FF91C70D-29C5-45C6-92C5-5B6BD5E1DBB4 Relatively Offbeat: January 2014

Tuesday, January 28, 2014

Travel Tuesday: Mexico

So sorry Laura and I have been so MIA lately! It's like the artic tundra here in Michigan and I developed a pinched nerve/muscle spasms in my back so I've been pretty useless these past few days (shout out to Alex for letting me wake him up in the middle of the night sobbing in pain...love you!).
Anyways, about a week ago, I had an absolutely amazing opportunity to go on sort of a mission trip with my mom and my mother-in-law. I originally didn't think I would be able to get the time off to go, but my amazing employers and myself worked it out so I could go for a few days!
 
Ever since Alex was just a little guy, his parents would lead groups to Mexico to build houses for the poor. My first mission trip was to Tijuana...so this place holds quite a special place in both of our hearts. I literally found out I could go four days before we left and my mom decided only three days before we left she could go!
 We arrived to San Diego on Thursday, assembled the team and drove across the Tecate border. There was no one at the border so we just drove on through to Mexico. The difficult part would come soon enough on our way back to the States. If you can't tell by these photos...eating good Mexican food was of the utmost importance.
So the cake below was a tres leches cake and my mother-in-law helped fund her cake business through her nonprofit Sowhope.
That night we stayed at Tim's house whom is a missionary in Tecate. His dogs were pretty adorable! And the two dogs in front are the parents to the one in back, so precious.
The next day was full of visits to families, food and amazing friends.

I even ate my carne asada with onions! I don't even know who I am anymore :)
The last day started off just right with Eva cooking us a delicious breakfast! Thanks David and Eva for letting us stay with you!!

And we were off to visit more families!
Mary was named Godmother of Alexander! Pretty great name he has too! 
On to our last stop of the night before crossing the border later. Such an amazing view and we had a perfect ending to our Mexico trip with this amazing family.


 It was such a great experience and it was SO great having my mom come with us this time. So thankful I had to chance to go back and see everyone again. Thank you to all the families and everyone we had the pleasure of spending time with.

And because it's one of my favorite quotes:
"Let us not be satisfied with just giving money. Money is not enough, money can be got, but they need your hearts to love them. So, spread your love everywhere you go."
-Mother Teresa

xoxo, Katelyn

Tuesday, January 14, 2014

Travel Tuesday: Colorado

Alex and I went on a vacation to Colorado a week ago to visit some friends and to re-charge for the new year. One of my very dear friends whom I met in Spain lives in Denver and brought us to literally every cool place there is to go. What I loved about Denver was that it was an extremely crafted city. From their food, beer, cocktails or boutique stores, everything was handled with such great care and pride. Sorry about the plethora of photos, I couldn't help myself. Here are a few key places to check out while there:

1. Resturants: Linger-my favorite, Le Central-delicious and authentic French food, Benny's-Mexican food with Green Chile sauce to die for, Euclid Hall-this was Alex's favorite, and last but not least-VooDoo Doughnut.

2. Coffee Shops: Kaladi Coffee, Leela

Top:Hot Chocolates at Leela//Bottom: Inside of Leela
3. Places to visit: Glenwood Hot Springs, Denver Art Museum-Passport to Paris-this was one of my favorite activities we did, Garden of the Gods-this was too gorgeous to explain in words & Willams & Graham- a speakeasy with some awesome crafted cocktails.

Glenwood Hot Springs
 
Garden of the Gods
 Beautiful Mountains everywhere 
4. Shopping: Downtown Denver was full of boutique stores, specialty stores, vintage stores & book stores. I personally fell in love with Buffalo Exchange, a consignment shop with some really great finds. Besides that I could have spent hours in a used bookstore downtown Denver.
It was so lovely seeing my friends who live so far away! Thanks Maddie for driving us everywhere and showing all the cool places to go, thank you mother nature for cancelling Chloe's flight so I could selfishly spend two more days with her, and thank you Stacie and Allen for your generous hospitality. Alex and I are truly blessed with some awesome people in our lives.

What are your favorite places to check out in Colorado?
 xoxo, Katelyn

Sunday, January 12, 2014

Sparrow Boutique + A Giveaway!

I'm so excited to share some incredible items from a fabulous boutique called shopsparrow.net.
If you haven't already checked out this online shop, make sure you take a look! Today, I'm honored to show you all some of my favorite pieces from the shop.
Skirt- Belize Long Skirt in Cobalt // Necklace- Mohav Bead Bib
Bracelets- Love Lock in Gold, Arrow Bracelet, and Cobalt Bangle
Bag- McKenzie Satchel 

Sweater- Siberian Open Sweater // Pants- Moto Ponte and Vegan Leather Pants 
Necklace- Burgundy Triangle Necklace // Bag-  Eve Handbag in Cream

And here are some of Laura's coveted pieces from Sparrow:
Sparrow Items
1. Alexis Wide Collar Jacket // 2. Arrow Bracelet // 3. Mckenzie Satchel // 4. V-Neck Blouse with Gaping Back
5.  Harlow Earrings // 6. Belize Long Skirt // 7. Arrow Statement Necklace  

Like what you see? Lucky for you- we'll be giving away an item of choice to 1 lucky reader who fills out the entries below.
To enter, please fill out the Rafflecopter form and comment with your favorite item from the shop and your email address! Giveaway is open until Friday, January 24th.
U.S. residents only.
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Thank you and good luck. 

xoxo,
Laura

Wednesday, January 8, 2014

Social Print Studio Giveaway!

I have been so excited to share these awesome products with you all for a while now. A few months back, I looked into a way to print of my Instagram photos for decorating purposes in my apartment. I wanted them cut out into small squares, so I searched the internet for a great resource. I ended up stumbling upon a website that I immediately added to my favorites. It's convenient, affordable, and innovative! If you're looking for a way to print off your Instagram photos in a cool and unique way, look no further than Social Print Studio.
Within their site, you will find several amazing concepts and inspiration. I used their printstagr.am site to order my mini squares. The quality is superb and they were just the right size for the project I was working on. I was happy to see that they were printed on thick paper and the images were high quality. If you want to print off your Instagram photos and turning them into decor, calendars, business/contact cards, greeting cards, and more.. check it out!

Also: We're giving away a set of 60 contact cards from Social Print Studio! All you need to do is fill out the Rafflecopter entries below to enter.

The giveaway runs until Friday January 17th and is open worldwide, so enter away!
Good luck!