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!

the must-have leopard clutch

Happy Monday! I'm taking a break from house renovations to tell you about a must-have in your closet. I have been eyeing this Clare V. clutch for some time now, and it's no secret that I have a slight {okay, large} love affair with leopard. I think that every woman needs to have a pair of leopard shoes, a leopard belt and a leopard clutch in her closet. It's the new neutral, y'all! Two of my favorite worlds collided :: Athens + leopard. Athens has such a special place in my heart and Heery's is one of their most fabulous stores. They've been an Athens staple and are celebrating their 30th anniversary soon! Now Heery's is carrying Clare Vivier {among other fabulous brands}, so I had the perfect excuse to pop over to Athens for a Last Resort dinner {duh} and a new clutch.

This clutch goes with EVERYTHING. It's perfect for dressing up, down and in between and the material is SO soft.

1) Casual with pattern mixing :: leopard is perfect for dressing up a casual tee + jeans and mixing with patterns like stripes and polka dots. {striped tee from Nordstrom Rack, Forever 21 neon rhinestone bib necklace , Paige denim + MK watch}

2) Dressing up with your LBD :: the perfect pop of pattern for your simple go-to LBD. {Little black Forever 21 shift dress + Stella & Dot Phoenix pendant}

3) Everything in between :: Whether it's a night out on the town or lunch with friends, the leopard clutch can go with you wherever your heart desires; from hot pinks to neutrals, work to play. {Kendra Scott neon yellow Rayne necklace}

Have I convinced you that you need this Clare V. leopard foldover clutch yet? For all you thrifty shoppers - I promise it's worth the investment. You'll find yourself reaching for this slice of perfection every time you leave the house.

So if you're in Athens, pop over to Heery's downtown and snag one! They'll be available on Heery's website soon, and for now you can purchase HERE if you can't stand the wait.

the linen blazer

Happy Monday! It's almost August which means we'll be starting that summer to fall transition in just a few short months. Over the next few weeks, I'll be sharing style tips and suggestions to help you do it seamlessly and in ways you may not have thought. Today I'm talking about the linen blazer. Blazers can often be hot and heavy, especially your basic black. Transition your top half from season to season with a lightweight linen blazer; your bottom half can follow suit {see what I did there?!} when the cool is here to stay! Try a linen blazer in a lighter color; like a chambray, chartreuse or poppy red.

I love my sunflower yellow blazer {last season from LOFT} but I also love something about the collarless jacket. It adds a little bit of femininity and less structure to it, so it's perfect for taking from work to play. This one fits the bill, and this color is great on every skin tone ::

The linen blazer is perfect for throwing on during those in-between hot and cool months with a pair of shorts and a tank or even over a dress / skirt for work. How about a datenight?Roll your sleeves up exposing the inner lining for a more fun, casual and easy look. I love a good patterned blazer, like this one from Anthropologie ::

How about a simple chambray? It's more casual for those of you who don't see a need for a blazer in your wardrobe. It can act as more of a lightweight jacket while giving you the polished look of a blazer.Try it in a light wash or dark wash depending on your preference, like these ::

So throw on your linen or lightweight blazer to help you make the transition from summer into fall; whether it's on a cool night out or in the office. And, stay tuned for more seasonal transition advice and tips in the days and weeks to come!

LIFEstyled on Gilt City

Happy Monday, y'all! I'm brightening your day with LIFEstyled deals and discounts exclusively from Gilt City. For those of you who aren't signed up for Gilt City, you should be! They offer luxury services and goods at discounted prices and allow you to take advantage of all of these deals around your city.

And, lucky you! Just in time for the approach of fall, you can try our services at an exclusive rate that does not happen on the reg. This is the cheapest you will ever be able to experience LIFEstyled, so be sure to take advantage while this offer lasts! {new clients only}

I can't wait to work with you in the coming months! We'll address your fall wardrobe, how to transition from summer into fall, and how to use the items in your closet in more versatile and maximized ways. You can even choose a package with shopping included so we can fill in those holes. Click HERE to learn more about these discounted rates and purchase your service.

friday feature :: styled shoot

TGIF! I hope the work week has been good to you and you have a relaxing weekend ahead. A few months ago, LIFEstyled helped style the ladies of Emiko Ferrer Designs for their photo shoot with Morgan Blake Photography. Amy, the owner, really wanted their style in the shoot to reflect their style of interior decorating; timeless, classic, light and chic. I love working with fellow small business owners and creatives. Today I'm showing you some of these gorgeous photos of equally gorgeous [not to mention incredibly talented!} women! Owner, Amy Ferrer, in Banana Republic blazer {on sale now!}, top & necklaceWe used pastels when styling Amy, Erin and Leigh to create a bright and airy feel, with complimentary colors like white, grays, peaches and subtle turquoiseA bright citrine and patterned pants for Amy's second look, accompanied by crisp white and cream for Erin and Leigh.

We tied in the neutrals and colors in Amy's home with the ladies' outfits as not to distract from the decor, but to enhance it.

Do you have a photo shoot, special event or occasion coming up? LIFEstyled can help style you appropriately and perfectly no matter what the occasion; from family photo shoots, to weddings, to high school reunions. For more information on all of our services, click HERE.

Wishing you a happy + stylish weekend ahead!

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 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!

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!

friday feature :: the romper

Happy Friday, y'all! It's the weekend and I'm giving you the perfect weekend piece :: the romper. It's like a dress with shorts. What could be better? No worrying about showing anyone your *panties,* it's figure-flattering and fashion-forward. I especially love how you can take a romper from day to night and make it more versatile. Throw it on with a pair of flats and a long necklace during the day, then amp it up with some wedges, a statement necklace & clutch at night!

Many of you think you can't pull it off. I promise, you can. Being able to rock a romper is all about finding the perfect one. You have to make sure you will be COMFORTABLE in it, or you'll never wear it. Find one that accentuates your waist and has shorts that are long enough for your body and age. If this is your first go at a romper,  go with a black. It's slimming and you won't feel as much out of your comfort zone.

I've sported the romper a few times this season so far, with many more to come {my apologies for the poor photo quality... Instagram pictures somehow aren't as pretty & arsty when you blow them up ;)}!

Some chambray options. A more casual approach to the romper ::

Some LBR options for you. Some prefer a sleeveless, while many of you may prefer to keep your arms more covered if you're showing off your legs ::

So rock your romper this weekend! You'll be looking effortlessly chic, fashion-forward and a little bit sexy all at once!

Have a stylish & fabulous weekend. Until Monday!