Fall: Get Ready / Get the Look, Installment #3

This week Alek over at From the Right Bank to the Left Coast gives us our 3rd Installment of Fall: Get Ready/Get the Look! I knew Alek was the perfect girl to turn to for this series as she lives a very fashionable life and picks up style inspiration from her world travels. And she's sharing her fantastic ideas on how to easily and affordably transition your interiors and wardrobes from summer to fall. So let's get started, here's Alek!

I'm not sure when it happened but at some point, fall became my favorite season. Maybe it's because I went to school forever and then lived near a university for many years but I always get that back-to-school feeling in the fall and I love that feeling of renewal and possibilities.

As we transition from summer to fall, I have a very easy plan for both my home and wardrobe. My strategy is the same every year: layer different textural elements, add on or two must-have pieces and inject some darker and richer colors. (As you will see, I'm really favoring purple for this season.)

In the house, I like to bring out faux fur pillows and throws, animal skin rugs, and blankets and other accessories like vases and trays in black, browns, and metallics. I've collected things like this over time so I just bring then out of storage year after year. I may swap out one or two items with new ones to keep things fresh but if you keep a few good key pieces in your stash, there's no need to buy a whole new look each season.

This approach works well regardless of style or budget. For example, a shot of a dark, bold color can really enhance an already warm and luxurious atmosphere.

And a deep brown, wooly throw with the purple duvet and a black pillow make this simple Ikea bedroom really cozy and inviting. 

Even though I talk strictly about home and interior design on my blog, fashion is also a huge love of mine. Another reason fall is my favorite season is definitely the fashions. I love haute couture as much as the next fashionista but for everyday, I like to keep it simple. Just like for the home, the key is layering. 

You can get more mileage out of your summer dresses just by adding a long sleeve t-shirt underneath, tights, boots and some type of sweater or jacket. And this is something that works well whether your style is bohemian or urban or somewhere in between.

The same is true for a simple t-shirt and jeans. This season, blazers and long cardigans are still very popular and the best part is that most of us probably already have these pieces in our closets. Just add one with a pair of boots or booties and you're instantly ready for fall.

If you really wanted to be on trend this year, a pair of over the knee boots with any of these outfit will do the trick. 

And here's that purple again. 

So that's my simplified strategy for taking your home and wardrobe into fall this year. It makes my life a little easier and I hope it may do the same for you. 

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Thank you Alek! I love your idea of packing away some seasonal pieces in storage and creating a personal little stash! And all the ideas on getting extra mileage out of summer dresses are genius! 

*images via pantone, style.com, vogue,  Domino, Ikea, Humanoid, net-a-porter, Elle