Ode to Fall

Apple & Rum Anyone? 

Fall fashion color palette please.

Fall entertaining - Farm tables, greens and festive pumpkins!

Fall comfort food, like chili. Yum! See recipes here.

The changing of the leaves. Especially in Napa. So beautiful. 

Fall picnics and tailgating at football games. Check out this tailgate guide.

Yummy apple cider donuts - and really any baking, see recipes here!

I created an ode to fall to kick off the last weekend of September. I must create a list of things I would like to do before it's over! On that list would be everything above, and a few more...

On A Fall Day...

How quickly October came and went. It's a few days into November and feeling chillier and darker. On a fall day...I would like to bake some delicious Pumpkin Spice Donuts, get cozy under a plaid blanket and drink a tall latte! How about you? {images via the little things, auburn + ivory}

Casual Fall Style...

Ahh, laid back in cozy sweaters, boots, jackets. This fall I've been mixing patterns and going a little preppy with edge. I'm loving it...{images via twirling clare, sterling style, tumblr}

Fall Drinks & Fall Dates...

There is much to entertain around Chicago in fall. Mini road trips to wineries, cooking classes, haunted house tours. Not to mention a few favorite recipes when the chillier months come upon us. These two posts just got me so excited, and I had to share. 


5 Cozy Chicago Autumn Dates
8 Fall Drink Recipes

Guest Post: Fall Loves from Happenstance...

So excited to have Haydee here from Happenstance sharing her Fall faves, she has one of my all time favorite blogs. 

Cozy T-Shirts: I'm a t-shirt kind of girl so when fall comes 'round I love to pair a simple tee with fun jewelry, scarves and sweaters.

Delectable Desserts: Along with fall come the holiday soiree's and fun desserts! I recently had these from Früute … so good!

Fun Statement Jewelry: I'm not a huge jewelry person but when I find a good statement piece like this one from Elva Fields I usually go for it.

Organic Gloss: Since I'm sure I'll be on the go quite a bit this fall I like to have my gloss on hand. Especially one that is natural and paraben-free like this one by Josie Maran.

Movie Nights: Is there anything better than cozying up on the couch with a throw and watching a great movie?

Ankle Boots: Fall definitely calls for some cute, “the more worn they get, the better they look” ankle boots.

Colored Jeans: I'm definitely in the mood this fall to partake in the colored jeans movement. Especially since I wear a lot of gray these will add the perfect pop to my outfits.

Guest Post: Fall Loves from A Lovely Escape...

hi ladies - i'm audrey from a lovely escape sharing some fall inspiration on sarah's space today. while fall is quite fleeting in chicago, it is my absolute favorite season! chunky sweaters, layering, pumpkin flavored everything, the change of leaves - what's not to love? this fall i am particularly looking forward to...

1 - bare legs and boots


2 - our annual trip to the apple orchard and baking our bags of apples into pies and scones


3 - tweed. lots of tweed.


4 - opening the windows and letting crisp fall breezes fill our home

5 - cozying up with warm lattes and ciders

thanks for having me sarah!

Guest Post: Fall Loves from Note to Self...

Hi everyone! I'm Sarah, visiting from Note to Self. As a total sentimentalist, I get rather giddy and nostalgic when the seasons begging to change. Autumn is no exception - the leaves, the smells, the food, the costume parties! Oh my... But without further ado, here are the top five things I'm really "Falling For" right now...
1. Revisiting old favorites: as the days grow shorter and the nights longer, you can't go wrong snuggling up to an old favorite. In my queue: Meet Me In St. Louis, You've Got Mail, and Little Women (this version, too.)
2. New comfort foods: Whenever fall rolls around, it's fun to pay extra attention to food blogs and seek out some new comfort food recipes to try. This "tomato cobbler" on Honey & Jam caught my eye right away. Yum!
3. Touches of tartan: Can you go wrong adding some of this classic print to your home or wardrobe? I don't think so. Here in Savannah, Georgia, we can't wear anything wool so soon in the year, but just the look of it in a napkin or table cloth can get us in the fall spirit. Worth reading: this Martha Stewart LIving post on the subject, or a classic book, Tartan: Romancing the Plaid (Amazon, from $59).
4. Penny loafers: These certified classics are everywhere this fall. I say add these to a pair of rolled jeans, café capris, or a cute dress as an alternative to ballet flats. I've been eying this Bass pair for a while now. Time to take the plunge?
5. Gallery walls: They are the excuse we all needed to keep the little things we love close at hand, right? Over the summer, I began the process of curating some keepsakes: prints, vintage scarves, ticket stubs and shopping bags (yes, shopping bags) to frame on a gallery wall. Bring on the hammers and nails! (DIY tip: unroll some butcher paper on the floor, layout and outline your frames, and use the paper as a headache-free guide for nails on the wall.)

Well, I hope you enjoyed these tid-bits. Don't be a stranger now.

Many thanks for having me over, Sarah!

xo,
(another) Sarah

Fall Trend: Leather Shorts...

Loving leather shorts, these looks are street chic casual. Here are a few pairs you might have to try on:

1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5 / 6 / 7 


{images via pinterest, tumblr}

Fall Boots...

1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5 / 6 / 7 / 8 / 9 / 10 / 11 / 12

{images via pinterest}

Falling For...

With every season comes a new perspective...and a new series on the blog. I'll be asking bloggers to share what their top 5 fall favorites are, from fashion to destinations, recipes, home decor and more. It's less about the 'trend' and more about what floats your boat. What are you currently falling for this fall...? 


My Top 10:
Boots...There are a few pairs of boots that I have my eye on this season, from the back of the bike motorcycle boot to, low ankle booties for date night, I must save up for these kicks.
Vintage...I have loved the Randolph Street Market this summer and stores in Andersonville, but rarely found time, I am going to be on the hunt for a few home items this season and can't wait to dive back into strolling shops nearby. Currently coveting vintage letters and just spotted this one last weekend. R for Reilly;)
Baking...Summer months always inspire me to grill and mix up fresh cool cocktails with ingredients like mint leaves and ginger. Fall is the beginning of  that crisp feeling in the air that makes me want to bake pies, casseroles, and serve up warm coffee + cider drinks with homemade donuts. 
Football...Not only do I adore watching the game. I like to wind up and get my wicked tight spiral on. Every year I threw together the Turkey Bowl (in Sf and NYC), a tailgate picnic in the park with food, drinks and a friendly competitive game of pigskin. Should I try to kick this off in Chicago?

Sweaters...can't wait to color coordinate my stack of sweaters and throw them over cute tops with jeans this fall. It's my all time favorite season to dress, you don't have too little on, or too much, it's right in the middle of comfort and chic. Stay tuned for my current picks.
Music...This is always on my list, also different than the summer theme of going to parks and outdoor venues. I will be seeking local shows that are quaint and off the beaten path. Like Fleet Foxes (9/30) and Foster the People (10/5). And perhaps even venturing to make a few new playlists. *Miss Moss + Destined to Design always have a little music mix inspiration.
Road Trips...It's the perfect time of year to pick a spot nearby on a lake or farm to have an overnight rustic retreat.
Birthday...Well, let it be known that about a decade ago, I decided to LOVE my birthday, and ever since I make sure to have a fun little gathering with friends and maybe even a trip. It's a benchmark bday this year, so I'm off to Vegas for a weekend in September. Danielle's bday month is September too, and we'll be having some things in store for readers to help celebrate. 
TV Time Out...I happily log very little couch time in the summer months, why watch the tube when you can watch the sunset from your balcony on a beautiful night? Also, there's not much to entertain. But when the fall comes, so does some good tv time. 
Sightseeing + Culture...It's too chilly for a picnic, but not to hop on a bike and tour the city, or venture to the museum now that you don't have to feel guilty for missing the hours of sunshine during a summer day. I have yet to explore much of this cities sights and culture, so for my first fall, I need to get out my Chicago guide and be a tourist.

The Blazer...

The best fashion piece for any seasonal transition is the blazer. Paired with dresses, casual shorts, jeans and a t, it's time to bust those blazers out for fall. {images via pinterest}

My top 10 picks 1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5 / 6 / 7 / 8 / 9 / 10