Hi everyone! I hope that you enjoyed the weekend. We did a little bit of exploring our neighbourhood, checked out a new (to us) cafe, and did a LOT of work around the apartment. I am happy to report that my office space is almost fully functioning, and that we now have shelves (photos to come soon)!

The leaves have already been changing colour, and I snapped a photo of a particularly firey tree this morning while walking Rudie. I'm embracing all things pumpkin + apple + spiced + autumn hued, and enjoying curling up under covers as we enjoy watching the first season change together in MA.

So in honour of all things autumn, I've decided to share a few links that scream October leaves.

1) AUTUMN-INSPIRERD PRINTS FROM ETSY

This print from Etui, on Etsy is super cute. I love the palette. I want to live in a burgundy + olive + rust + ocher coloured world all year long.

2) (CANADIAN) THANKSGIVING TABLESCAPES

My parents are visiting us in Boston this coming weekend, and I'm hosting my first (Canadian) Thanksgiving! How pretty is this tablescape from Glitter Guide? I am fighting the urge to gild everything (and failing). My whole apartment will be gold by the end of the season...

3) BANANA BREAD (WITH CHOCOLATE CHIPS + COCONUT + RUM)

Freshly baked, home made treats definitely remind me of autumn. Memories of baking apple crisp with my dad (with apples from my grandfather's trees) when I was little, come to mind.

Unfortunately for my autumn baking - right now, I have an abundance of bananas in my kitchen thanks to a mix-up when I ordered my groceries online. So what do you do when life gives you an excess of bananas you ask? Why make banana bread of course! I've been searching for the perfect recipe. This one from Tattooed Martha looks absolutely delicious (and it has rum + coconut - yummy)!

4) PUMPKIN DIY'S

This Copper Striped Pumpkin DIY from Homey Oh My, may be super simple, but certainly doesn't lack flair! I love love love the look of white pumpkins/gourds, especially when paired with metallics and lovely autumn hues. I so wish that I had a doorstep to decorate this time of year. BUT, for now, I will have to stick with decorating my window sill, and making pretty table centrepieces.

5) AUTUMN TO DO LIST

5) Do you have a list for what you would like to accomplish this fall? I have some traditions that I usually partake in like, a trip to the farm in a neighbouring small town on Thanksgiving weekend to buy pumpkins + pie, pumpkin carving at my parents' place, celebrating Pedro's birthday by dressing up and attending our friends' Halloween party... But, because we are so far away from home (and all those traditions), it's time to make some new ones.

Gala Darling posted this list on her site with lots of ideas for activities to complete this season!

I keep walking by this tree in my neighbourhood, and think it's the prettiest. I took the above photo with my phone this morning while walking my pup - so hey, already completed one!

Until next time,

Alex

Hey friends! Hope you're all enjoying the cooler temps and the crisp air. I rung in the season with a new hair colour, a new mani, and by making yummy crustless apple pie! How did you celebrate the coming of autumn?

New nails + hair!

Check out our delicious eats from yesterday:

On the left - toast with mashed avocado (with lime juice, touch of olive oil, salt, pepper + chili flakes), sliced tomato, and non-fat cottage cheese. On the right is the crustless apple pie (with non-fat fro yo)! So yummy - you've got to try it! Recipe adapted from here.

Back to why we are here today!! I am definitely not a style guru - but I do have some tips for an (almost) effortless autumnal look! In honour of the equinox, I put together a list of my go to essentials for the season. This look flows from class, to the yoga studio, or having a glass (or two) of wine with friends.

/ 1 / I'm so excited to have fun new hair! Thanks to Maria + Steph at Shag Salon in Boston, for making me look + feel like a rock star. While my new 'do looks fab when it's all styled + awesome, a (lazy) girl doesn't always have time for that! My go to hairstyle is definitely a good ol' fashioned top knot. I usually tie a twist headband behind my bangs, like this glam gold one from ban.do, to tame the flyaways and make it a little more fun.

/ 2 / I've been doing the same smoky eye look with winged eyeliner since high school (a la Jennifer North from Valley of the Dolls). I like to use MAC's matte Powder Eyeshadows, because I find out of everything I've tried, these stay put the longest (my fav shades are Vanilla, Dark Edge, Carbon + Plum). Masterfully wing out some kohl or liquid liner and bam!

A bit of berry lipstick (like Rebel, Milan Mode, or Hearts Aflame), and you're good to go!

/ 3 / My beloved two-tone Dior frames have seen better days, so I'm in need of some new eyewear. These Bonlook Allure spectacles are stylish + affordable, no?

/ 4 / Keep cozy + warm forever and ever in a jewel-toned infinity scarf, like this one from H&M.

/ 5 / I have been living in comfy, oversized sweaters for the last couple weeks. This knit beauty from Modcloth is great for layering on top of your yoga gear, or to keep you toasty on a chilly evening out.

/ 6 / My americano has switched from iced to hot, and now I'm in need of a new travel mug. Love this gold + white + teal combo from Starbucks.

/ 7 / No fall look is complete without an ox blood mani. Try Essie polish in Wicked, for a red deeper than the changing leaves.

/ 8 / You will likely find me in yoga pants (lululemon skinny will) / leggings (H&M black jersey leggings) / yoga jeans (in black, they are seriously the best pants/jeans I've ever owned).

/ 9 / I've been searching for a stylish camera bag/purse to encourage me to tote my SLR with me wherever I go. The Gracie from JoTotes looks like it will do the trick!

My yoga mat desperately needs to be replaced! I have been eyeing a Manduka ProLite for awhile, and am thinking it's about time to pick one up. I will be travelling quite a bit in the next few months, and these guys are great for a girl on the go!

Get ahead of the game, and stay organized! Pick up your 2015 planner now - no need to wait until January. I loved my Kate Spade 2014 planner, and think I'm going to go with the gold dot pattern for next year.

/ 10 / No wardrobe is complete without the perfect pair of chunky heeled boots. The heels on my go to pair have started to go, so I'm looking at these Jambu booties from Nordstrom.

How about you? What are your favourite looks for fall? Let me know in the comments below!

Now I'm off to do some vinyasa flowin', before we go see Dub FX in Cambridge tonight.

Until next time,

Alex