Snow Day in Keystone

Hi Friends,

I hope your new year is off to a wonderful start!! We had such a wonderful time with our family in the mountains over New Years.  The house was full with Jonny's three brothers and their wives, two babies, Jonny's parents, and one puppy which made for a lot of love and laughter.

We were so lucky to get quite a bit of skiing in last week, but one day was just bitter cold and there was no way I was going to attempt to get on the mountain.  I stayed in a coffee shop at the base and waited patiently for Jonny to finish so I could partake in Apres (since that is often the best part of skiing anyway).

I doubled up on layers because it was so chilly.  I wore my new coat that I got for Christmas (thanks Mom!), I also love this one and this one and wore my warmest puffy coat on top (also wore it here) btw its on sale!  I layered this metallic pink blouse under my dress for another added layer.  Both my dress and top are H&M - I always love stopping in and finding such great affordable pieces (this dress was $15!).  I got a few questions about my hat when I wore it last week - it is old, but I found a very similar one here!

Have a great day!

Aspen Weekend in Secret Season

Morning, Friends!

I have missed you this week! I got back from our little trip last weekend and had a bit of catching up to do... and here we are, Thursday, and well into June already.  My goodness!  I hope you all are having a wonderful start to your summer.  

Last weekend, Jonny and I kicked ours off with a little trip to one of our favorite local getaway spots.  Growing up in Golden, Colorado, Aspen was always just a bit over the hill so we rarely made the extra effort to drive past some of the other mountain towns.  It seems as a couple, Jonny and I welcome the extra drive time and cherish the beautiful sightseeing along the way.  

We stayed at The Little Nell which we has become one of our very favorite hotels.  As you know, a dog friendly hotel is high on our priority list when deciding where we are going to stay, and they treat Mr. Brown like a king.  We also love activities - and they have them all within steps. Seriously!!  

We arrived late Friday night and received check in information including information about skiing (it was 80 degrees).  I was convinced it was a typo.  The next morning we looked out the window and saw skiers riding bikes in minimal clothing up to the gondola.  We didn't properly prepare, but of course, Jonny did not want to miss the opportunity to get a few turns (and rays) in, so The Nell helped us get set up with rentals and lift tickets for the day and Charlie Brown and I sat at the top while Jonny skied in his swim trunks.  

Any time mid April through this coming weekend is considered "secret season" in Aspen because there is still a bit of snow melt and the weather can be a little more unpredictable.  We would argue that it is our favorite time to visit since there are fun surprises like skiing in June and great rates (like this) that you wont find during peak season.

After our morning on the mountain, we went on a walk around town to find a spot for Charlie to cool off, and bumped into our good friends (you've met Nerida and little miss Pippa here and here).  We all decided to head back to Ajax Tavern for happy hour - it was delicious!  I highly recommend the tuna tartare!  We finished the night at White House Tavern, my must stop spot whenever we visit.  It is semi silly because Hillstone and Cherry Creek Grill have very similar menus (since they are all owned by Hillstone), but I just love the quaint ambiance.

On Sunday, Jonny and I hiked, pooled it up, and visited the Maroon Bells.  We stopped by The Butchers Block (around the corner from our hotel) and brought a few little snacks with us and enjoyed a little picnic among the beautiful scenery.  

We packed a lot into just a short weekend, but there was so much to do!  We can't wait to go back to Aspen and The Little Nell.  Also, I am on a serious gingham kick right now, guys so get ready because I just. can't. stop. My top is available here (I am wearing a size 0).  I have also been wearing my sun hat non stop.  Shop the rest of my look below.

Looking forward to a weekend of organizing the garage this weekend... I guess its called balance.  Darn, adulting!

Thank you to the lovely Bianca McCarty for capturing some wonderful snaps while we were in Aspen.  If you are looking for a photographer while you are visiting or doing a mountain wedding I highly recommend her (she is located in Eagle, Vail)!

xo

This post is in collaboration with The Little Nell. As always, all opinions are my own. Thank you for supporting the brands that make this blog possible!

Charlie's 10th Birthday Paw-ty

Hi Friends,

I hope you had a wonderful weekend.  Jonny and I got to spend the cold, dreary, sleaty, snowy weekend enjoying a cozy staycation at the Hotel Teatro.  We had planned on playing hometown tourists all weekend all over downtown, but it turned out to be the perfect weekend to stay in and cozy up with a good book and watch the White House Correspondence dinner and some Lifetime Original movies.  Gahhh - I forgot Lifetime marathons can really suck you in!  But there was really no need to go anywhere with the awful weather... and hard to leave a room with a great view of Denver, watching the snow fall while enjoying the company of your two favorites - human and non.

There is no doubt about it, I have a healthy obsession with our golden retriever Charlie Brown.  I would bet a lot of you are animal lovers too, I typically don't get along very well with non dog people (so guessing you all are animal lovers of some kind).

After my freshman year in college I had my heart set on a golden retriever puppy.  Most people would tell me what a terrible idea it was to get a puppy during college, but for me, getting Charlie Brown almost 10 years ago, was one of the best decisions I made.  We have been through so much together: countless moves, graduating college, starting jobs, leaving jobs, meeting Jonny, falling in love, first fights, getting married, and becoming the little family we are now.

I may seem like a crazy dog lady (and I definitely am!) but Mr. Brown has been an eager bundle of love happily waiting for me with a smile, or a pup hug when needed, every day for the last 10 years.  He has been the best doggy and more than a girls best friend and I felt his 10th birthday was a reason to celebrate.

Liz and her pup, Gus,  came (also here) came over and Bethany brought Hank, the golden they were puppy sitting.  It ended up being the perfect way to spend a snowy afternoon - a gaggle of girlfriends and goldens.... nothing better!  We enjoyed a little champagne during our walk and came back to  our house and warmed up with a hot cocoa bar and birthday treats for all.

I love all of our bright jewelry from Lonna and Lilly, it is so fun and cheery and brightened up the snow day a bit (here, here and here).  Our mugs and this glass pitcher are two of my favorite hostessing pieces and I got the the party hats from Swoozies (which you will hear more about later this week!).  I have to tell you, I also do not wear these rain boots enough.... yellow, monogrammed, bow? Love!  And I have been wearing these earrings as often as possible - perfect with a plain tee.

Hope the rest of your week is wonderful!! Thrilled the sun is shining today and crossing my fingers we have seen our last snow for the season.

xo

This post is in collaboration with Lonna and Lilly. As always, all opinions are my own. Thank you for supporting the brands that make this blog possible! 

Skirt Season in The Rockies

GOOD MORNING, FRIENDS!

I hope you had a wonderful weekend.  We were snowed in here.... yes, again!  Jonny was at a bachelor party enjoying plenty of sunshine and beach time, while we accumulated around 2 ft. of snow here.  I didn't want to get stuck in the house alone all weekend so invited my friends over for a fun girls weekend full of rom coms, sushi, and mimosas. It was lovely! 

The weather here changes in an instant, one second its 80 and sunny (this was last week before the snow storm btw) and the next we are bundled up in our mid winter warmest again.  I can't wait for consistent skirt weather - I am ready to put away the tights for a while.

I love this skirt from J.McLaughlin, a store I first spotted from way down the street when I was visiting family in Chicago and knew it was going to be a lasting relationship.  The bright colors and fun patterns were an instant draw for me!  Clearly, I was elated when I found out they were opening a store near me in Cherry Creek (2703 E 3rd Ave).  Local friends, I have already been by a few times and just the store front is adorable.  This shirt is probably the most comfortable button up I have ever worn (got it in white too!).  I love a classic white jean jacket for layering - it is the perfect staple for spring and summer.  

I wore this to a casual day at work last week then to meet Jonny for date night before he left for the airport.  I really appreciate the wearability of J.McLaghlin's pieces.  For sizing, I would suggest sizing down.  I typically wear 0-2 in skirts and xs-s in tops and wear 0 and xs in their pieces.

More snow headed our way today, guys... send us some sunny thoughts! 

xo

This post is in collaboration with J.McLaughlin. As always, all opinions are my own. Thank you for supporting the brands that make this blog possible! 

Weekend Necessities

Happy April!

Hope you have been enjoying some sunshine and spring weather where you are.  It has been a bit of a dreary week here.  Sun, snow, sun, snow, but we are promised a gorgeous weekend this weekend (fingers crossed!), very typical Colorado weather.  As a native, who loves a good powder day, I am still ready for sunshine and patio happy hours by April 1st.

Last week, before heading to the mountains, Jonny and I stopped by Pearl Wine Company because.... wine not!!? Sorry, that was terrible.  But really, we had to make sure we had the necessities in case we were snowed in all weekend long (right?).  

It is not every day that I am in inspired to post up and do a whole photo shoot while on our wine stop, but Pearl Wine Company was that adorable.  When we walked in, we were immediately greeted by owner Dustin who shared the sweet story of his store.  I love that he focuses on family owned wineries (a lot are local) and believes that every bottle has a story to tell.

I should point out that almost everything I am wearing is currently 40% off from Banana Republic!  I have really been loving their spring line, and at 5'3(ish) I really appreciate their petite section.  My embellished top (wearing xs petite), black ankle pant (wearing 2 petite). and new favorite gold pumps (also love these and these) are all 40 % off (use code: brspring).  

Have a wonderful first weekend of April! 

xo

SpringTime Cruising

Hi Friends,

I hope you had a nice weekend and great start to your week.  Jonny I were excited to have a little staycation in Boulder this past weekend, but ended up only staying at the beautiful St. Julien for about six hours because Mr. Brown got very sick and we ended up spending the better part of our Saturday at the vet :(.  Not at all where he or we wanted to be.  Thankfully, about five hours after first arriving they figured out he had a bone stuck in his belly and were able to fix him all up!

After a fun brunch with Denver's loveliest bloggers Sunday morning, it was so great to spend the day outside enjoying the sunshine with my boys.  Jonny and I often get stuck in our Lohi bubble - we love our neighborhood, so rarely leave on weekends unless we have to.  However, we have found a quick ride on the Cherry Creek Trail to another neighborhood we love (and the neighborhood Jonny grew up in), South Pearl Street.  We both agree, there is no better way to spend a sunny day than cruising between two of our favorite neighborhoods in Denver on a beautiful spring day!

Photography: Corey Anthony

off the should peasant top ($128) also love this one ($64), this one ($105), and this one ($108) // TopShop Jeans ($70) // Straw Panama Hat ($20) // Tory Burch Crossbody ($295) // lace up bootie ($149) // faux pearl studs ($30) // similar cruiser ($470)

Guys, I snapped up this pretty top ($128) last week and it has quickly become one of my favorites!  I have been loving the off the shoulder trend and can't seem to get enough of them - I also love this one, this one, and this one.  While out and about last week I also found these great TopShop jeans ($70).  It is hard for me to find jeans that hit my ankle exactly where they should because I am not the tallest gal... or even close to it at 5'2(ish) and these fit perfectly (no hemming required!) right off the bat! For sizing, I am wearing a 25.

Thinking of you all today and praying for comfort in Brussels and peace in our beautiful world.

xo