Sunday, October 30, 2011

4th Annual Pumpkin Carving

For the last 3 years, Sam's family has gotten together to carve pumpkins {see 2008, 2009, & 2010} and this year was no different!


My favorite pumpkin was this cutie, of course! I can't wait until next year when she might be able to participate a little herself.


Sam + I's finished pumpkins!


The rest of the afternoon was spent celebrating my SIL, Laura {Happy Birthday on Tuesday!!!}, eating pigs-in-a-blanket, and playing with our favorite baby! Can you tell I can't get enough of her?


Happy Halloween!

Wednesday, October 26, 2011

What I Wore Wednesday

Last weeks feels like a blur... not necessarily because we had a lot going on, just hard to remember. Despite that feeling, I did manage to take two outfit pictures last week {hey, that's better than none!}, so at least something to see this week :)

This post is actually something I look forward to each week because I love linking up with The Pleated Poppy and seeing all the other WIWW posts. But more so, I find this post keeps me accountable to wear more in my closet and I really feel like it's working each week {which helps me keep posting week after week}. A win win for all!

Happy Wednesday!
{sweatshirt: J.Crew; pin: Anthropologie; tee: Gap outlet; jeans; Gap; boots: Target}

{top: J.Crew; jeans: Banana Republic; heels: Born}

Sunday, October 23, 2011

Catching Up

I might be the only one who cares, but I have been slacking when it comes to this blog. I've been posting my WIWW's regularly, but when it comes to other life happenings, the blog posts are sparse. I apologize for that! Please take this post as a quick catch up to our life:

*With the help of Kristi, I did my first at-home hair dye. I didn't do anything too drastic, just a shade darker and I'm really enjoying it!


*Due to the economy, Sam & I both have a handful of furlough days throughout the year. While most aren't on the same days, a couple are and we've welcomed the extra day off together {like with breakfast at one of our local favorites - Word of Mouth}.


*Since graduating college, my college roommate, Kelly, & I have been trying to get together at least once every couple months and even though life has been busy, we've been mostly successful. Our last visit was earlier this month and we took full advantage of the new season and indulged in apple cider & pumpkin cupcakes - both so good!


*Last weekend, Sam's family got together for a family photo shoot. The last time we had pictures all together was for Matt & Krista's wedding, so these were much overdue. We had Jonathan David Photography do them {they did our couple pictures last year} and I can't wait to see how the professional ones turned out!


*This little pumpkin is growing so fast and I just want to keep her little forever! I anticipate lots of fun this holiday season with her around :)


*Last Wednesday, I took the day off work to go to central Oregon to visit my friend, Michelle, from Texas! She and her kids were visiting family and she kindly made time for me to come visit. I forgot how tiring a high-energy 2 year old & a teething 5 month old can be, but boy are they too cute!


And that brings us up-to-date! Hopefully my future updates won't be so far in between...

Wednesday, October 19, 2011

What I Wore Wednesday

A few things to note this week:
*Fall appears to have me reaching for the darker clothes.
*With the temperatures dropping, you'd think I'd want to spend time under the blow dryer, styling my hair {to keep warm in the morning}, but I'm finding myself wanting to stay in bed as long as I can, which results in a pony tail at least 3 days last week.
*Someone picked up 5 beautiful scarfs from NYC for me and I can't wait to rotate them in to my basic wardrobe. I love accessories!

Linking up with The Pleated Poppy {as usual} - Happy Wednesday!

{sweater: Anthropologie; tee: Target; jeans: Banana Republic; heels: Seychelles}

{sweater: J.Crew; dress: Ann Taylor Loft; socks: Target; boots: Target}

{scarf: NYC; sweater: Ann Taylor Loft; top: Anthropologie; leggings: Target; flats: Land's End Canvas}

{sweater: gift from MIL; tee + pants: Anthropologie; boots: Target}

{sweater + tee: Anthropologie; jeans: Banana Republic outlet: shoes: Toms}

Wednesday, October 12, 2011

What I Wore Wednesday

You know what's awesome? The fact that with the changing seasons, I feel like I have a whole new closet with all the options. It's really a low-stress feeling to wake up and have a handful of ideas of what to wear! However, I know the time will come where I'm bored with my closet again, but I'm going to continue to enjoy this feeling for as long as I can :)

Linking up with The Pleated Poppy for continuous inspiration.

{scarf + boots: Target; sweater: Ann Taylor Loft; tee: Land's End Canvas; jeans: Gap}

{top: J.Crew; jeans: Banana Republic; heels: Clarks}

{sweater: Anthropologie; tank: Old Navy; jeans: Banana Republic; wedges: Target}

{top: J.Crew; jeans: J.Crew outlet; boots: Target}

Monday, October 10, 2011

Field Trip: The Oregon Garden

This weekend, we ventured out to The Oregon Garden for the first time {thanks to an awesome Groupon} and enjoyed a perfect Fall day surrounded by nature's beauty!

We started the day off with a 30 minute tram ride that took you throughout all of the gardens and told you a little about why they were formed, what type of plants grow there, etc.


Following the tour, we took our time and explored a few of the gardens ourselves.


There was one point when we were walking around that we saw a momma + baby dear dart out {less than 10 feet away} in front of us, through a couple of the gardens. It was a pretty cool site!

Towards the end of our exploring, we found some cut out displays that I knew Lily had to get her picture taken with her head in a pumpkin :)

And just to prove, Sam was there {he was behind his camera most of the time}:

I love when we can find a hidden gem so close to home and after such a beautiful day, I can't wait to go back. And the fun thing about a garden is it will be different every time you go back, thanks to the always-changing seasons!

Thursday, October 6, 2011

How to Be an American Housewife #BHBC

One of this month’s BlogHer Book Club selection was “How to Be an American Housewife” by Margaret Dilloway. At first, I thought it was going to be all about a Japanese woman learning how to become a housewife in order to make the best home for her American husband. But as I continued reading, I found the connection between mother & daughter to stand out more than the housewife aspect.

As I was reading, I found that I resonated a lot with how Sue, the daughter, felt towards her mother. Through the good & the bad, I kept saying to myself, "I've said the same thing" or "I have felt that way too" - not because we had similar backgrounds, but more from the point of view that a mother & daughter bond is generally universal, no matter how you were raised.

This book was a fun read and another one I thoroughly enjoyed. If you'd like to read more reviews or join the book discussion, check out BlogHer's book club page.


While I was compensated for this BlogHer Book Club review, all opinions expressed above are my own.

Wednesday, October 5, 2011

What I Wore Wednesday

Hooray for sweaters & boot weather! It's always funny to me how I'm ready for summer weather when it rolls around, but Fall weather is even better because, as I've said before, I'm a fan of layering. And in case you were wondering, when asked if I'd rather be too hot or too cold, give me too cold any day!

Once again, I'm linking up with The Pleated Poppy for WIWW inspiration!


{sweater + tank: Anthropologie; pants: Old Navy; heels: Born}

{sweater + top: Anthropologie; jeans: Banana Republic; heels: Clarks}


{top + pants: Anthropologie; flats: Land's End Canvas}


{tee: Ann Taylor Loft; pants: Gap; wedges: Target}


{jacket: hand-me-down from Kelly, Gap; dress + boots: Target; tights: Hue}