What I Wore vol. 8: Akola Project

Aaaand we're back! This weekend was one of those great weekends where I had plenty to do, but never felt overly busy. Friday night I had a wedding shower/party, went to a yummy brunch Saturday morning, and had friends over for dinner and an old fashioned game night Saturday! And finally, finally (!!!) yesterday was beautiful. Simon and I went to church, laid by the pool, and relaxed. A pretty good weekend, if you ask me! 

So this outfit. Before I moved to KY, my sweet friend Mary Jeanne gave me this Akola Project necklace (in Kentucky blue, of course). I love the necklace itself, but even more I love the mission behind it. The Akola Project employs impoverished and uneducated women in Uganda and Dallas, TX, to make their products. Most of these women have survived HIV/AIDS, been victims of sex trafficking, or formally incarcerated. Akola gives them the opportunity to feel empowered and provide for their families, and 100% of the proceeds are reinvested to the mission. I highly recommend browsing the website - there are so many beautiful colors and jewelry options. 

dress (old, similar, similar)  |  espadrille wedges  |  necklace

Since the necklace is such a statement, I paired it with a simple black dress and espadrille wedges by Dolce Vita - seriously so comfortable that I'm contemplating purchasing other colors! 

Have a great Monday! 

What I Wore vol. 7: all white

I hope everyone had an awesome Memorial Day weekend! Are 3 day weekends not the best? I had such a great weekend at home. The wedding I went to was an absolute blast and it was the best hanging with family and friends by the pool for the rest of it. Now only 3.5 days to go till the weekend again! I could get used to this....

Now that Memorial Day has passed, it's OFFICIALLY acceptable to wear all white outfits. I have mentioned this before, but I don't exactly follow that rule. I think when done correctly, all white outfits are appropriate for any season. I love this top from Ann Taylor - the cut is great and it's so flowy and breezy, so it's perfect for hot summer days. It's also on sale right now with an extra 40% off and comes in 4 different solid colors. How about that for a deal?!

top (same, solid color)  |  jeans  |  bracelet (old, similar, similar) |  necklace

Is this pink house not the cutest little backdrop? I was so excited when I stumbled across it! 

Have a great Tuesday, everyone! 

WHAT I WORE WEDNESDAY

Wow, it has been almost a year since I last did an outfit post. About time, right?! I hope to do one of these every Wednesday, or at least every other Wednesday. I thought I'd start off with a go-to outfit of mine: jeans, sleeveless blouse, and heels of some sort. Comfortable, polished, but can go from work to night. My kind of style. 

Shop the post: top (similar) // necklace // jeans // mules

WHAT I WORE WEDNESDAY

Lou & Grey top  //  Loft booties  //  J.Crew jeans (old, similar)

After a hot summer, I think Nashville is finally starting to cool off for good. This past weekend got pretty warm, but most of the humidity is gone, which makes all the difference.

Dressing for this in-between weather can be tricky. It is typically around high 50s, low 60s in the morning, but can warm up to low 80s by afternoon. Thoughts that go through my head: Is it too early to wear boots? When can I start breaking out sweaters? Am I being too eager wearing this jacket? Life as a girl is tough!

Luckily, booties are back for another year and although my boyfriend hates them, I happen to love them.  They serve as the perfect transitional shoe in early fall. They aren't as heavy as riding boots, but don't make you look like you can't let go of summer. I paired them with a pair of jeans and a super comfortable top from Loft's new line Lou & Grey (I'm obsessed). Throw on a jacket or replace the top with a sweater for cooler temps and I have effortlessly transitioned from early fall to late fall!

WHAT I WORE WEDNESDAY: fashionABLE

top // pants (old, similar) // scarf // necklace

Summer just makes me so happy. The days are longer, the nights are hotter, and the beer tastes better. This is one of my go-to outfits for going out for drinks/dinner with friends or for date night. The palazzo pants are so deceiving - they look fancy but actually, they are like wearing pajamas. 

While I love summer for it's warm temps, I feel like restaurants and bars think that's a go-ahead to blast the AC. Inevitably, I'm always a little bit cold while inside. Enter this gorgeous scarf from fashionABLE. It's perfect because it's lightweight for the warm summer months, but also keeps me warm. Even better? The mission behind fashionABLE. 

The company was started by Barrett Ward, a local to Nashville, after he visited Ethiopia and saw the lack of resources and opportunity for women in the region. Because of the lack of opportunity, many women are forced into the sex trafficking industry or prostitution to make a living. This prompted Barrett to take action. He works with the women to hep them start small business cooperatives, and then partners and requires manufacturers to employ the women with fair wages and fair hiring practices. Now these women create gorgeous scarves, leather goods, and home accessories for fashionABLE, creating a more sustainable business and positive future. 

I strongly encourage you to take a look at the products - it's such a great mission and each purchase helps a woman provide for herself and her family in a positive, healthy, and productive way. I'm loving this blanket, this scarf, and these bracelets. Now this is a shopping spree you can feel good about. :)

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this post was sponsored by fashionABLE. All opinions are my own.

WHAT I WORE WEDNESDAY

Top: Love Stitch (from The Perfect Pair, a local boutique), Jeans: J.Crew, Shoes: Target

Another outfit post! It is finally getting warmer in Nashville (although Monday was in the 30s) and it's making me so happy because it's time to switch into springy clothes! I picked up this top at a great local boutique, The Perfect Pair, a couple weeks ago and it's instantly become a closet favorite. How great is the laser cut sleeve detailing? Pairing it with a good pair of jeans and these shoes makes for an easy but great outfit in early spring. I predicted about a month or so ago these shoes from Target would be my go-to pair for the month of March and I couldn't have been more right. Go buy a pair immediately. You will be so happy you did!

Have a great Wednesday!

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Photos by Sara-Lane Baskin

WHAT I WORE WEDNESDAY

Sweater: J.Crew (sold out, similar), Jeans: J.Crew, Shoes: Banana Republic (sold out, similar), Purse: J.Crew, Earrings: Loren Hope

Guys. Girls. Y'all. This is my first outfit post ever! 

I've been thinking about doing some form of an outfit post for awhile now. I've gotten to a point in blogging where I think that the content I share is good, but I want something to be more custom, something that's totally, originally me. I post a lot about clothes and style and what I like, so I think it only makes sense to show how that translates into in my every day life.

I don't have plans for this blog to ever, ever become 100% outfit posts. For one, I think I would stress out way too much if I had to put together a "blog worthy" outfit every. single. day. I totally commend those who do it because it would be way too much for me. Secondly, that's not what this blog is about. I want to encompass so much more than loving the clothes you wear every day.

So without further ado (I promise, these posts won't typically be this long), here's what I wore on a cold Wednesday last week. My photographer, Sara-Lane (we work together, and she is amazing), and I headed to 12 South for the first shoot. This outfit is so simple, but wonderful for just that. This sweater is one of my favorites. It hangs in such a nice way, is a great weight, and the leather elbow patches add a little something extra. I snagged my purse from J.Crew in an after Christmas sale and I'm so glad I did. It's the perfect size, and I love that I have the option to carry it on my shoulder or my arm.

So, what do you all think? Yay or nay outfit posts?!

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Photos by Sara-Lane Baskin