Hello, November

 October is filled with apple picking and Halloween and about a million pictures of pretty leaves on Instagram. Of course, December has Christmas and New Years Eve and all the wonderful things that come with the holiday season. Nestled in between is November, with.....a holiday that basically becomes lost in the Christmas obsession. While I'm one of those (few?) people who doesn't mind seeing Christmas decorations in stores in October, there are some pretty great things about November itself.

1. No-Shave November

 I feel as if women everywhere decided to either love or hate No-Shave November (or Movember). While I understand not being attracted to the lumberjack look, the origins of the tradition are pretty great. Here's the concept, as described on the No Shave November website:

      "The goal of No-Shave November is to grow awareness by embracing our hair, which many cancer patients lose, and letting it grow wild and free.  Donate the money you usually spend on shaving and grooming for a month to educate about cancer prevention, save lives, and aid those fighting the battle." 

I think we can all agree that we'd like our fathers, brothers, boyfriends, uncles, whoever to be around as long as possible. If they have to grow crazy mustaches to encourage them to prioritize their health, I say go for it.

2. Thanksgiving Episodes

Friends is my favorite television show, no contest. During college, I used to keep it on the background while I spent hours and hours studying for my biology or chemistry classes. Even now, it never fails to make me laugh.

3. Warm Drinks

'Tis the season for hot chocolate, bourbon apple cider, and whatever else warms you up on the chilliest fall days. I'm a fan of almond milk chai lattes lately.

4. Farm Sanctuary's Adopt a Turkey Program

 Thanksgiving is one of my favorite holidays because of family time and the emphasis on gratitude, not because I partake in the "traditional" meal. I'd rather spend my money on the awesome organization Farm Sanctuary, which rehabilitates and cares for farm animals. They invite the public to "adopt" one of the rescued turkeys at their sanctuary and give the turkeys their own celebration. I visited the New York shelter this year, and made friends with this guy (named Turpentine):

What's your favorite thing about November?

xo,

Rachel

J. Crew Weekend Look + Sale!

With chilly weather approaching, I am loving this weekend look from J. Crew:

J. Crew is also offering an amazing deal - an extra 40% off sale items! It is pretty rare I find pieces I like in the sale section, but I adore these:

1. How cute is this iPhone 5 case?! 

2. I love pajamas. Vow to ditch the sweatpants in favor of something cuter. 

3. Every girl needs a basic peplum top. This one comes in ivory and navy.

4. Cozy socks are a must for fall and winter

What are you favorite pieces from the sale?

xo,

Rachel

Autumn Essential: Bourbon Cider

As a Kentucky resident, I can tell you the local love for bourbon knows no bounds. Now that fall is upon us, I'm trading in gin and tonics for more seasonally appropriate drinks. One of my favorites to make is bourbon cider. It's incredibly simple and SO good - perfect for drinking next to a fire.

Photo credit

Recipe:

• 1/2 gallon apple cider (I like Gravenstein, available from Whole Foods, but any delicious brand will do)
• 4 cinnamon sticks
• 1 tsp. nutmeg
• 15 cloves (or 1-2 tsp. ground cloves)
• 1/4 c. brown sugar or maple syrup (optional)
• 1 orange

Pour apple cider into a saucepan, cover, and turn the heat on med-high. While it's heating, use a vegetable peeler to remove a few thicks strips of peel from the orange. Press the cloves into the orange (if you're using whole cloves). Place the orange, orange peel strips, and rest of the ingredients into the sauce pan with the cider. Keep covered and heat the mixture to a simmer, then reduce heat to low. Simmer for 20 minutes on low heat. 

Use a mesh sieve to strain the liquid away from the other ingredients. Add your favorite bourbon to taste. I usually use 2-3 cups in this recipe. Use more bourbon if you're enjoying it with debauchees, less if celebrating with more virtuous company.  You can serve it with a cinnamon stick in each cup, if you're festive like that. 

xo,

Rachel

Riding Boots for Every Budget

I love autumn's clothing. It's so cozy and crisp after the relaxed, bright pieces of summer. Once the leaves start falling, one of my favorite items to break out is my riding boots. I definitely consider them a wardrobe staple - so much so that mine are basically falling apart now! Luckily, retailers understand the obsession and are more than willing to provide a bevy of choices:

If you're willing to sacrifice a little on the quality, you can easily find inexpensive riding boots, like those pictured above from H&M. Target also carries some boots, including lighter ones. You can't go wrong with the classic Ralph Lauren boots (from Macy's). They're a little bit of an investment, but you know you're getting excellent quality as well. Finally, how gorgeous are these Tory Burch boots?! 

xo,

Rachel

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Color Profile: Gold and Black

It all started with a pair of Reva flats. I lusted after the iconic Tory Burch shoes for a while before I  purchased them. I'm so glad I did, because I wear them constantly during the fall and winter months. While Revas come in a dizzying array of colors, my heart was set on the gold and black style.

In lieu of following the "it" colors for fall, I'm currently attracted to the simplicity of gold, black, and tortoiseshell pieces. The black and gold combination makes me feel instantly pulled together, even if I'm just working on my computer at Starbucks.

 I recently had my ears re-pierced, so I'm going a little earring crazy right now! I absolutely love the studs pictured below (C. Wonder and Tory Burch can do no wrong). I also have a thing for bows (sorority girl problems?) and love the kate spade pieces. If anyone wants to buy me that bag, I won't resist too strongly.

Gold and Black Inspiration 

xo,

Rachel