not so basic

Adulting update: Tyler & I have been saving our buns off to make our dream of owning a house an actual reality, & the time has come for us to pick one out! I am simultaneously so stinking excited/terrified! After living in apartments/shared houses for our entire 8 years together, we keep pinching ourselves over the fact that we might get our OWN yard, driveway, garage, and HOUSE! I don't even care if we have any furniture, every night will be a dance party for 2 anyways!

Denver has a HOT housing market right now, so we have already seen about 10 houses, put in a bid, gotten in a bidding war, lost a house, & kept on trucking! We saw 2 amazing ones over the weekend that checked all our wish list boxes & while I think they might have forgotten some numbers in the price, we are going to put in a bid today (attempt #2) so please cross all your extremities for us!

Another thing that is HOT, is the weather in Denver. People (AKA me before I moved here) assume that Denver is in the mountains, but really it is NEXT to the mountains & that makes a huge difference when we are talking Summer heat! I call Denver the HIGH plains - because it is literally a mile above sea level, but flat as a pancake - a pancake that is baking a mile closer to the sun. During our recent 100+ degree days, I have been enjoying the ease of simple dressing - throwing on a sun dress with my quick sandal slides & hitting the door (makes these last minute house showings less hectic!) - & this outfit is my go to basic combo. I love maxi dresses for this time of year because I am already over shaving my legs since moving to an every day effort when the sun made her appearance in May & maxi dresses transition easily to night (scarf stashed in my tote!), while also easily going from casual to fancy with the right accessories.

I also can't gush enough about my latest Nisolo purchase - these slides! I have been a long time supporter of Nisolo, because they have an incredible mission, my high school friend co-started it, & their products are gorgeous, comfortable + make me feel good when I wear them! I have previously shown you my Nisolo oxfords, strappy sandals, wedge sandals, & leather bag, but these slides might be my favorite yet. The only word I can think up to describe them is BUTTER! They are so soft & just the most delicious color of leather. If you are looking to get on the slide trend in a classic way, this is your ticket!

Shop Nisolo through my referral link & get $25 off your next Nisolo order: https://www.talkable.com/x/9uK9oX

(I also get $25 for each person that uses the link)

dress: Old Navy maxi dress (I love the X-strap back & the fabric feels high end!)

shoes: Nisolo "Isla" slides (available in 4 gorgeous colors, mine are "beige")

Shop Nisolo through my referral link & get $25 off your next Nisolo order: https://www.talkable.com/x/9uK9oX

(I also get $25 for each person that uses the link)

bag: J.Crew straw tote

hat: J.Crew Panama hat

lipstick: Nars "Heat Wave"

All Photos | Noah Berg Photography

{shop these exact pieces}

rawr means i love you

In my opinion, when you have the right accessories, you can make everyday closet staples look like standouts. This Kate Spade T-Rex purse was just too much perfection to pass up, and adds the perfect pop of interest to an otherwise straightforward combo. It is pretty spendy - especially when you consider its limited functionality - but with tax refunds on their way, I say TREAT YO SELF!

This is the 2nd outfit in my teacher capsule wardrobe - I swear I am going to post a round-up of the pieces included in my capsule collection SOON - but until then you can check out my first outfit here (mock turtlenecks for the win!)

My comfort zone is certainly skinny cropped pants with an easy top, but I did try to take a little risk by layering this sweater shell over the tunic length button down. It feels a little 90s "Clueless", but I dig it! What risks have you taken with your everyday outfits lately??

{Shop These Pieces}

pants: Old Navy polka dot trousers

top: J.Crew Factory white button down (this longer tunic style can be worn so many creative ways, but this classic white button up is my favorite if you are looking for a more traditional style)

sweater: J.Crew Factory sweater shell

purse: Kate Spade T-Rex purse

shoes: J.Crew Factory flats (love the bows on this similar style, but also crushing on the x-straps from this pair)

sunglasses: Ray Ban aviators

watch: Daniel Wellington watch

All Photos: Noah Berg Photography

90's child

I will always be a dresses over pants girl - not only can you get fully dressed in 30 seconds flat when you wear dresses, but they are so much more forgiving & easy to find the perfect fit than when pants shopping!

I reviewed this dress on Snapchat last week (are you following? Find me by searching for jesshereandnow), but I'll repeat my gushing here too :)

I initially saw this dress online, & then again in the store, & didn't think much about it. However, when I was headed to the dressing room at Old Navy, it caught my eye once again & I thought "why not!?", adding it to my armful of clothes to check out in the fitting rooms. 

Once on, I was pleasantly surprised by its fit & details. Adjustable straps, slightly nipped in waist that looks great with or without a belt, flattering midi length, & smocked back to help it fit just right. And most of all, this dress *almost* makes me want to throw on a white baby doll tee underneath & re-live my 90s child glory days! But only if I still had my pair of Doc Martens! 

dress: Old Navy slip dress
Not a joke - Old Navy just posted an awesome coupon code: 41% off 1 item + 30% off the rest of your order! Code: NOTAJOKE

clutch: convertible clutch c/o Gigi NY

necklace: Kendra Scott chain necklace (no longer available, but achieve a similar look with this or this piece)

belt: J.Crew leather belt (from the men's department - I had my cobbler add a few extra holes so I can wear it at my natural waist)

shoes: Nisolo sandals

All Photos | Catherine Truman Photography

Are you embracing the fact that the 90s are back?

Any other late 80s babies that are excited to finally embrace the more grown up styles of this decade??

Shop these exact pieces:

so nice, I purchased it twice

Ok I promise I am still working on that Asheville guide, but life has gotten a little crazy this week (job interviews, watching my students dominate at their soccer games & gearing up for end of the year testing) - oh how difficult that little thing called BALANCE can be!

Now on to the outfit - when I saw this top I knew that it was a total ME piece, the only problem was figuring out what color/print to get it in! Ultimately, I couldn't narrow it all the way down, so I got two (whoops!) - this block printed one & the adorable gingham one I linked on Instagram here & here.

top: Old Navy peplum tank in block print & gingham print (The gingham one is only $16 & currently stocked in all sizes!)

Fit tip, the peplum cami does not fit snug at the waist. I got the XS & it is still a little oversized/flowy.

jeans: DL1961 ripped white denim (I love these jeans! Also available in non-ripped style, slightly less skinny version, and boot cut style)

shoes: Nisolo "Serena" sandals (the "caramel" color ages beautifully)

bag: Nisolo leather tote (mine is the "Oak" color)

watch: leather strap watch c/o Le Coeur

sunglasses: Ray Ban aviators (mine are the green & gold option)

jacket: Gap jean jacket

All Photos | Catherine Truman Photography

I basically wore some version of this outfit for our entire visit to Asheville & it really did work for all occasions - from brewery tours, visiting the Biltmore, & grabbing dinner downtown.

I have also worn this top multiple times over the past two weeks & I definitely recommend it! The adjustable straps make it practice & ruffle bottom is just too FUN! 

What pieces have you been gravitating to this Spring? Any duplicate purchases lately?

Don't forget to enter to win the NYC trip for 2 to visit the Annie Leibovitz portrait exhibit. More details in yesterday's post. 

Shop these exact pieces now:

Sunday Shopping: Old Navy Spring

Old Navy is one of my top go-to stores - for basics & on-trend styles for each season. For Spring, I think Old Navy is striking the perfect chord between good looking staples (this trench & this updated chambray top come to mind), while also offering trendy pieces that don't look too one & done (I was just talking about these peplums & the chambray jumpsuit is giving me all the feels!)

I also really appreciate how their Spring collection looks a lot like a capsule wardrobe - allowing you to easily imagining mixing and matching the pieces together to create new outfits, over & over again!

I put this collage together imagining the pieces that I would use if I was going to put together an Old Navy Spring Capsule wardrobe. And I'm also trying something new with today's round-up -- you can click on the image to be taken directly to the landing page for that piece! Happy Spring Shopping!

CHANGE

sweater: Nordstrom v-neck tunic sweater (comes in 11 gorgeous colors, but I'm pretty partial to my mushroom choice!)

jeans: Old Navy rockstar skinny jeans (LOVE the super high rise + dark rinse!)

boots: classic Hunter boots + boot bows c/o Poppy Clips

sunglasses: Carrera sunglasses c/o The Sunglasses Shop

necklace: custom stamped key c/o The Giving Keys

watch: Michael Kors

All Photos | Kate Davis Photography

After 6 years of living happily in Nashville, my husband & I are talking about where we want to live next. This chapter of our lives is so exciting (we can live anywhere, do anything!) & also super scary (how am I going to find a new job, how can I leave my dear friends, ... but Nashville is where we met, fell in love, got married).

I truly am a creature of habit - once I find something that works for me, I prefer to stick with it! After graduating from college I moved to Nashville knowing only 1 person (who I proceed to break up with soon after - whoops!), & then made it my job to cultivate a life here, dedicated to finding friends, good coffee shops & my spots around town. During all 6 of my years living here I have made a list of all the new experiences I wanted to complete in Music City & even after 6 years my list continues to be longer than I can ever accomplish! So now that I have put so much work into this place, I am fearful about having to do it again, especially now that I am no longer a student, but supposedly a fully formed adult (still questionable on that front).

Because I am simultaneously a ball of excitement & nerves about what the future holds, I am making my word for 2016 "CHANGE". I want to embrace the unknown & throw myself into living for now with out fear for what comes next. To remind my self of this intention, I am wearing my word around my neck, thanks to The Giving Keys.

The Giving Keys is a great organization that not only employs individuals transitioning out of homelessness, but they encourage you to wear your word, and then give it away when you no longer need it, or find someone who needs it more. It is my dream that I will be able to make the most of this season of CHANGE and give my key away in our next city... wherever that might be! 

If you want to find out more about The Giving Keys check out this page & my exact key necklace can be found here (they also have 13 of their core words or you can get a key custom stamped with your word like I did). 

In my weekend reading post (full post here), I mentioned that I am on the hunt for a legit pair of snow boots, because while my Hunter's keep my feet nice & dry, they aren't exactly the warmest pair of footwear. 

I can't knock the Hunter's too much though, because I trudged everywhere in my Hunter's during our last bout of Winter weather here in Nashville. While I mostly think of my Hunter's as being more about function than looks, I cannot get over how adorable they are with these bows from Poppy Clips! They have so many styles to add a twist to your rainy day style!

Loving these boot bows? Head over to Poppy Clips to get a promo code to purchase your own. 

I also get a lot of questions about how I keep my Hunter's looking new & shiny. Because these boots are made of out a thick plastic, when the plastic gets dried out, it gives a chalky appearance that frustrates many Hunter boot owners. I found this plastic rejuvenation spray that I apply to my Hunter's whenever I start to see the white chalky spots (meaning that the plastic is getting dried out). I think this is a great product, & definitely believe that it helped my last pair of Hunter's last so long (almost 10 years, & then I cracked the sole of one shoe). Shop the boot spray on Amazon. 

Shop exact items from this outfit:

This sweater is pure perfection & available in lots of colors!

mock

sweater: Old Navy mock neck sweater

pants: J.Crew Factory "Winnie" pants

purse: Michael Kors crossbody

shoes: Sole Society wedges

sunglasses: Ray Ban aviators

All Photos | Kate Davis Photography

Look 3 of my blue pants challenge. If you are just joining us - in 2016 I have promised myself to wear everything in my closet or get rid of it. These pants were on the top of my "throw out" pile & I have now styled them here & here (I call them art teacher & Parisian-wanna be)

I have worn this look to worn & it was decided that my goal in life should be bringing the mock-neck back! What do you think? To mock or not to mock? Let me know!

Shine ON

sweater: Old Navy blush sweater

scarf: Old Navy fair isle scarf

jeans: Old Navy rockstar skinny jeans (love the higher rise on this pair)

shoes: Old Navy metallic slingbacks

necklace: tassel necklace ℅ Humble Chic

All Photos | Catherine Truman

I love that the holidays are open season to wear all things shiny & metallic, with lace & sequin details an added bonus. The rest of the year most of these items are hidden in the back of our closets, only brought out during dressy occasions. But this magical time between Thanksgiving & the New Year makes everything shiny & decadent OK for the day time. 

For me this means adding special little touches of sparkle to my everyday wardrobe. I love that everything in this outfit is a truly versatile piece, things that I have already worn multiple ways, or have plotted many more outfits around. 

These golden flats are so easy to throw on, yet always bring compliments from strangers. This sweater is a big comfy cocoon, but feels so chic in its blush pink state. And this fair isle scarf is one that no one will believe you snagged for $8 at Old Navy!

How do you zest up your everyday December outfits?

Shop these exact pieces + similar items that I am loving from Old Navy lately:

This post was sponsored by Old Navy, but all reviews reflect my own opinions. Old Navy is a brand I truly love & it is a special treat to partner with them on this post!

easy Fall layers

sweater: Old Navy open front cardigan ℅ 

tank: Old Navy layering tank

pants: Old Navy pixie pants

shoes: Old Navy ankle strap flats

purse: similar black crossbody bag from Old Navy (or go bold for the style with fun gold dots!)

All Photos | Kate Davis Photography

I declare this sneaky-PJ season! You can wear clothes that are seriously as comfy & cozy as your jammies, without sacrificing style. Blanket like sweater - check. Stretchy pants - check. Comfortable tank + shoes - check. Handy purse for all my things - check!

I stopped in to Old Navy last week to shop for this post & was literally a kid in a candy store. I love the poncho trend, and Old Navy has so many chic options! This open front cardigan that I'm wearing has the most gorgeous colors & is perfect for wearing to work or out on the  weekend. I just switched over my closet for Fall/Winter, and was happy to be reunited with my Old Navy sweaters & flannel button downs from last year. If you haven't tried out their selection yet, scroll down to shop all of my favorites (sweaters, purses & more!).

Shop these exact pieces + more Fall favorites from Old Navy (be sure to click over, as these items are all available in other fabulous colors too!)

This post was compensated by Old Navy, but all thoughts & opinions are my own.