monday musings

Happy Monday! Today starts a new Monday traditions, where I'm bringing you a few of my favorite things for the week ahead. My items might {will probably} be a little bit random, but I'll share them with you anyways! These are truly things that I am loving lately... Anyone else love something on today's list? 

1. PAINTED EARTH ROSEMARY + THYME BAKED MINERAL BLUSH in BERRY SWIRL // Does anyone else find that their go-to blush gets a little too light for their face when the sunny summer months roll around? I've been finding that my blush hasn't exactly shown up on my face well lately, and I am a blush lover all around.

So, I decided to try this Rosemary & Thyme Baked Mineral Blush in Berry Swirl {yes, it's named that because it ACTUALLY has rosemary and thyme in it, and is all natural & organic} and it is B-E-A-U-Tiful. It's the perfect shade for any skin tone and I love the sunkissed sheen it adds to your cheeks. Helpful hint? I always apply a little blush to the tip of my nose to finish off my face. It brightens and gives a little extra color + glow. I also have the Apricot Swirl color for my paler months.

2. KENDRA SCOTT STATEMENT EARRINGS // I have found myself reaching for these beauties with so many outfits; from shorts and a tee for a little extra something, to my favorite LBD. They are perfect for adding an earring when you're wearing your hair up and are the perfect size and statement. These are pretty pricey, so I'm linking up some other favorites HERE, HERE & HERE.

3. THIERRY MUGLER 'ANGEL' PERFUME // Y'all... this scent is heavenly. About a year ago I was working with one of my regular clients and she smelled SO good. I told her {in a non-weird way} and asked her what perfume she wore and she told me about Thierry Mugler's 'Angel' scent, which I had never heard of. She said that random men would literally stop her when she was out and comment on her perfume. I had it in my shopping cart that evening and haven't stopped wearing it since! {And I can verify her claims; not only does my hubby love it but I get stopped from time to time asking about it!}

1.7 OZ | 3.4 OZ

Helpful Hint :: I always buy my perfume on Amazon because they have the best prices and FAST + FREE shipping!

What are you loving lately? Have any of you tried this blush or perfume, or have a go-to statement earring you can't get enough of? 

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!

The N Sale Leopard Pump + Meet Intern Nicole

TGIF! Today we're bringing you double the fun with a sale item and an exciting introduction!

First, thing's first :: A leopard pump {or wedge for those of you who can't do pumps} is a must in every woman's closet. Not only is leopard considered a neutral and goes with just about everything, it is a sassy + classy addition to any otherwise neutral or classic outfit. I go on and on about my love for leopard in the fall and winter, but leopard pumps are perfect for summer, too; with that LBD, in the office, or out on the town. 

I've found that a fabulous leopard pump is a part of the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale every year {remember that Halogen pump that sold out so quickly last year?!} and this year is no different. When I saw these Sam Edelman pumps I knew I had to have them, and who could resist at under $100 on sale?! I love the "half" pump that doesn't cover your whole foot on one side. Pointed-toe shoes are already more slimming than a round toe, and the half pump adds even more of a slimming effect. Lastly,  Okay y'all, I could go on and on for days about anything leopard. Here they are, in all their glory :: 

SHOP // Sam Edelman 'Onyx' Half d'Orsay Pointy Toe Pump

And now for the exciting introduction. I am happy to introduce you to the LifeStyled intern, Nicole! I am thrilled to have her on board and for all that's to come! Here's a little bit about Nicole...

Hello from Atlanta!

I'm Nicole, Courtney's intern. I'm a rising junior at the University of Georgia working toward a major in marketing, with an emphasis in digital marketing, and a minor in fashion merchandising. I'm all about college football, Pure Barre, website design, Diet Coke and Starbucks (usually combined during finals week), and laughing out loud at re-runs of Friends.

I truly believe that when you look good, you feel good. And that's what I love about LifeStyled! I'm thrilled about the opportunity to help Courtney and contribute to the LifeStyled brand. Blogging, and shopping, and girl talk? I could get used to this!

What's in my bag

Happy Wednesday! I'm headed for sunny Florida tomorrow and could NOT be more excited. Today I'm sharing what's in my purse this summer; from basics like planner and lipstick, to my unique and quirky "carry-all-the-time" items that you might not expect. Here's 'what's in the bag...'

1 | KATE SPADE PLANNER ::  I can't go anywhere without my planner, as most of you can relate to. I love the Kate Spade planners because they're functional, cute and classic. My 2016 favorites here | here | here

2| POPPIN GOLD NOTEBOOK :: For wardrobe consults, shopping lists, and random jot-downs I use this fun gold notebook. Closes with an elastic band so you don't have to worry about page wrinkling!

3 | DIOR 'ADDICT' FLUID LIPSTICK :: I love this because it goes on like a gloss, but looks and stays put like a lipstick. Not to mention I am in LO-OVE with this color {779 Plaisir}  The perfect shade of pink and you can apply it lighter for a lighter look, or heavier for a bold pop of color

4| BOBBI BROWN 'STELLA' CAT EYE SUNGLASSES :: Sunglasses are obviously a must, year-round. I went on the hunt for the perfect classic cat-eye sunglass a few months ago, and these were the winner. Some other favorites here | here

5 | BRITT BASS IPHONE CASE :: You all know from my blog earlier this week that I am a fan of all things Britt Bass. Her newest iPhone cases are glossy, well-made and swoon-worthy! My phone is never without one of her fun and colorful designs.

6 | KENDRA SCOTT IVORY RAYNE NECKLACE :: This may sound strange, but I carry this baby in my purse with me everywhere when I'm not wearing it. Why, you ask? Because it's the perfect neutral necklace to throw on with anything from a tee shirt to a little black dress. I keep it with me so that I can use it for styling clients' outfits, trying on with outfits while shopping, and for throwing on if I change outfits or forget a necklace on my way out the door. It's always good to have an accessory like this on hand... you never know when you may need it!

7 | KATE SPADE COBBLE HILL WALLET :: The best basic, black wallet you'll find. It zips closed and keeps everything safe, has 12 credit card spots and multiple pouches. Not to mention it goes in any purse, year-round.

8 | TORY BURCH THORA FLIP FLOPS :: Like many of you, I'm on my feet a lot during the day. Whether I'm in a client's closet or shopping with them, I don't sit down much. This is why I always carry my TB flip flops with me in case I need to throw them on in between {or sometimes even with!!} clients. They are dressy enough to where they don't look strange if you have to grab for them, and oh-so-comfortable. Not to mention, the perfect shade of tan

SHOP // planner 1 | planner 2 | planner 3 | gold notebook | dior lipstick | sunglasses | iPhone case | kendra scott wayne | kate spade wallet | tory burch flip flops

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 Look For Less :: Embellished Sandals

TGIF! How 'bout kicking off the weekend with some weekend wear on today's 'The Look for Less?' 

I have been crushing on jeweled + embellished sandals for casual summer wear, and absolutely LOVE  these Gemma sandals  {left} from Sole Society. They ring in at $64.95 -- not a bad price, but we can do better for a pair of sandals! 

Sole Society Gemma, $64

Mossimo Belinda, $19.99

Enter, these Mossimo Belinda embellished sandals {right} from, yep, good ole Target. They are about 1/3 of the price, ringing in at $19.99. I saw these babies on one of my weekly "quick trips" into Target and even went to another store just to find my size. You can now find them glued to my feet with everything from shorts and a tee shirt, to a maxi dress and more. They are super comfortable, the tan color goes with everything, and the best part? They don't look like they're from Target.

Shop both //

Kendra Scott Favorites

It's here! TONIGHT is our Girl's Night Out at Kendra Scott - Avalon and I hope to see you there! In light of this fun event, I'm sharing all of my favorite Kendra Scott accessories with you; and you can snag them tonight at 15% off! Don't forget, when you RSVP or stop by the event, you'll be entered to win a FREE Wardrobe Consult or two hours of Personal Shopping {your choice, each valued at $300} with LifeStyled. I love meeting new faces so if you're in the area, pop in between 6-7:30 and say hello!  {**NOTE the change in end time}

And now for my faves {can you tell I'm a Kendra Scott-aholic? I think her jewelry is so well-made and always has the perfect shades of metals. The price is on point for the quality you get, and the KS staff is always so helpful}  :: 

This white Mother of Pearl Rayne has been my GO-TO this summer. I love the brightness it brings to any outfit, and not to mention it goes with EVERYTHING. If you're someone who has trouble accessorizing, this is the necklace for you. It's a no-brainer because you can wear it with everything in your closet!

My magenta Kendra Scott accessories will NEVER fail me. I love this pop of bright color with an all neutral outfit, or even added to a cooler color palette. You can never go wrong! 

Surprisingly, I'm wearing this Rose Gold Rayne a lot, too. I wasn't sure how often I'd find myself putting it on with it being rose gold, but it's almost as frequently as my mother of pearl. The rose gold is so soft and pretty and is a subtle addition to bolder prints and patterns.

EVERYONE should have a pop of turquoise in their accessory collection. It compliments everything from neutrals, to navy, to fuchsia, coral and more. The Turquoise 'Harlie' is the perfect size and can be worn long or shorter. 

I stack my favorite neutral bracelet with everything. Need I say more?

If you can't make it tonight, you can shop them all here :: 

Wardrobe Must-Haves for Transitioning Seasons

Happy Wednesday! I spent the last two days pretending it was actually snowing outside and cozying up by the fire. I've now decided that it's probably time for me to quit telling myself that it's too snowy, rainy, COLD to work...  Although it may not feel like it outside, we're about to begin the transition from the dead of winter into slightly warmer, more springy temps come March. Today I'm sharing some wardrobe must-haves that you should have in your closet for the upcoming transition of seasons.

Here we go ::

1) Casual Blazer... The casual blazer is a step up from the cardigan. It's a little more versatile in its ability to be dressed up further and taken effortlessly from day-to-night. It also adds structure and femininity to your outfits.

 Shop my favorite casual blazers here ::

2) Dark Wash Skinny Jean... this isn't just for transitioning between seasons, it's a wardrobe must-have that you should be wearing all year long. My absolute favorite brand for jeans is Paige. They are soft, comfortable, stretchy and flattering.

Shop my favorite dark wash skinnies ::

3) Colored Purse... You're going to want to ditch the neutrals and brighten up your accessories. The perfect spring transition accessory is a colorful purse; whether it be bright or subtle.

Shop my favorite colorful totes ::

4) The Perfect Bootie... We're all going to grow tired of our riding or knee high boots by the time the end of winter rolls around. That's where your perfect bootie comes in. Throw them on with jeans, dresses, skirts, etc. and they'll still keep your feet warm while also adding a little 'spring' to your step. {see what I did there?}

Shop my favorite booties :: 

5)  The Pixie Pant... Another year-round necessity. These thick leggings hug you in all the right places and are SO comfortable. Wear them with your long sweaters in the winter, or transition them to spring with a button-down tunic or long tank and cardigan {NOW 20% off with code SHOPPINGTIME}

 Shop the Pixie Pant ::

6) Lightweight cardigans... These will be your best friend for both work and play. Use them to wear your sleeveless dresses a bit earlier than normal; Pair them over any of your sleeveless tops or lightweight long-sleeved tops. Try adding some color in this area as well. My favorites? Fuchsia, chartreuse, plum and olive. Favorite place to get them? LOFT. The cut, length and weight are perfect and the price fits the bill. Make sure you buy a v-neck cardigan; it's the most flattering and current cut.

Shop my favorite lightweight cardis ::

7) Open-Front Sweater Vest or Military Vest... When it's a bit too warm {or you feel silly wearing it} for your fur vest, you'll want another vest option. You all know my love for the military vest, but I am also loving the comfort and warmth of an open-front sweater vest... Perfect for finishing off any outfit; from dresses, to tops, to sweaters and more.

Shop my favorite vests ::

Valentine's + Nordstrom Clearance Picks

TGIF and Happy Valentine's weekend! My apologies for the blogging hiatus this week... my clients are always #1 and I guess it's a good thing that I've been just too busy to blog! Some exciting things have been happening around here, one of them being that this week I had the opportunity to pull the looks and head up the styling for a major commercial. That's all I can say for now, but I'll be sharing it with you soon enough!

For those of you who have forgotten or are just blocking it out of your mind, I'm here to remind you that tomorrow is Valentine's Day. While Harrison and I are really low key about Valentine's Day and say no gifts allowed, I still naturally expect him to read my mind and come home with a bottle of wine, chocolates and flowers. Is that too much for a girl to ask? {Lucky for me he does deliver on this every year} Some of you celebrate this big time and I've got gift ideas for all you last minute guys searching for their sweetheart, or all you single girls who deserve to gift yourself something this year.

 Shop them here ::

It's also that time of year again; the Nordstrom clearance sale. From February 11 - 22, you can find major deals and steals and I'm sharing some of my favorites with you today! So here we go... Some Valentine's inspiration for her, and my favorite Nordy clearance picks for your weekend {or lunch break online} shopping.

Shop them here ::