weekend style : polka dots and chambray

my latest uniform ~ polkadots in any form and chambray shirt.
laid back and casual is my new key to comfort. and if i know its works for me, i'd definitely be doing it over and over again. 

via my instagram (@swankychicfete, if you'd like to follow along)

chambray shirt // skimmers (similar here and here) // bangles (similar here and here)
skirt (similar here) // frame bag

ashley's top five fall favorites

so excited today to have none other than ashley brooke of ashley brooke designs sharing her top five fall favorites. if you're not familiar with ashley, she's a talented artist and designer specializing in illustrated papergoods such as stationery, invitations and notecards for all holidays and occasions. my personal favorites are her custom illustrations (so personalized and special!) and fun whimsical calendars. i am recently smitten with her latest fall favorites notecard! 

here are ashley's fall favorites ~ she is seriously making me crave for some real cold crisp fall air to blow into texas asap! thanks ashley for guest posting with us today!

Photo Sources: Fall Stationery, Red Wellies, Freshly Baked Bread, Plaid Scarf, Festive Decor

Fall is my favorite season by far, there is nothing more I love than a pumpkin spice latte, and the smell of Fall in the air! Here are just a few of my Fall favorites (it's so hard to pick!!), I hope you enjoy!!

Fall Stationery: Nothing says back to school like freshly sharpened pencils and fresh stationery on my desk. 

Red Wellies: What better way to keep your toes warm and dry than with these?! 

Freshly Baked Bread: I love the sights and smells of Fall warming my kitchen, especially when there's yummy fall food involved...like apple or pumpkin bread! Delish.

Plaid Scarf: Is there anything cozier than a scarf wrapped around your neck? I think not.  Plus, it's hard to imagine autumn without some plaid.  It makes me feels like I'm in the mountains at my parents' cabin!

Festive Decor: Come September 1, I pull out every pumpkin, leaf and acorn I can find to decorate my house from door to door.

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c. wonder sale picks

ENJOY EXTRA 50% OFF SALE ITEMS FROM C.WONDER! 

that's major savings and my shopping bag is getting full! 

here are my picks : 

tablet case // chino pants // earrings

suede slipper // knotted rope bangles // anchor plate

i heart sweaters

i know it's a sweater-and-scarf weather somewhere (not us - ugh!), so i've gathered some adorable heart sweaters that's on major trend right now. too stickin' cute! 

shop for more heart sweaters here :

decorate cookies with bridget

our very own bridget edwards', author of the amazing blog Bake At 350, most awaited book will officially launch next month. the book titled Decorating Cookies, boasts of over 60 cookie design tips, recipes and tutorials for all holidays and occasions! 

you can get your early copies here, signed and shipped directly to you! 

also if you're in the houston area, a signing event will also occur on oct. 20th at hubbell and hudson 12 - 4 pm at the woodlands area. address and complete details here. houston peeps, take note! 

i briefly met bridget when amy atlas stopped by houston earlier this year and i was thrilled to have met her. and little did i know that a new book was in the works! so excited for her! 

meredith's top five fall favorites

we ladies here in texas are so excited to have a cold front (below 80s) and my "next door" neighbor and blogger friend, meredith, shares her top five fall favorites to enjoy the weather. she is no stranger on this blog as she made quite a few appearances here in the past (here and here) and i always love having her. this busy mommy of three adorable boys is loving everything orange and cozy this season and i have to totally agree with her! 

friends, say hello to meredith.....

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I am so thrilled to be guest posting on Lili's fabulous blog with my favorite things for Fall.

When I think of Fall I think of the weather changing (c'mon 70 degress IS cold people). 

And with that, all I want to do is bundle up and soak in the goodness of the season. 

Here's a little window into what I am loving for Fall...

My Five Favorite things for Fall are... 

1. Cozy, Comfy Clothing! Can I get an AMEN?! I love a great chunky sweater and some fabulous black leggings. 
2. Cozy, Cute Kiddos... dying to get my boys into some darling Hunter Wellies to keep their tiny toes warm and dry as the weather changes.
3. Cozy, Comfort Foods! Mmm, nothing says FALL quite like a Pumpkin Spice Latte and S'mores by the fire pit. I'd have one of each every day if I could. 
4. Cozy, Chic Home... wrap up in a fabulous chevron print throw and light a delicious creamy pumpkin candle and I'd be hard pressed to budge. Sounds like a slice of Heaven!
5. Cozy, well... COZY feet! I am a girl who loves her slippers and none better than the Dakotas! I am also a sucker for fun printed socks in the Fall/Winter, add polka dots and I am SO in.

Well, there you have it. A few of my favorite things for Fall. What are you loving this season?

Thank you Lili for having me on your blog today. You're such a doll.

thanks meredith for all the cozy must-haves! cant wait for the REAL cold weather to finally hit us!

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hello fall !

can you feel it in the air? it's officially the first day of fall and i love it! 

cardi (similar here and here) // french hen scarf // skinny jeans
earrings // ballet flats // crossbody bag  



ENJOY THE WEEKEND, folks! 

little styles

sometimes i feel that the kids clothes and styles are just adorable as adults clothes if not more. dressing the little ones are more fun as they can get away with more colorful sparklier outfits! and who doesn't want to wear head-to-toe polkadots or glitter? 

all clothes from crewcuts

{for the girls} polkadot satchel // colorblock dress // glitter ballet flats
pink cardigan // polkadot oxfords // star leggings

{for the boys} coach jacket (similar here) // orange cords // navy blazer 
suede oxfords // blue sneakers

rae's five fall favorites

continuing our top five fall favorites series, one of my best friends rae is here to share what she loves about the fall season and living in texas. i am so happy she's doing her introductory post here (im still trying to convince her to start her own blog). or at least, i'm hoping she'll be a regular contributor here. 

a little background about our deep rooted friendship - we've known each other since kindergarten and through high school in the philippines. we both grew up, went to school and church together and only to migrate in the US and ending up in the same city later on in life. it is pretty special that she's here today and trying her hand in blogging despite her busy schedule! 

{photo sources : wedding photo / boots / football / boots / morning run }

I always welcome the cooler temperatures and the warmer colors that come with Fall with much excitement. I'm not enthusiastic about the seemingly shorter days that accompany the end of daylight savings time but otherwise for me, there isn't much else to complain about the Fall season. Like most women, Fall outfits are the favorites in my wardrobe. My preferred comfort foods also seem to taste better during the cool "ber" months. 

There are so many things to rave about Fall but here are 5 reasons why every year, I fall in love with Fall:

Fall running is fabulous. The cool weather with the crisp air and beautiful atmosphere is great for running. Breaking out a new pair of running shoes to herald Fall running season is something that I Iook forward to towards the end of Summer every year.

Celebrations with family and friends are a huge and heartwarming element of the Fall season for me. There are the big holiday get-togethers in praise and thanksgiving for God's wonderful blessings. And of course there is always the small yet lovely celebration of our November wedding anniversary (her 2009 wedding featured here).

I enjoy Fall trips. They are more relaxed than Summer vacation travel. My husband and I usually take short trips during the fall season like the one we took last year to the Pacific Northwest to visit his sister in a lovely little town nestled at the spot where the great Columbia River meets the Pacific Ocean. 

I love boots. I would wear them all year long if it was not so hot in Houston. I'm always grateful when Fall comes around and I can break out the boots! 

I love College Football; specifically Longhorns Football. I spotted the college football fans in my neighborhood hoisting alma mater banners outside their homes to declare devotion and fealty to their college teams during my morning run this past Saturday. Even if I don't like the teams that hold their allegiance, our shared fondness for College Football in a way binds us. Hook 'em!

***//***//***//***

thanks raez for being here. means a lot. 

i am so looking forward to your possible new blog endeavors! 

gwyneth's j.crew style

no one does j.crew like gwyneth do. it is a match/collaboration made in heaven. 

here's a countdown of her 8 j.crew styled outfits from her goop website!

all images from goop

michaela's top five fall favorites

i am beyond excited to start a new series in the blog featuring some of my favorite bloggers sharing their top five fall favorites. i'd like to believe that it's truly fall where i live despite the warm weather, so i've enlisted a few of my blogger friends to share their favorite things of the season! 

first up to share her favorites is the beautiful michaela who pens the interior design and lifestyle blog, michaela noelle designs. this gorgeous young lady is so talented and passionate and it shows in her daily blogposts whether it's about home interior design, artwork, DIY projects, fashion and style or stories about her family and puppy - she never ceases to inspire me. thanks so much for being here today, michaela!

wedges // teacup lamp // chevron pumpkins
coffee & boot images via michaela noelle designs

Hello sweet readers! Michaela here from Michaela Noelle Designs.  I'm excited to be dishin' on what I'm loving for Fall here on Lili's cute blog.

Lately, I've had a serious shoe fetish.  Boots have been a long time love for me, as I used to live in Seattle and they were the only things that would keep my feet warm! I recently purchased this pair of Jessica Simpson wedges and couldn't be happier. I think they are perfect for the new season and BONUS: they are super comfortable!

My signature drink from Starbucks in the Fall and Winter seasons is a Zebra Hot Chocolate.  That's right folks, I don't drink coffee, so this is my fave :)

An adorable teacup lamp adds charm and sophisticated whimsy to any room in any season, but I especially love this piece for Autumn.

Lastly, who doesn't love a little chevron?! If you've ever been to my blog, you know I sure do! I'm thinking this will be my next DIY project.

Thanks for having me, Lili! What are your Fall Favorites??
xoxo

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insta-lately

hello all!
 thought i'd share a few favorites lately. last week, it was all about polkadots and bold cocktail rings. my latest favorite that i wear almost everyday is this huge tortoiseshell ring from mackenzie's design darling shop (where i also got those adorable matches) and a blue gem from francesca's, i picked up while window shopping last week. these fun accessories truly add a little pizzazz to my daily uniform of tunics and skinny jeans!

i also happen to find great polkadot deals from target (shirt and pants, which i can't find online) and even a pretty cool polkadot wrapping paper from the dollar bins. and in other exciting news, this month's birchbox (get your subscription here) arrived last saturday and i am doing the happy dance that they included a discount card from madewell! 

i hope you're monday is a great mix of work and a little bit of play!

bauble and bows

who wants to sparkle this season? bows and bling are just a few of my favorite things! 

1// crystal bead earrings 2// resin triangle necklaces 3// elephant pendant necklace 4// peacock bangle
5// flower lattice earrings 6// bow ring  7// tuxedo bow bracelet 8// starburst bracelet

rainy weekends

forecast this weekend in our neighborhood, rainy with dark clouds. not to dampen our spirits, the hubs and i still have plans to go to an early breakfast soiree and a late afternoon party with the whole family that i'm sure will extend through the whole night enjoying great company and food. 

here's a little outfit board to stay dry and comfy this rainy weekend. enjoy the weekend friends! 

get the look here :

tory burch thursday

tory burch's recent NYFW spring 2013 collection sashayed down the runway with evident global influences in tribal organic prints and textures, elegant silk flora prints and tie-dyed charm. tory's line season after season has never been boring. she always presents a fresh bright collection with an eclectic mix of patterns, colors and fabrics. view the whole collection here. 

{photo source}

j.crew spring 2013

i know it's a little weird talking about spring fashion here as we are just hitting the first drop of fall temperatures. surely i can't help but share my favorite looks from the latest j.crew spring fashion show in NY. no surprise that mixing of prints remain the big story in the whole collection. i spy loads of pale brocades, herringbone pattern, stripes, polkadots and mixed florals. what's not to like? view the complete NYFW looks here. 

{images from style.com} 

skinny cords parade

i was excited to find a pair of skinny cords that's inexpensive and relatively fit well (junior sizing) and the material feel is delicious. i love bright colors and i am especially thrilled that i can move on to fall dressing with them. special bonus that it's in a skinny fit and corduroy material. get your's here. 

weekend scenes

hello monday! 

thought i'd start the week with a few scenes from the past 2 days. 

it was a lovely weekend and we got a little tease of the nice weather. although very brief, it was still a treat. 

our little family enjoyed an al fresco lunch at our favorite burger joint, guru. after that we indulged ourselves with starbuck's salted caramel latte and i discovered they also offer them in cakepops. we had both - double trouble! so yummy! 

then on sunday after church, we had brunch at blu while waiting for the texans game and had fun cheering them on on one of their best games ever. i had their french toast, which i think was pretty good. 

i'm in a pink kick lately. a few weeks ago my seashell pink vaio arrived and just had to order a monogram decal for it. i absolutely love it! i also happen to see this pretty pink nikon at a recent best buy trip and i think i found the first item on my christmas wishlist! so cute! 

we have moved to our new home almost 4 years ago and i am just now ordering my drapes. we currently have roman fabric shades in our family room in a beige neutral color and we wanted to add some color and pattern to our walls. the two fabrics above are what we picked at high fashion home and can't wait to share how it's going to look when it's all done.

 the celadon patterned (right pic above) one will go into our formal dining which will pick up some of the green of our antique chinese wooden screen (see pic below). the galatia brown will go in our 2-storey family room, it's dramatic quatrefoil-like pattern will add an elegant look to that bigger room. 

and speaking of home decor, i finally busted out some mini gourds and pumpkins along with a few crystal turkeys and displayed them on the  tiered wire tray i previously used here. the turkeys may be a little premature but hey, they're cute. i'll be redecorating, moving furniture and sprucing up our whole place in anticipation for the holidays. so excited for the cooler weather, football season and the holidays in general. and here was last year's home decor display as well as this one featured on my family blog!

i hope the week has started great for everybody! 

football kick-off fashion

saddle bag (similar here, here and here) / striped rugby shirt / quilted vest (herringbone version here)
butter london nailpolish / perfume / sneakers / boyfriend jeans (similar here, here and here)

enjoy the weekend and the games!

friday's fall inspiration

hello friday! hello fall (almost)!

i had my first sip of salted caramel latte yesterday and it was divine. only if the weather was a little cooler, my drink would have tasted better. rumor is, this sunday we will have a "cool front" (in the 80s - ha!) just in time for the texans first football game of the season! 

today, i am posting some random fall inspirations that's making me look forward to those fresh crisp mornings and cool nights. first of all, let's talk about his pumpkin and creamcheese muffin first......yum!

recipe & image via here

again, i head over to pottery barn for more halloween and fall harvest party inspiration that's full of entertaining ideas and tips. their site is full of great guides for every occasion and even amazing how-to videos step by step! 

via

i am stowing away my summer home decor and bringing out some of my stored fall decoration this weekend. i am thinking white pumpkins and topiaries as inspired by my talented friend amanda's gorgeous home fall decor last year. so elegant and classic. my weekend is going to be busy!

via

other than watching football, what are your plans this weekend? 

have a great weekend everybody!