Friday's Fancies: Autumn Faves

I know, I've been awful this week. Not that this is really a legitimate excuse, but if you're read Gone Girl, I don't think I need to elaborate any further.

A healthy mix of suspenseful reading (most of which was done on the treadmill, to my defense), paleo baking, and okay, a few apple, maple and bourbon cocktails have consumed my week completely.

To be honest, the book set me off into a very solid funk; I loved every second, but some of it hit a little too close to home (obviously on a MUCH smaller scale - I'm not scary, I promise!), and I knew I had to hole myself up and just finish it so I could shake the feeling. I'm happy to report that after my weeklong blogging hiatus and a 6-hour reading marathon last night, I'm done - and I actually feel like a weight has been lifted.

It's been SO long since I've been so engrossed like that in a book; as much as it was somewhat painful to go through, I've really missed feeling that connected to literature. Well done, Gillian Flynn. On to reading Sharp Objects...

But before that, how about some autumn favorites? These are the things that I've

West Elm Dishware (just bought these during the sale – I am completely smitten with the metallic polka dots!)

J.Crew Peter Pan Collar Sweater (similar) (this has become my go-to sweater; it’s so versatile but not basic and really fun)

Club Monaco Aran Knit Sweater (if I could sleep in this sweater, I would – it’s not going anywhere this winter either)

J.Crew Crystal Necklace (I picked this up at the factory and I’ve worn it at least 50% of the days since. Perfect for layering)

OPI Live and Let Die (I spent most of autumn trying to find the perfect forest green polish. This met the bill with one-coat coverage, not almost black, and gold flecks - basically, I die over it)

J.Crew Polka Dot Scarf (similar) (Oxblood & polka dots. Need I say more?)

J.Crew Classic Pave Link Bracelet (I finally broke down and bought this lovely piece – it’s the perfect addition to my wrist party)

Zara Ankle Booties (I never, ever thought I could rock 4 inches in the daytime, or more importantly, be comfortable doing it. These are also the perfect ankle height; they show enough skin to keep an elongated leg line)

Butter London Wallis (This olive-y gold foil polish surprised me with how much I love it. It’s so unique and absolutely perfect against almost any fall tone)

Death’s Door Gin (I’m a gin fanatic; I’d been a Hendrick’s girl for some time now, but my local spirits shop introduced me to this citrus-y, spicy, organic malt and there may be no turning back…)

Club Monaco Trench (This trench was my biggest investment of the season (at almost 45% off) and I don’t even remotely regret it. I have been hunting for the perfect trench of literally YEARS, and the tight, yet stretchy double-weave cotton, leather accents, epaulets, buckle wrists and slim fit are complete perfection)

Head over to {long distance loving} for more autumn goodies!

Friday's Fancies: Sweater Season

I've finally pulled out my sweater bag for the season; this year, I'm more excited for the cold weather for some reason - and it doesn't hurt that all of my sweaters smell of wintery cedar (from my moth-hole-preventing cedar chips, of course).

Being holed up in the apartment for three days last week got me into a cozy groove. That being said, I was PJed up all day, and my pajamas could use a little more glamour. Or maybe even some "real" clothes in the form of a cozy sweater to cuddle up in...

If I had it my way, this is how I wouldn't ridden out Hurricane Sandy:

West Elm Mongolian Lamb Pillow Cover | Ralph Lauren Cable Wool-Cashmere Circle Cardigan | Ralph Lauren Cable Buckle Cardigan | River Island Faux Fur Snood | Topshop Ombre Faux Fur Vest | L.L. Bean Fisherman’s Cardigan | Scott Nichol Fair Isle Socks | Diptyque Feu De Bois Candle | UGG Cable Slippers | Williams Sonoma Gold Banded Double Old Fashioned Glasses | Maple Sherry Bourbon | J.Crew Saturday Pant | Illume Balsam & Cedar Footed Candle | Brentwood Originals Faux Fox Fur Pillow | Brass Fireplace Matchstick Holder | Vintage Classic Novel Boxed Set | Lauren Ralph Lauren Faux Fur Throw

Because really, what’s more cozy than a roaring fire, Christmas tree scents, a class of bourbon, cable knits, fur, and a good book? In my mind, not a whole lot.

Get your cozy on with the rest of this week's Friday's Fancies over at {long distance loving}!

Take a Hike

So – more Vermont eye candy ensued once we left our brilliantly-decorated room. 

I would not classify myself an “outdoorsy” girl; I couldn’t tell you the last time I went hiking, and my idea of “getting outside” consists of picking apples at a “human-proof” farm and walking city sidewalks around Castle Island (it’s not the city because it’s on the water!). 

It’s not that I hate nature, but getting out of Boston into rural mountains and spending the day climbing rocks and trampling through mud is not my top priority.

I was a little wary of what our hike through Twin Farms’ trails would be like; I was convinced he 50+ crowd staying there would lap me on the mountain. 

Friday's Fancies: Leaf Love

I could not be more excited about this week's Friday's Fancies - which is probably clear by how overboard I went with the...erm...board.

The boy and I are headed up to Woodstock, VT this afternoon to an all-inclusive, remote, and cozy little getaway at Twin Farms. I'm of course anticipating the custom-to-taste meals with wine pairings and a nightly fire in our room, but if we're being honest, I planned this weekend completely around leaf-peeping.

Some of the foliage reports have said that they're past-peak or gone up in Vermont; I've been trying not to get ahead of myself but I'm always one to assume the worst. Either way, the high temp won't surpass 50 this weekend and I was excited to break out some old and new fall favorites.

Club Monaco aran sweater / Jack Wills Sweater  / J.Crew tailored shirt / Club Monaco leather jacket / Jack Wills Utility Coat / Target Pleated Maxi / J.Crew cords / Dorothy Perkins leather boots / Via Spiga black booties / Topshop Contrast Riding Boot / Club Monaco leather handbag / Rabbit Head Necklace / ASOS slim belt / French Connection Power Wheel Tartan Scarf

Those wine-hued cords and Club Monaco aran sweater were two big pre-winter additions (did you know you can get 20% off Club Monaco with a studend ID - online?!), and made the packing cut. I also pulled out my favorite tartan scarf, quilted coat and riding boots (okay, two pairs - I'm indecisive) to get me through the cool (possibly freezing) nights. What are your go-to autumn outdoors outfits? I hope you're soaking up some fall beauty this weekend!

October Kickoff

I'm a little under the weather on this gloriously perfect first day of October. My acid reflux/GERD reared its ugly head this weekend, so I'm sitting in my cube with a cup of tea and a dairy-free, low-fat diet trying to recover.

Of course, nothing can stop me from celebrating the October chill with a seasonably appropriate getup. It's simple and put together but comfy enough to get me through a sickie day.

I have some real goodies coming up for you this week (think pumpkin, puppies and preppy!) so stay tuned for a less sadface OOTD post and more adorable photos!

Friday's Fancies: Outfit Crush

Much like the rest of the blogging world, I have been on an autumn kick lately. Tartan, cable knits, riding boots - you name it and I'm smitten.

This isn't to say that I'm tired of all the quintessential fall outfits, but I love a good standout, and I can't seem to get this look on Joanna Hillman off of my mind:

There's something so "fall" about this, but the outfit is boasting almost no categorically autumn pieces. Maybe it's the camel coat (which is so, so chic with the black contrast), or the daytime sequins coupled with a buckled moto-inspired boot, but I fell head over heels for this look. 

Clearly, the coat is not an exact match but I absolutely LOVE this option from French Connection - and at $160 it's going to be hard to resist. The contrasting of black on camel is not something I'm going to get over easily...

This tote from Madewell has been steadily climbing to the top of my wishlist and the more I see it, the more I'm convinced of how practical it is - classic brown leather in two tones (more contrast!), short handles and crossbody functionality, big (but not huge) size - and a reasonable price for such a staple ($268).

I couldn't resist topping this off with a fox earring - I know, I know, foxes are a "thing" this fall, but clearly, I'm obsessed. And it's just a hint of fox on the ear, so I'm gonna let it slide on this "anti-autumn" fall outfit.

What are your go-to fall outfits? Any refreshing fall outfits inspiring you lately? Please share!

Friday's Fancies: Fall Football Season

I couldn’t be more excited about today’s Friday’s Fancies theme: FOOTBALL.

That might actually be misleading – if you’re thinking NFL, we’re not on the same page. Truth be told, I couldn’t really care less about NFL football; I have lived in Massachusetts for almost my entire life and I have developed a pretty mild dislike for the “beloved” Pats.

BUT, I do love me some college football – Notre Dame football, to be exact. And no, I am not a Fighting Irish fan just because I’m Irish (even though I am…); my parents met, fell in love, and married at ND – not to mention that my uncle also went there and I have been to at least 10 fall tailgates in lovely old South Bend.

There’s nothing more beautiful and quintessentially fall than sipping a cold beer with mittens on a brisk fall morning and being a part of that absolutely awe-inspiring school spirit…not to mention the gorgeous backdrop of maple leaves catching the color of fire and a bright gold dome.

J.Crew Matchstick Cords / ND Tee / LOFT stretch boots / Karen Walker Number One Sunnies / Notre Dame Fisherman's Cable Sweater / Personalized Koozie with Monogram / Fighting Irish iPhone Cover

Tailgate essentials: tall, flat boots (with wool socks, of course), sunnies to help see the game, a hot latte, blanket and a koozie (monogrammed!) for your beer to keep warm (and your beer cold!).

Do you love football in the fall? What are your game day essentials?

Fall Trend: Critter Clutches

My stroll down Newbury Street on the back from dinner at the MET Back Bay on Saturday night was quintessentially autumnal – the air was a brisk and dry with a very slight breeze, and the city was quieter than it has been in months; essentially perfection.

I clipped the tags from a recent H&M score; a very “in” for fall burgundy blazer (on sale for $30!), so I of course was in the mood to peep some autumn window displays on the ultimate Boston shopping boulevard. I swear I’m still having neck pains from tossing my head from side-to-side trying to see every last window, but nothing struck me more than Burberry’s fall accessory presentation.

I die.

My obsession with the latest slew of fox-adorned accessories is no secret, and Burberry’s clutches and bags with foxhead clasps are at the top of my “cant-afford-but-totally-die-over” list. I don’t know what it is about the fox that somehow scream fall, but I am hooked. Little did I know what would be waiting for me in Burberry’s window…

Gold autumnal critters GALORE. I was dying over the ducks – there’s something so old-school prep about them. And I would kill for a mallard-head umbrella. But I also can’t get over how adorable the little owls are!

Clearly I am in no place to be purchasing any of these Prorsum lovelies, but it might be time to expand my fall accessory search beyond little foxies.

Which autumnal animal is your favorite? Would you rock a critter accessory?

Friday's Fancies: Autumn Lust List

I have been trying to get my act together to start participating in Friday's Fancies for weeks now - and today was supposed to be the day. When did work start to ALWAYS be in the the way of blogging?

Better late than never, right? ...right?

J.Crew quilted vest / J.Crew slim fit pants / Penfield / Frye leather boots / Steven by Steve Madden smoking slipper / Coach colorblock handbag / MICHAEL Michael Kors tortoise shell ring / Aubin & Wills printed scarf / Tory Burch fox pouch  / Brooks Brothers tartan scarf

Clearly I am all about the saturated tones (namely, green...per usual) and old-school-prep vibe recently. There's really nothing better than a good tartan. I also really, really can't get enough of the fox accessories I'm seeing everywhere - so adorable and fun...and somehow very fall. I'm also loving this more affordable fox scarf from ASOS. Oh and that flannel; I can't stop eyeing it after seeing it on Sarah Vickers (and I may or may not be dying to wear it with those same Zara booties I just indulged in yesterday).

Head over to long distance loving to see what else is topping the lust list of bloggers everywhere!

And in the meantime, I will try not to cure my current state of frustration by caving for one of these beauties. Only a few more hours! Happy Friday, y'all.

Rise From the Dead

I'm alive and back on the interweb!

Between the move, work, family parties, and all of the subsequent fallout from the aforementioned, I have been a terrible blogger. In my defense, I did not have internet in my apartment for an entire SIX DAYS (travesty, I know) and with the short week following the Monday holiday, blogging at work was out of the question.

Here's what my last week has looked like, in a few, totally hot mess photos:

All three of these are full of shoes. Not okay - until you see my now totally organized closet situation!

One of my biggest fears (OCD moments) of moving was things breaking; I drove over 3 carfulls of items I was convinced would break if I packed them for the movers. Clearly my new gold-rimmed champagne flutes from the SoWa market were at the top of the list and therefore were packed delicately in my Serena & Lily duvet. They made it!

This was our first, sad-looking dinner in our new place at approximately 1 AM, complete with delivery and the table in the middle of the living room. On the bright side, I found out the sushi place in Southie is actually pretty good - AND delivers late night.

Then, circa 5 AM, we FINALLY called it quits on unpacking and organizing (and were not even close to finished) to take a much-needed pre-bedtime bubbly break (obviously with aforementioned champagne flutes). Veuve never felt so good.

Flash forward just one week, and I come home yesterday to find THIS situation in our living room ("I rearranged the furniture while you were at the gym!"), plus our first visitor in honor of the start to the NFL season.

Despite my high anxiety around the place not being totally perfected and organized yet, I wanted to break in the kitchen with some football Sunday treats for the boys (pepperoni bread and buff wings above) - which then somehow warped into me cooking dinner (buffalo turkey burgers, raw veggies and freshly-baked chocolate chip cookies) for my parents later last night. I'm crazy, I know.

Now that my spending  freeze is over (and mostly to try to calm my anxiety), I have started in on a little shopping for fall basics. While I am often one for a great accessory or a really unique or loud print, there's nothing better than finding the perfect basic to fill a hole in your wardrobe - and it's even better when you get a good deal!

The LBD

This ponte knit a-line dress is made of the same material as my beloved Pixie pants (I have them in 3 colors) so I couldn't wait to try this on. When it sold out online I almost shed a tear, but was fortunate enough to stumble on one in-store in my size - at which point it became clear why this stunner sold out so quickly. I legitimately said WHA-BAM out loud (okay, in a whisper) to myself in the dressing room mirror when I got it on; it is outrageously comfortable and incredibly flattering (despite being a stretch knit, which is usually much too clingly for my not-so-toned tummy). I also got to exercise my "student" discount on the in-store purchase - and I know it will be worth every penny when I'm throwing this on once a week with ballets or tights & boots for work.

The Boyfriend Jean

I have been on the search for the perfect pair of boyfriend jeans for months now after seeing countless gorgeous and effortlessly styled outfits by the likes of Blair, Kendi and Jules. I finally met my match with the Gap Sexy Boyfriend Jean; they're much more reasonably-priced than the ever-popular Current Elliott pair (though now that I have officially fallen in love with the cut I may invest down the road), but I also scored at 30% off during their sale last week). I wore them on Friday and did not put anything else on my body (aside from PJs) until this morning. They are out-of-this-world comfortable but don't make you look like you're just wearing 2-sizes-too-big jeans. And I wasn't even wearing heels.

What are you top picks for fall so far?

Autumn Handbags

I’m not a huge handbag girl. Sure, I love looking at fun, crazy, and pretty colors, patterns and shapes – but at the end of the day, I am far too lazy to change purses on the daily (or monthly…) and not adventurous (or rich) enough to go for much more than the basics. The only two bags I have used this entire summer are my Rebecca Minkoff MAC (obviously in a super neutral color) and my larger Longchamp for toting gym clothes and lunch to work.

That all said, I am going pretty crazy over some of the new shapes and colors for fall – especially the Rebecca Minkoff Desire – it’s the perfect satchel, in my mind. I can’t get enough of the studding detail – I just can’t decide on a color! Too bad it doesn’t come in green (yet?) – it will always be my favorite color, and the saturated shades for autumn are just perfection.

None of these are THAT impractical, right? 

Leather tote: ASOS Scalloped Leather Tote | Tory Burch Roslyn Tote | Tory Burch Horesbit Jaden Tote

Deep green: Longchamp Le Pliage Large in Fir | Tory Burch Lizard Small Resin Frame Bag | Kate Spade Cobble Hill Minka Crossbody

Colorblocked: Pour La Victoire Verona Colorblock Satchel | Coach Legacy Colorblock Leather Candace Carryall| Pour La Victoire Palermo Colorblocked Satchel

Studded Satchels:  Rebecca Minkoff Desire in Grey Croc | Rebecca Minkoff Desire in Mustard | Rebecca Minkoff Desire in Charcoal

Any handbags on your wishlist for fall?

Autumnal Feelings: The Pleated Maxi

Even though I come in at a whopping 5’3” on the giant ruler at the doctor’s office, I completely fell in love with the maxi length this summer. Over the course of the last 3 months, I have acquired 2 maxi skirts (one of which is white, semi-sheer and almost impossible to wear…but I have worn it at least 10 times) and a chevron maxi dress that I am utterly obsessed with.

They’re really the perfect go-to on those days you just don’t feel like wearing clothes (no? just me?) – the material barely touches you and if you’re walking around in the heat, there’s almost nothing better than not having a crotch seam (am I right?). But will fall around the corner, I don’t want to give them up.

This Urban Outfitters accordion pleat maxi’s telling me I don’t have to – and therefore will promptly be added to my collection once my spending freeze is over. And what better way to bring the breezy maxi into fall than top it with some saturated hues or a kitchy sweatshirt and some toughened up accessories (this is me trying not to be a little girl, once again).

Studs, skulls, snakeskin (with a hint of polkas to keep it “me”): the fall trifecta. Also, can we talk about how INSANE that Tory tortoise-frame bag is? I'll take it in all three colors, please..

Zara Fall 2012

For years, I have been buying the bulk (at least 80%) of my seasonal wardrobe at J.Crew because normally, I am utterly obsessed with their clothes, but also because truth be told – I’m kind of lazy. I love to shop, but only when it goes my way. Trying on 2-3 sizes to find the right fit because I don’t know the store, its cuts, and how sizes run is pretty much entirely a no-go for me. Put me in a J.Crew and I can drop $200 without trying anything on – and it will all fit. Call it what you want, but I’m gonna call it efficiency.

And then there was Zara. I guess the fashion tycoon has always been somewhat on my radar since I studied abroad in Italy and it was the only store (+ H&M) that I could afford to shop at in any of the countries I visited, but upon returning to the US, it was much less accessible to me and I (gasp) forgot about it. Thankfully, the blogging world brought Zara back into my worldview – and in this current time when I’m desperate for versatile summer-to-autumn pieces – Zara’s hitting the spot.

I know it's a lot of studs, but...