'RED' tan-lines, 'WHITE' dresses, AND 'BLUE'berries...

   Happy Memorial Day everyone!  For most of you, it's the last day of what's been a long, luxurious 4-day weekend (hallelujah)-- the unofficial start to the summer season.  But most importantly, it's a day to remember the brave men and women who have given their lives for our freedom, and honor those who are still serving our great country.  Thank you to you all-- we are eternally grateful and blessed.

   Now many of you will wrap up this holiday weekend, going to cookouts with family or spending the day by the pool with friends.  It's a day to relax, soak up the sunshine and embrace the beginning of what we know to be the long-awaited "vacation months".  So wherever you plan on spending this day, here are a few ways to make it even more enjoyable... what I like to call-- "red, white, and blue" chic ! 
   Whether you're spending the day at the lake or in the back yard.. don't forget the sunscreen!  We all know those tan lines aren't easy to cover up, and let's face it-- sunburn hurts!  Protect you skin and keep it looking young and fresh with a broad-spectrum option.  Because you'll need it if you plan on wearing what I like to call the perfect outfit for all those "RWB" holidays:  the little white dress.

   It's the most casual, yet fashionable piece you can wear to a barbecue.. and can easily double as a cover up if you're needing something to slip over your bathing suit!  And best of all, you can find one that looks great on any body type.. because there's several style options out there-- just keep it classy and white.  
    Last on my list of Memorial Day favorites is an all-natural little treat that I look forward to every summer-- fresh blueberries.  Eat them on their own, on top of yogurt.. or if you're looking for a simple, yet beautiful red, white and blue dessert to share with the family:  try this one.  It makes for a gorgeous presentation, takes a matter of minutes to prepare and most importantly is a health-conscious option for the whole family.

   Scoop a couple spoonfuls of your favorite vanilla ice cream (I love Blue Bell) into a goblet, add fresh blueberries and strawberries on top, and enjoy!  It's that simple-- and that delicious! 
   However you choose to spend this special day, enjoy yourself... say a prayer for those who are serving overseas... and be thankful to live in such a wonderful and free country.  A place where we have the freedom to choose what we do, the freedom to believe what we believe, the freedom to stand for what we believe in.  Red, white and blue.

'WOODstock'... Reinvented

   Put this on your summer fashion checklist:  wooden heels, platforms, or wedges!  It's officially my new favorite look of the season-- a definite "must have" for any warm-weather wardrobe.  Why you may ask... well, here are a couple of reasons.. just to name a few.
   This gorgeous clunky shoe works with a majority of your summer staples:  flowy blouses.. cute, chic dresses.. and even your perfect long, lightweight cardigan (for those over-cast days).  And secondly, the neutral shade of the wood elongates your legs.. which we all know helps our gams look super-fab!
   So... if you're searching for a fun pair, here are a few options you might like.  Take a look.....

Option 1:  LC Lauren Conrad Victoria Platform Sandals

 ~Super cute, super chic, and super girly (and did I mention super-affordable?)!  Pair it with a floaty summer dress and you'll be looking oh-so gorgeous.  Love it!

Option 2: LC Lauren Conrad Zander Platform Sandals

~ This is definitely one my favorites!  Perfect with a pair of skinny jeans, a vintage 'T' or tank, and minimal jewelry (let the shoes be your statement piece).

Option 3: Jessica Simpson Keddar Sandals

~ Talk about 'walking tall'... I give these sky-high beauties a perfect 10!  Not only will they give the impression that your legs go on for miles... they'll also improve your posture, helping you stand and walk straight and upright (wonder why).

     So now that you've got a starting place... go and stock up on this fashionable wooden trend!  I've started on mine... take a look at this affordable and super-fun pair I just purchased!

......................It's Woodstock... reinvented of course.

A Throwback To The Past: Pleated Skirts Make A Comeback

   Vintage finds are delectable!  Especially when they just so happen to be coming "back into style"!  One of my favorites: the pleated skirt.  This way-back-when trend found it's way onto the fashion scene back in the 1920's and it's been evolving ever since.  True, the trend lost its appeal through the decades, disappearing for a while... that is, until renewed interest brought about its rebirth in the 60's.  But I'm happy to report that as of year 2011:  the pleated skirt is back.. and better than ever!  It's a look that echos "old time Hollywood", and it's a style you can make that's all your own.  Your best bet at finding one of these little beauties will probably be your grandmother's closet... or you could try a vintage store near you.  Other options include shops like "Forever 21" and "H&M".  Or there are several low-priced options you can find right here online.  Just search "pleated skirts" and then choose a few to pair with your best button-up blouse or classic blazer.  And don't forget to add your ruby-red lipstick and a loose, low chignon for an unforgettable look that's simply chic and unique.  So go out and make this throwback your comeback!

Oldies... but Goodies

    One of my favorite things to do on a day off is going to an antique mall.  True, I do love all the old antiques...  but even more to my liking is all the vintage fashion pieces just waiting to be found!  These places are full of beautiful pins, broaches and other jewelry, even handbags.  And while some of the pieces can be relatively pricey... others are "top-dollar" (meaning a few bucks is all you'll pay),.. just keep looking!  It's definitely what I consider, my kind of scavenger hunt!
    For instance, there's an adorable little antique store in my hometown.  This place is full of old nick-knacks for your home, as well as-- you guessed it.. your wardrobe!

 

    Their slogan reads, "it's the place you go, to find the things you never knew you needed."  And I'll be first to tell you how true that statement is!  Every time I go in to browse, I never leave empty handed.  Take a look at some of the fantastic things I've found there....

     These are a FEW of my favorite finds.  A classic black and gold cuff, a fantastic blue-band with white face watch, and an old antique "lizard" pin.  I've always been a big fan of cuffs and this one really stuck out to me.  It's heavy-duty and not at all tarnished.  A definite beauty.  And believe it or not, I paid around $3 dollars for it!  As for the watch-- how can you NOT love that gorgeous face?  I assumed I'd have to have a new battery put in it, but am delighted to say that it's still ticking right along.  Price tag = $5.  And as for the pin, it's my absolute favorite.  I have a love for all things vintage, and vintage pins are my weakness.  For those of you who are wondering "why" right about now, here's the answer....

 

     Gorgeous, right?  OK, so maybe you're not a big fan of lizards, but a pin of any sort adds just the right amount of drama to an outfit.  Add one to a scarf, like I did here.. for a hint of old English-glam.  It's high-fashion meets utter simplicity.  Did I mention, I bought this little guy for only $8 bucks?
     Now, to my greatest find yet... on a recent trip to the antique mall, I was doing a little browsing when I glimpsed this beautiful leather thing laying on an old antique bench.  I've always been drawn to old Indian-leather, so I practically sprinted over hoping to get my hands on it first (not that there was anyone else around).  I wasn't even exactly sure what it was at first, but then I opened it.. and my eyes lit up like I had just found the greatest treasure....

   
OK.. so you're wondering what so great about this leather "case" right??  Drum-roll please..........

    To my surprise, this super-fab brown case turned out to be a clutch!  And a hippie-chic one at that!  The pocket on the left opens wide to hold your cash.  There's also a pocket on the right and as well as...

 two adorable little inserts that fit securely down inside the clutch: one for you license and another for other important cards.  I absolutely adore this clutch and if you're wondering how much it cost me... the answer to that question would be, "less than a whole Andrew Jackson"...  $18!
     It just goes to show, you never know what great things you can find if you don't mind to do a little searching.  It's been said "what goes around, comes around," and that couldn't be more true than when it comes to fashion.  Platform wedges, bell-bottom jeans, English hats, bright red lipstick... all staples of decades past.. are returning to runways all over the world.
    So remember-- never ever underestimate someone else's "oldies"... because you might have just found the soon-to-be latest and greatest fashion piece to make its way onto the scene of next season's Fashion Week!

"Good Friday" Everyone...

   
   This was the view on my way home today.  And I couldn't help but smile and think about what a good Friday this actually is. Then, His name began to roll off my lips: JESUS.  My eyes filled with tears, a smile spread across my face, and my heart filled with emotions too numerous to list.  JESUS... the One who was, and is, and is yet to come!  JESUS... Savior, Redeemer, Son of the utmost High God!  JESUS... the man who lived and died for you and for me... who suffered the cross and paid my debt to raise this life up from the dead!  JESUS... who has risen!
    So today, on this Good Friday-- give thanks to the One who is coming again-- for you and for me, and to make all things new.  For it is only by Him that we are saved.  "Jesus paid it all, all to Him i owe;...my sin had left a crimson stain... He washed it white as snow."       

~Good Friday, everyone.

Oh The Things You Can Find... If You Know Where To Go

    If you live close to Nashville, you are in luck.  There's so many great, little unique places to visit-- and shop!  If you know where to look, you can find practically anything you're searching for-- at a great price.  So let's start with one of my favorite little Nash-zones... Hillsboro Village in the west end.  If you've been there before, you know how just fun and laid-back the area is.  It gives off a retro-cool vibe, that's undeniably hip-chic.  Each time I venture down to the Village.. I feel like I'm back on the streets of London.  Or even in New York City's, Greenwich Village.  So artsy, so classy, so free.  There's clothing boutiques, 'coolest-of-cool' coffee shops and eateries-- (Fido anyone?), the famous "Pancake Pantry" (gives the Country Music Hall of Fame a run for its money in tourist's eyes), and what I consider to be one of the most perfect little book stores man ever established --(more on that in a later post).
     Just this past week, a friend (hi Jess) and I journeyed down to the Village for a day of browsing.  Our first stop, of course, was the great little boutique called "Pangaea".

   This place has all sorts of amazing items.  Clothing, jewelry, vintage-flare pillows, China-print wallpaper, cutesy notebooks/tablets, hats, headbands, fierce/shabby-chic nic-knacks-- you name it!  And all of it, reasonably priced.  For example, I was there to browse-- not to spend oodles of money.  So, I scammed the racks to see what I could find.  I had already decided I wanted to stay around $30... (seemed like a safe price range-- I figured I'd leave empty-handed).  And if there's one thing I love when it comes to shopping, it's buying something new-- but the one thing I love even more is finding a great deal!  So to my delight, you can imagine how excited I was to find the perfect little spring/summer dress-- that had my name written all over it!  And best of all-- this little beauty fell right near my price range-- $31.  Now I do have to confess I spent a tad extra on accessories, but once you see how they "make" the outfit-- you'll understand why.  After all, it's the finishing touches that make an outfit "your own".  Take a look at mine....

   I love the 'vintage-vibe' the dress gives off, with its neutral colors and lace trim.  But there's something classically girly about it too.  I paired it with a silver/gray beaded belt complete with wooden buckle.  The gray belt brings out the gray design, while the brown buckle keeps the overall neutral shade of the dress balanced.  Here's a closer look...

   And to add a personal touch, I chose to pair it with a fun stone cuff.  I was so happy when I found this one-- because it matched perfectly!

   I felt pretty accomplished-- a fashion-savvy 3-piece outfit for around $60-- I call that a bargain!  In fact, I felt so content with my purchase at Pangaea... I could have called it a day----- BUT, since I was in Hillsboro Village, I knew I had to make a pit-stop in one more adorable boutique---"Fire Finch".

    If you love fashion-forward pieces, perfect for a dinner-date-- better yet.. that could be rocked on any runway, this place is for you.  It's impossible for a female-- of any age-- to walk by this store without taking a second-glance before racing through the door.  Inside you'll find all kinds of delicate pieces.. including clothing/jewelry/ and handbags.  And it's nearly impossible to not find something that will catch your eye.  Case in point-- one glance at these beautiful earrings, and I knew I could not go on without them.  You'll see why-------

    Believe it or not, this picture doesn't really do them justice.  These little balls glisten most beautifully when light hits the crystallized features.  And the bold color is extraordinary!  Pair them with a simple black dress, and they're all the color your outfit will need.  Most gorgeous, don't you think?

    I could go on and on about Hillsboro Village, but to truly understand just how great it is, you must experience it for yourself.  So if you're searching for the perfect place to spend a Saturday with your girlfriends-- or just to have some laid-back time by yourself, this is the place for you.  Because if you know where to look.. not only are your wardrobe possibilities going to be endless.. but so is the huge smile that's going to be on your face once you go.

"Dress for Success" .... Rock the Office With Stellar Confidence and an Unforgettable Look

    Got an interview for a potential internship or job coming up??  Don't stress.  Just remember to let your personality shine through and be yourself.  And when it comes to what to wear-- after reading this, you're going to have no worries on that either.
   Times they are a changin'... and the professional "office-appropriate" look has too!  What once used to be considered "go-to" pieces-- such as the black blazer and slacks with closed-toe pumps,.. has ever-so subtly evolved.  Although it's ideal to stick with classic, conservative basics... like a tailor black pant, or a super-fun blazer,.. don't be afraid to add a bit of fun with your jewelry.  Remember though, keep it simple with one statement piece!
   For more great tips on how to look your best, check out the link below.  This article, written by Murfreesboro's Daily News Journal --(I'm included in the interview- yay!)...will have you looking your best!
  
Click here to check out the fabulous article in the Daily News Journal...."Dress for Success-- Put Together a Job-Winning Outfit"

   So walk tall and let you confidence shine. And use the tips above to "dress for success".... because once you walk in to that interview-- you're going to be positively unforgettable-- which is exactly what you want, right?