Wednesday, November 30, 2011

What I Wore Wednesday

Last week, I was feeling like it was too early for Thanksgiving and now that it's passed, I'm pretty sure Christmas will be here before we know it. One big thing off my plate is that I completed out Christmas shopping last weekend and we decorated our house so we can enjoy the next month and remember the true meaning of the holiday!

{I apologize that this has little to do with outfits, but for that, see below :)}

Linking up with The Pleated Poppy!

{sweater: Francesca's Collection; necklace: Anthropologie;
top + boots: Target; jeans: Old Navy}

{sweater: Loft; pants: Calvin Klein; boots: Target}

{top: Eddie Bauer; pants: Gap; heels: Clarks}

Sunday, November 27, 2011

Thanksgiving 2011

Sometimes you just need a good family-filled evening to put you in the holiday spirit and that is just what we had! Here's a few snapshots from Thanksgiving with Sam's family:

The three of us were so ready to eat all day :)

And I got in a lot of baby snuggles!

While I didn't get a picture of all the food, we did get a picture
taken with all 30 of us in attendance for Thanksgiving this year!

So thankful for this man!

Love these girls! I definitely lucked out in the sister department.


Following Thanksgiving, the girls {+ my BIL, Matt} ventured out for a little Black Friday shopping, then we all went back and partook in pizza + games. I managed to complete out Christmas shopping on Saturday and rewarded myself with decorating the house {see below}. Now I hope to be able to sit back and focus on the true meaning of the Christmas season!


Thursday, November 24, 2011

Thankful

While this post isn't going to be terribly unique {my Google Reader has been full of "thankful" posts all week!}, it's still important to me to share some of the most important things I am thankful for this year:

My brother graduating {with honors} from college
+ the time we all spent together this year.

The Grable family's constant love for each other.

And this beautiful baby who has changed all of our lives!

Our opportunity to go see my dad, step-mom, & brothers back East
and the positive changes that came after the visit.

Friends who have become some of the most important people in my life!

Lily, our crazy pup that appears calm, but definitely keeps us on our toes.

And this man, who has never made me feel anything
but loved since the day I met him!

Lastly, I'm thankful for all that God has shown me this year. It hasn't been easy to trust in Him, but the outcomes have been better than I ever imagined!


I hope you all can take a moment to reflect on all the blessings you have to be thankful for this year. Happy Thanksgiving!

Wednesday, November 23, 2011

What I Wore Wednesday

It's been a busy week and it's only Wednesday. Thankfully, today is my last day of work for the week and then it's off to eat ourselves silly & enjoy family - hooray!

Linking up to The Pleated Poppy!

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

{sweater: Ann Taylor Loft; tee: Gap outlet; jeans: Old Navy; flats: Land's End Canvas}

{top: Anthropologie; leggings: local boutique; boots: Target}

{sweater + pants: Gap; top: Anthropologie; heels: Born}

{top: Ann Taylor Loft; jeans: Old Navy; shoes: Toms}

Thursday, November 17, 2011

Sea Change #BHBC

Thanks to BlogHer Book Club, this month was spent reading Sea Change by Jeremy Page - a story of a man, Guy, whose past continues to haunt his future.

Initially this book was hard to connect to, but the more I read, the more I realized how much of myself I saw in Guy. There have been quite a few moments in my life that I wondered how things would have turned out if they had gone differently. While I have never gone as far as re-writing the past in so much detail as Guy, I do admit I have thought about the different outcomes on occasion.

After reading about Guy’s heartache for most of the book, the last 30+ pages were a nice change and actually my favorite part of the book. If you decide to pick up this book, I would urge you to stick it out through the tough parts and finish the book!

If you’d like to read more reviews or join in on the book discussions, 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, November 16, 2011

What I Wore Wednesday

Goodness, is it really Wednesday already? While I am thankful for it {almost} being half way through the work week, I kind of have a lot on my to-do list at work and not enough time to finish it. Here's to hoping time might slow down just enough to get things done!

Linking up with The Pleated Poppy for WIWW fun!

{scarf: Target, gift; sweater + tank: Anthropologie; jeans: Banana Republic; heels: Clarks}

{sweater + tee: Gap; jeans: Old Navy; shoes: Toms}

{top: Anthropologie; tank: Downeast Basics; jeans: Banana Republic; wedges: Toms}

Monday, November 14, 2011

Lily's First Dog Park

Since Friday was a holiday for both Sam & I {thank you to all the veterans out there!}, we took advantage of the free time to take Lily to her first dog park!

We'd both been a little hesitant to take her in the past because she's a small dog and is still learning to listen to us when we call. So when we arrived at the park, instead of letting her run free like most of the other dogs there, we decided to keep her on her leash and slowly get her used to the large number of dogs she'd meet there.


There was one trail around the dog park that was almost deserted, so we let Lily run leash-free for a little bit, making sure we weren't too far away from her though. This might have been her favorite part of the day - dog & leash-free :)


We already have future plans to get Lily out to the dog park again, in hopes that she'll become more socialized around other dogs & people. She's really a sweet pup, but can just be a little protective and sometimes skiddish around others. Here's to more dog park visits!

Friday, November 11, 2011

Friday Fluff

Happy Veterans Day! Since I'm off work today {and hopefully out enjoying the beautiful Fall weather we've been having lately}, I thought I'd post a little get-to-know-me here today {questions found at Loves of Life}.

Guilty pleasure?
I'm a little embarrassed to say this, but I can't stop watching 'The Secret Life of the American Teenager'. It's crazier {and more ridiculous} than what I remember as high school, but I'm hooked and continue to watch each season.

Recent splurge?
I try to buy as much as possible on sale {I love a good deal!}, but my latest splurge has to be my new iPhone! While some may say it's a lot of money, I stand behind this purchase 100%!

In bulk, I buy?
Everything I can! The place we shop for groceries the most is Costco {'bulk headquarters'}. We can find almost everything we need and at great prices!

My go-to flower?
Easy - pink gerber daisies! They were the only flowers used in my wedding & always remind me of special times.

Comfort food?
Macaroni & cheese.

For breakfast?
Bagel + cream cheese has been a favorite of mine for many years. So simple, yet so good!

For dinner?
Hmm... my initial response would be macaroni & cheese, but another favorite - pizza!

Love/hate relationship with?
Having patience. I hate waiting for anything, but love seeing what patience has got me in life thus far.

Currently craving?
My favorite candy - Sour Patch Kids!

Every girl should have?
A pair of 'make-you-feel-good' shoes!

My style in five words?
Simple, Basics, Petite, Color, & Layers.

I love wearing?
Jeans + a top.

Dream job?
I've had a hard time answering this question for years... It'd be nice to be able to stay home, but still work, like running my own business or doing the books for someone else's business.


And what about you? Care to join by answering some of the questions? :)

Wednesday, November 9, 2011

What I Wore Wednesday

Sometimes while I'm writing this weekly post, I wonder what people will think of me posting my outfits yet again. But then I remember how much I enjoy these posts and how much I enjoy reading other WIWW posts for new ideas that I can recreate with the items in my closet. And my worries float away {at least until I hit post and then they come back again...}.

This week's outfits were some of my favorites. I love the scarfs {and finding new ways to wear them}, the boots, the sweaters, all of it! Also, I love the guy who popped in my third photo - he's my favorite!

If you are you like me and also enjoy seeing other people's outfits, you should click over to The Pleated Poppy for weekly inspiration. It never fails that someone's outfit has me saying, "that's so cute!" :)

{scarf: NYC; top: Ann Taylor LOFT; tee: Land's End Canvas; leggings: Hue; boots: Target}

{top: Old Navy; jeans: Gap; boots: Forever 21}

{top: J.Crew; jeans: Banana Republic; heels: Clarks; husband: mine! :)}

{sweater + pants: Gap; top: Anthropologie; heels: Born}

{pin: Anthropologie; sweater: J.Crew; top + boots: Target; jeans: Old Navy}

Friday, November 4, 2011

Friday Love: Jonathan David Photography

This isn't the first time I've sang the praises of Jonathan David Photography {and honestly, it probably won't be the last}, but yet again, they've out done themselves and I'm in love with the pictures that took of the Grable family!

It was no easy feat to get all 9 of us to find a day that worked for all, coordinate outfits {so we matched, but weren't matchy-matchy}, and smile for the camera, but with the help of Jon & Rachel, we succeed in all of the above and have some beautiful pictures to show for it, in my opinion!

Thank you again to some of my very good friends, Jon & Rachel, for making an out-of-season exception for me & my family. I can't wait to work with you again!

And thank you also to my Grable family for putting up with my crazy organizing self. I know it wasn't easy and I hope you all still love me :)

Hope you all have a wonderful weekend!

Wednesday, November 2, 2011

Dancing Linnea!

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A little hump day humor courtesy of our adorable niece!

What I Wore Wednesday

Happy November!

While I find myself enjoying each season when it's here, for some reason, Fall seems to be my favorite. Maybe it's the layering I can do without being so bundled up I look like a snowball. Or maybe it's the beautiful colors of nature that surround us. Or maybe it's all the holidays, filled with thankfulness and Christ. No matter the reason, I'm just a fan of Fall!

I'm linking up with The Pleated Poppy + hundreds of others for outfit inspiration from all over.

{vest: Land's End Canvas; tee: H&M; jeans: Banana Republic; wedges: Target}

{sweater: Gap; denim top + boots: Target; pants: Calvin Klein}

{top: Anthropologie; jeans: Banana Republic outlet; heels: Clarks}

{sweater: Gap; top: J.Crew; jeans: Banana Republic; wedges: Target}