Bringing an extra bit of autumn magic in my post today! When I got this Gryffindor sweater and scarf awhile back I knew I had to do a little Harry Potter inspired shoot wearing them. I mean they're great just for every day wear; both are warm and practical for this time of year and subtle enough to pass as a regular outfit, but add a wand and magic and there's no denying the inspiration! The timing couldn't be more fitting for these pictures as I've been re-reading the series this month and the latest film is out as well! I'm not usually one for cosplay, but maybe I should try a look inspired by the more recent films next since they are set in the 1920s and we all know I'm a sucker for vintage fashions. For this outfit I wasn't trying to be a specific character, but rather just a general student headed to watch a Quidditch match. I'm the least sports interested person ever, but I imagine if sports also involved flying around I might be more inclined to watch a game...Also, I'm not technically a Gryffindor, but I like these colors so often I get asked quite frequently if I am one even when I'm not attempting to cosplay!    

So it's not an official club, but yes, I do like to rock an old peter pan collar when I get the chance. Better perhaps even than a blouse or dress with a peter pan collar are these removable collars I received from Magnus clothing. I've worn them in a few posts recently so I thought I'd do a quick round-up featuring all of them since I don't write many blog posts focusing on my outfit details these days. Sometimes it feels like everything is full outfit posts and quick bits of text about the day and there isn't always space to wax poetic about the details. And I do love the details. I've been told my style is minimalist, but I'm not sure a minimalist would be all about the accessories the way I am. Whenever I put together an outfit I start with the broad picture, but then work my way down to the details trying to find the right coordinating accessories to make a look "sing." Sometimes it's a delicate necklace, other times a statement ring or hair bow, for these looks it was a peter pan collar. A small detail that gives each outfit a bit of extra polish, add that these collars are screen printed with adorable woodland creatures and you basically couldn't get any more "my style" if you tried! These are from Magnus's new fall collection featuring cute autumn critters and mushrooms too (although I don't have that one!); the fox ought to be my favorite but I think I actually like the industrious little squirrel the best. You can pop them under any tee or sweater seamlessly, so they're great when you want the collared look but none of the bulk of an actual blouse and a good option in warmer weather so you get the look of layers without the added heat (a note for spring as extra layers are pretty welcome right now!). Another cool thing about her shop is that she also has an upcycled collars section featuring one-off collars salvaged from thrift shop finds and otherwise unloved clothes. My other favorites in her shop are the butterfly collar (so pretty!) and the expressions which include the very necessary "book nerd" collar. All perfect details to make an outfit from basic to personal--which I feel is the main tenant of personal style.

I've been feeling the travel bug a lot lately. Thomas traveled quite a bit this year for work while I stayed behind hearing stories of the bakeries he got to eat at and cities he got to explore. Add to that the fact that every time you log into Instagram someone you follow is in a new country, you start to feel like quite the boring homebody. Not that being a homebody is bad. In fact, while I have been itching to travel (and quietly browsing ticket prices...), the truth is where I live is pretty great, especially this time of year. Yes, part of me wants to pack up a suitcase and jet off, but a greater part of me keeps saying, "go outside, take a walk, enjoy the color before it's gone." I mean, most places aren't going to be able to beat these woods and sheep dotted fields. Maybe I'll get a weekend away one of these months, but for now I am trying to enjoy the last of the lingering autumn in my neighborhood. Soon there will be Christmas markets popping up in the local towns, tree lighting ceremonies, and other festivities to keep me occupied. For now there's walks in the woods and evenings baking. The travel bug will just have to take a hiatus.

I think at this point my Outlander fandom is a well known fact. I started reading the books as a guilty pleasure, but over the years I've really gotten over the guilty part of it and just enjoy them. The series lives up to the novels in a really beautiful way and the latest Season just started last week (can't wait for the next episode to premiere tomorrow). I made a mix of songs from the show for our road trip through Scotland this past summer and definitely have the theme song playing in the back of mind whenever I get a chance to explore standing stones. Of course, standing stones aren't unique to Scotland and we have several scattered over Ireland as well--meaning it's only a short drive away to twirl around some majestic stones in a dramatic dress. A necessary thing to do on occasion when you love Outlander and a new season is starting. I enjoy any excuse to put on a dramatic dress and visit a piece of mystical history.
P.S. If you want to catch up on past seasons of Outlander and start the new one, you can get a free trial to Starz here.

I don't hold much nostalgia for the past--not my own or the more historic past--outside of the fashions. I'm happier here today in my 30s than I was as a teen; I'm glad for all the advancements in human rights, medicine, etc that I get to appreciate in the present. But yes, I am a sucker for some retro t-strap heels and a red lip! One of my favorite timeless style is tweed. Tweed blends my love of vintage fashion and a rural lifestyle. It reminds me of country ladies retiring to their estates for a weekend of hunting in nipped waist tweed jackets and houndstooth caps. Hunting aside, it's a look I adore. One of my favorite brands for vintage inspired designs that feel authentic and wearable for every day is Emmy Design. I've written about them before, but I feel that in vintage fashion brands there's a dearth of wearable, earthy clothes. A lot of reproduction brands focus on prom style dresses or recreate dresses in bright colors and prints--striking, but not what people in the 1940s or 50s would be wearing as they went about their day. Emmy Design is one brand that I feel makes timeless styles that people from the past wouldn't feel odd wearing and for autumn they released some gorgeous styles I'm a little obsessed with--like this pinafore skirt. While not technically a tweed, this skirt is made from a heavy wool plaid that mimics the look of a classic tweed. The skirt comes in four color ways and I'm wearing the green plaid wool which has hand embroidered arrow head tacks at the pockets in mustard threads. It's such a beautifully made piece and when paired with a simple blouse, cozy knit, and classic beret (and vintage bike!) I feel like it could pass for a vintage outfit although every clothing item I'm wearing is modern. Which is pretty much the best of both worlds: vintage inspired clothes that feel timeless, but from modern stores in your size and multiple colors! One of my pet peeves of "real" vintage clothes is how limited you are in finding pieces that fit you and if you do find something that fits you, there's no options for other colors nor an ability to bookmark that shop and look forward to new collections each season in the same style.