Vive La France.

The last four or five days, I've been doing nothing but dreaming of France. Anyone who knows me, knows that I'm an admitted Francophile, but reading Mireille Guiliano's French Women series and reflecting on my trip there in college has really influenced the way I've been thinking, living and eating lately. I'm dreaming of age-old buildings, fresh vegetables at outdoor markets, simple and chic outfits and hot cappuccinos. I'm making an effort to seek out fresh produce and organic ingredients, I'm baking homemade baguettes and I'm endlessly googling photos of Clemence Poesy.

But more than anything, I'm trying to adopt some of the things I've learned from reading about the French and observing them when I was there (in no particular order). Dress simple and chic- building a wardrobe that expresses who I am, not the latest fashions. Eat small portions of really good food and wine. Enjoy life and invest in my relationships.

Un bon conseil, non?

Though my family makes fun of me for talking about our/my French heritage, it gives me such a great sense of satisfaction to know that not only can I embrace these ideas that I really identify with, but they're truly in my blood.

How do you embrace your heritage?

Happy Thanksgiving!

Sweater, Blouse: J.Crew | Marrakesh Jeans: MiH Jeans | Wedges: Cynthia Vincent for Target | Pearls: Nordstorm

How were your Thanksgivings? Ours was pretty low-key, we potlucked with a bunch of Taylor's extended family and I managed not to eat too much! I bought these jeans on major sale a couple weeks ago and was able to debut them yesterday. I love the wash, I love the more forgiving flare fit and the higher waist. Though I felt like I needed to work out the minute I saw these pictures, I'm trying to learn to be happy with my body the way it is and not always seeing myself as I used to look when I spent three hours a day in a gym.

And besides, it was a day of being thankful, not a day of feeling guilty about your failures right!? I have a fantastic family, husband, super great friends and all-around NOTHING to complain about. Three cheers for Thanksgiving!

How were your turkey days?

Oh hey there.

Wow, has it been a while, or what? To be honest, I haven't been that busy- unless you count sleeping in my new bed, watching Roswell and really, truly enjoying the company of my husband. I've just been really trying to be present in my life right now, as it is, and see all of the things that are good about it.

I'm plenty good at pointing out the bad things, identifying my weaknesses and the things that are lacking in my life. Aren't we all? But lately, it has seemed silly to focus on these things. I'm not saying that I haven't still had melancholy moments and drowned my sorrows in a healthy dose of British mini-series. But at the end of the day, I'm feeling really deeply blessed and dare I say, happy!?

I haven't taken a single photo of myself in the last two weeks, I have woken up in the morning and put on what I wanted to wear that day and I have felt more beautiful and confident than I have in a long while. Don't think for one second that you're rid of me that easily, you'll see my pretty face back here soon enough, but I just wanted to explain what I've been up to and that sometimes taking a little break from working so hard to be "someone," makes you feel even more like who you are supposed to be.

So...what's new with you?

Emerald Colored Glasses.

Despite the fact that I've been an Oregonian for almost six years now, I've never really sold out on the "green" thing. I believed in recycling, hybrid cars and tried not to drink from plastic water bottles, but that was the extent of it. Lately however, I've felt convicted about trying to be more conscious of what I'm consuming, buying and throwing away. Having family members who own a local fruit company and realizing that there are so many local and independent farmers and clothing companies I could be helping by buying from them is really motivating me to take more time and care a little more about where I spend my money. I've also been really aware of the effects that chemicals and foods have on my body, having been sick so much lately and am going to try and be more careful about the food, beauty and even clothing products I'm buying. So, I decided I'd share some of my favorite, newly discovered "green" products. How do you put on your emerald colored glasses?

1. Flip & Tumble, Shopper Bag, $5.00.
2. TOMS Shoes, Love is the New Black Navy Colorway Classic (Vegan), $54.00.
3. Kiss My Face, Whenever Shampoo and Conditioner, $7.99 each.
4. Water Bobble, Filtered Water Bottle 34 oz., $12.95.
5. Shower Treat Soap, Natural Vegan Laundry Detergent, $20.00 for 96-192 loads.
6. Skinny Skinny, Organic Rose and Black Pepper Dry Shampoo, $32.00.
7. Skinny Skinny- Priti, Soy Nail Polish Remover, $11.50.

Langston's Giveaway Winner!

Thank you all SO much for entering and a BIG THANKS to Langston's for such a fantastic giveaway. I'll treasure my boots forever! Without further ado, I have drawn the lucky winner, via Random.org. Let's all give a BIG congrats to...

urOKrealtor

I'm a new follower and have already got lost clicking & clicking thru your blog. :) Love it! Also spent waaaay too much time trying to decide on which Corral boots I would LOVE to win! Here is what I decided on: http://www.langstons.com/corral-boots-womens-python-triad-c1835.html

She has been contacted and will get the boots of her choice! Let's hope she shares a photo with us!

Happy weekend!

Fall Daydreams.

As our weather here in the Pacific Northwest has really taken a turn for the winter-y, I've been fantasizing about weekends spent curled up by the fire, sleeping in and making breakfast and piling on the layers to brave the elements. Ever since I saw these two photos of one of my favorite style icons, Lauren Conrad, I've been obsessed with high-waisted flared jeans. What's on your list for this fall/winter?

1. MiH Jeans, Marrakesh Flare Jeans, $189.
2. Brooks Brothers, Glen Plaid Pajamas, $79.50.
3. J.Crew, Tweed Harriet Blazer, $199.
4. Lands' End Canvas, Women's Duck Boots, $69.50.
5. Lands' End Canvas, Canvas Leather Trim Bucket Tote, $168.
6. Aerie, Slouchy Plaid Tunic, $39.50.

And don't forget to enter the Langston's Giveaway. FREE BOOTS, enough said! :) It ends Friday, so giddy-up!

Langston's Giveaway: Win Boots!

Join me over at the Review Blog for the details on this AWESOME Langston's Western Wear giveaway! ENTER HERE.

Shopping for the win.

First, let me just announce that Abby is the proud winner of the Breast Cancer Awareness tee from the Think Pink giveaway! Congrats Abby and thank you all for entering.

And second...thank you ALL (there was a lot of you!) for weighing in on the Great Trench Coat Debate, I am SO excited to announce that I have found "the one." It is the right color, the right fabric, the right length, it fits, it has a removable lining (wool body and silk sleeves) and it was...wait for it...$89 at the Nordstrom sale. WELL within my price range. The Emersonmade trench will be heading back to New Hampshire to find another home. My trench coat and I have had a lovely weekend getting to know each other and I can't wait to wear it!

Glasses: D&G | Trench: Calvin Klein | Tee: American Apparel | Pants: J.Crew | Boots: Steve Madden

I actually had a pretty great shopping day in general on Saturday! From 1-3 p.m. I managed to score a sweater and these pants (which I LOVE) at the J.Crew outlet, these boots for basically $15 at the Macy*s sale and the perfect trench coat at the Nordstrom sale. Needless to say I was pretty pleased with myself. Three big items off my wardrobe building list and for WAY less than I expected to spend.

This weekend also included a lovely trip to Little Winter, dinner and a movie with Kerri, church and small group and a few hours spent snuggled up on the couch with my love watching Friday Night Lights.

How were your weekends? And stay tuned, I've got a GREAT giveaway coming up tonight!

The Great Trench Coat Debate.

Trench, Flower, Stripe: Emersonmade | Jeans: 7FAM | Glasses: D&G | Belt: Old Navy | Wellies: Hunter

Guys. I need your help. I've been searching high and low, low and high for a trench coat. Basically since last January. I've tried on at least one hundred different styles and brands and have yet to find "the one." When I got an e-mail from Emersonmade, announcing a new line of coats- including a trench- I almost peed my pants with excitement. Not really, but you get the point. I started saving my pennies for the day when they would be released.

And then I vacillated back and forth for about a month, loading up and the unloading my shopping cart, getting all the way to "purchase" and backing out. I mean, it's A LOT of money. And I had been searching for a while. Needless to say, I finally pressed purchase and the coat arrived last night. And now, I'm afraid that I've struck out again. But I'm also afraid I might be chasing a coat that only exists in my mind and perhaps I just need to lower my expectations.

So, I'll do what any good Gilmore Girl would do: make a pro-con list and put up a poll for you, my faithful readers to weigh in on.

PROS:
Handmade, nice quality
From Emersonmade who I feel very good about supporting
Is a trench coat
It fits
I already have it in my possession
Would end my quest

CONS:
More money that I wanted to spend...A LOT MORE
Sleeves don't have a cuff
A little on the short side both in length and sleeves
Not the material I wanted
Not quite the color I wanted
Has a cotton instead of silk lining

Ribbons of Silk.

Glasses: Kate Spade | Silk Ribbons Blouse: Emersonmade | Jeans: 7FAM | Heels: Jessica Simpson

Today's outfit is brought to you by girls with thighs wearing skinny jeans! Even though I'm looking at these photos now with a little reservation, I truly love this outfit and feel great in it! As if I haven't sung Emersonmade's praises enough already, but I cannot describe the loveliness of this blouse. This is the second time I've worn it and I just feel so effortlessly chic. Totally worth the cash and dry cleaning requirements.

I wore this blouse last weekend in Spokane to be exact, and it's first outing included a morning spent listening to the lovely Beth Moore speak, a delicious lunch with some wonderful women at the Davenport and a super cheesy chick flick. We had such a great time and I was surprised at how much I learned and was given to think about.

If you're friends with me on Facebook, you'll know that I'm leaving all sorts of cryptic messages about some creative project I'm working on. And while I have no intent of revealing that project anytime soon, it has a lot to do with some of the things Beth Moore said. She talked about really searching for our gifts and using them, paying the price and putting in the hard work so we can build relationships and affect people. I think it's high time that I buckle down and get past the "inspiration" stage with more of my ideas so I can accomplish the things I think God wants me to.

She also talked a lot about how women relate to each other, how we need to get over our little irritations with one another and find the "pearls" or good aspects about everyone. Not revolutionary ideas by any means, but certainly a good reminder of what's important. Combined with a message on envy at church a couple weeks ago, I'm feeling much more motivated to put effort into my female relationships.

So...what's new with you?

And speaking of the ladies, only one day left to enter the Hanes and Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Awareness T-shirt Giveaway! DO IT!!!!

Once Upon a November.

Glasses: Kate Spade | Elbow Patch Blazer: Anthropologie | Top: Tucker for Target | Jeans: William Rast | Boots: Dolce Vita

I was desperately trying to race home and capture the golden light and fall foliage that were glowing so beautifully today, but I'm not sure I manage either. Oh well. I liked my outfit today, though as I look at it now, I'm thinking it's time for these jeans to go. It's amazing how unflattering a little whiskering can be.

I promise I'll write about some thoughts/reflections from the weekend soon, I just haven't had the time. I was too busy following democratic candidates around and getting stuck in elevators yesterday to get much blogging done! :) I've also been knee deep in a recent bout of inspired-ness.

Hope your weeks are going well! Ciao!

Have you entered the Hanes + Susan G. Komen giveaway!? DO IT!!!

Think Pink.

Are you all ready for another awesome giveaway!? I realize that October, which is Breast Cancer Awareness month, is now over. However, in my opinion, you can never raise enough awareness about such things. Come on over to the review blog to get the whole scoop on this giveaway!