Fall Prequel Look

As you may have noticed from my Fall wardrobe post, I'm excited for Fall. I'm ready for the cool breezes, jacket-wearing weather, and my Birthday :)  

The temperature has cooled down a little bit where I live, but it is still pretty warm, so I put together a transitional look that is inspired by Fall wardrobe but still comfortable for the warm weather.  This sheer top from Dorothy Perkins was the perfect choice, and I can't wait to layer it under a blazer or a nice leather jacket (*on my birthday wish list) in the Fall!

Top: Dorothy Perkins / Jeans: Elle ( Kohl's) /  Flats: SM New York (Sears) / Bag: Steve Madden 

Doing a little furniture shopping and found a fab animal print chair-I had to take a picture! Hopefully I can talk my fiance into buying it for the house! :)  

Purple Polka Dots

Hey dolls!  (I watch too much Keeping Up with the Kardashians)

While a lot of bloggers are in NY enjoying fashion week, I'm in little old NC serving up country chic.  I bought this cute polka dot top to jazz up my casual Friday looks at work but I thought it was too cute to just wear to the office!

Top: The Limited / Jeans: Old Navy / Flats: Target / Handbag: Steve Madden

I have to say, being a homeowner is a lot of work but I LOVE having a yard. It's so nice to have some privacy, a place to relax, and a change of scenery for pics! :)

Fall Wardrobe Lookbook

With the passing of Labor Day aka the unofficial end of Summer, I've been researching Fall trends to start plan my Fall wardrobe.  Oxblood (or burgundy) is a hot color for Fall, so I want to incorporate it into my wardrobe, along with neutrals, animal prints, and dark florals.  I am starting to like the color navy so I want to add a navy bag to my collection this Fall. I compiled all of my Fall wishlist items into a personal lookbook pairing items I love with pieces that are already in my closet. Items can also be found on my "Fall Wardrobe" board on Pinterest.

(click photos to enlarge)  

Below is my Fall Wishlist that will also serve as my Fall shopping list to focus and simplify my shopping in the next couple of months.
Outerwear

• Blazers
• Navy
• Oxblood
• Neutral with a pattern (striped, contrast lapel, etc)
• Leather Jacket (black)
• Denim Jacket
• Possible: denim with leather sleeves
• Possible: Brown Cargo Jacket

Tops

• Sheer button front 
• 3-5 Solids  (navy, black, white)
• 2 pattern (1 being animal print)
• Crew-neck ¾ or long-sleeved premium tees/ light weight sweaters
• Solid colors
• 1-2 fun print
• Plain V-necks  *already own

Bottoms

• Skinnies
• Colored
• Oxblood
• Blue (other than typical shades of denim)
• Good, stretchy black skinnies/jeggings (ex Old Navy Rockstar jeggings)
• Corduroy in neutral color
• Pencil skirts for work
• Gray
• Navy
• Pop of color or pattern (striped, dot) 

Dresses

• Midi-length dresses
• Solid body-con with  ¾ or long sleeves
• A-line (1-2 solid and 1 print)

Shoes

• Wedge sneakers (black, navy or tan)
• Combat boots
• Black
• Brown
• Booties  *Already own (black suede, tan leather, green canvas)

Have you started preparing your Fall looks? 

Back on The Wagon: September Diet Challenge

Remember those health and fitness goals I set at the beginning of the year? Well about mid-July when I was consumed with the home-buying process my goals fell by the wayside. I have not tracked a single calorie, done any real cardio, or turned down any fast food or restaurant meal since July.  But, I'm trying to get back on the wagon now.  I've been doing one or two 15-20min power walks everyday at work for the past two weeks, and now my coworkers and I have started a diet challenge for the month of September!   Here are the terms:

• For breakfast and lunch, meals will be mainly fruit or vegetable based. 
• Dinner is a full meal including meat.  
• No red meats, only poultry and seafood. 
• Meat has to be broiled, steamed, baked or grilled.
• All drinks will be water or 100% fruit juice. 
• Avoid refined or "white" starches and replace with whole grains.  
• One cheat day is allowed each week.

In addition to the diet, I'm going to slowly start back doing cardio with Zumba on the Wii and maybe around mid-September kick it up and try the Insanity workouts again.  There is going to be a prize at the end of the challenge for the person who loses the most weight, so I'm trying to win!   Wish me luck!

Ladi Life: African American Cultural Festival

Hope you all are enjoying this Labor Day weekend. Saturday I went to an African American Cultural Festival in downtown Raleigh NC. There were so many vendors, performers, and amazing food and drinks (I had some of the best strawberry lemonade ever!) that almost made me forget about how hot and humid it was.  Here are a few snaps from the festival:

Dress: Asos / Chambray Top: Old Navy / Sunglasses: JC Penney