Nordstrom Sale Season: Best of!

I can't be the only one that loses a bit of my will power/common sense when I see the word SALE! Everyone has been talking about the Nordstrom sale & I totally agree that there are some quality pieces included in the mark-downs, but I also want to point out some amazing pieces that you should put on your radar, because you shouldn't base what is in your closet just around what is on SALE. Whether you are looking for pieces for next season, or wanting replacements for well loved warm weather items, the 23 pieces below are either things that I personally own & LOVE, or items that are on my wish list. We are talking buy & love for many seasons & trends to come pieces - we are talking buy in multiples they are so good if you ask me!

First up, 12 well loved items that I myself own & highly recommend. I picked these pieces because I believe that they could fit many different personal styles, & in my experience, are well made/will last for years.

1. Suede Leather jacket. I purchased this suede leather jacket in the Spring & have shown it off on the blog paired with a dress here & jeans here. This jacket is at the top of my "must buy" list because it is not only so beautifully made, it is sturdy & feels expensive. I got mine in the "coffee bean" color + the size small fits perfectly! If the $188 price tag is too much, I would keep an eye on this super similar, but more affordable style for restocks.

2. Jack Rogers flipflops. I've already said it a million times, but this sandal in "Platinum" is seriously money for warm weather dressing (pun intended!). I got my latest pair of Jack Rogers sandals for our honeymoon in 2014 (outfit here) & they look just as pretty in an outfit from last month (full post here) - worth every penny if you ask me!

3. Ray Ban aviators. The green/gold color combo is so classic! I purchased these for myself for Christmas a few years ago (I'm spoiled & often pick out my own presents... sorry not sorry) & while I love my cheap, trendy sunglasses, my Ray Bans will forever & always remain favorites in my collection.

4. Clare V leopard clutch. Another piece that has a pricey price tag, but once I calculate the cost per wear on this piece it is certainly affordable. This is such a statement piece, but also goes with everything & I am always gravitating towards it, even over the many other eye catching clutches in my closet (I have a problem).

5. X-strap sandals. I had a $10 pair of similar sandals & after 2 Summer of super hard wear (so easy to slip on & GO!), the sole started to wear off, so I just picked up these and they are perfect (worn in an outfit post here). I love how streamlined the black color is, but the olive green suede might need to come home with me! At only $35 dollars a pair, heck I might just have to get the leopard pair too!!

6. Nars matte lipstick in "Heat Wave". Forever my favorite shade of warm weather red. One of the only lipsticks that I have completely used up & re-ordered within a 365 day period. The $28 price tag might feel like a LOT if you are used to buying drug store products (certainly did for me the first time), but the matte formula stays PUT & is worth it!

7. White lace dress. As other reviewers pointed out about this dress, it is tighter than it looks on the model, but the fabric feels high end, & overall I think it wears much better than the $33 price tag might suggest! I love this dress for date night (full outfit here - I'm wearing a Small), & think it will transition to next year too! Low price, fully stocked, MOVE QUICK!

8. Ruffle dress. I bought this dress to wear to Summer weddings & loved the color options + fun ruffles (full outfit post here). If you are between sizes, definitely size up as it runs slightly small, but if you are a size 0/2 & like either blush or navy, you are in luck because this bad boy is still in stock, but on sale for under $40, it won't last for long I imagine!

9. Bobbi Brown eyes & cheeks. Bobbi Brown's "teenage beauty" book was one of my earliest experiences with cosmetics, & this brand has been in heavy rotation in my makeup bag ever since! This palette has all the most flattering colors for eyes and cheeks, & during the sale is discounted from $365 down to $98. 

10. Madewell leather tote. This classic beauty is $60 off during the sale, & while I already have one (& use it for everything from trips to the grocery store to lugging papers to grade from school to home and back), at this price, I am thinking about Christmas presents for my female family members & friends too. I'm thinking you will be the hit of Christmas if you tuck this pretty thing under the tree :)

11. Steve Madden heels. I literally do not care how over worn these shoes are by bloggers. They are flattering, generally comfortable for what they are, & go with everything! I think $80 is a great price for these, & as clumsy as I am about walking around cracks in heels, these have held up great & I am going on 3 years with my last nude pair, + picked up a pair in black 2 years ago (they still look brand new!)

12. Lace bra. I always forget how expensive high quality bras can be until I look in my underwear drawer & realize that they all need to be replaced. Last year during the anniversary sale I found this style of bra, went in to have myself measured (Victoria Secret tells you lies... no way around it), & purchased 2. After a year of rotating them for daily wear + hand washing, they both look great, but I'm still thinking about ordering 2 more because this is the most comfortable + flattering underwire/full coverage bra that I have ever owned & it is currently $24 off during the sale + available in 8 colors.

Next, the 11 items topping my wish list. These are all either pieces that I am looking to purchase as replacements/duplicates for other much loved items, or fit with known "holes" in my closet that I have been looking to fill (I keep a list in my phone's notes so I don't get sidetracked)!

1. Long, open cardigan. This piece is part of the sale, under $50 & available in 7 colors. I have this same sweater from 2015 (full outfit here) & love it so much that I want to add another to my collection. What color would you pick!?

2. Panama hat. My J.Crew Panama hat is always in heavy rotation during the Summer (see the many examples that have made their way to the blog here), but I have been looking for one with a slightly wider brim, & in a natural color - this one looks to be a winner! Under $40, I'm sold!

3. Suede wedge sandals. Despite what you might have heard, Denver actually experiences mild weather well into the Fall & I'm dreaming about heading into September/October with these suede wedge beauties. It looks like the "tan/saddle" color will match my suede jacket perfectly (as mentioned above) & while they aren't on sale, the reviews sound awesome & I'm ready to check out!

4. Calf hair leopard sandals. Another piece that isn't on sale, but has stellar reviews & just look at them - they will go with everything! I have only ever owned UGG brand boots, but I'm willing to bet that these are as comfortable as they are stylish. Wear them now till it gets cold, and then bust them out on the first sunny day of 2018 - these are classic!

5. Camel coat. I purchased a camel coat from Chicwish in 2014 & was surprised by how much I loved it (full outfit post here - one of my all time faves!) Unfortunately, at the end of last winter (3 years of hard wear) it looked ready to put in the donation pile, & I have been on the hunt for a replacement since. This Lauren Ralph Lauren coat is on sale for $140 ($80 off the retail price) & I love the minimalistic/modern cut that Ralph Lauren is known for. Also available in black & gray... what color would you choose?

6. Ruffle Bell sleeve blouse. The ruffle & bell sleeve trends don't seem to be going anywhere any time soon, + I can imagine this top paired with a fabulous faux-fur vest for Fall, or with a fit and flare skirt come next Spring. The baby blue color is calling my name, but the other 4 colors are equally as gorgeous too! Under $32 during the sale, & currently well stocked!

7. Rebecca Minkoff Mini-crossbody. I purchased my first Rebecca Minkoff purse for my 26th birthday present to myself (full post here - look at that BABY with red hair, crazy how long ago that feels!). I still have, love & wear that bag, but it is starting to show its age & I have been looking for my next RM bag (love her, her brand, & her designs!). I adore the whip-stitched detail on the strap, the over-sized buckle detail, + fabulous tassels. Help me decide: sandstone or dusty blue? (my current one is gray and I need to replace it).

8. Black skinny jeans. I have several pairs of jeans/pants from DL1961 including their ultra flattering instasculpt designs. This wardrobe staple is on sale for $80 off, making them under $100! Needing some additional black skinny jean options? I'm also loving this pair from PAIGE, $60 off during the sale period.

9. Distressed skinny jeans. While uncertain about the "mullet" trend in jeans I purchased this distressed pair with the high/low hem detail & love them - like 3+ times per week LOVE - so if you are a size 30 you are in luck because it is the only size left & going for only $35! Everyone else, this pair of distressed skinny jeans are only $45, the perfect wash, & fully stocked in sizes 24 - 31.

10. Block heel sandals. Another replacement item. The chunky heel, perfect cognac color, and under $70 price tag make these a great buy!

11. Nars face palette. I have great confidence in Nars makeup products (see my love for their lipstick above) & this palette looks amazing! I have been running through my blush/highlighter/bronzer palette & need to purchase a new one before I get to a critical outage situation! I love that this one has 4 shades of blush + universally flattering bronze/highlighter options too. 

Phew, there is my 1,800+ word thesis about what you should be buying with your clothing budget this month! Don't let something convince you to buy it just because it is on SALE! Plan your purchases and make sure that your closet is filled with only items you LOVE! I always make myself imagine purchasing things at full price to make sure that I am making a meaningful purchase, not an impulse purchase prompted by our instincts to capitalize on SALES!

Love, Like, Hate: Recent Purchases

When we moved to Denver, I went into hermit crab mode. I pulled into my shell, not sure of my surroundings. I certainly wasn't doing much shopping as the new climate totally had me thrown for a loop, & I was completely at a loss of what I needed in my closet.

Since I started back blogging (hey girl hey), I have a little more disposable income, & I *think* I'm starting to get a hang of this Denver thing, so I have been branching out to shopping again. Below are somethings I've recently gotten that are MUST-HAVES in my book, some things that are great if you are looking for something extra (LIKE status), & while HATE is a strong word, I'm also including a couple of misses that totally missed the mark for me.

What have you purchased & LOVED recently? I'm on the hunt for a new pair of white jeans so send any of those rec's my way ASAP! kthanks.

{Love} pieces that need to be in your closet ASAP

1. As a former Nashville gal, & having been a young girl in the 90s, Reese Witherspoon is my spirit animal & I just can't get enough of what she is doing with her clothing line Draper James! The Draper James store in the adorable 12th South neighborhood is a MUST VISIT if you find yourself in Nashville, but now the pieces are available at Nordstrom too! I just picked up this ruffle top & it hits all the right notes for Summer - light weight, airy, & fun - but this is a spendy piece that I hope is in my closet for years & years! (Fit Tip: I ordered a size 4 for a not too tight, not too loose, just right fit)

2. It's been a good bit since I spent more than $20 on a pair of jeans (thanks Old Navy), but I have been on the hunt for the perfectly not-too-stretchy, but a little stretchy, not-too-ripped, but a little ripped, not-too-blue, but blue jeans... and my hunt is over, & I spent less than expected. This pair from Nordstrom comes in right under $60 & I think they are super flattering! (Fit Tip: I ordered my normal size - 27 - and they fit PERFECT! I LIVED in these bad boys over Memorial Day weekend)

3. Last year my Summer wardrobe consisted of two colorful, printed dresses from Cuddy Studios (as seen here & here). This Summer I have added this Cuddy Studios ruffle dress to my wardrobe & I just think it is the perfect piece for Summer weddings, backyard shindigs, & beach getaways! Coming to the blog soon! (Fit Tip: Runs a little big, I ordered a size small & probably should have gone down to a size XS)

4. After almost a year of living in our new city, I STILL can't find the box that has my sunglasses in it! While I love my Ray-Ban aviators (the only pair that I had in the car with me when we moved), I have really been needing a new pair so bad (Denver is apparently one of the sunniest major cities in all of America... great time to misplace the sunglasses, huh!?). I love the look of mirrored lenses, but wasn't sure how they would look on me, so I went for a budget pair first. This pair of mirror-lens sunglasses from ASOS hit the mark & fit the budget (under $15)! 

5. You might have seen it on Instagram (here), but I've been living in this J.Crew Factory gingham dress. One of my favorite features is that it can be worn with a neck strap, or strapless - keep your options open ladies! (Fit Tip: The XS is perfect for me)

{J.Crew Factory is killing the gingham game, shop my favorites below}

{Like} Pieces that I definitely enjoy, but Bianca from "10 Things I Hate About You" said it better:

Bianca: There's a difference between like and love. Because, I like my Skechers, but I love my Prada backpack. 
Chastity: But I love my Skechers. 
Bianca: That's because you don't have a Prada backpack. 

6. I am not big on "body con" pieces, so this white lace midi dress certainly has me conflicted - I love it, but am not sure I can pull off the fitted silhouette... coming to the blog soon, so you can be the judge! While the fitted style is the con for me, it has lots of pros: great price, flattering cut, versatile foundation piece for Summer.

7. There is A LOT to love about this ruffle Midi-dress - I got it in the baby blue color & think it makes me look so tan (which I am not, so it is basically magic). The thing that put it on the "like" instead of "love" list is the fit of the halter. I always thought that I had a "normal" proportioned torso/neck, but for some reason this halter goes all the way to my neck & feels a little tight... is that how it's supposed to feel? This is my first halter piece of this style, but that just can't be right... #bigneck

8. I had high hopes for this J.Crew Factory white midi skirt, but I didn't realize that it has an elastic waist & it runs a little big. It has so much going for it, but since the smaller size is now sold out, back it goes for me.

9. & 10. The next two pieces would most definitely land themselves on the love list, if they were just  a little more practical. These fall into the statement piece category, but they are so fun, budget friendly & I just couldn't resist. 

This striped, bell sleeve top takes the award for statement sleeves. And I can't get enough of the ruffles on this one shoulder top.

{Chicwish is kinda crushing it with statement tops lately, shop my favorites now}

{Hate} A strong word, but these pieces just did NOT work for me

11. I literally never successfully got this asymmetric maxi dress on my body - it was sad, hilarious, & embarrassing. I almost wish someone else would order it & make a tutorial for how to put it on - please share it with me when you do! I love the print & the idea of the open back, & I sincerely wish that I could accurately explain to you how difficult it was to put on!!

12. This open back black maxi dress sounded so perfect for me, but the fit was just off. It is definitely made for petite gals (would have been worn with flats on my 5'3" frame), but also ones that have a bigger bust that me. The open back is just perfect, but the lack of pockets & fit issues made it a definite return.  

13. I love my body & rock what I got, but this one-shoulder romper made me look like I had a preggo-belly, something I will be happy to have one day, but today is not that day. I could not figure out a way to make this item flattering & I desperately wanted to, as I love the colors of the stripes. 

Best Of: Summer Travel Bags

During our cross-country road trip, we did a BUNCH of "figuring it out" as we went, but one thing I was meticulous about before setting out was packing the car so that I knew where everything was located. Our Prius was literally packed to the MAX, but I will say that I was pretty proud of my organization strategy, & could snake my hand through the maze of things to find whatever I needed very quickly.

My organization strategy involved a series of bags. Every "category" of stuff had its own bag. There was a bag for snacks, a bag for dog stuff, Tyler's stuff, my stuff, camping stuff, dirty clothes… & so on & so forth. All of these bags seriously got put to the test this Summer & came out the other side still on my list of favorites & still looking great! Every one of these bags is super functional, & I recommend them for any of your future travel needs. Read on to see how each bag came in handy on our 9,000 mile cross country trip!

1. I have had this Vera Bradley weekender & make-up bag for 2 years now (see the post from when I first got them here), & they are the perfect size for my travel needs. On the road, I used these two bags for what I would take into the hotel/AirBnB/friend's house with me. I love that the weekender has 4 roomy inside pockets for storing my various tech cords & jewelry, & the make-up bag has one of the best brush storage situations I've seen in a bag this size.

2. My husband says that I have a purse problem (he's crazy), but the difficulty of picking only one purse to take on the road with us might indicate that he is more on to me than I would like to admit. Of all my purses, I picked this Rebecca Minkoff cross body bag to serve as my purse (often getting thrown into the larger bags if needed). I picked it based on the size, color, & inside storage (all of which are fabulous). And after 5 weeks on the road, I found that it went with everything & I still enjoy using it!

3. If my memory serves me correctly, I have had this L.L. Bean canvas bag since college & I honestly can't remember road trips without it. The XL size was perfect for storing all of the linens we needed on our trip, & now that we are in Denver, I have been using it to tote groceries up to our apartment. Bonus: I have thrown this baby in the washer many times & it still looks great!

4. Some bags are jack of all trades & this one certainly qualifies! The Scout bag is not only super cute (love those bold stripes), but is also super durable. The fabric is waterproof & easy to wipe down, & the oversized pockets are beyond useful! This bag stored all of the dog products we took on the road with us - food zipped safely inside, waste bags easily accessible from the outside pockets. 

5. Like the Scout bag, this Sea Bags tote is made of waterproof material (old sails in fact!) & easily used for many occasions. This bag held our tech accessories, & often doubled as my purse when I needed something larger than the Rebecca Minkoff cross body. I've gushed about this tote on the blog before & you can check out its many accolades (including being made from eco-friendly materials) here.  

6. The Nisolo leather tote is such a classy bag! This leather tote is ready to take a beating & still look great after - I have found that it keeps looking better and better with age! This was one of our camping bags, holding essentials like our cribbage board, lantern & wine bottle opener that came out everytime we stopped at a campsite. Put it on your radar: Nisolo is now having their end of year sale starting TODAY!  Shop now for up to 60% off select items!

7. The ladies aren't the only ones who need to be organized & we have found some great options for Tyler too. This tech bag is perfect for keeping all of his cords & personal essentials in place/not-tangled, while not taking up much space in the car. 

8. This travel duffel bag was recommended by my sister & brother-in-law & Tyler is now equally enthusiastic about its merits. He took it with him on a 10 day trip to Europe last Winter & it was perfect as his "weekender" while on the road (aka what he took in with him when we stayed overnight).

9. Unfortunately, Tyler had to work while we were on the road, but he always had what he needed close by (you never know when wifi is going to strike) in this gorgeous leather computer bag. He got this bag after completing his PhD & I think it looks like a modern doctor bag. 

10. Finally, men might not have as many person hygiene items as us ladies do, but they still need to keep them together in a toiletry bag. Tyler has this "dopp bag" & it is a great medium size to hold his razor & other bathroom products. It is a study canvas lined with plastic, so it is very durable too! 

What are your favorite bags that are stylish & functional?

empties & re-fills

It is time for the changing of the guard in my beauty cabinet & I wanted to share the products that I have recently used up & those that I just re-filled. 9 of these products are ones that I LOVE & #10 is one that I'm dying to try. Check out my go-to products, and let everyone know in the comments what you have been loving in your beauty routine now that Spring is here (for most of us!)

Empties:
1. Jergens Natural Glow (+firming) lotion - I use this lotion every few days to keep my Summer glow going without having to fry my skin, & have actually been using it since February, so that when it was time to bare my legs, I wouldn't blind strangers with my ghostly white stems! I recently ran out of my current stock & will definitely be re-ordering! Pros: light scent (not the usual self-tanner smell), builds over time, also a really great lotion.

2. Murad time release Acne Cleanser - really the whole "Anti-Aging Acne" line from Murad is amazing, & after using it consistently for the past year, I really can't remember the last time I had a pimple + my skin has never felt healthier! I was a little surprised that it has zero lather, but I use it with my Clarisonic & it feels very refreshing.

3. Davines Hair refresher "dry cleansing mist" - Ok, I use a LOT of dry shampoo (anything for those extra 15 minutes of sleep!) & actually have different products for different days of my non-hair washing routine. This is my light dry shampoo (see #4 below for the big guns). It really is what the name implies - a nice refresher for your hair after a day or so of going dirty. As a brunette, I have to be weary of dry shampoo turning my hair grey, & this one goes on with very little color, and absorbs immediately. The scent is pretty incredible too. 

4. Klorane dry shampoo - this is my heavy-duty dry shampoo, for days when I have some serious grease to contend with! It is much thicker than the Davines product above, & as such soaks up any grime that I'm dealing with (my hair gets pretty oily by day 2). This is also a great product for giving my hair "hold" if I'm trying to rock an up-do or bun. 

5. Essie "madmoiselle" - I don't know if I have ever used a nail polish bottle all the way to the bottom, but I have been applying this shade to my nails weekly for many months now, & it has finally run dry! I love this color (the perfect light pink), but am actually looking for a new light pink - any suggestions??

Re-fills:
6. Vaseline Lip Therapy "rose lip" lip balm tin - I actually can't remember who gave me the tip (if it's you, holler at me so you can get your much deserved credit), but several years ago I was dealing with some scary chapped Winter lips, & they suggested slathering on Vaseline every night before bed. I now have a huge tub beside my bed, & smaller tins in every bag/desk that I frequent! After seeing these adorable tins, I just couldn't help but add to my collection. The "rosy lips" has a great smell & gives a nice pink tint!

7. It Cosmetics "Vitality Brightening Anti-Aging Face Disk" - I fell in LOVE with It Cosmetics last year at the Southern Blog Society conference & have been almost exclusively using their products in my daily-routine. My favorites include the Bye-Bye under eye concealer &
Bye-Bye pores pressed finishing powder, but the top dog in my make-up bag (like, stranded on a deserted island can only have 1 product item) is the "Vitality Brightening Disk". It is a bronzer/blush/highligher all contained in 1 slim compact, & the colors are so flattering! I totally re-ordered this before I ran all the way out because I couldn't stand the thought of going without it, for even 1 day!

8. Murad active radiance serum -  from the Murad "Environmental Shield" line, this serum is my go-to during Summer months, but I have actually been using it all year. Along with the eye lift firming treatment and hydro-dynamic moisturizer, Murad calls this trio their "model off duty look" - & I agree that these three products make me look rested, dewey & fresh!

9. St. Ives Nourish & Soothe - I love & trust the St. Ives brand to make products that not only fit my needs, but also fit into my lifestyle. This lotion is divine - super moisturizing, without being too thick, absorbs quickly, & smells great! I use their spray lotion during Summer months, but as I am trying to get rid of my Winter alligator skin, this is the perfect formulation for right now!

10. A want to try: The Pixi "GLOW" tonic has been getting rave reviews & with packaging that cute, I don't think my will power will last much longer! Have you tried it?

Shop all the products mentioned in this post here:

Sunday Shopping: Spring Break Essentials

Looking for the perfect Spring Break look?! I am excited to share a new brand with you today - Sakroots! Sakroots has curated a collection of must have functional spring break accessories featuring colorful & original artwork… and they support various nature & music charities! 

Whether you feel deeply about elephant rescue, the life of the honeybee (a cause close to my heart!) or music education in schools, Sakroots gives you the opportunity to support what you love with their Choose Your Karma program. And it is super easy! First, choose your art from their collection of original artist printed accessories, then choose the charity you want to support. Sakroots matches all donations.

Each print below is supported by a charity, or you can donate to a charity of your choosing from their list when you buy from sakroots.com! I love that not only are their prints super fun & funky (hello music festival style!), but they give back!

If you grew up in the 90s (my hand is in the air), you might notice that this is the little sister of the have-to-have-it "Sak" purses of our youth (#7 below has throwback vibes for sure!)

{1} floral rain boots // {2} backpack // {3} small satchel // {4} "LOVE" tote // {5} medium satchel // {6} weekender bag // {7} pom pom cross body bag // {8} Patterned flip-flops // {9} sea horse cosmetics case // {10} printed espadrille

I have been toting my Sakroots bag & super comfy espadrilles every where lately! They both went to Asheville with us & then again to Arkansas last weekend. These are high quality items that I know will be staples for years to come!

Looking to kickstart your Spring Break? Sakroots is offering 15% off your first order (sign up for the discount code here) & enter to win a free Large Cosmetic in the print of your choice if you follow @sakrootsbrand & @jesshereandnow on Instagram. One winner will be selected at random TOMORROW. (more details on my Instagram here)

Spring Purses (for Less!)

Many of my Spring bags are now on sale & I just had to share! These 4 bags have already been featured on the blog many times, and I have been wearing 1 of these 4 bags every day for months now. They are road tested & Here&Now approved! 

I call my Dagne Dover Tiny Tote "tiny but mighty" because while it is small in stature, it is an organizational power house! Score this purse for 20% off using code HEREANDNOW20 (until 4/1) 

Outfits: 1 // 2 - coming soon  // 3

This Beau & Ro cross body bag/clutch is a new addition to the family, but I have fallen in love with the super soft leather, adorable tassel & perfect size for my Spring engagements! Now, you can get this perfect clutch/cross body combo for 30% off using code HERENOW (until 3/25 - hurry your tushy!) Their sale section is also now an extra 30% off too!

full outfit here.

The bucket bag is a big trend for Spring & I love how the Sole Society bucket bag is the perfect shape/size/color, but a total STEAL! This exact bag is on sale on the Sole Society site & also on sale at Nordstrom.

outfits: 1 // 2 - coming soon!

I cannot get enough of this purse - you might have noticed with its heavy appearances on the blog lately. My Gigi New York convertible clutch is part of their most recent collection, but if you sign up for their newsletter you can get 10% off your entire order! They have also recently started a collaboration with Vaseline where you can get a customized Vaseline lip tin (my favorite) + a monogrammed holder for your lip tin with your $100 order from Gigi New York. 

outfits: 1 // 2 // 3 // 4 // 5

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!

Sunday Shopping: Activewear

1 orange leggings // 2 black, x-leggings // 3 gray patterned leggings // 4 black & white Nike sneakers // 5 circle neck hoodie (also loving this cable knit sweater - so chic for workout clothes!) // 6 wrap front top // 7 orange hoodie // 8 how cute is the back of this tank!? Would be perfect under this adorable yoga pun (WARRIOR) tee // 9 stylish gym bag // 10 color block, X-back sports bra

Just about every night while we are sitting on the couch, feet up, surrounded by our squishy pugs, Tyler & I talk about how we would like to live a healthier lifestyle - more activity, more green food, more explorations! And then we pick out a show to watch on Netflix and glue ourselves to the couch for the remainder of the evening. We seriously can't be the only ones in this rut! I know that some of it is because we are currently in Winter hibernation mode, but about 90% of it is just pure laziness & resistance to change (AKA why i made it my word for 2016!).

I am finally putting my money where my mouth is & my little family is dedicating ourselves to trying tiny tweaks to increase our activity. Step 1 was of course buying new work out clothes, but we are also going to be sticking to a weekly menu planning with lots of healthy options & committing to 1 new adventure each weekend.

In my quest for cute workout gear, I found some goodies that I couldn't wait to share! I just purchased this pair of leggings, this adorable sports bra & a new pair of Nikes from Kohl's. And am currently making a wish list of everything that has caught my eye at Lolë activewear (spoiler alert: I want everything!).

What tiny (or big!) tweaks are you making to be more active in 2016?

2015: top 10

As the end of the year nears, it is certainly a time to reflect on what has been & revel at what might be ahead. Tyler & I will be headed out to the woods to ring in the New Year, as we have for the last several years. It is such a wonderful way to reset & mindfully prepare for the fresh year ahead. This is also another way in which my 22 year old self that moved to Nashville 6 years would roll her eyes at me - funny how I used to crave crowds, late nights, & getting a little wild. We certainly plan to have some wild late nights at the cabin, but will be burning the midnight oil fueling our love of board games & dancing in the kitchen in our socks, & maybe just 1 or 2 shots of Fireball.

As I look back on 2015, I am thankful that I seem to be finding balance in my life… & in my wardrobe too. This year brought with it some of my favorite wardrobe additions & I wanted to share with you the top 10. These are all firmly in the I-should-go-ahead-and-buy-another-one-now because I love them so much! 

1. J.Crew Factory striped boatneck tee: I adore this shirt - the perfect weight of the fabric, the slightly boatneck, & the just right length. I actually do own two of these - I purchased one in XS & another in size S. I love both, but think that if I were to get a third (I'm considering it!), it would be a size Small, as it is slightly more of a tunic style. I literally wear this top with everything, & it is such a perfect piece to take on vacation because it is easily paired to create many different outfits. See all the ways I've worn this top on the blog here.

2. J.Crew Factory black & white striped button down (currently sold out in the striped pattern, but I'm hopeful the willy bring it back soon!): This was a piece I spotted & purchased on a whim, but it soon became a much loved top! I wore it here with a tweed skirt, & then again with jeans here. It has also been worn many times with my ripped black jeans (#5 on this list), & I always just feel good wearing it!

3. J.Crew Factory long white shirt: When I first purchased this shirt, I wanted to send it back, mostly because it was slightly out of my comfort zone. However, this has certainly become one of my favorite work shirts, I love dressing it up with scarves, bold jewelry, or just wearing it belted as I did in this outfit shown below. This was one of the times when going for something a little different really paid off (Yes, I am such a wild person that buying a slightly longer white shirt is my idea of living dangerously - watch out world!)

4. Michael Kors cross body bag: Well technically this was a gift (thanks mom!), but it is one of my favorite bags ever! The features I love the most: the chain strap, the perfect orangey/red color, & the padded pocket inside for electronics - that is the exact right size for taking my Kindle out with me (I love having it to read when an available moment pops up).

5. This year I discovered ripped jeans, finally shutting the running guilt trip of my mother out of my head ("I can't believe you are buying jeans with HOLES in them…"). My beloved pair of ASOS ripped black jeans (more styles on sale here) finds its way to the #5 position, but a solid runner up is the pair of  DL1961 ripped white jeans I picked up in 2015 as well. So why buy jeans with rips in them? 1. I think they are comfortable, it actually feels nice to have the wind on your knees! 2. But, I also think it just adds something extra to my outfits. I mean look at the great match up between the Lilly top & ripped white jeans below! See all the ways I've worn my black ripped jeans on the blog here & my white ripped jeans here. 

6. Chicwish black & white striped skirt: Another surprising favorite, although I shouldn't be too surprised as it is a mash up of two of my favorite things: stripes + midi skirts. See all 3 ways I've worn this skirt on the blog here.

7. J.Crew Factory Winnie pants: Ok, in full admission, I purchased my first pair of Winnie pants before this year, but in 2015 I did add another black pair, & a pair of navy (the navy ones are going to have their own special feature next week). These pants are glorified pajama bottoms that I'm allowed to wear to work, it's incredible! To me, these are the epitome of the Audrey Hepburn cropped black pants & they literally GO WITH EVERYTHING! See all the ways I've worn my Winnie pants over the years here.

8. Steve Madden black heels: This is one shoe shape that I know will be in my closet for as long as I am wearing heels. I have had the nude version for several years now (see all the ways I've worn them on the blog) & don't know what took me so long to get their black counterparts. Note - I am on my 3rd pair of this shoe style & every single one has fit me slightly different. This is definitely a pair to go into the store to purchase. I got my last pair at Dillard's & it was a great experience. 

9. Hunter boots: I just gushed about my Hunter boots in yesterday's post, but these are truly a hero piece in my closet. I wear these bad boys at least once a week to walk the dogs, or on my way to work in the rain. Maybe not the most glamourous piece I own, but one that I appreciate so very much when I need them!

10. Nisolo sandals: These shoes defined most of my summer outfits (see all the ways I've worn them on the blog here). Not only do I adore the Nisolo brand & what they are doing for conscious consumerism (more on their story here), but these sandals are pure perfection. Perfect color, perfect little ankle strap & perfectly comfortable (tested by a weekend of heavy walking in San Francisco). 

These are my 10 most loved pieces added in 2015. What were the major workhorses in your closet this year?

I'll be back on the 1st to share a 2015 wrap up post, but in the mean time, be sure to follow along on Instagram & Snapchat (username "jesshereandnow") for our weekend adventures in the woods with pugs & friends! Happy New Year!