STYLE: Alex's Autumn Essentials

Hey friends!  Hope you're all enjoying the cooler temps and the crisp air.  I rung in the season with a new hair colour, a new mani, and by making yummy crustless apple pie!  How did you celebrate the coming of autumn?

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New nails + hair!

Check out our delicious eats from yesterday:

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On the left - toast with mashed avocado (with lime juice, touch of olive oil, salt, pepper + chili flakes), sliced tomato, and non-fat cottage cheese.  On the right is the crustless apple pie (with non-fat fro yo)!  So yummy - you've got to try it!  Recipe adapted from here.

Back to why we are here today!!  I am definitely not a style guru - but I do have some tips for an (almost) effortless autumnal look!  In honour of the equinox, I put together a list of my go to essentials for the season.  This look flows from class, to the yoga studio, or having a glass (or two) of wine with friends.

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/ 1 / I'm so excited to have fun new hair!  Thanks to Maria + Steph at Shag Salon in Boston, for making me look + feel like a rock star.  While my new 'do looks fab when it's all styled + awesome, a (lazy) girl doesn't always have time for that!  My go to hairstyle is definitely a good ol' fashioned top knot.  I usually tie a twist headband behind my bangs, like this glam gold one from ban.do, to tame the flyaways and make it a little more fun.

/ 2 / I've been doing the same smoky eye look with winged eyeliner since high school (a la Jennifer North from Valley of the Dolls).  I like to use MAC's matte Powder Eyeshadows, because I find out of everything I've tried, these stay put the longest (my fav shades are Vanilla, Dark Edge, Carbon + Plum).  Masterfully wing out some kohl or liquid liner and bam!

A bit of berry lipstick (like Rebel, Milan Mode, or Hearts Aflame), and you're good to go!

/ 3 /  My beloved two-tone Dior frames have seen better days, so I'm in need of some new eyewear.  These Bonlook Allure spectacles are stylish + affordable, no?

/ 4 / Keep cozy + warm forever and ever in a jewel-toned infinity scarf, like this one from H&M.

/ 5 / I have been living in comfy, oversized sweaters for the last couple weeks.  This knit beauty from Modcloth is great for layering on top of your yoga gear, or to keep you toasty on a chilly evening out.

/ 6 /  My americano has switched from iced to hot, and now I'm in need of a new travel mug.  Love this gold + white + teal combo from Starbucks.

/ 7 / No fall look is complete without an ox blood mani.  Try Essie polish in Wicked, for a red deeper than the changing leaves.

/ 8 / You will likely find me in yoga pants (lululemon skinny will) / leggings (H&M black jersey leggings) / yoga jeans (in black, they are seriously the best pants/jeans I've ever owned).

/ 9 / I've been searching for a stylish camera bag/purse to encourage me to tote my SLR with me wherever I go.  The Gracie from JoTotes looks like it will do the trick!

My yoga mat desperately needs to be replaced!  I have been eyeing a Manduka ProLite for awhile, and am thinking it's about time to pick one up.  I will be travelling quite a bit in the next few months, and these guys are great for a girl on the go! 

Get ahead of the game, and stay organized!  Pick up your 2015 planner now - no need to wait until January.  I loved my Kate Spade 2014 planner, and think I'm going to go with the gold dot pattern for next year.

/ 10 / No wardrobe is complete without the perfect pair of chunky heeled boots.  The heels on my go to pair have started to go, so I'm looking at these Jambu booties from Nordstrom.

How about you?  What are your favourite looks for fall?  Let me know in the comments below!

Now I'm off to do some vinyasa flowin', before we go see Dub FX in Cambridge tonight.

Until next time,

Alex

WHAT'S IN MY BAG: JULY

Hey guys, I wanted to try something new + fun + simple today.  I really love "WHAT'S IN MY BAG" posts when I see them, so I thought I would try one on POLKA DOTTED PIXELS.  I often have a few bags that I use on a regular basis, but I've been carrying a large Longchamp tote (in a dark brown/burgundy colour) for the last little while.  It's easy to throw my computer and folders in when I go to client meetings, and Rudie's toys, bags, leash, etc. when I take him out with me.  Without further adieu, here are the lovely little things hiding in my massive tote.

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/ 1 Coral Kate Spade Patent Leather Wallet  / 2 Black + White Graphic Print Leather Notebook (for ideas, to do lists, project notes, journaling, etc.) / 3 Polka Dotted Pixels Blog Notebook (you can see my business card washi taped to the front, hehe.  I put ideas for blog posts, DIY's, etc. in here) / 4 Ray Ban Jackie O II Sunnies / 5 Holt Renfrew 100th Anniversary + Kate Spade Polka Dotted iPhone 4 Case + My iPhone / 6 Polka Dotted Hair Clip from Dollarama / 7 MAC Pro Longwear Lip Pencil in Kiss Me Quick / 8 MAC Matte Viva Glam II Lipstick / 9 Maybelline Baby Lips in Cherry Me / 10 MAC NC20 Concealer / 11 Hair ties / 12 Keys + Cupcake Key Toppers / 13 Pens + USB Keys / 14 Polka Dotted Headband /

 

Also, yesterday I started the 30 Day Self Portrait Challenge with Elsie + Emma over at A Beautiful Mess.  I will be posting on my Instagram (@photolexx), and will probably post my favourites here (or maybe a big collage at the end of the challenge).  So far I'm on Day 2/30! Yay!