Fall Faves From The Sponsors

I would say it is now officially fall. The first sign would be that the calendar has actually changed from summer to fall. The second sign would be that it is no longer in the high 80s every single day. It is officially time for my favorite fashion season to begin. FALL FASHION! I can finally start pulling out my cardigans and boots. Because those are my fall staples every year. But let's talk about this year's trends! Today I have the ladies from the sidebar sharing their favorite fashion items for this fall.

Life With Amberly and Joe

"This year, my favorite fall fashion item would have to be cardigans. 

I love how a simple cardigan can expand your wardrobe 

and turn some of your summer outfits into fall friendly ones."

A Little Too Jolley 

"My favorite fall fashion item is boots!

 I love them because I can dress them up with skirts for a more girly look, 

or I can dress them down with leggings and an oversized sweater."

PS. My Name is Madeline 

"My favorite fall fashion item is my gray infinity scarf. 

I seriously consider wearing it every day sometimes. 

It just works so perfectly with my black skinnies, chambray button-up, 

long socks and red hunter boots. Oh boy, am I a fan of those red hunter boots. 

Ok, so my favorite items are my scarf and my boots. There, I'm done."

The Girl Who Loved To Write

"This one is hard, because I live in Florida where we don't always get "fall" weather. 

I have to get creative with fall fashion that can work for summer temperatures. 

This means I really have to play with colors ... 

I may not be able to rock fall coats, but I can definitely rock fall colors. 

My go to outfit is a pair of boots with a dress that could pass for a fall item, even if it's sleeveless." 

Susan Stange

"Favorite fall fashion item: Military Jackets and combat boots. 

Back in my junior year of college, before combat boots were even a thread of thought in fashion, 

a guy I worked with complained that guys had it rough because there were all kinds of boots 

for girls to wear that were fashionable and functional and they had nothing. 

I suggested he wear combat boots. It's a gift."

Oh, Just Living The Dream 

"My favorite fall fashion is definitely sweaters. 

I love sweaters of all kinds: flowers, patterned, or plain. I absolutely love to style them with 

skinny jeans and my favorite brown boots (wish I had a picture! 

Not a fashion blogger so I don't have any style photos for fall fashion haha). 

It is so comfortable and you don't need a big jacket!" 

So I am pretty much in agreeance with all these ladies. Boots, scarves, jackets, sweaters, cardigans.. they named it all! But I am especially looking forward to buying some liquid leggings, a utility/military jacket, a pair over the knee boots and an infinity scarf to spice up my fall attire! What 2013 fall trends do you love? What are your fall must haves? Any items you are looking forward to adding to your closet?

Monday Must Haves

With temperatures dropping and my birthday just one week away I decided it was the perfect time to team up with Lauren over at The Style Record for Monday Must haves. Here is a list of some of my faves for falls! You can check back tomorrow for some more items from my sponsors!

Fall Musts by lovetheskinnys

1. Leopard print is always a must, and I love slouchy sweaters for fall.
2. I have been on the lookout for leather leggings and now that its cooling they'll be perfect.
3. Infinity scarves are always good to add some flair to an outfit.
4. I love the idea of infinity jewelry - bracelet, necklace, or ring. Always gold.
5. I have been eyeing this Hello Apparel forever. And I adore pullovers.
6. Camel is the perfect neutral for fall. It will go with any outfit.
7. I adore utility jackets. I go back and forth on the camo, but this military green is perfection.
8. Booties are perfect. Wear them with pants, skirts, or tights.
9. Apple for a autumn scent is always a good idea.
10. A simple palette so you can change your colors with the weather.

What are your Fall Must haves? Link up your looks and wish list!

Link up rules:
1. Follow the Host-The Style Record
2. Follow the Co-Host

3. Provide a link to the Monday Must Haves Link up in your post or add the button below to your blog.

<a href="http://www.thestylerecord.com"><img src=" http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b385/lar6363/Button_zps9c7a3304.png"/></a><br />

Joules in the USA

My family travels. And because of that, growing up I had a lot of opportunities to travel to different places. My family has been to Europe two different times. Once when I was too young to actually appreciate it and once when I was old enough to understand that traveling is a blessing and an incredible opportunity. But from both times, I can remember that the shopping was way better. The styling was different and the colors were more bold. And I loved walking through department stores to see what Europe's fashion had to offer me.

So you can imagine how much I love it when these European retailers open their online sales to the USA. And just recently another company did just that. Joules is massive in the UK and they are ready to come to the USA. They have a ton of fun clothing. I threw together two outfits made from all Joules items (besides the leggings) that I love to show you a variety of what they have to offer.

Joules Opens to USA by lovetheskinnys featuring a yellow vest

So the outfit on the left features a yellow vest. It is perfect for fall when you need a little extra warmth but not a full jacket. Something that I love about this vest is the color! Who said that fall had to be dull, why not throw in a bright yellow vest? I paired it with a chunky sweater with a hood, a simple messenger bag with a detailed strap, and simple blue rain boots.

The outfit on the right started with the rain boots. I fell in love with all of the rain boots on Joules. They have fun patterns and styles, tall and short, and all the goods. But these boots have the perfect girly detail with the magenta bows on the bag. I died. They are so cute. And then as I kept looking around I saw the dog sweater which had the magenta detailing on the sleeve. Then throw on the jacket for a little more accent with a bright yellow bag. How fun.

So go take a look at Joules. They have so many fun items! And hundreds have them are perfect for getting ready for what looks like a rainy fall season here in Utah. Or just a regular fall wherever you are. What item are you loving? What are you hoping to add to your fall wardrobe?

Dear Taco Soup,

Taco Soup

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 10 minutes

Serves 6

INGREDIENTS 

1 LB. Hamburger 

1 onion chopped 

1 can corn 

1 can kidney beans 

1 can chopped stewed tomato 

1 pkg. taco seasoning 

2 cups water 

TOPPINGS

Shredded cheese

Sour cream

Tortilla chips (We like Salsa Verde Doritos or Fritos) 

DIRECTIONS

Brown hamburger and onion together. 

Add in all the rest of the ingredients and bring to a boil. 

Serve over tortilla chips and top with sour cream and shredded cheese.

Nice and easy. Light and breezy. And that is how it is done.

Love,

Deidre

Dear Corn Chowder,

Like I have said before. It is soup season. Here is the latest installment from the Skinnys' home.

Creamy Corn Chowder

Serves 6-8

2 Tbsp. butter

1/4 c. all-purpose flour

1 c. water

2 1/2 c. milk 

2 regular-sized chicken bouillon cubes or 2 tsp. chicken broth

1/2 lb. bacon (optional)

1 small onion, minced

2 potatoes, diced into small cubes

2-3 cloves garlic, minced

1 can corn, drained or about 1 1/2 C frozen fresh corn

Salt and pepper to taste

A few dashes of hot sauce or cayenne pepper

Fry bacon until crisp.

In the meantime, melt butter over low heat in a soup pot. 

When melted, add flour to make a roux and whisk until it comes together in a little ball. 

Add water and whisk until completely combined and there are no lumps. 

Add milk and chicken base or bouillon and bring to a simmer. 

Add potatoes, onions, and garlic, and simmer (but don’t boil!), stirring very frequently, for about 20 minutes or until potatoes are tender. 

Add crumbled bacon and corn and heat through. 

Add a few drops of hot sauce and then salt to taste.

Ladle into bowls.

Garnish with extra bacon and/or cheese if you want.

And when I say "if you want" I mean... you should do it. It is more delicious than you would believe with those extra toppings. Now go, soup it up!

Love,

Deidre