Napa Rappa

Blazer: JCrew. Top: Anthropologie. Shorts: Gap.
Shoes: Nine West (Nordstrom Rack) Earrings: Lia Sophia

I think the only appropriate place to wear a sparkly top is Napa Valley. I've had this top for a while now and there's never been quite the right place to wear it but wine tasting seemed like a great option. Pairing it with pair of denim shorts also seemed to made me feel like less of a disco ball. 

The day before Laura's wedding we went to a winery handful of different wineries. Our clear favorite was Peju. It really had nothing to do with the wine and everything to do with our new friend Alan. 

Alan was our sommelier (aka the person who served us wine.) At first Alan seemed like a nice older gentleman and then out of no where he started rapping. Yes, rapping. He even coined a new name for himself, the "nappa rappa." By the end of our time there we were his biggest fans. Alan even free styled for Laura & Radley's video. Hopefully you all got to see his skills at the end of Ben's video here. 

He truly was a delight.  

Here he is, the one and only, Alan.

Pink Lipstick & Sea Lions

Sweater: F21. Blouse: F21. Pants: JCrew. Shoes: Nine West (Nordstrom Rack.)
Earrings: JCrew. Braclet: H&M. Belt: H&M. Sunglasses: Target. 

I've never been a huge make up girl, so the thought of lipstick always scared me. But let me tell you, when I was in San Francisco, I fell in love with lipstick. I know, it seems a bit dramatic but it really does add a whole new element to a simple outfit. Who knows how long this will last for me but for now I'm going to run with it. Pink lipstick with everything. 

For the second half of my week in San Fran, my parents and my best friend from high school Gwen joined me. One day we were the ultimate tourists. We road a trolley car to Fisherman's Warf, saw sea lions on Pier 39, ate sour dough bread, wandered Ghirardelli square, and took a bay boat tour. My camera was an extension of my arm. 

Here are some tourist pictures. Take a bay boat tour, you won't be disappointed. 

My mom and me on the boat.

San Francisco skyline. 

My love Gwen.

And of course, the Golden Gate Bridge.

Come on, love these buddies.

July Twenty Twelve

It's crazy to me that July is already over. It seems like every summer goes by quicker than the one before. My July playlist is pretty much a lot of my old favorites, and then obviously some new Rihanna.

1. Old Pine - Ben Howard
2. Holocene - Bon Iver
3. Shake It Out - Florence & the Machine
4. On Your Porch - The Format
5. Carry On - Fun.
6. By the Mark - Gillian Welch
7. O Love That Will Not Let Me Go - Indelible Grace
8. Honey and the Moon - Joseph Arthur
9. Ho Hey - The Lumineers
10. Holding You - Katie Herzig
11. Big Parade - The Lumineers
12. Roll Away Your Stone - Mumford & Sons
13. King and Lionheart - Of Monsters and Men
14. Lie to Me - Sara Bareilles
15. Where Have You Been - Rihanna
16. But for You Who Fear My Name - Welcome Wagon
17. Rain - Patty Griffin

All You Need is Love

My friend Laura (you should read her blog here.) and her phenomenal new husband Radley are such incredible friends to so many. It was absolutely no surprise to me that their wedding was one of the best celebrations I've ever been to. 

One of my close friends Ben put together a collection of video snapshots and pictures of the weekend to give to Laura and Radley. He was able to capture what the day was all about. 

Obviously wanted to share it with you all. I hope you enjoy it as much as I do. I must admit, I've watched it 7 times already. Oops?

San Francisco, I adore you.

A close childhood friend of mine, Laura, got married this past weekend in Napa Valley. So instead of just taking a quick trip to California, I spent the week leading up to her wedding in San Francisco. I am obsessed. I seriously cannot get enough of the city. 

Sweater: Francesca's. T-shirt: American Apparel. Denim Shorts: Gap. Shoes: Steve Madden
Earrings: Lia Sophia. Necklace: Anthropolgie 

One thing that was a bit of a surprise about San Francisco was the weather. People had mentioned to me that it's a bit chillier than expected, especially for August. It was actually a wonderful treat. After many hot summer days in Chicago, it was refreshing to wear a sweater and feel completely comfortable. 

Fall, I'm ready for you.

Round II

You all met my sweet friend, Abby Anderson on here back in June. Recently I had another opportunity to model some of her new jewelry designs for her company Genteel. My goodness, she is so talented! 

Dress: Anthropologie (last season) Earrings: Francesca's. Nails: OPI Samoan Sand. 

I felt even more lucky this time because my boyfriend (you may remember him from his video shred-i-gator) helped out by taking the pictures. What more could a girl ask for? A day wearing beautiful jewelry and your boyfriend taking pictures.

Denim: Banana Republic. Knit Top: Nordstrom. Shoes: Urban Outfitters (circa 2008.) 

Abby made these two pieces while we were together at Castaway Club this past month and hopes to enter them into some design competitions this coming month. Again, if you'd like to get in contact with Abby about her jewelry designs, her website is: http://andersonabigailk.wix.com/genteel

May Our Bodies Be Light

It's so good to be back! Sorry for the month long hiatus. I thought I was going to be a better blogger for the month of July but my goodness, it really got the best of me.

For the past month, I had the opportunity to serve at Castaway Club, the same Young Life camp I went to in June with my high school friends. I had the privilege to work along side some incredibly talented people as we created together a space for hundreds of campers each week to experience the Kingdom of God. I still am so humbled to be a small part of ushering that in. 

As I look back at my time there, there is one night at camp is overwhelmingly my favorite. Castaway Club is a camp set on Pelican Lake and its beach/nautical setting makes it a unique Young Life property. One night we had a "beach party" that ended with a glow stick dance party. It was incredible to watch these high school students dance like they were created to dance. 

In the song "Heaven Breaks" by Sleeping At Last, the lyrics say:

"When angels meet the earth, may our bodies be light.

When angels meet the earth, may our heavy hearts untie. 

When angels meet the earth, may our bodies be light.

May our bodies be light for you."

I don't want to over analyze or fabricate a moment to be something more than it was but that night at camp felt like those lyrics to me. When angels meet the earth, may our bodies be light.... May our heavy hearts untie.

Here, have a listen.