Hunter Boots & Flannel

DETAILS // 

Boots:  Hunter | Leggings:  Fabletics | Shirt: Old Navy | Vest: Old Navy | Watch: JORD

Call me basic, or predictable, or whatever, but I'm just gonna say it:  I think I found my fave outfit for fall and early winter.  

I've had a pair of Hunter boots on my wishlist for a while now.  I can't tell you how many pairs of cheap rainboots I've gone through. I distinctly remember the first pair I got in college...they were a cute navy blue with little anchors on them.  And I thought they were great every time I boldly walked across a rain-soaked quad on my way to class.  But then, halfway across the marsh that our beautiful, grassy quad inevitably turned into in the New England rain, I would notice that my socks felt a little cold...and wet.  And so, the boots that I had trusted to keep my tootsies dry failed me.  So last week, when AJ and I were walking through Costco, I was shocked to find a stack of neatly-piled Hunter boot boxes.  They had no price sign above them, and knowing what they normally retail for, I figured they couldn't be more than $20-$30 less than the usual price tag, so I didn't even bother to ask.  Later that weekend, I thought about them and checked online and was shocked to find that they were only $80!  So I ordered a pair online and friends...they're popular for a reason.  They're comfortable, totally sealed, and so classic.  

I paired my Hunter boots with a pair of Fabletics leggings, a boyfriend flannel from Old navy (my new fave), and a puffy vest for a shoot that I had scheduled on Sunday, and after my client headed home, I decided to grab a few photos of myself, because it was one of those outfits that I just never wanted to take off (so comfy).   

WHAT'S YOUR GO-TO OUTFIT THESE DAYS?  DO YOU OWN HUNTER BOOTS?

The Golden Vlog // November

I seriously can't believe that it's time for the Golden Vlog again...and that we've already hit mid-November!  To be honest, I kind of got a bit of the holiday fever yesterday....my boss gave me a spruce-scented candle the other day and now our office smells like a Christmas tree forest...pretty great, if you ask me!  

Anyway...this month's Golden Vlog is all about work and jobs!  Watch below to hear more about what I do for work now, what my first job was, and to see my special guest on this month's vlog!

Life w/ Mrs G & the Artist ~ Twitter | Instagram | Bloglovin
Amanda Moments ~ Facebook | Twitter | Instagram
Brave Love Blog ~ Instagram | Bloglovin | Twitter
Heavens to Betsy ~ Instagram | Twitter | Facebook
My Favorite Adventure ~ Twitter | Instagram | Pinterest

Here's the Rules . . .

1. You must follow your hosts on at least ONE form of social media to linkup w/ us. 

2. We want to see your face! How many times you roll your eyes, and if you talk with your hands! So link up a post featuring your VLOG answering this months questions! Please link up a post not your blog's home page, and be sure there is a VLOG (video blog) featured! This is the Golden Vlog after all ;)

3. Add the button above or a text link to one of the hosts to help us promote this crazy thing!

4. Spread the love! go watch, listen, and comment on other blogs and make some new friends!

If you have any questions at all or want to be included on our monthly Golden Vlog Letter with next months questions just email [email protected]

*all links not featuring a vlog or this months questions will be removed!

An InLinkz Link-up

Abide

You want to hear something funny?  This post, just a title and a sentence, has been sitting in my draft folder since January.  Yep, you read that right:  January.  That's how long it's taken me to actually sit down and write it.

For the past few years, I've been choosing a word for the year.  In 2014, it was teachable.  I wanted to come to work, to my personal life, to my online world with a teachable spirit, and reminding myself of that in the face of criticism or a moment when I just need to own a mistake was a great perspective shift.

When 2015 started to loom, I decided that my word would be abide.  I was trying really hard at the end of 2014 to spend time with Jesus daily and I was in a season where contentment was escaping me (as evidenced by the cry fests that I had to both my mom and AJ about how "we're never going to get married" ha...funny one, God).  So abide it was, and when I chose that word in December of 2014, I had no idea the craziness that 2015 would hold, or that I would be ending the year with a different last name.

To be honest, I don't think I embodied my word in 2015.  In a lot of ways, I'm not sure that I'm heading out of this year more centered than when I came into it.  But at the same time, I do know that I'm closing out this year with a better awareness of the presence of Jesus in my life.

The way I see it, change can take you by surprise, even if you see it coming.  This year has been a year of change, both personally and in the life of our church.  Since our pastor's accident back in June, we've seen growth and revival coming to our county and congregation.  We've watched God orchestrate too many moments and happenings to even count, and as a staff, we've become more and more aware of the way God has worked and moved to carry us through the storm we faced on the evening of June 7th.

When I chose abide as my word for 2015, I didn't know that I'd spend 9 months of this year planning my wedding and then celebrating my brother's marriage as well.  I didn't know that so many of my friends would welcome babies into their families this year, and I didn't know what the transition into married life would look like.  Now, two months after saying "I do," I'm realizing that abiding looks differently than I expected it to.

Abiding, now, doesn't just mean getting up a little earlier and opening my Bible, or trying to carve out some time to read a book that reminds me of God's goodness.  It means saying no to commitments that take away from time spent with my husband.  It means encouraging one another to grow in our walks with God and being cheerleaders for one another in all things.

Last year at this time, I thought I knew what this year might hold.  I had plans, I had goals, and I had a word.  Have I embodied the word abide in the way that I thought I would this year?  Most definitely not.  But in the process, I've learned so much more about the way that God shows up and surrounds us with His steadfast goodness, in both the hard and the joyful times, and I think in so many ways, that's a greater lesson than I could have ever taught myself through my own striving.

DID YOU HAVE A WORD FOR 2015?  WHAT HAS GOD BEEN TEACHING YOU THIS YEAR?

Meet Quincy!

If you haven't already met him via my Instagram feed (sorry, but he's kind of taken over at the moment!), then I'd like to formally introduce you to the newest Fick, Quincy!

AJ and I were super excited to welcome Quince to the family on Saturday.  We have been talking about getting a dog someday since long before we got married and over the past few weeks started seriously discussing it.  I had been keeping my eyes on a few websites that listed local puppies from family breeders and when we were in Boston this past weekend with a few friends, I saw Quincy and his siblings pop up on the site.  He was too cute, so I sent the link to my mom who replied "OMG!"  

On Saturday, as we were beginning our trip home, my parents decided to give the breeder a call and go see the puppies.  When they arrived, they found Quincy to be the last puppy left unspoken for.  My mom immediately called me and put me on FaceTime and let me virtually meet this sweet pup.  The breeder wasn't going to be available on Sunday and couldn't guarantee that they would hold him for us, so I told my mom that I trusted her judgement and if she thought he was a good pup, to bring him home.  She called me back a few minutes later to tell me that the breeder would only take cash and that the ATM wouldn't allow her to take out what she needed, so we wouldn't be getting our puppy that day.  We were bummed, but not entirely heartbroken as we made plans for me to leave work early on Monday to go see him.  

Fast forward a few hours as we stopped for a little break on our trip back to PA.  I casually mentioned to AJ and our friend Brit that I was secretly hoping that my mom was fibbing and that we'd be going home to a puppy, but I also didn't want to get my hopes up, so I convinced myself that that wasn't going to be the case.  However, when we walked into our house later that night, we got the best surprise ever when we discovered the sweetest little pup waiting for us!  

It's been a fun week so far with our new addition.  He was off to a rough start on the whole crate-training thing (ahem...we didn't really get sleep the first two nights), but we have him down to a schedule now and he's been getting better.  Mostly, though, he's just the cutest thing there ever was.  AJ said the other day that he loves him so much that it hurts, and I totally agree.  He's also AJ's first dog, so watching them together is pretty much the sweetest thing.  

I'm sure you'll be hearing/seeing more of Quincy on the blog in the future, but for now, give him a warm welcome!  (Because, you know, he avidly reads this blog and wants to hear you tell him how cute he is.) 

Fall Fashion & Better Life Bags

DETAILS // 

Bag:  the Linda by Better Life Bags  |  Shirt:  Old Navy  |  Jeans:  Gap  |  Flats:  Old Navy  |  Necklace:  Rocksbox  |  Hat:  Old Navy  |  Vest:  Bass

I really love shopping small and supporting businesses that are making a difference.  While it's not always completely feasible when shopping for clothes and accessories, I like to support these types of businesses when possible.  

That's why I've been wanting to feature my Better Life Bag in a blog post since I got it in June.  When I took it with me while apple picking a few weeks ago, I figured there was no better spot than in the orchard to shoot some photos of this great bag! 

If you're not familiar with Better Life Bags, they're a Detroit-based company that employs women with barriers to employment and gives them an opportunity to earn a fair wage and make a living for their families.  They are making an impact on these women and their families and furthering God's kingdom in the process.  What's not to love?

The cool thing about Better Life Bags is that as the customer, you design your bag.  They have an interactive website where you can change leather colors and fabric patterns on the bag design of your choice, and each bag is made to order.  While these bags are a bit on the pricey side, I think they're totally worth it simply because of the heart behind the company.  It was definitely worth saving up for it!

I love my Linda from Better Life Bags.  It's the perfect size for a day out or even if I'm headed to meet a photography client...I can fit my essentials along with my camera and a notebook easily in my bag, and I love that it has both shoulder straps and a cross body!    

Truth be told, I'm a total purse girl, so it's not hard to find a bag that I love.  But there's just something so satisfying knowing that I gave my money to a quality company that is doing good work and using it well.  If you haven't checked out some of Better Life Bags' products, I highly recommend you do so here!

HAVE YOU EVER HEARD OF BETTER LIFE BAGS?  DO YOU OWN ONE?  WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE ETHICAL FASHION COMPANY?

Guys Behind the Blog // October

It's time for one of my favorite posts of the month once again...The Guys Behind the Blog!  Laura and I host this little link-up every month and we love hearing from you and your guys!  This month we're talking all about fall, so check out AJ's answers below and link up with us! 



1 // We’re headed into fall, which means cooler temps for most of us…are you a warm weather or cold weather kind of guy?
Cold weather.  You can always put on more...you can't take off so much!

2 // What's the best Halloween costume you've ever worn?
I've never worn a Halloween costume.  The one time I went trick-or-treating dressed like I normally would and I wrote "I'm dressed like someone too poor for a Halloween costume" on a piece of paper and put that on my chest. 

3 // What's your favorite Halloween candy? 

I like Twix, but I have more Halloween candy that I avoid.  Like candy corn.  I look at it and at first I'm like "ew...this is gross" and then I eat it anyway and there's levels....one to five candy corn you're like "maybe candy corn's not so bad" and then five to ten is like "I like candy corn.  Candy corn is good" and then ten plus is like "I've made a huge life mistake."

4 // What are your favorite parts of fall (ex: football, the weather, Thanksgiving, etc)?
The leaves changing and stuff.  I'm driving in the mountains to work every week and it's pretty.  Also football is awesome.  I love football.  

5 // How do you feel about pumpkin spice lattes? 
I feel like if I order one, people think I'm a white girl in disguise.  I think they're overrated and kind of gross.


Make sure you mark your calendars for next month's link up and note the questions below...the link-up will go live a week early on Thursday, November 19th and stay open until Friday, November 27th.  Link up anytime in that week!

1. What sports did you participate in as a child? What sports did you watch growing up?
2. If you could line up your ideal Super Bowl, who would be facing off, where would they play and who would you pick to win?
3. Do you prefer the summer or winter Olympics? If you could participate in one Olympic sport, what would it be?
4. What is your favorite food to eat at a sports party (ex: World Series, Super Bowl, Stanley Cup, etc.)?
5. Who is your all time favorite athlete and why?

Join in with us this month by linking up below!

An InLinkz Link-up

Apple Picking

Like almost everyone else on the planet, I. Love. Fall.  Like, a lot.  The weather, the wardrobe, the activities...it's just such a glorious season.  

When I was in college, I was introduced to the wonderfulness that is apple picking.  My mom pointed out that she got the same amount of apples (if not more) for much less than we spent and we had to pick our own, but here's the thing:  there's just something so deliciously satisfying about picking your own apple right from the tree.  That, and getting over 10lbs of apples for $16 really isn't that bad.  

Anyway, AJ had never been apple picking, and so last week, I looked up some local orchards, picked one, and then drug him along with me as I relished one of my favorite fall activities.  (He didn't mind the apple picking part so much as the me taking tons of pictures of him part.)  All in all, though, it was really fun, and a special little fall afternoon date!  

We decided that our favorite apples are Cameos, we love Apple Cider donuts (duh), and Apple Cider slushies maybe give Coke ones a run for their money.  

DO YOU LOVE APPLE PICKING?  WHAT IS ONE OF YOUR FAVORITE FALL TRADITIONS?

Home Decor // Adding Some Charm with Vintage Pieces

I'm so happy to welcome Chris from Framestr to the blog today!  Chris reached out to me a little while ago because he noticed my love of all things vintage and offered to take over Heavens to Betsy for a day to talk about adding some charm to your space with vintage pieces!  I love finding cool old treasures and adding that character to our living space.  Whether it be an old crate or a vintage camera, each piece is unique and brings a lot of history into your room.  Enjoy these tips and vendor spotlights from Chris!

A space needs character, adding a touch of vintage will elevate your home and make it one-of-a-kind. Whether you add a few charming knick-knacks, vintage furniture or decorations, the little extra style will make your space stand out.

Vintage can really be anything. It can be a piece your great grandmother has passed down from generation to generation, a reclaimed piece you stumbled across, or even new pieces that provide a modern twist to a vintage era. 

For beginners, it’s best to start small. You can add a vintage flair by displaying small pieces as accents in a room. Consider things you’re interested in, perhaps you have a passion for photography and would like to display some old photos or antique cameras.

One of my favourites is a local vendor from Toronto, Goodfolk Vintage. This unique shop offers a variety of pieces including: vintage posters, hand crafted art objects, tapestries and woodcarvings.  Toronto couple Emilie and Matt started Goodfolk and both have a background in art and design. They travelled the world, rummaged and collected cool things and have now opened a shop to sell all their special items.

One of my favourites is the Cotton Applique Wall Tapestry of Animals, $127.32.

Rustic Metal Oval Planer, $33.35 at Goodfolk Vintage 

In addition to antique pieces, reclaimed items are a great way to mix in a bit of vintage with modern. Everything created by Andrew’s Reclaimed is handmade from start to finish in their Washington workshop, hand-picking each piece and working to a great presentable finish for a gift that will be useful, as well as unique. Each piece is built using wood sourced from dismantling ages-old fences, barns and other structures ready for demolition.

Jewelry - necklace and ring organizer, $33.00 at Andrew’s Reclaimed  

Lastly, one of my favourite off-the-wall alternatives to traditional vintage options is a boutique Montreal shop, Cadeauté. Those who love bold, colourful designs, graphic lines and geometric shapes will fall in love with Barbara’s designs. Cadeaute’s Shop features retro reimagined objects and hand painted furniture. A colourful refurnished piece of furniture can really add vibrancy to a room.

Looking for a night stand? Evelyn’s design is late 60’s inspired, with its complex three-dimensional geometric patterns. The piece can be found here, prices start at $394.56.

Every style is unique and not one is correct. Feel free to share some of your favourite vintage pieces with our readers. Re-using old pieces not only adds a touch of boldness and flavor to the home, it is environmentally friendly and integrates culture from a different era.