All about fall...

For me...it's all about fall. I feel like I spend the whole year yearning for that perfectly crisp morning - then the moment it arrives I can just smell it - fall is in the air. It smells like wood burning fireplaces, pumpkin spice lattes, and a bowl full of chili for the football game. Ahhhh - fall! In Texas I am kept waiting for fall much longer than I was used to in North Carolina and NYC, but that only makes its eventual arrival all the more sweet. I LOVE fall...wait, did I already make that point? No, seriously, LOVE it. Everything about fall makes me smile: college football (though not Texas football. Sorry folks, I only follow App State.), fall colors, cool air, changing leaves, picking pumpkins....and of course, fall FASHION.

Fall fashion is truly something I adore. On my priority list it ranks right up there under oxygen...well, maybe not quite that high. But, you get the picture. I blame my manager at Ralph Lauren. Marissa was our fashion nazi...particularly in the fall when sales were the highest. The stylists had to arrive each day "ralphed out." This means we needed to look like perfect little Ralph Lauren models - ready to sell our own style to potential clients. We were required to read WWD (Women's Wear Daily), write thank you notes to all 'big' clients, and attend the ever-so-popular trunk show at Bryant Park for fashion week. This was the highlight of my time working there (lining up for wardrobe inspection was not!) For those that do not know, fall fashion week at Bryant Park is HUGE...hallowed ground for those that obsess over designer couture. The delight I had as a stylist was that stylists had dibs on the runway clothes at the sample sale that followed fashion week. Marissa went with me...I think it was because she really wanted to tell me what to buy for work as opposed to vying for my company. I was too perky for her,  a no-nonsense typical New Yorker aiming to climb the corporate ladder. Thankfully, we shared the same classic style and so I was more than happy to accept all the clothing she was shoving into my arms. Budget restraints meant that after fighting through the crowd, trying clothes on in the midst of fifty other women and literally engaging in tug-a-war over a pair of delicious runway wool shorts, I emerged the victorious owner of six runway label items. The fashion bug had bit me...hard. Though, at times it was slightly depressing to be living in a city full of so many goods I could not afford, I managed to save scrupulously for some highly prized items. I did, however, stop short of selling my kidney on the black market for a coveted birken bag. Might need all my vital organs one day...best not to chance it.

Below are some classic pieces I have my eye on for this season (they range greatly in price from H&M to Christian Louboutin) The great thing is that you can easily find similar pieces and styles at very affordable prices.

1. A big tote - perfect to throw everything in and schlep around.

This Goyard bag is perfect and though I typically play it safe with navy or black I think this pumpkin orange color adds a nice punch of color for fall. (Since I can NOT wear orange, accessorizing with it is my only option.)
2. Cashmere cardigan - Simple. Cozy. Classic.

3. Riding boots - A staple for fall. Made even more popular by the ever-so-timeless Kate Middleton.

4. Scarves - Another necessary component to any fall wardrobe. And the BEST thing about scarves - you can find them at any price point. Add them to your outfit for an instantly finished look! Voila!

5. Knee length fall coat. This steal is from H&M - only $60.

6. Shorts with tights/leggings - I think this look is best worn with opaque tights/leggings and either boots or heels (makes the legs look longer.) Wool or tweed shorts add texture and feel especially fall-ish to me! (Fall-ish is that a word? It is now!)

7. Rain boots - Though maybe not needed in TX. But, in NYC... most definitely! I love these classic boots by Hunter.

8. Layered jewelry - more specifically - stacking BRACELETS! I love stacking bracelets...the colder it is outside, the more I wear! John Hardy designs my favorite bracelets. But cheap-o imitations from Target do the trick.

 I could go on but for sake of time, I will call it a night!! Happy almost fall everyone!