Wow, where did October go? I didn’t realize until now that the last time I posted an outfit was almost a month ago!

This past month has been incredibly busy and my very limited free time was spent away from the computer/writing papers/doing research/working/commuting/all the other things I’ve had to do for school. Anyway, this outfit got a lot of wear last year, before I really started the blog. I’m sure you can see why: it’s incredibly comfortable and follows my formula (cute top with cardigan and scarf), and it’s a really nice Fall outfit. Also, I find that I like wearing this mustard cardigan with black & white stripes.

The weather is quickly growing colder so I might not be able to get away with cardigans and scarves much longer. At least, not without a winter coat!

Here’s the fun one: I was actually shooing away a bug, not dancing!

Top: Gap
Cardigan & Scarf: Old Navy
Jeans: Loft
Shoes: Gap
Earrings: Old Navy

I apologize for my absence lately. All of the commuting and work that school has required this semester is seriously running me ragged so we decided to take a break and visit the NC State fair this past weekend. I feel like if you’ve been to one fair, you’ve been to them all but I wanted to share a few of the highlights from our trip. Nick doesn’t care much for the fair because he doesn’t enjoy large crowds of people or the rides, but since our friends asked us to go with them, he made an exception. I think he had a good time.

This is a FRIED SNICKERS BAR! It was tastier than I like to admit (although the fried oreos were better).

There were mums everywhere, which was absolutely beautiful. So, of course it makes sense to have a tower of mums.

NCsquared at the State Fair!

My friend, Maria, and I are in the big chair.

I wanted to sit in this thing but then you have lost me because I’m so little and it is so big. Also, you’ll probably notice the hand sanitizer clipped to my belt. I’m a good little Public Health student 😉

“It’s so big!”

Not gonna lie, I love this photo of us.

Do you like going to state/county fairs? I remember going to our county fair a few times as a kid and a lot as a teenager, because there wasn’t anything else to do in my town so the fair was the place to be. I had a really good time at the fair this year.

Nikki’s outfit:
Sweater & Jeans: Banana Republic
Vest: Old Navy
Hat, Boots, & Sunnies: Target

Nick’s outfit:
I’m pretty sure everything is from Banana Republic (he works there!)
Sunnies: they’re prescription

It seems that I’ve been gravitating toward this sweater a lot lately. I’ve been wearing it with dark pants (see here and here) but I switched it up a little  this time and paired it with my Fall-approved burgundy skirt. The inspiration for this outfit came from a mannequin that was styled similarly in the store – this same skirt was paired with a bulky sweater and a cute jacket. A few years ago, I probably never would have thought to wear a looser top with a flowy skirt, but I’m really loving the shape. I wore this outfit on a Starbucks and breakfast run over the weekend. I would say that it’s another one of those outfits that I really like because I took a lot of outfit photos of it AND I plan to wear it again this week (but probably with flats).

Also, I can’t get over how much I love this burgundy/wine color!

Here’s the fun one: Another blooper photo. I think I was telling Nick what angle to take the next photo!

Sweater & Skirt: Banana Republic
Shoes: Target
Long pearl necklace: Kohl’s
Short pearl necklace: Francesca’s
Bracelets: Old Navy

I loved this blazer the second I saw it in the store. Then I brought it home and saw other bloggers wearing it and so I loved it even more. Not that I needed them to, but it was as if the other bloggers validated my good taste in blazers 🙂 I can’t wait to wear it all the time.

It rained all day on the day I wore this outfit so instead of pumps, I wore my rain boots. I would have worn the heels if the weather had cooperated.

Here’s the fun one: Another blooper from the photo shoot.

Blazer: Banana Republic
Blouse: Target
Jeans: Old Navy
Shoes: Anne Klein via DSW

Happy October, everyone! The mornings here are usually a little chilly so I feel comfortable saying that it’s finally sweater weather – even if you’re just wearing really light sweaters like this one. I’ve worn this sweater with black cropped slacks before (here) so this time I’ve pairing it with my coated denim and leopard flats, both of which feel incredibly appropriate for fall.

Side note, today is our 3rd wedding anniversary and I’m spending it at school, taking a field trip to a six-bed hospital in rural NC and working until Thursday. Not quite how I would like to be spending it but that’s okay. Nick and I are planning a nice dinner and a movie this weekend. Since we’re technically no longer newly weds, we’ll celebrate in our usual, boring way 🙂

Top & Jeans: Banana Republic
Shoes: Christian Siriano for Payless
Necklace: Kohl’s