Fall Mix Tapes (with handmade covers)
A Vegan Thanksgiving complete with quinoa, veggies, mashed potatoes, and of course desserts…
And…
50,000 words of a new novel
That was definitely one happy fall.
Cheers!
Sarah
Tag Archives: autumn
Fall Mix Tape 2013
Every season, I ask my friends to think about the sights, sounds, and feelings that remind them of the season. For me at autumn, I think of sweaters, hot chocolate, football games, and burning leaves. Then, I ask them to send me any songs that conjure up that imagery. When everyone has submitted, I compile the music together into three curated albums and create cover art. In 2013, we are celebrating the anniversary of the mix tape! (And also celebrating the season and the joy that comes along with sharing music you love and getting to know your friends a bit better on a new level). So I thought I’d share the first album with you all today. The first album, titled “State”, might be my favorite and probably sums up the feeling of the complete mix tape best. Enjoy and happy fall!
State of Independence, 2013, mixed media: packing tape, recycled bubble mailers, pen and ink
For Those Melancholy Fall Days
Nothing feels more melancholy on those cold, stormy autumn days than Rufus Wainwright singing in French.
It Doesn’t Get Better Than Tom Boy, Ambiguous Neutrals, & Moto! (i.e. My Fave Autumn Trends)
Every fall it’s impossible not to find a handful of beautiful, inspiration trends, and this year is no different. Here are my top faves…and who is doing them best!
1. Ambiguous Neutrals
I love this trend for cosmetics in particular (I’m addicted to a pale, barely-there nail color), but it translates effortlessly to apparel too…and even better in lingerie and intimates. Free People wins my vote for offering a gorgeous selection of nude intimates. Browse their ethereal “Sheer Shop” and just try not to buy something…
2. Borrowed from the Boys
Madewell is my top retailer for tom boy styles. But instead of being in-your-face boyish, Madewell strikes a perfect balance between sexy and casual cool. Let’s be honest, pulling off a tom boy look is 80% attitude. My personal style is certainly more feminine (and definitely not cool enough), but adding a touch of tom boy helps keep things in check. Like those weeks when I know I’m wearing too many dresses with cardigans, my Madewell slouchy rugby stripe sweater is there to save the day.
3. Moto
Good ol’ GAP has one of the best selections of moto-inspired apparel this season. An extra plus? At the GAP, you won’t break the bank on a hot trend (I got this jacket for 30% off). If I weren’t buying clothes for three months (my newest challenge now that the triathlon is over), I’d be all over their moto pants. And coated jeans. And moto puffer jacket. And biker jeggings….
4. The Conversation Sweater
j.crew and Madewell get the tie for this one. Mostly because I really, really want the Bien Fait sweater. Get it? If not, désolé, je ne suis pas désolé. 😉
5. Sporty
…but definitely not a yoga-pant, sweatshirt look. Instead varsity letter jackets, rugby stripes, and boxy cuts make this trend. Forever 21 gets the job done at their usual how-the-heck-do-they-do-it?! low prices. For me this trends might mean sneaking my ever-growing workout wardrobe into my daily wear. Think: Nike Luxe Track Pants.
What’s your favorite autumn trend? Do you think my list is missing anything?
Halloween Decorating for Under $10
Now that I actually have a place that feels more like home than a one-bedroom dorm room, I thought I’d make an effort to decorate, even a little bit, for the holidays. I picked up this vase, a spider candle holder, and these festive placemats at the local Good Will for under $10. The beautiful dried corn was a gift from my friend who bought it at the Madison farmer’s market.
How have you been decorating for the season?
Sarah
Fall Mix Tape
I think I started creating fall mix tapes in high school, right after I read Perks of Being a Wallflower, and fell in love with the simple concept that music can -and usually does- define certain periods in your life. Well, I’m not starting school this fall, but I definitely have freshmen moments here in the real world. To bring back the nostalgia even more (and in a more positive way), I decided to create a Fall 2012 mix tape. Thankfully, I’m surrounded by a pretty substantial and awesome friend group, so it was easy to get them involved in the process. I had nine of my friends submit songs that reminded them of fall. However many they wanted and anything they wanted. I agreed in exchange to create cover art, curate the songs, and give everyone a free copy. The result was a 62 song collection, which I compiled into three albums: Coming Down, Going Up, and Arriving, because “The truth is of course that there is no journey. We are arriving and departing all at the same time.”
Here’s to arriving!
Sarah
Autumn in the Country & What We’re Wearing
My sister and I spent the weekend exploring rural Wisconsin, and we visited a small apple orchard where we picked up a peck of apples, this amazing spoon ring, and two cider brats. It finally felt like fall, so we tried to dress for the season!
Sweater, Lands’ End Canvas
Jeans, Levi’s
Flats, Lands’ End Canvas
Scarf, silk from China (a gift!)
Glasses, vintage find from Madison, WI
Bracelet, Angela Caputi’s Boutique in Florence, Italy
For full disclosure and all of that good stuff, I currently work at Lands’ End (so it should be no surprise that I often end up wearing their merchandise!).
Leggings, Vera Wang
Dress, thrift store find from Portsmouth, NH
Glasses, H&M in Prague
Boots, GoodWill
Necklace, garage sale in New Hampshire
What’s your favorite fall outfit?
Ciao!
Sarah
5 Fall Trends That I Can’t Wait For
If you haven’t noticed already, clothing brands have been launching their fall collections this past week. I’ve already noticed a few great fall trends that I am excited to buy (I will try my best to wait until September!). I also figure it’s a good idea for me to have an understanding what I want to buy before I actually go out there and shop, since I do have to consider my budget. These trends are currently top of my list, and I will spend the next couple of months searching for some great deals on them.
1. Colored Tights
A great variation on summer’s colored denim, colored tights will be a great way to keep the bright colors of last season alive through autumn.
2. Venetian or Smoking Shoes
These shoes are a comfortable alternative to a heel and a unique spin on a flat. Not to mention that they can easily be dressed up or down.
3. Oversized Coats
They are finally available to the masses! I first fell in love with Mary Margaret’s oversized coat in the first season of Once Upon a Time.
4. Leather
I always consider leather, particularly leather jackets and bags, a staple for fall, but this season, leather is becoming even more popular (and look out for hybrid leather-fabric designs too).
$99.90 from Steve Madden at Nordstrom
5. Printed Dress Pants
I saw plenty of printed denim and leggings this spring, but I am really excited to see the prints taken up a notch in classy dress pants.
What fall trend are you most excited for?
Ciao!
Sarah
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