Are you feeling a hint of autumn in the air? This week we had three days of cool rain, which got me thinking about fall. Of course now we are right back to muggy heat – but the promise of crisp fall days (and the cute outfits to go with them) is still fresh in my mind. Here are a few of my favorite looks from Portland street style site Urban Weeds for a little style inspiration:

Toggle coat + Cross-body bag + Lace-up boots + Cute bike

Layered tops + Blazer + Jeggings + (more) Lace-up boots

Jacket + Bold necklace + Full skirt + Cowgirl boots
Do you have any favorite outfits you’re yearning to pull on again once the weather changes?
(images: Urban Weeds)
I would like to introduce you to the one big splurge I made before our baby arrived – of course many relatives and friends have generously splurged on this baby, but there is one thing I decided I personally, ahem, needed…

If you’ve been reading this blog for any time, you probably know I have a bit of a thing for Orla Kiely, but I have not until now justified shelling out the cash for any of her lovely things. Well, sometime late in my pregnancy as my feet were swelling and my belly had grown so huge I couldn’t see them anyway, I decided that I really couldn’t go another day without an Orla Kiely diaper bag (I got mine from here) lol. I made myself feel better about buying the bag by telling myself it will make an excellent travel bag when it’s no longer holding nappies – and it will, I tell you!!

And it fits perfectly over the handlebar of our stroller (which I also love, by the way) for easy access while on the move. Here you see Bixby posing by the trail entrance to our first nature walk this past weekend (of course, he didn’t open his eyes the whole time, so it’s not like he knows he was on his first nature walk). Bottom line is, I love it. There is room for everything one with a baby might need to schlep, the strap adjusts so you can wear it over your shoulder or across the body, messenger-style, and I will never get sick of it.

This morning I was up very early, seeing my Mom off to the airport. We all loved having “Nana” here so much and will miss her dearly! And now I am busy packing for a road trip to the Outer Banks in North Carolina. This will be our first time traveling with Bixby, and it is quite an ambitious trip to be going on, so please wish us luck! Orla will be coming along, so at least I will be stylish on the road, even if there is a screaming wee one in my ear :)
Of course, this means that posts will be very light (hm, maybe even nonexistent?) over the next week as I enjoy some well-deserved R&R. I hope you can also find time this week to take care of yourself or even get away!!
{images: Laura Gaskill}
Happy almost-Friday! How is your week going so far? Are you ready for a little pick-me-up? Well, I think I have just the thing to go with your afternoon tea break: gorgeous hand-dyed, hand-stitched blooms and a brand-new clothing line from EmersonMade!

Are you already in-the-know? Emerson and her husband Ryan (that’s those two cuties above) create and ship all of the goods from their farm – now if that’s not the sweet life, I don’t know what is!

EmersonMade is known for lovely handmade flowers fashioned into garlands, necklaces, sashes and hair pins, like the ones above and below…

…and adorable little clutches and “bouquets” of blooms to give your friends…

But I am really excited about the new clothing line EmersonMade has recently unveiled! Available for pre-order now, the collection is filled with the kind of classic pieces that will be in heavy rotation in your wardrobe for many happy years!

I am dying to have this 60′s style tweed jacket, and a big bloom that Carrie Bradshaw would love is pretty tempting as well! Ah, but then there is this wonderfully rustic table runner that would look magnificent on my dining room table…

What’s making your wish list? Visit EmersonMade to see (and drool over) it all.
{all images: EmersonMade}


Clockwise from top left: 1. Pyramid studded belt from Madewell; 2. Steven Alan beach blankets; 3. Vintage-inspired bike from Bowery Lane Bicycles; 4. Jeans from Anthro; Ode to J.D. Salinger tote from I Miss You Already; 5. St. James sailor shirt; Tomato-red espadrilles. Espadrilles and sailor shirt found via lox papers.
In the summers, one of my favorite things to do is head down to our local city park on the spur of the moment with a bag full of goodies like cheese, fresh fruit and a baguette from the bakery on the corner, spread out on a big blanket and while away the afternoon. It’s been too hot here lately to take our brand-new bébé to the park, but I am hoping it will cool down a bit one of these weekends!
{images: linked to numbered sources above}