a crystal bridges sunday

American Eagle vest, Target tee, Brandy Melville skirt, Steve Madden booties (similar)

I was blessed with a much-needed four-day week, so I started the weekend early road tripping to visit Westminster College and Mizzou on Friday. We also spent time exploring downtown Columbia, a cute town that reminded me of Fayetteville.

Today, my friend Jenna and I made the little trip to Crystal Bridges. Fall has officially started, and I wanted to dress for it, but it's still summer weather! I was definitely sweating when Jenna was taking these pics so we had to take some breaks in the air-conditioning. After pictures, we treated ourselves with brunch at Pressroom-- so good!

Suede is one of my favorite trends for fall, especially in maroon and tan hues, so I wore this button-front skirt. I added my army vest because I would have worn my coat version if the weather was cool enough. I've had these tan booties for forever, but I always forget about them! Whenever I do pull them out, they're the perfect addition to an easy outfit. 

much love,

claire

outfitsandobservations@gmail.com

stripes and sweaters

Brandy Melville dress (similar), Urban Outfitters cardigan, Frye boots

These photos are actually from March or April, but I forgot I had them, and it's an outfit that also works for early fall. As most of you know, Brandy Melville's t-shirt dresses are my go-to item for an easy day. They're so soft and can be styled any way you can imagine. My current favorite cardigan is a grayish-purple that works as an unexpected neutral and pairs well with the navy. To add a little more character, I wore my embellished Frye boots, one of the coolest pieces in my closet! Tights would work really well with this outfit when the temperatures actually start dropping.

Georgia took the photos for this post.

much love,

claire

outfitsandobservations@gmail.com

it's all happening now

"Remember the moment you realized your life was happening? That actually, your life was the things you were doing every day and the things you were thinking and feeling and all of it wasn't some preamble to your actual life? The moment that hits is like a punch to the gut. It's like ripping the mask off reality."
-How to Live in the Present Without Annoying Yourself by Haley Nahman

I read this in a post on Man Repeller yesterday, and it hit me SO. HARD. All the "live in the present" stuff has never really reached me before, I'm not sure why. I get it when it's a moment like a concert you know you want to remember and be part of because you know the rest of your life doesn't shine as bright as that moment. But when it's all the everyday stuff like going to school and going to cross country practice and taking a shower and eating dinner, it's kind of just, "Eh? This is what I did yesterday, and I'll do it tomorrow and next week and next month." It doesn't feel special. It doesn't feel like something you need to be "in the moment" for because that's when it's so easy to coast on autopilot.

That feeling also has to do with the fact that so many of these things aren't necessarily actions I'm choosing for myself. It all just feels like it's leading up to what's next. I've always been so adamant about what I want to do-- go to Columbia so I can move to New York City and write for a major magazine-- and how I want to get there.

Now I'm at the terrifying and exciting point where I'm actually applying for all of this to happen. And it's not distant; it's next year.

So I'm in this track of mind where it's like everything I do is completely for that. All of the work in school and on the ACT is for colleges, and writing for the newspaper and keeping this blog is so I'll be prepared for the magazine world. It's not like I don't love these things, minus the ACT, but when I examine it, it feels like it's all ultimately to benefit the Future.

I'm not even sure if that's good or bad. But I'm almost never fully present. I'm always looking forward, and it's becoming even more difficult because everything I'm looking forward to is SO CLOSE. I need to acknowledge how real and present all of this is because I only have one more year of high school, one more year in Fayetteville, one more year with my friends, one more year with my life the way it is now because no matter where I go everything is going to change. And honestly I'm so happy with where I am right now. I'm ready to absorb the morning drives to school and the trips to Braums for ice cream and the way I see a friend every time I go to a coffee shop while it's my life.

much love,

claire

outfitsandobservations@gmail.com

#maudewall

{Brandy Melville top, American Eagle Jeans- on sale!, Fringe Fayetteville choker, Sam Edelman boots via Masons, Fitbit Alta}

Maude, one of Fayetteville's best boutiques, just painted their building's back wall in multicolored panels, and it's the perfect spot for pictures! All of the Fayetteville girls have been making frequent trips there to get perfect Instagram pictures with their friends.

I wore one of my recent favorite outfits, which luckily contrasted well with the wall colors. I've been obsessed with this black off the shoulder top all summer, and I've been wearing it with denim skirts and high waisted shorts. This weekend the weather has been in the the glorious 70s, so I actually got to pull my favorite jeans back out. If you're looking for some high waisted skinnies, check out American Eagle. They have the perfect amount of stretch and fit like a dream, and this is coming from someone who typically hates pants.

All pictures done by Georgia

 much love,

claire

outfitsandobservations@gmail.com