For many of us, these past few days have been surprisingly warm. We’ve had to put away our scarves and layers to break out our spring staples!

While the weather is still warm, bring back your favorite summer and spring activities like picnics, afternoon strolls, and ice cream. Below is a list of ways to enjoy this new found warm weather while it lasts. Read More »

I’m a huge supporter of summer. The bonfires, day-long beach trips and kiddie pools out back — they’re all are home to me…which is why I’m a little confused. I should be rejoicing that the 80 degree days are extending past labor day. Instead I’m left wishing the leaves would start changing, hoping that my pants can move back to the front of my closet,  and even wearing sweaters to try to force the hot weather out. Maybe it’s the overload of pumpkin spice lattes (my new legal drug addiction) but I am lusting after fall this year.

In my mind, fall seems like it is the perfect season. The weather is that cool, not too hot, not too cold temperature. It’s crisp enough to wear a sweatshirt, but not cold enough to wear a bulky coat. You can still go for your usual walk, without sweating profusely..it’s pretty great. Blame it on the adorable trench coats, early arrival of in season drinks..whatever it is, I’m so ready to start rolling around in piles of leaves:

1. Leaves: Fall is one of the seasons that makes me so glad to live in New England, they make my three hour drives to Maine a little bit better.

2. Not shaving: I’m Italian, so I was not graced with the ability to shave every other week, let alone every other day. So I am pumped to not have to be in shorts every day.

3. Fall Festivals: I love summer carnivals, but nothing beats walking around in the crisp air, eating your carmel apple, while walking to the ferris wheel with your friends. Read More »

I freakin’ love fall. I actually don’t think I can communicate in coherent sentences how I feel about the season. It gives me a warm, fuzzy feeling in the pit of my stomach just thinking of the crisp air, the cozy sweaters, whip cream melting into mug of hot chocolate….I think I might have just wet myself.

It is impossible for me to pick just one fall thing as my favorite. And, believe me, I have tried on more than one occasion to pinpoint what it is that has forged this intense love affair.

So perhaps I can’t make a neat little list, but I can rant about it for a while. If you love fall too, you might want to prepare yourself. This little listicle may send you running towards your nearest Starbucks in leather boots and all the scarves you own in search of a latte and a scrumptious baked good.

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I’m not sure if it’s just this time of year, or if it’s because I’m about to end one job (which pays my bills), but lately I just feel like I’m constantly drowning. You know, that feeling where you’re just stuck underwater and you can’t get up no matter how hard you try…so you just keep sinking. Taking on more things to bide the time, but in reality wishing you had less on your plate.

It’s times like this when I usually run away to avoid an extreme panic attack. Don’t believe me? I’ve gone as far as San Diego just to escape from this feeling. But this time, mostly because of my lease, I’m forced to stay in one place and fight this thing out. Although I am still taking a passive aggressive approach to escaping by applying for The Bachelor (not that I have any hope at being chosen). Since I’m attempting to deal with this like a grown up, I figured the best escape would be to create a mental happy space…like a perfect little desert island filled with my ten favorite things:

initiating the gallery...

What are your must-haves for an imaginary desert island? Does yours come complete with a cabana boy?…if so I might need to island hop. 

[When moving into either a dorm or an off-campus apartment, your wardrobe will face two major challenges: 1. A major lack of funding (to add more to it), and 2. A major lack of storage space. For these two reasons, maximizing what you already own becomes essential. That's why you need to learn to Shop Your Closet. Each week, I’ll show you how to wear 1 item 3 ways – with the stuff you most likely already own! – to get the most out of your purchases.]

I love most things about fall – anything made with pumpkin, cozy sweaters and my TV shows starting back up – but the one thing I’ve never been a fan of is the dampness and rain that comes with all these wonderful things. At least until I invested in a pair of good quality rain boots. Now on those damp days my toes can stay warm and dry, even when I decide to go puddle-jumping (or am forced to when I try to cross a street and find myself ankle-deep in water).

If you have to walk any distance to school, you should own a pair of rain boots. Period. They are functional (keeping those tootsies dry), yes, but super fashionable as well. There are so many colors and styles out there and they’re just plain cute. And when the temperature starts to drop, many styles even offer fleece liners to keep your toes extra dry and toasty all through the winter, making them a very good investment piece!

For this week’s Shop Your Closet, I chose a pair of black boots that go with everything, but a lot of these looks could be adjusted for patterned or colored rain boots as well! Read More »

With all the wild prints and crazy accessories I’ve been throwing your way the last month, I decided to tone things down a bit and feature a neutral color that will work with all that spice in your wardrobe. SO this week’s fashion porn is sponsored by the color GRAY!

Softer than black, gray is an easy-to-wear neutral that you can wear with everything (especially purple!). Cozy gray sweaters spell out comfort for me. Just imagine yourself sitting by a warm fire with a cup of hot cocoa. Mmmm, pass the marshmallows!

Gray will also have you complimenting the beautiful shades of autumn and can work for a lazy Saturday or a more exciting Saturday night. Lots of lovely gray items are textured and you can even find some patterns if you need some more excitement in your wardrobe.

Sold on gray for fall yet? If you’re not, these 15 items are sure to do it. Read More »

The leaves and your wardrobe are beginning to change, and that means your makeup should, too!  While there are a lot of ways you can amp up your makeup style for each season, I’ve got a few crucial changes you should make when going from summer to fall.

These aren’t big changes, but they’re important! Just like fashion, makeup has seasonal rules and in this week’s video, I’m gonna clue you in on all of them.

Want more? Get all of Caitlin’s beauty advice every week in CC Beauty Live!

But which home is home?

We’ve been following Charlsie, a 2010 grad, on her journey through the post-grad life, from the big move to the big job hunt to the major “Is this real life?!” moments. And now, with fall in full swing, she’s got something else weighing on her mind.

Whether we want to believe it or not, the holidays are approaching. I know, it feels like summer just started – even though it really just ended – but the reality is that temperatures are dropping, leaves are starting to change, and before we know it, it’ll be time for turkey, presents, and busy shopping malls. Like many people, I’m left with the question of where to spend the holidays at.

In college, it was so black and white. For the holidays, I made the seven hour drive home to my mom’s for Thanksgiving break and winter break. My dad isn’t a big fan of celebrating the holidays, so whether he spent the season with my sister and me or not – it didn’t matter to him either way. So, when the holidays started to come up in discussion with my family, I immediately figured I’d go home to Atlanta.

But I can’t help but feel like I’m leaving someone else behind, no matter what kind of holiday location choice I make. And since plane tickets nearly cost an arm and a legs these days, it makes things even more complicated. Really, it seems impossible to please everyone. Read More »

Finally — summer’s over! It’s time for sweaters, boots, Starbucks’ signature fall drinks, and for those leaves to start falling. You could spend all fall hunched over your computer worrying about mid-terms, or you can get in touch with your seven-year-old self that took time to relish the changing leaf colors, the local pumpkin patches, and of course, the cooler weather.

Here are five things that you probably enjoyed during your childhood that you can still enjoy this fall. (Editor’s Note: especially if you add a little spiked apple cider.):

1. Go Apple Picking: Throw on some jeans, find a cardigan, and head to the nearest apple orchard. Now that fall is here, apple orchards should be open to the public. Not sure where the closest apple orchard is? Check out Pick Your Own for all the details of the farms and orchards near you. Not only will this get you outside to enjoy the nice fall weather, it will give you a reason to bake. Once you pick out those perfect apples, call your mom and ask for her apple pie recipe, make some caramel apples, or brew cider (feel free to add alcohol, of course). Baking isn’t your thing? Well, you know what they say: “An apple a day keeps the doctor away,” and that can’t hurt either. Read More »

[When moving into either a dorm or an off-campus apartment, your wardrobe will face two major challenges: 1. A major lack of funding (to add more to it). 2. A major lack of storage space.

For these two reasons alone, maximizing what you do own becomes essential. That's why you need to learn to Shop Your Closet. Each week, I’ll show you how to wear 1 item 3 ways – with the stuff you most likely already own! – to get the most out of your purchases.]

As the temperatures stop, drop, and roll (or just drop), we must say goodbye to our favorite summer styles in favor of warmer options. And it’s depressing. Not because we don’t love fall (because, DUH, we do), but because it’s hard to part with best friends and that perfectly worn-in tank, that’s been with you through everything, is the best friend of all.

But what if I told you that you didn’t have to shove your summer staples in a Tupperware box under your bed until next April? What if there was a way to work them into this new, chillier season?

Prepare yourselves, because it’s not only possible, it’s adorable! If you loaded up on  striped shirts this summer and aren’t sure how to wear them into the fall, never fear. I’ve found three ways to extend the life of your summer favorite, without looking out of season. Read More »