Fall to-do list (because I'm a nerd and I like lists)

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Part of the reason I started this blog was because I wanted to get the most out of the seasons -- appreciate each one to the fullest. So in keeping with that goal, here are a ten things I want to do this fall (i.e., before it starts snowing):

1. Go for a walk on the beach. There's something super romantic and cozy about bundling up and walking along the water in chilly weather. (Plus dogs are allowed.)
2. Finish the NYC marathon. Ideally in one piece, but after months of training -- and several brutal long runs in heat and high humidity -- I'll take what I can get. 
3. Decorate the house. Glittery skulls, pumpkin trees, and apple-spiced candles are just a few of things I plan on surrounding myself with in the coming months.
4. Wear teal eyeliner. Or metallic eyeshadow. Or any other crazy fall makeup trend before it goes out of style.  
5. Pick my own apples -- and pumpkins. Bonus if there's a hayride. And a haunted house.
6. Take a trapeze class. My awesome friend Jennifer bought us Groupons for my birthday and I can't wait for the two of us to fly through the air with the greatest of ease.
7. Order Felipe’s Hot Chocolate at Crema Cafe. Then walk around Harvard Square in boots, a leather jacket, and a fabulous scarf. My definition of Boston chic.
8. Hike up a mountain. Or just a really large hill. Somewhere with awesome leaf peeping.
9. Find a silly (yet super hot) Halloween costume. And party it up like I'm in college. (Hey, I'm only 25. I can still get away with it!)
10. Bake an apple pie with a lattice crust -- from scratch. So Martha Stewart. And so Alex.

What's on your autumn to-do list?

Happy first day of fall!

Dress peeping

[ModCloth]

[TopShop]

[Ruche]

Loving the retro silhouettes and the bold colors of these dresses. I'd pair them with black tights and booties -- cheetah print booties.

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Monday mashup: a little rendez-vous and a lot of food

Photos of me by Alex

This past weekend I mingled with some fantastic bloggers at rendez-vouz: new england. We gathered at Grey's Fabric & Notion -- a cute fabric boutique in the heart of SoWa  -- and chatted about blogging while devouring grilled cheese sandwiches from Roxy's food truck. The weather was gorgeous -- high 60s and sunny -- and I wore my new favorite skirt (BCBG), my old favorite jacket (H&M), and carried a picnic basket (an $8 thrift store find) instead of a purse.

Back on the home front, I successfully used all of of my Costco peaches by making Eat Live Run's Earl Grey peach preserves. It turned out surprisingly well -- even though I swapped out the Earl Grey tea for English Breakfast. I ended the weekend by baking an apple-caramel cupcake -- potentially the perfect fall dessert -- which I'll share the recipe for tomorrow. 

{Thank you Jillian of Cornflakes Dreams and Alison of Long Distance Loving for organizing such a great event. And thank you Grey's Fabric & Notion for hosting us Sunday morning -- I can't wait to check out your "how to make a yoga bag" class.}

'Tis the season for my birthday (and it rules!)

As a child, I never understood why adults were so secretive and awkward about their ages. I was told I'd get it when I was older. But I don't! I'm just as excited to turn 25 today as I was to turn 10, 13, 16, 21, and everything in between. (And not just because I get to rent a car sans fees.)

Boyfriend says that I'm still not old enough to understand adults. He says when I turn 29 I will realize that getting older isn't that great. That will be the end all, be all. (Note: he recently turned 29.)

Whatever the reason, I still think of my birthday as a new beginning -- a fresh start -- and I like to spend the day wearing a fabulous dress, laughing with friends, and planning for a fantastic year ahead. (Slightly Pollyannic, I know, but it's my birthday so deal.)

Kind of like this:.

I still get this excited for cake.

So, 24, thanks for the memories, but here's to you, 25. You're going to be the Best. Year. EVER.

( ... until 26.)

Seasonal lust: about this blog

Summer. Fall. Winter. Spring.

I'm going to enjoy what each season offers to the fullest.

And then I'm going to blog about it.

This is my life. In season.