Trench Coat for Autumn Rain

Target khaki trench coat // H&M pastel floral peplum top // Forever 21 tan lace pencil skirt //

Predictions for Payless black pumps // H&M croc print faux leather skinny belt //

Lancome red lipstick in Rouge Baroque // Target clear bubble umbrella //

Photography: Cassandra Morecroft King

For this month's Bloggers Do It Better challenge, our task is to showcase our winter coats. While I recently invested in a long North Face puffy-yet-sleek parka for practicality and preservation of fingers and toes, the fleeting fall days are a great transitional time for light jackets like a trench coat. These are surprisingly water repellant to block out the freezing rain.

This outfit was from an entire year ago (10/19/2012), when the foliage in my neighborhood was absolutely striking. The explosion of fiery colours in the canopy above, reflected on wet pavement - one of my favourite images of fall, with natural confetti decorating the ground. Clear bubble umbrellas always seemed like fun raingear to me and make walking around easier when you can see right through them. They even show your outfit better than traditional opaque "rain-pellants." I tied the belt behind the coat to show off my layers underneath and liked the juxtaposition of the soft pastel flowers and peplum that are usually associated with spring against the vibrant shades of red and gold in the glistening leaves on the ground. Pop on a bright red lipstick and voila, fall workday to date night look.

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A Little Rumi

Thrifted Forever 21 cashmere baseball sweatshirt // H&M A-line khaki green skirt //

Mossimo grey suede ankle boots // Gifted black leather crossbody purse //

Revlon Moondrops lipstick in Orange Flip + Revlon Colorburst lipstick in Soft Nude (underneath) //

Urban Outfitters gold midi rings // Rag-o-Rama tortoiseshell sunglasses //

Photography: self; tripod and remote

Besides eating and movie-watching, recently I've been crunch-timing at research to prepare for Lollapalooza in less than a week (!!!) Been experimenting with a different hair part lately to try to look older/something different than what I've been doing for the past decade. This relaxed weekender outfit reminds me of Rumi Neely. I threw on this soft cashmere-ish sweatshirt with the baseball tee design - perfect for cozying up on a drizzly summer Saturday. To balance out the loose tomboy top, I wore one of my favourite flare skirts for a fitted girly contrast. For an extra bright orange lip, I layered nude lipstick underneath. Recently, I've been drawn to dainty jewelry. These infinity/knotted midi rings from UO actually fit me like normal rings, so I'm terribly grateful for this trend. Ankle booties and a crossbody and out the door we go, towards Goodwill, local consignment shops, BBQ, Wolverine.

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Spotty Reception

H&M cropped mustard yellow sweater // H&M chambray button down (underneath) //

H&M black and white dotted pants // Target hot pink loafer flats w/ tassels //

Totes pink and yellow polka dot umbrella // 

Photography: JJ

Continuing my "blog-the-zillion-blue-folders-on-my-desktop" project, here is a fun outfit from fall fitting for a rainy mood like today's (10/12/12). This is my best antidote for the gloomy greys and soggy hair-frizzing atmosphere: wear the brightest colours and quirkiest prints in my wardrobe and a 100-watt smile. Start with my Dalmatian pants and polka dot umbrella, building the rest according to the colour scheme of hot pink and yellow.

What do rainy days make you crave? I like lying in bed listening to the pitter-patter against tin rain gutters, drifting between daydreaming and sleep. A delicious perfect cup of coffee brings a smile to my lips and I'll put on some indie playlist that I don't know the songs to and read until I'm tired of turning pages. Or I'll run around outside trying my luck in a storm. If the pros to being fun-sized include never being the tallest thing around to be struck by lightning and not having to worry about hitting your head on overlying branches or doorframes, I'll take it.

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Florals and Foliage | Fall Work Outfit

H&M pink ruffle blazer // H&M pastel floral peplum top //

Forever 21 taupe lace pencil skirt // Predictions for Payless low heel black pumps //
Lancome lipstick in Rouge Baroque //

Photography: Cassandra Morecroft King

My bff Cassandra is back in town visiting with creative spark and crazy ideas, like photoshooting in the cold and rain to capture the ephemeral beautiful forest of fall colours down my street. We ran around my neighborhood with 2 cameras, 1 tripod, 2 umbrellas, getting progressively more drenched and frozen while having a blast. This was outfit #2 and what I originally planned on wearing to work on Friday (10/19), but under my white coat the pink blazer and peplum all accumulated to being way too much. The next post will show how I modified this to be more work-appropriate and polished. You can  still be stylin' even when it's pouring (which is all the time in Ohio).

This weekend was a whirlwind of studying for my med block final, celebrating my childhood best friend's birthday at a swank downtown restaurant, dealing with things coming up randomly. Still trying to keep my cool with hazelnut Panera's coffee, spontaneous food outings, catching up with friends old and new. Enjoy your fall foliage! Best part of this season ... besides pumpkin patches, apple cider, cozying up in layers :)

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