A Few More Winter Greens

Green Light Trio from: Julep

Drape From the Norm Knit Top in sizes XS, S, M, L, XL, 1X, 2X, 3X, 4X

Authentically Academic Bag in Hunter Green

Get a Leg Up Plaid Tights in OS and 1X

Teach and Every Day Wool Skirt in Green Herringbone in sizes XXS, XS, S, M, L, XL, 1X, 2X, 3X, 4X

Fame of Reference Velvet Block Heel in sizes 5.5, 6, 6.5, 7, 7.5, 8, 8.5, 9, 10,

Frond Finery Leaf Necklace

Winter's Green

On a day such as this I breathe a little deeper and I could walk for miles without feeling the chill in the air.  The golden glow above, the earth all bronze below as the sun sinks below the hills.  Ah, but there are home fires that need tending and loved ones waiting that need the warmth that only comes when we are gathered all together on a day such as this.

Shopping Info: Surely Sweet Pearl Blouse and Scottish Green Striped Midi from ChicWish, Green Heels from ModCloth

The Stillness of the Woods

No words today; no need.  This walk was still and quiet and that was enough.

Shopping Info:  Heels and Charter School Cardigan in Honey from ModCloth in sizes XS, S, M, L, XL, 1X, 2X, 3X, 4X Gingham Dress is old from ASOS, similar Expertly Accentuated A-Line Dress in Houndstooth in sizes S, M, L, XL, 1X, 2X

Gingham Delight dress available at Chicwish

Oak Leaves

It happens almost overnight; the beautiful oranges, yellows, and reds, fade to November rust and my forest-yard is coated with a blanket of freshly fallen leaves.  Last year we spent a whole day raking leaves into piles, then we went in to the house and rested our achy bodies for a few days before coming out again with s'mores and hot-dogs to roast over the bonfires.  We've decided to make bonfire night a yearly tradition, and I'm looking forward to celebrating it, but not too soon.  First I'd like to spend a few weeks enjoying the the fresh fall scene these leaves create.

Shopping Info:  Mak Cardigan from ModCloth, Vero Viva Plaid Puff Sleeve Top, Classic Simplicity Skirt from ChicWish

Fleur de Leaves

    Things that start out quirky, whimsical, even novelty have to be kept in check.  Delving too far into the novel side of fashion results in something that looks...well...crazy.  To that end (of not looking crazy) I try to temper my novelty prints with basic pieces and also, I never wear the print of the thing to said thing's event.  For example, I never wear my domino print dress to play dominoes.  It comes off as crazy, right?  And the more you experiment, and I hate to admit this but also the older one gets, the finer that line can become.  It's important to scale things back now and then.  To that end, as I was going through my closet, I noticed an overwhelming amount of novelty prints and purses and not much in the way of basic office wear.  

    Now, if you're a lover of indie fashion, like me, you may be rolling your eyes in boredom already, but hear me out.  Just because something is "basic" and "office wear" doesn't mean it has to be boring.  That's where bold colors and print mixing become powerful friends to have.   Remember the main key to print mixing is to start with one piece and keep all the others in the same palette as that first piece.  I started with this plaid skirt and followed it with a solid top, tights, and heels, and a second print that is in the same palette.

    Keeping everything in creates unity and interest instead of the chaos that comes from simply throwing prints together.  So, while I'm not ready to hang up my fashion whimsy and quirks--or personality whimsy and quirks for that matter--I do see the need for more serious pieces in an environment where I need to be taken seriously.  So longs as I never forget, and you don't either, that serious doesn't mean plain or boring.

Shopping Info: Express Sweater and Skirt and Forever 21 Top from ThredUp, Heels from ModCloth

The Most Adorable Photo Bomber

For some reason Ms Midnight was in desperate need of attention today and followed me out on my walk in the woods.  She then proceeded to bomb nearly every photo in her attempts to get my attention.  Rest assured she received plenty of love.

 Shopping Info:  Cape from ChicWish, Accent Your Ensemble Tights from ModCloth, Dress from Aliexpress.com

A Conversation Masterpiece

Yes, yes, this lovely dress is back!  Of course it never left my wardrobe since it joined me two  Christmases ago, but ModCloth has brought it back for this holiday season and I'm so glad.  Even after two years of wear and washing it still looks stunning.

Shopping Info: A Conversation Masterpiece from ModCloth in sizes XXS, XS, S, M, L, XL, 1X, 2X, 3X, 4X

Must Love Tees

    I'm oddly particular about T-shirts...which may explain why I only own a couple of them.  Remember the little girl on Signs with her weird tick about leaving glasses of water around because this one had a hair in it, that one tasted funny, and that one was too old?  Well, I'm like that with Tees.  

    This one's too short, this one's too stiff, this one has a crew neck instead of a scoop.  So after picking all those nits, it turns out I only have two or three t-shirts in the whole of my wardrobe and sadly even they fall short in some way.  I'm trying out a new one today because I jut loved the "Love" print and I thought it would be easy to dress it up with a tulle skirt.  The verdict?  It's a cute tee and both of my girls have called dibs should I decided it isn't quite right for me one day, but for now, I'm definitely hanging on to it.

 Shopping Info:

Vero Viva Love Tee

Tulle Skirt from DownEastBasics

Flats are old

Golden Leaves of Autumn

I never knew until this year just how lovely the dogwood tree is.  Those lovely blossoms in spring, full green leaves for summer and now these amazing reds and golds for autumn.  When walking through the woods, I can hardly believe these colors are real.  How can they be?  And yet, here they are, setting the sunlight in flames and lighting the forest in a way particular to this place and this moment.  

Shopping Info:  Pink Owl Dress from ThredUp, Chase & Chloe Heels from Amazon.com