Are we ever too old for back to school shopping?

I certainly hope not. I feel like this time of year will always be perfect for stocking up on the essentials needed for the season ahead. Even though my doctorate program is year-round, I still get rather excited when I get to buy new clothes and school supplies during the month of August. I will let you in on a little confession...

I usually start planning my Fall wish list around June or July. I meticulously keep a running list of additions I want to make to my wardrobe, including accessories, and other things I might need to make the transition into the fall semester as enjoyable as possible. I know that this may sound a little crazy, but I've found that it works a lot better (for me) than just aimlessly going to the mall one Saturday in August and hoping to find success. I absolutely love finding the items on my list and checking them off (although for some reason, my list just keeps growing!). It's also fun to think of other items I might crave for the fall semester, such as a beautiful planner, elegant stationary, a luxurious lotion, pretty lingerie, or a gourmet coffee or tea. After placing a rather substantial online order at JCrew today, I feel like most of my back-to-school shopping is officially done. Can I just say that the August JCrew catalog made me want to sell one of my kidneys on the black market so that I could get everything in it? Sigh. Last week I found some lovely items at BCBG, French Connection, Banana Republic, Zara, and Dillards. So now my closet has a fresh stock of pencil skirts, ruffled blouses, crisp collared shirts, high-waisted skirts, flowy dresses, trousers, and tailored sheath dresses. There are just a few items still on my list waiting to be scooped up:

{Blue Dog note cards}

{Stunning coral necklace from Cloverbelle}

{My French has gotten rusty, so since I will be spending 10 hours a week commuting to my new training site, I might as well utilize Learn French in Your Car.}

{And since I will be at this new training site for a year, I might as well move on to Learn Italian In Your Car after I've brushed up on my French.}

{Isn't the new OPI collection gorgeous? It just hit stores today!}

{A tell-tale sign that you are in doctor school? When you have your own espresso maker. These Kate Spade demitasse cups and saucers will be the perfect accompaniment to all those afternoon and late night espressos.}

{I've been lusting after a pair of cute red flats for several months now. Sadly, I cannot order flats without having tried them on first, so these Kate Spades will remain just out of my reach. But I have not lost hope that the perfect red flat is waiting for me out there somewhere!}

What's on your wish list for fall?