Fall, in love.

Living in the Mid-Atlantic region (despite the inevitable schizophrenic weather), there is always  an apparent change in seasons. For the most part winter’s are bitterly cold, spring’s are mild and breezy, summer is typically hot and muggy, while falls are warm by day and brisk by night. Late September in Baltimore is always an awkward period with Indian Summer trying to linger, and fall-like weather approaching quickly. It is, however, my absolute favorite time of year. The leaves are turning into beautiful ambers and crimsons, pumpkin spice lattes are back on coffee menus, and most importantly – fall fashion.

If summer is all about simplicity, where a “less is more” approach is taken in light-weight dresses and sandals, fall is the opposite. Accessories come out of hiding in the fall. Between chunky boots, structured jackets, bags and scarves, I am craving so much this season my credit cards have began taking cover. Below is a mere glimpse of everything I am dying to buy, or at least put on my birthday wish list.

Boots – Nicole “buster”: $184.95, Jacket – Express: $88, Bag – Marc Jacobs “Totally Turnlock” Francesca: $498, Scarf – South Moon Under “scrunch” scarf: $32

i’ve got a city love

This past summer has been hectic. Between job hunting and finishing up my undergraduate degree, I managed to move into a new apartment in the heart of Baltimore City. My new neighborhood, Charles Village, is the epitome of of Baltimore’s namesake “Charm City.” Just steps off Johns Hopkins University’s campus, I live on a street lined with old homes dating back to the early twentieth century. Most of them have bay windows, eclectic exterior painting, large blossoming trees, and Carrie Bradshaw-esque front stoops. There are many quaint shops and boutiques just a half block up, including Donna’s Cafe that serves gourmet coffee and extravagant Sunday Brunch, a family ran market, countless sushi restaurants, and a florist. There are also a few local “hole in the wall” bars and restaurants and Cloud 9 Clothing (which has quickly become one of my favorite stores).

My building is a large corner row home, that has been broken into five different apartments. There is a large backyard accompanied with a butterfly bush, a grilling area and large fence for privacy – an area perfect for entertaining. Inside the building, there are historical touches including chair rail molding and intricate leather wall details. My roommate and I are renting the basement unit (which isn’t as chintzy and cave-like as it sounds). However, it is a bit of a fixer-upper, and as a DIY lover and HGTV fanatic, I couldn’t wait to roll up my sleeves and get to work. Stay tuned for Before and After photos and how I transformed my new place from a work in progress into a shabby chic haven.