Hello. Welcome. Let me introduce you to my new best friend: the sample sale. Working and living in New York City this summer was a dream for many reasons; the food, the energy, the shows and– you guessed it– the shopping.

In fact, pretty much every piece of this outfit was bought at a sample sale. The matching two piece? Yep. That necklace? Of course. The Chelsea boots? You betcha. I even woke up one Saturday morning, googled “samples sales in NYC” and spent the day darting from sale to sale. Ah, NYC, how you spoil me.

There’s no better way to usher in the autumn season than with some deep burgundy accents. Oxblood appeared on the scene in a big way a few years ago and has remained a fall favorite ever since. I adore it in these amazing Chelsea boots (bought in Chelsea, ironically) and I popped it on my lips for an extra splash of color.

Oh, and that fabulous oversized clutch? It’s also my new laptop case!

Even though it’s still 90* here in North Carolina (seriously), I’m looking optimistically to fall! This two piece first day of school outfit was just the right amount of summer (short shorts and crop tops!) and fall (booties and no-nonsense clutches!). A matching two piece is the most surefire way to get compliments with next to no effort… And I just can’t seem to stay away from a little bit of belly button peek-a-boo.

Photographer: Joe Del Vecchio

Top: Allison Collection — Shorts: Allison Collection — Necklace: Cynthia Rowley — Boots: Boden — Clutch: Plemo — Bracelet: Fitbit —Sunglasses: Loft — Earrings: Malawi, Africa (via my sister’s travels)