2012 Recap #3: Adventures/Experiences

Happy Friday!  We are celebrating this weekend because our home refinance finally closed this week and we got our car back from the shop!  I thought that our refinance would be a fairly simple process, but not so.  It took months and we ended up having to do a few last minute home improvements (like I mentioned in another post - having our house painted the week of Christmas - ack!).  After we completed all of the requested work, we had more problems because the appraiser who needed to come back to do the final inspection was suddenly out of the state on vacation.  I won't drag you all further into this very long and complicated story, but let's just say it was a very sticky situation.  The day that the appraiser returned was the day of our  (now extended) deadline and I had to have a not so nice conversation with him that morning.  Anyways, it's officially done now! Phew!

In looking back at my posts from 2012 to compile my other recap posts (2012 recap #1:  outfits and 2012 recap #2:  Purchases), I decided it would also be fun to reminisce about some non clothing/style happenings of the year.  There is certainly no way for me to compile a list of my absolute favorite moments of the year, but here are 5  adventures/experiences from 2012 that put a smile on my face:)

PARIS

Posts here, here, here, here and here

Ben and I went to Paris  in the spring of 2012 for our honeymoon.  It was such a lovely trip, full of beautiful memories that I will cherish forever.  

 

PLATE AND PITCHFORK

Post here

In July, we experienced an amazing dinner at the Domaine Drouhin winery via plate and pitchfork.  It was a beautiful day, the food was delicious, the wine was flowing, we were surrounded by good friends, and we enjoyed it all outside, right in the middle of the vineyards.    

SUMMER HIKES

Posts here, here, and here 

We enjoyed summer to the fullest, including lots of hikes on the Oregon coast, the Columbia River Gorge, and eastern Oregon.    

I QUIT MY JOB!!!

Post here

In September, I quit my job of 7+ years.  It felt SO GOOD to say goodbye to all of the stress and frustration associated with my old job.  I haven't looked back since.  I am enjoying my new job and I would do it all over again.  

BIRTHDAY WEEKEND

Post here

My birthday weekend was full of magic - my brother came to visit, I got a new pair of Chie's, we consumed lots of good food, we saw the wonderful Sallie Ford in concert, we went on a gorgeous hike at the coast and even spotted a whale.  Wow! Weekends like that only come around every once in a while.  I hold these memories close to my heart.      

Honorable mention:

After quite a few unsuccessful tries, I finally learned how to make french macarons this year (post here)!  I became obsessed with these darling little cookies after our Paris trip.  I haven't mastered them just yet, but I'm having fun practicing:) 

2012 Recap #2: Purchases

To follow up on my post from yesterday (2012 favorite outfits), here are 5 of my favorite 2012 purchases.  I'm not 100%  confident is saying that these are my absolute top 5 purchases of the year, but they are 5 of my favorites:)  It is really hard to narrow it down!  I keep thinking of other pieces that I have gotten more wear out of or ones that are more versatile, but for whatever reason, here's my list!

Camper 21514-001 Mary Jane Pump - Original post here.

Who's That Girl dress - purchased in Paris - Original post here.

J. Crew Perfect Shirt in Chambray Polka Dot - original post here, top also featured here and here.

Chie Mihara Olivan (technically not a purchase, these  were a birthday gift from Ben, but they still have a place on my favorites list:) - original post here.

Ruffled Trench Coat from Anthropologie - original post here.

Honorable mentions:

Liamolly Blazer (post here), J. Crew Peter Pan Collar Tee (post here),  Anthropologie Tiered Ruffles Open Cardigan (post here), Gray Dress, J. Crew Clearance Store find (post here).  

2012 Recap #1: Outfits

Last January, I did a 'Favorite Purchases of 2011' post (here).  This year, I think I will do things a little bit differently.  I'm going to break the 2012 recap up into a few different posts.  I will start with 5 of my favorite outfits of 2012.     

Featuring the Anthropologie Tupelo Dress - original post here.

Featuring a Clair Vintage dress from Adorn - original post here.

Featuring the Anthropologie Honeyed Life Shirtdress and Back porch Blouse - original post here.

Featuring the Anthropologie Optimist Dress - original post here.

Featuring the Anthropologie Spinning Lace Dress - Original post here.

I love looking back over my posts and reflecting on the year.  In looking at my outfits, here are a few realizations I made:

• I need to take more outfit photos - there are often times when I find myself wearing something that I would love to photograph and add to the blog, but for whatever reason (too dark by the time I get home, weather is too bad, Ben isn't available to snap the photos, etc.), the photos never get taken.  I would like to figure out a back-up plan.  Right now, it's dark when I leave in the mornings and dark when I get home.  Once the days get longer, maybe I will try to do outfit photos in the morning, before we leave for work.

• I really love Anthropologie dresses.  Okay, I guess I knew this before:)  I'm not super surprised that 4 out of my top 5 outfits feature Anthropologie dresses. 

• I love mint and I need more of it in my life.

• I only like red as an accent color.  That red belt was a really great purchase. 

• I probably don't need any more J. Crew Jackie cardigans:)