FALLing For: Rustic Python

Pretty sure it's obvious that I'm a lover of animal print and the color orange.  With fall obsessions, I've stayed true to character but have substituted a different print of the moment and color to a deeper and oh-so-appropriate-for-autumn version of my favorite. The looks I'm currently coveting for fall are these fabulous python print pieces accented with jeans, rustic leather, and gold accents.  Check out this mix of steals and splurges that I am FALLing for!

1) J Brand 2) Kendra Scott 3) ANDM 4) Gigi Chic 5) Gigi Chic 6) Equipment 7) Alice by Temperly 8) Lauren Merkin 9) Kate Spade 10) Ralph Lauren Collection 11) Kendra Scott 12) Marc by Marc Jacobs

What are you currently FALLing for?? :)

Living in the Season

I keep seeing all of the new fall clothing lines and blog posts and it makes me sooo happy to know my favorite season is right around the corner. That being said, it will be hot in Nashville for quite a bit longer. I can accept that. As much as I LOVE fall and look forward to wearing fall clothes, this weekend the weather was absolutely beautiful and I was so happy to put on a light, floral dress and enjoy the warm sun on my skin. It's just not the time for sweaters and boots yet, so until then... I'll be enjoying what is left of summer. :) I think this is what they call 'living in the moment' - which you should know is not something I'm good at. But look at me trying so hard :)








Francesca's Collection dress (similar) and belt (similar), AT Loft necklace (similar), NY&Co earringse (similar), Michael Kors watch (here), F21 bangles (similar), Calvin Klein wedges (here), D&G aviators (similar)

still crushing: coral

We all know by now that I LOOOOVE coral/orange.  It really brightens my mood and makes some of my otherwise boring outfits look not as boring so much more stylish.  This week was a tough week and I definitely needed the boost that this color gave me to get through it!

I'm thinking I've just about worn this bright colors/animal print thing completely out.  So this fall I'm going to change things up....to darker colors/animal print.  Genius, I know.






Zara shirt (here), BR pants (here), Apt 9 (Kohl's) belt (similar), old earrings (similar here, but love these and these too!) and necklace (similar), F21 bracelet, Michael Kors watch (here), Rebecca Minkoff bag (here), Vince Camuto pumps (here)

Animal Lover

SO EXCITED to feature a guest on my blog.  Clearly continuing my love of chambray, flats, and all things animal print... I decided this would be the perfect time to introduce a very special friend to you all.






Zara skirt (similar), GAP outlet shirt (here), Karen Millen belt (similar), Sam Edelman flats (here), AT Loft necklace (similar), F21 bangles (similar here and here), Michael Kors watch (here), Francesca's shades (similar) and ring (similar), Rebecca Minkoff bag (here), Essie 'Turquoise and Caicos' polish, gifted earrings from my friend Jodi :)

This is Dixie!!  Also known as 'FBG' (Fat Baby Girl - check out the belly).  Dixie is 9 years old, and I've had her since she was just 8 weeks old!!  I swear this dog is the love of my life.  If she could talk, I just know she would be sarcastic 99.9% of the time... check out the "Mother - what on earth are we doing?" face....


You will never see a happier dog, she is so friendly and up for anything.  She also loves to travel, and she's even going to Tampa with me for the Blogger Brilliance conference! :)


Action shot... I just know she's singing "I'm on the EDGE of GLOOORRRYYY....."* while she's running around.  *That was just for you, Jenn ;)


Okay so she's starting to get a little fed up with outfit pictures here.  This is what we know as the "Seriously?" face...


And then the "when in Rome" attitude comes in.  If I must be here, I suppose I'll practice my high editorial pose...

Oh.  I'm tired.  Just a little nap won't hurt anything.

(She looks plenty sweet and innocent... just FYI she snores like a trucker)

I know what you're thinking - and the answer is NO.  NO, you have not ever seen anything this cute in your whole life.  :)

Fashion rules

Happy Monday!  I wore this outfit to dinner with friends on Saturday night.  I realized recently that I have these little unspoken (well, until now) fashion "rules" that I pretty much always stick to, and this outfit is a great example of one of them.  If you follow this blog or have even read more than one post, you already know that comfort is a HUGE thing with me.  So one of my little rules is that only one piece of my outfit can be the least bit uncomfortable in the name of fashion.  In this outfit, I wanted to wear these shoes - and while I truly can't complain that these Sam Edelman's are unbearable - ANY and ALL heels over about 4 inches get sketchy after a few hours.  So for the rest of this look I was suuuuper comfortable - with this basic pair of dressy black shorts and a lightweight sweater.  Also, as I've said before, these shoes just do not need any help whatsoever making a statement.

Okay, maybe red lips help just a bit.  :)  What are your fashion rules?






Karen Millen shorts, Ann Taylor sweater, AT Loft necklace, F21 earrings and bangles, Francesca's ring, Michael Kors watch (here), Sam Edelman shoes, Coach shades, Eliza B clutch

Fields of gold

I absolutely love this skirt that I got during the Zara sale a few weeks ago!  For errands and ice cream on a Saturday, I paired it with this bright green lightweight top and my Tory Burch flats (comfort was obviously the order of the day).  Oh, and pardon the wrinkles - it's Saturday - give me a break ;)

Just FYI, I absolutely love this spot where these pics were taken.  Love the rustic old barn in the background and the pretty yellow weeds flowers scattered throughout the field.  You'll all be seeing more posts with this background, I can assure you :)








Zara skirt, AT Loft blouse, Tory Burch flats, Michael Kors watch, F21 earrings and bangles, Francesca's wrap bracelet, D&G aviators, Essie Turquoise and Caicos polish.

How To: Look Great, Feel Great!

I love weekends.  EVERYONE loves weekends.  Even people who love what they do for a living admit that time off of work is what keeps them sane.

The downside of time off: you have to come back to work  

The most painful time to come back to work: after a mind-blowing, fantastic weekend

So when I got back to work this week after all of the fun weekend festivities, I went for my classic 'Look Great, Feel Great!' approach that I try when I'm in a slump or start to feel under the weather.  What this means is - no matter how tired, ill, cranky, or lazy I feel when I wake up in the morning - I try to dress the part of someone who is in a wonderful mood.  This typically includes bright colors, fun patterns, and ALWAYS includes a pair of comfy but commanding heels for the extra oomph of power I need to put my chin up and face the day.

The outfit in this post worked perfectly for that.  Bright reddish orange blouse (my go-to, mood elevating color in my wardrobe), matching bright lip color (PS - this is my favorite day-to-night "red" shade.  L'oreal Colour Riche in Volcanic), and leopard accessories.  I love taking my favorite colors/textures/patterns and incorporating them into a business-appropriate look!

What kinds of clothing/accessories/beauty products help put you in a better mood??








Zara blouse and heels, Banana Republic skirt, Tory Burch belt, AT Loft necklace and ring, F21 red ring and bracelet, NY&Co earrings, Francesca's Collection shades and clutch, Michael Kors watch

The birthday party (loooong post!) :)

A few friends and I have actually joked that if there were a 'Super Sweet 30' show on MTV (or VH1 at this age, I suppose, ha!) that my party should have been on it!  I can honestly say I've never felt so special and grateful to have such amazing friends and family to do something this nice for me.

The Dress:
A few of you on Twitter have asked for details when I said my dress situation was a fiasco - this is actually the short story.  I went to Atlanta for an entire weekend to find a dress for this party 2 weeks beforehand.  One particular amazing dress that I tried on was not available in my size that weekend, and because I'm stubborn I insisted on leaving Atlanta with a dress.  I finally found one, it was a good dress - but in the next week I couldn't stop thinking about the one I tried on that I liked sooo much.  I thought trying on the one I bought with all of the accessories/etc would make me feel better about it.  As soon as I put it on (one week before my party) - I looked at The Photog and said "we need to look online for the other dress, now."  After a week long scramble of phone calls, duplicate orders, and overnight shipping with Barney's NY (they were AMAZING, by the way)..... this oh-so-fabulous Thakoon dress was mine!  It arrived the day before the party and I wish I could wear it every day :)












Thakoon dress (here), Carole earrings (similar) and bangle (Dillard's - similar here or here), AT Loft ring (similar) and clutch (old - similar), Sam Edelman shoes (here) (also LOVE these), Other ring (similar)

The Style:
For my accessories, makeup, and hair - I really wanted an old Hollywood glamour look with a subtle cat eye and a bold red lip.  Enter MAC lipstick in 'Ruby Woo.'  This lipstick is fantastic - it stays on for hours* and this particular color is a really true, velvety red.  I kept the rest of the makeup pretty subtle and played up my lashes for a more intense, dramatic look around my eye area.  I curled my hair with a 1 and 1/4 inch curling iron and brushed it out underneath for soft waves.  I finished off with a shine spray and pinned back one side for a classic look.


*okay, so the lipstick didn't make it until 2am with the rest of the makeup... but close!


The Party:


The party was AMAZING.... and I have this handsome man to thank for it.  This is The Photog, and he knows how to throw a party folks!  The food was fabulous, the champagne was flowing, everyone had a fantastic time - I couldn't have wished for anything better!



With my lovely Momma, who better have passed those fabulous skin genes down to me!!  She turns 60 next month, look how gorgeous she is! :)


Posing with 'the other Sarah,' Bernardete, and Meredith - my girlfriends who gave me these (and yes I put them on with my dress!).....





I literally could not believe this cake... it was made by Royal Icing Custom Cakes in Nashville. In addition to being over-the-top perfect for my 30th, gorgeous, complete with amazing details - it was DELICIOUS!!  Thanks, Carolyn!

Really, the entire weekend of my birthday was just amazing.  I am overwhelmed by all of the fantastic people in my life and appreciate all of the sweet birthday messages, cards, and gifts so much!

30 is fabulous so far!! :)

Just a little preview...

HOW FABULOUS is this birthday cake?!?!  I had the best birthday party ever, haven't had time to put together a full post with party pics yet but wanted to show off this fantastic cake. (Yes - that is an edible Louboutin cake topper!!!!!)

I have the most amazing friends and family ever - the party was absolutely perfect! :)  Look for a full post with details soon!

Not-so-casual Friday

You all know I love casual Friday - but today was actually my birthday as well, so I thought I would dress up a little more than usual.  There was a fun birthday happy hour after work that I wanted to be cool and comfy for, so I decided to wear this breezy skirt and lightweight top.  I got this skirt from the Gap outlet months ago but this is the first time wearing it - I have no idea why!  I'll definitely be wearing it more often.

I have so many pieces in my closet that I hesitate to wear and then once I do, I don't know why on earth I waited!  Do any of you have forgotten pieces/neglected items in your closet??  I know this makes me want to go through mine looking for more pieces like this skirt!

Have a wonderful weekend, everyone!










Zara blouse, GAP outlet skirt, F21 necklace, Calvin Klein shoes, Charming Charlie's bracelet, old earrings, Coach shades, Michael Kors watch