Horsetoothin' around

A few weeks ago, some of my husband's family came up to visit us for an evening. My mother-in-law packed a lovely picnic lunch, and we all took a drive up to Horsetooth Reservoir, just west of Fort Collins.

Confession: I've lived in the area for several years, and this was the fifth time I've been to the reservoir...once was at night, twice on hikes that overlooked the water (no time to look, only concerned about breathing and getting back to the air-conditioning), and the other was a boating expedition, where I was more focused on tubing and drinks.

So, we went to Horsetooth, picnic-ed (is that a word?), and I was gently reminded how beautiful the view is. The view, the water, the mountains, and all of the green trees and bushes. It was warm, but not hot, and of course there was a breeze to keep everything moving.

In essence, a lovely summer evening.

I threw on these anchor print shorts after work, going for a monochromatic look with my navy blue shirt. The anchors also seemed a bit fitting because of the marina and boats at the res (in retrospect, of course I dressed for a nautical theme ;] ) At times, these shorts can look pajama-esque, but a navy button-up helps to elevate them a bit, and keep them looking more sharp & smart than lounge-y.

I'm trying to enjoy all of the summer things before fall gets here and we are inundated with Pumpkin Spice lattes and pictures of leaves and sweaters and boots (can you tell how I feel about fall taking over everything?).

On that note, I've got plans today to celebrate a new friend's wedding at a poolside reception, and then enjoy a free music festival with more friends (and great beer).

Here's to a few more weeks of gorgeous summer, Colorado!

button up: thrifted (J Crew)

shorts: J Crew Factory

sandals: Target

beautiful nature: c/o of Colorful Colorado

linking up:

DC in Style // Shopping My Closet // Sydney Fashion Hunter

The Red Closet Diary // A Pocketful of Polka Dots // Classy Yet Trendy

Tucker Up

90 miles to cuba, part 2

This was an outfit I wore one evening in Key West with my family. We biked to Duval Street to listen to a live band at a little wine and jazz bar. My sis-in-law and I ended our evening with champagne. And it made me think that I'd like to end every evening that way. Cheers.

shirt: J CREW Factory

bermuda shorts: Aéropostale

sandals: Target

purse: thrifted

bracelet: Target

90 miles to Cuba, part 1

Over Thanksgiving week, my family got together in Key West. My parents had been before (and my Dad several times before my brother and I came along), but us kids hadn't.

Here's a summary of our trip: the creation of our own bike gang, Key Lime Pie (dipped in chocolate, on a stick), beer, lounging at the pool, my parents scuba diving, more beer, wine, snacks, running with my Dad, sleeping in, listening to the ocean, lounging IN the pool, golfing, shopping, exploring Duval Street, getting caught in the rain on our bikes, karaoke at Coyote Ugly, Sloppy Joe's, Captain Tony's, an Irish pub or 2, and a low-country boil for Thanksgiving Dinner. 

The humidity does crazy things to my hair (see above). I curled it one evening and it went flat in 5 minutes, so I abandoned that idea for the rest of the trip. I kept the makeup, hair, and outfits pretty simple all week - I was on vacation, after all...

tank: from a friend (Lauren Conrad via Kohl's)

shorts: Maurice's via Plato's Closet

sandals: WalMart

sunglasses: H&M

purse: thrifted

And this I wore one evening when us kids biked to Duval Street to check out the bar scene. On the way there, we got rained on, and looked like wet rats for the rest of the evening. No joke - it wasn't just sprinkling, it was POURING. I took these pictures after I'd dried out. And below is my sister-in-law just a few minutes before our rainy bike ride. Doesn't she look great in her jumpsuit and Jack Rogers? Girl has serious style.

shirt: Aéropostale

shorts: Maurice's via Plato's Closet

sandals: WalMart

30 for 30: day 25 & day 26

day 25

 

I ventured out to see more cousins and aunt and uncles and mini-cousins for breakfast and new remote-controlled cars, then to lunch with another aunt and cousin (are you sensing that my days are centered around food?).

Then I took my cousin and his pup on a run, which sadly had to get cut short, due to a(n almost!) dead battery. Then we curled up on the couch and watched movies, and I fell asleep. No surprises there…

day 26

I flew back to Colorado early-early this morning, and was treated to breakfast just after the sun came up. Then, some IKEA ooh-ing and aah-ing, boot shopping (they're here! they're here!), ice cream-ing at Little Man Ice Cream, and home for a nap. No cute outfit to share, since I wore an old hat and leggings as pants…

Happy Monday! Hope you had a nice weekend - here's to an equally nice week :)

See my list of 30 items here.

30 for 30: day 23 & day 24

day 23

 

 

I knew the Denver Broncos were playing this evening, so I donned my t-shirt and mixed some more black and brown with skinny jeans. I also needed to be comfortable, because I got to go into work early, run all over campus and town, then head straight to the airport for a very late flight. I made a (way too) short visit to my cousin and extended family and friends, and made it to my destination just in time to fall into bed an hour or two past my Colorado bedtime.

day 24

My cousin is a late sleeper, so I also got to sleep in (!!!), do some reading, have come coffee, and check out a new outlet mall. Some (more) of my favorite things, all in one day. Getting to sleep in and read were my most favorite though…

Later, more cousins and aunts and uncles appeared with pizza and beer and mixed drinks, and we caught up and got to have a nice evening in.

See my list of 30 items here.

Bye Bye, Ski Season

Late last month, two of my cousins came out to visit for their Spring Breaks. We took them up to the mountains for some skiing and dogsledding (yes, for real, like "Mush! Mush!"). 

And we had the. best. time.

The weather both days was unbelievable. Beautiful Colorado bluebird skies, sunshine, and not yet slushy snow. Both girls took right to skiing and were navigating blue and BLACK (!!!) runs by the end of the day. We ate great food, did some shopping, and tried to convince the youngest to come to Colorado for college (I think we made progress!)

So, in honor of several mountain resorts extending their season to this past weekend, here are some pictures from our weekend ski trip, and my last time skiing this season. Until next year...

*sniff*

my Dad with his pupils

my sweet Mama

I warmed up to ski with my Dad in the afternoon (blacks, blacks, moguls, oh, more blacks) by heading down "Callie's Alley", in honor of my sweet pup, Cali

view from the top...

Dad and I rode the T-Bar together for the first time, and I skiied my FIRST BOWL!
it wasn't pretty, but I did it!
can't wait to do it again next season...! how many days til Opening Day??

I stopped for a #selfie at the top, of course

Dad with part of our dogsledding team

hot on the trails with our dogsled team! the rest of us were riding on a snowmobile in front of the dogs

these pups love running - look at those smiling faces!

these pups were pooped after their morning jaunt with us

If you ever get the opportunity to go dogsledding, I can't recommend it enough! It's SO fun, and how many people do you know that have been behind a dogsled team (I've been twice!)? If you'd like a recommendation of a place in Summit County, Colorado, please shoot me an email and I'll share with you the name of the outfitter we went with.

I had a great ski season this year - I feel like it's finally clicking for me. Must be the good teacher I have (my Dad) - thanks, Pops!

The First Wedding of 2014

Like I mentioned last week, I traveled to the Land of 10,000 Lakes to celebrate my cousin's wedding. They're a couple that's been together since high school, so, I'm kinda partial to them.

#highschoolsweethearts #HSSoftheworldUNITE

Here are some pics from their big day. My sister-in-law couldn't make it, as she was in one of her best friend's weddings on the same day - we still had a really great time, but really missed her.

with MY high school sweetie

Big Brother and us

Mr. & Mrs.

originally my youngest cousin agree to split 1 of every flavor with me, so I wouldn't be a TOTAL glutton. However, he filled up on Shirley Temples and couldn't help a girl out

Cousins - 1 of them was the Best Man!

me & Dad. sorry for the grainy pics - the lighting was low at the reception so we could get our dance on

ain't he handsome?
*swoon*

my family has a long tradition of breaking out hats at a wedding.
don't believe me?
proof from our wedding is below

I made a dainty little fascinator-top-hat, and my groom sported Nemo. don't worry - he's only kissing one of my besties/bridesmaids because she traveled the farthest for our big day (all the way from Hawaii!)

It's tough to see, but the dress I wore was a really pretty plum color, originally from Banana Republic,  but I thrifted it before we bought our house this fall - thrifting for the win! See something sort of similar below...



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