one. last. summer. hurrah.

It's bomb pop o'clock. 

Summer has (sadly) come to an end and fall is officially in full swing. Before I jump into fall content, however, I wanted to share one last summer #OOTD. TBH, it may or may not be one of my favorite looks from summer ‘16. What better way to say “see ya later” to one season and hello to the next than with a bomb pop in hand? That’s not even a question.

Although, I just snagged this ruffled plaid shirt from Anthropologie on sale shortly before the end of summer, I know it’ll be in rotation this fall, too. I can’t wait to pair it with dark wash jeans (thinking about investing in these) and a field jacket (or a beige cardigan). Unfortunately, these navy high-waisted shorts probably won’t be getting much more wear beyond these next few weeks — fingers crossed, I’ll be able to team ‘em with an oversized sweater before it gets too cold. In lieu of accessories, I let my Rebecca Minkoff Mini M.A.C Crossbody bag do all the talking as it’s such a statement piece in its own right. The shade of powder blue is super versatile for year-round wear, especially during the winter months when a little extra pop of color is appreciated.

What are you most looking forward to this fall? Let me know in the comments below!

xo,
A

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seven. for. sunday.

All photographs featured above are courtesy of the corresponding sources as cited below.

Hey there! Happy weekend! It's been a while since I've done a "five. for. friday." post, so I'm doing a Sunday edition. I've rounded up some of my favorite links (and gift guides that I've put together for Brit + Co), for your reading pleasure below. If you're currently in the midst of studying for your finals (BTW, good luck!) here's an excuse to take a study break + procrastinate for a few.

1. Sugared & Spiced: The Making of Our Holiday 2015 Windows (Anthropologie) // OMG, Anthro's window displays are extra on-point this holiday season. If you've ever wondered how much work is actually put into designing a holiday window, check out this video posted on Anthro's blog that shows a behind-the-scenes look at the process. Hint, hint: Epic gingerbread houses may or may not be involved.
2. 17 Unique Gift Ideas for People Who Are Always Cold (Brit + Co) // It's true. We all have at least one eskimo in our life (or perhaps it's even you!) who's always cold. When a Snuggie doesn't cut it, check out these 17 gifts that will keep the cold temps at bay.
3. MR's Guide to the Best Cookie (Man Repeller) // Heading to NYC for the holidays? Check out this guide to the best cookies in the Big Apple. I'll take one sugar cookie to go, please :)
4. 66 Gift Ideas for Every Style-Obsessed Person in Your Life (Brit + Co) // From the girly girl to the sporty sister to the #girlboss on your Christmas shopping list, it's all here, neatly organized by personality type. A few of my favorites include The Atelier "Icon Tote," the Fantastic Cities coloring book + the bkr Juliet 1 Liter water bottle.   
5. At Home With Nicole Najafi of Industry Standard (domino) // Can you say apartment goals? While's it's no secret that I love Industry Standard jeans, I'm crushing hard over founder, Nicole Najafi's, swoon-inducing LES apartment in NYC. When can I move in... ?    
6. 16 Sparkly Gift Ideas That Aren't Jewelry (Brit + Co) // Chock-full of — you guessed it — sparkly things, this is the gift guide to consult for the BFF who considers glitter to be a neutral. Don't we all?!
7. Download Now: 8 Festive Wallpapers to Holiday Up Your Desktop and Smartphone (Brit + Co) // The Brit + Co graphic design team put together eight super festive wallpapers (for your desktop computer, laptop, iPhone + various devices), so that you can gear up for the holidays in style. I've already DLed the "Fa-La-La" background for my MacBook (see below) and I'm this close to downloading the "Winter Trees" wallpaper for my iPhone. Which seasonal design is your fave?

What piqued your interest this week? Feel free to share a link to your weekly roundup or leave a comment below!
xo,
A

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free. birthday. goodies.

I think that we can all agree that nothing beats free, especially when it's on your birthday. While I admittedly have hit the age where birthdays are no longer fun (another year older — really?!), I DO find comfort in miscellaneous birthday goodies. From a free scoop of my favorite flavored ice cream (mint chocolate chip all the way!) to free beauty products and discounts at my favorite stores, here's a roundup of the best b-day offers that I received this year.

Ice Cream

Baskin-Robbins: Sign up for Baskin-Robbins Birthday Club for a free scoop of ice cream.
Bruster's: Sign up for Bruster's Sweet Reward's e-club for a free small waffle cone on your birthday.
Ben & Jerry's: Sign up for the Ben & Jerry's newsletter for a free scoop of ice cream. While you're at it, go ahead and treat yo'self to one of their sprinkle covered sugar cones (see pic above)!

Food/Drink

IHOP: ICYMI: You can get free pancakes on your birthday, people! Sign up for IHOP's Pancake Revolution e-mails for a stack of their scrumptious Rooty Tooty Fresh 'N Fruity Pancakes. SO good.
Starbucks: Odds are you already know about this one, but if you have a Starbucks gift card, then you can register it online + receive a free drink on your birthday. Heads up: You only have a few days to redeem it, so be sure to use your reward sooner than later!
Dunkin' Donuts: Following in Starbucks lead, Dunkin' also offers a free drink during your birthday month just by signing up for DD Perks. 
Panera Bread: Join MyPanera for a free pastry on your birthday. Hooray!
Bojangles: Join the Bojangles E-Club for a free Bojangles biscuit with any purchase.
Sonic: If you like tots (who doesn't?!), then you need to sign up for a Sonic account for free tater tots on your b-day.

Beauty/Fashion

Sephora: If you aren't already signed up as a Sephora Beauty Insider, then there's no time like right now to join the club. While I'm no beauty connoisseur, I always enjoy trying new products like this year's set of NARS lip pencils. 
Ulta: Speaking of beauty, Ulta has also joined in on the birthday fun by offering a freebie on your birthday. This year, they changed up the free gift every few months. (Last year, the complimentary gift was a full-size Calvin Klein mascara for all birthday months.) Heads up: If your birthday falls in October, November or December, you can get a free bareMinerals lipgloss (full size, $18 value!) by joining their Ultamate Rewards program.
Anthropologie: While a lot of stores offer birthday discounts via e-mail, Anthropologie is the only store that I know of that actually sends a b-day card in the mail with a 15% coupon. While it may not sound like a huge discount, it can be used on your total purchase + on sale items if you so wish. Sign up here!
Victoria's Secret: Again, you probably know about this one, but just in case... Sign up for VS e-mails and get $10 off any purchase during your birthday month. Woo!

What are your favorite birthday freebies? Leave a comment below + let me know if I left anything out!

xo,
A

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what. i. wore. | a. lotta. color. goes. a. long. way.

field jacket (similar)  |  shirt (similar)  |  black skinny jeans (similar)  |  scarf (similar)  |  Cece ballet flats

Maybe it's just me, but I always find myself falling into a bit of a style rut during the latter half of the semester.  As much as I hate to admit it, these are the moments when it legitimately seems like I have a closet full of clothes, but nothing to wear.  In the midst of back-to-back blah ensembles, this particular look from a few weeks ago was a winner on all fronts.

Now, if you know me at all, then my obsession with c-o-l-o-u-r is nothing new.  Even when I try and fight the urge to add in a pop of color, my attempts aren't normally met with much luck.  (Hence my outfit above — just when I thought that I was taking a back-to-basics approach to dressing, I throw in a multicolored stripe scarf and pink ballet flats into the mix. #typical)

what. i. wore.  I can already tell that this mint green button down from Anthropologie is going to become a weekly staple in my wardrobe.  It's that versatile and effortless!  As for the striped scarf, it's from J.Crew (last summer) — notice how I knotted the ends for a cool off-duty look.  I've already commented on the following items in previous blog posts, but yeah, I'm still crushing hard over my J.Crew Factory field jacket and black jeans from Madewell.  If you're in the market for a great all-around pair of ballet flats, then look no further than these pink Cece flats from J.Crew (see here for this season's revamped version of the popular flat) which are as comfy as they are cute.

How do you overcome a style rut?  Do you have a go-to spring uniform?  Tell me in the comments below!

xo,
A

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december. the. list.

Christmas is only a week away and there’s still so much left to do.  Shopping, gift wrapping, pom-pom making, decorating cookies...the neverending list goes on.  Just as I wanted to push pause during the week of Thanksgiving, I’m really wishing that time could freeze now.  This is my favorite time of the year and, unfortunately, it’s also the most fleeting.        

It’s a tad late (we’re halfway through December already!), but here’s my second installment of “the. list.”  If you remember from last month, this is just a compilation of some items that I currently have my eye on.  As it is the holiday season, don’t be surprised if you see a few stocking stuffers mixed in!

1. Wool-Felt Duffle Coat (Burberry Brit):  Two things that I love: Burberry and toggles.  Enough said.    
2. Epoca Cardigan (Anthropologie):  Though emerald may no longer be “the color of the year” come January, that doesn’t change how I feel about this cardigan one bit.  It’s festive and oh-so-perfect for every holiday function ahead.

3. Bayard Blouse (Aritzia):  I don’t care what anyone says, I’m still having a major peplum moment. I have a feeling this blouse from Aritzia is one that I would wear again...and again! (Not to mention that shade of beige/pale pink – gorgeous is an understatement.)

4. Scallop Ring (Kate Spade):  Oh scallop, oh my!  Right behind bows, scallops are quickly becoming a close second-favorite of mine.  

5. Eat Cake For Breakfast Mug (Kate Spade):  Besides the fact that this is pretty much my life philosophy, I wouldn’t mind having one more mug to sip tea from.     

6. Matilde Flat Boot (Loeffler Randall):  It’s about time (actually, waaay past time!) that I invest in a nice pair of boots.  Available in brown or black, these Loeffler Randall beauties would be the perfect addition to my winter wardrobe. 

7. FaLaLa Set (Twistband):  I swear by Twistband’s hair ties.  They don’t dent or damage your hair and this holiday-inspired set is too cute.

8. Color-Stripe Trouser Socks (J.Crew):  Anyone who says that socks make a bad gift is surely mistaken.  Here’s to hoping that Santa brings me at least a few new playful pairs on the 25th! 

9. 2 Park Avenue Lacey (Kate Spade):  If I can’t have the beau bag, then gosh darn it, I’ll just have to get the next best thing.  Enter in Kate Spade’s “2 Park Avenue Lacey Wallet” in macchiato/black.  Did I mention it comes complete with a bow? 

10. Crepe Boatneck Dress (J.Crew):  Ironically enough, I hate the color red...but I have an affection for dresses with a drop-waist silhouette. #gofigure Although this J.Crew boatneck dress also comes in black, the bright red is just speaking to me (blame it on the holidays, I guess!).

11. Nail Polish Set (Kate Spade):  What better way to start off the new year than with a fresh mani?  I call dibs on the sparkly pink polish appropriately titled, “All That Glitters.”  
12. Idiom Pencils (Kate Spade):  I spotted these “Idiom Pencils” at a local stationery store and boy are they cute.  With witty expressions like, “so well composed” and “55 words per minute,” writer’s block ain’t got nothing on me! 

What’s on your Christmas wish list?

xo,

A

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