1. I seriously hope this is the last time I have to wear tights solely for function until at least September.
2. Another wrap dress (yay!) - can't wait to show you how I transitioned this "teacher" look for weekend fun time.
3. Today I am attending my first real live fashion show (I don't think the prom dress collection at my hometown mall counts) as part of Nashville Fashion Week. I can't wait so share all the shows with you - I have a fancy "media pass" & everything! Be sure to follow along on my Instagram account & the Nashville Style CollectiveInstagram account as well!
I'm experiencing a little bit of style identity crisis. I look at my closet & see what I want it to be, but it isn't there yet, & I'm finding myself freezing up over every decision. As a budget shopper, I don't have unlimited funds to play around with, & I want every purchase to be amazing. Not just a one hit wonder, but a major player in my dream closet - a functional, mix-and-match love fest.
So I've found myself over thinking every decision. Paralyzed by indecision.
I wasn't on a shopping ban this month, but I didn't purchase anything. Nothing stuck out to me. There are things on my "wardrobe completers" list, but I couldn't find the exact right items. Going shopping & being unable to find anything to bring home is a special type of torture.
While I waffle in the purgatory of an overactive "what if" trigger, my Le Tote subscription is an extra awesome treat for me. I love the freedom of enjoying a stylist-selected tote of clothing for a week or so, & then sending it back. Without having to weigh the decision of whether of not the piece belongs in my forever closet. Seriously, it's the best!
After I received this gorgeous leopard printed faux wrap dress in my latest Le Tote bag, I remembered that a DVF wrap dress should really be topping the list of my next purchases. I love the classic wrap silhouette & the flattering jersey of her famous dresses. Now, to decide on a color!
Gah, a think wedding planning has officially zapped my ability to decide!
Has anyone else been suffering style paralysis?
How did you get out of it!?
P.S. Today is the last day to enter to win a $500 shopping spree from Boden.
Ok, let's see how many of my usual buzz words I can fit into my post today.
We are moving (I know, I said I was going to try to not mention it for a while... whoops), & I'm clearing out my closet (find some of the pieces on Poshmark!) - not surprisingly the pieces that made it easily through the first round of cuts were the basic pieces - my black wrap dress, solid Summer dresses, neutral shoes that go with everything... you catch my drift.
The thing is, I really can't remember a time that I've regretting purchasing a foundational wardrobe item. And you'll never hear me say, "This straightforward black dress doesn't go with anything!". Sure, the basics are not going to necessarily wow on their own, but they provide the backdrop for everything else! The more I focus on starting outfits with my favorite basic pieces, the less I find myself standing in front of my jam-packed closet with the "I have nothing to wear" complaint.
When I saw this black swing dress I loved that it was one of my favorite cuts (see how I styled a similar swing dress 3 ways last Summer), but it has a fun back detail to give it an extra something something.
I had already worn this hat + sandals combo with another dress recently, so they were the first accessories to pop into my head, but this dress can literally be styled so many different ways for this Summer & I can't wait to get it next to some color!
As you all know, I have been working on building my Teacher Wardrobe. Finding what works for my new lifestyle of bending over to pick up dropped pencils, reaching up to write on the white board, standing on my feet all day, all the while trying to not expose too much around a classroom of 12 year olds. This means no low necklines, saying good-bye high hems, & avoiding straps that aren't wide enough to hide my bra/under garments.
I have purchased things from Shabby Apple before (like my fun tulle skirt!), but now I am perusing their website with a new filter - stylish workwear that keeps me comfortable & polished all day! And while this is a little thing - I adore that they show their styles on women wearing mostly flats. I try to bust out my comfiest pairs of heels once or twice a week, but I will mostly be wearing any of my work clothes with flats - so I appreciate seeing them styled that way.
I am currently in a wrap dress phase of my life & instantly fell in love with the fun colors & print on this one from Shabby Apple! I wore it with black flats for work (even got a compliment from our rockstar principal!) & then will heels and my weekend hat for Saturday adventures around Nashville. This dress has earned a front row spot in my closet!
What pieces have been the major players in your work week style?
Wedding Wednesday is back, this time with tips on keeping sane while packing for the honeymoon.
Tyler & I were very blessed to have a 2 week honeymoon. 1 week spent in Antigua, a night in NYC, & then another week in Oregon. Because my idea of a good time is lugging around non-rolling bags through the cobblestone streets of SoHo, I opted to take ALL THE THINGS for the 2 weeks with me… packing light was the idea, but I definitely had both successes & failures in that front...
- Do pack things that make you feel bridal… milk that shiz while you still can! A white bathing suit, things that say WIFE, white dresses, & all the frilly things your girlfriends gifted you on the bachelorette weekend!
- Remember the little things. You just got a gel mani for the big day, keep it looking fresh with some top coat. If you are like me, embracing the bridal look with lots of white is just an accident waiting to happen, be sure to pack mini stain remover/delicate laundry soap too!
- Being very conscientious about repurposing things. A scarf can also be a belt. A beach bag transforms to a carry one. You can wear your beach towel as a wrap. And with the right shoes/accessories, only pack dresses that can transition easily from day to night.
- Sticking to a color palette. By packing lots of baby blue, white, and gray with pops of red I was able to really maximize my mixing and matching potential.
Failures:
- Too many dresses. In my defense, I really didn't know what to expect in terms of dress code at our resort, so I packed everything from super casual sundresses to more formal maxi gowns for evenings. I really could have gotten away with only packing three dresses… this, this & this.
- Too many accessories. I packed SO many options, and wore barely anything. When you have a new blingy diamond ring on your finger from your HUSBAND, not much else matters.
- Packing 2 bags. I should have gotten my act together and whittled it down to only fit in 1 checked bag + carry on. Luckily I had my big strong hubby to tote those bags around, & dang did he look good doing it!
- Not staring early. At the last minute I realized that I really, actually, probably needed to pack. So the whole process was much less intentional than I original intended. And I definitely suffered from the 12th hour, cram as much as you can into the bag-itis!
If you are looking for how I actually put everything into my bags, my friend recently posted her packing tips & it was exactly what I wanted to say, but better… check it out here.
If you are planning Summer travels, you won't want to miss today's giveaway for a $100 Target gift card… I was just there this week & their Summer style section is amaze!
All during the honeymoon, I gushed to Tyler that I could literally live in this dress… the ironic thing was that we lost our luggage for a hot minute (2 days), so I DID in fact end up wearing it for 3 days straight… & I didn't hate it. If that isn't the best endorsement you have ever heard, then I can't help you.
But for serious, this dress was the most clutch player during our 2 week vacation. I wore it scrunched up with flats on the beach, worn long with heels for dinner, with booties & a jacket in NYC & on a cross-country trip from JFK to LAX. The soft jersey fabric was super soft & felt great on my skin after a long day in the sun.
Since returning from the honeymoon, this dress has remained in heavy rotation. Not often do you find a piece that so effortlessly transitions from the beach, the big city & everyday wear too!
See the other two of my honeymoon style posts featuring gorgeous & perfectly packable White Plum items here. And don't forget - White Plum is hooking up Here&Now readers with affordable Summer style. Enter HEREANDNOW20 at checkout for 20% off your entire purchase (valid until 6/14)!
P.S. Can we get a round of applause for Tyler? He was a wonderful outfit photographer while on the honeymoon, apparently give the man enough fruity rum drinks & he will do just about anything!
P.P.S. I can't believe we have already been married for a month as of yesterday - where does the time go!? For all of those looking forward to wedding week, it will start on Monday!
We are finally getting internet in the townhouse this weekend, and I can't wait to catch up on all of these fabulous ladies! I hope you enjoy!
Sweetie Pie Style shows us how to pair lemon and lime pieces for a bold, vibrant look! Head over to see her top picks! (find Sweetie Pie Style on Twitter!)
A Fashion Fixation is channeling her 70s vibe in a vintage inspired outfit! Wide leg jeans and a flowy top? So Chic! (find A Fashion Fixation on Twitter!)
Urban Frill is beating the heat in her patterned mini and airy top - the perfect outfit for an outdoor summer concert! Cute!
Sandy a la Mode is getting twice the use out of her maxi skirt by making it a dress - and it has a beach scene on it! What more could you want?! (find Sandy a la Mode on Twitter!)
The Fashionable ESQ found tons of sassy snake inspired accessories that will add a punch to any outfit! Just call her a snake charmer! (find The Fashionable ESQ on Twitter!)
Northern Style Exposure dresses down a lace dress with a safari-worthy jacket! Head over to see how she layers her way to casual chic! (find Northern Style on Twitter!)
Miss Top Ten Image looks back to some of her favorite looks from 2011! Pop over for tons of eye candy and to see how her style has evolved! (find Miss Top Ten Image on Twitter!)
Here & Now shows us how to look cute in tennis shoes! Throw them on with a dress and hair scarf and you are ready for weekend errands! (find Here & Now on Twitter!)
Diva in Me pairs an oversized clutch with a printed dress for a look that is perfect for a night out on the town! Love! (find Diva in Me on Twitter!)
Olive and an Arrow shows us her preppy side in a look that could be straight out of Clueless! Totally fab! (find Olive and an Arrow on Twitter!)
Melificent wears an adorable nautical outfit for an impromptu getaway in the Florida Keys! Swoon! (find Melificent on Twitter!
Crazy Style Love has an eye for eyelet in this black and gold ensemble! And her belt? A must have!
Sigh...Gush...Gasp rocks the neon look on a budget! Head over to see where she found her adorable dress for an incredible price! (find Sigh...Gush...Gasp on Twitter!)
High Heeled Style goes full on pattern in an adorable wrap dress that is perfect for a day at the office. Best news? It's easy to style since it's the statement piece! (find High Heeled Style on Twitter!)
Second Street East is sharing some big news and a sneak peek of a recent photo shoot she did! Pop over to find out what she has been up to! (find Second Street East on Twitter!)
the IT list is brought to you weekly by Jill of Good Life and edited by Michelle of Second St. East.
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I am going to be out celebrating Summer and crossing fun things off of my to-do list Tonight on the agenda is a tour at our local distillery with friends, then date night at the drive-in movies with my cutie (currently showing: Rock of Ages) Tomorrow is blocked off with some domestic errands during the day (yay for finally getting internet so I can get fully caught up with blog reading/commenting), then an outdoor concert in the evening Sunday, my wonderful friend Blair has set up a day hike with the girls that should end at waterfalls... totes worth the sweating that will be required! What is on your weekend to-do list? Crossing off any summer bucket list items!? xx Jessica
necklace: Kendra Scott "Coby" necklace (from last year's collection, but you can achieve a similar look with this or this from the current Spring collection)
I have talked at length about why cognac accessories will always be my favorite - they look better with age & match everything! I am still in shock at the price I found these Spring staple heels! (currently at sale on Kohl's & all sizes stocked!)
I just added this tiny purse to my line-up for Spring & can't get enough of the amazing craftsmanship that Dagne Dover puts into all of their products. This purse might be small in size, but there is no scrimping on the organization that this baby packs! This is one of their limited edition Spring colors & it is a great way to inject personality into any outfit!
As I am always on the lookout for new brands to feature here on Here&Now, I have to share with you a new-to-me favorite: ASTR, available from Nordstrom. They are killing it with their bold prints & modern cuts! Next on my wish list: this hi-low wrap dress & a polished romper!
This year for Christmas, I treated myself to two items that had been topping my wish list for YEARS! I have been finding that I don't need to shop as much anymore - a combination of living in less space, & finally learning my style.
After a sparse Fall of spending, I found that my shopping fund was very full & instead of stocking up on lots of lower price items at Old Navy or J.Crew Factory (two of my go to stores, but also a huge area of weakness for me) - I used all of my end of year surplus on this classic Diane von Furstenburg wrap dress & gorgeous Clare V. leopard clutch. I know that both will be go to pieces in my wardrobe for many years, instead of fast fashion that will only last me for a year or two.
How would you spend $500 on your closet?
I used to post my purchases each month in my budget series, however, my spending lately has been so light that I stopped doing these post. Are you still interested in seeing where my shopping budget goes each month? Let me know in the comments.
