Early Access Ends Today :: Jump on more Nordstrom Sale Favorites

TGIT! Early access for the Nordstrom Sale ends TODAY, y'all! I'm sharing more favorites, so jump on them because they certainly won't last long after the sale opens to everyone. Once again I'm wishing summer away and ready to pull on my boots scarves, leggings and more for fall. I probably shouldn't be so hasty as it's only mid-July {wahh!} Okay, enough chit chat. Here we go...

Here are a few snaps of me wearing some of these faves and others from my first N Sale Favorites post

HUDSON JEANS | TORY BURCH MELINDA FLAT

TOPSHOP FAUX FUR VEST | 

HINGE FAUX SUEDE MINI SKIRT | 

BP OXBLOOD BOOTIES

SAM EDELMAN HALF D'ORSAY PUMP | HUDSON JEANS

SHOP TODAY'S FAVORITES :: 

the perfect LBD

Happy Monday! Today I'm here to help cure those Monday blues by sharing my absolute faaaa-vorite little black dress by Topshop. Let's count the reasons why :: 1} it's under $100 2} it's drapey + comfy and requires no spanx, sucking in, or fidgeting 3} it's lightweight with sheer sleeves AND 4} it's also available in olive and cream for alternative, less dressy options.

I've literally worn this dress with flat sandals and simple accessories, wedges and pumps. It's easy to throw on for a dinner out, or dress up for an event or occasion. Keep in mind that Topshop has funky sizing, so always look for the US size, and if you are in between sizes, GO UP. {I ordered a US 6 in this dress for reference}

Shop my Britt Bass for KSlade Made clutch HERE

Shop my outfit + accessories //

PLUS... The Nordstrom Anniversary Sale continues! Only 4 days left for early access, then it opens to non-cardholders. Click HERE for some of my sale favorites if you missed them last week, and stay tuned for more tomorrow!

Spotlight on :: Britt Bass for K.slademade Clutches

Happy Monday! Who else is kicking off a short week today? We're headed to the beach with friends early on Thursday {6 AM flight seemed like a good idea at the time...} for some much-needed R&R. Speaking of those friends... today I'm highlighting a super fun and exciting product featuring none other than my BFF Britt Bass Turner. She is a super talented artist and her art is colliding with my fashion world in the form of a CLUTCH. I have followed K.Slademade for some time now, ooh-ing and ah-ing over her soft leather clutches in so many fun colors. 

When they announced their artist series with Britt Bass Turner, I couldn't contain my excitement! Featured on this clutch is Britt's painting "Rocket Woman," which I just so happen to have hanging in my house. 

How FUN is this clutch? The colors are so dreamy.

I paired it with this lilac top from LOFT and jean shorts for a casual, more dressed down look, and then with this black drapey Topshop dress for a night out. I love the pop of colors against both the lilac and the black. 

So head on over to kslademade.com and snag one for yourself!

the perfectly casual LBD under $60!

Happy hump day! Today we're talking the perfect casual LBD. Everyone needs that classic LBD in their closet, but many people only think of special occasions when it comes to pulling it out. What many don't know is that you should also have the perfect CASUAL LBD hanging in your closet for those days when you feel like you have nothing to wear, need something classic and want to look good without trying. Enter, the casual LBD. I recently snagged this up after pulling it for two of my clients while shopping. They both looked absolutely fabulous in it so I decided to give it a whirl.

I have been loving the Tildon brand at Nordstrom. It has great pieces for affordable prices and this dress is no exception at just $59. This Ruched Long Sleeved Dress comes in multiple colors and is ultra figure-flattering with ruching down the sides and what I like to call a "tulip" hemline.

I paired it with my go-to Sam Edelman riding boots and a leopard vest for a cozy touch.   I love the ruching on this dress because most of us aren't really dying to draw attention to our middle area. Am I right, ladies?! It hides imperfections while also highlighting your figure.

I snagged this leopard vest on super sale at a boutique in Roswell and it's been love ever since. HERE is a similar one that I love just as much!

My rose quartz Kendra Scott Rayne has proven to be a fall staple. I threw it over this dress for a subtle pop of color that would compliment the leopard without being too loud.

A word to the wise -- if you're ordering online, choose a size up. I've got a little bit of a booty and more of an hourglass shape and I'm normally an XS-S. I had to go to a medium in this dress to avoid tight fabric around my rear.

I'll also point out that I'm LOVING this radiant orchid-esque color ::

So add a casual LBD to your wardrobe for those days you just feel "blah" or need that perfect go-to. Happy shopping!

Flirty Fall Mini Dress

Y'all... I cannot believe that October has come and gone so quickly! I'm wondering what the heck this Georgia weather is doing and why I haven't been able to break out my tights and jackets yet. Today I'm bringing you the perfect dress for transitioning between warm and cold weather. It's flirty, it's fun and it's feminine. I had been eyeing this LOFT abstract animal print mini dress {among other things... I'm really loving LOFT's fall line this year -- can you tell?!} from the minute I saw it on the website and last week's 50% off sale was the perfect excuse to get it. {PSA - It's 50% off NOW too!}Paired with the perfect camel bootie and you're good to go! Take it into the winter by adding opaque tights and riding boots. You can even add a blazer or vest over top when the temperatures get really chilly.

I love the flutter bottom of this dress and the fact that you're able to do it unbelted, or add a belt at the small of your waist like so :: I also love this LOFT knotted belt {40% OFF!}, which makes the knotted look a whole lot easier when you don't have to do it yourself!

One last great thing about this dress is the fabric. The material is like a sweatshirt {hence why I own THIS} and it's not too thin, not too thick. The perfect transitional dress to add to your wardrobe at this time of year.

Take it from work to play, week day to weekend. I'm even thinking this is the perfect dress for any of you planning to dress up as cats or cheetahs for Halloween.... just sayin'.

So cheers to Thursday! Until tomorrow, stay stylish.

the ultra-cheapy lbd

Happy Friday! Today we're talking about the LBD because, well, it's Friday. If you've got fun weekend plans with your girls or your man, the LBD might be in your future. And the best news for all you bargain shoppers and deal hunters? This one won't break the bank. It comes in at UNDER $20 {$17.80 to be exact}. "But Courtney," you might say, "if it's under $20, there is no way it is made well." To which I would answer, "You're probably right." Let's be honest, we all know the quality of Forever 21 doesn't rival Neiman's or Nordy's, but we also know that sometimes we need to grab that cheap little number for a certain occasion, and this fits the bill.

You can dress it up or down, layer with a cardigan, blazer or vest into the fall and add tights and boots in the winter. It's a year-round dress with a flattering cut at the shoulders and high neckline, and although it's a shift dress, it's fitted enough that you won't feel the need to belt it.

One of my favorite go-to statement pendants, the Stella & Dot Phoenix pairs perfectly with this neckline. It also transitions seamlessly from summer, to fall, to winter to spring.

Top it off with a leopard clutch and your favorite heels or booties, and you're ready to go!

 I'll be transitioning this LBD into the fall, so stay tuned for more versatile ways to wear it from season to season!

Wishing you a fun + stylish weekend ahead, whatever your plans may be!

nordstrom anni sale :: my favorite picks

It's that time of year again... the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale {Early Access} is here! For those of you who know about this sale, you know why there is a line forming outside of the doors at 10am on the first day. And for those of you who don't know about it, that should pretty much sum it up. During the Anniversary Sale, Nordstrom marks down TONS of fall {and more} clothing, shoes, and accessories before the fall season starts; great deals and huge savings! I shopped this sale with three clients yesterday and came up with a list of my favorite items. So today you're in luck; I'm sharing it with you!

Keep in mind, you must have a Nordstrom Card {credit or debit} to begin shopping the sale early access now, both online & in stores. It does not open to the public until July 18 {yes, they actually have all of the merchandise into a secret tent that you may not enter without a card}, so you still have a week! You also earn double points when you shop this sale early access. But hurry - things go fast. If you find something you like in stores or online, buy it...YESTERDAY!

Keep in mind: these items are all things that I have seen in person and tried on myself, or had clients try on. So without further ado, here are my Nordstrom Anni Sale faves ::

So run on over to Nordstrom or access the sale online; you will be glad you did. And remember, the sale opens to the public on July 18th. Happy shopping + happy weekend!

made in america :: part two

I love local and small businesses and Liv Grant, from Liv + Work, is no exception! This Chicago-based designer is amazingly talented and I'm so excited to start showcasing some of her products to you in the coming months! Let's start with this dreamy Southern Ikat Coverup. It was a happy mail day when this baby arrived last week, just in time for my beach trip.  Not only is this coverup super cute + comfy, but it's also made right here in the U.S of A. Liv hand-dyes everything herself which is pretty incredible! You can choose between an aqua pom-pom trim or the neon pink fringe, so I decided to go big or go home with some bright neon. Who wouldn't want to add this to their array of beachwear options?!

get the look ::

And another favorite from Liv + Work to tempt you even more ::

spotlight on :: calypso st. barth

Happy Wednesday, style lovers! Today is my Friday  and my hubby and I are flying down to the beach for some much-needed R&R this Fourth of July weekend. So today I'm bringing you some of my favorite looks from the beachy Calypso St. Barth. This line is ritzy  + unique + dreamy. It comes with a bit of a heftier price tag, but brings you lots of looks that you won't find elsewhere.

• the silk dress

This bright teal silk dress is so light and airy; perfect for both day and night. It has the most intricate stitchings around the neckline in bright golds, pinks and blues to compliment.

•  the morrocan maxi

Y'all... this dress is everything. The pattern, the colors and the detailing are nothing short of fabulous. Perfect for dressing up and down, summer outings and taking into the fall with a jacket.

• casual stretch pant I've always been a little iffy about this type of pants. I still won't say they are my go-to for flattery purposes, but man are they comfortable!! I would throw these babies on around the house or to run some errands. So lightweight and already pre-wrinkled for you moms. **A post on this cute tassel necklace coming up tomorrow!**

• the metallic tee

This has to be one of my favorite pieces. I love everything gold and metallic, and this simple tee is no exception. Easy for throwing on, layering and dressing up. Not to mention the perfect amount of metallic. Not too flashy, not too soft.

• the embellished teeThis light peachy linen tee has gold sequins. Need I say more?

 And for all you Atlantans, be sure to check out Calypso St. Barth and their dreamy store at Westside Provisions District. We'll be back in a few days to kick off a new blog series, "Made in America," where I'll feature some of my favorite locally made products & companies. Wishing you a Happy Fourth of July and God Bless the U.S.A!

spotlight :: Peter Pilotto for Target

Happy Wednesday! I hope all of you had a fabulous Memorial Day weekend with family and friends. Thank you to all of the men and women who sacrifice for our freedom!

Today, as I'm getting back into the groove of things, I'm highlighting the Peter Pilotto for Target line. These edgy, bold patterns are perfect for summer and only need minimal accessorizing. Here's a Peter Pilotto dress I scored on clearance for $11.88. And now, all of the Peter Pilotto line is now on clearance on Target's website so you can score some great deals!

Here are some summer favorites {for CHEAP!} on the Target website ::

So there you have it... The bold & spunky Peter Pilotto line for Target, all at clearance prices! That's a way to try a new fashion statement without breaking the bank. And, stay tuned for this Peter Pilotto look to be featured on Style Under 40.

Tomorrow, I'm talking about the summer sweater!

Until then - stay stylish,