oh babe i hate to go!

pictures from our trip to the stuttgart wilhelma zoo and botanical gardens last week.

i can't even think straight right now with all the packing that's going on here. 

i'm very sad to leave my family and friends again after 6 fun filled weeks but inevitably that day always comes. so there really isn't much more to say than my heart is heavy but also filled with love and so many great memories to take with me. 

the best would probably have to be logan learning how to walk and then of course the way he adoringly squeals at his grandparents and uncles when he sees them. it's hard to put into words how these last weeks have made me feel. i am so grateful we got to be here because in the end spending as much time as possible with the ones you love is really all that matters. 

i want my children to know and love their grandparents no matter how far away they are and i want them to see as much of the world as we can manage to show them. i am excited to see what the next trip will bring... 

tomorrow, while we're crossing the atlantic up above the clouds somewhere, i will try to focus on all the great things that await us at home. i miss the dogs, my in-laws, my bed!!, the quietness of living on an acre of land and the smell of freshly cut grass (because someone is always moving) and as much as i loooove german food, i am ready for a good burger and fries. 

i won't dwell on all the things i am once again leaving behind because these things just can't be changed. the choices we make in life that are hard are the ones that give us courage to grow and shape us into who we are. my heart will always be in two places, sometimes more in one and less in the other and not always content but always grateful. 

so as this blog will now go back to its old (and probably much less exciting) self i hope you enjoyed this little glimpse at where i come from and i hope you'll stick around. i also hope you'll forgive me for not getting back to you on all of your emails and comments. i truly appreciate all the time you spend commenting and would love to answer the all questions you have. just know that time isn't always on my side but i do my best :) 

haircut

i got a haircut and color today and as much as i had wished that after showing these pictures I would leave the salon looking like this: 

source

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the color ended up a little more like this (minus the sultry hotness that is megan fox of course) and even though it admittedly looks and feels a ton healthier now, i lost well over an inch of precious length. 

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so while i mourn that extra inch and wash my hair twice a day now until i achieve a more subtle look you'll get to enjoy this handsome young man ;) happy thursday! 

style files: rockin' that maxi skirt and where to find a good white tee

top: loft, skirt: urban outfitters, shoes: tjmaxx, bracelet: local shop, sunglasses: cole haan 

i love my black maxi skirt. it's one of the most comfortable pieces in my wardrobe and so versatile.
when it's hot outside but i don't feel like exposing the legs I just throw on this fail safe combo of black skirt and white top.

a few of you have asked me where to find a good white tee that isn't sheer. well, I love myself a good white t-shirt and I like to keep a few slight variations on hand because they easily get stained and eventually, when nothing removes those ugly yellow armpit stains anymore, I throw them out. the fit is super important to me so if it doesn't fit perfectly I don't take it home.

here are a few of my go-to brands to replenish the white t-shirt stash:

american eagle - they always have a good deal on t-shirts that are good quality and have a great fit. my all time favorite shirt is their AE Favorite V-Neck Tee

old navy - they just recently came out with a vintage style shirt I absolutely love. it's heathered and soft, thin but not too thin and comes in crew neck and v-neck styles

tresics - i had never heard of the brand until i found one of their shirts at a local store. while searching online i found their website where you can place wholesale orders only. bummer. but there are a few other online options below. it also looks like anthropologie has sold tresics before. the ones i have are a little sheer but they are perfect for layering over a cami or top. they drape beautifully and are super light. even better: they are super affordable. a few favorites can be found here & here & here

loft - the top i am wearing above is from there and I love their 50% off sales (going on right now too)
favorites: here & here & here 

jcrew - well, it's jcrew after all ;) again I love the vintage feel their t-shirts have and whenever they are on sale I don't have to feel too bad about the price. here are the favorites: here & here & here

hope this helps you in your search for the perfect tee.

this post is not sponsored by any of the above mentioned brands but simply my own opinion. enjoy.

hiking in the alps

sorry for the picture overload today. we are back from our weekend trip to bavaria and i thought i'd give you a few reasons you should save up your moneysss for a nice little german vacation.

my parents live very close to a city called stuttgart in the state of baden-württemberg in southern germany. from there it takes about 2,5 hours to get to a part of the state bavaria called allgäu. my grandparents used to own a vacation home here so i spent many of my childhood vacations there, learning to ski, swim and hiking through the mountains.
the landscapes are beautiful and you are also very close to austria and switzerland.

we did a couple of shorter tours since logan had to be carried. i ended up getting around carrying him completely as my husband, brother and mama volunteered. unfortunately jason injured his back somehow and the second tour had to be a much shorter one. he is still recovering, walking like an old man and grunting with every move...

i realized how badly i need to get back into shape when we hiked down a super steep cow field and my leg muscles started to spaz out on me. yeah i'm still sore.

best parts about this mini vaca:

we got to pet cows on our hikes (they didn't like me)
eat warm home made cheese cake
went out to dinner where men in bowler hats stole the show and gifted Logan with a huge decorated ginger bread heart
my dad cooked a yummy goulash one night and we ate on the balcony with a gorgeous view
we took logan to the pool and he loved the water slides
listening to thunderstorms
fresh mountain cheeses OMG!
on sunday we celebrated our 7 year anniversary with a dinner date and some yummy ice cream


have you ever been to the alps/bavaria/germany before?

still having fun. still the one.

this man and i have been married for 7 years!!! (technically yesterday)
7 years full of adventures, learning, growing and building a life together we can be proud of.
most importantly those years have been full of love, respect and gratitude for one another.

J, i love you more than you'll ever know and i am so happy to be on this wonderful journey with you.
this past year has been the greatest one yet, challenging yes, but oh so worth it thanks to this little man of ours. you are a terrific father and husband.

happy anniversary!

style files: chambray on denim

jeans: replay, shirt: jcrew, tshirt: gap, scarf: pieces, shoes: mootsies tootsies, watch: michael kors 

while you're reading this i am probably hiking around the alps somewhere with a 23 lbs toddler strapped to my back. but that's a great work out right? right! 

happy friday and have a wonderful weekend. i'll be back next week to let you know the condition my sore muscles are in...

15 Closet Essentials

hey folks, sorry i've been posting less but since we're still in germany i don't get to keep up with it as much as i'd like. jason finally joined us on tuesday and we are taking a weekend trip to the alps. so i won't be back around until tuesday. 

i shared this post over at love stitched so you may have seen it there already... 

it's all about some of my closet essentials, items i wear all the time and that are easily matched up. 

1. A basic dark tee (this one is charcoal gray) goes with mostly anything.
2. The white v-neck tee should be an absolute must in anybody's closet because it can be easily dressed up or down.
3. A simple tee with a bold print to spice things up a bit. 
4. I pretty much live in a good gingham or plaid shirt.
5. A simple cardigan for layering will keep you warm on a chilly summer night.
6. Leggings - No explanation needed!
7. A skinny belt helps you define your waist when layering.
8. Statement necklaces add some sparkle or a bright pop of color to an outfit.
9. A great fitting blazer will be your best friend and never go out of style.
10. LBD (little black dress) or really any dress that makes you look and feel great. Go turn some heads, ladies :) 
11. A flowy a-line, knee length skirt looks great on most body types and looks cute and feminine.
12. Maxi skirts are super comfortable and who cares if you didn't get to shave...
13. A great fitting pair of wide leg jeans.
14. A pair of skinny jeans in a bold color or basic denim (or both, you know!).
15. A pair of denim cut-offs for casual, hot summer days.

What items are essential to your closet and why?