Arboretum in Autumn

 

This Fall, when it comes to dresses (my favorite item of clothing), I am looking at budget options. I learned to trust my intuition, and when I feel a nudge to look at a certain store, even if it is not my usual shopping spot, I don't second-guess myself and don't ask why. This strategy pays off - I find plenty of beautiful, feminine affordable options. Perhaps the most unexpected find was the red dress from my previous post (HERE). Target started doing much more in terms of stylish plus size clothing in the last couple of years. The red dress that many of you liked so much is by Ava & Viv, Target's plus size line that they launched two or three years ago. At the price of $35, it won't break any pockets. It is my first purchase from this brand, so I really can't say much about the quality, other than I am pleasantly surprised. We will have to see how it holds up, of course. I can recommend to pay attention to the Who What Wear line as well, which offers both straight and plus sizes. I also found quite a few great dresses at Old Navy, including this beautiful Autumnal boho number. With a 50% discount, it came down to $32.50. So even if you are on a budget, there are wonderful options out there right now for us, plus size girls. Don't be afraid to experiment! Trying something new keeps our wardrobes and our lives exciting.

When I saw this dress, I knew immediately that I would want to take it for a nice walk enjoying mild Fall temperatures. And while I envisioned wearing boots with it, for the first walk I decided to go with these gorgeous Jeffrey Campbell embroidered suede flats, since it is still quite warm and sunny, not muddy/wet just yet. I have a very similar pair of embroidered moccasins by Pikolinos which I bought ages ago (about 10 years I think) and adore so much that I've worn out one pair completely and have been looking for a replacement. This pair is it! It is made of leather (top, inside, soles...everything!) and richly embroidered. Can be worn as mules so trendy these days, but I actually prefer them this way.

I grabbed one of my old knitted cotton dusters (or cardigans) which you've seen many times before (HERE in 2015, HERE in 2014), and that was enough to keep me warm when I took breaks. We took a nice long walk in the Seattle Arboretum. Autumn hasn't touched the leaves color yet, but it is a beautiful place for a stroll or jog, or bike, whatever you're into this season. One man was using some kind of roller skates looking like skis (with poles and everything), and by the smile on his face, he had a blast! For Justin and I, it is just simple old-fashioned walking, and getting up the hill is quite challenging as is. Nevertheless, it is one of most romantic walks in Seattle, and we certainly will be back to see the Autumn colors soon.

I've checked my photo archive, and learned that the last time we visited Arboretum was on October 20, 2015. I didn't post photos from that day on the blog back then, so I will show just a few of them here...

What we did not know back then, that just a few days earlier, on October 16, 2015, there was a ribbon-cutting ceremony for a newly donated carved totem pole called "Origin of the Eagle Clan". So it became our brand new discovery this year. Totem poles are a unique example of Native American culture, as well as unique example of folk storytelling.There is beautiful imagery as well as beautiful poetry about them. (Find out more about the meaning behind this totem pole here.)

There were more discoveries and surprises along the way, including Pacific Connections Gardens which we haven't seen before, and delicate purple woodland flowers blossoming here and there. I have no idea what these sweet little blooms are (photo above), but I recognized crocuses (photo below). I didn't know that they bloom in Fall - I always considered them exclusively Spring flowers. Apparently, they can appear in Winter and Fall too!

This is such an unusual shape of a terracotta container, isn't it? I like how it plays with my purse color and fringes, as well as my new cool shoes.

Are you enjoying the new season?

Dress - Old Navy

Shoes - Jeffrey Campbell via Nordstrom Rack

Duster - old (Chico's)

Purse - old (via Eloquii)

Malachite ring, earrings - Justin's gift

Location: Seattle Arboretum

Linking with Visible Monday

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Illustration by Andrei Lialin

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