A bit of exciting news...

My world will soon be turned upside down, but I'm beyond excited.  I'm not sure what it will mean for this corner of the internet, but you'll probably start to see some more personal and kid-centric content as I write about what's inspiring me.  I hope you'll stick around, even if the posts aren't always on time, and will likely never return to the 5 per week schedule.

We have our big ultrasound on October 25th, so please send us your thoughts and prayers for good health... and maybe a little girl for me?  ;-)

Getting Back to My Roots: Fall Cardigan Roundup

Good morning!  I hope you all had a great weekend.  Mine was lovely, and it was nice seeing my family since I live 3.5 hours away from them.  It was also nice to enjoy some fall-ish weather, even if it was the result of rain. 

One of my favorite fall staples is, of course, a cardigan and there are so many amazing options available right now.  Luckily for all of you, I did a little scouting:

fall cardigans 1 by cardiganjunkie featuring a plum cardigan

fall cardigans 2 by cardiganjunkie featuring a green striped cardigan

Unfortunately for all of us, my favorite options are hovering around the $125 mark and it's more than I like to spend.  It looks like I'll be stalking Anthropologie and waiting for some price reductions!

5 Things Friday

Happy Friday, internet!  Can you believe it's almost October already?  I can't wait for a fun weekend with my family, but I've got to make it through one more crazy day at work.  I'm glad my boss is enjoying her vacation, but I miss her!

Until I can escape the office, here are five things worth sharing on the internet:

1. If ever there were shoes designed for me, it may be these.  I love pretty outfits, but I have a practical streak that cannot be crushed and sometimes you just need to wear your converse and jeans to the grocery store.  These will make that trip a little fancier.

2. Here are some shirts that I like.  First, this pretty tee is only $24.

 

And I love this classic lace blouse from J.Crew Factory (it also comes in black and tomato red).

 

3. Everything about this image speaks to my style.  The print is the perfect non-hooker leopard.

original source unknown.  damn tumblr.

4. I think this room is the perfect example of using navy on one wall without the space feeling choppy.  I've taken note for my own bedroom!

5. This is silly, but it struck a chord with me.  Remember when a $7.99 Trapper Keeper with jewel colored dolphins on it made you feel like the coolest kid in class?  Pair it with some Crayola scented markers and pens that write in several colors, and you were set.  Now kids need $1000 worth of electronics to avoid feeling left out.  It's kinda sad.

 

And with that, I bid you good weekend!

Reader Request: Coastal Chic House

Today I'm excited to help my cousin Michelle, who's about to buy her first home, and is eager to customize it to suit her taste.  Based on her Pinterest boards, I'm calling her style coastal chic (which is fitting since she grew up on the water) and I think that she's going to have an easy time adapting her new(ish) construction home to be less beige and more of a home for her and her boyfriend.

Here we go... and please remember I'm talking about a whole house, and not one room so everything isn't going to match perfectly.  Ok?  Cool.

First, I think a color palette of pale grays, blues and smokey teals will instantly transform the feel of the house.  I'm a big fan of the West Elm and Pottery Barn collections at Sherwin-Williams, since someone has culled the bajillion options for you already.  Then, to add some more personality, Michelle could add some wallpaper on accent walls or powder rooms, and bring in printed fabrics for curtains and throw pillows. 

Paints from Sherwin-Williams  /  Ikat wallpaper  /  Bird wallpaper

Stone print wallpaper  /   Nate Berkus fabrics  /  Ikat fabrics

In areas where there is wood, tile, or just carpet that she'd like to cover up, I think a fairly inexpensive geometric rug from World Market or Homegoods will add personality and be dog-friendly since you can send a rug off to be deep cleaned in a way that you'll never achieve with carpet.  

Some rugged furniture will add a masculine element to the rooms, but not make it feel like a hunting lodge since it can be offset by classic pieces, colorful accents, and pretty nailhead trim.  And since everyone in our family is convinced that we can indeed do it ourselves, I'm sure a painted vintage piece will make its way into the home sooner or later.

Medallion rug  /  Ivory Moroccan rug  /  Coffee table  /  Sofa  /  Nailhead trim chair ($269!)

Accent table  /  Silver vase  /  Sea glass vase  /  Painting by Clare Elsaesser 

Antique map of Galveston, TX

Overall, my main advice for people approaching a house from scratch is to set the mood with paint, and then start buying what's important to you and don't settle too much.  It's hard when nice things cost a lot of money, but what you don't want is a house full of things you want to get rid of in five years.  Luckily, you can inject tons of personality into a space with affordable art from Etsy and secondhand pieces that just need a little attention.

Good luck, Michelle!  You know where to find me if you need more opinions ;-)

Dreaming of Fall Fashion

It's on weeks like this where I wish that Texas had a different climate.  We have a very short, blink and you'll miss it, fall season.  Although the temperatures aren't sweltering at the moment, traditional fall clothes are not comfortable to wear unless you want heatstroke.

However, a girl can dream! After a wild Friday night that included perusing a stack of catalogs and magazines, I've assembled my dream wardrobe for the fall season.  And since my style errs on the side of classic, I was happy to realize that I already own several pieces very similar to what I want to wear:

fall fashion fantasy by cardiganjunkie featuring a green pencil skirt

Can you tell I looked at the J.Crew fall look book?  This year I want to keep the classic style going with lots of navy, rich greens, grays, and blacks.  Although there are some aspirational pieces included here, I was excited to find some attainable options that I'll be trying on in the weeks to come, like these army green slim pants from Gap ($60 before the usual 30-40% off sales) and this drapey sweater from Hive & Honey ($69).  And I must say, if I were one to spend $168 on pants, it would be these leather trim tuxedo pants from J.Crew.

Is anyone else cursing their temperate climate?  What's your dream item for fall?

5 Things Friday

Happy Friday, internet!  I hope you've all had a great week.  I'm happy to spend my first weekend at home in a long time, and celebrate my wedding anniversary a little early since Wednesday night dinners aren't as fun as weekend ones.

Until then, here are five things worth sharing on the internet:

1. Did y'all know that Helen Fielding wrote another Bridget Jones sequel, and it comes out in 3 1/2 weeks?!  I wonder if Renee Zellweger is hitting the donuts to reprise her role?

2. I tried this hairstyle, since my hair is approaching sister wife lengths, and I think it's definitely going to be doable with a little practice.  Does anyone else have incredibly thick, long hair?  How do you style it?

 

3. As some of you know, when I find a perfect tee, I get excited and buy several.  Well, it happened again.  This slub tee from Gap comes in several colors and prints, and it's just blousey enough from the bust down to be really forgiving with shorts and skinny jeans.  Plus, the sleeves are not too large and loose to go under a cardigan this fall.  (Hint: They're cheaper in store, and size down)

4. I love this tee, and I'm not using that word lightly.  It's so Jess from New Girl.  However, even with coupon codes, I can't justify spending $45+ on it.  What do you think - worth it?  

5. As I type this, I can smell my favorite recipe baking in the oven.  In case you need a signature dish for fall, I highly recommend a pumpkin crunch cake.  It's beyond easy to make, and a hit with everyone I've ever served it to!  Check out the same recipe I use (and a better photo) courtesy of Parent Pretty.

And with that, I bid you good weekend!

White Jeans Whenever: Fall 2013

I think most fashion rules were dictated by ladies who lunched about 50 years ago.  And since we don't think twice about leaving our homes without a girdle or pantyhose, there's no reason to adhere to other old rules like wearing white after Labor Day.

To prove my point, I came up with a few ideas for ways that you can keeping wear your white jeans that I convinced you to buy earlier this year, even though some of you will soon be wearing sweaters and boots. (Consider yourself lucky - down here in Texas we'll keep our jackets in the closet until November)

white jeans whenever by cardiganjunkie featuring gap loafers

As you can see, your white jeans work perfectly well with rich fall color palettes like gray, navy, cognac, and dark green.  So keep wearing them, ladies!