Tag Archives: autumn

Sep14

Autumn Must Haves & Favorites

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Autumn Must Haves & Favorites

Hello everyone and welcome to a fall guest post brought to you by my friend, Becki, at Bekkibee22! Becki runs a wonderful page that features her journeys through health, makeup, and this thing called life. It is insightful, inspiring, and definitely worth checking out so do be sure to give it some love! Now, check out Becki’s post all about her favorite fashion and beauty must haves for fall special for lifewithlilred:

Autumn Must Haves & Favorites

This is a special blog, as a fellow blogger called lifewithlilred was looking for guest bloggers for fall. I jumped at the chance as her blogs are amazing and I have been following her for a while now. So, I got in contact with Sarah and we discussed what would be a great blog to do and this is the outcome.

As summer is over and we are now entering autumn, I wanted to share with you my must haves and my favorite things about autumn for me, and I hope down below you will share your must haves and your favorite things in this incredible season we are entering.

Lets start with my must haves for the season, this is exciting because it meant going shopping for autumn, which I loved, as did my partner.

Boots: I recently brought a new pair of ankle boots from Kurt Geiger, which I fell in love with. I believe you should have at least one pair of boots for the upcoming cold weather. I also have a pair of knee high and over the knee boots for different outfits.

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Outer Layer: I have a fine knit poncho in an asymmetrical pattern, as the weather is starting to cool and that extra layer is needed but you don’t want a full on winter coat yet.

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Knitted Tights: I’m not one to wear a lot of trousers apart from the couple of pairs of jeans I have so having a variety of knitted tights is great for protecting my legs with all of my dresses and skirts that I wear.

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Over the Knee Knit Socks: For those days where I don’t want tights but still want something to protect my legs.

Basic T-Shirts: Having these basic items help with layering and I recommend getting them in at least black and white.

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Jeans: I may not wear a lot of trousers but I have at least one pair of good jeans for the colder weather, plus they are a basic and a great starter to build and create numerous outfits.

Turtle Necks: These are my favorite during the colder weather as I use them as layers underneath dresses or with skirts. They look fab and stylish while also providing warmth.

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Lip Balm: With the colder air coming, avoid having cracked lips by keeping them moist with a lip balm.

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Hand/Body Moisturizer: With the colder air, the same happens to your skin as it does with your lips so having a good moisturizer helps protect and hydrate your skin.

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Dark Red/Purple Lipstick: Autumn always makes me want to wear my dark red and purple lipsticks as they look so fab with all outfits for the season.

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Cozy Slippers: Keeping my feet warm is very important with my health issues so a comfy cozy pair of slippers helps do just that.

Vanilla and Spiced Fragrances: I love these scents during the colder weather and they just seem to warm up the environment while smelling lush and inviting.

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These are my must haves for autumn but the reason why I love the season so much is because you get to watch the cycle of life and get to experience the most amazing colors all around you. I also love autumn because it is my favorite season to dress for. I get so many ideas and get to be creative with styling. My partner is looking forward to this, too, as he really enjoys picking clothes for me. The colors are super lush and you can create some super dramatic and amazing outfits all just by layering.

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I’m looking forward to the cozy nights with home cooked meals as well as the walks in the evenings and weekends. And, of course, stepping on the fallen crunchy leaves while enjoying the sunsets where the evenings are getting darker more quickly. Autumn is a magical season. It’s not boiling hot like the summer and not freezing cold like the winter and you can still go out and enjoy yourself without experiencing such extreme temperatures.

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Thanks again to Becki for creating a guest post for my page! A lot of her faves are mine, too, and I am anticipating the fall just as much. What are your fall must haves? What is your favorite fall activity? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Sep13

7 Ways To Look After Your Home During Colder Weather

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7 Ways To Look After Your Home During Colder Weather

With summer coming to an end over the next few weeks that can only mean one thing: the cold weather is just around the corner. Whether you love a bit of chill in the air or you’re dreading it, you need to ensure that you’re as prepared as you can be when it comes to looking after your house. Whether that means stocking up on cold weather essentials or investing in double glazing, the more you can do to protect your house during the winter the better. With that in mind, here are seven ways to look after your home during colder weather:

Keep The Heating On To Avoid Your Home Getting Damp:

Although it may be expensive to keep your heating on for the duration of winter, it’s one of the best ways for you to stay in good health as the temperature drops. Not only will keeping your heating on allow you to stay warm and cozy, but it will also ensure you do not experience damp throughout your home. For more information when it comes to the importance of keeping your heating on during winter, you can visit this site here.

Get Your Boiler Serviced Before Winter Starts:

Getting your boiler serviced just before the temperature drops will assure you that your heating will be in check all winter long!

Invest In Double Glazing And Keep Your Windows Shut:

If you haven’t already, investing in double glazing is another great way to help prevent your home from becoming damp. Whilst it can be expensive, double glazing will help keep the heat in and the cold out. If you don’t have double glazing or you’re considering updating your windows, you might want to consider a siding service.

Even if you do have double glazing, you also need to ensure you’re keeping your windows shut where possible. For a guide to keeping the cold air out during winter, you can visit the following site.

Insulation:

A drafty home is not a comfortable one! Sometimes providing extra warmth is as simple as swapping out summer curtains for a heavier fabric, adding thick and plush rugs, or doubling up on throw blankets. However, this is not a fix all as the chill is coming from the outside in. You might want to consider upgrading your home’s siding with the services from James Hardie Siding in Naperville (or a similar company in your local area). This is an energy efficient option to give extra insulation as well as boost property value and curb appeal. With improved siding, your home will be nice and cozy all winter long!

Stock Up On Cold Weather Essentials:

Another great way to look after your home during cold weather is to stock up on cold weather essentials. Whether that means drought excluders for your doors or blankets for your living room, get what you need to stay comfy cozy while the cold weather strikes.

Clean And Store Your Garden Furniture:

Although you may think that it’s just the inside of your home that needs looking after during colder weather, the outside is just as important. Autumn and winter can bring some horrible weather and if you’re not prepared, you may find that your garden furniture is prone to damage. To help prevent this from happening, you need to clean and store your furniture just before the temperature starts to drop.

Consider Your Roofing And Gutters:

Your gutters and roofing may be in good condition now, but the bad weather may cause them some damage. Get any problem areas repaired or at least have a professional from a roofing company give them a once over before the winter to make sure that they can handle some snow. It is so important to have your roof checked because the pros will be able to catch small problems before they turn into a bigger one. Research companies like Tyler Roofing or a similar one in your local area to see what services they can provide for you.

Signing off on the checklist above will help keep you and yours perfectly comfy cozy all fall and winter long!

Featured Image By: StockSnap from Pixabay

Sep4

TJMaxx Fall Hall: Royal Stafford Plates

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TJMaxx Fall Hall: Royal Stafford Plates

Salutations! Saying that I just “like” the dark and disturbing is a severe understatement because the creepy, spooky, scary, and weird is what I am most drawn to. I am a horror fan through and through from movies and literature to art and decor. My preferred activities for a night in would include a scary movie marathon or tucking in with a good Stephen King book. And, with Halloween on my mind, I couldn’t pass up these gorgeous skull embellished plates by Royal Stafford when I saw them at TJMaxx. Check it out:

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After giving a nod to British punk fashion in my latest OOTD, it should come as no surprise that I was eager to add my new plates into the cart after seeing the “Made In England” sticker. And also: skulls, lol! These plates are so beautiful to me and I love the sketch style skull on the more simple plates but the real piece de resistance is the ornate crowned skull. Sadly, there was only one of those bad boys, which was a disappointment because trust and believe I would have bought a few of them!

Do I plan on eating off of these plates? Absolutely not. They’re too pretty to me and I got them for more of a home decor purpose. Now, it’s only a matter of finding just where to put them, because my curio cabinets are already fully stocked with my trinkets and treasures. For the time being, my Royal Stafford dishes are resting safely on my air hockey table until I get a stroke of inspiration for where to put them.

Until then, I am just happy to have found such unique pieces that I find so much beauty in. These are the last items from my TJMaxx Fall Haul and I really think that I was saving the best until the end of this series. And, who knows, maybe I’ll find some more unique dishes by Royal Stafford during my seasonal shopping haul come winter. Fingers crossed!

How do you shop for fall and the changing of the seasons? What is a TJMaxx or secondhand store find that you are particularly proud of? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Sep3

The 10 Most Beautiful Places To Travel To In The Fall

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The 10 Most Beautiful Places To Travel To In The Fall

Hello, hello everyone and welcome to a top ten travel countdown brought to you by one of my darling fall guest bloggers, Lexie. Miss Lexie is the author of Living Like Lexie, a blog focused on travel on a budget. And, as a baller on a budget myself, she is truly a woman after my own heart! Today, Lexie is going to talk about the most stunning places to travel to during the fall around the world. Read up, pack your bags, and head off on your next adventure!

The 10 Most Beautiful Places To Travel To In The Fall

Every season has its own unique type of beauty. The fall is when the air gets a little crisper, the trees start to shed their leaves, and all of the Pumpkin Spice Latte lovers come out. The fall can have a special look and feel to it based on where you are. There are so many beautiful locations around the world that bring a whole new reality to what the season of fall is.

Here are 10 of the most beautiful places to travel to that provide the ultimate “fall” experience:

1- Bavaria, Germany

The southern region of Germany is known for its rolling alps, the birthplace of Oktoberfest, and the castle that inspired Sleeping Beauty’s palace. It’s a beautiful place to go to during any time of the year, but it’s especially stunning in the fall.

Imagine being able to take a train ride through the mountains while the foliage of the leaves changes color. It’s like a painting coming to life before your eyes. With all of the surrounding beauty, it’s also a great time to party at Oktoberfest. What could be a more appealing fall experience to have?

2 – Alberta, Canada

The Canadian National Park of Banff is flocked to by tourists at all times of the year. With its towering mountains, ever flowing forest, and emerald lake – it’s definitely a sight worth seeing. In the fall, this view is flourishing with color as the trees start to prepare for the winter months ahead. And a bonus: you can get out of the chilly fall air by taking a dip in the hot springs.

3 – Napa Valley, California

Fall colors and wine anyone? Going to Napa Valley during its off-season means that the hotels prices go way down, making it a great affordable option. You might not think of California as a top destination to view the warm tones of fall, but what you will find is that the already stunning wine vineyards are where the season’s colors appear. They display rows upon rows of the unique orange and red autumn colors.

4 – Tokyo, Japan

Tokyo is known for its Cherry Blossoms in the spring, but it is also a sight to behold in the fall. The red pagodas around the city are highlighted by the changing leaves of the season.

5 – Shenandoah Valley, Virginia

The Shenandoah Valley is the perfect place to take a road trip through. You can watch all the fall’s foliage pass you by like a movie. The landscape allows you to take in the incredible show that mother nature is putting on. The valley and hills present a new perspective at every turn, which will keep you captivated for hours.

6 – Paris, France

Paris is already romantic from the mystic it has surrounding it. The beauty of fall’s warm tones contrasting with the cool blue and gray tones of the city’s landscape give it a vibrant breath of life. Take a trip to the city of love with your love this fall to take in the city’s beauty in a whole new way.

7 – Iceland

Iceland is full of color for a land named after ice! There are many incredible sights to see in Iceland like its waterfalls, black sand beaches, and the Blue Lagoon. These places become even more surreal with the accent of the fall tones. Make sure you bring a warm coat and your camera along to this breathtaking country!

8 – Scottish Highlands, UK

Calling all Outlander fans! The Scottish Highlands in the fall takes you on an incredible journey that will make you feel like you are living out the show yourself. The highlands are gorgeous at any time of year, but they have a certain vibrancy to them specifically during the fall.

9 – Duluth, Minnesota

The city of Duluth is located right on the tip of Lake Superior. Duluth is full of hilly roads, unique shops, and often the well-known Minnesotan accent, don’tcha know? If you’ve ever pictured what a chilly fall day would look like spent relaxing in a log cabin while overlooking the warm fall tones surrounding the largest lake in North America, look no further than Duluth, MN.

10 – New York City, New York

New York City is great for those that love the fast-paced life of the city, but still want to have the opportunity to walk through Central Park with your Pumpkin Spice Latte and chunky sweater on. The fashion capital of the world is the place to be if you want to rock the fall trends and take in the atmosphere; while admiring both the fall colors and NYC’s skyline.

Are you ready to take off to one of these ten stunning destinations this fall? To make sure you are prepared and have everything you need packed up, download this free Ultimate Packing Checklist!

About the Author:

lexie

Lexie DeVries is a full-time college student from Minneapolis, Minnesota who is seeing the world one trip at a time – and doing it on a budget! Her blog Living Like Lexie shares her travel journey, as well as the tips and tricks she has found to make travel affordable. She is passionate about inspiring others to make their travel dreams into a reality, as she knows what an incredible impact traveling can make on someone’s life.

I’d love to connect with you!

Thank you so much to Lexie for sharing her travel expertise with us and do be sure to check out her blog and give her social media a follow! Where is your top destination to travel to this fall? What are some other great travel locations this season? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Aug28

It’s In The Bag: Chillx By LeMiel Edition

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It’s In The Bag: Chillx By LeMiel Edition

Hello everyone and welcome to a new edition of It’s In The Bag, brought to you by my TJMaxx Fall Haul. I always thought that when it comes to accessories, I am a shoe girl through and through. But, as I venture out on shopping trips or online shopping escapades, I have come to realize that I hold a very special place in my heart for purses.

To me, a good shoe is what completes the outfit. But, now I find that your look is only as good as your best accessories. This has inspired me to branch out and invest in things like jewelry, hair accessories, and yes – purses. During my seasonal shopping hauls, I have noticed that I have bought a purse to fit the changing weather each time this past year. And, I’m so not mad about it, because I wound up with this little Chillx By LeMiel beauty. Check it out:

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For those of you who don’t know, I am a HUGE fan of mustard yellow and will never not purchase something that I like in that color. So, when this gorgeous cross between a hobo and messenger bag caught my eye, I was all in. The perfect for fall palette of mustard yellow and the chocolate brown strap was just too good to pass up. And, the burnished bronze stud and lock detailing took it over the top into a purse that I didn’t just want but needed.

Although the color is what sold me, the shape of this bag also had a big part in the purchase, too. I don’t own any purses that are shaped like this one and I love the idea of carrying it by the small top strap instead of the long one that was included for a collegiate cool look. And, while we’re talking about the shape – can we please talk about all of the compartments?! Yes, please. I am all for a purse with a bunch of different nooks and crannies to keep all of my belongings organized in. All of the zippers and pouches will come in handy for all of my random odds and ends and I am definitely looking forward to utilizing them.

And, speaking of compartments – can we please talk about the two extra goodies that were nestled into them? Yes, please. While emptying the paper filling from the bag, I found a matching wallet and a huge reusable bag. I had known about the wallet when purchasing the purse but it was so nice to have the freebie tote bag included – it will be perfect for taking to the grocery store with my new favorite purse in hand!

What is your favorite fall color? How do you like to accessorize? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Aug26

TJMaxx Fall Haul: K Cup Reup Edition

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TJMaxx Fall Haul: K Cup Reup Edition

Hello, hello! When I moved into my apartment, my parents gave me the most darling little red Keurig for my housewarming present. It’s basically the cutest and it also matches my little red toaster and general lifestyle perfectly, lol. But, with owning a Keurig means needing a supply of K cups, which I was running low on. Luckily, TJMaxx had my back with a delicious fall flavor. Check it out:

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I am and am not a big coffee drinker. I actually still have some K cups leftover from my initial moving in haul and that was way back in April. However, when I want my caffeine fix, I want it bad and it’s also so nice to have a Keurig when it comes to having friends over. And, can we all talk about how much better Keurig coffee is than the regular old drip in a pot coffee? Because it definitely is. 💁

I knew that I wanted a fall flavor for my next K cup purchase, but I didn’t want to dedicate a whole box of them to pumpkin spice. The Maple Brown Sugar that I went with sounded so good with the perfect touch of sweetness to it so into the cart it went. Don’t get me wrong, I love a good PSL from Starbucks more than anything. But, it’s not my favorite by any means and the Maple Brown Sugar will feel fall like without feeling like overkill. I can’t wait to try it out! 😀

What is your favorite K cup flavor? How do you make your coffee at home? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Aug18

Fall Is In The Air

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Fall Is In The Air

Okayyyy okay, so fall technically isn’t in the air yet but that doesn’t mean that my apartment can’t smell like it! Because my dumbass thought that burning cigarettes out into some of my candles was a good idea, I needed to restock because none of them will light now. But, lucky for me, Michael’s was having a three for ten dollar deal for their fall scented candles. And, at six dollars apiece originally, I just couldn’t pass that deal up! Check it out:

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I never quite understood people’s obsession with candles until moving into my apartment. And, now, I can definitely see why because the first thing I do when I get home from work in the evening or have a free afternoon is light one up. There is just something about the soft glow of the flame, the delicious scents, and the general atmosphere that is so relaxing when combined with your quiet time reading a book or watching a movie.

I always thought that giving a candle as a gift was kind of basic but OMG would I love to get all of the candles as prezzies now. But, until gift giving season is upon us, these fall scented delights from Michael’s will do just fine. I like all three fragrances that I picked out but the Butterscotch Spice is divine and I’m looking forward to having it lit on my coffee table as a scary movie plays and the crisp autumn wind howls outside.

What is your favorite fall scent? What is one of your favorite “basic” presents to receive? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Aug4

Fall Guest Bloggers Wanted!

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Fall Guest Bloggers Wanted!

Hellooo everyone! I know, I know, it’s only the beginning of August BUT that doesn’t mean that we can’t start thinking about fall! Or, at least, I can start thinking about fall, because I have been since summer began, lol. I am an autumn girl through and through – the weather, clothes, activities, holidays, and the food all speak to me on a spiritual level and I know that I am not the only one.

So, if you are a lover of all things fall and would like to create a blog post for lifewithlilred and the one hundred and eighty plus countries reading me, then please get in touch at: sarah.mush6794@gmail.com ! From back to school fashion, hearty recipes, MOTDs inspired by fall colors, and the best autumn activities – I want it all. Seriously, I want your posts and all of the aforementioned in my life. If you’re interested, shoot me an email and let’s get this fall guest bloggers series started! Much love. -Sarah

Oct23

Sky Top Apple Orchard

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Sky Top Apple Orchard

Howdy! When my family vacations in North Carolina, we always go apple picking. This time around, we visited Sky Top orchard. And an appropriate name it is, indeed, because it’s at the very top of a mountain! Unfortunately, we came at a bad time, because a huge school field trip was just finishing up, so the trees were pretty much picked clean. But, we still managed to get a basket full of delicious Pink Lady, Cameo, Honey Crisp, and Fuji apples. Take a look at some pics and let’s discuss:

 

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Although I had a lot of fun at the orchard with my family and the caterpillar friend I made along the way, I preferred other orchards that we visited over Sky Top. Because of the mountainous terrain, exploring the massive property was anything but pleasant. The hills were incredibly steep and the orchard didn’t seem to be very well maintained. Along every row of apple trees, the ground was completely littered with rotten fruit and flies, bees, and ants were swarming all over. I absolutely understand that an orchard isn’t going to be totally pristine, but you literally couldn’t step anywhere without a rotten apple squishing beneath your feet and bugs flying on and around you. Gross.

Having said all of that, their market area was really cute and clean. And, an entire bucket of apples to pick was only twenty dollars, which was a great value. It was nice to visit a different orchard in North Carolina but, next time that we go, I hope that we stick to Stepp’s Hillcrest Orchard, which was scenic (without being mountainous) and well maintained outdoors and in their market.

Who else loves going apple picking in the fall? What is your favorite type of apple? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Oct13

Feeling Fall OOTD

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Feeling Fall OOTD

Hello everyone and welcome to one of my favorite OOTDs to date! Lil Red loves dressing for fall, this we know. And, to me, my Feeling Fall look embodies the joy that comes with the changing of seasons perfectly. A statement boot and a bold, yet simple, find from TJMaxx created an outfit that was easy peasy to style but looks oh so chic when stomping through the leaves during a blustery fall day. And, also, peep the amazing pictures of yours truly taken by my darling beau! Love themmmmm.

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Who? What? Wear?

When people ask me how I go about styling my outfits, they usually get a response along the lines of “I just throw them together”. And, that’s not a lie. The best outfits come when you don’t think about it, because fashion should be a fun thing – not stressful. That’s why it’s very important to me to completely love every single item that I buy. When your clothing makes you feel confident, you don’t have a second thought when you’re throwing them on. And, that’s why I love this look so much. It was such a cinch to put together, but it looked timeless and fashion forward and you can never go wrong with that.

As gingham is considered the “it” pattern for summer, fall is about all plaid everything. If I could, I would wear this totally cozy and perfectly posh Modena New York poncho all year round. Because I wanted this cool cape to do the talking, I kept things simple underneath with a tighter fitting black sweater. The soft color palette of fifty shades of grey and taupe is just right against the vibrant autumnal colors adorning the trees. And, although this poncho fits closer to the body than most, it still has lots of movement, which beautifully mimics the leaves dancing as the wind blows.

Because the poncho and oversized Argentino Vivo earrings provide such lovely movement, I wanted to keep everything else about this outfit form fitting. As an added bonus, making the top half of your OOTD the focal point makes people more focused on your face, which is a good pro tip if you have any insecurities about your lower half (I know I do!). A looser fitting poncho or sweater also keeps your tummy in check if you didn’t quite get your beach body this year (I know I didn’t!).

Anyways, form fitting. Skinny jeans, as always, were in order. Then, to cap off the look, I wore my absolute favorite thigh high boots by Candies. These sexy little things slinky ink all the way up to just below the middle of my thighs and they make me feel so fabulous that I can hardly stand myself. The heel is high, the fabric is a soft faux suede, and the confidence level is through the roof. These boots hugged against my skinnies just right, which created a lengthening effect and put all eyes on my MUG and way cool cape. Just as I suspected! 😀

This Feeling Fall OOTD can be easily duplicated with your favorite chunky sweater, cardigan, cape, or poncho. The trick is to keep things on your bottom half nice and fitted and, then, you can work that autumn breeze as your cape billows in the wind. Gorgeous, easy, and one hundred percent fall.

How do you style an OOTD that embodies autumn? What is your favorite cold weather accessory? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah