2019

Well hello there,

It’s been quite the busy year already and we’re only two and a half months in.

I wanted to hop on here and post and update. I’m having a baby. Like really soon. So while I love the blog and sharing outfit ideas and product inspiration, I will be taking a short break to, you know, have a baby.

I do want to come back and share my thoughts on maternity style this time around (because it was winter so now I’ve experienced all the seasons while pregnant). And of course I will update you on her and all that she’s adding to our family.

But for now, enjoy all the packing help I’ve left you in the past couple of posts and dig even further! I’ve been writing this blog for 9 years now, so there’s PLENTY of posts to fill your cup.

Thanks so much for hanging in there and continuing to check in. I’m excited to put together blogs when I get back and continue helping you make every day a spiff day!

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Time to Upgrade to First Class Bags

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You’ll feel like you’re supposed to be in First Class with these bags.

If you’ve read any of my blogs or heard me emcee a fashion show, then you know of my burning passion for pockets. Lots of exclamation points when those guys are referenced.

Which is one of the reasons I love Vera Bradley bags so much – all the pockets. And that carries over into their travel bags. It’s like they take these things and run around with them thinking of what a woman would want to stash where and wha-la! They make a pocket for it.

I’m excited to be using their garment bag for when we pack next – which will be for the birth of my daughter! See my Instagram story for all the bonus features on that bag.

I popped into Vera at West Town Mall this week to take a look at all their travel goodies and snap some pictures to show you ALL the beautiful bags. And the 25% off applies to everything travel – even the smaller organizers (makes a great gift!). Or OR the pack-able tote! It’s a tote bag that folds into itself and is later unraveled for maximum travel-shopping enjoyment :)

Keep scrolling/reading to see the innovative bags they’ve got – the one boggled my MIND…

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vera bradley, vera bradley travel, west town mall, vera bradley bags, vera bradley discount, knoxville shopping, west town mall shopping

Those up there are the pack-able totes!!

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vera bradley, vera bradley travel, west town mall, vera bradley bags, vera bradley discount, knoxville shopping, west town mall shopping

This bag transforms from a backpack to a duffel and even pops out a cross body bag – HOW COOL IS THAT?!

It’s literally three bags in one. I want to schedule a complicated trip somewhere just to see how much stress I avoid using this bag, haha.

Trust me – whether you’re buying for yourself or stocking up on gifts, now is the time to get yourself into Vera Bradley tomorrow and stock up on travel bags!

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Tips to Keep Your Shopping on Track During Sale Season

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Beginning Black Friday week through January clearance sales, its a workout just trying to hold onto your wallet and not buy every little thing you see on sale. At least that’s how I explain my brief absence in the gym *grimace face.

There are so. many. clearance sales going on right now with retailers tempting you with deep discounts so as to clear their shelves of merchandise and potentially clutter up your own. But we’re not going to let them! At least, not without forming a plan first…

I’ve put together shopping tips to help you navigate the sales and stay on track with both your budget and your style. And help you avoid adding more things to get rid of this spring when you’re no longer sale-drunk and ready to get rid of everything but your skivvies.

One: Look at what you own.
Devote as little or as much time to this as you’d like, but just be sure to get a good idea of what’s in your closet before walking out the door to shop.

This will do a couple things…It will dampen impulse buys because you laid eyes on the 4 leopard sweaters you already own (I’m looking at you, Elizabeth). And it will give you a clear direction of what you need especially if you’re passing a lot of pants but not a lot of sweaters or button up tops. One more thing it will do is show you how much room you have in your closet. If you’re already packed this will hopefully motivate you not to buy anything just because it’s on sale.

Two: Set boundaries.
Setting a budget is good, but take it one step further and carry that budget in cash. This will give you a tangible amount to spend and again help you avoid buying things just because they’re on sale.

Set a time frame for yourself as well. This is one of my favorite things to do because I can take forever making decisions sometimes, so the thrill of having a set time helps me become a hard-core decision maker. It really makes it into a game, which is fun and I always walk away with fewer impulse buys.

Take a friend! We all have friends we shop with that we know are going to get us to spend money – DON’T TAKE THAT FRIEND. Instead take the one that’s going to be realistic with you and ask the hard questions…”Do you REALLY need the sweater with the kitty cat floating in space??”

And remember the tried and true Walk Away Rule. If you walk away and you still think about it, go back. But if the item is forgotten the minute you spot pretzel bites then you didn’t really want it anyway.

Three: Know what to avoid…
Go into this knowing what your vices are. Mine? Black pants. Last count 17 pairs is what I own? SO knowing this and my love for leopard, anything I pick up in those categories have to go through a real strict process.

Again, take the sale goggles off and really look at something you’re wanting. Does it look cheap? Has it been tried on multiple times and look like it? Be sure you’re not drunk on the price scribbled in red pen and actually NEED what it is you’re holding.

Watch for overly trendy items. A cut or pattern that was super hot this season may not be by the time fall/winter rolls around next year.

Four: Know what to look for…
Basics like boots, blazers, jackets, button downs – those are all good items to load up on when they’re on sale this time of year. They’re usually high ticket items and if you get them at a quality store, they’ll last you a long, long time. So in your perusal of your closet in step number one look for anything that needs to be replaced/updated and shop for that.

Don’t be afraid to look for out of season items. Make sure they fit your style and fill a need and if so – go for it! You’ll love yourself when it comes time to switch over.

Whether you’re sale shopping or not, it’s always good to shop with these two things in mind that are really the basics for good style: does the item help you convey the message you want to send and does it make you feel good about yourself?

Sales going on:
Altar’d State: Extra 30% off sale (this discount will go even deeper, so look around now then if there’s something you’re on the fence about, check back later). This is a great place to stock up on jewelry!

Banana Republic: Extra 60% off sale styles and 40% off regular-priced items. The best place to get basics like good pants and button down shirts, sweaters, blazers (my favorite blazer came from them). If you need items for work – this is the place!

J Crew: 50% off sale items. Great place to get pieces for the holidays next year or (a swing in the opposite direction) items for your summer wardrobe.

Fiore Boutique: They are moving in the mall so they are having a moving sale with 70% off everything in the store! Start buying Christmas gifts for next year!

Dillard’s: They’re having a great sale on coats and boots and also a really good clearance event going on so check that out.

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Tips on How to Plan All Your Christmas Outfits

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Tis the season to be gorgeous, fa la la la la la la la la.

This past Saturday, I carved out some time to try on clothes. While there were several moments when I wondered if I was truly being productive, the fact that I’m now into December and not having to give a second thought to what I’m going to wear to the three big events I have this week says a resounding YES. Yes I WAS being productive.

Your calendar may not be jammed packed with fancy parties, but it may have a friendly get together or two, and to avoid any and all stress it’s really good to pre-plan what you’re going to wear.

I have a small rotation of sequined items that I go through this time of year, but my goal every year is to wear them in a fresh way. Which is also why taking time to play around with what’s in your closet is a good thing – it gives you time to be creative.

Another bonus? It will save you money. I’m trying my darndest not to spend a lot of money on clothes (especially with a baby bump) and the more I can creatively use what’s in my closet the better.

Pull out and play with what you’ve got! And when you get stuck, hop on Pinterest and search for the piece you’re struggling with. Say it’s a sequin pencil skirt you don’t know how to look fresh – then search “Sequin pencil skirt outfit” and look at the results! Keep in mind, you don’t have to directly copy anything you see if you don’t want. But take a look instead at the silhouette that’s going on in the picture. Is the skirt mostly paired with tight tops or big voluminous sweaters? If it is a big sweater, what do you have in your closet that mimics the shape?

This is my thought process as I go through and test each outfit idea. It’s so fun to see and use what you’ve already got. And if you find that you are missing something, no worries! Now you know exactly what you need, or at least have a clearer picture of what holes you need to fill for a fabulous holiday season of outfits!

Oh and if you need any ideas on where to spend your clothing cash, here are some fabulous outfit ideas from White House Black Market and Banana Republic in West Town Mall. Also, be sure to listen as I go through each piece and give alternate styling ideas…

More tips on getting dressed this Christmas season!

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