working weekend {frocktober, day 2 + 3}

Remixes:
Outfit 1: Dress 1, 2 // Cardigan
Outfit 2: Dress // Sweater 1, 2

A few notes on the last two days of Frocktober. Maternity leggings are amazing. It makes me wonder why I haven't been wearing these for years. I was recently gifted 4 pairs for my birthday from Pink Blush Maternity, and they are so buttery smooth. It's a little bit absurd how happy they make me. I'd highly encourage you to try them out, whether you're pregnant or just a woman who enjoys having your bum cradled in a cloud.

Friday and Saturday have both been work days at #casaschan. I can't wait to show you complete room reveals, but for now you can follow me on Instagram for little updates here and there (@caitschan). We’ve been aiming to be moved in by the end of this month, which for the last few weeks has felt like pretty wishful thinking. But after an entire day of working on installing our beautiful laminate floors yesterday, things are looking up! I’ll confess I spent most of Saturday in a big t-shirt, shorts, and tennis shoes – but am still honoring Frocktober in the in-between. 

In case you’re wondering, our big list items that still need to get done are:

1. The rest of our floors – getting so close!

2. New countertops – we’ll find out more tomorrow!

3. Paint the master bedroom

4. Spray the property for scorpions (yuck!)

There are other bonus wishes, such as replacing our broken sliding glass door and painting the kitchen cupboards white. And, ya know, getting the nursery painted and decorated for the baby... There will definitely be plenty of projects to do once we’re moved in, but for now we’re trying to focus on the must-dos and save those other lists for later. 

color me in critters

Dress (remixed)(shop!): Ruche, Sweater (remixed)(shop!): JCPenney

Day 20: I realized when I was compiling this week's posts that my Sunday and Monday outfits consisted of a very similar color pattern!
I guess I was feeling cheerful after a brilliant Saturday night at the fair, and a Sunday spent at Chapel Hill with our friends. They showed us around their old college stomping grounds.
It was especially chilly, so we cozied up and went to a cute little breakfast place for coffee and waffles. Then we walked around the beautiful campus and enjoyed listening to their stories and memories.
Something about college days just resonates with me - maybe it's just that way for every graduate. But I loved hearing the details they remembered, like being able to make it to class at a sprint in 3 minutes flat, or where they spent their first date.
There's an odd sense of pride in being alumni, in having belonged to a specific community...one that continues to have a legacy that you're able to be a part of. There's a kind of nostalgia there that I can definitely relate to.

Day 21: I finally succumbed to Dusty's cold, and we have thus spent the week wanting nothing more than to be home, eating soup, in our pajamas.
But since that's not always an option, I stuck to my guns and still wore a dress. Layering with tights, a loose sweater-wannabe top and a scarf helped calm my pajama cravings, and we opted for going on a little double date night at Olive Garden for soup instead!
I pretty much always/only get soup at Olive Garden, so it totally hit the spot.

Dress (remixed): Ruche, Top: LOFT, scarf/earrings: gifted

I'm finding a renewed passion in scarves this fall. I don't think I've ever truly explored the many ways to use them, and I get lost on Pinterest looking at all the different ideas.
It's kind of like the time I realized you could knot and twist belts around your waist, rather than just buckling them. It brings a whole new dynamic to such a simple accessory.

Scarves are often one of those things I forget to use, style wise. I might wear them out of necessity, like in Paris or somewhere truly cold, but every time I see an outfit I really love with a great pop of color from a plaid or floral scarf I remember: oh right! I have a bunch of those. I should wear them.
And this one's extra great because it's a pop of color and a bit of sparkle.

foxy lady

Remember that one time I posted about foxes, and my hunt for the perfect fox sweater?

Well, say hello to it.
After many moons of pining, this fox sweater has found its way to my doorstep.
I'm officially a foxy lady.

Sweater (shop!): JCPenney, Dress (old/Lauren Conrad): Kohl's, Shoes: Poetic License

Today is my birthday! It's the big 25!

I'm currently in Washington DC with my husband and best friend, and it has been a wonderful day so far. Just finished lunch at Good Stuff Eatery (amaaaazing toasted marshmallow shakes!) and are heading to Georgetown this afternoon. 

I've always loved birthdays. Maybe a little bit too much - but I love the celebration, the surprises, the eating out and special treats. I extend it into birthday month, where all rules are out the window and everything is a special occasion. 

In a lot of ways this birthday is a big deal because it feels like the last time I can make a big deal about it in the silly, childlike way that I do - the next "big" birthdays are pretty far away. 30, 40, 50. They start getting less significant, more about the next generation of birthdays - children, nieces, nephews, etc. 

More laid back, more low key. 

I think I can transition into that, but...not yet.

then a fox you shall be

One of my all-time favorite Fall trends is the fox sweater.

The fox anything, really.

Now that the weather has begun to cool down, and the pumpkin spice latte is back at Starbucks, I've started looking around online for the perfect fox sweater. 

I still haven't found it, but I won't stop looking until I do. It has to be the perfect balance of trendy, simple, classic, cute, and affordable.

It's a difficult bill to fit, but I'm hopeful that it can be done. 

1 // 2 // 3 // 4 

Honest talk: am I being too picky?

These sweaters are adorable, and yet none of them are the one. 

I think if I had to choose one, it'd be the scarf-wearing fox, because it's almost like an ugly Christmas sweater gone right, but I didn't realize this until it was too late: it's for babies. And I am not a baby, nor do I have a baby to live vicariously through. It's a lose-lose situation. 

(PS: sorry if I teased you with that sweater. I guess misery likes company. Maybe buy it for your baby, or any other baby.)

I'm also planning on attempting this awesome shoe DIY asap:

I think I like foxes for two reasons:

1. Fantastic Mr. Fox

I saw this on a tour bus once with a friend, having no idea what it was, and let me tell you...we were weirded out. We may have even booed the guy who chose it. As soon as it was over though, something strange happened inside me, somewhere in my soul, and I suddenly realized I loved it more than any other movie ever (except Ever After). #applejuiceflood

2. Heath Ledger in A Knight's Tale

Does anyone else have the urge to say "my foxy lady" any time you see fox-related attire, like my fox purse? Just me, then? Alrightcool.

What's your favorite Fall trend? If you spot any superb foxy lady sweaters, please let me know! 

I'll be on the lookout.