How to Maintain Your Style in the Summer Heat

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Since going around in our underwear isn’t an option (WHY), we need some cute pieces that will help us keep our cool and our cute this summer.

I’m excited to have teamed up with Bluetique in Market Square for this week’s segment!

They are one of those rare gems that bring you stylish pieces at affordable prices. I get giddy every time I pull open their door because I know I’ll find something to love and wear over and over again. Shoes, clothing, accessories – they’ve got the good stuff.

Be sure to go by Bluetique and pick up gorgeous pieces for yourself this summer!

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Bold Accessories to Keep You Cool

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It’s hot, but it’s not Satan’s armpit hot.

Over the Fourth of July weekend we took a trip to Savannah, GA and I was reminded of how thankful I am to no longer live in that extreme southern heat.

Anything Tennessee has to throw at me, I can handle. I can especially handle it by keeping my accessories bold and down to one piece only.

No one likes to load up on rings, bracelets, necklaces AND earrings when you’re going to be outside sweating, so pick just one and go bold with it! And the wonderful thing about bold pieces like this is you can throw them on with a simple outfit (read: easy, breezy) and you’ve got a great summer look!

I’ve pulled together bold statements from stores all over West Town Mall. The good news is these are all super cheap (how does UNDER THIRTY DOLLARS sound?)!

Every day can be a spiffy day (even in the summertime)!

Going on a vacay? Enjoy these packing tips for your kids and these tips for you! Any of these accessories would make packing so much easier!

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Pants to Get You Through Summer (Yes, Pants)

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Bugs.

If you can’t find one thing to love about winter, at least you can be thankful that in cooler weather you don’t have to contend with bugs.

I’ve already taught my 2 year old the phrase, “Eww bugs” in hopes that I’ll deter any future bug show and tells. Doubtful it will work. He handed me a beetle the other day. :-| It was in our bed.

*shutters*

You might think I’m crazy for wearing pants in the summer heat, but truly I’d rather be hot then bug-bitten.

The pants in the picture are my Fourth of July Party Pants. I originally blogged about them here – that’s how long it’s been since I bought these party puppies on a whim from Forever21 in West Town Mall.

The nice thing about them? They’re lightweight, without giving away too much information as some white pants can. And while you would think striped pants would be a pretty bold pattern to wear on your lower half, to me, they’re quite complimentary to the endless amount of solid shirts that I own.

The visual bonus is – vertical stripes make your legs look longer!

Here are some more pairs (more palazzo style) for your wearing pleasure this summer. Here are some crops from New York & Co; and another wide leg version from Charlotte Russe!

Looking for more chic alternatives to shorts! Look no further…

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Hello Summer Sales!

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Roll out those lazy hazy crazy days of summer…

If you’re a Gilmore Girls fan, that crazy song will be in your head the rest of the day. Ha!

Summer is here and with it (besides the over-consumption of watermelon and ice cream) comes great summer sales!

I’ve pulled together a list of sales going on at stores in West Town Mall. It’s cool in there and you can try things on instead of wondering if it’s the right size as you hit the “buy” button. Also two words: Auntie. Anne’s.

Remember: when shopping a sale you need to make sure you stick to your style plan. Don’t just go buying up things because they’re a great deal. Now is the time to shop for what you need at a great price!

It’s also a great time to be thinking of fall basics. Sometimes stores will pull out all their inventory, so if you come across anything that is long sleeve or for cooler weather, don’t bypass it because it’s not that season yet (Oh, but it’s right around the corner!! *squeals). Snag it at a super discounted price now / love yourself for doing so when you reach into your closet in a few months and pull out something new, later.

Express – Extra 30% off clearance – for a total of 70% off the original price. Someone stop me from buying more jeans from them, I’m serious.

Dillard’s has a lot on sale – their bra section is where my bra section comes from. I love their stuff because it’s quality and it’s actually being sold at a sale price. P.S.: this sale only gets better throughout the month of July so keep checking back!

Ann Taylor has 40% off everything. Everything? Everything.

Altar’d State – Man do they know how to put on a sale. I don’t step in the store unless they’re offering me 1,000% off, which they do this time of year, so bye!

Pandora is also running a sale, so stop in there to get a discount on some quality jewelry. Seriously – I got a ring from there and I loooove it. I’m especially happy with the fact that it’s not going to wear down or turn my finger green. Ew.

Bath and Body Works of course is running their mega deals and so is Yankee Candle! (AKA: time to start thinking Christmas presents).

Soo many great deals at West Town Mall, just make sure you shop responsibly. ;)

Here’s how to avoid shopping sale drunk.

Be safe out there.

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Summer Style Plan 2017

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Does your struggle look like this?

You stand in your closet, starring at what you own for 20 minutes not knowing what to wear almost every time you go to get dressed.

While shopping, you browse aimlessly just looking for something you like, and end up buying random pieces or things you already have four of.

Once you get home with your purchases, you find yourself STILL starring into your closet for 20 minutes not knowing what to wear.

If you can identify with any of that, even if you just want to have great style this summer – I’ve got a plan to help!

I’m going to walk  you through making a style plan. Why is it so important? Because it will save you time and money – I can’t think of two more valuable things to save, so I’m going to drop the mic at that.

Here’s where you start…

Sit down and list out all of the categories you need to get dressed for.  Do you have to get dressed up several times a week? Do you wear mostly athleisure outfits during the day? (Raises hand).

Next, list out what you have a good amount of in your closet already. Say, you’re one of those beautiful people who like to buy black pants. Or your one of those geniuses who buy lots of jeans (all of which is TOTALLY hypothetical I don’t know anyone like these examples). If you know you have… let’s just throw a number out there, 11 pairs of jeans, then list “jeans” as something you don’t need more of.

Now think of what you need. When was the last time you got stumped getting dressed? Did you have a pair of pants in your hand and didn’t have a top to pair with them? Were you going somewhere dressy? Then list “dressy tops”! Or maybe you were headed out on a hot day and still wanted to look cute but only had a tank to wear so list “I need great shorts”.

Here’s what my list looks like…

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Now that we know what we need, we’re going to think about how we want to look.

Enter: Pinterest.

Poke around on there and see what you like! If you find a board that you often jive with (HERE’S A LINK TO MY PINTEREST BOARDS) then follow them (YOU CAN FOLLOW ME HERE) and tell 10,000 of your closest friends about it.

Start a board for summer style! Pin what you love! Above is what I’m going to keep in mind when I get dressed/go shopping for summer outfits. It just helps to have a visual of what “look” you’re going for.

The goal is to keep focused on the style you want and the needs you have – both of which will save you time and money! Yay! Let’s love how we look this summer! Speaking of which, here’s how to love your body no matter what this season.

Sources for all of the pictures in the above collage: vest and maxi; necklace and tshirt; off the shoulder outfit; hat athleisure outfit; tie shirt and leggings; red maxi skirt; maxi dress; white button down and maxi skirt.

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