Fall Week: Sweaters

Today I want to talk about my favorite article of Fall clothing: Sweater! I know I posted about sweaters earlier this summer but I think it's okay to bring it back. I know all you ladies (and possibly gentlemen) are excited about sweaters too!

Warm.

The perfect weather for me is sweater weather. It's when it's warm during the day, usually jeans and a tank top fo t-shirt suffice. But once the sun hides behind buildings or clouds, it's time to put a sweater on. These nights, they are Fall.

Sweater Closet.

I think this season I'm most excited that what I consider the "Oregon Hipster" is becoming all the rage. What's the "Oregon Hipster" you may ask? It's the Wellington boot, flannel shirt, bulky sweater, rain coat wearing outfits. Oregon loves it's bulky sweaters. Like these:

Thick Sweaters.

I love the three sweaters around the outside of this picture!

Sweater.

Sweater.

This outfit is perfect for Fall. I would probably change out the tights for leggings or maybe a pattern pair of tights? But the big, bulky sweater, that's my favorite thing about Fall!

Do you like sweaters? What are some of your favorite articles of Fall clothing??

What A Girl Wants.

Something came to my attention this morning as I was getting ready for work. Keep in mind, "work" for me right now is an unpaid internship working out of a woman's dining room. 90% of the time I'm alone and the only people I do have physical interaction with is usually her housekeeper. There is no need to really actually get dressed for this position. But, alas, I do each day.

Every Morning.

This morning, I was feeling pretty good. I worked out extra hard this morning and was feeling sassy. After three cups of coffee and a good scrub in the shower, I was ready to face my closet. Let's talk about this for a minute. My closet has always needed help. I'm honestly not sure how I got through college. I can either dress for laundry day (you know that day where everything else is dirty so you wear one red and one yellow sock with blue plaid pants and a purple tank top) or to go clubbing...or to go clubbing when I was 20 pounds lighter. Get the picture?

I've been longing lately to dress how I feel. Some can argue that the clothing you wear really makes or breaks your mood. I know from personal experience I cannot successfully go clothes shopping if I don't think I look good. I wanted to desperately to feel good and look good today, but I settled for the capri's that don't fit very well and an old lime green t-shirt with headphones on it. Honestly, I feel like I look 17 again. I don't want to look 17 again.

I get a lot of fashion inspiration from
Kendi. She has the best outfits.

So where's the cut off point? When do we stop being teen agers and 21-ers and finally decide it's okay to be grown up and to look grown up? When do t-shirt and baggy jeans give way to a fitted blouse and cute skirt on the regular instead of the occasional job interview? When did I start craving nice dresses over those that hug my hips so tight that each step is daring and provocative? (Okay, that one is easy...when I gained my 20 pounds back! Oops...) How am I to continue on my adult life journey if I feel like I'm dressing in my teens still?

Have you noticed a change in your style yet? How did you adjust to the new way of life? 

On the Danforth.

This week in Toronto is a rainy one. Not that I mind too much, I get to enjoy jeans and light hoodies, finally. 

New scarf that my mom got me for my birthday.

I'm heading to the Taste of the Danforth. It's a Greek street festival here in TO. Going to try some yummy things and see some fun people.

Tomorrow we bought the cheap seats to see the Blue Jays play with Yankees. I think I'll wear the Yankee jersey I somehow acquired while I was in New Haven. Show a little bit of America pride!

Secretly, the rain inspires me to make some tea, turn on some jazz and dig my sketch book out from the boxes I have yet to unpack. Not that I am any sort of good at drawing, but I pretend.

Magazine Hunting.

One of my favorite things about summer is traveling. One of my favorite things about traveling (and actually summer as well) is the one chance in the year that it's okay to buy trashy magazines!!

I love getting a new magazine and looking through it, picking out outfits, cool purchases and make up ideas that I would usually not look into. It's fun to dream, right?!

Well I actually have a subscription to Redbook (thanks to Jacob's company...) so I get to indulge every month! But I saved my new issue for the plane ride to Toronto. They have this cool section that's called 50 Under 50 that I'm totally addicted to. So on the plane, I picked out the items I'm actually interested in looking into! Here's what I found:

I first liked this black and white striped skirt from Mandee for $19.99. Sadly, it doesn't look like they have online shopping so I'll have to wait till I'm back in the States to find a store! If it's near you, go check it out and let me know!

Ironically, the second thing I liked were these belts from Mandee as well. And guess what, $5 each! Man I wish there was a Mandee store near me! Good find, Redbook!

Raspberry.

What a great addition to a summer wardrobe!!! This raspberry dress is from Forever 21 and is on my must-have list, especially since it's only $19.80! Steal!

I loved these earrings by Sophia Vergara. Purple is my new black. I love purple and I'm trying really hard to get into gold. I think gold is a really soft color and adds that summer warmth to any outfit. You can find these at K Mart for $9.99!

I had to put all of my handbags into storage when I moved this week so I'm looking to get a few good bags for the year and this caught my eye. Rainbow Shops may be my new favorite site. I mean this bag is only $12.99! I think I may be onto something here! Thanks Redbook!

Let's face it. Nautical is in, baby! And I'm pretty excited about expanding my wardrobe to encompass this look. Maybe starting with this Capelli New York scarf for $9.95? I think yes!

Going with this nautical theme are boat shoes, which have been blowing UP this season I think! I see them everywhere and need to get a pair. I've heard they are really comfortable!!! These go for $17.60 on Go Jane.

Lastly, I saw this shirt that I love! One of the main reasons that I like it, besides that bright fun colors, is that fact that it looks pretty loose. In the summer, I'm a huge fan of loose clothing. It's hot and everyone gets a little sweaty. Tight shirts are a pain!! You can find this little number at Marshall's for $9.99! Steal, again!

What are some of your favorite summer finds??? Are you a magazine hunter or do you go into the trenches??

DIY: T Shirt Head Bands!

Hey guys!!! Multiple posts in one day?! I know, I have 

too much time on my hands!

Anyway, I was chatting with a fellow blogger the other day and we were talking about natural hair and bangs and styling said natural hair.

See, about 3 or 4 years ago, I had the best idea:

Lets get BANGS!

And I continue to enjoy them but more and more these days

I've been pinning them up or wearing head bands.

On that note, I remembered finding a DIY a few months back so

I thought I would explore!

I found this great DIY:

Follow the directions over here and it's actually ridiculously easy.

I made three yesterday.

The first one is red and I made it from the sleeve of a turtleneck.

FIY: One fun fact about me is that loath turtlenecks. Like. I will burn them all. So when Jacob, of all people, presented me with a red turtleneck to dismember, I cut it up...even though I didn't need to in that moment. It was satisfying. 

The second braid I turned into a...

BRACELET! I love it! It's great! 

I want to make a head band long enough to wrap around

my head twice too...but then I got sleepy!

Anyway, I've been really enjoying all of these.

It's a fun way to spend the afternoon, 

it's a fun way to enhance my outfits,

and it's a great way to kill all turtlenecks reuse old t shirts!

Do you have any head band DIY's or cool ways to reuse old t shirts??

Governor's Ball: Weird Fashion

      Last weekend, Jacob and I spent the weekend in the city and went to Governor's Ball on Saturday! There were tons of bands I didn't know but I had SO MUCH FUN! The music was so good, the food was so good, the beer was...well it was Foster's but it was cold! 

      

      I spent most of the day, between sets and beers, observing the strange fashion phenomenon's all around me. All I want to say is: When did fanny packs come back?!

Source.

      High waisted shorts are super in right now. I think I was the only girl there that wasn't wearing them! 

Source.

Source.

      Fanny packs were also huge this weekend! I was a little bummed, however, because if I knew how cool they were, I totally would have worn one! Screw purses, I wanna go hands free!

Source.

Source.

Source.

      Another outrageous fashion statement making it's way back into the world: T shirts with fringe!

Source.

Source.

Source.

      Oh man, there were so many cute outfits and a lot of just weird ones!!! There were lots of high top Cons, fashion tanks for the guys, neon, neon, NEON, mismatched prints, tie die, bandanas (mostly as shirts but...), rompers and one piece swimsuits and there was actually one woman who was wearing just nude colored shorts and a cape...yeah...I'm serious...

      Is there a fashion trend coming back that you're excited for??

  

MAXImize.

Let's talk about Maxi dresses.

I've been seeing them on blog posts,

on television,

in magazines,

on the internet.

And now I think that I need to invest in one!

1.

Now why are maxi dresses so great?

They are long, so no trying to legit cover your butt.

They're flattering, everyone looks good in a maxi dress!

They're nice fabrics, nothing gross and scratchy.

There's nothing worse then a scratchy dress!

Also, you can pair with a blazer, belt, blouse, sweater...

They're so versatile!

There are so many more reasons!

What do you like about Maxi dresses?

Here are a few I have my eye on...

$22.99 at Target.

$27.99 at Target.

I like Target :)

$34.80 at Forever 21.

$24.80 at Forever 21.

$78 at Victoria's Secret.

What do you think?

Do you like Maxi dresses?

Catching Up!

Since Saturday was a busy day, I didn't do much Sunday except cook, bake and eat my feelings.

Such as this...

Starbucks Via Caramel Iced Coffee...surprisingly delicious! 

Black Bean Soup that literally took all of 20 minutes and was incredibly enjoyable! 

Homemade whole wheat bread...so yummy! Find that recipe in one of my older posts.

And to finish off the day...

Mixed berry and honey sauce on top of...

It was such a wonderful Sunday! I wish I had been a bit more productive but...I'm ok with soup, bread and cake!!

As this new week, and month, begin, I have one thing on my mind...

COLOR! 

I want so badly to go shopping.

I've been putting aside $10 here and $20 there so I have a little cash to get some new clothes for the new seasons!

How adult of me, right???

I'm thinking the following will be my first purchases:

I was reading an article in Glamour's April issue and it seems that yellow is in! Thank Jeebus! I love yellow :) I may need to snatch up one of these lovely dresses!

While I don't know when I would wear these or when I would be able to AFFORD them...I still want them! I love the details!

Dino tea towls?? These would go with my thrifted cast iron dino pans!

And my last want for this week is...and don't judge me for TOTALLY geeking out but...

If you know what I'm talking about...leave me a comment :)

Queen Bee

My mind has been full of ideas lately.

So full, actually, that figuring out where to begin is difficult.

I know you all know what I'm talking about.

So since my mind has been...excuse the pun..

..buzzing..

I felt the need to pay tribute to one of my favorite Spring creatures:

The Bee.

So pretty.

I love many things that come from or represent bees:

Burt's Bees lip balm first developed my love for bees,

that and HONEY! 

Bee's are underrated. We can't survive without them!!

So to honor the cute little guy who has a HUGE impact on our lives,

here are 5 things made by bees, about bees or representing bees that I love today!

Thanks Everywhere Mag

1. When I was a kid, my mom would shop for produce at a local produce shop called Spicer Brothers Produce. I loved being picked to go with her because at the check out sat the display of Honey Sticks. She never bought junk food, no HoHo's or Twinkies. No candy or store bought cookies. My treat was a flavored honey stick. And I love that memory. Thank you, mom and thank YOU, honey bee!

2. I found this honey bee ring and almost died. It's so simple and beautiful at the same time. So elegant! Honey bee's make such darling decorations.

Thank you Design Dazzel

3. Bumble Bee themed parties are always fun to attend! There are bee hive pinatas, fun drinks and yummy treats all bee themed! Plus, what girl doesn't enjoy a cute outfit in black and yellow?!

Brown Sugar Cake with Honey Berry Topping

  4. Who doesn't enjoy a yummy treat involving honey?! This Brown Sugar Cake not only looks phenomenal, it's easy to make AND is topped with a Honey and Berry mixture. The simple sweetness of honey combined with the tart of some barries...man I can't WAIT to make this this weekend! (Don't be jealous...you know you'll check in to see how it turns out!)




5. Lavender is said to attract bees. So I'm thinking that wherever I decide to settle in my life, I want somewhere to grow lavender. Not only does it attract those lovely little critters, but it smells out of this WORLD, can be used for many things and isn't too sore on the eyes either!!


What do you love about bees??
Do you have any favorite products??