Fashion/Beauty Friend Friday (FBFF): Fall Trends

This week's FBFF is about 5 favorite fall trends and how you plan to wear them.

I kinda feel like an old fart saying this, I'm not entirely sure about what the "fall trends" are this year.  I don't really pay attention to that sort-of thing.  Well, I pay attention, but I don't seek it out.  I'm just going to talk about what I'm excited to wear once it's not sauna-like outside.  (Seriously, last night I stepped outside after 9 PM and it literally felt like I stepped into a sauna.  With bugs.  Which is worse.)

1.  Leather (faux) shorts w/tights.  I haven't quite figured out what top I will wear with them yet, but I'm excited to try this look out.  Any suggestions are appreciated!

2. Striped top.  I purchased a similar top to this one and I can't wait to wear it!  I've been loving all the black/white stripes I've seen, but it's difficult to pull off horizontal stripes on my body.  The tiers on the top I bought look great and actually have a slimming effect.

3. Blazers.  I have a jacket/blazer that I pulled out of my storage space that I can't wait to wear!  It's so weird and different, it might even be ugly.  I just hope it fits.  Fingers crossed!

4. Booties!  (especially these)  I love the look of booties with dresses and skirts and bare legs.  I can do bare legs in the beginning of fall.  There will be at least a week of good weather for booties and bare legs.

5. Long-sleeved blouses.  I've been collecting them and I want to wear them already!!!

What fall trends are you looking forward to? 

To see what other Friends' faves are, check out Modly Chic.

Fashion/Beauty Friend Friday (FBFF): Dreams, Goals & Aspirations

FBFF is brought to you (us) by Modly Chic.  Pop on over for a list of other participants.

Today's questions are about self-employment, dreams, goals and aspirations.

1.  Fess up - if you could do anything professionally what would it be?

I guess now is a better time, if any, to fess up that I'm not that aspirational when it comes to making a living.  I enjoy the line of work I'm in (legal) enough to stay in it.  Does it make me squeal with delight?  No.  I honestly don't think any line of work would.  That's why they call it "work".  I think there are very few people that get paid to do what they love.  Yay for them!  For me, I get pleasure from my extracurricular activities.  And that's just how I like it.  I have a feeling if I did something I truly "loved" for a living, I would get burned out.

photo credit

 2.  What draws you to this?

Um...legal?  I enjoy learning about the intricacies of the law.  Also, I've met a lot of great people in this field.

3.  When did you first start dreaming about this ideal?

Hmmm... OK, I'll play.  Let's pretend that I said I wanted to make jewelry for a living (because that was, at one time, my "dream").  I began jewelry-making in HS.  So, I guess it was then.

HS project

4.  What's holding you back from going all in?

It's REALLY hard to make a living making jewelry, which is basically wearable art and everyone knows how hard it is to make a living as an artist.  There's also the effort and money involved in creating my own workshop - where do I put said workshop?  I don't think my landlord would be too happy that I'm playing with fire INSIDE a house that's over 100 years old.

5.  Sometimes the first step is the hardest... what's one step you can take now on the way to realizing your dream?

I have created some pieces without fire, and they turned out pretty good.  I may continue on this path and churn out some additional pieces.  Not sure if I'll be able to sell them, maybe I'll do a giveaway.  I also want to start making some chainmaille pieces.  If that goes well, I could set up an Etsy shop.  We'll see!

No fire used.

What is your dream job?  Are you doing it?  Working your way there?

Fashion/Beauty Friend Friday (FBFF): Locational Influences

FBFF is brought to you by Modly Chic. 

1. What part of the world do you blog from? (feel free to be as specific or as vague as you are comfortable with.)

I think it's pretty obvious from my title... I blog from... Chicago!  I actually mean Chicago, not Algonquin or Schaumburg, or Northbrook, or Park Ridge, or Berwyn, but Chicago.  The city.

That's my Gap Outlet!

2. If you had to describe the overall mode of dress for where you live what would you say?

Hipster.

         
3. Do you fit in with the status quo around you or do you break the mold?

I definitely do NOT fit the mold.  I've tried the "hipster" look, but on me it just looks like I got dressed in the dark.  There's this way that some people can wear un-matching clothing and look great.  I'm not one of those people.

4. If you have lived or traveled to another part of the country/world did your clothing choices evolve?

I've not lived in another part of the country (unless you count the suburbs).  My clothing choices have evolved with age.  I'm not sure if location has anything to do with it.  Although, if I was living in a year-round warm climate, I would definitely make different choices.
 
5. If you had to describe your style by naming a specific city, what would you be?

This is a tough one!  I'm gonna say Chicago, just because I'm not familiar with any other city's style.

What about you?  Do you think your style has much to do with your location?  Has your style changed with a move to a new city?  How do others dress where you live?

Be sure to check out Modly Chic for more posts on the subject.

Visual FBFF: What's in your bag?

I found out today that FBFF has added a new element for the Fridays in between the usual 5 question FBFF, which is now on the first and third Fridays - Visual FBFF.  Hosting is being shared.  This week (the first week) is being hosted by A Pretty Nest, with the question "What's in your bag?"

I'm excited to participate in this one, especially considering I was too tired to even try to participate in last week's FBFF.

The answer is -

headphones - too big to fit in my purse

purse - Baggallini via eBay ($30), scarf - via eBay ($7)
Kindle w/red cover, cell phone, mp3 player,
1 regular chapstick (Biggs & Featherbelle), 3 tinted balms (Hemp Organics in Earth, Terra and Kiss), pouch for lip stuff
Chicago Card, teal card holder,
orange pen, pepper spray (I live in an iffy neighborhood & have a paranoid BF), hand lotion,
wallet (BDG from Urban Outfitters - I love this wallet!), checkbook (yes, I think I'm the only remaining person that STILL carries a checkbook), keys (complete with cookie key covers)



 And...

nail file, mirror, 2 flash drives, purse hook, eye drops, tampon (not pictured)
birth control & case (the secret is out!), and vintage pill holder

Want to know what's in other bloggers bags?  Go to A Pretty Nest's post for the list.