shop the season: marsala

its mid-to-late september and we had one bout of cool weather, so that means its fall right? i chose to pretend it wasn't 85 degrees outside today and have decorated for fall, bought everything pumpkin-flavored i could find (PSA: pumpkin spice latte m&m's... not so good), and have started the closet transition from summer to fall. my favorite color for the fall? pantone's color of the year: marsala. i love this deep, rustic red wine color that makes a statement on its own or as an accent. sophisticated, earthy and rich, its just right for fall fashion. and what better time of the year to wear it than right now, when it complements the season's changing colors so well? so, shop the season in marsala with me and my round up of favorites below!

1 / j. crew skinny stretch cargos

2 / loft leopard jacquard coat

3 / tory burch tassel bag

4 / j. crew feathered crystal necklace

5 / j. crew perfect shirt 

6 / ivanka trump booties

7 / essie "in the lobby" nail polish

8 / bb dakota drapey front jacket

xoxo,

clp

fashion at the frist

fashion lovers, get yourself to the italian style exhibit at the frist fast. ending in a month, the exhibit showcases the birth and growth of italian style following WWII. showcasing couture, ready to wear, menswear and womenswear, shoes and accessories, the exhibit is one that you won't want to miss.

yesterday, my mom and grandmother embarked on a girls day that started with iced coffee at the frothy monkey, a visit to the frist where we all lusted over the amazing clothes, an early dinner at the smiling elephant (amazing thai food on 8th ave in nash in the smallest building ever, go eat there asap) and ended with jeni's ice cream on 12th. it was a picture perfect day in my book.

but back to the fashion at the frist. you all know i love clothes, and this exhibit had me transported back to the beginnings of italian style, and also brought me back to styles seen just a few years ago on the runways of milan fashion week. the gang is all there: gucci and pucci, oscar, valentino, missoni, dolce and gabbana, prada, miu miu and versace. (just to name a few). the exhibit ends in early september, so make sure you don't miss it.

j. crew top and shorts (on major sale now!)

xoxo,

clp

olive + peach ootd

target twill vest / target twill shorts / j. crew linen tee / j. crew sandals

xoxo,

clp

hawaii packing list

supper out / 1 leona top & pant

hitting the beach / 2 tory burch bandeau & bottom

island shoes / 3 soludos espadrilles

shade from the sun / 4 panama hat

day shopping / 5 LOFT maxi dress

beach cover-up / 6 j. crew tank dress

beach reading / 7 beach town by mary kay andrews

tourist pictures / 8 polaroid 

beach essentials / 9 target straw tote

this time next week i'll be oahu bound! 

xoxo,

clp

easter style

easter sunday is upon us and with that, comes all the lovely spring pastels, seersucker, whites and florals. i use easter sunday as my benchmark for wearing white bottoms and shoes, as well as when i can break out the seersucker and linen. easter means gingham, florals and color. its really dressing in your sunday best, and the south puts on the best show. so from egg hunts, to brunches, to church, make sure you are outfitted to suit.

kate spade lily avenue tote / j. crew posey earrings / diane von furstenburg gingham top and shorts / coco chanel mademoiselle perfume / rebecca minkoff mini mab tote / SJP carrie t-strap pump / leona marcela dress / j. crew shimmery orb necklace / kate spade tasely sandals / tory burch peggy sunglasses

now hop to it! 

xoxo,

clp

vacation style OOTD

beach vacations are meant to be laid-back and that's exactly what this outfit is. i wore it shopping in pensacola and then to dinner out at the fish house, which is a new favorite restaurant for us. i loved that the sweater was oversized and had the classic cable knit and the jeans were the perfect wash to pair with navy. completed with a long necklace and a floral print bag, this outfit was the definition of vacation style.

talbots cable poncho / j. crew boyfriend jeans (similar) / tory burch miller sandals (similar) / tory burch purse (from last year) / j. crew pineapple necklace (similar)

xoxo,

clp

packing list: beach bound

long time no see! i apologize for being MIA for two plus weeks. its been a bit of a whirlwind blur these past few weeks and i haven't had the brain power, creative thinking or time to come up with a decent post for y'all! but i'm back! today, i am trying to get over a no fun cold i have and so since i had finished up most of the homework i could do for the day, i decided to get to blogging!

with the warmer weather and sunshine this weekend, as well as the fact that this time next week i will have my feet in the sand, spring break is on my mind. just four days of classes and a couple other commitments and then i will be beach bound for a girls trip to florida with my mama and grandmother! to say i am looking forward to it is an understatement. with spring break, comes packing which, at least for me, is always a problem. "packing light" is a foreign phrase. i mean, what if something comes up and you don't have the perfect outfit?! you have got to pack options and choices! so today, i'm all about packing for spring break! cover-ups, books, oversize sunnies and tees are key this time of year. i can't wait to break out some of my bright spring colors and move the winter shades to the back of my closet!

beach towel / graphic tee / beach cover-up pants / straw hat / denim espadrilles / beach reading / wooden bracelets / patio dress / sunscreen / sunglasses / printed one-piece / straw tote

now if everything could only pack itself... 

xoxo,

clp

talking trends: spring 2015

statement spots: diane von furstenburg top & skirt / mules: vince / cropped wide jeans: j. crew / matching separates: j. crew hoodie & shorts / fringe: j. crew sweater / espadrilles: tory burch / trenches: gap / midi skirts: j. crew / paper bag pants: gap / florals: tory burch dress & j. crew cuff

here's to hoping spring gets here sooner rather than later.

xoxo,
clp

thanksgiving 2014

thanksgiving is one of my favorite holidays, just like everyone else. but, i don't love it for the food. i love it for the preparation that goes into getting everything ready for everyone and most of all, i love it for what it reminds me to be thankful for: those who gather around our table. yesterday was filled with too much food (currently mourning my waistline) and much family and friends who are now family. 

i love to help cook for thanksgiving. this year, my contributions were dashing dish's clean eating pecan pie and a paleo cranberry sauce. those were me trying to be a bit healthier since i gorged on mashed potatoes and my mawsie's cornbread dressing. i thought both were delicious, and even though i don't usually eat leftovers, thanksgiving is when i make an exception!

yesterday's outfit was one i had been looking forward to wearing! i got the LEONA jess jacket for my birthday (after lusting after it all summer and fall) and knew it would be just perfect for thanksgiving! i paired it with a j. crew black silk top and black draped drawstring waist pants to be comfortable but still on-trend. for jewels, i added stella and dot's helena necklace and it was the perfect finishing piece, along with my vintage chanel button ring, LEONA arm candy and silver tory burch flats! 

LEONA jess jacket, j. crew silk top and drawstring pants, tory burch silver flats, stella & dot helena necklace, stella & dot double clutch

my stella & dot trunk show is still going strong! i have some pieces here with me and they are to-die-for. do your black friday shopping with me and stella & dot, in your PJs with a cup of coffee! you can shop online through december 18th (perfect for christmas presents!). RSVP and shop now!

have a happy holiday weekend and stay safe in those crazy black friday crowds! 

xoxo,

clp  

zipped up OOTD

j. crew asymmetrical zip pencil skirt in wool, j. crew cap-sleeve shirttail blouse, j. crew merino wool v-neck cardigan

xoxo,

clp

p.s. don't forget about my stella & dot trunk show! click here to RSVP and shop now!

birthday weekend recap

birthday #22 has come and gone, and i couldn't have asked for a better weekend at home to celebrate. friday consisted of christmas village with my mom and then meeting phillip and daddy at adele's in nashville for a nice birthday supper! it was fantastic - from the appetizers to the desserts, there wasn't a bad looking thing on the menu. we all ordered something different and not one of us was disappointed. the ingredients are fresh and local, with a daily changing menu. i ordered the roasted fall vegetables with polenta as a side and ate every last bit! it might have been the best polenta i have ever had. for dessert, we each ordered something different and sampled each other's! mom's banana pudding with banana bread (an award winning dessert) was delicious, as was my chocolate mousse with housemade whipped cream! the restaurant is located in the gulch and is a converted tire store, which creates a very cool atmosphere perfect for a downtown restaurant.

saturday was the annual family fiesta! we made ground beef tacos, homemade refried beans, blender salsa, a white chicken enchilada bake (recipe coming soon!) and guacamole. the birthday cake was iveycake "i do" cupcakes of course. it was a wonderful night filled with my closest family and friends. i am so thankful for those who were able to celebrate with me and missed those who could not!

yesterday, which was my actual birthday, was rainy and cold, but on the bright side i had a heart-warming birthday dinner with my best friends at cru in knoxville. their cheese plate and wedge salads are my favorite! i am so happy that they were able to take the time out of their sunday to come have dinner with me!

so what did i wear this weekend? since it was cold, i had to switch up my outfits a bit, or cover them outside with a coat, but i still tried to look my best for birthday weekend.

stella & dot sanibel pendant

j. crew regent blazer, j. crew silk top, j. crew lookout jean, ivanka trump booties

LEONA sweater, june rabbit fur vest, j. crew boyfriend jeans, ivanka trump booties

this week is a busy one, but there is a light at the end of the semester tunnel and its getting brighter! have a happy monday and stay warm!

xoxo,
clp

4 ingredient beer bread + 3 piece outfit

last night was low-key and lovely. two of my best friends, caroline and ellie, came over for buffalo chicken chili and beer bread (recipe below) and some buttermilk sky pie shop pies. since the three of us have such different schedules, its hard for us to find a time to all get together, but when we do, we pick up right where we left off! the evening was full of catching up on everything and indulging in too much yummy food! i made my buffalo chicken chili recipe and tried out a recipe for beer bread, which i was so impressed with! it was quick and easy and you probably already have everything you need at home!

4 ingredient beer bread

3 cups all purpose flour

4 1/2 teaspoons baking powder

2 tbsp Splenda brown sugar

12 oz beer of choice (i used coors light)

1. preheat oven to 375 and spray a 9x5 loaf pan with non-stick spray.
2. in a medium mixing bowl, mix together first three ingredients. pour in the beer and stir until just combined.
3. pour batter into loaf pan and bake for 35 minutes, or until the top of the bread is lightly browned and a knife comes out clean.
4. slice and serve! 

(slightly adapted from half baked harvest)

i will end this post with a selfie of what i wore to a meeting today on campus! it was more on the casual side but still looked very put together! 

j. crew cotton cropped sweater, j. crew silk sleeveless blouse in heart dot, 

j. crew sateen toothpick pant, c. wonder novelty smoking slippers

xoxo,

clp

p.s. 8 days until the birthday! 

costume reveal + its birthday month

with november comes the start of birthday month! my birthday is two weeks from tomorrow so of course the festivities i plan for myself are beginning! last night, i didn't do any trick or treating or halloween partying, but i did dress up! as i posted yesterday, i was holly golightly and i think my costume turned out great, especially given the fact that at 5 PM yesterday i had yet to make the mask!

j. crew endless shirt and leggings, c. wonder smoking slippers, cynthia rowley tassel earrings

i was originally supposed to be on my way to columbia, south carolina, right now to cheer on the vols. however, because of the weather, we cancelled our trip and i think it may have been a blessing in disguise. i think i would have been a popsicle by the end of the game. these past few weeks have been very busy with school and studying, and a relaxing weekend with no home game seems to be what i needed. today, i am going to see gone girl finally and then going to watch the game at a friend's apartment! no tests next week so i am certainly looking forward to a less crazy week! 

stay warm everyone and go vols! 

xoxo,

clp

my take on business professional

well, i'm always one to stand out when it comes to my clothing choices. today for an important, nerve-racking presentation for one of my classes we were required to dress business professional. when i was told this, my first thought immediately was "oh yay! a new fancy outfit!" last weekend, with the help of my favorite personal stylist at j. crew green hills, katie, i was able to snag this gorgeous tweed dress! so while everyone else was in the typical black business suit, i chose to stand out in this lovely little number. better yet, it will be a great dress for glitzing up with accessories for the coming winter months!

j. crew mixed tweed dress, steve madden pumps

its bama weekend y'all! here's to hoping for an upset! go vols!

xoxo,
clp

fall fashion finds

fall break wouldn't have been complete without a trip to my favorite place, and hopefully future home, nashville. driving into nashville felt like coming home. anyway, a stop at LEONA was necessary and a walk around green hills mall was essential. (p.s., mom and i ate at Table 3 right near the mall - so good! delicious food and we felt like we were in france the whole time!) needless to say we did some damage on 12 South and at the mall! scroll on for a few of my favorite finds from friday that i can't wait to wear and some i hope to see in my closet soon!

LEONA trouble free t

LEONA long sleeve hello darlin' tee

j. crew asymmetrical zip pencil skirt in wool 

j. crew regent blazer with beaded collar

tory burch macy vest 

c. wonder southern belle novelty slipper

shop happy my friends! 

xoxo,

clp 

first fall day OOTD

topshop for nordstrom crop top and skirt, j. crew necklace, ivanka trump booties

xoxo,

clp

monday must-haves

fall is in the air and and in the stores. neutrals, deep fall colors and cozy sweaters are filling racks, plaids and mixed textures are on every mannequin. i was originally planning on just doing an october style guide favorites from j. crew, but after some online shopping (i should be studying), i discovered some other finds i wanted to share with you on my monday must-haves list!

target french blue over the knee boots, navy

j. crew cropped jacket and plaza skirt in stripe tweed

madewell varick trousers

madewell sash shorts

j. crew dutch floral pant

madewell denim crop tank

j. crew oversize stripe turtleneck

j. crew structured necklace tee

vera bradley satchel in cobalt

aerie skinny jogger

i may be a bit MIA on here this coming week as it is the hardest week of the semester thus far... 3 tests and 3 group projects have me stressed to the max! still, i know it will all be worth it when i am home in murfreesboro for a weekend away friday! heres to a good week! 

xoxo,

clp

p.s. nashville shoppers: madewell opened last week at the mall of green hills! go visit j. crew's sister store as soon as you can!

september shopping list

after a busy day of class, workouts, homework, cooking for today and tomorrow (its a super busy day) and coffee-ing with a friend (whom i am obsessed with - so glad we made the time to hang!), i am mentally and physically exhausted! a little retail therapy should help with that though right? i mean, i can do it from my couch and it doesn't require too much brain power at all! so, with fall weather beginning to make its appearance, here is my september shopping list, complete with fall trends you will want to be wearing as soon as you can!

LEONA jess jacket

LEONA semi circle skirt

LEONA not so basic blouse

kate spade autumn leopard fit and flare dress

vince camuto tie neck peplum blouse

j. crew collection draped silk popover

j. crew merino wool pocket tunic

j. crew classic silk blouse

i think that is all my brain can muster for now! as always, the shopping list grows more and more, even as i post these! stay tuned!

xoxo,

clp