Dropping Temps

Photos by Lisa Ordway (Thanks Lisa!)

Trench: Old Navy

Hat: Gift

Scarf: Target

Tee: H&M

Skirt: Gap

Tights: J. Crew Outlet

Boots: Vintage Dex via eBay

As you can tell, I brought pretty limited options as far as what I would wear on my lengthy holiday trip. As you might remember yesterday, the temps in Kansas City were about 60 degrees. It was a little bit of a rude awakening today when they dropped down to the 20s. 

It's been a fun day of lunching with college lady friends and walking around shopping. Tonight I'll be at my friend Emily's with all my college friends who flew in from around the country for the weekend. I have a polyester pant suit on tap for tonight so stay posted tomorrow- you'll either love it or hate it (or you might be confused by it). 

Happy New Year! I can't wait for 2011- it's going to be such a big year for me and for this blog. Hope you continue to join me on the journey!

The Back Yard

Tee: J. Crew
Necklace: Forever 21
Jeans: Gap
Boots: Steve Madden via Macy's
Bag: Style&co Macy's
Sunglasses: Anthropologie

Wow! It's been a crazy few days...I had a little flight trouble getting to Kansas City from Denver. It's a long story that bums me out but the jist of it is that Delta punked me out of $200. I'm gonna get my money back. They just don't know it yet.

These pictures were taken in Brett's mom's back yard in Kansas City. Her backyard is huge and totally lovely, so it was naturally a great place to take some photos. I can hardly believe that it was 60 degrees today here. I am not wearing a jacket or coat and could not be happier. My allergies are still crazy though- can't wait to get some Minnesota cold up in my sinuses to heal it all up. I wish I could have my cake and no allergies too, but that's not the way it goes in the real world.

Hope everyone is gearing up for 2011. I have a few resolutions that I will share soon so that you all can hold me to them!

The Front Yard

Sunnies: Anthropologie

Trench: Old Navy

Tee: H&M

Skirt: Go International via Target

Tights: HUE

Boots: Vintage Dex via eBay

This is the front yard of my parents' house in Colorado. It's been the site of pretty much all of my outfit photos this week. It's nice to have the open space to use. Back in Minnesota, I live on a busy street, so there's almost always some commotion going on (i.e. not great for outfit photos). My camera also ran out of batteries as my mom was taking these photos. I didn't get as many different ones as I wanted, but that's OK. It happens that way sometimes I suppose. 

Can you tell I've been wearing pretty much the exact same clothes for the last few days weeks? Hey, you know what they say: if it ain't broke, don't fix it! I can't wait to see all my Kansas City friends and family to be! It'll be so great to see my fiance (still sounds weird, but I love it!) and actually celebrate together. We were only together for a few hours, so I'm so ready to see him! 

Undercover Agent

Photos by my mom (Thanks mom!)

Trench: Old Navy

Sweater: Banana Republic

Tank: Target

Necklace: Self made with Pyrrha necklace

Sunnies: Anthropologie

Cords: Gap

Flats: Old Navy

My time really got away from me yesterday. I had so many people to see (which was incredible) but it left little time for my blog. So my apologies for being negligent yesterday. Plus, I hadn't showered in quite some time so you really didn't miss much, if I'm being honest. 

I am wearing a few new Christmas items in these photos. Who knew that I would be overheating in a trench coat at the end of December in Colorado? It's been around 45 degrees while I've been here and it feels like a sauna. I feel like it's t-shirt weather (no mom, I won't actually wear only a t-shirt). 

There's a downside to the nice weather though and that downside is allergies! I just got back from the doctor's office and the lack of snow and cold weather in Colorado has made my sinuses and allergies get crazy! Dang you nice weather! I'm damned if you do and damned if you don't. But at least if I'm damned, I'm wearing a new trench coat. 

A Very Merry Christmas Eve

Photos by my dad (Thanks dad!)

Hat: Gift

Tee: Old Navy

Scarf: Target

Skirt: Vintage via My Sister's Closet

Tights: Forever 21

Flats: Old Navy

What an awesome Christmas Eve it has been! We spent the day not doing a whole lot- running a few last minute errands and lounging around. 

I wore this outfit to church on Christmas Eve night. There's something so fun about seeing everyone in their most festive holiday clothes as a final occasion to dress up for Christmas. It's the ultimate in people watching- the amount of sweater embroidery alone at church on Christmas Eve makes me weak in the knees (and stomach too). I knew I had to wear this skirt, even though I have already worn it once before this week. It's just too perfect for the occasion! And I'm sure I will wear it at least once more before I head back to Minnesota for the new year. 

Thanks everyone for your congrats as well- we are so excited! The only thing that could make this Christmas even better would be if I could spend it with Brett too! 

Happy Holidays blog readers! I'm so thankful that you choose to come here and take part in this small means of self expression. It's the best and it's been such a great part of 2010 for me. 

The Story of Our Stairs

It's Christmas Eve, which I think makes it fitting for me to tell you a story. It's about two people and a set of stairs.

It's no surprise to anyone that I love gifts, holidays and anything that combines the two. That's why Brett and I made a tradition of having a holiday date where we celebrate Christmas just the two of us. We've never had the luxury of spending Thanksgivings or Christmases together, so it's been important to both of us since I moved to Minnesota, to take a night before we part and celebrate each other and the past year and present really meaningful gifts to each other. That night last year was so special and has become a favorite memory for us. There is just nothing like eating great food with your best friend while snow is softly falling outside. We decided since it was so special, we would do the same this year- our own holiday tradition.

We exchanged gifts- I gave Brett a longboard, concert tickets and a book (Fifty Places to Hike Before You Die). Brett have me a sewing machine and sewing lessons(!).

The food that night was wonderful- the perfect mix of new and traditional (as most of my favorite things in life are). We headed home full of food and love, just happy to be together.

Turns out those stairs in front of my apartment-- the same ones that we've gone up and down together so many times, headed to so many places, hands held tight together-- are not just any stairs. They are our stairs. So standing on those stairs, where 1.4 years ago I moved all that I had into an apartment, Brett told me that he wanted nothing more than for me to be his wife. And here's the best thing about love- I want nothing more than to be Brett's wife.

After slipping and falling on said stairs (it is Minnesota after all), I stood in my teal tights with my heart exploding and decided to spend the rest of my life doing my very favorite thing- being Brett's best friend. And that, my friends, is the very best Christmas present I have ever received.

Flying the Flannel Flag

Flannel: J. Crew, Brett's

Belt: Thrifted via Goodwill

Jeans: Target

Boots: Vintage via eBay

I wore this to travel home to Colorado for Christmas. It's been around 40 or so there. I knew I didn't need a coat so this flannel of Brett's seemed to fit the bill perfectly!

Brett and I were so distracted and running around like crazy that we got half way to the airport before realizing that we left my luggage at home! Oops! 

Hope everyone is enjoying time with family and preparing for the holiday. I feel so blessed this year and I'm so glad I am able to be home with my family. Last year, I didn't fly into Colorado until 10:30 pm on Christmas Eve due to work schedule and a winter storm. I'm so glad to have those days behind me!

Happy Holidays everyone!

50 Things

Hi all,

I won't be posting any outfits today- life is full speed ahead towards going to Colorado for Christmas. But I will leave you with 50 things that I truly love (in no particular order). What things are you loving right now?

1. the perfect shade of red lips
2. Chinese take out
3. a short commute
4. the ideal mix of coffee, skim and sweetener
5. Sufjan Stevens Christmas music
6. my neighborhood
7. TEAL
8. getting any sort of snail mail (even bills)
9. party dresses of any kind
10. a clean and tidy inbox
11. my best man friend
12. pumpkin anything
13. Minnesota autumns
14. seeing my parents hold hands in the car
15. playing dress up and coming up with new combinations
16. a colorful mug
17. tights!
18. meeting difficult goals and resolutions
19. my church community
20. the fact that my little brother looks just like me
21. peep toes
22. tomato red
23. seeing new and old friends over New Year's Eve
24. puppies!
25. my best friend Emily's dry sense of humor
26. whistling (anyone, any time)
27. when the cookies come out just right
28. mixing patterns
29. my Jayhawks
30.wrapping presents
31. belly laughs with girlfriends
32. inside jokes/old stories with my family
33. garage sales
34. salads from Wheatfields
35. bookstores
36. the sound of typewriters
37. mittens holding mittens
38. seeing my mom on facebook
39. hats on bad hair days
40. the best mix of bluegrass and soul
41. George Washington
42. stories about my grandparents
43. Brett's glasses
44. hamburgers stuffed with cheese
45. Free State anything
46. man beards
47. farmer's market mornings
48. the feeling of finishing a marathon
49. waking up to new snow
50. flannel
51. lists

Happy holidays everyone! I'll be posting an outfit photo tomorrow for sure!

Oh Tannenbaum

Earrings: Boutique in Sausalito

Tee: H&M

Skirt: Vintage via My Sister's Closet

Tights: J. Crew Outlet

Socks: Target

Boots: Vintage via eBay

Can you believe it's almost Christmas? We had our office holiday party today and I knew I wanted to wear this skirt. I bought it this weekend at the consignment store. I brought it home and put it on only to realize that the zipper was broken!

I was worried since this skirt is truly a holiday skirt if I've ever seen one. I asked Brett to take a look at it and he worked his magic on it! Just in time for the party, too. You know what they say, never date a guy who can't fix a zipper. If they don't say that, they should...it's really an incredible resource after all. 

All this skirt needed was an otherwise simple look with some sassy earrings! Yeah holidays!

Business Shorts

Blazer: H&M
Necklace: Forever 21
Pin: Gift
Silk Top: Target
Shorts: Express, Consigned via Turnstyle
Tights: Unknown
Boots: Steve Madden via Macy's

It snowed again today! I can hardly believe we've gotten as much snow as we have. I know what you're thinking- why the he** am I wearing shorts? I have no idea. It's kind of hilarious that you can even wear tweed shorts. Who invented them and for what purpose? All I know is that my new business shorts are comfortable and they say "I want to be taken seriously but I also want my legs to breathe".

My friend Kat and I talked about the concept of "snow shorts" as well. They are just like snow pants, but you know, shorter. I have a feeling that's the next thing to catch on. For those of us who enjoy business shorts, but want a little more warmth and coverage from the elements.

Weekend Review

How was your weekend? Festive? I know mine was. 

Friday night, Brett and I made dinner and then drove around looking at lights in our neighborhood. We actually came upon a group of people caroling, so we pulled over to listen for a while. We ended the night at one of our favorite places for cocktails in our neighborhood, W.A. Frost. The bar actually used to be an apothecary and is now on the National Register of Historic Places, which in case you didn't know, is all it really takes for me to fall in love with a place. Below is a pic of the governor's mansion.

Our neighborhood is filled with old, stately mansions and they really bring their A game with the Christmas lights. 

On Saturday, I finished up Christmas shopping and ran some errands. I got a new item at Goodwill- which I will just say is polyester, jumpsuit like and therefore, possibly the perfect thing to wear on New Year's Eve. Brett and I spent Saturday night making sushi with our friends Jim, Jessica and their cutie dog, Sadie.

My friend Kat and I went to the Fitzgerald Theater (also on the National Register of Historic Places) to see a showing of It's a Wonderful Life. They had live dancing and a choir at the end. They gave everyone bells and you rang it every time there was a bell in the movie. There was plenty of tacky Christmas garb going on. 

That's my hottie friend, Kat and someone's butt behind her. 

Is everyone excited for the next week? I brainstormed some great holiday outfits that I can't wait to wear here this week and in Colorado (where its supposed to be 45 or so!). Have a great Monday!

Repeating Patterns

Hat: Target

Scarf: Patina

Tee: J. Crew

Skirt: Go International via Target

Leggings: Heartbreaker

Boots: Vintage via eBay

I imagine in someone else's mindspace that there is a concept called too many patterns. I don't understand it. No such concept exists for me. For this outfit, I added as many textures and patterns as I could without feeling like a clown and called it a day!

These boots have really no traction at all. I always skate around in them and can barely hold my footing. Brett was holding my hand as we were going to take these pictures and even said, "You are walking like a baby deer!". A cute one, I hope?

My Imaginary Christmas List

This is the time of year when I get a mean case of the buysies. But I also get a mean case of the givesies, so I figure it evens out some how. What have you all had your eye on this year? If I had all the money in the world, or an incredibly wealthy relative, these are the things that would be on my Christmas list.

This dress from ModCloth has been on my mind for a while now. I'm not sure when or where I would wear it (NYE?) but I know that everything about it makes me love it...except the price. 

These headphones from Urbanears. I like the idea of using headphones as an accessory (not like I'm going to wear them around my neck as I run errands). More, I like the color and want some all-ear-encompassing headphone options. My earbuds are in bad shape and most of the time piss me off. And they're white. Who likes white when you can have teal? 

I love these Powderidge Crest Snowshoes. I got Brett a pair of MSR snowshoes last year and he's totally been digging them. I haven't been since a couple Christmases ago in Colorado and I'd love to be able to join him. 

This polka dot swimsuit from Anthropologie. I haven't bought a new swimsuit in years and I think this one is just the ticket: modest, playful and I would imagine, very flattering. 

And just because this is an imaginary list and not a real one, I want this Airstream trailer. ADIDAAT (All day I dream about Airstream trailers). Oh, to have all the monies. 

What's on your imaginary Christmas list?