The Sweltering Sweater: fall

Adios Autumn

7:55 AM

Remember last week when it was 40 degrees and not snowing? Yeah me neither.

Living in a state that is known for massive snowfalls, a white Christmas actually seemed like a joke this year.

Now that the snow has arrived, it's time to say goodbye to fall fashion and move into the protective shields that are winter clothing.

So grab your water resistant faux fur lined boots, your parka-like puffy coat and layer up!

All photo credit goes to Aurora Grace Photography!

Let's connect!

Instagram: @theswelteringsweater

snapchat: @krazykaloogs

tumblr: theswelteringsweater.tumblr.com

1970s

An Autumnal Awakening

10:45 PM

OUTFIT DETAILS: DRESS, BOOTS (OLD, Knee high black boots are everywhere now though so do not fret!)

Maybe it's just me, but it seems like fashion for the period of September to November is always the same. A dress with tights, boots and a scarf or jeans with a light sweater and a scarf.

Although these are not bad style options, they can get pretty mundane and overdone when it comes to fashion blogging. That's why I was so excited about the clothing options this season.

This is the year of autumnal fashion.

Stores this season seem to be offering deeper, richer colors, unique patterns and different cut options than they usually do and I'm loving it!

Whether you are rocking 70's inspired maxi dress or something a little less striking, go ahead and mix it up! Grab pieces that are out of the box, go out of your comfort zone. Buy a noteworthy piece and make your own rules because autumnal season is what you make it!

All photo credit goes to Aurora Grace Photography!

Let's connect!

Instagram: @theswelteringsweater

snapchat: @krazykaloogs

tumblr: theswelteringsweater.tumblr.com

city

Green With Envy

12:56 PM

OUTFIT DETAILS (All pieces are older pieces within my closet, so I found the closest current pieces): SWEATER, JEANS, BOOTS, SCARF (option 1, option 2)

You ever wish you had someone's life? Someone's closet? Someone's money? Someone's fame?

Me too.

Social media is a double edged sword. We can talk to our family that are hours away. We can keep in touch with past friends. We can follow/have followers from around the world who we interact with but never meet in person. It's an amazing tool!

But it also has it's negative side. We can start to obsess over the instant gratification of a like or a follow. We can start to compare ourselves to other people, want what they have, live life like they do. Some might call this being "green with envy."

But this is not what we were meant to do. We should feel good about ourselves not because we got more likes on a picture than usual, but because the life we live outside of social media is a life not wasted. If used correctly, social media should be used to inspire others, connect passions and create something great.

All photo credit goes to Aurora Grace Photography!

Let's connect!
Instagram: @theswelteringsweater
snapchat: @krazykaloogs
tumblr: theswelteringsweater.tumblr.com

accessories

Bold Necklaces and Baby Blue

3:56 PM

Outfit Details: SWEATER, JEANS, BOOTS - Justfab, NECKLACE - I bought this from a jewelry maker who works from home, PURSE - Forever21 (old).

If you've scrolled through Instagram, you've probably seen a wall or two. Whether it's glowing lights or iridescently colored patterns, they're always memorable and always picture worthy.

While walking through a building in Minneapolis in search of coffee, Angi and I came upon that wall.

There in bright letters read CITY.

It looks small in photos, but I guarantee these were massive, they took up a majority of the expansive wall. It was a piece that took something rather simple and made it unique.

Similarly, the necklace of this outfit gives this rather unoriginal combo of sweater, jeans and boots an individual twist.

I love how everything else about this look is sweet and mono-colored, but then the necklace is bold and rough looking. The different shades and shapes make it so interesting.

How are you spicing up your look this fall? Comment below!

Let's connect!
Instagram: @theswelteringsweater
snapchat: @krazykaloogs
tumblr: theswelteringsweater.tumblr.com

2015

Basic Blogger

6:52 PM

~ Outfit details: JEANS, HAT, SHOES, SHIRT(OLD) ~

Do you ever look at a picture and it makes you happy? That's this picture for me. In a season of many changes and difficult life lessons to conquer, its a nice reminder that there is still joy in my days.

To me, fall is more than just pumpkin spice lattes, cozy sweaters and pumpkins (although I obviously love all three). It's getting to sit back and watch the world change around you.

This may sound cheesy, but bear with me: Just like the seasons of change in the weather, there has to be seasons of change in life. Without a sudden winter of extreme change, there isn't a renewed spring to see new doors opening, a exciting summer of experiences or a sentimental fall of memories to look back on.

So stay encouraged lovebugs, this is only the beginning of something great!

All photo credit goes to Aurora Grace Photography.

***Let's connect! Follow me on Instagram***

art

Pumpkins with Pizzazz

12:17 PM

While at the farmers market last Sunday I saw these tiny pumpkins on sale. Being the fall fanatic I am, I picked up three, intending to use them to spice up our front porch.

The more I looked at them though, the more I wanted to decorate them and make them unique. So if you're like me and you want to add a little pizzazz to your pumpkins without having to pick up a knife, here's three ideas for pizzazzing your pumpkins!

1. Donut/Doughnut (What's the difference? Help a girl out!): For this one I just used a creamy/tanish color for the dough part and a dark brown for the chocolate. For the sprinkles, I took a thinner brush and did small flecks of color.

2. Ombre: This one took the longest of all three because you're dealing with three separate colors. If you're patient, you can do this over a few days. I was too excited and ended up sticking the pumpkin in the mouth of a cup and drying each section with a blow dryer. For this design, I used a sponge brush to blend in the shading so that there would not be severe lines.

3. Push Pin Heart: You've probably seen designs like this around. All you do is double knot thread to a push pin and then zigzag the thread from one pin to another. To finish it, I wrapped the thread around a push pin a few times and then modpodged it to the pumpkin. Once the end is secured, push the pins in fully so no thread escapes and unravels.

There you have it! Three easy DIY's to take your pumpkins from ordinary to extraordinary!

2015

First of Fall

1:00 PM

I love fall.

Fall is my favorite season by far. Don't get me wrong, every season has its pros and cons. Winter has breathtaking snowfalls, but also frigid temps. Spring has beautiful new growth, but is also muddy. And summer has fun activities like parades, swimming and leaving your windows open at night; but it can get pretty humid and muggy and my curly hair stands no chance.

Fall is full of apple orchards, corn mazes, crisp air and all around I think fall is a better representation of new beginnings than puddle-filled spring or freezing cold new years eve.

Plus, it means bringing out your most comfortable pieces. Your cozy sweaters, cute scarves and layered pieces that have been tucked away and forgotten the past few months.

What pieces are you wearing for fall? Comment below!

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Instagram:

@theswelteringsweater

Thank you to Andrew Dean Productions for shooting this outfit and to Mainstreet Coffee Cafe in Lakeville for letting us invade for pictures!

aurora grace photography

Fall and Forever 21 Fedoras

3:04 PM

I may be jumping the gun a little bit, but I am so psyched for fall.

In fact, I'm writing this post in a pair of jeans and a sweatshirt and listening to Sweater Weather by The Neighbourhood.

So to celebrate my favorite season, I wanted my final Bella Mi Jewelry post to be a fall inspired look.

For this look, I wanted to incorporate fall colors (reds, greens, yellows and browns). My Small Brim Wool Fedora is from Forever 21. It was the only non-beanie, non-Indiana Jones-ish styled hat and I loved it!