My Favorite Fall Tradition and an OOTD

This weekend Matt and I got to do something that I have been looking forward to since this time last year...apple picking!  You may remember that as a born and raised Texan, I was totally blown away by the experience last year.  It was everything and more that I never knew I missing about fall!  So this weekend, Matt and I hopped in the car and headed for one of our favorite spots, the apple orchard.  The trip also gave us a perfect excuse to play around with our new camera and see what she was made of.

The minute we turned down the tiny one lane road, I knew this place was going to be special.  But when we stepped out of the car, I was blown away.  Breathtakingly beautiful!

Our orchard of choice this year was Treemendous Fruit in Eau Claire, Michigan.  Last year we visited and loved Jonamac Orchard, and we were planning to go back this year, until Wednesday morning when I visited their website and discovered they were completely out of U-Pick apples!  So after a minor panic attack and several frantic Google searches and follow up phone calls, I found out that Treemendous still had lots of apples left to pick.  The fact that it was 3 hours away didn't phase us one bit.  We were bound and determined to have our long awaited orchard experience!

The orchard was beautiful, and we practically had the whole place to ourselves.  And I got a chance to wear my red wellies :)

I'd say our new camera child did just fine for her first time out.  PS: I forgot to mention in my last post that her name is Cameron :)

Matt used the day to play around with every possible filter and camera setting, and we loved the way the pop art filter made the colors stand out.  PS: I'm still loving the DIY glitter manicure!

As much as I LOVE my home state, it just doesn't hold a candle to the midwest when it comes to fall.  Now if I could just find a way to import the Texas State Fair and Fletcher's Corny Dogs to the midwest...

I feel like its been forever since I've posted an OOTD!  Better late than never right?

Jacket: the Gap
Tunic sweater: Ann Taylor {last seen here}
Striped tee: Ann Taylor {similar here}
Jeans: J.Crew
Scarf: from a London street market
Belt: super old...Gap?  Banana?
Sunnies: Oliver Peoples
Ring: David Yurman
Earrings: Matt's wedding day gift to me
Wellies: Town and Country.  My mom bought these when my parents lived in the UK, and I swiped them when she got back :)

I wear this scarf at least two times a week; it's getting a little ridiculous.  I can't help it; no how many other scarves I have, I always seem to gravitate towards it!

I love this picture, and I love that my mom's bright red wellies were with me on her birthday weekend.  Happy birthday, Mom!

I feel like this picture says a lot about my life right now.  I'm so blessed, and my life is so colorful and plenty, yet being away from Matt during the week often makes me feel like my journey is on pause, like the rest of my path is off limits.  We've been living apart Monday-Friday for my internship for just under 3 months now, and I wish I could say it's getting easier.  But it's not.  Saying goodbye early Monday morning is getting harder.  But we just keep reminding ourselves, this too shall pass.  And then, we'll have a bright and exciting path to explore together.

The good ones are always tucked away in the middle, but worth every single tiptoe stretch!

Ok Texas friends, don't lie, you're jealous.  It's ok, I don't blame you.  You're only missing out on the best season ever :)

I love this dude.

Golden delicious.  And yes, the name is dead on accurate.

I'm loving Cameron's grainy filter, so fun!

After spending the afternoon tucked among rows and rows of trees, we walked away with almost 100 apples!  The orchard was running a buy one-half bushel, get another half bushel for free, so we said, sure why not?  Little did we know the apples would overtake our entire fridge!  So for this week, we're both the apple pushers at work, giving anyone and everyone who is hungry an apple :)

The afternoon was magical, and though I'm already looking forward till next year, I'm trying to soak up this year's fun for as long as a can.  With me on internship this year, Matt and I's moments together aren't as often as they used to be, so I finding myself working hard to be intentional about living in the moment and enjoying the time we are able to spend together.  And this fall day couldn't have been any more special!

So clearly, we love our orchard trips, but I'm curious, what's your favorite fall tradition?  Any other orchard lovers out there?  PS: check out last year's orchard trip here.