More September Obsessions

Dear Fall, Thank you so much for arriving! I love you with a passion. This year, my plans are piling up; I want to enjoy every minute of living in the most beautiful part of the country - at least, it is for these few months (and yes, I'll stand by that statement with all my might!). Every cliche autumn activity is on my list: apple-picking, getting cider donuts and hot chocolate after selecting the most aggressive, ostentatious Jack-o-lantern possible, setting up corn-y (pun weak, but intended) Thanksgiving centerpieces, driving around to gape at the foliage, downing pumpkin spice lattes and reading with cinammon candles burning, maniacally attending the farmer's market, building fires and sipping scotch and blackberry brandy while cracking out on Breaking Bad and other favorite shows, rocking fur-trimmed hoodies, tailgating my face off at a football game (not that I understand a damn thing once they start playing the game), and of course, wearing jodphurs and leggings (with no camel toe!) as often as I can get away with. It's a season when my allergies fade out, leg-shaving becomes irrelevant (yes I'm gross), the air is crisp and sparkling most days, rainy days are cozy rather than annoying, and, to quote Calvin and Hobbes, "bugs are dying by the truckload." My students are still maintaining a respectable semblance of sanity, and the sun glows through the leaves of the tree next door in a scarlet haze. While life is still whipping by at a frenzied pace, I'm trying to make time to pause for the moments that make me happy. In that spirit, here are a few of my September obsessions (with bargains, as always):

{Leopard (cheetah?) wedge booties from Forever21, about $30.00}
I would never have tried these on my own, but I was inspired by a fellow petite co-worker (Chrissy!) whose shoe game is bangin'. (Her work ethic is even better.) She dons a lot of super-cute huge wedges and platforms, and I was inspired to up the fashion on my own feet, having been in a conservative kitten-heel slump of late. I'd been wanting leopard booties forever but lacked the cahones to do more than flirt with them until I saw this pair. So comfortable, so fabulous, the price so right. I've never gotten more compliments in one day on something I was wearing, including my wedding day. I could get used to being this fierce!

{Enamel and metal bangles - both from Target, purchased about 4 years apart; both under $10.00. Substantial on the wrist, but still feminine - fabulous ringers for exorbitantly expensive Tory Burch bracelets}

{Multi-chain necklaces in heavy mixed metals, to lend a nautical-meets-rock-and-roll meets Danaerys-from-Game-of-Thrones vibe - Top, Kenneth Cole for Macy's; bottom: Forever21}

{More "enamel" jewelry - For a lady-like touch, over-sized love-knots from Forever21, $4.80}

{Awesomely throw-back-style stacked-heel loafers by Me Too - satisfying my lust for Prada's pair}

It seems that I'm intent on stomping, clanking, and jingling my way through fall, but I'm all too eager to kick off my work heels, put on the biggest sweatshirt I own, and hit the Big E for the very first time. Shameful ... but exciting!

What are your obsessions this month? -- xoxo