Lauren Loves

Monday, August 21, 2017

Feeling at Home

It's been just over two weeks since we moved into our townhouse in Northern Virginia. In many ways, I feel like we've been here for a long time. Other times, I can't believe it's already been two full weeks. With everything we've had going on lately, time has taken a different shape. I rarely know what day of the week it is. Don't even bother asking me for the date, either. In way, I feel like a kid again - never having to worry about what this specific day of the week demands from me. I'm just living my life, unrestricted by time. In other ways, I'm so anxious for a schedule, routine, and to keep a calendar again. But that's my personality, I suppose.

Though it's been a short amount of time that we've been here, it's already feeling like home. I'm so grateful for that! You never know what you're going to get or how you're going to feel when you relocate to a completely new place. Going into this move, we had the benefit of knowing that there was an end date to our time here, if we want out. Mike will graduate from his program and we will have the option to go somewhere else - we're not tied to this place yet. I'm a firm believer that you can do just about anything, even if you hate it, as long as you know there is an end date. On the flip side, we could fall in love with this area and want to stay in Virginia forever. Only time will tell.

For now, it's nice to feel settled. In Virginia and in life. AND IT IS SO NICE TO NOT HAVE TO THINK ABOUT A WEDDING. (sorry, had to get that out) All the big changes that we were anticipating this year - marriage, moving, Mike starting grad school - have happened. So now we get to sit back and just enjoy each other and this new chapter. And it feels really good.

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Friday, August 18, 2017

Coffee Conversations

Similar mug here and here | Slippers | Leggings | Cardigan | Nail Color

Happy Friday!

I haven't known what day of the week it is for about the past month and a half. Being off of work and in such a transitional chapter in my life, every day feels the same. To be honest, I'm looking forward to getting back into a routine and schedule so I can feel the excitement of a Friday morning again!

While I'm not officially opening Elisabeth Ashlie back up for orders until September 1st, I've started planning for fall inventory and some other fun things. It feels really good to use the creative part of my brain again. I love that I'm actually excited to go back to work - something that not everyone experiences.

We are this close to being done getting the house put together and decorated. We need a TV stand situation, a few throw pillows, a headboard for our master, and I need a couple more things for my office and then we'll be completely settled! I'm hoping to talk Mike into a trip to Ikea this weekend so that we can get said things (minus the headboard) and be finished by Monday.

I picked up this chair from World Market for our living room and I'm obsessed with it. It's the perfect earthy rose color that could almost pass for a red, so it's husband-approved. It's comfortable, too!

Stumbled upon Madewell's website yesterday and found this perfectly-colored bag and now I'm trying to find a reason that I need it.

I'm looking forward to cooler temps (although, I have awhile to wait) so I can wear things like this.

Have a great weekend!

Thursday, August 17, 2017

Honeymoon Review: What I Packed For Our Long Flights

Before our Honeymoon to Europe, the longest flight that I'd taken, as an adult, was about 4 hours. Prior to our trip, I was a little anxious about the flight time. I didn't love flying and tend to get pretty antsy, so I assumed it was going to be a stressful 7.5 hour trip over to Paris. (And 10 hours from Rome back to Chicago). Thankfully, I was pleasantly surprised by how it went! It was an overnight flight, so we were able to sleep for a few hours, which helped pass the time. Mike and I had downloaded a couple of movies to watch together, which kept us occupied during our awake time. Looking back, I did a pretty good job of packing for the flight - I didn't forget anything essential, but there were a couple of things I wish I had thought of.

I did some research on some blogs/websites before our flights and found it helpful to see what other people packed, so I thought I would share the same!

What I Packed

- a durable backpack to hold everything

- my iPad, loaded with TV shows, movies, and a few books

- a travel pillow

(a lot of long flights will provide a pillow, but it's basically 1/8" thick, so it doesn't do much for neck support!)

- ear plugs + a sleep mask

(as far as I'm concerned, these two things are required)

- wireless headphones

- an external charging bank

- my most-moisturizing lip balm

What I Would Bring With Next Time

- warm socks

- an extra cozy sweater/shawl, to keep warm and more comfortable

- a travel water bottle that I can refill myself

- snacks!

(we had a couple of bars and some almonds on-hand, but I wish I'd planned ahead and brought a peanut butter sandwich or some protein bars that would stick with me)

- heavy-duty hand lotion

- paperback books: one for research, one for enjoyment

(my eyes get pretty weary from a lot of screen-time, so I would bring some non-downloaded things to read. we made our own schedule in Paris, so I'd have loved to plan some things for us to do during our flight)

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Tuesday, August 15, 2017

Well, HEY!

photo by Jordan Maunder

I'M BACK.

AND I'M A MARRIED WOMAN, LIVING IN VIRGINIA.

Sorry for the enthusiasm, there's just a lot of new things around here. Whew. It feels like I've been out of the loop for a loooooong time. It's been over a month, so I guess it has been a long time!

This past month has been the busiest month of my life, truly. We got married, spent two weeks in Europe, came back to pack the rest of my apartment and move 5 days later. We're feeling a bit more settled in Virginia now and life has finally slowed down, which we're both grateful for. It has been a whirlwind and full of many changes, but it has been so fun and enjoyable!

I'm planning to do a full review of what we did on our honeymoon - where we went, where we stayed, what we did, what I packed...everything. I'm hoping to have some of it up in the next day or two, since I have some more time before I officially start work again on September 1st.

I'll also share everything about the wedding, I'm just waiting to get the photos back from our photographer so that I can share everything at once!

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Random things:

One. If you follow me on Instagram and watched my story yesterday, you know that I found Clearly Canadian at World Market. So, yes, you need to go to your nearest store right now to buy some. So much sugar, so good.

I bought two of these lamps for our guest room and they are so perfect! I needed something that would fit into bookshelves and these fit the bill. I'm planning to do a whole "home tour" once we get a few more things delivered and put together!

I bought this cool jacket during the Nordstrom Sale and would highly recommend it!

If you still haven't ordered this sweater, you're missing out. It's perfect in every way.

I've been receiving a lot of questions on Instagram about my mascara. I use Tarteist Lash Paint mascara and it is bomb. I have naturally long and pretty full lashes, but this mascara makes them look 10x better!

Mike and I have been without WiFi for a little over a week, so we've been watching a lot of pretty bad movies that we've rented from Redbox. Now that we finally have Internet, we're thinking of starting Ozark, the Netflix show. I'll report back, if it's any good!

Well, I have a house to finish putting together, but can't wait to share some of the things I talked about soon!

Monday, July 17, 2017

Paris and Italy Bound!

My HUSBAND and I are off on our long-anticipated Honeymoon today! We fly to Paris and then we're off to Italy for about a week and a half. We cannot wait to get there and experience everything that Europe has for us. Be sure to follow along on Instagram (@the_laurenelizabeth)!