Three Years

Today Matt and I are celebrating our anniversary, three years to be exact.  It's weird, because in some ways it seems like yesterday that we got married and were celebrating with friends and family, but in other ways, it feels like we've been married forever.  I'm sure that sounds super cliche, but like many cliches, it rings fairly true.  Three years doesn't seem like a long time, but a lot has happened during that time.  Matt and I both wrapped up our doctoral coursework, left Texas, and moved to Chicago.  Matt completed his Ph.D and got a sweet job; I got a great internship, moved two hours away, and am less than one month away from finishing my Ph.D.  That seems like a lot for three years, especially when I think about how stable our lives have remained.

Last year on our anniversary, I used the word "adventure" to describe our second year of marriage.  And though I don't want the pressure of always having to "name" each year of our marriage, I can't help but enjoy the opportunity to reflect on this year, noting threads that ran through it.  So as I think about this past year for Matt and me, I can't help but notice how much the word "partnership" keeps surfacing in my brain.  Matt is truly my partner in life, and I think we both learned a great deal this year about truly working together.  We made some big life decisions, and through all the stress and uncertainty, I always knew Matt was there.  Steady and constant, offering support and encouragement, as we worked together to make things happen.  One of the best things about a partnership is having someone who can help balance you out when you need it, and this year, more than ever, I felt that balancing act happen.  I feel so very blessed to have such a wonderful and true partner in this life, someone who loves me for my good and bad, someone who helps me find my center when I get off balance.  Three years ago today, we started this journey together, and three years later, I still wonder what I did to deserve such an amazing blessing and an amazing partner.  Cheers to three years...and many more!

PS: If you want to see more wedding pictures, you can find those here.

A Fall Day at the Beach

Two weekends ago, after our morning at the apple orchard, Matt and I were feeling adventurous.  We'd made the almost 3 hour drive to Michigan, and we felt a little silly heading back to Chicago with so much of the afternoon left.  So as we paid for our bags of apples, I asked the man behind the counter, "What else is there to do around here?"  He looked a little confused at first, but after I explained we had some time to explore, he suggested we head to the beach.  He warned it would be windy, but assured us that we wouldn't complain once we saw the view.  And boy was he right.  It was BEAUTIFUL!

We headed to the small beach town of St. Joseph and found out we pretty much had the whole beach to ourselves.  I think there is something really special about exploring something during its "offseason."  Even when most people have packed up their umbrellas and beach towels, there's still so much beauty to discover.

It was crazy windy, and the waves were rolling in, but I couldn't stay out of the water!  I was so thankful I had my wellies on so I could splash around and have a little fun.

Isn't it divine?  Cameron did a great job at capturing the moment; I feel like I can still hear the grass blowing in the breeze.

Matt and I must have stood in this spot for almost an hour.  He'd wander off to take a few pictures, I'd wade out in the water, often squealing at how high the waves were getting.  I'd get lost in the moment, only to turn and see my man, bent down, taking pictures of some tiny beach detail.  It was so serene and comforting, just the two of us.

Eventually we ventured out on this narrow pier where we ran into a local who said he hadn't seen the waves so big in years.  We stood there for while, dodging right and left as waves rolled in, crashing over the railings.  It was so simple, yet so fun.  And with Matt and I spending Monday-Friday apart, days like these are even more special.

I've been whining for a beach vacation since our honeymoon, and though this wasn't quite what I had in mind, I milked it for all it was worth.  Cheesy sand writing and all :)

Just like a postcard!

After trying our hand at being beach explorers, we headed to Silver Beach Pizza for some dinner.  The restaurant was housed in the historic train station and had the yummiest pizza I've had in a long time!  The crust was perfect, not quite Chicago deep dish, but not quite thin.  A big accomplishment in my eyes.

We sat in their enclosed patio, which offered perfect views of the water, but the right amount of protection from the wind.  Did I mention I loved the pizza? :)

I'm so glad we asked the man at the orchard what was nearby and took the time to explore.  We often get so caught up in life's to do list, that we miss out on unexpected surprises.  And this little beach trip was certainly one I'll remember for a very long time!

PS: My blog got a ton of hits today, but my statcounter is acting up and won't tell me where people are coming from.  If you're new here or were referred from another blog/site, will you please leave comment letting me know how you got here?  Pretty please?  Thanks :)

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.

Cheers to Dr. Davis!

This past weekend was a HUGE weekend in our house as Matt graduated with his Ph.D, eeek!  He is officially Dr. Davis! There are no words to describe the joy I felt this weekend watching Matt get his degree.  It has been a long and crazy journey, and I couldn't be more proud of all his hard work, dedication, and success.  Without further ado...pictures of the newest Ph.D in town :)

Me and the oh-so-official Dr. Davis!  This day has been so long in the making, it felt totally surreal!

Matt getting his degree and his fancypants hood.  PS: It's hard to believe we spend 6 years of our life working on these degrees, and all we get is an oversized piece of paper and a bad, blue velvet drapey hood :)

My favorite four people on the planet :)

Me and Miguel (aka Dr. Cano.)   Neither Matt or I's grad school experience would have been half as fun without this guy!

Besties.

I love you both more than words and am so so proud of you!  And I'm giving you a month to rub it in my face that you're doctors and I'm not.  Then for the next 11 months, not a dang peep from you two!

After graduation we headed back to my parents for a graduation bash, complete with friends, family, neighbors, and of course, Texas BBQ!

What's a party without personalized napkins? :)

My best friend Steven and his boyfriend, Jesse, drove in from Austin for the occasion, and I'm so happy we were able to celebrate with them.  They always keep us laughing, and we don't see them nearly enough!

Matt and his celebratory flamingos!  My parents have the most fabulous group of neighbors, who take advantage of every reason to celebrate.  Whenever someone has a big event, the flamingos "mysteriously" arrive in the yard.  This time they were accompanied by some fabulous sidewalk chalking, courtesy of the little girls next door.

Saturday night, after a day of thrifting, lounging, and BBQ leftovers, we headed down to Montrose to eat at Cafe Brasil.  Ryan recommended the spot, and with an apple bacon pizza, how can you go wrong?

Still wearing my turban, even though Matt calls me Rambo and Steven called me Aunt Jemima all night.  Boys seriously just don't get it.

After dinner we headed back for game night, a major event in my family.  And though I am normally an Apples to Apples champion, I lost miserably.  But with two new doctors at the table, I had to let them beat me :)

The winner of the box game, a crazy hilarious game my family plays at every holiday/special occasion.

Fabulous stairstep friends :)

A last picture of me and the graduate.  The weekend was truly special, and I'm so grateful for all the people who made this celebration of Dr. Davis so very special.  A big thanks to my parents, who hosted the party, made a million airport trips, and let all us grown up kids sprawl out all over the house all weekend :)  A big congrats again to my sweet husband, Matt.  What...did you really think I'd start referring to him 24/7 as Dr. Davis?  Please, until I get those big initials next year, he can forget about it :)

Two Years

{photo by Rachel Robinson}

Two years ago today, we said "I do."  Surrounded by our family and friends, in a beautiful church, we committed our love and our lives to one another.  I remember that day like it was yesterday; there was so much anticpation, so much joy, and an overwhelming amount love.  Not just between Matt and I, but between the people who love and support us, the people who continue to encourage us on our journey of marriage.

If I could sum up the past year for Matt and I in one word it would be adventure.  This year, we packed up our lives together, moved somewhere new, and found a place to call home.  We grew roots together, took chances together, and made big decisions together.  We learned a lot about compromise, rolling with the punches, and leaning on one another in times of stress.  We became our own little family, learning to make decisions as a unit, (and even tougher, learning to make decisions as a unit even when we don't see eye to eye.)  This year, we took an adventure together, and I couldn't be more grateful for the opportunity it has given us to learn and grow together.

Sweet Matt...today and always I am grateful for your love.  Grateful for the person you are and grateful for the person you inspire me to be.  You are one of a kind and such a blessing in my life.  This year has been such an adventure, and I can't think of anyone more fabulous and special to share it with.  Happy anniversary, I love you beyond words.

PS: If you wanna see more wedding pics, I posted a ton in last year's anniversary post.  I never get tired of looking at them :)

Iron and Wine Concert and Giveaway Winners

Last Monday, Matt and I headed to Millennium Park to hear one of our newish (yep, that's a word) favorite bands, Iron and Wine.  They were a part of Millennium Park's free New Music Monday series, which gives Chicagoans the opportunity to gather in their favorite park and listen to great music...for free!  The concert was crowded as hell (literally, it was slightly insane) and we snagged one of the last open spots inside the pavilion.  Which meant for an hour we got to watch people beg and plead with park police, jump over barricades, and run through bushes.  It definitely provided good pre-show entertainment :)

If you haven't heard of Iron and Wine, you should definitely check out their website where you can listen to their newest album.  (My favorite songs are Boy with a Coin and Tree by the River.)  The Head and the Heart opened the show, and as much as I enjoyed them, I was kinda let down by the weird version they did of my favorite song, Lost in my Mind.  (If want a midday jam out song, listen to it.  I love it.)

We packed a little picnic, found a spot along the fence, and made friends with our blanket neighbors, who happened to be responsible DePaul students.  (They brought their math homework with them!)

There are few things I love more in the summer than plaid picnic blankets and armfuls of thrifted/gifted bracelets.

I literally wear this hat every chance I get.  Even if Matt calls me "Indiana" (aka Indiana Jones) when I put it on.

Lol, what a stud :)

Oh how we love our city.  I'm so happy we get to stay here for a long while!

And now for the giveaway news...the winner of the $50 gift certificate to Ellaine's Stella &Dot e-boutique is Alexandria!  (Congrats girlie, send me an email and I'll forward your info onto Ellaine.)  And for the second giveaway...the winner of the Petra bracelet is Luann from Newport Beach!  (Luann, Ellaine will be emailing you directly about your new bling.)  Thanks to all of you who entered, and a big thanks to Ellaine for providing such a fabulous giveaway!  Now go listen to some Iron and Wine and tell me you love them as much as I do :)