A Natural experience

Fall: it truly is the season for all the senses.
     Do you ever notice that? 


  



































You can smell the crisp air, listen to the crunching of the deadened leaves and the laughter of children decked out in Halloween costumes.Can you imagine having apple cider, pumpkin seeds, and delectable doughnuts all year 'round? Talk about a delicious season for your pallet! 

Collared Shirt: Marshalls/ Skirt: BCBGmaxazria (old) (kardashian version)/ Shoes: borrowed/ Earrings: Target

  Most importantly, it's impossible to miss the color change...

I experienced the most surreal visual experience the other day. 
    Walking down a path lined with enormous sky-scraping maples and oaks, the world all of a sudden became overwhelmingly beautiful. 
    The bustling noise of the city disappeared, and I was engulfed in the sounds of nature. The wind howled--not an overbearing gust, but enough to rustle the branches of the fully-colored trees. 

Slowly, as if I were trapped inside an autumn-like snow-globe, the leaves began to descend. Shades of crimson, burgundy, and golden-apple leaves fell around me like the first snow of the season. I looked up, and beyond the descending leaves, past the very tip-tops of the massive trees, was the pale blue of an afternoon Michigan sky. 

It was breathtaking, so I stopped-- I closed my eyes, took a couple deep breaths, and just took in the pure beauty of the land around me.
  

It reminded me of all the things I have to be thankful for. It would do my life so much good to have a moment of clarity, astonishment, and peace like that on a regular basis.

Have you ever had an experience like this? 

 

Until next time, vive una vida bonita!

xoxo
DJ 

A slice of blueberry Pie

 Fall colors have arrived in the mitten! It makes going outside immeasurably less gloomy when you can see at least 4 or 5 different colors around you at all times.

Dress: thrifted (loving this sweater version!)/Tights: Urban Outfitters/Pearls: thrifted/Coat: My Michelle

 Unfortunately for me, this also means cooler temps. So I'm braving the fall weather with a bold face and even bolder tights!

I've come to appreciate the variety these fashion must-haves provide, so you'll undoubtedly be seeing lots and lots of tights this fall.

A Boyfriend's Love

It's a funny thing: no matter how superb I believe my style-preferences to be, my boyfriend can always pick out an equally-catchy outfit for me to wear.

Skirt & Bow: Forever 21 (vintage steal!)/ Shirt: Wet Seal/ Jean Jacket: Charlotte Russe (similar)/ Flats: Target/ Pearls: thrifted

As much as I don't like to admit it, they always end up being adorable. dangitall.

Stripes, Solids, Ducks and Mud

Although this will be more of an update than a fashion post, I just wanted to throw a few pictures; this is from the last week of warm weather here in the mitten! 
           Although I hear it's supposed to be 80 tomorrow! What kind of fall  
               weather is upon us?!
 

Top: Charlotte Russe/ Skirt: French Connection (similar)/ Purse: Target/ Shoes: Keds/ Bracelet&Rings: F21

 

I loved this skirt from the moment I laid eyes on it, and knew that I had to debut it with this bargain top from Charlotte Russe.
  Seriously, where you can find such a versatile striped top for like .... $5?!

I don't care what you say, good bargains from CR can be a basic staple for any gal's closet! I know they certainly are in mine!

 

Bubbles!

Thanks to a gracious giveaway from Miss Rachel Coletta, I've become a proud owner of this beautiful bauble necklace!  
   HOW EXCITING IS THIS?!

  I immediately how to wear it out in public; I mean, how could I not?

Details in the Fabric

I have been DYING to rock this lace skirt, but its always been a little too formal for most occasions.

Shirt: Olive & Oak (similar)/Skirt: Maurices/Pumps: borrowed/Necklace: Icing/Bow: Payless/Rings: F21

Thankfully, I was granted an opportune fashion moment when a girlfriend from work was throwing a birthday bash at a local bar.

Sherlock Holmes

Aside from the traditional appeal of houndstooth, I always feel like a classic femme-version of Sherlock Holmes in this print.

Shirt: Wet Seal/Skirt: Elle via Kohls/Clutch: Big Buddha/Studded Bracelet and Bow Headband: F21

But I've come to embrace a menswear-fabric...

A kiss of lace, a touch of pink...

Reluctantly, I've said adieu to summer weather; but one thing I refuse to place on the back burner are my 'summer' brights.

Top: Alloy (adorbs turquoise version)/Pants: F21/Boots: Bongo (similar)/Bracelet: Icing/Earrings: Etsy/Bow: Payless/Sunnies: Urban Outfitters/ Purse: Hobo International

To transition my summer wear for fallish-temps, I mixed this lacy peplum top with pink skinnies. 

 

Fall Florals

Fall is such a wonderful season. 

Shirt: Rue 21/Skirt: Target/Flats: Misbehave/Ring: F21/Bracelet: Thrifted

 























 Although I could do without the chilly temps, I do admit that apple cider, haunted houses, and rich colors are a wonderful addition to this unpredictable weather.

 

Vibrance

The sun was shining, the breeze  was gentle, and I was ready to don some more lace!

 






















 






















This skirt is a little tricky to pair with, so I opted for a cream lace top and some nude-shaded accessories.

Shirt: TJ-Maxx (similar)/ Skirt w/Belt: Macy's/Headband: F21/Sunnies: Target/ Earrings: Etsy

Mixed Concert Prints

Saturday, the Wombats came to Lansing! Naturally, I had to take my bff--Steph--to the show, as we are long-time fans of their upbeat groovy tunes.

sidenote: I'll apologize for the photos used, as I drank way too much--resulting in very few 'winning' photos.
 (eh hemmm, see below)

 

More enthralling than my gag reflex, however, is the idea that I actually attempted to MIX PRINTS! 

  

 This trend is a new fashion-adventure for me, so this  concert was a trial-run.

(top: Wet-Seal/ Tribal skirt: Dots, similar: only $10!/ Jacket: Wilson's Leather/Clutch: Target/ Fringed Sandles:F21)

I used the blue from my tribal skirt to pull out the baby blue stripes in my shirt. I think the leather jacket and clutch completed my rocker-chic ensemble--if I do say so myself!

Layers, layers, layers!

Although fall will be all about warming layers, I decided to indulge in a few more days of feminine, floral layers!

(Wrap Blouse: The Loft/Ruffle Skirt: Maurices/Sandles: ReLativity via Macy's/Belt: Target)

The skirt (hard to see through the poor camera quality) is absolutely adorable! 

   It alternates between pink lace, sheer tulle, and a paisley floral pattern!

Lotti-Dotty-Da

Sometimes, you just have those fashion urges.

   Today was a polka-dots kinda day.

As we tread into the final weeks of summer, I find myself longing to keep my warm-weather clothes alive just a wee-bit longer. 

So I do, whenever possible.

Therefore, this polka-dot skirt was a wonderful compliment to this cropped tie-front top. 

Lady in Lace

After posting about my lace dress, I deemed it necessary to celebrate all things lacy!

c/o: Pinterest

c/o: Pinterest

Wining and Dining

An impromptu visit to Dusty's cellar was the perfect ending to my Labor Day weekend; and an excellent new experience with Claud. 

Since we label ourselves as 'broke college kids', we went for drinks and hors d'oeuvres. 

      Dusty's is known for its vast wine collection, so I settled on some Sangria--he opted for a strong mixed drink, called 'Planter's Punch'.
________________________________________

Let us toast...

Let us toast to animal pleasures, to escapism, to rain on the roof and instant coffee, to unemployment insurance and library cards, to absinthe and good-hearted landlords, to music and warm bodies and contraceptives... and to the "good life", whatever it is and wherever it happens to be.

   - Hunter S. Thompson 

Everyone has those people in your life: encouraging the endless hysteria, attentiveness to all your pointless stories, memories full of inside jokes, and deep down in the crevasses of your soul--the parts of your life you cannot live without.

  

And it is with great pleasure that I am able to convince such characters to be a part of my life on a regular basis. I don't see them very often anymore, but when I do, we tend to act as if we were never apart.

Keep your old love notes.

A post dedicated to love, in all its grandeur.

 

Never stop being whimsical.