Swimsuit: La Blanca      Skirt: Boutique

        Sunhat: TjMaxx     Sunglasses: Moschino

As Labor Day passes us by we say, “farewell” to summer and hello to everything pumpkin flavored.  School has begun, boots and coats have replaced sandals and swimwear, and football is in full force.  I love the fall, but let’s face it, it is still 100 degrees here and shows no signs of cooling off soon, so, I decided to take the “cup-half-full” approach this weekend and soak up some rays.  I didn’t have the luxury of going to the beach but a friend and I did get the luxury of a neighborhood pool all to ourselves.  In these final days of torturous heat, squeeze in some more pool time, have more cookouts, and eat more watermelon.  My philosophy is that in Mississippi, you can’t change with the seasons, because we don’t have seasons, we just have really hot and not-so hot, so stay in tuned to the weather and for now, stay cool!

Joggers: Steinmart     Top: Francesca’s     Shoes: DSW

Necklace: J.Crew     Earrings: Target      Watch: Michael Kors

Hair styled by Lauren Cooper at Static Salon in Madison, MS

If you’re looking for something different to try this fall give jogger style pants a try!  They are uber comfortable and a great alternative to skinny pants.  Joggers come in a variety of fabrics and styles.  This forgiving silhouette is loose in the hips and thighs and tight around the ankles, so you’re safe to give any type fabric a go.  You can dress them up with a pair of heels like I did, or throw on a pair of Converse and a comfy tee and still look great.  Best of all you can find this trend for a great price at places like Walmart, Target, and Old Navy!  If you want to give this look a try but are a little hesitant, let me help!  Click on “About your Stylist” tab to send me a message.  You can also click pictures below to shop the look!

Top:  Mark and Estel        Shorts: Banana Republic

Shoes: Lucky Brand      Necklace: Anna Blair Publow (Etsy.com)       Sunglasses: Ray Ban

 The Neshoba County Fair is a Mississippi tradition dating back to 1889.  It began as a church event and over time has turned into a week of horse races, carnival rides, political debates, and concerts.  People come from all over to stay in small cabins, some that date back to the early 1900’s, and “rough it” sharing one room, one bathroom, and one kitchen with about 15 others.  My family does not own a cabin or make a habit of attending the fair, but this year I received a special invitation to attend with some of the regulars.  Wanting to ease into my Neshoba experience I went for a day.  I was warned it would be hot and it would be dusty, so to dress appropriately.  Not wanting to stain any of my white clothes with the ever-present red dust I stuck to dark shorts and a dark top.  I saw people in attire ranging from shorts and a tank top to cute sundresses.  If you have the chance to make it to the fair this year or in the future and wonder what to wear, think cool and comfortable.  The most important thing to wear is sunscreen!

Dress: Naven (from UAL Nashville)        Headband: Alter’d State

Clutch: Hobo         Watch: Anne Klein

 Congratulations to Mr. and Mrs. Downs!  The newlyweds met in Washington, D.C., wed in New York and celebrated with friends and family in Jackson, Mississippi.  The invitation to this celebration informed it’s guests to come dressed in “party attire.”  While I feel like this could be interpreted many ways it appeared that most of the guests took it to mean to wear something fun.  I saw people in bright colors, people in sparkles, and people in bold jewelry paired with a classic look.  I went with this white high-low dress from UAL.  It has a bold black zipper down the back that gives the dress an edgy look and paired it with black strappy heels and the black clutch.  The beaded white headband served as my touch of bling.  If you have a  party coming up and need help choosing what to wear I am always happy to help!

Top: H&M    Shorts: Cynthia Rowley

Jewelry: Old Navy    Sandals: Marshall’s

The 4th of July weekend is here!  Time to celebrate America with fireworks, BBQ, outdoor activities, and other fun events!  It’s also a time to show your American pride by wearing red, white, and blue!  Despite the limited color palette your options of what to wear are unlimited.  Dress according to how you will be spending the day.  Last year I went to a friends house for a BBQ so, I wore and red and white maxi dress and accessorized with blue jewelry.  This year I will be out by a lake shooting fireworks and playing outdoor games so I will stick to a more casual ensemble of shorts and a cool festive top.  No matter how you spend your 4th, Honey and I hope you and your family have a happy, safe, and stylish day celebrating America’s birthday!

Little Italy

Overlooking the Hudson River

Times Square

In front of the Red Carpet for the Tony Awards

Mom and I on the city bus tour

Would you believe I have never been to New York?! Not the city. Not the state. So, you can imagine my excitement last summer when I was invited to join a choir to sing in Carnegie Hall this June. It’s one thing to get to go to NYC, it’s another thing to get to go to NYC to perform in Carnegie Hall! My mom made the trip with me (as a non-choir member) and we had a blast exploring the Big Apple! When I wasn’t in rehearsals we had free time to do whatever. Mom and I got an overview of the city on a bus tour, we ate tiramisu in Little Italy, we bartered for goods in Chinatown, we saw the bright lights of Time Square, and we saw a musical on Broadway. One of my favorite things we did was take a food tour through Greenwich Village. We ate Bleeker Street Pizza, voted best pizza in NYC by the Food Network, Italian cured meat, New York bagels, Molly’s cupcakes, and several other delicious items. Needless to say we were stuffed by the end of it.

Our choir performance took place on Sunday afternoon. We joined forces with several other choirs from around the world to sing the Faure Requiem. Carnegie Hall had provided an orchestra so during a rehearsal I took the opportunity to meet the harpist and she let me play on her beautiful instrument on the stage in Carnegie Hall!

While all of these experiences are pretty amazing, the most amazing thing happened Sunday night, the Tony Awards. Only a few blocks from our hotel, we were able to get in the gated area near Radio City Music Hall, where we could see the celebrities get out of their vehicles to walk the red carpet. I spotted Vanessa Hudgens, Jason Alexander, Amanda Seyfried, and my future husband ;), Bradley Cooper!!

I would say all in all it was a pretty great trip!

Happy Memorial Day everyone!  The weather is absolutely beautiful here in Jackson, MS!

I’m looking forward to spending time with family and friends, eating cool juicy watermelon, and enjoying a Miranda Lambert concert!  I hope whatever your plans are for the long weekend you enjoy yourself, stay safe, and look fabulous!

Jumpsuit: Cynthia Rowley

In front of the starting line for the derby.

Placing my bets!

Day two of the derby was just as exciting as day one.  The crowds doubled in size which made for even more fun people watching because, when you’re not watching the races, you’re watching all the crazy hats, pretty dress and seersucker suits go by.  I’ve heard that wearing a hat to the derby is believed to be good luck, however, according to my winnings…or lack thereof, my hat wearing self did not get lucky.

After doing a brief review on the history of hats at the derby I discovered that the man who founded the derby in 1875 wanted to model his idea on Europe’s Royal Ascot.  The Royal Ascot was founded by Queen Ann and catered to the royals and the rich who wore their best to horse races and, as we have learned from Dutchess Kate, in Europe, a great hat or fascinator is a staple in dressing up.  The tradition of getting gussied up for a horse race continued in Kentucky in 1875, and while the hats have become larger and more outrageous the tradition of looking your best for the races continues.

(Left to right)Amanda, Dress: Dillard’s, Hat: Steinmart (decor added), Kristen, dress: JC Penny, Hat: Steinmart, Amy, dress: Ross dress for less, Hat: Dress Code, Mandy, Dress: Milly, Hat: Dress Code

In front of the Vineyard Vines truck for a photo op.

Sipping a mint julep next to the track on a beautiful Friday before the 141st Oaks

They’re off!

These guys were sitting near us and I couldn’t resist getting a picture of their crazy fun suits!

Fellow Derby goers (L to R):  Kristin Ware, Amanda Luckett, Amy Wright, Me.

The Kentucky Derby has always been on my bucket list.  I love the idea of watching any sporting event in a huge arena with thousands of people cheering, especially when the event calls for great fashion!  I have never seen so many people dressed up for a sporting event, except maybe at an Ole Miss football game.  While races take place all day Friday and Saturday, the main race on Friday is called The Oaks.  Churchill Downs is decorated in pink, most all the spectators have pink somewhere in their outfit, and pink Vodka drinks called “The Lilly” in honor of the Oaks official flower – the stargazer lily – are served.  The reason for all the pink is, Churchill Downs has partnered with a non-profit organization called Bright Pink, which,  promotes early detection and prevention of breast and ovarian cancer in young women, so everyone is encouraged to wear Pink!

Fashion you see above is as follows (L-R): Kristin, Steinmart: dress, Dress Code: hat, Amanda, Anthropologie: dress, Deep South Pout (located in Starkville): sunhat, Amy, Steinmart: dress and belt, Dress Code: hat, Charming Charlie: necklace, Me, Lilly Pulitzer, dress Steinmart: hat.