Holiday Dress Shopping: Madewell Style

Okay, I know I say this every. single. year. but I feel like I blinked and it was December.  If you are anything like me, I always find myself in a panic trying to find a last minute dress to wear to holiday functions.  This year I decided I would simplify my life and plan my outfits ahead of time.  I spotted this dress at Madewell and had to try it on.  To put it simply, I didn't want to take it off.  Simple, festive and flattering, this dress made me feel like a million bucks.  I liked it so much I bought it in red and black.  I wore the black version to a friend's wedding rehearsal and again at Thanksgiving dinner with tights and boots.  I'm saving the red one for a few Christmas functions and can't wait to wear it with heels and a statement necklace.  Holiday dress shopping, done!  

Vancouver, in photos...

As summer draws to and end I thought I would share a few photos from my quick trip to Vancouver in July.  A few close girlfriends, lots of long lunches by the sea and an impromptu rowboat excursion on Vancouver Island made for a great getaway!    

*I just found this great city guide to Vancouver via This is Glamorous.  Check it out here!

Shoe Shopping

Just bit the bullet and ordered these little beauties by Vera Wang Lavender.  I think I may have even  snagged the last pair in my size.  A good neutral wedge is not easy to find!  I plan on wearing them with everything.  

Flowers in Your Hair

While we were up at the cabin last weekend, my little sister and her friend Mikaela asked me to bring along my camera and snap a few photos of them in the woods near the house.  I had so much fun hanging out with these lovely ladies.  They are both such beauties, inside and out!

Zucchini Patty Sandwiches

Let me just preface this post with, I constantly pin delicious looking recipes and then never get around to actually making them.  However, the other night I was looking for some culinary inspiration and I realized I had almost all of the ingredients for making these zucchini patty sandwiches on hand.  We didn't have any breadcrumbs so I ended up subbing them for a 1/2 cup of almond flour and instead of mixing mint leaves with the Greek yogurt I added a hearty dose of Sriracha hot sauce {we are addicted to the stuff} for a little extra kick.  You guys, Kiwi LOVED them and he usually not a fan of any recipe that doesn't revolve around meat.  The success of this dish has inspired me to try and execute one Pinterest recipe each week just to shake things up.  Wish me luck!

*Recipe originally found here via Whole Living.

Hawaii, in photos...

Our trip to Hawaii was a short one {only 4 days} but we came back feeling refreshed and rejuvenated. We watched a dear friend get married, ate seafood every day and sat by the ocean reading books and drinking Mai Tais.  Life is good friends.  Life is very good.

Spring Shopping Spree

j. crew

j. crew

I did a little shopping over the last few weeks and it is evident from my color selections that I am clearly ready for spring!  I mean, I bought red pants { ok, more of an orangey red really} for crying out loud!  I am totally ready for warmer temps and sunny days.  That being said, I think I will institute a mini spending hiatus until this summer when my sweet friend KayCee comes to visit in June.  That girl can shop :) so I will need to save my pennies for the occasion!  

*Not pictured in this post... the three dresses I bought for our upcoming Hawaii vacation.  Someone please, hide my debit card.   

Drybar: A Birthday Blowout!

I cannot believe my little sister is 15!  For her birthday this year she decided to take a small group of friends to Drybar.  The girls got their hair washed and styled after picking their favorite look from the menu.  Don't they look adorable?  I would love to come back and get my hair done before attending a wedding or going out with girlfriends.  To top it all off, they finished the day with a little frozen yogurt.  Sister, I just might have to steal this idea for my birthday! 

*Photos from her country chic and French themed birthdays from years past.  

30 Day Challenge

If you follow me on twitter, you may have heard me talking about a 30 day, hot yoga challenge. I usually practice hot yoga twice a week but I really wanted to reset and feel healthy again after all the indulgences that accompany the holiday season. I felt like I needed to make a change to jump-start the new year.

I somehow conned my friend Natalie into doing the challenge with me and I have to say, she made the whole process so much fun and helped keep me accountable. I kept expecting to "hit the wall" and start dreading going to class after 30 straight days but shockingly that never really happened. Sure there were days when I didn't feel like going but I always felt so refreshed and invigorated after class. My goal wasn't to lose weight but I noticed a tightness and strength in my body that had been missing before. I developed muscles in my stomach that I hadn't seen in years! Another added bonus? I was sleeping better than I had in recent memory. Once my head hit the pillow I was out like a light until morning. Coconut water also became my best friend. I had one after each class as a way to keep my electrolytes in balance. That stuff is amazing.

It's been a little over a week since I finished the challenge and I am still reaping the benefits. I feel energized and renewed. I think one of the most important lessons that came out of this experience is that I can take 90 minutes out of each day and dedicate them entirely to myself, with no distractions. It wasn't always easy and it takes some planning but I feel stronger and more centered than I have in a very long time and that alone has made the experience totally worth it.

*Image found here.

Fill Your Year With Wonder

My darling grandfather passed away over the holidays and it's taken me a while to process the emotions that come with losing a loved one. In the midst of missing him, I often find myself thinking about what an amazing life he had. I always loved his tales of sailing ships in the Navy, traveling around South America or moving to Puerto Rico with my grandmother. When I close my eyes and remember my grandfather I think of dark roast coffee, his dusty library full of treasured tomes and I hear him playing Las Mañanitas on his old harmonica. It got me thinking about how I want my future grandchildren to remember me. What adventures and stories will I be able to share with them?

So for my resolution this year, in honor of my grandfather, I am pledging to fill my year {and life} with wonder. For me, it means planning more adventures, drinking good wine, taking risks, dancing with my husband in our living room, worrying less and finding joy in the little things. I think this quote from Ernest Hemingway says it all...

It is good to have an end to journey toward; but it is the journey that matters, in the end

Friends, here's to an incredible journey and making every single day count. I hope 2012 brings all of you amazing things.

*Thank you to the lovely Kathryn Butler for leaving the the above message on the chalkboard wall in my kitchen. It's going to stay there for a very long time.