Fashion Friday: CMA Music Festival

The hottest event in all of Country Music is about to take Nashville by storm; the CMA Music Festival. On June 5th-8th, tourists from every corner of the world and Nashville natives alike will be flock to downtown Music City to attend concerts filled with every country artist known to man...plus more. Our studio is located smack in the middle of it all, which means we get loads of free entertainment and people watching just outside our door. Based on our years of experience with this festival, when it comes down to what you should wear it's safe to say you can't go wrong with a summery romper or dress, a big cowboy hat and of course boots. Adhering to country fashion is on the forefront of every attendee's mind, but don't forget to bring an easy-to-carry purse and only wear jewelry that won't be ruined from excessive sweat (we recommend earrings instead of necklaces).  

1. Elle Cowboy Hat by Melissa Odabash 

2. June Earrings by Freshie & Zero 

3. Combi Sunglass by Mango 

4. Maya Romper by A&F

5. Distressed Boots by Alcalas

6. Sophis Dani Cross Body Bag by Marc by Marc Jacobs 

An update from Maggie, our Campus Rep!

Earlier this spring, we launched our Campus Rep Program to bring the Freshie & Zero brand to life at a local university and the Nashville community. When selecting from our candidate pool, we looked for someone who was enthusiastic and creative, had a love for jewelry and possessed a desire to represent the handmade community. With all this in mind, we excitedly welcomed Maggie, a Belmont University student, to the Freshie & Zero team as our very first representative. To fulfill her duties, we asked that Maggie showcase our jewelry at on and off campus events (she picked out a pair of Lolly Earrings and Single Chevron Necklace to sport), promote Freshie & Zero via social media and write a guest blog post on our blog. Read about Maggie's experience below!

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On Campus Event: 

The big performance of my spring semester was Belmont’s Pops show on the Massey Performing Art’s Center stage. I decided to glam up my look with a gold pair of Lolly Earrings, perfect for the gold theme our ensemble decided on. It was such a blast performing with my ensemble, Little Beat Foxes, and my mom even got to come up for the show! She said she might have to steal herself a pair! 

Off Campus Events: 

Porch Fest was an absolute perfect start to summer! The day included some talented local bands playing on porches around the neighborhoods of Nashville, and everyone was in high spirits because of the wonderful weather. I sported my Single Chevron Necklace and it was the perfect compliment to my little green dress! I think many agreed as the necklace caught the attention of several admirers asking where I got it!

During the stress of finals it was only natural for me to make my way to the Nashville Humane Society for some puppy lovin’! The cuties in this photo include this adorable little mutt and my favorite Simple Chevron necklace, which provided a little pizazz for a relaxed look.

I've had a great experience getting to wear my Freshie & Zero pieces around campus and the Nashville area! They’ve become staples in my wardrobe and every time I wear them, I always have at least one person ask me where I found such beautiful, yet simple pieces! Thanks so much to Freshie & Zero for giving me this fun opportunity!   

~ Maggie

Fashion Friday: Bonnaroo

With Bonnaroo on the horizon, (June 12th-15th), we thought we'd cover an ideal outfit for those lucky enough to be in festival attendance. Surprisingly, it is quite easy to achieve a perfect balance between looking cute and being comfortable when you know you'll be spending all day sweating in the sun. We opted for a pair of high waisted jean shorts, a light-colored, breezy blouse (one that leaves enough room to wear a crop top underneath so when the temperatures rise, you can easily strip it off), sturdy boots that allow you dance all day without blisters, and a fanny pack...while there aren't many situations where fanny packs are ideal, at Bonnaroo, they're perfect because they allow concert goers to keep all their valuables close while still being handsfree. To finish off our outfit, we've included a daisy headband and Freshie & Zero Leaf earrings to give off a whimsical, hippy look. With this ensemble you'll be ready to brave a full day of sun, heat, dancing and of course, music!   

1. White Daisy Garland Headband by New Look 

2. Retro Underwire Bikini Top by Topshop

3. Vintage High-Waisted Shorts by Levi 

4. Holytube Crop Top by Stone Cold Fox  

5. Combat Boots by Frye 

6. Woven Trim Fanny Pack by River Island 

7. Leaf Earrings by Freshie & Zero

Fashion Friday: Wedding Season

April Showers bring May…Weddings. That's right! Wedding Season is officially upon us; inducing not only lots of excitement, but also panic, especially if you're unsure of what to wear as an attendee. For this Fashion Friday, we've curated three outfit options to wear for every kind of wedding: informal, semi-formal and formal. 

Informal: 

This floral, shift dress matched with wicker and leather accessories perfectly suits an informal, daytime wedding. 

1. Floral-print cotton blend jacquard dress by Dolce & Gabbana 

2. Natural Havana Clutch by J.Crew 

3. Slingback Sandals by Hermès 

Semi Formal:

If you're in need of a fancier option, we adore this cap sleeved, lace dress paired with bold flats and a metallic clutch. 

1. Lace Dress by J.Crew 

2. Floral-brocade point-tow flats by Dolce & Gabbana 

3. Metallic Leather Clutch by Leonie Lizard 

Formal: 

For those attending a formal, nighttime wedding, a "LBD" is always appropriate and can always be glammed up even more with sparkles and bow accessories. 

1. Black Rib Box Pleat Dress by River Island 

2. Rhinestone Clutch by Alice + Olivia 

3. Satin Bow Pump by Kate Spade 

Last, but certainly not least, we've included our "Knot" Necklace which is the a perfect gift for a bride or bridesmaid.  

Fashion Friday: Four Fashion Tips for Graduation Attire

Cue the robes, tassels and diplomas because graduation season is upon us. For this Fashion Friday we are focused on what to wear when you're not the one graduating. When dressing for this occasion there are four things to keep in mind:

1. Remember, you're not the star of the show, so it's important to avoid neon outfits, wild patterns and anything too flashy. It's always better to err on the conservative side as you will be surrounded by faculty, professors and of course parents and grandparents. We fell in love with this white, lacy dress because it's timeless and will keep you cool in the hot sun.

2. Wear comfortable shoes. As an attendee, you'll not only be walking a lot but also standing and possibly dancing at the graduation after party. It's important to choose footwear that you can wear for a long period of time and to stay away from super pointed heels (otherwise you'll be aerating the grass).
   

3. Pack the essentials. Graduation ceremonies tend to be long and are often are held outdoors, which means as a spectator, you need to be prepared for the sun and heat. We suggest sporting a large bag big enough to hold all the necessities - sunglasses, fan, water, snacks, etc.

4. Keep the accessories to a minimum. Once again, you don't want to wear anything too bold or gaudy. In terms of jewelry, we recommend earrings instead of necklaces because your pieces can be ruined by sweat coming into contact with them. Our Treble Earrings, shown above, are not only ideal for spectators but also serve as a perfect gift for graduates, incorporating classic freshwater pearls. Our handmade pair will be a gift they will enjoy for years to come.

1. Tassel Garland by Confetti System 

2. Treble Earrings by Freshie & Zero 

3. Odea Heels by Dolce Vita 

4. Merida Dress by Tory Burch 

5. Oversized sunglasses by NLY

6. Clementine Bag by Anya Hindmarch 

7. Cotton Lace Hand Fan by Luna Bazaar 

In Case You Missed It!

So MUCH has been going on with Freshie & Zero this past month - it's been the proverbial whirlwind! In case you've missed our social media updates, here are the April highlights.

1. Happy 8th Birthday to us! We hosted three giveaways throughout the month of April to celebrate our birthday and now three lucky ladies have claimed their prizes!

2. We were featured on Etsy's Wholesale Blog as part of the upcoming Signature Mix show in New York! You can see the "Meet the Vendor" article on us here.

3. Our "Love" bracelet sold exclusively through UncommonGoods was chosen for a review by Renae of Simple Sequins. "This one spoke to me. Fine materials were used to make it. The quality is fabulous." Read the entire review here.

4. We welcomed our Campus Rep, Maggie, from Belmont University to the Freshie & Zero team. She picked out a pair of Lolly Earrings and Single Chevron Necklace to sport around campus.

5. Aeolidia featured us in their "Building a Business: Don’t Count on Luck" article.  Wow! We are honored to be included in such great company! 

6. We were also thrilled to be included on Cool Mom Picks! They think our jewelry is a great gift for Mother's Day because it leaves enough money in your budget for flowers, too. We couldn't agree more! 

Bring it on May! We can't wait to see what you have in store for us! 

Fashion Friday: Mother's Day!

Pull out a pen and mark your calendars because May 11th is Mother's Day! You'll most likely be spending the majority of the day celebrating the mom in your life, or being celebrated yourself. It's also pretty probable that some type of restaurant outing will be included in the equation (yay - no one has to cook!). So, for this Fashion Friday, we decided to create an ensemble for Mother's Day Brunch.

We love this navy dress because it's not only classic and flattering, but also extremely versatile, allowing you to adorn yourself with fun accessories. The floral cuff is ideal because unlike a real flower corsage this piece can be worn again and again. We're also digging these splurge-worthy gold pumps and matching purse for their bold splash of color. Topping off the ensemble is our best selling "Love" necklace, an ideal piece for any mother to sport on her special day, as it represents becoming a mother and the special connection that forever changes us. (Available to purchase from our website and ship in time for Mother's Day through May 5th)

1. Love Necklace by Freshie & Zero 

2. Floral Cuff Bracelet by AppleWhite

3. Yellow Suede Pumps by Manolo Blahnik

4. Textured Crepe V-Neck Dress by Rebecca Taylor

5. Soft Crinkle Pashmina by Pepperberry

6. Jacquard Bag by Dolce & Gabbana 

Here's To You, Mom!

In honor of Mother's Day, we've curated a list of unique gifts for every kind of mom out there to make shopping a snap!

For starters, don't forget the card! (5) We're loving this quirky coffee card and think it's super appropriate for any mom fueled by the wonderful power of caffeine. Need something for the mom who loves to cook? Beehive Handmade's Bird Measuring Spoons (6) are an adorable alternative to plain jane kitchenware. If you're searching for a gift for the not-so-kitchen-savvy mom, this Bread Mix by Soberdough (7, a Nashville favorite), is always a fun option and also gives you and excuse to bring your mom a six-pack. Is she more of a wine person? Bring her a bottle of her favorite Chardonnay with this ingenious Corkcicle (2) to help keep it cool in the upcoming summer months.

For the mom with little personal time, (actually let's be real, what mom has excess personal time?) Angel Face Botanical's Shower Steamers (8) are the ideal solution for pampering yourself when you can't sneak in an full-length soak in the tub. I've bought them for myself on more than one occasion and as a busy working mom, I can attest to how fabulous they are to sneak into your morning shower!

Seeking a gift for the fashionista mom? Annajoyce's hand printed beach totes (3) are simply beautiful and roomy enough to tote around all the essentials a mom needs to take with her to the pool or beach. And last, but not least, our Love necklace (4) and bracelet (1) are a perfect Mother's Day gift, as they symbolize the bond between mother and child. Just know that our ordering deadline of May 5th is quickly approaching!

1. Love Bracelet by Freshie & Zero 
2. Corkcicle Classic by Corkcicle
3. Hand printed beach tote by Annajoyce
4. Love Necklace by Freshie & Zero 
5. Mother's Day Card by HopSkipJumpPaper
6. Bird Measuring Spoons by Beehive Handmade
7. Rosemary Bread Mix by Soberdough
8. Shower Steamers by Angel Face Botanicals