still here.

i'm still here--still getting dressed.

hope everyone is enjoying this beautiful holiday season.

if you want do something cool and life-changing today, consider checking out this cool project two woman from my church have started. and we're LOVE if you spread the word.

xoxo.

P.S. I also made this scarf/collar/cowl. If I made more, would anyone be interested in buying one?! :)

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

Quoted

Worn: Date Night

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

Friday Letters

Dearest chiropractor,

Please, please take away my neck & head tension. I've been attempting to hydrate and breathe it away & it's not quite cutting it.

Dear yoga,

You absolutely love how you're challenging me. Sweating has never felt so great.

Dear sweater weather,

I love you, but I still need a couple more days at the pool.

Dear Emily,

I neeeeed to get to Grand Haven. It looks like a dream.

Dear self,

Keep dreaming those big dreams.

Thousand Words: Canoeing on the Huron River

For someone who plans every minute detail--or feels like she has to in order to get anything accomplished; I find so much joy in spontaneity. 

Tuesday morning was the last few days of summer that are void of "have-tos" for my teacher husband & teacher me. We bounced a ton of ideas off of each other and finally went with the most far-fetched. 

Drive an hour away with no plan on what to do 

(aside from eating at Frita Batidos--which is a new favorite!). 

After walking around a chilly city, we decided to hit up an old favorite of mine; the Huron River. As a college student, I spent many days paddle-boating with my BFF and canoeing with friends. 

We were completely un-prepared and I'm so grateful I tossed a hoodie in the car because it has been frankly October-like in Michigan for the past week.

P.S. I'm so happy I bought this one.

It was complete bliss on the river. 

The solitude was so romantic and relaxing. 

We canNOT wait to go back with friends.

Also, perhaps I'll start styling my hair and wearing make-up when school starts up again? (blush)

Worn: Playing in the Park

Add caption

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.

Chit Chat

kate.

something inspiring: the lovely ladies i work with.

something new: this poncho.

something disturbing: how incredibly overstimulating our world is.

something i'm listening to: fitz and the tantrums.

leigh.

something inspiring: the idea of making yoga part of my career. mind. blown.

something new: my class list for next school year. only 12 kids in my 5th hour? no way.

something disturbing: my thumb hurting from instagram scrolling. this is not only disturbing but also embarrassing. 

something i'm listening to: hillsong cornerstone. on repeat. :)

Friday Letters.

Dear Manistee, I love visiting you every august and your breathtakingly beautiful sunsets over lake michigan.

Dear Family, we had another successful reunion this year in manistee, with good times had on the beach and by the fire.  

Dear Liz and John, it was so nice to be reunited with you two this week. finally.

Dear Cooper (soon to be nephew), I have been buying way too much for you lately, you will be one well loved baby.  

Dear Leigh, thank you for the much needed and overdue quality time.

Love, Kate

Dearest friends, thanks so much for coming out last week to celebrate my superhero husband.

Dear Chad, thanks for cooking! Yummo.

Dear Brittni, thanks for sweating it out at yoga with me on Tuesday. 

Dear Royal Oak, you were full of far too many crazies tonight. What was up with that?

Dear summer, don't go so soon!

Dear Katie, welcome home! Eee. Thanks for coming over for a good old fashioned sleep over.

Love, Leigh

Worn: Lunch Date

shirt & sandals:target/belt & skirt:thrifted/watch:bora/bag:old navy/sunglasses:forever 21

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. 

:) :)

Created: watermelon, peach and mint chiller

This has become a summer favorite and it's super easy to make!  

blend one cup of iced peach tea with a handful of freshly cut watermelon.  Then add simple syrup,  fresh mint and a shot of vodka if desired.

Enjoy!

Chit Chat

leigh.

something inspiring: the feeling of being home after being away for a week. everything is in a gorgeous new perspective.

something new: an amazing garden fence my husband built with his bare hands to keep the critters out of our yummy veggies.

something disturbing: that my summer is more than half over.

something i'm listening to: anything country! i especially like florida-georgia line. there's something about michigan summers that make me crave country.

Thousand Words, vo. 3

Tuesday night we climbed endless amounts of stairs to bring us to a beautiful view of Lake Michigan. The sound of the water was deafening and the view way breathtaking. It may very well be one of my favorite memories of this summer. 

Thanks, Emily, for the beach recommendation! :)

Chit Chat: vo. 2

kate.

Something inspiring: This woman's outlook on life, even though she is fighting a tough, tough battle.

Something new: My haircut! I cut off about 7 inches and I am really liking it.

Something disturbing: The amount of clothes (and underwear) that I have. TMI??? I have not and will not have to do any laundry while I'm away for the month of July.   I think I should probably stop shopping and donate some clothes asap.

Something I'm listening to: West Coast by Coconut Records. 

Quoted.

. . . because it's so much prettier typed out than hearing me sing it over and over again.

A Thousand Words: vo. 2

I have not been impressed by the new self-serve frozen yogurt fad. I always felt like they were overpriced and the toppings were a mess/dirty/etc. Maybe it's from all of my time working at a Dairy Twist, but I have preferred going to a parlor . . . until I tried Menchie's. Everything was SO clean inside and I loved that they weren't stingy about letting you try EVERY flavor--if you wanted to. I opted for Fruit Punch Sorbet with Passion Fruit Boba Pearls (YUM!!!!!), fresh mango, and raspberry.

 It was amazing!

Created: vo. 1

I have been on the lookout for a bar cart for quite some time now.  I was so excited when I found this gem nestled away in the corner at a garage sale for $2. I couldn't believe it when the homeowner told me how much she was asking for it. I thought it was too good to be true, but sure enough it has turned out to be a beauty after a clean up and a fresh coat of paint. 

{before}

{after}

kate.

Chit Chat: vo. 1

leigh.

Something inspiring: a couple friends have inspired me to be free from Facebook for at least the next two months. It's absolutely refreshing and a great way to focus on what really matters.

Something new: We just bought this blender last week and have made smoothies EVERY day since. I've tried out a ton of recipes and I love adding a boost of spinach and chia seeds to my sips.

Something disturbing: I cried reading this book last night. I was so touched; but I'm pretty sure it's for kids.

Something I'm listening to: I seeeriously love this song.

kate.

Something inspiring: being surrounded by such intelligent, courageous, and interesting people while here in Chicago for my Montessori training.   Hearing their amazing stories and learning so much new information from them, has given me renewed excitement and encouragement to be better.

Something new: these sandals I have been lusting for ever since leigh purchased them in the spring.

Something disturbing: how homesick and lonely I am for only being gone for two weeks (not even!).

Something I'm listening to: the justin nozuka station on Pandora. I never get sick of his voice.

september.


Something inspiring:  We have a client at my place of employment who comes in for a couple different things. She is always such a sweetheart when we see her or even when she is on the phone. When she left the other day I turned to a fellow coworker and said, "she has such a beautiful personality" to which my worker replied, "you'd never guess stage 4 breast cancer." My jaw dropped. How can someone in such a horrible situation walk around with such a big smile? And why do people who seem to have so much have such bad attitudes? It reminded me you don't need much to be happy. It's all about what you do with what you've been given, positive or negative.

Something new: all of the shows I need to watch this weekend that I missed during my vacation in North Carolina.

Something disturbing:  The fact that my weekend is going to be spent unpacking, doing laundry and cleaning. Two of which I can't stand doing. To make matters worse, I believe my little blue escort is done. So I will be stuck at the house with these fun activities instead of spending my time in the sunshine with Leigh. Extremely disturbing!

Something I'm listening to: Pretty much anything country...with a splash of Matchbox 20. I know, random. But Rob Thomas gets me every time. And I have to listen to country for two reasons: it's summer / Faster Horses (three day country fest) is in one week!