Style Crush: Dainty Gold Necklaces for Fall

At time of writing, it's 54°f here in Maine... I think it's ok that I start talking about fall. While I won't wish summer away just yet, I'd be lying if I said I wasn't excited for the opportunity to throw on a light sweater and dabble in transitioning my summer wardrobe to styles meant for cooler weather. This time between summer and fall is one of my favorites, especially during that sweet spot when you can wear sweaters thrown over dresses and paired with skirts – no boots or tights just yet. That's the time of year I love, and I'm looking forward to carrying a few summer trends over to the cooler temps, namely the dainty gold necklaces I've been wearing non-stop for the past few months.

As someone who always gravitated towards chunkier statement jewelry and lots of silver, I never thought I'd be so won over by the layered necklace trend I've been seeing everywhere, especially in gold – but here we are. I love them peeking out from button-ups and, come cooler weather, I'll be wearing them with blazers and fluffy, fuzzy sweaters – gold just feels classic, simple, and easy to throw on to finish off an outfit. Life has been so busy lately, anything that I can do to feel pulled together and somewhat with it these days is a lifesaver – the styles I've been drawn to are on the simpler side, easy to wear and allow me to move freely. Maybe this is why I've been taken with smaller, more delicate jewelry – it's simply lighter.

What are you most excited to wear for the upcoming season?

Weekend Reading 8.23

Happy Weekend! Can you believe Labor Day is just a week away? How did summer flash by so fast? This weekend we're celebrating a friend's recent marriage, and I'm planning on working on my new site (I've had a template for nearly a year that I'm finally working on installing – one step at a time, you know?). Chris and I have some fun plans next weekend, so I'm going to try to work ahead a bit to get some projects done before then. As a chronic procrastinator, nothing makes me feel calmer than having my work done on time, or – gasp! – early. We're supposed to get a glimpse of early fall weather this weekend and I can't wait. As much as I don't want winter to get here any faster than it needs to, I'm ready to sleep a little better and sweat a little less. Hope your weekend is filled with only the good stuff. XO

ICYMI: A little pre-fall look

5 ways to help the Amazon – and why you should: Support indigenous people through Amazon Watch, help buy land in the Amazon through Rainforest Trust, protect animals in the rainforest through the WWF, protect an acre of Amazon through the Rainforest Action Network

Started a new thrifting series on Instagram this week and so excited about it

This quiz is awesome and incredibly informative

Wow - these stained glass insects are so stunning! (this little stained glass moon is darling too)

Related and irony of all ironies: the founder of Amazon is the only person rich enough to save the actual Amazon

Now for a complete 180. Exciting advancements in the world of underpants: Everlane's new barely there line looks perfect for under jeans and tight things, and Thinx now offers an 'all cycle long' set

This looks like the perfect late-summer meal (just swap for veg. sausage to make it meatless if that's your jam)

Are we still loving barrettes? Just kidding – you can pry them from my cold, dead hands. Really into this solid set of barrettes (under $10) and these pretty options (and these headbands too)

Have you checked out the NPR 'Life Kit' series? Love this piece on making and keeping friends – something I've been working on lately

Still loving my leopard slip skirt - how pretty is this option? (and it goes up to size 24)

These DIY wax balloon vessels are so pretty and modern

Kind of obsessed with these baby blue loafers

Looking for a new book to read? Here are 10 of the best books by women of color

Reminder: You're more than the best and worst thing you've ever done

Did 2019 kill the heel? Damn I hope so...

A Glimpse Of Fall At Snug Harbor Farm (+ a Local Eclectic discount)

Are you ready for fall? I'm 100% not... but I'm definitely appreciating the cooler nights and mornings that Maine has been experiencing lately. Waking up to Portland's fog and the smell of the ocean is just one of the many reasons why I love living here, and this time of year seems to heighten the ocean's effect. The past few weeks have been the perfect little taste of the season to come while our feet remain firmly planted in summer (the thought of putting fall boots on is enough to make me shudder). This season is short, I'm not about to wish it away... BUT I've been seeing a lot of very cute looks around lately, and I've shifted my shopping focus to searching out a few key pieces suitable for cooler weather – like a great plaid menswear blazer and delicate, dainty blouses (I found the one pictured here secondhand in Portland). Both so perfect with dainty jewelry all layered up, a look I've been leaning into hard lately – exhibit A: this pretty crescent moon necklace from Local Eclectic. Do I feel like the moon's #1 fan when I wear it with my crescent tattoo showing? Yes. Do I care? No. Also also, you can save 10% off your first purchase from Local Eclectic with the code 'Julie10' - enjoy! What are you loving for fall 2019?

Weekend Reading 8.17

I'm not sure I've been so excited for a weekend in quite some time. Why? Do I have major plans? Something thrilling on the docket? No and no, in fact, I have NOTHING ON MY TO-DO LIST AT ALL. And I'm thrilled. It's been a crazy few weeks with some very fun and very packed weekends but I'm in desperate need of a couple days off. How about you? You too? Frankly, while I'm not about to wish fall upon us any sooner than it needs to be here, I am excited for the inevitable chill that comes with the end of summer. Already, I can feel nature slowing down a little bit – feeling a little sleepy. The cicadas have been droning, nights have been blissfully cool, it's great. Today, all I have scheduled is a massage to deal with the massive knots that have formed in my upper back, and I'll probably stop by the farmer's market on my way home. That's it. Whatever else happens, happens – there's plenty that I'd like to accomplish of course, but this weekend I'm doing my best impression of someone who doesn't over commit. This week, Chris and I are celebrating our 8 year wedding anniversary (!!!) with dinner at Drifters Wife (I'm so excited – we've never been). And until then I'll be doing very little at all – enjoy your weekend!

For a limited time you can save 10% off your first purchase from Local Eclectic with the code Julie 10! I've been wearing this necklace non-stop and love these tortoise earrings.

Wait... is Mark Maron hot? "I love a dirtbag with a heart of gold" Girl, me too.

On my August wishlist: style that straddles summer and fall, a sweet mini bag (as long as it can carry my phone), casual denim dressing and a cute, cheeky tee (pasta!)

I have a big tub of blueberries that need to be used ASAP and I think I'm going to make this paleo blueberry coffee cake tomorrow

Despite it not being coat season, this coat is calling my name. Like, really calling it. See also this leopard print coat.

How to actually forgive someone (noted. As someone who tends to hold a grudge)

Save 50% off Reformation! This dress would be great for a wedding in summer or fall, this is one of my favorite dresses of summer, and I ordered these jeans.

New podcast obsession: Press Send (it's my favorite thing to listen to on my mile and a half walk to yoga)

J.Crew rewards members get 30% off their purchase this weekend - it's free to sign up (I just did). Love the idea of this cashmere sweater dressed up with a slip skirt or dressed down with leggings.

Dermstore is having a big sale – i swear by this clean beauty CC cream and have been loving this natural enzyme peel (it smells like cherry pie!)

If music represents our culture, is American pop music contributing to climate change?

Love this new color of the most comfortable pants (so good with that baby blue)

What's the most memorable thing a therapist has ever told you?

How chic are these snake-print loafers? Perfect for fall!

Would you make "Murder Cookies" they sound sort of good (not sure if i can get down with Crisco though)

Weekend Reading 8.4

Hello! Happy AUGUST. I've officially reached that point in the summer, I'm booked up. My calendar is full. I've reached max capacity. Do you know what I'm talking about? It's that point in the summer when you attempt to make plans, but realize every single weekend – and most weekdays – are all booked. No vacancy. If you're lucky – or rather, if you're smart – you've remembered to leave some time for yourself during all this. I didn't. So I'll be cleaning my apartment in the early mornings, preparing for next weekend's houseguests while simultaneously coming down from this weekend, which was spent (joyously, mind you) celebrating a friend's pregnancy in Rhode Island. it's all good stuff, but like any summer in New England, it all comes at once. When you spend half the year hibernating, the summer months tend to fill up... fast. The past few weekends were no exception. I had a summer camp reunion, visits from family, and lots of work between all that. This evening I'm heading home from previously mentioned Rhode Island/ Massachusetts trip and hopefully going to the grocery store, because the pickings are slim after all this busyness. ANYWAY, I hope your summer has been FULL and GOOD. Sharing some items of interest below:

A friend introduced me to this podcast this weekend and now I bequeath it to you: You're Wrong About podcast. I started with the Anna Nicole episode and highly recommend.

Head's up: Shopbop just added a ton of cute pieces to their sale section! I always grab a couple of statement pieces for the next season from their sale section (yes, I know. I can't believe I'm talking about fall either). This time around I'm looking for a cute statement bag.

A devastating but engrossing and important long read: Driven to the end.

The Outdoor Voices sale is still going strong - and I'm still stocking up on leggings (I'm obsessed with the Tech Sweat fabric)

Made me laugh (and also how almost all my days start)

My skin has been going haywire this month, and I've been hearing so many good things about CBD -infused skincare. I discovered that a CBD pain-relieving balm is also great for after-sun care (goodbye redness), and I have this CBD skin booster in my cart. A friend also gave this CBD serum rave reviews.

Related to the above: is this "BAD summer?". Is that what this is?

I'm still loving neon, especially paired with neutrals for fall – how pretty are these neon statement pieces? So pretty paired with more organic, understated jewelry (those horn hoops!).

This is what I want for dinner: Harissa chicken salad

Both Chris and I have been using this shampoo lately and I feel like it's making our routines so much easier. It adds a bit of grit to your hair (but not too much) so it's easier to style.

Heavy stuff, but I feel I can't not acknowledge the fact that, yet again, our country has experienced trauma, senseless death and tragedy at the hands of someone with a gun: The virality of evil (NYT) and Rihanna speaks for all of us (hopefully)

A coworker introduced me to this wallet this week and now I want one. (sleek, compact and has an RFID blocker)

I finally picked up this book (Maine content) last week and I'm loving it – perfect easy, funny, but poignant read for the beach

Want to change the world? Do this (very simple) thing.