Outfit: Apple Pickin'

Last week, I posted some pictures of our time spent at the apple orchard, but I wanted to save the outfit pictures for a different post! I got this dress from Target for like $8 and I love it! Only problem is that I'm not fitting in to a lot of my clothes now and have to opt for more flowy things. I improvised this day for the sake of looking cute and wore my dress unzipped. ;)

outfit details

dress: Target

cardigan: Target

shoes: Urban Outfitters (similar)

I just realized that I'm wearing all primary colors in one outfit- which is probably why I love this outfit so much! I think aside from black, the primary colors are my favorite.

Pregnancy: First Trimester Essentials

Since my first trimester is almost over (I think that calls for a happy dance...) I thought I'd put together a little list of some things that have kept me going for the past 7 weeks! All of these items can be found at Target except for the Breaking Bad mug, which is from Etsy. 

Every one of these items revolves around one thing, and that is relaxing. The biggest problem for me hasn't been the nausea or fatigue, but the change in my emotions. I'm a pretty independent person, but lately I've felt so needy. I like Corey to be with me all the time, which has made things a little rocky for me and my tear ducts!

 Baths. I've been all about some baths. When things start feeling a little stressful, I start filling up the bathtub. This Burt's Bees body wash smells amazing, and since I'm not big on bubbles, it's my favorite thing to use. Grabbing a good book and soaking in hot water is perfect for de-stressing.

Candles. Many a candle have been burned lately. I love amber and woodsy scents, and not too big on sweet smells lately. This black orchid & amber candle smells amazing and is so relaxing!

Comfy pajamas. When I'm at home, I'm in my pajamas. Investing in a comfortable pair of pajamas is necessary to still feeling cute when you're lazing around and adjusting to your changing body.

Warm drinks. Since I've had to limit my caffeine intake, I've started drinking other things like apple cider and hot chocolate. This dark chocolate cocoa mix from Target is so good! & it's always nice to drink out of an awesome mug like this one found on Etsy.

By the way, there's only one day left to enter my giveaway for a free pair of handmade crochet slippers! ENTER HERE!

Skytop Apple Orchard

Last weekend, Corey and I took a day trip up to North Carolina to visit an apple orchard. I've been wanting to go to an apple orchard for years, so we finally got to go! Is it just me or does everyone grab their camera at the first sight of the mountains? It never does the view justice! (And I always end up deleting most of the pictures.) We both truly love being in the mountains, and hope to live there someday. It's so peaceful and relaxing, and it always brings us closer together.

I read on the website, which I stalked religiously for a week, that weekends were really busy. Boy, they were right! The second we parked, it felt like we were at a zoo. Luckily, once we got our basket and started off on the path, it cleared out. There were seriously apples all over the place! It was amazing.

Dreams do come true.

After filling our basket with different kinds of apples and climbing treacherous hills, we took a path to the back of the orchard. The road was flat which was a relief, since my pregnant body is having a rather alarming lack of energy lately! I was so glad I brought a cardigan since it was a little chilly, and because I actually had my dress unzipped the whole time since I'm busting out of all my old clothes.

The back of the orchard was just as beautiful, with a big pond backed by big trees with changing colors. The place was awesome, and I was seriously so happy to be there! Once we circled back to the front, there was a petting zoo with goats and sheep you could feed.

After we were done, we went to the market to get some apple butter, hot cider (for me) and a cider slushy (for him), and a dozen of their famous apple cider donuts! So, so good. On the way home, I got a little lost admiring the view and missed our turn. That led us to some awesome country back roads and a cute little antique shop, where I scored some Pyrex and a set of vintage canisters. 

It was a wonderful weekend! Have you ever been to an apple orchard? I'd love to hear about it!

My Very First Giveaway!

I'm super excited to have my first giveaway on the blog today! I was roaming around on Etsy a few weeks ago for some cozy winter things, and found this lovely shop with some amazing crochet slippers. Daisey Chain also sells some pretty sweet mittens and headbands. The best part is that these are all handmade and affordable!

Here's a couple of my favorites! 

1 // 2 // 3 // 4

One lucky winner will get one free pair of slippers of your choice!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Outfit: Stripes & Studs

Last week, Corey and I went out to eat at one of our favorite places- the Old Mill Brew Pub. One of our friend's little brother was playing an acoustic set on the patio, which is my favorite place to be! While we were looking over the menu, I was thinking, "Man, what do I normally get here? None of this looks the same!" Then I remembered that we usually drink beer! They have a nice selection of craft beer, and always a red ale which is one of my favorites.

(the sun was going down fast so excuse teh grain!)

outfit details

jacket: Forever 21 (similar)

dress: TJ Maxx

shoes: Target

So, the reason I was lost on looking at the food (not the beer) menu is because I'm pregnant! I found out almost two months ago, but now I am almost into my second trimester. I figured it's safe to tell the internet world now. :) Yes, it was a surprise, but we are really excited! I've been sick as a dog but it's finally getting better, so hopefully things pick up around here now. I hate keeping secrets so it feels like a lie any time I talk to someone and don't tell them! 

Oh, and I'm hosting my very first giveaway on the blog tomorrow so stay tuned! It's a good one!

Fair Times

Last night, Corey and I finally got a chance to go to the state fair! I was super excited because I'd been thinking about all the divine fair foods I was going to devour. I didn't even get any pictures of our food!!

I get sad walking by most of the animals and imagining how lonely it must be to be traveling with the fair. When I'm trying not to think about those things (and those poor elephants... don't get me started!) I actually really enjoy the fair. I love walking around, looking at the art installments and pretty lights. One of my favorite things is feeding the goats! They're so daggum cute. One of them had his head out of the fence so I went right up to him and he just laid his head in my hand. I wanted to take him home!

The only downside is what a total ripoff it is. I can't imagine having kids to take and entertain every year, especially when they're in school and beg you to take them because all the other kids are going. As an adult, you kinda need an "end of the year" savings fund just for all the holidays and money spending involved to have a good time in the last quarter of the year!

Have any of you been to the fair this year? Leave a link to your post in the comments, I'd love to see the pictures! :)

Recipe: Cucumber & Chickpea Salad

I have a super quick and simple recipe for you guys today! My sister often makes a big batch of chickpea salad to take to work and eat as part of her lunch for the week. I thought this was a brilliant idea (if you have a fridge you can put it in, of course) so I decided to try it for myself. Plus, I just like copycatting my sis. ;)

Start by draining two 15oz cans of chickpeas.

Next, dice the following vegetables: 1/2 cup onion, 1/2 cup celery, 1/2 cup tomato, and 1 cucumber. 

Now, make the dressing. Mix 1/4 cup olive oil, 3 teaspoons red wine vinegar, and 1 teaspoon dill weed. Shake well and set aside.

Mix up the chickpeas and vegetables in a large mixing bowl.

Now pour the dressing over the mixture and evenly dispense.

Annnd you're done! It's best served chilled, but I ate this little bowl right away, it was so good! I'm a sucker for dill weed, and I think it just makes this recipe. The first time I tried, I didn't put dill weed in and it was pretty bland. Hope you enjoy!

September in Instagram

Ok, I'm aware that it's a week into October already... but I'm behind so forgive me! This last week I've been working every day and I'm totally not used to doing that. I'm exhausted. (So that's why I'm typing this up real quick while I eat lunch!) This week I'll be sharing a new recipe with you guys so be sure to check that out! While you wait, here's some Instagram pictures from last month. :)

chillin out // mashed potatoes every day

interesting find while sweeping // jasmine tea

gettin my milkshake on // friends have birthdays