Cheers!

Here's to...

...letting go, but holding fast

...the extra mile, the scenic route

...true, pure, lovely

...trying. Failing sometimes, succeeding others, persisting always.

...getting your hands dirty

...more manicures and massages, less stressing and complaining

...the quiet stillness

...giving more, reaching more, touching more.

...the things that scare you, in an exciting sort of way.

...Shalom.

Not a resolution, but a toast.

Wishing you a world of adventure, excitement, and love in 2013. xo

[Toasts from 2010 and 2011]

[image via]

Guilt-free Friday!

Y'all. Y'allllll. This week has been in-sane in the men-brane. Seriously. So much going on, here & there & everywhere. Lots of big, exciting news, but I think I might hold out on you, just a few days, and enjoy this sweet holiday with the family. Truth be told, it really snuck up on me. Before you know it, ready or not, Christmas is here! So, on to the first batch of Christmas cookies & wrapping up the Christmas shopping that I started just yesterday!! Madness, I know, but in a deliriously fun and exciting kind of way. Also on this weekend's agenda? A Pink Martini Concert with all the favorites and a work party that promises to be just a little rowdy... 'Tis the season, right?

Hugs and mistletoe kisses to you and yours. xoxo

Until next time... Hey! It's ok...

...If a Crewcuts catalog has you fully convinced that you might actually be a suitable mother after all (as long as a J. Crew model is the father...)

...If you can't tell if you love the haircut or if you just so happen to have a huge, lesbian crush on Jessica Alba.

....If figuring out your favorite Michael Jackson song feels like a defining moment...

Emerald City

I tend to gravitate toward warmer colors, and the deep hues of fall are some of my favorites. My skin tone has some hints of olive (I've been asked on numerous occasions what nationality I am...) and shades of green typically accentuate that olive shade in the worst way, meaning I start looking like I skipped the Dramamine and decided to take a scenic drive off the side of cliff. Lately though, a shade of emerald has caught my eye, and, almost magically, I don't look the least bit nauseated when I wear it. 

It all started when I wore this dress in Miami & the rave reviews from my faithful Facebook friends (which really just means a few select members of my immediate family... thanks mom) made me feel like a Kardashian... In a good way (if that's possible)

Spotted on Pinterest, and loved. 

And liking the idea of pants...

I usually play it safe with olive skinnies, but a pop of this amped up hue could be just the thing to beat the winter blues...

And if there's ever any doubt, Emily from Cupcakes & Cashmere... perfection.

Oddly enough, a recent J. Crew catalog included a 6 page spread on the color... J. Crew, I'm onto you...

Things that are worth it.

I've been thinking about things that are worth it. Sometimes "it" is a little extra money, in other situations "it" is a little extra time. Whatever "it" is, some things just worth it. This is what I've come up with so far...

1. Waiting for the water to heat up
2. Putting on mascara, even if it makes you late for work. 
3. The difference between "tall" and "grande"
4. "Licensed Professional"
5. iWhatever. 
6. A pen that makes your handwriting not quite so terrible. Perfect penmanship? That's a stretch. But legible? I'll take it. 
7. An ad-free Pandora listening experience during election season
8. Jeans that make your bum look fabulous.
9. Heated seats.
10. Calling a cab
11. "Just five more minutes..."
12. The gift that makes their face light up
13. That phone call you didn't really feel like making, but afterward you feel so much better.
14. Being there. Wherever "there" is, however far you have to travel, being there is worth it.
15. Drinking what you really want to drink, even though it's not on special. 
16. A shopping spree that turns your mood around. 
17. Doing what you love, even if it means a pay cut. 
18. Quality (leather goods, chocolate, coffee, and wine.)
19. "One-of-a-kind"
20. a view
21. the 45 cents it costs to mail that letter you've been meaning to write, the thank you note to your sweet aunt, or that birthday card to your grandpa. 

So tell me, what's worth it to you?

hey mama

I'm working in the office today, Which would lead you to believe I... 1. showered 2. dressed in business attire 3. am actually doing work.

Instead though, I... 1. Have dirty hair in a messy ponytail 2. Am wearing 3 different patterns (at the same time) 3. Am listening to old-school Kanye West (hence the blog title) and drinking excessive amount of coffee (as per usual) 

Before I left the house though, I walked into the kitchen to pick up some outgoing mail & my mom and I realized we kind of match. We are both super into the holidays. Like for real. But we try to save the Santa suits and light-up sweaters for the week before Christmas. We keep it festive the rest of December, but in a subdued kind of way. This is our take on semi-seasonal style. So you can be kind of Christmasy without looking like you work in your local mall's "North Pole," ya dig?

[patterns in action; stripes, leopard, and laceprintfloral? Yeah, I went there, but the black keeps the look grounded. and if anyone even tries to question my legitimacy, I'm wearing a massive timepiece, so clearly I mean business.]

Mom's scarf (by CAbi) is the perfect shade of red, and it's lightweight, making it appropriate for this 65 degree day.

Ok, so maybe we don't match, but our approach is similar. Relaxed and causal with bold pops of color. 

p.s. You might recognize my sweater, it's made it to the blog before. For some reason, every time I wear it I feel like a fashion blogger. Go figure. 

rut

I came here today wanting to tell you something funny, or creative, or insightful. I wanted to share something brilliant and ground-breaking, or maybe something lighthearted but inspirational. Instead though, I woke up feeling tired. I didn't sleep well and I was tormented with the worst kind of dreams, the ones that you wake up and your mind is reeling because you can't tell which parts were real and which parts were your subconscious playing nasty tricks on you.

It happens sometimes.

There's a lot to do and there's even more to look forward to, but sometimes I just get stuck. One part writers block, professionally speaking, but when that stuck feeling digs its cold fingers deep into other aspects of life and grabs hold of you? I guess you could call it a rut. 

Hot coffee, the soft glow of the most delicious Christmas candle, and a few inspirational quotes all encouraging me to continue powering through, and before you know it, there's the old, familiar sound of yesterday's glitzy, gold manicure clicking away along the keyboard...

All this & more here. xo

Artisan by John Varvatos

I opened my November Birchbox to find a men's cologne sample. I'd be lying if I said I wasn't a little perturbed. The theme for the month was "Give" and the idea was to give this little sample to a special man in your life. (I hope you're reading that in a bratty voice.) I figured I could pass it off to my dad or one of my brothers, but boys just don't get it, you know?

To a girl, a perfume sample is a little slice of heaven. It's excitement, adventure, the opportunity to try something new without the commitment of a whole bottle. To a boy though, it's just a shrunken vile of scented water. Guys just don't appreciate stuff like that and removing the miniature cap is often more trouble than it's worth (I tend to agree to some extent, those caps are a royal bee.) 

I decided to smell it before giving it away though, and I instantly fell in love with the refreshingly clean, citrusy scent. I dabbed on just a little (feeling 1 part rebellious and 1 part transgendered) but my mom and sister both confirmed that it smelled really wonderful. I will admit it is masculine, but in a sexy, irreverant kind of way. Nothing like my high school days when pubescent boys doused themselves in Axe to mask the stench of their post-PE sweat.

I've never been a fan of overly sweet perfumes, and I certainly believe less is more when it comes to the fragrance department. That's why I really love Artisan by John Varvatos.   

So dish. What do you think of women wearing men's fragrances? What do you wear? My everyday is Twirl by Kate Spade, but I'm really tempted to mix it up with Artisan. 

if you must...

The past few years I've felt kind of silly asking for anything for Christmas. I'm 23 and I have more than I could ever dream of. But still, year after year, December rolls around and my grandmother turns into Mrs. Claus, my siblings complain that they don't know what to get the girl who has everything, and I'm pretty sure my mom is just looking for an excuse to shop (I'm on to you, woman) So here it is... a list, of sorts. I think shopping for me is pretty simple... If it's gold, a little luxurious, or in any way related to coffee or wine, you're set.

1. Starbucks mugs (Taylor gave me a pretty white mug with a dainty gold handle a few Christmases ago, and I'm thinking it't the perfect start to a lovely collection, no?)
2. a plush stole with the perfect pop of red
3. kate spade iPad sleeve, for the girl who "works from home" (and you can put a new iPad in there, while you're at it.)
 4. fair isle leggings, to mix it up from last year's pajama sets. I like the idea of pairing these with an equally eye-catching, cozy sweater for opening presents and drinking mimosas on Christmas morning.
5. Sugar's berry merriment set, for obvious reasons. 
6. this print would be perfect in a kitchen
7. fancy French tea, overpriced and moderately indulgent
8. this jeweled barrette, because it's glitzy enough to make black leggings and a broken-in, men's v-neck tee feel fabulous.
9. the best wine glasses. Confession: I'd rather drink mediocre wine out of a nice glass than a fabulous vintage out of a dixie cup. Maybe it's a little pretentious, but I think the glass truly makes the experience. These by Schott Zweisel are my abs fave, bar none.  They are break/chip/scratch-resistant, and shockingly lightweight considering how remarkably durable they are. 
10. kinfolk vol. 6, to read by the fire of course

Guilt-free Friday!

Hi, remember me? I know, I feel like an absentee parent, neglecting this little spot so much lately. I certainly do miss it, and the ideas and inspirations are overflowing, but life just seems to be tugging in a million different directions. Tomorrow starts one of my most favorite months, and with lots of new & exciting things on the horizon, I can't help but feel a little giddy. I'm beyond thrilled to share this most wonderful time of the the year with you. 

Lots of good things coming up, I tell ya, lots of good things. 

Until then though, hey, it's ok...

... if you know more about who the NFL players are dating than you know about the actual rules of the game. 

.... to gain a little weight around the holidays. We'll call it the "festive fifteen" and tell ourselves it's to stay warm through the colder months. 

... to still have boxes from college waiting to be unpacked, if your diploma sits neatly unopened in it's original mailing envelope, and if you still ask for the student discount. There's nothing wrong with holding on to your youth, and if a pile of boxes in the attic and an unframed diploma makes you feel like your college days remain in the not-so-distant past, by all means. 

And just for tomorrow, one of my current favorites...

"December" by Norah Jones

[image via here]

Icon

My mom has always been exceptionally stylish. She has great taste, and we are about the same size, so stealing borrowing her clothes is ideal. I trust her taste, too. Whenever I'm not sure about something, she's the first person I ask. Even when I was off at college, I'd text her pictures of shoe options or jewelry or whatever the indecision of the day was.

Saturday afternoon though, she hit it out of the park in the wardrobe department. Really. She walked out wearing this and I couldn't help but remark, "MOM you look like such a Pinterest girl!" 

She's a master layerer, and this mixture of textures is spot on. Mixing different materials can be tricky, and you have to pay careful attention to weight. The lace skirt, cashmere sweater, chambray shirt, and sweater tights combo is perfection. The distressed boots are the perfect counterpart to monograms and vintage pearls, as they keep the look from being too preppy.

What can I say... my mom, the fashion icon. 

Whose style do you admire?

hands

I saw a picture of two hands laced together and I couldn't help but think of how things ought to be. 

There were fine lines and wrinkles in the creases of the fingers, and though I have no indication of the bodies attached to them, I could tell that those two hands probably match two happy faces, adorned with the lines of lingering smiles after years of laughing and loving and hand-holding. They match the fine lines of crows feet around four crinkled, squinty eyes that have shed happy tears at babies births and funny tears at inside jokes and relieved tears at knowing everything is going to be alright. That's the way things ought to be. I'm not saying that things are happy and blissful all the time, there are probably a few wrinkles from furrowed brows and the occasional frown at a misbehaving child or a dinner date forgotten. But I choose to believe the smile lines run deeper. And you should have someone's hand to hold when things get rough. Or when you're fingers are icy and it's November and nobody else is ready for Christmas but you're making your way to the tree lot. There should be a warm pocket for those two hands to share and there should be a big part of you that wishes your whole self could fit inside that little pocket, because truthfully, a big part of your heart and soul resides in that cozy spot already. 

"If you're in love it ought to make you happy. You ought to laugh." F. Scott Fitzgerald.

That's the way things ought to be. 

Heirloom Jewelery

"I love everything that's old: old friends, old times, old manners, old books, old wines..." 
-Oliver Goldsmith

I must admit I seem to share Mr. Goldsmith's sentiments on the matter. In my opinion, the older the better. I've always been an old soul, and I spent a good portion of my youth fully convinced I was born during the wrong decade. Do you ever feel that way? I'm not lying when I say I dressed up as a 50s girl for more Halloweens than should be considered appropriate, but at least we got our money's worth out of that overpriced Lillian Vernon poodle skirt. See, there's one benefit to an elastic waist. And not growing an inch from age 7-15. 

Though my fashion choices have evolved considerably since my bobby sock days, I still have an affinity for old jewelry. From earrings pilfered from the bottom of my mom's jewelry box to costume pieces found in thrift stores, there's something so romantic about wearing a piece of jewelry that has already lived another life. It just seems wiser, seasoned, experienced. Like dating an older man or hanging out with your big sister, something as simple as an antique brooch somehow elevates you to a higher level of sophistication. 

My mom and I happened upon a holiday bazaar this weekend, and we couldn't help but scoop up funky chains and strands of pearls and countless other baubles. The mystery of their past is intriguing, but the pieces I love most are the ones that  share my history. Here are some of my most favorites:

Clown necklace from my mom's mom. She wore it all the time when I was younger, and anyone who knows her can testify that she is a total clown. When she passed the piece on to me I was thrilled. 

Mom's college earrings. I swiped these years ago, long before the word vintage became a part of my vocabulary, but the detailing makes them so unique.

Dad's ID bracelet from 8th grade. My mom had this in a pile to give to Goodwill. Seriously? It's no secret that I'm a total daddy's girl, and I really love having this piece. Whenever I wear it I can't help but think of my dad as a mischievous 13-year-old boy. 

Great-grandmother's cameo. When I visited my grandparents last December, my grandma let me rummage through her jewelry. I didn't think she was going to let me make off with this cameo necklace, but she did, only after explaining that it belonged to my grandfather's mother for years and years. She died when I was young, but the dainty, delicate charm suits my memories of her perfectly. 

Do you have any heirloom jewelry? Thrift store finds?

p.s. In case you missed it, refashioned vintage bling and vintage rings 

On my mind...

thinking about vision 
and eyes are for seeing 
but sometimes you just have to close them
sometimes our vision is clouded by the billowing dust-clouds of our emotions
sometimes obstacles stand in the way
the naysayers, the rules, the way we think things ought to be
or how they used to be
what a terribly dull existence to be bound by the way things have always been
change. it's bound to happen,
or is it?
"a power of resisting by which every body, as much as in it lies, endeavors to preserve its present state, whether it be of rest or of moving uniformly forward in a straight line."
inertia.
resistance to change
it's monday morning and things are happening and it makes me feel like everything is going to be ok.
sometimes i get overwhelmed.
it's silly, but the anxiety starts to build in my chest like the bassline.
silly expectations, impossible deadlines, i put them on myself and on others and i'm disappointed when they aren't met.
that's the danger of comparison, like apples and oranges, sometimes it's just not a fair game. 
even when things seem bad- when feelings are hurt and egos bruised, when the water turns cold and your breakfast egg rolls off the counter and onto the floor with a splat before you've even sprayed the frying pan- even when things seem bad, they are good.
There's a great, big world waiting out there, somebody ought to tackle it. 
your turn. xo

Pumpkin (birth)Day

Hi cats, how was your weekend? Mine was the perfect mix of fun and relaxation. We've been short-staffed at the restaurant these past few weeks, and it feels like I've been going non-stop. Fortunately, I had the past 3 days off and Hurricane Sandy forced me to sit back and take it easy. It's no exaggeration when I say I literally laid in bed all day Saturday and Sunday, sipping detox tea and watching romantic comedies. It was pure heaven. 

[I've seen You've Got Mail over a dozen times, and I can honestly say I love it more and more each time I see it.]

Friday served as the 4th annual Pumpkin Day (I cannot believe it's been this many years since the first one!) Though if I'm being truly honest, it's been pumpkin month this year. (Which really means I made pumpkin cream  cheese muffins in September, and I've been sipping pumpkin beer since late August...) This year's Pumpkin Day was particularly special though, because Friday night we celebrated my main man's 50th birthday. My dad requested this pumpkin bourbon cheesecake, we stocked up on craft beer (seasonal, of course) and celebrated with a bunch of friends and 2 big pots of spicy chili. Sandy may have squelched our plans of a bonfire, but she didn't dampen our spirits. 

[We converted the laundry/mud room into a wet bar. It helped cut down on the traffic in the kitchen and as the ice melted it went right down the drain! Pretty brilliant if you ask me.]

[My mom had already scooped up a plethora of pumpkins, so even though our day didn't actually include a trip to the pumpkin patch, there's no shortage of decorative gourds around the house.]

The cheesecake was delightful. The crust is particularly tasty and the bourbon gives the cake a nice, full flavor. I almost skipped out of the sour cream topping, thinking cream cheese plus sour cream topping would equal cream overload, but I'm so glad I didn't. It's a nice contrast and it packs another little punch of bourbon flavor. I'll be making it again for Thanksgiving, and we are in the process of developing a bourbon caramel sauce to drizzle over the top, because you can never have too much Makers Mark, no?

psst... Sunday morning I woke up to pumpkin Belgian waffles, so it looks like even though "pumpkin day" is over, the pumpkin love will continue indefinitely. 

psssstt... you might have noticed a few minor changes here in Soliloquyland... I did a little tweaking! I think the changes will be more conducive for sharing both photos and text. And I think it was time for a change since this little blog just turned 3 on October 19th!! Time flies. 

weaknesses

We all have them. They're our vices, the things we can't turn down. Some we can't help but smile at the very thought of, some cause tears to well up in our eyes in mere seconds, others we can't resist going back for thirds. 

Mine include:

stripes

fall

boys with brown eyes (age 2 to 92)

a good sale

nail polish

anything festive

pretty packaging

everything father-daughter

gold.

chocolate (dark)

all things warm & cozy

red wine

An Achilles' heel, a soft spot... call it what you want. What are your weaknesses? 

college town

Visiting your college town after you've graduated is a lot like seeing that ex-boyfriend you know you're not supposed to be with.

Guilt-free Friday!

Happy Friday, Happy Weekend! Any fun plans on the books? My sweet brother is headed home for a few days and the weather promises to be perfect (mild sunny days, chilly evenings.) I am looking forward to getting in some family time & sipping seasonal beers on the back porch with a big fire burning!  Did I mention I have three days off? I'm a happy girl.

Have a relaxing weekend! A wink and a smile until next time...

Hey! It's ok...

... to think it's totally weird that Taylor Swift is dating someone who's still in high school. AND a Kennedy. But to be counting down the days to her new album regardless...

... if calling french fries "frites" makes them seem totally chic and nutritionally sound. 

... if you're just now catching on to the wonder that is Spotify. (yes, I'm what they call a "late adapter") But um hello! You can listen to entire albums! I'm loving the latest from DMB and I've listened to GOOD Music: Cruel Summer more times than I'd like to admit... 

I can't pick a favorite song, but this one is up there...

Seasonal Brews

So, maybe I forgot to tell you, but I stared drinking beer. I know, right? Totally weird. My mom still cringes at the thought. She really hates beer, and I never really liked it either. And then on Cinco de Mayo, I tried a sip of my brother's Dos Equis Amber (a beer that I had certainly tried before) and suddenly I liked it. It's weird. Your taste buds just change I guess. So all summer long, I sipped Michelob Ultra on the beach and I drank Dos Equis with Mexican (if a grapefruit margarita wasn't an option.) I still haven't found an IPA I can tolerate, but baby steps, right? Besides, despite the glasses, I never could quite cut it as a hipster anyway.

It's no secret that I love all things seasonal, so what better way to embrace fall than with these seasonal beers? 

1. Sam Adams Octoberfest My brother told me to try this, and then one night at work 2 girls came up to me separately and said they couldn't wait to have one after work. Oddly coincidental, I took that as a sign to give it a try and I picked up a 6 pack on my way home. Since then, I've purchased several more 6 packs, much to the detriment of my waistline... Fortunately though, the advent of fall beer coincides perfectly with the end of bikini season, so I don't mind trading one 6 pack for another. I'm dying to try their Hazel Brown, also from the Harvest collection.

2. Shipyard Pumpkinhead Ale. I had this in Fort Lauderdale at my favorite bar, Tap 42. The last time I went I sipped wine (which is pretty much hypocrisy at a place like that...) but this time Erin and I sampled pints of seasonal beer. This was our favorite, especially when they served it in a frosty pint glass with a cinnamon sugar rim! My sweet mom picked up a 6 pack at a specialty store in Virginia, and I've been rationing them out until I can find a retailer nearby. 

3. Blue Moon Harvest Pumpkin Ale. I haven't tried this yet, but I feel like Blue Moon is the typical girl beer, so the pumpkin varietal is sure to please, no?

So tell me, what are you sipping on this season? In addition to all this beer, I've found myself craving Makers Mark (rocks, splash of water) and I've transitioned back to red wine... bring on the cab!

Cheers!

Joe's Jeans super soft

Given the option, I'd prefer to not wear pants. Real pants at least. (Yoga pants? Sure. Leggings? Sign this girl up. Jeans? Banish the thought.)

I could expand on that statement, but I believe it is a generally agreed upon universal truth. 

Unfortunately tough, we live in a world where pants are often deemed necessary. It's a given. No shirt, no shoes, no service. No pants? Registered sex offender. 

I digress. Anyways, I love the look of deep, dark denim, but I hate the feel of new jeans. Broken-in jeans are comfy, but I hate the look of faded denim. So what's a girl to do? 

Enter: Joe's Jeans super soft denim.

It's like a cashmere sweater for your legs. These are my new go-to for travel, comfy enough to sit in for a few hours but they keep you looking chic in the airport. I also love them for every other facet of life that might mandate the wearing of pants. They're the perfect alternative to the dreaded "pajama jeans" (don't act like you don't know what I'm talking about...)

I bought the straight leg version, but I fully intend to purchase  these bootcut babies as soon as I can justify the splurge (pray for a sale.)

Shameless Saturday

Hi friends and happy weekend to you! What do you have on the books for the next few days? I'm finally getting settled back in after an amazing trip to Fort Lauderdale, and I'll be dog/house-sitting for a few days. Besides cuddling up with some sweet pups, I hope to take advantage of the quiet (and the yucky forecast) and knock out my last few (work) blogs for the month. Other than that, it's all things pumpkin. More on that next week, though. I hope your weekend is off to a wonderful start. All my love until next time...

Hey! It's ok..

to spend 20 minutes wandering around Walgreen's aimlessly searching for something... anything to buy to ease the awkwardness of purchasing those remotely embarrassing items. I don't know how a Glamour magazine and a day-of-the-week vitamin organizer takes the edge off of purchasing tampons or anti-bump shave gel for bikini area, but it does, my friends, it does. 

if you didn't get the new iPhone, but between your new iPhone case (thanks J. Crew) and the new iOS (thanks Apple) you pretty much feel like you did. 

if the adorable European girl at J. Crew has you fully convinced that a high, messy ponytail is the chicest look ever. I'm sure it had nothing to do with her glossy, golden color, striking bone structure, perfect complexion, and model stature... I've rocked one every day since I saw her. #girlcrush

[Lauren Conrad sure knows how to rock a ponytail. Image via]

on my mind...

sirens; muffled
but growing louder, closer
and just as quickly disappearing again
faint.
monday morning has a way of doing that
sneaking up out of nowhere, loud and obtrusive
she could be gentle, you know. 
nudging you softly, kindly 
nuzzling into the warm of your neck
a light tap on your shoulder and
a gentle shake that seems to whisper
"i'm here and life is going to be beautiful."
instead she comes in with a jolting, jarring scream 
like a wailing child tormented by a bad dream
it's only monday
and really mondays aren't so bad themselves
its just the way the first sip of too-hot coffee burns 
your tongue
or the anxious feelings in the pit of your stomach that you can't seem to shake.
it's the car horns and the humidity and the pair of shoes you just can't find. 
no, it's not monday's fault, 
but she never seems to offer much solace. 
wednesday is a reassuring pat on the back 
and thursday generally comforting too
but monday is cold and distant.
before you know it, though, that too-hot coffee cools to just right
& you just have to keep telling yourself
"life is going to be beautiful."
because it's true, 
but monday isn't going to remind you herself. 

[images via Modern Hepburn]

fall swaps

It's not quite fall yet. In fact, I very much fell in love with late summer this same time last year. The mild days, empty beaches... I don't hate it. But, as we do with anything, I find myself constantly looking forward whatever is next, the sweet season lingering just beyond the horizon (only a few more days!) 

On Thursday I'm off to Florida, visiting my BFF and working in the office a few days, but I think the timing of the Autumnal Equinox couldn't be more perfect! I'm considering this trip my last hurrah of summer... short dresses and bold colors, and then when I get back I can fully embrace the new season. These are the swaps I fully intend to make, as the air gets a little cooler, crisper and the leaves begin to change. 

I'll trade...

Coral for Cranberry. My go-to color for summer will be replaced by a warmer, richer, yet equally vibrant hue. I have big plans for this top by Cynthia Rowley. Big plans, I tell you.  

Sandals for Moccasins. I love my gold, strappy sandals, but moccasins are made for jumping in leaves. Minnetonka is the only way to go. 

A True Ab-Original for Skinny Dip'n in Lake Michigan. My nail polish all summer long is bright and punchy, and though I'm not quite ready for the dark, moody shades of winter, I'm ready to embrace shimmery, muted neutrals. 

Tanks for Undone Oxfords. To quote my brother (directly) "When the sun's out, the guns are out." I'm not going to comment on his affinity for the tank mank top, but I will say I've exercised my right to bare arms all summer. Now I'm ready to ease into cooler weather with classic oxfords, buttoned up just enough with sleeves haphazardly rolled.

(via)

Leather for Suede: I love leather year-round. (Sorry PETA people) But now that suede is finally seasonally appropriate, I can't wait to incorporate it into some of my favorite looks. 

(I'm lookin at you, MacAlister Wedges!)

Iced Lattes for Chai Lattes: I've never been much of a Chai girl (I swear espresso runs through my veins,) but the spicy aroma is hard to resist this time of year. 

So tell me, how do you plan on embracing autumn?