Conceptualizing

When it's time to start coming up with designs for a new collection 

or season, I like to call the creative process conceptualizing. For the

past month or so, I have been knee-deep in "conceptual mode" brainstorming

and sketching new ideas and products. When planning for the future, it's always fun 

to look back to older designs that were widely popular, this one being one that

fits into the best seller category. I've been analyzing it for a few days trying

to figure out what makes this particular illustration so special. Is it the

monochromatic color scheme, the recognizable storefront, or something

you can't quite put your finger on? I'd love to hear your feedback about

this design and what you would love to see more of in the future! 

Rachel Green

I think we all remember this look from the classic Sex & the City movie.

Carrie wore a complimenting jacket, but the belt was the real hero of

the outfit making multiple cameos throughout the movie. 

Shop my picks for equally as heroic belts here:

ONE  |  TWO  |  THREE

prints available here

Classic Navy

What's better than navy paired with distressed denim and 

accented with a touch of black? A classic color combo that

will never go out of style. It's casual Friday at its best.

Speaking of classics, one of my all-time favorite handbags

just went on major sale. I've had this Rebecca Minkoff bag

for years, and I mean years. It's the perfect bag for travel. It

packs well if you prefer something bigger for day. It's a 

comfortable fit on your shoulder. And best of all, it's on sale

PLUS an additional 25% off with code SUMMER25. Grab

it while you can. It also comes in a mini version that I have my

eye on. 

prints available here

Print Sale

The time has come...

the PRINT SALE is here! All prints are half-price through next

week. Shop quick because there are very limited quantities (we

are down to the last one in most of the designs). Happy shopping!

PRINT SALE >>

Alyssa Rosenheck Photography

Soda Shop

Making a quick stop for ice cream, because it still feels like a holiday

and ice cream is always a good idea. Who's with me? What's your

favorite flavor? 

Gingham, take 2

Following up on yesterday's post with more love for the must-have 

print of the season, gingham. It immediately makes me think of southern 

springs and summers, but I think it's a classic and can be worn anywhere.

I stumbled across this top and was immediately smitten. Think of it with a

pair of cropped jeans.... perfect for spring!  

 I received a handful of questions about the pants in yesterday's post.

The illustration itself is a few years old, so I located a few similar options

and am listing them below. This pair from Banana Republic would be the 

closest alternative, but the other options are just as good! 

Gingham pants:

ONE  |  TWO  |  THREE  |  FOUR

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Valentine's Day Gift Guide

February 14th is rapidly approaching, but there's still plenty of

time to do a little shopping for your best gals, significant

other and anyone in between. Don't forget to pick up a BFP

Valentine's Day greeting card to complete the gift. We now have

two different designs (a blonde and a brunette) to choose from. 

And now for the fun part... a gift guide full of all things pink

and red with a heavy emphasis on the Gucci-loving, rose-drinking

fashionista. 

Gucci loafers  |  heart shaped earrings  |  strawberry cupcake mix  |  chocolate cupcake mix  |  

Gucci floral scarf  |  rose misting spray |  "Rose All Day" candle  |  Rose coffee table book  |  

heart shaped pouch  |  "but first, rose" gummies  |  doormat  |  concealer brush  |  

eye shadow brush set  |  set of 4 heart plates

Give the Gift of Cozy

Maybe it's the turmoil of our world these days or maybe it's the

ultimate home-body in me, but can you imagine a better gift than

to give someone the gift of cozy? A cozy throw, a great book to curl

up by the fire with, luxurious bath products to make that r&r time

even more relaxing... this list is the ultimate in cozy.

And don't forget about our other carefully curated lists. See them all
on our 2017 Gift Guide page. 

1) Swell bottle (perfect for hot tea, and of course, it's marble)

2) tea kettle (I use mine daily, especially at night when I'm 

cozying up for the night)

3) The Year of Cozy book (a great addition to any coffee table

addicts collection)

4) Slip pillowcase (I was hesitant to jump on board at first, but

I'm hooked on my silk pillowcase now. It's a worthy purchase)

5) Voluspa candle (one of my favorite scents this time of year!)

6) silk mask set (perfect for traveling)

7) Barefoot Dreams throw (have one, love it, can't live without it)

8) Dyson hair dryer (because who doesn't need a $400 hair dryer?)

9) deep sleep pillow spray (we could all use a little help getting

to sleep and staying asleep, I'll try anything)

10) Barr - Co. bath salts (the perfect way to bump up the bath game)

11) Kopari coconut oil (another perfect end to a long day)

12) Ugg slippers (this exact pair should be waiting for me under

the tree, wink wink. I get a new pair every year because I literally

live in them)

Cyber Monday

Happy Cyber Monday! It's a day to scour the internet for the best 

deals around. We've got some you don't want to miss...

Our 2018 Planner is now $20 (marked down from $20). Hurry! Get one

while supplies last.

All greeting cards are marked down. Full price greetings cards are normally

$5 but are $3 today, and our sale greeting cards are marked down to $1

(yes, I said $1). You're going to want to stock up. 

Lastly, all Winks are $5 (marked down from $10). They make the perfect

addition to any gift. 

Happy shopping! 

What to Wear... to Thanksgiving

The countdown is on... while the day after Halloween is usually the kick

off for Christmas in my family, we have one holiday getting in the way.

Thanksgiving is one week away! The question remains (and is a stresser

every year), what to wear?? You want to be comfortable while you indulge

in absolutely everything you avoid every other day of the year. It's a day of

good food and good family time, so what's the happy medium of looking

cute while still being able to participate should a backyard flag football game 

be proposed? 

In my family, we keep it casual. I stick to some sort of jeans and a trendy

sweater combo. Throw on boots, booties or a statement flat and call it

a day. Thank goodness looser jeans are in this season... that second piece

of pecan pie is definitely happening.

Remember, a family photo is definitely going to happen, so don't wear 

something you'll already regret next year. 

sweater: ASOS  |  jeans: Levi's  |  flats: SheIn

The Holiday Collection

I've been about to jump out of my seat with excitement over the new 

Holiday Collection and it's finally time to share it with you! The wait

is over... we have new gift tags (both small and large), recipe cards, 

tons of new greeting cards, notecards, a new desk accessory (the padfolio),

and two new luggage tags that you and your bestie need asap.

Live Illustrating Event

Today's the day! 

If you're in the Nashville area, come see me tonight...

Sip & shop the stunning jewelry of Brooke Worthington; see all the

new fall arrivals in the dreamy space of H.Audrey; work directly with

the designer of Mabyl handbags to create a custom bag made from the 

most luxurious exotic skins. After designing your bag, receive a custom

illustration done by yours truly! 

We hope to see you tonight!

The Mustard Color, pt. 1

This golden hue has been making as much of a splash as red this 

season. I've been seeing it in rich textures like velvet and suede 

making it reminiscent of a 70s couch. Can't you see it up against

that horrible green carpet? Oh my.

Regardless of how we got here or why this color is reemerging, 

it can be classic and understated when done properly. It pairs well

with camel, black, white, denim, maybe a punch of red (like a red

lip), and cobalt. I fell in love with this velvet tank from J.Crew. I

can see it worn so many different ways. This look carries into

those cooler nights by throwing a black leather moto jacket over

your shoulders. And, obviously, the white boots are a must! This

pair won't break the bank, so they're a good buy for a trendy piece. 

If velvet isn't your thing, see below for some other solid sweater 

choices for a touch of mustard this season:

ONE  |  TWO  |  THREE  |  FOUR

earrings: J.Crew  |  tank: J.Crew  |  bag: Henri Bendel  |  shoes: Nordstrom

The Color Red, pt. 3

Today, let's talk about the red bag. It's absolutely the easiest way

to add a pop of red to your wardrobe. It pairs well with pretty much

any outfit. It's a classic believe it or not. You can spend a little bit 

and keep it for years on end. And, it's a sure way to brighten your

day (and your outfit)! I picked up a small red bag from Henri Bendel

a few years ago and still love it to death. I don't carry it every day, 

but it always makes me smile when I do. 

This season, I've been tying to make more calculated choices when it

comes to my wardrobe. I have been weighing the options, checking my

closet to make sure I don't have something similar, and investing in more

timeless choices. I love a good Target or Zara find as much as anyone,

but those are always the first pieces to go in a seasonal closet clean-out.

This bag is something I studied, looked at, and weighed the color choices

for months. It's by a designer I hadn't heard of and doesn't have a logo 

(a major win in my book). So the question was red or camel?

I ended up with the camel because of the previously mentioned

red bag that was already in my closet, but the red is still a top

choice. I love the bag itself and love the comments from the

peanut gallery when I carry it ("do you have a pair of binoculars

in there" // "your bag looks like a binocular case" etc etc). I get it. 

It looks like a binocular case, but I think it's fantastic. It has become

an unexpected conversation piece. 

Shop my other red bag pics that don't necessarily carry the same

conversation piece status but are still great choices:

ONE  |  TWO  |  THREE  |  FOUR

bag: Nico Giani via Net-a-Porter

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The Color Red, pt. 2

Yesterday we started our coverage on the color red. It is in fact 

the color of the season. If it's not "your color", you can still add

pops of it by way of accessories, mostly shoes. The 60s boot

is everywhere right now in all shapes and patterns (white, floral

embroidery, bright reds, deep maroons, etc.). I love the look of 

a bright red bootie with a cropped jean.... consider it a must! 

Also, consider a pointed toe version of the bootie for a dressier

look. Shop my favorite red booties below:

ONE  |  TWO  |  THREE

There's also always the option of the Gucci fur-lined slides in an updated red 

instead of black. See more styling tips on all the Fall trends on our 

September Issue Pinterest board. 

So, the question is are you the one on the right or the left?

I always lean more towards a distressed jean with a heeled 

bootie, though I'm making attempts to include diversity this

fall. 

left block heel: Gucci (similar version here)  |  right red booties: Nordstrom

Birds

I've recently been drawn to embroidery on both dresses and flirty little

tops. I love the feminine touch, added embellishments, etc. It's such a

nice break from my basic black & white wardrobe. We'll see if this one

sticks around for fall, but for now, birds of a feather flock together, right?

This illustration was inspired by a dress a few years back, but it came to

mind when I found this dress the other day. Hello, it's perfect for a summer

wedding, a bridesmaid's luncheon or a baby shower (throw on some cute flat

sandals). So out of character for me, but I'm completely obsessed with it.

similar dress available here

What to Wear... This Fall

While I feel like we just got into the heat of summer, fall is

just around the corner (yay!). I find it much easier to get dressed

in the fall when you can throw on a sweater, jeans, and your favorite

boots and call it a day. While we're still a few months out, the Nordstrom

Anniversary Sale is the perfect opportunity to start your fall shopping now!

So what are we looking for in terms of fall trends? Bell sleeves are

still going to be here. Long duster cardigans are becoming a major

go-to for me (layered over a basic white tee, done and done). Cool

details like lace-up sleeves and tasteful cut-outs are the perfect way to

add some interest to an otherwise basic sweater. Off the shoulder is still

going to be around, though I have to admit, I'm growing weary of the trend. 

Oh, but the sweater/sweatshirt she's wearing below is $25. You might need

this one. It's a great weekend wear option (linked below). 

I've narrowed it down to a handful of sweaters you have to see (for non-

Nordstrom card holders, start loading up your cart now so you can hit "checkout" 

when the sale opens to the public Saturday). Grab these items quick before they 

sell out!

ONE  |  TWO  |  THREE  |  FOUR  |  FIVE  |  SIX

cozy off the shoulder sweatshirt

[ prints available here ]

Kourt

If there's one thing I spend money on, it's accessories. Everything from 

watches, sunglasses, bags, etc. etc... that's where my money goes. My wardrobe 

is pretty basic (black, white and grey is my color palette), and I mix it up with fun 

accessories (mostly in the same colors). I never leave home without a good pair of

shades, so Quay has become my new best friend. (Consider this an unsponsored post;

I'm just a huge advocate for the brand). They are highly durable, affordable, and on-

trend. With the attainable price point, you can go for something on the trendy side

without breaking the bank. My summer go-to has been the mirrored aviators. While

I have an extensive collection of Ray-Bans in the same shape, the Quay version is

lighter on my face which makes for better long-term wear. 

While I opted for the silver, this shape is available in multiple colors. Shop

my favorites by Quay (pronounced "key") below:

ONE  /  TWO  /  THREE  /  FOUR

[ prints available here ]

Beauty Cleaning Mat

Did you know that early access to the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale

has started? Of course you did... everybody is talking (and posting)

about it. While I cut my Nordies card to shreds opting for travel

points from Southwest, I can still preview the sale and get my cart 

ready for July 21st when the sale opens to non-cardholders. 

One of the items I found on the sale is an absolute must. I purchased a 

Sigma cleaning mat last year and have since become obsessed. Keeping my 

makeup brushes clean is something I often overlook, but this mat is the easiest 

way to keep them clean and to keep your skin happy. The NSale exclusive 

includes a sample of the cleaning shampoo, so just add it to your cart

and call it a day. You (and your skin) can thank me later! 

 Catherine Truman Photography

Koecke

I loved creating this fun illustration of a mother/daughter duo

shopping their way through Main Street. It made the perfect gift

for this 13 year old.