These apples

I've really loved taking photos in orchards this year. Whenever I've gone fruit-picking, it's been such a serene (and delicious) experience. I think I'm the kind of person who needs to be surrounded by nature on the regular. I've never liked camping or have considered myself to be particularly outdoorsy, but going to places like these makes me feel really happy. My best friend Wayne and I decided to check out The Apple Farm last week, and it was a particularly good choice: we had a gorgeous fall day (the sky cleared up even more after I took these photos), they have a huge variety of different kinds of apples to pick, and they just happen to make the best donuts I have ever tasted in my life. All in all, it was a wonderful afternoon.

I knew I wanted to wear this sweet Keira dress from Voodoo Vixen for our excursion. It has both apples and strawberries on it, which means it could be worn throughout the seasons, but I think it's a great piece for early autumn. The color combination is so unique, and I got tons of compliments on it throughout the day (and into the evening, when I just changed my shoes and headed out to a work party). I normally dislike side zippers, but this one is much more accommodating than most, and I didn't have to worry about the buttons gaping in the front (which is a common problem I run into with most dresses of this style). I found this dress to fairly run true to size for the most part; Voodoo Vixen tends to run a little big in the waist for me, but luckily, the addition of a belt solves that small issue. (This dress does come with its own fabric belt, but I opted to swap it out for a different one from my own collection for these photos.) I also decided to finally take my novelty apple purse out for a spin!

Outfit Details

Keira Dress: c/o Voodoo Vixen

Cropped cardigan: ModCloth

Apple purse: available here

Belt: from another dress

Pin: gift from Midge

Boater hat: similar

Shoes: similar

I know it might sound silly, but I think it's important (at least, for me) to make time to do things like this. It becomes really easy to say you're too busy or have to take care of other obligations first... but I've found that this kind of thing actually recharges me and makes me want to tackle other things afterwards – and it puts me in a much better mood! Fall activities are my favorite, by far. Next up: going to a pumpkin patch! What's on your autumnal to-do list this year? 

Have a great Wednesday!

PS: the winner of my CHEAP CHIC giveaway has been chosen! Congratulations, Lisa! Thanks so much to everyone who entered (and don't be discouraged if you didn't win – I have something very exciting coming up very soon, so stay tuned). <3 

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