fall favs 2013

i opened the windows this morning because matt came in from getting the paper and proclaimed "it's cool".  so now, the windows are indeed open and there's a crisp cool breeze flowing through this old house.
when fall comes around there is the temptation to think you need something new...there is just something about a slight change in weather that makes you think you should spend a whole lot of money on a whole lot of new things.

i saw somewhere that leather is gonna be big this fall, where can i get something leather.  
beanies, all these beanies are in and i already have 2, but if they are "in" i should have 4.  

and the world of retail, they know this about you.  they feel the same way, so they get all hyped up and beckon you to get a new scarf, the latest jean style, the "perfect" this that or another and you listen you you get hyped up too, because it is not hot out anymore and that september issue of instyle is just calling out to you.

i am no different.
boots, blazers, scarves, long sleeves.
these are fun for me, even in a season of life where there is zero in the budget related to "succumbing to the fall retail push".

so the great thing about the world wide web is that you can just browse away.  and what i mean by browse is sort of dream, but also i really enjoy looking at what's out there & how i can make it do-able with what i already have and in my day-to-day life.  for instance, i will not be going to the grocery store with all 3 kids in fayetteville, arkansas in this::

but i do like elements of this look and i can translate those things to work for me.  i can wear black skinnies (because i always wear black skinny jeans) with a white vintage looking T (that i already have) and black flats or some other black shoe i already have and then instead of a belted cardigan and fur, i can just throw on camel cardigan or sweatshirt or jacket of some sort.  

so here are some of my favorite (to look at) for fall 2013::

• there really is a lot of leather detailing out for fall and i love it.  over-the-top biker look, i'm not into...but a little biker chic never hurt anyone.  especially when it's paired with more classical, whimsical textures too.  like in this dress from anthropologie.  leather up top, flowy down low...so great:

and i always love a vest.  this one in leather with the side zip is super rad.  in my little virtual dreamworld here, i'd wear it with a super feminine maxi skirt or with just a tshirt and great jeans:

• i love short dresses, but in spring/summer i just don't ever wear them anymore.  chasing the rascals in a dress or skirt that isn't long is just not gonna happen.  it's easier for me to wear them with tights and boots...in the fall!  madewell is one of those places i really could wear everything they have...really, everything... and this heather grey sweatshirt dress looks perfect for layering with all sorts of accessories:

also really like this colorful one with texture from asos:  

• and what is fall with out a few jackets and jeans.  i am admittedly too into jackets, blazers, coats.  any time i shop with family or friends, i'm always encouraging them to get a well-fitting blazer.  key word being well-fitting.  if it doesn't fit your shape, it won't do anything for you.  but you don't have to worry about that when you're not actually buying one.  in which case, this tangerine one is great:)

and this slouchy jacket from anthropologie instead of an everyday cardigan would be great:

the thing about jeans is they need to fit good.  if you really like them but they aren't good for your shape, we gotta just get over that.  i have no idea how they would fit, but i love the way these from anthropologie look.  just enough distressing, great dark grey that can be dressed up or down, skinnies that don't look like leggings and the length, perfect length.  usually when i am shopping for jeans (for real shopping, not all this pretend stuff:)) i do a shoe test...i want to choose a jean that i could wear with cons, pumps or boots.  that test will let me know the jean is versatile to wear with everything.  this jean would pass that test: 

• most of those fleeting fashion trends can be surprisingly strange or surprisingly simple.  a little simple winter hat is popular these days.  i can't decide if it's really even a trend...haven't we all been wearing beanies for years?  i guess now we are all very fashionable.  if i'm gonna rock one of these, i don't want it to look like i'm a criminal or like i just stepped off the slopes...so, i like this handmade one :: 
  
  
  

• i really like ralph lauren's denim & supply line.  the merchandising always throws me off because the models are styled a bit too grungy and with too many mid-drifts showing for my liking.  however, if you can get past that, there are some great individual pieces.  this one i think would look great with skinny black jeans and brown booties...and this bomber is a great combination of feminine floral and edgy shape.  cool mix.

• lastly, shoes.  i am strangely super picky about shoes.  i have a love-hate relationship because i always have an ideal shoe in my head and in situations when i go shopping for that shoe, it's just not out there.  so i just end up wearing shoes i don't really like.  i ran into a store at the beginning of last summer and decided on a brown sandal that i didn't love but thought i needed a brown sandal.  so i got home and showed our super cool and sorta hipster friend/babysitter and she just sort of made a face and shook her head.  i knew they were bad, she knew they were bad, but i just kept on wearing them all summer.   maybe i should design shoes or something?  but regardless of what is actually in my closet, it is fun and easy to look at fall shoes.  these are a mere $298, yikes!  but they are so cool.  way to go, free people:

 and these from madewell are a bit more refined than the ones above and i like them also:

and i truly love all the oxfords out there, there are some fancy ones and crazy ones.  i'm not a big fan of them if they look too masculine, but i love the simplicity of these from boden: