Wednesday, September 4, 2013

Top 10 Wardrobe Basics for the Fall

I started a Pinterest board last year to gather ideas on Fall Fashion, and I have slowly been adding to it.  If you are interested in checking it out, click here for the direct link to my board.  As I have mentioned before, I tend to dress for the calendar more so than the actual weather, within reason, of course.  But my calendar now proudly boasts the first of the "ber" months so I am starting to prepare for the transition to fall weather and therefore, fall fashion. 

So what are my must-haves for this fall?  I'm so glad you asked. Here are my top 10 wardrobe basics for the fall. 

1.  Chambray Shirts:   This is a classic wardrobe staple.  Chambrays are PERFECT for layering, under cardigans or sweaters, or over t-shirts or tanks.  They look great with colored denim, as well as with dark denim, or even long flowy skirts.  If I could only add one item to my fall shopping list, it would be this. 



2.  Animal Print Scarves:  Animal prints are making a big comeback this year.  I prefer leopard print to other animal prints, mostly because of the way the coloring looks on me, but you really can't go wrong regardless which print you choose.  I like scarves like this one- flowy and long.   That way you can tie it in multiple ways.  In this case, I think the leopard print looks great when paired with red or even over the chambray shirt above.  




3.  Tall Riding Boots:  I am in love with riding boots.  They are so comfortable to wear, and let's face it, they are also just plain stylish.  I have several pairs that I've had for several seasons.  The trick to their longevity is to buy quality items up front, and then make sure you take good care of them along the way.  Leather needs cleaning, polishing, and protecting (depending on the kind of material), so take good care of them, and they will last for seasons to come. 



4.  Skinny Jeans:  Let's be clear, the "skinny" part of these jeans refers to the shape of the jeans themselves, not the shape of the wearer.  No matter your shape, you can likely pull off this look.  I tend to wear tall boots with my skinny jeans, just to help balance the look.  But lots of people also wear these with ballet flats.  I'm thinking my first four items on this list are shaping up to make a pretty cute basic fall outfit so far.  



5.  Colored Tights: Colored tights can liven up a basic outfit in no time flat by adding a pop of color to otherwise neutral outfits.  But remember if you are choosing a colored tight, you want to add it to a neutral outfit.  Otherwise, you might come off looking like Rainbow Brite.  And if you are a little scared of color, you could start with a colored tight in a less bold color, such as brown.  For me, I like to pair colored tights with tall boots, so just a little color peeks out between the hem of my dress and the top of my boots. 



6.  Drapey Ponchos: I love ponchos and capes for the fall.  They are cozy and stylish without being too bulky.  This one also features a cowl neckline, another favorite of mine.  I would wear this over a long sleeved tshirt, and pop it on or off as the weather changes through the day. 



7.  Chunky Sweaters: Similar to the poncho, but the chunky sweater is intended to be worn on it's own rather than as outerwear.  I love chunky knits, and this one just fits the bill.  It just looks cozy and warm.  Yet, it's super stylish.  I would pair this with my skinny jeans and animal print scarf, and just like that, you've got your outfit.  



8.  Knit Socks:  I am a big fan of knit socks.  Check out how these are styled- over a warm pair of tights and under tall boots.  The layering is what makes this look work, and this look also provides the added bonus of extra warmth for your legs and feet on cool fall days. 



9.  Anything in Mustard Yellow:   This is a hot color for the Fall.  As you switch out your closet, it's time to put away the bright sunshine yellows that we tend to wear in the Spring and Summer, and instead pull out your warm mustard toned yellows to transition to Fall.  Of course, I love this sweater.  A scarf in this color would also be fantastic if you just want a pop of color. 



10.  Camel Colored Handbags: And finally, I always finish off my fall fashion choices with a camel-colored handbag.  This color just screams warm and rich.  In fact, I just switched to my trusty autumn bag today, and it already has me dreaming of cooler days ahead. 



So, there's my list of must haves for the fall.  What are your fashion go-to's for the cooler months?


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Monday, September 2, 2013

Spooks!

As many people enjoy their day off today for Labor Day, we Harris Sisters have another occasion to celebrate - today marks the one year anniversary of our blog. So, for those of you who have been following us - we thank you.

AND as a sneak peek of things to come (because we all know what THIS GAL is planning already), I thought I would share this poem that is so fitting for our family. I'm sure that having grown up in the Walkush family, it aptly describes how the boys start to feel this time of year.

Spooks by Sandra Liatsos:


Sunday, September 1, 2013

100 Things to Do This Fall

While Fall doesn't officially start until September 22 (and technically runs through December 20 for those of you keeping track), in our house we like to get a jump on things. If your family is still squeezing the last drops of fun out of summer, consider popping over to our 100 Things to Do This Summer List (or Pin it for next summer). And don't forget we also have a 100 Things to Do This Winter List and 100 Things to Do This Spring List (so make sure to pin those for later).

Anyhoot, to our family Labor Day weekend seems like the unofficial start to Fall. And with that in mind, I thought I'd post a list of 100 fun things you might want to consider doing with your family during the fall season. Some are activities the kids can do alone, some are activities they will need your help with, and some are all for you (holiday prep and all that jazz).

And to show how these are activities that we Harris Sisters endorse, I have included links and photos of our own experiences with many of these suggestions. And I've also included a few really awesome things that our family intends to try this year. Enjoy!



1. Go to a Local Festival
2. Make Salsa from the Last of the Garden Vegetables
3. Banned Books Week Is Typically the Last Week in September, and Some Great Books Are on That List: Choose a Book (That Your Parents Approve of) and Read It
4. OR Pick a Book from The Harris Sisters Recommended Book List and Read It Outside Before the Weather Gets Too Cool




5. Plant Mums
6. Go on a Nature Walk
7. Plan Your Spirit Week Outfits (Try to Top Last Year)
8. Gaze at the Harvest Moon (Note: The Harvest Moon may not coincide exactly with the beginning of Fall – sometimes it’s a few days in advance – but you shouldn’t miss it!)



9. Make a Dream Catcher (to catch any bad dreams you might have about spooky things)
10. Make Monster Spray to Rid Your Room of Monsters
11. Pick Apples and Make Old-Fashioned CobblerBaked Apples, or Apple Butter
12. Rake Leaves into a Pile & Jump in It




13. Go Camping in Your Own Backyard or If the Weather Is Too Cool, in Your Basement
14. Have a Day Where the Kids Decide What You’ll Eat for All Three Meals - I don’t THINK anyone will die from this! :-)
15. Make Favors for a Halloween Party
16. Build a Bonfire Then Roast Hot Dogs or Make S’mores




17. Participate in the Worldwide Day of Play (The annual event that encourages kids and their parents to play OUTSIDE rather than watching TV is usually held on or around the beginning of fall each year.)
18. Plant Spring Bulbs
19. Make Pumpkin Bread
20. Take a Slimy Bath with Soap Slime


21. Go to the Fair
23. Mix Candy Corn and Dry Roasted Peanuts Together for a Delicious Snack
24. Visit a Pumpkin Patch




25. Go for a Hayride
26. Paint Pumpkins with Glow in the Dark Paints
27. Take a Ghost Tour
28. Eat Monster Cereal While It’s Available



29. Make Popcorn Balls
30. “Boo” Your Neighbors
31. Set Your DVRs for ABC Family’s 13 Nights of Halloween!
32. Make Skeleton T-Shirts 




33. Make Caramel Apples
34. Plan Your Halloween Costume
35. Visit a Haunted House or Haunted Trail




37. Learn the Entire Thriller Dance
38. Watch the Clouds and Name the Shapes You See
39. Take a Tour of Local Halloween Decorations
40. Eat Pumpkin Doughnuts While They’re Available




41. Brew Apple Cider
42. Download Halloween Music for Your Halloween Party or Halloween Night
43. Make Brownies




45. Bob for Apples
46. Go to a Carnival
47. Make a Bleach Bat, Witch, or Pumpkin T-Shirt
48. Cut a Pumpkin in Half, Scoop Out the Seeds, and Fill with Bird Seed for Your Feathered Friends 



49. Roast Pumpkin Seeds
50. Make Pumpkin Fudge
52. Take a Family Photo in Your Halloween Costumes




53. Make Slime or Gak
54. Go to a Trunk or Treat
55. Go Trick or Treating
56. Decorate Gingerbread Cookies to Look Like Skeletons to Make “Gingerdead Men” (Special cookie cutters are available on Amazon or use the ones you use at Christmas.)



57. Climb a Tree
58. Go on a Hot Air Balloon Ride
59. Visit a Maize Maze
60. Watch the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade




61. Make a Homemade Pie
62. Go to a Football Game
63. Donate to a Local Food Drive
64. Watch “A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving”  (Is anyone else bothered by Woodstock eating turkey? No? Maybe it’s just me then . . . .)




66. Go Horseback Riding
67. Watch Classic Movies by the Fire
68. Go Gem Mining




69. Make Homemade Chili
70. Make Homemade Cornbread
71. Have a Silly String Fight
72. Help Collect Firewood & Build a Fire




73. Make Hot Chocolate
74. Make Leaf Rubbings
75. Plan a Weekend Trip to the Mountains to Enjoy the Fall Foliage
76. Snuggle Under Your Favorite Blanket


77. Make Your Favorite Macaroni & Cheese to Eat on a Cool Day
78. Help Plan the Thanksgiving Menu
79. List the Things You Are Thankful For
80. While the Whole Family Is Together at Thanksgiving, Take a Family Photos (Include All Generations)




81. Make Place Cards for Thanksgiving Dinner
82. Draw Names for Christmas Gifts
83. Start Christmas Shopping – Online or In Stores
84. Collect Pine Cones and Make Them into a Wreath (My Mother-In-Law made this wreath for me from pine cones the boys found.)




85. Visit a Local Holiday Market or Craft Show
86. Make Friendship Bracelets
87. Go to a Local Production of The Nutcracker
88. Visit a Parade of Lights




89. Start Putting Up Christmas Decorations!
90. Think Up Your Most Creative Christmas Card Photo Idea and Take It
91. Start Your Advent Calendar
92. Have a Pajama Day




93. Go to a Local Production of A Christmas Carol
94. Make Your Favorite Soup
95. Have a Sleepover
96. Make Handmade Christmas Ornaments for Your Family & Friends




98. Participate in the Salvation Army Stuff a Stocking Campaign (go online to research whether there is an event local to you)
99. Donate to Toys for Tots
100. Schedule Your Visit with Santa





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