Anorak Jacket: c/o Jeans Warehouse Hawaii (exact here) Use code PAULA20 for 20% off your purchase | Black Turtleneck: Primark (similar here) | Olive Corduroy Mini Skirt: c/o Urban Outfitters (exact here) | Olive Cabby Hat: c/o Cracker Barrel (exact here) | Boots: JustFab (similar here) | Classic Leather Backpack: c/o Mahi Leather (exact here)

*all gifted/sponsored items include “c/o”*

If you have not already caught on from my Fall themed posts on Instagram and my newfound (but completely) warranted for obsession with this season, this blog post is here to tell you: I am completely fallin’ for Fall! In the same way that people fall for people, only with a season--hey, I never promised I was normal...lol. But to make me seem just a tad bit normal, I have a reason for this newfound obsession! This Fall season is actually my first real Fall EVER.

I know what you’re thinking. What do you mean Paula? Where have you been living? Under a rock?

Well kinda, sorta. More like on a rock.  

As you know (or in case you don’t), I was born and raised on an island--which is essentially a rock in the middle of the Pacific Ocean. 10 years ago, I moved to the infamous Sin City, which (in case you did not already know) is a desert. So in between living on a rock in the middle of the ocean and moving to the middle of the desert, I never truly experienced the beauty of changing leaves, fall fashion and all things Fall ever in my life! Sure, Vegas had it’s attempts at creating a “Fall Vibe” with pumpkin patches in the middle of the desert, but let’s face it--it was a stretch. I appreciate you though, Vegas.

Now that I am officially a New Yorker for the very foreseeable future, I am ecstatic that I can finally experience all the things I used to watch on TV in real life! Fall leaves and hot apple cider on apple orchards and all. While there are so many things I am super excited for this Fall (I mean I live in the best city in the world, what’s not to love?), here are the 4 that I am most looking forward to:

4 Things I am Looking forward to this Fall in NYC

1. Changing Leaves--Duh!

This one was was an obvious one--Ctrl+F fall leaves, changing leaves, leaves to see how many times I have mentioned something about the leaves this fall, haha. I know this may be so commonplace for most of you East Coasters or basically anyone who lives in a place where leaves change, but for someone who has never seen this in real life, it is pretty darn cool! I was in the Adirondack Mountains this past weekend, and I can’t even begin to tell you how many times I said “wowwwww, this is so beautiful” or “wowwwww these things actually happen in real life (referring to the leaves changing colors and falling on the ground)”

2. Fall Fashion

Would I really be a fashion blogger if the thought of Fall Fashion didn’t excite me? Oddly enough, for being an island girl--born and raised--and spending the last 10 years on the west coast/desert, I loveeeee Fall and Winter fashion way more than I do summer fashion.

That being said, one of my favorite things about Fall are the darker colors--specifically the reds. Every kind of dark red. Burgundy, Brick, Maroon, you name it! From dark red lips to hats and sweaters to bags. There is just something about these colors that scream “I’m ready for Fall”! This season in particular, I have been absolutely OBSESSED with this Vintage Maroon Suede leather backpack that Mahi Leather sent me. Soft and buttery to touch, this classic backpack is as timeless as it is versatile. I love how comfortable and spacious the backpack itself is and the amount of pockets it has for me to store my stuff--it even has a laptop compartment! The best part? Every single Mahi Leather bag is handmade to order (which means you can even personalize it to have your initials on there) in India and is responsibly made leather. I have been to the leather markets in Florence and have seen firsthand great quality leather, so when I say this quality is amazing--it really is!  

Click here for my backpack

3. Central Park

Anyone who knows me knows how obsessed I am with New York City. But if in case you didn’t know how this nearly decade long obsession began, I will tell you now that it is entirely thanks to Gossip Girl. One of the biggest locations that continually appeared in Gossip Girl was none other than Central Park. So you can only imagine my excitement when I found out that my first apartment as an official New Yorker was going to be just a 10 minute walk from one of the most iconic locations in New York City. Central Park on a normal day is already magical, but imagine all the changing leaves, the sweater weather and the beautiful and breezy strolls through the park?! Can’t wait!

Read my Gossip Girl centric posts here:

The Ultimate Gossip Girl Guide to NYC: 14 Must Visit Locations

7 Fashion Lessons Gossip Girl Taught Me

4. Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade

Ahhh, a New York classic. Surprisingly, for the amount of times I have visited this city before moving here, I have never actually made it to the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. This parade is something I have watched for years on TV and hoped that I can one day see the larger than life balloons. Well, this year is definitely going to be that “one day”. Already counting down the days!

Well there it is! 4 of the things I am absolutely fallin’ for this Fall! What are some of yours?

Til’ Next Time,