Ducks In A Row

Yesterday's weather was seriously so gorgeous. It did end up getting a little bit hot (81*) while we were out and about, but overall it was too pretty to pass up. We loaded up Toby and headed over to Shelby Park to feed the ducks. We decided to venture out on the little island in the middle of the lake because there was no one else out there. The outer banks were chock full of people and we were afraid the ducks would be too full! Toby had a total blast throwing bread toward the ducks and watching them snap it up. I think next time we might take him to Centennial Park because the ducks there will actually eat bread from your hands. (You can see what Toby + Mike wore to the park HERE! We all accidentally matched.)

I wore this two days in a row, so don't shun me. We had some matters to take care of on Monday so I finally donned my Jason Wu x Target dress with my Blowfish Heda wedges. This dress is so dreamy! It's the epitome of perfect. It was a lucky return and I was elated to have snatched it up since our Target never got it. These Heda wedges are seriously so classy, and so so sturdy. They've got a very "pin up" vibe to them. I know, I know... navy and black, bad mix, but I did it anyway. I did try to make a black blazer or cardigan work but that was like a trainwreck. This gray cardi will have to do until I can find an appropriate piece to pair it with. The pretty arrow bangle was a gift from Poshlocket. I think the very slight touch of gold looks cute. The quirky arrow aspect of it is my favorite though. 

Last night I spent the evening looking up business plans, doodling logos and starting to crunch numbers. A brick and mortar needs to happen. Just gotta figure out how and get all of our ducks in a row. It's unfortunate that so many female-run small businesses (especially boutiques) tend to be "hush hush" top secret ventures. Few women like to share their experiences, both successes and failures, with others. I find to be so disheartening. I really need a fairy (business) godmother! haha Today I'm meeting with my lovely friend Maya (and her beau, Justin!) for coffee. We're going to discuss the branding of her bakery/cafe biz that she's been wanting to do for a while. For the past few months we've been entertaining the thought of going in together as business partners, too! It's an exciting experience when you have someone else realizing your dream with you! Hope y'all have a fabulous Tuesday!

Have you bought anything lately that just makes you feel like a million bucks? This dress is just that for me! xx

Jason Wu x Target dress
Forever 21 cardigan
Target belt, thrifted

59 comments:

  1. I love this dress and you look so beautiful!

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  2. Oh so cute! Love it! I feel you on the stories of women in business, we need their stories! Saw your doodles of Honeybean last night, so stinkin' sweet. I wish nothing but the best for you!

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  3. I LOVE this outfit!! This dress wasn't at my Target but I did snatch up a couple others!! :) And I love your shoes!!! I have been eying those for a while now!!
    Yes, I do have dresses//outfit that make me feel like a million bucks. The one on my blog right now is def. one of them!!)) :)
    Have an amazing day friend!!
    xo

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  4. I love this outfit!!! And how cute is Toby's little pout :)
    Extra love to the the kneelength dress too, so you can rock your shin tatts! Yay for good lengths!
    I am so envious - I had my eyes one the Heda wedges for ages, but never had the extra $$ to ship them out to Oz. They're gorgeous and very pin-up too!
    Luvluv,
    Shann xxx

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  5. Navy and black are never a bad mix. I don't know who came up with that dumb rule.

    Love it!

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  6. It's funny that you mentioned the pairing of black and navy. Because I kinda did it today...I actually do it often. Faux pas I know but I like it! I think I'll take photos of my ensemble after work today! PS - since we've been chatting about wedding stuff I wanted to let you know I posted some of my engagement photos today! :)

    PS - I'm LOVING the dress on you! The length is so perfect too!

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  7. Good luck with your business ventures! I have to admit, you are such an inspiration to me. I've just recently attempted going into business for myself and your blog gives me something to look up to.
    And of course, I love that dress! You look fantastic in it.

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  8. That's an amazing outfit and I love your tattoos :)

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  9. the dress is awesome!! there's no target nearby, so i didn't even get to see the jason wu stuff. but it looks wonderful on you! and i hope you can make your dreams of opening a brick and mortar store come true very soon. good day pretty lady! xo

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  10. I think this might be one of my favorite outfits of yours! Good luck with the business planning but don't let it stress you out. If you want it to happen, it will. Just give it some time.

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  11. THat dress looks absolutely perfect on you!

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  12. taking the little ones to feed the ducks is always so much fun :)

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  13. That dress is adorable, especially on you!

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  14. I love how your paired the dress with those shoes! Also,your tattoos are awesome!

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  15. ah, who cares about black and navy:). i think you look adorable! love your (almost) straight hair:):). You look gorgeous as ever!

    mwah!xx

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  16. LOVE LOVE LOVE that dress! That is so incredibly adorable, and it is absolute perfection on you. I need to go shopping soon!

    Good luck with your business ventures as well. The same goes for me as I am trying to start my photography business. There's not much out there that doesn't cost $150 to get access to some forum about running a photography business, which I don't have time to read. It can be somewhat frustrating! I know you will figure it out though!

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  17. you know, i've never really taken an extended moment to think about women and business mentorship and how that might differ from the male model. when i think about it, i suppose there is a paucity of successful businesswomen who are actively giving advice. maybe you can start something like big sisters for bloggers and business people!! just a thought :)
    also, yes, feeding ducks it the best past time. terrified of geese, though.
    sophie
    princessrhyme.blogspot.com

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  18. Lovely! I scrolled down this whole post wondering it was a Jason Wu dress, so I'm glad I guessed right. Super jealous; it looks great on you! And the touches of gold and black are fun too.

    -Lindsey
    Et tu, tutu?

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  19. The dress is beautiful and I am so happy that you are working on a brick and mortar store. You have no idea how inspiring it is to read all of the struggles and such that go along with being a woman and running a business. It's nice for those of us who are trying to do the same.
    Xoxo
    Gracie b

    www.betwixxt.blogspot.com

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  20. Your dress is lovely, it looks so nice on you!

    Catherine, XO.

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  21. it *is* a cute dress. i haven't seen it on anyone real yet, and this popped up on my feed. i wanted this one, but i decided not to go out of my way to try and find it because all the other stuff in the collection at my target fit me like a tent with a belt. now i'm kind of jealous. it looks AWESOME on you - and the belt and sweater you paired it with are more than perfect.

    PS your boyfriends blog is adorable - and i love that you all ended up wearing matching colors

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  22. I am really loving your hair styled like this! <333

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  23. no no no no no no definitely NOT a bad combo (black and navy)

    this is my fave look on you PROBABLY because i absolutely love the dress. ive been seeing it everywhere lately and i want one too! haha

    anyway good look you look gorgeous

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  24. Ooh! I love that bracelet! <3 Too cute! And that dress is super cute, too.

    I'm so excited for your shop plans! I've been wanting to visit Nashville again since I was there last year, and if you open a brick and mortar shop I seriously will have to make a trip down to see it!

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  25. You look stunning in that dress, really suits you!

    http://juffielovesstyles.blogspot.com/

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  26. I love that dress! I was so bummed that we didn't get any. I didn't check back to see if any had been returned there. Maybe they'll do a "best of" again like they did that one time! Anyway, good luck with all of your planning. I really want to open a studio/gallery someday, so it'll be so helpful hearing about your venture.

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  27. You look so elegant, I absolutely love the structure of that dress! And the boys look very cute too :)

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  28. you look so so pretty! i wanted that dress too, but our target also did not get it. and i always think i don't like tattoos on shins until i see yours. i like yours. a lot. ;)

    <3katie

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  29. i am so happy for you! my best friend and i both finally decided to pursue baking (she quit grad school/i quit my job) and we are now working in bakeries 600 miles away but we have always dreamed of going into business together someday. it is so special to have someone to dream with, i can't wait to see what you do next! good luck with your research, music city NEEDS your boutique!

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  30. It's crazy how hush hush things can be. I think a lot of women fear someone else will take their dream and make it happen before them. Hey, there IS cattiness everywhere!

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  31. hope the coffee date was a success! this dress is so cute and the arrow bracelet is just fabulous!!

    life spelled jen

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  32. I really like that cardigan paired with the dress. But then again, I would probably like ANYTHING with that fabulous dress. <3

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  33. Stunning!

    Honestly, I hate that secrecy too. As another woman starting a small business, the secrecy sucks. You know what? WE should chat - maybe we can give each other some tips and a little support along the way. If you're interested: valorielovely {at} gmail {dot} com. :)

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  34. tim gunn says mixing black and navy is unexpected, chic, and modern -- so I think you're okay there. ;-)

    Are those shoes comfortable?! I can't imagine running after a toddler in them! I might need to investigate this "blowfish" brand you speak of if they are...

    mariaisgrateful.blogspot.com

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  35. that dress is gooorgeous!
    and i love your bangle :)
    xo, cheyenne

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  36. I can see why this dress makes you feel like a million bucks - you look like a million bucks! I love the dress, it is really cute & classic at the same time. I really like that cardi with that dress as well.

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  37. man! i saw that dress on target.com and it was cute but im LOVING it on you! im so mad i didnt go to the store to check it out! adorable as usual!

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  38. You look so gorgeous and your hair looks longer!

    www.kindoflovely.com

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  39. I couldn't agree more with you about other women sharing their success stories. I am in the early stages our launching my dessert business and it would be nice to have a mentor to provide some guidance. I've thought about just emailing some of the people who really inspire me and see if they would be willing to give any advice.

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  40. Girl, you are rocking that dress so hard!

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  41. the pic of you and toby is so cute! you totally have a mom look about you in it. hand on hip and sassy! Don't you get an attitude with me little boy! haha!

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  42. love this post! gorgeous girl :-)

    xo,
    annie

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  43. I bought a leopard print coat, and I must say it makes me feel fantastic - totally over wearing it lately!

    I adore your shin (?) tattoos - they're absolutely gorgeous!
    xo
    http://kittysnooks.blogspot.com/

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  44. That dress looks wonderful on you! It's so cute and such a pretty shape too.

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  45. I'm loving that dress! It's from Target??
    xo Heather
    http://ahopelessnotebook.blogspot.com/

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  46. The dress looks fab on you. Who decided red and navy don't work together? Probably the same genius who decided no white shoes after Labor Day as if there's any rhyme or reason to that. I also love your leg portrait tattoos.

    Off topic, good luck on your business venture--and I'm with you. Why are women so afraid to talk about their business ideas publicly? Is it fear of being shot down? Or worse, copied?

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  47. your hair is burning! i love it! :)

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  48. This outfit is my new favorite of all the outfits you've ever posted. (I think I say that on most of your outfit posts, actually...) You look darling! Love, love, love!

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  49. So fun! That second photo is so adorable!!

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  50. Gorgeous hair color, i'm envious. Lovely dress on you& love the leg shin tattoos! Super cool.
    Delaney
    xx

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  51. It's upsetting that women tend to be so quiet about their businesses. We need some strong business ladies (like yourself) to represent!

    p.s. The dress and the shoes look great together! I am all about navy + black these days...

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  52. I do love that dress and you look amazing in it. I've actually thrifted a few skirts that make me feel pretty great :). Also, I wear things twice in a row as well sometimes, haha, so I would never shun you!

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  53. That was the dress I wanted form this collection! It even cuter out of the ads (i mean of course on you). I didn't even get to see it in person. Target sells out FAST here.

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  54. I'm so glad you got this dress, it looks perfect on you. I'm wary of Target clothes because of the fitting but I think they did it great with this line.

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HEY! Thanks for dropping by. xo KB