Tara Colleen: May 2015

talk derby to me

it's Friday and I'm in love!! . . . ok, well not really, but I am in love with everything about today's look! starting with the fact that it gave me an excuse to unleash my inner glamour girl and embrace the drama that is the derby. yes, I know, the big race has come and gone, (sorry, i'm a little behind on my posts) but Charleston is chalk full of events where this look is more than fitting. starting with this gorgeous maxi, I mean, when I hear Mara Hoffman, it's basically fashion foreplay. this chick kills it from ready to wear to the beach, and i'm pretty sure i'm obsessed with Every.Single.Thing!!!!! luckily for me, The Finicky Filly always has the best of her latest collection on hand to give me a fix! i knew my baby blue lace-ups would match perfectly, so i fully committed to the blue theme and accessorized with these fabulous tassels, agate stone ring and bracelets from one of my local faves Peyton William. and totally not on purpose, my nails just so happened to already be painted blue (happy coincidence?) with so much blue, it needed a little pop and i'm always looking for an excuse to wear one of GARB designs clutch bags, so this pink number gave me the color i was looking for. and as if all of this was not dramatic enough, i topped it off with the most perfect floppy hat that i ever did see!! but seriously though, its perfection! and i have basically worn it every day, because, why wouldn't i? a special thanks to Goorin Bros. for opening my eyes to your amazing shop. walking in, it is nothing but wall to wall hats of every shape and size and the best part? you can totally customize your hat to your liking! since i'm not hitting up the race track every weekend, i wanted something a little less formal and more summer friendly, which is how i came to discover "macey". she comes with a brown band, but after a little stop at the styling department, i was able to jazz her up with this silk black band, fancy feather and brass pin. She was looking pretty fierce for a floppy. i hope you all have a lovely weekend!! and yes, i realize i dropped a lot more names than usual in this post, but sometimes i like to brag about this pretty city of mine!! our local talent is pretty legit ;)

"the whole shadow of a man is only as big as his hat"

ALL IMAGES MARIE RODRIGUEZ

dress Mara Hoffman c/o Finicky Filly // hat c/o Goorin Bros. // jewels c/o Peyton William //

clutch c/o Garb Designs // lace up raceyyy heels Madden Girl

boob tube

ok guys, if this top looks familiar, it's because I own a washing machine and yes, I wash and wear the same things over and over again!! on the real though, isn't it the most perfect stripe tee? Friday's look was a bit more "girl on the go" so today I bring you "mommy-approved" . Keeping with the same classics vibe, i styled it with this military vest and lace trim shorts. no heels when I'm carrying precious cargo, so i swapped them out for theses super fun sandals. unfortunately the exact pair is sold out, but I linked the double strap version below and I kinda think I need the nude pair! what can I say, im a sucker for a faux rockstud! back to this perfect tee, did I mention its actually a nursing top?? as a multi-tasking momma, I love it when my clothes are multi-purposed as well and this tee gets the job done. i totally wasn't planning on actually feeding mav for these shots, but my little chunkers got hungry so a girls gotta do what a girls gotta do so this girl whipped it out and fed her hoss on the sidewalk in a neighborhood south of broad. classy, i know, but honestly, the way this top lifts and separates at the chest, there is no way to even tell! and after a few good burps he was happy as a clam and back to sleep so mommy could shoot the rest of her looks. ahhh, the life of an infant.

ALL IMAGES MARIE RODRIGUEZ

on Mav: onesie - pant - socks via Carters

"simone" nursing top c/o Boob Design // vest TJ Maxx // shorts styleXchange //

sandals Charlotte Russe // sunnies Ray-Ban // necklace I Adorn U c/o 9th & Elm //

watch Michael Kors // "on the dot" bangle Kate Spade c/o Belk //

bracelet Jenny Bird via Rocksbox

[receive your first month FREE using the code TARAXOXO2]

starlet studs - cono cuff - ellis cuff c/o Moon & Lola //

gypsy 66 wrap & bangle set c/o Alex & Ani

endless

happy Friday!!!

I know you guys have to be so excited about this long weekend we are about to enjoy. i have big plans of catching up on work, finishing up the bathroom reno and hopefully planting a flower or two . . . wish me luck!! also on the agenda, is some much needed shopping! it hurts me to say this, but this old hag is about to hit the big 3-0 next month and it has me rethinking my whole wardrobe. I've always been a bit of a trendy gal and definitely stay more to the boho/rocker side of things (and don't worry, those vibes aren't going anywhere) but when it comes to my current wants list, I've been craving the classics. maybe its age, maybe it motherhood, maybe i'm just too old and tired to worry about staying ahead of the trends that has me thinking neutral shades in timeless shapes that can be styled a million and 1 ways and never lose their splendor are the way to go. my neutral palate has always been black, white and olive with pops of red or leopard (or both). does anyone else consider olive a neutral?? i literally own 6 olive jackets! and a couple of vests. is that wrong? to me, they just always seem to go well with everything and add a little edge. today's jacket is an oldie, (check it out last summer HERE) but that's why i love a classic, you can keep on wearing them season after season and none would be the wiser! i paired it over this stripe tee that is actually a nursing top believe it or not (check back next week to see this bad boy in action, its pretty impressive how inconspicuous it truly is) and these neoprene shorts. all 3, CLASSICS, and totally not basic, which is usually a word i associate with classic. these heels have quickly become my fave summer go-to sandals and i know i know, i was just complaining how I've been living in flats, but you don't see any kids around do you?? any excuse this girl can get for a little height in my life and i'll take it! plus, the stacked heel and ankle strap really do offer a great amount of support so i might actually be able to manage kids in these heels. my finishing touch, was not a pop of leopard, but a pop of tortoise! and i mean, all animal prints were created equal, no? these Raen sunnies have been my latest obsession and i'm sure you've seen them popping up all over my insta-feed. sadly, i had to send them back, but only because they have been replaced with an equally fabulous pair that i will share with you soon! and once I've grown tired of that pair, i can trade them in for my next pair of statement sunnies . . . . intrigued?? ok ok ok, you know i'm a bit sunglasses obsessed, so i swear this subscription was created for me, but lucky for you, everyone is welcome to join in on the fun!! Ditto is the latest and greatest in monthly scripts with their ever-expanding collection of glasses from the hottest designer brands. head to the site for all the dirty deets and CLICK HERE to get your first month with the endless program for FREE!!

enjoy the weekend babes!!

"everything should be made as simple as possible, but not simpler"

ALL IMAGES MARIE RODRIGUEZ

top c/o Boob Design // jacket H&M // shorts styleXchange // heels French Connection c/o Belk //

sunglasses Raen c/o Ditto [CLICK HERE to receive your first month FREE!]

splattered

ok, so obviously today's look is a bit more relaxed than what you've grown accustomed to seeing me in, but i'm thinking you're just gonna have to get used to it, because my heels are few and far between at the moment. 1 in stilettos? totally manageable. 2? tricky but still doable. 3?? . . . . . I mean, seriously?? unless we're going to church or lots of extra arms are around, it's the flats life for me. between nursing this babe, chasing after my psycho 2 year old and keeping up with my ultra-inquisitive 4 year old, this momma is wore slap out!!! and yes, I realize that sounds very southern of me to say, but I have 3 impressionable pairs of ears now, so i'm trying to subdue my yankee sass and learn from these good ole belles down south who put everything so eloquently. truly, they can make pooping your pants sound like you just found a pot of gold in your britches. and if I hear "bless your heart" one more time, I swear. (in case you're unaware, that's the lowest of blows a woman can receive. they might be blessing you, but it's not in the Christian way I assure you) but I digress, let's talk fashion shall we?? like I said, I've been rocking a slightly modified version of fashion these days, so today's look is all about the mommy uniform. I basically live in this world where fashion meets comfort. I could never be one of those women that runs around in yoga pants and a ratty t-shirt all day. i'm sure it would make life easier, but I have way too much pride and a definite overdose of vanity, to truly embrace "bumming it", so this my friends, is my version of dressed down. I like my mommy outfits to be versatile, durable, and most importantly, washable! the first element will most likely include some form of a bf, whether it be jeans or shorts depends on the weather and if I've had a chance to spray on a tan or not. these boyfriends are my newest addition to the fam, and I am pretty obsessed. well, obsessed might be an understatement, because I have pretty much lived in them because A. they're ridiculously comfortable B. they're splattered with paint which means sticky fingers and juice stains are welcome and only add to the color palate, and C. because i'm a mom and it's totally socially acceptable for you to wear the same thing for a week straight. but seriously you guys, mom or not, these pants are the bomb.com. the second element of any good mom uniform is a blousy top. but think cotton, definitely not silk!! i'm a big fan of graphic tees and button downs, and I live for the sloppy tuck. it's basically a haphazard way of slipping the front part of your shirt into your pants to show that you have a waist band while simultaneously hiding your pooch. this top is actually a true "nursing blouse" if you can believe that, and from the pin tuck to the flutter sleeve, it's pretty much perfect for every summer occasion, nursing or not. ok, so the third element is obvious with a great pair of flats. if you follow my insta, you know I love some good kicks, but the summer is all about sandals! I have already accumulated like 10 new pair (it's becoming a problem) but I'm loving the slip on style for grab and go and these guys are uber cheap. lastly, and most importantly in my book, every mom uniform needs accessories!! for me that means, sunnies, lipstick, and arm candy overkill!! bangles are my bauble of choice and I have been rockin some serious stacks lately. I think it's my way of coping with the lack of height.