Five Friday Favorites

This week was lots of fun; the Broncos won Super Bowl 50 and I did a short trip down to Daytona to see my handsome fiancé Kyle for an early Valentines Day! I'm keeping this post short and sweet, so here's a closer look at my wonderful week... :)

1. This was actually my Saturday outfit, but I'm looking forward to sharing the outfit details with you in a post this coming week!

2. Gameday style! Kyle actually came up just for the day to watch the Super Bowl with me, so that was fun and a little last minute (which made it even sweeter).

3. Anyone who knows me personally knows how much I love a good Grilled Cheese Sandwich (GCS). My Dad makes THE BEST ones, but this one I made for myself this week was pretty darn close... Yum!

4. Before Kyle got off shift I decided to go for a run on the beach. While it was a little chilly and breezy, there was not a soul on the beach, and it was just so picturesque... 

5. Since we aren't able to be together on Valentine's Day (which is also our dating anniversary! 7 years now!) we celebrated early with dinner at a place that has become a tradition for us since we've been in Florida. I was planning on wearing this outfit but I ended up adapting it slightly based on weather and I was really feeling rose gold accessories. :)

Happy Early Valentine's Day to you all, and Happy Weekend!

--Caroline

Five Friday Favorites

Well, I've successfully survived my first week of classes of my final year of college! Whoot whoot! It's been a strange week in that with only 3 classes (and since we haven't started too many projects yet) I have had a very usually amount of free time; I have watched tv every night this week! Since when does that happen? It must be the calm before the storm.. Regardless it's been a great week, and here is a little summery of some of my favorite things that have happened.

1) On Monday when I walked into the interior design building I didn't initially notice this... a classmate had to point it out to me! But one of my past projects is being displayed in the building, which is always exciting. What a great way to start the year!

2) This is actually from a week or so ago, before I came back to the panhandle, but I just love my fiancé! Not only does he keep me laughing, happy, and treats me like a queen, but he also makes sure I'm safe wherever I go, even if it's going back up to school and leaving him behind. Everyday I just feel so blessed to have him in my life! Just in this first week back I can tell that this year is going to be the hardest yet in terms of missing him while we are long distance. I think being engaged makes it worse, but we just have one more year and then we will be tying the knot and won't ever be apart!

3) Part of me moving into a new apartment and becoming an Alpha Phi alum means I am cooking more, and I'm actually really enjoying it! Somehow I came back from summer with all these recipe ideas, and I just keep putting combinations of ingredients together successfully. It's been yummy! The other night I made this steamed kale bowl, sort of inspired by a dish I had when Kyle & I went up to Estes Park for my birthday. Recipes will be coming to This Styled Life soon!

4) After about a week of either sitting on the floor or pulling around a side chair to watch tv, I finally have a couch. Kyle and I picked this one out together, and it was fun shopping for something that I know will be in our future home!

5) Ever since Italy, dresses have made their way into my daily wear far more often, and I have to say I'm a fan! This is one of my favorite ways I recently styled a dress for a day of errands. Anyone else loving this whole chambray & denim dress trend?

I hope you all had a fabulous week! I have a little beach visit planned for this weekend with Kyle and his sister, her hubby and adorable kid whom I haven't met yet, so it's going to be a good time for sure. How are you spending one of the last weekends of summer?

--Caroline

Back To School

Today is the first day of my final year of college... Man it's been a long & fun ride! Between transferring, taking time off, and now being engaged and ready to start my post-grad life with Kyle {and ending this whole long-distance thing} I am excited to be done! But at the same time I don't want it to go by too fast; I still want to enjoy every last bit of college I can. That being said, I've so enjoyed this past summer, between my study abroad, my wedding planning festivities, and spending some quality time with Kyle. I know I've spent a lot of time away from the blog this summer, but I'm excited to get back into the swing of things and get some new posts up.

Some things to look forward to here on TSL this fall:

-- A tour of my new apartment, along with some tips on how I downsized into a much smaller space!

-- Some great fall outfits... I think I've determined that fall is one of my favorite seasons to style, and I've got some great ideas. Now if only this Florida weather would get with the program and fall came a little sooner! 

-- More recipes; now that I'm an Alpha Phi alum I no longer have a meal plan at the sorority house, which means I'm all on my own with cooking and trying out new recipes. I'm excited! As I write this I just finished a yummy dinner of stuffed bell peppers, and a post about that will be up on the blog the first week of September.

Also, a note about my Wedding Wednesday posts: They will continue, but I've decided to leave out a lot of the details that way Kyle and I can enjoy the process ourselves. Next fall, after the wedding, I'll dive into more of the details. Sound good? I hope so! :)

I'm looking forward to this fall & sharing it with y'all! 

Do you have anything you're looking forward to this season?

--Caroline

Open When Letters

Today I'm sharing with you all a little trick that is great for all the long distance relationships out there, be it lovers at two different colleges or a marriage separated by a deployment. There are a ton of "Open When..." letter ideas out there on the internet, and I have twice now adapted the concept for when I've gone abroad and Kyle is not with me. The first time was last summer, when my family and I went on our European River Cruise. I knew that I would not be able to call and talk on the phone, and that we'd be busy so communication in general would be pretty slow. I wanted something for him to do that would keep him busy, and keep him reminded of how much I loved and missed him. And then this year, with me being abroad for much longer for my study abroad, I definitely wanted to bring the "Open When..." concept back around for round 2!

In case you are new to the idea, the whole premise behind the "Open When..." letter are that your loved one (or even long distance BFF!) opens different letters whenever the situation matches the one written on the outside of the envelope. Inside, they will read your written note regarding what is on the outside.

Some great examples of "Open When..." Topics:

Open when... you miss me

Open when... you've had a rough day

Open when... you need a hug

Open when... you need to be reminded why I love you

Open when... you are bored 

Open when... you are feeling lonely

Open when... you are mad or upset

Open when... you are happy

Open when... you are feeling nostalgic about us

Open when... you are about to see me

A simple google search or Pinterest search will bring up a myriad of topics to put in your letters, but I find it best to really try and personalize them to the recipient and your relationship with them. In addition, I like to make some of them little gifts. For example, Kyle loves to go to the movies, and we frequently go together, so I will wrap up a box or two of his favorite movie candy and write "Open When... you're going to the movies".  Last summer, I even included a container filled with Hershey's Kisses, for "A Kiss A Day While I'm Away." This summer, I am gone over his birthday so I included something special for that, a couple extra special things now that we are engaged, and several countdown letters for my return to the country. 

It might seem kind of cheesy, but it certainly makes me feel better knowing that when I can't be there to call easily, to cheer him up, or to listen to his rough shift at work, that at least he has some words of mine to read. And plenty of candy for any movie adventures while I'm away! :)

Have you given "Open When" letters before? Do you have any good topics you can share?

--Caroline

Birthdays & Italy

Today is a very special day, because today is Kyle's birthday! I am so blessed to have such an incredible man in my life, and I cannot wait for what this next year of his life has in store for us. I thank God for him everyday, and I wish I could be there with him today. But alas I cannot, because unfortunately (well, yes and no) I get to spend his birthday making my way to Italy for my study abroad. When I found out that his birthday was going to have to be one of my travel days in order to start the program on time I was definitely bummed, but it's obviously not the end of the world. 

Now that this exciting adventure in my life is about to start, there's just a couple things I want to share with you all regarding the blog, and my goals while abroad. 

* Bear with me as posts will be a little less constant, and I will be sharing my experiences via my tablet, where composing posts is not as easy as it is on my laptop! 

* This is a crazy world we live in so I might be a little vague about my whereabouts, for my safety, but I will share as much as I can. 

* I definitely want to use this blog as a way to document a remember this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, and to share with family and friends back home what I'm up to. I will still be posting outfits and my normal content though!

Ciao for now, and buon compleanno to my handsome fiance! 

--Caroline

Wedding Wednesday: Engagement Party Review

Last weekend my friends hosted a little engagement party for me, in celebration of the next and greatest journey in my life. When they offered, I had told them that I didn't want them to spend a lot of money or go all out, I just wanted a chance to celebrate with some of my friends who are graduating and won't be in town next year! It ended up being the most perfect of festivities, and I am just so blessed to have so many great friends in my life! Today, I'm just sharing a few snapshots from the day...

 

In addition to the fun times and laughs, the decor and food spread was adorable! They did such a great job, and it was just perfect! :)

My friend Lauren who rocks at all things graphic design made the invites!

Loved the little photo booth props! 

Each guest had been asked to bring a picture of her and I that represented their favorite memory, and they were displayed on the balloons. I plan on doing something cute with all of them!

My friend Caroline makes fantastic macaroons... these were pink champagne and key lime!

It was such a fun day, shoutout to all my friends who made it so very special!

--Caroline

Wedding Wednesday: Proposal Pictures

When I first told the story of my proposal in this post, I mentioned that Kyle had hired a photographer  to capture everything. Well, here are the results! I love how they turned out, and I love that we now have pictures to match the beautiful memory that is that day. The first pictures were snapped without my knowledge...

 

 We took some nice pictures after Kyle told me there was a photographer....

And then the photographer wanted to re-take the proposal, since the angle and lighting with the snow was a little off... Oh darn! :)

And finally, she was at the engagement party to take pictures of us with all of our family and friends! 

 

I still cannot believe this all happened less than a month ago! It gives me chills just remembering that day!

Wishing you the happiest of Wednesday's!

--Caroline

The Most Perfect of Weekends

It's been a busy past couple of days! Since last Thursday, a lot has happened... 

* Kyle came into town for an Eric Church concert

* My mom came into town for Alpha Phi's Mom's Weekend

* I took my mom and my brother with me to Jacksonville to go wedding dress shopping... and we were successful! The perfect dress is on order!

It was so nice to have my mom here, to hang out with and do all the things that moms love to do. Taking the weekend off to spend time with her was just awesome, of course now as I right this quick post I'm thinking about all the homework I didn't do that now needs to be done... EEEK! But it's okay, I had the most perfect of weekends and nothing can take that away from me! :) Here are some snapshots from the weekend...

Eric Church with my handsome fiance! 

Lunch on the beach post-dress shopping in Jacksonville.

My mom and I went to Old Navy to find dresses for me for Italy this summer... we were successful! (Purchased the maxi in navy, but am ordering it in this green color also! It's so comfortable.)

She's just the best mom around...

It was such a fun weekend, lots of good memories! I hope y'all had a great weekend as well!

--Caroline

Marry Your Best Friend

So something kind of big happened this spring break... I got engaged!!! My sweet, handsome boyfriend of 6 years got down on one knee and asked for it all to never end, and words cannot even begin to explain how excited I am for this next chapter of our lives! I cannot wait to marry my best friend! :)

Keeping the minute details between Kyle and I, he proposed on a hike around our favorite lake up in Estes Park, after spending the day up in town like we've done on many a date. He asked me on the rock outcropping that overlooks the whole lake, and it was just perfect! Then we went back home to a reception where he had arranged all of our family and friends to be there in celebration. 

A few snapshots from the day...

I was so oblivious to what was about to happen... the last photo was taken just before Kyle proposed! When I turned around I also somehow managed to miss the photographer hiding just off the trail that he hired to take pictures of the whole thing. Phew! 

It was so nice to have some of my best friends at the reception party he organized... 

And then I enjoyed keeping it enough of a secret to have an special Alpha Phi ceremony and share my excitement with all my sisters!

We are really excited--Kyle because his long period of secret planning is over, me because my wedding-related Pinterest boards will finally be used!-- and excited to start this next chapter in our lives and to see what God has in store for us. He has blessed our lives thus far in many ways, and I know he will continue to do so.

And because I'm sure you're wanting to see a close-up picture of the ring... 

He did such a good job, with the ring, the proposal, with everything! I truly have an amazing fiancé (ahh! such an exciting word!) and I feel incredibly blessed. I think I'll keep him :)

Have a fantastic Monday!

--Caroline

Five Friday Favorites

I have so enjoyed being home this week! And in the essence of maximizing my time at home, here's a quick snapshot of what happened this week...

1. Berlioz made the trip out to Colorado with Kyle and I, since he will be in the care of my parents until I get back from my study abroad this summer. I was SO NERVOUS about flying with a cat, something I've never done before, but he was such a good sport. Here he is relaxing (with the help of some drugs) on the way from the airport to my parent's house. What a cutie!

2. By the grace of God, one of my closet friends needed up being in Colorado this week also, and we got to hang out which was awesome and very unexpected! I love that with the best of friends you can go awhile without seeing them, yet pick up right where you left off. :)

3. I ran a couple errands in Boulder with my mom, and we came across these funky little town homes. I'm not sure why, but I'm just a little obsessed... #architecturenerd

4. Kyle and I got to spend a day up in Estes Park, one of our old stomping grounds for many a date. Lots of good memories then, and were made this trip too.

5. In a bout of spontaneity, we decided to creep around the Stanley Hotel, the infamous hotel up in Estes. My parents got married there, but it's been so long since I've been inside that it was nice to explore a little bit with Kyle! It's a truly beautiful & historic hotel, and I highly recommend a visit if you're ever in the area.

Hope y'all have a great weekend! 

--Caroline

Five Friday Favorites

Last week I dropped the ball on my Five Friday Favorites, just because my world has been so crazy with project overload. But I'm back! So here's a look at some of my favorite outfits recently...

1. This navy sweater is one of my favorite pieces, and I love it paired with the colors in the Belize necklace by Premier Designs.

2. My outfit for a Premier show on Sunday was a classic hit, featuring my new cross body purse that I'm in love with! Love the pop of cobalt in my flats. 

3. Yesterday, I wore this comfy ensemble to transition from class to a long car trip to go see Kyle. I am 100% obsessed with this dress made by Lovestitch Clothing. (Find it here and here). 

4. Last night we went out to dinner to celebrate our 6 year anniversary... It's crazy to think we've been dating since high school, but I can't imaging spending these years with anyone else. On an outfit note, for once I actually wore exactly what I had planned! I belted this fun, bright scarf I received as a Christmas gift over a sleek black dress, added some fun jewelry, and I'm happy that what I had pictured looking good was a success! That is not always the case.

5. Now that my flight is officially booked, I can't wait to be heading home in March! I love & have been missing Colorado so much lately. I mean, what's not to love?!

Happy Valentines and Happy Weekend!

--Caroline