What I Read September 2020

How many books do you guys read at one time? My record is six, although I will admit that was pushing my limits. Three is my sweet spot, the number of different story lines I can keep separate in my head. I've also been known to lose myself in one book, or series, and put all others aside to binge read, then pick the others back up once done. I technically started the month off by re-reading the Checkmate series, which I read back in July before I realized it was part of a set of standalone series. Even re-reading so close together, they were just as good this go 'round. I also sampled a ton of books that keep showing up in my recommendations, but only one of them stuck. Literally every book/series in this month's pickings is a love story. Oops.

The Lending Library
Author: Aliza Fogelson

Dodie Fairisle is a middle school art teacher who spends most of her days living in her own little world, so it's no wonder that she finds refuge in books. When her local library is shut down indefinitely, Dodie decides to turn her home's sunroom into a lending library, but this book is about so much more. It's about love and family and the dream of motherhood, and most importantly of Dodie finally growing up and taking responsibility for her life. Honestly, I don't know that I actually recommend this book. Dodie was extremely quirky and quite frustrating as a main character at times. I had a hard time relating to her but kept with it because I wanted to see if she was capable of change.

The Stardust Series
Authors: Autumn Reed & Julia Clarke

This is the one series in my recommendations that I actually finished. The little six-book set was pretty standard for e-books, i.e. it could have been told in three just as easily. I guess that doesn't really matter though since I downloaded the boxset and read them as if I was reading one big book. Anyway, on to the books. Haley has been in hiding her entire life from an enemy she doesn't know. When her home blows up on her 18th birthday, she's rescued by a group of men who work in private security. Those men take her in while she searches for her now missing father as well as answers about his past and the men who are after him.

Wildcard, Reshuffle, and Game of Hearts
Author: Emilia Finn

This series is the continuation of the Rollin On, Survivor, and Checkmate series, focusing on the children who are now all grown up. Wildcard and Reshuffle are the story of Ben Conner and Evie "Smalls" Kincaid, while Game of Hearts focuses on Lucy "Bean" Kincaid and MacAllister "Mac" Blair. If you've been reading the other series, you'll recognize all four of those names as the children of several of the main players throughout. Collectively, this group of friends is known as the Fearsome Foursome. The premise behind this particular series is that Mac has been prohibited from professional fighting due to an incident with his heart at age 14. In the wake of that decision, Evie decides to tear up her contract and start her own fight circuit so that anyone who can pay the entry fee and is deemed medically able has their chance in the ring. Of course, like with their predecessors, each book focuses on a specific couple. So far, book 3 has been my favorite. I have a soft spot for Mac from the Checkmate series, and I found myself relating to Lucy personality-wise a lot. Up next, Full House.

The Starless Sea
Author: Erin Morgenstern

This book was unlike anything I have ever read, in the best way possible. I'm struggling with how to describe it without giving too much away. The simplest explanation is that it is a story inside of a story that meanders in the most whimsical way to tie the different elements together. The son of a fortune-teller, Zachary Ezra Rawlins, discovers a door to an underground library that revolves around the love story of Time and Fate, who have been torn apart repeatedly. Zachary, along with a man known as Dorian and a mysterious woman named Mirabel, is the key to their happy ending.

It took me a month to read this book. I soaked in the words, reveled in the hidden meanings, and fell in love with Zachary. Erin Morgenstern is a gifted wordsmith. This book was beautiful. (Warning: do not read this book if homosexuality offends you.)

What's next?

I've got a few spookier books on my radar for October, including The Haunting of H.G. Wells and Sutton Place, although I can't promise to make it through all of them (horror is my least favorite genre -- too vivid of an imagination, ha). I'll also be finishing up The Romeo Arrangement and the last book in The Conduit trilogy and obviously reading the next book in the Stacked Deck series. Happy reading!

Real Outfit Roundup: Summer to Fall Style

Fall may be officially here, the first month of fall in the south tends to be more of a transitionary period. We frequently have days in the 80s followed by a day or two in the 60s. And the humidity comes and goes. That makes getting dressed in early fall a little tricky, and more often than not I find myself mixing my summer clothes into my fall/winter wardrobe.

I've tried to do a better job over the last few weeks of taking photos of my actual outfits. Seeing as I have 16 outfits to share with you, it appears I didn't miss many days. This edition of Real Outfit Roundup is a mix of old and new pieces, and because we have moved into a new season some of the summer styles are no longer available, but as always I'll link to similar items.

If you're a regular reader, you'll have seen a few of these outfits in previous posts. I rarely style an outfit solely for the purpose of a blog post, unless I'm showing how to wear one particular thing multiple ways. Most of these have also made an appearance on my Instagram page.

Sizing info: I'm 5'2" and usually wear size 6/8 or medium in tops and dresses, size 6 in pants and skirts, and size 7 in shoes.

I truly don't remember the why behind this outfit. I'm pretty sure it's from before school started back, but I can't tell you if I even left the house that day. I can tell you that I picked these shorts up back in August, but they do still have most sizes and they're marked down. I sized up to an 8 because this brand tends to run tight in shorts.

Outfit Details

Shirt: Amazon (exact, wearing size M in white)

Shorts: JCPenney (exact, wearing size 8 in navy Jenny stripe)

Shoes: Old Navy (similar)

I wore this outfit to a business meeting and then to my dad's birthday dinner. I bought this shirt in late spring, and it didn't come in until right before my surgery so it hasn't seen much wear. It's great quality, though, and surprisingly still available in limited sizes. My jeans are from a couple years ago, but I'll link to some similar pairs in different washes below.

Outfit Details

Shirt: Old Navy (exact, wearing size M)

Pants: Oldy Navy (similar, similar, similar)

Shoes: Target (similar)

This dress has already been featured on the blog, with three other ways to style it through the cold weather months. Click here to read the post. That said, I did actually wear this version for a full day.

Outfit Details

Dress: Target (exact, wearing size L)

T-Shirt: Amazon (exact, wearing size M)

Boots: ShoeDazzle (similar)

I wore this to a fish fry for my brother and dad's birthdays. It was an attempt to dress like fall without dying in summer temps. Unfortunately, everything in this outfit except for the sneakers is old. I did, however, link to a pair of really good white cut-off denim shorts and a pretty similarly-colored striped shirt below.

Outfit Details

Shirt: Target (similar)

Shorts: Walmart (similar)

Shoes: Old Navy (exact, wearing size 7)

The next three outfits were all worn during the week I distributed the September magazine. They also were all featured in a post last week talking about how to layer casual dresses for the transition into fall. Click here to read the post.

Outfit Details

Dress: Old Navy (old - similar)

Vest: StitchFix (old - similar, similar)

Shoes: Converse (exact, wearing size 7 in athletic navy)

Outfit Details

Dress: Forever 21 (old - similar, similar)

Vest: JCPenney (old - similar, similar)

Shoes: Old Navy (exact, wearing size 7)

Outfit Details

Dress: Walmart (old - similar, similar)

Jacket: Walmart (exact, wearing size M)

Shoes: Academy (old - similar, similar)

Did you guys know I'm a baseball fan? I grew up watching the Braves, and although I don't watch them play often these days, I still keep up with their season. So when Old Navy put all their MLB t-shirts on sale for $10, I couldn't pass it up. It's so soft it's like it's already been lived in. I've worn it three times since it came in, so roughly once a week.

Outfit Details

Shirt: Old Navy (exact, wearing size M)

Shorts: Walmart (similar)

Shoes: Converse (exact, wearing size 7 in athletic navy)

I love this sweatshirt so much, you'll see it in this post twice. The first time I wore it, I paired it with my favorite denim shorts (that are no longer in stock, and I refuse to link to a subpar pair) and leopard sneakers. It was one of those days where the wind was cool but the sun was warm, so I compromised. Anyway, this sweatshirt is ridiculously soft. It's not oversized but it's not fitted.

Outfit Details

Sweatshirt: Old Navy (exact, wearing size M)

Shorts: Target

Shoes: Academy (similar, similar)

I wore this on our anniversary. We got Chinese take-out and had a picnic lunch. It was one of those perfect early fall days, where I was perfectly comfortable in a tank top and jeans. These jeans are going to be my go-to this fall and winter, I can just feel it. They're a little loose on me, but I can't tell if it's because I've gotten smaller or because of the boyfriend cut. My tank top isn't available in this exact pattern anymore but it is available in a bunch of others, which is why I still linked to it.

Outfit Details

Shirt: Old Navy (exact, wearing size M)

Jeans: Old Navy (exact, wearing size 6)

Shoes: Converse (exact, wearing size 7 in athletic navy)

This is not the best picture, and normally I wouldn't bother to include it, but I really wanted to share this short-sleeved henley with you. I've worn it several times already but I keep forgetting to take a picture. This is such a good basic. It's a step above a plain t-shirt so it doesn't feel too plain if you wear it on its own, but it's also perfect for layering underneath a sweater. It comes in two other colors.

Outfit Details

Shirt: Old Navy (exact, wearing size M in raspberry sorbet)

I shared this picture on Instagram so people could see the reality of trying to work at home on a day when school has been canceled. If you can't tell, I was barely hanging onto my sanity. Anyway, these cargo-style joggers are only available in limited sizes, so I also linked to a similar style. My exact Sailor Moon shirt isn't available anymore but there are tons of them out there, so I linked to three that I liked.

Outfit Details

Shirt: Target (similar, similar, similar)

Pants: Old Navy (exact, wearing size M in Lost at Sea Navy, similar style)

Shoes: Converse (exact, wearing size 7 in athletic navy)

Words cannot express how much I love this dress. I love the loose fit, the slightly ballooned sleeves, the visible black stitching, and the fun colors. Typically in this brand I size up, but I didn't have to with this dress. I don't know how consistent the sizing is so you might want to try before you buy. I paired them with my lace-up black booties because I wanted that feminine touch that combat boots just don't provide.

Outfit Details

Dress: Target (exact, wearing size M in black/purple)

Shoes: ShoeDazzle (exact, wearing size 7)

A sweatshirt so nice you're seeing it twice, only this time with black jeans and wedge sneakers.

Outfit Details

Sweatshirt: Old Navy (exact, wearing size M)

Jeans: Old Navy (exact, wearing size 6)

Shoes: Walmart (exact - wearing size 7)

I've had this sweatshirt since the beginning of the year but they keep restocking it in pretty similar shades of pink. It comes in a bunch of other colors too. It's thin, which is great for southern fall/winter.

Outfit Details

Sweatshirt: Old Navy (exact, wearing size M)

Jeans: Old Navy (exact, wearing size 6)

Shoes: Walmart (exact - wearing size 7)

This dress is several years old, but Old Navy keeps bringing the style back year-after-year with different patterns. There is a striped version that is the reverse of this one, along with a leopard print, two floral patterns, and solid black. These boots were one of my best purchases last year, but they're not available this year. There are two kinda similar styles in the same color that I'm linking to below. I find Old Navy's shoes to be true to size.

Outfit Details

Dress: Old Navy (exact, wearing size M)

Shoes: Old Navy (similar, similar)

*This post contains affiliate links.

Monday Motivation + My Daily Routine

Welcome to another week. After the hustle of last week, this week will almost feel like a vacation. I can't believe it's about to be October. The end of the year is upon us, and I can't say I'll be sad to see 2020 come to an end.

Last week was my last full week of working on the October magazine, but for the first time in a long time I wasn't racing my deadlines to get everything written. Technically today (9/28) is our final day but it's more about finalizing ad designs than anything else. The rest of the week will be spent getting things set up for November and December and making sure the web issue is ready to go.

I was planning on adding a little more jogging into my daily trek this week, but that will have to wait. I rolled my ankle last week, aggravating an old cheerleading injury, but in my infinite wisdom I decided that it wasn't that bad and pushed through it...for three days. By Friday, I had made it so much worse and decided to skip the day. Saturday morning dawned and the full extent of the damage made itself known, so I spent the weekend with an ice pack and my foot elevated on a stack of pillows. It's thankfully on the mend, but it will be at least Tuesday (9/29) before I pick up where I left off.

In my August column for the magazine, I talked about how it felt like my responsibilities and anxieties had doubled over the summer. I was feeling pretty overwhelmed by what felt like a constant state of messiness in my home, a sleep schedule that was all over the place, and never having time to myself. Now that school has been back in session for a few weeks, my days have settled into a more structured rhythm, and I'm feeling more on top of things. Here's a look at my daily routine:

My alarm goes off at 6:30 a.m. I take 10 minutes to wake up, then wake Alexis up at 6:45. This is important -- I get Alexis dressed before letting her leave her bedroom, that way she's less likely to get distracted by anything.

Then it's time for breakfast. I have a cup of coffee and pack Alexis's lunchbox, then while Alexis finishes eating, I wash my face, brush my teeth, tame my hair, and get dressed. Once I'm dressed, I fix Alexis's hair, give her a dose of allergy medicine, and get her teeth brushed.

We leave for school between 7:25-30. It takes no more than 10 minutes for morning drop-off so I'm back home in time to do my morning walk/jog at 7:45.

When I get back to the house I shower and get ready for the day. I'm in my office working by 9:00 most mornings, later if I'm running errands. I work up until 1:45 p.m., when I leave to get in the after school car line. And one thing I've learned this school year is that it doesn't matter how close to school you live, the afternoon pickup line still takes forever.

Our afternoon varies from day-to-day depending on what's happening that particular day. We unpack Alexis's bookbag as soon as we get inside, and if she has homework we do that. I finish up any work I had on my schedule for the day, we have some outside time if the weather is nice, and Alexis gets to watch a little TV.

We eat supper around 5:00 every night. Alexis's bath starts sometime between 6-6:30. Bathtime is when the TV gets turned off for the night. Alexis gets to play in her room for 30-45 minutes, then we do our typical bedtime routine: bathroom, medicine, story. She's in bed and hopefully asleep by 8:00.

Once Alexis is in bed, I have some me time. I read, watch TV or a movie, work if I'm up against a deadline, work on the blog, take a bubble bath, or some combination thereof. Most nights I'm turning out the lights and going to sleep.

I'm still not a morning person by any means, and probably never will be, but even I can appreciate the benefits of starting my day earlier. And while my responsibilities haven't actually lessened, I do find myself breathing a little easier these days.

Happy Monday!

10 Books Currently on my TBR List

In June, I shared with you guys 30 books I want to read, and while it wasn't my full TBR list, it did cover a lot of what I had sitting in queues at the time. The thing with TBR lists, though -- or at least mine -- is that they are continuously evolving. I'm proud to say that over the last three months, I've been able to cross six of those books off my list, but my TBR list continues to grow much faster than I can read the books I keep adding to it. That said, the remaining 24 books in that original post remain on the list, and while I'll get to them eventually, they're not sitting at the top of my reading pile right now.

Here are the 10 books currently holding my attention:

*Currently reading.

*The Starless Sea by Erin Morgenstern - After how much I loved The Night Circus, I really couldn't pass this book up. Zachary Ezra Rawlins finds a book hidden in his university's library that contains a story from his own childhood. In his quest to learn how this particular story was recorded, Zachary uncovers a series of clues that lead him to a masquerade party, a secret club, and through a magical doorway to an ancient, underground library.

*The Haunting of H.G. Wells by Robert Masello - Set in World War I, author H.G. Wells is dispatched to the front lines to determine the validity of a strange story: Saint George and a brigade of angels descending from Heaven to fight beside British troops. While there, he discovers a wasteland that's inhabited by the living, the dead, and those stranded in between. Those souls follow him back to London where a deadly plot that could turn the tide of the war is unfolding. Wells, along with his young love, battles secret agents and depraved occultists to save not only his country, but also the world and his sanity.

*Game of Hearts by Emilia Finn - This is book three in the Stacked Deck series, which is the fourth series after the Rollin On books. This one will focus on Mac and Bean, but that's all I can tell you because all of these books are tied together and you really need to start with book one of the Rollin On series.

Circe by Madeline Miller - This book has been on my radar for awhile, and I can't wait to dive in. Circe is the daughter of the sun god, Helios, but she's not like the gods she lives with. So Circe goes to Earth to live amongst the mortals, where she discovers she is a powerful witch. When Zeus banishes her to a deserted island, Circe hones her craft and finds herself the recipient of the wrath of both gods and men.

The Romeo Arrangement by Nicole Snow -  I really enjoyed Accidental Knight, and this book seems like it will follow a similar theme. Ridge rescues Grace and her father when he declares the two of them are engaged and moves them into his home. Of course, this is a love story so I expect a happy ending.

The Last Monument by Michael C. Brimley - Joe Rickards is an investigator for the NTSB. While working a small plane crash, he discovers it all started with a mysterious letter.

Heart Bones by Colleen Hoover - Beyah Grim's plans to leave her past life behind are put on hold due to an unexpected death that sends her to live with her absent father. While there, she connects with her wealthy neighbor, Samson, and begins a summer fling. I really enjoyed Regretting You, so when this title by the same author popped into my recommendations I immediately downloaded it.

Harley Merlin and the Detector Fix by Bella Forrest - This is book seven in the Harley Merlin series, so I can't really give you a synopsis of it without spoiling the other six. Basically, Harley is a young witch descended from two powerful blood lines who finds herself on a mission to stop her evil aunt from taking over the world.

The Age of Witches by Louisa Morgan - The descendants of Bridget Bishop are split into two distinct sects: those who use their powers for good and those who use their powers only for themselves. Annis finds herself in the middle of this centuries long family feud and must choose between love and loyalty, power and ambition.

Fawkes by Nadine Brandes - V for Vendetta is one of my favorite movies, so I really couldn't pass up this fantasy retelling of the Gunpowder Plot starring Guy Fawkes's son.

Note: This post contains affiliate links.

Mom Style: 3 Casual Dress Outfits

As a mom, and a working one at that, casual outfits that are cute but functional are a must. Outfits that don't require a lot of pre-planning are even better. Cue comfy dresses that can take you from the grocery store to a play date and beyond. In my case, these easy-to-assemble outfits are perfect for a day spent distributing magazines where I want to look put together but also stay cool.

Pairing sneakers with dresses isn't something that comes naturally to me. While I appreciate the comfort level, I prefer to wear shoes that give me a few extra inches of height. In fact, just a few years ago you wouldn't have caught me wearing sneakers with a dress, not that I had the right type of sneakers to make it work mind you. So, sneakers and dresses are a relatively new #ootd trend for me, and I still feel like I struggle to pull it off effortlessly. That said, sneakers are the key ingredient to a casual dress outfit, which is why all three outfits that I'm sharing in this post features them.

The other thing that ties all three of these outfits together is a third piece. These completer pieces (vests, jackets, etc.) are the easiest way to take a summer dress into the fall. You can also use a scarf, but I rarely do because most of them add way too much bulk to the upper half of my body. These final layers are what we'll be focusing on for the purpose of this post.

By the way, all three of these outfits were worn in real life while I distributed magazines at the beginning of September.

Sizing info: I'm 5'2" and normally wear size 6/8 or medium in dresses and tops, size 6 in pants, and size 7 in shoes.

*This post contains affiliate links.

Black Dress + Utility Vest + Neutral Sneakers

First things first: if you do not have at least one simple black dress in your closet, you have a serious style hole to fill. I have several black dresses in various styles and fabrics, but this halter neck jersey one is by far my most worn. It's so versatile, i.e. easy to layer.

Once the season changes, I always feel a little out-of-place if my shoulders are bare, but 80-degree weather is still too hot for a jacket. A utility vest is a nice, casual way to take a simple black dress into fall without overheating. This one, especially, is ridiculously light-weight. It's from a few years ago, but I linked to a a couple of similar options below.

My faux suede taupe sneakers are the perfect casual finishing element. I originally bought these to wear during the summer but honestly feel like I'll be able to style them so much easier in cooler weather.

Outfit Details

Dress: Forever 21 (old - similar, similar)

Vest: JCPenney (old - similar, similar)

Shoes: Old Navy (exact, wearing size 7)

Striped Dress + Denim Vest + Converse

Much like the simple black jersey dress, a striped dress is a must-have for your closet. It's the epitome of a casual dress that's perfect for most mom duties. They're easily layered, as well, and I get so much use out of this one.

This particular combination is one that I fall back on pretty frequently, with some variations in the shoes. I don't know what it is exactly about the denim vest with this dress, but it just works so well. I like how the vest adds structure to an otherwise loose dress. My vest is a few years old but I linked to a few options below.

My Converse felt like the perfect punctuation point on this outfit. It's hard to tell in the photo but they're faded blue so they tie in nicely with the denim. Also, Converse are just cool shoes that work with most outfits.

Outfit Details

Dress: Old Navy (old - similar)

Vest: StitchFix (old - similar, similar)

Shoes: Converse (exact, wearing size 7 in athletic navy)

Solid Colored Tank Dress + White Jacket + Leopard Sneakers

Knit tank dresses are my jam all year long. I have them in solid colors and prints, but for the purpose of today's post we're keeping it basic. It doesn't really matter what color you choose. I went with this plum color because it felt like fall. My dress is from last year, and while this particular color isn't available anymore this style is still going strong in a bunch of other colors.

A white denim jacket may feel counterintuitive for fall, but I like the juxtaposition of the lighter color paired with a really dark base. It helps keep the outfit from feeling heavy. This jacket is still available in all sizes, and at my Walmart at least it had been marked way down.

Do you have a pair of leopard-print sneakers? You need some. Because they're a sneaker, they keep the outfit casual but the leopard print adds a dose of fun. I grabbed this pair off an aisle endcap in Academy last year for about $10 and wear them all the time. This exact version isn't available anymore but they do have a black/gray leopard print version. Otherwise, I linked to some traditional leopard print options below.

Outfit Details

Dress: Walmart (old - similar, similar)

Jacket: Walmart (exact, wearing size M)

Shoes: Academy (old - similar, similar)

10 COVID-Friendly Fall Activities for Families

It is officially Fall! Even though it may not feel like fall quite yet in many places, and the fall-like temperatures we're currently experiencing in my town are more than likely not going to stick around, we have finally made it to my most favorite time of the year.

All my favorite things happen in the fall. The weather cools off, the leaves change color, and I get to break out all my boots. All the special fall flavors start showing up in stores, though I'm not much on pumpkin spice unless it's in a pie. Halloween is just around the corner, followed by Thanksgiving and my birthday. It's truly the most wonderful time of the year.

That said, this year fall will undoubtedly look different for many of us. Some time-honored traditions won't happen because of coronavirus, and even those that haven't been canceled will be different from years past. Even with all the precautions in place, there are still plenty of things you can do as a family to get that fall feeling this year. Here are ten of my favorites.

Visit a U-Pick Farm or Pumpkin Patch- There's nothing quite as fun as picking out your own pumpkin to carve or decorate. We've got several to choose from in our area that not only have pumpkins but also boast sunflowers, a corn maze, and animals. You can find one near you through this website: upickfarmlocator.com

Make Fall/Halloween Crafts/Decorations - I am not really a crafty person, especially if it's complicated. But if it involves paper plates, count me in! Here are some fun paper plate Halloween crafts you can try and these easy crafts are great for preschoolers.

Have a Fall/Halloween Movie Marathon - This one is actually pretty easy to do thanks to Freeform's 31 Nights of Halloween (see the schedule here), and you can't forget Hallmark's fall lineup (see the schedule here).

Fall/Halloween Read-a-thon - Swap out your usual bedtime stories with a fall or Halloween-themed book. Don't know where to start? Check out this roundup of 31 Halloween Books for Kids.

Go on an Outdoor Fall Scavenger Hunt - Collect leaves, acorns, pinecones, etc. The best part about this activity is that you can do it literally anywhere: your backyard, the neighborhood park, a walking trail...anywhere!

Get Lost in a Corn Maze - Okay, so maybe skip the get lost part, but if a corn maze isn't on your fall bucket list, it should be!

Self-Guided Decorations Tour - Turns out, elaborate yard decorations aren't just for Christmas.

Cozy Up Around a Bonfire - Does anything say fall quite like a bonfire? I'm planning on making good use of our backyard fire pit. S'mores optional.

Make Your Own Fall/Halloween Treats - Alexis loves to help in the kitchen, especially if it involves making something sweet. Here are four recipes I'd like to try this fall: Apple Pie in a Cup, Pumpkin Spice Cake, Halloween Pretzels, and Monster Cookies.

Glow Stick Hide and Seek - This is exactly what it sounds like. Hide and seek with glow sticks.

4 Skirts for Fall & How to Wear Them

Fall in the South is a confusing time. Sometimes it's cool in the morning or evening but feels like summer during the day. Other days it's cool from sunup to sundown. Humidity is still a thing. Layers are your friend, but even with them you can still overdress.

Today I'm sharing the four skirts I rely on in a southern fall: corduroy, suede, denim, and leather.

Textured skirts are the easiest way to stay cool and seasonally appropriate. Skirts are easy to dress up or down. They pair with almost any type of shoe, although I'm using boots for the purpose of this post.

Sizing info: I'm 5'2" and usually wear size 6/8 or medium in tops/dresses, size 6 in skirts/pants, and size 7 in shoes.

*This post contains affiliate links.

Corduroy Skirt

Corduroy screams cooler weather, but here in the South it's rarely cold enough to get away with wearing it. The material is thick and warm. I would die in a pair of corduroy pants, but a skirt is more tolerable especially when paired with a lighter top, like this sheer chiffon blouse. A jacket layered on top will keep any chill away. If it actually got cold enough, I would wear this skirt with a chunky white or cream colored sweater.

My skirt is from Old Navy last year. They have a similar style this year but not in the red. I've linked to it below, as well as a cute button-front option.

Outfit Details

Shirt: Kut from the Kloth (similar)

Skirt: Old Navy (similar, similar)

Boots: Old Navy (similar)

Suede Skirt

This suede skirt is one of my favorite things to wear in the fall and winter. It's such a pretty texture and pairs nicely with sweaters and blouses. This combination I'm showing here is pretty popular on Pinterest so I thought I would give it a twirl.

I've had this suede skirt for going on five years now so it's definitely not available anymore, but I've linked to a similar option below.

Outfit Details

Shirt: Old Navy (similar)

Skirt: Cato (similar)

Boots: ShoeDazzle (similar)

Denim Midi Skirt

Denim mini skirts have a decidedly summer feel to them, but denim itself lends to cooler temperatures. So when summer turns to fall, swap out your denim mini for a midi instead. You can wear it with a blouse, t-shirt, or sweater. I chose to pair it with this super cozy cardigan and ankle boots.

This skirt is a new addition to my closet. Because of the button-front, I sized up to an 8 instead of my usual 6.

Outfit Details

Sweater: Old Navy (exact, wearing size M)

Skirt: Old Navy (exact, wearing size 8)

Boots: Old Navy (similar)

Leather Skirt

You can't go wrong with a leather skirt in cooler weather. The possibilities are endless, but this year I'm in love with the idea of wearing it with looser-fitting sweatshirts and sweaters and unexpected shoes (like these wine-colored booties). My sweatshirt comes in a bunch of different patterns and has that lived-in feel.

I've had this skirt for quite awhile so it's not available, but I linked to a similar option below.

Outfit Details

Sweatshirt: Old Navy (exact, wearing size M)

Skirt: The Limited (similar)

Boots: ShoeDazzle (similar)

Monday Motivation

It's the start of another week, and it will feel like fall for the most part thanks to Hurricane Teddy funneling some cool air from the north down our way. It was so nice to not feel like I was going to have a heat stroke on my morning walk/jog today. I've increased my total distance to a mile and can jog half of it, which I'm pretty proud of considering a little over a month ago I was barely able to walk a quarter mile.

Speaking of hurricanes, Sally has come and gone. Locally our schools shut down for two days but other than flooding in places that always flood we had no damage. I have several friends that live in and around where the storm made landfall, and thankfully they all had minimal damage. No Hurricane Michael repeats, thankfully.

My husband and I celebrated our eighth wedding anniversary on Tuesday. We didn't do anything big, just got takeout from our favorite Chinese restaurant and had a picnic lunch. Then we had a small celebration at home for his birthday on Friday, and grilled with his parents on Saturday. Then on Sunday the two of us spent a few hours at his hunting land. All in all it was a nice, relaxing weekend.

This is my last full week of getting things together for the October magazine, but in contrast to the last several months I'm not behind on my editorial content. I'm feeling quasi-positive about the end of the year. It's always my slowest time of the year, but I feel like we're starting to gather some steam in the wake of all the shut-downs. COVID has pretty much killed all of the momentum the magazine had going at the start of this year, but I'm trying to look forward as much as possible and be more creative in my efforts.

I hope everyone has a good week!

3 Casual Fall Outfit Formulas

It'll be awhile before we have consistent fall-like temperatures in my neck of the woods, but we've been having cooler mornings and pleasant evenings and it's got me dreaming of cozy layers. This fall, I'm predicting a lot of sweatshirts and boyfriend jeans for me, but I also love layered dresses and fun sweaters. Oh, and boots. Y'all know I love my boots.

Anyway, I was feeling inspired by the crisp morning air and put together three casual fall outfits that you can easily copy with things already in your closet.

Sizing info: I'm 5'2" and usually wear size 6/8 or medium in dresses and tops, size 6 in jeans, and size 7 in shoes.

*This post contains affiliate links.

Dress + White T-Shirt + Jacket + Boots

You're probably thinking that you've seen this outfit before already. You're right. It was part of my Plaid Dress 4 Ways post, but it's also one of my go-to outfits for cooler weather, and you can follow this formula with almost any dress in your closet (undershirt and combat boots optional).

Outfit Details

Dress: Target (exact - wearing size L)

T-shirt: Amazon (exact - wearing size M)

Jacket: Nordstrom (exact - wearing size 8)

Boots: ShoeDazzle (old - similar)

Olive Pants + Neutral Sweater + Ankle Boots

Do you have a pair of olive pants yet? If not, you should really consider adding a pair to your closet. I wear this pair year-round, but they are especially good in the fall. Just add a neutral sweater and some brown boots, and you're good to go! Of course, there are lots of other ways you can style olive pants. Here are a couple ways I've worn this particular pair. Everything in this outfit is from last year so no longer available, but I linked to similar options.

Outfit Details

Sweater: Target (old - similar)

Pants: Goody's (old - similar)

Boots: Old Navy (old - similar)

Boyfriend Jeans + Sweatshirt + Sneakers

Boyfriend jeans are having a moment in my closet. It's not that I've fallen out of love with my skinny jeans, but there's just something about a more casual silhouette, especially when paired with a comfy sweatshirt and pair of wedge sneakers. My sweatshirt is from this past spring so it's no longer available, but Old Navy has a lot of good ones right now that I linked to for you.

Outfit Details

Sweatshirt: Old Navy (old - similar)

Jeans: Old Navy (exact - wearing size 6)

Shoes: Walmart (exact - wearing size 7)

Monday Motivation + 5 Things I Do to Stay Organized

We survived the first week of school! That statement has so much more meaning this year, doesn't it? Alexis's first day of kindergarten was not traditional. We didn't get to walk her to her classroom; we didn't even get out of the car, but the school did delay the start time for kindergartners so it was less hectic. I kept reminding myself that we technically didn't miss out on the first day of school since we got to walk Alexis to her first day of PreK last year. It was bittersweet, though.

That first day of school when I had the house to myself for an entire work day was a little surreal. I didn't know whether to tackle all of the small things that had been piling up over the past few months or take a nap. I ended up doing neither because it was magazine distribution day, but you get the feeling.

Getting back into a routine after six months without one is weird. We decided to do a few things differently from how we did them last year to try to make our mornings a little easier (read more about that here). I still am not a morning person, but even I like to get things done early. Now that school is back in session, my calendar will be filling up. When you're a working mom, especially if you work from home, keeping track of important dates and all the things that need to be done can be a task in itself. Lucky for you, being organized is one of my best skills. Here are five things I do on a daily, weekly, and monthly basis to stay organized.

Make monthly weekly goals and daily to-do lists. At the start of every month, I set my work deadlines. At the beginning of every week, I write down my weekly goals, and most importantly I make myself daily to-do lists. The monthly and weekly goals give me a big picture view of what I need to do, but the daily check lists keep me on track to actually meet those goals.

Put my important personal tasks on a weekly wall calendar. Those things are in my planner, as well, but they can get lost in all the other. So I recently added a weekly wall calendar to my office to keep track of birthdays, doctor's appointments, etc.

Set a start and end time for the work day. This may not seem like an organizational thing, but when you work from home it can be difficult to keep things separate. By setting an actual 'work day,' I'm better able to keep work and everything else on track.

Keep a detailed planner. My planner is almost like a bullet journal. I write down literally everything I did that day so there's never any question.

Tidy up my workspace/desk at the end of the day. I feel like this one is pretty self-explanatory, but having a neat, organized workspace is kind of a must for staying organized.

Do you have any organization hacks? Tell me about them in the comments!

The Bronze Year: 12 Gift Ideas for Your 8th Wedding Anniversary

It's hard to believe that this month my husband and I will be celebrating our eighth wedding anniversary. Maybe it's just this year, but it feels like it's been a lot longer. Year eight is traditionally the bronze anniversary (see the full list here). While we don't put a lot of emphasis on anniversary gifts, I thought it would be fun to put together a little bronze-inspired gift guide. There was surprisingly more to choose from than I anticipated, and even more surprising, I found a few things that I wouldn't mind having myself!

1. Shotgun Shell Coasters - These made me think of my husband...and my brother, dad, and PawPaw, if we're being honest. The hubs can keep these on the table beside his recliner, and you can hopefully say goodbye to drink rings.

2. Bronze Rim Tumblers - All that's missing from this set is a decanter of scotch.

3. Thor's Hammer Bottle Opener - Now your man can feel like a superhero every time he opens a pop cap.

4. Compass Keychain - You can customize the coordinates to the place you met, had your first date, wedding...any date that means something special.

5. Bronze LED Lanterns - I love these and might just order a set for myself.

6. Kissing Couple Statue - A romantic touch to fill that empty spot on your bookshelf.

7. Solar Moon Light - How pretty is this garden light! It just might end up in my cart, too...

8. Soundwave Art - Such a unique way to say "I love you." Also comes in other finishes.

9. Vintage Jewelry Box - This isn't really big and has no dividers, but it sure would be pretty on a dresser or dressing table.

10. Antique Key Necklace - I really really really really really want this for myself. Hint hint.

11. Bronze Ring - It's not a diamond but this love knot ring is pretty sweet.

12. Bronze Rose - A rose that will never wilt! This would be so pretty on a shelf, dresser, or even the coffee table.

Plaid Dress 4 Ways

I am reliving all my 90s fashion dreams with this plaid babydoll dress. I love the relaxed waist and looser fit paired with the edgy green and blue plaid. It's a nice lightweight cotton material, isn't lined but isn't see-through, and has pockets and adjustable straps. I always size up in this brand because it tends to be tighter than I like so I'm wearing a large.

This dress leans more toward casual, which is how I'll wear it 95% of the time, but with the right finishing pieces, you can dress it up and even make it office appropriate. So here are four ways to wear a plaid dress.

Sizing info: I'm 5'2" and typically wear size 6/8 or M in tops and dresses, size 6 in bottoms, and size 7 in shoes.

*This post contains some affiliate links.

Plaid Dress + White T-shirt + Combat Boots

This was the exact outfit I had in mind when I added this dress to my Target buggy. You can certainly wear the dress without the shirt underneath, but I really wanted to embrace the 90s feeling and like how the white shirt makes the plaid pop a little bit more. The combat boots kept the outfit edgy.

Outfit Details

Dress: Target (exact, wearing size L)

T-Shirt: Amazon (exact, wearing size M)

Boots: ShoeDazzle (similar)

Plaid Dress + Blazer + Pumps

The right blazer can make almost any dress work appropriate. The trick is to pick a fit that contrasts the fit of the dress. For example, the fitted style of my blazer adds structure to the dress. Since green is the more dominant color in the pattern, I decided to use a dark blue jacket to pull out the more subtle tones of the plaid. A pair of black pumps, or in my case wedge heels, adds that final touch of seriousness.

Outfit Details

Dress: Target (exact, wearing size L)

Blazer: JCPenney (similar)

Shoes: Cato (similar)

Plaid Dress + Black Sweater + Tall Boots

Layering a sweater over a dress is one of my favorite things to do in cooler weather. You essentially turn your dress into a skirt while adding a second layer.

Outfit Details

Dress: Target (exact, wearing size L)

Sweater: Old Navy (similar)

Boots: ShoeDazzle (similar)

Plaid Dress + White T-Shirt + Leather Jacket + Combat Boots

This is literally the first outfit with a jacket layered over everything. I've been looking for a jacket like this for several years. I got it during the Nordstrom anniversary sale for a really good price. I personally like the combination of a leather jacket with combat boots, but you could also use a suede jacket and more feminine ankle boots. In hindsight, I should have taken a picture to show you the comparison.

Outfit Details

Dress: Target (exact, wearing size L)

T-shirt: Amazon (exact, wearing size M)

Jacket: Nordstrom (exact, wearing size 8)

Boots: ShoeDazzle (similar)

Monday Motivation + Summer Recap

Raise your hand if you're a laborer who doesn't get to take Labor Day off. Okay, so technically I can take the day off now that I make my own schedule, but I'll be spending a few hours today getting some of my 'busy work' out of the way so I can focus on magazine distribution the rest of the week.

Last week was pretty laid back in comparison to the two weeks before that. I feel like I'm a little bit ahead for the October issue of the magazine. We celebrated my dad's 50th birthday with a surprise dinner at a Mexican restaurant and then with a small family fish fry over the weekend.

Labor Day is the unofficial end of the summer season. I say "unofficial" because although school is back in session (or will be tomorrow for us), summer activities don't really end here until October.

This summer was so different from years past, and not just because of the pandemic. My surgery and recovery meant I wasn't able to do any of the things my summers are usually filled with. In fact, this past weekend was the first time I went swimming.

A blogger I follow recently wrote a post about the good things she'll remember from this summer, and it inspired me to look at all my positive memories from the past few months.

We were able to mark quite a few home projects off our to do list, including a shelf in our laundry room, improved storage in the garage, and my favorite - a covered back porch. That porch is where I spent probably 75% of my summer.

Remember when I shared that list of 30 books I wanted to read at the beginning of the summer? Although that wasn't the entirety of my To Be Read list, I was able to cross several books off that list as well as my more extensive list.

I wasn't able to get caught up on any of the shows I'm behind on, but I did get to watch a bunch of new and new-to-me movies.

I finally was able to take care of a significant health issue when I had my hysterectomy. The post-surgery recovery hasn't been the easiest but to finally feel in control of my body has been the best reward.

I've had more meaningful conversations with my friends and family and welcomed a new sister-in-law, not to mention all the extra family time.

There's still a lot of uncertainty as we get closer to fall. The biggest festival in the area has been canceled for the first time since World War II. I have no idea if I should bother with buying a Halloween costume for Alexis this year, and I worry that we won't get to celebrate the holidays as a full family.

But at the same time, I am encouraged by what I've seen on my few trips around the Wiregrass. Locally-owned businesses have reopened and more people are wearing masks than not. So maybe, hopefully, we're headed in the right direction.