Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!

I am back from my long hiatus. It's been a few months since I last posted. We just have had some things going on in our lives that have kept me from blogging but they have been good things. Nothing to worry over. I will share what in due time.

The year is almost over and we are now in my favorite month of the year! I know that Thanksgiving is the month that many of us count our blessings but for me it is around Christmas time. It's easier at this time to be grateful for me because it is the month we celebrate and reflect our Saviour's birth and and His life. I have an especially grateful heart when I think about all that He has done for each of us individually: the perfect example He has set, the peace He brings in our lives, and especially the atonement. The list is endless and I owe many of my happiness to Him. But what I would like to especially bring up is how grateful I am for His gospel, the truths and teachings He has shared with us. As I study His life and ministry, I have learned how to live my life through His perfect example and this way of living has brought so much joy and peace in my life!
Those are my own personal views of what Christmas means to me. I know it is different for all of us and some don't celebrate this Holiday. But whatever your religion or creed, I wish you peace and joy!

Pictures of from this Season so far:

Prairie In The City

 Skirt: An indie brand (old) // Shoes: Alice + Olivia (see previous post for link). Shirt: Anthropologie (old)

This silk chiffon skirt is a treasured piece that I've had since I was 18! That's been almost a decade! Yeah, I'm getting old. It is alot more beautiful and delicate in person. This skirt screams prairie/country bumpkin, but pair it with more sophisticated shoes and a floppy hat, and it makes the cut for urban dwellings. I love anomalies in literature...and apparently in fashion too. Happy hump day!

Life is a Zoo

 Shoes: Alcie + Olivia // Pants: Free People // T-shirt: Modcloth // Purse: Kate Spade // Sunglasses: Rayban // Hat: Thrifted

I am big on comfort, which I am sure my blog has completely mislead you about this. In reality, I wear comfy leggings and airy, slouchy tops most days-effortless is what I am all about, at just about any given day. I somewhat revere and admire those fashion bloggers that dress like they are about to step on the red carpet, with every outfit. But that's what sets them apart from me. I am lazy and they are not. They think out every detail of their outfit while I just sometimes hope what I throw on matches. I will one day master effortless chic though...one day just like Olivia Palermo or Erin Wasson has. I will one day throw something on with my eyes closed and I will look fabulous! One day. Yeah, I've got a long way to go.

This outfit is an example of what I like to wear on a more regular basis. Comfortable footwear is very important to me-but of course it's gotta be cute as well. Let me impart some of my retail wisdom with you: spend money on something that you will get use out of, such as comfortable shoes without sacrificing style. It will save you money in the long run because if you buy those skinny heeled pumps, you will also have to buy the comfortable ones- as soon as you realize you can only walk a block in those heels! And those skinny heeled pumps will mostly be just eye-candy in your closet. Aren't I the fashion sage? Not really, I am just learning through the years. I hope you have a fantastic day!

Counting Sheep

So, I once in awhile I like to post something that will make me feel like there is a little bit of substance in my blog, between all the lace and the tulle. I like to think I am not obsessive with fashion, so I throw in something that will show for this- like what I do with my personal life when I am not shooting outfits.These photos are from a few Sundays ago when we decided that our relaxing activity would be to take a drive out in the country. We pulled over on the side of the road and watched the sun go down on this little sheep farm. I love rustic and country sights like these. It makes my heart happy.

Micah and usually do an little activity together on Sunday. Whether that is to take a stroll through the golf course in our neighborhood, do a short hike at some park somewhere, or go for a scenic drive. I look forward to these mini adventures. It's so relaxing and helps us wind down for the upcoming hectic week. Sundays can be bittersweet because it's a hang loose kind of day but yet the upcoming week also looms on this day. But regardless, Sundays are just there to enjoy. I hope your week goes well!

Looking Over Fences

 Dress: BCBG (Old) // Shoes: Kate Spade // Hat: Unknown

Isn't life alot like looking over fences and wishing for something you can't have? I've always wanted to be a writer but I have a long ways to go. But I am determined to be one, so move over Stephanie Meyers! I wish I could say that about J.K. Rowling but I think she will always be queen.

So, I can never get enough of white houses and white dresses. These are two things that remain constant hankerings of mine.When I become a best-seller author, I am going to live in a grand white house with a wrap around porch (like this Rockefeller winter estate behind me) and I'm going to have a massive walk-in closet filled with white dresses! I think these two things are enough of an incentive for me. But for now, I will have to make do with looking over fences. I sure hope you are having a wonderful week!

It's a Boho Kind of Day

I was probably the best dressed girl on this little hike we did today. And I don't mean that to give myself a compliment. While everyone one else was dressed appropriately in work out gear, I stood out like a sore thumb and wore this dress all in the name of blogging. Oh the things I do for blogging, it is endless. But despite being overdressed for places and hikes, I actually enjoy blogging, like alot. It gets me out and about, exploring with my camera, otherwise I would be curled up on the couch with a book to my nose. I hope you have a wonderful weekend! Micah and I have the itch to go somewhere this weekend but we aren't sure where. Guess we will see what the weekend has in store for us =)

Dress: Free People
 

Project Driven

I have this "itch" to constantly have some sort of project going on in my life. Whether it's something around the house, or a photography idea, or something for the blog. This "itch" is always there, lurking in my brain, causing me to do late night probings (under the covers so I won't wake up Micah) on pinterest for ideas and craigslist too for good deals.
This "itch" has been aimed towards homemaking lately. There have been some changes in our home the last few weeks. Here are bits and pieces of what what we have changed and added in our home. We've got a long but adventurous way to go until it's finished but I am really loving our home more and more!

 We got this old display case from one of a local primitive store. I painted it white and sanded it down some to give it a slightly shabby chic look. The dining chairs are a craigslist score and is another BIG future project because I have to sew 8 sew slip covers for each of them! The dresses are recent purchases from Anthro and Free People and I am brainstorming on how to do a photo shoot with them on. I hope you have a fantastic and productive week =)

Breaking Rules

One fashion rule that has stuck with me since, I don't know, since I first picked up a fashion magazine, is to not wear white after Labor day. Not that I stick to this rule but honestly by Labor day, I am already in fall mode and don't really buy summer stuff anymore. An exception to this is if there's a killer deal (just today I snatched up some Hudson shorts for $10, I just couldn't turn turn that down!)
So, there's alot of things that have kept me busy if you're wondering if I fell through a rabit hole or something. I have been MIA in all media sites actually, such as Facebook and Instagram, but not Pinterest(oh no, I can never give up Pinterest). Shortly after the Virgin Islands, we went to Texas to visit famiy which I will share some pics of our litte safari from that trip. Also, I have been reading alot (6 books in 1 week would qualify for alot, at least I think so) oh and I caught the nesting bug and have been redoing things in the house like Pinterest has gotten ahold of my soul. Throw in too that I've also been working on getting certified for medical transcription editing, oh and did I mention I am writing a book? Writing is my first love beyond blogging, photography, or any of that (despite that I'm terrible at grammar and punctuation. Don't judge me). Writing is my favorite thing to do and it feels right when I do it. Have you ever felt that about something? I am always itching to do it and I have been putting it in the back burner for too long. I'm working on a young adult series and I've got a long ways to go. For you nosy book worms, I will keep you posted if I want to start a blog or something. I hope your week is wonderful!

Part 3: The US Virgin Islands