High Five for Friday!

Wow, this week went by like lightning! It was none too bad for me. Let's face it, the Vols play their season opener on Saturday, so I was on cloud 9. I was bound to have a good week!

1. New nail polish, Revlon Urban. Love it!

2. Champs, anyone? There's never a wrong time for Roederer Estate.

3. This little guy decided to make my lap his personal napping spot.

4. Pumpkin Spice Latte released early in Knoxville. Heaven in a cup.

5. GBO!

Linking up for H54F. Have a great weekend & Go Vols!

What to Wear: Job Interview

First off, let me say that I am looking for 3-4 guest bloggers while I am on vacation September 9-16. If you're interested, please let me know via email or comment. This is absolutely free, great exposure for your blog, and to say thank you, I'll post your button on my sidebar for 30 days.

Now, on the real post...

Deciding what to wear to a job interview can be a challenging task. "Do I wear something conservative to make them think I'm responsible?" "Should I wear this piece to show my personality?" The stakes are pretty high if you choose the wrong thing.

Before make any hasty decisions, think about the company with which you are interviewing and the position for which you are interviewing. Dress according to the company's environment and the position you're hoping to get. Interviewing at a conservative law firm for an attorney position? Then you should probably wear a black or navy suit and leave your arm party and leopard heels at home.

While each situation is unique, here are my tips on dressing appropriately for a job interview. Hopefully, my suggestions will help guide you.

Wear a blazer and structured pants. This makes you look professional, and will make you feel professional. A confidence boost is always a plus in a job interview. If you're interviewing for a more creative position at a laid back company, your blazer can be a different color than your pants, but if you're unsure, stick with an actual suit with pants that have some structure. Sloppiness is not OK.

Choose a soft blouse. Blazers can make you look the part, but you still want to be comfortable. The worst feeling in the world is wearing a long sleeved button shirt stuffed down the sleeves of a blazer. It is hot and miserable, and everyone will be able to see how uncomfortable you are. A sleeveless blouse is 1000x times better.

Wear simple jewelry. Jewelry is a great way to express yourself, but not at your job interview. If you wear gigantic colorful earrings or a statement necklace, that is all your interviewers will notice. You want the focus to be on your qualifications, not your latest purchase from Charming Charlie. Keeping it simple is your best option.

Carry a stylish bag. A bag/briefcase is a great way to show your personality and style when going on an interview. While I don't suggest a neon pink oversized tote, a bag with a little pizzazz is really OK. Why a bag and not jewelry? Well, your bag will likely sit on the floor and not be in your interviewer's eye line. That's not the case with jewelry, it will almost always be seen.

Choose subtle shoes. To pull your look together, choose a pair of shoes that are subtle and classic. Sending the right message to your potential employer is so important, and your shoes say a lot about you. You want to give "I'm professional and reliable and would never come into work hung over." vibes. You do not want to give "I'm professional and reliable(ish), but I might call in sick on Fridays." vibes.

With these tips, you'll rock that interview!

How to: Pack Light

Kris and I leave for our Washington/Oregon trip in a week and a half, so naturally I'm starting to think about what I'm going to pack.

You should know that I am an extremely light traveler. I hate to check bags or lug around tons of stuff I may or may not need. I am entirely no-nonsense when it comes to packing my suitcase. Just ask Kris. He always takes more than I do. I may or may not give him a hard time about it.

Because I love you, I'm going to pass on my knowledge to you. Before you know it, you'll be spending 5 days in Napa with just a carryon!

Step 1: The first thing you want to do before you start packing is make a list of the number of days you'll be traveling and the number of potential outfits you'll need - make sure to include any special events.



Step 2: Make a list of all the items you think you might want to pack/wear. This will help you get a clear picture of what you actually need versus what you think you need.



Step 3: Next, make outfits out of all the items you listed, and think about where you would wear said outfits. Make as many outfits as you possibly can from the items listed.

Tip: Jeans can be worn 2-3 times. So can tops if you wear them only for a short period of time on the first wear. For example, if you wear a top to a 2 hour dinner, you can totally wear it again.



Step 4: Last, eliminate excess items and items that can only be worn once. This will give you plenty of outfit options without making you pack items you don't necessarily need.

Tip: Consider wearing your chunkiest/bulkiest shoes to the airport. You'll have way more space in your suitcase without sacrificing what shoes you'll bring. For example, when we go to Napa I always bring boots, but they take up a ton of valuable suitcase space. I wear them to the airport/during travel. That way I have them, but haven't had to leave another pair at home.



Other things to consider: go through your daily routine in your head to remember items you might need or to help you identify items you can leave at home. For example, I always leave my eyelash curler and endless supply of eye shadow at home. I can get away with one shade while I travel. If you're hell bent on checking a bag, consider packing one check bag between your travel companions. Kris and I have been on 10 day trips and checked one bag. You'll save on baggage fees!

So there you have it, my tips on packing light. Bon Voyage, y'all!

Style Statement Tuesday

Style Statement Tuesday was started almost exactly one year ago. It has been a place to share my outfit inspirations and has helped me define my style. But more than that, it has been a place where I've met so many wonderful people who have linked up every week. I can't web begin to say how grateful I am for everyone who has faithfully shared their posts with me.

That being said, as I am deciding where exactly I want this blog to go, I have decided to end the link up associated with Style Statement Tuesday, at least for now. I really want to take some time and refocus my style posts, i.e. do a better job. I am not 100% sure if I'll continue to post SST posts every week, but trust me when I say they are still going to be a part of Love and Loyally. 

So without further adieu, here is what I've got for you this week, a montage of the good, the bad, and the ugly of SST.

The Good

8/20/13



6/11/13

 

4/16/13

The Bad

 



2/12/13

 

1/15/13

 

7/23/13

The Ugly

5/28/13

5/21/13

 

 

1/22/13

 

Thank you again for linking up this past year! Love you all!

 

 

 



Weekend Shenanigans

It's Monday.

I had to get up an hour earlier than normal today because the shocks on my car are getting changed today, which means Kris had to take me to work. Except, he had an 8am dentist appointment. And that meant we had to drop my car off at 7:20. 7:15 is my normal wake-up time.

As you can see, I had a bit of a rough start. But, on to the good stuff.

I had high hopes for this weekend. I really did.

I went out Friday night, got a pedicure Saturday morning, and then I was invited to go to the lake. Fabulous! Well, plans changed and we decided to go on Sunday. No biggie. I went to the pool on Saturday and laid out. I also saw The Butler Saturday night. It was awesome.

Well, Sunday comes, and I'm so excited. I haven't been to the lake at all this summer. Then I remember that I have some gaping wounds on my knees and arms. Open wounds and lake water do not a good combination make. I was crushed. All my friends were going to the lake, and I couldn't stand the thought of sitting on a boat in the blistering heat without being able to get into the water, so I had to pass.

I spent the day watching Bar Rescue and Real Housewives of Orange County. Oh and getting tagged in pics from the lake by my friends. What kind of assholes rub it in like that? Story of my life.

Hope your weekend was better than mine, and here's to a great week. Linking up for Weekend Shenanigans.

High Five for Friday!

Last night, I attended the private opening of Knoxville's new Anthrpologie store. I had tons of fun, and I am so excited Knoxville finally has one of my favorite stores!

1. I think Anthropologie stores are always so beautiful

2. I need these sunglasses. Ahem, Kris Garner, ahem.

3. Beautiful styling, as always

4. Shopping is more fun with friends

 

5. All I bought was this mug, which I love. But, oh do I plan to go back!

 

Linking up for High Five for Friday!

 

 



Drugstore Makeup Favorites

I have never been one to do tons of makeup shopping at drugstores. I've always been a department store kind of girl. I blame my mother for my MAC addiction. And my OCD behavior, but that's a different story for a different day.

 

 

Garnier BB Cream - This stuff changed my life. I don't like how true foundation makes my face feel, but I really want more coverage than a tinted moisturizer offers. I use the oily skin formula & it's perfect.

Maybelline Instant Age Rewind Dark Circle Eraser - I use this in the Brightener shade. I love how it diminishes my raccoon eyes without settling into my fine lines.

Covergirl Professional Super Thick Lash - I like this mascara just as much as I like any department store mascara I've ever used. It doesn't clump, and it definitely thickens my eyelashes.

New York Color Liquid Lipshine - I just recently started using this lip gloss. I bought it in a color I don't normally wear (Midtown Mulberry) because I didn't want to spend a lot of money on a shade I was unsure of. I really like it, and I will be buying it again. It offers great shine, and it's less than $3!

What drugstore products do you love?

Have you met my boyfriend?

Boyfriend jeans have been around for, what, ever? I think so. I haven't hopped onto that trend, but I am itching to do so.

I have always been super self conscious of my thighs so, up until last year, I have taken the bootcut, flare, trouser jean approach to life. BOR-ING! I know.

Last summer, I decided to try skinny jeans, and I liked them despite myself. Now, I'm not saying I'm Kate Moss rocking them, but it's not so bad. As I get older, I am more accepting of my body. This season, I am on the hunt for some sexy boyfriend jeans to wear with heels all fall long!



 

Style Statement Tuesday

Welcome back to Style Statement Tuesday!

A little bit about Style Statement Tuesday - Each week, I showcase a look I love that I think fits my style statement, which I have defined as 'Classic Casual.' It's also a place for you to link-up your outfit posts and inspirations. To read more about Style Statement Tuesday, click here.

Here is this week's look:

Top: H&M; Jeans: J.Crew Factory; Shoes: Target; Necklace: Double Happiness

 

Link up and share your style!


I'm linking up for Style Sessions and What I Wore Wednesday.

Weekend Shenanigans!

It's hard to believe there are only 12 days left in August. The summer is nearly over, and I have nothing to show for myself. Not even a tan.

I spent the majority of my weekend nursing my wounds and watching television. I'm a wild one, I tell you.

I ran across this Saturday night, and I thought it was so profound. And so true.

 

I also tried the White Chocolate Candy Corn M&Ms. They were just OK, which was disappointing because I wanted to them to be fantastic.

Everywhere I went on Sunday I was greeted by a screaming child. Walmart, check. Target, check. Old Navy, check. It annoyed the crap out of me! I think this is a sign from the Lord that I am in no way ready to have a kid.

Anyway, have a happy Monday! I'm linking up for Weekend Shenanigans!

 

High Five For Friday!

Happy happy Friday!

Things did NOT go as planned this week. At all. They started out good, got pretty bad, and then got good again.

1. I got a new blog button, and I love it!

 

 

 

2. Then I had a scooter accident and did this to my arm.

 

 

 

3. And this to my leg.

 

 

 

4. Then, to make me feel better, my nephew let me straighten his very curly hair. It kinda did make me feel better.

 

 

 

5. The Vols released their new uniforms yesterday. I just bought a grey sweater to wear to games and it came in the mail yesterday. Coincidence? Or can I see the future? I definitely can't see the future because if I could I wouldn't have gotten into a scooter accident now would I?

 

Linking up for H54F! Have a great weekend!

 

 

Style Statement Tuesday

Welcome to Style Statement Tuesday! If you're new here, here's what to expect...Each week, I showcase a look I love that I think fits my style statement, which I have defined as 'Classic Casual.' It's also a place for you to link-up your outfit posts and inspirations. To read more about Style Statement Tuesday, click here.

This week is all about fall. In my opinion, which happens to be the only one that counts on this here blog, fall begins September 1. That's 19 days.

Here are some looks I'm loving that I think fit my Classic Casual style statement.

 

I love the simplicity of this look. It's casual, yet put together. Always a win in my book.

 

The hat in this outfit really appeals to me. I have a similar hat, and I am always looking to ways to style it.

 

I love this vest. I know faux fur is kind past its prime, but I dig it. What can I say?

 

The idea of adding a sparkly top under a blazer is so chic! The jeans tone it down just enough to make me want to wear something similar.

 

Who doesn't die for a pink coat? I definitely want one for fall!

 

All images can be found on my Styled Pinterest Board. Link up below to share your style!