Wildest Dreams

"Say you'll remember me, standing in a nice dress, staring at the sunset."

 Top: DVF    Pants: Ralph Lauren (similar)    Boots: Ferragamo (similar)    Ring: Vintage (similar)  

Sunglasses: Karen Walker     Inspiration: Wildest Dreams // Taylor Swift

Happy Halloween!  This year I'm dressed as Taylor Swift from the "Wildest Dreams" video.  I fell in love with the beautiful shots of the savannah and the outfits the first time I watched the video, so when October came around, it was the first thing on my mind.  This was a pretty easy outfit to put together, and I love costumes that incorporate pieces you can wear on a regular basis.  

I've been seeing so many amazing costumes this week from other bloggers.  There are so many original and adorable ideas!  A few of my favorites include Grace's "Netflix and Chill", Holly's DIY Gumball Machine, and Lauren Conrad's "Party Animals"

Hope you all have a wonderful weekend, a happy Halloween, and a perfect start to November.  

Diane Von Furstenberg White Button Down Cap Sleeve Blouse + Ralph Lauren Herringbone Jodhpur Tan Pants + Ferragamo Riding Boots + Vintage Golden Elephant Ring + Karen Walker Super Duper Custom Sunglasses in Black 

Tangerines and Succulents

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 Shirt: J. Crew    Skirt: F21   Bag: Louis Vuitton  Shoes: Ferragamo  

Bracelet: Kiel James Patrick     Sunglasses: Polette ℅ (similar)

I was driving home from Whole Foods Market one weekend when I found this succulent garden hidden off on a quiet street.  I decided to take a peek inside the greenhouse, and I was so happy to find a hidden paradise.  I honestly can't believe this has been just 2 miles away from me and I never found it until now.

This J. Crew tangerine shirt is such a bright and fun piece that adds a fun pop of print to any outfit.  I also love layering printed button downs under sweaters when it gets colder.   The Perfect Shirt from J. Crew honestly has the best fit I could ask for in a button down!

Have you ever "discovered" a beautiful spot hidden in plain sight?   

J. Crew Perfect Shirt in Citrus Tangerine Print + Forever 21 Chambray Circle Skirt + Louis Vuitton Pochette Accessoires in Monogram Canvas + Ferragamo Navy Vara Heels + Kiel James Patrick Vickers Bow in Nantucket Summer Regatta + c/o Polette Vikki Sunglasses

Loving Lately // Cocoa in the Coffee Maker

Brewable Cocoa:  Crio Bru ℅       Scoop- Williams Sonoma

Lately Loving #1-   Crio Bru Brewed Cocoa Beans

I was so intrigued when Crio Bru first came to my attention.  It's not coffee, even though it looks like coffee and brews in the coffee machine.  It's actually ground up cocoa beans that brew in the coffee maker to make a delicious drink with natural energy and all the antioxidants of cocoa. The energy isn't all caffeine, so it won't cause a spike-and-crash, but rather a gentle boost.  

My favorite way to drink it is with a tiny bit of unsweetened cashew milk, a packet of stevia, and just a pinch of sea salt.  It's wonderfully aromatic when brewing, and there are definitely chocolate notes in the taste.  If you're a fan of bitter coffee and bitter dark chocolate, you'll love it plain.  Otherwise, it's wonderful with some add ins. 

Thanks so much to the team at Crio Bru for sending this cocoa my way!  I've been brewing it up almost every morning.  The Ghana beans are my favorite!

Lately Loving #2 - J. Crew Excursion Vest

It's finally excursion vest season!  The most popular is the legendary herringbone of course, but the navy, buffalo check, and black vests are all classics and stylish bets.  Try out a fun color, too!

 Lately Loving #3-  Kate Spade Home Collection

I've been waiting for a Kate Spade home collection forever.  I fell in love with just about everything when I browsed through the line, and of course a few items landed on my wishlist.  I'm only disappointed about one thing- where's those bow pillows they have in the store?

My Favorites:

Harbour Stripe Bedding Set (above)

Calypso End Table

Dickinson Large Pendant

Cat Nat Pillow

Places to Go, People to See Coffee Table Book

via Atlantic Pacific

Lately Loving #4- Self Portrait Clothing

I'm a lover of all things ultra-feminine, and Self Portrait's guipure lace and intricate details are a winner for me.  Blair Eadie has been rocking the line for a while now, and it's slowly becoming a favorite with celebrities.  Shop a few of my favorites below.

What are your current favorites?

The Prettiest Pumpkins

via Simply Happenstance

Growing a succulent garden to bloom out of your pumpkin gives a rustic and earthy vibe.  Use flowers if you would prefer a more vibrant and blooming arrangement, but succulents are perfect because they require minimum work.

via Shop Terrain

To make these stunning fall creations, you can either find unique fall leaves from ferns, maples, or pines, or paint them on yourself.

via  Allyson Baker Design

Dainty white doily lace gives this pumpkin a gorgeous vintagey vibe.  Try black lace for a darker yet still elegant Halloween look.

via Between Naps on the Porch

The Chinoiserie-inspired pumpkin is all the rage right now.  You can easily use printed toile fabric or paper to make yours, or you can go all out and paint on a Ming-dynasty design.  Either way,  this pumpkin is a WOW.

via Martha Stewart

These blue and white beauties are perfect for a party with a cooler-toned color scheme.  Experiment with different color combos to make it your own!  It would probably be stunning in blush pink and white.

via Alisa Burke

These gilded beauties have an articulate design sure to impress any guest.  These make a gorgeous statement piece year round, not just Halloween, so you can decorate these pumpkins and keep them out to admire.

Vineyard Fleece Borrowed From the Boys

 Fleece: Vineyard Vines (similar)   Jeans: 7 for all Mankind    Boots: Ferragamo (similar)

You know that one thing in your closet that you throw on whenever you want to be comfy?  This is mine.  I love Vineyard Vines shep shirts, and this fleece zip is fairly similar to one (and borrowed from the boys section :-)  It's got a relaxed oversized fit on me, and I love it with jeans and any tall boots.

It's great for taking morning walks, throwing on when it's chilly outside, or just lounging around the house.  I also own a shep shirt (although it's not fleece, so it's not quite as soft as this), and it's great for looking just bit more polished.  Definitely more coffee-run or grocery store appropriate.  But I love them both!

What's you favorite comfy piece in your closet?

Autumn Aquamarine

Sweater: H&M (similar)    Jeans: Paige    Bag: Matt & Nat    

Scarf: All For Color ℅    Boots: Ferragamo

California finally seems to be settling into fall weather, which I'm happy about.  This past weekend has cooled down a lot from our early October heat wave in the 100s and 90s.  Breaking out my sweaters is an occasion that doesn't come very often, so I love taking advantage of these autumn and winter months to wear my favorite knits, boots, and scarves.  This scarf is a bright pop, and it infuses a little summer into autumn and winter outfits.

Matt & Nat is my recent find and newest favorite brand.  Matt & Nat stands for Materials and Nature, and they have a gorgeous line of vegan bags.  They use 100% environmentally sustainable materials and have classic and minimalistic designs, like this mini satchel.  Lately, I've been trying to buy more eco-friendly and cruelty-free products, and this brand definitely makes it easier and stylish.  I'm sure I'll be purchasing more of their pieces soon!

H&M White Cable Knit Pom Pom Sweater + Paige Hoxton Transcend Petite Skinny Jeans + Mat & Nat Mitsuko Mini Satchel Bag Vegan + c/o All For Color Island Time Scarf + Ferragamo Vintage Riding Boots

#feetmeetflowers

Whenever I find gorgeous flowers, I'll take a quick aerial snap.  Sometimes I'm at a beautiful botanical garden, and sometimes I'm at the grocery store- beauty exists everywhere.  I love pictures of flora on Instagram, and I've started the #feetmeetflowers hashtag for it.

Recently I discovered Random Acts of Flowers, an amazing charitable organization that recycles and repurposes flowers and delivers them to healthcare facilities around the world.  The patients receiving flowers are usually people who wouldn't normally get them- people without visitors or a support network.    Research shows that patients who receive flowers have shorter stays, less pain, and improved feelings.  Random Acts of Flowers is working to brighten the days of people and help them heal and be happy.

For every picture tagged using my hashtag, #feetmeetflowers on Instagram, I'll be donating 1¢ to Random Acts of Flowers to help with their cause, and I encourage you to do the same or join in!  100 pictures-$1.  Here's how you can-

1.  Take a picture of your feet and some flowers!  Easy, right?  For some examples, visit here or take a scroll through my Instagram.

2.  Post your picture on Instagram and use the hashtag #feetmeetflowers.  If you want, tag me @juliacmazzucato!

#feetmeetflowers

Beauty exists everywhere.  Spread that beauty across the world.

This post or the #feetmeetflowers hashtag are in no way sponsored by the Random Acts of Flowers Charity.   :-)

Fall Recipes - Seasonal, Healthy, and Delicious

Holiday Stuffed Pumpkin     {via Green Kitchen Stories}

The shift into fall not only means new clothes to wear and new weather to face: I love turning around my kitchen to add an autumnal twist to things.  When someone says "fall food", most people think pumpkin.  I love pumpkin, but I also love using butternut squash, cinnamon, sweet potato, blackberries, and all kinds of delicious fall produce.

The following recipes are from a few of my favorite food blogs, and they use some of the best ingredients to really capture fall in your kitchen.  Enjoy!

Vegan Earl Grey + Chocolate Shakes   {via The First Mess}

I'd never though of using tea in my smoothies before, but it sounds amazing!  This shake from The First Mess is an amazing indulgence, and a subtle caffeine boost.

Maple Pumpkin Quesadillas  {via Healthy Happy Life.com}

Doesn't that just look so good?  Crisp tortilla and a delicious harmony of white beans, maple, creamy pumpkin, and pure goodness make this quesadilla autumn perfection.

Butternut Bliss Salad   {via Healthy Happy Life.com}

Basically, heaven in a bowl.  

Pineapples and Pearls

Dress: J. Crew     Bag: Kate Spade    Shoes: Franco Sarto    Necklace: Sweet and Spark ℅ 

This dress is so fun to wear!  I love the simple silhouette- it makes a fun print, even pineapples, so easy to integrate into everyday style.  It's also really comfortable- the stitching and seams are in perfect places.  J. Crew hit a home run on this one- I'll definitely be buying this style in numerous prints.

October weather over here in SoCal is ridiculous- is it even legal to be in the 90-100 this time of year?  Yesterday, leaving my air conditioning and going outside felt like stepping right into an oven.  Last week had cooled down a bit and I was hoping for a transition into real fall weather, but no such luck.  I'm trying to take advantage and give my summer dresses a few more wears, but I'm hoping for sweater weather soon.

Happy Weekend!

J. Crew Pineapple Printed Cami Dress + Kate Spade Cedar Street Mini Maise in White + Franco Sarto Vassi Wedges + c/o Sweet and Spark Vintage 1970's Pearl Necklace