Cooler Weather: Style-wise.

It is freezing in my office, so I may be able to get a jump on wearing my fall wardrobe. I'm particularly excited about wearing...

Blazers. Particularly, my blue velvet blazer.

Scarves. I would like to knit myself a new one soon.

Boots. I have a pair just like this that I'm dying to wear.

Fall-like.

Yesterday was rainy and chilly, with a high only in the mid-60s. I loved getting to bundle up a bit. A cardigan, leather motorcycle jacket and scarf. I'm holding on to summer for a while longer, but when the temperatures really start to drop, I'll keep this look in mind.

(via)

Summer Ending.

A ugust was almost over. The first cool touch of autumn moved slowly through the town and there was a softening and the first gradual burning fever of color in every tree, a faint flush and coloring in the hills, and the color of lions in the wheat field. Now the pattern of days was familiar and repeated like a penman beautifully inscribing again and again, in practice, a series of l's and w's and m's, day after day the line repeated in delicate rills.

Dandelion Wine, Ray Bradbury

Wearing: To Work (Part 3).

This is where it gets easy. Dresses. Add shoes and you're done. Ok, few other accessories are nice. But for today, here are all the dresses and all the shoes I would like to stock my closet with this fall.

J. Crew, J. Crew, Banana Republic, Banana Republic (sold out?)
Zara, Zara, Zara, Zara
Asos, Asos, Asos, Anthropologie

Payless, Urban Outfitters, Urban Outfitters
Ann Taylor, Ralph Lauren
H&M, Zara, Zara
H&M, Old Navy
Payless, Old Navy

Clearly, right now I am looking for shoes to add to my work wardrobe, but it is nice to also include some flats and boots for weekends and evenings. And to wear on the way to work. You don't think I actually walk to the Metro in heels, do you?

I love how just switching to a different pair of shoes can instantly take an outfit from work-appropriate to date-appropriate or weekend-appropriate.

Wearing: To Work (Part 2).

I love skirts, but I have always had a hard time figuring out how to wear them - what color and style shirt to wear, what shoes, how to accessorize. So I put together an inspiration board of skirts and blouses that paired well together.

tops: J. Crew, Zara, Zara, Old Navy
skirts: J. Crew, Asos, H&M, Old Navy

Boring, right? So I paired these skirt and blouse combinations with shoes and accessories to create completed looks.

House of Harlow necklace, Asos clutch, Zara wedges

Tolani scarf, Dogeared necklace, H&M heels

Zara beaded collar, Asos belt, Asos clutch, Ralph Lauren heels

Anthropologie necklace, Zara handbag, Michael Kors watch, Zara wedges

I am really trying to build a wardrobe of classic, timeless pieces - the Michael Kors watch, green city handbag, the perfect A-line skirt - but I am just loving some of the more creative, bold accessories this fall. I have had my eye on the House of Harlow necklace for over a year. And I almost fainted when I saw the beaded collar at Zara. What a piece of art. Same with the Anthro necklace...and priced like a piece of art too!

Wearing: To Work (Part 1).

This past week, I felt the first crisp in the morning air, reminding me that autumn will be here before I know it. And I'm okay with that. I love autumn. Falling leaves. College football. Sweaters. This time of year also reminds me of starting the new academic year. And back-to-school shopping. I always loved looking for both new clothes and new school supplies.

So since I am starting my new job tomorrow, and in the tradition of back-to-school shopping, I've put together inspiration boards of my favorite (back-to-)work items. For late-summer and early-fall, I am loving blouses and cropped pants with heels. Here are some work-appropriate outfits I created out of stores' new arrivals for fall.

tops: Asos, Zara, Asos, Zara
trousers: J. Crew, J. Crew, Asos, Asos (similar)
heels: Ann Taylor, Zara, Ralph Lauren, H&M