the one where i wore white {after Labor Day}

Let's talk about the beginning of fall, shall we? When I lived in Georgia, there was virtually zero difference between the last day of summer and the first day of fall. I tried my best to transition my wardrobe (and my attitude) - but it generally took until October for me to feel like I could genuninely welcome autumn. But here in New England, the difference is a little more stark. The air feels crisp in mid-September, you need a jacket for every degree of difference, and you feel societally obligated to start eating copious amounts of apple pie/crisp/cider/cider donuts/you-name-it-I-want-to-eat-it. We gradually start saying goodbye to outdoor cook-outs, the laid-back summer schedule, shorts and tank-tops, and last but (definitely) not least - the heat.

But one thing I'm not saying goodbye to this fall? White denim. {Somewhere, some traditional elderly lady just fainted from shock.} Allow me to free you from one of fashion's biggest faux pas - I, Alexandra Ghoman, hereby declare on the 29th of September, that it is indeed acceptable to wear white after Labor Day. I don't know if you already knew this - but wearing white in the fall has been fine (and even considered cool) for awhile now. There's something so clean and edgy about pairing fall's deeper tones with stark white. So, along with wishing summer farewell and welcoming all of fall's delightful traditions and foods - I dare you to welcome rule-breaking and faux-pas bending right along with me! Everything, including the old ladies, will be fine. I promise:)

Jacket: Cichic.com

Plaid shirt: Old Navy

Necklace: Target

Jeans: Gap

Booties: Baker's

Happy fall, everyone!

xoxo

A+J

{apple picking + the autumn basics}

After yesterday's autumnal events, I think that I can finally say that I am a real New Englander. I picked apples (for the first time!), ate melt-in-your-mouth apple cider donuts, and made an apple pie (also a first). Now, before you get to thinking that I'm abandoning my Southern roots - I also said "y'all" multiple times and kept up-to-date about the Bulldawgs' injuries in Saturday's game. See there? I'm the same girl - but just, New England-a-fied. We had so much fun with two of our best friends, Jon and Rachel, as we soaked up the incredible fall day - gosh, I love Monday's:) 

Now getting dressed for such an occassion is a whole other matter entirely. Would I be climbing? Would it be muddy? After realizing that my chivalrous husband would be all too pleased to climb trees - I breathed a sigh of relief and wore whatever I wanted:) I'm always big on buying basic pieces that are interesting enough to wear and rewear a thousand different ways. I'm too broke for many statement pieces!Two of the latest additions to my wardrobe are this denim vest and this white cut-out shirt. I'm loving the possibilities both of them are giving me. The key to my New England wardrobe is simple - can I layer it? Will it look good with a scarf? These two new pieces passed the test and made me feel cute and feminine for a day in the orchard.  

Denim Vest: Old Navy

Cut-out Shirt: Forever 21 (similar)

Navy Cords: J. Crew Factory

Red Flats: Old, similar

xoxo

Happy Autumn!

the one with Kendi {and some totally awesome Old Navy jeans}

A month ago, I experienced what it's like to be a giggly, excited fan-girl. I got to meet my favorite blogger, Kendi Skeen of Kendi Everyday, -- and if that wasn't enough, she personally styled me and my Boston bestie, Amber! Although we attempted to act oh-so-cool, I'm pretty sure our constant squealing and hyperventelating outted us as total nerds:) Please forgive me for not telling you sooner - I think the excitment of it all put some pressure on my writing juices to post the perfect post to mark the occassion. I finally admitted to myself that if I waited any longer it would no longer matter anyway - because it would be awkwardly irrelevant! So anyways, after following Kendi's blog for several years - laughing at her jokes, admiring her style, and commiserating with her (albeit virtually) in hard moments - I felt like I was meeting an old friend. Kendi herself is the most down-to-earth person imaginable and her actual friends are some lucky folks! We talked about everything from wedding bands to cameras to the south (southern girls unite) and I felt like I could have picked her brain for several more hours. It's a pretty incredible feeling to find out that your cyber fashion hero is a genuinely fantastic person:)  

But it wasn't just fun to meet Kendi - it was a blast getting styled by her and getting some brand new clothes for the fall! Kendi dressed Amber and I in matching polka-dot chambray shirts, zipper ankle jeans and red flats and accessories. Twinsies! Interestingly enough, Old Navy has been my go-to for jeans for years now. In college I was constantly on the look-out for jeans that didn't lose their shape hours after putting them on. Come on, admit it, you too have been a victim of the "saggy butt" at the end of a day too. Hawt. So anyway, several years ago I discovered the Diva jeans (heyyyy) at Old Navy - and my end-of-the-day saggy bottom probs vanished! Other bonus? They're less than $30. So when I heard about Kendi AND Old Navy Jeans teaming up - I was pumped. The new jeans are stretchier than I'm used to but I'm loving them so far. They're just so comfortable! At the end of our styling session, the pop up shop put bright lipstick on Amber and I and out we went - feeling fabulous and ready for autumn. Denim on denim by Old Navy and Kendi Everyday - I would say this season is off to a pretty great start:) 

Another cool thing? Kendi even had a photo of Amber and I on her blog - check it out HERE!

Obligatory "we're-so-excited" selfie after we found out that Kendi wanted to style us both!

Twinsies + Kendi. So fun.

I was simply too pumped for a serious fashion-outfit-face.

Thanks Kendi and Old Navy for a fantastic memory and some great clothes!