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.   

I've been wearing a lot of old favorites and remixing closet classics this season, but if there's one thing I can't resist buying every autumn it's a cozy knit! I have way too many sweaters, but when they're so comforting and cute it's hard to resist. Yellow sweaters are probably my biggest weakness since I feel like I'm always on the hunt for "the one." This season I feel I have found my "one" in the form of this oversize fair isle number--it's so warm, the colors are perfect, and the loose fit looks amazing with jeans or tucked into a little mini. Even though I found my "one" I still can't help finding other yellow sweaters that are tempting me as well. See all my favorites below.

These pictures were the highlight of a rather disastrous weekend. We had planned to explore an area new to both of us a few hours from home, booked a place to stay overnight, and headed out. What we hadn't counted on was every activity we researched being closed for the season! Boats we wanted to take (to a castle in the middle of a lake) weren't running or available for rent. Abbey ruins were barred by a locked gate (I hadn't even considered that ruins might close for a season!). We were even foiled trying to find lunch with most of the local restaurants on limited evening hours--probably because all of the activities in town were closed for the season! It would have been more frustrating if it wasn't so comical. Basically if we attempted it--it failed. At some point you have to stop trying, pack up and go home! A less than auspicious start to November, but I'm still feeling optimistic about this month. What was lovely was the drive down and one of the forest parks we briefly explored--autumn seems out in full force and every patch of trees was an explosion of red and gold. I love how long fall lingers here. November is still a very golden month.