First let me say, I am fully aware that a lot of you still are not experiencing fall.  For that, I am sorry.  I wish perfect, amazing fall weather and awesomeness upon all of you.  While fall usually just means cold and rain here, it has been surprisingly sunny (except, of course, on the days I am available to take outfit photos).  Most people seem to look to spring for a sense of renewal and change, but for me that season is fall.  If I were to dig deep, it could be because I moved around so much in my life and had to start a new school quite often.  Maybe that is why this time of year seems like a new beginning to me more so than springtime.  I'll reflect a bit more later on in this post.

Right now, let's discuss this look!  I wore this very fall outfit on my latest Afternoon Live appearance.  Generally, I like to wear an ensemble that reflects the topic I am discussing on the show, but all I wanted to wear was this autumn goodness.  And thankfully it wasn't raining as Sean and I walked to the Greek Festival in Portland, so outfit photos were in order!





The whole outfit started with the purchase of this plaid top from Catherines.  I have a turquoise and purple plaid top from Catherines that I've owned for about four years now (you have seen it several times on the blog).  It is MUCH loved and I wear it a lot!  It is perfect for travel because it doesn't wrinkle much.  I was looking for a similar top in the same fabric and fit, hoping they would have the same style in various colors.  The fabric of this top is pretty similar (this one is a cotton/spandex versus polyester/spandex of the other one), so I picked it up during a sale.

I was really drawn to the warm fall colors and, of course, the plaid.  It also comes in a grey/black/white combo.  I do wish it was v-neck, but it has been really hard to find v-neck options lately.  I am wearing a 2X, which is Catherines 22/24.  Their sizing is pretty consistent for me, though sometimes lengths and fabrics allow me to size up or down.  Typically though, the 2X is spot on.  It is a more generous cut, without being a swing style, so nothing clings or is too fitted.  I did decide to purchase the petite length in this top for a slightly shorter hem.  The regular length is 30 inches, while the petite length is 28 inches.  This length seems a smidge short on me by itself.  I probably would have been fine with the longer length because it still wouldn't have been as long as a typical tunic length (34 inches).  Mainly, I wanted to ensure the top was short enough that it wouldn't stick out under a vest so that I had more options of ways to wear it. (Though if it had been exactly like the aforementioned turquoise top, I wouldn't have cared about the length.)

The fabric is soft, stretchy, and comfortable to wear, without it being too thick.  I enjoy the Suprema tees, but sometimes they seem thick.  Their stretchiness holds tight to its shape so they don't hang on the body the way I want them to.  This cotton/spandex blend sits well on my body.  I'm still crossing my fingers for more styles like my fave top, but I'm glad I bought this one.

Redwood Plaid Top - Catherines
Knit Lined Hooded Vest - Maurices (sold out online)
Super Stretch Slim Boot Jean - Lane Bryant  (also here)
Cascade Leather Bootie - Comfortiva (similar, similar)

My summer was a mix of very high HIGHS and very low LOWS.  I went on this amazing, spectacular, dream vacation that I never thought was a possibility. (I know I am always behind, but I WILL be sharing it with you.)  The trip was amazing and adventurous and educational.  I felt pretty great on the trip and when I came back home, though I was incredibly exhausted.  And then this weird mix of post-trip depression, post-concert depression I had been putting off from seeing New Kids, post-concert depression from seeing Westlife, exhaustion, and full-on actual depression settled over me like a very dense fog.  I just constantly felt like I was drowning, and there doesn't seem to be anyone in my life that really "gets" it.  So explaining it just feels hopeless.

I isolated myself.  I cried a lot.  I slept a lot.  I didn't want to go anywhere or do anything.  Coming up with topics for my segments and working in general just felt like such a chore.  I had to force myself to keep up with responsibilities and go to planned functions acting like I was just fine.  Because I tend to always put on a brave front and a happy face, I feel like people in my life can be very dismissive of my feelings.  Even this week, as I have tried reaching out to folks, people ignore me and brush things off.  They dismiss meaningful conversations.  I loathe small talk and frivolous topics.  I want real connections.  It just seems like people don't have the capacity or time for that realness.  I'm exhausted trying to try all the time.

All this to say, I'm glad it's fall.  I'm pushing forward.  I'm still longing for connection, but I have to keep going.  I'm blogging more on my own terms and giving myself permission to rest and regroup.  I started painting again.  Fall is my season of refresh.  I've been feeling more like myself, though depression doesn't really go away.  I think the depression has been replaced with more of a frustration, and that is something I am also working on.

Anyway, here is a look at our activities this particular day.  From Afternoon Live to walking through a perfect fall neighborhood in Portland to the Greek Fest, where we had souvlaki (seasoned chicken on a skewer), Greek coffee, spanakpita (spinach, onions, feta, and herbs in flaky phyllo dough), tiropita (feta and ricotta in phyllo dough), and loukoumades (fried dough balls covered in honey and sprinkled with cinnamon).  Then we ran some errands and stopped at Michaels so I could get more painting supplies.