{Halloween Week} Painted Pumpkins

Why carve a pumpkin when you can paint one instead? Not to sound all 'easy way out' or anything, but painted pumpkins are not only easier than their carved counterparts, but they're oh-so pretty as well... That's why Kassie, Ashley and I decided to have a mini painting party over the weekend. There were cupcakes, pastel paints aplenty and the Monster Mash, of course. The only thing that could have made this day any better would be a screening of Ghostbusters and some Tootsie Rolls, but you can't have everything.

Happy Halloween Week! xx

Photos by Andrew Tarver

{Life} Girls + Bicycles

On Sarah: Blazer- Club Monaco | shirt- J.Crew | kilt- LCC Uniform Store | broach- vintage | shoes- Payless | bag- Cambridge Satchel Co.  
On me: Plaid bomber jacket- Zara | blouse- H&M | faux leather skirt c/o Forever 21 | booties- ShoeMint | bag- Phillip Lim x Target | tights- Joe Fresh | headband (worn as necklace)- Forever 21 | ring- vintage | watch- Michael Kors 

A few weeks ago I had the pleasure of shooting with my friend and fellow blogger, Miss Sarah Chan. She's pretty much the cutest thing ever (right?!) and she makes riding a bike look oh-so good... And can we just talk about the fact that homegirl can cycle in heels? Because I think that deserves an award of some kind, but I digress.

We met for chai, loaded up the bikes with some cute bits and bobs (a big thank you to RedBike for letting me borrow this beautiful Pashley Sonnet Bliss!) and set out on a photo adventure with the help of our pal Jerry. There were laughs, leaf tossing (which is harder than it looks, let me tell you) and Gossip Girl references made on school steps. And for the record, you CAN eat yogurt on the steps with us at lunch � we're nice like that. xx

Photos by Jerry Aulenbach

{Life} 10 To Try This Fall

You know what I said last week about stopping to smell the pumpkin spice? Well this fall I fully intend to. Life's too short not to enjoy the beauty of each season, so I made a list of 10 things I'd like to do or try before it's too late. Feel free to add to the list, and above all else, remember to make the most of the season... Like #4 while doing #5 and eating #2 while wearing #9 � or something like that.

1. Host a casual outdoor party.
2. Bake something festive, like these pumpkin fritters.
3. Cozy up by the fire with an apple pie spice latte.
4. Movie nights are always a good idea, especially when they're 90's themed... Beetlejuice, Hocus Pocus, Death Becomes Her and Practical Magic are always a good idea.
5. Try out a new manicure.
6. Make candy apples with your girlfriends.
7. Paint a pretty pumpkin... or ten.
8. Start a book club... even if your the only member.
9. Wear as much plaid as humanly possible (I love this look).
10. Vamp-up your lipstick arsenal.

Photo by Andrew Tarver 

{Style} Ghost World

Denim jacket- H&M (old) | houndstooth sweater- Zara | leather skirt- vintage (similar style here) | booties- Aldo | bag- Milly | necklace- Zara | bracelet- House of Harlow | ring + watch- Michael Kors

My mister and I enjoyed an epic Sunday Funday yesterday that included a stop to an old, abandoned farm that was both creepy and fantastical all at once. I felt extreme guilt and anxiety passing the 'no trespassing' sign (scardy cat over here hates the idea of getting into trouble!), but I quickly got over those feelings (seriously Vickie, toughen up) when we starting exploring the site.

There's a haunting beauty to abandoned buildings (remember this gush-fest?), and this property that once held so much life and activity has been reduced to ruin and decay in the most fascinating way. There really is this strange, undeniable allure to the derelict � I guess Mugatu actually was on to something... Malaysian prime minister assassination attempts aside.

Photos by Andrew Tarver 

{Style} Army + Navy...

Jacket c/o Lulus.com | striped shirt- Saint James | jeans- H&M | pumps- ShoeMint | bag- 3.1 Phillip Lim | necklace- Zara | bangles c/o Forever 21 | watch + ring- Michael Kors

 

Sometimes a girl has to switch things up, and for me, that meant smacking a military-inspired jacket ("army") with a little nautical stripe action ("navy"). Another good way to switch things up is with a new handbag (*ahem*) which in my experience is the greatest of ways to feel shiny and new again... But in the interest of not getting into (more) trouble with the finance, I'll just leave it at that (but seriously, eeeeeek!!!).

In other news, it's Friday, which means only one more sleep until the Edmonton Blogger Sale (woot!) and two more sleeps until Phillip Lim for Target day (double woot!)... The weekend is looking awfully bright, my friends. xx

{Wardrobe Wednesday} The Leather Cap...

Remember a little something called Wardrobe Wednesdays? New readers to AiF won't be familiar with it (it last ran in August 2012!), but basically it was a weekly feature where I would highlight beloved items from the depths of my closet... Basically a "sartorial show-and-tell," if you will. So after much thought (and a little shopping), I thought it might be fun to resurrect the series!

First up � the hat. More specifically, the leather baseball cap. It seems like these badboys are popping up in every store, website and, well, head lately, making them the perfect inaugural (if something can be inaugural twice) WW item. Not to have a total 90's Janet Jackson moment on you or anything, but this is a look that I'm planning on wearing the heck out of this fall.

From oversized sweaters and jeans, to more polished, dresses-n-blazers kinds of days, this Bop Basic beauty is going to be making appearances left, right and center... Kind of like the Kardashian of headwear.



Thanks for reading friends, and be sure to let me know what your thoughts are on WW's return! xx

{DIY} Pearl Embellished Booties...

Fall is coming (yippee!), which means that I'm deep in closet re-evaluation land... You know, purging, cleaning and identify gaps in my colder-weather duds. So when I came across these somewhat tired booties from last year, I decided to jazz them up rather than just get rid of them. The result? A fun, updated look that I can't wait to throw on throughout the season.


The supplies:

- Strong adhesive
- Flat-backed pearl embellishments
- Booties

 

1. Clean and dry the heel of your boot thoroughly for maximum adhesion.
2. Start applying the pearls with small dabs of glue, holding down to secure each pearl.
3. Let boots dry for at least 24 hours before wearing, allowing your embellishments to fully cure.


Thanks for reading, friends! xx

{Style} Plaid & Persona...

Nothing says fall quite like forest green, so I figured why not double up with a blazer-boot combination? These boots were an Urban Outfitters find about six or so years ago, and they only see the light of day during certain circumstances; namely, clear days when the suede won't get utterly destroyed by rain and gooey dirt... Yes friends, I'm smart like that.

In other news, I'd like to draw your attention to the snazzy new bracelet on my wrist... My good friends at Persona were kind enough to pop it into the mail for me, and I couldn't be more thankful. It's a super versatile piece from their Black Label, and I love how I can mix it up and wear different combinations with the marcasite beads (and even mix metals� peep the gold watch combo!). Thanks, Persona!

Outfit details: tartan blazer- Joe Fresh (old; similar here); denim shirt- Forever 21; jeans- Michael Kors; suede boots- Urban Outfitters; head band worn as necklace- Forever 21; bracelet & beads c/o Persona; watch- Michael Kors

{Houndstooth Week} The Gloves...

Full disclosure? I may have broken the shopping ban just a smidge in order to get these Joe Fresh houndstooth gloves... But since they're technically something I really needed (my hands were getting oh-so cold), I figured it was justifiable. From here on out, consider me back on the wagon, friends. xx