sunday style series

Emily Fossier October 2, 2016

It's officially fall here guys. Which means we can break out the sweaters and scarves and boots and all the fun fall things we girls love. Hate to rub it in southern friends, but it was a brisk 55 degrees this weekend. But don't you worry....y'all can rub it in when it's snowing here in March and you're wearing shorts. Booooo.

Here is this weeks outfit! I'm happy to report that the fashion posts are back in action. In case you missed yesterdays post, my computer was broken so I haven't be able to blog :(.

Ok these pieces may be worn on a multiple-times-a-week basis. It's super comfortable and I feel wonderfully autumnal in it. The dress and sweater are both from Old Navy. My boots are the Billie boots from Madewell. My necklace is from The Jones Market (I wrote about how great and mom friendly it is a few posts back!) And tights are from Walgreens, since I know you'll probably be dying to get yourself a pair of those babies.

^^^ Can you tell Pier was super excited to take pictures with his mama? I feel significantly less awkward holding a baby when Brad takes a photo of me for one of these posts, so I bribe my child with Annie's cheddar bunnies to get him to stay still for like 2 seconds to take pictures with me. You know, normal mom/son stuff. Plus I just couldn't let the opportunity pass up of showing y'all his cute little fall cardigan. Babies in fall clothes are the cutest am I right?!

But my favorite part about today's outfit is my sweater. THIS SWEATER Y'ALL....I mean, after marrying Brad and giving birth to Pier, buying this sweater was probably the best decision I've ever made. It's cute, comfortable, and super warm which is a plus because I get cold in 70 degree weather. I will 100% be wearing it all fall -- over my PJs, around the house, under my winter coat, probably when I shower even -- not that I'm obsessed with it or anything.

I'm wearing a medium because I liked it a little longer//slouchier and I haven't washed it yet so I'm not sure if it will shrink. But if you're looking for a new cardigan to add to your cool weather wardrobe, definitely get this one.

Wooohoo we finally got a photo sort of looking at the camera!

Alright, and because what I wear on my body is not as important as the state of my soul, here is an excerpt from today's readings:

For God did not give us a spirit of cowardice
but rather of power and love and self-control.
So do not be ashamed of your testimony to our Lord,
nor of me, a prisoner for his sake;
but bear your share of hardship for the gospel
with the strength that comes from God.

- 2 TM 1: 6-8

Have a beautiful, peaceful day of rest my friends.

september 2016

Emily Fossier September 30, 2016

Hi! Sorry I haven't been blogging lately...my computer is broken, so I've been on an unintended blogging hiatus. My sweet friend Val is currently letting me borrow her laptop so I can get my sanity back. Thanks Val! Anyway, I just wanted to give y'all a quick life update. Here's what's happened this month:

1.) Xavier's first birthday

Speaking of Val, it was her sons first birthday a few weeks ago and she threw the SWEETEST little backyard party to celebrate. Xavier is the happiest baby and it was such a joy to spend the day with him on his special day! You can see more cute photos from the day on Valerie's blog here. We love you Xavier!

2.) It's officially fall!

Which means it's now socially acceptable to start baking pumpkin things. This vegan pumpkin scone recipe has been on repeat and I'm obsessed. And I've gotten a lot of other people hooked on them too. You're welcome.

3.) I learned how to crochet (!!!!!!!!!!!)

This is some exciting stuff. A few nights ago I had an amazingly fun girls night learning a new skill! My super sweet//talented friend Elise made all my crochet dreams come true and very patiently showed me the ropes. I'm trying to get out of my comfort zone and try something new once a month. Plus, I really needed some time to myself...it's amazing what a few hours away (and learning something fun!) and good conversation with friends over chamomile tea can do for a very tired mama.

It's always been a goal of mine to learn how to crochet, and I am really enjoying it! I ventured into knitting while I was at LSU but I was terrible at it so I don't like to remind myself of the time we spent together. Sorry, knitting, our relationship is officially over. Crochet, on the other hand, is sooooo relaxing and surprisingly easy! I think it's been helping a bit with keeping me calm throughout the day. I ran out of yarn though so I need to get to the craft store ASAP so I can keep up with my new hobby.

4.) Brad's car died...

...which means we had LOTS of jammy days at our house. Brads hours are nuts so I couldn't drop him off/pick him up from work...meaning that Pier and I were prisoners in the house for a week. And we couldn't go outside because the bugs were TERRIBLE. So we stayed in our PJs and watched a lot of Daniel Tiger and tried to make the most of it ;) One-car families you have my deepest respect because I was going just a little bit crayyyzay.

5.) I welcomed 25

Oh hay 25! I love birthdays. I don't get as excited for my birthday as I do for Brad and Piers, but it's still fun to have something to celebrate. I'm so grateful for every day I get to spend on this earth and for the life that God so graciously gave me. It's been a great 25 years and I can't believe I'm halfway to 50...because that's all I can think about when I say I'm 25 now. Obviously, I'm showing my age because I get excited about things like crocheting and drinking chamomile tea.

But it was a really relaxing day. Pier woke up at 5 am because he was so excited to celebrate with his mommy. I told him that if he was going to pull that nonsense then he needed to treat me to birthday donuts. So... that's what he did because he loves me and he's the best son ever. My amazing Brad totally spoiled me this year. Because my husband is the most self-sacrificing man alive, he picked up an extra shift at the hospital so he could get me a nice birthday present (which I asked him not to do). I told you I hit the jackpot marrying him! That is just the type of man he is. And believe me, that fact doesn't go unappreciated. He got me a new Chemex coffee pot (because my birthday *just* so happened to be the same day as National Coffee Day. How did I get so lucky?!) and a new diaper bag from one of my favorite companies, Nena & Co. Then once we put Pier to sleep, we ordered pizza and had a bottle of wine and watched the new season Poldark (obsessed). It was the perfect day. I sure am grateful for my little crew.

6.) Gertie's new favorite corner in our home....

A friend of mine gifted me this awesome vintage chair! I have been looking for the perfect comfy spot for our front living room, but didn't want to spend money. I know, conflicting. So I really lucked out with having super generous friends who give me their stuff. Anyway, I also wanted to show y'all the baskets I found at Goodwill....such an easy and cheap idea! I loveeee art but most art I love is super $$$$. So I wanted to find something that was cost effective, but still fit my style. I love the texturized element that the baskets add to the space. I found that being on a budget really helps to heighten my creativity, so I just wanted to share incase you were wanting to do something similar in your home. And at 60 cents a basket, it barely cost a thing.

7.) My favorite things about Pier this month:

Ohhhh my sweet little bub. He's officially 15 months and getting so strong and so big. He has been a mess...in the best way possible. His personality is slowly coming out and man he makes me laugh so hard! A few little updates:

he likes throwing things in the air and squealing. It can be anything. Wipes, toys, my crochet hook...he thinks it's so entertaining.
he's been very snuggly this month. He loves to pile on the pillows and blankets and build little forts. He's big into lounging. We got him a kid sized arm chair for his room and he LOVES it. It entertained him for an hour today! Just crawling on it, reading books, snuggling with his stuffed animals...it's so adorable.
Currently hits himself in the head with his toys when he's frustrated. It's so weird. He likes smacking his forehead too for no reason?
Always crosses his feet when he's sitting.
I've noticed that Pier is a very sensitive little boy. He is quick to cry and he likes his own space. When we play with other kids he likes to stay a safe distance away.
He's not really into food right now. Except fruit and bread. He still nurses on demand so I'm not too concerned, but I'm hoping he will grow out of it.
He chases Gertie around the house ALL DAY. He calls her "Geegee" ...he gets so excited when she jumps from one piece of furniture to another. I'm so glad we have that cat. She probably gets Pier to smile more than I do and she doesn't even have to try.
Pier loves his daddy. Every day we wait by the front window to watch Dada come home from work. Even before Brad pulls into the driveway, Pier bangs on the window and says "Dada" over and over. And when Brad gets out of his car Pier gets so giggly and excited to see his daddy! It is probably my favorite part of the day.
He gets mistaken for a girl at least twice a week....
We're still not walking yet. But I think we *might* be close. I know he totally can, he's just a really cautious kid and gets scared when I'm not close by.

Now we're ready for all the fun fall things that October brings! I can't wait.

our entire summer in one blog post

Emily Fossier September 3, 2016

LOL HERE IT GOES....

I guess since it's Labor Day weekend, I should finally post some photos from our summer. We had such a lovely few months enjoying the warm weather and (lots!) of Louisiana visitors. Brad's cousins and their two girls stayed for over a week...our friend Chris came over for a few days as well...We got to spend time with Pier's Aunt Jessica (his godmother!) and her new hubby Bill...my college BFF Mary Claire visited in July...and then my mom stayed for Brad's birthday week. We are basically a free hotel ;). We LOVE visitors, especially from home. It was such a gift to be able to spend time with our favorite people!

All those visitors also meant we got free babysitting -- so Brad took me out on a date the night before Pier's first birthday to commemorate our survival of a year of parenthood.

Our summer included lots of family walks // and margaritas on our back porch // and farmer's market mornings // and even a first-time visit to the zoo on one of Brad's rare days off!

Pier and I also had LOTS of fun playdates with our BFFS Valerie + Xavier. We ate plenty of ice cream, and splashed in the pool, and laughed all summer long.

On one of our family walks, Brad and I visited a place called Art Park along the river -- basically a park filled with outdoor art. It was so fun! How cool is that house?

Swinging in the park is another favorite activity. A playground brings so much to a 1 year old! We loved to go to the park in the afternoons and have a picnic lunch under a shady tree. Pier is becoming such a big eater -- avocados, peas, mushrooms, kale, applesauce, corn, chicken, almond butter sandwiches, pears, and BLUEBERRIES are some of his favorite foods. Basically anything I'm eating, he wants too. He says "blue" every time I'm in the kitchen because he knows that's where the blueberries are. He also really loves green smoothies and gets excited when I get the blender started...

Summer was fun - and always way too quick -- but I'm happy to say that we're ready for you fall! I can't wait to go pumpkin picking, and bake pumpkin goodies, and witness the leaves change colors. It is my favorite season, and one that I look forward to every year. There is something so sacred about living in a city with four seasons -- I've never had that opportunity growing up, and it's lovely that Pier will make memories in a place where that happens. Hope you enjoyed the mammoth amount of Pier photos & savor every minute of your long weekend!

learning something new

Emily Fossier August 31, 2016

Sometimes, you just got to get out of your comfort zone and learn something new. I had been wanting to learn calligraphy for YEARS, but for some reason I just never got around to learning. I was too busy, or too stressed, or too scared to pick up another hobby (excuses, excuses.) But then I heard that one of my favorite calligraphers was coming to Indy and offering a beginners class in modern calligraphy. My heart jumped at the chance to learn from the best! I signed up immediately, texted my bestie Valerie because I knew she'd been wanting to learn too, and counted down the days until the day of our class. Honestly, I had a long and difficult summer battling severe depression//anxiety, so I knew a girls night learning a new skill was exactly what I needed to help me feel like myself again.

The class took place in the Fountain Square neighborhood in Indianapolis. That area has such a fun, historic, and vibrant atmosphere. Val and I ate dinner beforehand and also got margaritas, so that may explain why I'm so giggly in the pictures :). Then we headed on over to New Day Craft (a cider and MEAD bar) to learn our stuff! Not only was it my first time attempting calligraphy, it was also my first time trying mead. I felt like I stepped out of Beowulf and it tasted (surprisingly) delicious.

Ok so maybe I was a littleeeee excited to have a baby-free evening to myself with my bestie? Plus the excitement of learning something I've always wanted do to made me simply giddy. Val + I agreed that felt like Christmas morning. It doesn't hurt that I was pretending I was in a Jane Austen novel the entire night. So basically I was in heaven. Tasty alcohol + Jane Austen vibes + good fellowship...what more could a girl need?

Our teacher was the ever-gifted + mega babe Erica Tighe of Be a Heart Design. She does a lot of art for the Blessed is She ministry, and I have been drooling over her work since I stumbled upon it. What a sweetheart! And a great teacher. We were all just in awe of her and her talent.

Ahhhhh such an amazing evening. A girls night is oh so good for the soul! I wanna relive it over and over again and I couldn't wipe the smile off my face when I got home. Can you imagine people used to write like this? I'm grateful that calligraphy is becoming so popular because I think we need to treasure this craft. I can't wait to start practicing!

what I wore Sunday

Emily Fossier August 28, 2016

Here goes week two of my "what I wore Sunday" series! Still can't believe I'm doing this but I really appreciate the feedback I've gotten on this new blog topic. From the bottom of my heart thank you to those who have reached out to me & gave me words of support! If you only knew what a gift your encouragement is to me.

I don't consider myself someone who takes a lot of risks in fashion. I like to keep things fairly simple and *most importantly* comfortable. That being said, sometimes I have to get creative with my wardrobe. Today's outfit is a product of that. What appears as a jean skirt is actually a dress that shrunk in the wash :). The fit was so odd after I washed it that I knew I couldn't wear it as a dress anymore. I didn't want to throw it out just yet, and played around with different ways to wear it.

This week, I wore this (nursing friendly!) dress, this shirt, and these shoes (so comfy once you break them in...I have them in two colors). I wore it the entire day. Little fun fact about me is that I hate changing clothes. Once I put on an outfit for the day, that's what I'm going to stay in until bedtime. So this outfit took me from church, to running errands, to the park, and then chasing Pier around the house for the rest of my afternoon. I'm all about practical mom-friendly attire!

I also rocked my favorite necklace made by The Jones Market. I don't own a lot of jewelry because I think it's a bit pointless now that Pier chews, yanks, and slobbers on anything I wear. This necklace is an exception because it was created with moms in mind! It's a teething necklace that is tuggable and adjustable. Plus it's super cute and goes with everything - WIN.