Fall Obsessions



I felt the need to share some items I've been recently obsessing over. The heels are so chic, the book looks so fun, and the sweater is just made for compliments (but what else have we come to expect from Lilly?)! Happy Thursday, y'all.

Clockwise, from top left: Scarf | Pumps | Bracelet | Book | Sweater | Bag

{Scarf} This Lilly Pulitzer beauty is in budget - for many, it's a small splurge at $118. The colors are gorgeous - a bright royal blue against an equally eye-catching deep coral makes for an attention grabbing accessory.

{Pumps} The Kate Spade "Liberty" heels are ready for work or play - the architecture and colors of the heel are appropriate for the workplace, but come cocktail hour, these will ensure that you are noticed. These are a bit of a splurge at $378, but all of my items from Kate Spade have held up quite nicely over the years, so these are considered an investment piece. (Or you can wait until Kate holds another sale...)

{Bracelet} A co-worker bought me the Vickers-designed bow bracelet last year, and I fell in love with the KJP brand. The gold is still appropriate through fall, so I am debating this little purchase ($75) as a congratulatory gift to self for making it through another workweek.

{Book} This coffee-table book is the perfect accessory for your living room table. I actually had the pages with "Peonies" and "Throwing Confetti" enlarged and printed to hang in my bedroom. The pages are bright and cheery, in typical Kate style - don't expect too much deep content here. I can't wait to order this. $40

{Sweater} I tried this sweater on at Belk yesterday and promptly fell in love. This can transition from fall to winter, and I do love a good winter white. This sweater can be dressed up for cocktail hour with dark jeans or black pants and heels, or you can style it down with jeans and riding boots for brunch with the girls. Dear Santa...

{Bag} I have coveted this bag for months now - my only regret is that the hardware is not goldtone. Other than that detail, this is perfection in a handbag. Enough said. I also love that the logo is more discreet than most.) $495

Ivy Style

Y'all know and love the classics:

These should all be sitting around your house, somewhere - be that under your Harvard throw, on that glass table, or lined up in between your latest re-read Fitzgerald book and a political tell-all of your choosing.

I do, though, like to venture out and read various genres of books, from John Grisham novels to the Devil Wears Prada type of chick lit, with some political biographies mixed in for fun. Occasionally I'll pick up a sports book, but those times are few and far between.

I am a voracious reader, and my list of books that I want to read always runs longer than the list that I've read. Below are a few that are on my short list (and by short list, I mean I am going to look for these come Christmastime):



These are all light, fun reads, with the exception of Mitt's Case for Greatness - beach reads, if you will - but since we're headed into that unfortunate season known as winter, I'll refer to them as under-the-blanket-with-a-cup-of-tea reads.

Have you read any of the above?

{Glamorous Disasters} Curtis Sittenfeld - I'm a sucker for a good private school / boarding school backdrop, which brings me back to my days at a private K-12 in Pennsylvania.

{No Apology} Mitt Romney - I've always been a fan, and I'm interested in the content of this book. He is so successful in business, and has an adorable family (have y'all seen his sons?) on top of that.

{Style} Kate Spade - I've heard mixed reviews on this book series (she also has Occasions and Manners), and want to make my own judgment.

{Essentially Lilly: Holidays} Lilly Pulitzer - Heading into the holiday season, I'd love to have the Queen of Pink & Green's thoughts on all things entertaining, decorating, and celebrating with friends and family.

{Revenge Wears Prada} Lauren Weisberger - As a fan of both the book and movie, a rarity for me, I'm looking forward to seeing the return of the characters from The Devil Wears Prada.

{Generations of Style} Brooks Brothers - Brooks has some of my all-time favorite advertisements and store displays - the brand exemplifies classic American style, and this should be a fun travel through the years with such an iconic brand.

Also on my list is the rowing blazers book by Mr. F. E. Castleberry - to say I absolutely adore his photography work is by no stretch an overstatement, and I am very much looking forward to picking up a copy upon release in 2014. Read about the book here.

Peonies in Bloom

 

 

"Just a crystal bowl and a pocket full of posies could make her smile"
[I can't for the life of me find this link again, but I suspect Kate Spade!]

 

 Happy Wednesday! Often a tough day to get through at work, buy some flowers this afternoon at your local farmstand/Trader Joe's/Fresh Market and brighten up your living space and your day. Little pick-me-ups are a necessary small indulgence that can make a big difference. Promise. Run a bubble bath, pick some flowers, or just ensure that you take an hour to do something relaxing.

Orange is the New Black

I'm not much for Halloween, but I do love autumn (besides, of course, the fact that winter follows shortly thereafter).

In honor of the upcoming holiday, though, I thought I'd share a few black and orange items that are grabbing my attention at the moment. This is more difficult than I thought, because I don't own a single orange item (save for a garish team t-shirt for my rec league) and I'm much more partial to the easy pastels of summertime than black for fall/winter.

I'd recommend reading this while listening to "The Boys of Fall" by Kenny Chesney (here) and sipping a PSL or my personal favorite, a caramel apple spice. If this is a weekend morning for you, by all means, pour yourself a mimosa.

Clockwise, from left:
1
{David Yurman "Exotic Essence" eau de toilette} $85 is a very reasonable price point for this fragrance - I spent about 25 minutes in Nordstrom the other week smelling just about every fragrance on the wall, and the Yurman set that also included Delicate, Fresh, and Summer Essences was among my top 5.
2
{Lilly Pulitzer Hutton Shorts} I love these shorts. I love how they're styled here, but I could also see Summer Wind or Atlantic Pacific styling them effortlessly. These are $168, but new Lilly items have been known to pop up on sites like Rue La La and 6pm.com.3
{KJP Coral Laurel} This coral handbag by Sarah Vickers is precious- I love anything that incorporates the nautical theme, no matter the season! At $148, this will be a great transitional piece.
4
{Yigal Azrouel Tucker Compact Jersey Skirt} Priced at $148, this was literally the only fall skirt in orange that I could find that I liked and would actually wear. Saks has some pretty classic pieces, and this could be styled with numerous neutrals to give a nod to the fall weather we're starting to feel.
5
{Brooks Brothers tassel necklace} Tassel necklaces are "in" now, and while I'm not usually one for trends, I think this will last through the seasons. This is a little more expensive at $188, so either splurge (yes!) for this gorgeous piece, or check out comparables at the Loft and other more moderately priced stores.
6
{Chinese laundry Kristin Cavallari Copertina heels} Love the height, and the front of the shoe is visually interesting. Plus, you can't go wrong with a D'Orsay heel. They're affordable, too, with a price point around $100. 

 So, thoughts? What are your favorite Halloween-colored items lately?

What Should We Call Me?

(I couldn't help it, I just love that Tumblr! Don't know about it? Check it out. Immediately.)

This blog is going to be whatever y'all want - shopping, OOTD, baking recipes (disclaimer: I can't cook), books I've read, store profiles, photos I love (or I'll can just direct y'all to Unabashedly Prep) - etc. I'll start off with some items that I'm coveting, and move on to a few classic books. From there, who knows - comments are encouraged! (Be nice, though - or atleast end your diatribes with "bless your heart.")

Nicole