Fall Reads Written by Women

One of the best ways to get in the mood for fall weather is to pick up a great book full of lush detail, sweeping romance, strong characters, and tender moments. Each of these books remind me of fall in one way or another, whether it's the setting, the characters, or the overall tone of the language. Additionally, each of these books is written by a female author! Girl power! 

Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte - There's a reason this book is a classic. From the passionate love story of Heathcliff and Catherine, to the tumultuous landscape of the moors, to the distinct and separation of social classes and the lives lived within them, this book is a masterpiece on many levels. Once you get into the story and get to know the characters, you'll find yourself invested in an emotional journey that crosses generations and social boundaries.

The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton - If you've never read this book, read it now! Although commonly assigned in middle school classes, I read this book for the first time while I was in college, and I absolutely loved it. The language is simple, but the characters have a complexity that you'll connect with immediately. You'll laugh, you'll cry, you won't be able to put this book down.

Sonnets from the Portuguese and Other Poems by Elizabeth Barrett Browning - I'll admit that poetry and I have a love-hate relationship. It can be incredibly frustrating and confusing, or it can be enlightening, inspiring, and beautiful. Browning's sonnets are definitely of the beautiful variety, filled with wonderful language and emotion. I find that I enjoy poetry much more when I allow myself the time and freedom to read it sporadically, not for hours on end, cover to cover. Keep this collection on your nightstand for a quick, romantic bedtime poem.

A Day in the Life of a Smiling Woman by Margaret Drabble - This collection of short stories brilliantly provides snapshots of everyday life and the lives of women. Drabble portrays women honestly and unashamed, giving each female character a complexity that allows room for contradiction and irony. Reading this collection is like flipping through a stranger's photo album - everything is bit distant, but the universal emotions and experiences provide a connection and understanding. 

What books make you think of fall? What's on your to-read or to-reread list this fall?

XOXO

Fashion Friday: Fall 2015 Wish List

Today's Fashion Friday post is my Fall 2015 Wish List. Each fall, there are a few trends that catch my eye, and this year is no different! While I don't believe in blindly following trends, I love how fashion is always changing and it's fun to try new styles (or old styles that have been reinvented). This fall, there are four particular pieces that I want to try to infuse into my wardrobe. Click through my polyvore slideshow to see what I chose!

Fall 2015 Wish List by haleympettit on polyvore.com

What's on your Fall Fashion Wish List? Do you like to keep up with trends or stick to your own signature style?

XOXO

DIY White Board Makeover

I love simple DIY projects that you can make out of items you already have lying around. One Sunday morning, I couldn't stand to look at my bland, under-utilized white board any longer. So I did what any crafty person does: look up a DIY project on Pinterest! But I couldn't find anything quite right for me - I don't need to organize a whole family, and because my whiteboard isn't in the most visible place, it's not ideal for reminders or important notes. I decided that what I most needed was a month-at-a-glance calendar, a place where I could write down the big events and see the month as a whole. Below is a picture of my whiteboard "Before" - you can see that it was really just a place to store random photos, drawings, and magnets. Not exactly functional or beautiful.

What better way to quickly make something cuter than washi tape?! First, I cleaned the entire board with a Mr. Clean Magic Eraser, and I chose a tape that goes with the decor of my room - a gorgeous, 30mm (about 1.18inches), hot pink and blue washi tape made by Scotch. I then covered each of the silver edges with that tape, carefully lining everything up. Then, I started creating my calendar. I used a gold washi tape I found in the Target Dollar Spot, and I actually needed two rolls to get through the whole project! I used a ruler and a dry erase marker to place dots at 3.5inch increments (that will leave a 3inch square of space to write, the tape is about 1/2inch thick). I left a space at the top for the month and days, and I made five squares down and seven across! There's also a good 6inch space to the right of the calendar to put a magnetic notepad, a container for dry erase markers, and magnets.

As you can see, it looks much better! Not only is it more functional, but it looks a whole lot cuter too. I also discovered that with the 3inch squares, I could use sticky notes to mark the really important stuff!

Instead of a generic, old-looking white board, I now have a bright, unique white board calendar that I love to use! The solution was quick, simple, and inexpensive! 

Anybody else out there love a good DIY project? Be sure to follow me on Pinterest to see all the cute & crafty things that inspire me! 

XOXO