9 cozy but extremely cute throw and go jackets that will feel like you’re wearing a blanket

Fashion & Beauty

9 Cozy But Extremely Cute Throw-And-Go Jackets That Will Feel Like You’re Wearing A Blanket

Drescription

Last week, we talked about the new fall jackets we are really eyeing for this fall…and a lot of them are variations of the very trendy (but also extremely classic) barn jacket. Our numbers show that y’all were big fans too! Due to the fall outerwear excitement, today we thought we’d get a little more casual and a lot cozier:) I’d like to think that “coziness” is a part of our EHD ethos. We want to help you create a cozy home and show you comfortable/cozy options to potentially wear on your body (if that’s your preference, of course). So think of these jackets as elevated “throw-on-and-go” soft pieces. Perfect for random errands, school pickup, a fun friend lunch, or any other outing you want to feel comfortable but a little extra cool. Let’s start with my muse!

As I was searching all over the internet for fall jackets, I immediately LOVED this one when I saw it. But it really didn’t fit in the more traditional fall jacket category of last week’s post. I decided to pin for potentially a future roundup. Well, that opportunity came much fast than I thought since the other post was so popular. YAY. So for this one, I just love the ease of dressing it up or down. The way it’s styled with the vintage tee and jeans is so fun and fresh! But switch the jeans for wide leg slacks and the vintage tee for a silky top… it’s perfect for your business casual job. Done and done.

Personally, I have been pretty obsessed with the bomber jacket look for a couple of years now so when I saw this sherpa blush pink version I shrieked! I adore that color, the look of collar and cuffs, plus that amazing nubby fabric is so cozy. Another great option that will work with a ton of looks.

This gal is the “fanciest” on this list but it’s also easy breezy to dress down. I mean look how it’s styled in this photo. I want to be this cool girl! The lack of collar give it edge and how chic are those buttons?

When I showed Gretchen this jacket she had the same reaction I did, “OMG I love this one so much!” The pattern of the sherpa fabric is such a fun and cool detail. Then you add that bold pop of blue and baby, we’ve got a cozy jacket star! It’s another one that just looks so cool and you wouldn’t need to do much else with your outfit. Instant statement piece.

I also found this one early on in my search and thought about sending the link to Emily! It’s got her name written all over it. But since she likely has something similar, the next people I wanted to share it with was all of you:) The piping really elevated the whole look, I think that blue is perfect, and you can’t tell me that doesn’t look so freaking comfortable to wear.

But if you want something a little more understated (and more affordable) this nubby quarter zip is perfect. This incredible, rich merlot color is so pretty and I love that little pop of bright red on the zipper pull for a fun contrast!

If you want a little more length then this guy could be a great match for you. Think how warm you’ll be! This was one was Gretchen’s favs and she is highly considering buying it which always makes me feel good when I show the team my finds:) Plus, since it’s from Old Navy it’s currently on sale for under $50.

But maybe you want something that feels a little more modern but still is in the cozy fleece world. Well, enter the neoWARM liner. The piping is amazing, love that there’s no collar, and that waist tie brings the whole look home. I can think of so many things to easily wear this too! It’s a no brainer.

Last but not least is this Varley fleece (the same company of the quarter zip Em is wearing in the opening photo). Their quality is great but also look at all the details! That oversized collar is amazing (apparently I’m into a big collar or no collar), those double pockets are so good, and who doesn’t love longer fabric to keep that bum warm and dry. It just looks very “effortless” in the best way.

Ok, that’s my little roundup that I literally couldn’t wait to show you but I hope this was helpful and that now everyone is fully ready for fall.

Love you, mean it.

A Vintage Halloween Inside Our Farmhouse – Creepy Portraits Of Dead Strangers And Googly Eyes Included (Per Usual)

Ididn’t really have any intention of doing much inside our home for Halloween until Brian was watching football all Saturday a couple of weeks ago and I didn’t have much to do so I put on a podcast, started shopping from my prop garage, and went to Halloween TOWN. I had enough leftover from outside decorations to fully deck it out and within a few hours had four fun areas with ample spook. The black creepy cloth was leftover from the covered walkway (I originally wanted to mix black and white cloths but it didn’t look good.)This one is from Target and $10 and wow, quite the impact. The mirror was leftover from the Crate & Barrel kitchen shoot and it’s so pretty (and has that slightly Victorian vibe which fits this vibe). I found the creepy dolls during my mimosa-infused birthday vintage shopping trip with Kaitlin (shout out to Monticello Antique Marketplace and adjoining cafe). The candles are a mix of vintage ones I had and this trio from Target. When it comes to portraits of dead people it’s the almost unanimous feeling by all family members that these are “creepy” and “weird”. And they are very vocal about it. FINE. So one month a year they will make their debut inside. This year Birdie and her friends helped don them with googly eyes (they put different sizes on each eye which I think is a GREAT styling touch). I also want to point out that we are not going to light the candles on the mantel and I plan on replacing them with battery-operated ones (much to Orlando’s total disgust:)). Brian came in and schooled me for open flames near the cloth and the, you know, feathers… Don’t do this at home, obviously, and was just for the shoot. The stairway wasn’t a normal place to decorate for Halloween, but I had that large antique portrait so I popped it there, found this floor candelabra (shout out to Jess for her well-timed post last week), and bought these $8 twisted candles from Target (I like how they catch the light in a pretty way). I had bought two boxes of bat trios but only used one on the front porch so hung these here and threw some spiderwebs on the whole thing. Another creepy cloth + dead doll + orange lights moment. This time without the googly eyes because it’s an actual painting (and was splurgy from an antique mall, she is from the 1700s!!!). Still perfect for Halloween, but she stays there year-round. The “vintage” radio is from Target, again like eight years ago and it plays spooky static with voices that the kids love. Inside we hung this hanging headless lady that I thought I was going to put in entry but it didn’t have any power there (white dress against white house and already had black bats and spiderweb). She is PERFECT here. We’ve had that black plastic cat from Target for seven years and it still terrifies me (if you walk by it will move its head and screech at you with red eyes). It also terrorizes the pups. Likely my favorite of them all is the entry. We took down the art (thank goodness for that gallery rail) so Mom and Dad could go here. There is definitely a dead bride vibe with the white spooky cloth. I got them both together from an antique store in Sellwood. I loved their blue color palette (shocker). There you go – Halloween inside and out (check out the front porch and covered walkway if you missed it). Birdie helped with most of it because she is my little styling buddy (truly some of the most joyful seconds of my life are doing this with her). Thanks to you all for giving us an excuse to go for it :)

Shoppers ‘Pack Double or Triple’ in Their Carry-On Bags Thanks to This $30 Travel Hack That Skirts Baggage Fees

I’m a one-bag traveler through and through. Even on a recent monthlong trip through Northern Europe, I was able to fit everything I needed into a carry-on suitcase—puffer jacket included. The best way to pack a suitcase, we seasoned travelers know, is to use compression packing cubes. These clever hacks flatten soft goods to half their size, so you can pack a checked bag’s worth of contents into a carry-on suitcase. They’re the only way a recovering overpacker like me could ever join the exclusive carry-on-only club. Bagail Set of 6 Compression Packing Cubes How do compression packing cubes work? They’re super simple in construction but majorly helpful in practice. Each packing cube is a zippered pouch in ripstop nylon, with two zippers: one that closes the pouch itself, and another you can zip closed to shrink the contents to the smallest size possible. It’s the same principle as sitting on your suitcase to get it to zip—except this travel hack keeps everything nice and tight from start to finish. With clothing packed neatly into these soft nylon pouches, then zipped down to wring out all the air, you’ll wonder why you ever checked a bag to begin with. “The compression feature is genius,” one five-star reviewer said. “Just zip everything tight, and boom, it’s like vacuum-sealing your wardrobe (minus the vacuum). I was able to fit way more than I expected, and everything stayed neatly organized. No more suitcase explosions every time I needed socks.” Say, for instance, a stack of blouses is 6 inches high. Those blouses might squash nice and neat into the medium-sized compression cube that’s 4 inches deep. But then, you can zip that cube down to compress it even further and whittle down that 6-inch stack of clothes to just 2 inches or so. And all that saved space adds up, letting you “pack double or triple your clothes in a small suitcase,” one shopper shared. “Just fold your clothes and overpack, then double zip it! Literally watched my clothes shrink as air was let out.” That shopper was able to fit four pairs of shorts, two sets of pajamas, a robe, three shirts, and nine undergarments—into just one of these compression cubes. As a bonus, you won’t be rifling through a jumbled mess of clothing when you go to unpack in your destination. Instead, your belongings arrive neatly organized in dedicated bags to make finding what you need a breeze. “Unpacking took seconds,” one reviewer raved. “I just pulled out the cubes and popped them into drawers.” This six-pack by Bagail includes six different size options, a variety you don’t often get from other brands. Packing cube fans call these “lightweight, but tough as nails,” with ”high-quality and durable” fabric, “reinforced seams and reliable zippers,” and a mesh panel that lets you see what’s inside. They’re also water repellent too, so if your face wash springs a leak, your clothes stand a fighting chance of still arriving unsoiled. You can even pack damp clothes, one shopper said, without fretting over leaks. “If you're an overpacker like me or just want to feel like a travel ninja, do yourself a favor and grab a set,” a recent packing-cube convert wrote. “Your future-suitcase self will thank you.” Snag this six-pack of the compression packing cubes even skeptical shoppers called “a real game changer,” and read on for other compression cubes for travel to level up your packing game. Bagsmart Compression Packing Cubes, Set of 6 Tripped Travel Gear Compression Packing Cubes, Set of 6 Gonex Compression Packing Cubes, Set of 6 OlarHike Compression Packing Cubes, Set of 8 Veken Packing Cubes, Set of 8

Should You Let Your Coneflower Go to Seed? Why Gardeners Say It Depends on Your Garden Goals

Key Points Letting coneflowers go to seed supports natural reseeding, saving you the hassle of replanting. Dried seed heads act like a self-sustaining bird feeder, attracting and feeding goldfinches, sparrows, and other birds through fall and winter. Coneflower seed heads add texture and seasonal charm to your garden’s autumn look. If you've been maintaining your coneflowers all season long and aren't sure what to do next, we asked pro gardeners to weigh in on whether you should let them seed or not. They share everything you need to know when it comes to seeding and all the benefits that come along with it, so you can have a flourishing garden for next year. Meet the Expert Edwin Dysinger is the co-founder of Seedtime, a garden planning and management app. JoJami Tyler is a certified Gardenary coach and founder of Fancy Pants Gardens. Tracy Smith is an outdoor green goods buyer for Terrain. Should You Let Coneflowers Seed? Yes, you should let your coneflowers seed, as there are many great benefits that come with it after the gardening season is over, our gardening pros say. Letting them go to seed is the process of letting the central cone dry out, which will become dark and spiky to the touch, Tracy Smith, an outdoor green goods buyer for Terrain, explains. "Coneflowers, also known as Echinacea, are wonderful additions to your garden; however, they are prolific and if allowed to go to seed, will naturally reseed themselves, often returning the next season with even greater vigor," JoJami Tyler, a certified Gardenary coach and founder of Fancy Pants Gardens, says. All the Benefits of Seeding Your Coneflowers The seeds are a valuable food source for birds. Coneflower seeds provide forage for wildlife, especially birds, during the fall and winter time, Edwin Dysinger, the co-founder of Seedtime, explains. "The seeds are a magnet for birds, especially goldfinches in late summer and fall, helping sustain local wildlife. It’s like having a natural birdfeeder that you never have to maintain," Tyler says. Other bird types you can expect to see are sparrows, towhees, and finches, Smith says. They'll reappear next year. If you're looking to have coneflowers in your garden the following year, letting them seed will allow them to naturally grow without the worry of replanting. Tyler explains how this is a great method for filling in gaps in the garden with hardy blooms, especially if you have a lot of space to cover. Visual aesthetic. Smith explains how the texture and color of the dark seed heads will create an attractive visual aesthetic to the garden, especially as we approach fall. How to Help Your Coneflowers Seed Leave the seed heads intact. After your coneflowers have flowered, don't deadhead them, Tyler says. Instead, she recommends letting the blooms dry out and form seed heads. " In autumn, as the flower fades, seeds will mature and begin to drop," Tyler explains. Distribute seeds manually. Once they're dry, collect the mature seed heads and separate them by gently rubbing. Then, scatter them over your soil and gently water, Tyler says. "Seeding in the fall is especially helpful because it allows the seeds to naturally cold stratify on their own. But it can also be done in the spring once soil temperatures have reached 65°F or more," Dysinger says. Cover them lightly. Since coneflower seeds are tiny and need some light to properly germinate, Tyler suggests slightly pressing or sprinkling the soil on top instead of burying them deeply. How to Seed Coneflowers Indoors Sow the seeds. Dysinger recommends sowing the seeds indoors six to eight weeks before the last frost using a good, moist soil mix. Either minimally cover or don't cover the seeds at all for proper germination. Let them germinate. The germination process will take around 10-20 days, so make sure there's enough light. Transplant outdoors. Once the seedlings have two to three true leaves and there's no danger of frost, move them outdoors.

6 Travel Hacks That Make Every Vacation Less Stressful

As glamorous and exciting and soul-nourishing as travel can be, we all know that any bon voyage has a few not-so-bon moments. Flights can get delayed (or worse—canceled), the hotel you were so excited about can be a total let down, and your itinerary might leave you tired and, ironically, in need of a vacation. I’ve been lucky enough to have lived abroad and traveled to over 40 countries, and have certainly bounced around the United States quite a bit. Over the years, I’ve figured out ways to create a "soft landing" upon arrival so that even if things don’t go as planned, I’m able to roll with the punches. 01 of 06 I Pack My Essentials in My Carry-On I definitely consider myself a “carry-on only” girl, but there are times you need to check a bag. Like when you’re spending more than a few weeks in a destination, or traversing different climates, or attending a variety of event types in a single trip. I prefer to carry on because I don’t want to deal with lost luggage…something that’s happened to me with a suspicious frequency. For a calm mind and worst-case scenarios, I always pack my essentials in my carry-on—the things I absolutely need the first few days of travel (it often takes airlines 24 to 72 hours to return your misplaced bag). This includes any important clothing for events, toiletries, a change of underwear, chargers, electronics, valuables, etc. 02 of 06 I Work in "No Alarm Clock" Days We can all laugh at the travel memes featuring sunrise go-getters versus laid-back dilly-dalliers. I happily fall somewhere in between, largely because I swear by the “no alarm clock” approach while traveling. While I like to pack a ton into my day, the reality is that I’m on vacation. My body deserves to rest, and a rested body and mind have way more fun in the long run. If that means sleeping in until 10 a.m. and having a lazy brunch in my hotel room and not venturing outside until noon on a few days, that’s a win in my book. 03 of 06 I Arrive a Day Earlier Than Necessary This one I learned by proxy. Early in my travel days, I had a trip booked to Ireland with a connection somewhere on the East Coast from Phoenix. The first flight was delayed a few hours, and me and a family, all heading to Ireland, nervously twiddled our thumbs and hoped we wouldn’t miss the connection. We all ran through the airport together to literally watch our plane pull back from the gate without us, and ended up on the same flight a full 24 hours later. They unfortunately had a cruise scheduled within a day of landing, and had a mess of a time figuring that one out. Now, I always add a buffer day or two to ensure I don’t miss a cruise departure, important event, booked concert, tour, etc. 04 of 06 I Create a "Must See" List of Restaurants and Attractions Itineraries are great, but there’s a rigidity to them that doesn’t feel like a vacation to me. (Also, it puts you at risk of an over-packed schedule.) I mean, if it’s a business trip, then an itinerary is essential, but otherwise it’s nice to have a little spontaneity to drop by a cute boutique, swing by for some gelato, or linger a little longer at your previous destination. That said, I also don’t like to show up without any sort of plan. My happy medium is to research cool restaurants, cafes, museums, and attractions I want to see, and put them all on a list, noting which part of town they’re in. This allows me to pick and choose my own adventure with a modicum of structure (outside of anything that requires a hard reservation). 05 of 06 I Look for the Little Joys This is such a tiny thing, but the difference it makes in my overall travel experience is pretty profound. Keeping my eyes open for little joys and happy moments around me helps me really take in my surroundings, softens my perspective, and it also just makes me feel grateful for being alive. These can be the tiniest things—a sticker on a padlock that says “I like you,” a man carrying an oversized potted plant, the way a doorstep is decorated, a silly phrase written on a cafe board, or a butterfly fluttering around a rose garden. 06 of 06 I Try to Keep Up My Routine Travel introduces so many variables into your day, which is fun until you realize you’re beat, not eating well, and your skin is breaking out. I’ve found that keeping some semblance of my routine intact helps a lot. This means using the same skincare (this is not the time to try a new skincare sample, especially if you don’t know how long you’ve been holding onto it), going to bed around the same time, staying hydrated, getting in my 10 to 20 minutes of nightly reading, and—if possible—working out regularly.