Happy almost Fall! This time of year is full of gifting opportunities for my family. We have my wedding anniversary (plus my parents' and my brother's,) my birthday, my Mom's birthday AND my sister's birthday (tomorrow!) Christian's birthday is in the mix as well.

 

I have been featuring Aurate on the blog since 2018 and have yet to be disappointed in a purchase. I am definitely a fan for life. Whether your loved ones like classic diamond necklaces, bold necklaces, birthstone jewelry or simple rings, Aurate has you covered! They even offer different shipping options. If you're buying gifts you can request each item be packaged separately. If you're purchasing for yourself or want to be environmentally-friendly you can choose their Sustainable packaging, just a pouch to keep your pieces safe in transit.

 

I always have a hard time buying gifts for my Mom because she has everything she needs or wants. Jewelry is always a good choice - you can never have too many options! I've also gotten her fancy candles and random knick-knacks from Home Goods. One year my brother got her a pasta maker attachment just because he thought she would have fun with it. This year I went with adorable Mini Deco Triple Hoop Earrings (top left earrings in the photo below!)

 

Christian and I are celebrating our 3rd anniversary so, if we were going by traditional gifts, we would get each other something leather. Crystal is the "modern" third anniversary gift but I think leather is better. My parents celebrated their 39th anniversary earlier this month which means lace (or coral/ruby if you go in between 35 and 40 year gifts.) Christian and I don't generally do big gifts for our anniversaries but I think it would be fun/nostalgic to start going through the traditional gifts. Do you go by the traditional gifts for your anniversary or do you go with the flow?

 

In honor of our anniversary I got myself this vegan leather travel pouch for my Aurate jewelry. Now it will house all my gorgeous pieces for easy viewing and access, can't wait to fill it up with more! I chose the super pretty seafoam color but they also have green, terracotta and blush! They actually just introduced black and taupe earlier this week!

 

Sweater Dress: Miss Selfridge (Lord & Taylor)

Sandals: Ancient Greek Sandals 'Athanasia' in Croc (Moda Operandi) 

Bag: Dark Purple Chloé Faye 

Earrings: Aurate Gold Twist Huggie Earring 

Necklace: AURATE X KERRY: Lioness Pendant & old chain

I was a little crazy on our last day in Montreal and wore my heeled boots even though I knew we would be "hiking" up Mount Royal. But here's the thing, they're actually pretty comfortable and they have a grippy bottom which would help if there was slippery ground (which there was...plus some mud.) I was more bothered by the fact that I'm super out of shape and could barely breathe while walking up. The shoes weren't too bad, except when we decided to go off the paved path down a hill, that's dicey even in flat shoes, ha ha. But I survived and got one heck of a calf/thigh workout! Totally worth it.


I love the colors of this cropped sweater, they're so perfectly fall and go with pretty much everything in my closet so it's easy to layer. I actually found one on eBay if anyone is a size small!

Crop Top Sweater: Zara, Sweater Dress: Miss Selfridge (Lord & Taylor), Faux-Suede Leggings: H&M, Boots: Cordani (Roundabout),  Wedding Band: Sofia Zakia Altair Ring (Catbird), Engagement Ring: Custom Sofia Zakia Wandering Star Ring, Opal

Coat: DKNY (old), Hat: bought at Kensington Palace, Scarf: NOMA (now LOUMA)

This outfit is a little out there, but I still like it! Without the blazer it's slightly more normal but it was a very chilly day so I  decided to go monochromatic-ish with my layers. I can pretty much wear this dress with anything underneath. Previously I wore it with my Zara crop top and a black shirt.

I wore this for a little mid-week excursion with my parents to Kringle Candle in Bernadston, Massachusetts. While I technically played hooky for the day, I really didn't. I had my computer on hand so I could work in the car on the 2 hour drive if need be and I worked from about 3-8 once we got home. That's the good thing about freelance, I don't have to work 9-5, although I usually do. It's just nice to have some flexibility if I need/want to do something during the day.

Blazer: PBM Women's (Coco's $10 Sale),  Top: Altuzarra for Target, Sweater Dress: Miss Selfridge (Lord & Taylor), Necklace: Madewell, Boots: Miu Miu (Roundabout Resale), Bag: Dark Purple Chloé Faye (eBay), Sunglasses: Gucci (bought in Italy), Eyeglasses chain: Tinksky (Amazon)


The store is FULL of candles (and Christmas decor) but it doesn't smell like you've walked into a perfume shop full of smells. They also have a house-wear/Christmas/toy/food shop as well as a chocolate shop to enjoy!



We also stopped at The Farm Table, Kringle Candle's farm to table restaurant, for lunch. I had "The Lulu" a DELICIOUS flatbread with pickled onions, cured Italian meats, mozzarella and some oregano. My dad had the Thai Shrimp wrap and my mom went for a special - the squash & brussell sprout risotto.

I've found a way to wear this crop top without it looking like a crop top! Just put it under a dress! The fact that it's cropped also helps it not look bulky under dresses, why didn't I think of this before?! I could also wear it over longer shirts but have yet to find one that works. Grr! This is probably more of a Fall look considering the color scheme but I had wanted to wear this dress and the idea came to me so why wait?

And no, I'm not bare legged. I have on tights I got from Hanes a couple years ago that don't look as weird as some nude tights tend to. They make my legs look just a little bit tan and perfectly smooth. You can't even see the seams in these open toe booties.

Crop Top Sweater: Zara, Sweater Dress: Miss Selfridge (Lord & Taylor), Peep Toe Boots: Alexander Wang 'Freja' (The Outnet), Necklace: Madewell

Happy Halloween everyone!!!! I hope you all have more exciting plans than me. I'll just be having a Halloween movie marathon by myself. Casper, Hocus Pocus, Halloweentown, Teen Witch and more! Even though I'm not going out I put together a super quick pumpkin costume instead of sharing my Willy Wonka for the 3rd year, haha.

Tee: Everlane, Dress: Miss Selfridge (Lord & Taylor), Over-the-Knee Boots: Audrey Brooke 'Mirie' (DSW)