Wonderlust

We just got our first taste of winter weather this past weekend, and it's making me want all things warm and cozy. 

{Knit}

The Arctic Wrap from Purl Soho's Blog is gorgeous. I need to get over my fear of colorwork.

{Crochet}

I love the look of this patchwork blanket. It's so simple and cozy. I 'm adding this to my to-make list for winter. 

{Style}
The leather elbow patches on Carly's sweater hooked me, but then the bow in the back! I love this cozy casual look from The College Prepster.

{Home}

I want to curl up under the Temple Bells throw and read a book all day. Pom poms instantly make things cozier. 

Date Night: Autumn Leaves

Warm cider and a walk through the autumn leaves as the sun goes down. Sounds perfect! Of course, the weather was quite cold and gloomy over the past few days, but tomorrows forecast is sunny and almost 70. Perfect walk weather.

1. Dress by Ruche

2. Scarf by Ruche

3. Tights by Modcloth

4. Boots by Modcloth

Wonderlust

{Make}

This gorgeous glitter garland is a great way to add just a bit of sparkle to your Thanksgiving  decor. 

{Bake}

These Cheesecake Stuffed Apples look incredibly delicious. Apples are fruit, so its guilt-free, right? 

{Wear}

I love the feminine silhouette of this coat matched with the militaristic buttons and color... Plus, wooden buttons. I'm a sucker for wooden buttons. I just imagine it with a plaid infinity scarf and brown boots. Leave Jumping Perfection. 

{Inspire}

I love this quote about fall. It pretty much sums up that perfect autumn day. (And it's a free printable!) 

Happy Halloween!

 Have a safe and happy Halloween, filled with lots of treats! 

Now... what to watch to get in the trick or treat mood? 

Last-Minute DIY Halloween Costume: Rosie the Riveter

This week I'm going to share a few ideas for last-minute costumes that include pieces already in your closet. I'm not one for buying a ready-made costume, so if I can put one together from what I already have, why not? It gives my closet purpose and saves me money! 

This costume is one that makes use of the wonderful trend over the past few years to make the chambray shirt a closet staple. I also have an interest in vintage posters and advertisements, so Rosie came to mind quickly. This costume leans heavily on the J.Howard Miller "We can do it!" poster, and also takes a bit from the "Rosie the Riveter" magazine cover by Norman Rockwell (mostly the socks and loafers). 

Click here to see it on Polyvore

1. Shirt from Modcloth

2. Jeans from Ruche

3. Headwrap from LuluGoesRockabilly

4. Socks from Forever 21

5. Shoes from Modcloth

To complete your costume, try this Rockabilly Rosie hair tutorial from The Freckled Fox, cuff the jeans, throw on some red lipstick and you're good to go! 

Last-Minute DIY Halloween Costume: I Love Lucy

This week I'm going to share a few ideas for last-minute costumes that include pieces already in your closet. I'm not one for buying a ready-made costume, so if I can put one together from what I already have, why not? It gives my closet purpose and saves me money! 

This costume comes from a time when watching TV after 9pm meant Nick at Nite or not much else. It's pretty simple, provided you own a polka dot dress or skirt and some bright red lipstick. 

Click here to see on Polyvore

1. Dress from Modcloth

2. Lipstick from Sephora

3. Necklace from Accessorize

4. Heels from Modcloth

To complete your costume, try this tutorial for retro-style easy faux bangs from The Freckled Fox. 

Handmade Fall: October 2014 Etsy Wishlist

I have a pumpkin spice wax melt going, a hot cup of cider, and I'm about to sit down and watch Hocus Pocus. I love this season! I know a lot of the focus is on Halloween, but I wanted to focus on decor that can stay up for all of October AND November. 

Hanging Bubble Candle Holders by Sparkle Soiree

I want to hang these all over my living room.... with flameless candles of course. 

I'm pretty clumsy. Let's not tempt fate. 

Fall Subway Art Pillow by Festive Home Decor

I am a huge sucker for subway art. Plus it has all of my favorite fall things! 

Gold Maple Leaf Hair Pin by Luxe Buffalo

I have no words. I just want this in my possession ASAP. 

I'll wear it everyday, I promise. 

Please and thank you. 

Maple Leaf Stamp by Japanese Rubber Stamps

Maple leaves on everything!

Mini Book Pumpkins by HBixby Artworks

I would totally try this as a DIY but I could never willingly cut into a book. Even one I hate. 

I'd probably cry. So I'll let these guys do it for me! 

Birch Log Pillows by Plantillo

Ok, hear me out. I don't have a fireplace, which is a bit of a fall requirement. 

So I'm thinking a few of these piled on a chair with a snuggly orange knit blanket to bring that cozy fireside cheer to my rather cramped 1-bedroom apartment. 

Currently Crafting

Lots of new projects going on!

Going out: Farmer's Market

M and I go to the Farmer's Market most weekends. We don't buy much, but it is one of the best places to people-watch. And if I get there early enough and it's been raining, I usually buy a yummy gluten-free Steak and Egg pie from a wonderful man from New Zealand. However if I decide to sleep in or the weather is just marvelous, he's usually sold out by the time I get there. Either way, walking around the Farmer's Market with my morning coffee is a cozy and relaxing date to start the weekend.

See it here on Polyvore

1. Jacket by Ruche

2. Scarf by Modcloth

3. Pants by Modcloth

4. Shirt by Modcloth

5. Boots by Urban Outfitters

Top 5 Halloween DIYs

M and I were able to go to Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party this year, and it really kick-started our need to decorate for Halloween this year. We've been slowly adding more decorations, but we prefer to make decorations instead of purchase them. I've been going nuts over on Pinterest looking for simple and quick ways to add handmade Halloween touches to our home, and I thought I'd share my favorites from around the web.

1. Halloween Marquee Letters from LollyJane

2. Candy Corn Wine Bottles from Brit+Co

3. Spiderweb Centerpiece from CrazyLittleProjects

4. Autumn Hurricane Vases by Amanda Jane Brown

(I especially like that I can leave this one out until Thanksgiving!) 

5. Paper Pumpkins by Meaningful Mama

I may re-do this one to make some amazing Christmas Decorations as well!

Jack-o-Lantern Coffee Cozy Tutorial

  'Tis the season for hot cider and pumpkin spice lattes! To add some extra Halloween cheer to my coffee, I whipped up this Jack-o-Lantern Cozy. It's a pretty fast project, able to be completed in a Netflix marathon.

Materials:

- Worsted Weight Yarn (I used Vanna's Choice)

- Size 5 DPNs 

- Small bits of black felt

Cup Sleeve:

Cast on 40 stitches and join, ensuring the stitches did not get twisted. 

*K7, P1* 5 times around

Repeat until the sleeve measures about 3 inches high, then bind off. This was about 18 rows for me. Sew in ends. 

Jack-o-lantern Face:
Cut two small triangles (about 1/2 inch high) and the mouth of your choice out of felt.

In one of the flat stockinette sections pin your felt pieces into place, then hand-sew them to the knitted cloth using a running stitch. This allows the knit to still stretch, but not completely pull the felt out of whack.

Place your favorite fall beverage into the sleeve and enjoy! 

Recipe: Pumpkin Spice Fruit Dip

I know its cliche, but as soon as the calendar turns to September my thoughts immediately turn to all things fall, and yes, that includes everything pumpkin. If it has the words "pumpkin" and "spice" in it, chances are that I will try it no matter what. That also holds true for anything with "apple" and "cinnamon," by the way.

I made a basic marshmallow fruit dip a while ago for a "ladyfest" get-together with my neighbors, and I loved it so much I thought I could easily adapt it for various seasons. My first adaptation is pumpkin spice, which when paired with some apple slices is a perfect after-dinner treat on a blustery fall day.

Ingredients:
- 7 oz container of marshmallow fluff
- 8 oz container of Cool Whip (make sure you leave it out for a while, it's easier when it's room-temperature)
- 1/3 cup pumpkin (feel free to add more to taste. M isn't a huge pumpkin fan, so I kept it pretty light)
- 1 tsp pumpkin pie spice

1. First, mix together the marshmallow fluff and the cool whip until smooth. It's much easier to mix if the cool whip is nowhere near frozen, as I found out the hard way. (Hence the reason there is no picture for this step!)

2. Mix the pumpkin into the marshmallow/cool whip concoction.

3. Add the pumpkin pie spice and mix well.

4. Slice up an apple and serve!

Date Night: Happy Halloween

I love adding just a little spookiness to my outfits in October. Here's my Halloween-inspired ensemble!

See it here on Polyvore

1. Purse: Asos

2. Heels: Modcloth

3. Dress: Ruche

4. Tights: Asos

5. Tights: Modcloth

I can't decide which pair of stockings I like more with this outfit. The Jack o'Lantern tights are super cute, and the bat thigh-tattoo tights add a bit of sexy. Decisions, decisions! 

Currently Crafting

Currently working on some autumn themed knitting and enjoying my pumpkin spice candle! I love fall. Took a long walk with a hot cinnamon-spiced coffee, a cozy plaid scarf, and my tall boots. Autumn perfection. 

Hopefully you'll be seeing more of this project soon!

Date Night: Be my Valentine

I should start by saying M and I do not do typical valentines day. We try to make the day about us as a couple, and who we are and what we mean to each other. We don't like the idea of big gifts or fancy dinner reservations "because it's what you do on Valentine's Day." We try to make it about doing something new or special to us. Last year that was ordering take-out sushi from our favorite restaurant and having a Disney movie marathon in pajamas.

{source}

Don't get me wrong, I LOVE Valentine's Day. I love the hearts everywhere. I usually wear an outfit with about 3 different shades of pink. I love the crafts and little notes to tell friends you're thinking of them. I love the Valentine's Day we used to have in Elementary School, where it's not about dates and spending tons of money, but about friends and crafts and candy. I'll post more on that part of Valentine's Day soon.

But for now, if we do go on an outing this year here is some inspiration.

1. Dress- Modcloth
2. Clutch- Modcloth
3. Necklace- Moorea Seal
4. Shoes- Modcloth

Currently Craving: Totes

I'm in my last semester of grad school. About half of my classes have been online and half have been on campus. Until now, I've been carrying my books to and from class in a World Market Reusable Shopping bag. I'm well aware this does not scream "working professional," and I know for a fact it doesn't even hint at "stylish adult."

While I might be almost finished my degree, I'm pretty sure I will need a stylish looking bag to tote important items around in the future (ahem), so here's my current roundup of possible replacements.

The Kent Reversible Tote from Francesca's. Professional and classy, but not too stuffy. It doesn't zipper, which is usually a requirement for me, but it does come with a zippered pouch, so I may make an exception.

The Rochester Studded Tote, again from Francesca's. I love that this gives a little bit of edge and it has a really cute lining, plus it zippers, PLUS it also comes with a removable pouch AND a wristlet.

The Camp Director Tote from Modcloth in Day Camp. This has sat on my wishlist for half a year. It might be time.

The Ottowa Jersey Backpack, also from Francesca's. I wasn't looking for a backpack, but my mouse kept clicking on this one, so I thought I'd add it to the list.

The Posy Potpourri Backpack from Modcloth. Again, I couldn't help myself. Oh well, a backpack would be useful when M and I go to Disney World this summer.

January 2014: Moments

My favorite memories of each month. I often feel like there are moments I know I don't want to forget, but then life happens and they slip by. This is my way of remembering the little moments of each month (and maybe some big moments, too).

1. Going to see Frozen for the 2nd time, and listening to the little boy next to us retell the whole movie to his mom during the end credits. It was the most adorable thing. 

2. Spur of the moment dates at our favorite pho restaurant (2 this month!). 

3. Snowy days spent in PJs.

4. Making our reservations for dinner at the Be Our Guest Restaurant for when we go to DisneyWorld in June. It's finally real. 

5. Purchasing Teddy, and going forward with our plans to make our house a home.

6. Card games and hot cocoa with our neighbors. 

7. Thrift shopping with my parents and hanging out with my dog (who lives with them). 

8. Wearing my new red boots from Modcloth. It's amazing how happy looking down at the bright pop of color on my feet could make me. 

Etsy Window Shopping: Craft Space

We live in a 1 bedroom apartment. By "craft space" I really mean "corner of living room I keep my junk in."
But a girl can dream, can't she?

One day I'll have a beautiful craft room, with white walls, lots of light, and perfect organization.

Right.

For now, though, I can look to decorate my corner with items that give me a touch of inspiration.

I love this pyramid garland from the Society of National Industry. 

I always need to be reminded of this. Live Simply print from Awake and Away. 

These birds are perfect. From BeautiSHE.

A wonderful Jane Austen quote from Lit101.

Another gorgeous garland from EverlyLaneDesign. 

Glass Bottle Vases from Pineknobs and Crickets.