“Never be bullied into silence. Never allow yourself to be made a victim. Accept no one's definition of your life; define yourself. Harvey Fierstein

Hi Friends!

I'm still alive!

Life has almost swallowed me whole but not quite. We have been such busy bees these past few weeks.

Snow is still eluding us here in the great north. I am quite anxious for it to arrive. We usually have ice on the lakes and some ground cover by now but I am thankful for the beautiful and extended Fall season that we have had. These pics are about a month ago but I loved this outfit so much I had to share. I can't wait to wear this dress on a romantic beach stroll after a fantastic dinner date with my love. HaHa! A girl can dream right! :)

I am planning on doing my first vlog soon for a fantastic product review that I love so much I don't think that I can adequately express how awesome it is through text... I need to talk to you!  If there are any burning question you have for me I'd love to answer those on the video as well! Send your questions my way!

WHAT:
Dress: American Eagle
Jacket: Banana Republic....(thrifted)
Shoes: Target....(clearance)
Aviators: Ray-Ban
Watch and bangles: Target

“Happiness is not a state to arrive at, but a manner of traveling." ~Anonymous

I wore this little number the other day to church. This was my intro into Autumn. I really love summer but the first time I get to slip back into my boots it feels home. I have recently jumped on the Pinterest train (LOVE IT...soooo addicting!) and I've noticed that boots and fall seem to be "my style" I am drawn to the comfy chic look. Pinterest has also helped me to realize I am a type A personality trapped in another body...HA! I seem to bookmark ALOT of built in organizational items for my "dream home". Funny how I'm not that organized in real life! A girl's gotta have goals right?!!???

What look are you drawn too?


WHAT:
Tunic: ? thrifted
Cardigan: Marshalls
Leggings: Gap
Knee-High socks: Target
Boots: Frye....thrifted!!!

"Change is inevitable - except from a vending machine." ~Robert C. Gallagher

I wore this yesterday to a coffee date with an old friend. It's amazing to me that when in a comfortable conversation hours can pass by before you know it. We spent 2.5 hours in the Target Starbucks! It doesn't even matter what you're talking about, it could be the most mundane subject but with a great friend it is always enjoyable. As I get older it is more evident that great and true friends are precious and hard to come by. I will cherish the friends I have and wait patiently for the next ones.

WHAT:

Pants: I have no idea... I wore the heck outa these while pregnant! Come to think of it I think my maternity         pics were taken in these!

Tee: Target... I tried the half tuck trend...not sure if I liked it or not..still on the fence.

What do you think?

Necklace: Target
Shoes: Target

"Nothing is impossible, the word itself says "I'm possible"!" ~ Audrey Hepburn

I wore this ensemble the other day to my eldest daughter's meet and greet at school, and then around town to run a few errands for Jeremy's hunting trip, then finished the evening off with a yummy mexican family dinner at our favorite restaurant in town. Gotta love free chips and salsa! Looking at these photos I probably could have spruced it up with a belt but I was really loving the comfort factor on that particular day. I can also see the atrocious amount of wrinkles but considering I don't even own an iron a few wrinkles ever so often isn't so bad. I loathe ironing, UGH, spare me the nightmares now! Not exactly sure why, but I think it may have something to do with an emergency trip to Nordstom minutes before the company (formal) Christmas party, parking illegally in the handicapped spot, (I still feel guilty)sprinting into the store in a formal gown and buying a new shirt for dear husband because his shirt, which matched perfectly with my dress I might add, now had GIANT hole and melted spot the exact shape of an iron...It wasn't pretty.  I stick to the tried and true wet washcloth in the dryer trick these days. If that doesn't work, Jeremy's grandma lives 2 miles from my house and she will gladly iron for me. (spoiled alert!)


I bought this dress along with another skirt from Tania over at What Would a Nerd Wear. She cleaned out her closet in preparation for her move to Washington DC and I was the lucky recipient of two items! I absolutely adore this dress.  The perfect mix of dressed up and down!


WHAT:
Dress: What Would a Nerd Wear (moving sale!)
Flats: Steve Madden (ebay)
Bucket Hat: Target (super clearance...$3)

*Lipstick: MAC Russian Red

Over the Weekend...

Hiya folks!

Just a quick drop in, I am basking in the glow of an empty house this weekend!

Jeremy is of sheep hunting for the extended weekend and the kids are over at Nana and Papa's house. That means that I may or may not have:

stayed in my pajamas all day

watched Jane Erye in bed while eating a panini and doritos at 10:00pm

taken walks to the coffee shop

finished and organized blog posts

bought my first pair of jeggings...idk whether to be excited or scared

read my bible, studied, prayed and spent uninterrupted time with Jesus

cleaned the garage

sipped wine and nibbled cheese...in bed

took a nap

started a new book, The Help

cleaned out my Google Reader

contemplated taking out the camera and trying tripod/self-timer shots

reflected on how much I love my family

It has been a lovely and much needed stay cation for myself.

“Dream as if you'll live forever, live as if you'll die today.” ~James Dean

Hiya All!

Wowsers? Where does a week go? This last week has flown by, and I'm sure this one will too so I am trying to be a good little blogger girl and get post pre-scheduled. Concept?!? This is tough, it actually takes planning, forethought, and eliminates procrastination.... doesn't fit my profile but we are turning over new leaves over here in the Pepperd household......maybe, we shall see if I can actually pull it off.

Anywhoo, we are busy getting ready for school to start next week, add in two birthdays this weekend and you have a FULL schedule folks! The weather up here in Alaska is everywhere right now, remember that when I am wearing cutoff shorts and sandals next week. It has been pouring rain here and very autumn like, hence the reunion with my beloved Frye boots yesterday. Not gonna lie, it felt good to slip those babies on. I'm pretty sure I even spotted the first snow on the mountains. (AKA: Termination Dust) The sun will make a few curtain calls on this summer though and I will be dressed accordingly!

Happy Hump Day!


WHAT:
Leggings: Target
Blouse: ????
Cardi: American Eagle
Scarf: Target
Boots: Frye (thrifted)

"A man who dares to waste one hour of time has not discovered the value of life." Charles Darwin

It's a short one today... bullet style.

Four things:

• Do we all agree that these jeans make my look especially bootylicious.....yowsa!
• Faux glasses rock!
• Red lipstick makes me feel like I'm a super hero.
• If you haven't seen it already go out and buy SOUL SURFER. It came out on DVD today! Great story and loads of inspiration. This recent post is along the same lines and touched my heart as well.

WHAT:
Jeans: Joes
Tee: J-Crew
Shoes: Target
Bag: J-Crew
Faux glasses: Forever 21
Watch: Timex...Target
Bracelet: Tiffany

“Laugh as much as you breathe and love as long as you live.”

Friday! Yay, it's Friday! Just a little quickie eye candy today... Have a great weekend everyone!
Here are a few of my plans/goals for the weekend, join me if you'd like!

• Kiss my husband when he's least expecting it.
• Be kind to a stranger who needs a pick me up.
• Smile at EVERYONE I come in contact with.
• Pay a compliment to somebody who least expects it.
• Smother my kiddos in hugs and kisses at least every hour.
• Laugh uncontrollably
• Sit back and find the grace moment in each moment, then say a prayer of gratitude.

Life is too short to waste on anything but love, kindness, gratitude, and forgiveness. My goal is to start living that way. I seem to find myself wrapped up in negative emotions all to often. It is time for me to break free from those nasty habits and thought!

WHAT:
Jeans: J-Crew (final sale)
Tee: J-Crew
Scarf:Target (sale)
Bag: D&B (gift)
Cardi: Banana Republic (e-bay)
Shoes: Target
Belt: Lucky (sale)

"Don't ask yourself what the world needs; ask yourself what makes you come alive. And then go and do that. Because what the world needs is people who have come alive." ~Attributed to Howard Thurman

Can we stop a minute and admire these shoes.....

Minute over. I am completely head over heels in love with these shoes. They are uber comfy...comfy enough to wear them while traveling this past weekend to AND from my destination. (READ: I took a chance on them on the way down and they proved themselves worthy to make the return flight on my feet as well!) I find them also ridiculously cute,they go with everything, dressy, casual,  AND CHEAP!!! I bought them at Target... They come in two colors and I believe they are now on sale... RUN quick... go treat yourself!

Ok, shoe rant over......

My 13th wedding anniversary is tomorrow! My husband and I don't have any plans this weekend. We are thinking we may have a little staycation. We have been on the go so much these past few months we thought it may be nice just to slow down and simply enjoy each other. I am envisioning FNL (last season...sad face) in bed, walk to the coffee shop, cooking dinner together, fly-out picnic by the glacier... It sounds heavenly.

Do you have any suggestions for staycations? We've never taken one. I think we will have three days!!! YAY!!!

Grace Moments:

• My kiddos choosing fresh fruit over candy.
• Lexi prank calling her Dad while singing "I'm a Gummy Bear", the rest of us rolling in laughter.
• Giant bag of Hot Tamales purchased at Costco...My all time favorite!!!
• short lines at Costco....unheard of, but I saw it yesterday!
• my husband...no other words needed.

WHAT:
Shorts: American Eagle
Blouse: thrifted, vintage
Shoes: Target
Necklace: Target
Watch: Timex... Target
Head Scarf: thrifted
Aviators: Ray-Ban

"You may only be someone in the world, but to someone else, you may be the world." Source Unknown

I cannot believe the end of summer is in sight. It seems as though it was never here, partly because our weather has been less than stellar, but also time has just flown by. I am realizing that the saying I always was told about time seeming faster the older I get may have a lot of truth to it. I am loving the age of my children now and we are completely mobile and free to go whenever, what I fear is that we are getting swooped up by the rapid pace of life. I am diligently trying not so much to "slow down" because that is us, we are on the go and loving it. The problem lies in not seeing , recognizing , and absorbing all of the moments in life that go unnoticed. The little things in life that really make it great. The things that make you involuntarily smile. The things you really appreciate but wouldn't notice them until they are gone. I recently was introduced to the term "Grace Moments". This phrase says it all!!! Each morning I want to wake up fully aware of the moments in my life that are good, and meditate on those instead of my to-do list, problems, or stresses. So here's to finding those moments....

• The wink Jeremy gives me from across the room that speaks more than words sometimes.
• Waking up to sunshine when it was supposed to rain.
• Knowing that the laundry is completely done....for now. :)
• Fall lookbooks coming out in magazines already! I LOVE fall clothes!
• Knowing people are praying for me, without them telling me they are.
• The cup of coffee next to my keyboard.
• Bud vases with fresh flowers in them.
• Packages in the mailbox.

WHAT:

Blouse: J-Crew
Chinos: American Eagle
Shoes: Target

"Life is a series of collisions with the future; it is not the sum of what we have been, but what we yearn to be." José Ortega y Gasset (1883-1955)

Last North Carolina post....

I wore this traveling home from my sweet little paradise... I feel so grateful to all the people in my life. My existence on this planet would not be near as full if I didn't have the love, caring and support that I receive from my husband, family, and friends. Thank you all so much. I am behind a bit on this blog and so as I write this I have been home a good two weeks. When I think back on the entire experience of this trip, from my sweet groom gifting it to me as an extra special gift in celebration of my three decades on earth to my husbands scary surgery, and then the trip itself, I sit here and am overwhelmed by the outpouring of love my family and I received at that time. Friends from all parts of our life helped out in so many ways ranging from the concerned phone call from friends, sweet blogger comments from all of you, awesome guest post bloggers, prayers from many, and of course the hands on care that many of my family members selflessly gave to my husband after surgery.

 Thank you all for the gift of YOU...I am so blessed.

WHAT:
Tee: J-Crew
Jeans: Banana Republic...gifted from my sweet Liz
Cardi: ROSS
Shoes: Dansko
Bag: Coach

WHERE:
13 hour plane ride home....

"If your knees are knocking, kneel on them." (Unknown)

Another North Carolina post....

I bought this top while down there, I loved the blousy feel to it and for some reason these days I am over the top for stripes! The jeans were on loan at the time from Liz but she graciously gifted them to me before I left. What a gal! The shoes were also hers... I loved the wedge heel and the gray bronzy look they had.  We went out for dinner at the Shuckin Shack. We had so much fun Shuckin oysters and shrimp. The menu even offered deep fried macaroni and cheese, we ordered some but the kitchen got goofed up and we never got any. SAD. I learned my new fact of the day there.... How many oysters in a peck?   Do you know?

How much fun would this thing be?!? Five seats all with pedals! I wanted to rent one so bad...to bad they were closed.

WHAT:
Blouse: Marshalls
Jeans: Banana Republic...gifted from Liz!
Shoes: "from her closet" (LIZ)

WHERE:
Out to dinner at the Shuckin Shack! A strikingly southern cultural experience...LOVED IT!!! Then out for a cocktail or two! Good Times......

Mom, Liz, Myself, and Mark

The scrumptious yet utterly disgusting aftermath...