Fall Favorites

Sweater  ||  Banana Republic (similar here)

Pants  ||  H&M

Shoes  || Target

It is the season for breezy days and chilly evenings.  Each year the leaves change, the weather gets cooler, and my excitement peaks each time I slide open my closet door.  With autumn temperatures come so many options, so many layers, and so many combinations.  With the possibilities being practically endless, I tend to stick to my four fall staples. These are pieces that I trust, always feel confident in, and literally go with anything because they are easily mix-and-matched. Here are my four must-haves this time of year:

1. Fierce Top-Knot.

Want to know why you'll love this one? Because it won't cost you a penny, and it is so simple to do. When you have long locks like me, the wind can sometimes be your worst nightmare, which is why the top-knot bun is perfect for those gusty afternoons. It's a quick fix when you're in a rush or when your hair is just not loving you back. Bad hair days be gone! You can leave it on the messier side or tame it with bobbies for a sleeker look. Up-dos are something I used to avoid at all costs, but the top-knot has stolen my heart.

2. Favorite Sweater

Everyone needs a favorite sweater...or five. It makes you feel fearless, but keeps you warm, while still looking great. My go-to is a soft beige, crew neck. It shouldn't be of any surprise that my knitted soulmate is a neutral hue. I just can't get away from earth tones, and I don't think I ever want to.

3. Fall-Colored Pants

Currently I have been crushing over my new olive skinny jeans. Before these pants walked into my life, I was pretty skeptical of pants that weren't a classic shade of denim, black, or tan. Honestly, it took me four months after I bought them to even wear them out. But once I gave them a fair chance, I fell head over heels for them. They double for casual occasions with flats and a cardigan and dressier events matched with stilettos and a flowy top.  Maroon and mustard are next on my wish-list.

4. Faithful Booties

I cannot get enough of booties; they’re the real prize of any Saturday afternoon shopping trip.  Maybe it's because shoes are my weakness, but there is just something about them that catch my eye, and my wallet. With the different styles, materials, and colors, it's hard to choose my preferred pair. Lately, I have been wearing my black, suede, wedges with a cute little tie. They look great with just about anything you couple with them! But the absolute best part about them is that they look glam without killing my feet. Score! When you find shoes that do this for you, buy them right then and there! Your feet will thank you later. My motto is that you can never have too many boots! 

Learning How to Swim

Here I sit, knee deep in my to-do list. It’s full of things for school, my job, and just life in general. Lately, my drive to be productive has hit an all time low. If you happen to find where I have lost my motivation, please let me know, because I dearly need it back. I can’t seem to pull it together to get anything done. I have a handful of incomplete projects that need to come to completion, and it feels never ending. I am a full-time student, with a part time job, and a social life that fills the remaining time gaps.

I’ve hit the brick wall that has been labeled “senioritis.” Actually, I am pretty sure that if you look up senioritis in the dictionary, you will find a picture of me there with gold stars next to my name. I don’t have much desire to write another paper or read another chapter in a textbook. I don’t really care to spend my time commenting on another discussion board or searching for anymore peer-reviewed academic journals for my latest research assignment. This lack of determination has caused me to become so behind in my classes, and in case you didn’t know, deadlines that have passed are more stressful than deadlines that are upcoming.

So as I’m surrounded by all of these things on my to-do list demanding my time, it sometimes feels like I’m drowning.  I’ve found myself sitting in the sand on the bottom of the ocean with the coral and starfish not really knowing what to do or where to start.  Last night I submitted an assignment, and realized that I am learning how to swim again.  I am remembering how to channel my ambition and get things done.  

I’m so thankful that my head is above water again because I have missed blogging.  Blogging has become an outlet for me and something that I adore.  I am overjoyed to get back to this love of mine.  Although our readers may be few, we appreciate you.  Thank you all for reading, commenting, loving, and supporting us.

Farmers Markets & Reunions

Who doesn’t love a farmers market? It’s slightly heartbreaking to know they are nearing the end of their season’s run. While refusing to accept that the end is near, I have been trying to visit a market every weekend. I am such a sucker for ripe veggies, homemade soap, fresh honey, and dog treats.

This weekend I traveled back to my hometown for my very first high school reunion. Honestly, I had zero plans on attending any type of high school gathering unless “after party” was in the title. However, plans changed when our class president called me saying it was an utter disaster – 4 people had showed up and if I were to come with one of my girlfriends, we would make 6, plus a dog, so 7. Talk about a rager. Maybe our 10 year will have a better turnout?

We made the best of it by playing drinking games cards, going to get mex and margaritas, then hitting our town’s fall festival were they had live music and $1.50 beers. What could get better than $1.50 beers with old friends? Nothing. Okay, maybe if you added in karaoke or meeting Ryan Gosling.

See you in 5 years, Class of 2010. Maybe more of you hooligans will show up the next time around.

So Long Summer

Today calls for shorts and sandals. Even though fall is my all-time favorite season, I am sad to see the summer go. I am still trying to wrap my head around the fact that we are crawling up on 2016. Let’s pump the breaks a little bit, 2015. Slow your roll.

In October, I will be coming up on the end of year one at my very first big girl job. After college, I moved home in pursuit to find a job in the city and boy let me tell you, the job struggle was most definitely real. No one ever tells you that looking for a full-time job is a job itself. With every passing month, I got more and more down on myself, convinced I would never find a company who wanted to hire a new grad like me. I felt that I had wasted the past 4 years, including 3 summers worth of full-time internships, and lots and lots of money (student loans are an entirely different animal). All for a degree that was getting me nowhere.

Fast forward a few months to October 2014 and I am accepting my very first legitimate job and actually putting my major to use. The company I work for is great and our industry type is just as fantastic – interior design and architecture. Am I working and living in the city? No, but I can deal.

I am grateful that I was able to land a job in my desired field. I know many new grads don’t always get that same reward. This post is for all of you new grads out there, because last summer I was in your shoes. Welcome fall as a fresh start and new opportunities will come your way. I pinky swear. Stay positive, stay consistent, and never give up. Your time will come.

It's Basic Season

As autumn approaches, so does “basic season.”  This idea of being basic has escalated and taken on it’s own culture.  This epidemic of being basic can strike anyone at anytime.  You just have to fit a few criteria that I have observed.

First, you have to love coffee.  Or at least pretend to.  As long as your cup has the green siren logo plastered on it, you’ve fooled everyone into thinking you’re drinking a fancy, complicated, coffee drink.  But for those of you who are truly basic, you know it’s pumpkin spice season, and you’ve lost count of how many pumpkin spice lattes you’ve had this September.  

Secondly, you are basically a professional photographer with an iPhone.  Instagram is your platform; your stage, if you will.  You have to have the right audience who will applaud you.  After the stage and audience are set, basics always have an unrivaled costume (the filter).  Your photos are always edited to perfection — no matter what app you use.  Presenting your perfectly plated food or your OOTD on Instagram is your favorite hobby, besides actually selecting your OOTD.  Oh, and don’t forget to conjure up a creative caption that will set your post apart from the rest.

Lastly, you have to love everything about your fall wardrobe.  Your fashion choices play a key role in your identification as basic.  Starting at the top: your love for sweaters runs deep, specifically oversized ones.  The more it looks likes you made a killer find at Goodwill, the closer you are to being basic.  And naturally, your favorite sweater is meant to be paired with leggings and boots.  The leggings-boots combo is not one to be messed with in the lives of those who are basic.  Finally, in true basic fashion, you accessorize with fall-loving scarves that tie your entire outfit together. 

To those of you who could be labeled as basic, you are not alone.  And no matter what anyone tells you, there is nothing to be ashamed of.  In fact, I am not ashamed; I am the first to admit that I am basic.  I love coffee, actual coffee.  I haven’t gotten my first pumpkin spice latte yet because I’m too stuck on my summer favorite, peach green tea lemonade, that’s going out of season.  But you better believe the moment those chilly temps hit, I’ll be the first in line for my PSL.  As far as Instagram, we can all pretend we don’t care, but we know deep down we do.  And we all know we’ve been shopping for fall wardrobe staples since last fall.  Our eye never goes blind for a good sweater or pair of boots, no matter what the weather.  

Don’t hide your passion for fall; embrace it.  Break out your boots, fire up your Instagram, and go get that coveted PSL knowing that I am behind you, and I am cheering for you.  So to my fellow basics, raise your siren cup and join me in celebration for our favorite time of year. 

Calling All Cider Slushies

If my personality had to be summed up in one phrase it would be: girls like me are made of sarcasm and wine. I figured it’s about that time where you get to know a little more of me and my witty ways.

So, you have already learned that I am the one who is in a perpetual love triangle with margaritas and wine. Being the margarita connoisseur that I am, I am always down for a solid tequila drink, as long as it’s not straight – you can blame my 21st birthday for that one. Though I have my favorite wines, I do try to spread my wineo wings by consistently buying bottles that I have never tried. Dry reds aren’t my thing just yet, but I am working on that rocky relationship.

I’m a lover of anything that has to do with fall – all pumpkin everything. This weekend was the definition of autumn perfection. Leaves had fallen, festivals were in full swing, outside concerts were playing, the weather called for a cardigan, and cider slushes were being served. Nothing screams fall more than sipping on a cider slush while sitting on a pumpkin.

Another tidbit about myself, if you haven't already gathered from this post, is that I am head over heels for Beyoncé (I did not wake up like this, in case you were wondering). Beyoncé is my spirit animal. So much so, that I was actually once in an interview, and they asked me to draw my spirit animal, and what did I draw? A bee wearing a crown. When I am needing a self-confidence booster, Beyoncé. When I need to get my groove on, Beyoncé. When you’re out with your ladies and the night calls for that one song to get the party started, Beyoncé. Do you see a pattern here? When in doubt the answer is Beyoncé. She has taught me valuable life lessons like, girls do in fact run the world. She’s #flawless and the ultimate queen. Beyoncé, if you ever want another daughter and are open to adoption, holla at your girl. Sorry mom.

I’m also a margarita induced karaoke singer, dog lover, self-taught knitter, and one that enjoys a neutral palette. As this blog unfolds and blossoms into whatever it may be, you will be exposed to more of myself and my adventures. You will probably be figuring things out as I am figuring them out for myself. After all, I am a twenty-something girl who is in the beginning stages of my career and taking on life as it’s thrown at me.