Dress – F21 (similar) / Vest – H&M (similar) / Ankle Sandals – c/o Choies

This outfit pretty much sums up my summer uniform.  A simple easy-breezy dress, a denim vest and some ankle sandals / boots (the hybrids are where it’s at guys).  Although, I am on the hunt for a more summer appropriate hat versus the wool.  I still can’t seem to keep this old thing off my head.  The weather has been epic the last few weeks…I have a feeling it’s going to be a good summer!

Are any of you guys Lightroom users?  I am so comfortable with Photoshop that it was hard for me to decide if it would be worth the switch to LR.  But after some convincing on the time saving aspect, I decided to give it a go.  I am just getting my feet wet in how it all works but so far, I am loving it! I edited these photos with Lightroom 4 VSCO presets.

TGIF! Hope you all enjoy your weekend!  We will be celebrating my sis who is graduating from PT school tomorrow. Woot woot! The girl has been at this college thing for 10 years now!  10 years!!!  That blows my mind.  So proud of her!

 I do love a good shift dress.

Introducing The Whitepepper.  I first discovered the brand while browsing on ASOS and I quickly fell in love with their simple dress silhouettes.  I could wear a dress like this every day of the week.  Which is your favorite?  The sailor dress takes the cake for me.

1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5 / 6

We’re back!  I feel like all I’ve been doing lately is vacationing!  It’s been amazing, but it’s finally back to reality.  (tear!)

I had a wonderful Mother’s Day weekend in Palm Desert with my family.  We had planned this little retreat a while back….both to celebrate my sister’s graduation (we’ve got a doc in the fam!) and also to celebrate  all the momma’s.  12 of us packed into one big house and it was 4 days of sun, water and relaxation.  As you can see from the pics, that’s about all we did.  And it was perfect.  Palm Springs has always been our  go-to vacation spot ever since I was little.  Now that we all have families of our own, it’s not often that we are able to coordinate our schedules to vacation together.  Which is why this trip was extra special.  My grandma was even able to fly out from Wisconsin to join us!  Four generations all together.  Looking around the room I couldn’t help but feel an overwhelming thankfulness for her.  Really, we are all here because of her.  Not our husbands of course, but my mom, my sisters, our kids.  It all started with one lady.  And it’s just amazing to me to think about the cycle of life and how that works.  I hope that one day I can be 76 and looking upon the generations that have come after me.  Life is such a beautiful and precious thing.

Ever since the miscarriage, I have thought more about my role as a mom and how I am impacting this little life I created.  I’ve thought about what a gift motherhood really is.  And how each moment should be cherished.  My heart breaks for those who cannot get pregnant, and I empathize with those who have lost babies that they never got the chance to hold.  Some, time and time and time again.  It’s a kind of pain you don’t even consider if you haven’t gone through something similar.  I know I never did.  While Mother’s day ought to be a celebration, I also celebrate with a sensitivity to those who are fighting for motherhood.  Those who are struggling to conceive or who have angels in heaven.  I think Mother’s day is for you too.  And my prayer is that you stay strong…and that one day, in God’s perfect timing….those desires are fulfilled in the most beautiful way.

I still cry sometimes when I think about the baby we lost.  I still feel a twinge of jealousy when I see a pregnant woman, wishing that was me.  But more than the sadness, I have found a new joy and appreciation for the perfect, charismatic, life-giving daughter that I do have.  I’m not quite sure how I got so lucky.  Not only in her, but for the man I get to raise her with.  The guy I get to call my husband and who she get’s to call her daddy.

Rylee, you are such a gift.  Thanks for letting me be your mama.

Dress (similar) & Bag – Urban Outfitters //  Boots – H&M

So, yesterday I finally dyed my hair purple (here’s a pic).  For those of you who follow along regularly, you know I’ve been talking about doing this for a while now.  My sister and I do each other’s hair….so we decided to experiment with a lavender to platinum ombre.  And it kind of worked!  It’s duller, more grey-purple than what we had hoped for…BUT, it was definitely a good first try!  It’s only a semi permanent….so it won’t be sticking around long, but it’s fun for a change!  I think next time we will boost up the color to see how that looks.  It’s weird, but i’m getting more daring in my ‘old age’.  I thought that was supposed to work the other way?  haha.

I’ve been living in these flowy babydoll dresses from Urban Outfitters.  I have this one, this one, and this one.  But warning….don’t dry them!  Sadly, one of them accidentally got throw in the dryer and is now closer to fitting Rylee than it is me! Honestly, things really aren’t supposed to shrink that much.  Isn’t that the worst!??

Photos by Erica

The 52 Project – a portrait series of my daughter, once a week, every week, in 2013 

Rylee and I spent the day last week with my friend, and uber talented photographer, Jackie Wonders.  We took some photos around our house for a special feature we are working on….but I thought I’d share a few of the outtakes here, to include in my 52 Project.

Sam and I were gone for only a few days and I swear Rylee looked even older when we returned.  The trip was a ton of fun, but without a baby to take care of or an email to check….I didn’t know what to do with myself.  I am so used to being productive with every spare minute of my day, that when I am given the opportunity to turn that off and just relax….it really is a challenge.  I know that sounds silly, but it’s the truth.  I’ve trained myself over the last year to be more efficient with my time and to constantly be marking things off of my checklist.  So when I tell myself to throw that checklist out the window, it’s almost impossible.  Which makes me think maybe I need more vacations like this one so I can learn how to really relax!  Regardless….I did the best I could at leaving it at all the door and enjoying this alone time I had with Sam.  It doesn’t come often!  Let me tell you, 4 nights kid-free with your husband does wonders for the relationship!!    Of course, we couldn’t forget about our Rylee.

I’m not sure exactly when it happened, but when I look at her, I don’t see my baby anymore…..but a little girl.  Her hair is finally coming in and she is practically talking in sentences.  Sometimes I am still shocked this little person came out of me.  I always thought I’d enjoy her older years better than the baby stage.  And with each passing day, that thought is confirmed.  I love watching her learn new things and seeing more of her personality shine through.  There are days when I still miss her tininess, but the joy I find in watching her grow is so much greater.

Mother’s day is just around the corner and I’ve teamed up with MASSI for a special giveaway just in time! Perfect for any mother, grandmother, sister or friend.

We are offering up one Massi Druzy Necklace in my favorite color, rose gold, as well as one of my ‘wildflower’ art prints.  The contest is being held on instagram….so head on over there for full details on how to enter.  A winner will be chosen on Friday, May 10th!

The 52 Project – a portrait series of my daughter, once a week, every week, in 2013 

So this is a total cheat ’52′ post….because all of these photos were taken with my iphone….and we all know that’s against the rules with this portrait series! ha!  HOWEVER….I missed this week (I have my excuses) so this is my attempt at making up for it.  If you follow me on instagram….you’ve probably already seen all of these over the last few weeks.  But if you don’t, I thought some of these might make you laugh.  The girl is a riot…..and growing up like it’s her job.

1 / Bam (our cat) dodging a Rylee squeeze…the poor guy is always on the run  / 2 / The best face. maybe ever.  Yes, she is in a diaper in the pool and no, we didn’t let her go all the way in / 3 / raising the roof for sunshine / 4 / just two of the most precious people I know / 5 / a day at the beach with the seagulls / 6 / the sheer joy of discovering sponge bob in ice cream form (thank you ice cream truck lady for making her world) / 7 / little lady, beach bound / 8 / witnessing some serious flirtation going on….boyfriends and lollipops!

Sam and I leave today for Texas!! I’m SO excited to be able to spend some QT with my hubs, but also kind of dreading leaving Ry for so long.  5 days is not SO long…..but it’s the longest i’ve gone and it sure does feel like forever when you spend every day with that special little someone.  Of course, she would choose her grandma over me any day….so I’m hoping she won’t even miss us.  Well, maybe a little, but then that’s just me being selfish.

A new watercolor illustration inspired by Isaiah 46:4  -

” I am he, I am he who will sustain you. I have made you and I will carry you; I will sustain you and I will rescue you.”

Resting in this truth today.

Leather Shoulder Contrast Top – c/o Sheinside // Shorts – Zara // Cutout Ankle sandals / boots – c/o Choies // Fringe Vest – Urban Outfitters (similar) // – Daisy Crossbody Bag c/o Linea Pelle

(How do you like Rylee’s photo bomb at the bottom there!? ha. Love her.)

So, I made it guys.  My bangs are officially long enough to pin back.  This calls for celebration!  I really didn’t think i’d make it.  Those bad boys have been the death of me the last few months, and every other day I’ve been tempted to chop them.  But here we are! (and yet, still, sometimes I just want them to be like this again).  But the husband likes them long, SO…i’m riding it out.  What do you think!? Long…..or blunt? Such an important issue, I know. haha.  I think i’ll always have a thing for blunt cut bangs.  They are my comfort zone.  But we all know we need to get out of that every now and then!

I got these fabulous cutout boots from Choies.  They have more of a pointed toe than I am used to…but they are growing on me!  I’ve been wanting a pair for a while now.  Below is my wishlist roundup.  I say boots are appropriate all year around….and these cutout options are making me feel even better about that opinion!

1.  Rachel Comey Dazze in Charcoal Perforated

2.  Shakuhachi Cutout Tassel Boot

3.  Sam Edelman Petty Whitewashed Booties

4.  Ecote Scaled Leather Ankle Boot

5.  Jeffrey Campbell Everly Cutout Boot

6.  Jeffrey Campbell Gallant Ankle Boot

7.  Triple Chain Moto Boot

8.  Modern Vice X Natalie + Dylana Suarez Jett Boot

I am in desperate need of some new pillows! Why is it so hard to choose!!? Here are a few I am loving.  What do you think!?

1.  John Robshaw Peak Decorative Pillow / 2.  Rebecca Atwood Ripple Shibori / 3.  Fine Little Day Dotty Pillow / 4.  UO Magical Thinking Crewel Ikat Pillow / 5.  Cotton & Flax Golden Plus Linen Pillow / 6.  Joss & Main Ikat Pillow / 7.  Sukan Modern Bohemian Throw Pillow / 8.  Proud Mary Grey Dot Pillow