Wednesday, September 24, 2014

Fall Wardrobe Updates

I always feel very confused on how to dress this time of year because I was laying out by my pool yesterday in a bathing suit drinking coconut water. Then I log into Fb and everyone else in the country is apple picking and drinking pumpkin spiced lattes in Uggs and yoga pants! So it is still 100 degrees here in Florida and I am still wearing tanks and shorts. But, when you want to head out to shop here, it is Fall in all the stores! 

Even though I haven't been able to wear them quite yet, I have added a few pieces to my Fall/Winter wardrobe which in Florida is basically the same thing. I needed some really basic things that fit well and were easily mixed and matched. I am working hard on thinning my closet to only pieces I really love and fit well! Here is what I picked up!

White Box Skirt- this Banana Republic skirt is so flattering and has pockets! I love a dress or skirt with pockets.

 

    
Blue Button Down- this piece is so basic but I plan on wearing it as well as tying it around my waist. 



Leather Skirt- leather is everywhere this fall and I love it! This Zara skirt has a little flare at the back which I love because it makes it a little more feminine!



Ankle Strap Pump- I saw these and figured they could go with so many different outfits! They are Dolce Vita and bought them from Zou Zou boutique. 


Black Coated Jeans- I keep seeing leather leggings and pants and I couldn't commit to full leather pants so I like this option. A similar look with out being leather. These are also Banana Republic. They were having a 40% off sale I hit it up! 



Plus, I have these fun slip ons I shared that I will still be wearing and they will pair perfectly with these pants! 


Plaid Button Down- I'm loving plaid right now and maroon. I plan on pairing navy and black so this shirt, skinny jeans, a black classic pump and black clutch is perfection! 


Black Pump- just because they are so classic and wearable! I needed them to go with my plaid shirt and skinny jeans above! 


Blush Leather Jacket- I actually found this at Marshall's last year and it's Free People and I never wore it! This year I am making sure I do! 


I loved all these pieces and felt like they were super interchangeable!

So, Happy Fall and here is to wishing for some cooler weather here in Florida so we can wear this fun stuff! I hope you found something to inspire your Fall wardrobe! 

Much Fall Fashion Love,

Lauren


Tuesday, September 9, 2014

Let's be Adventurers!!

have always been up for a good adventure ever since I was young! I think it was a part of growing up in my family! My Dad was truly the first adventurer I ever knew. He taught me it is way more fun to jump in and participate in life rather than sit on the sidelines. Really to this day nothing has changed with him. 

This is him playing with his new birthday present! A slack line for his 56th Birthday! 




             Always a fun surf buddy 

My little, not so little anymore, brother was always way more brave than I, but I always wanted to keep up with him. He would do things like park the car and say, "hold my hand we are going to run up the off ramp of the Lake Ivanhoe exit on I4 and jump off the overpass into the lake, you'll love it" with cars whizzing by I would just hold his hand and keep running straight off the overpass with him! Totally scared out of my mind but definitely not wanting to sit in the car and miss out, I would go for it! That was just one of the many things he talked me in to doing!

When I became a parent though, I think I lost some of that. Feeling protective of my kids and feeling like I had to change in order to be a "good" parent. I even wanted to fit in with other parents. Obviously, you do look at your life differently when two little people and one amazing husband care about you and you them! I am not discounting that or advising anything crazy or saying to put your life at risk. That isn't what I am saying at all. But, I felt like I lost a little of the girl I was and well, frankly, I liked her! 

 I have been trying to plan fun things for my self and my family that are out of the normal monotonous schedule rut we can all get in! I think you have to be really intentional about this and this year my goal was to travel and find little adventures! I think we had success so far!

Here are some things we did this year in the name of adventure and travel:


     RZR's in the Dominican Republic


   Swimming in a cave in the Dominican 
                       Republic 

              Ready to go Ziplining

      Dominican Republic (this man is an         incredible travel partner...just sayin')


                           Cabo

 

            Horseback Riding in Cabo



  
            
Swimming with Manatees

                Surfing in San Diego 

 
                     San Diego Zoo



                  RVing and Riding

To celebrate our birthdays my friend Lindsey and I decided to take a day, just the two of us and head to Anna Maria Island to go paddleboarding. My friends Ben and Susan Webb own AMI Paddleboards so they totally set us up! They give guided tours, instruction, rentals, the whole nine yards! Plus, they are the most down to earth, genuine, kind people you could meet. 

We started with a breakfast of champions at Anna Maria Donuts! Let me tell you they were to die for and worth every flippin' calorie! They are fresh and made to order and we got 5 of them saying we will never be able to eat that many but, want to try a bunch. Oh yeah, we totally ate all of them! 



Then we headed to the beach and met up with AMI paddleboards who had our boards ready and waiting for us beachside. 

We paddled about 2.5 miles along the beach. We saw tarpon and dolphin along our paddle and just enjoyed being in the salt water. We eventually pulled our boards up on the beach and had lunch and cocktails at a tiki bar/restaurant right on the sand! After a few cocktails or liquid courage we decided we needed to take our paddle boarding to the next level and do yoga on our boards! 



We started to paddle back but not with out testing out our yoga skills and mostly dying of laughter! We have hilarious video of ourselves trying and failing at all sorts of moves! We need a little more practice I think or less liquid courage! Haha! Maybe both! 


We paddled our 2.5 miles back where AMI met us on the beach to pick up our paddleboards! Finally, we headed to Long Boat Key to do a little shopping! 


It was such a fun day and reminded us both that yes, we are moms with a lot of responsibility, but we also are so much more than that! One of the many things that we are is adventurers! We feel fully alive when we are doing something like this! We felt completely recharged! 

It is so easy to forget parts of yourself or get caught in the routine of life. You don't have to love the outdoors or water or even adventures like me but, I think it is so important to keep discovering what ever it is that makes you feel fully alive! The part of you that maybe you forgot because of life circumstances, hardships, responsibilities, or just growing up. Maybe it is just discovering a whole new part of yourself. A part that you never knew existed.

I have spent the last year learning what is feeding my soul and new fun adventures and travel are doing just that! This life is big and grand and full of fun and you better believe I want to experience as much as I can! I once heard that the only thing that can make you truly richer in this life are relationships and travel and I think I am a believer! Well, except bungee jumping...I don't know if I ever want to do that! I'll let my younger, way more brave brother do that! Oh wait he already did! At night! That is one bridge he couldn't talk me into jumping off of.


Much Adventure Love,

Lauren