i feel like right now is a weird time of year. to re-interpret a britney spears song (yep, going there), “it’s not summer, not yet fall.” we’re in that weird in-between stage where the weather is still warm and peaches are still in season, but then you go to target and all of the back-to-school supplies are out on shelves and i’m pretty sure it’s only a matter of time before trader joe’s starts selling canned pumpkin again. it’s this funky time of year when we’re living in bathing suits and flip flops trying to soak up every last 80-degree-and-sunny-perfect-summer-sunny-weekend all the while dreaming of college football, boots, and that indescribable nip in the air that signifies autumn’s anticipated return.

for me personally, this “not summer, not yet fall” time of year is such a tease. in an attempt at trying to live in the moment, i end up just longing after a season that hasn’t yet arrived. boy, is that not a metaphor for life or what? and maybe that’s because we as humans are always awaiting the next big thing. or maybe the fashion world has brain-washed us to think that it’s necessary to buy bathing suits in february and fur coats in july.

in this case, i think it might be the latter. seeing as j.crew factory just posted some new arrivals that have me wishing that summer would hurry up and leave so that her obviously better-looking and better-personalitied (not a word but go with it) sister season could come for a visit. it’s no secret that of all of the seasons, fall is by far my favorite. it incorporates pumpkin, football, my favorite holiday (thanksgiving, duh), spaghetti squash being sold regularly at trader joe’s, and of course, the best fashion. it would also include changing leaves if the leaves in san diego did indeed actually change. though there are few trees around my neighborhood that do a pretty good job at metapmorphosizing from green to amber around october, so let’s add it to the list anyway.

anyway, from plaid to boots to scarves and a color palette rich in olives, mustards and cranberries (which oddly also sounds like a grocery store shopping list), fall offers my inner sartorialist an unlimited cornucopia of possibilities. and while i may not yet be able to don a cable-knit sweater, skinny jeans, and riding boots without looking as if i just got out of a bikram yoga class, that doesn’t mean a gal can’t dream.

so here’s to this in-between time. the not summer, not quiet yet fall time of year that brings with it a whole lot of longing and frustration. but like most things in life, if we just practice a little patience, the season we yearned for will finally arrive and the time we spent agonizing over its delayed arrival will have been far worth the wait.

and this time i’m not just talking about fashion and seasons. but you probably already knew that.

also, here are the items i’m hoping to incorporate into my pending fall wardrobe.

because i mean, who doesn’t need a pair of good skinny cords in neon violet? answer: no one.

neon violet factory skinny cords.

it has polka dot pom-poms. enough said.

charley sweater in pom-pom dot.

if there was ever an awkward color that looked good on yours truly, it would be mustard. but if ever there was a SECOND awkward color that looked good on yours truly, it would be olive. tuscan olive to be exact. enter this cute little number. and she even has a girly pin-tucked sleeve? it’s a no brainer.

tuscan olive draped gathered top.

this skirt may not be conducive to my 5’7 and three-quarters (i think?)” frame, as in, it may be dangerously short and terribly work inappropriate, but perhaps if i wore a lower heel or walked with a slump, this polka dot gem might be the perfect little fall-into-winter staple. i mean, can you imagine it with tights and a bright sweater? i die.

deep navy printed pleated skirt.

speaking of skirts, i’m in love with this little lace pencil-styled one in aubergine. first of all, aubergine is by far one of my favorite colors to say. it’s up there with chartreuse and cobalt. and then there’s the whole lace aspect of it, too. to me, lace embodies the perfect combination of saucy and sweet. so basically me in skirt form. i mean, kidding. sort of.

dark aubergine pencil skirt in floral lace.

you may be thinking to yourself, “self, doesn’t she have something very similar in navy?” and you and your self would be very correct in that observation, i do, in fact own something very similar in navy. the key word being “in navy.” i do not however own a peter-pan collared shirt in grey. nor do i own one that is 3/4 sleeves. so you can totally see my justification in adding this precious garment into my collection, right? good to know we’re in agreement.

peter pan collar tee.

now you might be thinking to yourself, “self, doesn’t she own enough polka-dotted things?” and the answer to your question would be “absolutely not.” and just an fyi, if you ever ask yourself a similar question in regards to horizontal stripes, i will answer you exactly the same way. in both cases, too much of a good thing is never too much.

vintage champagne graphic dot tee.

since finally parting ways with my beloved cropped abercrombie & fitch jean jacket that was just a little too cropped for my liking (and for my long-torso’s liking, too), i have been on the hunt for a viable replacement. and while i still can’t decide on whether or not i want the carbon or antique sanded blue wash, one decision i’m sure of is that this jacket itself is quite the contender.

stretch denim jacket.

and finally, because a gal can also never have enough bling, i just really love the simplicity of this crystal necklace. it’s the kind of everyday piece that would pair well with just about everything. and i mean everything, nothing says “oh you fancy?” like sporting a little bling with your 10-years-strong-and-totally-falling-apart abercrombie & fitch drawstring sweatpants. so now you have a visual on how i like to spend my friday evenings.

crystal brass-plated necklace.

anyone want to make a trip to j.crew factory with me?