Art Festival

Every year at this time there is an art festival in our neighborhood. It's a fun fall tradition with all kinds of art, projects, cute fall decorations, food, and live music. Last weekend we filled up a coffee cup to fight the chill, walked over and spent the morning browsing.

Dusty loved these wooden benches...

I loved this Eiffel Tower bird house...

We watched this man painting. He had that much painted in about twenty minutes!

A break in the action

Pretty Hudson

Still on my fall want-to-do list: visit local wineries, apple orchards and pumpkin patches. There are some really fun places nearby. I have been seeing some cute DIY fall wreaths on Pinterest that I've been thinking about trying. I also came across a recipe for Pumpkin Pie Spice Roasted Almonds that sounds so good. Speaking of fall recipes, I have a delicious pumpkin soup recipe that I can't wait to brew up again, and I like to make a few different things with butternut squash. Isn't fall food the best? Don't even get me started on Thanksgiving!

I'm still on my corduroy kick, and I love the color of these red ones. Personally I think of leopard print  as a neutral and never hesitate to pair it with just about anything. I was rather layered up because it was actually pretty cold out. But in early fall we're not sick of layering are we? That doesn't happen until spring is beckoning and we've had it up to here with dressing for warmth. At least for us hardy midwestern gals.

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The It List

• My Fancy Pants is whipping out her fur vest! Pop over to see how she pairs it with a dress and wedges for a beautiful transition to Fall!
• Miss Top Ten Image shows us how versatile dresses can be and it is all about layering! It is amazing what a belt and cardigan can do!  (find Miss Top Ten Image on Twitter!)
• The Mrs. and The Momma is sporting Fall's hottest color and pairs it with a little something unexpected! So cute! (find The Mrs. and The Momma on Twitter!)
• A Fashion Fixation holds nothing back in a pair of bright pants! Her husband isn't so sure about them but I know we all are! (find A Fashion Fixation on Twitter!)
• The Double Take Girls show us two ways to style the same top - stripes or print! Go pick your favorite! (find The Double Take Girls on Twitter!)
• Citrus Refreshing Fashion dresses up animal print leggings with a blazer and a pop of color! Head over to see this effortlessly chic look!
• My Thrifty Chic channels the first lady and her entire outfit costing her a mere $27 - so impressive! (find My Thrifty Chic on Twitter!)
• 100 Inspirations recreates Emma Watson's minimalist style for under $112 - including a blazer! Such a steal!
• Sweetest Somethings pairs polkadots and channels fashion from decades past with a hair scarf - such a fun way to dress up a casual outfit! (find Sweetest Somethings on Twitter!)
• Olivia Moone says goodbye to summer with a roundup of some of her favorite warm weather looks! Tons of eye candy here! (find Olivia Moone on Twitter!)
• Everyday with a Red Head pairs printed pants with a hint of colorful sequins for an amazingly bold look! Love!
• Lily Says Go has come up with the perfect fall strategy to make the most of her wardrobe! Don't miss the great tips she is giving - head over! (find Lily Says Go on Twitter!)
• Ash 'n' Fashn is carrying florals in to Fall by going neutral - perfect for pairing with a big cozy sweather! (find Ash 'n' Fashn on Twitter!)
• Second Street East found an amazing deal on original artwork that looks like it came straight out of the Williams Sonoma catalog! Such a great find! (find Second Street East on Twitter!)
• Sweetie Pie Style shares some cute pieces all for under $25 - you will have a hard time not jumping at all of them!  (find Sweetie Pie Style on Twitter!)

the IT list is brought to you weekly by Jill of Good Life and edited by Michelle of Second St. East.

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The Northwestern

Jacket: H&M (Similar options here and here) | Shirt: Gifted | Jeans: LOFT | Shoes: Toms

I mentioned in my birthday post that I have a twin brother. His name is Austin, and we have always been close. One thing we totally bond over is the TV show Deadliest Catch. We're obsessed. When it's in season, Deadliest Catch night is an event. Must-see TV. It's one of the only shows I manage to stay current on. My favorite ship on the show is The Northwestern and I absolutely love Captain Sig Hansen. He's such a character and he's so serious but he totally cracks me up.

 Awhile ago, Austin (or Austy, if you're his twin sister) was like "Lily, wait til I give you your birthday present. You're going to love it." We aren't normally super into gifts and he was really hyping it up, so I was pretty curious. When I finally opened up the package and saw this pink Northwestern t-shirt I had to laugh. Perfect gift. I feel like it's just quirky enough to wear seriously, not just at home with sweats. Or maybe it isn't - but the sentimental value alone is enough for me. 

I'm also wearing a new wool and leather jacket that was a birthday gift from my parents. I've never owned a leather jacket. I've tried a few on and never felt like myself in one. But with the wool body and almost varsity jacket style of this one, I feel like it's a little softer looking. I love it! 

Fall Strategy

 

 

Sweater: J.Crew (Love this one) | Top: J.Crew | Skirt: F21 | Tights: F21 | Shoes: Fergie | Bag: Dooney & Bourke

Brr! I don't think the high even hit 60 degrees today, although it was beautiful and sunny. We actually turned our heat on yesterday. I was trying to hold out for a while still  but our house was freezing! Anyone else cave in to the chill and get the heat going?

 To make summer tops and skirts wearable for chillier fall days the easiest thing to do is add a cardigan, tights, and closed toe shoes or boots. Extend the life of your summer dresses by layering them with collared shirts and sweaters and warm wool tights or leggings. I actually think good thick tights are warmer than jeans (and I'm a known freeze baby.) Plus they're a fun and feminine way to change up your everyday look. 

A Few Things

Jacket: J.Crew (Old, similar here) | Shirt: J.Crew | Jeans: Loft | Shoes: Aldo | Pearls: Grandma>Mom>Me

1. I'm loving fall. The cooler temperatures, the changing leaves, the seasonal coffees and candles. Wearing tweed. And plaid. Layered. It's positively brisk out today.

2. I'm dying for a new camera. A nice shiny DSLR. My little point and shoot just can't handle the shadowy fall evening lighting. This post was a bit of a huge struggle.

3. With winter looming (As in darkness will fall at 4:30) I'm a bit baffled about how I'm going to get outfit photos done consistently. How do bloggers with jobs do it? Slight conundrum.

4. My tweed, plaid and pearls were inspired by Sarah Vickers of Classy Girls Wear Pearls. Do you know her? I'm pretty sure she was born in a Ralph Lauren ad. Or at a Hamptons tea party. Or a cricket match. I could go on. Take a look at her beautiful blog, you'll be glad you did.

5. Last night I discovered Suri's Burn Book. So funny.

Dot Dot Dot

1. Sweater - J.Crew

2. Bag - Kate Spade

3. Sweater - J.Crew

4. Heel - Kate Spade

5. Dress - River Island

I'm having such a love affair with polka dots! I see them everywhere lately. The cream and black color palette of these pieces is fun, classic and easy to pair with more colorful items. Since they're a pretty simple pattern they're also great for print mixing, which is another trend I'm loving.  Are you on the polka dot bandwagon?

All the Stars and Boulevards

Sweater: Target | Skirt: F21 | Bag: Dooney & Bourke | Sunglasses: Urban Outfitters | Locket: J.Crew | Shoes: Sperry

I'm so happy and optimistic tonight. I needed a bright star pattern and some pattern mixing to match my mood. My best tip for happiness is to look around you and NOTICE the wonderful blessings that surround you. They're there. Just keep on noticing and noticing. Life changing.

It's Vintage.

Dress: Vintage | Necklace: J.Crew | Bag: Dooney & Bourke | Shoes: Laura Ashley

I admit this post is a little photo happy. But that's because this is probably my favorite dress ever. Yesterday was my 26th birthday and I was feeling a little blue about it. I've never minded getting one year older each birthday, but 26 was the first year that seemed to me like, geez Lil, you're getting OLD. I know in the scheme of things that's still quite young. But lets face it. It's not THAT young. It's not sweet sixteen. You know what I mean?

Anyway. I got over it pretty quickly. Part one of getting over it was my sweet Dusty making me breakfast and giving me the sweetest card of my life, literally making me cry. Oh my gosh do I love that man. Part two was getting dressed and deciding that this was the perfect day to wear this amazing hot pink vintage dress for the first time. 

I bought it this summer at a little antiques shop along with one other dress. (Which I think is going to be amazing as well, but it needs a major hemming alteration.) I saw the bright pink color, the short sleeves, the dropped waist, the single pleat, the mod styling, and I knew it had to be mine. I tried it on in the tiny shop bathroom and actually stood on the toilet to look in the little mirror above the sink to check if it fit. I figured it was close enough and took it up to the register. The lady told me it came from this really cool mid-century mod house that had tons of awesome sixties dresses like this. How cool, right?

I think you can tell from these photos that I felt like a million bucks in it. Exactly how you want to feel on your birthday. Dusty and I did a little shopping at Mall of America and I got so many compliments on it. At J.Crew the workers were chatting with me about the color of it, and I got such a kick out of replying, "It's actually vintage!" when they asked where I got it. I've always wanted to say that! (I think we've already established here that I'm pretty nerdy.)

So it was a really nice birthday. My whole family came over later for dinner, including my twin brother who I obviously (happily) share my birthday with. We had amazing food,  French macarons, lots of laughs at funny baby Carolyn, and a neighborhood walk to end the night. If day one of my 26th year was any indication, I'm in for a great year.

Pink and White

Corduroy Pants: Target | Top: Joe Fresh (Loving this one) | Flats: Old Navy | Watch: Michael Kors 

There's something about corduroy that I just love. I think I had a few pairs of corduroy pants as a kid, and they're just so soft and cozy. Like comfort food in pants form. I have the same pair in a bright orangey red color and I know I'll be wearing them a ton this winter. I wouldn't mind a few more pairs actually, maybe in some more basic colors.

l wore this yesterday to my lovely friend Leah's bridal shower. We've been friends since our Sunday School and Kindergarten days and I can't wait to see her get married. I feel like it was just a little while ago that we were all dolled up in our little dresses comparing nail polish in our Sunday School classroom, and now we're "adults" walking down the aisle of that same church at our weddings. It's kind of crazy! I'm so happy and excited for her and I know she will be the most beautiful bride!

Window Shopping: J.Crew

I'm a bit of a J.Crew nut. I do have phases where I drift from the brand a little, but I always come back to it. Here's what I'm loving at the moment.

Rule Breaker

 

Jacket: Zara | T-Shirt: J.Crew | Jeans: Tinseltown | Belt: J.Crew | Flats: F21 | Bag: Louis Vuitton

 No white after Labor Day? Give me a break. I think those kinds of fashion "rules" are outdated and meant to be broken. Black and navy? Black and brown? Mixing prints? Mixing Metals? Yes yes and yes. The rules are there are no rules.

Seeing Spots

Trench: J.Crew | Shirt: J.Crew | Pants: H&M | Belt: J.Crew | Flats: Gap | Bag: Dooney & Bourke

Fall definitely showed up today. It was chilly and rainy all day - officially jacket weather. My J.Crew trench is one of my favorite wardrobe staples. It's such a classic shape and I know I will have it forever. After running a few errands tonight I cooked one of my favorite fall soups full of kale, potatoes, sausage, onions and spicy red pepper flakes, making it hearty enough that even Dusty loves it. 

Do you have any go-to chilly day recipes?

Casual Friday

Top: Francescas | Pants: H&M | Scarf: Francescas | Bag: Modalu | Flats: F21

Friday was chilly, so I chose warm layers in shades of blue for a cousin's bridal shower. It's been quite a wedding frenzy the past few days with a rehearsal dinner Thursday,  bridal shower on Friday, and the wedding yesterday. Once again, no time for outfit pics before the wedding which is a bummer because I kind of love the peach lace dress I wore. We were so busy enjoying the fun, beautiful day that Dusty and I didn't even get any pics together with him all spiffed up in his tux. I already wore this dress earlier this summer to another wedding and I may try to sneak one more wear in this fall. Which is impressive because I usually want a new dress for every occasion. 

With the beautiful bride Sara