All Hallow's

Girl scout!

My roommate, Ari, as Blake from Workaholics.

My other roommate, Becca, as an adorable owl.

My friend Betsy as Uma Thurman's character in Pulp Fiction.

My friend Emma as Adam and Ari as Blake from Workaholics.

Ari, Emma, and my step sister Rachael. She's a cowgirl, but let's be real, she is one all the time anyways!

Shaggy (aka Patrick) and me :).

     I don't know a blogger that doesn't love Halloween. It's definitely a fashionably minded person's dream, getting to play dress up all day long. Our celebration of the holiday started a few weeks ago with putting up decorations around our apartment. We were preparing for last weekend, when we had a few friends over (costume required!) to celebrate. After a long weekend of traveling and a cross country race, coming back to see friends was exactly what I needed. Even if I did have to shower in my running clothes with Emma and Ari just to make sure we all got ready on time.

All that Jazz

Gold Jazz top, c/o Sugarlips. Denim button up, New York & Company. Black skinny jeans and zig zag print tote, American Eagle. Black loafers, Target. Leather belt, vintage. Black widow earrings, Two's Company via Dandy Lions. 

     I'm going to be frank. While I'm simple to please and am just as content to stroll about, looking at the leaves on the ground as I would be spending thousands of dollars on nice clothes, I'm a sucker for opulence. I enjoy the little luxuries in my life: hot chocolate with hazelnut, my favorite perfumes, cloth bound books, and vintage rugs. If something is glittery or shiny, I have to do a check to make sure I actually like it or if it's just the magpie instinct coming out in full force. 

     That being said, I couldn't resist this top from Sugarlips. Although shortly after I chose the top as this month's item I purchased this sequined dress from Forever 21, I am still just as thrilled with my decision. The way that sequins catch the light in photographs is something that I've never experienced. I've always loved the idea of mixing shiny things with more rugged fabrics like denim, but never had the chance until now. I guarantee that you'll see this top around many more times!

All That Glitters

Sequined cocktail dress and red patent belt, Forever 21. Faux leather jacket, LC by Lauren Conrad (similar here). Leather ballet flats, Land's End. Frame purse, Target. Tortoiseshell Wayfarers, Ray-Ban.

     I don't consider my life to be one of frivolity on many levels. I work hard in school, eat very simply (often too simply), only watch television once a week, and stick to a pretty solid schedule. However, when I laid eyes upon this dress, hanging alone in Forever 21, my impractical senses were tingling with attraction. There were no excuses needed to buy it. I had come in looking for nude tights and I came out with a perspective shifting, sparkly frock. 

     I'll admit that I am a magpie. While that might not be the most prudent way to go about building a wardrobe, it certainly is a lot of fun. This dress made me feel like a million bucks all day. It's not for wallflowers. If you wear a dress that literally reflects the light as you walk, then you're going to receive some attention. However, it will mostly be positive, reinforcing the notion to wear whatever you please. 

     I'm typing this post quite quickly before going to run in our conference championship race this weekend, but that doesn't mean the message isn't important. If that dress makes you feel great, wear it. If that boy makes you smile, text him. If you feel like you need to say something, say it. And while all that glitters might not be gold, I certainly felt 24-karat while sparkling all day.

Orange, Garnet, Float Forever

Burnt orange cardigan, Anthropologie. Burgundy lace dress, Free People. Oatmeal knee socks, Target. Flat studded boots, ModCloth. Woven leather belt, thrifted. Vintage Dooney & Bourke purse.

     The school spirit I'm showing by sporting Maryville College colors in this outfit is appropriate for the increase in my involvement this semester. Luckily, one of my favorite lace dresses from Free People (they seriously have the best selection ever) matches awesomely with my school colors. Like last year, I'm running for the cross country team. However, I'm also writing for the school paper and attending more school events than ever before. I'm incredibly proud to be a Scot, so showing my love for my school was no problem last weekend during the homecoming festivities. My roommate, Ari, was actually nominated as our sophomore representative for homecoming court and I couldn't be happier for her. 

     I'm also happy to feature more of the campus as a backdrop for some of my recent photo sessions. Having Patrick help me out means that I don't look quite as foolish as I would running back and forth from a tripod in a more highly populated area. We usually end up running into people we know while we are taking pictures and I sometimes wonder what they think about our frequent outings, camera in tow. But when it comes down to it, taking pictures is an activity that we both thoroughly enjoy. Not to mention that it is a great way of chronicling some of my favorite moments in our relationship. 

      Sophomore year has been a learning experience. I'm only in classes that are related to my majors and I'm doing more growing up than I did in all of last year combined. A giant hurdle that I've overcome this year is my inability to make professional phone calls. And by professional, I mean even calling in an order at a pizza place. But I digress. I am growing up. And I'm liking what I'm seeing. 

I've Fallen Like the Leaves

Merona cardigan from Target. Gingham button up, JCP. Bullhead super skinny jeans, Pac Sun. Suede McAlister boots, J. Crew. Thrifted leather belt. 

     Sometimes the simplest outfits make me feel the best. Perhaps I felt so good in this particular ensemble because I matched my boyfriend, Patrick, perfectly. Before we started dating, I always felt timid when I wanted to do "cutesy" things or wanted something that seemed too stereotypically "romantic". I seem to have found a good match because there is no short supply of these things in our relationship at present and I am thrilled. Often I find that when my social and academic lives are going particularly well, I let my blog slide a little bit. This year, because Patrick and I have such a good time going on little adventures and taking pictures, I feel as though my blog is actually improving. The support that I receive for my endeavors is incredible and I only want to keep getting better at what I do!

Could a tripod capture moments like these? I think not. 

House 404

Peter Pan collared lace blouse, gift from my mother. Navy and white striped skirt, Tommy Hilfiger. Leather boots and canvas/leather belt, thrifted. Vintage Dooney & Bourke purse. Rounded sunglasses, Target.

     Across from the charming Vienna Coffee House in Maryville, there is a sight to behold. A glance across the sleepy street reveals a row of some incredible houses. While Maryville was full of hustle and bustle in its heyday, it's no longer quite the city it used to be. There are plenty of hints into the past, such as house 404 and the buildings on my college campus. Does the gleaming past hold the key to any future potential for this little town? I hear of new, exciting things happening nearby every week. I'm certainly not complaining about the historical aspect of Maryville, though, because I got the chance to poke about this beautiful, if decrepit, house. 

     Things that show the wear of time but are no longer inhabited by people seem to capture the human imagination like nothing else can. My ideal afternoon consists of finding as many abandoned buildings as I can, a feat I've attempted a few different times. While I'm not quite sure if this is the "norm" (especially considering my penchant for doing so in elaborate outfits), I will always cherish the places that I find as a testament to memories: both mine and those who inhabited the spaces before me.