What to Wear When Fall Feels Like Summer

Does it feel like fall where you live? Down here in the South, it definitely does not. We got that nice little tease at the beginning of October, and then it was right back to upper 80s and humidity. Even for us, it's been above average temperatures for this time of year. A cold front is moving through today, though, and next week is looking much more seasonable. I might even get to wear a sweater or two.

The question is how do you dress for fall without dying in the summer-like heat? The answer is actually pretty simple: it's all about the colors and textures. Instead of pairing your favorite skirt with a light-colored top, switch it out for something darker. Trade your denim shorts for boyfriend jeans, distressing optional. Swap out your sandals for sneakers, or booties if you can stand it.

Need some examples? Let's dive into our Real Outfit Roundup!

Sizing: I'm 5'2" and typically wear size 6 or medium in tops, size 6/8 in dresses, size 6 in pants/skirts, and size 7 in shoes.

This tank top doesn't scream fall, does it? I wore this on a really busy Monday, and by busy I mean work busy. It was one of those days where I was glad I set my afternoon alarm, otherwise I would have been late picking Alexis up from school. Anyway, while this pink and white striped tank top isn't what I would call a fall shirt, pairing it with distressed boyfriend jeans instead of a pair of shorts and then grounding the outfit with these neutral taupe sneakers makes it feel more seasonally appropriate. My tank is currently on sale for under $10 and comes in several other patterns/colors.

Outfit Details

Shirt: Old Navy (exact - wearing size M)

Jeans: Old Navy (exact - wearing size 6)

Shoes: Old Navy (exact - wearing size 7)

This dress is such a nice transitional piece. The olive stripe makes it feel more late summer early fall than Spring to me, and the thicker, almost rough material adds a nice fall texture. I haven't had a reason to wear these chunky heeled olive sandals this year, so I threw them on to run to the post office, and then immediately regretted it as my ankle was still healing. My dress is on clearance for under $25 and still available in all sizes (10/29). My sandals are the Universal Thread brand from Target if you want to look for them secondhand.

Outfit Details

Dress: Old Navy (exact - wearing size M)

Shoes: Target (old - similar)

This is going to sound so crazy, but two days later I had to go back to the post office, except this go 'round I went to a smaller one that's actually closer to my house, and I think it'll be where I go to actually mail things from here on out. Anyway, you've seen this skirt several times on the blog, but up until now I've been pairing it with lighter colors. To make it feel more fall appropriate, I paired it with an olive green t-shirt, which matched the leaves in the pattern nicely, and then grounded it all with my taupe sneakers.

Outfit Details

Shirt: Target (old - similar)

Skirt: Amazon (exact - wearing size M)

Shoes: Old Navy (exact - wearing size 7)

Fast forward to the next week. I really wasn't feeling it on Tuesday. I hadn't been sleeping well, had a bunch of work to finish for the upcoming November magazine, and a parent-teacher Zoom meeting. Of course, that was the day my hair decided not to cooperate at all, so ignore it. Anyway, this knit button-up shirt has become my go-to for when I want to look more put together but stay comfortable. I decided to keep everything kind of monochromatic and paired it with black skinny jeans and sneakers. It felt almost like athleisure, except with jeans, and I can see myself repeating this with joggers in the future.

Outfit Details

Shirt: Old Navy (exact - wearing size M)

Jeans: Old Navy (exact - wearing size 6)

Shoes: Walmart (exact - wearing size 7)

Speaking of joggers...the next day I was so freaking tired, and had a bunch of editing to do, as well as helping launch a sister magazine's website. It was one of those days where I started working as soon as I got home from dropping Alexis at school and worked right up to my alarm to go pick her up. Days like that call for comfort, so joggers and a soft t-shirt was the order of the day. I threw on my white denim jacket because I felt like my overall outfit was way too dark.

Outfit Details

Shirt: Old Navy (exact - wearing size M)

Jacket: Walmart (exact - wearing size M)

Joggers: Old Navy (exact - wearing size M)

Shoes: Walmart (exact - wearing size 7)

The next day, my to-do list was much lighter, and I was feeling all the fall vibes, so I cautiously pulled this orange skirt from my closet. I haven't worn it in awhile because of that recent health problem, but to my delight it fits again! I absolutely cannot remember where I got it from, and I cut the tag out a long time ago because it was scratchy, but it's several years old so I know it's not available anymore. Paired with a black-and-white striped t-shirt and black sneakers, it became the perfect fall outfit. I knotted my t-shirt because it didn't look good left untucked or tucked in.

Outfit Details

Shirt: JCPenney (old - similar)

Skirt: (old - similar)

Shoes: Walmart (exact - wearing size 7)

I'm kind of on the fence about this outfit, even though a lot of people told me how much they liked it when I posted it to Instagram and shared on my Facebook page. I know the coloring of the t-shirt works but I'm not sure if I really like the big feathers combined with the small floral print of the skirt. It's almost like there's too much negative space between the feathers and the skirt. I'm probably overthinking it. Anyway, I wore this on Monday and didn't go anywhere other than the after school pick-up line.

Outfit Details

Shirt: Aeropostale (old - similar)

Skirt: Amazon (exact - wearing size M)

Shoes: Old Navy (exact - wearing size 7)

I wore this on Tuesday. After running a couple of errands in the morning, I took my husband to his outpatient procedure and then proceeded to wait in my car for a couple of hours. I love layering simple t-shirts underneath slip dresses to give them a little more depth. Must be the 90s kid in me. If you're looking for some good basic t-shirts that don't cost a fortune, these ones by Amazon are really good.

Outfit Details

Dress: Shein (old - similar)

Tshirt: Amazon (exact - wearing size M)

Shoes: Old Navy (exact - wearing size 7)

The plaid dress is back on the blog, but this time instead of layering it over a white t-shirt, I layered it over a black one, and instead of combat boots I finished things out with black sneakers. This is actually what I wore yesterday. I had several errands to run, and it was really warm and humid ahead of the latest hurricane headed our way (that's why my hair looks like a lion's mane). My exact dress is sold out in most sizes online, but I linked to it anyway in case any come back in stock, plus a long-sleeved version.

Outfit Details

Dress: Target (exact, long-sleeves)

Shirt: Target (old - similar)

Shoes: Walmart (exact - wearing size 7)

That brings us to today! This actually wasn't my outfit choice for the day, but what I the shirt and jeans I had originally picked out just didn't vibe well together, and I'm actually thinking of exchanging the shirt for a different size. So I changed into this cow skull t-shirt, but didn't like it with the black jeans. I stripped them off and this utility skirt caught my eye. The color perfectly matches some of the shading in the flowers, and this outfit was born!

Outfit Details

Shirt: Aeropostale (old - similar)

Skirt: (old - similar)

Shoes: Walmart (exact - wearing size 7)

*This post contains some affiliate links.

How to Wear: Black Skate Shoes

If you had asked me a few years ago if sneakers would ever play a prominent role in my wardrobe, I probably would have laughed. Although I've owned a pair of Converse and plain white canvas sneakers for several years now, I've always been the girl who's going to pick a pair of wedge sandals or ankle boots nine times out of ten. It seems 2020 is the year of changes, though, as sneakers have played a more prominent role in my day-to-day for the past several months.

You might be wondering how a girl who prefers shoes that add an inch or two to her height suddenly end up on the sneaker train. Honestly, a lot of it had to do with the fact that we've been staying home so much more than usual the past several months (thanks, Covid). It just didn't make sense to parade around the house and yard in "fancy" shoes.

It was time to bite the bullet and add some sneakers to my closet. But you know me. Not just any old sneakers would satisfy my fashion-loving soul.

I started looking at other bloggers for ideas and fell in love with the classic black Vans, but let's be honest. Vans are super proud of their shoes, and without knowing if I would actually wear them all that much, I just couldn't justify spending that much money. I started getting ads for a knock-off version from Walmart by Time and Tru. I liked the look of them but wanted to actually see a pair in person before making a decision. A trip to Walmart was in order, and I walked out that day with this pair of sneakers (along with some other stuff because who can leave Walmart with just one thing?).

So let's talk about these sneakers. They are a low-top canvas sneaker with a one-inch rubber platform. They do lace up and have a semi-padded footbed. I've been wearing them almost non-stop since I bought them and have had no issues with rubbing. For a $15 sneaker, they're pretty comfortable. They're available in half sizes and wide width. I'm wearing my usual size 7.

These sneakers have been surprisingly easy for me to style, blending into my style choices pretty seamlessly. So here are six ways I've worn them since I got them.

Outfit Details

Shirt: JCPenney (old - similar)

Jacket: Old Navy (old - similar)

Pants: Goody's (old - similar)

Shoes: Walmart (exact - wearing size 7)

Outfit Details

Sweatshirt: Walmart (exact - wearing size M in wine fusion)

Jeans: JCPenney (old - similar)

Shoes: Walmart (exact - wearing size 7)

Outfit Details

Shirt: Target (exact - wearing size M)

Skirt: Old Navy (exact - wearing size M)

Shoes: Walmart (exact - wearing size 7)

Outfit Details

Shirt: Old Navy (exact - wearing size M)

Jeans: Old Navy (exact - wearing size 6)

Shoes: Walmart (exact - wearing size 7)

Outfit Details

Shirt - no longer available

Jeans: Old Navy (exact - wearing size 6)

Shoes: Walmart (exact - wearing size 7)

Outfit Details

Shirt: Old Navy (exact - wearing size M)

Jacket: Walmart (exact - wearing size M)

Joggers: Old Navy (exact - wearing size M)

Shoes: Walmart (exact - wearing size 7)

Alexis Reads: Kindle Unlimited Edition

Reading is part of every day for our family, even if it ends up being just a bedtime story. It's been awhile since we've added new books to Alexis's bookshelf, and we haven't been to our local library since it reopened, so we've been reading the same books over and over. Unnecessarily, I might add. For some reason I can't explain, I never thought to look for e-books. This past month we've expanded our reading into the world of Kindle Unlimited. Here are some of the books we've been reading.

Pete the Cat and the Missing Cupcakes - Pete and his friends make a dozen cupcakes for a party, but someone keeps taking them!

The Giving Tree - This children's classic teaches about feelings, selfishness and selflessness, caring and giving.

That Monster on the Block - When a clown moves into the monster neighborhood, Monster isn't happy and tries to convince his neighbors that the newcomer needs to move out.

The Bad Seed - Can a seed with a bad temper, bad manners, and a bad attitude, change his mind about himself and learn how to be happy?

The Cool Bean - One bean learns what it really means to be cool.

Tiny T. Rex and the Impossible Hug - Tiny's friend needs a hug, but Tiny's arms are too small, so the little T. Rex sets off on a mission to learn how to hug his larger friend. 

Harold and the Purple Crayon - One night, Harold goes for a walk, carrying only his big purple crayon. Harold uses the crayon to draw a world around himself, but soon he gets lost.

Pinkalicious and the Flower Fairy - When Pinkalicious and her brother, Peter, plant gardens, she's sure a flower fairy will come visit hers. After all, flower fairies love pink, and her garden is filled with it!

The Roll-Away Pumpkin - Marla Little's big pumpkin is rolling away! Can she and the townspeople they meet along the way catch it before it's gone?

Never Let a Unicorn Scribble - If you give a unicorn a crayon, what's the worst that could happen?

Silly Tilly - Tilly is the silliest goose you'll ever meet, but when her farmyard friends get tired of her silliness and ask her to stop, they realize the farm isn't as much fun anymore.

Mabel and the Sock Pirates - When pirates invade the farm to steal all the socks from their special sock trees, Mabel can't just sit back and do nothing.

What's the Worst That Could Happen? - This is a cute little story about self-confidence and friendship.

The House Takes a Vacation - When the Peterson family goes on vacation, their house decides they need a break, too.

Pumpkin Jack - Tim holds onto his first jack-o-lantern for as long as he can, but even after he discards it in a field, Jack's story continues.

Scribble Stones - When a little stone with big dreams ends up being used as a dull paperweight, he teams up with some scribbles to create something new.

Skeletons are Not Spooky! - This is a fun Halloween book that teaches all about bones.

Pete the Cat Goes Camping - Pete and his family go on a camping trip and try to find out if Big Foot is real.

The Witches Cat - Pepper doesn't fit in with the other cats and asks his witch to cast a friendship spell.

The Fat Cat Sat on the Mat - This fun rhyming book is about a witch's cat refusing to move off the rat's mat.

Mac and Cheese - Mac and Cheese are about as opposite as you can get, but that doesn't matter for true friends.

Mabel and the Cloud Dragon - It's just another normal day for Mabel the Cat until she finds all the farmer's sheep on top of the trees! Turns out, a dragon put them there because he thought they were clouds!

Monday Motivation

I don't think I could have found a more relative piece of motivation for myself this week. I am tired. I think most people are by this point in the year, and especially by this point of this year. 2020 has been so full of ups and downs, and we've still got two months left.

Last week was super busy work-wise. The end of the year is traditionally my slowest time in terms of ad sales, and the pandemic is throwing an extra monkey wrench in there for me. Not to mention all the uncertainty surrounding event planning. It's made what's normally my easiest guide of the year about three times more difficult.

Our weekend was nice and lazy. I didn't sleep well Friday night so Saturday felt like the longest day ever. Alexis and I watched a few Halloween movies and I reread a favorite book series. Sunday was much of the same, other than a quick trip to the pharmacy to pick up a refill. I found an old journal from back during my sophomore-junior years of college. Reading through it was entertaining. It's amazing how much you forget about as you get older! There was a good bit of angsty poetry written in those pages, as well, which resulted in a small spurt of poetic inspiration, and I picked up my most recent journal and added my first entry since this past May.

After a solid eight hours both Saturday and Sunday nights, I feel much better today. I still didn't want to get out of bed when my alarm went off, but I did pick back up walking after dropping Alexis off at school. My ankle finally feels like it's fully healed, but I'm not going to jump straight back into jogging just yet.

We're taking Alexis to see the Scarecrows in the Gardens at the DABG after school today. This year's theme is villains so I'm excited to see what everyone came up with. Speaking of school, it's Red Ribbon Week so Alexis will be dressing up for that all week long. We weren't notified of the daily themes until late last week so I've been scrambling to pull together appropriate clothing. Eighties day ended up with a last-minute Amazon Prime order that I hope doesn't get delayed.

Chris has an outpatient procedure tomorrow, so we'll be preoccupied with that pretty much all day. He works the rest of the week, and then Saturday, of course, is Halloween. We've got plans to carve a jack-o-lantern, make mummy hot dogs, and do some socially distanced trick-or-treating in our neighborhood.

Happy Monday, friends. I hope you have a wonderful week!

Dressy-Casual Fall Essentials for the Work-at-Home Mom

Working at home comes with its own set of rules about how to dress. For the most part, unless you have a meeting, be it face-to-face or via Zoom, you don't have to worry about what you look like. That said, I am a firm believer in dressing for success always. When I get up and get dressed, no matter what I decide to put on, I have a more productive day.

My typical daily style could be described as dressy-casual. I don't wear traditional heels much anymore, but most days I do prefer a little added height. Slacks really don't have a place in my closet anymore either, although I do still have them for special occasions. I tend to stick with jeans or twill pants, or on days where I'm feeling a comfier vibe I'll pull out a pair of joggers. I like to dress comfortably stylish, and nearly all of my outfits feature some type of print.

Now that our weather pattern is starting to show more signs of Fall, I've started drifting into that portion of my closet. We've only had a few days that were cool enough for a sweater or sweatshirt so far, but I have been getting to use some of my favorite layering pieces. Fall (which is pretty much what our winter amounts to compared to other parts of the country) is truly my favorite season to dress in, and today I wanted share my essentials for the season.

Sizing note: I'm 5'2" and wear size 6/8 or medium in tops and dresses, size 6 in pants and skirts, and size 7 in shoes.

*This post contains some affiliate links.

 

Not-So Basic Bottoms

I feel like skinny jeans are probably here to stay, especially during boot season, but I'm kind of over them, ya know? These days I find myself reaching for looser denim styles, like my fave boyfriend jeans from Old Navy, button-fly jeans, or even bootcut ones. For one thing, super skinny jeans aren't exactly the most comfortable jeans in the pile, are they? They definitely have a place in my closet, but I love that little bit of personality these other styles add to my outfit.

For something a little edgier, why not reach for some leather? I'm not much of a leggings girl, myself. That said, I bought a pair of faux leather leggings several years ago off a $5 rack to try and loved them. I wore them out, literally, and hadn't found a replacement pair at a price point I was comfortable with for a couple years. This year, though, I decided to invest in a pair of faux leather pants - you know, a pair with a button and zipper - and got this pair on sale from Express. I had to size up to a 10 because they run super small, so they're a smidge longer than I wanted but I feel like they're probably going to draw up a little bit.

 

Warm Tops

It goes without saying that comfy sweatshirts and cozy sweaters are Fall wardrobe essentials. I've really embraced sweatshirts this year. I'm not sure why I didn't own any before, to be honest, but I've added four to my closet so far. I love the casual vibe a sweatshirt gives off, and with the right cut, color and/or print, you can definitely pull off a look that's more athleisure than sloppy.

Considering how short our cold season is, it's kind of crazy how many sweaters I own, but in my defense I literally keep sweaters for years and years. I actually only recently started updating my sweater collection. Some of my basic, classic styles had finally reached the end of their days and needed replacing, and I wanted to add a few trendier ones like the color block one in the pic above and this pretty lantern sleeve one that I can't wait to wear.

   

Don't Forget Your Layers

Layers are an essential part of southern Fall outfits. Our fall (and even winter) consists of cooler mornings and evenings and midday temps that are sometimes in the mid-80s. Having removable layers is a must if you want to survive the still running air conditioner inside but don't want to suffer a heat stroke outside.

So let's start with your main ingredient: the top. My fall layering essentials consist of t-shirts, henleys, and tanks. Stripes are a classic layering item, and even though it feels like you see them on literally everyone these days, you need at least one striped t-shirt in your closet (I have at least five just in black and white). For skirts, I recommend this pretty button-front camisole from Amazon. I have it in the white and cream color, and wear them constantly.

Now to top it all off, add a jackets or cardigan. I rotate between my denim, suede, and leather jackets pretty much all year long, but I also have some basic and patterned blazers to rotate into the mix, and I'm really digging this fitted tweed jacket. If you want something a little cozier, opt for a cardigan. I'm a fan of the long duster-style knitted cardigans like this one (mine in the pic is old), and this chunky burgundy one is ridiculously soft.

 

Pop in a Pretty Print

When most people think of Fall prints, their mind's eye immediately pictures plaids. While I love a good plaid just as much as the next person, it is not the end-all be-all print of the season.

Leopard print has pretty much cemented itself as a year-round basic, but the season it lends itself most fluidly to, in my opinion at least, is the fall. You can go big and bold, like my sweatshirt above, or just throw in touches here and there with a belt or simple sneakers.

I've already said it once in this post: Stripes are another year-round staple you need to have in your closet. But who said anything about sticking with a basic black-and-white striped shirt? Mix things up with striped dresses, shirts, and skirts in bold fall colors. Take my dress pictured up above. The olive green and deep red mixed with the rougher texture of the fabric make this dress feel more like fall than spring.

I adore florals for fall (well, any season really). The easiest way to making them work in cooler months is to darken them up. You can do this by buying floral prints set on a dark background (like my purple floral dress, seen below) or layering them with traditional fall colors (like how I topped my ruffled skirt with an olive tee, also below).

 

Walk It Out

No outfit is complete without shoes. My ankle boots come out as soon as the calendar strikes September, even if that's still technically part of southern summer. I tend to wear ankle boots way more often than tall boots, mostly because it's rarely cold enough for their bulkier companions. As a result, I have about triple the amount of ankle boots to choose from as tall boots (of which I literally only have six pair compared to at least 20 booties).

This year I've really embraced sneakers. The beige pair in the photo above have become my neutral go-to now that the weather has cooled down some. I originally bought them for summer but they mesh with my fall clothes better. I also have a pair of leopard print, faded navy blue Converse, and black skate shoes.

Accessorize

I'm not big on accessories. I tend to wear the same jewelry all the time and it's almost always too hot for a scarf. But I wanted to include this category because I've fallen in love with knotted headbands and ponytail scarves. I'm pretty unaccomplished when it comes to fixing my hair, other than letting it do its own thing or using a straightener, but these are pretty solutions that don't require a lot of effort.

What are some of your favorite go-to fall clothes and/or shoes?

Five Things Making My Life Better this Month

Every month, I interview a local mom for my magazine with the goal of sharing her story and providing inspiration and insight for other parents. One of my go-to questions is about avoiding mom burnout, especially for working moms. Everyone has their own thing that they do to recharge and stay at their best, including me, but one of my life mottos is work smarter, not harder. If there is a way to simplify a task or make it more efficient, I am all about it.

I like to work efficiently and smoothly, and I really don't like wasting time. I hate menial tasks, regardless of whether they are vital, because they feel like they take up so much of my time that could be spent doing something more productive. Over the course of the pandemic I've come to realize just how much time I spend on those menial chores and have been working on ways to get more bang for my buck, so to speak.

My quest to make my life more efficient has really bled into all aspects of my day-to-day, and I've discovered a lot of new products, services, and routines that have made my life a little bit easier. Today, I'd like to share with you five things that have been making my life better this month (October 2020).

*This post contains affiliate links.

Makeup Brush Cleaner Sponge - I ordered this on a whim after seeing it on a list of things Amazon users swear by and was prepared to have wasted the whole $6 it costs, but lo and behold it actually works. It does not replace the need for periodic deep cleansing of your makeup brushes, but it does help keep stuff from gunking up. I use it to remove excess foundation, concealer, blush, and eye makeup. It's easy to wash and comes in a cute little storage tin.

No Slip No Show Socks - I'm the type of person who likes to wear socks with my tennis shoes, but my preferred style of sneakers is low cut which means most socks look stupid. These no slip no show socks were on that same Amazon list as the makeup remover sponge and had spectacular reviews, and they deserve all the stars. These socks are soft, don't awkwardly poke out the top of my sneakers, and STAY IN PLACE all day long.

Stainless Steel Hoops - I have extremely sensitive skin, which extends to my jewelry. I love matching my jewelry to my outfit, but the truth is most of the time I forget to change my earrings, and if they're cheap costume jewelry it almost always ends in an infection. These multi-sized stainless steel hoops have been a dream come true.

Waterless Dry Shampoo Foam - My hair is naturally wavy/curly, so I only wash it once or twice a week. In between washes, I use a variety of products to keep it looking nice, but by the third day it needs a little extra help. Dry shampoo aerosols and powders make me break out, it doesn't matter what brand it is, so I've always used baby powder but it's super heavy and makes my hair feel weird. I recently learned about this Waterless foam and haven't had any sensitivity issues.

Roomba - Remember how I talked about hating menial chores? Sweeping is definitely on that list. I loathe sweeping, but I also get anxiety when my floors are gross. I've been wanting a robot vacuum for years but couldn't afford it until this past Prime Day. Now, I'm the owner of my very own Roomba and I'm seriously wondering where this miracle worker has been all my life.

Monday Motivation

Happy Monday, friends! We had a really nice weekend here. The weather wasn't particularly fall-ish but it wasn't summer either. On Saturday we grilled and used our fire pit for the first time since we moved in three years ago (oops). We made s'mores and just hung out in the backyard as a family. Now, Alexis is spending a few days with grandparents during her Fall Break so my work schedule isn't completely thrown out of whack.

It's the last full week of the month, and if you've been a reader for awhile then you know that it's typically my busiest week. Thankfully, I was able to plan ahead and get most of my editorial content out of the way early, but we're doing a holiday event guide and in the current situation a lot of our annual events haven't been confirmed yet so this one is slower going than usual. I feel like I've gotten into a better rhythm with posting to the website, though, so hopefully that won't be as much of a hassle as before.

In other news, I've got a zoom meeting with Alexis's teacher this week. They recently did their assessment testing so I guess we'll be talking about those results. A teacher at her school tested positive for covid over the weekend, but it wasn't one of hers. I'm not sure how I feel about that, to be honest. All the classes are self-contained in one room. The art, music, and Spanish teacher all rotate rooms. The only time they leave is for P.E. or to go outside for recess. Obviously I'll be keeping an eye on Alexis, but I feel like the chances of her getting it are pretty slim in this situation.

My one-and-only Prime Day purchase arrived just in time for the weekend. After struggling with our WiFi connection, we finally got everything set up with the Roomba and got it set up on a schedule. For now we're limiting it to the main living areas three times a week, but once we get some better cord organization in the master bedroom and I get my office rearranged some we'll let it loose in those rooms. Alexis's room will probably stay off limits forever, ha.

I've spent more time than I planned on this post, and I need to get my work day started. A little later than usual but since I don't have to stop to do after school pick-up, I'm not really losing any time.

I hope everyone has a great week!

15 Favorite Amazon Buys

Have you checked out the Prime Day Deals on Amazon yet? If I'm being completely honest, this sale is so big it's a little overwhelming (kind of like the N-Sale). One of my favorite bloggers, Audrey at Putting Me Together, put together a helpful little how-to post for finding the best deals.

Of course, you need to be a Prime member to access these deals, but truly the benefits of being a Prime member extend beyond this particular sale. I've had my membership for years and have never regretted it. You can get 50% off a Prime membership by using this link.

Okay, so technically the sale started yesterday, but it's still going on today and there are still plenty of deals happening, not to mention the lightning deals that pop up throughout the day. I haven't spent a lot of time browsing through everything, but I did order myself a Roomba (I've wanted one for years) yesterday. That said, I wanted to share my favorite purchases ever from the site, some of which are included in the sale.

Boho Ruffled Skirt - This is such a good skirt, I have it in two colors. It comes in a ton of patterns, has a stretchy waist and cute ruffle details, and can be worn year-round.

Button Front Camisole - This is a great staple to add to your closet. It's easy to layer, works well with skirts or pants, and can be worn on its own. I own it in white and beige.

Lacy Bikini Briefs - I don't normally share intimate clothing with you guys, but these really are my favorite panties.

Button Up Vintage Dresses - These dresses straddle the line between dressy and casual. They're so easy to wear and never fail to make me feel pretty. I have the navy blue cherry print and white floral.

Slipper Boots - It wouldn't be an understatement for me to say that these may be my most-worn "shoes" of the year. In fact, I'm probably going to end up replacing them before the year ends.

Laptop Bag - This tote is great quality. It has a velcro strap to hold your laptop in place, as well as a zippered pocket so your keys don't get lost, loops for pens/pencils, and the perfect-sized pockets for your phone and sunglasses. It also can be zipped completely closed and is waterproof.

Blue Light Blocking Glasses - To be honest, I don't use these anymore but only because my prescription glasses have the blue light blocking in them. But this is a great pair, and I used them for over a year. They reduce eye strain and helped prevent tension headaches from a long day of work.

Makeup Brushes - I'm not gonna lie. I hate spending money on makeup, and a good quality set of brushes can be expensive, but I've been very happy with these ones.

Pimple Patches - I've talked about these on the blog before. They have been a life saver for my skin this year.

Fitness Tracker - This is truly something I never thought I would own, but since I've been trying to get my fitness back on track since my surgery this summer, this inexpensive fitness tracker has helped me hold myself accountable.

Memory Foam Pillow - We've had a memory foam mattress for eight years, but we just upgraded our pillows this year. This one in particular has a cooling layer built in, and even without the Prime Day deal it's affordable.

Rain Shower Head - We don't have a fancy shower, and the bathroom makeover we've talked about isn't happening anytime soon, but this shower head was a small upgrade that made my morning shower experience a thousand times better.

Bathtub Overflow Drain Cover - I've talked about this before, too. It literally takes my bubble baths to the next level.

Bookcase - This isn't a fancy bookcase by any means, but it was the perfect size for my small office. It's also surprisingly sturdy (mine is stuffed as full as it can be).

Round Rug - Is it crazy to get so much satisfaction from a rug? Because the level of happiness this rug brings me on a daily basis is a little crazy.

13 Books to Consider Reading in October

There are lots of things you can do to get into the spirit of the season. Watch a spooky movie, visit a pumpkin patch, or do some other fall activity. But if you're a bookworm like me, not much can replace immersing yourself in the words pressed between the pages of your favorite book. I'm not really one to limit myself to reading seasonally themed books in their respective seasons, but with how the days, weeks, months of this year have all bled together into a seemingly never-ending loop, I thought I would recommend some books to help get you in a fall or Halloween mood.

13 Books to Consider Reading in October

*Ghosts of Gotham - This is one of the best books I've read this year. Investigative journalist Lionel Page is hired to locate and authenticate a lost manuscript by Edgar Allan Poe that tells the story of a man who cannot die. As Lionel follows the story, it becomes clear that he's following something more powerful than logic. Ghosts and magic are real, and this is one story that Lionel can't debunk.

*The Haunting of H.G. Wells - After a reporter pens a tale of ghostly bowmen rising to the aid of British troops during WWI, author H.G. Wells is dispatched to the Front as a correspondent to further boost morale. While the tale of the bowmen may not be true, Wells finds himself in a land of ghouls, and the ghosts of those he saw die follow when he returns home, where he becomes embroiled in a plot to disable Great Britain from the inside out.

*The Girl in Cabin 13 - FBI agent Emma Griffin is sent to a small town to investigate a string of disappearances believed to be the work of an unidentified serial killer. On her first night in Feathered Nest, a dead body is left on Emma's front porch, and things don't slow down from there.

*Moriarty's Men series - This is a reimagining of Sherlock Holmes' arch-nemesis. Instead of James Moriarty, we have Jemma Moriarty, a brilliant young woman who escaped from a cult that worships a very real demonic race. On her quest to avenge her sister and take down the cult, Jemma has amassed a criminal empire and enlisted the help of the famous detective Sherlock Holmes, his assistant Dr. John Watson, and Scotland Yard inspector Garrett Lestrade.

*A Beautiful Poison - Three friends who were separated by circumstance are reunited as the people around them begin to die from various poisonings. As the trio work to solve the crimes, old secrets surface, and to make matters more complicated, a horrible outbreak of influenza strikes the city. This book kept me on my toes until the very end, and when the villain was finally revealed I almost didn't believe it.

*Harley Merlin series - I am currently reading book 7 of this 9-book series, and then it switches main characters and begins following one of the secondary characters (I haven't decided if I'll keep reading beyond book 9). Harley Merlin is a young magical born from a set of very powerful parents. Her aunt, who is responsible for the deaths of Harley's parents, is on a mission to become a goddess and take over the world. Harley and her band of misfit magicals are working to stop her.

*The Night Circus - Two young magicians are pitted against each other in a competition that's confined within a black-and-white circus that moves without notice and is only open at night. The two magicians fall in love, not knowing the competition will only end with one of their deaths.

*The Cousins O'Dwyer trilogy - This series focuses on three cousins - Iona, Connor, and Branna - living in the modern world who fulfill their ancestors' quest to rid the world of a great evil. Throughout the journey, each finds love and connects with the original three.

Circe - Circe is the daughter of the sun god, but she's not like the other gods, so she goes to live amongst the mortals of Earth. There, she discovers she is a powerful witch. When Zeus banishes her to a deserted island, Circe hones her craft and earns the wrath of both gods and men.

Drawer #7 - A woman with no name and a face she doesn't recognize fights her way to freedom with skills she didn't know she had. Then she meets Freddie and they start digging into who she is and the dangerous secrets she doesn't remember.

Sutton Place trilogy - Five hundred years after Queen Edith curses the ground her husband hunts on, Richard Weston is awarded the land and builds a manor house, but his family will soon pay the curse's price. Weston's son and heir, Francis, will be executed for a crime he did not commit - adultery with Anne Boleyn.

The Impossible Julian Strande duet - Alice is the new caretaker of Strande Estate, home to inexplicable noises, haunting legends, an amateur magician, and a ghost. Deep within the walls of the manor, a malevolent spirit has taken an interest in Alice. The author calls this a "villain romance," and although she guarantees a happily ever after, it may be a dark path.

The Night Crossing - This is a fictitious tale about Bran Stoker and the supernatural adventure that led to his creation of Dracula.

*Books I've read previously.

Monday Motivation

 

It's Monday once again. Is it just me or do the weekends just not last long enough? I went into the weekend with a pretty heft to-do list, all things that didn't get done during the week prior for various reasons. Ask me how much of that list got crossed off. Maybe one thing. This would be where I would insert the head smack emoji if I could.

I saw something on Facebook this morning about learning to love the mess, and I just really can't relate to that at all. Mess and clutter gives me anxiety. But no matter what I do, it always seems as if my house is in a state of disarray lately. I blame it on the pandemic. Everything has gotten so much more complicated, and if you're working from home it's really hard to find a part of the day that's not devoted to work-work or housework. Since work-work can't be ignored for long, I find myself skipping out on housework to get a moment to myself, whether it's to read a few chapters in a book or sit out on the back porch for a little while. So while that's great for helping me keep my cool, it's bad for the state of my home and leads to mess-related anxiety. I just can't find the balance!

Other than work, I have nothing on my calendar for this week, so hopefully I'll get caught up on the chores I let slide last week. I'm also still nursing a sore ankle and trying to keep my seasonal allergies from turning into something more, so my morning walk/jog has been downgraded to just a walk for the time being, which isn't hurting my feelings too terribly since it's decided to turn back into summer this week.

I don't have anything extra for you today, but I will have some fun content for you this week. Speaking of content, is there anything you'd like to see on the blog? Let me know in the comments!

8 Early Fall Outfits I Wore in Real Life

Man, it's been a week. I have been super busy and frustrated with some things. I tripped on the rug in my office on Wednesday afternoon and busted my, well, everything. So add that to my already stressed-out ankle and compound it all with this week being magazine distribution week, and I am completely beat, in every sense of the word.

We've had some pretty crazy temperature swings over the last week or so. We got our first taste of sweater weather and enjoyed some pleasant, humidity-free days but now we're back in the upper 80s that feels like it's in the 90s. The days it dipped down into the low 70s, I took full advantage and dived into my growing pile of new sweaters. It was probably a little premature on my part, but last year I barely had any opportunity to wear my sweaters.

Anyway, I don't usually do real outfit roundups so close together, but because I actually have several new things, I decided to post this one early! I hope these outfits give you some inspiration for when our next taste of cooler weather rolls around.

8 Early Fall Outfits I Wore in Real Life

Outfit Details

Sweater: Amazon (exact, wearing size M in burgundy)

Camisole: Amazon (exact, wearing size M)

Pants: Express (exact, wearing size 10)

Shoes: Walmart (similar)

Outfit Details

Sweatshirt: Walmart (exact, wearing size M in wine fusion)

Jeans: JCPenney (old - similar)

Shoes: Walmart (exact, wearing size 7)

Outfit Details

Shirt: JCPenney (old - similar)

Jacket: Old Navy (old - similar)

Pants: Goody's (old - similar)

Shoes: Walmart (exact, wearing size 7)

Outfit Details

Shirt: Kohl's (old)

Pants: Goody's (old - similar)

Shoes: Old Navy (exact, wearing size 7)

Outfit Details

Sweater: Amazon (exact, wearing size M in pink)

Jeans: JCPenney (old - similar)

Shoes: Old Navy (exact, wearing size 7)

Outfit Details

Shirt: Old Navy (exact, wearing size M in raspberry sorbet)

Sweater: Old Navy (exact, wearing size M in burgundy)

Skirt: Old Navy (exact, wearing size 8)

Boots: Old Navy (old - similar)

Outfit Details

Shirt: ShopStands (no longer available)

Jeans: Old Navy (exact, wearing size 6)

Shoes: Walmart (exact, wearing size 7)

Hair Tie: (exact)

Outfit Details

Shirt: Target (exact, wearing size M)

Skirt: Old Navy (exact, wearing size M)

Shoes: Walmart (exact, wearing size 7)