I've always been pretty non-committal, so the thought of investing in one piece of art for my apartment to last me years to come isn't exactly appealing.

Enter Etsy into my life. This one-stop-shop for everything homemade is the perfect spot to get an original piece of art for a fraction of the price at a fancy gallery.

Many of the unique creations are under $30 and a purchase from the site means you're supporting a budding artist!

The prices are so great, you can change the look of your walls as often as the seasons.

Try picking four pieces of original art of photography that go with your current mood. Right now I'm totally falling in love with fall so this creation from four separate artists' work is the perfect compliment for my decor.

When the seasons change, I'll save the frames but switch my art out for a wintry look that will bundle my home in a silvery glow.

Each of these pieces is under $30, so a set of four will only run me less than $100 a season and a few frames from Michael's will round out the look.

Check-in tomorrow to see my picks for spring and summer.

Fall clockwise: by Nature and Art, $12, by OlgaStudio, $20, by Lynda Naranjo, $22.
Winter clockwise: by Nature Mandalas, $24, by Diana Pantz, $15, by Memento, $30 by Sparke, $20

Fresh Picked

Happy autumn! What sweet fall activities are on your October calendar?




All images from Flickr: From bottom Midnightoilspill, Duckwizard

Made for walking

If you're like me, you can wear a pair of boots down to the bone in one single winter. A solid re-heeling by a good cobbler is one way to keep your worn-out boots in walking condition, but I'm too fickle to let the same pair stick around for too many seasons. The solution? Finding affordable winter weather footwear that won't leave your wallet feeling cold.

Here a the top five places to find deals on boots, right now.


1. Kohls

Kohls has some pretty high quality merchandise and with fashion icons Elle McPherson and Vera Wang stocking their shelves, you're sure to find something stylish.

Use the coupon code SPECIAL20 to get an additional 20% off and HOME50FREE to get free shipping on orders over $50.

Kohl's by trimmedandtaylored on Polyvore.com

2. Newport News

This store stays under the radar but has some overwhelmingly good prices. All their boots are currently on sale and you can use the coupon code 548 for 25% off and L25 for free shipping.

Newport News by trimmedandtaylored on Polyvore.com

3. GoJane

Where this shop falters in quality it makes up for in trendiness. You can find some pretty dazzling footwear here and for the low, low prices, it's OK if you only wear them once or twice. Use GJSHIP50 for free shipping on orders over $50.

GoJane by trimmedandtaylored on Polyvore.com

4. Target

Target is always spot on when it comes to affordable fashion. Drop in your local store and try a few pairs of boots on for size or buy online right now with free shipping for orders over $50.

Target by trimmedandtaylored on Polyvore.com

5. Payless ShoeSource

Payless is stepping up their game with collections from designers like Abaete and alice + olivia. If a local store doesn't have what you want, their Web site will ship it there for free.

Payless by trimmedandtaylored featuring Abaete shoes

Heroes

Capes by trimmedandtaylored featuring Forever21

Want superhero powers this winter? Be a superhuman fashionista indestructible against the cold in an otherworldly winter cape. Pair a cape with some skinny pants for an earth-shattering look that is sure to stop any criminal cold in his path.


Clothing clockwise: Plaid cape, $45, Forever21.com ; Cape jacket, $49, NewportNews.com; Knitted Cape, $88, Anne Weuburn, Laredoute.co.uk; Fur Neck Ponch, $138, Kimchi Blue, UrbanOutfitters.com; Madras Canvas Cape, $200, A.P.C. LaGarconne.com; Tartan Cape, $282, Mbym, FarFetch.com; Tweed Military Cape, $5,780, Balmain, Net-A-Porter.com ; Silver Fox Jacket, $7,199, Fendi.

Take it easy

It's time you pampered yourself. Yes, go ahead, it's OK to think it. You've been working hard and so have I (apologies for the blogging absence) so it's time you treated yourself to a little spa time.

And don't worry about it, I've got you covered on the costs. From now until October 18 it's Spa Week across the country which means high end treatments at the blanket cost of $50 and discounts across the boards.

I think the 60 Minute Harvest Facial with Enzyme Pumpkin Peel or Microdermabrasion with Customized Mask at Nina's Day Spa in Manhattan or the 45 Minute Chocolate Truffle Body Massage or Microdermabrasion at DeNova Beauty Spa also in Manhattan sound absolutely delicous.

Check out the Web site,www.spaweek.com for a list of spas and treatments in your area and start relaxing.

Pocket something good

One of my favorite things about New York is the huge variety of cuisines that are just around the corner in my neighborhood. Polish, Vietnamese, Egyptian and Australian Outback restaurants sit side by side just outside my door.

The other night, I went down the street to Caracas Arepa Bar, a Venezualan restaurant with a cozy atmosphere, limited seating and a delicious variety of arepas. Arepas are best described as a corn tortilla/pita pocket filled with a variety of delicious fresh ingredients including plantains, avocados, chicken, beef and chorizo. Crisp on the outside and melty, warm inside, they are the perfect meal and just the right size to have you full without overflowing.

If you're in New York, you have to check out one of the Caracas locations in Manhattan on 7th and 1st Avenue or in Brooklyn at Grand and Havemeyer.

Or be adventurous and try to make your own with a recipe here. Either way the outcome will be delicious.

Image from CaracasArepaBar.com

The dark side of the light

Since I’ve started my new life in New York City, I’ve found it increasingly difficult to pull myself away from actually experiencing all the fun, fashion and beauty to write about it! I’m sorry for my time away and I've learned my lesson that in the city that never sleeps, a good blogger can’t lay down her head until she’s laid her thoughts out online.

I’ve got so much to share from my first month in the Big Apple, but tonight , the impending fall air has my head filling with … hair.






For as long as I can remember I’ve been a blonde. First, naturally, and later with the help of a chemical or two. Lately, the change in seasons (as well as the skyrocketing price for platinum highlights) has me rethinking my hair color. My natural shade is somewhere between blonde and brown, so why can't I walk the line in the other direction? How would I look as a brunette?

This isn’t the first time I’ve considered heading to the dark side. A few years ago I did a non-permanent dye job to a light-brown shade for a day, immediately felt like an imposter and went back as quickly as the blonde dye could set-in. But maybe now that I’m officially in the adult world, I could handle a more grown-up color ... maybe not.

For inspiration, I’ve turned to photos of a few beautiful celebs who slide seamlessly between shades, looking beautiful in tones from golden to auburn. Granted, I don’t have a celebrity hairstylist on hand, but if they can be brave enough to make the change, maybe I can to.