Leaves of Grass

It was time for our weekly champagne picnic. Sadly, I wasn't feeling very well and didn't want to take any outfit photos. It's never fun when you can't enjoy champagne. But on the upside, my hair is finally getting long enough to braid.

Photos by me and Cole. Thanks, darling!

Thank you so much for all the incredibly sweet comments on yesterday's post. Jamilah and I both truly appreciated them.

I'm still not feeling so hot, I think I got a stomach bug from my mother in law. So I'm going to work in bed today.

Yours,

Thursday Night Lights

Ok, it's official- I am obsessed with my new hat and boots. Plus, with my new vintage conductor shorts, I think I've found a favorite outfit!

What I really like about my hat is that it's part cowboy, part floppy, with a dash of boater.

Photos by me & Cole.

Felt boater: Urban Outfitters
Vintage blouse: thrifted
Vintage shorts: Etsy, Pop Tatari
Old belt: Old Navy
Vintage boots: Etsy, Lousy Beatnik
Heart's Reasons necklace: c/o ModCloth
Sunglasses: Ray-Ban, Clubmaster
It was such a lovely night, that Cole and I couldn't resist sitting out back and drinking a few Coronas.

The winner of the Revolving Styles Giveaway is UrbanRhetoric! Thank you so much to everyone that entered and a big Thank You to my lovely sponsor, Anna

Wishing you all a lovely weekend. And a Happy 4th of July to my fellow Americans!

Yours,

My Bow Wedding Ring

So many people have been curious about my bow wedding ring, that I thought it was time to give you a little history.

Cole and I were married in Dec 2oo2, but before that we were engaged for three years. So if you do the math, that makes me only 18 and Cole 19 when we decided we wanted to spend the rest of our lives together.

Being poor college students, we didn't have very much money and what little we had, we spent like typical college students, meaning mostly on beer. During this time I had a few different engagement rings. My first was a $5 dollar ring that Cole had bought on the spot to propose. My second was a more expensive simple silver band. And for my third, Cole had spent almost a year saving. This time it was an actual engagement ring that also had a matching wedding band. Since he was only working part time during school and making just barely above minimum wage for back then, the sacrifice truly meant so much. I absolutely cherished my ring.

As happy as we were, many people tried to knock us down by making fun of my beautiful ring. They would comment on how small the diamonds were and calling it names like "sweet" and "delicate." It used to absolutely infuriate me. I was so proud of my ring and the sacrifice Cole had made for me and here everyone was tearing it down. However, the more they made fun of it, the more I loved it.

In May 2003, Cole and I graduate from Michigan State University and promptly moved to Boston, MA. This was our first time living away from Michigan and in a "big" city. It was all very intimidating and a bit frightening. It was during this time, in my first post grad job, that I met a girl whose mom was a jewelry designer. This girl had the most amazing bow ring I had ever seen. Knowing how much I loved the ring, my coworker asked me if I wanted her mom to make a different version for me.

My first thought was "Yes, please!" my second was "no way can I afford that." So I came home telling Cole all about this magnificent ring. I could tell he was thinking about it seriously and not just brushing me off. After some thought he told me to find out how much it would cost and if he could save the money, he would give it to me for our first wedding anniversary. I was of course ecstatic. So I got it all squared away with the girl, finding ways here and there to make the ring more affordable, and after a few short months, the ring was mine.

There was only one hitch, the ring was supposed to go on my right hand, but it was too small. Since there was no way I parting with it, even to have it resized, I started wearing it on my ring finger with my wedding band and engagement ring. After some time, I grew tired of wearing so many rings on one finger, so Cole and I decided that since the bow ring so truly fit my style and personality, that I should wear it instead of my wedding rings. Now it's such innate part of me that I don't think I could ever imagine wearing anything else.

I hope you enjoyed this little bit of history!

Don't forget, I'm offering 20% off everything in my O Captain shop!!

Yours,

Picnic Haze

The rain subsided, so Cole and I enjoyed a picnic. We try to do this on a weekly basis- it's good for the soul.

Photos by Cole & Me.

Vintage romper: thrifted
Straw hat: Urban Outfitters
King Spoke Coin necklace: c/o ModCloth
Vintage belt: borrowed from mom
Vintage canvas backpack: thrifted
Sandals: Clarks Original
Sunglasses: Ray-Ban, Clubmaster
I'm obsessed with this song-"I was afraid I'd eat your brains...because I'm evil..."

Thank you so much for all the anniversary wishes!!

New shop update tonight!

XOXO

Picnic Ale

Cole and I had a lovely little picnic on Saturday afternoon! I've been dying for months to wear my Matilda saddle shoes, but the weather has been too awful to risk ruining them. It was so nice to be able to finally wear them out and about. They make me smile from ear to ear every time I look at them.

Photos by me & Cole. Thanks, darling!

Old shirt dress: J.Crew
Straw hat: UO
Socks: F21
Bass Loves Rachel Antonoff Matilda saddle shoes: Free People...Cole, Wellie, Pip and I are leaving this Thursday for St. Paul!!! I'm super excited but very stressed. Moving is the worst. And not to worry, you'll have lots of lovely posts to read while I'm gone!

Happy Memorial Day!

Yours,