Shopping for Fall (+ Shopbop Sale!)

Despite the little hint of summer we received last weekend, I am 100% ready for fall, and it seems fall is 100% here. The leaves are changing and collecting on the sidewalks, nights have been cooler, and it seems it's officially time to swap my closet over from summer to fall and make my list of items I'd like to add to my wardrobe for the season. Perfect timing for the Shopbop Event of the Season Sale! I always look forward to Shopbop's sales because they're the perfect time to add that one special item to my closet, or join up with friends to save on seasonal must-haves. Last year I added a gorgeous White + Warren cashmere robe to my closet and this year I have my eye on a few special things...

This season, I'm on the search for the perfect animal-print bag (love these – especially those croco options), a great statement-making headband (obsessed with that polkadot number), and some modern hiking boots (what's better with dresses in fall than a classic pair of lug-soled boots?).

What makes this sale so great? It includes full-price and sale items (in fact, a pair of my favorite sunglasses are on major sale), and the more you buy, the more you save:

Take 20% off orders under $500 & 25% off orders over $500 with the code STOCKUP19

some exclusions apply
Sale valid 9/25 7:18am ET – 9/28 4am ET

Below I'm sharing a few more pieces I have my eye on (yes, I'm having a leopard print moment, I ordered those boots and the leopard print transport tote):

Get Outside: Frankenstein Cliff Trail and Arethusa Falls

Could there be a more perfect hike for Halloween week? After three weeks of insanity – moving, bachelor party planning, weddings, new jobs (me! yay!) – Chris and I finally managed to carve out a day to get outside together. And bonus! It was my brother's last full day in town so we roped him in, too. Since the foliage was starting to fade, we made the most of it and headed up to Crawford Notch in New Hampshire to get some perspective. And man, the trees did not disappoint. I've missed fall in New England so much, this has really been our first time experiencing it since we moved, too, since we're always just here for Christmas.

It's funny, being back.  feel a bit like I did before leaving Philadelphia, with one foot in and one foot out. This time, it's hard not to think about my connections to these locations in the past while I experience them with new eyes over a decade later. It's interesting. And emotional. And complicated. For now, I'm appreciating the proximity to nature again and the ability to wake up without the crushing feeling of being in the wrong place, even if I'm not totally sure where the right place is just yet. It's a pretty incredible feeling to breathe fresh air again.

Little White Dress

In this outfit:
Jacket: BB Dakota (last year, similar)
Dress: Urban Outfitters ($15 sale)
Tights: American Apparel super opaque ($25)
Shoes: Jeffrey Campbell (old)
Bracelet: Thrifted ($2)

Where I wore it: To the office

This weekend, the cat situation regressed to near-disastrous levels (I have the bandages on my arm to prove it), so I stayed out of the house (after separating the cats of course), and did some therapy shopping. Therapy shopping is always better when there's a sale, so I was super happy when I walked into UO to find they were offering an extra 50% off sale prices. I saw this white dress a few months ago, and fell in love, but I loved it even more for $15 bucks! It's definitely a summery dress, but it's not cotton (personally a straight cotton dress is a little too summery for me to transition) so with a slip and tank top layered underneath, it works for cooler weather too. Do you wear slips? I purchase half slips second hand (in good condition of course) to wear with skirts and dresses, and then cut them to the length I need. As long as the slip is polyester or nylon, it won't fray, and will act as a lining for an unlined piece of clothing. They're especially handy when you're wearing tights, your dress won't bunch or stick to your legs.

After living in jeans for the past couple of weeks, it was so nice to put on a dress. The weather had been hovering in the high 60's to 70's, making it a little tough to put on tights, but Monday morning, the temp dropped. We even had to turn the heat on last night. And, man it's really starting to get dark out earlier! I rushed home after work yesterday so Chris could take some pictures and we had about 10 minutes before we lost the light. All last week it was either raining or too dark, so I think it's time we change our photo schedule! Here's to waking up even earlier in order to take pictures!

P.S. I have an interview up on the Propelle blog today, if you're interested in reading it, you can find it here!

Autumn Goals

The view from Cathedral Ledge, back home in New Hampshire last year

I know lists such as these are plentiful this time of year, but well, the gym was closed, and it's raining out tonight, so I actually have some time to sit and think about this sort of thing. Last fall felt all too brief, caught up entirely in the relocation process, we were either frantically looking for a place to live, spending every free moment with friends and family, or tossing all our belongings into a moving van. I can't even remember last October, so I'm determined to enjoy every second of this one (and the last of September, and November too).

As the weather cools, here's what I'm hoping to do this fall:

1. Find some new hiking spots. 
We've mostly just stuck to Ohiopyle this past year, so I'm really excited to branch out and try some new trails.

2. Go apple picking.
This was a fall ritual back home in New England, and I'd love to continue it here in PA. The jury is still out when it comes to finding a good pick-your-own place, but we're definitely going to check out Soergels and Trax Farms.

3. Go to a flea market.
Something we've been waiting all year to do, if the weather holds up, this is what we'll be doing this weekend!

4. Visit friends around the state.
I already have some plans in place for this, but I want to make more. I'm such a week-to-week planner that my weekends are often spent on the fly, so I want to get better at planning ahead of time.

5. Re-do our home office/workspace and clean out the garage.
Our extra bedroom has a desk in it, and a computer, it also houses boxes of stuff to donate, and loads of other stuff we don't need. I'd love to build a new desk and really make it a space I'd like to be in. Also, ugh, our garage. We still have boxes from Massachusetts that have yet to be sorted and unpacked. I've been putting it off because I'm convinced they're now filled with spiders and other undesirables.

6. Have people over more often.
I'm gun shy when it comes to entertaining and get a little anxious about having people over to our place. I'd really love to get over this and entertain a little more.

7. Cook more often.
Confession: I don't like cooking. Chris does, so the majority (read: all) of our meals are cooked by him (except for breakfast and baked goods, two things I do enjoy making). I'd love to try out some new recipes and add a little more to my extremely limited repertoire.

8. Clean out my closet, and be intentional about what I add to it.
I think this is pretty self-explanatory. I think I've become much more aware over the past year of what I'm drawn to fashion- and decor-wise. I've done several closet clean-outs since we moved, and I want to keep the ball rolling seasonally.

9. Decorate for the season.
Our porch is just asking for mums in all colors.

10. Work more with my hands.
I write all day at work, I write in the evenings for this blog, I would love to make more time to create with my hands. It's something that I miss. Ideally, I'd love to take a metal-working class for jewelry fabrication, but have yet to find one that's affordable. This goal goes along with #5, we need to make some space for projects.

Do you make seasonal goals? I'd love to know what you're working on this fall!

In My Element

Sweater c/o Lulus

Dress c/o Lulus

Tights: AA

Necklace: gift from Chris

Bracelets: Forever 21

Aerin Boots c/o Blowfish

Photos by Christen of From the Woods

This rain is officially driving me bananas. Yesterday was day three and I was determined to actually get some outfit shots. It's definitely been an adjustment getting back to a normal 40 hour week, especially since Chris is now on a similar schedule as well. I've been shopping around for a new camera lens in hopes of being able to take self-portraits again soon. I love having other bloggers to collaborate with at work, but I've also been taking self-portraits forever (before this blog was even an idea) and I miss those projects.

Well, the weather has finally cleared a bit today and it's actually feeling like chilly November. Rumor has it that we might even see some snow this weekend! I have my fingers crossed, I would love to have a little (a little) snow on the ground for Thanksgiving.

Better Weather

I feel like I've been photographing this little autumnal nook incessantly, but I know that when the snow flies I won't be able to until spring again!

Jacket: Urban Outfitters sale ($30)

Flannel: American Apparel (work discount)

Skirt: Vintage GAP from Savers ($4)

Belt: American Apparel (work discount)

Tights: TjMaxx ($4)

Shoes: Matiko sale ($40)

Socks: J.Crew ($9)

Franklin Necklace c/o Jess LC

I feel like I've been saying this for every outfit post lately: this is my new favorite outfit. Maybe it's the season, I love cozy fabrics and layering, and cold weather is ideal layering weather. After some balmy days last week, we finally got hit with some chilly weather on Saturday, perfect for flannel and wool! I bought this jacket last week when I met up with Jen in Boston for dinner, before grabbing food we made a quick stop in Urban Outfitters so i could blow off some post-work steam. I shouldn't have bought it, it didn't fit in this month's budget, but I've worn it approximately 10 times already and will wear it until it snows. Can you tell I'm still feeling guilty? Haha. This flannel is one item that I bought for work recently that I really, really love too. As much as I love thrift store flannels, it's nice to have something that fits a little snugger and is brand-new-soft. And it's SO warm!

How was your weekend? Mine was pretty laid back. Chris and I hung around the house and I finally got some stuff done, and we went to a friend's Halloween party. We also made a friday night trip to the thrift store where I found this wintery skirt. First rule of thrifting: Ignore the size! When I saw this on the rack I could tell that it could probably fit me, but the tag said it was a size 1. I'm so not a size 1, but I tried it on anyways. It fit perfectly! Lesson learned.

Did you have a nice weekend?

Daily Style/Over the Weekend...

I'm sorry for the lack of creativity here...

Hat: Burton (Chris')

Overcoat: H&M- last year (69.90)

Dress (worn underneath): American Apparel (40.00)

Tights: TjMaxx (4.99)

Socks: Target (6.99)

Boots: Alice & Olivia for Target (39.00)

I'm definitely having one of those weeks (sad, considering it's only Monday). This weekend was another weekend spent working my bum off: Saturday I attended a portfolio event in Cape Cod and Sunday involved driving to Worcester for an incredibly unproductive college fair. To be honest, I'm feeling a little blah about these photos, I've got some major skin issues right now- for some reason every Fall, my skin goes berserk and all of a sudden it's like I'm 16 again- and yes, I'll admit to some light photoshopping of one specific problem area right between my eyes. I did get to go to a party this weekend, where, as exhibited below, I had a lot of fun. It was my friend Bea's birthday and we celebrated with cake, beer, and dancing! Also, notice Chris' GOLD LAME' MAINE HAT. How amazing is that? I picked it up at Goodwill during a day trip to Brewer last week for work. Win!

Also, a big welcome and thank you to all of my new followers! The fact that I broke 100 last week hasn't gone unnoticed, and I'm going to try and plan something for the near future!

Daily Style...

Oxford Shirt: from Adria (free!)

Skirt: Salvation Army (2.00)

Belt: UO bargain Basement (9.99)

Necklace: Forever 21 (12.00)

Shoes: Thrifted (20.00)

Today was one of the first real Autumn-like days we've had, it was a perfect 60 degrees with a little breeze. I'd forgotten how windy Beverly gets in the fall/winter. Cabot Street literally becomes a wind tunnel, those of us who frequently wear skirts need to be careful too, I have a feeling I've flashed the whole of downtown more than once in a very Marilyn Monroe-like way (except not so sexy or graceful). I'm sorry for not posting yesterday, to be honest I can't even remember what I wore, but I can tell you I was very sleepy and it showed all over my face! Work is getting crazy too, I'm wondering how I'm going to keep up with posting while I'm traveling so much- I'll figure it out though! How do you cope with a busy schedule? I tend to hide under a rock till it's over!

Daily Style...

I took this photo at 7am...

Headband: J.Crew (4.99)

Trench: J.Crew (19.00)

Cardigan: H&M (16.00)

Tee: Gap (4.99)

Skirt: ModCloth (64.99)

Tights: TjMaxx (5.00)

Flats: UO (24.00)

...Which was faaaaar too early!

Just now, I realized how much stuff I'm wearing. I guess that's the downside of cooler weather, as soon as the temperature drops it's "good bye shorts and tee-shirt!" and "Hello, jackets, sweaters, and tights!" This skirt was the last thing I bought from ModCloth, I'd been looking for a layered skirt or dress like this for so long, so when I saw the "Ariel Skirt" I knew I had to have it! I'm feeling quite "prep school" today, I think it's because we're experiencing beautiful early fall weather again today, I love it! The house was even a little cold this morning! This afternoon I'm off to Cape Cod to see family, I hope we don't run into the hurricane!

What are your weekend plans?

XOXO