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

This may sound strange, but I don’t know how to dress for graduate school. Dressing for work in an office was easy because I knew what was expected and what was appropriate; I wore pencil skirts, trousers, and cute heels and I had a lot of fun putting together different combinations. But grad school is different, at least for me, because it’s much more casual and anything goes, but casual has never really been my forte. Also, I tend to look much younger than my actual age (of 29) when I dress down, so I have trouble dressing casually for my age without looking like a teenager or a soccer mom. So, here is my take on dressing casually for my age and lifestyle. It’s comfortable but still put together. Unfortunately, it started raining so I changed into flats and didn’t get any photos with them.

Let’s talk about these shoes. They’re from Banana Republic and I coveted them for weeks because the color is great and the heel height is PERFECT but my size is only available online, which means I have to pay full price (can’t use Nick’s discount on the internet, boo!). By the time I was ready to purchase them, they were gone. Like, completely taken off the site. No “out of stock” notifications or anything. I was crushed. I checked every other day to see if they were back in stock. Finally, they were back BUT for $8 more than their original price! Ugh, give me a break, Banana. I purchased them as soon as I could, and considered getting a pair in all the other colors (black, white, and coral/snakeskin) but decided against it because I’m a poor grad student. And every time I try to wear them, it rains. I cannot catch a break with these things. #firstworldproblems

It all looks adorable with this trench, though, so it was totally worth it.

And here’s the fun one:

 Linking up with More Pieces of Me | Perfectly Coutured  | Walking in Heels In Memphis | Mix and Match Fashion | Stylin’ in St. Louis| Vodka Infused Lemonade

This is the kind of thing you’ll find me in on a warm, Spring Sunday. It was in the 80s when I took these photos and it eventually got too warm for the scarf and it had to go. I mostly spent the day inside reading articles and book chapters in preparation for the week at school. The semester is surprisingly almost over and I can’t believe it! Just a few more weeks until finals and that doesn’t feel quite right. This semester has flown by!

This is our backyard and it needs so much work that it’s overwhelming. It looked so good for our wedding, but, of course, that was almost three years ago. Hopefully, we’ll be able to enjoy the yard this summer.

Also, ARMPIT!

And here’s the fun one: Please excuse me while I go crawl into that hammock!

Sometimes you’re in a hurry or don’t feel like putting much effort into getting dressed, so you want to keep it simple. I feel you. I have those days all the time, and when I do, I go for a simple top and cardigan, scarf (especially in the spring), jeans and cute shoes. I’ve accumulated quite a number of cardigans over the seasons so follwing this formula is really easy.

Since the top and cardigan are both solid, the patterned scarf adds a little interest, and I’m all about adding interest. Same for the shooties (which is bootie + shoe combo). So, you can have several simple pieces and kick it up a notch with a patterned scarf and interesting shoes.  You’re welcome.

And here’s the fun one:

Y’all, it was cold out when we took these photos! I had been at the public library for several hours doing some homework (fewer distractions there) and Nick met me to take photos. When we left, my car thermometer read in the 20s. I’m sure some of you are laughing at me because you’re dealing with negative temperatures, but this is cold for North Carolina. And Nick is such a trooper because he forgot his gloves!

Normally, I really like cold weather but, I gotta tell ya, I’m ready for Spring. That’s why I’m wearing Spring-ish colors in the pink shirt and floral scarf. The shirt is actually more fuchsia than pink (or even purple as it looks in the photos) and it has really cute dot details.

I’ve mentioned it before and I’ll mention it again: I think sweaters are the perfect match for this white puffy vest! What do you think?

I had to put my coat back on before my arms froze off!