Year: 2015

Fall Essentials

fall essentials

Hello, and apologies for the radio silence! I’ve been crazy busy, and adjusting has taken a little while – but I’m back now! (Of course, it does’t help that my computer is being particularly touchy lately.) Being the over-eager shopper that I am, I actually did the majority of my fall shopping before fall even started. I’ll probably need to pick up some more heavy sweaters as the weather gets cooler, but I was able to stock up on some essentials (on sale!) that I’ve already gotten a good bit of wear from, and that I know will take me through the season. Here are some of my must-have fall pieces, along with a few items I’m still coveting.

1 // Last year, I found myself over and over bemoaning the fact that I didn’t have an easy, slightly slouchy gray sweater to throw on when I was up early and craving a comfortable, low maintenance – but still effortlessly cool – outfit. So finding the perfect one was my top priority this season – and of course, I found it at Zara. It comes in a bunch of great fall colors (I’m thinking I should grab another one), and it’s the perfect layering sweater: thin, but still more substantial than a t-shirt.

2 // Another item I knew I needed: moss green denim. I was looking for something a little more interesting than black or gray, but that still offered the same comfort level and style. I knew moss green was the answer, but struggled to find the right color and shape: too many were frosty, others were cargo pants, some still were overly distressed or loose. But these ones, from Gap, are perfect: the color is dark enough that they still pair with nearly everything in my closet, and they’re a classic skinny jean shape, with a slightly high waist, that’s super comfortable and flattering. (They’re running out of this color, but I highly recommend any jeans from Gap’s resolution line.)

3 // I struggle to find coats that are both stylish and functional – I’ve ended up with marshmallow-esque parkas (which have their place) to pea coats that are basically decorative. This one checks off both boxes – it comes in a gorgeous deep purple-burgundy, but has plenty of pockets and an extra-warm furry lining. And the name, field jacket, just sounds so classic.

4 // I haven’t yet added a short, streamlined bootie to my wardrobe, but that needs to change. The bootie strikes the perfect balance between a combat boot and classic riding boot – it’s short, modern, but still distinctly casual. This patent pair from Zara is cool and sleek, and doesn’t veer towards the edgy or rustic vibe that tends to come with most casual boots.

5 // Another bootie option I love: an updated take on the combat boot. This pair from Zara is less dressy than the aforementioned boots, but they’re still more polished than the average lace-up pair. Their flat heel and streamlined profile keeps them casual, but metallic hardware ups the chic element.

6 // So I actually bought these boots a year or two ago (in a slightly different color/textile), but I’ve only started wearing them with regularity recently. They make any outfit a little edgier, and they’re a step up from basic flats. Despite their height, they’re pretty comfortable – I can wear them for a full day without pain (or becoming exhausted). Another plus: they’re budget-friendly!

7 // During the Zara sale this summer, I found what might be the most perfect cardigan (see this post for evidence) – I haven’t worn it too much yet, but it’s seriously cozy. I found a pretty similar style on H&M because everyone needs a giant, black and white cocoon sweater. You can throw it over a maxi dress, pair it with a mini skirt and simple tee, wear it with jeans and a thin sweater (see #1)…basically, it goes with everything, looks effortlessly chic, and feels like a blanket. You’re welcome.

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Favorite Bright Skirt

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Anthropologie skirt | New York and Company shirt | Vintage earrings | Vintage ring | Steve Madden sandals

I know I just posted yesterday about how excited I am for fall, but I have a few more summer outfits to share while the weather is still warm. This skirt I was initially hesitant about (it’s a little brighter/preppier than the things I normally wear), but it was $15 at Anthropologie! How can you pass that up? Of course I got it, and I’m so happy I did. It’s surprisingly comfortable and really lightweight, plus it has great pockets. I pretty much only wear it with solid tees in black and white, but I haven’t gotten tired of that combo yet, so I’m okay with it. I’m hoping to wear it at least one more time before I switch to my fall wardrobe.

And, in case you were wondering – these pictures are indeed from a while ago. I’m not currently lounging by the water, much as I wish I were.

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Fall To Do List

fall to do list

I get really excited about the start of any new season (except winter), but fall always seems especially full of promise. The weather is perfect for light sweaters and long walks, it’s the perfect time to stay in the kitchen and bake, the holidays are approaching…you all know why fall is great. Lately, I’m feeling especially inspired to make this fall fantastic.

In the spirit of this post, I’ve come up with another seasonal to do list. I think I did pretty well on the last one (8/10!) and I think posting them here helps keep me accountable – plus, I know I like reading these kinds of things on other blogs. Let’s see how I make out! What kinds of things are you looking forward to doing this season?

1. Read 10 books. 2. Find a new brunch spot. 3. Host another board game night. 4. Find a great new fall recipe. 5. See at least two plays. 6. Go to the BSO. 7. Start planning out my trip to France next summer. 8. Learn enough Swedish so I can sort of read a children’s book. 9. Find a new magazine. 10. Gather inspiration in one place.

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Checking In

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I’ve been a little behind on blogging lately – I’ll spare you the details, but last weeks have consisted of some work things rearing their ugly heads, a handful of anxiety attacks over upcoming changes, and some very unpleasant dental work. All of that has left me a little drained, or at least not quite as happy and inspired as I like to be.

sarah kate style just turned three a few weeks ago, and I’m now getting a little reflective. I’m giving myself s small pat on the back for posting so much this summer, but now I’m going to cut myself a little slack. I plan out posts a month in advance, and I tell myself to stay as far ahead of schedule as I can. But then some posts I end up not wanting to do, or I can’t do them as well as I’d like, and then I feel a little guilty, and I usually have no alternative ideas. If I let myself, I go crazy with my blog. And it’s draining. A post that takes a few hours to create gets published and read in a few minutes, and is just as quickly forgotten. Doing that every day can drive you a little mad. I don’t like that, so I’m not going to make myself spend hours in front of the computer if I know it won’t make me happy. Because – and I knew this, I think, but I just said it out loud to myself when I was thinking about my blog last weekend – I don’t want blogging to be my job. Not that I’m in a position where I have to make that choice, but it’s a bit of a relief to recognize that that’s not my goal and I can relax. I started this blog as an outlet (funny how you see that line on so many small blogs, but really, my guess is about half of them want to be full-time bloggers) and I want to fully return to a schedule and content that makes me happy, which maybe means I won’t post every day.

And then, personally, my schedule this summer has left me feeling a little meh. I thought I’d try holding myself to a strict list of deadlines and to-dos this summer, each hour or so having its own activity. And it worked great for a while, but now I’m finding myself uninspired by it. Some days instead of returning to my desk, I’d waste an hour or so online, or watching TV, and end up feeling terribly unproductive and tired and sad, and not get anything done at all. And that’s another thing – I’m feeling almost a little attacked by social media and how superficial it all is, not to mention that there’s always a TV show or movie I should be watching, a blog to catch up on, Internet black holes like Buzzfeed that can snatch all of your free time…so I’m going to be more intentional about the things I take in during the day, so I’m less overwhelmed and less drained, and so that I can ultimately get more done.

I actually wrote all of that a week ago, and it’s taken me this long to get over my inspirationless slump and post it. I have a few more ideas now and some motivation to get back to posting. I’ve been resetting myself with little indulgences like watching Breakfast at Tiffany’s with a scone on a rainy day and a leisurely backyard picnic. Those things work wonders.

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Yellow Geometric Blouse

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Zara blouse // New York & Company jeans // Birkenstocks // Vintage clutch

I love patterned tops, and this bright yellow one makes me so happy. You can wear one with a neutral bottom and it’s an instant outfit, and doesn’t require accessorizing or layering, which I personally don’t have patience for in the summer. This summer has been pleasantly mild, which means I haven’t had to give up my jeans in favor of shorts. This is sort of a go-to outfit for me, and it was perfect for walking around quaint towns while on vacation a few weeks back. (And, as you might be able to tell, it was really, really windy when I was taking these pictures.)

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