Lace Skirts Fall/Winter

I love using the element of lace to transition from fall to winter. During the indian summer days, I'll wear a lace skirt with bare legs dressing it up with a tie-neck blouse. For the cooler evening & late fall days, I'll pair with sheer tights to add warmth. Lace skirts will never go out of style, invest in one below!

A Shade Of Passion Skirt 34.99

Dragon Lace Skirt $150

Ted Baker Lace Skirt $99.99

Put Your Best Foot Forward In October

Can you believe it is October? I swear the last time I looked at my calendar it was late July. In October I always wish I lived in the suburbs in a big old house (identical to the one in Hocus Pocus) where the kids can knock on my door for trick or treating. Halloween in the city just ain't as cool. Being in the northeast, October is a very important month. One of the last months before the dreaded snowfalls, where we must take full advantage of heels in their highest heights (if you live in Boston or NYC - it is nearly impossible to wear heels in 3 feet of snow). Save the riding boots for weeknights, on the weekend we fly high.

tassel booties | suede platform pumps | mustard peep toe | leopard wedge | suede slingback

Free People For Fall

I hate to admit it, but I am not (wasn't!) Free People's biggest fan. The clothes look perfectly styled in their lookbooks on the models, but something about mixing lace with wool with satin just drives me crazy. Maybe it's because I find it hard to look "polished" wearing Free People clothing. Anywho, that's all over. This fall I am all about Free People & their mixed textures, slouchy cardigans, & fringed benefits (if you catch my drift). Let's not tell Free People I hated them, k?

one | two | three | four

Fall Must-Haves

These items are holding a permanent place on my Fall wishlist. I already have a few ideas brewing...The Vince sweater I'm planning a homecoming ensemble around. Aviators / skinny jeans / cognac boots. Alexander Wang silk blouse + black ankle trousers & killer pumps. Madewell cropped trench + ankle boots.  DvF turtleneck poncho, that color is to die for.  Old navy vest (can you believe it?! & so inexpensive!) + boyfriend jeans. ASOS dress, herringbone tights & riding boots. 

Vince sweater | Alexander Wang blouse | Madewell trench 

DvF poncho | Old Navy vest | ASOS dress

Guest Post

Today I'm over Paper Garland putting together a fool-proof flawless Fall look. Don't forget to bookmark Paper Garland or add it to your google reader, you'll love Paloma just as much as I do!
P.S. Doesn't this picture get you so excited for cooler temps & less humidity?

via pinterest

End of Summer Days

If you're anything like me, you're trying to squeeze in any last possible summer moments & events.  I have been scanning the end of season sales & grabbing some great stuff for next summer - & have high hopes for wearing my purchases for the next two weeks. Hosting one last summer soiree? Perfect sale outfit below!

hostess gown | vintage tassel necklace | surf bangles | flops

All About The Draping

Draping can elongate a woman's body, hide troublesome areas, create shape in otherwise boxy areas, & add a little detail to an otherwise simple look. I used to feel the same way about rouching, but rouching seems to have taken over the sides of every article of clothing. I want more draping in my life ...or closet.

1. Paige Draped Wrap Skirt 2. Wrap Effect Silk Georgette Jumpsuit 3. Alexander Wang Wrap Sweater Dress

I wish I could express my delight when I found the silk georgette jumpsuit (middle).  I don't think one can ever have too many rompers & jumpsuits.  Because I can't help myself, I have to post one more look for this jumpsuit.  Perfect for fall & even on the chilliest evening - a blazer would look amazing over this.

via net-a-porter

Rainy Style

Time to get cozy in the rainy season again.  I've always wondered if Seattle residents have the best rain-appropriate wardrobes...or if New Englander's give them a run for their money with the treacherous winters?  Cheers to stylish rain boots, trenches, & looking good in the most humid of climates!

Must haves (in my personal northeastern-er opinion) Hunter equestrian-style rain boots (love), a classic trench, a bubble umbrella, & just the right amount of leopard to peep through. 

Seasonal Beginnings

NYFW is right around the corner, Pumpkin Spice lattes are on their way into Starbucks, riding boots, blazers, layers of scarves & tees, fall is almost here. What are you most looking forward to for the fall season?

via Pinterest

Cape Style

No, this post is not about Cape Cod in all of it's preppy gloriousness, but rather on the undeniable return of the cape & poncho for Fall.  Warm, cozy, & best of all - suited for skinny jeans & riding boots.  I love the chunky knits & would totally wear any of these on a November day strolling the streets of Portsmouth, NH (plus you all know I'd do anything to squeeze something ombre into my wardrobe)!

Anthropologie Poncho $128

Tahari Capelet $148

Olivaceous Dip Dye Poncho $49

Chain Knit Kimono $100

Borrowed From The Boys

We all know the best addition to a sleek pencil skirt is to borrow a shirt from the closet of our mate, roll up the sleeves & starch the collar. Now we can thank them for inspiring some of fall's hottest outfits - of course kicked up a notch with feminine detail. I love the idea of an oxford paired with a blazer in classic tones with a sharp pair of {trousers in a fun color}.  My favorite trends inspired by those men that we love:

The tuxedo blazer:

{$152}

Classic Men's Timex Watch:

{$20}

Oxfords:

{$250}

Formal tassels with some height:

{$130}

Alexander Wang Fall 2011

I die.  I have long been a fan of menswear...for women. Blazers, loafers, the classic boyfriend shirt - but these shoes are on a new level. For those of us not willing to drop $650 on silver metallic heels try these {knock offs} that are 1/4 the price!

{Alexander Wang Anais $650}

{Obsessions}

Perhaps Wiz Khalifa was onto something with that catchy little "Black & Yellow" jingle..

Alexander McQueen Skull Cuff

Kate Spade Cobblestone Earrings

Kate Spade Cascade Bib Necklace

Embroidery Smock Blouse

Promise.To.Be.More.Diligent!!!

Yikess....I really need to get back into blogging! I wish I could say in the time that I have been on a vacation from this blog, life has changed drastically - but it hasn't!  I suppose digging deeper into that notion, I believe I live a happy, healthy, successful life ...so maybe I should be glad things aren't drastically different! 

LDW '10 (for those of you who aren't acronym saavy - Labor Day Weekend) was spent at the St. Lawrence River, 1000 Islands area in Upstate NY with my wonderful parents. 

We are so fortunate to be invited often to a sprawling palatial house that sits right on the river every year, with as you can see boasts- breathtaking views. It was so nice to get away & relax, drink copious amounts of wine, & eat til we could no longer move.  The nights often ended with late-night "dance parties" of which MY father was the ringleader.  What.A.Sight.

I find myself wishing there were more holiday 

weekends in the summer. Memorial Day, 4th of July,

& Labor Day just aren't enough, ... maybe I just crave more summertime parties ;-) 

*Photos compliments of my uncle, Mark Anderson

Big Dave & his beer of choice, Labatt Blue ... yumm :)

Low Fat Delish Pumpkin Muffins

Ingredients


Topping:
1/3 c. chopped pecans
1/4 c. splenda
1/4 c. brown sugar (or you can use splenda brown sugar blend)
1 tb. cinnamon

Batter:
1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
3/4 cup splenda
1/2 tsp baking soda
2 tsp pumpkin pie spice
1 egg
2/3 cup canned pumpkin
1/2 cup natural applesauce
1 tsp vanilla extract

Filling:

1 (8 ounce) package fat free cream cheese
2 egg whites
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
3 tablespoons splenda

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Pam the muffin pan you plan to use.
Mix topping ingredients together in a separate bowl and set aside.
In a small bowl, beat cream cheese until soft. Add egg, vanilla and splenda. Beat until smooth, then set aside. (Don't worry if it's a little lumpy.)
In a large bowl, mix flour, splenda, baking soda, and spice. Add egg, pumpkin, applesauce and vanilla. Beat together until smooth. Set aside.
Place pumpkin batter in muffin cups about 1/4 full. Then add one to two tablespoons of the cream cheese filling. Top with more pumpkin batter and sprinkle with pecan topping.
Bake at 350 degrees for approximately 15 minutes or until done. Makes 12 moist muffins.

No spring nor summer beauty hath such grace, as I have seen in one autumnal face. - John Donne

The first glimpse of fall foliage brings one thing to mind:

Pumpkin!

Pumpkin lattés, pumpkin bread, pumpkin pie, pumpkin pancakes!

I will almost immediately trek over to Starbucks for a warm Pumpkin Spice latté.
The only setback?  Five bucks!

I managed to find an easy recipe for a surprisingly better-tasting version of my favorite fall beverage.

Not only can I make them in the comfort of my own home, but I also save myself $25 bucks a week!
( I know what you're thinking...I drink aaaLOT of pumpkin lattés a week. )  & I'll be the first to admit it - I can't get enough of them!

Pumpkin Spice Latte

1 tablespoon canned pumpkin
2 tablespoons vanilla extract
1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
1 cup milk
1/2 cup of your favorite coffee
*cinnamon, nutmeg, or pumpkin pie spice for sprinkling over the top

In a saucepan, heat milk and pumpkin until steaming, or even easier–mix the milk and pumpkin in a 2 cup measuring cup and microwave for 2 1/2 minutes.

Stir in vanilla and cinnamon.

Pour the milk mixture in a blender, and blend 20 seconds until it's all foamy and pretty.

Pour into your favorite mug, then add coffee.

Add splenda to taste, if you like (and I do!).

A sprinkle of nutmeg, cinnamon, or pumpkin pie spice over the top, and drink up!
 
 
Nothing sounds better than a warm pumpkin muffin to go with this.  I'll be experimenting with recipes for those - & will post here as soon as I find a recipe worthy!
xo

“We are shaped and fashioned by what we love” — Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

*Loving right now:

Shipyard Pumpkin Ale: I do not feel love through seasons, but instead through seasons of beer.

This motto (I even have it hanging next to my computer at work!) :





















Ice water, a lemon wedge, & a dash of splenda. Great any time of day.

Mayflower Beach - Dennis, Cape Cod, MA

Tim Walker's Photography

Personas. I am addicted & slightly envious of all the other great people in the world with my name.