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Fresh + Flirty Styles For Spring

Spring is finally on the horizon, and warmer weather means it is time to switch up your wardrobe and start incorporating brighter colors, softer, lighter fabrics, and statement making pieces. Fresh and flirty is the name of the game for Spring; on days when you don’t want to think too much about what to wear when getting dressed, you want to have pieces in your wardrobe that are versatile yet still effortless so that you always look put together no matter what you decide to wear. We still have a few more weeks before the season officially changes, but now’s the perfect time to get your Spring wardrobe together.

If you’re ready to get your closet in order (and indulge in a little retail therapy), here’s a round up of fresh + flirty styles for Spring.

Buttercup Puff Sleeve Flounce Dress, LOFT, $90

Pink Sunset Double-Drop Necklace, J. Jill, $49

Crocheted Lace Ruffle Top, J. Crew, $98

Floral Soft Satin Midi Dress, Banana Republic, $159

Keke Suede Pump, Michael Kors, $130

Tandy Ruffled Top, Anthropologie, $78

Short-Sleeve Tie-neck Dress, J. Crew, $138

Bare High-Heel Sandal, Banana Republic, $128

Easy Tie-Waist Dress, J. Crew, $98

Jaycee Mini Satchel, Francesca’s, $38

Ruffle-Wrap Dress, Banana Republic, $83

To shop these styles, be sure to visit all of these retailers locally in The Shops of Saddle Creek!

February 26, 2020/by Kim Thomas

Valentine’s Day Gifts To Keep For Yourself

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Now that February is here, people are scouring the net and visiting their favorite spots trying to find the perfect Valentine’s Day gift for their significant other. This is the norm, but I’d be ignoring the pink elephant in the room if I didn’t speak on some of us getting distracted and buying things for ourselves too, lol. I mean, with so many specialty items and accessories floating around in store specifically for Valentine’s Day, you’d be crazy not to take advantage of it and find a great gift for yourself while shopping for your boo, right?? Right. Seriously, who doesn’t need some cute new PJs or fun earrings right now? Plus, your partner will appreciate how good you look when they see you in your new things (wink).

If you believe in the gift shopping motto of “one for you, one for me too, “grab a bowl of your favorite candy + a glass of bubbly, and check out these sweet Valentine’s Day gift ideas that you might want to keep for yourself (guilt free!).

Satin Long PJ Set, Victoria’s Secret, $89.50

Gold Trim Heart Earrings, Talbots, $29.50

Briteside Flirt Jasmin & Sandal Wood Candle, francesca’s, $16

Sparkling Freehand Heart Pendant Necklace, Pandora, $75

Bobble Heart Sweater, Loft, $59.50

Loeffler Randall Maria Beaded Heart Tote, Anthropologie, $248

Je T’Aime Charm Bracelet, Talbots, $49.50

Melody Robe, Soft Surroundings, $79.95

Valentine’s Day Travel Perfume Sampler Set, Sephora, $25

Happy shopping! xo

To shop all these gifts, be sure to visit these local retailers in The Shops of Saddle Creek.

February 7, 2020/by Kim Thomas

Valentine’s Day Ideas For The Single Girl

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Being single on Valentine’s Day doesn’t mean you have to mope around the house feeling sad and crying into your chocolates all night. Embrace your singleness and flip this day to take some time out for yourself and enjoy who you are. If you’re unattached on this special day of luuuv, celebrate as a party of one or squad up with your fellow single gal pals and try the following:

Book a spa day. Take a half day at work and go get a facial, mani/pedi, massage, and whatever else is on your self-care list. You’ll feel like a luxurious, glowy goddess and be relaxed to the max once you’re done.
Have an adult sleepover (complete with wine, nibbles, a cheesy dance party + mini makeovers) with your other single girlfriends. Who cares that you may have work in the morning? You won’t feel alone, and it’ll remind you of your college years (minus the bad hangover).

Enjoy a Rom-Com movie binge fest. I mean, this is why chick flicks were made, right? Crazy Stupid Love, The Holiday, How to Lose A Guy in 10 Days, My Best Friend’s Wedding, Sixteen Candles and The Wedding Singer are classics that are cheesy but won’t have you all in your feelings. Rom-Coms not your thing? A SATC Marathon is a great alternative. Don’t forget the popcorn + candy!
Enjoy a special GNO. Not in love but still want to put on a hot outfit and go out? Grab your girls, get dressed up and pick a new cocktail bar or club to hit. Make a pact to keep it cool with the guys and just hang with your girls all night.

Have a mini shopping spree at some of your favorite boutiques and stores. Stores will usually be having a sale because of the holiday, and if you’re solo shopping, you can do all in peace without rushing or fighting for a fitting room with your friends.
Have an ultimate pampering night in. Treat Yo’ self! Bring home some flowers, break out your favorite bubbles and bath salts and enjoy a little champagne and mood music while you chill in the tub. Then, enjoy a delicious meal from one of your favorite restaurants (thanks Uber Eats!). Ending your evening this way means you can relax a little more at home and you don’t have to sit and watch those couples that look depressed as hell together while you eat (you KNOW you’ve seen them).

Whatever you do, have some fun and don’t let the holiday get you down. Besides, all Valentine’s Day candy will be 50% off the day after, so you’ll have something sweet to look forward to!

February 3, 2020/by Kim Thomas

New Year’s Resolutions You Can Actually Keep

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Happy New Year!

It’s hard to believe that 2020 is already here, but the new year is a great way to refresh, recharge and refocus on our goals. While it doesn’t have to mean “New Year, New Me!”, the start of the new year is a fun time to get back on track in areas we may find ourselves lacking. Traditional resolutions are notoriously hard to keep, especially when they’re really extreme (how many people do we know that decide they want to hit the gym at 5am every day beginning January 1st only to give up within a week or 2?). Thankfully, they don’t have to be so absolute anymore. We have to be more realistic with our goals and give ourselves some grace, so I wanted to share a few “resolutions” that you can actually keep if you’re ready to make some changes.

Eat a little bit healthier every day.
Instead of saying you’re going to cut out all sugar and carbs (and send your body into withdrawal so bad you wind up bingeing in the middle of the night on junk), how about taking things day by day and making small changes to your meals instead? Instead of having 3 donuts for breakfast, how about having a more balanced meal with scrambled eggs, veggies and fruit? Or, swap out that candy bar for some Greek yogurt, honey and fruit for a sweet snack that’s more nutritious and filling but still healthy. Eating healthier DOES take some planning (everybody’s body is different and we all like different foods), but adopting healthier eating habits vs. going on a diet is a LOT easier in the long run.

Find a way to get active.
Whether you go for a walk on your lunch break or do 20 minutes of yoga in the morning, try to find a way to get some type of physical activity into your schedule every day. Our bodies get used to our routine, so even a minor change in our activity levels will give us some results. If you hate the gym, look for individual workout classes in your area (Athleta is always partnering with studios + fitness instructors for fun classes), or pick up a workout video and light weights to do something at home . The goal is just to get to moving for your overall health.

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Slow down and spend more time with your loved ones.
Being busy is really big in our culture right now, but it’s OK to slow down and just enjoy time with your friends and family. Being around people that make you happy and laugh will do wonders for your mental health, so remember to schedule in those lunch and shopping dates and hang out when you can.

Make time for self-care (whatever that means for you).
You can’t pour from an empty cup, so make sure you have time for self-care in your schedule. For some, self-care is going to get a mani/pedi every week (hello Nail Bar & Co!) and for others, it’s taking a hike in the woods or going running. Whatever it is that helps you reset and feel good about yourself, make time to do it.

Streamline your closet and (only wear things you love).
Now is the perfect time to get your wardrobe organized. You don’t have to purge everything and buy a whole new wardrobe, but you SHOULD take a day out to go through and only keep things that fit you beautifully and that you will actually wear. It’s all about having a versatile wardrobe that you can wear for all the moments in your life, so instead of trying to adapt a capsule wardrobe because it’s a popular thing right now (and getting frustrated because you feel like you need all new clothes), just get it more organized and add in the pieces that you actually need. Your wallet (and personal style) will thank you!

Be sure to check our calendar to learn about store events in The Shops of Saddle Creek!

January 6, 2020/by Kim Thomas

Last Minute Holiday Gift Ideas

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It’s hard to believe that Christmas is only a few days away, and while *20% of the population have knocked out all of their holiday shopping, most of us will be out in the crazy crowds and hitting the malls from now til Christmas Eve.

Thankfully, you have the weekend to finish up all of your holiday shopping, so if you’re unsure of what to get the special people on your list, here’s a quick roundup of tried and true last minute gifts that anyone would love to receive.

Heartloom Joni Shine Fair Isle Sweater, Anthropologie, $140

Herringbone Cotton Wool Scarf, Banana Republic, $59.50

Peace On Earth Candle Jar, Francesca’s, $16

Boys Wool-Blend Oversized Snowflake Crewneck Sweater, Brooks Brothers, $69.50

Fresh Rose n Shine Skincare Set, Sephora $89

Pearlized Faux Fur Pom Pom Hat, Loft, $39.50

Pearl Layered Charm Necklace, J. Crew, $34.50

Small Backpack, Vera Bradley, $75

Flannel Tie Front Shirt, Madewell, $79.50

Wine Tasting Party Kit, Sur La Table, $22

FP One Tasha Thermal, $68

My biggest tip for shopping during hectic times like these is to go to stores that you know like the back of your hand. Have a budget and a list on hand (gotta stay focused!), and go as early as possible to beat the crowds while shopping safely.

*totally made up calculation.

2019 HOLIDAY HOURS

Enjoy extended shopping hours of 10AM – 9PM Monday, December 16, through Saturday, December 21, and Monday, December 23!

Christmas Eve | 10AM – 5PM
Christmas Day | CLOSED

New Year’s Eve | 10AM – 5PM
New Year’s Day | 10AM – 5PM

Some shop and restaurant hours may vary. Please contact our shops and restaurants directly to confirm their hours of operation.

To shop all these gifts, be sure to visit these local retailers in The Shops of Saddle Creek.

December 18, 2019/by Kim Thomas

Effortless Entertaining with Sur La Table

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Over the weekend I took an Effortless Entertaining cooking class at Sur La Table and it was so much fun! If you’re not familiar, Sur La Table offers a plethora of cooking classes throughout the week, and the options change both monthly and seasonally. With the holidays being upon us, I thought that it would be cool to learn some new recipes (while also being shown the proper way to cut and prepare certain foods so that I don’t hurt myself in the kitchen, haha), and this was the perfect class to do that.

Our menu for the day:

Baked Brie En Croute with Apricot Jam
Hearty Winter Green and Fennel Salad with Parmesan and White Balsamic Vinaigrette
Herb Crusted Pork Loin with Apple Cider Mustard Sauce
Maple Crème Brûlée with Eggland’s Best Eggs

The purpose of these classes is to teach families across the country how to make delicious meals with better-for-you-ingredients at home. I’ve never done a full on cooking class like this, and while I was initially intimidated when I arrived (my Sister-In-Law Monica joined me), that all went out of the window once our instructor began. Chef Aaron made sure to explain to us prep procedures, how to hold our knives (if you ever find yourself “sawing” while cutting, you need a better knife!), and gave hands on help if we ever found ourselves confused.

Chef Aaron took his time going through the steps while managing to keep us on track with cooking. We were newbies, but there were other people in the class that you could tell were really experienced in the kitchen, so it was fun to watch everyone interact and have fun while preparing their dishes.

Prepping our tenderloin before it goes into the oven.

All of the ingredients that we used were really fresh, so it smelled AH-MAZING! We all keep spices at home, but my main takeaway from the class is if you can get fresh herbs, use them! The recipes were relatively easy to follow, and the ingredient list was made up of herbs, meats, produce and cheeses that you might already have at home or can find at your local grocery store (no specialty shop needed).

Making the chutney for our baked brie. This would also be delicious in oatmeal.

Words cannot explain how yummy this is. If you love cheese you will LOVE this!

I love a fresh salad, and while this one was simple and had very few ingredients, the flavors make a serious impact when they all come together.

The longest amount of prep went to our Pork Tenderloin, so while we waited for it to cook those last few minutes, we chatted with each other and went through the store; because we all prepared the same dish, the items were all mixed together so you weren’t sure if you were eating your own food or what someone else prepared (though I was able to pick out our tenderloin because we were given some extra mustard for our coating and it was the “special kind” lol).

Voila!

Everything tasted delicious! We picked up so many seasoning tips throughout the class, and they can actually be used on different types of food. We were also given the recipes to what we made so that we can recreate our meal at home. I’m so glad that we were able to take this class and we’re already planning to take another one in the future!

Interested in taking a cooking class with Sur La Table? Click here to see their monthly calendar (just enter your zip code to find a location near you). They also offer private class options as well in the event you want to do something extra special with your family or friends!

Sur La Table
The Shops of Saddle Creek
7509 Poplar Avenue Suite 106
Germantown, TN 38138
901-758-3691

December 2, 2019/by Kim Thomas

Outfit Ideas For Thanksgiving

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Thanksgiving is a few days away, and I don’t know about you guys but I’m still trying to figure out what to wear. Cuteness is a must, but you also want to be comfy so that you can actually enjoy your meal(s) without fear that you’ll look a mess in those annual recap photos. I know that a lot of people treat the holiday super casual now, but I still like to look a little polished, even if I’m just wearing my denim, or a simple sweater dress.

I’ve rounded up a few Thanksgiving outfit ideas in case you’re still trying to figure out what to wear.

Cords in a fun color with your favorite sweater are a classic choice.

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Flowy maxi dresses will always be my (personal) favorite choice for Thanksgiving dinner.

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A dressier (but still comfy) option is a pleated skirt and cute heels.

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When all else fails, try a sweater dress, thigh high boots and your fave hat.

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A simple outfit with statement making boots will keep the fam’s focus on your style and off your love life.

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It doesn’t get any easier than a loose sweater, jeans and comfy ankle booties.

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Add a little sparkle to your denim based look to keep the outfit from being boring.

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IMO, faux leather leggings and a loose top is a dressier version of pajamas.

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What’s your Thanksgiving style?

November 22, 2019/by Kim Thomas

How To Prep Your Wardrobe For Fall

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It seems just yesterday we were counting down for Summer break, and now we’re officially in the first weeks of Fall. When the leaves start to change and a crispness comes in the air, I get excited. I flourish in all of the layers we can wear (and I’m all about building a better wardrobe), so it’s time to determine the look(s) I want to have, including the colors, fabrics and silhouettes that I think work well together this season.

First things first, though: before we add in anything new to our closet, we have to edit our closet, and I’m going to share a few tips that will help you prep your wardrobe for Fall. Once you have an idea of the look that you want during Fall ( I like to use Pinterest to create my own inspirational moodboards for this step), the really hard part begins: editing out your closet. Even if you don’t dislike everything in your wardrobe, this is the easiest way to help you seamlessly rework your looks.

Completely clear out your closet.
Take everything out. Doing this will allow you to truly see the space that you’re working with and reorganize things the way that you want.

Try everything on, editing by category.
Editing by category allows your try-on session to flow smoothly and quickly. Try on an item and ask yourself “would I buy this today?” If yes, keep it. If no, toss it. It doesn’t matter if it fits well or you found it on a great deal, if you couldn’t imagine yourself purchasing it now, let it go.

Compile your piles.
Once you’ve tried on everything, you should have 4 piles: what to keep, what to donate, what to toss, and what to sell. The keep pile is everything that’s going back into your closet. If you have anything that needs to be repaired or dry cleaned, pack it up now so that you can send it all off at the same time. The donate pile are items that are still in good condition, but you wouldn’t be able to sell. Take these to Goodwill or Salvation Army, or consider donating it to your local Dress for Success. The toss pile should be anything that is torn, has stains, or is seriously out of style, and your sell pile should be designer or higher-end mass retailer items (Anthropologie, Topshop, Banana Republic, Zara, etc.) and vintage pieces that are in great condition or only a few seasons old that you can take to a consignment shop or sell yourself online.

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Once you’ve edited down what you already own (and you have a clearer idea of what items you will need this season), the fun part – shopping! – can begin. You’ve figured out your style, made room in your closet, and you can now shop with a lot more purpose!

October 23, 2019/by Kim Thomas

3 Tips For Waking Up Your Wardrobe

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You can have a closet full of clothes, but that doesn’t mean you won’t ever say to yourself “I have nothing to wear!”. Shopping your closet and remixing your favorite pieces can be fun, but sometimes you really do need to add in a few new pieces to wake up your wardrobe.

When this feeling hits, instead of going out and buying any and everything, take a moment to take stock of what you have, what you need, and what you should try differently so that you don’t get bored. If you still find yourself at a standstill while standing in your favorite store, remember these 3 tips:

Bet on denim
Denim is always a good choice. A medium rinse straight leg skinny is safe bet, but flares have made a resurgence this season so don’t be so quick to skip over it. Denim, sweater, handbag: Indigo.

Choose rompers for “One and Done” looks
Rompers (or jumpsuits-which ever one you want to call it) are so easy to wear this season. They are a great alternative to dresses, can be dressed up or down based on how you accessorize them, and can take you to so many different settings in a day. Wear alone or top with your favorite cardigan or jacket once temps start to cool. Romper + necklace: Threads Memphis.

When all else fails, wear a dress
Sometimes, a girl just needs a cute dress. This season, try the slightly babydoll dress trend; it’s a looser fit than your normal shift dress, but it’s still just as versatile. Wear with sneakers when running errands and then switch to mules or heels and a cute cardie for dinner. Dress + cardigan: Threads Memphis, Bracelets: Kendra Scott.

Don’t forget the cool accessories!

To shop these trends, be sure to visit these local retailers in The Shops of Saddle Creek!

October 8, 2019/by Kim Thomas

3 Pieces To Wear Now + Into Fall

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The first day of Fall was September 23rd, and even though it’s still a little warm, that doesn’t mean we aren’t itching to break out some cozy knits and grab a Pumpkin Spice Latte #sobasic. If you live in the South, it won’t completely cool down til at least October, but you can still break out some of your favorite Fall fits to get you in the mood.

You might have to think “cooler” thoughts during the day so that you don’t overheat, but we all own a few pieces that we can wear now into early Fall.

Gauzy Knits
Is anything better than a gauzy, lightweight sweater? Pair your favorite shorts with a cozy knit in a dreamy, autumnal hue for a look that’s perfect for brunchin’ with friends. Shorts, Sweater, Earrings: American Threads.

Snakeskin Prints
Snakeskin prints are h-o-t for Fall, and you can make the fun trend more accessible(but still edgy) by rocking it in a mini skirt style with your favorite elevated tee and denim jacket. Jacket, Tee, Skirt, Jewelry: Indigo

Lightweight Trousers
Swap out your skinny denim for lightweight trousers that can easily take you from workwear to weekend warrior. A crotchet sweater works for casual Fridays, but pair with Chucks and a henley tee for an off-duty look. Sweater, Trousers: American Threads. Earrings, Bracelet: Kendra Scott

To shop these styles, be sure to visit these local retailers in The Shops of Saddle Creek!

What are your must-have Fall pieces?

September 30, 2019/by Kim Thomas

Fresh + Flirty Styles For Spring

To shop these styles, be sure to visit all of these retailers locally in The Shops of Saddle Creek!

Valentine’s Day Gifts To Keep For Yourself

To shop all these gifts, be sure to visit these local retailers in The Shops of Saddle Creek.

Valentine’s Day Ideas For The Single Girl

New Year’s Resolutions You Can Actually Keep

Last Minute Holiday Gift Ideas

2019 HOLIDAY HOURS

To shop all these gifts, be sure to visit these local retailers in The Shops of Saddle Creek.

Effortless Entertaining with Sur La Table

Voila!

Outfit Ideas For Thanksgiving

What’s your Thanksgiving style?

How To Prep Your Wardrobe For Fall

3 Tips For Waking Up Your Wardrobe

Don’t forget the cool accessories!

3 Pieces To Wear Now + Into Fall

What are your must-have Fall pieces?

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