I hate just popping in to throw some links your way and then go silent the rest of the week, but goodness, the last couple of weeks have been a doozy! I’m an events manager at a regional business publication and October is my busiest month of the year as we get ready for our annual business expo, which happened on Wednesday. There were plenty of early mornings and late nights at the office, leaving me just enough time to get home in the evening, eat dinner, watch a TV show to unwind, and head to bed. To say I’m exhausted would be an understatement! I’m taking Monday and Tuesday off next week for some R&R and to catch up on a few projects around the house (like finally installing our entryway light fixture which we did this morning and planting tulip bulbs) and plan our Halloween costumes. I can’t tell you how excited I am for a mini break! What are you up to this weekend?

Weekend Reading:

• Alright, before we talk about anything else, I need to draw your attention to one of my favorite sales of the year. I finally snagged this wooden beaded bag that I was crushing on a few months ago. ($160 is much more reasonable than $428, right?) New items keep popping up, so be sure to check back throughout the weekend. I’m tempted to add these beauties to my collection, too!
• Speaking of bags, have you perused Coach lately? I still have a weird prejudice against the brand after it was the designer of choice for suburban moms and high school girls. That’s so unfair, isn’t it? Anyway, I found myself browsing the site the other day and fell head-over-heels for this understated little purse. It’s the perfect size for your essentials and looks so polished.
• A list of the best Halloween movies to watch on Amazon Prime, Hulu, and Netflix.
• Before your close up your house or apartment for winter, tackle this cleaning checklist.
• A festive fall cocktail that’s a cinch to make.
• Can you teach good taste?
• You’re not imagining it; dogs do use facial expressions to communicate with you.
• This tiered bell-sleeve top is perfection. I love it in black.
• Turn grocery store flowers into beautiful bouquets.
• Don’t forget to toast your pumpkin seeds after carving pumpkins!

Five Under $50:

• String this quirky charm onto a delicate gold chain.
• Use code FRIENDS to take 50% off this wrap skirt.
• Sequin earrings are equal parts ridiculous and amazing. I’m torn between black and pink.
• This emerald dress is gorgeous.
• Faux fur stoles are incredibly warm. Get one before winter!

Dave is forever catching me in the act of snapping Instagram photos on my phone! I was looking back at our travel photos from our March trip to New Orleans (the last vacation we’ve been on — I’m itching for something soon!) and laughed at the “behind the scenes” look at this Instagram. We found cheap tickets this fall to NOLA, but it’d be too soon to go back, right? In any case, daydreaming about another adventure is a nice escape from the crazy busy days I’ll have over the next week. Expect me to be just as quiet for another week, but then I’m anxious to start posting again. I have a lot of ideas in the works!

Weekend Reading:

• It’s Kate Spade Friends & Family time! Take 30% off your purchase with code FRIEND through Sunday, Oct. 15. I usually use this as an opportunity to buy my annual day planner (very old fashioned of me).  I’m also crazy about these boots. They’d be so good with black tights and a short wool dress. These striped loafers are also pretty great, as is this striped peacoat.
• Processed food gets an unfair bad rap.
• The Erdem x H&M collaboration looks dreamy!
• I came across Lauren Williams’ work last week and I just love her bohemian-inspired wall hangings. I’m also all about the velvet lumbar pillow. What a great way to add texture to your bedroom.
• The holidays are going to sneak up on us this year like they always do! I’ve been doing some early planning by picking cookie recipes (chocolate peppermint crinkle cookies are always a hit), and thinking about decorating our house (love these modern glass trees!).
• Seven ways to add hygge to your home this fall.
• How cute are these bow-topped kitten heels? (The black pair is the best.)
• A museum dedicated to the art of forgery.
• How Jennifer Fisher packs her jewelry when she travels.
• Have you seen this awful hack for making peanut butter sandwiches? It has to be a joke, right?
• I’m not one to wear high heels very often, which you know. But these? I want to wear them with opaque tights and all of my fall/winter dresses! (I keep opening a tab to stare dreamily at them, which means they’ll be on their way to me shortly to at least try in person.)

Five Under $50

• A sleek shoulder bag. I love the plum option.
• I can’t get over how much I love the colors and print of this silk scarf.
• Graphic gold earrings are a statement you can wear with just about everything this season.
• This smocked halter top is perfect to dress up for the holidays with cigarette pants or wear tucked into bell bottom jeans.
• I’m not really a sneaker girl, but I’m loving this velvet slip-on pair!

Earlier This Week:

• Missed out on under $400 tickets to Iceland, since I had to ask permission for PTO. Hoping the low price comes back soon!
• National Handbag Day is a thing.
• What we’ve been up to lately. (Spoiler: buying a lot of things for the house.)

Weekend Reading:

• We should all be angry about this.
• I take Amazon Prime for granted and order things like shampoo knowing it’ll save me a trip to Target, and I get irrationally annoyed when the shipment takes longer than the two-day promise. But I’m better off in an urban area than those in rural parts of America. Learn how rural areals throw a wrench into shipping logistics.
• If a wig is part of your Halloween costume, you have to check out this post for inspiration.
• Not a fan of traditional fall decor? Try a rainbow-colored pumpkin wreath for your front door!
• This tiered mini skirt is so pretty!
• A French brand is turning vintage hotel curtains into chic jackets.
• I’m disappointed that the series finale of The Mindy Project is fast approaching, but at least Mindy Kaling promises it’ll be “romantic” and “unexpected.”
• Itching for a decent drink the next time you’re on a plane? This book has the recipes you need to cocktail with the best of them while you’re traveling.
• We treated ourselves to a turntable this week and purchased this for our first album on vinyl. Record players are adorably pretentious, I know, but I’m looking forward to building our collection and putting a record on while we make weekend brunch.
• Thirteen thrillers to read this month.
• This DIY will make you look at vintage tables in a new light.

Five Under $50:

• A soft-structured tote bag.
• Lightweight statement earrings.
• A peacoat for under $40? Sold! I love it in camel, but it also comes in blush, black, and grey.
• This Jo Malone gift set is perfect for the beauty lover on your holiday shopping list — even if that person is you!
• Chelsea-style rain boots for soggy fall days.

Notable Sales

• Bloomingdale’s is offering 25% off almost everything with code FRIENDS.
• Saks is also having its Friends and Family sale this weekend with 20-25% off. I love these earrings!
• Take 50% off of everything at Ann Taylor, including sale items. I love the print on this blouse. Plus, I picked up the sandals I love in black to tuck away for next summer.
• West Elm has 20% off this weekend, along with the others in its family of brands: Williams Sonoma, Pottery Barn, Mark and Graham, and Rejuvenation. We’re considering this media console to replace the ugly side table our TV is currently sitting on. If you’re not in the market for housewares right now, get an early start on your holiday shopping. This pouch is great for the frequent flyer to stash away ear buds and loose cords. A plaid monogram mug is practically begging for a starring role in an Instagram. And this faux fur throw in navy is perfect for the most glamorous person on your shopping list.
• H&M is having a flash sale with up to 60% off select items. You can’t go wrong with this cute dress.
• Take 30% off your purchase at J.Crew. I love this tie-sleeve sweater, this swing coat, and this polka dot tulle dress.

Earlier This Week:

• This coat is my favorite thing about autumn.
• The best serum for dry, flaky skin.
• Style steals under $100 and under $50. (That dress!)

 

How is is the last day of September? I feel like a broken record, but this year is just flying by! I can’t say I’m complaining, though, because I’m beyond excited for the upcoming holiday season in our house. First up: Halloween. We picked up a few decorations last weekend at Target, and we’re toying with a few costume ideas to don while we’re handing out candy. If anything, I can throw on the coat from this post and add a witch’s hat!

Weekend Reading:

• The Shopbop sale was extended through today! Take 20% off orders up to $500 or 25% off orders over that amount with code EOTS17. I bought one thing and I can’t wait to try it on! (I discovered later that it’s a dead ringer for this Kate Spade jacket … and $1,400 cheaper.)
• When you should and shouldn’t work for free.
• I’m making this artichoke dip to snack on while we cheer for the Wisconsin Badgers later this morning.
• Three words: Hot. Pink. Fur.
• We just scheduled delivery for our bar cabinet for next weekend. I can’t wait for it to arrive! If you love the idea of a bar cabinet, but not the price tag of that West Elm one, this is also a great option.
• Iconic fashion designers are struggling to connect with Millennials.
• How fashion illustrator Bil Donovan became the artist-in-residence for Dior.
• I totally feel this way about baby photos popping up constantly on Facebook.
• Did you know that Chanel’s iconic little black dress was compared to the Model T car by Vogue?
• Get in the Halloween spirit with sophisticated and spooky cocktails!

Five Under $50:

• I love the ruffles on the collar of this sweater.
• I’m surprised by the negative reviews for this lamp. We purchased two for our bedroom last weekend and love them. The aged brass finish makes them look more expensive, and there’s a nice weight to the pull chain. You might be better off shopping for these in store.
• Okay, this skirt is $1 over the budget, but look at how cute it is! Wear it to work with slim-fitted sweaters and striped long-sleeve shirts!
• Zac Posen is my favorite thing about Project Runway. Did you know he has a cookbook? Need.
• This ruffled dress looks so flattering! Let me know if you’ve tried it!

Earlier This Week:

• The latest dress I’m obsessed with.
• Where my money went in September.