July Life {part 1}

July so far has been wildly exciting so far! It started with my dear Stephie's amazing wedding and I just finished thefirst week of my internship at ADAPT Training in Beaverton...and it's INCREDIBLE!

[beautiful bachelorette]

I was in Beaverton for two weeks before Stephie's wedding. I'm so thankful I was because I could play pseudo-wedding planner since I didn't (and still don't) have a job. I had nothing but time to do craft after craft and make list after list of things that needed to get done for the big day. After a super fun Bachelorette party in downtown PDX, and awesome rehearsal dinner at Old Spaghetti Factory on the Waterfront, the big day came and went without a hitch (except the hitching of Stephie and Andy!). Somehow I didn't get a single picture with the bride (fail) or of all the adorable details (fail #2). 

What I Wore: Birthday Iris Garden Style

I'm just gonna say it. This is one of the comfiest outfits that isn't sweat pants that I've worn in a lonnnnng time. I went shopping with Mama for my birthday and almost everything is from my new purchases. Also this shirt is like wearing a soft blanket with sleeves and buttons. Clearly ideal for someone like myself. Low maintenance, soft, comfy, and cute pretty much define my ideal clothes. Also, this outfit cost less that $100. Most expensive item being my shoes. Once again, this bargain hunter went out, hunted, and succeeded. So here it is, my birthday iris garden look :)

[shirt: Nordstrom | shorts: Forever 21| shoes: Converse | sunglasses: TJ Maxx]

[birthday pt. 1] three generations to celebrate

Let's just say I had an incredible few day celebrating my birthday - before it was even my birthday! Also, I realize I haven't formally introduced my beyond incredible family...how the heck did that happen?! Ok. So my birthday this year fell on Mother's Day [which is actually a common occurrence] and it also happen to work out that amazing Grandma - who I haven't been able to see for five years! - was coming out. So therefore we took the liberty of coordinating all our crazy schedules so we could celebrate my birthday AND Mother's Day for my mom and my grandma. Three generations to celebrate all at once! You might think " oh boo you have to share your birthday celebration with other people," (and actually you're probably not think that at all) but it was just a huge blessing to have my entire family together, Grandma included. 

[My amazing parents, Mike and LeeAnn. Seriously they're the best.]

[Beautiful Grandma Gwen. I have never met someone more full of Jesus than her. She powerfully radiates and lives out His love]

cinco-de-almost-my-birthdayo!

 Happy cinco de mayo!...aka one week til my birthday :) Just thought I'd share my sunny outfit in celebration of this summer-like weather we've been having. LOVING IT.  Hope you all had fantastic wonderful weekend! Now back to reality. Aka school. Five more weeks of classes...I can make it! 

Ok anyways. Birthday posts will be up as the festivities unfold, yay! That's all :)

[Shirt, belt, earrings: HM | Shorts: Forever 21| Shoes: Target]

{come what} MAY

Happy May! First post in a while and first post in the brand new month. This IS my birthday month - 12 days baby! - and I'm gonna be the big old 2-3. Scary huh. Ok not really because I still feel like a small child. I've started to reflect on the past year but when I did I immediately thought of my New Years goals I set for myself (thank goodness I blogged then otherwise they'd be lost in the abyss of my brain). And here's best news: I've already accomplished (almost) four!

1. Start and consistently post in my blog: considering I haven't had a functional computer for the past two months I'd say I've done quite well!
2. Take a trip outside of Oregon: I took a pseudo-spring break weekend down in Arizona and just got back from Laramie, Wyoming of all places. I drove out there with my girl Emily since she got her big-girl dream job at a hospital out there. Definitely farrrrr to much driving but always a fun adventure!
3. Perform Somewhere: Ok this one is bittersweet, but I sang at my Nana's funeral with my sister and brother in law a few weeks ago. It was such a beautiful service and wonderful celebration of her life. She is so missed and loved, but I praise the Lord I will see her again one day. 
4. Move out of Corvallis: Ok, I still live here. BUT I got a paid internship in Portland for the summer, aka I'm moving to Portland!!! I'm so stoked because the Lord pretty much threw this in my lap and I couldn't have asked for a better opportunity. This also mean I get to live with my other twin pug, Ruthie...we've literally been talking about living together since she graduated last year and moved back up to PDX. 

All this to say God has really blessed me even  in this first quarter of the year, and I'm stoked for what the rest of this spring has in store. The weather so far has been BEAUTIFUL and warm! This is unheard of for the Willamette Valley this time of year (I'm still in shock) so obviously this means another stylish spring ensemble was long overdue....and I promised I'd throw in some royal blue so here you go! 

Oh I also want to mention this entire outfit cost me less that $50. I'm a bargain hunter always and forever. 

[dress: $8, Old Navy - or as I call it old naval | Shirt: $14, TJ Maxx]

New Seasons

Spring is finally here! Here in Oregon you know this because even though it is 50 degrees still, the variance of sun, rain, hail, and spontaneous heat waves nearing 60-degrees on any given day tell you it is no longer winter. Oregonians have HIGH hopes that good weather is nearing, and so we put on our shorts, sandals, and sundresses just so we don't miss an opportunity that it is actually fitting to wear them [we are crazy people]. 

Potential good weather and adequate vitamin D intake aside, I am beyond excited for this season of spring! Why you ask? I give you exhibit(s) 1-6:

1. Last term of classes of my undergraduate career!
2. Moving into a new house with three fabulous new roommates that I get to build relationships and share life with
3. Spring means Oregon comes into full bloom...literally. I love the iris, tulips, daffodils and all the variety of flowers that pop up this time of year (I'll bet God had so much fun making all the flowers - what an artist our Creator is!)
4. More chances to be outside! Aka more runs, more hikes, more lounging and studying on a blanket, more coffee dates sitting in the sunshine. It's a beautiful thing.
5. MY BIRTHDAY! (May 12th everyone, mark your calendars, 23 baby!)
6. Spring clothes. Skirts, dresses, sandals, tank tops, bright colors, and florals OH MY! ...which leads to the fun part of this post, my first of many spring outfits :)

[dress/belt: HM | shoes: target | necklace: borrowed - thanks to my Stephie pug!]

Another day for LOVE

Valentines day is here whether you're a lover or hater of this occasion. I happen to love any reason to put on red and pink AND have extra pep in my step. My roomie pug, Stephie, and are LOVING today even though we cant be with our valentine's today. I hope y'all have an amazing day (the sun is even loving us today!!) and go love the heck outta someone special to you:)

xoxo

[necklace: lulu's - surprise on Tuesday from my man..and surprise flowers today!!]

Stripes to the Max{i}

First thing, HAPPY FEBRUARY EVERYONE! It is now more than acceptable to wear excessive amounts of pink, red, and sparkles! I mean what more do you need really? Anyways. Back to this black and white outfit.

My wonderful sister has turned me on to stripes. Slowly but surely I have found my closet filled with more and more horizontal lines than I can count. This little number (which is my roommate, Stephie's dress) is the epitome of comfort and style. I could live in this, sleep in this, maybe even go for a jog in it. Okay maybe not... but you get my drift.

[dress: Nordstrom | shoes: Target]

Stripes are staple...so you better get a few into you closet. And a giraffe necklace. 

He's a very faithful and stylish companion. 

What I Wore Wednesday

This outfit is from a couple days ago...btw. I'm definitely in sweat pants right now. However, winter day are the perfect time to bust out the NEON. They make those gray, rainy, never ending days just a litttttttle brighter. Somehow the sun graced us with her presence just in time to snap a few shots.

My amazing bestie Emily played photographer and I say she's got a talent, and should probably make an FB photography page just like every other person who owns a nice camera and can use it ;)

[sweater&shirt: TJ Maxx| jeans: Forever 21|shoes: Target| necklace&headband: J. Crew]

Goals not Resolutions

One week in 2013 is already gone. Can't go back and redo anything, change anything, add something in. All we have is the next 51 weeks. I had a BLAST bringing in the New Year with some of my favorite girls in the entire world. Obviously I had to create a little photo montage since I'm in the blog world now (click on the photo to see full):

My twins, Stephie (left) and Ruthie. I'm the third twin.
Don't judge, but we also refer to ourselves as pugs. Don't even get me started.
[Stephie's dress: Free People | My Dress: Zara | Ruthie's dress: Kohls]
BTW My dress is actually Ruthie's and Stephie's dress is actually mine. Love sharing closets.