5 Years Ago: New Orleans

With the five-year-anniversary of Hurricane Katrina in the news recently, I thought I'd share a few of the pictures from the serve trip I went on 9 months after the devastation {March 2006}. These images instantly appear whenever I hear about New Orleans...

Goodbye Summer, Hello Fall!

I think I'm one of those people who breaks up the year into the traditional seasons - Spring, Summer, Fall, & Winter - due to the fact that I grew up in a place where we saw all four seasons through the weather, both the good & the bad. So since September is right around the corner, I thought it fitting to share a few things to bring in the new season.

First, where has our summer gone? The last 3+ months have been jam packed with family & friends and we are pretty worn out. Between several beautiful weddings {congratulations once again to the Carrillos, the Grables, & the Di Cristinas!} and the passing of our sweet pug, I think the reasons are pretty clear. This summer will be one we won't soon forget.

Secondly, how do you like the new look here at Grable Tales? Thanks to Krameymartin Designs and Jonathan David Photography, we've got ourselves an updated look here and I'm loving the change! What do you think?

Goodbye Summer, Hello Fall!

What I Wore

Just a little background: most of my outfits are taken on weekdays because working full time gives me a reason to get a little creative when putting pieces from my closet together {weekends are generally lazier around our house}.

Here are my outfits from the last week:

{Wednesday}

Top: Anthropologie

Jeans: Calvin Klein

Flats: Urban Outfitters

{Thursday}

Tee: Gap

Pants: Gap

Sandals: Kohls

{Friday}

Tee: J.Crew

Tank: Francesca's Collections

Shorts: American Eagle

Sandals: Forever 21

{Saturday = Beach Day}

Sweatshirt: J.Crew

Top: Anthropologie

Jeans: Calvin Klein

Flip flops: Reef

I didn't realize this picture would also work as my OOTD until after I posted the previous post, so now you get to see it twice!

{Sunday = Silver Falls Hike}

Sweatshirt: Eddie Bauer

Tee: Gap

Shorts: Gap Outlet

Shoes: Nike

{Monday}

Sweater: Anthropologie

Tee: Forever 21

Jeans: Downeast Basics

Sandals: Kohls

{Tuesday}

Top: Quiksilver

Belt: Anthropologie

Shorts: Abercrombie

Sandals: GoJane

Weekend Highlights – Family Fun!

This weekend was – what I have unofficially dubbed - the Grable Family Beach Weekend, which is now on its third year {that I have been a part of}. Like the past years, it was full of fun, food, and fellowship! Here are a few of the highlights:

Introducing Lily to the Pacific Ocean.

Climbing the sand dunes.

Family pictures.

Camp fires on the beach.

Dinner at Moe's.

Hiking Silver Falls.

And being the planner I am, I'm already anticipating the Grable Family Beach Weekend 2011 and all it has in store for us!

Minor Weekend Repair

While Sam & I were at work on Wednesday, someone {namely our chihuahua pomeranian pup - Lily} thought it would be a good idea to rig herself out her cage in our bonus room and start digging by the door. Her hard day's work left her stuck in the bonus room and us with a whole in the carpet {above} . All I can say is thank goodness for handy FIL's who are willing to help with a home repair you or your husband know nothing about.

On top of the {long awaited} Grable family stay-cation taking place at our house this weekend, we'll now also be fitting in some time to repair Lily's damages. I'm hoping for a lot of laughs & fun with the in-laws over the next couple days so my grudge against Lily will be erased.

Happy weekend to you!

Inspiration & What I Wore

I am one of those who seeks out inspiration and when I find it, I almost immediately ask myself "how can I replicate this?" So a few months ago, during one of my daily Google Reader visits, I was somehow directed to The Pleated Poppy and it was like I was thrown into inspiration overload {in a good way}!

Initially I was in awe of Lindsey because she is a very talented sewer, which shows throughout her shop, where I wanted to purchase everything immediately since I can't imagine making such cuteness myself! But after reading through past posts on The Pleated Poppy, I was finding inspiration from Lindsey's weekly post featuring what she wore last week, which I loved instantly because she showed it all - the good, the bad, & the real life.

All this to say, I am going to try Lindsey's approach with the way I post about my oufits now because I do enjoy sharing what I wear {more for myself to see what I can come up with using the basics from my own closet} and I haven't shared many as of late. My hope is that I will begin to accept the outfits I put together, rather than stressing over what others think and ultimately being uncomfortable.

Here are my outfits from the last week:

{Wednesday}
Top: Anthropologie

Shorts: Gap Outlet

Sandals: Target

{Thursday}

Top: Anthropologie
Belt: Anthropologie
Jeans: Downeast Basics
Sandals: Anthropologie


{Friday}

Glasses: Coach
Sweater: H&M
Top: Ann Taylor Loft
Belt: Old Navy
Shorts: Abercrombie
Sandals: Forever 21

{Monday}
Glasses: Coach
Sweater: Anthropologie
Tee: Victoria's Secret
Shorts: Gap Outlet
Sandals: Forever 21

{Tuesday}
Tee: Ann Taylor Loft
Jeans: Downeast Basics
Sandals: Kohls

What do you think of the new format?

Happy Monday!

{via}

And an {unusally} good Monday it has turned out to be!

I was just informed that I won my first giveaway, which happens to be from hi, friend. designs, a site I frequently visit due to all the talent that is bursting from a couple of very creative girls. And I couldn't be more excited to spread their name to everyone who reads this little blog because trust me, you will find a reason (or five) to buy the clever printed items they currently have available!

So, please take a minute and pop over to their {beautiful} site and start adding items to your cart, either for a gift or yourself*! They are also on Facebook & Twitter too! Enjoy!

*hi, friend. designs did not compensate me for this post, I'm just rather thankful for winning their giveaway and a big fan of their business.

Rest

Just wanted to take a moment to say 'hello' to the old blog here {+ those who read it!} . I really don't need to say it again, but this summer has been so busy for us and I feel completely wipped out. Therefore, the agenda this weekend {the first this summer without happenings or preparing for said happenings!} includes: quick chores + touching up paint on the walls through out our house, watching as much Bones as we can fit in, and most importantly rest for our tired bodies!

See you next week!

Weekend Highlights*: Ben & Kelly's wedding!

Last weekend, my college roommate/maid of honor/best friend {Kelly} married the man of her dreams {Ben} in her wedding field outside of Eugene. In one word, it was beautiful! Per usual, here are the highlights:

The morning of the wedding day was actually quite peaceful in my opinion.
How can you go wrong with coffee, bagels, & girl talk?

"The Bridesmaids" - our album cover when we decide to start a band :)

Kelly + a few of her favorite women!

Here comes the bride!

One of many touching moments throughout the ceremony.

So blessed to have this man by my side. He lend a helping hand before he was even asked on multiple occasions throughout the weekend to make this unforgettable for Ben & Kelly!

My first picture with the new Mrs. DiCristina!

I couldn't be happier for these newlyweds and as I said in my toast at the rehearsal dinner, "I've never seen Kelly as happy as she is with Ben" and I look forward to where life will take them as husband & wife!

*I know most of my recent posts have been 'weekend highlights', but lately that feels like how my life is measured so thanks for bearing with me until life gains a little more normalcy.

Weekend Highlights: Bachelorette Edition

This weekend was all about my best friend and throwing her a weekend to remember with some of her closest friends before she gets married on Saturday. Here are a few highlights captured during our time in Pacific City, Oregon:

We started the weekend off with a minor detour because we were having so much fun talking.

It was pretty clear early on that we wouldn't have a shortage of food for the weekend (part of dinner on Friday night).

Shameless plug: check out the sash I made for the bride! Simple & classy, just like Kelly!

Luckily, the weather was on our side and we were blessed with one of the nicest days I’ve ever had on the Oregon coast.

And of course we supplied the bride-to-be with plenty of gifts. Enough said :)

Although I can really only speak for myself, I have a feeling that everyone who attended this weekend had a great time & was honored to share in the memories of Kelly's last weekend as a single woman! A big thank you to all those who came to love on our beautiful bride!