I like when the holidays roll in, there are so many excuses to dress up. How pretty is the color of this blouse? It’s the perfect blue. So cute with the peter pan collar and ruffled front. Have you seen the Winter lookbook from Ruche? It is beautiful and so cute! You know what is even cuter than the lookbook? The video from the lookbook! I seriously watched it twice this morning.
Have you heard of 31 Bits before? They are an amazing Organization that is using fashion & design to empower women. 31 Bits work with women in Uganda who make paper beads. They buy the jewelry from them on a monthly basis and help sell them here in the US. You can find out how the organization is run and more information on their website. They would make the perfect christmas gift! Everything is beautiful and super well made. I am in love with my bracelet!
I am a little obsessed. I saw this pin on pinterst a few months back and have had it on my mind ever since. I’ve made a few for our house (like the one above) with letters I already had laying around (You can buy pre-made letters at Joanns). They are kind of expensive though and I thought it would be just as easy to make your own letters…
Hey Guys! I hope those of you that were celebrating Thanksgiving had a lovely Holiday weekend. I took a longer break from the blog than I thought I was going to, but it was nice to be away from the internet for a few days. It is always so nice to spend time with family and friends.
I know I just took an outfit photo with this sweater but it’s one of my favorites so we are going with outfit number 2 here. It is the perfect sweater to dress up (like last week) or wear with jeans (like this week). These are by far my favorite boots I own. I pretty much wore them everyday last winter. I actually just ordered another pair in black. I can’t wait till they get here.
Outfit Details:
Hat: Gap
Stripped Sweater: J.Crew Factory
Neon Yellow Top: Gap
Jeans: Target
Boots: c/o Wanted
On Friday, Kev, My sister, my Dad and I were able to take hike into the woods. My mom stayed back at the house while Rowan took a nap. What a beautiful weekend huh? We had some perfect weather. So warm! My parents whole backyard is the forest pretty much. I remember spending lots of time playing out there growing up. We headed back to find a huge beaver dam. The beavers had flooded the whole valley. It was crazy to find all the half gnawed trees around.
I promise Rowan hand picked every one of these items. haha. Ok, maybe not, but I’m sure she would pick them if she knew more than 4 words. I want to buy her all of it!! Everything is so dang cute. I already shared the first thing we bought her last week, but I know we will be adding a few more things from this list as well.
Oooh I just love holiday weeks! They are usually short and there is so much anticipation. My sister comes tomorrow and I can’t wait to see her!! Do you have any Thanksgiving traditions in your family? We usually have a Thanksgiving brunch in my family instead of a Thanksgiving dinner. I love it! I guess thats what you get for having 2 vegetarians and 1 who doesn’t like Turkey. My dad makes the most delicious deep fried french toast. We do however always have a wonderful tradition Thanksgiving dinner at Kev’s parents house.
Last Sunday was so beautiful! I love Sundays. We usually have a lazy early morning before we head out to church. Our church is pretty laid back and casual but I always like dressing up just a little. Why not right? Any excuse to wear a heel. This stripped J.Crew sweater goes so well with everything. Love the thick bold stripes. After church and Rowan’s nap we took a family bike ride and found this awesome old school playground. It had the tallest metal slide I have ever seen. I don’t know how we have never found it before. It was right by the water in this little wooded area. So cute!
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My mom asks us for Christmas lists every year (like in October) and I never know what to tell her when she asks. So this year I have been jotting down things throughout the year, so when she did ask I’d have a few ideas for her. For fun I ended up expanding my list to more of a giant wishlist of items that I just really love right now. haha. I hope I’ve been a good girl this year!
I am going to try to post more casual outfits this winter. Well, maybe one a week. There is no denying that I love wearing skirts. Most days that is what you will find me in, but I do also love casual days. This is more of a challenge to myself to get more creative with pants. Usually when I wear jeans it is with the same plaid or striped shirt. I want to spice up my casual outfits. What is your go to casual outfit?
I think every girl should have a good pair of black skinny jeans in their closet. They are such a closet staple. My favorite ones are from Urban Outfitters but these ones from LOFT are pretty good as well. I feel like they make any outfit look chic. Wear them with heels, flats, or some oxfords like this. They seem to go awesome with everything.
One thing I am continually learning through motherhood is to go with the flow. I feel like as soon as we are in a good routine and things are going smoothly, something changes & we are scrambling, trying to find the new routine. This week is one of those weeks. We are a little out of sync this week. I can’t seem to get a grasp on the whole nap situation these days. I feel like Rowan is starting to drop from 2 to 1 nap a day but neither one is working out at the moment. There seems to just be cons on both sides and we can’t find the right combination. We are ending up with a very tired toddler who doesn’t know what is going on. Poor little honey.
One thing I do know from this last year of parenting is that each stage will pass and we will figure this out too. My fingers are crossed…
P.S. I saw this article on Annie’s blog last week and I haven’t been able to stop thinking about it. It is such an inspiring and convicting article about being a Mother.
I think my favorite kind of outfit is a comfortable skirt, colored tights and some sort of button up or blouse. When I wear this combination I feel the most like myself. It is easy and comfortable enough to go about my day with Rowan but I still feel like I look nice. I am not going to lie, J.Crew makes that really easy. Some days are just J.Crew days…
I wore this outfit last week when Rowan and I headed out to Saratoga to go to the Children’s Museum. We also got to eat at my favorite Crepe place with Rachel and Addy! Lately, I have been trying to fill our days with little excursions. Rowan gets really bored at home if we are here all day. We got to bring her to the Eric Carle Museum over the weekend and she loved it. What a great museum!
Outfit Details:
Button Up: J.Crew
Wool Skirt: J.Crew
Belt: Thrifted
Tights: Target
Loafers: Forever 21 (old) | Similar style here
Can you believe that Christmas is 41 days away!!! It blows my mind. I feel like it was just the summer 2 seconds ago. Anyway, we just bought Rowan one of her christmas gifts and I am so excited about it, I have to share it with you…
Seriously, isn’t it the cutest? I got it off of Gilt and I can’t wait to give it to her. I know she is going to love it.
If you aren’t on Gilt yet, feel free to use my invite code…
Plus, here are a few random guest posts I did last week…
1. I shared my favorite moment of the first week of Motherhood over on The Daybook.
2. I shared my favorite wedding style files from the last few years over on Delightfully Tacky.
3. and last but not least, I shared my favorite anniversary gifts (wood) for your 5th Wedding anniversary over on The Nest. So fun!
I had a mild heart attack this morning as I realized Rowan will be 14 months on Saturday. Umm what? How did that happen? I guess I sort of stopped doing monthly post for Rowan after her birthday. I figure I will do them every so often, if I remember. So here we go with a little 14 month update…
Rowan is honestly the light of our lives. I can not express enough how big her personality is. She has the funniest expressions, the funniest laugh, she LOVES being around kids. She also loves waving and now saying “hello” to everyone too. She walks and runs like a 2 year old. She is way, way too smart for her own good. She is always on the go and loves to explore new things. She is not timid and she definitely doesn’t need Mommy or Daddy around in new situations. Kev and I always joke that it would be funny if there was a safe way to let her loose, say like in the mall, while we watched her from afar to see what she did for an hour. I think she would be in heaven; wandering around, waving and playing with things.
Her new thing is folding her arms. She does it all the time. It’s really cute. Rowan also loves dancing. Whenever there is music on her hips start swaying back and forth and he arms get going. She knows how to twirl too. Rowan can say Kitty cat, ball, book, bubble and hello. Not all perfect, of course, but in her baby kind of way. She also loves to hold one little finger over her lips and “ssshhhhhhh” everyone. Whenever there is a loud noise or a dog barking she says “shhhhhh!”
We are still sort of having a hard time with her eating. She is so picky and sometimes just doesn’t eat. She does love her snacks though. Her favorite foods (I think) are bbq tofu, cheddar bunnies, apples, bananas, Kashi Soft fruit bars, blueberry greek yogurt, raisins, cheese sticks, Naked Green Machine juice (sneak those veggies in!), Earths Best wheat teeth biscuits, veggie burgers and our saving grace for getting her to eat veggies are the Plum Organic pouches. She refuses to be spoon feed, so at least with the pouches she holds them and sucks the food out, thinking she’s doing it herself.
I’ve been trying to reflect a lot lately over the things I’ve learned this past year. The one thing that I think is the most important to understand is that everyone is going to have a different way to parent. No one way is right. The only thing that is right, is what’s right for your family. We may have made our own baby food, used cloth diapers and let her watch some tv, but that doesn’t mean it was the only way…or the right way. It was, however, the way that Kev and I decided was best for us. We are the only two that can make that decision. Yes, some decisions need research because we don’t have all the answers, but in the end, we make the decision. So if you’re a Mom, feel proud of yourself! Feel proud of the decisions you make and know that no matter what anyone else is doing, you are doing what is best for your family.
*in case you were wondering Rowan is wearing- Sweater: Target, Denim Dress: c/o Tea Collection, Red tights: Walmart, Bow Flats: Payless.
Since we had both sets of Grandparents around last weekend, Kev and I decided to sneak out on a little lunch date when Rowan was taking her nap. We couldn’t even remember the last time we went out together on a date. Needless to say it was much needed. Kev got the meat loaf and I got Sweet potato Cannelloni’s and we just enjoyed each others company for a short but sweet little afternoon.
I haven’t worn this dress since the summer and I have been looking forward to re-wearing it for the fall. I decided to wear a blouse underneath and add some caramel colored tights. These wedges are I think, the easiest heel I have to walk in. I am pretty sure I could wear them for a week straight and not have sore feet.
Happy Monday! I woke up this morning feeling positive about making the most out of this week. I have a list of things I would like to try to accomplish but also I just want to enjoy my days with little Miss Rowan. Did you have a lovely weekend? We spent the weekend in Massachusetts visiting my parents and Kev’s parents. It was a nice relaxed weekend of home cooked meals, a lunch date with Kev and lots of play time with Rowan. Jeans always seem fitting for the weekend. I much prefer skirts but sometimes it’s nice to wear pants. Love them paired with chunky heeled boots, lace and a vest.
Outfit Details:
Vest: Old Navy
Rust Lace Blouse: c/o Modcloth
Wooden Necklaces: thrifted
Jeans: LOFT
Floral JC Booties: c/o ModCloth
I am a pretty simple girl when it comes to my beauty routine. I have never used foundation or concealer because well, I never learned how so I just stayed away. I don’t put on lots of make up or spend lots of time on my hair. I’d much rather play dress up in my closet I guess. I always like a fresh clean face with just a little added emphasis. I have been asked a few times so I thought I would share some of my favorite products that I use.
1. Yes To Cucumbers – Natural Glow Facial Towelettes: I hate washing my face. I am way too lazy, so I love these wipes! They smell amazing and they take makeup off really easily. I first got them in a Lucky gift bag at the 1st Fabb Conference and have been using them ever since.
2. Bare Minerials Purely Nourishing Moisturizer: a great moisturizer. I like trying new ones all the time, but for right now I like this one a lot.
3. Revlon Just Bitten Lip Stain: I hate lipstick but am a total die hard lip stain girl. These revlon ones are my favorite. Especially Flame.
4.Radiant Cosmetics (mascara, blush, eyeliner): If you have read my blog for a while, you know I have a soft spot for the charity Love146. I have run 2 marathons to raise money for them and will continue to run more. Ending human trafficking and child sex slavery is such a worthy cause, so I was very, very excited when Radiant cosmetics approached me. Their mission statement reads…
“Our mission is the help garner awareness for human trafficking by raising funds through cosmetics.. The cosmetics industry generates $170 billion annually. Women dominate this industry and of the over 2 million human beings trafficked each year, 80% are women and girls. My dream is to awaken a generation of women to not sit back and allow this injustice to happen to our fellow sisters.
My dream is to set the captives free, one lipstick at a time…”
AMAZING, right? They offer a fantastic line of cosmetics. I am a pretty picky mascara user, but their Ultimate Volume Mascara has become my fast favorite.
5. Miss Chere Dior Perfume: MY ALL TIME FAVORITE. <3
Some of my favorite moments together with Kev and Rowan have been out on walks. I love taking walks together as a family. Fresh air is good for everyone. Like I’ve mentioned already this week, Rowan has been teething lately and has been very cranky. We have been trying to keep her busy with things that will distract her. On Sunday, we headed our for a nice long walk down the bike path by our place. It was the most beautiful late fall day. Rowan loved playing with the leaves and running around. She is quite the little explorer.
I got these new boots in the mail last week and I am pretty pumped about them. I have been looking for some good riding boots and duh! I dont know why I never thought to actually look in a horse riding catalog. Problem solved.
Outfit Details:
Puffer Vest: Gap (old)
Stripped Sweater: Swapped
Skirt: J.Crew
TIghts: I can’t remember
Riding Boots: Dover Saddlery
Here are a few others…
Rowan is wearing: Jacket:Target, Jean Skirt: BabyGap, Tights: Target, Owl Hat: BuyBuyBaby, Shoes: See Kai Run
I have mentioned before but, last year was a very crazy year for us. There was a whole lot of change going on in our lives. I was pregnant. I quit my job. Kev quit his job and he started his very own web design company. Some may say that it probably wasn’t the right time to start a business but for some reason we both knew it was. I never ever felt any doubt. I knew Kev and his partner Jon would succeed. They are the real deal. They are known and respected in their field and they are the most talented people I know.
Today marks their 1 year anniversary of Iron to Iron. It has been a year full of trials and blessings and I just wanted to say how proud I am to have Kev as my other half. This past year I have watched him turn into the most amazing father, husband and business owner. Kev wrote an article this morning on his website reflecting on this past year. I wanted to share it with you here because well, he can say it better than I can…
“I’ve realized recently that it’s hard to categorize the character building phases of your life into specific moments. My experience has shown me that true growth really comes from enduring lengthy trials rather than achieving brief victories. Sure, I’ve had plenty of meaningful conversations that have inspired me to a point that I’ll never forget. But, it’s what you do with that inspiration over the course of your life that will truly shape who you are. With that said, I can’t sit here and rattle off the 3 most defining moments of my life, but I can share an experience that has shaped me significantly over the course of this past year.
One year ago today, I woke up feeling equal parts excitement and anxiety. That pattern continued for quite some time. The good thing about experiencing patterns like this is that you can start to analyze them if you’re able to acknowledge their existence. So I did just that. I considered the path I was allowing myself to go down if I continued to let anxiety be a daily part of my life. So I made a conscious effort to change that.
This morning, exactly one year later, I woke up with my continued feeling of excitement being complimented with confidence and motivation rather than anxiety and stress. Anxiety still creeps in from time to time, but for the most part I feel like I’m standing on solid ground and I would not trade that for anything.
This, of course, all rooted from the decision that Jon and I made a while back to open our own business, Iron to Iron. The planning of the business itself took the better half of a year, but the official start date was just one year ago today; November 1, 2010.
Throughout the course of this past year my faith has been tested on a daily basis. I’m actually starting to get used to it. Now, however, I can tell you with confidence that all the time I spent worrying and being filled with anxiety was nothing short of waste. Once I finally began to hold an optimistic’s point of view and truly surrender my trust to God, things went smoother. That’s certainly not because God simply made my path perfectly straight, but rather, my perception began to be more flexible. As obstacles presented themselves, solutions became much more visible.
I realize that a typical year in review article might look slightly different than what I’m getting at here. I originally considered reviewing very specific things that I’ve learned over the year that related to business and design, but Jon already did a great job doing that in his personal recap. So I wanted to take a slightly different approach and cover a topic that’s a bit more personal to me.
This past year has been one that I’ll honestly never forget. Iron to Iron will continue to grow and produce good fruit; that I’m sure of. However, this first year will always hold a special place in my heart beyond any future success. I’ve witnessed both Jon and his wife along with my wife and I overcome many trials. Some individually and some directly related to business. I’m proud to report that while we’ve each had our low moments, we’ve collectively come out with our heads high and our faith strengthened. That’s really a great feeling and it gets me excited for our future as a team.
If there’s one thing I’ve learned in this past year, it’s this: No matter where you are in this life, you’ll be presented with challenges and obstacles. The way in which you handle yourself during these trials is what will dictate the outcome. Your character follows you in these instances. If you go in faithful, then you come out on top – every time. In contrast, you’ll likely also be blessed with experiences, relationships and conversations that will inspire you to think in ways that you never considered before. Hold fast to those and become accountable to them. Then, after a generous period of time, reflect on those moments to see how they’ve shaped you. Metal is only refined after it’s spent sufficient time in the fire. Human’s are the same way. Your not defined by one single instance, but rather, a collection of experiences. If you’re able to continually withstand the fire you’ll come out more refined than you’d ever imagine.
All that to say I couldn’t be more proud of where Iron to Iron is as a company in this very moment. More importantly, I couldn’t be more proud of my personal relationship with both Jon and my wife. Each have been refined over this past year through the enduring of tests as well as the celebration of victories. Seeing those relationships prevail are more valuable than most things in this world and I feel like a lucky man for that alone.
I honestly cannot wait to see what happens in year two. Stand by.”
Check out Iron to Iron’s portfolio here and head over to Kev’s site to leave him a congratulatory comment!
Did you all have a great Halloween? We tried our best, but our little Ewok has been super cranky lately with teething, so there quite a few melt downs involved. haha. We had fun though and made the best of it. Last year Rowan was too tiny to trick or treat. We dressed up, but we didn’t go out. She is still too small for candy but this year she can walk and can at least go through the motions and have fun doing it. It was so awesome to be out there in the midst of all the festivities as a little family. It was also extra special to have our dear, dear friends Dave and Erin with us. We were the coolest gang of ewoks out there. Ok, there were no other gangs of ewoks, but still… We were cool.
We also got called a cute little cat family?
Our costumes were handmade but Rowan’s was gifted from this online toddler costume store. Her costume was great. Easy to put on and decent quality for the price listed. The head piece was a little cheap and shapeless but a few safety pins fixed that problem.
Welcome to my personal lifestyle blog. It features topics such as motherhood, family life, fashion, cooking, and all sorts of adventures. I hope you enjoy what you find!
– I can’t wait to go sledding with Rowan!
– I love these activity cubes.
– We can never have enough books!
