Lately

This past weekend, as I walked back towards our front door under live oak trees, the smell of autumn hit me. I remember one fall in particular in Portland, where my early morning drives to work were fog-draped and smelled like the smoke from burned leaf piles. This was that smell, despite the balmy daytime temps. I think autumn is my favorite season because it signals a winding down of the year, a slowing down of the world, darker evenings and cozy nights by a fire, seeking warmth inside a home that has been turned into a nest with blankets and pillows on the sofa.

I'm beginning to pull knit sweaters and cardigans out of one of our closets and move flowy blouses in to the wardrobe. The frenetic changes that happen here, from tornado watches to crisp blue skies in the span of a day, put me at a loss as to what I should wear. I find that I return to the same wardrobe staples every year: sleeveless shells in a jewel tone, Breton stripes, ballet flats that bite into my feet but look so cute before they are tossed across the room. One thing I have loved about the South so far is the unabashed embrace of color. I am drawn to neutrals and as a city girl owned every shade of black and gray possible... but I'm venturing into new territory with burnt orange and sapphire. This photo above is me saluting the direct order from my husband to eat lunch, something that can slip my mind and lead to an incredibly grumpy wife.