A Traveler's X-Mas Wishlist

 

 1//2//3//4//5 

For Christmas this year I figured we would create a few different holiday shopping guides/wishlists for everyone! This one is for all of you wanderers out there. I have to say I'm pretty smitten with that Trip Travel Wallet from Modcloth! That one will definitely be on my x-mas list. Scarves are always a must have since they can double as a pillow on the plane or a shawl at night. I tried to stay away from the stores today since Black Friday scares me. I'm more of a Cyber Monday and Giving Tuesday than a fight the angry crowds kind of gal. 

I hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving!

Did you score any great deals?

xoxo, k

 

Giving Thanks

I am overwhelmed with gratitude this year for those who have helped shape my life. This Thanksgiving, I want to take a moment to thank each and every person who has made this past year so special. I am dedicating short slideshow to give thanks to everyone who has made an impact on me in some way. Thank you for everything. I love you.

Mom and Dad: 

Thank you for always being there for me, no matter what the situation is. I know I'm not always a joy to deal with, but you seem to tolerate me anyway. Thanks for letting me stay with you while I work on saving money for the wedding. I can't imagine that it's easy for you both, but you do it anyway out of love and support. I'm eternally grateful.

Miranda:

I'm lucky to have an older sister who is as responsible and organized as you are. With all the madness of wedding planning, you already seem to be the rock that maintains steadiness. Thanks for being there when I seem to stress the most. I'm not sure how girls who don't have older sisters get by.

MLive:

Thank you a million times over for the opportunity you have given me to grow and flourish as a campaign coordinator in digital media. I never expected to gain half the knowledge I already have through my year and half working here. I'm absolutely blessed to have a job that I love and work with people who inspire me.

Extended Family:
Thank you for your continuous love and support over the last year. I appreciate every family gathering, every chat, every hug, and every message. I'm pretty sure most family members have come out to at least one of Steve's gigs in Grand Rapids, and that means more than you will ever understand. Steve and I are both lucky to have such an amazing support system we can call family. Thank you for showering me in love.  

Friends:

Thank you for being you, and for letting me be me. You have all brought so much happiness and laughter into my life. I don't know where I would be today if I didn't have friends like you to lean on. I know most people say this, but I really do have the best friends anyone could ask for.

Katelyn:
I never imagined that we would be as close as we are today. I'm so happy that we had the chance to live together last year. Making the decision to start a blog together is one of the best things I have ever done. I'm grateful for every experience we have shared, and look forward to so many more special moments together.  

 And last, but most certainly not least,

Steven:

Thank you for loving me. Without your love, the past year would have been, undoubtedly, the most difficult. You never cease to amaze me with your compassion towards others and your patience with me. I really don't know a better man in this world. I still can't believe I get to marry you. Thank you for choosing me as your lifetime partner. God has blessed me beyond my own belief. I love you to the moon and back, babe.

xoxo,

Laura

Friendsgiving

This past Saturday, I was fortunate enough to spend an evening with some of the greatest people in the city of Grand Rapids and eat delicious food made by all of them. God bless Friendsgiving. <3 Our gracious hosts were Tieka, Eric, and Mehre.

Everyone pitched in by bringing their own dish or two, and everything was tasty. I made some green bean casserole as well as a dessert cream cheese/amaretto ball. Others brought sweet potatoes, mashed potatoes, stuffing, meatballs, salads, rolls, and plates of appetizers with meats and cheeses.

Seriously, check out that turkey Tieka cooked! It was crazy good!

I feel so fortunate to be surrounded by such loving friends. My favorite part of the evening was going around the table and having everyone say what they were thankful for this year. I kept thinking to myself "how perfect is this moment?" It's not often that you can get together with close friends and sit around a table and share a meal. I have a lot to be thankful for this year. I am continuously blessed.

What are you most thankful for this year?

xoxo,
Laura

Frances Jaye Shopping Event

Last Thursday evening we attended a shopping event at Frances Jaye boutique in downtown Holland which was hosted by Tieka of Selective Potential. Tieka had been raving about this shop for several months and I was so excited to finally have the opportunity to check it out. It was amazing!

They offered all the shoppers at the event a 10% discount on all products, including their brand new holiday items. I was overwhelmed by the amount of dresses and sweaters I wanted to purchase. They have things for guys + girls, too! The displays were insanely adorable and picturesque.

We are so grateful for having opportunities like this so close to home. It's great to see small businesses in west Michigan participating in blogger/influencer events. It's definitely exciting. Tieka has been so wonderful to gather up so many amazing ladies in Michigan for stuff like this, and we are grateful for her as well.

If any of you ever get the chance to check out Frances Jaye in downtown Holland, I recommend doing so. The owner, Jenny, was so helpful and her entire staff was attentive and sweet. It's definitely worth checking out!

xoxo,

L & K

Engagement Party

This past weekend, I went to Canada to spend time with the future in-laws. What I didn't know was that our big Sunday dinner was for a special engagement party for Steven and I. It was so great to be able to see members of both sides of the family under one roof. I'm so grateful for his fun and generous family.
It's always bittersweet going to Canada for a weekend. In a matter of 2-3 days, we always have so many things to do and people to see, that it's so hard to drive all the way back home and re-focus my energy on work. I cherish every moment that is spent across the border.
Thank you again to everyone who has made our engagement such a special and enjoyable time in our lives. I've never been happier.

Photos taken by Steve's mom

We are truly blessed.

xoxo,
Laura

Wander[lust]: Katelyn & Alex's Bucket List

Everyone seems to be pretty familiar with the term "Bucket List". For me, I can tell a lot about a person while traveling with them. Once I traveled with Alex, I realized there was no one else I would rather have as my travel partner for the rest of my life. I recently read an article from Condé Nast Traveler about the "Top 25 Cities in the World" and I figured this would be a good place to start! You can check the article out here.

Granted, I have already been to a few of these places, but not with Alex.

 

A Gorgeous photo of Venice courtesy of my Stepdad.

Alex also decided that adding "Visiting every professional ball park in America" would be a good addition. So far we've only been to Wrigley Field and AT&T Park, so we have a bit to go. I think it's important to always have goals set for yourself and your travel goals are just as important! I hope everyone had a fabulous Monday! Mine was spent watching movies and eating soup trying to get rid of a sickness, unfortunately.

What's on your Bucket List?

xoxo, K

Morning Light

Brrrrr... it's cold in west Michigan! It feels like mid-winter day minus the snow. On the bright side (literally), the sun is out and it's not raining. The light is welcome, though not very warm. We decided to meet up for a stroll downtown before work this morning. Ambitious, I know! 

Laura's Wearing: Top- Marshalls // Vest- H&M // Jeans- Rock & Republic f/ Kohl's //
Necklace- Forever21 // Watch- Kohl's // Shoes- Nine West

I don't think Katelyn was too impressed when she texted me this morning asking if we were still meeting up this morning and I responded with a stern "YES". But I'm proud of her for pulling herself together and out of bed to meet me. Plus, we were right next to one of her favorite coffee shops, Madcap, anyway. 

Katelyn's Wearing: Shirt & Leggings - Forever21 // Jacket- H&M // Boots & Socks- Target

It was so nice to finally snap some photos with decent lighting in them. Lunch time is probably the worst time of day to take pictures when the lighting is so harsh and unflattering. It looks like we'll have to turn into morning people.

What is your favorite time of day to take photos?

xoxo,
L & K

Mid-Week Madness

Last week was the longest week ever. This week, I keep losing track of time. I feel like I've been so busy that I'd do anything to make time slow down a little. I keep forgetting it's Wednesday. At least the weekend is that much closer. It was nice to step out of the office today to visit with Katelyn during my lunch hour. Before I went there, I made a quick stop over at Best Buy to pick up my new camera lens. Thanks so much, Tieka, for recommending it! :)

Katelyn's wearing: sweater- H&M // vest- Abercrombie & Fitch // shorts- gifted // 

tights- Target // boots- Steve Madden scarf- market in Austria

 

Laura's wearing: blouse & sweater- Forever21 // riding pants- Marshalls // booties- Urban Outfitters

Necklace- Groopdealz

Laura is off to Canada this weekend to visit with Steve and his friends/family. She can't wait to get away for the weekend and kick back. We hope you all have a great rest of your week!

xoxo,
Laura