I can count the number of friends I have in Minneapolis on one hand, so I was really excited to both work and just hang out with Winona, who is the fabulous photographer behind Winona Grey Photography and a neighbor of mine! We crossed paths at our apartment building's Oktoberfest community event and immediately started planning to get together for a photo shoot/blog collaboration.

We met on a chilly afternoon last week, hopped on a bus and hung around Uptown, which is one of my favorite Minneapolis neighborhoods and also where Winona used to live. She had the day planned out, and when we stopped immediately for coffee I knew we were going to be fast friends. She's also super talented, as I'm sure you'll see.

  

  

  

  

 

  

Thank you, Dogwood Coffee Bar and Magers & Quinn Booksellers for letting us shoot in your gorgeous spaces!

(Outfit details: Top is from Everlane, Skirt is Madewell, belt was thrifted, boots are so old I can't remember where they came from, jacket is Rugby (Ralph Lauren), scarf is J.Crew, watch is this one from Fossil, and bag is Coach.)

See more from Winona on her website or on Facebook.

These are the days of jeans, boots, comfy socks, loose tops, and oversized sweaters.

Sweater + Earrings: Express

Top: c/o Jigsaw London

Jeans: Levi's | Bag: Coach

Necklace (similar): J.Crew | Watch: Fossil

Shoes: c/o Oliberté

Now let's talk about these boots. I've been so excited to share these with you ever since my initial correspondence with Oliberté. Oliberté is a responsible lifestyle brand that makes high-quality leather shoes and goods and supports workers' rights and sustainable manufacturing in sub-Saharan Africa. They're focused on quality, creating fair jobs, and protecting our environment.  You can read more about their incredible story here, but I wanted to include this quote from their site now:

"When we first shared the idea of manufacturing our footwear in Africa, many asked: Why? Why or how could anyone want to make shoes in a place full of so much poverty and corruption?

The answer is simple: We never have and still don't see an Africa that's categorised by negative generalizations. Oliberté believes that with the right partners, each country within Africa has the means to grow and support its people. So that's what we do – Oliberté partners with factories, suppliers, farmers and workers to produce premium footwear in Africa, but we do more than that. We work to create fair jobs, with the goal of contributing to the development of a thriving middle class."

Pay them a visit today, and take 10% off your order with the promo code OLIFW1310.

 

This is a sponsored post, but all opinions are my own. 

As always, I only work with brands that I love and think that you will love, as well. 

Thank you for your support as I continue to work with sponsors.

September came and went and not even one What I Wore post! I got some really cute ModCloth dresses for my birthday and wore them all over Virginia when we were on vacation, but I guess I just wasn't really in a blogging mood and didn't take any photos. I might be able to work a few in before winter comes, but for now it feels like autumn here and the sundresses have mostly made their way to the back of my closet.

It was rainy and cold last Sunday, and putting on jeans and boots was awesome. Until now, I don't think I've ever had a poncho. I also don't think I've ever loved a sweater as much as this new poncho. Here's to cozy fall weekends.

Poncho (in pink): c/o Jigsaw London | Hat: UGG Australia

Purple Tee: J.Crew | Black Tank: Express

Jeans: Miss Me | Watch: Fossil

Bracelets: Spiked bracelet (similar), Express bangle, Yurman knockoff

Boots (similar): J.Crew | Bag: Coach
Nail Color: OPI Yoga-ta Get This Blue