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!

the shirtdress

Happy Wednesday! Today I'm bringing you a style staple that can go year-round :: the shirtdress. This casually chic and effortless look is perfect for throwing on in a jiffy while also looking polished put-together. I'm particularly loving this chambray stripe shirtdress from Loft right now. It's so Nantucket-esque, which just so happens to be my favorite place on Earth. So it's only fitting that I snatched it up!

The shirtdress is great by itself, but belt it around the small of your waist if you want to draw it in a bit; especially if your shirtdress is a bit more billowy.

Chambray is the perfect neutral color, especially for the summer and fall. The nautical stripe adds that little extra something.

It's all about the accessories! Chambray is perfect for adding a bright pop of color.And don't be afraid to stack on the bangles, link bracelets and more! These Kendra Scott jewels paired perfectly with the basic shirtdress ::

So are you ready to jump on the shirtdress bandwagon? Here are a few other favorites ::

 Is there a trend, product or item that you'd like featured on the blog? We'd love to hear from you! Simply comment below or email courtney@lifestyledatlanta.com.

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 ::

made in america :: part one

Happy Monday! I hope everyone had a Happy Fourth of July and a relaxing weekend. Our beach trip is officially over, and I am still refusing to accept that it's back to the real world. Anyone else? So in honor of the great U.S.A., we're kicking off a series highlighting some of my favorite brands and products that are made right here in America...

Today for part one, I'm highlighting a fun little company based here in Atlanta that makes beaded tassel jewelry :: Just Peachy. Rachel with Just Peachy Blog is a fellow fashionista and her lovely tassel necklaces were a welcomed addition into my casual wardrobe! These are so easy and fun to throw on with anything from a tee, to a basic dress by adding some bright colors & some tribal flair.

This  beaded necklace with hints of coral and lavender paired perfectly with a basic navy + white striped tee.

How about this citrine green paired with fuchsia accents? Two of my favorite bright colors combined into one. Perfect for pairing with chambray and much more. {paired here with chambray LOFT romper}I am also loving Rachel's other tassel necklaces {like this peach tassel below}, some of which are available in her ETSY shop. {custom orders welcomed}

LIFEstyled loves supporting local businesses and products! If you have any suggestions or own a business yourself, we'd love to hear from you!

Stay tuned tomorrow for part two of our 'Made in America' series, where I'm sharing my new favorite beach coverup and many more fab items from a fun Chicago company!

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!

going nautical

Summer is here, the Fourth of July is around the corner, and the nautical trend is isn't going anywhere! I'm headed to the beach tomorrow {yay!} which makes today the perfect time to talk  about going nautical with your look this summer; when done right, nautical is timeless, classic + chic. Not to mention the perfect amount of preppy.

Here's how to get it right ::

• Start with cool blue stripes. A thinner stripe can go horizontal or vertical, but if you go thicker, make sure it's vertical for slimming reasons.

• Add a warm accessory or statement. Yes, you've got the BLUES, in essence, but don't go too crazy with it! Add some contrast with another color, particularly a warm one if your stripes are cool.

• Don't be too matchy. This is more of a *life rule* that just happens to also apply to the nautical trend. Don't match your shoes to the exact blue hue in your blouse. Don't do the matching earring / necklace set. Don't be afraid to add something bright and bold into your nautical look, like neon, or play around with complimentary colors.

 So there you have it, nautical done right! This summer, pair your nautical with any denim; from white, to dark, to coral or mango.

Wishing you a happy Fourth of July week ahead! Tomorrow, we'll kick it off with our Beauty Giveaway, just in time for your sunny weekend plans. If you haven't entered, now is your LAST CHANCE! Click here and leave your comment to enter.

how to :: make your casual summer look chic

Happy Monday and a happy short work week to those of you who have Friday off! Today we're going back to the basics and talking about your casual summer wardrobe. For many of you, comfort is key; whether you are a mom running and playing with your kids, or are in a professional setting and can't wait to throw on those comfy clothes at the end of your work week! How do you make a plain ole' t-shirt and shorts look chic + put together? Today we're talking how to make your casual look chic ::

• The half-tuck :: Rather than leaving your tee shirt hanging over your shorts, accentuate your waist-line and polish up your look. Tuck the front half of your tee into your shorts, and then pull down around the sides and back. This gives a more put-together look, without the constant adjustment and sometimes discomfort of a full tuck all the way around. Pick a short that's breathable and fun, like these navy crochet trim linen shorts from LOFT.

• Patterns + sleeves :: Try a fun patterned tee that is still comfortable and breathable.  Experiment with a cap sleeve or a tank,  rather than your basic sleeve. You can do the same with necklines. How about this LOFT floral tee?

• Accessorize! :: Accessories are the finishing touch. NO outfit is complete without at least some minimal accessorizing. And since it's summer, try something fun! Add a bright warm color to a cool-toned outfit, or vice versa. My summer go-to accessory? These neon pink Kendra Scott 'Danielle' earrings. They are bright, bold and FABULOUS.

• Dress it up from day to night :: I'm all about an outfit being versatile enough to go from day into night. During the day, pair with a flat sandal or a flip flop. Then take your look into nighttime by switching to a wedge and amping up your accessories. Add a white jean jacket for those cool nights, like this one from GAP.

Other accessories pictured ::

Kendra Scott Cassie Bracelet in white

Kendra Scott Jordan Bangle Bracelets in gold

Vince Camuto Rose Gold Watch

So amp up your casual tee + shorts look this summer. It doesn't have to look thrown on and tired. Use these tips to keep your casual comfort while looking chic and put-together!

stay stylishly patriotic this 4th of July!

The Fourth of July is just around the corner, and today I'm bringing you some outfit inspiration to stay true to the red, white & blue in style! Whether you're headed to a backyard barbecue, the lake or beach, or a fireworks show in the park, you can ditch the Old Navy flag tees from 1990 {yes, you know what I'm talking about! Don't act like your family of 4 never did the matching Old Navy tee move on the 4th of July...}

How about pulling the colors together in a simple, non-cheesy way? Not only are these pieces great for your 4th celebrations, but they are classic staples that will remain versatile in your closet for the rest of the summer ::

 Here's how you can get the look ::

Stay cool, stylish + patriotic this 4th of July!

working girl wednesday :: printed pants

Happy Wednesday! Today we're focusing on a fun trend that just happens to be work-appropriate :: printed pants. I love adding a little something extra to an outfit, and printed pants are perfect for your more solid tops and subtle accessories. Some of my favorites are these ikat pants, from LOFT ::

 I love the simplicity of a black and white pattern {not to mention I'm a big ikat fan!}, giving you the ability to pair it with a bright pop of color!

 Always wear wedges or heels with a wide-leg pant. This elongates your legs. Stay away from flats!

 Always tuck your top into wider pants like this. It adds an accentuated waistline rather than looking wide, all the way from top to bottom. I added one of my go-to Kate Spade necklaces {past season} with a black pendant to pull the darker color in up top.

 Add your favorite clutch and take this look from work, to out on the town!

Here's how you can score this look for yourself ::

LOFT pants

Shirt - same style

Shirt - same color

Clutch {available in stores}

Don't forget to enter into our summer beauty giveaway! You could win your own Brightening CC Cream by Painted Earth Skincare. Click HERE to enter.

spotlight on :: stella & dot engravables

Happy Friday, y'all! Today I'm spotlighting some BRAND NEW jewelry from Stella & Dot - the Engravable Collection. I love these simple and dainty pieces that can feature your own initials, a special date in your life, your childrens' initials, etc. The perfect gift for yourself or a loved one, and the perfect layering piece to throw on with other jewelry.

These are not yet available for purchase on the website, so you can only order them through me. Visit Stella & Dot to learn more about the engravable collection, and email me { courtney@lifestyledatlanta.com } to place an order!

**Don't forget to enter into our Summer Beauty Giveaway! Visit yesterday's blog and share your favorite beach read to win your own Brightening CC Cream by Painted Earth Skincare {a $37.00 value!}

Wishing you a fabulous + stylish weekend ahead!