Island Idyll, Fall Survival: When Pineapples Turn into Pumpkins . . . or Apples

Bag: Bisou Bisou, JCPenney; Charm: Michaels

Dress: LC Lauren Conrad, Kohl's

Dress: ELLE, Kohl's

Katy Perry Collections

Fabulous Felt Pineapple, Orange, and Cherries Barrette

City Streets, JCPenney

Delia's

Shirt: LC Lauren Conrad, Kohl's

Extra Big Elephant Necklace

Skirt: A New Day, Target

As summer winds down to its final days, I like to make the most of my warm weather wardrobe.  And that means donning these resort-ready outfits and meandering out into my yard.  Which, granted, isn't very adventurous.  Even if there was an aggressive dog on the loose last week.  (Aggressive was the police's word, not mine.)  Nevertheless, it's fun to pay tribute to palm trees and pineapples in earnest one last time.  Not that I won't revisit the theoretical tropics in November or January or March.  But by then I'll be doing it ironically.  Kind of like when I listen to Coldplay.        

Anyhoo, summer's going-away party is an occasion that demands a sunset.  That's why I made a big one in brooch form and stuck a palm tree in front like a recently returned tourist staking her claim with one of those once-trendy porch flags.  

Palm Coastest With the Mostest Barrette Brooch

Her claim, in case you're wondering, is that she knows how to do more than bake pineapple upside down cake.  She knows how to be the pineapple.  To, like all those decorative pillows say, "walk tall and wear a crown."  But fall marks the time when pineapples (metaphorically) shed their crowns and become ordinary old apples.  Which is a bit problematic.  Because although I know that Galas are as delicious in pie as pineapples are in, well, pineapple upside down cake, they lack the exotic tang and excitement of their equator-dwelling cousins.    

That said, I have a confession to make.  Sometimes I more than ironically listen to Coldplay.  Sometimes I -- gulp -- sing along.  

Which means that maybe those Galas will grow on me, too.

P.S. It just occurred to me that Chris Martin's daughter's name is Apple.  (This is completely true and not a bit; I never know where this brain will take me.)  I know nothing about her, but wouldn't it be perfect if she were a pineapple in apple's clothing?  

Or, you know, just someone who likes fruit.