C'est La Vie

My latest obsession?  I'm glad you asked, it's La Vie by Rebecca Taylor.  It has all the feminine style of Rebecca Taylor, but in more durable fabrics and at a better price-point.  I was in Atlanta in the Rebecca Taylor shop a couple of months ago when I stumbled across the line.  It's not all over yet, but I know it will be soon.  The store manager said that Rebecca Taylor noticed that her friends were not wearing her clothes on family outings with their kids on the weekends.  As a mother of three, I totally get it.  I love a pretty silk blouse as much as the next girl, but let's face it, when you're at a birthday party with cake and face paint, a silk blouse is not the most practical choice.  But, in the words of Sophia Petrillo, I digress... La Vie solves the problem of what to wear to the park, the party or the play date.  Soft cottons, pretty prints and relaxed dresses make up a line of easy to wear clothing that I love.

While I was in the store I got this poplin top that is perfect for late winter/early spring in Florida.  I've paired it with my ever-present Vince sneakers, a Chloe saddle bag (similar, similar) and a pair of high-waisted AG Jeans.  I've been on a mission lately to get more jeans without distressing.  I didn't exactly succeed with this pair.  As Scott pointed out, I just moved the distressing off the knee.

I love the detail on this top.  From the flowers to the pleating to the eyelets.  Plus, it is so light-weight.  

This is how I spend most of our photo shoots.  Traci, in this case, had to try to snap a pic in between my fits of laughter.  She was very patient.

Here's another La Vie top I picked up.  This one is a thin gauze with a lace detail around the collar, sleeve hem and down the front.  For the last month or so, I've been pairing it with these Rag & Bone high-waisted jeans - please note they have no holes!  Distressing at the hem does not count!

Here are some of my La Vie picks for this spring!

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#WIWT | Sincerely, Paula

WMTH Edits: Wedges

I recently showed off my new Vince Espadrille Wedges, which are just one of the pairs I keep in constant rotation this time of year.  It seems that if I'm not in flats, I'm in wedges.  Being 5'3", I love the extra height they allow without killing my feet.  There is still something alluring about a sexy stiletto, but for comfort, you can't beat a wedge.  Here are some of my picks for this summer!

Inspiration for Spring

Not sure if it is the 72° weather,  March 1, or Easter in 27 days but I am craving some color.  Spring is right around the corner!  I have been stuck at home today with a sick child so I have had plenty of time to scan my favorite sites for what's new.  I love Joie and this embroidered top would look good with so many things.  It looks comfy and cool.  I was also glad to see plenty of cutoffs because I lived in those last summer.  I love the distressing on this Rag & Bone pair.  Check out the jelly slides...great for the beach and pool.  The neutral earrings, bracelet, sunglasses and nail color are balanced by the poppy red bag.  The bag is definitely bright but I would treat it like a neutral and wear it with everything.  Now I'm wondering if I should distress my JBrand cutoffs, seen here, using Emily's DIY here.

Pumps & Pushups / Tucker Up / The Pleated Poppy / Style Elixir

What We Wore to the Ryman

While a majority of our weekend in Nashville was music, food and friends, we did squeeze in some shopping at Emerson Grace in 12 South.  The store is very inviting and carries lines like Current Elliot, The Great, ALC, Rag & Bone and Ceri Hoover.  Emily picked up a hat by Olive and Pique and I found a boxy crew tee by The Great (both pictured below).  Another great find at Emerson Grace was a bralette from the lingerie line called Anemone.  I bought a pretty grey one would definitely add it to my list of bare necessities.

After a little down time Sunday afternoon, we met in the lobby to snap some outfit photos and head to Rolf & Daughters for an early dinner followed by Jason Isbell at the Ryman.  It was a perfect afternoon/evening.  Check back next week for details on the show.  I was blown away by the acoustics in the Ryman (more on that later).  Check out our outfit details at the bottom of the post and be sure to visit Emerson Grace in Nashville whether you live there or are visiting.

Rebecca Minkoff Crossbody bag

Emily's Olive & Pique hat from Emerson Grace

Kelly Wynne bag from Bluetique | Ex Voto Graham necklace with Ellen Locket

Linking up with: Home of Malones / Stylin in St. Louis / Pampers & Pearls / The Pleated Poppy / Tucker Up / Pumps & Pushups / Cappuccino and Fashion / The Mummy Chronicles / My Girlish Whims

Lake Bound

I am excited to be heading to Lake Burton for a long weekend.  If you are not familiar with it, Lake Burton is located in the mountains of northeast Georgia.  The scenery is beautiful and the water is COLD, as one would expect. Many wonderful memories have been made on our trips to the lake and I am very grateful to my dear friend for extending an invitation each summer.  We usually do not leave the house except by boat but this year we are venturing into town for dinner.  Regardless, comfortable and casual are usually what I have in mind while packing for this trip.

L*Space by Monica Wise is a swimsuit line that I discovered while in Hawaii.  This top reminds me of the Lululemon Free To Be bra. The fit is similar and, bonus, both pieces are reversible to an army green!  I picked up the white Mott 50 swim dress at the Bluetique sale last week. It has a UPF of 50 and the sides can be synched up.  Add white jeans, Tkees, a couple of tops and I am ready for the lake!

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Two Thirty Five Designs

DIY: Distressed Jeans

Do you love the look of distressed jeans, but find it painful to cough up $250+ for the right pair?  It is easier than you think to create the look yourself.  Most of us have a pair of jeans in our closet that are just sitting there.  We don't part with them, but we don't wear them because they are boring or dated.  A little distressing can take an old pair of jeans and make them new again.  And yes, I get the irony in that statement.  Below is my step-by-step process, and it is so easy!

Above are the tools of the trade.

1. Razor blade

2. Very rough sand paper

3. Water-erasable pen (can be purchase at any fabric/crafting store)

4. A block of wood

Step one - Put on the jeans, and with your knees bent, mark the top and bottom of the area you want to distress.
Step two - Once you take the jeans off, put the block of wood inside the jeans and under the area you plan to distress.
Step three - Use the sand paper and/or razor blade to distress the area.  Keep in mind, this will take a little elbow grease!  The sand paper will create a look with the white threads going through the distressing, while the razor blade will make a clean cut.   If you choose to make any cuts with the razor blade, go back over them with the sand paper to fray the edges.
Step four - Wash the jeans, and repeat the process in any area needed.  You will also want to trim some of the white threads after washing.

I've had this pair of Rag & Bone jeans for a while, but I never seemed to wear them.  One night, while catching up on Empire, I gave distressing a try, and now I love them!  I did a combination of sand paper and cuts with the razor blade.  I also chose to cut the hems to crop these jeans just a little.  Then I used the sand paper to fray the edges.  I also added some distressing on the thighs and on areas that wear naturally (i.e. the edges of the pockets).

The finished product!

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OOTD: Diamond Dreamer

I recently picked up this cute and comfy Sanctuary Clothing top from Fig.  The front is a laser cut vegan diamond pattern.  The fit is loose and it has side slits.  I love the laser cut detail on the front.  Today, I am wearing it with an infinity scarf by Donna Salyers Furs, black toothpick jeans from J.Crew and Rag & Bone Albion boots. Thank you to Cortney Campus (salon owner) and Kelly Woods (stylist & makeup artist) from Style Downtown for doing such a fabulous job on my hair and makeup!

Locals: This scarf is from Bluetique.

Locals: These boots are available at Scout.

Detail of the top

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The Pleated Poppy

Stylin in St. Louis

Living in Color

Saltwater and Stilettos

Christmas booty

I have a very hard time making my list of Christmas wishes.  There are always things I want/need but I have a hard time prioritizing!  I can make suggestions for others all day long but it is hard when it comes to me. That being said, I would like to share my favorite gifts from this year.  I did have a small wish list at a couple local boutiques. The Theory top was a sale purchase at Saks on my recent trip to New Orleans. What I love most is that these are all things that are basics and each can be worn in so many different ways.  

1  Patagonia Down Shirt (locally at Weatherford's)

2  Theory Duria Shirt

3  TSE Hooded Cashmere Scarf

4  Donna Salyers Faux Fur Infinity Scarf (locally at Bluetique)

5  Frame Denim Le Skinny (locally at Scout)

6  Susan Campbell Jewelry Miguel Ases

7  Valentino Multi-Wrap Rockstud Bracelet

8  Rag & Bone Albion Ankle Boot (locally at Scout)

Linking up with:
Pampers & Pearls
The Pleated Poppy
Tucker Up
Because Shanna Said So