monday, monday.

Happy Monday friends! I hope you all enjoyed yesterday's big game. As a native Hoosier, I was so proud of the show put on by my home state! We had a quiet weekend otherwise, but I'm not complaining. I'll take any and all down time I can get with my {cv}.

This month, I decided to join in the February photo challenge {hosted by fat mum slim}, after watching from the sidelines in January. These are my photos from the first few days of the challenge! With this post, I'm linking up with Ashley at a {little} dash of ash and Jenni at Story of My Life! {A very special birthday shout-out to Ashley today!}

I don't know about you, but I've been loving Instagram since I jumped on the train last summer. It helps me remember the little moments I might otherwise forget. I am itching to get a few "stickygrams"--and just might take the plunge soon. {If you've had them made, did you like the final product?!} All in all, I'm just thankful for technology which makes it so much easier for us to keep our memories intact ;)

One quick note: After my big announcement last Monday, your support has been overwhelming! I have a new option for you to polish your blog...think of it as a little "blog review" of sorts. {Read more here!} I just love being able to give a little something back to this community which has given me so much :)

Phew! That's enough of me talking your ear off today! Keep your eyes peeled in your inbox for the newest Friday's Fancies theme...if you'd like to join the mailing list, click here! See you tomorrow lovelies!

friday's fancies #62.

Happy Friday, friends! I'm so happy it's here :) This week's Friday's Fancies is all about channeling our spring fever into one outfit. Though I will admit {ever so quietly} that I've missed snow this season, I am very ready for spring to arrive! Though I'm loving neons and pastels for the spring, these tried and true stripes had me screaming for warmer weather. Enjoy this little peek into a springy outfit I'm dreaming of wearing now, even if it is only February 2nd...

1) Ever since I spotted Blair {from Atlantic-Pacific} in this Equipment Vintage Striped Washed-Silk Shirt, I knew it would have to be incorporated in a future Friday's Fancies. The navy and green combination rocks my world.

2) With the bold colors of the top, I wanted something a bit more subdued like these Michael Kors Large Gold Stud Earrings. They add a touch of sparkle, which you know is right up my alley.

3) Truth be told, I already own these J.Crew 3" Chino Shorts in a number of colors. Though I don't have the white pair, I thought they would be ideal for this ensemble--especially with spring in mind.

4) This Lauren Merkin Natural Raffia Clutch would match almost any springy get-up--I could see it paired with so many of the outfits I'm plotting for our trip to the Dominican in May!

5) A pair of these Kate Spade Victoria Metallic Leather Slingback Wedge Sandals would also make an incredible addition to my warmer weather shoe rotation. I'm sure I'll see them in my dreams for months to come...

6) J.Crew wins again with this Classic Jenna Bracelet. On the upside, this bracelet would work for all seasons!

I cannot wait to see the looks you lovely ladies put together this week! I know I'm shopping vicariously through Friday's Fancies until Operation Spending Freeze is over. If you would like to join in Friday's Fancies in the future, please email me and I'll add you to the list so you can get the themes in advance! If you have any other questions, please send them my way :) Until Monday, I hope you have an incredible weekend...and here's to hoping Punxsutawney Phil was wrong!

built-in beauties.

With Operation Spending Freeze in full effect, the light at the end of the tunnel {our house!} is what makes this void worthwhile! We had our first meeting with our builder last Saturday--and I am itching to get back his first draft of our humble abode. When we met with him, I printed my dream home and fanciful features pinterest boards to share a little of our taste. The builder picked out one common theme from my pins--my absolute adoration of built-in bookshelves. Here is a collage of my favorites...

psst: If house talk isn't your thing, don't fret...I've got something else on the docket for you today:

{top row: 1 - 2 ~ middle row: 1 - 2 - 3 ~ bottom row: 1 - 2 - 3}

Be it in a hallway, staircase, or nook...you name it, I love a good built-in. Though our builder informed us they do take up some square footage, I see them as automatic furniture ;)

Can't wait to see you all back here tomorrow for a spring fever edition of Friday's Fancies--if you want in on the fun, just email me and I'll add you to the list! Enjoy your Thursday, friends! 

midwestern mates.

Hi friends! I have another round in the {distance makes the heart grow fonder} series for you today :) Aimee lives in Ohio and Todd lives in Missouri, but their relationship is no match for the 800 miles between them. This pair finds creative ways to make their time apart more bearable, which is half the battle in the distance game. Enjoy!

Name: Aimee

Significant Other's Name: Todd

When did you start dating?  January 2009

At what point did you begin dating long distance? Our whole relationship thus far has been long distance (almost 3 years!). He works with one of my college friends, so we met when I went to visit her. 

How do you fill your days while you're apart? We are both very busy with work and school, so luckily, we do not have much time to just sit around feeling sad. We text and email throughout the day and talk every night. We also often have pseudo-dates where we will go do the same thing in our own respective towns. For example, we often have “movie dates” where we rent the same movie and watch it at exactly the same time. During the movie, we text each other silly quotes or observations.

What do you find most difficult about being long distance?

There are a few things which make it especially difficult, like buying plane tickets on a grad student budget and wanting to hold off on fun things until we can make memories together. I also miss not getting to do the everyday things together. Since he is close with my group of friends from college, it is tough knowing they get to spend more time with him than me!

How has long distance changed your relationship? Our relationship definitely started on another level since we began with 12 hours between us. For one, we had a lot of serious conversations early on to ensure that starting up this long distance thing was worth it. We did not want to enter a complex and expensive LDR without hammering out the basics (e.g. relationship expectations, spirituality, me having to finish my 5-year graduate program, etc). We learned to become fabulous communicators—and basing a relationship on phone conversations also made us great listeners! Having limited time together ensures that we speak up quickly if anything is bothering us, rather than stewing or dwelling on things.

What do you enjoy most about the time you have together? In the beginning, we kind of felt that making the most out our relationship meant filling the time we did have together with couples’ activities (e.g. “We’ve never ridden go-carts together, we better do that!”). We now know that just being in each other’s company is a treat in itself and we should not feel pressured to fill it with anything. Knowing that each short visit is just a taste of our future together is the best part!

Is there any end in sight to your long distance days? Yes, thank God! Our forever together starts the moment I finish graduate school!

Their determination to survive these years apart is more than admirable! With their forever together on the horizon, Aimee and Todd are definitely on their way :) I hope you all have a great Wednesday--I'll see you back here tomorrow!