tgif :: black on black on black

TGIF, y'all! Today I'm bringing you one of my favorite {and EASY} Friday night looks in the winter :: all black. I love the effortlessness and ease of an all black outfit, but I also love the chic and upscale look that it gives off.  And, in the winter it's especially acceptable and perfect for a night out.

Add a little edge with some faux fur or leather accents, and pop some color in with a purse or accessory. It's no secret that I love a good fur vest. A black one is a little more refined and classic than a brown or tan. It's the perfect addition to your all black outfit when the weather's chilly. Shop mine {a steal at Nordstrom Rack} HERE

These faux leather stripe pants from LOFT add the perfect edge to any outfit, and they're 40% off through the weekend!A pointed toe elongates your legs, so try it next time you're purchasing flats or pumps. I can't get over what a steal these D'Orsay flats are {check your local store for more sizes!} at LOFT; I had to snag them in both black and gray!

Add a pop of color with a bright turquoise, pink or chartreuse. I chose one of my newest {and most worn!} additions to my Kendra Scott collection, the turquoise rayne necklaceOkay... I have a LOVE AFFAIR with my new MK bag. This 'claret' color seems to be my obsession this winter and it compliments almost every other color; from neutrals like black and white, to olive, to chartreuse, to navy and more. The size is perfect, the structure is perfect, and the MK Hamilton is my new winter bag. Gorge, huh?!So try an all black look for a night out this weekend. You'll be chic and sleek without the guesswork.

SHOP MY ENTIRE LOOK HERE ::

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{photo cred :: JNelly Photography, www.jnelly.com}

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!

Camo Chic {yes, there is such a thing}

Happy Tuesday, y'all! Sorry I missed you yesterday. Mondays can sometimes take on a life of their own with playing catch up and that's exactly how I felt yesterday. Today, I'm here to tell you that camouflage isn't just for rednecks anymore {my apologies in advance if you are in fact a redneck and you take offense}. You've seen it around town and in the magazines and you might have wondered, "Is camouflage REALLY in?" I was on the fence for quite awhile before I stumbled across two things that changed my mind. Today I'm sharing them with you! There are, of course, exceptions to this, as there are to any rule. Here are a few guidelines to go by when jumping on the camo train.

Camouflage can be chic IF...

...it is used as an accent or accessory. Don't make it your main focus and DON'T double up on your camo in the same outfit. Try it in the form of a belt, pants, shoes or another accent piece.

...it is the RIGHT kind of camo. By right, I mean you did not purchase it at Bass Pro Shops. It cannot contain leaves, y'all. I know many of you are in the south and this might have been okay in high school. Not now! Try stores like J.Crew, LOFT, Anthropologie, Banana Republic and Nordstrom. They know what they're doing.

...it is subtle and neutral. Don't choose a loud, bright green but rather a soft and subtle camouflage.

...it's combined with classic and chic pieces. Don't combine it with a light wash jean, but try it instead with a black pant, or silk shirt.

I like to stick to accessories when it comes to camo. This printed haircalf belt from LOFT caught my attention and I decided to give it a try. I've now found myself using it ALMOST {key word almost} as much as my skinny leopard belt.I paired it with an ultra-dark wash jean and cranberry silk shirt up top. The camouflage belt adds a little pop of pattern without being overbearing.My faux-fur vest made its way into the picture, the perfect accessory for chilly nights and the perfect brown to accent the belt.I added in my favorite simple + subtle Kendra Scott necklace up top

And, I snagged these Camo Haircalf Slipper Flats on SUPER sale. You can, too!

So follow these guidelines if a camouflage purchase is in your future. You can pull it off with a few rules!

the vest :: your #1 layering piece

TGIF and Happy Halloween! The weekend will close out October and bring in the colder temps... I'll be ready for the temperature change with my absolute favorite layering piece for this time of year :: the vest. The vest is an absolute NECESSITY in your fall wardrobe, and I can promise you'll find yourself reaching for it on a daily basis.

Another favorite thing of mine? Chartreuse. Y'all, I'm pretty sure that chartreuse is the new black these days. At least it is in my book. It's such a pretty color; adding a pop without being too bright, a tone that can air on both the warm and cool ends of the spectrum. If you think you can't do chartreuse, at least give it a try. You might be surprised. This J.Crew vest is my new go-to; layering over everything from dresses, to tops, to tees and more. Today I'm bringing you two looks featuring this new favorite of mine. In stores and online now, so you can snag it for yourself!Try it with an all black outfit, like this LOFT lace sleeve tee and J.Crew pixies. My violet Loren Hope 'Blythe' bauble compliments the chartreuse pretty perfectly, if I do say so myself.

OR, make it a little more casual with your favorite chambray.

I created a jeweled collar effect here by simply buttoning my chambray all the way up and adding a crystal statement necklace under the collar. I'm LOVING this similar necklace HERE, currently 25% off!

Vest it up this weekend! Experiment with different ways to maximize the things in your wardrobe by adding a vest. You'll soon be finding you can't live without it.

Happy Weekend!

My Favorite Fur Vest Picks

It's fall and you need a {faux} fur vest like NOW if you don't already have one hanging in your closet. It's the perfect layering piece that's cozy yet chic. Layer over dresses, sweaters, tops and more. There are just a few guidelines to follow when purchasing a fur vest ::

-Keep it subtle + simple. Don't go crazy with prints, patterns or blatantly obvious FAUX fur. You want it to look expensive, not cheap. -Make sure it is full-length. You'll see a lot of cropped fur vests out there, and I'm here to tell you to STAY AWAY. Not only is a crop length unflattering, but it's also very juvenile. While it might be great for your daughter, it's not for you.

Here's some inspiration for you, followed by a few of my current favorites in stores now. You can find my BB Dakota vest {pictured above} at Shopbop by clicking HERE.

I love the warm subtle brown of these vests. They work well with virtually every skintone and hair color, and the color doesn't cheapen the look like a more orangey-honey color might do. Here are a few of my other top picks ::

So grab your faux fur vest today and start layering it with the things in your wardrobe! It will help you maximize those pieces that are a little bit too thin to wear into fall without something over.

The Sweatshirt Made Chic

Happy Friday! Today I'm bringing you weekend {and week} wear that's both comfy and chic. We all love a good sweatshirt; you know that one you dig out of the back of your closet, the one you've had for 10 plus years? For me, it's my Noni's Camp Oneka hoodie -- not exactly the most fashionable choice if we're honest, though. So many of my clients have the same style goal :: to be comfortable and effortless with their outfits while still looking put together and like they TRIED. The sweatshirt {made chic} is the perfect is where these two meet.

Here's my current favorite, and it just so happens to be animal print. Are you surprised?

It's soft and fleecy on the inside and guess what? It's 40% off.

Perfect for throwing on during daytime errands, fall festivities and more. Also great for puppy snuggles...Glam your sweatshirt up by adding a colorful statement necklace, like this cobalt bauble.

Get it here ::

Shopbop Sale

Happy Thursday! This week is full of sales, hence my blog topics from both Monday and today. But I wouldn't want you to miss out on any fantastic deals so here's another for you. Shopbop.com is having 25% off your entire order and it ENDS TODAY! For those of you who haven't heard of Shopbop, you can thank me now. They have every designer brand in one place. So stock up for fall with some of my favorites ::

1) Clare V. Foldover Clutch. While I have this baby in leopard {currently sold out. Boo!}, I am absolutely loving this punch of cobalt for fall; it's the perfect pop of color to any outfit. Three things I love about these Clare V. foldovers? Smooth leather, great size and easily flexible for carrying around solo or popping it into your favorite tote.

My Clare V. for size and style inspiration ::

2) Tory Burch. Yes, this means that you can get Tory Burch for 25% off ::

These block-heeled booties are ultra-fab.

How about these two-toned flats? Everyone needs a ballet flat for fall.

I love rose gold and I love the Tory Burch logo studs. These are a steal!

3) Paige Denim. Paige is my favorite brand when it comes to denim. Their jeans are so super soft and comfortable, figure-flattering and classic. One thing to note? Paige jeans tend to stretch a bit with wear, so try going down a size. I'm normally a 27 and I get a 26 in Paige. Thse Verdugo Ultra-Skinny black jeans are PERFECT for taking from day to night, sophisticated to HOT!

...Psst - Nordstrom is price matching these with 25% off throughout the weekend.

4) Leather Jacket. Everyone needs the perfect jacket for fall, and this one fits the bill. It's sleek, on-trend and doesn't have that boxy or boy-ish feel that leather can sometimes have. I love the open front and the soft leather look, rather than super-shiny. I need this in my closet, STAT!

5) Sweater Vest. Another must-have for fall is the vest. This sweater vest looks ultra comfy yet still chic with it's faux sherpa material. Perfect for casual, chilly fall days. Think weekend in the mountains, or pumpkin picking. Yes, all the cliche fall things.

So start your weekend a little early with the Shopbop sale; it only lasts through today! Stay tuned tomorrow for some weekend outfit inspiration.

the mini skirt

Happy Monday! Let's kick off the week with a fall favorite of mine, the mini skirt. Wait a minute, don't stop reading now! I know what you're thinking... "I can't wear a mini skirt, I'm a mom," or, "I can't wear a mini skirt! I hate my thighs!" Maybe it's, "I'm way too old for a mini skirt!" I'm here to debunk, and confirm, some of those preconceived notions. Mini skirts get a bad rap because they are often associated with showing too much skin or juvenileness. But mini skirts can be classy and chic in the FALL with some simple tips ::

1) You CAN wear a mini skirt if you're a mom. Especially in the fall, because you have a new best friend to help you feel more comfortable. Her name is The Legging.

2) You CAN wear a mini skirt even if you hate your thighs or legs. Once again, enter leggings. And a new friend, The Boot.

3) You're probably right if you think you're too old to wear a mini skirt. Past a certain age, some things tend to look juvenile, inappropriate or like you're trying to hard. Age-appropriateness is key, whether you are 20 or 65. A rule to go by :: If you're over 50, you can safely stay away from the mini skirt, but not skirts in general! Try a skirt that hits anywhere between 1-3 inches above your knee.

A mini skirt can be TOO mini. Make sure you're never wearing a skirt that is more than 6-7 inches above the knee.

I love this leopard mini skirt by Milly, made casual by adding my favorite LOFT sweater and military vest. Notice my opaque black tights {which could easily be substituted by a sweater tight or a thicker legging} and booties {which could easily be substituted by a riding boot or block-heeled boot}.

Topped off with a half-tuck of the sweater and a pendant necklaceSo try your hand at a mini {or mini-esque} skirt with leggings or tights and boots this fall. It's a great alternative to pants without the constriction of a pencil or work-related skirt. Choose the "mini" length that works for you. It's all about personal preference and comfort when it comes to your style!

How to wear it :: the bootie

I'm currently sitting on my porch, enjoying the perfect cup of coffee with my samoa creamer {if you didn't know this existed you need to run to your nearest grocery store ASAP}, and relishing in the 60-degree crisp fall air! Which gives me the perfect inspiration for today's post :: it's all about booties.... the shoes, obviously.

Booties are the perfect solution to cooler weather that doesn't require heating half of your legs in full riding boots. As the temperatures begin to drop but the days are still warmer, booties give you the fall look without the "real" thing. But booties are also a great, versatile alternative to boots in the winter as well. I love to wear mine with tights and a dress, corduroys and more even in the cold temperatures. So you get it; booties are a versatile wardrobe must-have that can help you make the transition into fall and last you through the winter. A couple things to go by when buying a bootie ::

1) Tan is the most versatile color. Black only goes with so much, and chocolate brown limits you to wearing it with most things except black. But tan can be paired with virtually ANY color.

2) When pairing your booties with jeans, DON'T try to tuck your jeans INTO the booties. You have two options here :: cuff your jeans to hit about 1/2" above your bootie, exposing the slightest bit of ankle. OR, if your jeans are longer, pull them over the bootie.

3) Choose a bootie that gives you some room around the ankle. Not a gaping hole, but not a bootie that hugs the ankle bone. A little bit of room around the ankle not only makes your ankles appear slimmer {which is much appreciated for us gals who don't have the smallest of ankles... ahem} but it is also more comfortable and comfort is key when it comes to shoes

My favorite place to buy booties? Solesociety.com. I am swooning over a leopard pair as I type this {is anyone surprised?}. Sole Society has so many different styles of booties for affordable prices. AND, you get 20% off when you sign up for the first time. Not to mention my SS booties from last season are SO comfortable. Here are a few of my favorite picks for fall ::

So if you don't have the perfect pair of booties in your closet, try one of these. For those of you first-timers, I suggest the Chelsea bootie. The most classic cut with the most color choices, you can't go wrong. For those of you looking to add to your collection, try branching out with something a little different, like perforation, fringe or buckles. A little variety never hurt anyone! Wishing you a stylish week ahead, and keeping my fingers crossed that these fall temps keep movin' on in!

pattern on pattern

Happy Tuesday! Fall is coming, so make sure you address your wardrobe in time! Book your consult today by emailing courtney@lifestyledatlanta.com; whether you need a wardrobe overhaul, or an hour of outfit inspiration. Today we're talking pattern mixing :: it's not only allowed, but encouraged in your wardrobe! You just have to know how to do it right. There are a few rules when it comes to pattern on pattern ::

1. Make sure one of your patterns is more subtle than the other. Two ultra-bold patterns will make your look a little loud and messy
2. Stripes and leopard ALWAYS  work. If you're uneasy about mixing your patterns and don't quite know what looks good, you can never go wrong with a simple black + white stripe with a leopard or cheetah print
3. Be careful with florals. Florals can be great with other patterns, but be careful. A bigger floral pattern will compliment another pattern better than a tiny floral with lots of colors.

Okay, we all know I have a slight MAJOR obsession with leopard. But I'm not ashamed! Leopard is a neutral as far as I'm concerned, and it is the perfect pattern mixer because of that. Here's some inspiration for you ::

So don't be afraid to try some pattern mixing, especially this fall! It's the perfect time to maximize your wardrobe and use your pieces in new and versatile ways. Pattern mixing allows you to do just that!

Get my favorite leopard clutch HERE