Oh, It's Such A Perfect Day (I'm Glad I Spent It With You)

Birthday weekend is in FULL SWING!! I'm SO thankful to have a Hubby that is SO willing to celebrate all the days leading up to the big day (he's actually in the middle of baking me "almost vegan" chocolate-avocado cupcakes as I blog).

Last night, we went on an actual DATE!! We had sushi, we saw Looper (um...what??), we went out for a drink. And today, he was willing to take a day trip to my hometown for some thrifting & nostalgia. Because birthdays should also be a time for reflecting (and Lord knows, there's been a lot of that with the big THIRTY barreling towards me...).

I kind of can't believe how hard we scored today thrifting. I had been looking for a vintage toy camera for Ruby for awhile now and found this one for $3. I also kind of can't believe that Ruby pretended to be taking a photo with it long enough for me to take a photo of it. One year olds are kind of impossible to pose for pictures, if you didn't already know.

We walked around the downtown area and stumbled upon the most incredible wall covered in leaves. We couldn't NOT do a photo shoot.

On Papa: Flannel button-down (thrifted), army surplus sweater (thrifted), Baldwin Denim Jeans (Badowers), Red Wing boots (thrifted). 

On Mama: The "Saba" scarf (FashionABLE - check out their website!), Cardigan (TJ Maxx), Plaid button-down (thrifted), Jeans (Express - Plato's Closet), Chanel inspired vinyl-tipped ballet flats (Payless).

 Papa looking all dapper in his new vintage motorcycle jacket.

Do you want to see what else we found??

Vintage pillows. I normally have a rule against buying second-hand pillows (I mean, come on...), but these were practically in mint condition. And at $2 each, I mean, COME ON!! So hot right now, too.

 Vintage thermoses to add to the collection ($1 each). Because I don't already have enough collections...

My biggest collection is probably my library of vintage sewing books, which is kind of ironic because I can barely sew. The illustrations are mainly what draw me in. Or in the case of this book, the typography, which is RIDICULOUS (in the best way possible). Can you frame books?

THESE DRESSES. It can be challenging to find previously-loved kids clothes that don't show any evidence of "the love", but these beauties made the cut. Throw on a long undershirt with leggings, and Ruby can wear these through the rest of the season.

My actual birthday is tomorrow, so I'm soaking in these last couple hours of my twenties. [Sigh]. I'm not one to get super hung up on ages but, not gonna lie, this is kind of a hard one.

Thank you, Lord, for the years. For the lessons learned. Even the difficult ones. Shaping me into the woman YOU want me to become.

I've got some big dreams & goals for this next decade, some that I'm already in the process of working towards. Some are a little too big to share on this blog now, but you'll know when I do.

Here's to the next chapter...xx

Best Wedding EVER!!

If I could go back and change some of the details of my own wedding, it would’ve looked very much like the one we attended this past weekend. Our friends Scott & Kristin exchanged vows in an East Village loft (which also doubles as an artist space).

A wall constructed from register receipts was the backdrop for the small, low key ceremony. The juxtaposition of simple décor in the unfinished room was just so lovely.

Ruby wore a little vintage dress that I thrifted before she was born. I think it was the only piece of clothing for a girl I bought before her arrival. It was pretty special to see her wearing it & she looked like an absolute doll!

Papa wore: Tie, Christian Dior (thrifted); Shirt, Land's End; Vest, thrifted; Trousers, Docker's Alpha Slim; Shoes, Florsheim Wingtips (thrifted).

Mama wore: Dress (vintage/ thrifted); Bow hat (vintage/ thrifted); Shoes (Von Maur).

The reception was held at Wooly’s. Considering it’s regularly a music venue/ bar, it made a phenomenal place for the party. Guests were treated to a wonderful dinner, tasty cupcakes, & Tropical Sno!  

Guest took a small walk to send off some flying sky lanterns from the Simon Estes Amphitheatre. It was pretty magical, to say the least.

The night's entertainment was brought to us from the best of Des Moines music scene, which I wouldn't have expected anything less from the couple.

A Beatles cover band featuring members of The Envy Corps kicked off the evening followed up by DJ 810 of Pressure Drop & John Solarz of Weekend Records. There were even glowsticks.

Much love & blessings to the new couple—it was a night we'll never forget!! xx

Accidental Industry Fashion Show

 Mama & Papa were out on the town last Saturday for the Accidental Industry Fashion Show! Here's what we wore:

SHE: Banana Republic top (thrifted); 90's skirt (thrifted); clutch (flea market)

HIM: Top (thrifted); Jacket (vintage); Pocket square (Badowers); Raleigh Denim Jeans (Badowers); Gorilla Suede Chukka Boots (Gilt)

Dinner date at Zombie Burger. Pre-show cocktails at The Continental.

 The show featured 7 local designers and was held at Brenton Plaza (which proved to be an excellent venue for the event considering that it functions as an ice skating rink during the winter months).

 Our friend Lucy helped co-organize the event, which really turned out to be a smash. SHE IS A STAR. Her & her man, John (who DJ'd for the show), do a lot to make this unlikely city a little more fabulous. WE APPRECIATE IT!!

Looking forward to more events like these in the future..xx