I’m gonna be honest: I’m not a fan of summer. The heat is brutal, and in Houston is coupled with a humidity that means I spend June-September feeling sticky every time I step outside. Kids are everywhere since they’re out of school. And it’s also peak litigation season. I’ve been practicing law for five years and dabbled in several different areas but uniformly, every summer my case load increases. So while everyone else is posting beach selfies and having cocktails at rooftop bar happy hours, I’m stuck at my desk drafting motions and cajoling clients into settling before the other side figures out their case kind of sucks. But as of September 22, all that is over. We are officially in the best season of the year!
Sweater weather, warm spiced beverages, Renaissance fairs, holiday season just around the corner…I LOVE IT! Doubling my joy this year is the fact that I’m a homeowner. I’ve been making trips to Target, Marshall’s, etc. just to revel in all the harvest themed home decor (and okay, to buy some apple cinnamon and vanilla pumpkin scented candles). This is the first time I could look with the intent to buy because I never wanted to put the time, money, or effort into fully furnishing any place that we rented. Now I finally have a permanent place. Anyway, this past weekend I needed to buy a gift for a coworker’s housewarming so I headed to Ross. Of course it ended up being a gift for her, Christmas gifts for my siblings, and four gifts for me.
I got an ADORABLE mug because coffee and tea are a comforting ritual and they just taste better from a cute mug. Next up is an art print that’s going to hang in the bathroom over my tub, with a woman reading a book. It really spoke to me. I kind of agonized over it because like most black people, I have a policy of only displaying art that is black or at least race neutral (e.g. landscapes or quotes).* There was a similar print with an obviously black woman but she was drinking wine, and I don’t really drink like that so it didn’t resonate. In the end, the woman in the picture I bought was juuuust dark enough that I can pretend she’s just really light skinned, like Meghan Markle, so that makes it okay.* I got a set of three serving bowls with Bible verses on them for $17! They’ll be awesome for holiday dinners. My last prize was a #12(!!!) multi-server. It can be used as a cake stand and cover, a punch bowl, or a chip and dip. If we have a dining room set by then, I just might host New Year’s day dinner!
Zero Fox Given mug 
Bookworm art print 
Blessed serving bowls 
*If you’re not black and confused right now, let me assure you that this is absolutely A Thing that black people do. Hundreds of years of slavery, segregation, and less than equal rights mean we are constantly exposed to societal conditioning that says we are less than or at the very least, other. So we want art that reflects us the way we see ourselves. And yes, this policy extends to my Christmas decorations and tree ornaments!
If you know me or have been reading this blog for a while, you know I love fashion. So of course I had to get a few new items for my fall wardrobe. First up, I saw the black and white dress and added it to my shopping cart without hesitation. It’s work appropriate and I still get to channel my inner Wednesday Addams. The second dress is a floral and houndstooth pattern in a beautiful red and orange color palette that screams fall. I stumbled upon these heart-eyed skull print leggings when I was browsing Torrid at my local mall (sold out online, similar style here). They’re a super comfy sweater knit and even though I’ll only ever wear them in October, they were $10 so it doesn’t matter. Last but not least is a retro style buffalo plaid cape coat. I was eyeing it on the Eloquii website last year but it sold out before it went on sale within my budget. Luckily I found it for a fraction of the original price on Poshmark! (Sign up here with code WIFEYJD to get a $5 credit.) It’s pretty lightweight and will be great for the mild Texas winter.
Mrs. Addams dress- Rebdolls 
Floral plaid dress- Rebdolls 
Skull leggings-Torrid 
Cape coat- thrifted via Poshmark
Fall is only a few short weeks so I’m going to get back to enjoying it. Time to light a scented candle and curl up with a book and some Trader Joe’s harvest blend tea. But hit me up in the comments and let me know if you prefer Hot Girl Summer, pumpkin spice season, or another time of year? Ta-ta for now!