handpicked, just for you

how would you like to walk in a store and feel like everything was handpicked for you? as if everything was personalized just for you? well, that's what Handpicked is: a personalized, hand-selected shop that brings you affordable, specially designed and unique products. its not easy to please everyone (especially me), but Handpicked has done just that. and they have everything: monogrammed anything (shirts, necklaces, rings, the list goes on), statement necklaces, scarves, ponchos, handbags, wallets, and even that little gift (candles, bridal, for him, for anyone) you have been looking all over for.

i walked in to the murfreesboro location and found way more than i thought i would want. my favorites? the oh-so-popular ruana for fall, a long beaded stone necklace and to my surprise, a silver antler necklace.

this fall, the ruana look is everywhere, but i usually see it with skinny jeans, boots, and a crewneck tee. i love that look, but i wanted to change it up with this handpicked ruana. i paired my striped ruana with an olive pike top, wide leg jeans and wedge suede booties. the beaded millie necklace finished the look and gave it the perfect boho-but-polished feel.

to my surprise, i liked this antler necklace. usually one to lean towards gold and not really an antler kind of girl, this antler necklace drew me in and i was hooked! paired with a simple neckline, the silver stood out. it is a great whimsy, out-of-the-box addition to my jewelry box.

next time you come across a Handpicked store, make sure you go in. if you don't have one near, shop online. find your next piece of monogrammed jewelry, perfect accessory to finish off an outfit or just the right gift that have been searching for. they handpick everything, just for you.

shop similar items here: piko top, shawl, antler necklace, beaded necklace

& be sure to follow out Handpicked on facebook, twitter, pinterest, tumblr and instagram! 

xoxo,

clp

this post was sponsored by Handpicked. the opinions are my own.

summer tweed ootd

leona claire jacket, leona silk top, leona shorts

xoxo,

clp

P.S. everything is final final sale on leonany.com! shop to it! 

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

show your spots ootd

LEONA silk top and skirt, via spiga wedges (similar)

xoxo,

clp

black + white OOTD

one thing i love about LEONA is the versatility of the pieces. the téa tunic, is one of those pieces, which makes them all the more wearable and worth the investment. i first wore it dressed up, and today i threw it on as a tunic over white pants with wedges for a more casual, work look. next way i plan to wear it is with a blazer, and then come fall, with tights and booties.

LEONA téa tunic, LEONA mercer pants (similar & on sale), via spiga wedges (similar) 

for moments when life can't be black and white, there's color. 

xoxo,
clp

long time no see + recap

well... its been a while... about a month to be exact. a whirlwind of a month has gone by since my last post, and so much has gone on that if i were to type it all out in a post, you would be snoozing by the end. so much has happened though, that i at least feel like a brief recap is needed... i mean i can't just skip over the whole two-weeks-spent-in-hawaii start to the summer!

hawaii was absolutely amazing (that's for you, mom). it was definitely a trip i will remember forever, and one that i am lucky i got to take. we started in oahu, staying at disney's aulani resort. i am certainly the resort kind of girl... room service, pool side service, etc. etc.! it was a life i could get used to for sure. next we hopped over to the big island, and saw lava flow upon lava flow. the next and last island we jumped to was maui, which i really had fun on. from snorkeling at molokini crater, zip lining and plenty of delicious food (pineapple and kimo's hula pie... need i say more?), maui suited me as well. the trip as a whole was wonderful. i have the best mom and dad who were able to give me such an amazing trip and a brother who puts up with me despite my carsickness on the road to hana and my strange eating habits. if you ever have the chance to go to hawaii, go. it may be a long plane ride, but its worth it.

not 24 hours after we landed, i had us moving me and all my stuff (that's the only word i can use to describe it all) into my new apartment in franklin. we got the essentials there and since then it has been a work in progress. i can't begin to thank my parents (especially my dad) for all the help they have given me. dad was like a little elf who came in and set up ikea furniture and hung pictures while i was at work! the apartment is coming along for sure, and i am loving my new home in franklin.

so, in the past month, i have been to hawaii, moved into my apartment in franklin, gone to atlanta for the kenny chesney-eric church concert and ikea. its been a whirlwind of a month, but one i wouldn't trade for anything. this summer is looking to be a good one: the annual family fourth celebration is next weekend, i have already made myself a regular at the saturday farmer's market here and i have other plans in store.

i am hoping to be able to post more now that i have gotten into a routine with my work, workout and everything-else schedule. i promise to not leave you out on a limb!

for now though, i am happy to be sitting in my apartment, with a netflix movie on and a day full of shopping in nashville behind me. i can say that i am a happy girl.

xoxo,
clp

color-blocked and printed OOTD

LEONA thursday tie top / LEONA wilson pant / tory burch bag (old)

xoxo,

clp

last sorority formal OOTD

and just like with everything else lately, my last sorority formal has come and gone. it is bittersweet for sure. while i am excited for a new chapter of my life, i am also sad to be ending this one. while all semester we have been saying we can't wait to graduate, now that it is less than 3 weeks away, we would like a "pause" button. i will no longer be able to see my best friends' apartment from my window. they are always a phone call away, but now we will have to work around graduate school and work schedules to get a quick chat in.

last night could not have been more perfect. i went single and sober, but that was how i wanted to go. i have to say that everyone looked gorgeous, in their own way. that is one thing i love about my sorority, we are all very different, but we are all beautiful individually and as a group. it was bittersweet talking to my pledge class throughout the night. we all couldn't believe how quickly this night had come. i am so glad that i made the effort to go since socials are not usually my thing. i'm so lucky to have friends that didn't mind that i third-wheeled it all night!

our spring formals are semi-formal, and i went with a classic LBD from my favorite designer, LEONA. i dressed it up with some knotted gold dangles and simple nude strappy heels. a smoky eye (that stayed all night thanks to a fabulous, affordable primer), nude lip and nude nails finished the look.

LEONA téa tunic / rebecca minkoff mini quilted bag / target pamela heels

xoxo,

clp

park avenue print pant ootd

these pants have gotten more compliments that any other item of clothing i have. just look at them - they are fabulous. they are wide-leg perfection for spring and summer in a lovely silk with the park avenue print. they make me wish i was strolling down park avenue. this particular pair is from last year's collection, so be sure to also check this season's version, the wilson, that are even more beautiful.

LEONA silk top (similar) / LEONA sylvia pant / rebecca minkoff mini quilted bag / prada sunglasses (similar)

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

you make me blush OOTD

i'm beaching it this week on spring break, but i wanted to share this fab monochromatic outfit i wore to dinner in pensacola tonight. the blush on blush combo i love created a makeshift jumpsuit that was just perfect.

LEONA very v back top / LEONA hazel pants / target pamela heels / 

tory burch bag (from last year) / stella & dot havana cuff

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! 

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

first fall day OOTD

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

xoxo,

clp

judah and the lion concert + OOTD

if you aren't listening to the band known as judah and the lion, you should be. i have been hooked ever since i first started listening to them. judah akers, the lead singer, played on my brother's college baseball team and if you saw him playing on the baseball field a few years ago, you wouldn't recognize him today. but its a change that has been for the better. formed just two years ago in nashville, judah and the lion is going places. with a mix of southern gospel, country, folk, pop and really everything in-between, judah and the lion has a sound all their own. following a new album release, the band embarked on their first headlining tour just this week, with the second stop being the square room here in knoxville on thursday. without question, mom and i bought our tickets for the show.

(image via Judah and the Lion Facebook)

what a show it was. it was one of the best concerts i have been to. the energy, the passion, the lyrics: everything that was felt on stage was felt in the audience too. each song has an energy and a story told through the lyrics that could only be told by the band. i must say that i love every song on the new album, "kids these days", as well as their previous albums, and i loved every rendition and stage version of the song last night. it was a concert that, now, days later, i am still amazed at how good it was. from "sweet tennessee" to "everything changes" there is a song for everyone and every mood and every occasion. if you aren't listening to judah and the lion, you are missing out on a band that is going places fast (and quite an attractive lead singer).

LEONA very v blouse, nordstrom leather leggings, via spiga wedges

xoxo,

clp

saturday day + night OOTD

who says you can't change outfits twice in one day? today i am posting two of my favorite LEONA looks - one perfect for shopping around town and the other perfect for a night out. 

i love this look because the top can be worn two ways. known as the millie dress, it can be worn as a tunic, which is how it is styled below, or as a dress with more of a drop waist. also, wear the top off-the-shoulder or normal! the pants feel like pajamas (but obviously don't look that way) and have gold button details you can see when you tuck a top in! 

LEONA millie dress (nashville store exclusive), LEONA mercer pant, nine west heels, LEONA double chain bracelet

this saturday night outfit is so on-trend for fall. the drapey, flowy pants and top were all over the fall runways. wear the top tucked in or out of the garnet and black sponge print silk pants. 

LEONA tuesday tier top, LEONA easy silk pant, LEONA bar cuff

now you have your outfits - time to plan your saturday! 

xoxo,

clp

p.s. LEONA : nashville is celebrating their one-year anniversary with some AMAZING final sale markdowns! stop by the store on 12 south to grab some great pieces at unheard of prices! 

white on white OOTD

as labor day quickly approaches, i am scrambling to get all my summer whites worn! i am a stickler to only winter white/ivory after labor day unless you are in the tropics. i know its old-fashioned but thats just the way i am! the following outfit is one of my favorite LEONA looks from the spring collection. the handwoven silk gingham is gorgeous and the sheer details keep it chic and modern. i love the gold buttons on the the top and the gingham couldn't be more southern! grab this outfit before it sells out at the LEONA : nashville store on 12 south! (its on sale now too!)

LEONA robyn shorts and lilly top, LEONA double rope chain bracelet

well, i am officially in a state of depression. not really, but i am sad to be packing up my nashville apartment. my sublease is up on the 31st so i have been getting everything ready to be moved back to murfreesboro tomorrow. i have absolutely loved this summer here on kirkwood. my roommates have been the best ever and i hope to stay in touch with them! i also realize how happy i have been here in nashville this summer - i know that this is where i am meant to be and hopefully i'll be be back full-time sooner rather than later. it certainly has been the best summer i could have ever hoped for. 

the next few days/weeks seem like they will be hectic with packing, unpacking, packing again, organizing my life, working and working out. i seem to have a to-do list a mile long (as i always do) and i keep adding to it. however, i do hope to spend a few last days of summer poolside and with my family! i hope everyone is having a great week so far and wish me luck as i pack up yet again!

xoxo,

clp