i rock a lot of polka dots...

 ... i break for birds! i have touched glitter in the last 24 hours! and that doesn't mean i'm not smart and tough and strong! (favourite jessica day quote ever). i know, i know. enough with the new girl/zooey deschanel.  it was just because today's outfit really did make me think of that, in the sense that i've worn several polka dotted outfits this week.

today, modcloth is celebrating 'plaidurday', so naturally, i felt the need to take part. what better to wear than a vintage plaid capelet?? not to mention mixing prints is always fun.

i feel like every time i wear this dress, it's with a black belt, and black polka dot tights. i was tempted to switch up the tights today, but i figured with the plaid cape, the polka dots and plaid combination made it interesting enough without having to change it up. so i guess that'll be my challenge for the next time i wear this dress.

i bought these shoes on a whim in new orleans.  i did actually need some new black flats, as the soles on mine were about to fall off, no joke. they're several years old, and i've definitely gotten my money's worth out of them. so in new orleans, after seeing the convention center of where the trade show was going to be held, i didn't feel confident that i'd be able to wear heels for three days and walk/stand all day. i saw these shoes, and fell in love with them. i figured they'd probably come in handy, and was i right.  i wore them every day. by the end of the week, my feet were so swollen from the heat and humidity that not only did i not wear heels, but these were actually the only shoes that i could squish my feet in to.  best shoes ever purchased. and i love how the bows and little bit of gold just dress them up a tad.

     cape: gift, vintage
     dress: shop love miami
     belt: forever 21
     tights: walmart
     shoes: michael kors

bluberry pumpkin...

 

fall is at it's peak here, with the trees all turning gold, brown and red, and the leaves starting to fall. it's my favourite time of year... the colours, the sound of the leaves crunching beneath my feet, the crispness in the air. although it's abnormally warm for october, it still cools off in the morning and at night.  today i was feeling especially fall-ish in this outfit, which reminds me of blueberries and pumpkins.

 

 

as soon as the air starts to cool down and fall is in the air, i'm reminded of random walks, window shopping, and hot apple or cranberry ciders. while i no longer live in a city, i still enjoy a hot cider, while sitting in my porch in my rocking chair, just admiring the changing leaves outside.  times may change, but passions find a way to evolve with you.

and these tights? they're the ones i wore here, and found them so bright that i was tempted to retire them. now, with this dress that has an accent of the same shade of orange in it, they just seem to blend. sometimes you really just need the perfect dress for tights.  i also felt that they matched the shade of my hair (which has drastically faded, but i'm liking the faded tone as well), mango intense copper.

 

as you can see below, dominic and hendrix enjoy the coolness outside, taking the opportunity to run in the fallen leaves.  these photos are so appropriate, as hendrix is dominic's shadow. 

 

      dress: macy's
      hat (vintage): etsy
      cardigan: ruche
      shoes: chelsea crew
      tights: american apparel
      belt: from another dress

dresses and pies, oh my...

 

i could wear this dress every day. i'm not even kidding.  i think i've worn it four times in two weeks.  ladies (and gents), it was worth the wait.  i now want to order every modcloth dress in this cut. i recently ordered a petticoat, and i'm excited to try it under this dress, for a bit of added phlouff! 

  

 

i know it's the beginning of august, and i shouldn't be excited for fall... but i am. we were talking about autumn a few nights ago, and seasons in general really.  fall is by far my favourite, but if we're getting specific, it's really the beginning of fall, when the air is crisp and the leaves are changing and falling, and you get that crunch under your feet... when it's layering season, with a sweater, scarf, tights... before it gets too cold. i could really go for more of that weather. it seems to only last a few weeks, then it's winter! that being said, i hauled out my felt 'autumn' floppy hat for this dress.  it's such a fun layering piece, and it just brought out the pies even more. 

 

      dress: modcloth
      shoes: aldo (old)
      hat: american apparel
      belt: came with another dress

random shopping with reason...

i did a bit of online shopping this week.  fall was in the air, with cool mornings, and leaves beginning to change colours. fall, being my favourite season, is my shopping-weakness. i love layers, i love the colours, and i love to be warm. that being said, here's a list of some of the items i ordered:

 

this gourd garden dress from modcloth. i loved it last year, and miraculously it's still available, so i decided that meant it was meant to be in my closet.

 

red riding hood tights. they came back in stock, and played a part in my ordering the dress. i thought they'd be a fun weekend combo!

a wool floppy hat. i wasn't looking for one when i ordered it, i was actually looking for a beanie to wear under my helmet on the bike (which yes, i did find and order as well)... but lo and behold, order this one i did.

fun floral print thermals. i ordered two pairs. layers are needed for fall riding, and for snowshoeing. my current one pair of long johns was not going to cut it.  also, having just purchased an 80+ year old home, i thought these would come in handy for cozy lounging. still cute enough that if someone stops in unexpectedly, i wouldn't be embarrassed to have long johns on!

did you read my note above about cozy long johns + old home?? this definitely fell into that category. with wool sock-slippers? yes please!! all that's missing is a bum flap!

next item on my fall must-haves? these minnetonka mukluks!

what are your fall necessities??