Guest Post by Lana Cruz

I am proud to announce that this is the first ever guest post that I have featured on my blog, and it's an honor to introduce you to Lana Cruz, the beauty and brains behind the fashion blog 'The Pink Thread.'

Lana has put together her list of 2012's Fall Essentials; items every girl's closet should not be without this season. Enjoy!

#1 Black Fur Vest

I love fur, it is a luxurious item that every girl should have in her closet this winter. And I love it in black because black is always classy and is a little more subtle than a grey or brown fur. So if you are new to the fur world, this color may be a little easier to transition into. I plan on throwing it on over a jacket or a black maxi dress for a chic look.

(Featured image: JC Penny)

#2 Burgundy Pants

This deep hue is perfect for this season. For some reason in colder months I want to dress in darker, richer colors and this one just feels like the holidays! I want to embrace this color in all ways this season, but I think a skinny jean is what I'm craving the most.

(Featured image: Zara)

#3 Mixed Leather

Leather is such a great texture for winter and especially the mixture of materials, either within one shirt or a leather pant mixed with a chunky knit sweater. The leather is a sleek finish to an outfit, creating a classic look with some edge. It also adds to our collection of darker items to drape ourselves in in these cold holiday months.

(Featured image: Asos)

#4 Sequins

Anything sequins seems to be my weakness. I dream of wearing them to chic holiday parties and under the glimmer of city lights. I am so thrilled however that this girly fantasy is leaving the 4 corners of my mind and entering my everyday outfits. Whether it is a shirt, skirt or even a pair of pants, this material definitely dresses up an ensemble but if paired with more laid back pieces I think it can still remain in your everyday. 

(Featured image: Bloomingdales)

#5 Rhinestone Necklace

Another glitzy item to spice up this colder season. I love how a bold accessory can completely create a look. This is another piece that is great to pair with casual items, taking opposite styles to a create a uniform look that makes a statement.

(Featured image: Forever 21)

These are Lana's Fall must-haves, what are yours?

List Love

Tomorrow my room mates and I are welcoming in the fall season by throwing a "Pumpkins, Pies & Spicy Chais" party at our house. I've made it my mission this year to really clothe myself in the holiday spirit and celebrate all the USA festivities as a true 'Merican would. So, on that note, today we went shopping for fall-themed decorations and all the most delish seasonal foods. I'm going to be making caramel apples and pumpkin cupcakes with cream-cheese frosting. I can't wait to get my apron on tomorrow and fill the kitchen with the odors of fall. When our friends arrive we will be carving pumpkins and gorging on all things pumpkin flavored whilst sipping on hot cider. The good life.

Here is the rest of my fall bucket list:

I Love It - October

Tree-lined streets. Days were no morning alarm needs to be set. Sincerity. Cuff jewelry. Costume Parties. Morning breeze on the back of my neck. Laughing ourselves to sleep. Compliments. Father of Lights. The smell and feel of clean laundry. Helping a friend in need. People who treat everyone of equal importance. Watching freedom take place. Grabbing hold of a forgotten memory. Sitting at the feet of wisdom. Scented candles. Trying a new recipe. Eggplant and Ricotta stacks. Trader Joes' food samples. Dry humor. Being needed. New jeans. Hipster wedding invitations. Midnight patio picnics. Pumpkin flavoured greek yoghurt. Succulents. Thrift store jumpers. Distressed wood. Design done right. Bow ties. Hummingbirds. Smells of the forest. Mixed media art projects. International calls. Positivity. New book purchases. Frosting layer cakes. Solving puzzles. Being cared for. Black and gold. Studded collars. Sales. Fall decorating. Piles of lifeless leaves. Pumpkin carving parties. Being personally responsible for giving children sugar highs on Halloween. Sleeping with the windows open. Black tea. Victorious Mindsets. Using South African slang in America. Finding forgotten money in last week's pockets. Spontaneous trips down the I-5, San Francisco bound. Revisiting the 90's: Clueless, Blink 182 and Dawson's Creek. Men in boots. Kids with manners. People that have embraced individuality in some form. The Castle. A clean bathroom. Lengthly afternoon naps. The different shades of the sky at dusk. Watching Ben Howard caress his guitar. Flinging off my shoes after a day of productivity. Lone walks to nowhere. Losing myself in an infinity scarf. 

{Background image: FaveIm}

An Ode to Autumn

The sound of dried leaves crackling under your boots. Auburn colours splashed here, there and everywhere. Tank tops give way to long sleeves. The air gets it's bite back. Pumpkin everything. 
The USA is the place to be this 'fall.' 

Fall Playlist

I love it - October

A few things I'm appreciating this October...

Fall. Living in a foreign country. Pumpkin flavored anything. The sound of rain on windows. School. Salt of the earth people. Late night bicycle adventures. Ed Sheeran. Blazers. Snow-capped Mount Shasta. Trader Joe's. Angelic voices. Being nocturnal. Exploring new avenues of creativity. R-I-S-K-S. Trying new recipes. Butternut soup. O.P.I nail polish. Freedom. Beige. Skype dates with the fan-damily. Nerd glasses. Forever 21. Managing budgets. QT with new friends. Roses and Rust market. Pumpkin carving. Dancing. Bethel. Revival group gatherings. Chai before bed. London fog. Living out my dreams. Trusting in things I cannot see. Answered prayers. Journalling the journey. The art of appreciating moments as they're busy unfolding. Twinview. BSSM worship sessions. Boys who wear boots. British accents. Cookie dough. Cinnamon. Trick or treating. Unleashing my inner artist. Kris V's humor. My world aflame. Words of affirmation. Quality time. Gossip girl. Paint. Writing lists on my hands. "You had to be there" moments. Julia Stone's voice. Live music. Leaning on him. Online shopping. Laughing fits. Life-changing homework. Polka dots. Knee high socks. Grocery shopping. The secret place. Ecstatic encounters. The Song of Solomon. Trail mix. Singing "this is the life." Fallen leaves. Match-making. The colours of autumn. Intimacy. Letting go of fears. Socks and slippers. The beginnings of lifelong friendships. Pine trees. Sunset cloud formations. Sandpointe shenanigans. French braids. Ellie Goulding. Fonts. Land of the free. Life as I've never known it before.