Halloweening

Head to Toe (above): Vest, blouse and leggings, thrifted // Sneakers, Puma // Socks, Birkenstock (below): Top, Urban Outfitters // Dress, Marshall's // Booties, Thursday Boot Company

Happy Halloween! It couldn't be a better Monday. It's my favorite holiday of the year, and not to mention the only day I have to go to work before Sean and I leave for Austin tomorrow. I don't have a dress-up type of office, but I thought I'd be festive anyway and wear burnt orange and black.

Over the weekend, Sean and I dressed up for a friend's costume party in Brooklyn. We went as Marty and Jennifer from Back to the Future. True 80s kids were quick to identify our costume but others weren't sure. Still, comparing the photos from the movie, I think we were pretty accurate. The best part is, we can wear everything again (especially these rad leggings, which are supremely comfortable). This was also one of the cheapest costumes I've ever made. I bought the vest with store credit from selling some things at Buffalo Exchange, and the leggings were $2 at Salvation Army—also where I found Sean's button-down and vest. What did you dress up as? Stay spooky, fashionistas!

A 5:00 pm update on this post: A nice gentleman complimented my Beatlejuice costume. Must be the bangs...

Snuggle Season

Head to Toe: Turtleneck and cardigan, H&M // jeans, Siwy // Bag, Bed Stu // Booties, Coolway

In predictably unpredictable New England fashion, last week's 80-something temps were followed by a cold blast of sub-40 days this week. To cope, I immediately pulled out this oldie-but-goodie sweater. It's the coziest thing I own and can double as a cardigan or coat due to its bulkiness. It's a favorite of mine every winter despite comments that it looks like a bathrobe (although note I did pair with jeans to avoid any loungewear confusion). Thankfully, I only have to make it four more days until our warm escape to Austin! Happy Friday y'all.

'90s Chick

Head to Toe: Vest, Buffalo Exchange // Jeans, Old Navy // Choker, Call It Spring // Booties, Cat

If you endured my complaints about the heat wave in my last post, I'm already eating my words. The cold is definitely here! Thankfully, Sean and I are escaping to a little warmth for our trip to Austin next week. In the meantime, these Cat booties are going to be my fall/winter staple. They're actually rain- and weather-proof (which I tested out during Friday's monsoon) while still looking feminine. But back to Austin: any recommendations from my Texan readers?

Slip Dress Remix

Head to Toe: Dress, Forever 21 // Sandals, Ugg x Teva // Bag, Zara

It was a case of Indian summer this week in NYC. The hot temps feel a little weird for October, but I'll take advantage of the tights-free days while they're here (and I know I'll be crying about the cold come winter). I bought this dress on consignment years ago, and it's been a cocktail party staple in my wardrobe since. To make it a little more casual, I layered with a white tee for a day of press appointments.

As I've mentioned in some previous posts, Monti has required more doctor's appointments than usual lately (he's doing better now, thankfully), and it's forced me to tighten my belt a little financially. One of the first things I cut out was my Rent The Runway subscription. I've really enjoyed experimenting with endless styles, but I welcome the challenge to be more thrifty and creative with what I already have. I even stopped in Salvation Army today and grabbed an awesome tulle skirt for $12. This blog has always been about fashion on a budget, and that's more true than ever these days—like with giving new life to this old dress. That said, I'm hoping to fill out my wardrobe with a few affordable fall staples. I found some great options on fashionmia.com, including sporty leggings (my weekend go-to), hard-working overalls, a basic sweater dress, cute tops and a fun denim skirt. I'm starting to wish I saved all the cute cut-off jeans skirts I wore in the 00's...Who would've thought those would come back again?

All items from fashionmia.com

Track Star

Head to Toe: Sweatshirt, Juicy Couture // Leggings, BB Dakota // Sneakers, Clear Weather

As I stand crammed onto the particularly crowded L train, it's nice to think back to the weekend, when I could wear leggings as pants with a track jacket and stay in my own borough. Not that I mind commuting into Manhattan for work, but on days off I prefer to explore Williamsburg, which has so much to offer. And it's refreshing to avoid the subway when I spend so much time during the week hopping from work to press preview to after-hours event.

Now back to that track jacket...Juicy has been promoting its #trackisback campaign (you've probably seen it styled in magazines and blogs), and I'm kind of excited to hop on the bandwagon. I was lucky enough to get this velour hoodie, in all its 00's glory, at a press preview for work (they have footwear too), and even personalized it with these cute pineapples! I say it's a win as weekend wear with leggings—particularly of the sequin variety—and sneakers, but my next challenge is to make it work appropriate. Perhaps worn as a jacket with a skirt and booties? The suggestion box is open.

Running Around Town

Head to Toe: Sweater, C/MEO Collective // Leggings and sneakers, New Balance // Tote, Keds

I don't have much to say about this outfit other than this: It's the weekend, and I'll wear leggings as pants if I want to. I mean, is there anything better for a little consigning, vintage shopping and a grocery run? Nope! So here's to hoping this look has a few more years left in it. Happy Sunday, fashionistas!

Road Rules

Head to Toe: Shirt, Urban outfitters // Vest, Unreal Fur // Booties, Seychelles // Tote, Sakroots

As a New Yorker, my premium modes of transportation are the subway and my own two feet. In Brooklyn, it can be especially difficult to get to other parts of the borough without a car. For this reason, Sean and I typically reserve date night to nearby, walkable locales—because nothing says romance quite like the smell of the L train. I was recently introduced to Turo, a new car-sharing service out of San Francisco (think: Airbnb for cars), and am thrilled with the idea of how it can revolutionize date night for city-dwellers.

So I got to dreaming about a day trip or evening out at one of Hudson Valley or Central New York’s fall festivals, taking the scenic route. For the drive, I’d love to rent a Wrangler, since I’ve been dearly missing mine (top down, weather permitting, of course). I've compiled some great festivals happening this weekend below for those in the area. What’s your ideal autumn date?

• The Great Jack O' Lantern Blaze
• Critz Farms Fall Harvest Celebration
• New York State Cask Ale Festival
• Angry Orchard Harvest Fest

Editor Sweater

Head to Toe: Sweater, Asilio // Jeans, thrifted // Booties, Seychelles

Happy sweater weather! I'm always cold, so a chunky turtleneck is my best friend this time of year. I love all the details on this one that give it a trendy edge. Last week, my coworker described this look as "editor in the fall," and I was super flattered. I remixed it for the weekend with high-waist ripped jeans and sneakers (and then boots, when it started raining). Point being? Good knits go the distance.

Cheap & Easy DIY Halloween Costumes

It's that time of year again! Welcome to my fifth annual DIY Halloween costume post. I always say Halloween is my favorite holiday because it's obligation free. You don't have to buy anything, cook anything or travel anywhere. It's just about fun! (And dressing up, my favorite pastime.) With a little creativity, you can craft a costume with pieces from your own closet and avoid shelling out a lot of money. I love a good pop-culture costume, but you can never go wrong with classic historical figures, so I've drawn up some of both. For more ideas, check out my posts from yesteryear (in '15, '14, '13 and '12). If anything, it's a fun trip down memory lane of silly, viral events—shoutout to mamma Snooki in 2012. Simpler times...

Kanye's epic fashion week fail is the perfect costume for style mavens. All you need to pull off this look is an all-beige outfit and some good heat-stroke acting, but extra points for these clear boots. Not to mention they have longevity way beyond October 31.

This was the summer of Instagram-worthy pool floats. Just blow up that float collecting dust in the garage, and pair with a monochromatic outfit. This can totally work for the whole squad—pizza, donut, swan.

In just a few months, we may have a new first lady, or possibly, the country's first-ever "first man." When a better time than now to throw it back to an iconic FLOTUS? To be Jacqueline, throw on your best '60s-era outfit, on-trend block heels and a big pair of shades.

This summer, Pokémon Go took the world by storm (and I do mean, the world, I spotted tons of people playing when I was in Germany this July). You can definitely DIY this tank with some fabric markers, or there are tons of cheap options online. This is another look that can be adapted to the whole squad with takes on other characters.

Let's be honest. This is probably going to be a popular costume, but how can you resist the fun outfit, hair and makeup? I mean, we're talking pink and blue pigtails! Some of the pieces I shared here are actual "cosplay" items (like the shoes), but you can easily adapt with red or blue short shorts and any platform boots or sneakers. Then, take an old bat (preferably plastic, to be safe) and get crazy with colored duct tape.