Dead Leaves And The Dirty Ground

I love the colour of the trees now that autumn has fully arrived. They're orange and red and purple and yellow...all the pretty bright colours straight out of a crayola box. I keep wanting to take pictures, but I'm always afraid they won't turn out as beautiful as I can remember them.

Last weekend when it was rainy and miserable out, we made lamb shanks simmered with red wine in the slow cooker (recipe as a guideline here, though we didn't follow it exactly). The first real robust, hearty meal this fall/winter. The meat was fall-off-the-bone tender and the carrots and parsnips soft and sweet. A perfect meal for a cozy dine-in night.

Equally cozy is my emerald green velvet blazer. I almost binned this in the donor dump last year, but I dug it out back from the closet grave and gave it new life. The details on it are amazing: ruffled edged pockets (you can't see here) and a velvet sash that is lined with satin on the inside.

Speaking of the dead, Halloween is next week. For great costume ideas which are stylish, sexy yet classy, check out the What to Wear post by La Couturier.

Wearing:
Emerald green velvet blazer, from Hong Kong
Ruffle blouse, from Hong Kong
Dark denim, Minedred Jeans from Vincent Park
Brown Leather boots, by Matiko from Vincent Park

Winter Essentials

We've been in a deep freeze on the west coast of Canada now for nearly a week, and with more snow in the forecast, it makes these winter essentials all the more necessary.

I recently bought a pink beret from Fine Finds, kind of like this one, only mine is a bit fuzzier as it's made of mohair and less cable-ly. Pink isn't usually a favorite colour of mine but this one was so sweet and pairs so nicely with grey that I had to grab it. Plus -15 Celsius outside made it an easy decision.



I've also been living in my Matt Bernson Rivington boots the entire autumn and although they're not any good in the snow, they've been my number one purchase this fall. They match everything - tucked into skinnies and tights, with flowy dresses and bubble skirts. I love the slim wedge heel, the gold side snap buttons, and adjustable leather straps. The smell of the leather was just lovely (being an equestrian, I am a leather freak).