sandy toes

Merry Christmas y'all (I'm in the South, I'm allowed to say that now). I hope Santa brought you everything you wished for and more! My family didn't do a gift exchange this year as we are on vacation together instead, so let me live vicariously through you - what was your favorite present this year?

We've been doing more of the same down here - lounging, playing board games, tanning when the sun is out, going on bike rides and walking along the beach.

Why did no one tell me sooner how versatile a mustard cardigan is?! I have seriously worn it every day we've been here.

Cardigan: Thrifted {similar} 

Tee: H&M  {similar}

Shorts: Aeropostale  {similar}

Sunglasses: Ray Bans  {exact}
Toe Nails: OPI My Throne for a Cranberry Scone

Dirty Hair: c/o laziness

Cardigan: thrifted (told you)
Tank: Old Navy  {similar}
Purse: via Boston Store
Jeans: American Eagle {exact on sale}
Sandles: Sam Edelman via AE  {similar}

I made Chris ride the girly bike. The boy bike matched my outfit better....

We even did a little swimming and boogie boarding. The water was ....chilly.

Various locations around the world that are special to our family, and how far away/what direction they are.

Fireworks and monopoly rounded out our Christmas Eve. The weather the rest of the week is looking promising, so hopefully I will return to Wisconsin with just a little bit of color.



linking up with wiww and because shanna said so.

Deutschland x Zwei

Guten Tag! Another little update from Germany (see the first update here). Since leaving my grandma's, we've been in the city where my aunt and uncle live. I lived here in 8th grade when I went to school here for a year, and it's interesting to see how much, and at the same time how little, has changed. Here are a few snapshots...





The pharmacies are always so fancy here, especially the signs...

...and so are the jewelry stores.

Enjoying a mid day beer down on the river with my uncle.

My aunt makes amazing quilts. She made me one back in 8th grade, and I still use it all the time. She made this one for my cousin, her stepson, for his 30th birthday.

Out in the city with my aunt's dog, Hermione. She's the most playful dog I've ever met. She looks like such a little teddy bear!

Blazer: J. Crew  {exact}
Scarf: DIY
Shirt: H&M
Bag: Mountain Stone via Boston Store  {similar}
Jeans: American Eagle  {exact, on sale}
Boots: Steve Madden  {similar}

We went shopping at Hof - of course we had to go in and look around (and buy a few things)!

Yesterday was my cousin Johann's 30 birthday. Family members, co-workers, and childhood friends all came together to celebrate.

He was thrilled that his uncle, my father, was there.

At 82, my grandma was the first up to dance! Ok, just kidding, but she was having a great time.


Now my second cousins (I consider them first cousins because we're close in age and because our family is so small) are here with their babies. Tomorrow we leave to fly back already. I'm sad to leave, but at the time same I'm happy to going back to my own bed, my own schedule, and not eating all the time (ok, I will miss that).

On Layering

Fall means for most of us cooler regions means dropping temperatures, and dropping temperatures means more clothes. We're all about the layering. I look to other women out there and  see the way they layer and I say to myself "Self, you have those pieces in your closet - do that!". So then I pin all of these pictures and tell myself I'm going to recreate them.

And then every morning when I'm trying to figure out what to wear, I think today's the day I'm going to be one of those people that effortlessly layer...and it never turns out right. I know my expectations of what I want it to look like are too high - my body is not like Lilly's, so why would the clothes look like that on me? The layers end up bulky and instead of defining anything, my boobs just become a blob with my waist, making me look heavier and flabbier than I am. So then I go back to boring shirts and scarves because that's what I kind of know how to do.

And then I'm upset all over again for falling into the trap I started this blog to avoid. My outfits become repetitious and bore me, so I'm sure they are boring you. How does one break out of this trap? How do I prevent looking like the Pillsbury Doughboy when trying to layer? Help me internet.

Shirt: H&M

Scarf: Present from my sister

Belt: Madewell  {similar}
Jeans: Urban Outfitters
Shoes: Tory Burch  {exact}
Watch: Target  {only in stores}
Bracelet: DIY

Hopeful.

I try not to share too much about my current "life" situation because frankly, it's all so up in the air. As you know, I work for a pharmaceutical development company...but I'm actually in the process of applying to medical school. It's been a rough couple of years of applying, with plenty of money and tears spent throughout the process. I interviewed at my #1 choice last year....and it obviously did not work out.

Today I found out I get a second chance at it.

November 9th. Cross all your digits for me.






What do I wear?!

Vest: Old Navy {similar}
Shirt: H&M
Scarf: DIY
Jeans: American Eagle  {exact}
Shoes: Tory Burch  {see my breaking-in post here}
Watch: Target
Nails: seen here
Bracelets: H&M, DIY {instructions and chance to win here}






(sorry about the somewhat blurry pic - it started to pour right after I took the first picture so I only had 1 chance)