OOTD: Black & White Stripes & Tomato

black and white striped shirt c/o, black skinnies, bag

 Give me stripes somewhere in my outfit, and I'm a happy girl. Black and white stripes? Even better.

How about some cute elbow patches?

Maybe some pops of color? 

Or my favorite addition to any outfit: Charlie!

The 6 year old I nanny for and I were going over the parts of speech yesterday 

while she was being nosey and going through pics on my phone. 

I had her describe this outfit using adjectives. 

She said, "Black, white, stripes, red." 

I told her to think of creative adjectives and she said, "Black and white stripes and TOMATO." 

More striped faves from SheIn: red & white stripes, white black long loose tee, black white elbow patch--currently on sale!

Are you a fan of stripes?

Winging It

Red Khaki Batwing Sleeve Plaid Cardigan c/o SheIn, Jeans: Old Navy, Wedges: Target

I feel like I've been winging it lately. Do you ever feel like that? Life has been throwing me some curves, some uncharted territory, so there's nothing to do but just wing it. Put a smile on your face and keep going.

But forget about the heavy stuff--let's talk about these pics. I swear I am cursed whenever I go to take outfit pics or film a video. It always rains! And now it gets dark so early, so taking pictures has to be done early in the morning. So instead of not taking pics, I headed to the walkway, set up everything, grabbed the remote, and started snapping away. Winging it.

And I think I made it work, for winging it when playing style blogger. This is the first batwing cardigan I've owned, so it's been a fun piece to pull out when it's cool outside. Or to hide coffee spills...so I've heard.

Fess up--what have you been winging lately?

Extra Elle;

• I bought a heavy-duty shower liner. This thing is so thick and I'm convinced, bullet-proof. I'm giving it a full week's try before taking it down.
• My Story Behind the Pic link up is NOVEMBER 17, so mark your calendars! Just share a pic or more and give us the story behind them. That's it.

The Blush and The Burgundy

This Sunday is my birthday (a fact I will mention a dozen more times this week), and I spent my weekend having a "round one" celebration. I need a weekend to recover from my weekend.

But even though I was having fun, I stepped back for a minute for a few reflections.

And I realized three things:

1- I now require a nap if I am doing something past midnight. #oldlady
2- I treasure having friendships that pick up where they left off.
3- Pizza at 3 am is always a good idea.

Deeeep thoughts, right? ;)
These random thoughts that have nothing to do with each other, but go together somehow, like this outfit. A little summer with fall. Light and dark. The blush and the burgundy.

Shirt: c/o SheIn Jeggings: JcPenney Velvet Loafers: 

C Wonder (no longer available, boo) Earrings: Kendra Scott

Extra Elle:

• Don't forget my Story Behind the Pic linkup Oct 22!
• $100 to JcPenney anyone? Ends 10-16!

Casual, Comfortable Fall Outfit Ideas

I am way too excited that fall is around the corner. It's my FAVE! And not just because my birthday is in fall (October). But because I love everything about it: sights, scents, sounds...and pumpkin anything. It gives me a chance to slow down after a hectic summer.

Summer was kinda crazy for me: I felt like every weekend I was at an event like a wedding, shower, or graduation. Now that fall (autumn if you're feeling fancy) is almost here, I feel like I can relax a little and get back into my regular routine. It's like a huge sigh before the craziness of the holidays. One of my favorite things about fall is the weather.

And when the weather changes, it's time to go shopping! Give me all the sweaters! So I recently went shopping at JCPenney to get started on my fall wardrobe. I was able to find everything I was looking for, from head to toe. They even have a Look Book at jcplookbook.com if you need more inspiration.

I was specifically looking for clothes that were casual, comfortable, that make getting ready effortless. I also wanted clothes to fit the occasion, whether it's work or play, and I like it when my style reflects me. When I look good, I feel better. Finally, I had to stick to my budget, and JCPenney had plenty of options to do so. So let's see what I chose!

Plaid and fall just go together, right? This red and black plaid shirt paired with black skinny jeans and black booties  I love because I can wear it while I'm taking care of the kids at work--we already have plans about the massive leaf pile we are going to make this year, or pumpkin picking.

I know a lot of you associate toasting marshmallows with summer, but for me, it's always been in the fall. Maybe because it's too hot for a bonfire? Anyway, I kept the same plaid shirt, added a cable-knit cardigan, boyfriend jeans, and leopard flats. I can't wait to wear this to a hayride--I'd switch out my flats for booties. I love to mix textures and colors.

When I am comfortable in what I'm wearing I feel empowered and full of confidence. And one of my favorite things to do when life slows down is volunteer. This is a typical Elle Sees Uniform--a cozy cardi,  layered under a tank top, with deep ruby skinny jeans, a scarf and leopard flats. 

That's my casual and comfortable fall style.

Leave a comment below letting me your know style for a chance to win a $100 JCPenney gift card!

Entry Instructions:

No duplicate comments.

You may receive (2) total entries by selecting from the following entry methods:

1. Leave a comment in response to the sweepstakes prompt on this post

2. Tweet (public message) about this promotion; including exactly the following unique term in your tweet message: “#SweepstakesEntry”; and leave the URL to that tweet in a comment on this post

3. Blog about this promotion, including a disclosure that you are receiving a sweepstakes entry in exchange for writing the blog post, and leave the URL to that post in a comment on this post

4. For those with no Twitter or blog, read the official rules to learn about an alternate form of entry.

This giveaway is open to US Residents age 18 or older (or nineteen (19) years of age or older in Alabama and Nebraska). Winners will be selected via random draw, and will be notified by e-mail. The notification email will come directly from BlogHer via the sweeps@blogher email address. You will have 2 business days to respond; otherwise a new winner will be selected.

The Official Rules are available here.

This sweepstakes runs from 9/16/2015 – 10/16/2015

Be sure to visit JCPenney’s brand page on BlogHer.com where you can read other bloggers’ posts!

3 Quick Nanny Tips

If I'm not blogging, you can find me at my day job as a nanny. I take care of a 5 (and three quarters, very important, you know) year old and her baby sister. I recently celebrated my 5th anniversary of working for them! And over the years of being a nanny, I have figured out a few tricks. Here are 3 of them:

1: 1-2-3-Recipes

Kids LOVE to help you. But they are super impatient and have short attention spans. Knock out all 3 of these by using 1-2-3 recipes--these are recipes that have 3 ingredients or fewer. Think banana+egg=pancakes, frozen banana+blender=ice cream, and cake/cupcake/etc in a mug. Kids will learn skills such as teamwork, leadership, patience, and following directions, just to name a few. And if they get messy, that's part of the fun.

2: Shout^® Wipe & Go For The New Generation of Stains

Kids are messy, messy, messy (and adorable) humans beings. One of my jobs is to help with the girls' laundry. Kid clothes can be pricey, given how fast they grow, so you want them to look nice and last--a must if the clothes will be passed down to siblings.

Growing up, we had clothing stains like grass, ketchup, or clay. But today, it is totally different. Kids of this generation have those too, but they also have new types of stains like organic baby food (purple carrots with ancient grains anyone?), pressed juices, and kale everything. Luckily, I am a big believer in Shout® to help me out. Shout® is a trusted stain remover and is the only brand I rely on to pre-treat stains and treat stains on the go. The stains disappear and I feel confident I can handle any new stain that comes my way. When I'm out and about with the kids, I keep a stash of Shout® Wipe & Go wipes in my nanny bag.

3: Scrubs

Kids, especially babies, have accidents. The Shout^® Wipes are excellent for that. And they somehow always seem to have accidents ON YOU. This is where a pair of scrubs (like you'd see at a doctor's office) come in. Get a cheap pair and keep them in your car for such occasions.  I swear by this tip. Put on your scrubs, pre-treat your clothes with Shout® and throw them in the wash. You do not want to wear wet or soiled clothes for the rest of your work day. Trust me on this one. Shout^® gives kids the freedom to have fun and get messy, and it gives parents peace of mind knowing that stains will be gone with a few sprays. 

Visit Shout.com and check out Shout® on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter for more information! #ShoutItOut

I was selected for this opportunity as a member of Clever Girls and the content and opinions expressed here are all my own.

My Dressy Summer Style

Once summer hits, it seems like life gets really busy--it flies by so fast. Not a weekend goes by that we don't have some fun event to attend, like parties, showers, and weddings. It's the season, right? And the biggest decision is what to wear. We want our summer style to be comfortable, affordable, and adorable for summer. Get ready to make a splash this summer with outfits by JCPenney!

4th of July Classy Cookout--

• I threw a 4th of July classy cookout complete with grilled goodies, homemade lemonade and s'mores (a must). Then we headed up to the roof and watch the fireworks. I live in Midtown, so I can see all of the fireworks around the city--it's an awesome view.
• I wore this JCPenney Liz Claiborne Keyhole Bar-Neck Striped Fit-and-Flare Dress. It's super comfortable and is stretch knit. It's 4th of July without being costume-y. I love the fit of it too.

A fave feature is the detail of the gold-tone metal bar on the front keyhole.  I can skip a necklace and instead rely on that patriotic punch of color with a red bracelet. 

Outdoor Summer Wedding--

• I have worn this dress so much this summer! I recently wore this to an outdoor wedding and got so many compliments on the color. I wanted to be comfortable yet stylish and this JCPenney Alyx® Sleeveless Crochet Belted Dress worked perfectly.

In addition to the textured detail on the dress, I decided to dress it up with fun accessories like the necklace and bracelets. There are so many options! 

Two outfits perfect for summer! Be sure to head to JCPenney for all things summer.

Sweepstakes time! To enter for a chance to win a $100 JCPenney gift card, let me know in the comments:

What’s your favorite thing about summer?

Entry Instructions:
No duplicate comments.
You may receive (2) total entries by selecting from the following entry methods:
1. Leave a comment in response to the sweepstakes prompt on this post
2. Tweet (public message) about this promotion; including exactly the following unique term in your tweet message: “#SweepstakesEntry”; and leave the URL to that tweet in a comment on this post
3. Blog about this promotion, including a disclosure that you are receiving a sweepstakes entry in exchange for writing the blog post, and leave the URL to that post in a comment on this post
4. For those with no Twitter or blog, read the official rules to learn about an alternate form of entry.
This giveaway is open to US Residents age 18 or older (or nineteen (19) years of age or older in Alabama and Nebraska). Winners will be selected via random draw, and will be notified by e-mail. The notification email will come directly from BlogHer via the sweeps@blogher email address. You will have 2 business days to respond; otherwise a new winner will be selected.
The Official Rules are available here.
This sweepstakes runs from 7/13/2015 – 8/13/2015
Be sure to visit JCPenney’s brand page on BlogHer.com where you can read other bloggers’ posts!

A Shakedown With Friction Affliction

Story time, y'all! I thought I would share a couple of embarrassing moments...with my clothing!

Oh yes, I'm sure after reading these you'll be able to relate.

First up, the Shakedown!

Picture it: I'm running to a blogging event and my dress starts riding up, thanks to static cling. I immediately start to wiggle and tug at my dress. 

This ladies, is called the Shakedown, a classic move experienced by many. And then I notice the hottest guy looking at me and laughing. As is my fashion, I turned bright red and then nearly walked into a wall. 

This next story is a more recent one: Easter Sunday is a long day for us. Church services, Easter egg hunts, long lunches, and dinners, and all of it in a dress.

So by the time I got home that night, I was deep in the throws of Friction Affliction. This is that good old bow-legged stride I do to avoid my thighs touching because it feels like fire when they do. Thigh fire is hot, and not in a good way.

Finally, finally, y'all, I found solutions. Allow me to introduce Jockey® Skimmies® Slipshort. I have been officially #SavedBySkimmies!




What in the world are Skimmies? They are a super lightweight slipshort that keep panty lines to a minimum and offer anti-static defense. They smooth like a slip but cover like shorts. And they are a must-have in my wardrobe. You need them and you will love them.

They come in 3 styles:

Original Skimmies®

Smooths like a slip, covers like shorts. Offers a smooth, polished look under fitted-to-flowing skirts and dresses. The original design is available in short and regular lengths.
 Silky-smooth microfiber stretch fabric for smoothing coverage without restriction. 8 colors, from S-2XL. $20

Anti-static Skimmies®

Resists static and allows clothes to glide. Wear under pants or other cotton fashions and say good-bye to cling. Wide, flat leg hem for a stay-put fit. Targeted stretch zones flatter your natural curves. $20

Wicking Skimmies®

Breathable mesh panels keep you comfortable and dry all day. Perfect for working out. Moisture-wicking, quick dry fabric helps prevent chafing. Six colors, $22




And here's my Skimmies saving me this summer! Now I feel comfortable wearing this cute flowy, dress!

Learn more here: jockey.com/savedbyskimmies

How would you like to be #SavedBySkimmies? 

Tell me in the comments for a chance to win a $100 Jockey.com gift card.
Entry Instructions: 
No duplicate comments.
You may receive (2) total entries by selecting from the following entry methods:
1. Leave a comment in response to the sweepstakes prompt on this post
2. Tweet (public message) about this promotion; including exactly the following unique term in your tweet message: “#SweepstakesEntry”; and leave the URL to that tweet in a comment on this post
3. Blog about this promotion, including a disclosure that you are receiving a sweepstakes entry in exchange for writing the blog post, and leave the URL to that post in a comment on this post
4. For those with no Twitter or blog, read the official rules to learn about an alternate form of entry.
This giveaway is open to US Residents age 18 or older (or nineteen (19) years of age or older in Alabama and Nebraska). Winners will be selected via random draw, and will be notified by e-mail. The notification email will come directly from BlogHer via the sweeps@blogher email address. You will have 2 business days to respond; otherwise a new winner will be selected.
The Official Rules are available here.
This sweepstakes runs from 6/10/2015 – 7/31/2015
Be sure to visit Jockey’s brand page on BlogHer.com where you can read other bloggers’ posts!

Sunshine And New Shoes!

Hey you! How's the weather where you are? Have you been able to get out and enjoy the sun much? I have been enjoying the weather like crazy lately. Finally some sunshine in Atlanta after a grey winter. Any chance I get to be outdoors, I am taking it, especially if I have my pup Charlie with me. He is very social and loves being around people. Take for example when these pics were taken--we had just gotten back from a fancy brunch with friends. Sometimes it's just what the doctor ordered, am I right? It was just the perfect outing after the rough past couple of months I've had. It was time for some joy and fun!

And that brings me to my shoes! Now to get to the brunch was quite a hike through the local park. I wanted something cute, comfortable, and fun to wear. I went with a coral midi skirt, a classic white button up, a chunky but elegant necklace, and my Leigh Graphic Wedges from Crocs. Not only are they super fun, but they are so comfortable, y'all.

Yes! Let me repeat that: wedges can be comfortable. You need these! These are the multi-color ones but they also have a mushroom shade as well. These shoes are just one of the many offerings of new Crocs Spring-Summer 2015 Collection. 

Charlie is making me laugh because he just sneezed. It was cute, as is everything he does. Almost. ;) Love this cutie! He was so good at the brunch and kept trying to give everyone "puppy eyes" to try to charm everyone out of their food!

I love the print and the cute colors on these. While I wore mine to brunch, these shoes can be worn in a variety of ways. They go perfectly with any style. Think jeans, shirt, and blazer to dress them up. I've also worn these with white jeans and a cute coral tee. For spring and summer, try shorts and a tank or a fun summer dress.

Charlie and I think you need a pair or two! Find the Leigh Graphic Wedges HERE or visit Crocs.com to see the entire Spring-Summer 2015 line.

How will you find your fun in your Crocs?

PS: I've got 2 fun giveaways, so click here AND here.

J.Jill at Avalon (Plus Giveaway!)

Last week I had the privilege to check out the J.Jill store and view their November collection at the new Avalon shopping center just outside of Atlanta. And y'all let me you--this place is gorgeous. But let me back up a bit--have you heard of J.Jill? They're a clothing store for all women that's not exclusive to Atlanta: J.Jill is for all women. They have clothing, accessories, and footwear, and view fashion with a relaxed approach to style.

The design concept of this new J.Jill store is simple: to uncomplicate the lives of women by delighting their sense of personal style, inspiring confidence, and thoughtfully guiding their shopping experience.

I absolutely love that. 

I'm crazy busy and leave shopping for clothes at the bottom of my to-do list, because it's something I don't enjoy doing, believe it or not. I know a lot of you feel that way too. But my experience at shopping at J.Jill has changed that.  It was so easy, with a welcoming, engaging staff. I wasn't stressed, I didn't feel pressured...and it felt so personalized.

I love how to store is easily laid out--the mannequins have the styles on and the table with those items is right in front of you--no searching around. Again, the staff is super helpful, and the dressing room features those basic items that you need to style on with the pieces you choose (think basics, like button up white shirt, black skirt, tights, etc).

I also love how each store works with a different charity. To celebrate the opening, J.Jill will be making donations to their Alpharetta-based Compassion Fund Partner: Atlanta Center for Self-Sufficiency. When I visited the store, I got to learn more about this and think it's a wonderful, helpful idea, just like the J.Jill philosophy. Programs like these focus on skills, education, and transitional means to help disadvantaged and homeless women to become self-sufficient.

But let's go back to the clothes--J.Jill features styles that are comfortable and that are made for real life. like this cozy and stylish sweater and tights. It's not often that I can find clothes that work for my day job as a nanny--where I run after two little girls (ages 5 and 8 months) for around 12 hours a day. And J.Jill has clothes that can carry me through blogging events I might have at night, or for meeting up with friends. There is truly something for all women, including petites, tall, and women's sizes (available online).

Check out J.Jill on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, and Pinterest.

What items would you like to try from J.Jill? Cozy sweaters? Stylish tights? Let me know in the comments section below for a chance to win a $100 J.Jill gift card!

Sweepstakes Rules:
No duplicate comments.
You may receive (2) total entries by selecting from the following entry methods:
1. Leave a comment in response to the sweepstakes prompt on this post
2. Tweet (public message) about this promotion; including exactly the following unique term in your tweet message: “#SweepstakesEntry”; and leave the URL to that tweet in a comment on this post
3. Blog about this promotion, including a disclosure that you are receiving a sweepstakes entry in exchange for writing the blog post, and leave the URL to that post in a comment on this post
4. For those with no Twitter or blog, read the official rules to learn about an alternate form of entry. 
This giveaway is open to US Residents age 18 or older. Winners will be selected via random draw, and will be notified by e-mail. The notification email will come directly from BlogHer via the sweeps@blogher email address. You will have 72 hours to respond; otherwise a new winner will be selected.
The Official Rules are available here.
This sweepstakes runs from 11/21/2014 – 11/30/2014.

How To: Zooey Deschanel Makeup, Hair, Outfit

I don't think a month goes by that I don't get a request for a tutorial on Zooey Deschanel's hair and makeup. And the last time I did a tutorial on her was two or three years ago (featuring some horrible camera phone pics in a dark bathroom...my, how I've upgraded), so I thought it was time for an update. Plus, Halloween is next week and this would make an easy last-minute costume idea. Let's get started:

My Sandestin Trip!

I'm back from the beach, and am sharing a few (ok, a LOT) of pics from my trip. Get comfortable and come along with my on my trip to Sandestin! My favorite time of year for the beach is in the fall. Always has been--think smaller crowds, 80s temps, and plenty of fun in the sun. This is going to be so hard to narrow down my pics!

Thanks to my recent trip, I'm rocking the salty beachy wavy hair and have a little sand still on my shoes to prove it. I was going to just share pics of the beach, but had such a great time doing other things that I had to share (almost) all of it. I got to stay at the Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort in South Walton, FL, and it was spectacular. I want to go back riiiight now. You will too.

First off the beach: the water was gorgeous--several shades of sparkling blue--and the sand is the softest I've ever walked on--like powered sugar. The Florida Panhandle has the prettiest beaches in the US, hands-down. Love that Emerald Coast.

Lift Up! Where Does Your Bra Go? $100 Visa Card Giveaway

Take a moment and think about all of the places you take your bra during the day. Seriously, take just a moment:

For example, just the other day I washed my car, walked my dog, blogged, ran errands, chased after a 4 year old, climbed up a to tree house (and down about 50 times), cuddled a 5 month old, and threw on a dress to dash off to be a guest at an event. And that was just a little of my morning.

I admit--a bra for me was an after thought. It was just a necessary accessory I never thought about. I accepted the poor quality, cheap material, slipping straps, and back bulges. But it doesn't have to be that way!

I have a solution--enter Vanity Fair®. For 100 years, Vanity Fair® lingerie has been the brand that women look to for undeniable support, lift and a little bit of luxury. We take our bras everywhere--so why not invest in a bra that will be able to take you on your day?

Vanity Fair® offers feminine and beautiful lingerie available in styles that are trend-right and feature sleek fabrics with clean lines for a smooth look under clothes. With sophisticated color palettes and minimalistic prints, Vanity Fair® bras and panties are great for everyday wear. I love the quality and the details AND that they're affordable.

So back to my point earlier about where you take your bra--I wanted to announce the “Women Who Do” campaign. This initiative is dedicated to praising and celebrating everyday triumphs of women everywhere. Vanity Fair® hopes to spark a movement that inspires women to support each other and live their lives according to what makes them happy.

Dress for Success Partnership: Dress for Success® – an organization dedicated to promoting the economic independence of disadvantaged women by providing professional attire, career development tools and a network of support– noticed a need for more intimate apparel to provide its clients. Vanity Fair® saw a welcome opportunity to lend its expertise, resources and extensive product offering to help replenish the lingerie of the non-profit organization. Through this partnership, Vanity Fair® hopes to provide women with the support they need to be successful.

And to do just that, they have The Vanity Fair LiftTOUR! On July 17, 2014, Vanity Fair and Dress for Success kicked off the national LiftTOUR – a nationwide bus tour with a focus on fit and philanthropy. The LiftTOUR will travel across the country conducting bra fittings at major retail locations, and for every woman fit, Vanity Fair® will donate a brand-new bra to the local Dress for Success Affiliate. Between July and the end of October, the LiftTOUR will plan to stop at 70 different locations in 12 major U.S. markets. Be sure to check it out!

Be sure to check out Vanity Fair® here:

• Vanity Fair Twitter
• Vanity Fair Facebook page
• Vanity Fair Instagram page 
• Vanity Fair Pinterest page 
• Vanity Fair YouTube account

And now it's SWEEPSTAKES time!

What do you support? Tell us in the comments for a chance to win a $100 Visa gift card.

Sweepstakes Rules:
No duplicate comments.
You may receive (2) total entries by selecting from the following entry methods:

1. Leave a comment in response to the sweepstakes prompt on this post
2. Tweet (public message) about this promotion; including exactly the following unique term in your tweet message: “#SweepstakesEntry”; and leave the URL to that tweet in a comment on this post
3. Blog about this promotion, including a disclosure that you are receiving a sweepstakes entry in exchange for writing the blog post, and leave the URL to that post in a comment on this post
4. For those with no Twitter or blog, read the official rules to learn about an alternate form of entry.

This giveaway is open to US Residents age 18 or older. Winners will be selected via random draw, and will be notified by e-mail. The notification email will come directly from BlogHer via the sweeps@blogher email address. You will have 72 hours to respond; otherwise a new winner will be selected.
The Official Rules are available here.
This sweepstakes runs from 9/8 -10/19/2014.
Be sure to visit the Vanity Fair brand page on BlogHer.com where you can read other bloggers’ posts!