Spirited

 [sweater: Ann Taylor, skirt: Ann Taylor, booties: Style & Co., necklace: Ann Taylor, earrings: boutique, bangles: Alex & Ani, watch: Guess]

On Halloween it's fun to be festive and spirited even if you aren't bold enough to fully commit by dressing up in costume. Personally, I know I'm not about to walk around campus in a full on zombie costume - even though Halloween is one of the most fun holidays of the year. On a day like today I like to show my enthusiasm for the holiday without being too gaudy and obvious about it. That's what I like about this very "fall" ensemble. The orange really stands out and that's how it's supposed to be - it's my focal point - but at the same time I could wear this same outfit during any time of the year (there's no seasonal limitations). Of course everyone, not just children, love to dress up on Halloween, but I'm saving my costume for tonight! 

HAPPY HALLOWEEN EVERYONE 

Pairings

Photos by Erin Valentine 

[tank: Nordstrom, denim button-down: Madewell, shorts: Ann Taylor, sandals: Juicy Couture, clutch: Ann Taylor, necklace: Juicy Couture, earrings: boutique, bangles: boutique]

For me, it's the fuchsia shorts that complete this outfit. It's that bright pop of color that brings a certain energy and appeal to this whole look. To tie different pieces together and create a unified ensemble, I added matching fuchsia bangles and a fuchsia ring into the mix as well. I love finding pieces in my closet that match certain accessories I have - that's what I call a "win." Since each clothing piece in this outfit is a solid color, I decided to also utilize my accessories in order to add some pattern to this outfit (accessories are a girl's best friend). That's where this fabulous dalmatian print clutch comes in - I thought it added the missing piece, that little dose of pattern and excitement that this outfit otherwise lacked. It's all about taking simple pieces, putting them together, and adding striking color, prints and textures through accessories in order to create a stylish and unique look. 

Your outfit is only as good as the accessories you pair it with. 

This Weather

Photographs by Erin Valentine 

[dress: Calvin Klein, belt: Calvin Klein, sandals: BC, bangles: Alex & Ani] 

I'm not sure if it's strictly North Carolina or what, but this fickle far-from-fall weather has my poor closet confused. The forecast for all this week has been sunny and 80 degrees - I know, pretty crazy! As I walked to class yesterday, I was actually sweating (ew). I am a huge fan of summer but I'm not quite sure how I feel about this sudden revival. I never thought I'd be saying this but I'm kind of ready for my scarves and sweaters. However, on the positive side, I get to show off my sundresses a little bit more...and that's never a bad thing! 

I love this Calvin Klein dress because it reminds me of ancient Greece and I feel as if I'm a goddess when I wear it; maybe it's the pleats, maybe it's the color, or maybe it's just the gold gladiator sandals I'm wearing - who knows! But this is an extra special dress because it can be worn as a casual sundress or as a more formal dress, depending on the chosen shoes, belt and jewelry. I personally prefer gold accents when wearing this piece - gold and turquoise are so ancient Greece!

Little White Dress

[dress: Kohls, blazer: Kohls (Lauren Conrad collection), wedges: Macy's (Fergie collection), watch: Coach, necklace: Ann Taylor, earrings: boutique]

Just as important as a little black dress, in my opinion, is a little white dress. Similar to an LBD, an LWD can be dressed up or dressed down, and with the right accessories, it is appropriate for nearly every occasion. LWDs are extremely versatile in every way, and their added bonus is that it's definitely more unexpected to wear a white dress than a classic black dress. When everyone else is wearing black, you be the girl who is standing out in white - traditional yet unique. I chose to fancy mine up with a tailored open blazer, a colorful statement necklace to create that pop of color that I love so much, and nude wedges to complete the look. I am so excited to change it up and wear this dress with colored tights and a cardigan this winter, creating a whole new LWD look. After all, white is the new black!