...tis the season to be jolly!

When the holiday season comes around, things tend to get a little hectic in my household! Between hosting a Christmas Eve party for my closest friends, shopping, working, helping my Mommy play Santa for my little cousins, and SO much more, I haven't had a chance to breathe! The days after Christmas and before New Years are always relaxing! These past couple days, I've been eating and consuming lots of wine! The epitome of a fabulous holiday to me! I'll post tomorrow about my New Years goals and encourage all of you to write some down as well. Have a blessed, safe, memorable New Year's Eve!

Love and Kisses,
Courtney J

Welp, so much for keeping up with this blog in a timely fashion! My computer was out of commission for a couple of days, making it so difficult to do anything! I did however get hit pretty hard with a strand of the flu which means while taking 3 medications at time, I was NOT concerned with not being able to use my computer! Anyhoo, I am officially in NOLA for the holidays and I couldn't be more excited. Today my dad and I sat around eating and listening to Christmas songs AND he managed to fix whatever was wrong with my computer. I am back in action ladies and gents!!

I don't have a real outfit post so I decided to do a mini collage of my last few Instagram posts to give you a glimpse of what has been going on in my life. I got this idea from one of my favorite blogs A Love Affair With Fashion. Check out her amazing style ya'll! And check me out on Instagram: CoCoCoCourtney!

The above pictures are of my fellow fashion student friends and our professors at our end of the year Christmas Party. The dress I'm wearing is one made by one of my close friends and classmates, Josh Ford. You guys will definitely see his name one day!

The first picture was taken at work. On Fashionista Friday as we call it, we are allowed to dress a little bit crazier than normal! That day I chose to head towards the 70's! Wildly printed pants, bright yellow top, and a big ole fur! Life doesn't get better than that! The next picture is one of my besties, Angel and me on our way out!

Mustard Shirt: BCBGMazAzria Printed Pants: BCBGeneration Sheep Fur Vest: BCBGeneration

Coral Flats: Old Navy 

My best friend, Kelsey, and I hadn't been hanging out as much due to life being SO stressful so we made up for lost time at dinner. Next, is my morning coffee and Advil on a rainy morning. What a lovely day!

This David Yurman bracelet is one I have been admiring and saving for! It's so chic and classic and I can't wait until the day until I can take it home. Underneath, is a "family portrait" of some my closest friends during a graduation celebration. 

During my sick days, I took pictures of my beautiful friends on their way out while drinking some yummy hot chocolate out of this very, very cool mug. 

The meal of the sickly and the quote of my life. 

These pictures were taken at our BCBG Christmas dinner! We gathered at Walk On's with arm loads of gifts and ready for lots of laugh, drinks, and yummy food!

More pictures continued! Don't you love the one of me sipping on my Strawberry martini and holding my new BCBGMaxAzria pink mini envelope clutch that my fabulous Secret Santa gave me?

Cream Crochet Dress: French Connection 

Finally Home Sweet Home! I'm relaxing on my mom's new  sofa with my sweet, little SandyPants.  

Love and Kisses, 

Courtney J

...a very merchandising christmas

I worked ALL day today AND I'm feeling a little under the weather today, sooo that means no outfit post for the day. Yesterday I promised to complete my posts in a more timely manner so that means I had to think a little bit harder about what to talk about! 

This is picture of some merchandising I did at work today. We put lots of bright pastels and fun prints on display for the Holiday Season. Make sure you stop by the BCBG in your area for some funky scarves! 

This window was decorated for a church's Christmas play. They wanted a "Macy's" style window for one scene and called on the students of the Fashion Merchandising student at UL for help! We used lots of fake snow and shiny, glittery items to make the window as festive as possible. The Christmas tree was already up when we got there...isn't it huge?! 

Visual Merchandising is one of my favorite aspects of my major and I can't wait to see how I will be able to use my merchandising skills in the future!

Love and Kisses, 
Courtney J

**All filters used on these pictures can be found on the free iPhone app "Filter Mania 2". 

...a very tardy post...and life

One thing you'll learn about me is that I often find myself having trouble doing things on time. It feels like no matter how early I start something, I always finish 5 minutes too late...just like this blog post. I took these pictures of my little ensemble almost a week ago and I'm JUST posting now. I'd like to blame my tardiness on all my Thanksgiving fun, but that's not a real excuse now is it? Just know, my dear readers, that I am going to complete my future blog posts in a timely manner (even if the rest of my life is still running 5 minutes late, hehe). 

Enough of that! On to the good stuff!!

How pretty are those leaves?! 

Reading a Macy's magazine to give a little feedback later!

Combat Boots: Charlotte Russe (Similar)

Shirt: Apricot Lane Belt: Banana Republic (Similar)
Leggings: New York & Company

I put my lovely brother to work and made him take pictures of me in front of a leaf changing tree in front our parent's home. I found this yellow, flowy geometrically printed shirt in my overflowing closet that I forgot I had! Paired with grey leggings and belted, I threw on my combat boots and was ready for the day!

My last minute accessory was my brown faux-fur collar thrown around my neck for a little fun! 

Faux Fur: BCBGeneration

This is my brother. This is his "I'm done taking pictures of and with you!" face. 

As a reward for putting up with me all day, I got us some yummy wine and cheese to enjoy later :).

Love and Kisses, 
Courtney J

P.S. A perk of being a fashion student are the cool guest speakers that come to give speeches to our classes, a bigger perk are the even cooler gifts they bring! The magazine I'm reading in the photos is an exclusive Macy's magazine that hasn't even been released to the public yet! Cool, eh?

...a stylist in the making

Dress: BCBGMaxAzria Vest: BCBGMazAzria 

While working towards my B.S. in Fashion Merchandising at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette, I also work part-time at the BCBGMaxAzria partner shop in the Mall of Acadiana. BCBG has always been one of my favorite brands and it fulfills me to style clothes I am personally SO passionate about!! Today's little mini shoot was taken during some down time at work today. Our dress code is pretty strict, so getting ready in the morning normally takes a little thought, a little creativity, and just a little luck. ;).

Necklace: Aldo Shoes

Arm candy is more delectable with pretty, polished nails!

Today I chose to wear a long sleeve, fitted navy blue hi-lo dress with the cutest thumb-hole detail cut out at the sleeve cuff (I adore unexpected little surprise details like these)! I know hi-lows are more of a summer look, but here in Louisiana, I can still get away with it! I topped the dress with my grey faux suede vest and a very colorful, very chunky statement necklace!

My shoe choice of the day were plain black pumps with a chunky heel. Perfect work shoes because they're actually pretty comfortable and perfect fall shoes because the heels are chunky! However...no matter how comfty my heels are, I always bring back up flats! My flats are pictured below with my heels!

Spiked Flats: Vince Camuto
Heels: Giani Bini

Love and Kisses, 
Courtney J

Bonjour Bloggers!

This is my very first post on Femininely Free, even though I started this blog M O N T H S ago!! I was always waiting for the perfect time to start actually writing, then I realized that there is no perfect moment...NOW is the time! 

 Anyhoo, my name is Courtney and I have a 22 year old student from the Big Easy...(that's New Orleans, LA btw). I'm currently studying at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette and getting into all sorts of adventures in Cajun Country that I can't WAIT to share with you! 

I love all things fashion..food..wine..my boyfriend..friends..family..God..all things beauty..being girly .my puppy..art..reality t.v...magazines..history..traveling..and more, but I guess you'll find that out as you keep reading ;).

My first post will just tell you a little about me (which I did)....so I guess that'll be it for now! 

Love and Kisses, 

Courtney