Happy Birthday, Happy Birthday!

Like I mentioned yesterday, it was my 25th birthday on Friday. Chris is currently doing a rotation three hours away, so he came home for the weekend to celebrate. Unfortunately (for me), I still had to work on Friday so this is what I wore.

Blazer: Old Navy  {exact}
Scarf: Forever 21  {save, spend}
Blouse: H&M
Jeans: Urban Outfitters
Shoes: Simply Vera Vera Wang*

(*which will be replaced by my birthday present, a pair of Tory Burch Revas. When we were at the Mall of America a few months ago, I tried a pair on at Nordstroms to figure out my size. My feet were swollen from walking so much, so the size I was fitted for is now too big so I have to send them back for an exchange. Hopefully I get my new pair in quickly!)

On Saturday we watched the Badgers from the warmth of our living room, and then met up with my parents at the American Players Theatre in Spring Green. I've never been - it was so much fun! We had a picnic and present exchange before hand, and then watched Shakespeare's Twelfth Night. The theater is outside and it was in the low 40s so we need a lot of layers and cuddling. We'll have to go back in the summer next year!

(picture from instagram - my camera battery died when we got there)

On Sunday we drove out to Eplegaarden Orchard to go apple picking. Chris ate more than he picked but we still came away with quite the bag of apples. Now if only I had the patience to bake a pie...

Twenty Five

It's my birthday this weekend (technically it was Friday). I was unsure how I felt about the day going in, but then a coworker older and wiser than I am told me that growing old is a privilege denied to many, and you know, that's so true. I've had a great 25 years so far and I'm excited what else life has in store for me. There is so much I want to do and see, so here are 30 things that I hope I can look back on in 5 years and be thankful for the life I've had the privilege of living.

30 before 30

1. Get into medical school...
2. ...and graduate/live through it
3. Swim with dolphins
4. Visit Norway to meet my aunt and cousins
5. Get married
6. Start a family
7. See Coldplay and Adele live
8. Run a marathon (I've done a half!)
9. Buy a Chanel bag
10. Find a charity I'm really passionate about
11. Live and love in a new city
12. See my brother graduate from college
13. Go on another road trip out west
14. Make a dress from scratch
15. Buy a piece of furniture I will still own in 50 years
16. Find the perfect LBD
17. Build up a savings account enough to not be able to work for a few months
18. Stay connected with my closest friends while making new ones
19. Plan an awesome 30th anniversary party for my parents
20. Take my sisters on vacation
21. Mend the relationship with my grandparents before it's too late
22. Go kayaking somewhere awesome that isn't a lake in Madison
23. Learn how to make steaks like my father does
24. Take an art class
25. Learn how to properly use my DSLR - no more automatic!
26. Buy a bike so Chris and I can go on actual bike rides together
27. Go whale watching
28. Actually see more of Germany than just the cities I have family in
29. Take Bear and Hans lure coursing as I think it would be their favorite thing of all time
30. Be happy and content with myself, my life, and those around me

Emerald

This is the third day this week I've worn flannel. Even though it's not technically fall until Saturday, Wisconsin decided to be chilly early, which is fine by me! I love this weather :)   Now I just need to find some quality flannel sheets....

Sweater: Gap  {similar}
Scarf: I made it!
Pants: Gap
Shoes: Simply Vera Vera Wang
Watch: Target  {exact in stores}
Belt: Madewell  {similar}

I think this color is one of my new favorite nail polishes (second to Chinchilly, which I wear way too often). It is Julep's Hoch from the August box (I wore the white polish here) and it is the perfect emerald color. The September box email just came today. It seems that instead of sticking with just one style, subscribers can pick whatever style they want this month! I think I'm going to get Maven's Choice because it comes with three colors that I really like, and because I'm not a fan of crackle nail polish.

If you're a subscriber, which box do you think you'll go with this month? If you aren't a subscriber, you can sign up here and get your first box for only a penny with the code COLOR2012.

On Tuesday I drove home to be a stand-in parent for my younger sister Karoline's Volleyball parent night because my dad had to work and my mom was in Germany. The drive back home is beautiful - lots of open fields and now pumpkins. I had to stop to snap this picture but it doesn't do it justice.

Look at her go! I'm so proud - I definitely am not coordinated enough to play volleyball which is why I ran cross country (like all the cool kids, am I right?! haha).






Linking up with Mani Monday.

Heart On My Sleeves

I've been obsessing over elbow patches for months now. I love how they look on a blazer and collared shirts, which is why I've been waiting until it has been chilly enough to do this DIY. I think the heart shaped elbow patch is a cute little take on what would normal be considered grandpa-sweater only territory.

I used the step by step instructions by Honestly, WTF. The process is very easy and she lays out the steps very clearly. My only suggestion if you recreate this is to not buy the cheapest felting needles. I stabbed around for about 45 minutes until I realized the needles were just not up to par. The middle grade needles only cost about $2 more and allow you to finish a patch in ~10 minutes.

Shirt: Old Navy  {exact}
Jeans: Urban Outfitters
Boots: Steve Madden  {similar}
Watch: Fossil





What's been your favorite DIY? I have so many more things I want to try!

Blazered

I'm back - and dressed! Today was the first day I felt like actually trying to look put together.

Every day I want to reach for this blazer but hold myself back. In Germany (and other parts of Europe as I'm learning by reading other blogs), it is very common to wear certain pieces over and over and over again. I think that growing up mostly in America I've always dressed in the "most wear something completely different" every day method of dressing. I think owning pieces that can be worn 100 times a year is the definition of buying a well thought out item for your closet so I hope to learn from my motherland and not feel bad if I bring the cost per wear of this blazer down to like $2 this year.

$2 a day well spent, I think!

Blazer: J. Crew  {exact}
Scarf: H&M
Watch: Target  {exact}
Jeans: Express  {exact}
Shoes: Rocket Dog {exact}






P.S. Julep is holding a Pinterest contest to develop and name a new nail polish color.  You can find my entry here (please follow! :D ) and find out how you can enter here!


Linking up with real girl glam and pretty shiny sparkly.

Handsome

I'm still feeling a bit under the weather, so I'm going to just leave this adorable picture here instead of subjecting you to my sick face. Hans loved the fabric so much when I was making my scarf that he got his own from the left over scraps. He's a handsome little bugger, isn't he?








Don't forget you can win a human sized scarf for yourself here!

...sniff...

I'm sick. I think my body is in protest of Chris being gone and my bank account being low. Thanks a lot, body.

I tried to do my hair today but gave up half way through. Bangs are fun but a pain sometimes, especially when all you want to do is go back to bed.

someone call the wah-bulance.

Blouse: Old Navy  (similar)
Cardigan: Forever 21
Jeans: Gap  (exact)
Shoes: Rocket Dog (exact)
Watch: Fossil  (similar)