Best of: 4th of July Style + Sales

Good Afternoon! I thought I would pop in for a random Tuesday afternoon post to catalog some of the amazing sales going on right now, & provide some 4th of July outfit inspiration! Now through Labor Day can be some of the best prices of the year for many of your favorite retailers! Take advantage by stocking up on basics, or finally splurging for that investment piece you have been eyeing! I will be updating this list throughout the week & be sure to follow me on Twitter & Facebook for even more sale alerts!

Elaine Turner, a brand that I have enjoyed working with in the past, is kicking off their "Star Spangled" Sale today!  The sale runs today (6/30) through July 5 online & in their Nashville store! Be sure to visit their site/shop for new markdowns up to 50% off! And they are also running an awesome gift with purchase - If you spend $350+ you'll receive a Sabine tote for FREE! (I have the tote & it is AMAZING!) More details are up on their home page now! 

More Sales:

Ann Taylor - extra 50% off sale styles (Code HAPPY50)

ASOS - Sale Section up to 50% off! 

Banana Republic - Extra 50% off all sale items (Code BRGOBIG, ends 7/8)

DVF - extra 25% off sale items (through July 6, Code JULY25)

Gap - Summer Sale, up to 50% off! (online only, no code needed)

J.Crew - In stores & online: 30% off select styles. Extra 30% off sale styles (Code SUMMERSTYLE)

J.Crew Factory - In stores & online: 50% off everything! Extra 20% off with code HOTSALE

Kate Spade - Extra 25% off all sale items (through July 7th, Code SETSALE)

Old Navy - 30% off + free shipping (Code VERY GOOD, online only ends 7/4)

Shopbop - tons of new items added to sale section, up to 50% off!

If you are still planning your 4th of July outfits, check out some of my past styles, pulled from the Here&Now vault! Over the years I have posted many outfits that I am considering remixing for this year's celebrations. See all the looks here, & check out my favorites below. 

For a full day with the family, try the effortless mix of chambray + white! // full outfit

4th of July date night? Rock a full length jumpsuit in navy & add in touches of red + white // full outfit

Needing to brave hot temps? Try an easy, breezy, little white dress // full outfit

Nautical stripes & the 4th of July go hand in hand! // full outfit

Don't over think it! Identify the pieces in your closet that fulfill the qualities of red, white, and/or blue and then mix them together until you get the right blend! // full outfit

If you are going to be needing to be work appropriate on the 4th, try layering a fun patterned shirt over your shift dress, or add a pop of red to your outfit!

full outfit

full outfit

Teacher Style: Summer Inspiration

I am now a teacher. I used to be a graduate student. The landscape of my wardrobe has changed. While I am still figuring out what a "teacher wardrobe" looks like, I'm am definitely drawing on previous outfits that I enjoyed to guide my new style… these are the ones inspiring my Summer to Fall teacher outfits:

Cardigans are my friend. Full outfit post {here}.

Pencil skirts in every color are a good idea. Full outfit post {here}. 

Remixing is key! Full outfit post {here}. 

Keeping a color story in mind is helpful. Full outfit post {here}. 

All about the accessories. Full outfit pose {here}. 

My favorite print - polka dots! Full outfit post {here}. 

Making pants work for me. Full outfit post {here}.

Dresses + blazers! Full outfit post {here}. 

Black pants are a stylish base for a multitude of looks. Full outfit post {here}. 

Color is just fun! Full outfit post {here}.  

Taking weekend/casual wear to teacher town with a blazer. Full outfit post {here}. 

Chambray is a life saver. Full outfit post {here}. 

Unexpected but monochromatic pattern mixes. Full outfit post {here}.

Upgraded basics. Full outfit post {here}. 

Scarves are a quick way to up the style ante! Full outfit post {here}. 

Dresses are easy outfits to throw on in the early morning! Full outfit post {here}.

How has your style evolved recently?

Do you draw inspiration from past outfits that both worked and failed?

Inspired: Engagement Photos & a giveaway

Tyler & I had a blast shooting our first engagement photos with the lovely Jessica of Jessica Ranae Photography a couple of weekends ago. After getting our first scheduled shoot rained out, Nashville seriously delivered the gorgeous weather for our second attempt!

Our goal for engagement pictures was to capture us in our natural states. Nothing overly done, just us, loving each other, with gorgeous lighting, in a more rustic setting. The pictures above served as the inspiration for our shoot & you can see all of these photos & more ideas on my Wedding Pinterest board here.

We have gotten a sneak peek of the pictures from our photographer & I am obsessed!

This is one of our favorites from what we have seen so far... more to come soon!

Wedding planning is trucking right along & I am having a blast soaking up all the delicious inspiration from Pinterest, wedding blogs & the "real life" weddings that I have found on the internets.

Just this week I learned about the "NotWedding" on Ruffled & even won a pair of tickets to their upcoming event in Nashville!

The NotWedding is a bridal show alternative where "wedding guests" enjoy a ceremony, dinner & dance-party reception while experiencing fabulous wedding vendors in action!

Now NotWedding wants to give YOU a chance to attend too!

The NotWedding is giving away 5 pairs of tickets to any of their future events: New York, Cape Cod, Charleston, Atlanta, Nashville, Athens and Wichita. 

Just leave your name below and let us know which event you’d like to attend!

P.S. Don't forget to enter the giveaway for a $50 gift card to Lisa Leonard's fabulous shop {here}!!

P.P.S. Get your white tee looks together for the Real Girl Glam Link-up starting tomorrow!

channeling marilyn

On this wonderful Friday, I thought I would share a movie that is providing me loads of inspiration these days. I saw My Week With Marilyn this week, and was blown away by Michelle Williams' performance, and the wardrobe for her portrayal as Ms. Monroe.

Despite how famous Marilyn is in Hollywood lore, I do not know much about her, and this movie was a beautifully made look into her complicated and glamourous life.

I'm not sure if it is period pieces from the 1950s in general, but seeing this movie left me seriously craving soft sweaters, houndstooth pants, scarves, camel wrap coats, classic wayfarer sunnies, and knee length pencil skirts (kudos to the costume designers!) 

When looking up pieces of clothing inspired by the looks created for the role of Marilyn, I stumbled upon this site... they did a great job finding gorgeous 50s inspired items that work for the modern woman 

(what I have been preaching about classic styles being the focus of one's wardrobe!?)

Get the look {here, here, & here)

Get Marilyn's style: black turtle neck + houndstooth 

All images via {here} and {here}

have a great weekend full of new adventures!

xx

Jessica

P.S. If you are new here from finding me on the "IT list", Welcome! I am so glad you are here

Check out my other posts this week:

- Spring Trends alert: the peplum, knife pleats, and boxy jackets

- Shop pink for Valentines' Day

- Are you keeping your New Years' Resolutions?

- I am fully on board with colored denim, and LOVING it!

- After a mild Winter, I am ready to fully embrace Spring again with flowy skirts

Thanks for reading, and have a fabulous weekend! I am looking forward to Tango lessons with Ty, an Art Crawl featuring free wine, and catching up with my to-do list these next couple of days!