Guest Post with Hello, Mr. Rabbit

Hey friends! Today I've got a guest post from Lindsey of Hello, Mr. Rabbit for you! SInce we are both currently experiencing a Missouri autumn, we thought it would be fun to for her to share a favorite fall activity of hers that's unique to the Show-Me state (while wearing a favorite fall-inspired outfit, of course).

Hello readers of We Live Upstairs! I am so lucky to be doing this guest post on Leah's darling blog. The crazy news is that we are both from the great state of Missouri (and actually just a few hours apart!). We both decided our guest posts on each other's blogs would have to do with the fall season, and when fall comes to my mind I think of a festival I have been going to for years... Missouri Town, 1855. This little, historical village is located in Lee's Summit and it is such a festive place to start the season off right.

The village is open year-round, but the actors, food/craft vendors, and game stations are only open the first weekend of October. I always go with my family each year; we walk around and listen to the actors talk about past times, eat curly fries and drink apple cider that both are freshly made, and gaze at all the hand-made craft items from the tents of sellers.

This year for Missouri Town, it was extremely chilly outside. I got to layer up with a brown winter coat I bought from a yard sale earlier in the summer, a school uniform dress I found at a Goodwill, and a Liz Claiborne hat I found looking through a friend's old clothing. Pretty much all of my clothing comes from random places, so do not be afraid to look in the oddest of locations for the best items. To me, fall is all about old-fashion things. If any readers take a trip to Missouri, make sure it's during the Missouri Town festival! 

Thanks for letting me share my favorite fall activity with all the readers here! 

Lindsey Louise

(from Hello, Mr. Rabbit) 

Readers, you can also read more about Missouri Town, 1855 on a post here, at Hello, Mr. Rabbit, if you would like to do so! 


And if you'd like to check out my post on Lindsey's blog, head on over here.
Thanks so much for sharing, Lindsey! See y'all tomorrow!

Hepburn in Training

Leotard: American Apparel; Pants: Target; Shoes: UO; Beret: Gift

This is what I like to call a "lazy girl's Audrey Hepburn" ...Funny Face edition. Though the woman with the fame name bests me on several levels (i.e. class, litheness, the perfect cat eye) I like to think I could express myself in a Gap commercial just as easily, should I be invited to do so.

She may have Fred Astaire and his dance moves, but she does not have an owl tattoo. Boom.

P.S.- Happy Halloween! And I'll see you tomorrow for a special guest post!

How-To: Turban Edition

I'm sure the abundance of turban-like headwear, both of the knitted variety and otherwise, hasn't gone unnoticed by most of you--especially with collective proclamation of autumn's arrival heard 'round the blogosphere. So, being as I recently acquired some sick blue ombre velvet, and have, incidentally, been pining to give this trend a go, I thought I'd share an easy way to wrap your own.

Take a handkerchief/bandana sized piece of fabric, square-shaped, and make two of the corners meet to form a triangle.

Take the longest side of the triangle and place it at the nape of your neck, pulling the two adjacent corners forward. 

Bring the corners up and around your head, almost to the crown; the higher, the better. Tie the sides you're holding into a double knot.

Tuck the ends of the knot and any other stray pieces up under the turban. Adjust to suit.

Voila! : )
See you all tomorrow!

November Sponsorship

Hey guys, I'm accepting sponsors for the month of November! If you have a blog or business you'd like to promote, and would like to swap ads, drop me an email! Don't be shy! : )

What a Tease

Does anyone else keep having these oddball 78 degree days? Not that I mind; it got down to 40 something last week and I thought that was it for me. It's so nice when mother nature toys with my sinuses emotions.

It would seem I've gotten quite stealthy at temporarily claiming Matt's clothing as my own; a skill that will surely come in handy during any frostbitten nights in our future-- wrapping up in an oversized (on me) sweater and climbing into 5 layers of blankets will hopefully do the trick. Anybody else have any winter survival skills they're willing to share?

Shirt: Thrifted; Sweater: Matt's closet; Skirt: Gap; Shoes: UO; Hat: Thrifted; Locket: Gift

Have a great weekend everyone!

P.S.- Thanks for the locket, Kayla!

The Corn Maze

Last weekend, Matt and I ventured out to a local corn maze with some friends. With this being my first adventure of the sort, I wasn't too sure what to expect, but I'm happy to say the duration of the maze took more precedence than its difficulty- despite its being molded into the formation of a Mizzou tiger. 

Trying to hole punch the correct checkpoint...it's all about the raffle.

WIthin the on-site barn, there is a gumball machine whose pathways and fixtures stand at least three stories tall! You can bet I wanted a Dubble Bubble of my own, but, as I'm sure you can imagine, it took what seemed like a year to get what you paid for. Plus, I didn't want to be the only grown person putting a quarter into the machine.

President Leah, thankyouverymuch.

Has anyone else taken advantage of any local fall festivities? I'm sure you haven't read a million blog posts of the same topic by now or anything... ; P. 

See you tomorrow!

Guest Post Recap

These are the photos I shared last week on Marlen's blog for our guest post exchange. In case you didn't make it over there to check it out (shame on you), I thought I'd share them here as well. The challenge was to take a summer item and transition it to fall; I chose my favorite vest. Instead of wearing it solo (with bottoms of course) like I do in the Summer, I layered it over a button-down and a dress worn as a skirt. And as I said in the guest post, I highly encourage everyone to layer their dresses creatively this fall/winter! It's a super easy way to stay warm!

Vest: UO; Shirt: Thrifted; Dress: Asos; Boots: Old Navy (recent)

If you haven't done it yet, head over to Messages on a Napkin to see some of Marlen's layering genius. See y'all tomorrow!

Fly Away

This shirt is one of two found by Matt and I at Goodwill last weekend, both in our respective sizes, both now part of our Halloween costumes. We took this benevolent gift from the universe as a sign, and we're running with it. Though it will be well done and at least somewhat amusing, we're keeping it low-ish key for Halloween this year, as I plan on going full force with a birthday costume party come December-- inspired by one of my favorite classic novels. More on that in the coming months : )

Shirt: Thrifted; Dress: ; Booties: Old Navy (recent); Tights: Target

Always hair touching.

This preschool right by our house is one of my favorite places to take photos. I wanted to include some of the kids' window art (the butterfly in the top right corner) and though it didn't work exactly as planned, I thought it was appropriate enough considering my own intricate, multicolored likeness in this outfit.

Regularly enough, Matt snaps my photos as he's on the edge of teetering over (he's typically crouched down in a squat formation when this happens), and almost always falls. So I laugh at him. I have a hunch he does this on purpose occasionally, because he knows it brings me joy : ).

Happy Monday, friends! Have a great week!

Sweet as Honey

I'm gonna make a statement and say that this is definitely the most retro outfit I've ever worn. The 70s collar, the palette of the plaid, the socks + loafers combo; each piece adds a vintage touch to any outfit on its own, but together, they transport the wearer back to 1955 in a flash. Just pack my lunch and call me Susie!

Matt found this skirt for me last year while he was being a good sport at a vintage shop in Nashville. I felt warm and fuzzy then because he was able to pin down my style(s) so well, and I get the same feeling whenever I wear it now because of all the warm experiences I've had in that city that are tied up in this skirt. It's really great when an obsession can double as a memory book. Fuel to the fire, y'all! : )

Shirt: Thrifted; Skirt: Local Honey; Loafers: Thrifted; Socks: Target

I'm not sure what's going to be happening around here this weekend, but I know I'm going to relax! See you all Monday! 

Vegan Walnut & Raisin Zucchini Bread

This kitchen venture is inspired by a treat brought to the preschool where I work for a child's birthday. Instead of bringing cupcakes or candy, this parent brought chocolate zucchini bread for the kids- and they loved it (so did I)! The goal was to make a vegan version of the birthday treat, but I forgot to add the cocoa powder until it was too late (oops). Oh well, the holidays are approaching and there's plenty of time for chocolate : ).

Add to the grocery list:

-- 6 Tbsp. flax seeds

-- 1/2 cup warm water

-- 2 cups light brown sugar

-- 1/2 cup oil (I used olive)

-- 1/2 cup unsweetened apple sauce

-- 1 tsp. vanilla extract

-- 2 1/2 cups grated zucchini

-- 1 carrot, grated

-- 1 cup raisins

-- 1 cup chopped walnuts

-- 1 cup whole wheat flour

-- 2 cups all purpose flour

-- 1 Tbsp. baking powder

-- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda

-- 1 Tbsp. cinnamon

-- 2 tsp. nutmeg

-- 1 tsp. salt

-- 2 loaf pans

To prep:

Grate zucchini and carrot, chop walnuts if not done already.

1. Mix flax seeds, warm water, sugar, oil, applesauce, and vanilla.

2. Beat well.

3. Stir in grated zucchini.

4. Grab a new bowl, sift remaining dry ingredients together. No sifter? Use a strainer.

5. Add dry ingredients to wet.

6. Stir until dry ingredients are wet. Add carrot. 

7. Split batter between two greased loaf pans. Bake at 350 for 50-55 minutes. 

Slice thickly, spread some jam, and enjoy with a glass of milk or apple cider!