Nashville | Life

If you follow me on snapchat, you'll know that I took an impromptu trip to Nashville last weekend. If you're not following me, you should because it's delightfully mundane and weird (username: nmettille). It happened after my brother messaged me last week and said, "Let's drive down to Nashville for the day!" And I was all, "Ok!" 

All right. I was actually all, "I doubt that will work, but I will talk to my husband." And then a day later I was all, "Ok!" So, we did. We left Thursday night at ten and got back Saturday morning around nine. My Uncle is staying down there for a while after having a bone marrow transplant and we went mainly to visit him. He seems to be in good spirits and hearing the deep, resonating timbre of his voice was good for my soul. We also made a few sight seeing stops and we definitely visited The Soda Parlor, which is the business of our favorite youtuber, Olan Rogers.

This is my dream print. She will be mine. Oh, yes. She will be mine.

The Soda Parlor is located in Marathon Village, which is an insanely cool industrial building. It was an old automobile factory and retains much of it's historical significance by displaying machinery throughout the spacious passages between the shops. We spent most of our time there walking around flexing our photography muscles with the amazing architecture. The Soda Parlor itself serves (delicious) specialty floats and sells Olan Roger's apparel and merchandise. I've featured one of his t-shirts here on the blog because as good of a comedian as he is, he is an equally good designer. The intention of the Soda Parlor was to be a place for Olan to host his many fan appreciation events and connect with his followers. He's video on the making of it is totally worth a watch as it's full of the heart and passion that he puts into everything. Full disclosure. I cried.

This was a rose and cardamon flavored marshmallow. It tasted like old lady.

After that we had some time to kill before we met up with our family. We pretty much just wandered around for a while and followed interesting sights and sounds around like bread crumbs. That lead us to the very clear Tourist Trap Neighborhood as most of places were noisy bars and every other girl on the street was wearing short shorts and cowboy boots. That bit was a shock as it was markedly different than the cool, historical, urban vibe of the rest of the city. However, we did go into this cute little candy shop that felt appropriate to capture on film because of my recent homage to places like it. 

This is my second very short trip to Nashville and it certainly hasn't been enough. I will find my way back to this city since I have so much else to experience there! Stay tuned for my Nashville outfit post, tomorrow! Hint: It is NOT short shorts and cowboys boots.

Carnation, Lily, Lily, Rose | Style Imitating Art

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Oh, I'm sorry. I didn't see you there. I was too busy enjoying this gorgeous painting. Carnation, Lily, Lily, Rose by John Singer Sargent. Please, come join me.

Aaaaah...isn't it wonderful?

Good thing it's this week's pick for Style Imitating Art so, I get to enjoy it on several levels. I took a break from SIA as to not interrupt the candy shop flow from last month, but I am back at again and could this be a better painting to jump back in with? No Chandler sarcasm intended. That's all genuine enthusiasm.

This flowing romantic maxi was an obvious choice with it's pastel lily print spread across the pale, neutral fabric. I've been waiting for this dress to make it's debut on the blog because look at it. I originally saw it on A Clothes Horse and fell madly and desperately in love. This dress is one of the rare instances where I found something on a blog and was actually able to make it my own. It took some work as I had to wait two full weeks to buy it and with most heavily discounted items on Asos, it quickly disappeared one size at a time. Not to be completely defeated, I stalked all the different sections it was carried in (straight, plus, tall, and maternity) until one that would fit me was restocked. It must have been a return because there was only one, but I triumphed. And even though it is complately sold out now, if you have fallen madly in love I have hand selected an array of tasty, similar treats for you because I know how depressing it is to fall in love with something you can never have.

Please head to 14 Shades of Grey tomorrow to see the full round up of everyone's looks!

Dress: Asos (similar and similar in straight sizes, similar and similar in plus) | Shoes: It's a secret. I'll never tell. | Lips: Anastasia Beverly Hills Liquid Lipstick in Pure Hollywood

Black and Taupe | Outfit

I love this outfit. Once more for the people in the back! I love this outfit! It just felt like home. Sometimes, dressing up is about manifesting a character within yourself. Other times it just feels like nesting inside yourself and it is good.

I know most people have come to expect lots of color from me to the point where if I'm not wearing a rainbow I get comments. Which is fine. I know I can do color well, but I find myself gravitating more and more towards neutrals. It might just be the challenge of doing something different, but I totally get lost in the depths. Greys that swim with purple or blue. Beiges that ride the line right between warm and cool. They have a dimension that other colors don't. Maybe I'm growing up. Maybe it's just wanting to master a new skill. I don't know yet. That's the cool part though. I don't have to know. I can just enjoy.

This day was one of those days that was just as wonderful as the pictures make it seem. There are no camera tricks here. No chaos or arguments that can sometimes be behind the images we compose. I was inhaling and exhaling with easy content while we laid in a cozy pile watching the sun set over the hill. The fire was warm. The breeze was soothing. The s'mores were delicious. We walked some trails and the kids ran around with new friends playing ghost in the graveyard. As the night was spreading out before us, I felt infinite. 

 

 

 Shirt: Target (similar in straight sizes, similar in plus) | Skirt: Modcloth (similar in straight size) | Tights: Target (similar in plus) | Scarf: Maurices (similar) | Shoes: Thrifted (similar) | Floral Crown: Amazon | Lips: Colourpop's Ultra Matte Liquid Lipstick in Beeper

Dirty Dancing | Outfit

I've had the time of my life watching Dirty Dancing over and over again. It is one of those movies that I've watched so many times that every line, every scene, every character has been etched into the inner workings of my brain like names in a picnic table. I can't see watermelons without turning to someone and awkwardly telling them I carried one. I can't hear the name Sylvia without wanting to know how she calls her lover boy. And I certainly can't wear a circle skirt without begging people to imitate some dance moves with me. Dirty Dancing was the backdrop for a lot of mother/daughter movie nights throughout my childhood. Nights when we got to escape the difficult people and situations that had become the definition of our lives and loosen the armor that we held on to so tightly. Basically, it's an important movie to me.

The second Passive Juice Motel announced this tank top was on it's website, Mr. Debit Card and I were clickity clacking away at the keyboard to ensure it's safe journey to it's rightful home (my body). The design of the graphic is wonderfully moving and captures the emotional weight of the embrace between Johnny and Baby. So, cheers to you, person that made this. 

Obviously, this tank needed to be worn with a circle skirt that can swirl and twirl dramatically while the clumsy wearer attempts graceful dance moves. Does it really matter if you aren't graceful if your clothing is? I've dubbed this my Baby Look; homage to the sweet and innocent, feminine half of this gorgeous pair. 

Which means I have to do Johnny Castle a little justice, right?

Edit: I wanted to add that I totally copied the design of this skirt from Kristina and if you're interested she sells her version of it here!

Cardigan: Target (similar) | Shirt: Passive Juice Motel | Skirt: made by me (similar, similar dress) | Shoes: DSW (similar) | Headband: Gift (similar) | Lips: Colourpop's Ultra Matte Liquid Lipstick in Solow