As promised, I'm back with some photos where you can actually see the J. Crew bodysuit in action. If you missed it, I first talked about how much I loved it when I wore this outfit, but it was so cold I didn't take my coat off for the photos. I was super skeptical about the bodysuit, mostly because it looks a bit awkward on a hanger. But when it's on? Pure magic. If you've ever been annoyed by shirts that don't stay tucked in, you'll be just as obsessed as I am. [show_shopthepost_widget id="3049312"]

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In an effort to wear more of what I already own, I've been trying to sift through my closet and really find out what my favorite pieces are. [show_shopthepost_widget id="3021076"]

Now that we're a month into the year, two themes are emerging for me already. The first is that it's not selfish to put yourself first. I've really been practicing taking care of myself and it's making me an all-around better person, which allows me to be better for everyone else. (Win/win!) And the second is that I really, really like to dress comfortably. [show_shopthepost_widget id="3008796"]

I have always been a big fan of a white tee. In fact, I may be one of its biggest supporters. Over the years, I have stocked up on what has to be the most basic, but essential, closet staples. This is my favorite basic short sleeve white t-shirt and this is my favorite long sleeve. With such a simple "base" for an outfit, you can tone up (or down) your accessories for an endless number of looks. Add a blazer or a statement necklace or a vest. Wear with heels or ballet flats or even a comfy pair of sneaks. [show_shopthepost_widget id="3005991"]

So this button-up with embroidered bows has been flying off the shelves and I couldn't get an outfit post up in time. I saw the sizes disappearing after I had it on my radar post a few weeks ago. Unfortunately, I didn't shoot the top until I was home in Florida and now it's only available in a few sizes. But I still have some good news for you! I have a code for Draper James that you can use for 20% off one full-price item through December 25th: CarlythePrepster20. [show_shopthepost_widget id="2939328"]

Did anyone feel like the lead up to Thanksgiving felt more like Christmas? I think because I'm not spending Christmas in Florida and because so many shops have holiday things up already, I was quite confused. But now that Thanksgiving is behind us, that is at least until next year, I'm 100% ready to go into full-blown Christmas mode. [show_shopthepost_widget id="2922036"]

I know a lot of emphasis is put on finding the perfect dresses for holiday parties. I'm totally guilty of picking out a few dresses and skirts and not having enough events to wear them too. Frankly, my family does pretty casual holidays. We might put on something for dinner (particularly Thanksgiving), but most of the day is spent in comfortable clothes. And on Christmas, we spend a lot of time in pajamas and loungewear! [show_shopthepost_widget id="2902723"]

When October rolled around, I knew I wanted to go on an adventure to find the perfect pumpkin. I'll probably buy a couple more from a local nursery, but I wanted to go to a PYO spot too. A reader that I'm friends with on Facebook went to Lyman's Orchards and posted a photo. I've seen billboards for the Lyman's on I95, so I knew it had to be close. The pumpkin patch there is heaven! [show_shopthepost_widget id="2849309"]

Every September, I start looking forward to apple picking. I don't even know why it makes me so happy, but it does. This year, I went with Carter to take some fun photos and to bring some apples home, of course. I actually had so many apples that I had bags to give away to my friends! (Don't worry, I saved quite a few for myself!) [show_shopthepost_widget id="2840399"]

Remember when I wore a beret last winter? I was seriously hoping the trend would stick around. I have always loved berets. (My sister and I had a few from Gap Kids back in the day, and I would convince her to match with me, mostly because I didn't give her a choice.) They're everywhere now, and I couldn't be happier. A beret definitely screams cooler weather to me. While we had a few chilly days, the heat seems to be back with a vengeance. I've been trying to challenge myself to put together cute outfits for this in-between season. A nod to fall without actually melting. [show_shopthepost_widget id="2831307"]

This is, without question, my favorite outfit post of the year. It has everything I love in a good outfit: comfortable, tailored, and classic pieces. It's really as simple as it gets and I think that's what I love about it. It's the small details that bring it from boring to sharp. One of my friends was asking on Instagram where you can find well-made classic clothes nowadays. It seems, and I'd agree, that every store is hopping on the trendy bandwagon. I don't hate that most of the time, but when you need to find closet staples that fit well and look great, where do you go? I had just received the box of clothes for this post in collaboration with Talbots and promptly messaged her back: GET TO TALBOTS, ASAP. [show_shopthepost_widget id="2822449"]

I've never been against the athleisure trend, but I never fully embraced it myself. My idea of a comfortable outfit is jeans and a sweater, which I wear like a uniform most days. I think because I have been spending so much time in the gym now (!!!), the idea of athleisure has really grown on me. It's more like a way of life or something. Comfortable leggings? An oversized cozy top? Sneakers I can walk fourteen miles in without skipping a beat? Count. Me. In. [show_shopthepost_widget id="2814333"]

I tend to be pretty boring when it comes to white jeans. Don't get me wrong, white jeans are a staple in my closet, but I almost always wear them with blue and white tops. I picked up this vintage plaid top from J. Crew last week and knew it'd be a hit with blue and white denim. If you're into the overall trend, the top would also work. [show_shopthepost_widget id="2788316"]

Even though I've always loved summers, I would get a little antsy for school to start back up. As the days started to grow shorter again, we'd have a few telltale signs that classes were right around the corner. There was the scramble to read those summer reading books that collected dust for two months. The mile-long school supply list and the little postcard with our class schedule that showed up in the mail. Both followed by a four-hour trip to gather said supplies and a frantic call to best friends to ensure that we had the same lunch period! And my favorite part? The careful selection (and re-selection) of the perfect FDO aka First Day Outfit. [show_shopthepost_widget id="2775415"]

While I love sunny days, I can't resist a foggy one on Nantucket. It was pretty rainy all day, so we loaded up into our rented Mini Cooper and went on a driving tour of the island. We went from one end to the other and turned down roads as we wished. As luck would have it, the rain turned to a drizzle as we neared 'Sconset, so we hopped out to take some photos by Sankaty Light. I think it's my favorite lighthouse– it's definitely the most picturesque! [show_shopthepost_widget id="2773099"]

This sounds a little strange, but part of me loves riding bikes, and the other part of me is terrified of it. I've done more bike riding this year than I think I ever have as an adult, and I have mixed emotions about it. I was reminded of how scary it could be in Paris as we were riding next to traffic and crossing major intersections every thirty seconds. It was not for the faint of the heart. [show_shopthepost_widget id="2764613"]

I'm excited to partner with thredUP on this post today. After advice for starting a blog, my next most asked question is how to build a wardrobe on a budget, without sacrificing style or quality. I have been using thredUP for a couple of years actually. It's one of the websites I always go to when I'm looking for a particular item of clothing from a past season.

I think if anything is evident about my blog, it's that I love a good bow.  I mean, my second ever blog post was called "Ribbons and Bows." (Actually, read that blog post, it's hilarious but talk about staying true to myself over the years, haha.) I spotted this top in the J. Crew's jewelry section a few weeks before it was available and I became obsessed with finding it in stores. It turns out what I saw in the jewelry section was actually the dress with the bow in the front. The top has the bow in the back but you can, depending on your build, flip it around so that the slit and bow are in the front or you can even double the tie back around, so it's in the front. Just note that when you do that the bow becomes smaller since you have less "tail" to work with. [show_shopthepost_widget id="2687915"]

Guys!!! Major shopping PSA. My favorite white tee is BACK. And it's not just my favorite white tee; I'd go so far to say it's the perfect white tee. I bought it on a whim last year (or the year before?), and it's on heavy rotation in my wardrobe during the summer months. Well, year round.

It seems like I'm really focusing on all those classic staple pieces in my closet on my blog this year. Today, it's all about the striped shirt. Now, I can't lie here... there is not "one" striped shirt in my closet. There are many striped shirts. I can't get enough– and not without good reason. More often than not I find myself reaching for a striped shirt instead of a plain tee. The stripes are a bit more interesting, and they really are so classic looking. I'm all for all kinds of stripes, but if you were to get just one, a Saint James navy and white shirt would be my top recommendation. I've had this shirt for years. I'm pretty sure I got it in 2012, and it's remained one of my favorites. [show_shopthepost_widget id="2547796"]

Because I work from home, I generally don't have to worry about what I wear during the day. (It's the best.) I still go into the city a couple of times a week for meetings. I also try to cut down on the number of times I have to take the train, so I pack my city days with back-to-back meetings and try to squeeze in a dinner or lunch with a friend too. Finding something to wear that can take me through the whole day all over the city can be a tiny bit of a challenge, especially when I would prefer just to wear a sweater and jeans on a cold day. [show_shopthepost_widget id="2459159"]

I know it's still February– and I know we will definitely have more snow in our future– but this weekend is the springiest weather ever. I'm talking perfect sixty-degree pure sunshine days. The birds are non-stop chirping outside, and I can't stop smiling. [show_shopthepost_widget id="2437523"]

Now, I'm pretty good about getting out the door for classes, but sometimes I need a little motivation, like super cute and comfortable outfits. The J. Crew x New Balance collection has been a favorite of mine. They mix and match well, so I can put together the best looks for whatever I'm doing. (I like different fits for yoga versus weightlifting versus cardio.) You can imagine my excitement when J. Crew asked me to partner on a post sharing some of the latest collection. [show_shopthepost_widget id="2385679"]

While my daily uniform isn't as extreme as wearing the exact same thing (or same color) every day, but I have a routine when getting dressed. Unless I have something where I need to get dressed up, my everyday outfit generally looks a little bit like [show_shopthepost_widget id="2351711"]

I had the best time in Georgetown this week with the Tuckernuck team. It was a quick, 24-hour trip but it felt like I was there for a week. I arrived Thursday afternoon and co-hosted an event with Sarah at the new Tuckernuck store. If you're in the DC area, make sure you get to the store (1053 Wisconsin Ave) soon... I'm obsessed. Even if you're not in the shopping mood (who are you?!) go to meet the Tuckernuck team. I love every single one of them!!! The team has grown so much since I've known them, so it was nice to get to meet a lot of the new members. We went out to dinner after the event and ate all the food while catching up and laughing. I didn't even realize that it was midnight by the time we left!! Tuckernuck also has a sale going on right now that I had to mention... 20% off your entire order when you spend $200 or more with code "FRIENDS20" at checkout!! [show_shopthepost_widget id="2107720"]

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I really wanted to go to a real pumpkin patch on Monday. But I had a busy morning getting back into the email grind after being away from my desk all week. Then, as I was getting ready to go, I remembered it was a school holiday. Nipped those plans in the bud. (I try to avoid the weekend crowds for things like that, which we can thankfully do with flexible/non-traditional work schedules.) I did a bit of Googling and found what looked like a promising nursery. These things are hit or miss, and I couldn't quite tell from their website. We went anyway and seriously; it was like driving up to heaven on earth for a fall-obsessed person like myself. Mums as far as the eye can see and pumpkins of all shapes and sizes. (Reynolds Farms if you're in CT; I highly recommend!!) Plaid Shirt // Corduroy Vest //  Jeans // Similar Riding Boots // Monogrammed Boat and Tote // Similar Necklace // Similar Watch [show_shopthepost_widget id="2011788"]

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I interrupt the regularly scheduled programming to bring you what must be the most comfortable brand of pajamas ever. I had a totally different post planned for today but had to push it back to share these PJs... that's how good these are. I was on a press mailing for a collaboration with Olly and LAKE Pajamas. Olly makes my favorite vitamins so I happily sent over my address. I typically avoid unnecessary packages as best that I can, but in this case, I was more interested in trying other vitamins. The pajamas they sent over though. WHOA. They're good. [show_shopthepost_widget id="1972332"]

Guys... I actually signed up for tennis lessons. I was inspired after going to the US Open last week. I found an instructor and had my first (two-hour ) lesson on Monday. I was so sore the next day! I took tennis lessons with my sister in elementary school, but it's been years since I picked up a tennis racket. More than 15 years... [show_shopthepost_widget id="1919811"]

When I saw this top, I knew I had to have it. It doesn't matter that we have a few short weeks left of "official" summer. It's a great look-alike option for the crazy expensive Tibi top and it's still cheaper than the $78 Free People version too. Off the Shoulder Top (under $60!) // White Jeans // Red Flats (c/o, on sale!) // Striped Clutch // Similar Necklace // Lip Color "Oui, Monsiuer!" (c/o) [show_shopthepost_widget id="1882463"]

I love being able to wear dresses all day, every day during the summer. But I've been trying to branch out and wear my shorts more. I don't know how, but I completely forgot about a huge stack of shorts I had in a basket in my closet. Critter shorts, printed shorts, chino shorts. I was flipping through and rediscovered my scalloped white shorts. They ended up inspiring this outfit. Lacoste Polos // Scalloped Shorts // White Sweater // Sneakers // Sunglasses // Baseball Cap // Similar Necklaces