Snow White Button Up

The weather has been so kind to us lately. First, a big storm came through and finally pushed that inversion away. Then, the sun was out daily and it heated up significantly for about a week; all of us in Boise were dreaming of spring. It cooled down rather drastically this week, but I don't mind because we were hit with another wave of snow. I mean, if it's going the be bone-chilling cold there better be pretty snow too, am I right?

Yesterday afternoon we headed out downtown to enjoy a bit of fresh air and some time together before attending a conference that evening (that we got tickets to for christmas). We walked around BSU campus, grabbed a mocha to split, then walked around the greenbelt for a bit. I love seeing the park all bare and white and quiet; I've always found winter so peaceful, you know. Our little in-town adventure didn't last long, though, as the crisp piercing wind made the cold rather bitter. I enjoyed it, none the less.

OUTFIT DETAILS
coat: Old Navy
scarf: gift
shirt: H&M
jeans: Forever 21
earring: Forever 21
gloves: bought from a vendor on UofI campus years ago
boot cuffs: gift, purchased at a craft fair
purse: Fred Meyer

The conference lasted well into the evening and after we headed to Apple Bees — not my favorite choice, but the only place we knew to be open in this town after 10 on a week day. But the crunchy shrimp surprised me and Will got to enjoy some buffalo wings (one of his guilty pleasures). The snow really started to dump again the moment we pulled up to the restaurant. I didn't mind one bit sitting there next to a window watching it fall over warm food and great conversation. Driving home in the blizzard was surreal, as we literally couldn't see anything around us (except the lights from a few dutiful snow plows). I'm a happy kid today, with the pretty white world.

Hope you are well and warm,
xx Emorie

Loungewear: A Cozy Night In

I recently started linking up with Nicole from Gypsy in Jasper for her What to Wear feature and it was lots of fun! There are so many lovely ladies linking up there every few weeks, be sure to check it out. I had every intention of sitting this linkup out (I've been so sick and so un-photogenic) but when I realized the tutorial I was going to be posting today just wasn't ready, I was pretty excited to see that the linkup prompt was 'Cozy Night In.' This prompt couldn't have come at a better time, although I should probably title my post Cozy Week In if we're keeping things honest around here. I was hit with the flu, and hit hard, so it is easy to assume that loungewear has been my second skin lately.

Regardless of how many days and nights I have spent in lately, this is an outfit I love and that I love wearing. Maybe it's the pattern in the leggings, but it's one of those comfy outfits that makes me feel a little more put together than I really am. It looks nice without trying. Like, I would totally just pull on a pair of boots and a coat and go run some errands in this. If I must. But it is definitely more suited for curling up next to Pippin with a good book and a mug of tea.

Outfit Details
Sweater: Kohl's (similar)
Shirt: Forever 21 (similar)
Leggings: gift
Socks: Old Navy (similar)

Do you see that smile up there? I am feeling 100% better today. Yes, I'm still having the occasional coughing fit, but I'm no longer viewing life from underneath a stack of blankets. Or behind thick heavy googles. The blankets were real, the googles were not. Anyone else feel hazy and strange and unfamiliar when sick? Like you're viewing/experiencing everything from behind a thick veil? Being sick is weird, frustrating, and no fun. I am so happy to be feeling well rested and ready to get back to normal.

Expect a fun/simple DIY tomorrow and a recipe and lots of other things next week!
xx Emorie

Sweater Dress and Moonlight

Story time; ready, go! I've been absent here all week and maybe your curious as to why. Well, I'll tell you why regardless. I've been terribly sick. I don't remember the last time I was this sick. It wasn't anything too serious: sore throat, way too much mucus, migraine, body aches, bit of a cough. But Tuesday I had the worst fever of my life (at least that I can remember). Fevers like that are zero fun and actually a bit scary. Will had me bundled up in bed beneath the majority of blankets we own, with pillows piled around me and a pup snuggled close. It is a good thing he takes such good care of me because I could not even form coherent thoughts. And talking hurt too much. I'm pretty sure the past two/three days was just me under lumpy blankets making unrecognizable moans and grunts and snorts and coughs. And so much soup and so much tea. The good news is I'm feeling a lot better today so I can finally share these pictures (taken several days ago) with you.

The weather lately has been exceptionally warm for this time of year and it is so so lovely. We're talking the mid 40s people! That's light jacket/sweater weather! Crazy. I think it is perfect and basically want to spend all my time outside. The pups agree. We decided to take them for a walk at sunset but by the time we got to the park it was already fairly dark. The pups didn't mind much, and I didn't either because the moon was out and bright and shining beautifully over the frozen pond.

Outfit Details
Coat: Old Navy, last year (similar)
Scarf: gift from Will, from Fred Meyer
Sweater Dress: gift from Will last year, from Kohl's
Polka Dot Tights: gift
Flats: 1318 Fashion

I hope you are all well and healthy. I had a lot planned this week, but I'm still going to be taking it easy for a few more days until I feel 100% again. Expect some craftiness soon!
xx Emorie

Beanie, Dots, Dinosaurs

Beanie, Dots, Dinosaurs. Is there a better combination? This outfit could also be called A Whole Bunch of Things I Received For Christmas, but I thought the first a tiny bit catchier. I'm lucky; quite a few of the people who love me have exceptional taste. That, or they know just what I like. The beanie was a gift from my brother, the sweater and scarf from my mother, and the tights from my sister. I love them all, and it was a coincidence that I wore it all together and didn't notice until making this post.

Today was perfect, weather-wise, if you ask me. We got a fresh heaping dump of snow over night, the clouds stayed out for the majority of the day (so the snow didn't melt), it was warmer than it has been (a high of 36 degrees, woohoo!), and now that the sun is setting a thin fog is forming. I wore this outfit out for a long list of errands today. Will and I came back home and treated Pippin to a quick walk (because the sun was already setting) around the neighborhood and he shot these for me. That pup of mine sure loves running around in the powdery snow. Do you see that happy face!?

Outfit Details
Coat: Oldnavy, last year (similar) see it here, here, and here too.
Beanie: gift, bought here on amazon
Scarf: gift, not sure where from
Sweater: Forever 21 (similar / similar / similar <--- I want this one!)
Dress: Very old. Tag says Love Tease. See it here too.
Tights: Target
Boots: Target (similar)

I've got a pup curled up next to me (and the space heater) that sure looks like he could use some snuggles.
Stay warm, lovelies.
xx Emorie

Wears (+ Will): Snow Days

My sister had asked me to take some pictures of her and her husband (and pup!) for their Christmas cards this year and we agreed on Saturday afternoon to get them done. Well, we really hit the jackpot because that winter storm came through and those two cuties had a lovely snowy backdrop for their family pictures for Christmas cards. And the blizzard dump let up just before we headed out for the photo adventure, although if you look closely, there were definitely still a few flurries floating around. Bee and Tyler live in the foothills near Hyde Park, so we walked around there for some pictures. When we were done, Bee was nice enough to also snap a few pictures of Will, Pippin, and me. If I was the sort to make and send out Christmas cards, I would definitely pick from this bunch; I love how they turned out, even if Pippin was much more interested in everyone walking by in the snow than having his picture taken. You can only ask so much of a pup in the cold.

Outfit Details
Dress: Böhme, two or three? years ago (similar / similar)
Sweater: Kohl's, daisy fuentes (similar)
Belt: Sierra Trading Post
Tights: Target
Socks: Old Navy, they're slipper socks! (different color)
Boots: ModCloth
Coat: Target (similar)

On Will
Shirt: Old Navy (similar)
Sweater: So old, I have no idea
Bow Tie: I made it!
Corduroys: JCPenney (similar)
Shoes: Macy's (similar)
Coat: JCPenney (similar)
Scarf: came with coat

I hope you are enjoying this holiday season as much as I am so far!
xx Emorie

Bow Ear Warmer DIY

As promised, I'm finally here (holy cow, it's been awhile, and I totally forgot how long it takes to put together a crafting tutorial) to share with you a fun, simple little DIY to help you keep those ears warm in this chilly weather. I'm missing my long mop a bit this winter, for my short hair does little to help keep me warm. The back of my neck and ears are constantly cold. As you can imagine, I've been wearing this giant bow ear warmer a lot lately. You can see how I styled it recently in this outfit post. I prefer this combined with a fluffy scarf over a hat. Does anyone else have issues with scarf and hats bunching up awkwardly in the back?

I made a bunch of ear warmers two Christmases ago for gifts and everyone seemed to love them. I've got the ear warmer making down, but I didn't think to add a bow until recently. Silly me. I love it, especially in bright red. And I plan on gifting a few again this year. They're so cute and cozy warm, I have to share!  See how to make an ear warmer below:



What you'll need

+ Fleece (one yard is plenty)
+ Fabric scissors
+ Sewing machine
+ Thread in a matching color
+ An embroidery needle
+ Two Large Buttons
+ Pins
+ A strong glue (I used E6000)
+ A few big scraps of contrasting fabric (optional)



1. Measure the circumference of your head and add two or three inches to that measurement. Decide how wide you'd like your ear warmer to be (I make mine about 3 inches wide), double that measurement and add an inch. Use your two measurements to cut out a large rectangle of fleece for the base of the ear warmer.
2. Fold the rectangle in half lengthwise and pin and with your sewing machine, stitch the sides together (making a long tube) as close to the edge as possible. Trim any excess.
3. Turn the long tube inside out, so that the seam is on the inside.
4. Iron the base of the ear warmer flat (fold it and iron so that the seam sits evenly on one edge, not down the back).
5. Making sure the base is pulled flat and tight, add a small seam to both edges.



6. Hold the base up to your head and if the ends are really long, trim them down a bit.
7. Fold the ends inside the base and pin firmly closed.
8. Sew a seam on both ends. All parts of the base should now be sewn closed.
9. Figure out where the buttons should lay and create the holes on one end for them to go through. Be cautious to not make them too big.
10. On the other end of the base, sew two buttons on, using thread and an embroidery needle, lining them up to fit securely in the holes.
11. When both buttons are sewn on, fasten the base together making sure the button holes are large enough, adjust as necessary.



12. For the bow, cut a piece of fleece a little bit wider than the base and twice as long as you would like the bow to be. Fold it so the edges met in the middle (as shown), sew together, and turn inside out so the seam isn't seen.
13. To make the bow of contrasting fabric, keep in mind that you are going to be folding the piece of fabric you cut into thirds and that the bow should be slightly smaller than the fleece piece you already cut. Once you determine the size and cut out the fabric, fold it as shown in the pictures.
14. Pinch the center of the folded rectangle together and sew in place, with the embroidery needle and thread, to create the smaller bow.
15. To create the center of the layered bow, cut a long rectangle of fleece and a a rectangle (slightly smaller than the fleece) of the contrasting fabric. Fold as shown.
16. Layer the two pieces together and secure them around the two bow pieces (using needle and thread) to create a nice layered bow.



17. Finish by gluing the bow onto the ear warmer. I like to secure the bow near the back so that it will sit on the side of my head when I wear it.  I use E6000 glue and let it dry for 24 hours, and then hand stitch the bow on further, to secure it thoroughly and make sure it sits flat.

That's it! It may be a lot of steps, but I promise it's simple. I wanted to be as thorough as possible with the steps so there would be little confusion, but please let me know below if you have any questions!

If you do make one of your own, I'd love to see! Send me a picture of your finished results.
xx Emorie

Wears: Winter Walks

I think we can safely say that winter is officially here. We have yet to have any snow stick around but there is a nice view of it in the mountains. And there just may be some in the forecast for early next week; I'm crossing my fingers that it sticks this time. I'm also sticking with tradition and wishing for snow on my birthday again, I've only done so every year for as long as I can remember. This girl knows what she likes.

Despite the persistent chill, I've been making an effort to still get out of the house once a week for a nice walk. That means lots of layers and cozy outfit additions. I was silly yesterday afternoon though, when we went for this walk down in the park, and completely forgot a pair of clothes. Brrr guys. At least I had my thermos mug of chai to help out a bit. I had made a mental note that when we were taking pictures that I would take of my coat for a few of them so that you'd be able to see the rest of my outfit fully. I may have forgot. Or it may have just been too damn cold. Sorry guys. I guess you'll just have to expect a coat over all my outfits for the next few months. Just zoom in real close? Also isn't Will really good at getting slightly awkward candid shots of me? I like it.

Outfit Details
Dress (it has whales on it, if you can't tell): Urban Outfitters, years ago (similar)
Striped Pullover Sweater: Element from Zumiez, years ago (similar)
Tights: Macy's
Boots: Modcloth
Coat: Old Navy, last year (similar) see it here and here too
Scarf: DownEast 
Ear Warmers: handmade/DIY

I hope you are enjoying the season, even if it is butt-cold where you are too. I'm getting so excited for all the festive things that happen around Boise this time of year. You know, all the events I always say we should go to and then we never follow through. But I am determined this year, I've added them all to my calendar for motivation. Thanksgiving tomorrow (!) and then the tree lighting downtown on Friday. I also want to go ice skating at the new outside rink at The Village and walk around Winter Garden aGlow at least once.

I'll be back on Friday to share a tutorial for the ear warmers I'm wearing!
xx Emorie