Autumn series ~ Don't mess with the dress

I've been doing a lot of planning and searching for this year's Autumn looks, so I thought I'd share some of it with ya'll. :) I have so much to talk about, that I'm splitting it up into four parts: outfits, nail polish, makeup, and hair.  This post will probably be the longest of the four. ;) 

1. The Fall maxi 

I adore my maxis all year around. They can be cool and flowy in the spring and summer, and with tights underneath and scarves and jackets they can be warm enough in fall and winter. I could go on and on with these examples, but we don't have enough time for them all. :) 

2. Fun tights 

(I know these are pants, but they'd be cute tights.) 

 I'd really like to get more of a variety of tights this year in fun colors and patterns. It's something new for me, and I think it would be a nice challenge for myself. :) 

3. sweaters and cardigans

I'd really like to get some cute sweaters and cardigans this year, especially a colorful Aztec cardigan. I've liked the Aztec print for a while now, and I think it looks really cute on those flowy cardigans. :) 

4. ivory sweater

Last year my goal was a black turtleneck, and I found it. Just like I thought, it's been a wonderful staple piece in my wardrobe that will be useful for (hopefully) years to come. 

This year, I'd love to find an ivory sweater, preferably in the first or third picture's style, but I like the second picture also. 

5. ankle boots

I didn't think I'd like these at first, but the other day I tried some on at Target, and was surprised at how much I liked them! So if I can find some for a good price, I might be getting some. I still can't decide if I like the tan or black better.

6. miscellaneous favorites


















(with boots)



So what styles are you looking forward to this Autumn? 

Autumn's Coming! (eventually)

As many of my readers know, I live in Louisiana. And let me tell you, it's hot. So, while Autumn may technically start in September, we'll be lucky to get cooler weather come October. However, it doesn't stop me from dreaming of my favorite season. :) 

If you've read my blog for the past years, you probably know about my yearly, "dreaming of Autumn" posts. They usually happen around this time, even sometimes as early as the end of July. 

Some of my favorite things include lighting candles, blankets, opening windows, the cool, crisp air, leaves falling, and all the pumpkin flavored things. ;) 

But I especially love pulling out the jackets, sweaters, longsleeves, boots, and scarves that I get to wear at this time of year. Also, the deep red, purple, dark green, orange, and mustard yellow colors. 

So here's a few polyvore sets I made this morning with some of my favorite Autumn accessories. 

The first transitional piece from summer to fall is the scarf. You can use summery colors or autumn colors with light, cool scarves. There are so many ways to wear them, so many colors, and so many patterns! 

I've always been more of a jacket girl, and haven't really liked hoodies in years. But this year I've become obsessed with them! Once again, so may colors, styles, and patterns. Do you like printed or solid? Zip up or pull over? Cropped or regular length? Bearing graphic design or a sports company symbol? They can be so much fun, and let's face it, they're so wonderful to snuggle up in and feel cozy. :) 

When it gets a little cooler, it's time to break out the leather jackets. I love how they've been coming out in a variety of colors lately! I love them all, but the red, cobalt, and burgundy colors are my favorite. 

So, in other, news, this morning was my fourth day getting up early, and going for a 30 minute walk/jog! It feels great, although I still can't stand getting up in the morning. But getting out of bed is the hard part. Once I've dressed, exercised, taken a shower, and pour my coffee I feel completely rejuvenated and ready to take on the day. :) 

So are you excited about Autumn coming? Or are you trying to hang on to summer? 

Outfits, shopping finds and time with friends

Or this post could simply be entitled, Busy Days. 

So, two weeks ago, I was away from home all week, then last week I was practically not home because of my rush to edit my friend's photos, and now this week I've been gone a lot again. This is actually the first afternoon I've been home all week. Not that that's a bad thing. I enjoy being busy with a full schedule, but I also enjoy when my life slows down, and I have more time to reflect, or in this case, blog. ;) 

Monday and Tuesday I got to spend a lot of time with my biological father, Jonathan. He lives about 4 hours away, but he came down here for vacation. We went bowling, sightseeing at places called Acadian Village and Jean LaFitte Park (both tell of the Cajun history, and I'd never been to either), and finished Tuesday at the Kart Ranch, riding go karts in the pouring rain, then playing putt-putt golf. 

Here's a few pictures I took with my iPhone (sadly, my camera hasn't been fixed yet.)

I love this little village so much. It gave so much information on the Acadian's (or now referred to as Cajuns) past, which is something I always enjoy learning about. The little church especially took my heart, along with the uniquely built Acadian houses all around it. 

(Ford tee- Walmart (men's section), jean skirt- really old, black lace converse- Walmart, jewelry- made by me) 

I knew we'd be doing a lot of walking and possible go kart riding, so I tried to go with cute, sporty, and practical. I'm always nervous about the go karts, the seat belt buckles between your legs, and with zooming around I'm always afraid of my skirt flying up, so I wore tights under my skirt. I didn't want to wear a more straight down skirt, because I would've had to pull it up a little to buckle. Not so ladylike. Plus the worker, usually a young guy, has to check and make sure you're strapped in safely, which can sometimes be very awkward. Thankfully, this outfit proved to be the least awkward of any I've tried. Experimenting works, folks! ;) 

(Aztec top and white bubble necklace- Cato, skirt- Goodwill, flipflops and leaf earrings- Walmart)  

I had this outfit planned since I got the shirt a few weeks ago. I knew I wanted to go with a more boho feel, and I think I achieved that. Putting the necklace with the top was actually an accident. I got them both at the same time, and when I was putting my stuff up I realized how good they looked together! I wore this for me and my bestie's shopping trip on Wednesday. We went to Goodwill first, and ended up not going anywhere else! Normally, I can't stand to spend 2 hours in a store, but every time I turned around, I found more stuff! It took us a while to try on, and narrow down what we were going to get. That store had a wealth of hidden treasures, but I only had so much money. ;) 

First up, a New Orleans Saints pillow pet! They had them in the store for $30 (which I was NOT gonna spend on a pillow pet), but I found this one in really great condition for $5! I was like, "Oh yeah, you are so mine." ;) 

shoes 2 for $6

$4.50

$4.50

3 pairs for $2

I usually have a hard time finding shoes that fit perfectly due to having wide feet. But this Goodwill had tons of shoes that fit me! Sadly, I couldn't get them all, but these two I can see getting plenty of use. The navy pumps stay on my feet without pinching (a miracle for me), and have a cushiony bottom.  The black flats are already broken in while still looking good, and also have a cushiony sole.

I got the grey skirt as a challenge for myself, to style it in non frumpy ways, and dressed up or down for different occasions. I already have a lot of ideas for casual, dressy, winter, and summer. 

The grey sweater is soft and comfortable without being baggy, tight, or lumpy, and the perfect palette for a wide variety of styling.  Perfect qualifications for a sweater. I also got a jean skirt, but it's in the dryer. :) 

Sometimes, you just need fun socks, you know? They can be the bright side of a rainy or severely cold day. 

As sad as it is, Megan and I did not take a selfie during our day out. Sad right? I think we're kinda stuck between the older generation and the teen generation that takes a selfie every hour of the day. However she did make this sweet card for me that is now on my wall. She's a red head, and I'm a brunette. The picture and caption perfectly describes us. :) 

When we got back to her house we ate dinner, then watched the Christmas Card (my movie contribution), then God's not Dead. I'll say that I was pleasantly surprised by that movie. I really hadn't had high expectations for it, but I was gladly proved wrong. 

Oh, and God's not dead. :) 

My favorite music group is the Piano Guys, and they now have a tee on their website! I'd love to have one. :) 

And lastly, a selfie I took while waiting for Megan to get to my house. Still learning how to edit my iPhone pics the way I want. 

Have a great week!