OBX 2013

It's family vacation time at the Outer Banks!  This past week, we started off by celebrating my husband's 29th birthday.  We have enjoyed some great sunsets, played with the dogs in the bay, and relaxed indoors during some storms.  

Good laughs, great food and suntans have made it a seriously wonderful week.

Read about my 2011 OBX vacation here.

Bright Whites

I'm spending the week on the North Carolina shore in the Outer Banks, relaxing with family.  Packing for this trip was surprisingly easy (mostly bathing suits and lounge-wear), however, I did stick a few great basics in my suitcase.  These white jeans from Loft and a white button-down from Gap are great for multiple outfits, but I love wearing a bold necklace with a monochromatic look.. so I stuck them together.

This bag is one of my favorite gifts of all time.  This past spring, my hubby came home on a regular Tuesday evening with a bag from J.Crew.  He wanted to surprise me with something, and picked this bag out on his own.  What a sweet gesture!  And even though I probably wouldn't have picked it out for myself, it's now become my favorite summer accessory... perfect with every outfit!

Necklace: Banana Republic

Sandals: J.Crew Factory

Sunglasses: Ray-Ban

Earrings: InPink

Bag: J.Crew

Jeans: Loft

Shirt: Gap

Some Happy News

Oooh dear, blogs are hard.  Life just keeps getting in the way of my writing about life!  But I won't give up.  No.. definitely not giving up.

The past few months have resulted in so many ups and downs, it's time to start sharing.  After getting married last August, the fall was filled with many emotional challenges, including some major heartbreak.  My father was diagnosed with some very major medical issues, and we had to mourn the loss of Erik's beautiful aunt as well as our beloved dog.  Our hearts were, and still are, broken.  The end of 2012 was almost a relief, and we were ready for some positive moments in our lives.

So over the past several weeks, we've had some very happy news that is so much easier to share.  We adopted a new puppy and bought a house!  Big, beautiful moments that have brought so much happiness to our lives.

For now, we pack.  And pack and pack.  Our closing date is quickly approaching!  And in between packing, we cuddle and wrestle and walk around town with our baby girl, Emma.  As I continue on with this hectic life, here are a few Instagram-ed moments from the past month.  Hope everyone had a beautiful Valentine's Day, yesterday!

Punkin' Pickin'

Last week, one of my 1st graders was constantly talking about how excited he was to do some "punkin' pickin."  I guess I couldn't get that out of my head, because I had a major itch to pick some pumpkins as well!  With a bit of sunshine and warmth in the air, we hopped onto our (super amazing) new Genuine Buddy, and found a great little place in our area.  

One little pumpkin, too many nachos, and some alpaca-petting later, we rode home with the wind in our faces.  A perfect Sunday...

Sunglasses: Loft

Broach: Flea Market

T-shirt, Bag, Scarf & Flats: Gap 

Angle Zip Legging Jeans: Gap

Button Down: Urban Outfitters

Scooting Around

Over the weekend, Erik and I scooted around town (yes, we got a scooter!!!) and had a blast.  Our errands included a trip to his new office to drop off some books and do a little decorating.  He started working at a new firm at the beginning of September.... and although he didn't move into a new building in Philly, he moved up a few floors and has some fantastic views.

By the way, this outfit is one of my favorites in a long time... which means, I wore it all. weekend. long.

Sweater: J.Crew

Vintage Bag: Coach

Flats: Chinese Laundry

Zipper Jeans & Blouse: Gap

We're Back!

Erik and I just returned from an incredible honeymoon in Bermuda.  While we unpack, grocery shop, and prepare to return to reality (work tomorrow!), here's a glimpse of the pink sand we've been enjoying for the past week.

And once I manage to pull myself back together, I'm looking forward to sharing some wedding details!

Pardon My Absence, it's Spring Break!

Why hello, world... you sure look a little brighter when I'm enjoying a week of vacation!  The past several days have been computer-limited, but certainly fun-filled.  

Over the weekend, I met up with my family and spent Easter in Brooklyn.  My aunt gifted Erik and I front row seats to the revival of Evita, which was so fantastic.  Sitting three feet in front of Ricky Martin was exciting... the entire cast was absolutely great!  The show was so compelling, I even forgot to pull out my camera at the end for some close-ups :(

My sis and I made a second trip into Manhattan the following day to revisit my wedding gown.  I had an accessories appointment, which was fun and overwhelming.. and very exciting.  I bought 2 pairs of earrings from a great little jewelry store in the fashion district.  If any brides out there are looking for jewelry, I can't recommend Tejani enough!

Now we're out in the country, spending a relaxing few days away.  Sleeping in...

and perusing through vintage family photos...

Grandfather, Grandmother, Great Aunt, Great Uncle, April 12th, 1947-- yes, my aunt and uncle are celebrating their 65th wedding anniversary tomorrow!!

My Great Aunt Dorothy-- 6 months old in 1924.

And finally, I'm long over-due for an outfit post, so I'll share some version of what I've been wearing for days: my favorite new skirt!  This guy has been paired with blazers, sweaters, t-shirts, and finally a white oxford.  Yes, I'm still wearing boots, because it was snowing today (ugh). 

Perfect Oxford: Gap

Boots: Macys

Earrings: Loft

Skirt: H&M

Grace Winery

source

Yes, today was a good day.  We got to spend the afternoon inside of our wedding venue tasting all of the different wines offered at this new Pennsylvania winery.  I can't say enough good things about Sweetwater Farm and Grace Winery, and I am beyond ecstatic about getting married here.  Currently they are offering a few seasons of pino gris, rose, chardonnay and merlot.  They also put together such a great sangria, we're considering making it a signature drink for our big day.

Anyone out there go with a fun signature drink for their wedding?  I'd love to hear some fun ideas for displaying and serving everything!

Coal Miner's Granddaughter

I could just not pull myself together this week and photograph my outfits... or put more than 2 minutes of thought into any of them.  For that reason, I'm going to start the weekend off with some photos from a little trip I took over my winter vacation.

These pictures were taken in Western Pennsylvania this past December.  I grew up in coal mining country (no I'm not a coal-miner's daughter, but I am a coal miner's niece/great-niece/granddaughter/friend, etc.)  

While I was visiting my parents, I had a little itch to take a ride out to my grandfather's childhood home.    It's a small village not far from where I grew up, but I had only been there once as a young child, so I had been wanting to go back and explore.  This little town came-to-be only because of the coal mine that was once there.  All of the houses are built in patches, and as you drive around, you can clearly see where the miners lived and where the bosses lived.  There are lots of abandoned bridges, train tracks and coke ovens.  That specific mine is long gone, but in this photo I'm standing in front of an old coke oven.  I think they are scary and beautiful all at the same time.  I was fascinated by them as a kid, and now at 28 I finally took some time to explore them.

Here is a photo of Brownsville, PA, which is a big town in the area.  From this view you can see the Monongahela River.

So there you have it... not exactly style blog worthy, but a look into my little world.  If you want to know any details about what I was wearing in the first pic, you can find that here.

Happy Friday!

At the Ballet

Weekend recap: still fighting a cold, enjoyed a matinee at the NYC Ballet, spent some quality family time in Brooklyn.

Too busy stressing about the busy week ahead to handle writing in complete sentences... yikes.

Iced Over

Erik and I are a little strange when it comes to bad weather --we love it.  That might just go to show you how boring we are, but we really enjoy the unexpected.  For years, we've trekked around our town in blizzards, happily shoveling and playing with Browny in the piles of snow.  This past summer, we lived through our first hurricane, and ended up engaged by the end of the storm.  This winter, we've been disappointed to say the least.  Not. one. big. snow. yet.  Bummer.

So this morning we got our first few inches of the year, which was quickly covered by freezing rain.  Not exactly the blizzard we wanted, but we still managed to enjoy it.  

First on the agenda, sleeping in with this handsome fella.  That's right, ladies, check out those fabulous white eyelashes:

Next, I talked Erik in getting a pedicure with me.  (I just love embarrassing him over the internet.)  And afterwards, lunch in town.  

We've officially moved on to the movie marathon/chili-making part of our day.  (So far, a little bit of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, some Bronx Tale, and now Scarface.)  And I'm looking forward to trying a new dessert later tonight (found here).

To the rest of the east coast, hope you're able to get some enjoyment out of the weather!

Coat: Hand-me-down from Aunt, Steve by Searle

Boots: Steve Madden

Red Bag: H&M

Leggings: Gap