Glitz & Glam New Year's Outfits

New Year's is one of the most exciting holidays. You feel like you have a fresh start and that anything is possible. You jot down your resolutions, make a pact to yourself to cross some things off your bucket list, and proclaim to the world that by God, this WILL be YOUR YEAR.

Of course, we all know that by March most of our resolutions are in the dust, even the thought of skydiving gives you extreme anxiety, and you now only have 8 months to make this the greatest year of your life.

Oh well, at least you can make New Year's Eve one heck of a party. And since it is indeed a party, you better dress like it.

I like to bring out my inner Gatsby, so you best believe I am a full advocate of dressing in sequins from head to toe. Here are my top NYE outfit ideas that are sure to have you sparkling.

Oh my heart, how I love sequin dresses. Funny enough, each of these dresses you can find on Daily Chic (well played, ladies, well played). I own the first dress on the left, and wore it last year. I can't even tell you how many compliments I got! I felt like a movie star in that dress (and isn't that what a great dress should make you feel like?).



If you want to forgo the dress route, rompers, leggings and skirts are the perfect alternative. This gold romper and skirt are also from Daily Chic (this boutique is seriously killing it) and those fabulous leggings are from Gianni Bini, which can be found at Dillards!

Don't feel like you can only dress up in sequins for New Year's though and can only wear these items once either! Why not for your birthday, date night, or a girl's night? Shouldn't we always dress up in gorgeously impractical things like sequins, glitter, tulle, and lace? My answer is YES!

As Lilly Pulitzer said,
LIFE is a party. Dress like it.

Keep Celebrating!

Dressing for Thanksgiving (and not the food kind)

With Thanksgiving quickly approaching (Where does the time go? Seriously? It'll be Christmas than NYE in a blink of an eye), I thought of a few outfit ideas that would be Thanksgiving day and family photo appropriate. Whether your family gets dressed up, or you prefer to dress comfortably so you can quickly descend into food coma (Congratulations! It's a food baby!) I think I've got you covered!

The first look is for those of you that want to wear a dress, but still be cozy and comfortable! A sweater dress is the perfect solution. I took inspiration from Caitlin Coving of Southern Curls and Pearls blog on this combination because I just love it so much!

You can find her sweater dress here. She's wearing red Hunter boots, but you can also purchase them in a variety of colors! I've heard mixed things about these boots. Either people love them or they say that you always need to clean them, so if you are interested in investing in these willies I'd do some research first. Her scarf is from Sole Society and the earrings are Aztec Drops from Bauble Bar. And I threw in the Gigi New York clutch because it's currently on my wish list hehe. 

The second look is for the girl who likes to keep up with all of the latest trends. Class up some pleather leggings with a large camel sweater, leopard heels and a faux fur scarf. This girl will certainly be turning some heads at the dinner table. Of course I included my favorite double back 360 pearl earrings and another item from my lust list was added with the Kendra Scott Naomi Double Ring.

My third look is for the classy and preppy girl. Mixing patterns and colors are a few of her favorite things and what better than gingham and green? You can find the blouse here and the green skirt (I want one in every color!) here. Throw on a great statement necklace to your outfit and you're ready to throw a pie in the oven.

The last look is for the casual Thanksgiving with close family. With it turning into snowvember, throw on some bean boots and head outside to play with your cousins in the snow. Pair with some comfy jeans, cute sweater and vest and you're ready to tackle on the weather!

What are you planning on wearing this Thanksgiving? Do you have a favorite look? I'd love to hear it friends!

Keep Celebrating!

#Girlboss

We all have our favorite brands and companies, but how many of those can we say where either started or run by women? Not very many.

"Who runs the world? Girls."

-Beyoncé 

Since Sophia Amoruso's memoir #GIRLBOSS is on my fall reading list, I've been thinking a lot about girl bosses.  The women who have created something out of nothing and who have decided to make their own path. A few big names that come to mind when I think of girl bosses are Lilly Pulitzer, Kate Spade, and Lauren Conrad (maybe because I'm obsessed with their stuff!), but I also think of all the Etsy shop owners, bloggers, and artists who have gone out on a limb to share their gifts and talents with other people.

"What's your favorite position?"

CEO.

-Lauren Conrad

Considering  'Small Business Saturday' is coming up on November 24th, I'd thought I'd share a few of my favorite girl bosses that own small business (and some of which who are growing pretty fast or aren't so small anymore!)

1. Amanda Catherine Designs- After ordering her "Gentle Reminders" pencil set I knew I was in love her shop! Her pencils are a perfect addition to any desk or office and her prints are beautiful for any gallery wall. Plus she just added an adorable market tote printed with a grocery list that any girlie girl could agree on.

2. Evelyn Henson- I adore this lady's prints. Colorful and unique they bring a little sunshine and happiness to any room. Whether it be whimsical animals or pairing up with blogger College Prepster to create a collection of all things pretty and preppy, I'm sure you will find one that fits you! I'm currently loving her 'Suri the Camel' print.

3. Charm & Gumption- Owner and creator Holly Casto designs fun coffee mugs, prints, notepads and T-shirts. I purchased one of her 'The Little Things' gold foil prints and it is one of my favorite things on my gallery wall! I am also drooling over her 'I Woke Up Like This' mug. Be sure to check out her shop if you're a lover of simplicity, fonts, and gold.

4. Be There in Five- I bet you never thought a welcome mat could be this cute did you? Well, creator and etsy shop owner, Katherine proved us all wrong with her reminder and affirmation doormats. If you feel like you're having déjà vu, you might have seen her mats featured in Teen Vogue, Glamour, and Good Housekeeping. Because who doesn't need a cute reminder to turn off their curling iron?

5. Ashley Brooke Designs- Need a little fancy in your life? Ashley Brooke's mugs, notepads, and stationary is just what you need to add a little sparkle into your everyday grind. Her mugs are my favorite item that she sells. They make perfect gifts for the girl who has everything!

6. Confetti Cake Collection- Creator B. Mckensey Williams has created  t-shirts that are both comfortable and trendy. With cute sayings and fun fonts, I promise you'll fall in love with this brand as much as I have! What can I say, we 'mermaid' for each other.

Do you have any small shop owners or girl bosses that you love? Or are you a girl boss? Emily C. and I would love to know about them!

Keep Celebrating!

Weekend Recap

My little in my sorority came to visit Nashville this weekend! Words can not even begin to express how happy I was to see my sweet little BayLee.

I haven't been able to see her in a couple of months since she's been attending grad school at Ole Miss (Hotty Toddy y'all!), but thankfully her and her dad came to Nashville for CMA's Country Christmas (yes, they really do film it this early).

Since BayLee has visited Nashville before, I didn't want to go down the whole touristy, Broadway Street route. Instead we decided to go to Pinewood Social, which has quickly become one of my new favorite places in my little big town.

It has a unique and cool atmosphere, and whether you want to grab a latte or a martini, they've got you covered (did I mention they have a vintage bowling alley inside?!)

Pinewood Social is also one of the few places in Nashville that I know of to create coffee art.

BayLee and I tried to sip carefully so we could keep these pretty little hearts in place. (Did y'all know that Nashville is now ranked the 13th City in the Nation for the best coffee? We've come quite a long way from just being about country music)

And of course a Nashville visit wouldn't be complete without a picture together in front of that beautiful skyline. If you're wondering where I got my outfit from (maybe you weren't, but some people have asked haha) I thought I'd tell you. I included links :)

Clothes:

This BP. Print Tassel Trim Poncho is light weight, soft, and fun. Pair it with leggings, jeans, or even throw it over a cute dress! It's become one of my new favorite things. You can only buy it online, but since it's one size fits all you don't have to worry about trying it on.

The grey shirt is from Old Navy, which is perfect for layering and comes in several colors. 

I bought the jeans from The Limited awhile back so they don't sell them anymore, but you can find skinny jeans almost anywhere if you don't already own a pair :)

Beauty:

One of my favorite fall nail polishes is Essie's Chinchilly. It's the perfect light grey and if you see it in stores, go ahead and throw it in your basket! This is one shade that tends to sell out quick!

With the weather changing, I try to keep my skin from getting ashy and moisturize, moisturize, moisturize. My favorite lotion to use in the morning is Philosophy's Amazing Grace Lotion. Not only is it moisturizing, but it doubles as perfume that lasts all day long! 

Last, but certainly not least, bronzer. I like to give my face just a little bit of color and contour it by applying some bronzer along my cheek bones, hairline, and jaw bone. My favorite bronzer is Hard Candy So Baked Bronzer (I use Hula Hula). This drugstore bronzer, costing only $9, is actually a dupe of MAC bronzer! I promise it will become a permanent addition to your make up bag.

Accessories:

Both bracelets are from the J. Crew Factory and the double back pearl earrings are from Target. 

Shoes:

My good ole Frye boots. You can basically count on me living in these the rest of the season. (Btw, BayLee was wearing the same boots! Like big, like little)

I hope you all had a wonderful weekend friends!

Keep Celebrating!

Emily M's November Must Haves

Tennessee has finally decided to shift into fall mode and sweater weather has arrived! We're sharing our November lust lists and must haves; whether it be pretty or cozy, trendy or classic, or just something we love, we're positive you'll be adding a few of these things to your list too!

Since Emily C. has been pretty busy recently, (um hello, she's a mom, works a full time job, and is going to school! I really don't know how she does it), I'm going to start off with a few things that I'm loving this month and she's going to share her must haves next week :)

So here you go friends! I was able to find a cheaper version for a few of the items listed below and was sure to include where you can find them (you know how I love my looks for less!).

Blanket Scarfs- A blanket scarf is the perfect addition to any fall outfit! Add it to your favorite sweater dress or blue jeans and a shirt to complete a cozy fall look. Zara started the trend, but now several boutiques sell them! I purchased mine here.

Marshmallow Fireside Candle- This is the best smelling candle! After my friend Sarah recommended this candle to me, I knew I had to give it a try. I now understand what all the hype was about and why she buys this candle in bulk! Trust me, smell this candle and I assure you that there is no turning back. Welcome to the dark side my friends. You can find it here.

Essie's 'Dress to Kilt' Fall Nail Polish- This is the best red nail color for fall. Its not too bright or too dark, so it works well for every day wear.

Metallic Temporary Tattoos- The adult version of the colorful tattoos you used to put on as kids, these are the coolest things! Put them on your wrists, fingers, or wherever to get the tattoo look without the commitment. I'm especially loving the metallic arrows and infinity signs. Seriously, how fun are these! You can buy them here.

Double Back Pearl Earrings- Because what's better than one pearl? Two pearls of course! These have become my favorite earrings to wear this season. Classy and stylish, what could be better? I purchased mine for $7.99 here!

Sequined Camera Strap-  I am absolutely loving these sequined camera straps from Sam and Kate Designs! Before being locked indoors from the cold, spend as much time outdoors as possible. Grab your friends and go out on a hike or visit a corn maze, just remember to take as many pictures as possible!

Market Tote-  I adore this market tote from Amanda Catherine Designs. With Thanksgiving right around the corner, what better bag to carry your groceries in and be saving the planet at the same time in? It's a win, win.

Turtle Necks- These turtle necks are great for layering underneath vests and ponchos. They're thin and light weight, plus the stripes add a preppy look to any outfit. J. Crew sells them, but Old Navy has a cheaper version as well!

L.L. Bean Boots- Keep your toes toasty in these L.L. Bean boots! They are a classic fall staple in any closet! My favorite style is the 8" and they are a bit of a splurge costing $109, but like I said, they're classic and won't be going out of style anytime soon. You can buy them through the L. L. Bean site or Ebay.

Dark Lips- My love of lipstick only grows during the fall. Plums and dark reds are flattering on any skin tone and its a quick and easy way to look like you spent a ton of time on your appearance (when it really only took you about 30 seconds to look this pulled together!). My favorite is CoverGirl's Lip Perfection Lipstick in Euphoria. This shade looks great on my little sister who has a dark complexion and on me who is the fairest of them all.

'I Woke Up Like This' Mug- The cold weather months is the perfect time to pour some apple cider, hot chocolate, or coffee into this adorable mug and curl up to a good book. You can find this lovely mug from Charm and Gumption, along with some other cute mugs and prints from her store!

What's a trend or item you're loving this month? As always, I'd love to hear it!

Keep Celebrating!

Classy in the Cubicle: Halloween Work Attire

Just because I’m an “adult,” (I use the term adult loosely since I still constantly ask my mom how to file my taxes and if anything ever  goes wrong with my car, my motto is “keep calm and call dad”) doesn’t mean I can’t get dressed up for Halloween, even if I do have to go to work.

I know what you’re thinking, how can you show up to work in a costume and it still be remotely professional?

I’ll tell you and give you a few ideas on how to remain classy in the cubicle, while still remaining festive.

Here’s the trick.

Wear what you would usually wear to work! Pencil skirts, dresses, and blouses are all perfect bases for any classy Halloween costume. All you need to do is jazz them up a bit with some colorful tights, nail polish, and some ears or a hat that you can pick up just about anywhere this time of year!

I wouldn’t go as far as face paint or dramatic make up, but if you need to meet with a client or have a meeting that day, you can easily take off your ears or hat and continue your day like any other (just make sure to pack a hairbrush to tame any flyaway hairs). 

Depending on your work place, you can determine what outfits you think are appropriate or not. Since Halloween has landed on a Friday this year, I know many work places that tend to be more lenient on dress codes (blue jean Friday anyone?) so have fun and be creative with your costume, and most importantly, don’t forget to bring in some sweet treats for your coworkers tomorrow!

What are you planning on wearing tomorrow? Emily C. and I would love to hear it! Comment below :)

Keep Celebrating,

Fall Trends for Less

Fall fashion is just another wonderful bonus that comes with crisp weather and leave piles, football games and tailgates, hay rides and pumpkin patches, haunted houses and apple cider…(Ok, you get the picture. I REALLY love fall)

You know what I’m talking about, cozy plaid scarves, game day dresses, boots, faux fur and quilted vests, and layers upon layers of mix- matched patterns. I’m getting giddy just thinking about it! My bank account, however, is not so thrilled by the idea.

I wish I had unlimited funds and could afford all the high end brands and latest trends…..but reality check, I have student loans, have to fill up my gas tank, pay my cell phone bill, put some money away into an emergency fund, tithe, etc. Let’s just put it this way, next month’s paycheck is already evaporating into thin air.

So how do I keep up with some of my favorite fashion trends without getting a credit card or breaking the bank? Easy. I look for similar products at a cheaper cost, and when it comes to make up I look up their dupes to get the same shade for less (or ask, my sorority sister, Chelsea what she's using. She's the queen of makeup and their dupes!).

I thought I’d share a few of my favorite fall trends for less.  A majority of them, of course, come from Target (I swear I don’t live there), which look extremely similar to one of my other favorite stores, J. Crew.

Now you can fashionably fall into autumn too, without falling into debt!

There are certain items I will splurge on from time to time. If it’s a classic piece or will become a staple item in my closet that won’t go out of style, I say go for quality over quantity. For instance, I had been swooning over a nice pair of cognac leather boots, so I finally caved and got a beautiful pair of Frye boots last Christmas. Let me tell ya, I wear those boots all the time and they go with everything! Plus, they were made to last for years!  Much better than buying a pair of cheap boots you’re not in love with that might only last a year or two.

TEP Tip: A few other things worth splurging on are a nice pair of blue jeans, a classic black dress (every girl NEEDS to own a killer LBD that fits their body type and makes them feel beautiful. Your closet is simply naked without one.), a pea coat, and a trench coat. They are classics so they’ll never go out of style and they’re all staples that you can pair with the latest trends.

So get ready because boyfriend jeans and big sweaters are comfortably in, faux fur vests are still all the rage, leather is better, 70’s floppy hats are making a comeback, and leopard is in fact a neutral.

Know of some other fall trends we can get for less? We'd love to hear them (and may or may not be grabbing our wallets to grab one for our own after you comment below)!

Keep Celebrating!