OUTFIT: Wine country casual

OUTFIT DETAILS:

Jacket: Old Navy (exact)
Top: via Marshall's (similar)
Skirt: Gramicci (similar)
Shoes: Michael Kors via eBay (similar)
Bag: vintage Dooney & Burke via eBay (similar)
Watch: Michael Kors via eBay (similar)
Earrings/Pendant: custom, borrowed from a family member (similar)
Necklace: via eBay (similar)

Our little wine country trip is finally here!  So excited to bike, stroll, shop, and yes, drink wine.  Since the temperatures will range from 50's to 90's, layers are key.  And I'm so glad to find another way to use my cargo jacket (some options for you below).  How to "fancy up" a casual outfit like this?  Accessories.  I chose my fanciest earrings and pendant (borrowed, of course...), a nice watch and classic bag.  Exchange those things for simple stud earrings, flats and a canvas tote (which I also packed), and you've got a completely different look.  Perfect for reworking a few times during a trip.

Enjoy your weekend, whether it's an early starting one, like mine, or a regular one!

OUTFIT: Emerald and flame

OUTFIT DETAILS:

Blazer: thrifted (similar)
Top: thrifted (very similar in limited sizing, similar-ish)
Skirt: J. Crew (exact skirt in current colors, similar color)
Shoes: Korkease via DSW (similar)
Bag: Ann Taylor, thrifted (similar)
Sunglasses: Ralph Lauren (exact)

Yesterday was a gorgeous day!  But I was having another one of those "ready for fall" moments while literally feeling like summer (it was so "hot" and sunny here in San Francisco that people walked around using umbrellas to shade themselves, so funny!).  Since I wanted to add a layer, but the thermometer would only allow a light one, I paired my summer tank with a linen blazer.  I'm not sure if it's officially allowed to wear linen for fall (there were mixed reviews when I googled "linen for fall okay?"), but it can be a realistic option when you want to dress for the season but the thermometer is not cooperating.

(Check In Style magazine for October 2015 for their comments on this green and red-orange color pairing -  it's legit baby!)

OUTFIT: Olive blush

OUTFIT DETAILS:

Jacket: Old Navy (exact style in different fabric, similar in olive)
Top: Forever 21 (similar)
Skirt: Paperwhite via Sierra Trading Company (similar)
Boots: Costume Internationale via ebay (similar)
Bag: vintage Dooney & Burke via ebay (similar)
Bracelet: Magnolia Farms store, Waco TX (similar)

I see lots of blush for fall this year, but it doesn't always feel like an obvious choice for fall.  Once I paired it with olive, however, I was hooked.  This is my new favorite fall combination, by far.  I can't wait to figure out a more casual version of this outfit, too.  I think this one is coming on our anniversary trip, too!  Except that it's supposed to be in the 90's....  So probably with cognac flats, not boots.

OUTFIT: Back to the bib (scarf, that is)

OUTFIT DETAILS:

Top: Gap (similar)
Scarf: thrifted (similar)
Skirt: Old Navy (similar)
Shoes: Cole Haan (exact) (reviewed this post)

Does anyone else remember wearing their scarves like this in the 80's?  Guess I'm dating myself....  But it is a great way to add a layer to an outfit without too much added heat (perfect for transition weather), and it works well for those oddly shaped larger square scarves that can be hard to style.  This particular silk beauty is one of my all-time favorite thrift shop buys.  It also comes with the memory of my one "mommy's day off" this summer, so it gives me that feeling every time I wear it.  Which is a bit of an unexpected bonus!

OUTFIT: Easy Fall transition

OUTFIT DETAILS:

Top: Madewell (similar, similar)
Skirt: Old Navy (similar)
Boots: Bussola (similar)
Bag: vintage Dooney and Burke via ebay (similar)
Watch: Nixon (exact)
Hat: Forever 21 - not online, but I just bought it in store this week so check there (similar)
Earrings: via ebay (similar)

Most of us are starting to crave our fall wardrobe items, while the calendar and temperatures still say summer.  An easy way to transition is to top off a summer outfit (simple top and pencil skirt) with a fall hat and finish it out with ankle boots. You might have worn this same outfit with sandals and perhaps a straw hat, but just switching out your summer accessories with fall ones makes it look new.  

It's also perfect for traveling when you're not sure whether you'll get cooler fall temperatures or warmer summer ones.  I'm starting to plan my packing for our anniversary trip (16 years!) in a few weeks and I'll think I'll bring a combination of summer to fall outfits with layering options (including both sandals and ankle boots, just in case) so I'll be ready for anything.  

PS Any tips on Napa vs. Sonoma?  And don't miss spots there?  We're just finalizing our trip details, so share anything you've got!

Fall trends: tassels, boho, olive green, cargo jacket

OUTFIT DETAILS:

Jacket: Old Navy (exact- now on sale, exact style in different fabric - also on sale) 
  This jacket (the same cut, but another color) was reviewed in this post.
Shirt: Forever 21 (similar)
Jeans: LOFT (similar)
Earrings: vintage (similar)
Bracelet: my grandmother's (similar)
Clutch: vintage Coach cross body with strap unclipped (similar)
Heels: LOFT (exact - on sale. These keep selling out (both in nude and black) but then get relisted, so keep an eye  on them if you like them - they are incredible!  I haven't been stalking them for weeks or anything... I find they run a 1/2 size large, if that helps you order.)

After I created this outfit, I decided to check what some of the fall trends are, to see if I just felt on trend, or actually had hit some of the major ones.  Here's what I found trending for fall 2015 (at least according to this site):

Colors:
70's colors: including burnt orange, brown and, yes, olive green.

Styles:
Cargo jackets.  This trend has been going strong for a while, and really, while it's a trend, is actually a classic.  So, if you don't already have one, why not check out the abundance of options while they're out there so you'll be set for many years to come?

Fringe.  Don't tassels pretty much fit into that?

Boho.  This has also been going strong a few seasons, but is also supposed to be hot for fall.

Some other trends that were mentioned that I'd love to try:

Capes. I have always wanted one of these.  Hashtag: wanna be superhero?  I don't know, but these can be so cute, and in San Francisco, might actually be wearable much of the year.

Fur Collars.  I already have several of these!  But I left them at home in Wisconsin in storage.  Bummer. In this climate I might actually have worn them this year...  Sigh.  Anyway, here's my tip if you're interested in trying this trend.  Find thrifted sweaters with fur collars and either button off the collar and use it on its own, if it's that type of collar, or cut the sweater off the collar and repurpose the collar.  If needed, sew a button closure or add ribbon ties.  Sometimes you can find old vintage coats with gorgeous fur collars just aching to be repurposed.  Go forth and repurpose, y'all.

OUTFIT: Trendy transition to fall

OUTFIT DETAILS:
First look:
Jacket: Old Navy (exact- now on sale, exact style in different fabric - also on sale) 
  This jacket (the same cut, but another color) was reviewed in this post.
Shirt: Forever 21 (similar)
Jeans: LOFT (similar)
Earrings: vintage (similar)
Bracelet: my grandmother's (similar)
Clutch: vintage Coach cross body with strap unclipped (similar)
Heels: LOFT (exact - on sale. These keep selling out (both in nude and black) but then get relisted, so keep an eye  on them if you like them - they are incredible!  I haven't been stalking them for weeks or anything... I find they run a 1/2 size large, if that helps you order.)

Second look:
Tote: Old Navy (exact)
Flats: Cole Haan via Nordstrom Rack (similar)

First, I must give credit for my knowledge of the existence of these gorgeous shoes and the idea to wear them with unzipped ankle zip jeans to this post at Alterations Needed.  After that it was stalk, almost buy, sold out, put in cart again, almost buy, sold out, put in cart again and finally buy.... You get the picture.  I'm tempted to get them in black also, since they are so gorgeous, but decided against it.  My goal in life right now is to own less, not more.  (Which meant that an older pair of my shoes got donated when these beauties came into my closet, but no regrets here!)

Anyway.  Isn't it fun finding fall-like ways to wear your summer tops?  This is an open-sleeve top in a really summery gauze fabric (showed in this post without a layer on top), but with this cargo jacket, it can be transitioned right into fall.  I showed two different looks - one perfect for a casual night out with heels and a clutch, and another daytime look with a large tote bag and flats.  It'd look great with ankle boots, too.

I can't wait to wear the look with heels during my anniversary trip to Sonoma Valley at the end of this month (or Napa, we haven't decided yet!).  3 nights sans kiddo in a non-walking environment?  Heels it is!  I may wear the daytime look tomorrow night to Back to School night at Gavin's school. 

In case you're in the market for similar items, here's some of each type: cargo jacket, tasseled shoes, and boho tops, all under $100 each: