Favorite Fall Staples

As it starts to get cold I find it harder and harder to get dressed. I just want to throw on a pair of jeans and a sweater and be done, but sometimes even that just feels like too much effort. I know this sounds so lazy, but I'm going to associate part of these feelings with it corresponding with the end of the semester as well.

Despite not wanting to make the effort for whatever reason, I still refuse not to look at least somewhat put together on a daily basis. I've found that pairing a vest with almost any outfit can really make you look put together, and the same goes for a scarf. Even if it was something I just threw on, it makes it look like I tried. At least I think so, maybe no one is honest enough to tell me that I still look as exhausted as I feel. The best part about these pieces is that they add a warmth and layering factor, which can be especially important during this transitional weather.

I have also become obsessed with boots in the last few years. Maybe it's because prior to law school I was in South Carolina most of the time and the weather there was much warmer and there was less of a need for boots, or maybe I just didn't know what I was missing. Having a great pair or two of boots can make all the difference in the fall and winter. Not only do they look cute, but they can really help keep you warm as well!

Here are a few of my favorites: 

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I like the idea of having some neutral scarves that go with everything as well as colorful ones to brighten up a dreary winter day. I tend to have a lot of color in my wardrobe already, so I've been "collecting" scarves that are neutral in color, but still have some kind of pattern or design to them, like the black chevron one. It will go with pretty much everything!
Check out some other great ways to style scarves here - Spotlight of the Week: Scarves

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Like with scarves, I tend to be drawn toward neutrals when it comes to vests as well. This makes it ten time easier to just throw one on and not have to worry about if it's going to match whatever  you're wearing. 

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When it comes to boots I pretty much stick the same style - just below the knee, and about the same color - a brown/cognacish color. I have the monogrammed boots featured here and pretty much wear them everyday. I really like the quilted ones as well, they look so nice and also so comfortable!

for more southern inspired posts check out Celebrate Southern

What are some of your favorite fall staples? 

Have a Great Day, Y'all! 

xoxo

Tailgating Essentials

We're about halfway through the football season and I have already been responsible for four tailgates. "Responsible" makes it sound like a bad thing, let me clarify, I have already been able to enjoy planning four tailgates. Not to mention the dozens and dozens I have attended and planned in the past.
Let me tell you, it takes some planning, but it is all SO worth it. Here are a few things that I never go without.

Large Tote Bag or Basket

At some point I may include a true "Tailgating Checklist" which would include a lot of small things like napkins, forks, trashbags, etc. and you need somewhere to put all of those things. I have a big Lilly tote/cooler or an LL Bean tote that I usually stick to. I think the Large or Extra Large is ideal for the LL Bean totes, I use the Large and have never had to worry about having enough space. You need something that is big enough to hold all of the paper products and miscellaneous items you need as well as any day-of odds and ends you want to toss in. A bag or basket would be fine because ideally this will remain in or near the car, so it doesn't need to be super easy to carry or anything like that. Here are a few options that I think would be perfect.

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Cooler

There are literally hundreds of coolers, but some are better than others. My boyfriend has a Yeti, well actually he has two, and we always use those. They are definitely on the more expensive end, but those suckers work. They work so well that we can actually pack the cooler the night before with ice and it will still be cold for the entire day of tailgating.
If we are going to grill and have frozen/cold food we try to take two coolers. It's not that I'm all that worried about cross contamination, but sometimes we just need the extra space.
I also have a Lilly tote cooler that I will occasionally put my champ and OJ in, mostly because I want to take any excuse I have to use it. Depending on what else we're bringing, sometimes this serves as our catch-all bag as well.

Tundra (45) | Roadie 

Hand Sanitizer

One Word. Port-a-Potties. Some do have that weird hand sanitizer foam in them, but that is not something you want to count on. This is one easy item to toss in your bag and one that you will definitely be glad you did!

Food

Recently we have been plagued with noon kick-offs which makes it much more difficult to plan food wise. Depending on how early we want to get up is really the deciding factor. Last year for the Tennessee-South Carolina game we were in Knoxville and started tailgating at 7am. This tailgate included breakfast sausage, biscuits, and hashbrowns - all on the grill - and it was great. One game this year we just picked up a couple dozen donuts and some beer cheese and that worked out fine as well.
When the game is set for a 3:30 or 7:30 kick-off it is much easier to plan out what kind of food and how much to bring. It is important to make sure you have enough food to go with all of the drinking that is probably going to occur. We always tend to overdo it on food, but I would much rather that be the case than to have too little.

Drinks

This is also something that definitely depends on what time the game starts/what time you want to start tailgating. As I mentioned, we have had a lot of noon game this year so I have been having a lot of mimosas and bellinis - no complaints here. We generally try to have a small variety of drinks, usually some beer and occasionally bourbon, but again, it really depends on the length of the tailgate.

Water 

Because duh. But seriously, you need to bring water or gatorade or something that isn't alcohol. This is good for hydration, but also sometimes you just want something else to drink and this is often forgotten when you are picking up things last minute.

Layers 

Tailgating and football games are an all day affair. At least in Kentucky, Tennessee, and most of the South that means the temperature can change by twenty degrees from the time you start tailgating to the time the game is over - especially towards the end of the season. Enter: layers. A vest will be your best friend. I have found that as long as it is not forecasted to be literally freezing, a vest is generally enough as long as you are dressed relatively warm otherwise.  It is so much easier to take a vest off and on when you get hot or cold and it is much lighter to carry around. Scarves can also be a key player in dressing for the day and keeping you warm when the sun is coming up and when the sun is going down.

Check out some other great southern traditions at: Celebrate Southern Link-Up!
What are your tailgate essentials?

Have a Great Day, Y'all!
xoxo