HAPPY TWO YEAR BLOGIVERSARY & HAPPY NEW YEAR

Happy New Year you guys! 
I hope you've all had wonderful holidays and are now blissfully in food comas, cuddling your empty champagne bottles or just basking in the glow of your 2013 accomplishments. 

And on the topic of accomplishments:

The 10th of this month will be my 2 year blogiversary! So, happy birthday, blog!

Oh how time flies. I'm getting anxiety as I type - knowing that in a single blink of an eye it'll be 2015. There are so many things on my New Years resolutions list! I better get started now! Maybe tomorrow. shit. the downward procrastination spiral begins.

my laziness aside...

I've had so much fun these past two years. I can't even produce words that match the feelings of sheer joy that I've gotten from finally taking the leap and staking out my own little portion of the inter-webs (otherwise known as my blog) and filling it with all that makes me happy.  

Not only that, but I've made so many friends along the way. The abundance of creative minds and open, warm hearts in this beautiful, beautiful town can be so overwhelming. I almost feel like my heart will explode when I think about all the people that I love here. All the inviting places I've been. All the places I'll go.  It's pretty mother freaking exciting. 

I wanted to say thank you to everyone who has been there with me each step of the way. When I was slacking, you'd keep me on my toes. Thank you for the support, the company, the collaborations and most especially - the fashion and friendship that you've all given me. 

I really value every one of you! And for those of you who I don't know so well - please don't ever be afraid to say hi. 

You guys can expect more from me in the future. Don't forget - #NashvilleFashionWeek is right around the corner. You can also keep up with me through Nashville Style Collective, which I can't wait to share more about.  LOVE YOU GUYS. 

I just wanted to share this beautiful quote by Kahlil Gibran which happened to be hanging on my friend Ruthie's fridge. I feel like quotes are always around, right when you need to hear them the very most.

Happy 2014.

LM + A BRUNETTE VINTAGE POP UP SHOP AT THE NASHVILLE FLEA MARKET

Myself and Codie of  the brilliant plus-size style blog A Brunette will be selling our wares this coming weekend inside 'The Rabbit Barn'  at the Nashville Flea Market. 

Get excited!

We'll have a little of this and that. Vintage clothes, handmade designs and jewelry - plus a selection from our own closets, so they'll be something for everyone.

Flea Market hours:

Friday 8am–5pm

Saturday 7am–6pm

Sunday 7am–4pm

FEATURED: SIMON & RUBY - CREATIVE CRUSH

One of my favorite Nashville based jewelry brands, Simon & Ruby so sweetly decided to feature me this month on their blog in an upcoming monthly feature, CREATIVE CRUSH.  We had so much fun during the photo shoot - there were so many pretty things to play with and Lindsay's home and studio were absolutely immaculate! 

Along with a fun photo shoot featuring pieces from Simon and Ruby's Mexico Collection (My favorite piece being the Maggie Necklace), S&R asked me to shed some light on what makes me tick with a little Q&A. 

Visit Simon & Ruby's blog for this month's spotlight feature HERE and while you're at it, do some spring accessory shopping via their WEBSITE. You'll fall in love. Another tidbit for those of you in the Nashville area - S&R's designs are available over at Wax Nashville! 

The Maggie Necklace

{Images via Simon & Ruby}

NASHVILLE LOVE: HOLLY WILLIAMS SHARES WHAT SHE LOVES ABOUT NASHVILLE WITH WHO WHAT WEAR

Image via Who What Wear

I love me some local celebrity. 

Sure, we may not be like LA or New York in the respect that the celebs that frequent the streets here aren't followed by mass herds of paparazzi - but we do have them! Celebs I mean, not paparazzi. Things are just a little more laid back down south. Maybe it's just our Southern Charms. 

The celebrities who do call Nashville home, frequent local bars, shops and social events but don't usually get attacked by obsessed fans or snap happy photographers or at least not to the same extent - or well, except for Jack White, but by god, I don't know a single woman in town who wouldn't jump his bones at a moments notice.  

Sorry, talking about Jack White got me distracted.

My point being is that this city is so full of talent and there is so much room for it all to go around that it doesn't result in mass hysterics every time you see a familiar face from film, TV or music fame. 

No wonder so many Hollywood locals have exchanged their beach houses for quaint country cabins! 

While we're on the topic of local celebrity, I just had to share my elation at opening up my regular, daily dose of awesome (meaning my Who What Wear daily email that I've been reading since it's been in existence) to find local celeb, songstress and boutique owner, Holly Williams. 

If you're trying to figure out who I'm talking about, let's just take a moment. DO YOU FREAKING LIVE IN NASHVILLE?! DO YOU EVER LISTEN TO MUSIC?! HAVE YOU BEEN LIVING UNDER A FLIPPING ROCK?! If you're not quite sure who Holly Williams is, then your answer to the first two questions has to have been no, and you without a doubt answered yes to my last inquiry. 

Just saying. 

Because you had to have been living under a rock to not be familiar, if not obsessed with Holly's late and great grandfather Hank Williams Sr. and father, Hank Williams Jr. 

Now that I've gone on a full-on Nashville tangent, I'll leave you all with this link to the original article on Who What Wear HERE. Also, check out Holly's boutique H. Audrey located in the Green Hills area if you get a chance. You won't be disappointed. In addition to being a song bird, she's got quite the eagle eye for style, and knows exactly how to incorporate a Nashville vibe into a high fashion environment. 

OOTD: A FEW OF MY FAVORITE THINGS

Jacket // Necessary Things . Crop Top // American Apparel . Velvet Skirt // Vintage . Shoes // Jeffrey Campbell . Bag // Alexander Wang Rocco in Oasis s/s 2011 

My amazing steel blue hair courtesy of my talented friend Reyna at Salon YaYa located off of 21st Ave in Nashville! Mention me and get $20 off your first service with Reyna! For real though. TWENTY DOLLARS, YA'LL!

The bit of orange was just me having some fun with my Orange Kevin Murphy Colorbug. You can achieve the same look with pastel drawing chalk - check out one of my previous posts on how to do it yourself HERE. 

And just because of how happy this bag makes me ( happier than any man ever could - mind you) one final parting shot of me and my new best friend, my S/S 2011 Oasis Alexander Wang Rocco bag.

Yes everyone, dreams do come true. 

THINGS I LOVE ABOUT VALENTINES DAY: FOUR OF MY FAVORITE SWEET & SIMPLE DIY PROJECTS

PINK POPCORN via cravingsofalunatic

I can't get over this. It looks amazing! I'm not a huge fan of popcorn, but when it's popcorn smothered in cheese or chocolate or icing -  my sweet tooth takes over and I just can't say no. You won't be able to resist either!  

This sweet and adorable treat would make the perfect V-Day gift wrapped up in a cellophane baggie with silver and pink ribbon. 

Lace Princess Crowns via Girl. Inspired.

I would love to be on the receiving end of this gift! Lace is always one of my favorite go-tos for girly, flirty events and of course, the holidays - and what better holiday to rock one of these bad ass (but in the most dainty, feminine way) princess crowns than on Valentines Day. 

If you're planning a V-day party these would make excellent party favors. 

And of course this idea is perfect for the kids in your life, not just the adults. I'm already planning to have these at my next soiree. I'll probably make the guys rock them too.  

Heart Attack Box via The House That Lars Built

If you know nothing else about me, then know this: I'm lazy. I'm soooo lazy. God. But even I, in all my laziness can easily find the time to put together these heart warming (or heart attack inducing) little Valentine boxes. If you're not a run of the mill Hallmark card giving type, then this is for you. 

You can spruce this already cute idea up a bit by including little love letters on each heart, or maybe something you love about the person receiving it on each one. Limitless options! 

Hell, I'd even throw some glitter in there. But it depends on how much you love them, because glitter is so hard to clean up, especially if it explodes all over your floor. Yeah.

Iced Lavender Lemon Shortbread Cookies via Montcarte

I'm so into this whole 'Lavender Craze' going on right now. I've always been a huge fan of the essential oils - they are great for everything from burns, cuts, bruises - to wrinkles, pimples and helping to reduce scarring. Now in addition to drowning myself in it, I can eat it! I've been dying to whip up some lavender hot chocolate, so now I have an even bigger excuse to bake up a batch of these delicious, aromatic and let's not forget adorable - heart shaped lavender lemon cookies.

Imagine waking your sweetheart up to a kitchen full of the sweet smell of lavender and lemon on Valentines Day! I ALMOST (but not really) wish I had a boyfriend to bake these for. Almost...

THOMPSON FIFTEEN: TAKE AN ADDITIONAL 20% OFF ALL SALE!

One of my favorite Nashville based retailers, THOMPSON FIFTEEN has a flair for the fashionably fabulous. I can always count on them to have the hottest trends in addition to a curated selection of classics. Even better than all of what I mentioned above: Take an extra 20% off all sale items with the code "EXTRA20" Yeah, you can thank me later.

And just to note: Festival season (OMG SXSW! OMG BONNAROO!) is on the horizon, ladies, with plenty of opportunities to sport flirty crop tops, billowy summer dresses and floral printed frocks. Take this opportunity to buy a few pieces. 

Look at it as an investment in your future.

You can find this amazing sale HERE.

SONGSTRESS STYLE: AN INTERVIEW WITH ODESSA ROSE

 

 

As sweet as local honey and with a voice to match, Odessa Rose will leave a taste in your mouth you won't soon forget.

 

Odessa's folk inspired sound has oh so easily won over the Nashville natives she's performed for; most recently performing for local jean artisans, Imogene + Willie at their August edition of SUPPER & SONG, a monthly event filled with talented musicians, stylish people, good shopping and delicious eats.

 

Oh and it's BYOB too. Because, you know, that's how we roll in Nashville.

 

You can get a taste of Odessa's sultry sound in Imogene + Willie's F/W VIDEO  where she performs "Hummed Low". If you're a Nashville local you can find Odessa's EP at Imogene + Willie - all of which have hand drawn covers! Don't miss out.

 

If you're not within reach of I+W -- you can find more of Odessa's musical stylings HERE and her Facebook HERE.

 

INTERVIEW WITH ODESSA ROSE

LM: What inspires you when choosing pieces to add to your wardrobe? 

ODESSA: the color yellow. sleep deprivation. marijuana. 

LM: How do you choose your daily ensemble? Are you a planner or do you just throw something together in a hurry?  
ODESSA: i really wish that i could be naked all of the time...so i change my clothes until the outcome feels the most comfortable on my body. i never plan anything.

 

LM: What pieces in your closet can you not live without?

ODESSA: right now... my long yellow polyester sundress, my high waisted white jeans, and my blue suede heels. 

  

LM: What is your all time most despised fashion trend?

ODESSA: The 80ies. 

 

LM:Favorite Fashion trend?

ODESSA: Colorblock

LM:Do your music choices influence the way that you dress?

ODESSA: Maybe sometimes subliminally.

LM: Name five items you never leave the house without:

ODESSA: My small red notebook (that holds my id and money inside) a mason jar full of water. My two turquoise rings. A fine point pen. Coconut oil.

 

LM: Favorite designers / labels / why?

ODESSA: D&G. They make pieces that make women look stunning. Besides that, I don't have any specific favorite designers really. I love vintage clothes. Clothes from the 70ies are my digs. Long slender dresses in light pastels, high waists and leather fringe. yum. 

{All Images via ODESSA ROSE}

JUNE INSTAGRAM RECAP

1. Zen face  2. Trip to Atlanta H&M  3. My pet chicken, Sugar 

4. Vintage Fendi luggage

5.  I won this Nicole Miller autographed print from StyleCaster  <3  6. Kevin Murphy Colorbug 

I'VE SEEN IT ALL

Just when I was foolish enough to think I'd seen it all in the world of eyewear, A-Morir proved me wrong. If some of these fantastical styles look familiar to you, odds are you've seen them on celebrities and style icons alike. Everything A-Morir creates is hand crafted, jaw droppingly unique and more fun than any New York Fashion Week after party. It's a party for your face! 


Some of A-Morir's more famous clientele include, of course, Lady Gaga, (Are you surprised?) Rihanna, Will I Am, Katy Perry & Emma Stone, One of our Nashville locals, K$SHA, and even Jersey girl - Snooki. You can find more celebrities in their favorite A-Morir shades HERE. 

Phillips, $250

Bootsy, $275

Lux, $350

Cass, $400

THINGS I LOVE

Glass Splinter // Yellow Gold Plated

Simple, earthy and rough. This perfect piece can be found on Boticca for $105 and each piece comes directly from Martine Viergever's studio in Rotterdam, the Netherlands.

The Parker Top

Look at that scalloped hem! I can't find anything I don't like about this dainty floral top. Oh how sweet this would look with a cute pair of cut off shorts.  You can find this little beauty HERE.

Gucci Delphine Suede + Metallic Leather Wedge Sandals

In a perfect world I would have a bank account large enough to support my shoe shopping habits. Maybe in another life... For only $675, this magnificent triumph can be yours. If they wear shoes in heaven, I'm sure they're Gucci. 

SHOW OFF THOSE LEGS!

Who likes short shorts? We like short shorts. 

It's that time again, ladies. Short weather. The season of bare legs is finally upon us, meaning we'll be spending most of our days waxing, shaving or some painful combination of both.  Don't worry though, it's completely worth it when you've got such stylish shorts to show off those freshly waxed gams.  

Speaking of waxing,  those of you who are Nashville locals should check out one of our best waxing salons, WAX Nashville. With several locations, you just can't pass this one up. Why waste all that time soaping and shaving when someone else could do the work for you! 

1. Zara Floral Shorts, 2. Dolce&Gabbana high waisted shorts, $870 3. Jason Wu floral shorts, $695 4.Oasis floral print shorts, $65 

1. J Brand denim shorts, $130, 2. Belted Crepe shorts, $68 3. Cotton shorts, $72 

4. Free Spirit Jean shorts

1. Ksubi short jean shorts, $180 2. One Teaspoon short jean shorts, $130 3. Blank Denim high waisted jean shorts, $78 4. Ksubi short jean shorts, $160