Pumpkin Carving

Gabe's obviously the more skilled carver. I carved the spider.

Last night, Gabe and I spent countless hours carving pumpkins, drinking hot tea, watching scary movies and It's The Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown, and eating lots of candy. This is exactly how I like to celebrate Halloween and it was the perfect evening. Instead of dressing up this year, I'm excited to be heading home to meet Sarah's new baby, Sophie and spend some time with my family. Have a great weekend, everyone! What are your Halloween plans?

Pumpkin Patch

Searching for the perfect pumpkin.

I found it!

American Eagle top, Joe's Jeans, Gap belt, Latico Bag, Ray-Ban sunglasses

Gabe and I finally made it to the pumpkin patch over the weekend and while we were certainly the oldest people there without children, we enjoyed it just the same. It felt festive and fun to dress in denim and plaid and pick out two pumpkins to carve this week. We plan on having a carving night tonight with It's The Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown playing in the background and unlimited quantities of Halloween candy. How do you celebrate Halloween?

Winter Shorts

1. Forever 21 Cuffed Houndstooth Shorts $19.80

2. Juicy Couture Riding Twill Herringbone Shorts $128

3. Forever 21 Sailor Shorts $17.80

4. American Eagle Sequin Party Shorts $49.50

5. Madewell Silk Tulip Shorts $88

6. Alexa Chung for Madewell Billie Velvet Shorts $88

It's fun to see that shorts are not just for summertime anymore. They're now worn year round with bare legs during warmer months and with tights and booties/boots or even pumps during the winter. It's one of the easiest/most budget friendly ways to transition your summer wardrobe into Fall. And even though there are very "winter" versions (think wool, twill, and high waists), this also look amazing with the basic denim cutoffs. I usually pair mine with a thin sweater or slouchy tee and warm jacket, but blouses and flannels also look great. Are you wearing shorts this Fall/Winter?

Military Nights

Sanctuary jacket, Target Sweater dress, Anthropologie tights, Steve Madden booties, Ray-Ban sunglasses

It's finally tights weather in Los Angeles and I celebrated by pulling on these mustard color tights from Anthropologie. The combination of sweater dresses, tights, and booties has become a favorite of mine due to its comfort and ease. I love that the sweater dress can go from daytime work attire to dinner dates with just a few additions (heels, jewelry, etc). These pictures were taken after my second trip to Drybar, where I ordered the Cosmopolitan (loose curls). I can definitely envision a habit forming at this place.

Quick Black Bean Soup

Over the last few weeks I've been settling in to the cooler weather, pulling out my crock pot, making soups, pastas, and other comfort foods. Every year around this time, I pull out my sweaters/jackets, stock up on hot apple cider, and cook lots of warm, comforting meals consumed with glasses of red wine. Soup has long been one of my favorite cold weather meals and I'm always trying new recipes to find the perfect concoctions. This was my first attempt at making black bean soup and Gabe's first time eating it. We were both pleasantly surprised with the warm, rich, hearty feel of this recipe that we couldn't help going back for second helpings. I used this recipe from Cooking Light, added celery (much to Gabe's dismay), and will certainly be making it again soon.

Buy This, Not That

Topshop Leather Piped Detail Satchel $100

Proenza Schouler PS1 Medium Leather Satchel $1,595

If messenger bags are anywhere on your radar, I'm sure you've noticed this Proenza Schouler. It's rich color and soft leather would be hard to miss. When I start dreaming about this bag, I hear a little voice in my head saying something about "living within my means" (I can thank my dad for that advice). The Topshop bag is much more attainable and just as pretty, in my opinion. This just might be another item I'll add to my Christmas list. What's your take on messenger bags? Which one would you choose?

Leather and Lace

Rebecca Minkoff bag, Michael Kors watch, Forever 21 lace top and necklace, Modern Vintage boots, Bebe leather skirt revived from college days

Last Friday I went to dinner with girlfriends to celebrate Enjoli's engagement (yay!). These pictures were taken a few hours after leaving Drybar and I was happy to see my tight curls had relaxed into the exact beachy/messy look I had ordered. I pulled this leather skirt out of my old closet at my parent's house, dusted it off, and was excited make a very old item feel new again. I mentioned here that I'm trying to "shop my closet" this season and it's forced me to be creative and find items that had been long forgotten.

Sequin Adorned Sweaters

1. Vince Sequin Sweater $275

2. Alice + Olivia Evan Sequin wool sweater $365

3. Modcloth Under the Sequins Sweater $54.99

4. Smitten Embroidered Sequin Drape Pocket Cardigan $143

5. Aryn K. Sequin Underlay Sweater $75

6. Forever 21 Sequin Mesh Panel Sweater $19.80

Nothing says daytime glam like a sequined adorned sweater on a brisk day. I mentioned here that this was at the top of my "Fall wish list", but haven't settled on a particular one just yet. These are a few of the sequined sweaters I can envision in my wardrobe. Which one would you choose?

Drybar

No cuts. No color. Just blowouts. That's the concept behind Drybar. Genius, right? How many times have I procrastinated on the dreaded blow dry and wished I could have someone else do it for me? Well, now I can! And that's exactly what I did on Friday afternoon. Their menu ranges from the Manhattan (Sleek and Smooth) to the Southern Comfort (lots of volume) and everything in between. I went with the Mai Tai (messy and beachy) mostly because this is the one style I can never quite get right when doing my own hair. I left feeling energized and ready for my night out with the girls. If I'm not careful, this could definitely become my newest guilty pleasure.

Madewell Sale

Chain bib necklace $29.99 (from $68)

Colordrop Stone Necklace $19.99 (from $78)

Fall Forest Romance Blouse $59.99 (from $98)

Crystals and Chain Fringe Necklace $44.99 (from $88)
Cambridge Cardigan $29.99 (from $68)

While I can envision wearing every single item on Madewell's website, I can hardly afford to indulge in an entire new wardrobe. They do, however, have amazing sales and right now I'm eyeing about countless items at really great deals. These are a few that are at the top of my list. What are you loving from Madewell right now?

Friday Plans

Poolside brunch

pumpkin patch

Halloween baking

Regardless of how long or short my week has been, there's always an overwhelming sense of relief on Friday. This week is no exception and I'm practically giddy that the weekend is upon us. My weekend will entail dinner with girlfriends, Saturday brunch, yoga, Halloween themed baking and crafts, and hopefully the pumpkin patch (depending on Gabe's work schedule). I hope you all have a fantastic weekend! What are your plans?

Dream Vacation: Maldives

Shangri-La's Villingili Resort

The Beach House at Manafaru Maldives

Ithaa Undersea Restaurant

As the weather gets colder, the days get shorter, and we settle into Fall/Winter mode, I can't help but dream about tropical vacations and white sandy beaches. Although I don't have a vacation in sight, the Maldives (an island nation in the Indian Ocean) is at the top of my dream vacation list. Everything about this place screams luxury, romance, and relaxation. Even if I never actually make it to the Maldives (but here's to hoping), these pictures certainly brighten my day.