This post is sponsored by Gold Peak Tea.

I recently shared with you what home feels like to me, and I mentioned that sharing good food and drink with friends and family is essential. I really enjoy drinking iced tea (a love that I picked up while living in Houston). So, I'm happy to share a yummy fall iced tea recipe using Gold Peak Tea that I think will not only make you feel at home, but make you feel like you are drinking fall sip by sip.

AUTUMN SPICED ICED TEA

Prep time: 5 minutes

Cook time: 30 minutes

Serves: 4-6

Ingredients:

3/4 cup water

3/4 cup apple juice

1 1/2 cups sugar

1 orange, cut in half

1 cinnamon sticks (+ 4-6 for garnish)

2 whole star anise (+4-6 for garnish)

4 whole cloves

1.8 qt bottle Gold Peak Unsweetened Tea

Method:

Pour water & apple juice into a small sauce pot. Add sugar and whisk to dissolve. Take one half of orange and peel two long pieces of rind. Slice other orange half into half moons and set aside. Place orange rind, 1 cinnamon stick, 2 whole star anise, and 4 whole cloves into sugar mixture. Place over medium high heat, and bring to a boil. Lower to a simmer and cook for 30 minutes.

Remove spiced simple syrup from heat and strain into a bowl. Let cool for 20-30 minutes, or chill over night.

Pour spiced simple syrup into a large pitcher, and pour a (1.8qt) bottle of Gold Peak Unsweetened Tea into the pitcher. Mix tea and simple syrup together with a spoon or whisk. Feel free to add more or less syrup to your desired taste. Then pour spiced tea into ice filled glasses, and garnish with an orange slice, cinnamon stick, and star anise.

If you're entertaining, consider pouring the iced tea into pretty copper mugs like these that were designed by my friend Katie, and garnish with a cinnamon stick, orange rind or star of anise. I particularly love that the mugs say "gather" on them. It's a word we often use around Thanksgiving time, but it applies to anytime we're at home sharing good food and drink with friends.

Gold Peak Tea would love to hear what home feels like to you too! You can go enter their contest to win a trip back home and a custom experience while you're there. The deadline for entries is September 1st, 2016. Run, don't walk!

Photos by Rennai Hoefer, Recipe by Brendan McCaskey, Styled by Alex Evjen

Pumpkin-spice lattes are appearing on menus, the aisles of Target are filled with Back-To-School supplies, and Halloween recipes are starting to pop up on my Pinterest feed. This can only mean one thing: Fall is coming. Living in AZ, this is quite exciting as it's been a long, scorching summer. For others, the cooler temps and falling leaves might evoke a sense of dread as a precursor to the imminent winter ahead. Whether you're ready to jump into fall feet-first but can't because it's still 100 degrees outside, or are determined to cling to the last notes of summer, we've got good news. You don't need to pack up your summer threads just yet. In fact, you can keep wearing them all throughout fall. Here's a helpful list of summer items that can easily transition into your fall wardrobe and where to buy them!

Distressed Boyfriend Jeans

Boyfriend jeans are like are like an old friend, you can always count on them despite any tattered rips or frayed edges that may have occurred along the way. Lazy day with your hair in a baseball cap and sneaks on your feet? Boyfriend jeans. What to wear with your new strappy heels to happy hour? Boyfriend jeans. Trying to dress down that new blouse? You guessed it, boyfriend jeans. You can get just as much wear out of these this fall as you did this summer. Throw them on with suede booties and lots of bold jewelry for a boho-glam vibe, or use them to contrast the polished sophistication of your longline vest.

Button Front Denim Skirt

If you haven't noticed, the 70's are back in a major way. From high-fashion houses like Chloe and Jill Stuart to fast-fashion outlets like Zara and H&M, there's fringe, suede, fur, and flares in abundance. While not all of this is super wearable day-to-day, the a-line denim skirt is an exception. Button-front skirts started popping up all over the place this summer, most often seen paired with a bib-style crop top and booties. All this outfit is missing for fall is some layers for warmth. Cue the turtle necks, bell sleeves, and chunky knits.

Birkenstocks

Whether you're a fan or not, there's no denying that Birkenstocks are having a BIG moment in fashion. While they were great paired with an easy, breezy oversized tee and shorts for summer months, they'll transition into your fall wardrobe quite smoothly. Pair them with boyfriend jeans, a shift dress, or cozy leggings to take you into the cooler months. And when it gets chilly, don't be afraid to throw on some slouchy knit socks with them, too!

Overalls

Overalls are great because they can work for virtually any season. Finding the right pair may be tricky but it's worth the hunt because it's a piece you can keep forever, and these bad boys have great potential for fall. Layer a turtle neck or striped tee underneath, tie a flannel around your waist, or throw on a chunky sweater and booties like Ashley, from Twenties Girl Style did above. Boom, effortless it-girl chic.

Longline Vest

Longline vests (also referred to as sleeveless blazers) are fairly new on the fashion radar, but are a great staple to have in your wardrobe. These aren't the frumpy, short vests of the 90's, but instead have a longer, sleeker, more modern appearance. Great for a professional look with a tailored ankle-length trouser, or throw it on with ballet flats (like these from Topshop) to dress up a graphic tee and shorts. Either way, long live the longline vest.

White Denim

The great thing about fashion these days is that there are no rules. "No white after labor day" is truly a thing of the past. Also, no styling tips needed because they go with just about everything! So go ahead, rebel against this fashion faux pas and keep the white denim in your fall line-up to keep things fresh. You rebellious spirit, you.

Summer Sundress

Don't pack away your summer dresses quite yet. Instead, challenge yourself to get creative and play around with layering. Put a white tee underneath, throw on a trench, or cover up the entire top of the dress with a sweater and pretend you have yourself a new skirt. The possibilities are endless.

Chunky Platform Sandals

Platform heels are great for a few different reasons. First of all, they are SO comfortable. Platforms give you the height of a stiletto or pump, minus the pain. They were a huge hit this summer, especially when paired with flirty dresses and skirts. To make them even more fun, carry them into your fall wardrobe and wear them with socks. This look would be ideal with a flowy midi dress, allowing you to show off your funky footwear situation.

Don't have some of these versatile items in your closet yet? No worries! Here's where to find them: