I Put a Spell on You

Happy Halloween! I'm not doing anything festive today (except for eating lots of candy), but I hope everyone else is gearing up for a fun night in costume, whether it's going to a party or trick-or-treating. Fun fact: I went trick-or-treating my freshman year in college with girls from my dorm. I had my Halloween festivities last week in the form of a party hosted by my good friend's fraternity. Not wanting to put too much effort into finding pieces for a costume, I drew mostly on my wardrobe to transform myself into a magician:

(Take off the hat and jacket and I look like a magician's assistant)

The costume was definitely a success. People could tell what I was - one of my Halloween pet peeves is when people constantly ask you what you're supposed to be - and the outfit was comfortable enough to dance in all night. I may not be able to do any real tricks, but I had fun playing magician for a night.

A Slight Digression

I know that we're still settling into fall, but can I take a second to look forward to spring? You may be wondering why I'm taking a break from hyping sweater weather, but I promise, it's worth it.

Catching up on blogs this afternoon after class, I came across this post on Fashionista about the Milly x Sperry Top-Sider collaboration for this spring and I am obsessed. Of course, since I'm in love with Michelle Smith's fun, girly clothes and my torrid affair with a pair of gold Sperrys this summer, how could I not be head over heels? With brightly colored  (and floral!) boat shoes and mocs, plus heels (and wedges) in a classic boat shoe design I want pretty much everything. If you'll excuse me, I have to go earmark some funds for those floral mocs. Perfect for splashing around in puddles left over from May showers.

Images via Fashionista

Midterminal

Midterms are not a time for fashion. Midterms are a time for comfort.

Sweater & Jeans: Forever 21, Boots: Frye

Midterms were earlier this week, if you can't tell. After a six month break from actual school, my studying skills were a bit rusty, but I managed to make my time staring at my notebooks effective. The weather matched my midterm mood - rainy, cold and windy meaning I spent a fair amount of the week in sweaters and pants. I have to confess, I didn't wear this for a full day. Once I was done with my test on Tuesday, I went back to my apartment, changed into a nightgown and took a 2.5 hour nap. Midterms are exhausting.

Gameday

It's Saturday in October and you know what that means...college football! We're lucky enough to have a home game today (it's Homecoming!), which got me thinking about what to wear to football games. I'm not the biggest fan of the t-shirt and jeans look, so I found some options for ways to show your school spirit without resorting to a baggy T. And of course, they're all in my school color - purple!

(Clockwise from top left)
1. The weather has started to turn and while it's not cold, a night game necessitates a couple of layers. A jacket in your school's color keeps you warm and is more stylish than the standard university sweatshirt. Tulle Belted Coat in Eggplant

2. This necklace from BaubleBar is the perfect way to show a little subtle school spirit. BaubleBar Violet Glam Collar

3. Fall weather calls for transitional clothing. You can wear this sweater with shorts when the weather is just a little cool and then layer it up when it gets colder. J.Crew Fisherman Sweater in Deep Plum

4. When going to the football game, you need somewhere to keep your ID, keys and, for some college students, a little liquid excitement. This bag is perfect in size and hue. Kate Spade Essex Small Scout in Viola

5. If you're not for going all out or, on the flip side, want to be covered in color from head to toe, nail polish in a sparkly version of your school's shade is perfect. OPI nail lacquer in Grape...Set...Match

6. No one can see your shoes in the stands, but that doesn't mean it isn't fun to slip on a pair that match your school spirit. Steve Madden Madee in Purple Suede

Plaid Skirts and Striped Shirts

Last week I mentioned that plaid is my favorite fall pattern. Well, here it is again...

Sweater: Ralph Lauren, Skirt & Tights: Target, Boots: Forever 21

This time it's in skirt form, though. I love a good plaid skirt, probably in part because I was never required to wear one. I wasn't content to pair it with a plain shirt or sweater (booring) and instead mixed patterns with this striped sweater, which is one of my favorite wardrobe pieces. I can't believe that it's already time to wear tights, but then again it is less than two weeks until Halloween. I can't believe how time is flying. It's already midterms, Thanksgiving is only a little over a month away...I guess time just moves more quickly when you're busy all the time.

Weekend Wrapup

I've spent the past couple days with my head buried in notebooks studying for midterms, but on Saturday I was able to get out and enjoy the fall. My cousin Will, who's about six months younger than I am and goes to college in Minnesota, was on campus briefly and I went out to campus to meet up with him. I had some time to kill when I got to campus, so I walked around the lakefill a bit. Sometimes I forget just how gorgeous it is and it was extra gorgeous Saturday with bright, cloudless skies and fall in full swing.

And of course I took some outfit snaps. I wanted to look nice (since I was actually going to see other people) but casual, because it was the weekend, after all. Thus, my trusty floral Isaac Mizrahi for Target dress came into play.

Jacket: Urban Outfitters, Dress: Target, Boots: Frye, Bracelet: Forever 21

Mad for Plaid

Shirt, Skirt, Bracelet: Forever 21, Belt: H&M, Shoes: Minnetonka

Something about fall makes me want to wear plaid all the time. Not just shirts, but skirts and dresses, scarves, socks, headbands...I could go on. If every outfit I wore this fall had a dose of plaid, I would be a happy camper. I didn't originally bring my moccasins to school with me, but luckily my mom was nice enough to send them. They're easily the most comfortable shoes I own and perfectly worn in. Sure, getting new shoes is nice, but you can't beat a pair of shoes that's perfectly molded to your feet.

The Great Pants Search

In general, I'm not a big pants-wearer. Most of the time, I'd rather wear a skirt or dress and if the weather's cold I'll throw on a pair of tights or knee socks to keep my lower extremities toasty. Recently though, I've had the desire to add some more pants to my wardrobe. I'd love to add a couple pairs of skinny pants that will go with sweaters and boots when the seasons turn. Here are a few pairs I've been drawn to:

These Forever 21 pants ($19.80) probably aren't the best made pair, but since my skinny jeans have lasted me a few years, I'm willing to try them out. Plus, who can resist that price?

I tried on these Gap leggings ($69.99)last week and they are possibly the most comfortable pair of pants I've ever worn. I'm not really a leggings girl, but the button-fly and pockets make them look like a real pair of pants while still feeling like the knit they are. If these came in petite, they'd already be in my closet.

I've never tried on J. Crew's Minnie pant ($98), but I've heard only good things about them. The bi-stretch wool sounds both comfy and warm, and the 29-inch inseam would be the perfect length for me. I'm not quite sure I'd want to drop that much on pants though.

Clashy Clashy

Shirt: Old Navy, Skirt: Missoni for Target, Bracelets: Forever 21, H&M

This isn't what I wore today, but it is what I wore for a while after receiving a box from my mom. The package included this skirt - a Missoni for Target gem that my mom miraculously uncovered a couple weeks ago. Just my luck that the zigzag knit was in my size. I love the pattern and colors and can't wait to wear it during these cooler fall days (sweater weather can be for more than just your upper half) and throughout the winter with tights. My mom's the best.

Cables Crossed

Sweater: Ralph Lauren, Dress (as skirt): Urban Outfitters, Shoes: Michael Kors

I love cable knit sweaters. If I could fill my closet with a rainbow of them, I would be one happy Hanna. This one from Ralph Lauren is probably my favorite - a nice sturdy knit that's not too heavy makes it perfect for cool days and ideal for winter layering. While the weather stays nice, I'll continue to wear it like this - with skirts or over dresses it makes for a classic class staple.

Shirt: Old Navy, Blazer: Forever 21, Skirt: H&M, Shoes: Sperry, Necklace: DIY

Monday and Tuesdays are early mornings for me, so I have to pick out my clothes the night before. This outfit was a no-brainer. Red, white and blue is one of my favorite color combinations and the pieces in this outfit make for great transitional weather wear. This necklace is something I've been trying to work into my wardrobe. I made it with some chain, ribbon and an old faux-pearl necklace that was losing elasticity. I think it almost looks better hanging on the mirror than it does on me!

Summer Dreams

I love fall, don't get me wrong. But sometimes, the descent into cooler weather leaves me pining for the warmer temperatures of summer. I can't turn back time, or make this 50-degree weather warmer, but I can look back on some outfits from the last few days of summer when I was still at home.

Shirt: Old Navy, Skirt: Zara, Shoes: Target

Shirt: Banana Republic, Skirt: Target, Moccasins: Minnetonka