{still seeing red…}

As previously established, I think the color that defines autumn is red. I’m itching for a red trenchcoat and to dye my hair red for a few months. {Desperately resisting the urge on both counts.} I’ve noticed I wear more red lipstick in fall, too. Then there are the apples that welcome Fall. Before the pumpkins appear, we see apples and their gorgeous red skins.

Photos: 1. Camila Akrans, 2. unknown, 3. {Bits of Beauty}

{fleur de saison}

No matter what you think of the song {every french person I know can’t stand her}, you’ve got to admit this is a gorgeous video.

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tenthings ad2 1 {kate towers}

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{building forts}

A few favorite forts from the Where the Wild Things Are fort building contest.




And of course, my favorite…

This was actually a practice run, but within a few hours of this construction, the munchkin was running a 102 fever. We were unable to construct his dream contest fort by the deadline, but will do it when he feels better just for fun.

You can see more at Booooooom and We Love You So.

{All photos from Booooooom, except the last which is by Ms. Jenn & the munchkin}

{soft & worn}

rosie huntington jane mcleish

There is something to be said of things soft and worn with age. The most comfortable linens are often ones that have been washed countless times. For years I had a blanket that had once been a comforter, but with 20 years of washes it had taken on a thin, cottonball soft quality. It would be another 10 years before the blanket fell beyond repair.

rosie huntington jane mcleish

Photography by Jane Mcleish

Posted in art

{autumn & tartans}

I’ve never really worn tartan, except as part of a school uniform. As of late, I’m seeing tartans in everything from decor to dresses, and am becoming quite fond of them. It was the above photo by Chris Nicholls that sold me on them. Rustic, elegant, and timeless. Autumn is the perfect season to wear them.

I’m taken with this tartan coat from Anthropologie, but as you know, it isn’t appropriate for where I live. I’ll settle for a tartan skirt, or perhaps this vest over a black skirt and some fingerless gloves.

That lovely Nicholls picture also got me thinking of deep reds. It’s the deep red leaves and textiles that appear in this season which gives autumn a richness in my mind. A deep red, different than summer berries or Christmas holly, in warm fabrics, leaves that will soon fall, and perhaps a luxurious fur. If it weren’t for the red, autumn would be a light palette of oranges and yellows – not quite so rich.

And, when the leaves fall, and autumn gives way to winter, what remains are those reds to keep the winter whites and evergreens company.

1. Chris Nicholls, 2. Anthropologie 3. Czech Elle via Fashion Gone Rogue 4. Jacqueline Puoci

{bit of beauty: light beams & tea}

Is it me or does the light change when it’s cool out? {Not that it’s cool out here, because it was 98 bloody freakin’ degrees yesterday.} I miss putting my feet on the ground after a night in a warm bed and pulling them back up again out of surprise at the cold floor. I miss walking near a window and feeling cold radiate from the glass. Perhaps it’s my imagination, but I think that the light is softer when it’s cold. I like it best that way.

Photo by Rodney Smith