pumpkin + spice.

I feel ya, girl.

Fall is officially here, and my mood has just skyrocketed. There is nothing better than winding through Mountain Brook on the hunt for a pumpkin-y drink with the windows down, the crisp air and smell of fall flowing in, and the trees boasting the most gorgeously colored leaves imaginable. Raise a mug of apple cider to toast the ushering in of pumpkin, plaid, scarves, tights, sweaters, tweed, and more mapley goodness than your waistline can deal with. Let the euphoria commence. 

Vive l'automne! 

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2 | Classy Girls Wear Pearls

duck, duck, boot.

Matchbook Magazine via Pinterest.

It's that time of year again. If you follow me on Twitter or have read my past dedications, you know my obsession with my L.L. Bean Bean Boots. It's finally cool enough to pull out the duck boots for more than just rain showers, and I'm so glad.

Bring on the cold; I'm ready.

Pinterest.

P.S. Be sure to check out Matchbook Magazine's feature on this staple.

these boots are made for {more than} walking.

Photo courtesy of Unabashedly Prep.

As luck would have it, my decision to forgo the ubiquitous Hunters for the Bean Boot is an ever-relevant decision.  Not that they ever went away, but the duck boot is having a huge mainstream comeback, especially for women, with the likes of Tommy Hilfiger making healed versions for recent collections.  Manolo Blahnik made his own stiletto version back in the 70s.  They're so beloved that Southern Proper even made a Duck Boot Beau as part of their Fall line.  Need I say more?

We all know I love a classic, so my only dilemma is which ones to get. 

Decisions, decisions...

somebody stop this girl.

Happy early birthday to moi! Photo courtesy of Tumblr.

Since my birthday is on September 27th, my family always decides to give me birthday money early so I can spend it on shopping sprees school things.  So I've been getting ready to go back to the Magic City (only 3 more days!!), and I also picked up a few things I've been wanting for a while.

I got it in navy blue!  Please ignore the awful BlackBerry photography.

I finally ordered that L.L. Bean boat and tote--extra large--when they said extra large, they weren't kiddin'. I almost fell out when I saw how big it was and almost sent it back, but my mom convinced me to keep it for an overnight bag and then order a smaller one for class.

Good choice.

Photo courtesy of The Preppy Princess.

The piece de resistance, however, was the trifecta of Lilly Pulitzer goods I purchased from The Preppy Princess.  I'm so excited for my new Lilly planner (to make homework seem a little more fun), travel mug (to make 8am classes seem a little more fun), and umbrella (to make the constant Birmingham drizzle seem a little more fun--and to pair with my bubble gum pink puff sleeved trench!), all in Checking In.

Photo courtesy of Southern Proper.

I also finally ordered the Southern Proper elephant headband I've been wanting for almost a year--it'll pull double duty as an Alabama accessory and also the perfect complement to that GOP ballot.

Then I settled down for that glorious purchase I make at the beginning of every semester--textbooks.  Hello, Amazon!

Well, those are the high points of my shopping other than a few not so glorious trips to Walmart for supplies.

I'd also like to mention the wonderful trip I took to Tallahassee, Florida this past weekend to see my Grammy!! She is always a gracious hostess, and my mom and I had a blast with her and also my cousin, Sheila!

When I get everything in, I shall post pictures of the rest of the goods!

Can't wait to be back at school with all of my friends! It's been far too long without them! :)

Maine Attraction

My first memory of L.L. Bean took place during the summer before my K-4 year at Saint James (yes, I went there for a few years..don’t judge me-- youthful indiscretion :) ).  I remember sitting on my bed with my mom while she called and placed her order:  one Original Book Pack with script name for me and a Deluxe Book Pack with block initials for my brother, both in cobalt (duh, we went to STJ!).  I was SO excited—my big brother and I matched (yeah..shoulda known then that I was a sucker for matching/twin/themed looks)! 

And let me tell you, those 3-5 business days that I had to wait for that backpack felt like an eeeeeeternity. 

Classic style available in an array of colors, or build your own!

Fast-forward 16 years later, and I still love L.L. Bean.  They offer the standard in great quality for unbelievably reasonable prices.  Right now I’m getting ready to purchase the college version of that Original Pack*—an extra large Boat and Tote.  Originally made to hold large quantities of ice and said to be able to hold 400 pounds, I believe this tote can handle my textbooks and a computer, don’t you?  And if that isn’t good enough, all of their products have a 100% satisfaction guarantee.  I might even get it in Regatta Blue as a throwback to that ole cobalt backpack.  

Decisions, decisions.  I'm going with Insignia.

My favorite part of nearly all L.L. Bean products is the $5 monogramming—just like any good southern girl, I love a monogram.

Some other things I’m coveting from L.L. Bean this season are a men’s gingham shirt (shown above) from the Signature Collection, to be worn oversized and belted at the waist, and some new moccasin slippers.  My mom has the most decadent pair of soft-soled moc slippers from L.L. Bean—flannel lined with soft, buttery leather and a hint of fleece.  They make your feet feel like they are floating in clouds of cotton--the only problem is that it looks like they aren’t making this particular style anymore.  Hopefully as we move into cooler months, this will change — otherwise I might be making two purchases from the gentleman’s side of the shopping world.  

How do you juxtapose a jaunt into menswear? 

Femme it up with a bow headband and a cinched waist, and voilà!

Borrowed from the boys, right? 

Well, whatever you purchase, if it’s from L.L. Bean, you won’t be disappointed. 

*That Original Book Pack lasted me all the way until 5th grade, at which point my copious (ha..) amounts of homework were outweighing the dimensions of the Original.  No fear, I upgraded.