My Favorite Things About the Summer to Fall Transition

I love summer. I really do with the sunny days, trips to the beach, and all the ice cream and snow-cones you could want. However, autumn has a special place in my heart. My birthday is in September. We were married in October. I geek out over the foliage changing color and my husband and I do that weird thing where we point out especially beautiful trees to each other.

Maryland is pretty much known for our crazy seesaw weather – we might get a nice day or two in August, only to suddenly have the heat and humidity punch us in the face. Same with September – sure we may have some days in the 70’s where you want to pull out your comfy cardigans and motorcycle boots. But as soon as you look forward to dressing like a ‘basic fall girl’, the weather flips again and you’re digging out your tank tops.

The last couple of weeks have been absolutely perfect though, with sunny days in the mid 70’s and low 80’s. So, I thought it was time that I channel Taylor Swift with her Autumn Lovers post/poem and wax poetic about the summer to fall transition.

Things I Love About This Time of Year:

Buying a New Day Planner. Sure, school starting is no longer a year-start for me, but I love the promise of buying a blank day planner and adding everything to it nice and fresh. And yes, I color code. (PS, did you know that erasable highlighters are a thing?! I’m OBSESSED with them)

An End-of-Summer Purge. This is the time of year when I like to do a nice cleanout of my unworn/unloved summer clothing items. With my eyes pointed towards fall, it just seems a little bit easier to let go of those items that I never bothered to wear over the last season. So, I go through and make my piles for Poshmark or to donate, and I start the new season with a little extra room in my closet.

Fall Home Projects & Décor. I haven’t gone full pumpkin yet, but it’s right around the corner. I typically like to get past my birthday first, but then I enjoy switching out a few things around the house to make it feel a little cozier for the shorter days/longer nights just around the corner. That means adorable pumpkins, apple and vanilla scented candles, and lots of fluffy blankets and thrifted hand-crocheted afgans for all the snuggling. I also always feel a bit of an itch to do some home projects, and this year I think I may finally repaint my upstairs hallway.

Cool Nights & An Oversized Hoodie. YES, I love my dresses and skirts. And I wear them year-round… but there is just something about a chilly night and throwing on an oversized hoodie. It’s cozy and comfy and perfect for all the snuggling – whether it be with Travis, Jack, Ollie… or all of the above.

{Yes, I know we are not wearing hoodies in this photo, but this little cuddle pile was too cute not to share}

The Smell of a Bonfire When You’re Driving Around. I love having our own outdoor bonfire. However, there is just something about driving home from dinner in the evening and having the window cracked just a bit for some cool air… and smelling that whiff of bonfire as you drive by. Absolute heaven.

Disclaimer: This post contains an Amazon affiliate link — because I’m obsessed with my erasable highlighters. This means that clicking on a link may help me earn a small commission at no cost to you.

Jack’s First Day of 7th Grade

Today is the first day of school in our county and Jack’s first day of 7th grade! He is officially in the middle of middle school – as our school goes from 6th to 8th grade. Last year, we marveled over how the 6th graders look like little kids and the 8th graders are full grown… so this must be the year that it all happens!

And I’m not ready.

Or maybe I am.

I don’t know.

This was a fast and hectic summer for us. Jack broke his arm the first weekend of the summer, had emergency surgery, was in a splint for a week, then a cast for 4 weeks, then got it off. And now, he’s going through physical therapy to help get his range of movement back. He was home with me on my telework days and on days I went into the office he either hung out with dad, visited his grandparents, or spent time at a local summer camp. We also had some wonderful days at the beach and ate a lot of ice cream.

And now, I send him off to 7th grade. And I know he’ll do great because he’s an awesome, smart and hilarious kid. He’s also delightfully weird and an absolute powerhouse at video games.

I’m hoping he finds ‘his people’ this year, whether he becomes better friends with classmates, or meets new friends through school clubs. Last year, we had some sporadic issues with bullying, so I’m on high alert for any problems that I need to nip in the bud.

So, here’s to hoping that 7th grade is a fantastic year!

{As previously noted here on the blog, all photos and/or posts about Jack are run by him first for approval. Jack has approved this message and says ‘hi’ to everyone.}

My Style: August 2024

Maryland weather is doing what Maryland weather does… one week it’s in the high 90’s and the next we have a beautiful week in the mid 70’s. This month also had lots of fun events, such as a sister’s weekend in DC, an outdoor park birthday party, a family photo session, a week in Ocean City and a friend’s bridal shower. So, it’s no surprise that the month flew by!

Let’s take a look at my August looks:

Same dress, two ways. I purchased this black eyelet dress this month from Nordstrom Rack because it was on super clearance, I had a $10 off voucher that was going to expire, and I love how it fits me. I wore it to work first, and paired it with a beaded mustard-colored cardigan, brown belt and silver sandals. Then, I re-styled it for a weekend dinner in DC with my sisters — same belt, black sandals and a mustard colored purse. I can’t wait until the weather is a bit colder and I can pair it with boots and a denim jacket!

Here are two work looks from the month and… I think I hate them both. At the time, I was digging the floral embroidery paired with the striped skirt, but now it’s just not doing it for me at all. I’ve styled the thrifted striped skirt twice so far and both times it’s just giving me ‘meh’. I’m going to give it one more try and then decide if it’s hitting the chopping block!

Sames goes with the color combo with the blue top and rust-colored skirt. As much as I want to love that blue top, I just don’t love wearing it. I’m going to add it to my Poshmark closet so hopefully someone else can enjoy it soon.

Here are three very different looks that were worn this month. I’ve had that beaded dress for years, but I don’t think I’ve worn it since 2019! I pulled it out of the closet for my friend’s bridal shower and it was a perfect mix of comfortable, dressy and cool for some extra hot weather! For the middle outfit, I styled a handmade linen skirt with a simple t-shirt for some errands and loved it. And the last outfit is proof that sometimes I just wear shorts and a t-shirt.

Here are three work outfits I liked this month. The blue brushstroke skirt was on the chopping block, since I haven’t worn it in years… but I decided that it’s a keeper. I really liked it paired with a simple t-shirt and embroidered cardigan for work. As for the second outfit — this is the third time I’ve styled this secondhand floral Johnny Was top and it really does go with everything! The wrap dress was an easy way to look professional when I would have rather stayed in bed.

New vs. Secondhand Tally

This month, I count 11 items that I purchased retail and 16 items I purchased secondhand! Of those 11 retail items, 5 were purchased more than 5 years ago.