Fall Color

Saturated color is the best thing about fall. Go beyond reds and yellows and try jewel tones in emerald, turquoise, sapphire, and amethyst (isn't this ring from My Jewelry Box stunning?).

Shop It: Tory Burch hat // My Jewelry Box ring // Marni clutch // J.Crew gloves // J.Crew shoes

{ inspiration board } tortoise shell

I absolutely love when classic accessories make a resurgence. This year's tortoise shell trend has been an easy way to add a touch of sophistication for centuries. In its early years, tortoise accessories were made from the shell of the hawksbill turtle. Concern over the turtle's extinction in the early 20th century lead the industry to recreate the mottled black and brown pattern in celluloid. I've been reveling in the print with a chunky J.Crew necklace and even paying homage with a newly curated Pinterest board.

1. Chronograph Watch, Michael Michael Kors, $250
2. Bangle Bracelets, ASOS, $43.65
3. Hinged Bracelet, Sabine, $20
4. iPhone Case, Incase, $34.95
5. Highball Glasses, Furbish Studios, $56
6. Ring, Michael Michael Kors, $85
   

{ recipe } apple crisp

Once the thermometer dips, spending hours in the kitchen no longer seems like work - and with an abundance of apples at the grocery store, a rustic apple crisp seemed like the perfect way to welcome autumn. Delicious on its own for dessert, it was also incredible swirled into a hearty bowl of oatmeal the next morning, leaving the pan empty less than 12 hours later.

{ style guide } fall footwear

Maybe it's a bit of Mad Men influence or maybe it's just an attempt to get my feet back on solid ground, but this fall I'm relinquishing platform pumps to the back of the closet in favor of ladylike styles. Bring on the slender stilettos, delicate straps and pointed toes! (Of course, I can't afford all of the pairs above. But they do serve as mouthwatering inspiration, don't they?)

1. Classic Black Pumps: Nine West, $79
2. Ladylike Stilettos: Christian Louboutin, $795
3. Colorful Party Pumps: Kate Spade, $335
4. Leopard Flats: Tory Burch, $265
5. Twinkle Toes: Pedro Garcia, $395
   

{ wishlisted } Fall 2011 Accessories

This fall, I'm looking for updated renditions of classic accessories:

• The ultimate splurge: a Hermes bracelet
  Fiscally possible in 2012 if I save my pennies.
  
• Tortoise shell and rhinestone necklace
  
• Chronograph watch
  
• Bright lipstick
• Leopard-print flats
  

What accessories are you hoping to purchase this year?

{ wish listed } Coach Weekend Tote

I'd forgo my autumn wish list just to add this supple, all-too-perfect, will-get-better-with-age, leather tote to my wardrobe.

{ wish listed } J.Crew Fall 2011

Nevermind the sweaty, sticky mess of a heat wave we're having. Once J.Crew released its new fall arrivals, I've been meticulously editing my autumn wish list - starting with a sophisticated color scheme of tan and scarlet.

1. Ruthie Shirtdress, $118*
   
2. Resin and Rhinestone Link Neclace, $85
3. Nora Calf Hair Ballet Flats, $250
4. School Boy Blazer in Wool Flannel, $188

*I give it about three weeks before this little number is hanging in my closet.

{ inspiration board } Mad for Plaid

Perhaps it's the centuries-long tradition of tartan, or just the well-styled J.Crew fall collection, but there's no denying the classic appeal of plaid.

{ fast facts }

• "The English word tartan is derived from the French tiretain. This French word is probably derived from the verb tirer in reference to woven cloth." {source}
  
  
• "The word plaid, derived from the Scottish Gaelic plaide, meaning "blanket," was first used of any rectangular garment, sometimes made up of tartan, particularly that which preceded the modern kilt. In time, plaid was used to describe blankets themselves." {source}
  
  
• "Tartan may be mostly associated with Scotland, however the earliest evidence of tartan is found far afield from the British Isles ... some of them were recently discovered remarkably preserved in Salzburg, Austria." {source}
  
  
• "It has been estimated that there are about 3,500 to 7,000 different tartans, with around 150 new designs being created every year. With four ways of presenting the hues in the tartan – modern, ancient, weathered and muted colours – there are thus between about 14,000 recognized tartan variations to choose from." {source}
  
  

{ shopping list }

Leave the flannel shirts to the men. Add a dose of plaid to your closet through undeniably feminine silhouettes like this dress - perfect for work and holiday soirees. A glam clutch or classic pumps can subtly enhance your ensemble. You can even add a touch of tartan to your make-up bag with eyeshadow stamped with the iconic print.

{inspiration images via Desktop Nexus, The Independent, Market Publique, Harper's Bazaar, The Fashion-y Blog}

Public Service Announcement

Now that it's September, I feel like it's my duty to remind you that candy corn is out in full force. With five different types of sugar gracing the ingredients list, I can almost guarantee a stomach ache after eating a bag. This is why I stop midway through. Just a little friendly advice from me to you.

Outfit Notes: Grandmother's Bracelet

Win $1,000 with Polyvore!

Untitled by style_obsession featuring leather clutches

If you're anything like me, you also spend countless hours ripping out magazine pages, saving inspiration images and creating outfits on Polyvore. It's a good thing you've been practicing because Polyvore has just announced one of the most exciting contests of the season to celebrate the launch of their new Mini Editor: a $1,000 Visa gift card!*

All you have to do is create your fall look within the widget here at Style Obsession - each outfit you create is another chance to win! (I've noticed that the widget doesn't show up in Google Reader, so you'll have to click to this post to participate.)

And we can't keep all that creativity hidden - I'll post all submitted outfits each weekend during the entry period to share your fall creations with our readers! (After you create an outfit, just leave a comment with your Polyvore username and a link to your blog.)


Powered by Polyvore

Of course, any blogger can jump on board and win their own $1,000 gift card by adding the styling tool to your blog and choosing your favorite 100 items of the season. Read the full rules here.

*One $1,000 Visa gift card is awarded to the winner and another is awarded to the blog host - it's a win-win. While this post may be a little self-serving, I'll definitely purchase something awesome for a giveaway when we win!

Window Shopping

It's that time again when our mailboxes are inundated with September magazines. This first sign of autumn making me yearn for cooler days and a well-edited fall wardrobe. (No surprise there, right?) I've already spent hours carefully considering which trends I'm aching to embrace and now we're on to the fun part: shopping. I've spent the better part of today perusing websites to find the perfect autumn items, like these two from our sponsors: Wendy Mink Jewelry's Rose Resin Bracelet (only $45!) and Oufi London's Pippa handbag ($155).

Falling For You

Mid-July marks a frustrating period on the sartorial calendar: I'll overheat if I wear anything more than a filmy dress, yet I'm daydreaming about fall's lush textures. I don't want to jump the gun, but J.Crew's fall 2010 look book has me itching for artful layers of sequins, wool, leather, and piles of baubles - oh my! It hasn't taken long to compile an autumnal wish list:

(pictured clockwise, starting from upper left)

Vanessa Bruno Athe, Turtleneck, $68
See by Chloe, Sequin Tulle Top, $250
Labour of Love, Leather and Suede Gloves, $134
Michael Kors, Chronograph Watch, $250
Steve Madden, Carnee Clogs, $129.95
McQ, Checked Wool-Blend Skirt, $148
Erickson Beamon, Dune Swarovski Crystal Earrings, $390
Newport News, Deco Pin, $15
Ann Taylor, Pearl Stud Skinny Belt, $38*
Banana Republic, Bonfire Ring, $39.50

Visit Amy's Afternoon Reading to read my contribution to her guest post series: how to stay motivated and focused while blogging.

Diane von Furstenberg Fall 2010

"I always wanted to live a man's life in a woman's body."

-Diane von Furstenberg

An abundance of frills juxtaposed by menswear-inspired structure makes Diane von Furstenberg's Fall 2010 collection completely satisfying. Add a dash of glitz and I'm sold.

photos via style.com and nymag.com