Wrapped in Fall

Hello, Friday Friends! This week went by a bit too quickly for me. I know, what am I saying?! The weekend got here lightning fast and I'm complaining? Well, this is it- the countdown to my crazy recruiting travel season is coming to an end and soon it's going to actually be HAPPENING. One thing I've been struggling with as I've been anticipating this time of the year is never feeling ready. No matter how well I've carefully prepared, there are so many balls up in the air that it feels like they're definitely going to come crashing down on me eventually. Now logically, these are irrational fears. Really the worst that can happen is Papa John's doesn't show up with pizza, my boxes full of cheap, plastic swag doesn't show up for a career fair or nobody shows up to my presentation. At the end of the day, nobody's life is going to be ruined and I just need to stop worrying, but that is much easier said than done, isn't it? PERSPECTIVE :) Don't get me wrong- I'm definitely obsessed with my job and I'm pretty sure I was born to be a tech recruiter, but a healthy amount of self doubt keeps a girl like me in check, you know? And seriously lucky for me that I have the best coworkers, the best bae and the best friends to keep me sane.

Another thing that's been keeping me grounded over these last couple of days is setting aside pockets of time to participate in activities that fuel my creativity outside of work aka fashion and blog things. On Wednesday I had lunch with a group of super fab bloggers who are also in technology. Dona and Beth, who run a ridiculously awesome blog called Fibonacci Sequins, gathered a group including Katrina, Hector, and Dara together to share our stories. You know that piece of advice, surround yourself with people that inspire you- that's a real thing y'all! I left that lunch feeling extra energized and excited. It's similar to when I meet up with Kat, Niky, Nini or Hector to take a break and do outfit shots. We're doing something productive but completely outside our day-to-day work activities. Not to mention, it feels wonderful to have a check-in with a friend that cares about you. Basically, free therapy session :) I always return to my desk ready to get back at it.

Lol, I didn't realize this would serve as a mini life update when I started writing it, but that's how these things go. How are you guys holding up? As I hit the road, I'm hoping to regularly check in here on the blog, but no promises! It's about go down :)

Faux Fur Vest Forever 21, exact (I think!!)
Wrap Cardigan Forever 21, similar
Best Black Pants Betabrand, exact
Haywire Bootie Seychelles, in black, in brown

Easy Combo: Faux Fur + Printed Long Sleeve Dress

Happy hump day :) I'm back today with my favorite faux fur combo! The first time I saw a fur vest paired with a pretty, printed, long-sleeved dress, I started seriously considering buying one of my own. Suddenly, faux fur seemed like the perfect way to top off any fall ensemble. If you get one in a neutral color, they're a great way to balance out a bold print. I know, faux fur anything being used to "tone down" an outfit? Seems counterintuitive, but it works!

I picked up this lovely dress in late August, just as fall items were hitting stores. The rich color and printed leaves scream fall to me, but the cut of the dress is still summer. Nothing a black turtleneck can't fix :) Adding dark, neutral turtlenecks underneath sleeveless dresses is my secret for transitioning half of my closet to fall and even winter.

Do I have you convinced on faux fur, yet?! :)

Now, to feed my online shopping addiction, here are eight pretty things that would pair well with any neutral faux fur piece. Enjoy!

$17.90 | $27.80 | $24.90 | $27.80


15.90 | $24.90 | $24.80 | $15.90

Bold Fall Basic: Faux Fur Vest

Hiiiiiii movers and shakers! Checking in from the comfort of my own couch today :) I'm taking a break from work to get my blog on. And yes- it is currently 8:30 PM in the evening. I've been at it for 12 hours now but I #cantstopwontstop because it's balls to the walls season. I've decided that I need to do a dedicated post about what it's like to do my job- my day-to-do over the course of the year, what I love, what I worry about, my survival strategy for staying sane, etc. I'll save it for when busy season is over but if you have anything that you're super curious about, please let me know! I'd love to roll it into my post.

Any. Who. I have dubbed this week faux fur vest week! Each post this week will feature a different outfit with the same vest. Something I've learned to sincerely appreciate over this past year and especially this season is the wearability of an article of clothing. You've paid good money for your clothing. You should claim the full value of it by wearing it as much as you can! I am the first to admit that I have been guilty of countless one-time-wear wonders. As someone who loves statement dresses and makes bold clothing choices, it's an easy trap to fall into. I'm not saying that I'm going to shy away from those crazy closet choices, but I want to be more thoughtful of how much use I can get out of something before I throw my hard earned cash down.

Which brings me to my case study of the week- the faux fur vest. Probably falls into the category of crazy closet choices, no? :) Real talk, I was NOT DOWN with this trend when it broke out on the scene two-ish years ago. I thought they were a bit tacky and I never found one that I thought came in a nice material. Eventually, I warmed to the idea when I came across this neutral piece last season. For my intro outfit, I've kept things very basic. My favorite chambray, some yoga leggings, lace up booties and a simple accessory makes for a very comfortable and effortlessly stylish early fall day! Are you finding yourself warming up to the idea of a faux fur vest too?

The vest I'm wearing is from last season. I'm pretty sure the second vest pictured below is the exact vest! I'm really digging these other three styles but I think 1 faux fur vest is enough for my closet...for now :) Each of these vests also comes in an additional color, so make sure to check 'em out!



$32.90 | $44.90 | $42.90 | $59.90