Fall is almost here!

I don't know about you guys, but I cannot wait for fall! It is by far my favorite season. I love everything about it...the crisp weather, cozy scarves, leather boots, cute cardigans, beautiful leaves, pumpkins, mums! You too?

Here are some pretty images I want to leave you with for a few days. We'll be driving to PA on Friday morning for my friend Amanda's wedding, so I will likely not be able to post until we are back.

Enjoy!

via

via

via

via

via

via

via

via

via

via

via

via

Ok, I know it's not fall just yet....so, what are you doing for Labor Day weekend? Any fun plans?! I'm definitely decorating for fall as soon as we are back in town!

Fixing a window with a broken seal

Let me first say, I'm using the term "fixing" very loosely! I didn't repair the window, but I think I made it look much better, so at least cosmetically speaking, it is "fixed".

Before I show you what I did....a little background story. When we bought the house in 2008, one side of the sliding glass door in our kitchen was broken, so we had to replace just the one side. It was surprisingly costly (although I don't remember the exact amount). Shortly after it was replaced, we noticed the glass was fogging up. We realized too late that it was a broken seal, and so we just lived with it for the past several years.

See how foggy the glass on the right is? Ugh. Not pretty to look at every day!

Here's another look. The glass on the left is completely clear, but the reflection in this picture is making it look a little foggy. 

Instead of going the costly route of having it replaced again, I decided to make it look intentionally frosted with some window film that I picked up at Home Depot for under $30 (sorry, I can't find this exact product online).

I also picked up the application kit that was on display next to it. It seemed like a good idea, and I'm so glad that I had it when installing the film.

The instructions are pretty simple:

It was pretty simple, although I highly recommend having someone help hold the film while you're spraying it down, or vice versa. It would be pretty tricky to do this by yourself. I was so anxious to get this done as soon as I came home with it, but I forced myself to wait for Josh to get home from work to help me!

I don't have any pictures of the application process, since it took two of us to get this done, but here are the results:

I'm really happy with how it turned out! I know it looks kind of strange to only have one side of the sliding glass door frosted, but we still wanted to be able to see out of part of the door, and there's nothing wrong with that glass, so I didn't want to cover it up. Also, that side of the glass is always covered by the curtain, so normally, you'd never see it. One day, we would like to replace the entire sliding door with a french door, but that's not in the near future.

The uneven fogginess is still somewhat noticeable through the film, but only if you're really looking for it. Overall, it just looks so much better!

What do you guys think?! Have you ever had this problem with a window or glass door? How did you fix it? 

Shopping at Zara

My friend Rebekah and I went to Zara for the first time yesterday. We were both really looking forward to it, having seen so many of their cute clothes on other bloggers. At the end of our shopping trip, we both concluded that we were disappointed.

Their sizing is inconsistent. I tried on one top that was an XS, and it was too big. Another top in a size small barely fit me. I also found the quality of the clothes to be inconsistent. Some of them seemed really well made, while others were more of a Forever 21/H&M quality with a Banana Republic price tag.

Let me walk you through what I tried on and purchased:

Zara Dark Blue Overdyed Skinny Denims

I liked the idea of these jeans...they were a really dark wash, and really skinny through the leg...but, I just didn't think they were flattering on any part of my body, besides my legs. I didn't purchase these, but for your reference, this was the size 2 (also marked 34), and they fit me well. I think these run small if you compare them to a size 2 at stores like JCrew or Banana Republic. These jeans would be more like a 0 or 00 there.

Zara Blouse with Ribbon Neckline and Metal Appliqué

I loved this top so much, but didn't end up purchasing it. It's actually photographing better than it looked in real life. This was the XS, and Rebekah and I both thought that it just looked too large on me and bordered on sloppy, even though it's supposed to be loose fitting. I think this would look better on someone taller (maybe 5'5" or above).

Zara Blouse with Elasticated Hem

This is another top I didn't purchase. This is the XS, and I think I would have liked how the size small fit me better, but I just didn't feel like it was anything great, especially for nearly $60.

Zara Top with Embroidered Swiss Dot Flowers

I saw this top online and fell in love with it, but in person, it was so disappointing. This was the size small, and it just fit me. The sleeves were too short, and across the chest was just an awkward fit overall....like it wasn't made well. Rebekah pointed out that on the back, some of the embroidery was already unraveling. The quality was just not what I would expect from an $80 top. So sad!

Zara Zip Leggings

I purchased these! This is the size small. They were a little long, but otherwise, fit great. I actually liked how the XS looked on me because the length was better, but they were so tight that I felt like they wouldn't be comfortable. They have seams down the front and back, which is really flattering, and the gold side zippers make them unique. They also have a really wide elastic waist band, which cinches you in. These remind me of the JCrew Pixie Pant, (seen on me here) which I adore, but I think I will hold off purchasing them, since I now have these Zara pants, and they were only $35.90, as compared to JCrew's at $88!

Combined Ottoman Leggings

These are very similar to the Zip Leggings above, and again, the JCrew Pixie pant. I also bought these in a size small for the same reasons I mentioned above. The length on the XS was better for me, but they were just so tight. These pants have gold ankle zippers, no seams, and elastic patches along the hips and inner calves. They remind me of a riding pant. I know I'll get lots of use out of both of these pants this fall. They're a nice weight and the zippers just make them much cuter than a plain legging. These are also $35.90, which I think is very reasonable!

(I can't find this one online!)

It was a size small, knit cardigan but sort of looked like a blazer with less structure. I thought it was cute but decided that I just didn't need it right now. It was about $60.

Zara Blouse with Crystals around Collar

Sorry, the lighting in this dressing room was horrific! This was the size small, but again, I felt like it was a bit awkward fitting through the chest. I didn't purchase it. I just decided that I wasn't that thrilled with the fit or quality for $60.

Lace Scarf (not available online)

I loved this the minute I saw it! I thought it was so unique and pretty. I know I'll wear it all the time throughout fall and winter!

Have you guys been to Zara, or purchased anything from them online? I don't think I will make a special trip to the store again, but if I happen to be near one, I would stop in to see what they have. I definitely cannot imagine ordering online, since I found their sizing to be so inconsistent. 

Pictures from Andrea and Bryan's visit!

As promised, here they are! Enjoy!

Tomorrow, my friend Rebekah and I are going to Zara for the first time, and we are SO excited about it! Of course I'll keep you posted on our finds! Have a great weekend!

Fall shopping: Anthropologie and JCrew

Hi everyone! We had an amazing time with Andrea and Bryan here (they left last night), and I want to share some pictures with you from their visit....but first...

We all went shopping yesterday and I found some adorable stuff that I can't wait to show you!

I definitely need some tops for fall. Last fall, I was very pregnant, and then had a post-partum belly for most of the season. The fall before that, I was working in an office, so needless to say, my wardrobe needs have drastically changed over the past couple of years.

I found a few tops today, but I think I'll need more before fall and winter are here. I seem to never realize what I need until I'm standing in my closet, staring at the few options that I constantly rotate. Tops are so challenging for me. I want to be comfortable enough to crawl around and play with Audrey, yet still look put together when we are out and about, and I need to be able to breastfeed easily in whatever top I'm wearing. I think these tops meet all of my criteria and on top of that, I adore them! Let me know what you guys think...

Anthropologie Floral Flourish Cowlneck

This was on sale for $39.95 and I got it in the XS. I love that it's long enough to wear with leggings (a wardrobe staple of mine), and the cowlneck can be pulled down easily for breastfeeding without ruining the shirt. I think it's great for the warm weather now, but will transition nicely into fall with the addition of a cute cardigan...and the lace applique on the shoulder is too cute! Andrea bought this top too! I should have taken a twin picture for you!

Anthropologie Eliza Racerback

 I didn't end up purchasing this top, but it was also on sale for $39.95. I liked it a lot, but this was the size small, and it was too big. There was no XS available in my store, but it looks like they do have some online if you're interested. It's hard to tell, but the sides of the shirt are lace...so cute!

Anthropologie Lace & Lines Pullover

This is by far my favorite find of the day! Bryan actually spotted it and I'm so glad he did! I'm in love with the burnt orange lace with the charcoal gray stripes. This one will have to be pulled up to feed Audrey, so it's not as convenient (I always prefer to pull my shirts down rather than up), but I think the fabric is stretchy enough that it will keep its shape. I just could not walk away from this one, even at full price. I think it will be so cute with skinny jeans tucked into brown boots for fall. I bought this one in the XS. It looks like the XL is only size available online right now.

I seriously cannot find this cardigan online! I'll keep looking though...

It's heather brown with an ivory chiffon ruffle on one side and asymmetrical buttons. It's lightweight and so comfortable. I think I'll get a lot of use out of this even now and in the spring. I got the XS. 

Anthropologie is not one of my go-to stores. It's pricey, and I don't always love everything they have, but I was so happy with my finds today. I saw so many more things that I loved, but wouldn't even allow myself to try on because of the price! This shopping trip has definitely made me want to go in more often! Maybe that's a bad thing!

Jcrew Pixie Pant

(Imagine these pants with a different top!). Here, I'm trying on the heather charcoal pixie pant in a 00R. I was just trying these on for size, but I'm going to order the 00S in black. The regular length isn't terrible, but they bunch up too much for my liking. I would recommend sizing down in these. I'm not usually a 00, but I felt like these fit perfectly. They're meant to be very tight, so you don't want any extra fabric that could look baggy or bunchy. These are a heavier stretchy fabric that I think will be awesome in fall and winter. They have a cute zipper detail in the back that makes them feel just a little fancier than leggings, but still just as comfortable. I think these will easily become a go-to pant for me over the fall and winter. I'll let you know how the short fits once I have them in hand!

JCrew Stretch Toothpick Ankle Jean

I didn't end up buying these, but here are my thoughts on fit for anyone interested. This was the 25 and they fit me really well, aside from the fact that I didn't think they were tight enough around and behind my knees. Maybe that's just the way they are cut, but they felt baggier than my Ankle Stretch Jeans in Dyed Twill (also here) which I have in a size 24, so keep in mind that although the pants are extremely similar, the fit is very different!

Have you done any shopping lately...especially with fall in mind? Let me know what you've bought! Also, I'm on the lookout for some tank tops to wear under cardigans as well as skinny ankle-length jeans. Let me know if you have any good recommendations!

Happy almost-weekend!