I'll Take My Autumn with a Side of Boots Please

When September rolls around, as it inevitably does every year, it brings with it the smell of freshly fallen leaves we all love so much. Me? I smell leather. Boots are the epitome of fall fashion. Every time I pick up the September editions of In Style or People StyleWatch, first and foremost, I flip to the always-there-like-an-annoying-ex-boyfriend section: "This Year's 'It' Boots." The ensuing pages are pasted in delicious knee-high, mid-calf, leeather, suede, black, brown, camel, flat, heeled, wedge goodness. Can you I tell I have a penchant for boots?

Here are some of my favorites that have been dancing alongside the sugar plums in my 2011 dreams:

Ankle Boots & Booties

Betsey Johnson 'Derbby' Bootie, $65.90 on sale

J.Crew Pierce Spectator Booties, $250

Lumiani Kate Booties, $129

Frye Harlow Campus Bootie, $258

Mid-Calf
(I have a thing for vintage mid-calf, western-inspired boots; if that was all I owned in the way of boots, I'd be very happy)

Campus Stacked Boho Mid-calf Western Boot, vintage

UGG Josie Boot, $250

Frye Carson Pull on, $313.20 on sale

Below-the-Knee

Enzo Angiolini Karissa Boot, $189

Vince Camuto Braden Boot, $198

Anthropologie Ridgecrest Boots by Frye, $298

J.Crew Tall Booker Midheel Boots, $348

In closing, here is an old picture of me when I was still secret-pregnant, in my all-time favorite boots ever: J.Crew Glenbrae Tall Boot from 3 seasons ago. Yum.

Oh boots, how I love thee.

It's a Cinch!

I used to shy away from belts. I thought they added "bulk." Au contraire; I've recently learned they actually have quite the opposite effect. After I purchased a couple belts that really pulled my outfits together, I was hooked. Now I belt everything, from dresses, to skirts, to blazers...the possibilities are endless. Here are some of my favorite belted options, as well as some recommendations on stylish options for this little accessorizing wonder.

This tank has a little bit of volume to it, so unless it's paired with a skinny pant, it needs to be belted or tucked it in to avoid looking like big, gray balloon. I opted to add one of my favorite belts, which is both brown and black, making it universal for almost all color palettes.


Anthropologie Lace-Over-Leather Belt, no longer available


Pictured with J.Crew tank, no longer available, which is also part of my OOTD

I adore this maxi dress; however, because of it's pale color, it can wash me out. By breaking it up with a belt, I add color so it doesn't look so monochromatic.



ModCloth Bicycle Taxi Maxi Dress, no longer available, paired with Old Navy belt, no longer available

Again, I love this dress, but with its nude coloring, it almost begs for a belt.




These are some of my favorite belts, both skinny and thick options:


Topshop Tan Textured Flower Skinny Leather Belt, $32.00, www.topshop.com


Forever 21 Stitched Leatherette Stretch Belt, $6.80, www.forever21.com (you cannot beat that price)


Topshop Red Leather Wide Double Buckle Belt, $70.00, www.topshop.com (fun color, fun design, this belt is a whole bag of fun)


Eddie Borgo at J.Crew Cone and Pearl Belt, $125.00, www.jcrew.com


Anthropologie Channeled Belt, $29.95 on sale, www.anthropologie.com (Anthropologie has some of my favorite belt options; on sale, they are also affordable options)

My "cinched" OOTD:


J.Crew Schoolboy Blazer in Eyelet, $69.99 on sale, www.jcrew.com




Anthropologie Egyptian Eye Earrings, no longer available



Jessica Simpson Gladiator Wedge Sandals, TJ Maxx, no longer available