Category: autumn

Monday Treat: Pumpkin Spice Mocha

I was really on a kick making those pumpkin lattes in September when the PSL craze always hits. 
Then October came around and I got tired of them. 
But last week my grandma ordered the Pumpkin Spice Mocha and was raving about it, I thought to myself:
Adding chocolate to Pumpkin Spice?
Brilliant. Inspired. Invigorating.
So this lazy Sunday afternoon, my mom and grandma came over and we made these Pumpkin Spice Mochas and chatted about poetry. I’m not sure I can think of a better way to spend a Sunday. 
And now I’m back on the PSM kick. That’s a Pumpkin Spice Mocha kick, in case you didn’t catch that.
Goodness, it’s delicious. 
Grandma said it was every bit as good as the real coffee shop version, and my very picky coffee-savvy mom agreed that it was exceptionally delicious. Me? Well I was too busy drinking mine in a moment of bliss that I didn’t say anything. 

You must make sure you serve these hot.
Enjoy on a snowy November morning or afternoon…like today!

Monday Remedy

I’ve got a bad case of Monday Malaise. Which I just made up, but it’s real. 
In case you’re with me, here is the remedy:
Solange’s new single is just the right vibe for a day like today… 
{thanks refinery29}
Combine with delicious Starbucks Salted Caramel Hot Chocolate (the make-at-home version): 
Add a walk in the crunchy leaves:
And voila! Feeling a bit better.
Now it’s time to settle in with a Monday night movie. 
Here’s to Tuesday!

New Girl

This is what I wore to my first Sunday at a new church.
I was so nervous! Now isn’t that silly?

I know, I know. Ridiculous.

But being the new girl is so hard!
{so I figured I’d better channel my inner “Jess” from New Girl with her short pleated dresses}


Polka-dot tights & gold flats with velvet bows.
Also, like, this new girl is gonna be a mega super-star, Adele-style. Girl be talented.
She’s only 16 but so talented and I am in love with her music and style.
And her dresses!!! 
   
 Also check our her Cher’s Believe and Midnight Train to Georgia.
Ok I’ll stop fan girl-ing now. 
I have enough on my plate being the new girl. 

Textures

This outfit is jam-packed with texture. A metal necklace, a silk shirt, a cotton scarf, a tweed jacket, corduroys, and suede wedges.

I’ve been thinking today how God sometimes takes things from us for a season. 
Our God who gives and takes.
Do you know what I mean?

Sometimes God says, “Here, you know what? We’re going to take this thing and put it on the shelf for a bit. Let’s focus on something else for a little while.” 
This feels so scary. It feels very unsettling. 
But the cool thing is, our God is a detail-oriented God. 
And oftentimes, He takes things we thought got shelved, and He works them back into our lives in the coolest ways.
You know, He works them together like mixing different textures. It may sound silly, but its true…He puts together our lives with the finesse of a God who cares about the details. A God who cares about the beautiful big picture.
Oh I just love that.

Bittersweet

My dear church family threw me a party with the theme of Bittersweet. You know? The beautiful fall vine/berry that is red and orange? I’ve always loved it. 
Photo by Chelsea of Frolic Blog from Here
And of course a “Bittersweet” theme is just perfect for a farewell party this time of year. They had orange tablecloths, vases full of bittersweet, and the most beautifully decorated cake with Bittersweet piped on. So pretty! I was totally a crying mess.
Cake decorating skillz by one of my favorite people from church!

Hmmm…

My cousin had this darling polka-dot dress and I just had to ask her if she’d mind if I got one! Isn’t it the cutest!? 

Of course, I had to have the party earrings—the bling, if you will, to kick this outfit up a notch.
It’s hard to leave such precious friendship.
But everyone has really sent me off with a lot of love (and photographs, handmade presents, little travel things, chocolates, and more) to carry me forward.
Bittersweet, indeed.

I Have No Words for A Title

Legit talking to my neighbor.
Blazer collar legit popped.

Overeager camera face.

Slightly more normal.

See the color flecks in the blazer? Love.
I’ve been so busy lately preparing for my move and working on a few other projects. 
I cleared my desk at work today. 
Just a phone, box of tissues, message book, and stapler remained and I packed up my favorite mug, my bowl of chocolates, my robin’s egg blue desk accessories. 
I think I’ve gone and packed up all of my words tonight, too, because I can’t find many.
{see: post title}

Ugglebo Clogs for Autumn

What says Autumn more than….
Tights! Sweaters!
Mustard yellow!
Burgundy! Tights!
Hmmm…what else?


Vintage tote bags with a bird pattern?
Yes.
Am I missing something?
OH! YES! Clogs!
These beautiful handmade-in-Sweden clogs are beautiful heirloom pieces. The quality is outstanding. The leather is gorgeous and soft, the wood is solid, the construction is old-fashioned, handmade, generations-worthy, well-done work. They have been made the same way in the same little Swedish factory since 1965. I love the way these “rock” when I walk. See that pretty cut of the wood where it meets the sole? Gorgeous. Ugglebo means “Owls Nest” in Swedish, hence their adorable owl logo.
My one sadness when it comes to Ugglebo clogs is that they run extremely narrow. I had originally picked out these stunning babies: 
You can see the beautiful that eggplant color of  the “Berry” Lisbon clogs. I very dearly wanted to keep them but they were simply too narrow. I just had to send them back in favor of the Etnas you see above, and I sized up. Unfortunately, that means my Etnas are about 1/2 size too big to fit the width of my (pretty-average) foot. The super wonderful customer service representative assured me they were working hard to get their sizing appropriate so we can all wear all of their beautiful clogs. Until then, I figure I’ll be wearing socks inside them soon enough 🙂
Above image courtesy Ugglebo clogs
Friends, if you need some great-looking, comfortable, beautiful clogs for fall and winter, I highly recommend Ugglebo! I have several pairs of Swedish clogs, and these are incredibly beautiful and feel more “solid” that my others. Not only that, but the customer service is unparalleled (especially compared with a more well-known Swedish company based in Sweden with a rather distasteful slogan).
Thank you, Ugglebo!

Disclaimer: Ugglebo sent me these clogs free of charge for review, and the words, pictures & opinions are my own. The links are not affiliate links. Thanks, Ugglebo!

Rainy Day Outfits

Hey guys!
It’s been raining.

I’ve had a cold.
I packed a few boxes, watched a few seasons of The Office, took some Nyquil. I like to think of this week as, “Getting my money’s worth out of Netflix”-week.
Things have been reaaaaaaaaaalllllllyyyyy exciting over here.
So I’m just sharing some old news—a few outfits I haven’t gotten around to sharing lately.
Oh wait! I do have new news to share!
The always-lovely Patti K. won the Dayspring cards in the random drawing!
YAY!
I know Patti will put these to good use encouraging 🙂
Have a great rest of the week everyone!

Friday Goodies {Giveaway!}

Oh I love a good late-summer, early-Autumn weekend.
The weather! The clothes! The golden sunlight!
I have discovered my new favorite Indian summer drink, friends. 
 MAPLE ITALIAN CREAM SODA
 Amazingly delicious. Just use a shot glass full of maple syrup (~1 1/2 oz.) and half a shot glass of half-and-half (~3/4 oz.), lots of ice, and fill with sparkling water. Stir really well, and enjoy! 
{add whipped cream if you’re feeling indulgent}

I found it amusing to see this “Tousled Topknot” in Seventeen’s September issue.
And since it’s the weekend, it’s totally time for a pretty treat…
Flowers + GF treat + Gorgeous Gifted Cakestand. Feelin’ so loved! <3
I GET TO GIVE A PACK TO ONE OF YOU! 
I’m so excited, because I know you will be excited to win these cards.
Just leave me a comment and I will enter you into the random drawing!
{U.S. only, sorry. entry closes Monday at midnight. If you comment using a Mobile device, it won’t show up here but I’ll still see it! Technical difficulties…}
Thanks, Dayspring!
Have a great weekend, friends!