TRANSITIONING TO FALL

This post is sponsored by Zappos and Clarks. 

Remember those color tests in magazines that would tell you if you're a winter, summer, spring or autumn? I always came out an autumn, but I don't really subscribe to the idea that fall colors are the only ones I can wear. However, my olive skin sure does favor them. So, now that my favorite and most flattering season is in full effect, I've partnered with Zappos and Clarks to show you how I wear fall in the west.

The biggest way I celebrate fall is sporting hues such as olive green, rust, cranberry, gray and warm browns. Rust, in particular, just so happens to be having a moment in the lime light. I fell in love with this silk blouse because of the rich color and because of the belle sleeves, which are also a hot fall trend to take note of. My style is always a bit of masculine and feminine, so I paired my new Clark booties with the romantic outfit, and accessorized with a trendy choker from Wanderlust + Co.

Along with wearing fall colors, the key to staying comfortable in the fall is to layer. The mornings and nights are cool in the desert and the days are hot. I took my summer body con dress and put it underneath my fall blouse. That may seem like an unusual pairing, but the recent NYFW runway showed a lot of unique proportions and layers. So, I encourage you to stand in your closet and rethink putting those summer pieces away for the winter. 

I also styled that same ivory summer dress with an olive green chunky knit turtleneck over it to give you another idea of how to layer. This will be a good outfit for a cool evening, and the casual quality of the knit goes so well these Clark boots.

If you're looking for a perfect fall boot that can be dressed up or down these are a dream. They are versatile in style and in color, and they are just as cute with black, navy, and well, the rainbow. Clarks is known for high quality leather and long lasting wear, so you can bet on wearing these for seasons to come. You can get yours with fast, easy shipping from Zappos.com. I am a true size 10, and that's the size I ordered. I just wear typical ankle socks and they fit perfectly.

My favorite fall color of all is this muted, silvery teal. I wish there was a more concise name for this hue. I've owned this blouse for six years, and it remains my favorite shirt in my closet. The cool tone of it mixed with the warmth of my Clarks is perfection to me. This is my casual fall outfit to a T. Skinny jeans, booties, a button down and call it good. Well, maybe add a pumpkin spice latte and then it's style heaven for me.

Photography by Rennai Hoefer

AUTUMN SPICED ICED TEA

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

THE TRENDS OF NYFW F/W '16

Not to get ahead of ourselves (as it's merely warming up to spring temps), but after the New York Fashion Week shows this past week it's apparent that we have a LOT to look forward to for Fall/Winter 2016. NYFW is typically the most casual in it's Ready To Wear fashion, so it's usually the best indication of what we will actually be seeing on the shelves and the streets this August. While there were many standout shows, I noticed quite a few overwhelming trends that intrigued me... 

CLEAN SLATE

Minimalism is still going strong. Designers are encouraging whites for winter and giving us a nice selection of garments with clean lines from strapless flowing dresses to robe-style fur coats. As a stylist, when I see simple pieces like these I think of them as a perfect clean slate. My mind starts running wild with ways to accessorize them with funky jewelry or a bright shoe.

Brock Collection, Brandon Maxwell, Dion Lee

FLAPPER FRINGE

Bohemian fringe has a new counterpart, it's cooler older sister: 20's inspired flapper fringe. We're getting major Gatsby vibes from these looks and can't complain one bit. 

Rachel Zoe, Zimmerman, Jason Wu

PINK AND YELLOW

Being one of Pantone's colors of the year, it's no surprise that rose quartz is gracing the runways left and right. However, select designers are taking a unique approach by styling their pinks with shades of yellow varying from bright neons to subdued mustard-y hues. This traditionally spring/summer color combo works surprisingly well with F/W fashions. Who knew? 

Creatures of Comfort, Marissa Webb, Delpozo

PATTERN PLAY

Here to contrast the stark minimalism we're seeing in fashion, pattern play is full of whimsy and color. So why not throw a leopard print coat on top of your floral silk pajamas? J. Crew did it...

J Crew, Clover Canyon, Coach

ON THE GRID

Plaid is pretty much a no-brainer when it comes to fall and winter fashion. Although this season we'll also be seeing a lot of clean, gridded patterns. The grids are a little less hectic and look more modern than your traditional lumberjack plaid. 

Jason Wu, Michael Kors, Kaelen

All images from Vogue.com. To see more trends I am loving right now be sure to follow my "Trends I Love" Pinterest board. 

OFF THE SHOULDER

To me there's nothing sexier than an off-the-shoulder top or dress. Some women like to show a little cleavage, some like to show some leg and me...Well, I like to showcase my shoulders. It makes me feel feminine, sexy and it's modest. 

I love this easy, femme outfit of an off-the-shoulder top, midi skirt and hat for fall. I styled this last fall for part of a workshop led by Ale Vidal. This look is still current this year. It's still in the 80's here in Arizona, but if it's chilly in your neck of the woods you can easily add a denim jacket or leather jacket along with some boots to warm it up.

Get a similar outfit: off the shoulder black top, midi skirt, hat, shoes, bag

Photography: Ale Vidal
Styling: Alex Evjen, AVE Styles
Makeup: Stephanie Neiheisel, SN Makeup Artist
Hair: Jessica Gallegos
Model: Agency AZ

Spooky Witches' Fingers Halloween Recipe

With the first day of fall already behind us, Halloween is quickly approaching. Instead of bombarding you with another sweet, pumpkin-flavored recipe of some sort, I wanted to share with you a healthier fall recipe that's just as fun. My friends over at Spork Foods have crafted these spooky pistachio witches' fingers which would make a perfect healthy Halloween party snack for everyone to enjoy! Pistachio Chewy Bite Witches’ Fingers

Yields 6

Ingredients:

6 Setton Farms Pistachio Chewy Bites

1/4 cup almond milk

1/2 cup non-dairy dark chocolate chips

Dash sea salt

12 dried cranberries

1/2 cup Setton Farms Roasted Pistachio Kernels, finely ground

Directions:

Unwrap all chewy bites and cut each chewy bite in half lengthwise. Gently press the two halves together, with the stickiest sides facing each other, creating one long strip. If desired, to create thumb and pinky finger, leave two halves short.  Set aside.

Place chocolate chips in a heat-proof bowl.

In a small pan, bring almond milk to a boil.  Pour over chocolate chips and let sit for about 20 seconds to melt chocolate.  Add sea salt.  Whisk until smooth.

Dip long Pistachio Chewy Bite strips into chocolate mixture and then sprinkle or roll in pistachios immediately. Place on wax paper lined plate and top each strip with 2 overlapping dried cranberries at the tip.

Set aside for about 20 minutes to firm up.

Recipe created by Spork Foods.