How to Keep Your Purse Cute and Organized

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While in church a few weeks ago, just as we were all asked to stand for the service to close – my purse dumped out.

That’s high up there on the list of things that you don’t want happening during service (other things on that list: your child saying something inappropriate, your bra popping off).

The worst thing about it falling over? Everyone on the row behind me saw that I keep all my lipsticks in a cruddy Ziploc bag. Which is cruddy because it rolls around in my purse and gets beat up.

It was in that moment of pure annoyance (or should I say “purse” annoyance HA), that I realized I needed to change some things about my life. Specifically the things that are in my purse and how they are organized.

As it turns out, I signed up for a beauty subscription service that sends adorable bags to my mailbox EVERY MONTH. Why have I not been making full use of these cute Ipsy bags?! What else in my life have I been totally looking over?! Could my phone be used to make phone calls?!

As Jackson gets older his needs are only going to get more bag-related (snacks, snacks and snacks for after snack time – we’ve learned he’s a big fan of food). These bags are REALLY going to come in handy. And it’s another great cost justification for signing up for Ipsy. It’s only $10 a month and not only does it deliver cute bags, it makes it so that you don’t have to buy things like mascara, blush and bronzer for years.

I’m happy to report I now have an army of amazingly cute organized bags – one for lipsticks, one for receipts, one for gift cards, one for snacks and one for wipes.

We are living the good life now! :-D

Read what all typically comes in an Ipsy bag.

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The Last Eye-Shadow Palette You’ll Ever Buy (Almost)

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It must be that the creative minds over at Urban Decay were thinking ironically when they named this eye-shadow palette. I want my eyes to be anything BUT naked when I saw the colors in these gorgeous palettes (ha. but naked).

I heard for years how great this Naked palette was, but I guess I was too set in my ways? Busy being awesome? Yeah, let’s go with that one.

Turns out the cult following and the 30 articles I read about its amazingness, were all correct! This palette is amazing.

There are three versions of the Naked palette out there and in order to choose, I looked at all three and counted up the colors in each one that I would wear the most. Whichever had the most shades I would wear – won. Naked 2 is more about taupes, and Lord knows I’M all about taupes, so that’s what I went with.

My only complaint was that there were too many sparkly shadows.

I love sparkly shadows too much. I want to paint my eyes with them all the way up to my eyebrows. So options that are a little more matte are good for me, especially for a daytime look. Which is why I picked up Naked Basics.

It’s also why the Naked palette is almost the last palette you’ll ever buy. Combine these two power-houses of neutral color and your eye makeup game just won’t be able to quit.

Here’s where you can check them all out… Naked1, Naked2, Naked3, Naked2 Basics (there are about 17 more versions, google them yourself if you’re that interested). I would recommend seeing them in person so you can get a better feel for all the colors – Sephora in West Town Mall is a great place to do that. And now the JCP has a mini-Sephora so you’ve got two great places to check them out!

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Spring Style Plan

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the limited, gap chinos, american eagle outfitters, white jeans, spring outfit inspiration, gold jewelry, knoxville fashion blogger, west town mall, spring scarf, nike shoes, spring sandals, graphic tee, chambray shirt, gap, charming charlieWell, hello there, Spring.

I’m going to let the bright blooming white trees, the faint smell of honeysuckle I caught the other day, and the 72-degree weather distract me from the fact I’ll have to start shaving regularly again, painting my toenails and strategizing about my white, white legs.

Planning my spring wardrobe and the patch of tulips I passed on my walk last Friday, also help lessen the sting of winter being through (I just love it and it’s snowy bug-free self).

In keeping with my style goals for this year, my spring wardrobe leans heavily towards the comfortable.

In fact, my plan revolves around creating as many outfits with my new black and white Nike’s as possible. Torn white jeans and olive green girlfriend chino’s from GAP will certainly help with that. As will easy chambray shirts, camp shirts and a great graphic tee (and yes, I do love my town, thanks for helping me declare it, American Eagle).

What will quickly help to elevate the whole look is some great jewelry. Gold, of course, because even if I don’t end up using self-tanner it will make me feel like I have a glow. The turquoise earrings from The Limited will add the dose of color I need in this sea of neutrals I’ve created. Which, by the way is something else I want to experiment with this spring/summer – color. I tried on a neon green and blue necklace with my army green jacket the other day and the combination was refreshingly cohesive.

I’m hoping this cooler spring weather sticks around for a bit, because my favorite thing about this season is mixing warm weather items with my lighter colored winter-wear. Plus I need an excuse to wear that floral scarf from Banana Republic.

Pick up any of these great spring-in-your-step-inducing items at West Town Mall!

  1. Ann Taylor Camp Shirt
  2. Charlotte Russe Sandals
  3. American Eagle Graphic Tee
  4. GAP Chambray Shirt
  5. American Eagle White Jeans
  6. Belk Nike Shoes
  7. GAP Chinos
  8. Forever21 Necklace
  9. The Limited Earrings
  10. Charming Charlie Bracelet
  11. Forever21 Earrings
  12. Banana Republic Scarf

Tell me about your spring style plan!

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Trend Forecast 2016

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spring trends, what's trendy this spring, knoxville fashion blogger, spring fashion, trends for 2016, fashion trends 2016, knoxville beauty blogger

spring trend collage
Altar’d State | Dillard’s | Forever21 | The Limited | Banana Republic

The word “trend” used to be a curse word in my ears. My personality is such that if everyone else is doing it, I want to do the exact opposite. But you’ve got to watch because that can quickly veer into the “weird’ lane.

Over the years I’ve learned to be more comfortable with wearing what’s in style and not be so quick to dismiss it just because it’s so popular. Now, my biggest requirement is making sure that whatever I wear – trendy or not – has to fit within my style aesthetic.

I encourage you to do the same. Find the middle ground between wearing everything that’s current, and wearing pieces no one understands. There’s a happy balance, and it starts with simply going with what you love and feel that best translates YOU. Do that, and you’ll be well on your way to having great style.

As I was reading through all the reports on what’s trending this year, the theme I noticed most of all was a play on texture. Pleats, metallic materials, wraps, knots, ruffles – all those things add great texture to your look and they just so happen to all be hitting it big this year.

Stripes are still in play, and florals are about to bloom big time.

Anyone remember the lingerie trend from the 90’s? I always think of the movie “13 Going on 30” where she goes out in her pj’s and her friend makes a comment about bringing that trend back. Well we’re probably going to see some offerings of what looks like delicate sleepwear, but what’s meant to be worn in the day time. Approach this very carefully or else you’ll look like you went to sleep as a teenager and woke up a confused 30 year old.

The blue cami above from The Limited is a great way to go about that trend – maybe just a nod to the style peaking out from under a blazer.

And remember, each trend can be toned down. The ruffle dress pictured from Forever21, is a nice light way to go about doing ruffles. So if you’re not sure if you like something start small.

I’m positive we’ll have a couple more good snows before we see the effects of spring (crosses fingers, knocks on wood, stands on one foot), but it’s nice to see what will be coming up this year!

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How to Dress for the Weather

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The funny thing about the weather here in Tennessee? It’s one big surprise party.

This past Saturday they called for 90% chance of rain and guess what…we didn’t get a drop. Not during the day at least. And I was all prepared for a good rainy Saturday (pssst: the fact that it didn’t rain didn’t stop me from binge watching Gilmore Girls #lazyday).

But with the onslaught of outdoor events on the schedule this time of year combined with the mixed bag of weather possibilities, it helps to know just how to dress so that you’re cute AND weather appropriate.

Here are a few things to keep in mind when getting ready to attend outdoor events this spring/summer…

Start your outfit planning by checking the weather.

This time of year especially it can be cool, hot, rainy, windy – you just never really know. Begin putting your outfit together by realizing what weather you need to dress for and go from there. I always always want to be both comfortable and weather appropriate (wearing sandals in the middle of a cold spell draws the wrong kind of attention to my outfit…especially if my toes start to turn blue ;)

If you see the weather doesn’t coincide with what you had planned to wear, immediately start coming up with alternates. By working on your outfit in advance, you save yourself from running around like a headless chicken the day of. The alternative can be as simple as adding a cute little jacket to your maxi dress, too!

Now I know there are millions of life factors that get in the way of doing these things sometimes, so even if you do end up wearing a sun dress in 55 degree weather, or sinking in the mud in your favorite heels – be sure to press those shoulders back and keep a smile on your face the whole time.

Complaining through a frown doesn’t make anyone look good.

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