Fall Fun: realizing I’ve been terrible at blogging

Hi everyone! I know it’s been a very long time since I posted anything here, and after recently receiving several compliments on my blog, followed by complaints that it hasn’t been updated, I’ve decided to make a huge post about recent autumnal excursions!

A couple weeks ago, the boyfriend and I went pumpkin (and fancy gourd) picking at Norz Hill Farm, which is right by my house! We had so much fun taking a hayride to see all of the farm’s animals and picking our own pumpkins straight from the vine!

We also did the corn maze, which was very complicated, but Jack proved himself a worthy navigator by getting us (and the dads with three small children) out!

I wore a salmon J. Crew sweater, Victoria’s Secret Leggings with a stripe on the side, Jack Rogers flats, and my Barbour jacket, which I got last January in Scotland!

We also picked up tons of fall goodies to enjoy: apple cider, pecan pie, preserves for my mom and grandma, and of course our tiny pumpkins and fancy gourds!

As if all that wasn’t enough for me, I also went pumpkin picking with my DZ sisters! We never actually pick any pumpkins; it’s just a really good excuse to take super cute pictures. My little and I were lucky enough to expand our family recently, so we took lots of pictures with our littlest, Marissa!

This is my favorite picture of the day! I’m wearing a navy plaid Ralph Lauren jacket, Rugby henley shirt, khaki American Eagle jeggings, and my old brown boots (don’t want to get anything nice dirty!) I added a pop of color with my hot pink Kate Spade cross body.

And here is one of my pledge sisters, KC!

Fall is one of my favorite times of the year!

Empire State of Mind (or not)

Yesterday the boyfriend and I went to Manhattan to see the Empire State Building! Or we were supposed to because we’ve had tickets for over and year… but I walked out the door without them.

Whoops.

Instead, we met my dad at the Bryant Park Grill for a fancy lunch. I had a stir fry salad, which was good, but the best part was dessert. Behold, the Chocolate Peanut Butter S’more:

It was great.

So we didn’t have a plan, but since the New York Public Library is right behind the grill, we decided to go there. It is a beautiful building inside and out.

They have a great exhibit going on called The ABC’s of It: Why Children’s Books Matter. It was a great look at what books teach children, and it made me pretty nostalgic. You can see things like the original Winnie the Pooh stuffed animals, a life-size setup of Goodnight Moon, and art inspired by different stories like Where the Wild Things Are.

 

Here I am with Eric Carle’s walrus from Polar Bear, Polar Bear

I’m wearing my Aqua Romper, Lilly Pulitzer Bow Belt, and C. Wonder Monogramed Cardigan. Not shown are my Jack Roger Palm Beach Navajos and my hot pink Kate Spade Crossbody Bag.

After the Library, we went back to Bryant Park and watched some intense ping pong! Thanks for an awesome day Jack!

 

 

Scallops+Polka Dots=Perfection

Today I wore a new pair of shorts with some old favorites from my closet!

I had seen these J. Crew shorts all over tumblr, and had been coveting them for weeks before I found them in the clearance section. Luckily they still had my size, and for only $24 (using an extra 40% off code)! The scallop detail adds just the right amount of whimsy to a pretty classic look.

I paired them with a plain dark navy t-shirt, my favorite Jack Rogers flats (similar), and a Kate Spade bag.

And to anyone who’s wondering, I generally don’t have a problem mixing brown, black, and navy. Obviously in suiting situations or formal wear you should pick one and stick to it, but on a casual day I treat them all as neutrals.

 

To finish off the look, I added this Elephant Necklace from Forever 21! Recently they have really amped up their jewelry selections!

Shout out to my awesome boyfriend for constantly putting up with my fashion nonsense and for being my photographer!

Lobstah Rollin

I recently bought the Lilly Pulitzer Cala Skort in Lobstah Roll on Ebay because I realized that I love this print a little too late. Everything in this print in my size had sold out so quickly! Ebay is a great way to purchase things that you didn’t get a chance to grab, and sometimes even at a discount. I saved $8!

 

What I’m Wearing

Skort: Lilly Pulitzer (Lobstah Roll)

Shirt: Target

Bangles: Kate Spade

Shoes: Jack Rogers

 

 

 

Please excuse the wrinkles, I had been sitting down eating lunch with the boyfriend so my skort got scrunched!

 

 

Summer Sweater

Not all summer days are super hot. Whether it’s on a cool night by the water or just in a freezing cold restaurant, sometimes you need a summer sweater.

My new favorite one is a pullover by the Macbeth Collection that I got while I was in Bay Village in LBI. There is this really cute store called Island Gypsy; If you’re ever down there definitely check it out!

What I’m Wearing

Sweater: Macbeth Collection

Shorts: Abercrombie 

Watch: Kate Spade

Headband: J. Crew

Mixing Matches

One thing I love to do with my outfits is to mix patterns that still go together. The trick is to pick a dominant pattern, like a bold stripe or floral, and pair it with a subtle print that compliments it. Here’s my take on it!

What I’m Wearing

This is one of my favorite Lilly Pulitzer skirts that I got at their Endless Summer Sale a couple years ago. It is so colorful and goes with anything!

The shirt is from J. Crew and my watch is from Kate Spade

Make a Statement

I don’t usually wear a lot of jewelry so if there’s one thing I love it’s a statement piece. One really great looking piece is, in my opinion, much more elegant and eye-catching than loading on a ton of bling.

I had been looking at a particular necklace from BaubleBar for-EVER, but I wasn’t sure if it was worth it’s original price. I found it the other day for only $17 so I had to get it! Unfortunately since it was on sale, it is no longer on the website but you can find similar necklaces at other stores.

This was my first Bauble Bar purchase (even though I’ve wanted everything on the site for a while!) so they sent my bauble in really cute packaging with a handwritten note!

They even included a free gift, Sally Hansen Triple Shine Nail Polish in Dive In.

I paired this necklace with a neutral outfit so it wouldn’t be overwhelming.

What I’m Wearing

Shirt: Target

Shorts: Abercrombie & Fitch

Necklace: Bauble Bar

Bracelet: Kate Spade (Similar)

Espadrilles: Etienne Aigner (Similar)

I also love statement earrings! Most of the time I just wear them on their own, especially if they are as big as the ones I received as a free gift from Lilly Pulitzer.

I haven’t worn these out yet because they are definitely a statement, and they’re a little heavy so I wouldn’t want to wear them for too long. Hopefully my boyfriend will take me to a nice dinner soon 🙂

Earrings: Lilly Pulitzer Free Mystery Gift

Lipstick: NYC Expert Last (Forever Fuchsia)

Sorry for all the selfies, the worst part of being a fashion blogger is when no one is around to take your picture!