November Lookbooks: Zara

A few images from Zara's November 2010 lookbook, via Knight Cat

A Sunday in November

"It was November -- the month of crimson sunsets, parting birds, deep, sad hymns of the sea, passionate wind-songs in the pines." - L.M. Montgomery

Fall starts bold and bright in October, marked by crisp, orange leaves; glowing pumpkins; multi-colored gourds; and red apples. But as I walked outside this morning, I noticed that fall feels more mellow now. Most of those bright, orange leaves have fallen and faded to brown, while the trees that turn later have changed to shades of pale yellow and deep red.

It feels like the last breath of fall, and I'm enjoying every second of it.

(Image via Creature Comforts)

Cat's eye

Vogue Germany August 2010

Could Abbey Lee be any more gorgeous?

As Rachel Zoe would say.. I. Die. Oh, and did anyone else find her cameo on Gossip Girl this week absolutely hysterical? Literally, I died. It was so good. She was perfect.

(Via Knight Cat)

Harvest moons

I know it's technically November, but I'm still in a very pumpkin mood. Last night I spent an hour carving a pumpkin.

An hour.

I also made these pumpkin chocolate chip cookies. I got the recipe here, but instead of icing the cookies I added 2 cups of chocolate chips. They almost taste like tiny pumpkin muffins..

No really. They do. I'm not just trying to put the Muffins video in here.

A serious question though -- how did that video get over 15 million views?

Every autumn singes

The trees outside are telling me that it's fall.

The thermometer -- reaching a toasty 74 degrees today -- is laughing at me.

So, since I can't change the weather, I might as well try to bring some of that summertime campfire-feeling indoors.

Smores bar from Chocomize

Indoor DYI fire pit via Design*Sponge

Campfire candle from Terrain

Fall tailgating via Country Living

Quoth the raven, `Nevermore.'

Urban Outfitters

via Tish's Place

Nevermore Necklace, Anthropologie

Never grow up

Cold front

ASOS lookbook images via Studded Hearts.

I love all of these outfits, but I especially love the socks and tights with the heels. How perfect for fall!

Fall flicks

Sorry I've been a little MIA guys. It took a little bit to recoup from my weekend trip!
I'll try to get back into regular posting tonight. What am I doing now that's oh so important? Currently, I'm watching Twilight. It was cold and grey today, and it reminded me of Forks. So, off I went to find the Megavideo file....

(Does anyone else hate that video stores don't really exist anymore? When I spontaneously want to watch a movie that ISN'T on Netflix Instant, it's really infuriating.)

OK, back to Twilight. It's terrible. No, seriously. Robert Pattinson and his tousled, highlighted hair are the film's only saving graces. However, it still reminds me of fall, which means I'll continue to watch it.

But, maybe you aren't into vampires and awkward lip-biting (Kristen Stewart, I'm talking about you). That's cool. Here are some other great movies to get you in an autumn mood.

Chick Flicks:

1. Runaway Bride -- Who didn't want to get married outside, on horseback, in the fall after watching this?

2. Stepmom -- I love Julia Roberts, but Ed Harris is nice to look at too.

3. When Harry Met Sally -- The ultimate romantic comedy. I always come away wanting to wear oversized tweed jackets, mock turtlenecks, and loafers. Usually, I come to my senses and realize that's not a good look on anyone except Meg Ryan circa 1988. Usually...

4. Practical Magic -- My dear readers, let me tell you a story. Once, when I was younger (read: 13 or so) I watched this movie. By the end of it, I was in tears. It has a pretty uplifting ending, so why was I sobbing? I was upset that it ended. I was devastated that I didn't live a picturesque life in New England like Sandra Bullock. What can I say? I'm a dreamer. The point is this:  this movie was so good that I cried when it ended. You should watch it.

Halloween Movies:

1. Hocus Pocus -- This is just a classic. Bette Midler and SJP? And to reinforce my point...

2. Casper -- I'm going to be honest here. (The anonymity of the Internet does that.) I know everyone had a crush on Casper, but I had a crush on Stinky. Yes. The smelly, awkward, brother-ghost. There's no accounting for taste I guess. After some Googling, I now have a crush on his twin -- this dog.

3. Phoebe in Wonderland -- This isn't about Halloween, but there is a great scene where the two sisters go trick-or-treating. One dresses like Karl Marx. Beyond the Halloween connection, the movie in general is fantastic. It stars Elle Fanning, Dakota Fanning's younger sister. This girl can act.

Horror

No need for a run down of these movies. They're pretty standard. Halloween is a must-watch for me.  I'm also a huge Hitchcock fan, if you couldn't tell.

1. Halloween
2. The Birds
3. Psycho
4. Rear Window
5. The Strangers
6. Hide and Seek

Ok. I'm done. I'm not sure this post makes any sense, but here you are Internets. Have at it.

UPDATE: I forgot about Fly Away Home. Add that to the list!

Music for the day

It's cold and rainy out -- my favorite kind of weather. Chalk it up to living in Ithaca, NY for four years. As Garance recently pointed out, there's simply no drama in blue skies.

This morning I wanted to bury myself in a sweatshirt, drink my coffee, and light plenty of pumpkin-scented candles. Subsequently, I did just that.

Here's my playlist for the day. A little brooding, eerie, sad, and melancholy -- perfect for this gray afternoon.

(Picture of just such a morning by Stephanie from 3191 Miles Apart)


1. Almost Lover, A Fine Frenzy
2. Try Again, Keane
3. The Limit To Your Love, Feist
4. Run, Snow Patrol
5. Hear Me Out, Frou Frou
6. Closer, Lovers Electric
7. Bluebird, Paper Rival
8. Like A Song, Lenka
9. Transatlanticism, Death Cab for Cutie
10. Satellite Heart, Anya Marina
11. Cover What You Can, Copeland
12. Lover I Don't Have To Love, Bright Eyes
13. Shut Your Eyes, Snow Patrol
14. Such Great Heights, Iron & Wine
15. Carry This Picture, Dashboard Confessional
16. Little Lion Man, Mumford and Sons
17. On A Day Like Today, Keane
18. Girl With One Eye, Florence and the Machine
19. Brackett, WI, Bon Iver
20. Lightness, Death Cab for Cutie

Fall 2010 Trends #3, 4...8

I've already covered what I think are the top two trends of this season -- find them in this post -- but here are the other trends and pieces that you're sure to see plenty of.

Black, Cognac, Tan, Earmuffs

Watch, Necklace, Bracelet, Ring

Leopard, Sequins, Snakeskin, Fur

1, 2, 3, 4

Left, Center, Right

Indian summer

I know I've been talking about fall clothes and pumpkins, but this weather is not cooperating. The other day reached 80 degrees, so I let Ava go swimming.

Well, actually, she wanted Nemo -- her toy fish -- to go swimming, and in the process she fell in. So, like the cool aunt that I am, I went with it.

Is everywhere still this warm? My friends scattered after college -- Hawaii, Michigan, New York, Pennsylvania, India?! -- but, I hope they're all enjoying the weather wherever they are :)

Me? I'm packing for a weekend New York City trip. And eating pumpkin peeps. I don't even like peeps, but these things are just so freaking cute.

Snippets of fall

Pumpkin spice lattes...

Image via Starbucks

...knit blankets...

From West Elm

...oversized scarves...because inevitably, whenever I use the cozy blankets above, they make me think of cozy scarves...

From Anthropologie

...burning leaves...

From Terrain

...and fall movies.

Stepmom

Julia Roberts and Susan Sarandon?! You can't beat that.

The perfect boot

From Allsaints

To quote Forrest Gump, that's all I have to say about that.

Fall 2010 Trends #1 and #2

I'm always excited for fall clothes, but the trends these past few years haven't really inspired me. This year, however, I'm in love. Here's my two top trends. More to follow..

1. Utilitarian looks

Cargo pants, lace-up boots, military detailing, army green, and anoraks.

Anthropologie Simply Sketched Pant

via Pretty Mommy

Jeffrey Campbell Lace Up Wedge

JCrew Travel Bag

BulletGirl

Anthropologie Button Up

Cotton Field Anorak

2. Neutral colors

Look for chunky knits, jeans, cargo pants, and corduroys in shades of camel, tan, light gray, and white. Contrary to what you've always heard, you can wear white after labor day. Check out the (amazing) Allsaints fall lookbook if you don't believe me.

JCrew demin

Anthropologie pullover

Allsaints

Madewell cords

Falling temperatures, changing leaves, and empty wallets. Ah, it feels like fall.