florida 2014

We were in Destin last week with my Dad, Susie and rest of the immediate family. We had such a wonderful week together - it was a special time for all of us to be together and so fun for the cousins to all play. I think CJ was obsessed with Emma and Emma was obsessed with Landry and Claire just wanted to play with anyone she could! The weather wasn't ideal for most of the week, but we did manage to get a few days in at the beach and got some awesome family pictures Thursday evening. We are so thankful for Dad and Susie to host us at such a beautiful place for the week and hope to do it again next year! Here are some of my favorite pictures from the week:

favorite things :: beach vacation edition

We are headed to Florida soon with my family - we are so excited to get away, relax and be with each other. I'm praying the weather is great because I have plans to be in the sun all day, every day. Even if we do get rain, it will be a wonderful time! 

As I'm starting to think about what to bring and do to prepare, I thought I'd share some of my favorite things right now and what I consider some beach essentials. I am actually excited to be in a swim suit for this trip because I do not care at all what my body looks like. I'm nearly eight months pregnant and will totally be rocking the bikini. Packing, in my mind, is easy when it comes to a low-key beach trip. You just need a few things: sunscreen, swim suits, cover ups and comfy clothes. Done and done. Here are my favorites - some of which I have shared on the blog before!

you never can go wrong with bright nails - love orangey-reds for summer
Essie / Target / $8

I love this stuff during the summer - it covers lightly, provides protection and doesn't hurt my sensitive skin!
Supergoop / Nordstrom / $32

I have this maxi dress and it is perfect for my baby bump and post pregnancy. It's perfect for the beach because I can throw it on after being at the pool or beach OR I can dress it up for dinner out.
Nordstrom (on sale!!) / comes in a variety of colors and prints

Everyone in my family uses this after the pool or beach. Smells wonderful and works!
Aveda / $21

My friend Callie just gifted me a new tote bag for my bday and it's perfect for the beach.
A monogrammed jute tote bag is a must have to carry towels, sun screen, hats and a book.
Tote Bag / Etsy

Not exactly necessary, but how adorable is this clutch from Anthropologie?
I almost bought it the other day with birthday money but decided against it.
Still doesn't mean I won't go and buy it!
Clutch / Anthropologie / $48

I did buy this from Anthropologie - got to use my birthday gift card and birthday discount.
I love this dress - and plan to wear. it. out.
Note: if you buy it and are on the shorter size, a small petite fit me perfectly!
Dress / Anthropologie / $118

These towel shorts from Mini Boden are my new favorite piece of clothing for Emma and Claire.
They are on sale online right now, too!!
Shorts / Mini Boden / $18

I love J.Crew swim suits - but what I do to save money is pair them with pieces from Target.
Case in point - I have a plain pair of black bottoms from Target and will match it with this top from J.Crew.
Bikini Top / J.Crew / $52 (with additional 30% off with code GOSHOP)

These were another birthday present - I got a $50 birthday month gift card from Tory Burch
and used bday money to pay for the rest. I love these sandals and they come in a variety of colors.
Plus, it's friends and family right now at TB so everything is 25% off!
Bow Sandals / Tory Burch / $150

dallas, smu and a sprinkle

Daniel and I headed to Dallas last week before my 30th birthday. It was our first time to be in Dallas and at SMU without the girls since before they were born - total treat! We stayed in a hotel across from SMU and enjoyed feasting at Cafe Brazil and Half Shells - two of our old favorite places to eat while at college. We had gone to SMU on Thursday night to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Hunt Scholarship... Daniel, being the smarty he is, was a Hunt Scholar at SMU and was a part of the planning committee. We got to see lots of SMU friends and hear from President Turner all of the wonderful happenings around SMU. It definitely made us leave feeling proud of our alma mater and made me ready to commit Emma and Claire to the class of 2032! Afterward we went with friends to Gloria's for drinks, chips and queso - we had so much fun laughing and catching up. Crazy to think we are all parents now. 

Friday we spent the entire day walking around SMU. We stopped by Jenny's store - Uptown Country Home - and bought the cutest dresser for Henry's room. (Side note - everything in there is adorable and I would have cleaned shop if Daniel would have let me!) We spent about an hour with Jenny and it made us wish we lived closer to her and Loren. After some shopping, we headed over to the Bush Library. Wow. If you live in Dallas or are visiting soon - you have to check it out! Politics aside, everyone should go. It's amazing... it's beautifully built, the grounds are gorgeous and the 9-11 exhibit is gut-wrenching. Truly powerful and incredible to think it's on SMU's campus. We ended up eating a late lunch at Cafe 43, the cafe there at the Bush Library. Ummmm... SO GOOD. I would definitely recommend that as well! Order Laura's famous cowboy cookies with W's favorite homemade banana-pecan ice cream for dessert. Trust me, it's the best thing ever. 

SMU continues to be beautiful and amaze us how it grows and gets better. The new basketball stadium is so cool - we are totally making it up for a game next season. The new residential quad will blow you away. We walked over to Boaz Hall, went into all of our old classroom buildings, student center, etc... it was definitely a walk down 'memory lane' and really a perfect day. Daniel and I had the pleasure of talking with several high school seniors and we kept saying "you will not regret it!" and "we would come back and do it again!" ... all of them said after being on the campus, they felt SMU was the right place for them! 

That night we headed to Fort Worth and Saturday my mom and Laura hosted a little sprinkle for Henry and me. It was perfect - there were just eight of us there and it was a perfect balance of conversation, delicious food and presents! Henry is set when it comes to clothes. Laura brought a ton of stuff that was CJ's and my cousin Erin already sent me a big box of stuff from Caden. We got books, burp clothes, blankets, art work and more clothes... Daniel and I kept saying "well this sure does make everything more real!" Amazing to think that Henry will be here in just 8 weeks! 

Overall, the weekend was just wonderful (beside the atrocious traffic coming back into Houston) and I am thankful for grandparents and godparents who kept Emma and Claire so Daniel and I could kick off my 30th the best way possible!

Jessica and Joe get hitched!

We spent the past four days celebrating the wedding of Daniel's sister Jessica in New Orleans. We had a wonderful weekend and the wedding truly was so beautiful and special. It was a true family affair - Daniel officiated, I was a bridesmaid, E and C were flower girls... the ceremony was just perfect and the reception was fun, fun! The girls are very excited to have Uncle Joe officially in the family! Blessings to Jessica and Joe as they venture life together as a married couple! Here are my favorite pics from our trip.

first dance

the flower girls breaking in the dance floor

emma, claire, jessica and me

four generations

my sweet family at the rehearsal dinner

family road trip // part one

We went on our first road trip this month last weekend... we left Thursday for Dallas to meet my sweet niece, Landry. She really is the most precious thing!! So sweet, so little... we were all smitten. Of course, having a one week old, I assume my house will be a disaster and I will look like someone recovering from labor/delivery/surgery... Laura looked like Carrie Underwood and her house was spotless. No sibling competition there or anything, ha! Joking aside, Laura looks healthy and happy, CJ has adjusted well so far and Landry is pretty perfect. We didn't get to see Uncle Colby since he was out of town for work, but based on stories and pictures, Landry has Daddy wrapped around her finger... just like it should be!

From Dallas we drove over to Tyler to celebrate our friends' wedding. Austin is our current worship leader and we've become friends with his fiancé (now wife!), Claire - or as my girls call her "big Claire". Emma and Claire were the flower girls and were very much looking forward to the wedding. It was a good practice run for when they are flower girls again for Aunt Jessica's wedding (which is very close!!). Traveling with two busy three year olds is tough work. Daniel and I need a vacation from our "vacation" - but at least we are lugging two pack-n-plays everywhere and they sleep well at night. They did such a great job walking down the aisle and listening to the directions given by the wedding coordinators. I teared up when they walked down the aisle then sweat my face off during the ceremony because they wouldn't stop talking - come on preacher's kids!! I think they are just too comfortable in a church (which, I guess, is a good thing). After the wedding we danced the night away and had a blast. Really, so much fun. My pregnant body didn't thank me for that the next morning, but it was totally worth it. 

Sunday we worshipped at Dayspring UMC in Tyler where our friend Matt is the pastor. His wife Margaret was our good friend at SMU and it was so wonderful to see their church and meet their kids - silly that it took so long for us to all get together, but it felt like our kids had known each other and they played so well together! It was a great way to end our trip. Now we are home for a little bit before we hit the road again for New Orleans. Can't wait!

Emma and Landry

Irving Family on the dance floor - light up glasses and all!!

The bride and flower girls - so sweet!

Landry - the most precious little girl!!

All in love with the newest member of our family!!

in search of warmer weather

I am so over the cold and rainy weather. I can't even really complain because we haven't had record snowfall or below 20 degree temps... but I live in Houston and I like warm weather... and being cold and wet is not my style. It's funny how in July I start dreaming of hot soups on the stove and fall weather. I guess the same goes mid-winter... bring on the sun, sandals and iced-drinks! Thankfully we have the internet to dream and wish away, ha! 

I want to go to here. So thankful for the beach trip we have planned in April!

I'm in need of some new gold sandals. Love these from Boden.

bag, dress and swimsuit (for E/C) all from Nordstrom

j.crew

my favorite wedges // TOMS

no caption needed except, yum. recipe here.

Hill Country Heaven

We've been out of town so much the past four weeks, which is definitely a blessing! We actually have spent the majority of our time in the Hill Country, which really is the best part of Texas... it's so refreshing out there - the water, the hills, sunsets and sunrises.... Daniel and I talked often of how nice it would just be to live out there. We totally get why so many of our friends have moved to Austin!

Daniel and I spent a week at a marriage retreat in Kyle, Texas at the Inn Above Onion Creek. Y'all... this place was incredible. If you are looking for a great Bed and Breakfast, book here. The service was great, the food was incredible and the grounds are stunning. It was such a nice retreat and we really were able to relax and restore. This past weekend we were at The Hideout on the Horseshoe for a wedding just outside of Gruene, Texas. The girls went with us and we had the most amazing suite right on the river. We got to eat at the Gristmill (girls first trip!) and danced the night away at the reception. Emma and Claire are total dance-machines. It was so fun... we also went to the wildlife nature preserve outside of San Antonio and got to see (and feed!) lots of animals. I think Daniel was the happiest of the bunch after feeding the zebras. 

Hideout of the Horseshoe (view from our porch)

Inn Above Onion Creek (view from our room)

I'm having a British moment...

I'm totally in all-things-British mode right now. I find myself day dreaming about a trip to London (I've already told Daniel this will be our ten year wedding anniversary trip), thinking how Kate, William and I should all be friends, and how I really need to reread all of my Jane Austen books (it's been a couple of years). The other night I randomly wanted to watch Harry Potter (all time favorite everything) and two nights ago I finally finished the PBS series of Sherlock (so wonderful!). I'm only wanting to decorate in florals and spode dinnerware... I've also pinned about every outfit from Boden, whose tagline is "Great British Style" - yes, I'm having a British moment. Here are the images from my Pinterest to inspire you. 

I want to go to there.

Read the books three times. Seen the movies too many to count...

I really need this outfit.

I don't know if I can wait until January for the new season of Downton!

Watson and Sherlock - just brilliant!

I am obsessed with them. I mean, who looks like that a month after giving birth... and I love that they just used a photo from the front yard as their official royal family portrait. LOVE THEM!