some silly little cloud coverage... hmm... back to the owner's manual. I actually am considering buying the Canon EOS Rebel T2i for Dummies, so if you have any tips that were game changers for you and your first DSLR or experiences with Mr. Canon T2i hook me up!

Blythe Blouse (similar) & Skinny Cargos (similar) - J.Crew
Shoes - Vince Camuto
Purse - Garage Sale find
Sunnies - Shop Suey

My photographer has decided that the continuous shooting mode is trés fun! I may have to show some of the bloopers that this continuous shooting spree results in!

Remember even if it is the middle of winter, you haven't seen the sun in days, and all you want to do it crawl back under the covers... putting on a girlie blouse & heels and tackling chores on a Saturday isn't a bad option either!

xx

Jessica

P.S. check out this outfit and many others that bloggers posted for "What I Wore Wednesday" over at The Pleated Poppy

light show

Seeing the local botanical gardens, Garvan Gardens, lit up for the Holidays is one of my family's favorite traditions... and one that I am so happy to share with Ty for the 2nd time.

The lights turn on for Thanksgiving, and we always visit either when we are all together in November or December. Some things are the same every year, but we enjoy spotting new exhibits along the way. 

Something about the sparkling lights and chill in the air turns a switch in my brain to say IT IS CHRISTMAS TIME!

Walking through the tunnel of lights!

Dad + his girls

so romantic!
cargo pants+floaty white blouse+ fur!