Cold Days, Warm Drinks

Its that time of year again...to start stalking up on our favorite coffee and hot chocolate when we are snowed in but want a warm drink as we read our favorite books and magazines.

I love seasonal drinks like hot chocolate because its a nice warm treat on a cold, rainy, even snowy day or night. I love the seasonal drinks at Starbucks as well. Sometimes its okay that good things come once a year, and this is one of them. This season I'd like to try Mexican hot chocolate. I think it would be nice and its something different.

Today is a good day to have a cup of hot chocolate. Its rainy, chilly and at times I can hear thunder! All I need is to pick out a good book and its a relaxing Saturday afternoon...

First day of Fall......

I truly love this time of year, incase anyone didn't catch that I truly love fall!!! Its a season of renewal after a long, hot summer.

 

When I think of fall, I think of a new wardrobe (even if its updating what you already have), a new hair cut/style/color, rich hues both in style and nature, cooler, shorter days. And then of course, the seasonal stuff like hot chocolate, the seasonal coffees at Starbucks, pecan pie, pumpkin pie, egg nog, candy corn, comfy sweaters, tights, boots, the rainy days, see all the beautiful colors of fall that the leaves turn, Black Friday, watching You've Got Mail because its set in the fall, in New York...

 

So the list can just go on and on. Its just a really nice season in many ways. Its truly a welcome change after a long, hot, blistering summer. I hope every enjoys falls and the activities as much as I do.

 

 

Fall Fashion

Its starting to feel like fall...or at least its starting to look like fall in stores with all the sweaters, tweed pants, skirts, the seasonal coffees at Starbucks, and don't get me started on all those fall candles at Bath & Body Works! We'll talk about the candles another time!

 

 

As I've been reading the September issue of InStyle, Lucky and Harper's Bazaar, its made me really excited about all the new clothes this fall and its also inspired me even more so to do all I can to shed a few lbs.

 

 

While one should not lose weight to be a certain dress size, its inspiring to me because going to the gym and giving up some of my favorite foods and snacks just isn't appealing. Weight loss should be for living a healthier life and lifestyle, but shopping for a smaller dress size can also be the most motivation as well!

 

 

So as I was paging through InStyle, on page 652, I saw a sleek Michael Kors black turtle neck and I found a similar one at Ann Taylor for more than likely a fraction of the cost!! Now I just need to add a black belt, a pencil skirt and I've recreated the look with out spending a ton on one of the looks for this season.

 

 

I've added more darker fuchsias and mauves this season to my wardrobe, as you can see in the post, , and I just love those colors, especially for fall.

Ann Taylor and Loft both have those colors in right now and I can't get enough of them I love them so much, but I'm going to quit shopping for now so I can shop for something on Black Friday coming up.

 

Dress Up!

Dress up!!! While it may sound like extra work, in the long run its not. Dressing up sounds like it may take more time in the morning, pick out everything, and I mean everything. Everything from your outfit to what shoes, jewelry and makeup if you have to. You look more polished, put together, professional, if you have to wear a uniform at work. You’ll feel better about yourself, have more confidence, and it can improve your attitude and help you stand up straighter when you look your best by dressing up.

While it may sound sad, you'll get treated better at many places from the grocery store to Saks. If you think it sounds rude, think this way: If you were a saleswoman at Saks/Nordstrom/any upscale store, who would you go up to first: The woman in PJs and flip-flops or the woman in stylish blouse, slim black slacks and stilettoes.

 

If you still need a nudge to dress, think of it this way: You could run into your least favorite person from high school, like the popular girl from school or even your ex.  Because dressing up can show them you've moved on and you're doing well. Hopefully better than them.

 

Here are some pics for inspiration for dressing up, and you don't have to dress like you're going to a ball. Check out my posts from July  for more ideas. You just want to look your best!

 

 

                                           

In My Closet

So these last 2 weekends I've gone shopping for fall clothes. I've gotten some really nice stuff and pretty good deals. I got 2 pairs of pants, 2 skirts, and 4 tops. The pants will carry me through the cooler days of fall while the skirkts and 3 of my 4 tops will carry me through most to all of fall and winter. The other I can wear pretty much all year around. All the clothes I got goes with all the other clothes I already have, so basically I've updated my fall and winter clothes...for now and of course with Black Friday coming up in around 2 months, I'm good until then....

I really love shopping for fall, its my favorite season to shop for, more than spring and summer. I don't know what it is, but I just love it. The cooler days, lattes and hot chocolate, a warm fire, a good book, movie and magazine. Fall is just a really good season!

I got my clothes at www.AnnTaylor.com, www.Loft.com, and www.TheLimited.com.

 

September

Now that Labor Day weekend is drawing to a close, and the memories of summer fade away like a summer tan, its time we gear up and starting thinking about fall. I personally LOVE, LOVE, LOVE fall because of the new clothes that are still arriving in stores, the seasonal drinks at Starbucks, the seasonal candles, and of course, the cooler temps.

Fall officially begins on Sunday, September 22, but that hasn't stopped me from thinking about fall, especially with the September issues of my favorite fashion magazines, InStyle, Harper's Bazaar and Lucky to get ideas on what's in so then I know what I want to fill my closet with this season.

I love the beauty of a beautiful tree with bright red, orange, even purple and gold leaves. Its refreshing to see on a chilly, damp, gray day. Its nice to see those colors when the sky is gray from all the rain. Fall is just a really good time of year. 

Beautiful Beds

Since we spend a good part of our lives in bed, why not make it the most comfiest as possible. I like my bed to be welcoming and comfy as possible. I love my bedding. I've had for such a long time, even though every now and then I would like to change it, but when I look at it, I have some wonderful memories of my mom and I picking it out.

The foundation to a good bed is the mattress and box springs and then you build up by deciding on what size of bed you want from a twin to a California King.

Then after choosing what size of bed you want and can afford, get the best sheets you can afford. 500 count and above are the best. Macy's has the best 500 count sheets by Charter Club. They are on the pricy side, but so worth it.

Lastly, then comes the comforter and pillows galore!!! If you can't afford a new comforter/bed spread, why not make a duvet cover. Its usually cheaper than buying something totally new and you can have a one of a kind. You have better chance of having something no one else is going to have and its more your style and taste than what you'll find in stores.

I find the pictures below inspiring for my bed and I hope it inspires you as well.

Beautiful Vanities

One thing I enjoy looking at in both fashion, makeup and décor magazines are vanities. I like to see how they have been decorated and done up. Did they put family heirlooms and pictures on it or did they put different keepsakes and treasures they found while traveling. I keep some jewelry, a heart shaped box, a purple turtle lamp, and some perfume on my vanity.

 

 

 

Beautiful Closets



If you're going to have an amazing wardrobe, you should have a closet that follows suit. I believe a closet is the foundation to help build a nice, stylish wardrobe, like a certain outfit beckons for a new pair of shoes.

To me personally, a walk-in closet is a must. I have lots of beautiful clothes and I like to make my closet look like a nice small boutique. If you have to go in your closet every day to pick out clothes to get dressed, your closet should be well organized, clean and clutter free.

I live in an apartment, and thankfully I have a walk-in. My closet is big enough to hold a small shelf that displays my perfume, scarves and some hair magazines. Its also big enough to stash my ever growing collection of fashion magazines, as well as my shoes.