I'm not really a huge Halloween person. Apart from the candy and the Halloween movies (non-scary ones) I don't partake in much. I haven't dressed up since college (where I was Hermione every year), but this year I'm going to dress up for work, although no one will really know I'm in costume.  You'll see it when I post it on Thursday! But I decided to have Halloween Week on the blog and post all things Halloween!

First up is some costume inspiration by way of The Cherry Blossom Girl and Miss Pandora. I loved their Disney villains shoot, it's so fun and definitely gets you in the Halloween spirit!

It's getting a lot chillier out there! In the mornings I almost need a coat, but by the time I leave work it is a reasonable temperature.  We moved offices this week where I work, which was an adventure. I love the new space, it's a lot larger and we're grouped into smaller rooms (which I like because I'm shy and it's actually helping me talk and get involved a little more.)  However, I don't like the new commute, it's only 5 minutes longer but it seems so much longer because I have to go across more avenues, which are longer.  Oh well, what can you do?

Monday: Tee: Cullen (Rue La La), Skirt: T by Alexander Wang (NET-A-PORTER), Jacket: Theyskens' Theory (Nordstrom Rack), Boots: Eighteen68 'Megan' (Gilt), Watch: Skagen (Rue La La), Rings: vintage & Mom's

Tuesday: Top: Vanessa Bruno (Coco's $10 sale), Cape: cashmere (Roundabout Resale), Jeans: Free People, Boots Alexander Wang (The Outnet), Watch: Skagen (Rue La La), Rings: vintage & Mom's

Wednesday: Sweater: t. babaton c/o Aritzia, Jeans: American Vintage, Necklace c/o O Necklace, Rain Boots: dav (giveaway win), Watch: Skagen (Rue La La), Rings: vintage & Mom's

Thursday: Cream Sweater: Zara, Black Sweater: Burberry Brit (NET-A-PORTER sale), Jeans: Genetic Denim c/o Piperlime, Boots: Eighteen68 'Megan' (Gilt), Watch: Skagen (Rue La La), Rings: vintage & Mom's

This is what my Thursday outfit looked originally, but then I decided to wear my Burberry sweater instead of a coat, so I had to change my boots too, ha ha.

This look is from last Monday. I had the day off so my sister and I decided to go out to lunch and do a bit of shopping. In my rush I forgot to put on my watch and jewelry so my hands felt a little naked, it's funny how you get used to feeling rings on your fingers. This is my Fall formula - throw on jeans and a sweater and go!

Song of the Day: It's the Same Old Song by The Four Tops

Sweater: Madewell (Shopbop), Jeans: Current/Elliott (with gift card), Flats c/o Joie (also here), Bag: Fossil

Here is what I wore on my birthday a week and a half ago.  I went with a super comfortable look and wore my new Zara sweater that I scored for $20. You may also notice I've become a bit obsessed with my new boots.  As you can see in the last photo, my birthday was purple themed. Even a bunch of my presents were purple. I'm not one to make a big deal of my birthday so we just had a family dinner and hung out.

Sweater: Zara, Jeans: rag & bone (Shopbop), Boots: Eighteen68 'Megan' (Gilt),  Bag: Chanel (Madison Avenue Couture), Necklace: Francesca's, Watch: Skagen (Rue La La), Rings: vintage & Mom's

Last week designer Allison Beal of StyleSaint invited me to chat and view some pieces from her new line.  I even got to try on a few pieces, 2 of which I will (hopefully) be purchasing soon.  Some key notes to know about the brand:

• Though not all the materials are from the US, each piece is made ethically in Los Angeles. 
• They are made in the same factory as Rag + Bone, The Row and more!
• Many of the pieces are handmade to allow for a more intricate piece.
  For Example: the camisoles have a super thin strap that cannot be done by a machine. (they also look amazing, super soft and flattering)
• By bypassing the middleman, StyleSaint offers you the same quality pieces for far less than other designers.
  For Example: A camisole that they sell for $42 could cost upwards of $190
• Allison also writes a Magazine for the company that you can subscribe to here. 

My favorite pieces were the Silk Mosaic Scallop Skirt and Sophie Shell. I was able to try them on and the quality is superb. They are both made from silk chiffon and the print was inspired by "Tear Sheets" that are created by the StyleSaint Society, which you can join!  All the pieces created by Allison are inspired by the Society so you are helping to create the pieces you buy.
For the new season StyleSaint is offering a myriad of gorgeous lace pieces including a thicker lace for Fall which is created by embroidering on lace. One of the pieces I was able to see was the Saint Celine lace dress which features a deep v in the back as well as a form-fitting, bustier-style slip to go underneath.  The slip is amazing quality and a perfect fit for under the dress.
Allison even told me a great story about how quickly she can change things because she isn't working seasons ahead like most designers.  The first item they released was the Saint Augustine dress in black and a few customers reached out to let her know they felt the straps and hem were a bit too long on the dress. She was able to stop production right away and within 48 hours was producing the dress with a shorter hem and strap length. That would not be possible if her items were made in bulk months before being sold.

Be prepared for a photo overload today!

I wore this the same weekend as my birthday brunch when my family went to the pumpkin patch - a tradition of ours, though we hadn't all been in a couple years.  I went straight from my Aunt's house (I was there the night before for a massage and movie night) so I didn't have time to change into old boots, luckily my new ones made it through okay after I wiped them down.

I always love the pumpkin patch.  The place we go has beautiful views and tons of pumpkins to choose from.  In addition to my pumpkin I also bought a bunch of adorable gourds to put on the mantel above the fireplace!

Sweater; t. babaton c/o Aritzia, Jeans: rag & bone (Shopbop),  Boots: Eighteen68 'Megan' (Gilt),  Owl Coin Purse: birthday gift from Sister, Sunglasses: Marc by Marc Jacobs (Shopbop) gift card, Necklaces: Acanthus 'Gemma' (giveaway), c/o Gorjana Griffin, Watch: Skagen (Rue La La), Rings: vintage & Mom's

More photos from the pumpkin patch by a bunch of us:

Happy Friday!  This was a busy week for me! Monday there was no work so I hung out at home and went out to lunch with my sister. Then Tuesday night I had dinner with an old co-worker. Finally on Wednesday I met up with the Founder of StyleSaint (don't worry I'll share with you next week!)  That is a lot of activity for me, so this weekend I am looking forward to some relaxation!

Tuesday: Dress: Diane von Furstenberg (Coco's), Boots: Eighteen68 'Megan' (Gilt),  Necklace c/o O Necklace, Watch: Skagen (Rue La La), Rings: vintage & Mom's

Wednesday: Sweater: Phillip Lim x Target (mens), Tee: Madewell, Jeans: Free People, Boots: Eighteen68 'Megan' (Gilt),  Watch: Skagen (Rue La La), Rings: vintage & Mom's

Thursday: Sweater: rag + bone x Target & Neiman Marcus, Tee: Emanuel Ungaro (Coco's $10 sale), Jeans: Current/Elliott (sample sale), Flats c/o Joie (also here), Necklace: Francesca's, Watch: Skagen (Rue La La), Rings: vintage & Mom's

Earlier this week I got some pretty exciting news from THEOUTNET.COM, they will be having an amazing Christisan Louboutin sale where you can get items at up to 60% off!  You can register/sign up to earn the chance to shop the exclusive Christian Louboutin private event.  Winning customers will be chosen at random and will receive an email confirming they have won a coveted spot to access the sale on THEOUTNET.COM. Registration is required to enter the promotion and each winner is limited to one pair of amazing Christian Louboutin shoes.

Today let's talk about another women's fashion site I've discovered, Axara Paris Canada! Axara is a women's clothing store launched in Canada in 1999.  The brand started in Paris in 1990 and their design workshop remains there.  The website states that  they are always "experimenting, searching, and mixing pieces of fabrics, laces, materials, and embroideries. It is a place where fashion is still lived as a human experiment and a permanent quest for quality: all the Axara pieces carry the prestigious label «Made in France». In a state of perpetual effervescence, the creative team is always looking for new inspiration, in search of new associations to dress the woman of their dreams."

Axara describes their customer as a woman with French elegance who is independent and active.  I am always trying to achieve that never overdone look that the French women have made famous, and Axara can help reach that goal. Attention to detail and beauty, whether in the grace of a belt around the waist or the curve of a skirt, are crucial to attaining that "I just threw this on but look fabulous" kind of look.

Axara says, "If the outfit is a little bit more relaxed, the lipstick is very red. However, if the outfit is sophisticated, the hair will be loose, nicely undone. Ultra-feminine, she handles glamour as if she had invented it. She is so at ease perched on her high heels that she gives the impression of dancing. She is the heroine of her own life story."

I'm not one for fancy dress, but if I ever needed to dress up for an event I would definitely check out Axara's gorgeous selection of dresses (or possibly a suit, that always seems very French to me for some reason.) Below are some looks from their most recent collection.  I would happily add any of these to my wardrobe. How about you?

I wore this to my sort-of birthday brunch with Lydia and Christine this past weekend.  They were so kind and each brought me a present! Christine gave me an ADORABLE elephant necklace which I promptly put on and Lydia gave me an Anthropologie dress I had seen at a thrift store months ago and mentioned in this post.  Unfortunately the necklace broke when I was at my aunt's house, which was unfortunate. :(

After brunch we headed to one of our favorite shopping destinations - Coco's! They were having a 50% off dresses sale and luckily I found 2 great dresses. One that had no brand, which I bought for $10 and THEN I got the ultimate score - a Diane von Furstenberg wrap dress for $34!

I'm finally wearing my new-to-me Chanel skirt that I bought a couple months ago. It is a weird grey/purple color but I think it's more purple than grey. And be ready to see a lot of this sweater again this year.  I wore it to death last Fall/Winter and this one will be the same.  I wore it twice in one weekend so you'll see another outfit with it shortly. Check out my adorable new owl coin purse! My sister got one a couple years ago at a Renaissance Fair and I had been jealous ever since. Imagine my surprise when she gave me a purple one for my birthday this year!

Sweater; t. babaton c/o Aritzia, Skirt: Chanel (Roundabout Resale), Boots: Eighteen68 'Megan' (Gilt),  Bag: Chanel (Madison Avenue Couture), Owl Coin Purse: birthday gift from Sister, Sunglasses: Marc by Marc Jacobs (Shopbop) gift card, Necklaces: Acanthus 'Gemma' (giveaway), c/o Gorjana Griffin, and gift, Watch: Skagen (Rue La La), Rings: vintage & Mom's