FOURTH OF JULY CHIC: LANA DEL REY // GET THE LOOK

Every year people pack together in celebration of one of our finest American holidays. 

We binge on beer, fireworks, and family desserts - then seek out any large body of water worth floating in (ex. pools, lakes, beaches, large baby pools or old bathtubs) so we can soak lethargically to our heart's content - or at least until we've become so wrinkled we have to get out for fear of looking like an awkward flesh toned prune. 

Now, while fireworks, beer and pools hold a special place in my patriotic heart, only one thing on my Americanized list is missing. 

Music! Good music. 

And really, what could be more American than good music? 

Take for instance, songbird and style queen Lana Del Rey. You can re-create Lana's fierce patriotic garb by checking out the suggestions below. You can also find Lana's new video NATIONAL ANTHEM here. 

LANA DEL REY

G E T . T H E . LOOK:

 1. Soul Cal Deluxe Flag Sweater, $42 2. One Teaspoon short, $120 3. Jean shorts, $60 4. White High Tops, $50 5. Armani Exchange jewelry, $19

PASSION FOR FASHION: BOOTSTRAPS FOUNDATION

Thursday, June 28th is going to be an exciting night. I'll be covering The Bootstrap Foundation's inaugural fashion show "Passion for Fashion" which will be hosted by Titans Kicker, Rob Bironas, Recording artist, Danielle Peck and Tammy Genovese, the lovely lady behind Music City Sports & Entertainment Group and former CEO of  the Country Music Association.   

One of my brilliant and lovely new friends, Milton White has put his heart and soul into producing the show, so look forward to something stunning. Milton also recently co-produced Nordstrom's 2012 Oscar de la Renta Collection for the Nashville Symphony. 

The purpose of the fashion show is to raise money and awareness for the foundation's program - whose mission is to provide scholarships to talented and deserving ladies and gentlemen who have gone through hardships while still maintaining a high academic standing. Scholarships assure that they may pursue their educational goals and dreams for the future.  

Let's  increase the number of educational scholarships they can provide! 

Purchasing Tickets:

SUPER VIP - $500 (SOLD OUT)

VIP - $185

GENERAL ADMISSION: $60

Location: Nashville City Club -- 201 4th Ave North, 20th Floor 

Parking: Complimentary Valet parking on Church St. 

Doors open at 6:30PM / VIP + 7:30PM for General Admission. 

If you'd like to purchase tickets please visit the website HERE. 

For more information on the event or how to contribute, click HERE.

STYLE ICON: BRIGITTE BARDOT

 BB FOREVER: BRIGITTE BARDOT, THE LEGEND

In celebration of Henry-Jean Servat curating an incredibly smart, charming and perfectly french exhibit based entirely around the actress / goddess / style icon - Brigitte Bardot - here are my favorite photographs:

The exhibit entitled BB FOREVER -- Brigitte Bardot, The Legend features an inside look into the french beauty's life with an exclusive collection of private photographs never before seen.

  You can find this wonderful collection at Sofitel Hotel in Washington, D.C. currently, until September.  This event is open to the public - so if you're in the area, stop by! The collection spent time in Los Angeles and Chicago and will finish in New York City.

Sofitel Washington DC Lafayette Square

806 15th Street, NW

Washington, D.C. 

Contact: 202-730-8800

SWEET MAN CANDY // WHAT MAGAZINE

The internet is good for a number of things. Cat gifs. Enlightening quotes. The People of Walmart.

In this case, the internet in all its glory so kindly provided me with these little gems:

You can find more from this colorful editorial for WHAT MAGAZINE Here. 

FLASH BACK: FLAT FORMS

In case you haven't already heard the news: 

The Spice Girls Are Back. 

Who's surprised these bad boys have finally made their fashion comeback with such a ninety's resurgence happening these days? I've seen an abundance of Lisa Frank, smiley face prints galore, and enough tie dye to put out someone's eyes in the last six months. 

 Even youngster Miley Cyrus has caught the 90's fashion virus. She has been spotted on numerous occasions sporting cut off denim shorts, white tank tops and a variety of plaid button up shirts dangling around her waist. Are you channeling Kurt Cobain, Miley? 

But much more than any of these, there can remain only one true reminder of ninety's fashion bliss for me,  and that's the flat form.  

In fact, I'm going to be the first to admit that I owned two pairs and that my fifteen year old heart was just as happy as it could be that my Mom allowed me to get away with wearing them.  Sure I wasn't allowed to wear makeup quite yet, but what was the harm in wearing high stacked tennis shoes, right?

 I would longingly stare up at my favorite ninety's girl band posters and long for their fancy footwear. If I wanted to get all Freudian, I guess I could contribute the past eleven years of my shoe obsession to those stylish, british pop goddesses and their wide array of shoe porn. 

Wow, I suddenly understand my life a lot more now. 

1. Gee wawa shoes, $94 2.Pour La Victoire flatform sandals, $125 3. ASOS leather shoes, $41 4. ASOS wooden sandals, $61 5. Topshop winter white shoes, $90 6. Wedge shoes, $40 7.  Messeca high heels, $169 8. Matiko platform shoes, $173 9.  Leather lace up shoes, $110

SUMMER FUN

Opening Ceremony lace shirt, $263  Matthew Williamson summer pants, $625 Cut off shorts, $114 Forever 21, $15 Oroton flat heels, 120 AUD J Crew leather shoulder bag, $198 Lacoste tote handbag, $88 Anchor jewelry, $25 Ruby diamond earrings Stella mccartney sunglasses, $225

WHY I LOVE NASHVILLE: FROM GQ TO THE NEW YORK TIMES

Whatever you think you know about Nashville, unless you're a local - you're probably wrong. 

We're not all cowboy boot, overall wearing hillbillies.  Not all of us, anyway. In fact, according to GQ, The New York Times & most recently, Forbes - we may just be the next big thing. 

Sure, LA has its perks and everyone loves New York for its spectacular city scape, but New York and LA can't hold a candle to our well guarded secrets - ample boutique shopping with a huge focus on local fare, innovative eateries and a vivid and well documented night life that could rival any New York club without the pretension or discomfort of being crowded into an already overcrowded space. 

If you were to take every genre of creative kid and cram each one into a small city, Nashville would be the end result. Now doesn't that sound inviting? 

Model & Musician - KAREN ELSON

Keeping boys stylish, OTIS JAMES // Tie & Hat Crafter 

Parlour & Juke // Nikki Lane of High Class Hillbilly // Teresa Mason - Owner of Mas Tacos

All Images Via GQ MAGAZINE & Can be found HERE.

ACCESSORIZE YOUR SWIMWEAR FOR A DOSE OF RETRO GLAM!

I was recently inspired by one of my favorite blogs, FASHION GONE ROGUE and one post in particular - featuring spectacular retro inspired swimwear, accessorized perfectly with summer's hottest trends and colors. Model Naty Chabanenko spends the entirety of this brilliantly styled shoot for the June issue of How to Spend It Magazine in a wide selection of girlish and glamorous looks featuring pieces from Dolce & Gabbana, Versace, Prada, Chanel and more. 

Styling via Damian Foxe and Photography by Kevin Sinclair.

Many of us overlook the importance of accessorizing when you are half naked - but honestly, that's the best time! It isn't hard, and you certainly don't have to break the bank to look just as stylish. 

If anything, never underestimate the power of a good hat, an on trend pair of sunglasses or a simple necklace. A vintage shrug with layers of fringe would make a great cover up! Scour your local thrift stores and find a few glamorous robes and just DIY. Simple!


DIY IDEAS:
1. Add fringe to swim cover-ups for a 1920's flapper feel.


2. Create your own jewelry using shells, crystals and pearls. 


3. Long, dangly earrings are easy to make and perfect for those who prefer a minimalistic look without too much fuss.


4. Check local thrift and second hand stores for cheap beach hats - you'll be amazed at what you can find for a few bucks!


5. Add faux flowers to your sandals or wear them in your hair for a feminine touch.

We Are Handsome lace swimwear, $250, H&M swimwear, $37, MTWTFSS weekday, $10, Madison Harding mid heels, $187, River Island flower sandals, $66, Madison Harding high heel sandals, $122 Kate Spade black stud earrings, $38 Straw hat, $42 Lanvin wide brim hat, $1,725 Carven round frame sunglasses, $360, American Apparel hair clip accessory, $10 Oversized round sunglasses, $24 Vintage style sunglasses, $405, Pull&Bear Portugal BEACHWEAR, $26

SUMMER BRAIDS: DO IT YOURSELF!

You must've been living under a rock this past year if you weren't already aware of this season's hottest hair trend. You can't flip through a single fashion magazine without coming across at least six variations of this sleek look. 

 Think modern sophistication meets wood nymph. Or something like that.

Image via Oracle Fox

Braids AND a hat? Shit yes. Via BonaDrag

 What has the convenience of  a ponytail without the boyish look? THIS THING. This tutorial for summer fresh braids can be found at

The Beauty Department. 

Kind of makes you want to yodel, doesn't it? Don't be shy. I'm really having a strong desire to up my braiding skills! Friends: Who will be volunteering (forced) into letting me practice? 

This website is great - lots of easy to understand instructions. LOVE IT. You can LOVE IT TOO and find the tutorial on Halo Braids HERE. 

DIY: SOMETHING BLUE

Wash the blues away with these two adorable DIYs in stunning summer shades.

DIY: SOMETHING BLUE 

 DIY ENAMEL DECORATIVE VASES via OhSoLovelyBlog

Wouldn't these cute colored vases be splendid summer additions to your home decor? Try them out on your mantel, your tabletop or some cute little rustic shelves. 

Step by step directions found here, at OhSoLovelyBlog.

DIY BRAID NECKLACE via Ecabonline

This is a real stunner. Classic. Elegant. Simple. All the things a stylish girl could want. Create one for yourself! You can find an easy to follow tutorial HERE. Above picture courtesy of MoreDesignPlease via Ecabonline.  

MAY INSTAGRAM RECAP

It's been a busy month. Okay, understatement of the century. Between starting a new job,  and all of the other four jobs I have, I've been spread a little thin. Oh and you know, preparing for this upcoming Zombie Apocalypse thing. Buuuut seriously. I can't complain - the busier I am, the happier I am. Maybe that's because my pay checks support my shopping habits? Either way. 

Some of my adventures include: 

Experiencing the glory of having total 'Game of Thrones' hair.  

Fringe Earrings - Urban Outfitters

Whiskey Disco - No.308

Tipping at JJ's Market

Wearing lots of stripes.

A $25 Vintage 1990's Prada wallet from Designer Renaissance

Recognize at Mai

FUN WITH KEVIN MURPHY COLOR BUGS + DIY!

If you're looking for some bright summer colors (especially those of you who are frequenting music festivals this season) but don't fancy the commitment that those colors often require of you, then Kevin Murphy's Color Bug is perfect for your non-commital hair.

  Not only will it wash right out, but it stays in all day if you put in a little product to moisten the hair and finish it with a little hair spray. I love things that don't require commitment, don't you? 


You can find these spectacularly jewel toned Color Bugs at any Kevin Murphy salon!

If however you're not within reach of a Kevin Murphy salon, there is a delightfully cheap alternative. I've seen tutorials all over the internet for the past year - but I'm finally getting around to sharing them!


 My recommended reading is as follows:


DIY PASTEL CHALK HAIR COLOR!

Momfluential.net - How to Chalk your Hair

The Beauty Department - Chalk it Up

OH SO PRETTY The Diaries - Temporary Hot Pink Tips

Be sure to check out OH SO PRETTY - another great Nashville based blog!

Image via The Beauty Department

image via Lather Rinse Repeat

Image via Momfluential

Image via Charlotte Free for Wonderland Magazine