Last Sunday, partly because of my timing belt fiasco, I spent the weekend at home and was able to spend Super Bowl Sunday at my grandparents' house. My trip home also afforded me the opportunity to watch TLC with my mom on Friday night, see Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close with my dad on Saturday night, and make a coconut cake from scratch with my mom.
My mom made most of the cake, but I helped by adding powdered sugar to the icing and assisting in the icing and coconut-sprinkling process. Anyways... the cake was beautiful and delicious and my mom is a cake boss. A cake boss with a specialty in coconut cake deliciousness. I wish I could share a slice with each of you, but since that is impossible, we shall have to settle for pictures of this perfection:
Yum
The cake was a hit at my grandparents' Super Bowl party (at least for those of us who like coconut). I rooted for the Patriots, but most of my focus was devoted to conversing with family members and eating delicious party food. Before leaving the party, my mom took a few pictures of (some) of my cousins and my grandma. Aren't we cute?
Whoops! I forgot to turn off the fisheye effect!
Much better! Katie, Grandma, and yours truly.
Retail Details:
Seafoam Ruffle Neck Tee: J. Crew
White Cardigan: Victoria's Secret
Grey Lace-Trim Tank: American Eagle
Dark Rinse Skinny Jeans: Abercrombie & Fitch (purchased on the Peoria store's last day of existence)
Gold Tone Baubled Necklace: Target
When I woke up this morning, one of the first thoughts that ran through my mind (after "what time is it?") was that I wanted to wear a dress today. This thought coursed through the sort of determination that was more than simply wanting to wear a dress- I decided that I MUST wear a dress. As a declaration of the beautiful weather, in celebration of the delightful days spent with family, and in anticipation of the upcoming season and my new job. As I prepared myself for the day I thought "yes, self, I really must wear a dress."
Which dress did I choose? With the fresh breeze and lower temperatures (than previous days this summer), I decided that my Mompos Dress would be perfect. I didn't even try on any other dress or outfit. That was it. Perfect for the day ahead of me and perfect for the weather.
Retail Details:
Light Grey Headband: J. Crew
Shades: Coach (Rx)
Blue and White Mompos Dress: Plenty by Tracy Reese from Anthropologie (here)
Silver Locket: American Eagle Outfitters (modified by moi)
Off White and Tan Pumps: Seychelles
Later today I made my way out to my grandparents' house for a send off dinner in honor of my aunt, uncle, and cousins before their flight back home (after a very eventful and fun-filled visit, I must say!) I wish that their time in Central Illinois was longer, but I am thankful for the time that I and all of my family were able to spend with them.
We celebrated our time together with Beef Wellington (prepared by my Uncle Mike), Grilled Cheese (prepared by Grandma for me and others who don't eat Beef Wellington), Cheesy Potatoes, Ginger Sesame Salad, Watermelon, and Oreo Dirt Dessert (courtesy of Aunt Shelly), as well as a few other goodies here and there. The send off dinner was an occasion of no great formality, but the dress felt right for the time and the moment that, in many ways, represents the end of summer and the beginning of the annual ascent into Autumn.
My camera's battery died so my cousin Katie took this picture from my mobile! Thanks Katie!!!
Before I close tonight's post, I want to share a song with you all about lasting friendships from an artist I began listening to earlier this year. My family and extended family are a blessing to me in so many ways and this summer, especially the past two weeks, have brought a newfound awareness of the blessing of friendship that I find with my family.
So, without further adieu, I am dedicating this song (by the very talented Brooke Fraser) to my family, extended family, and friends I count as dear and near as family! Enjoy!
These people keep me grounded (my brother Sam, cousins Katie and Kim, and my Uncle Clark)
Hello Readers,
Tonight's post features something very dear to me. More precious than riches or fame. What could this be? A hard to find dress to Anthropologie? No! A dream job? Nope!
That thing of which I speak is. . . FAMILY! Over the past two weeks, I've been away from my family in St. Louis (last week) and Chicago (this week)- and in my time of absence from them I've become even more aware of their value in my life. My mom's listening ear, my dad's advice, my brothers' antics, my grandparents' stories, the support of my aunts and uncles, and the friendship of my cousins. Warm memories, shared experiences, celebrations (accompanied with Aunt Shelly cake on my mom's side!)
The love and support of my family is what gives me confidence and keeps me going during times of joy, times of trial, and everytime in between. They keep me grounded!
This week (it's only Tuesday- woah!), I was looking through photos of recent family events, and I thought that I could share it with you all (especially my family- SHOUT OUT!).
Photos from my cousin Bill's graduation party:
Bill is a graduate and a champ (I think he did well in this round of the tossing game)
My dad (the taller one) and my Uncle CJ
Photos from a graduation/Sunday evening gathering at my grandparents' house:
Surveying the damage to the RC truck
Swing Swing!
Dan the baseball man!
A blossoming photographer in the family! :)
Uncle John
Happy Graduation Kim!
Also, I've had my eye on the Maeve Tied Down dress from Anthropologie for quite a while, but gave up on my search after my store in St. Louis ran out and the dress became no longer available online. Then the big sale of the year began at Anthro, and I thought I would never see the dress again- but the week that the store offered and additional 25% off, I found a dress at the store and bought it for almost 50% off the original price! I wore it to two parties in one weekend. That is how much I love it- but, of course, not as much as I love my family!
I hope that all of you had a wonderful Christmas, and for those of you who are still on vacation/holiday I hope that the time off from work or school is going well! I know that I am enjoying this time off tremendously!
Christmas really is a wonderful time of the year for many reasons, but to me the two reasons that make the days surrounding Christmas so merry and bright are:
(1) the celebration of Jesus' birth (which, I know, probably happened in the spring time- but still the reason for the season) and
(2) family time
Here I am with my cousins Kim, Liz, and Katie (the star of this post)
Both sides of my family are fairly large in number- especially my mom's side of the family. Every year (almost) all of us gather at my grandparents' house for rich experiences of food and fellowship- but there's always something special about Christmas at my grandparents' house. Every branch of the family brings something to the table with food dishes, gifts, smiles, stories, and warm conversations. Usually the grown ups and little kids camp out on the main floor [the grown up men take over the living room to watch a game (and nap, ahem- dad); while the grown up women stay in the kitchen and dining area] while the almost grown ups and not almost grown ups [the cousins, including me] hang out in the basement. We all come together to get food and exchange gifts. Our two groups don't remain separate otherwise though, we intermingle- but these are just the tendencies.
(Here we are! And this isn't even all of us- we are missing the Quists, Uncle Mike, and Bonnie)
So, there you have it- a (somewhat sociological) glimpse of how my family celebrates Christmas. But that probably isn't why you are here today- you are here today to hear about fashion and outfits, right?
For this post, I chose the outfit that my cousin Katie wore to this warm celebration. Katie is one of the most kind, warm, smart and compassionate people I know. Katie brightens every room that she's in with her smile and charm.
Here she is with a bright smile, and a charming outfit:
Retail Details:
Grey Cardigan: Wet Seal
Grey Lace-Trim Tank: American Eagle
Sparkly Layered Necklace: American Eagle (borrowed from her sister Kim)
Distressed Jeans: Silver Jeans (purchased from Bergner's)
Black Socks: Brand Unknown, but they are microfiber socks, and according to Katie they are really comfortable.
