Styling Fall Boots with the Blended Blog

Hey, ladies!  I'm fresh off of a spectacular weekend spent celebrating the wedding of a dear friend from high school!  There is something about spending time with the people who truly get you that is so very good for the soul.  I feel blessed to have stood by Michelle for this momentous occasion in her life.  On top of that, the San Antonio weather was delightful, I felt beautiful in my bridesmaid dress and I got to meet Carrie in real life!  Talk about good for the soul!  Meeting Carrie felt like a long-needed catch up between two old friends...like we've known each other forever.  I'm happy to call her a real friend now!

After all of the activity of the weekend and missing the first two days of school this week, I'm totally taken aback that it is already Wednesday and time for the next installment of the October Style Series with The Blended Blog!  Please head over that way to see how a few of our lovely contributors are styling their fall boots!

I didn't have time to take outfit photos this weekend but I have assembled a few posts featuring my must-have boots for the chilly weather!  These have all been staples in my wardrobe for the last couple of years and I don't see that changing any time soon!  Click on the title for each picture to be taken back to the original post!

Black Wedge Booties

Riding Boots

Flat-Heeled Neutral Booties

Low-Heeled Neutral Booties

Bean Boots

What are your cool-weather boot essentials?  And which look is your favorite?  Don't forget to link-up your fall style below!

Channeling Jane

Alternate Blog Post Title: When Your Dress Matches the Restaurant, and Other Blogger Problems

You may remember, about a month ago I was feeling inspired by the quintessential flapper, Zelda Fitzgerald.  Well, these days I'm letting my inner Jane Austen decide what to wear!

My dear blogging friends Maricel and Selah are once again hosting their monthly link-up, encouraging us to create an ensemble inspired by a literary work.  Sometimes they choose a specific theme for us to follow but this month they are allowing us the freedom to choose any book our hearts desire.  And what does my heart desire?  A little bit of Pride and Prejudice!

When thinking about my favorite books, Jane Austen and her works immediately come to mind.  I'm a sucker for the romance found in a good Austen novel but I am also encouraged by her intelligent, independent (and a just little bit sassy) heroines. Can I please be Elizabeth Bennet when I grow-up?  Especially if this situation involves a certain Mr. Darcy?  (Don't even get me started on the merits of Colin Firth's Mr. Darcy).

Now please allow me to explain my rather loose interpretation of Regency Era fashion.  Shall we start at the top?  A popular accessory during Jane Austen's time was the bandeau, a band (sometimes made of ribbon or pearls) worn around the head.  What better than a sparkly headband to mimic a bandeau?!  Moving on down, the silhouette of a regency gown involved an empire waist and a slim skirt.  For evening wear, a lady may show bare arms and an open neckline.  I wore my outfit to happy hour so I think this counts as evening wear, right?  And finally, I decided that the bird print of the dress was rather feminine and romantic, keeping with the feel of an Austen novel.

I even think of Jane as I look around my apartment, where I've collected bits and pieces of her and her work.  This print featuring one of my favorite Austen quotes hangs in my living room:

 

And of course I need an Austen nook in my bookcase!

And in conclusion, I leave you with my favorite quote from Pride and Prejudice:

"In vain have I struggled.  It will not do.  My feelings will not be repressed.  You must allow me to tell you how ardently I admire and love you." - Mr. Darcy

Sigh...

What I'm Wearing:

Dress: Hand me down (similar, similar)

Tights: Nordstrom (exact)

Booties: DSW (exact)

Headband: Gift (similar, similar)

Other Fun Link-Ups:

Literate and Stylish and The Modern Austen- Pantone Week: Cognac

Work Clothes, I Suppose- Fall Footwear