Sparkles & Stripes

blazer (Express), sequin T (J.Crew old, love THIS or THIS), jeans (Ernest Sewn), heels (Charles Jourdan, Love her SUEDE sister), bangles (Stella & Dot, J.Crew), watch (Cartier), shades (Michael Kors), clutch (Kate Spade, love this, too)

Not just for NYE or a nighttime soiree, sequins can make quite the splash during the day.  Hunker her down with some blues and a versatile blazer or possibly with some leather shorts and ballets, and you've got yourself several different ways to sport the sparkle.  Moral of the story, just because it may be a traditional evening piece, doesn't mean we can't tweak her for a daytime rig!  Take a gander below to get pieces of the look:

photos courtesy of Kristin Tatem

Back Two School

look 1: J.Crew blazer, blouse, shorts, bracelet, & belt, Dolce Vita Oxfords, BaubleBar skull stacker, Stella & Dot necklace, Ray Ban shades, Botkier Bag

look 2:  GAP sweater, Cambridge Satchel, Cartier Watch, PolkaDot Converse

New LunchBox, Backpack, Threads...could only mean one thing...Back to School Shopping!  Hands down one of my most fave times of year as a kid. I can vividly remember getting home with all of my new goodies, laying them out on my bed, and getting down to the business of the "First Day of School Outfit."  Now my big gal is heading back to 1st grade next week and while she wears the standard khaki/polo school uniform, it got me thinking...What would my back to school uniform look like if I was to head back to the hallowed halls of SFHS?  I love the idea of the traditional khaki/collared shirt all buttoned, tucked, and prepster; however, I would definitely spruce her up a bit with bold hues, bags, and baubles!  If I may make a suggestion for a fall staple purchase...the SchoolBoy Blazer.  I have had this one for at least 5 seasons, I never tire of it, it goes with so many darn things, I am definitely getting it in another shade this season--it's just a goodin!  Y'all can shop pieces of the look below if you so choose:

photos courtesy of Kristin Tatem Photography

Fit to be Tied

dress (Milly, Bella Rose, Lex, KY or HERE), trench (Zara old, Love this GAP trench), shoes (Nine West), clutch (JJ Winters--alternate colors), shades (Colors in OptiCS), bracelet (J.Crew & Voce, Lexington KY), necklace (Stella & Dot), watch (Cartier), ring (David Yurman)

Aside from the print which I am completely digging with this frock, this lovely is beyond versatile!  Not only do the colors give you many options to play with, I took the liberty of tossing on a trench to show it will easily transition to fall.  Try Removing the rope belt and replace her with a brown one or how about trying her out with a leopard-esque printed shoe (shop the look below)....  This number gets an "A" in my book for transitional wear! Moral of the story, just because it may appear to be a summer frock at first glance, with a few simple changes, you can transform summer into fall look quite simply!  Hope y'all have a great start to the week....make it a good one!

photos courtesy of Kristin Tatem Photography

Case of the Mondays

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head to toe (Jcrew,  Shirt on SALE, Skirt on SALE, Cardi on SALE, shoes/watch/jewels--old), shades (Ray Ban), tote (Gucci)

Lordy, Lordy do I have a day ahead of me....LONG drive to Paducah, KY (ever heard of it...doubtful)!  Leave it to bright colors to liven up both my workday & roadtrip (currently accepting any iTunes jams suggestions). Totally unintentional to be top to bottom J.Crew, however, I cannot deny my affinity--just plain outstanding in my book!  I'm currently craving quite a bit:
zigzag tee//necklace//heels//polkadot//colorblock pants//clutch//pink cords

photos courtesy of Kristin Tatem Photography

Pep Rally

top (Kate Spade), pants (Jcrew), heels (Charles Jourdan), clutch (Treesje), bracelet (Jcrew), watch (Cartier), ring (Kendra Scott), shades (Chanel)

She's darling, girly, and flattering to boot!  Wear her alone in the summer, topped with a blazer for fall, and over a blouse to work. She comes in a slew of styles & wears many different hats.  Let's check out the many faces of the Peplum:

Peplum Splurge

Peplum Work

Peplum Maxi
Peplum PolkaDot

Peplum Fancy (Good Lord, Gorg!)

Peplum Pepto

Peplum Play
Peplum Pulitzer

photos courtesy of Kristin Tatem Photography

Wrist Candy

clockwise from top Left 1. skull bracelet (BaubleBar, Jcrew, GAP) 2. bracelets (Jcrew) ring (Lagos) 3. rope bracelet (Kiel James Patrick, GAP), watch (TIMEX, Jcrew) 4. watch & bracelet (Jcrew), friendship bracelet (Jennifer Zeuner) 5.  ring (Kendra Scott), watch (Cartier), bangle (Jcrew) 6. spikes (Asos), cuff & leather wrap (BaubleBar)

Ah yes, clearly the only time in my life I will ever be referred to as being "stacked."  I digress, gang....Stacking is all the rage and it looks like it's here to stay!  I like to start with one key piece & build her up one by one until she looks just right.  I will say; however, I am a fan of a little dainty wrist as well (see wrist 5).  BaubleBar has killer wrist candy AND you can get 10 smacks off your first order!

photos courtesy of Kristin Tatem Photography

Pink Lemonade

top (Jcrew), jeans & heels (f21 & Coach), clutch (JJ Winters), wrist candy (Jcrew), ring (Lagos), shades (Gucci)

A rig inspired by a tasty summer beverage....why not?  Fashion inspiration is all around us in forms other than the obvious.  Think interior design, art, or even...some eats!  Hope y'all have a good one--on the go this morn so need to make it short & sweet today!

photos courtesy of Kristin Tatem Photography

Out & About

vest (Old Navy--old, Loving THIS), shorts (HM), bodysuit, belt, & floral pins (Jcrew), flats (DVF old), tote (Louis Vuitton Speedy Mon Monogram),  shades (Michael Kors), bracelet (CC Skye & Jcrew),  watch (Cartier), ring (Lagos)

Keeping it light & fresh while enduring this unruly HeatWave!  Look, the reality of this hot situation is it ain't all that and a bag of tricks trying to look and feel good in this scorching heat.  If you're a fellow layer lover like myself, these summer months prove to be a bit challenging.  Enter...the VEST.  She's versatile, she adds depth to your rig, and more importantly, she's Sleeveless!  Not to mention, she stands the test of seasonal time--remember April Showers?  Needless to say, I put this garment to use throughout the year!

  A big Congrats goes to.....Janie Walker--you're the proud new owner of some fun summer goodies!  An Enormous & Sincere THANK YOU to all who participated in our July Giveaway--can't wait for next month's treat!

Cheers to a fun and safe 4th with your friends and family...Make it a good one, gang!

Photos courtesy of Kristin Tatem Photography

Fleur de Jour

jeans (Asos), blouse, belt (Jcrew),  shoes (Zara old), watch (Cartier), bracelets (Jcrew), clutch (Monkees of Lexington), ring (Lagos), nails (Essie Meet me at Sunset), shades (Gucci)

I will be the first to admit this rig on paper would appear to be an absolute train wreck!  Stripes, floral, red, purple, zippers, pearls, leather belt--goodness gracious!  But let's take note of the subtlety in the details.   Clearly the star of this show is the floral jean; therefore, everything else should complement it, not overpower it.  The purple pinstripe is faint enough to do just that.  Also, I am envisioning many combos with these jeans: Red silky blouse, chambray shirt, gray sleeveless tee with flat sandals, pink or pale blue check shirt, just to name a few!  Take a shot at pattern mixing if you have yet to do so...it's a perfect way to infuse instant personality into your look!

photos courtesy of Kristin Tatem Photography

blushing

blouse (Rory Beca, Penelope T Boutique, Tampa), pants (Alexander Wang),  heels (Plenty by Tracy Reese), shades (Gucci), clutch (Adele of Lexington, KY), watch (Michael Kors), bracelets (Jcrew here + Jcrew similar here)

Oh I just know this blouse is going to be a top contender in the closet this season.  Modern, comfy, feminine, versatile (I'm envisioning white lace mini or skinnies, blazer or sans blazer, boatloads of jewels or not a one).  It's never-ending loveliness in my book!  

photos courtesy of Kristin Tatem Photography