Fall Fun Sunday

Today was such a great day!  It started with sleeping in.  I kept waking up thinking it was time to get ready for work, and each time was a sweet reminder to roll over and close my eyes again.  I stayed in bed until it became boring -- which took a WHILE!

With my husband being the gamer type he is, he wanted to check out an XBox event in the city where he could preview a whole bunch of games for the new system before it launches.  Needless to say, I felt a little out of place standing amongst all the gamers speaking a language other than my own, but I tried to get into it!

Afterwards, we stopped by one of my favorite lunch spots, Milk & Honey Cafe.  A pleasant sidewalk lunch and a few boutique stops later, it was time to go.

I love adventures and new experiences, so in my book, today was pretty perfect.  We're planning on grilling our dinner tonight, fully knowing that it might be one of the last times we get!  The cold is sneaking in, and the air today was almost chilly.  Fall is bittersweet with its beauty, but after a long summer of weddings (my own and others!) I'm ready for the change.

Jacket: Hudson, long sleeve tee: Free People (old), knit pants: KUT, scarf (similar), flats: Clarks

Thinking ahead: Motor head.

When fall merchandise starts to roll out in stores it never fails to take me by surprise. It's like seeing Christmas trees out in supermarkets in October. It never seems quite right. That doesn't stop me from taking a full pause to take it in and get a little preview of whatever I'll be obsessing over in the months to come, though. 

There's something about fall that always brings out a badass side of my style. Have I taken it as far as motorcycle boots? No. Not yet, at least. But these caught my eye! I love the idea of pairing them with something a little girly-- maybe even a flowy skirt with a chunky sweater thrown over. Or with a sundress during the transitional weather. Or, of course, with a crisp pair of skinny jeans. (Always a classic.) 

What do you think? Let's go moto?

Nine West 'Sabady' Bootie Womens Black Leather Size 8 M 8 M (see more black cowboy boots)

Vince Camuto 'Tipper' Boot Womens Black Size 7.5 M 7.5 M (see more western boots)

Valentino 'Rockstud' Biker Boot Womens Black Size 41 EU 41 EU (see more leather shoes)

Show Your Spots

show your spots by eterlak featuring leopard print shoes

H&M super skinny jeans
$31 - hm.com

J.Crew leopard print shoes
jcrew.com

Feather jewelry
anthropologie.com

Gold jewelry
anthropologie.com

Warehouse belt
$28 - asos.com

Gap Pure raglan sweater | Gap
gap.com

River Island Leopard Box Bag
$53 - asos.com

Once fall rolls around, my uniform is pretty much black.  I stock up on versatile, mixable pieces for each cold season, and my accessories float me through. One of my favorite prints for accessorizing: LEOPARD! It has a punchy, fun vibe and goes with everything.  It's been quite the trend recently, and if you're not ready to buckle down and buy a leopard blazer or another big investment piece, the accessories are the way to go!  Any trend can really be tried out through accessories, and this one is just so right.  Can't wait to give it a try!

In which the J.Crew models steal the show!

I got an e-mail alert that J.Crew's new fall collection went up on their site.  Naturally, I clicked over to start browsing the awesomeness.  Yeah, I found a whole lot of clothes that I want NOW, but I also found some major inspiration from the styling of the models.  Behold:

J Crew cardigan (see more j crew cardigans)

J Crew top (see more vintage long sleeve shirts)

J Crew top (see more sleeveless tops)

I'm really digging the whole un-coiffed thing they have going on!  Minimal and natural-looking makeup paired with hair that looks a bit lived in is.... just so... right!  Perhaps it's just perfect timing for me or something.  I stopped fussing with the hot tools every day and scaling WAY back on the makeup process and I feel more like myself.  When I saw J.Crew take the natura-plunge, I was quite pleased! 

The color of fall:

oxblood by eterlak featuring essie nailpolish

Alexander McQueen peplum blazer
net-a-porter.com

Carven pleated mini skirt
net-a-porter.com

Marc by Marc jacob
marcjacobs.com

Chloé knee boots
net-a-porter.com

Marc by Marc Jacobs high heel
marcjacobs.com

Essie nailpolish
essie.com

Harper Connect Suede Bag | Bags by DVF
dvf.com

Joseph | Queen cropped stretch-gabardine pants | NET-A-PORTER.COM
net-a-porter.com

ddd

Oxblood it is.  It's a beautiful, rich, warm color.  It goes with black.  It goes with brown.  It's the same color as wine.  Any one of these pieces would be an integral, interchangeable addition to your wardrobe.  The guys have been wearing it on their feet for eons, but now it's the ladies' turn!  Keep your eyes peeled for even more of it as fall unfurls.  

This fall, I can't wait to wear....

J Crew t shirt (see more slim tees)

J Crew t shirt (see more slim fit tees)

Old Navy t shirt (see more boat neck t shirts)

Ann Taylor - AT Knits Tees - Asymmetric Dolman Sleeve Jersey Tee (clipped to polyvore.com)

Boatneck tees!!!!  I've been on a super-simplified kick recently.  Yoga in the mornings and all.  I just LOVE the no fuss, classy appeal of these.  They're simple enough where you can really add your character through accessories and shoes and be done with it.  And that bit of collarbone?  Oh so feminine.  What do you think?  This your look?