A trip to visit a friend...

by Crystal

Remember when I said I was going to visit Katie? It already feels like so long ago. But it was so much fun and just what I needed! We spent our time doing crafts, drinking wine, eating delicious food, and watching episodes of Parks and Recreation. Perfect weekend, right? Right. Now that we've got that settled...

Can we talk about this oxblood craze for a second, please? The name just seems so...gruesome? I'd much prefer to be wearing a color called burgundy, plum, sangria, wine, or even maroon, than a color named after the blood of an ox. Has anyone else thought about this? Just me?

Added bonus for the weekend - Mom stopped by for a visit!

Outfit details:
Cardigan: Gap
Cords: Gap
Boots: Target

(almost) Friday favorites!

by Crystal

Last night we watched one of my all-time favorite holiday movies:

E was afraid it might be a little early to start watching holiday movies. But for me, it's never too early! We still have a few more we need to get through before December 25th. And then obviously we'll need to watch A Christmas Story two or three times that day.

That got me thinking about a few more of my favorites, so here goes:

Favorite colder weather song:

(I mean, come on. How can you not love John Legend??)

Favorite new iPhone app: PicFX.
 This has some of the best editing capabilities I've seen for the iPhone! If you can spare a few bucks, I highly recommend it!

Favorite new blog I'm following: The long and short of it
Maybe it's because she lives fairly close to me, and I think we should be friends, but I'm really loving this blog! 

I'm heading to Madison, WI tomorrow to visit our lovely Katie! We are looking forward to some fun times walking dogs, drinking wine, eating cheese, and doing some much need thrifting. I'm so excited! (And I just can't hide it.)

Happy early weekend y'all!

Tights weather.

by Crystal

Temperatures are really starting to drop over here. I look at it as a reason to incorporate tights into more outfits!

We visited a local mill and winery last weekend while dad was still in town. I don't know what it is about going to wineries that I feel like I need to wear a dress, but I've definitely made up that rule in my head. And I'm one to follow the rules.

Outfit details:
Jacket: Target
Scarf: Target (old)
Dress: Forever 21 (old)
Boots: Sole Society

Election day!

by Crystal

Watching the news about how long some citizens were waiting in line to vote makes me grateful I moved to a small town. Within 20 minutes (including the four block drive to the voting site), I had done my civic duty and cast my ballot. I hope everyone was able to make it to the polls! If not, you still have about 50 minutes! They said as long as you're standing in line by 7 p.m., you'll be allowed to vote - even if you don't actually get to do it until a few hours later. If you're one of these people, I suggest bringing some hot cocoa/tea/coffee/cider to help keep you warm.

We'll be up way too late tonight to find out who will be our POTUS for the next four years. I've done what I can...now, we wait.

We took these photos right after I walked in the door from running errands. I wasn't going to photograph this outfit, but I got complimented on both my jacket AND my scarf. So obviously they needed to be shared on the internet. And yes, I'm wearing blue for a reason today!

Scarf: Pieces Boutique - adorable local shop!
Jacket: Gap (2011) - similar
Sweater: Gap
Jeans: Gap
Boots: Target

A day off.

by Crystal

My dad came to visit this weekend! He's only our second guest we've had, and first family member to experience this new place we call home. I took off on Friday, and we had the chance to visit a local dairy that delivers milk, ice cream, butter (all the essentials) to grocery stores and shops in this area. It was wonderful!

It was a beautiful day, my dad was in town, and I'm stuffed full of peanut butter chocolate chip ice cream - so I was especially happy! Special thanks to him for snapping these photos!

...and a few more from the day.

Outfit details:
Sweater: Target (2011)
Cords: Gap
Boots: Sole Society

The nature walk that turned into a hike.

by Crystal

How was everyone's Halloween?? Ours was pretty uneventful. We don't really get any trick or treaters in our apt. building, so instead, we cuddled up and watched a Halloween movie. Little Shop of Horrors counts, right? Neither of us are much for scary movies. E did dress up for work, though. He did a mash up of a wizard and a football player. He was a FANTASY FOOTBALL player. Get it? He's a creative one, that guy.

Anyway, I wanted to share a little something my friends and I discuss quite a bit. The difference between nature walks/nature trails, and hikes. Basically, here it is:

• Nature Walks/Nature Trails: Light amount of effort, mostly flat terrain - for those who want to take a trail walk outdoors and be one with nature. Wear what you want for this one
• Hike: Medium to lots of effort, moderate to steep inclines, with a destination to get to a certain point (mostly the top of a mountain/hill). Wear loose fitting/comfy clothing and sturdy shoes

While visiting the family-in-law this weekend, we decided to grab some fresh air and head outside to nearby state park called Stone Mountain. I thought we were just going to walk on a trail or two, enjoy the brisk weather and some conversation, but instead we ended up walking up a mountain literally made of stone.

Now, I'm normally a person who loves a good hike, but this time I was completely unprepared (attire-wise, of course). We went about halfway up, starting getting a little sweaty, and turned around to walk back. That's just how we roll.

My outfit may have stopped me from hiking, but it obviously didn't keep me from dancing.

Top: H&M
Boyfriend jeans: Gap
Shoes: Sperry Top-Siders
Sunnies: Target