Feeling Fall

Let me start this post with a disclaimer that these pictures were not taken during the fall. In fact this was THE hottest shoot we’ve ever done, a combination of the temperature on this day, plus the lack of shade, and the fact that we trekked for about a mile to get to this spot. We also didn’t think to bring the stroller (face-palm) and Merritt only wanted me to carry her for most of the way. It was a test of our physical endurance for sure! So why am I talking fall feels when I’m posting hot August days? Well partly because I’ve got a backlog of pictures from the last two months of fun and adventures (follow me on Instagram where I keep things more current!). And partly because I’m writing this while lounging in a chair in my backyard while the breeze blows by on what finally feels like a true fall day. I’ve got a shady spot and a laptop and it is pure bliss. So onto the outfit and let’s have a word on this dress!

I live for slinky and minimal slip dresses like these when it’s hot out. Simplicity is king when you just need to figure out a way to keep cool — the fewer seams and buttons and clasps, the better. This one’s from a brand I wear and write about all the time so it should come as no surprise that I love it so much. They’ve got the perfect balance of everything I look for in clothes: simple but not boring, feminine details that aren’t preppy or kitschy, revealing enough to be flattering but not inappropriate. I mean, they know what they’re doing as far as I’m concerned and I’m here for it. The bad news about posting this so late is that this dress style is only available in a different color now, but I’ve picked a few more (below) from the same brand that are similar and just as beautiful for the color tones of fall.

So what to do when you’ve got a great dress but it’s a little cool out, or maybe you just want to add a bit more styling to the look? My favorite way, which you’ve probably already guessed, is to put a cardi on it. This cardigan is my #1! Seriously let’s not count how many times it’s made an appearance on my blog. This is my second one to own because I dropped the first one in a parking lot and it wasn’t turned in (color me not surprised because it’s THAT good of a piece) and I couldn’t imagine life without it. It’s my fashion BFF, always there for me when I need a warm embrace or just a prop to hang on to. I like to scrunch up the sleeves and/or let it hang off my shoulder to add to the lived in, cool-girl look.

As for these pictures, I’ll consider this an ode to the things you do for the sake of blogging. I remember telling Blake on the walk back to the car that at least we knew we couldn’t possibly ever have a shoot so hot and tiring, so the worst was out of the way (haha #lookonthebrightside).