September Favourites

September is almost over and fall is finally here. The air is fresher and cooler, the fall rain is here and the leaves are just starting to hint at a change. It’s time to cozy up indoors with tea and soup. It’s September and here are my favourite things for my favourite month:

1. Subtly Sassy Accessories 

September Favourites | Sophster-Toaster Blog

Little Arrow’s FU Heart Earrings

2. Staying Home

September Favourites | Sophster-Toaster Blog

Stay Home Club’s Stay Home Club Long Sleeve Tee

3. Flashes of Fall Colour

Swinging Sixties Necklace

ModCloth’s Swinging Sixties Necklace

4. Comforting Art for a Cozy Bedroom

September Favourites | Sophster-Toaster Blog

Bubby and Bean’s There is Beauty in Simplicity Art Print

5. Layers of Light Fall Outerwear

September Favourites | Sophster-Toaster Blog

Larmoni’s 2o Colours Wool Beret

All photos courtesy of retailers. 

Basic Black

Basic Black | Sophster-Toaster Blog

I once wore this outfit out to a birthday dinner. I sat down across the table from my best friend and he immediate declared, “You look nice. You look how I imagine adults look.”

Basic Black | Sophster-Toaster Blog

I’ve never been able to decide if I love or hate this dress. The fit and quality aren’t anything special – I actually had to exchange the first one I brought home because it was sewn so poorly, and this one has its flaws, too – but I absolutely love the cut of the neckline. The basic black colour and high neckline offer a perfect blank slate for adding a detail or pop of colour when worn with a necklace or over a blouse with an interesting collar. Throwing on this dress with one good accessory makes it easy to look like a put together adult with minimal effort.

Basic Black | Sophster-Toaster Blog Basic Black | Sophster-Toaster Blog Basic Black | Sophster-Toaster Blog Basic Black | Sophster-Toaster Blog Basic Black | Sophster-Toaster Blog Basic Black | Sophster-Toaster Blog

Dress Gap
Shoes ModCloth
Necklace ModCloth

The pockets are pretty great, too.

All photos by me.

Fall/ Winter Lookbook

Fall/ Winter Lookbook | Sophster-Toaster

I’ve been doing a few markets a year for almost four years now and this is the first time I’ve ever felt organized, prepared and confident earlier than the night before. I’ve got my stock, signage, and display ready to go. All that’s left to do is print a few extra shirts, rest up and get ready to spend two days outdoors at the beautiful 13th Street Winery for the Fall HandMade Market!

Here’s a little taste of what I’ll have at this year’s Fall HandMade Market.

Fall/ Winter Lookbook | Sophster-Toaster Fall/ Winter Lookbook | Sophster-Toaster Fall/ Winter Lookbook | Sophster-Toaster Fall/ Winter Lookbook | Sophster-Toaster Fall/ Winter Lookbook | Sophster-Toaster Fall/ Winter Lookbook | Sophster-Toaster

For all the details about the upcoming market, see www.handmademarket.ca.

2016 Fall HandMade Market

Can’t make it to the market? You can find every dress, skirt and t-shirt from the lookbook online at www.sophstertoaster.etsy.com.

Waiting for Fall

Waiting for Fall | Sophster-Toaster Blog

Like a lot of people our age, my husband Matt and I had to wait a long time to save up enough money, and pay back enough student debt, to break into the housing market. We spent many years in apartments, watching the seasons change through a window because we had zero or very little access to quite, calm or secluded outdoor spaces. Private outdoor space was one of the things we were longing for most while spending weekends stuck inside. Now that we’re finally here, we’ve been spending as much time as possible out on the front porch or back deck. When we have to go inside, we keep the doors open to the screens so we can keep the outdoors close.

Waiting for Fall | Sophster-Toaster Blog

We found our house in late spring and had to wait all summer to close and move in. I think it was the first whole summer I ever spent dreaming of fall and winter. I’m so excited for my favourite season to start that these last hot days of summer have been agony. I want so badly to put my summer clothes away and pull out my sweaters, jeans and wool socks. I’m trying to enjoy the moment and appreciate the end of summer – I don’t want to be bored with my fall clothes before the leaves have finished falling – but I’m itching to begin the seasonal transition.

Waiting for Fall | Sophster-Toaster Blog Waiting for Fall | Sophster-Toaster Blog

After enduring a nearly week long heat wave without air conditioning, I can finally deviate from the breezy top and shorts summer uniform and start wearing nice tops, sleeves and longer skirts again. It’s still a little too hot in the afternoon to break out the flannel but this chambray summer top gives me some of the September texture I’ve been craving and the bright red skirt brings in some fall colour. My favourite white sandals get their last hurrah while the sun is still high and the leaves are green.

Waiting for Fall | Sophster-Toaster Blog Waiting for Fall | Sophster-Toaster Blog Waiting for Fall | Sophster-Toaster Blog

Top H&M
Skirt old & altered
Shoes ModCloth
Earrings ModCloth
Ring Blue Ridge Notions

All photos by me.