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Photo Challenge Creative by Beth, Oak + Oats

For the past few weeks, I have been really bettering my Instagram and phone photography. I had slowed down my use of Instagram (even though I adore it) because my camera on my phone wasn't working well. Shortly after this challenge began, I upgraded to the iPhone 6 and have quit since. I have been having an absolute blast taking pictures around my home and utilizing different apps to create the look I want.

When I decided to start taking the time with my photography, I decided to model my images after a few of my favorite IG accounts. Do you follow any of these?

@oakandoats


@accordingtolaurajean

Anna Rifle Bond: Creator of Rifle Paper Company
After I digested all of the beauty within these instagram photos, I decided to follow the challenge and start taking some pictures of my own. Below are some of the photos I am particularly proud of.


A photo posted by Eryn Ivey (@raybanstorodeos) on
A photo posted by Eryn Ivey (@raybanstorodeos) on
You still have time to join in the fun! Head over to Beth's or Meg's blog to learn more in the following lessons:

Color - Coming Next Week!


Oak and Oats

Eek! Today marks M&I's four year anniversary together and I couldn't be happier to call this man my best friend.

In Four Years:
  • We've traveled to Canada, California, Georgia, Louisiana, Florida, Michigan, Colorado, Wisconsin, and Ohio together.
  • We've seen 5 professional sports live, in-person.
  • We've moved across the country.
  • I've witnessed him win a gold and silver medal.
  • We've had 9 jobs.
  • We've lived in 5 places.
  • We've fallen in love over and over again!

Happy Anniversary, love! I am so excited for what the future brings for us together. 



At the end of 2015, I joined an online community called TriStyle & Co. Each month Samantha of Elah Tree, Megs of Rivers & Roads,and Beth of Oak + Oats join together to share three ways to style the same clothing item & you're invited to be a part it! Their goal is to encourage, awaken, and celebrate the inherent beauty in each one of us as we live in community.

 This month was scarves and let me tell you, I was stoked! The weather in San Antonio has absolutely been "sweater weather" and I was going to wear the whole boots and hat gig. BOOM! 75 degree weather. However, on Valentine's Day, I thought I would bust out my scarf. I have had this scarf for years and picked it up from the local Plato's Closet. Don't worry, Etsy has thousands.


While M&I were in Austin, we stumbled and found the romantic Mt. Bonnell located within the city limits. Just a short drive from South Congress,  Mt. Bonnell serves as a nature park and trail complete with sitting rocks and tables to gaze over the Colorado River. M&I, being that it was Valentine's Day, decided to spend intimate quiet time watching the sunset together.




In case you don't like wearing scarves around your neck, there is always around your head.


Join the TriSyle and Co community and show us how you style your scarf! 

M&I took a little day-trip to Austin for Valentine's Day!  Lucky for us, the Hipster Capital of the World is only 75 miles down the road.  M had never spent any time checking out the eccentricities that abound there, so we decided it would be a fun, cheap way to spend Cupid's favorite day.

SNAPSHOTS:
1. A Bloody Mary that I loved and M hated.  It had celery, olives, lemons, and limes added to their homemade mix, plus lime+chili Tito's vodka
2. Don't push the red button!  We found a quaint foyer outside a hotel that was begging for photo-ops.  Don't worry, the button only controlled the entry gate
3. The beard is looking extremely "nostalgically Austin"
4. M's brunch; Bacon, egg, and cheese sliders on Brioche buns plus a side of home fries.  Survey says: YUM

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT:
1. How to Use a French Press
2. How to Pick your Warby Parkers
3. How to Play Frisbee (Ok, this isn't a how to, but I wanted to keep up the theme!)

What are your favorite things to do in Austin?


I am so excited to get my very first pair of glasses and thought, "why not try the most hipster of brands?" Warby Parker. As a complete newbie, I thought I would put together some easy tips on how to order through WP and how to best choose frames for your face.






 First Things First (I'm the Realest):
When you are ready to buy new frames, your first spot should be to visit www.warbyparker.com. Warby Parker is an absolutely friendly and amazing company to help guide you through such an important decision of choosing glasses. Being an online glasses retailer, with a few store fronts in the Northeast, Warby Parker allows you to pick any five frames and they ship them to you for free to try on in the comforts of your own home! They send them in this adorable packaging with a return label - free of charge! 
Which Frames are Best?
Here is the fun part - you get to try on your frames! You have the option to pick your frames or allow them to pick five for you. You can upload a picture of your face and they automatically fit the frames on your virtually. I desperately need your help picking.

Option One: Kimball - Marzipan Tortoise 
Keene - Amaretto 
Coley - Woodgrain Tortoise 
Welty - Whiskey Tortoise 
Finch - Violet Magnolia

You're Ready to Order!

Warby Parker makes it really simple. You login to your account, select your order, and choose your frames! They will even call your doctor to confirm you prescription. The only downside is you have to submit the claim to your insurance to get your rebate benefits. The shipping is free. They save your debit card for convenience. It literally couldn't be easier.




 **I was not compensated for this post. I just really liked WP!***
Thanksgiving has passed! We are officially into December, but I can't move forward without sharing photos of the Ogrens' first trip to San Antonio.

Aside from Thanksgiving comas, the Ogrens' and I went to the Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony and Boat Parade at the SA Riverwalk.
Thanksgiving Pre-Meal

Karen & Mike O



Downtown SA Tree Lighting

That sweater, though.

Those two can't help being silly

#SelfTimer

The O's

This photo was just too cute


The Cove! 

Our first Christmas Tree! His mom gave us tons of ornaments :)



Early Christmas Gift


Roasted Veggies - Precooked

The table, pre-wine

Corn Casserole without the oven

Green Bean Casserole

The Spread

Us
Y'all, just like Huggies, I'm a big kid now! This year I will be hosting my first Thanksgiving dinner for M's family and myself.

I need to start this post with full disclosure: I ordered a Honeybaked Turkey Breast from Honeybaked Ham. The stress of a first year dinner comes with great responsibility and the last thing I want to do is the mess up the bird. My family has ordered a Honeybaked Turkey for several years now and they are always delicious, without fail. Also, I highly doubt M will know how to cut a turkey and since there ain't no rings on our fingers, I won't make him try to carve one yet. ;)

I have had a lot of fun finding decor and the table settings for this year. My family has had a set of floral and gold rimmed china that has been in our family for the past 4 (or longer) generations; the set was gifted to me this year when we moved to Texas.


The set is so trendy for being in our family for years. There are clear glasses with dainty gold rims. The plates have small floral designs that balance feminine with a masculine flair that make it perfect for both parties to eat off of. The set also came with gold plated flatware, creamer mugs, cups & saucers, appetizer trays, dessert plates, bowls, and even candlesticks!

To compliment the plates and flatware, I picked up very neutral napkins, gold rings, and a neutral, yet festive, table runner. I had extra burlap and pinecones laying around the house, so I decorated the serving tray that I found in the china set with natural elements as my centerpiece. I read on another blog that flowers are a no go since Thanksgiving is about family time spent together talking and sharing stories ... and probably watching football. Heaven forbid I block the view!

So without further adieu, here is the menu that I hand picked off Pinterest for this year.


Now, it's time to hit the grocery store to pick up the list! I'm sure I won't be the only one with this idea on this lovely San An Sunday afternoon.

I hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving whether it be with friends, family, or loved ones!
My weekend did not go as planned at all, but never the less, I had a blast. M was in Orlando trying out for Team USA U-23 so it was up to me to figure out what to do.

Original plans: Celebraciõn in Austin, TX dressed as the Hamburglar. I had my costume ready and was totally excited, but weather had different plans. All week long we were looking at 100$ chance of rain on Saturday, so the tourney decided to halt play until Sunday...until it poured overnight and Sunday was no longer an option. :(

Well, this means Friday night had a better opportunity to go out and have a good time. Coincidentally, Parks (E-Claire's boothang) was also out of town. So, naturally, we decided to go out and have a good time. Eleanor and I share similar taste in music, so she found a show featuring The Lone Bellow, Foreign Fields, and Kristen Diable at Sam's Burger Joint in San An. We both had never heard of the bands, but decided to check it out. #BestChoiceEver

It's hard to say who was the favorite of the night, but the Lone Bellow was absolutely awesome.



The above song, "Green Eyes and a Heart of Gold" is one of my favorites. Luckily for y'all, Eleanor did the due diligence of creating a playlist of the three bands. Check it out if you like the folksy type.

 

Last but not least, I was quite a fan of my outfit that night. Bad news: I only took a selfie. So sorry, but I still wanted to share.


I checked out Salvation Army earlier that day for my costume but walked out with this awesome coat for $2.50. Yes, $2.50.

This post has extended long enough, so I hope you enjoy the bands above!
Goood Morning, San Antonio!

 M has been in San Diego since Tuesday and will be in Orlando until Sunday. I have filled my evenings with home visits from friends in the area and scheduled plenty of dates with my Altitude girls.

Well, I am flip flopping between the ideas of doing Friday Favorites or Fitness Fridays. I figured Fitness Fridays will keep me accountable for working out and tell y'all about it. Even if nobody reads it, I will still feel responsible if I don't post. However, since you never want to work out the day before a tournament, Ill stick with Friday Favorites for this week.

1. Hamburglar. Yes, from McDonalds.
C/O Pinterest

I am super excited for this weekend as I will be headed to Austin, TX for Celebraciõn. I am playing on a team that is dressing up as fast food, so naturally, I will be dressing up as the Hamburglar. :)

Since I am playing, I will not be wearing the chic dress or burger purse, but I am looking for the tie and gloves. Target had a (cute) black and white striped shirt on SALE!, I am striping up some shorts, and bought the floppy black hat last week. I will definitely take a picture in full gear!

2. Gossip Girl
The CW
Ok, I am NOT behind the times. I have already seen every single episode. However, working from home means lonely lunch hours which means binge watching TV shows on Netflix. #thankyouNetflix

The epic saga of the Upper East Side, Fake Celebs, Chuck and Blair, Nate and everyone else, GAH. Can't get enough. Yes, I am such a girly-girl.

Just finished: FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS :(
Next Up: Gilmore Girls? 
Casual Watch: Friends, The League, New Girl

3. Our New Pub Table


Not the greatest photos, but hey, I don't have a fancy camera (yet)!
This table was only $175 with four barstools! However, it was a bit of a trip. The post listed the location as $225 in South Austin for a table in excellent condition. So, M&I and our friend Luisa hop in her Honda CRV and begin our route to South Austin. We were thinking an hour, TOPS. However, we give her a call and she sends over her address. Turns out it is in WEST Austin and the map says an hour and forty five minutes away. It was already 8:00PM... We were committed and Luisa was amazing. She drove all the way there and all the way back in one night. 

The table is not in excellent condition, but the banged up wood definitely fits the theme of our house. The size is perfect and will definitely work for when M's parents visit for Thanksgiving. Stay tuned for the recipes to come. 

This wraps my Friday Favorites! 
::Coughing constantly::

Gah! I have been sick for weeks, but am too lazy to take my butt to the doctors office. I'd like to think it's from all of the traveling I have been doing lately and the climate change. From NYC to San An to Orlando to the Bahamas and back. I just want to sit down.

Well, I promised pictures of my apartment like a month ago but there hasn't been a good opportunity to take photos. So, I finally did this morning.





These are of my living room and kitchen. We are just about done with the office, but still need to get a few things and put some boxes away. We just haven't had a moment to breath! It will be done before M's parents and my momma/gma come for a trip in two weeks! Eek! So soon!

We were super proud that we were able to stick to our budget and spent less than $2500 on the entire apartment! We did a lot of shopping at Bussey's Flea Market for the decor that was super unique, like the blue trunk above. The couch we got for a steal at Big Lots.. yes, Big Lots. My mom is 100% responsible for the vision of the apartment. She is incredible at being frugal while still achieving the look you want. She really needs to quit her day job and go into decorating.

Well, there ya have it - the first look into our apartment.