Fall Preview | Anjolee Diamond Anniversary Band Review

Floppy Hat | Floral Dress | Cardigan | Yoga Pant Leggings | Layered Necklace | Boots | Diamond Anniversary Band

The last week or so has been heavenly around here. Temperatures have dipped slightly to give way to moody, stormy skies. Rather than enduring the dog days I anticipated for August, I've found myself enjoying summer rainstorms and an early taste of my favorite fashion season--fall. It's just around the corner, and with the slight reprieve from heat I can't help but try on all the hats, cardigans, boots, and layers that the best time of year entails. I particularly love the abundance of floppy hats for the coming season, and this one from Forever 21 was a steal! Furthermore, their floral dresses right now are adorable and insanely inexpensive. 

Apart from the cooler weather and increased layers, another aspect that I love about my namesake season is the abundance of weddings. Love is in the crisp, autumn air. Obviously spring is a popular time to get married, but it seems to me that the fall is the next most popular time to tie the knot. The beauty of the season makes for amazing photography and highly romantic outdoor displays. My own wedding happened in the fall 5 years ago. Recently I was approached by the high end diamond jewelry manufacturer and retailer, Anjolee. They specialize in jewelry of all kinds, but their wedding and anniversary line is particularly exquisite. And the best part? Everything is customizable to the customer's exact preferences, taste, and budget. They customize by any metal type, and carat size of diamond or gemstones. This website is ideal for the bride to be, or (like myself in the near future) the happy couple celebrating an anniversary. 

The simple, antique-style diamond band that I am wearing is from their collection. I was able to choose this particular style, which mirrors my wedding bands perfectly. I also chose to have it made in white gold to match my own wedding set, and I've found myself wearing it constantly on my right hand since it arrived in the pretty little box they sent it in. They were an absolute dream to work with, and I can't praise them enough. 

Diamond Anniversary Band | Anjolee Website | Facebook | Pinterest

Here's to the beginning of the best season, upcoming weddings and anniversaries, and many more fall fashion posts to come!

Cheers,  

Red, White and Chambray | Memorial Day

Happy Memorial Day!  This holiday is a lot more meaningful than Sam getting the day off. Don't get me wrong, I love the fact that he gets a paid holiday... any extra time with him is appreciated (especially with as much as he's been traveling for work lately) but the holiday is much more than that. It's a day to be grateful--to reflect on what we have, and why we have it. From those who have gone before us, to those who are currently making sacrifices to make this life as we know it possible... they deserve our utmost respect and gratitude. America may not be perfect. We have our fair share of problems to work through. Yet, the fact that I live in a country that enjoys and protects a degree of freedom that many throughout the history of this world could only have dreamed of, is not lost on me. I can get on this little blog of mine, and shout my ideas and opinions all day long if I so desire. Me. A member of a religion born in obscurity and protected by the freedoms promised by the constitution--a true homegrown, American undertaking (and one that, I'm convinced, could not have survived anywhere else). Me. A woman--educated, empowered, encouraged even to do and say as I please.  These are not a trifle things. Peering through the lens of history (and sadly some contemporary events as well) the rights that I enjoy are made that much more impressive.

As a social studies major in college I took my fair share of history classes that emphasized the negative in American history and politics. Yet, despite the shortcomings, there has always been a silver lining--a desire to improve, to move forward, and to stay true to the principles this country was founded on. We may not always agree on the best ways to implement the American dream, or what that even means--but I'm glad for the opportunity to disagree. Democracy, freedom... it can be a messy business letting everyone have a voice, but I wouldn't have it any other way. I am proud to be an American--proud of my heritage, and proud of our potential. And, along with my love of country, comes a deep and profound respect for those who have made very real, often heartbreaking sacrifices to protect it. I owe much to the men and women who have fought--even died--to protect that freedoms I enjoy every day. 

...like (but not limited to of course) the ability to talk about fashion and photography. This is my first pair of Buffalo brand jeans, and I'm in love. I've been looking for a good pair of distressed, lighter washed jeans to wear this summer, and these are perfect. I love the fit, feel, and look of them--almost the definition of a boyfriend jean, but skinny rather than a relaxed fit (which I prefer). Additionally from this post, my red and white checkered shirt is my attempt at being festive. At Sam's suggestion I paired it with my straw fedora hat I got earlier this spring. Klair went to bed a little early last night, so Sam and I had some fun taking a few fun/creative photos in our yard. Don't worry though, there will be an overload of Klair pictures once we get them uploaded. She's pretty darn cute in her little holiday outfit, if I do say so myself!

Happy Memorial Day!

 I hope you all have a beautiful day filled with lots of love and laughter. 

Jeans | Shirt (similar) | Hat (similar) | Shoes 

Little Fashionista + Klair's First Time Playing in the Snow

Today I'm linking up with Katie for a baby style post. 

Confession time: I'm jealous of my daughter's clothes. As in, I often wish that I could find the things that my little Klair Bear wears in my size. Then we could match! Yep, I'm one of those moms. Or, at least I would be. This outfit is one of those cases. The skirt? The hat? The cardigan? Yep, I would wear them myself if I could. That's probably why I love her in this outfit so much. She looks like a mini adult. Good thing these pictures are so cute or I might be hyperventilating right now about how grown up my baby girl is...

I attempted to get just a few good photos of her, and apparently I was having too much fun with my camera. I guess it helps that I have a good model. She is walking so well now (as evidenced by the photo collage above) and she makes the cutest little faces and gestures as she goes along.

She is genuinely happy with herself.

I've actually noticed a pattern with Klair and  her walking that I find amusing. The first time she took a step? When we were in a room filled with family at my in-laws. The first time she really started taking off on her own (i.e. initiating the walking process without us prompting her) when we had some friends over this past weekend for the Superbowl. Then again tonight when we had the scouts over for den meeting she wanted our attention and walked around the house/living room the whole time. Basically, I'm thinking that this girl thrives off of attention!

For the record, she grabbed that book and sat on her toy box to read all by herself. 

She created her own little reading nook! 

The teacher in me is jumping for joy. 

She is constantly giving hugs and kisses these days, 

and her stuffed animals are often the recipients of such affection. 

She climbs up on her toy box to look out the window at passing people, bird, cars...anything really. She's very curious about the world and extremely observant. 

I can't wait to take her outside more once the weather gets nicer! 

Speaking of going outside... It snowed a good deal the last few days and I decided to take Klair out to play. It was actually her first time playing in it. Now, I know what you're thinking. "You live in Utah and you just barely took your daughter to play in the snow? It's... February!" It's not as bad as it sounds though, I promise! We had a weirdly warm and dry November. Then, in December we actually got a lot of snow, but we were constantly sick and it always seemed to coincide with the powder days. Then, January was another pretty dry month around here. Thus, the snowfall in the past few days was the first opportunity we've really had to take her out and throw her in the cold, white, fluffy stuff.

She did surprisingly well. I daresay she loved it!

This little snow bear was in heaven. 

After letting her scoot and play around in it, I grabbed our sled and we took advantage of our slightly sloped yard. It was just steep enough that she could get going. At first we did it together, and once Klair felt comfortable with it I let her go on her own. I was surprised at how brave she was. This little babe was all smiles.

It was night time, and we shot this with Sam's phone, 

so the quality isn't the greatest... 

but I still love the look of pure joy on her face :)