Tukituki and Moooooooo Cows

Hey Ya'll!

It has been quite the busy week here! I spend a ton more time outside and going on adventures here than I do in the States.  This needs to be carried over once I go back :) A lovely women at church loaned me a spare bike for while I'm here.  I gave it a go yesterday and I have not forgotten how to ride.  However it seems like everyone here is such a biking pro I think I look quite hilarious on a bike compared to them.  One of the things I have learned and I am not sure if it applies to all of New Zealand, but at least in the Hawkes Bay area drivers love to use the bike lane.  Which is not cooooool at all and illegal for them to be driving in it (unless trying to park which hasn't been the case when my life is flashing before my eyes)

Anywho I wanted to share some of yesterdays adventures with ya'll I biked out to Tukituki River.  It was an absolutely glorious ride.  The sky was overcast, but it doesn't dampen any of the magnificent scenery as you can see.

Tukituki River

I kept hearing baaaaaaing and realised there was a sheep grazing, pretty neat!

On the way back while going up a hill (which may be the death of me) I hopped off my bike and began to walk up it when all the cows came down the hill to say hi.  Pretty awesome right?!

This one was especially curious

Well I hope ya'll had a wonderful day!

Sail Into the Sun

Hey ya'll,

I am all settled in New Zealand, never thought that would happen! Let the adventure begin! This is quite an exciting chapter of my life :) New Zealand is absolutely breathtaking!!! I cannot say enough about the beautiful sites, sounds, and smells of here.  In the near future I will be venturing out to different areas, especially to see the Lord of the Rings filming locations (geeking out about that one).  For now I thought I would share a few of the landscape shots I have taken.

Awesome right? More to come! 

Coral and Stripes + Announcement

Hey ya'll!

Is it just me or did Thanksgiving come really fast?! I have been super busy traveling and working with some amazing clients! Life just isn't slowing down like I thought it would, but that's a good thing because I have some amazing news to share with ya'll :)

..... I am going to New Zealand..... for three months..... and I leave at the end of January!!!! 

I still cannot believe that I'm going, even though I bought my ticket it doesn't seem real yet, mainly because this kind of opportunity never comes my way.  Words cannot express what a huge blessing this is! So in honor of pulling out my summer wardrobe (that's right it will be summer when I go :) and NC having unusually warm weather here's how I styled my stripped maxi skirt

Shirt - Forever 21 via Goodwill ~$5

Skirt - Sofia Max via Belk ~$20

Shoes - Converse via Vintage Values $8

Coral Jeweled Hair The - Anthropologie

Diamond Necklace - Khol's

So when packing I wanted to maximize my outfit choices as much as possible so this shirt originally was going under 2 or three other shirts.  However, when it's 70 degrees outside ain't no one got time for that :P Knowing that I was going to be cleaning, cooking, taking care of kiddos I wanted to be comfy and not get overheated.  This outfit fit the bill.  It was a bit of a challenge for me to get the shirt to look right because it's so long in the back, but I finally got the tie in the front right and I was all set to go!

Well I'm off to go into a tryptophan coma :) I hope ya'll have an amazing Thanksgiving!! And if you know of any places I should visit in New Zealand or overseas travel tips send them my way please:)

Playtime

Hey Ya'll!

Just wanted to share a quick post with some cute kids! I stopped by to catch up and could not believe how much little Z had grown! The last time I saw him was when I took his newborn pictures! It is crazy how fast they grow!

Adorably cute kiddos right?!

A Vintage Sunday for Two

Hey Ya'll!

It is a quite Monday here in PA.  I am relaxing and editing some pictures before venturing out for the day with my cousin:) Apparently it is going to be 75 degrees here, I think I brought the warm weather with me, you are welcome PA :p

In honor of the warm weather I wanted to share what we wore to church....in NC....in July.... (like I said I'm catching up on editing :)

Dress - Goodwill ~ $7

Cardigan -?? No clue had it for years ??

Belt - Came with a dress

Garnet Ring - Gift

Diamond Ring - ~$10 Oil City Warehouse Mall

Beaded Purse - ~$10 Thrift Store NC

Shoes - Croft & Barrow Kohl's ~$7

When I saw what S was wearing I knew I had to get some pictures of her! Don't ya'll just love her cardigan?! If you cannot tell I'm a big fan a cardigans. I personally don't like my arms (I have some toning work to do) so I try to cover them up.  Also I think that it can tie an outfit together nicely.  The beaded details on her cardigan is especially awesome. I also love how she added pops of color with her shoes and shirt :)

As for my dress I actually picked this dress up during our Wilmington Adventure and I knew I had to wear it right away :) When I pack for a trip I try to pack some neutral accessories and it sure paid off! The only thing I wish I would have packed was a longer slip for this dress, but this one worked temporarily.  I really love the pattern of this dress, something I am trying to expand in my wardrobe.  Most of my dresses are solid print, but I'm working on that :) To add a little more of a pop of color I wore my pink lipstick.  I love to play around with lipsticks and now that it's fall I can bust out some of my richer colors :)

So what do ya'll think of our vintage looks?

There's No Crying in Baseball! - Stripes and Coral

Hey Ya'll!

So I do not know what the weather is doing in your neck of the woods, but here it is still unseasonably warm :( I get all excited in the morning that it will be chilly all day so I can cozy up in a sweater then by afternoon it's 75 degrees and I'm hot, not cool :P Now I'm in PA so I can finally bust out my winter clothes :) Super excited about that!

So since we have wonky weather, here is what I wore to my little bro's baseball game :)

Shirt - Liz Claiborne via JcPenney ~ $15

Shorts - JCrew via Goodwill ~$5

Shoes - Marshalls ~ $18

Hat - Marshalls, Ross?

I had my little photographer E take these pictures, she was super excited to tell me what to do for once :) And she did an awesome job don't ya think?

Well this will probably be the only shorts outfit for fall since it better be cold when I get back to Maryland.  However I did briefly want to explain my modesty stance on shorts.  I personally prefer shorts that fall around mid thigh.  I do not want to bend over and have anything hanging out if you get my drift.  Any longer than this and they look weird on me. Yeah I can't pull off bermuda shorts :(  In todays world it is very hard to find shorts like this, I have found that JCrew and Ann Taylor have the best selection of shorts that meet my standards.  Since I do not like to pay full price I get especially excited when I find these brands at a thrift store!

Hello October - Leather and Polka Dots

Hey Ya'll!

I am am super excited about fall being here! I have missed my boots and jackets!! So at the first sign of a chill in the air I decided to take full advantage of it :)

Hat - Thrifted

Scarf - Cynthia Rowley via Back By Popular Demand

Skirt - Valerie Bertinelli via Goodwill

Shirt - ?? No tag no clue ??

Jacket - Sofia Max via Belk ~ $30  

Belt - Thrifted

Shoes - Kenneth Cole via Belk $30

I can not wait for more fall weather, I desperately need a break from the humidity! I am really enjoying looking through my closet and seeing all my new options I can wear now that it's cooling off.  My boots are especially looking forward to the dust getting shaken off of them :) On a side note I have found that investing in solidly make leather boots and taking care of them will save you money in the long run.  I haven't bought new boots out of necessity for years.  Now I have bought boots that I wanted, but that doesn't count :) I seem to have found the best deals at the end of the season mostly at Macy's for around $100. Which considering non leather boots can cost $50 or more and they only last a season or so it's worth the investment, at least to me it is. 

What are you excited to start wearing?