Date Night

jeans (JBrand--sold out, great options BELOW), blouse (Old Navy), heels (Plenty by Tracy Reese), belt (Jcrew), clutch (Urban Expressions), jacket (BB Dakota--options BELOW), necklace (J.Crew), bracelets (Stella & Dot & ASOS), watch (Cartier), rings (Stella & Dot & David Yurman), link bracelet (J.Crew)

As terribly hypocritical as it may sound, I tend to underwhelm on our Friday date nights.  Granted, we are quite the movie junkies which doesn't necessarily call for my best dressed; however, the least I could do for my guy is sport something other than Lulu Lemon....Sad but true.  So tonight, this ole' wife is going to switch up the game plan.....

photos courtesy of  Kristin Tatem

Check Mate

blouse (GAP), jeans (Ernest Sewn), belt (GAP), clutch (Urban Expressions), necklaces (Stella & Dot), bracelets (Stella & Dot and J.Crew), heels (Charles Jourdan SIMILAR here), ring (Lagos), shades (Ray Ban), watch (Michael Kors)

Undoubtedly my go to uniform, solid set of jeans & a button down blouse--always a goodin'.  I love it spruced up with heels or a casual option with ballets or chucks.  Talk about a great layering piece, too---with the cooler weather just around the corner, perfect foundation for a cardi, crewneck sweater, blazer, or leather jacket.  GAP & J.Crew have my absolute fave selections...with a fitted boyfriend cut, you truly can't go wrong.  Make it a good one!

photos courtesy of Kristin Tatem

With Envy

dress (Rachel Roy), pants (J.Crew), other bits BELOW

A hue that is regal in nature, I am sincerely ADORING all shades of  green.  Aside from the fact that it is the color of my Irish roots, it truly is a genuinely gorgeous color.  Let's think of all that it complements---such a stunner with Navy, Black, Royal Blue, Cream, Mint for a monotone look, stripes, polka dots--she truly is a GEM! How about a little GIVEAWAY announcement....
Congrats to KATE BEEBE!!  You, missy, just scored yourself a lovely House of Harlow croc clutch!!  A sincere Thank You to all who participated--we had a great group this go around.  Stay tuned for more giveaways in September.  Y'all make it a good one!

Giveaway: So Clutch

dress (HM--see similar below), booties (Sam Edelman), clutch (Zara), bracelets (BaubleBar), spikes (Asos)


Hang with me today, gang...lots to cover--especially a GIVEAWAY!  Leather is ALL the RAGE this season..all of it...all over the stinkin' place!  I adore it for a plethora of reasons (see some fantastic pieces below).  It takes the simplest of cuts and adds such a fun dimension.  It also shapes the bod nicely and conceals any "areas."  It is terribly classic and will never go out of style--I still own a camel leather skirt that I had in college!  Let's take this frock for instance--first off, I must disclose, it's faux--but no one's the wiser.  It is just a simple sheath, but I can't help but feel a little extra special when wearing it, especially paired with a fun pop of a clutch.  Speaking of Clutches, how about we do a GIVEAWAY!!!!
I am seriously in LOVE with this House of Harlow clutch.  Talk about a fun little statement.  Orange truly is such an amazing splash, and can be a nice neutral as well.  Top it with a little croc, and voila, statement piece!

  House of Harlow clutch (Revolve Clothing)

Going to try out a new way to enter with Rafflecopter--super user friendly and easy, give it a whirl!  If leaving a comment with no Blogger, Google, Etc account--Just enter under "Anonymous" in the drop down.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

photos courtesy of Kristin Tatem Photography

Pretty Graphic

blouse (Kate Spade, AJs Casuals, Lexington), pants (J.Crew on SALE), heels (Plenty by Tracy Reese--THESE on SALE), belt (J.Crew), clutch (Treesje), bangles (J.Crew), watch (Cartier), shades (Colors in OptiCS), ring (Lagos)

I immediately feel crisp & polished when wearing this Kate Spade lovely.  A fresh graphic with a darling bow tie..really, what's not to love?  I'm also picturing this blouse sleek & simple with skinnies and a Cobalt Blue Heel.  Take a gander at this look and some other current Kate Spade cravings below.  Make it a good one!

photos courtesy of Kristin Tatem Photography 

Double Mint

 jeans (J.Crew shallow sea), vest (J.Crew), shoes (Halogen, Bloomingdales),  chambray & striped tank (J.Crew), necklace (Banana Republic), bracelets (GAP, Jcrew, Adele of Lex), flats (Via Spiga), bag (Prada), belt (Gucci), watch (Cartier), shades (Colors in OptiCS), ring (David Yurman)

Double the pleasure, Double the fun!  Indeed, these Jeans have NOT done me wrong thus far.  I've owned them for approximately 3 weeks and have repeated the heck outta' them.  Seriously--worn these suckers with a light gray sweatshirt, camel blouse, navy & white striped Tee, White Blazer anchored with Black....Too many options to count!  They won't disappoint me in the fall either---all the colors above (navy, gray, or camel) in a good cozy sweater with some chucks or flat ankle boots--they'll do the trick indeed.

Y'all make it a good one!

photos courtesy of Kristin Tatem Photography

Potty Mouth

tee (Kate Spade, AJs Casuals, Lexington, KY), jeans (F21 similar HERE), loafers (Jeffrey Campbell, Monkees of Lex), bracelets (Stella & Dot ON SALE), shades (Michael Kors), watch (Tag Heuer), ring (Lagos)

Hells Bells, gang---so I am admittedly guilty of having a PG-13 kinda mouth (we're talking the occassional Da*n It or classic Bast*rd--pretty vanilla curse words if you ask me).  Not so terrible all things considered--but kinda terrible when your 3 year old exclaims, "Da*n It," upon dropping a toy--oops! Hence, a swear jar is being implemented for mom in the Parker household!  

Having explained the above, this Kate Spade Tee spoke to me, no pun intended.  Given my mood, I chose an extremely laid back route with no bells or whistles, but that's not to say we can't spruce her up.  Loving the idea of a black blazer & heels. Definitely thinking of picking up THESE Current/Elliot printed jeans and topping them with this Tee, a Blazer, and Killer Stilettos. She would also look cute topped with a Denim Jacket.  Check out some complements to the tee below.  Make it a good one!

photos courtesy of Kristin Tatem Photography 

Summer Stripes Transition

 sweater (J.Crew), tee & sandals (J.Crew), shorts & hat (H&M), shades (Michael Kors), ring (Lagos), heart bracelet (Jennifer Zeuner), watch (Michael Kors), necklace (Maya Brenner)

TGIF, gang!  Something about shorts & a sweater feels so Americana to me.  This rig also is a perfect solution to preserving the sense of summer while beginning the transition into fall.  Prep it up with a collared shirt and a fun pair of Chucks!  Or we can make it girly with a lovely blouse and ballet flats.....Ps:  THIS JCREW SWEATER IS $29.99...Take a gander at some other fun options below...ALSO, did y'all see  was featured on International Fashion Bloggers weekly round up?  So very honored--make sure to check her out!  Make it a good one, gang!

photos courtesy of Kristin Tatem 

Links A La Mode

Links a la Mode (8/16): 20 Great Style Posts (Including one from Yours Truly!)

 I'm honored to be included in Independent Fashion Bloggers’ weekly roundup of style blog posts, below. Enjoy!

Hey, Hey, Good Lookin’

Edited by: Taylor Davies 

This week’s link round up is full of shopping and outfit inspiration – it seems like the community is in a very fashionable mood of late (not that you aren’t always!). Some of you are looking forward to fall, some are building your wardrobe of essentials and some are exploring shopping on a budget when you’re curvy. We also had some great submissions from some menswear bloggers in our community – it’s an all-around win! If your post was selected, be sure to check out the LALM badge on the right side of the site to grab the code for this week to re-post on your blog. Thanks for submitting!   

LINKS À LA MODE: THE IFB WEEKLY ROUND UP: AUGUST 9TH

• Bowtie Diary: Borrowed From Grandparents
• Best of BKLYN:  How to Shop Realistically
• Coach Closet: How To Get Away With Wearing Shorts To Work
• Dress Code: High Fashion: Call of the Wild
• Elegant Idiosyncrasy: Your Effervescence So Enchantingly
• Fetishist’s Notes: Tie Dye and Leather
• Good Bad & Fab: The Transformative Power of Key Accessories
• Glamour & Gourmet: Summer To Fall // Brights Meet Autumnal Hues
• Happy. Pretty. Sweet.: Building A Capsule Wardrobe
• My Fashion Wishlist: The Big New Jewelery Trend – Above Knuckle Rings
• My Vintage Curves: Wear Your Personality
• Phiphi’s Blog: The Blues
• Seersucker + Saddles: The Tweed
• Shapely Chic Sheri: Shopping While Shapely – Touring NYC
• Stephanie Sturtida: Paint Day
• Style Inked: Office “Western” Wardrobe Essentials
• Sugar & Spice: 5 Things To Do Now That The Olympics Are Over
• The Style Examiner: Matinique Menswear – Addressing the Challenge of Shopping for Summer Clothes in August
• The Sweetly Sour: Sweet Designers – A Lee + Vee Lee
• Weston Jaeger Style: House Style (Jean Paul Gaultier Exhibit)

  SPONSOR: Shopbop : Tocca, Vanessa Mooney, Foley + Corinna, Clare Vivier, LAMB, SW3, NCbis, Vic Matie, R13 Jeans, Satchels & Duffels  

Big Thanks, IFB, for the feature.  Make sure y'all take a gander at the fellow blogs--outfit post to FOLLOW!

Oxford University

blouse (J.Crew similar HERE), skirt (3 dots AJs Casuals, Lexington, KY), satchel (Cambridge Satchel), watch (Michael Kors), bracelet (Stella & Dot), shades (Michael Kors), shoes (Banana Republic)

Morning gang, hope y'all have had a lovely week---been a beauty here in the Bluegrass!  The Oxford Shirt.... man is this sucker versatile.  I know, I tout the word 'versatility' all the stinkin' time, but in this transitional phase we're embarking on season wise, it is of the utmost importance in my opinion.  I promise you all the Oxford Shirt will give you so much bang for your buck year round.  Clearly I'm diggin' it solo.  It is also the perfect layering piece (think under SWEATERS, BLAZERS, JACKETS, with PRINTED PANTS all buttoned up with a STATEMENT NECKLACE under a folded collar)--such a goodin' with endless options! Crisp, fresh, versatile equals a perfect recipe for a closet staple!  Make it a good one!

photos courtesy of Kristin Tatem snapped near Transylvania University in Lex (hence the title)!