{Fall Threads}... J.Crew! Sale! Yay!

Guess what! J.Crew has some amaaaazing things on sale right now. And to add to the mind blowing deals, you get 25% off you purchase of $150 or more until Sunday. Y'all better get on it! I just got this shirt, a cute accessory, and perfect fall tights. 

Have a great weekend filled with delightful online shopping and crisp apples!

Blue Stripe Shirt / Cranberry Color Block Shirt / Black + White Color Block / Floral iPhone Case / Snow Cat Boy Shirt / Dot Tights

Just So You Know...

Some days, you just need a reminder that you're awesome. The other day, my mom sent me a text just to tell me to have a good day and how great I am. That made my day. So guess what? You're the bomb. Seriously. So keep your chin up if things are crazy right now, because you've got this. xoxo

The Rory Gilmore Book Challenge

Gilmore Girls is my all time favorite television show. So although the fall frenzy of premieres has begun, I almost always find myself popping in Gilmore Girls DVDs. The only person who can stand watching it with me is Abby, because we know (and usually recite) every line. 

As an English major and book worm, I was thrilled to find this list! It's a compilation of every book Rory Gilmore has ever mentioned or read on the show. My new goal is to eventually read every book on the list. Challenge accepted! 

Photo via

Fall Television

How I Met Your Mother

Aside from apple picking, fresh caramels, roasted pumpkin seeds, cool evening breezes, and chai tea, what are you most looking forward to this Fall? I'm getting pretty excited for the Primetime line up this fall. Generally, I'm not a TV fiend. I'll watch episodes here and there, but story lines look to be interesting this season. Here are some shows I love, and some about which I'm intensely curious. 

I'd love to hear your recommendations for good Fall shows. I'm looking forward to weekends of recorded shows and wool socks. What are your faves?

The Office

Bomb Girls

Revolution

Last Resort

Photos via 1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5

{Weekend Update}...Bridesmaids

Coffee run before the chaos of tulle, gems, and taffeta. 

 Have I told you guys this yet? I'm a bridesmaid for my dear Becca! We are all so thrilled about the wedding, and I couldn't be more honored to stand up for her wedding. She's such a great little thing! The wedding is in spring, so we've got to get those dresses ASAP. So I went on home for the weekend and experienced a marathon of sorts. I barely slept! But it was great. We had a viewing party for The Office (what are your reactions to this season?), went dress shopping, checked out a bridal fair, and celebrated birthdays. Needless to say, I'm worn out, y'all! But it's so great being a part of something so special. Crazy hectic. And lovely. 

Welcome to the weekend. 

Last minute catch up!

Photos via instagram 

{Fall Threads}...Museum Hopping

One of the best parts of the Twin Cities is the number of museums we have. It's spectacular! My two favorite art museums are The MIA and The Walker. The U of M campus even has a rad museum, WAM. When I'm at a museum, I like to look like fit in. You know, kind of sophisticated. I don't want to look boring though. That's why I usually go with all black and neutrals, with lots of metallics and some pops of color. 

Bonus, by wearing mostly black, you can transition to night!

P.S...Did you know that there are only four Roman replicas of the Doryphoros? There are three in Europe and the last one is at the MIA in MPLS! We're totally boss. 

Sweater / Studs / Jeans / Bangles / Watch / Bag / Scarf / Shoes

LOL

Monty Python and the Holy Grail

Last night I had a great girls' night with Abby and Becca. We sampled different pastas, ice creams, and even had a taste tested, researched debate over two different cookies. The results were inconclusive. Wednesdays are one of my favorite days to meet up with friends, because it seriously does split up the week perfectly. Once you get over that hump, you're golden. After lots of craziness these past few days, we lightened the mood with Monty Python and the Holy Grail. Here are some of my all time favorite, laugh out loud, pee your pants films...

Vacation

Dumb and Dumber

Meet the Parents

The Hangover

Photos via 1/2/3/4/5

{Curious}...Study Habits

In an attempt to get ahead of my studies for a weekend home with the family, I've become exceedingly aware of my study habits....

While I like to study in a peaceful environment, I need to be stimulated by something other than the subject I'm studying. Libraries filled with people typing & chit-chatting is a nice balance. Coffee shops are similarly conducive to studying; it's warm, smells good, there is a relaxed sense of calm, yet has a bustling vibe that is contagious. 

Along with being perfectly populous, coffee shops and cafés have possible the most important element. Food and drink. It's very difficult for me to study without having a snack or cup of coffee. I've heard some people have a reward system established; they eat a Skittle for every page they finish. That would be torturous. Nibbling helps me stay focused, energized, and content.

And sometimes, I just need solitude. If I'm going to sit down with a novel accompanied with literary theory, I settle into a cozy chair totally alone and read. For hours. This is possibly one of my most enjoyable parts of studying. Being able to only experience the story is fascinating.

I also find that I often chew on my pens, prop my face up with my left hand, listen to music, hum, take copious notes (more than necessary), wear my glasses (my eyes get tired), and tap/bounce my feet absentmindedly. What are your study habits?

P.S. How do you stay organized? A good book/computer bag. Do you go to office hours?

{Weekend Update}...Totally Baked

A low key weekend is just what the doctor ordered. And I got it! After a full two weeks of being back in the swing of things, I did some much needed relaxing. And that obviously means baking! Since a hint of fall was in the air, and I had extra bananas, it only made since to bake up a batch of banana nut muffins. Yum, right? Feeling inspired, I finally watched Julie and Julia. (Meryl Streep is a goddess, right?) And with welcoming fall, I had to celebrate the last week of summer with a little ice cream. After all, it got super hot, so we were baking on the fourth floor! Looks like cool breezes and blue skies for the last week of summer. Yay!

Hope you enjoyed your weekend.

P.S...Are you getting psyched for the last season of The Office to air on Thursday? Abby and I have been re-watching the eighth season on Hulu Plus to make sure we're all caught up before our party!

Photo via

{Fall Threads}...Concert Connoisseur

One of my favorite past times in the Twin Cities is going to different concerts. There's a plethora of fantastic venues, with a never ending supply of groovy artists. Remember when I went to Ben Folds and the Minnesota Orchestra? Or when I saw Werther? And just last weekend I saw Jeremy Messersmith for an intimate bonfire concert. I love getting dressed up for fancy concerts, operas, and the like. This fall, incorporate some of hottest trends, like peplum, sequins, burgundy, and moto-black for the hottest performances. 

{Fancy} Dress / Emerald Clutch / Pump

{Funky} Jacket / Leather Pants / Flat / Eggplant Clutch / Jaguar Ring / Cluster Ring

{Splurge or Save}...Berry Striped

One of my favorite items in my closet is the button down blouse. A tried and true staple for me, it instantly adds a sense of polish, and yet still cool. I find it to be one of the most versatile articles of clothing. Since I'm such a fan of color and pattern, this blouse grabbed my attention immediately! You could wear it with anything. Bonus: it has navy, the it color for fall.  Old Navy also has a great shirt that's similar. I think I like it more with the relaxed rolled sleeves and double pockets. 

P.S. Old Navy has a current promotion! Get 20% off through the 16th using the code ONBIG20.

{Splurge} Closed Stripe Shirt

{Save} Horizontal Stripe Shirt

Story Scarf

How cool? These scarves allow you to have your favorite texts printed onto a scarf. It looks like a newspaper snood. Sweet! My English major geek persona is freaking out right now! Wouldn't this be such a quirky, and intelligent way to let people know you're a reader? 

What book passage would you wear? Speaking of which, a literary award worthy clutch. 

Image via

Order here!

{Curious}...Interview Prep

Today I have my very first legit interview. Sure, I applied and interviewed for my part time sales associate job at a retail store, but I've never interviewed for a serious job that was really important to me. In case you're curious, it's a real writing job. Really! Although a part time job on campus, I would still be getting paid to write and edit. How thrilling is that? 

So I'm curious...do you have any tips? How do you psych yourself up? Do you wear your lucky undies? Do you have a ritual the morning of? How do you get yourself feeling superb and qualified? I'm wearing this blazer in purple to look professional while allowing my personality to shine through. I'd love some tips before I go in! Wish me luck and keep your fingers crossed!

Photo via

{Weekend Update}...Homegrown Talent

My hometown is Eau Claire, WI and we are now known for the indie band Bon Iver. I like to mention I went to the same high school as Justin Vernon. Yeah, that's how I impress... But have you heard of Jeremy Messersmith? He is a Minneapolis, MN native and is fantastic. His Midwestern tour starts today, so on Saturday he came to the U of M campus for a pre-tour concert. It was an intimate outdoor concert. With the crisp evening breeze and his adorable bow tie, sweater, guitar combination, Fall seems to have officially begun. 

How was your weekend? Is it fall yet? Was this past week the first week of school for you? Or were you simply busy?

Photo via Instagram

{Fall Threads}...Geek Chic

So I'm back at school and already busy with my studies! I work on the computer almost all day and I usually wear contacts. However, my eyes get super tired from the screens, so by five o' clock I'm usually in my glasses! When I study in the library (coffee by side, of course) I need to be comfortable. But hey, I still need to look good! You never know who you'll see. So I stick with some classics. Boyfriend jeans, a cardi and keds. And your school supplies? It better be rockin', cause otherwise, what's this all been for?

Sexy Boyfriend Jeans / iPhone Case / Felt Doctors Bag / Notebooks Orange; Yellow / Glasses / Keds / Cardigan / Pen / Necklace

{Make It}...Très Chic Tray

I found this totally rad sparkly gold tray at a local market in my hometown for only five bucks! Needless to say, I fell in love. Trays are extremely functional and versatile, so I couldn't wait to incorporate it! Of course, I couldn't leave it be. To make it feel a little more up to date, and more my style, I added a fresh coat of high gloss white spray paint. It made a world of difference in only a few steps!

You will need:

A plastic tray

Spray paint for plastic

Sandpaper

Painter's tape

Face mask (optional)

Since my tray had a sparkly finish, I sanded down the surface to ensure a smooth coat of paint. Sand the areas you will paint in a linear, then circular motion making sure every part has been touched. Remember to dust it off with a damp rag.

Tape your edges off with painter's tape, or even masking tape. I like to press the roll of tape against the surface as I edge, because it acts as a smoother and makes sure it's tight to the surface. As always, go over again with your fingers to seal everything. You don't want leakage! I also taped the inside of the handle cutouts because I wanted the gold to show through against the white.

Simply follow the directions on the canister of spray paint. If outside, make sure that you're not spraying against the breeze! That can get messy. About eight inches away, apply a thin coat with a slow sweeping motion.  Wait about thirty minutes and reapply a second coat for full coverage.

I had a little leakage. Oops! No worries. If you get a thin dusting of paint in the wrong places, use acetone nail polish remover to take those blemishes away. I like using a cotton swab for detail work, and a cotton round for larger areas. Wipe lightly and quickly to only remove the spray paint and nothing else!

{Curious}...Flower Girl

Would you buy yourself flowers? I love nothing more than seeing a beautiful bouquet (or even a single flower in a vase) on the table. Is it just a girl thing to love flowers? I'm fascinated by them. Abby took a plant propagation class last year, which was incredible. We have a farmer's market on campus, and there are usually really cool seasonal sprigs. I wouldn't feel weird getting myself some. Would you?

P.S. Aren't flowers gorgeous during the peak between life and death? 

Are flowers strictly a romantic/get well, etc. gift? Do you get yourself flowers just because they're pretty?

Top photo via

Middle photo via

Bottom photo via

{Weekend Update}...Goodbyes

The in between.

This was my last weekend in Eau Claire for a while. All moved in to my new digs for the new school year, I can't believe how much I did in the weekend! Although I will most definitely be in my hometown a lot visiting, I still have a hard time saying goodbyes. It's difficult always coming and going, leaving friends behind in both places. I made sure to have some quality lunch dates with my parents, breakfasts with friends, creative time with Abby, and family dinners as a send off! Home is great, new places are exciting and family is the constant.

The Godbrother.

Concrete leaves! Best handmade gift for fall!

Ahh...my bed, my home.