{Fall Dress Cravings}

It's no secret that I am obsessed with dresses! 

Especially during the summer/fall because they are nice and breezy but can be paired with a jacket if it gets cool. 

I'm saving up my pennies to do a little back to school shopping at J. Crew Factory and these three lovelies are on my wish list! 

I died over how Jennifer styles this dress...died! 

1  2  3

The options are endless and I can't wait to get a few {Wendel's panicking} of these babies and style away!  

Happy Wednesday! 

{Drive In}

Happy Monday! 

I just have to say a big thank you to all of my readers! Thank you for your outpouring of love and encouragement over my post on Friday! You all are the best, and thank you for giving me grace and showing me some love along the way! 

I am happy to say that we started {and perhaps finished} some big{ish} and scary projects over the weekend so I will be sharing them with you soon and how I handled myself along the way :) 

While Friday was a super draining day {that post was scary to publish, but I'm so thankful I did} I was lucky enough to have a super fun and exciting evening to look forward to! 

Ya'll...we went to our first drive in! 

These blankets came in handy...it's been so cool here and I'm soaking it up! 

Popcorn Boxes

Someone was slightly obsessed with the bottled cokes...too cute!

Little red headed cutie who could have partied all night!

Cutest in-laws ever, right?

We had an absolute blast! We saw Turbo and then the little kids packed up so we could stay for Wolverine!

Can't wait to catch more movies this summer/fall! 

{Perfection...}

Happy Friday! 

I have kind of a downer post for you today...sorry...

I thought about maybe writing this post and never publishing it, but then I figured that if I struggle with this, then maybe some of you struggle with it. 

So here it goes! 

Perfectionism...{shiver}...yup...that word. 

I know a lot of people probably say they are "perfectionists" like it's a personality trait. And a lot of people will say that being a perfectionist is a good thing. You care about detail, work super hard, and won't stop 'till it's right.  

Now don't get me wrong...it's a great thing to want to try your best. 

But no...perfectionism is not a good thing. 

 I'm here to be honest....this is my blog where I share my thoughts, interests, and real life stuff...so I'm going to be really honest.

I'm a perfectionist, and it's become somewhat debilitating.

Let me set you up with a perfect example...

A few nights ago Wendel and I had nothing to do so we were going to have a night to "get stuff done"

Wendel had some projects to work on, and I have loads of fun ideas that I've wanted to work on. 

Wendel goes downstairs to work on his projects, and I pretty much have a full blown panic attack. 

I won't get into all of the details, but let's just say that I have an incredibly loving husband who supports me when I'm down and encourages me to move forward. 

After a lot of talking, I realized something very prolific about myself. 

I have serious problems starting projects if I know they won't turn out perfectly. 

I can't even start them! 

I can't tell you how many times I've wanted to do a project, but because I know it won't turn out perfectly, I totally scrap it. 

Fashion posts have really helped with this though, because who are we kidding? When have we ever taken perfect pictures of ourselves. I am forced to look past the imperfections and hit publish. 

I'm a perfectionist about our house- if it's not perfectly clean at all times my skin is crawling. 

I'm a perfectionist about working out- if I miss one work out a week I feel like I've failed. 

I'm a perfectionist about my diet- if I eat one wrong thing I've totally failed. 

I'm a perfectionist about my work- if my lessons didn't go perfectly I am the worst teacher. 

I'm a perfectionist about my blog posts- if my pictures aren't perfect, and everything isn't just in it's perfect little place I won't publish it. 

I'm a perfectionist about being a wife- if I haven't planned fun dates, cooked amazing meals, and been a sexy, hot wife {yup...I went there}then I have totally let down Wendel. 

I'm a perfectionist about my appearance- you know the saying if you look good you feel good...yup...very very true for this girl

I'm even a perfectionist about my family- if there is one tiny problem going on with one of my siblings then I dwell on it until the problem is gone. 

Ya'll...it's draining. 

And the last thing I want to do it pretend that I'm perfect on this blog. Ya'll our life is messy at times. I wouldn't trade it for the world, but it's messy. 

So now that ya'll know wayyy more than you ever wanted to know about me :) I'm here to make a proclamation...

I am not going to let perfectionism rule my life anymore...

Well I'm going to try...because I'm not perfect right :) 

I have to give myself a break and know that I am human. 

No clue at all how to achieve this...but I'm going to work on it! 

I really hope I'm not preaching to the choir, because I would hate it everyone struggled with this...but I hope that if you do, you will join me in striving for change. 

And with all of that...I'm going to go and start a project that I can imagine will not turn out as perfectly as I have in my head...I'll keep you posted :) 

{Rock & Roll}

I'm constantly looking for ways to remix a maxi skirt or dress. They are just the most comfortable things ever to wear in the summer time. 

This time, I decided to pair my favorite maxi skirt with my chucks and a white T. Add a chambray to it {because we were going to be inside which = Lelia being freezing} and I was ready to go! 

Skirt: Loft Outlet / Chucks: DSW / Chambray: J. Crew Factory / White T: Target / Bag: Target / Watch: Fossil

Oh yeah...and my hair is constantly in a top knot...no need to pix your hair...and it's look hilarious when you take it down! 

Not really sure if I pull it off...but guess what? 

It's comfy...so I don't care :) 

{Wish List: Fall 2013}

I am currently knee deep in Downton Abbey and to pass the time I've been online shopping for some new fall items to add to my closet!

I haven't actually purchased anything, but these are a few of the things on my wish list! 

1/2/3/4/5/6

I know what you're thinking...that's a lot of shoes. 

What can I say...I'm a shoe person! 

Happy Monday! 

{Flashback Friday: Honeymoon}

Ya'll...I'll be real honest...there's a whole flippin' lot going on in Wendel Land so I'm giving myself a little break and doing a lamo post with a throw back to our honeymoon...because let's be honest...the beach would be okay right now :) 

I was slightly obsessed with the cutsey drinks in the fruit...for the first two sips...then Diet Coke please!

And I'm leaving you with this blooper...the after of me trying to get the "jumping picture"...fail! 

Happy Friday!! 

{Pushin' and A Shovin'...}

Yup...that's what we have to do in order to open our back door to get to our deck/pool...

This massive door {picture from 2010} is original to the house...which was built in the 60's and it's seen better days. My poor family struggles every time they need to come in from the pool to get a drink or use the restroom! 

The amazing news is that we have a new door on the way and we couldn't be more excited! 

This is giving me new energy to consider changing up a few things in our living/dining room...

Wendel is thrilled :) 

Here is some inspiration! 

I love the detailed paneling that they installed! This would be a decently inexpensive project that would add loads of architectural detail!  

Sources

I am pretty much obsessed with this entire living room/kitchen. It's 100% different from ours currently, but I love how bright and airy it is! 

Source

Wendel and I have talked about making a family creed for our kids to live by. Something like this would be perfect...and so so cute! 

We would love to eventually purchase a sectional...just hasn't been high on our list as of yet...but someday! 

Source

Can't wait to show some after pictures once the doors get in! They are gonna be soooooo pretty! 

Hope everyone's week is going well!! 

{Wendel's Weekend of Fun}

Wendel and I had the best weekend ever! Seriously...I was in heaven! We had so much planned and enjoyed every single second of it together! 

Friday night we planned a double date night with Wendel's parents as a late Father's Day gift. 

We went to our local favorite, York Street Cafe, and sat on the patio enjoying the ridiculous weather stuffing ourselves with the best burgers!

There are very few burger places that I would recommend to people in Cincinnati...this is one of them...which is funny because they are not a burger place. They are simple, juicy, and completely amazing! 

2005...the year of our first date...at the best first date restaurant in Cincinnati...had to snap a picture of this. Oh and by the way...they win almost every year. So if you have a first date coming up, take them to York Street...and you may just marry them :) 

Then...off we went to do some rock climbing at Climb Time

We had a belay lesson and then off we went! 

We were pros by the end...yeah right...but we can't wait to go back soon! 

Bright and early Saturday morning {okay...after breakfast and an episode of Breaking Bad}...we headed to Irons Fruit Farm! You may remember our recent adventure there last fall!  

If you're in the greater Cincinnati area, you must check this place out! It's beyond precious...it's a bit of a drive, but it's 100% worth it! 

They are a farm...so obviously they grow all sorts of yummy fruits like strawberries, peaches, apples, blueberries...the list goes on! All you have to do is check out their website for what is in season. 

You can do the U-Pick where you get a little bucket and pick as you go, or you can go into their little store and grab what they have there! 

There was no one there when we went...except for a few chickens, a few bunnies, a very large pig, and a gorgeous peacock...all just walking around freely. I was in 'Wish I Was A Farm Girl' heaven! 

Inside this cute little barn is where you can buy fruits, local honey, and freshly baked yummies! We didn't grab any this time, but in the fall a cider doughnut is a must! Mmm....fall time...who else is ready? 

During pumpkin patch time, this little cutie is carting kiddos all over the place! I die from cuteness every time! Can't wait to have our little bit in there giggling {or knowing our families history...screaming} around the farm...I get butterflies just thinking about it! 

I almost put this chick in my purse...I'm serious...

Little baby chicks...too flippin' cute!

We came to Irons to get apples {Lodi to be exact} to make applesauce, but we also picked up a few peaches and some peach cobbler mix to whip up a delicious dessert for Sunday dinner! 

We had plans on picking blueberries, but they said they were running low so we grabbed our things and hung out around the farm!  

Come on...I only I had packed a blanket...we would have stayed all day! Next year a picnic will accompany us...and maybe a baby :) That's not an announcement...no little bit yet...

Guys...I want to go back...like yesterday! Mark my words...I will own chickens at some point in my life! 

Wendel and I trucked home {with a stop at the mall to get my watch fixed...and for Chick Fil A} and hung out. Well I did...Wendel was an overachiever and mowed the grass and took a run. I laid around eating peaches and watching The Walking Dead...opps...

Saturday evening, Wendel and I took a little photography class from Ernestography that we bought off of Groupon! Ya'll he was fabulous! We learned so much and can't wait to keep practicing our skills! 

I'll be sharing some of our photos soon but here's a sneak peek of one that Wendel took...pretty decent right? I look all "I'm in a forest looking at a baby chipmunk"...very mysterious, right?

After we got out of class, we headed for a quick dinner at LaRosa's...and then home to watch more Breaking Bad {just started this show...so addicting!}

Then Sunday was pool day...it's finally gotten warm enough outside to use this beautiful pool of ours! And we had it packed with as many people we could pull off the street and an insane amount of pool toys...how many does one family need? Evidently a whole flippin' lot! 

Alex's mom and I peeled and cored apples to get ready for applesauce making! Sorry for the side boob shot...Wendel took this picture...I can't take the fault for that one...

And if our big pool wasn't big enough, we have a kiddie pool...which is great for the little ones! An umbrella keeps them shaded and they are happy as can be! 

Wendel and I ended our evening with more...Breaking Bad. Ya'll...when we start a show...it's done from there! 

Hope you all had a wonderful weekend!  

I actually have some DIY stuff up my sleeves...so get excited for a non-life post coming soon!