Nashville Tourist

{ What I Wore: cobalt dress c/o Onze Boutique // DaisyGem necklace // boutique belt (love this one!) // Paige Denim jacket* // ShoeMint heels // TheIt bag camera purse }
* gifted in the Southern Blog Society brunch swag bag

When people ask me the age old question - "so why did YOU start blogging?" - my pre-packaged answer is always about wanting a creative outlet, a place to let my girlie, fashion obsessed side run free during the hours after my day job as a scientist. Well, I'm changing my mind (as BritBrit once said, that's my prerogative!)

Now, the thing that keeps my blogging mojo going? It's all about the connections I have made. The women that I never would have met otherwise but have nonetheless become my blogging friends, collaborators, and downright soul sisters. Pretty crazy when you think about it. 

Because I don't already have enough on my plate, I dreamed up (with the other Jessica, who sadly left Nashville this Fall) a community of bloggers for Nashville. BlogNashville was born this Summer & I can't believe how far this little dream has come.

Yesterday 14 Nashville bloggers & I hopped on the GrayLine Trolley Tour** & got to see behind the scenes in our own backyard. Exploring such landmarks as The Ryman Auditorium, Broadway Ave. & The Country Music Hall of Fame. We giggled, took way too many pictures, strengthened our bonds on the other side of the computer screen, & shared duck fat tater tots. The perfect day I tell you!

Thankful for the friendships that I am forming with these lovely local ladies: Perfectly Priya // Oh So Pretty // Fringe & Lace // Stilettoed to Steeltoed // My Scuttle // Ellen Loves // J's Southern Chic // Love This Life // My Post Grad Life // Gin & Tonic // Not Quite Grownup Guide // Three Sweet Peas // Zipporah Photography

This is just a sneak peek of our adventures & I can't wait to share the fab pictures that my talented photographer friend Zipporah took throughout the day too!

Wether you are a local or a Nashville tourist, I definitely recommend the Gray Line Hop on & off trolley tour along with their other top notch tours like the Unpublished Nashville Walking Tour. Connect with the Gray Line Tour group on Facebook & Twitter.

Have you gotten out & acted like a tourist in your town lately? 

Any away from the computer blogger connections? 

**Gray Line tours provided us this experience free of charge, but all opinions & reviews are my own. I would never share anything with you that didn't meet my high standards.

Sunday Shopping: Isabel Marant x H&M

This. Is. Huge. You thought the Philip Lim for Target collection was a mess... you just wait. Isabel Marant, the designer made ever so popular for the "model off duty" look is teaming up with H&M for a new collection, the first its kind since H&M started offering online shopping in the US. Inspired by some of Marant's top selling items from previous seasons, this collaboration promises Marant's trademark style at H&M's attainable prices.

I've got to say, I am a little sad that there is nary a wedge sneaker in sight, from the creator herself... I guess it will remain forever imitated by everyone else.

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What pieces are you most looking forward to??

The pieces are not for sale yet, but I will be updating these links when they are available! Happy Shopping :)

weekend reading: 11.09.13

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This weekend why don't you :: embrace the layers! 

{what you might have missed on Here&Now}

{1.} Fab Friday giveaway from Jeweler's Wife.

{2.} The coziest black & white sweater worn 2 ways with Fringe & Lace.

{3.} $500 Visa cash card giveaway!

{4.} My Nordstrom Half Yearly Sale top picks.

{5.} An October of outfits.

{posts I'm loving around the internets}

{1.} 8 ways to get out of a rut (I needed this!).

{2.} Lessons learned from rejection.

{3.} What is the true cost of fast fashion? 

{4.} My blog traffic changed when Google Reader died... still trying to figure it all out, but this tutorial about Google Analytics def helps!

{5.} A fall look I'm itching to recreate asap! (& my new blogger crush)

{sale alerts} 

* Ann Taylor's "Trends with Benefits" sale, score 40% off your entire purchase from now until November 11th. Sign up for their mailing list & get the code {here}.

* ASOS 10% off your purchase (code 10WELCOME).

* Nordstrom Half Yearly Sale up to 40% off, until the 17th.
* Gap 30% off for the Friends & Family sale, until the 11th (code GAPFRIENDS).

* J.Crew extra 25% off (code GOSHOP).

* J.Crew Factory 30% off everything (code BIGSALE).

* Old Navy 30% off your purchase, until the 11th (code SALE).

* Urban Outfitters shop their updated sale and get $15 back for every $75 you spend (code 15BACK)

And now a pop-folky song for your weekend enjoyment!

Jeweler's Wife giveaway

I love a business with a good story & Jeweler's Wife has just that (read about the story behind the biz here).

I have really enjoyed sporting the Kendra Scott earrings that I picked up from this darling shop & have my eye on many more pieces as well:

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Today, Jeweler's Wife is generously offering TWO lucky ducks the chance to win this gorgeous XO necklace by Dogeared!

And in the mean time, use code JW1030 to get $10 off your first $30 purchase & free shipping with no order limit!

UPDATE: This giveaway is open to US readers only.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Fall Back

What's worse than a fashion blogger talking about the weather?
A fashion blogger complaining about other people's weather related rants & then launching into her own. Yup, that's about to happen!

{ What I Wore: Sweater + necklace + bracelets c/o Fringe & Lace // J.Crew olive skinnies + chambray top // Old Navy booties // Philip Lim x Target satchel }

We are 6 days into November & Tennessee has so far gifted us 80 degree days & 30 degree nights. To say that I have a hard time getting dressed (in the dark) in the mornings is an under statement.

Right now things that look like clothes but feel like pajamas are on the top of my list (AKA pile of clothes on the ground).

Not only did I reveal in coziness in this sweater over the weekend, I styled up an outfit for you office-dweling folks as well! Check out the office appropriate style post on the Fringe & Lace blog & let me know: 

would you rather rock this sweater for work or for play?