Autumn Caps

Me in Free People & Anne wearing Madewell's quilted baseball cap in navy. (I love her silly guts.)

A lot of you have asked about my new favorite plaid cap from Free People. I am pretty excited that we might bump into each other in town and be twins. But with that said, in case you want a different version but the same kind of look, here is a round up with a few of my favorite baseball caps for autumn. I love that a plaid or wool cap is a cold weather option, but its not as cozy and warm as a knit beanie (read: you will not be sweating with 5 minutes of indoor wear). I'm not quite ready for knit hats, so the baseball cap in darker hues (navy, grey, olive green, brown) and autumnal fabrics is perfection for the season right now. 

Currently Swooning: The Midi Skirt

After Anne's party last week and trying on this skirt, paired with new fall shipment at work and an array of longer skirts in warm hues making their way into the store, I can't help but have a crush on the midi skirt. It is still warm out as summer holds on to its last month, so pants and tights aren't so much jumping out of my closet - but longer, past the knee skirts that transition every so gracefully into a fall and winter wardrobe? Yes, please. They can fill my closet. I have my eye on a handful of midi skirts that I would just be delighted to add to my wardrobe. I'm determined to add one staple past the knee skirt to my closet, and I would be perfectly content if I happened upon it while thrifting or vintage store rummaging. What's so great about this style is that it's a classic. You might even find one hiding in your grandmother's closet or on a rack at Goodwill that you can bust out and pair with ankle booties. The midi skirt has made its rounds in fashion, and it is back, and really should never leave. So in the spirit of the weekend, and with a nod to the midi skirt, here is a round up of those that are catching my fancy. Who knows, maybe they'll be on sale this weekend? :

*With the expectation of full disclosure and honest & true blogging, the links in this post are affiliate links; meaning, should you purchase one of these items I get a kick back of the cost. This is not a sponsored post, however purely items that I love and believe that my readers would too, reflecting my true style and the aesthetic of this blog. Thank you for supporting the brands I choose to share about and that keep this blog going. 

WEAR | Six Dollar Browns & a Little Bit of Black

Sweater Top // LOFT (sale $4)    Skirt // Thrifted ($2)

 Belt // LOFT (similar)   Shoes // Urban Outfitters (old)

I like to brag that this outfit cost six dollars. Minus the shoes and belt, which I have lost track of the cost of those since they are oldies. See, thrift stores aren't scary, they provide work attire when you are willing to dig.

This weekend my best friend was supposed to visit. And when your best friend from age three is planning to visit, you can only really think of slumber parties, laughing ti'l it hurts, and the best time ever. But then Frontier cancelled all of their flights, because someone decided to be violent at LAX. So no more girls weekend. But even more tragic, lives lost today in Los Angeles. So sad. I am still giddy for our reunion, though, which will hopefully happen in the next few months. So now, a fancy gala tonight and a wide open weekend. Maybe we will go to the mountains for some skiing and snowboarding? 

Oh, and happy November!

WEAR | A Red Hat for the Alley Cats

Pom Pom Hat // Burton   Polkadot Button Back Blouse // LOFT (similar) 

 High Wasted Skinnies // Madewell    Leather Boots // Steve Madden

We spent the entire afternoon in Boulder last Saturday with Matt's parents. After a day of walking about Pearl Street, swooning over old maps and prints at a really neat shop, lunch at Pizzaria Locale, and surprise early birthday shopping trip to Anthropologie, we had a little down time before cooking in, and spending quality time all together in our home (and making palisade peach oatmeal crisp!)

During the in between, I whisked Matt out to our back alley to take a few photos of the outfit I wore that day. The cold hit a bit later, so Boulder didn't get to see this red hat, but the alley cats did. All twelve of them. (Oh and this hat! So soft and slouchy I cannot even begin to describe. It makes cold weather just feel so good. Invest in a great hat that you love this fall/winter. The ten dollars I spent on this pom pom number? Worth. Every. Penny).

*clothing items purchased when on sale // hat $10 // blouse $15 // denim $30

Autumn Wishing List

Even frugal girls have wish lists. So here is mine. If I were to pick a few things that would fit into the season and my current style, both for wearing and decorating, these are what you'd find me wishing for.

one // Oh this bag! Madewell gets me.

two // West Elm trophy hooks from the New Heritage Collection.

three // Furniture Makeovers (I've flipped through this book so many times I really should just get it at this point...)

four // What's not to love about this Corduroy puffer vest at Anthro? (I shouldn't have tried it on the other day...I really didn't want to take it off!)

five // Patterned headband trio (those prints!)

six // This pillow cover from West Elm (the chartreuse and heathered grey speak for themselves).

WEAR | Denver Hardware

Free People Sweater // Marshalls Red Tag   Striped Scoop Back Dress // Urban Outfitters Sale

  Leggings // Target    Booties // Target Sale    Cat Eye Look /// HERE   Top Knot // HERE

It's pretty much the best moment in frugal shopping when you find an otherwise high priced label at a markdown red tag price. Such was my luck with this sweater wrap (what Matt likes to call my "Aztec" sweater) when shopping at Marshalls in Burbank, California. Free People brand for fifteen bucks. And you know what else is the best? When you almost pass up trying on an item of clothing at a thrift store or on red tag because it looks awful on a hanger. Such was also the case of the Aztec sweater wrap. But lucky for me, I tried it on. And it has become my weekend staple every fall since. We like this one so much, when I found it three months later at a Marshalls in Colorado, I bought a second and shipped it to my best friend. Bestie Aztec sweaters? Yes, that's right. 

WEAR | On The Fence

Top//Marshalls  Skirt//Nordstrom Rack   Bracelet//Thrifted  Belt//Mango  

 Roller Wedges//Anthropologie   Sunnies//Steve Madden.

I've been on the fence lately. Fall has clearly made her presence--with the Aspens changing to bright golds and burnt oranges, pumpkin flavored brews popping up all over Denver, Oktoberfest this past weekend, and the inevitable fall to winter chapped lips. Yet, my wardrobe and personal style still holds on to lingerings of summer. I love my boots, sweaters, and cozy socks, but I'm not quite ready. I've been on the fence as summer transitions to autumn, not wanting to part with my maxi dresses, bare legs, sandals, and short sleeves. So I'll hang on for another week or two. I'll milk this warm weather and get a few more days of legs free of tights, toes free of socks, and Vitamin D accessible attire. Am I the only one not fully ready for boots? (Maybe I'm really just not ready for cold days and snow. I'll blame the California in me.)

Nervous / Excited

This is my nervous excited face. 

Why a nervous excited face, you ask?

Well, let me tell you:

 After a few nudgings from friends and always wanting to share my personal style...

I am setting out to do just that.

I really want to inspire myself and you as readers to buy thrifted, upcycled, affordable, or second hand clothing on a more regular basis. How amazing would it be if Goodwill and consignment shops became our go-to's just as often as we default to other favorite stores, like J.Crew, Madewell and Anthropologie?

I am all about finding styling trends and inspiration from favorites and then setting out to find that look for less. It's actually how I fell in love with style at the very beginning of my eyes being opened to fashion. I was a highschool girl who until that Freshman year grew up wearing uniforms--school uniforms or a swim suit, as my life outside of school was mostly spent in the pool. My best friend and I would scour thrift stores and swap meets, finding the best things ever. And that is what I wore. All the time. Thrifted and second hand, this was my style. And I loved it. And I still love it but it has become only about 25% of my wardrobe. Slowly, as I've matured, my thrifted clothing has become less. Which now, I'm determined to change.

So why exactly a nervous face? All of the above is so exciting! It's exciting to share style and move towards changing the clothing perspective, for myself and hopefully for others. But it is nerve racking to be photographed. It is nerve racking to see a handful of photos of yourself. And it is even more real  in the nervous department to post those photos for all to see. But I need to change my perspective on that as well. I need to not be nervous about any of that--those photos are me! And I am beautiful just the way I was made, imperfections and all. This is what I wrote about the process the other evening, after Matt snapped a few photos of me last week:

"What started as continual fear of being photographed to reflect my personal style for the blog ended up being a truly freeing experience, especially so having my husband take the photographs. I'm excited to share style that is thrifted, second hand, and affordable in the coming months--with hopes to inspire you to shop for used items. And if not shopping second hand, why not make it a goal to donate a used clothing item or two to the homeless or Goodwill for every new item you do bring into your wardrobe? I'm completely up for the challenge, what about you?"

I write a lot about true beauty here, and I feel this fits perfectly. I want  to continue to change my own perspective on outer beauty and the worth that I put on clothing. (Which at times, is a lot of worth, let's be honest). So my hopes with this series, I'll call it WEAR, is that my heart would change in the process. That I'd be moved to shop second hand, donate unused clothing more often, and find myself content with the clothing that is already in my closet--ridding that desire to consume more and more, yet being frugal and thoughtful about it when I do shop. 

What do you think, are you with me?

Upcycled Denim Cutoffs DIY

Oh, denim! Oh, chambray! You may have become the biggest fashion crush of the year, but my eyes still love to see you in washed out, soft, and worn in form. Even better? Upcycled denim, worn again and again, because aren't you supposed to last a lifetime?

>>Denim, originally The Gap | Flats, Target | Top, Bella Dahl found on clearance at Nordstom Rack

And then I found a dress

Last Saturday I snapped a photo of my recently purchased black dress, and many of you asked what the front looked like. It was only the second dress that I tried on, and I hadn't planned on finding one I liked so quickly after my little black dress "Pinterest shopping" last week! The cut of the back is what absolutely got me. But it doesn't hurt that the front is a flattering cut as well :).  Its a great addition to my wardrobe. I don't like buying things for only one occasion, so I always shop with the bigger picture in mind (can I wear this in the winter with boots and tights? with flats and a cardigan? on a date night? yes, yes, yes!)

Now the fun part of accessorizing. I'm either going to do a bright colored skinny belt with gold details or a thin brown braided belt. I've pretty much settled on nude wedges or low nude heels since I've been needing a new pair of neutrals in my wardrobe anyways. I found a pair of amazing Cole Haan leather heels in a camel color that feel oh so wonderful on my feet, but I have yet to decide if I'll keep them. I have huge buyers remorse, always! (Cost per wear versus Do I need these?) Any suggestions or thoughts on accessorizing are welcome!

Little Black Dress Shopping

Do you have a go to black dress? The one that you wear whenever an event calls for simple, classic, and polished? A black dress that can be worn for any occasion? I am in the market for one, and have yet to go to any stores, visit fitting rooms, or do online shopping. So far, Pinterest has been my outlet for window shopping of sorts, getting ideas for the black dress I am drawn to. My sister-in-law and soon to be brother-in-law are tying the knot in Septemeber, and I need a black dress to wear for the wedding day. Below are a few styles that I really like.

(black dress shopping after the jump!)

Patriotic Romper Style

Last week my friend Natalie shared her Shorts Story as part of The Love Yourself Linkup. I could totally relate to Natalie's shorts sentiments. Something Natalie wrote really stood out, especially so as we women try on outfit after outfit and spend many a battle in fitting rooms across America: "clothing is meant to fit me—not the other way around."

Cinque Terre | Samantha Elizabeth

Today I have a travel treat for you! Samantha Elizabeth, a lifestyle blogger and photographer, is exploring Italy this week and she is sharing a bit from her travels with us today. When Samantha shared her Getting Lost in Venice photographs, I wanted to vacate my current life and just hop all over Italy--she captures her adventures and the beautiful details of the towns so effortlessly. I hope you enjoy snippets from her travels, and her abroad fashion sense, as much as I have! (Ps. You should also see how diy savvy this girl is-- like this shutter mail holder, this head board, & these vintage magnets).

Along the north west coast of the Italian Riviera and nestled next to the Mediterranean Sea you will find five small villages called Cinque Terre, which include Rigimorre, Manarola, Corniglia, Vernazza and Monterosso. My husband and I have chosen to stay in Manarola, the smaller of the five and more remote of the villages. One of the most fascinating things about these five villages is that they are nestled within 5 miles of jagged cliffs and vineyards.  The structure of the vineyards weaves their way from the bottom of the cliffs to the top; it is an unthinkable and amazing sight. The locals will tell you that the “The best grapes grow closest to the sea.”

Cinque Terre is one of those coastal villages where the options are endless for adventure. Enjoy a hike through vineyards and take in the amazing views of the Mediterranean’s rugged coastline, jump a 5-minute train to the next closest village and sip cappuccino in a cafe, grab a bite to eat and enjoy the “catch of the day” as Cinque Terre has some of the freshest seafood in the world, send your taste buds soaring and experience wine tasting and the world renown Sciacchetra one of Cinque Terre’s finest wines, take a less strenuous stroll along Via dell’Amore, a footpath cut out of sheer rock just a stones throw away from the sea. Cinque Terre’s charm is unlike any other in the world and exceptional in its beauty.

Swooning Over Swim & Sun Collections

Sunny days that warm to the core and make popsicles a food group, once again, have arrived. I am greeting them gladly with wide open arms. (Seriously, wide open, after that snowy Spring we had here in Colorado). I shared my sunny style a few weeks ago, and as I continue to get style inspiration for this beach side, pool side, vacation filled season, a few summer collections continue to catch me swooning.

J.Crew has it spot on. One piece swimsuits in playful prints and flattering cuts. The swim collection is bright and reminiscent of the past, with retro fits and attention to detail. These one pieces are oh-so feminine (my favorites are the sailboat print, green floral, rosebud, and striped). And how adorable would each of these looks be if paired with a high waisted skirt? 

Yes, Warby Parker. A company not only with "do-good" business mentality, but crazy good style. Their frames are inspired by mid-century bohemia and weekend-long house parties. Doesn't that just sing summer?  I actually do not own a single pair of WB sunglasses, but I like to pretend and swoon over the tortoise, marble, and other fun hues they've paired with retro-modern frames. 

You know how designer beach towels are ridiculously expensive? Its crazy, right? Thankfully, Nate Berkus was smart and designed a line for Target (see here, here, and here). At a price we can afford. A beach towel with the right print and perfect thickness and softness--mmm, you could fall asleep for hours pool and beachside.  I am also hoping this one at West Elm goes on sale eventually -- I'm in the market for some new ones!

Swimsuits that have a different back design than the norm--yes, please! This sailboat swimsuit from J.Crew is still classic, yet its print and back view make it a bit off beat, which I love. Also, a classic beach bag like this one from ASOS is a match to a swimsuit that is a bit more bold in the pattern department. 

And a few swim & sun favorites from around the inter webs:

>> Anne's weekend style with a bright and bold color palette. 

>> Some Darling summer reading and the must have in-your-beach-tote magazine.

>> Map your sunny summer travels like Oh Happy Day!

>> Because salads taste best this time of year... 

>> ...especially when picked right from your own (urban) garden.

>> The perfect summer do, including bobby pins and a top knot vibe (and a cute video to boot).

>> Design inspired by late night summer-star-gazing.

What is your inspiration with sunny days ahead?

Lace and Doilies

Of course when I come to California, and have my mom and two best friends around, its inevitable we  stop in at a few of our favorite stores. I had yet to find the perfect lace pieces for Spring, that exude femininity, so I was delighted when I found some quality pieces on the sale racks at Anthropologie and Aerie. From Aerie, a linen and lace combo beach cover up, and from Anthro a bright cobalt lace skirt. 

Sunny Style (Without The Sunburn!)

Tomorrow I'll be on a plane to California. Hurray! And while trips to the beach, hiking, and sitting poolside are at the top of my to-do list, having a fair complexion makes me ever so prone to sunburn (and sun damage). It seems with each new summer, I feel a little bit wiser and thoughtful about how I spend my time under the sun--or how I protect myself under the sun.

Bathing suits with a bit more coverage, light weight cover-ups with high necklines and longer sleeves, wide brimmed floppy hats, UV protected sunnies, helioplex sunscreen & beauty balm with spf, and button or zip ups to throw on while sitting pool-side--these are all what I am currently living in when soaking up Vitamin D. The items in this round up I own (or something similar) and use personally, and can confidently say that I feel stylish while being smart about protecting myself from the sun :)

1 // Target | Lakitia Flip Flop
2 // Anthropologie | Dots and Dahlias Chambray Button Down
3 // Neutragena | Ultra Sheer Sunscreen with Helioplex
4 // Stila | Stay All Day 10-in 1 BB SPF 30
5 // Aeire | Soft & Cozy Hoody
6 // Von Zipper | Elmore Sunglasses in Tortoise
7 // Target | Rugby Shirt Dress
8 // Gap | Metallic Floppy Hat
9 // Aerie | Solid One Piece Swimsuit