when life happens.

when you're snuggled on the couch with your husband & your kittens.

when you're sending kind emails to parents.

writing thank you notes to loved ones.

sending lanterns skyward with your best friends.

laying sweaty in the dark with your heart open to Christ. 

catching up with your best. 

i have an outfit instagram if you're looking for that fix.

i'm obsessed with this song.

i have two cowls left on sale. the rest will be special orders.

 use code LUCKYDAY to get 50% off.

i still love you all! i just love the life i'm living more. 

xoxo

Worn: Date Night

top:h&m//shorts:gap//sandals:target

Worn: Playing in the Park

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Top: Madwell//Shorts:H&M//Shoes:TOMS

Had I know a little Frisbee toss would have turned into "Ultimate Frisbee", I probably would have dressed accordingly. Nevertheless, this mixed media of an outfit gave me energy to sprint, jump, and fly my team to a . . . tie.

If you follow me on Instagram, you know it helped me to invert into silly handstands. 

Glo-in-the-Dark Bocce ball, however, is not quite our game.

Worn: Birthday Bash

Top: Alternative Apparel//Shorts: h&m//shoes: Bensimon

Truly, the only thing that would make this outfit even more fun would be some gems along the neckline. Has anyone spotted that super fun trend?

Also--you'd think I won a million dollars when I found these adorable and comfortable shoes at Madewell in Chicago (on sale!). I'm trying to wear them every day.

Have a great week, ya'll! 

Thanks for baring with us while we pull this blog business together.

Worn: Backyard Bonfire

Chambray: Forever 21//Leggings: Eddie Bauer(!)//Converse:Nordstrom//Earrings:Nordstrom

Because the only thing as all-american as leggings, chambray, and converse is. . .

a bonfire. 

:) :)

Neutral.

For being known as someone who wears a lot of color, I sure have been loving my neutrals lately!

I guess the orange bag spices it up though, right?

Top: Target 

Jeans: Forever21

Sandals: Target

Bag: Michael Kors

A classic.

The sunshine literally has me feeling like a new person. We've already gone on a long, long bike ride and I've been spending every evening in the red adirondack chairs reading my little heart out. 

My bare legs may be pale, but they're happy!

Whatever will I do when I have no responsibilities in a month?!

Vest: Nordstrom

Skirt: H&M

Shirt: VS Pink

Sandals: Target 

P.S. If you don't have these sandals, you need to run out & get them ASAP. These plus my denim vest are my favorite purchases of the season!

This Striped Shirt.

I'm quite obsessed with it.

Also, Forever 21; you did good.

Top: Forever21

Jeans: Forever21

Shoes: Toms

Sunnies: H&M

Yoga Pants, Smoga Pants.

Who needs yoga pants when you have a great maxi skirt?!

I think I've been wearing lazy variations of this same outfit on and off all week. The weather has almost made it and I braved bare legs at school on Thursday (gasp!)

Has spring sprung in your neck of the woods or is winter holding on tight like it is here?

Psst...I think I want my favorite worship song lyrics tattooed on that virgin skin on my upper back . . . eek!

Sweater: Zara

Tank: Forever21

Skirt: H&M

Flats: Mossimo

Friday Letters.

Dear kittens,

I love how excited you are that we're both home from work today! & Aibee, a small saucer of milk makes you crazy!

Dear Old Navy,

Thank you for making long mid-rise skinny jeans! 

Dear Boston, 

Praying for you all! Proud to live in a country with so many helpers.

Dear social studies students,

It's been difficult talking about all of the violence in our country this year. I hope you all grow up to live in a better world.

Dear readers, 

Have a good and blessed weekend!

linking up with:

friday's letters

A Pattern Here.

Getting dressed this spring has been particularly challenging. It's been much colder, rainier, and windier than I remember.

Not to mention, I am totally over my coat. 

I've found myself reaching for warmer basics in brighter colors than I tend to wear in the winter.  

Warmer weather has to be here soon. 

I'm so looking forward to dresses and shorts. 

top: H&M

pants & shoes: Target

bag: Longchamp

The Bright Side.

Something inspiring: We are doing a unit on Integrity in English classes. We watched this video and read an article about it. I got choked up every. single. time. 

Something new: The dress above. It was such a steal at Old Navy! 

Something disturbing: Finding out that these actually exist. 

Something I'm listening to: One Thing Remains by Jesus Culture. I belt out that song.

Scarves and stripes.

This is one of my favorite outfits in a long time.

And it's SO simple. 

In fact, I've been wearing every kind of stripe/scarf combo possible this week. Because who doesn't like to be cozy and chic at the same time?!

top: Forever 21
jeans: Gap
shoes: Nordstrom
scarf: h&m (old)

Ombre.

Something inspiring: I find some much inspiration from catalogues and little kitschy stores. Because we're on spring break we're going to be working on some furniture for our home and I'm so excited.

Something new: After over a year of hmm-hawing about ombre hair, I finally had it done! Yay.

Something disturbing: The debate in my head on whether or not to go back to my old blog (basically solely because I had hundreds more followers there). I have to remind myself that I blog for ME and not to compare. Humbling moment.

Something I'm listening to: "Sail" by AWOLNATION. Kind of love "dub step".

Empty-handed.

I went shopping today with a list of things I wanted to add my to my spring wardrobe.

It included a khaki trench, skinny mid-rise (or even high-waisted) jeans, and a cross body bag.

& I came home empty-handed.

Boo. It's always when I don't have the money that I find things I want.

cardi & flats: Target:

top & jeans: Forever21

necklace: Etsy

Wishing you all a wonderful Tuesday!

What's Up Wednesday.

Something inspiring: How this boy is dealing with being burned by the Taliban in Iraq. The people who have been helping pay for his medical bills. Video & article here.

Something new: Two new pair of flats from Target tonight. These & these.

Something disturbing: My attitude! I need to shake it.

Something I'm listening to: "Open Up Our Eyes" by Elevation Worship. Something I'm doing to shake my mood. :)

The Difference a Year Makes.

Last year:

Rocked yellow jeans

Abstaining from wheat

Obsessed with bracelets

Needed a haircut

Had time to paint my nails

Went through a braid phase

Needtobreathe concert

Crepes for dinner

Warmer in the mitten state

This year:

Trying to make it through the last two days before break

Love ya'll!

Savor.

 It's Wednesday & I don't have much to say. 

I feel like I've been rushing through my life lately. Waiting for the snow to melt and skin to be free from layers of down and fleece and wool.

I feel like that's not right though. Like I shouldn't wish away my life. 

So I'm going to attempt to savor the moments. 

The frost bitten hands & the cooped-up teenagers.

Then the summer will be that much sweeter.

Happy Wednesday!

Do you have spring fever?

dress & belt: h&m

oxford: Target

jean leggings & knee socks: Forever21

boots: Unity by Carlos Santana

Motto.

This post brought to you by sunshine & "just self timer" app. 

Oh, & polka dots.

I was thinking today. A profound thought, if you will.

I have a new motto. Instead of "if you don't have anything nice to say, don't say anything at all," it is this:

"Have something nice to say & say it."

That's all! Happy Thursday, chicks!

top: Target

skirt: Target

tights: Target

boots (barely visible): Naughty Monkey

What's Up?

Something inspiring: This video. We watched the first 4 minutes tonight at Life Group. Love.

Something new: My cross ring. Definitely my favorite new purchase. I have not taken it off since buying it.

Something disturbing: My bad attitude about being without coffee for three weeks. Obviously, it's needed (the fast, not the attitude).

Something I'm listening to: Gungor is really on my heart and my lips this week. Specifically this song. Swoon.