"The Reese"

- outfit details - 
top || Lucca (clearance find!)
jeans || Target
heels || Michael Kors (Dillard's clearance find!)
bag || "Reese" by Michael Kors (gift from my amazing husband!)
watch || Michael Kors
sunglasses || Forever 21

So I've never really had what I've always considered to be a "big girl" purse, partly because I could personally never justify spending my money on one (graduating college debt free was a way bigger priority!) and partly because I've never felt like I've reached that "grown-up" / "big girl" stage of life that warrants a purse of the same title. While I still can't totally justify spending money on a "big girl" purse (though I will admit I've noticed the extreme difference in quality!) and still don't quite feel like a grown-up (there are days when 16 seems like yesterday!), my amazing husband wanted to bless me with a gift for my birthday last week that he knew I've daydreamed about as my 25-year mark finally arrived. Reed is the best at making me feel special, valued and appreciated, especially when I don't feel worthy or the least bit deserving, so his heart behind this gift means ten times more to me than the actual bag (though let's be clear, I do LOVE the bag! ;) ).

I truly had a remarkable birthday week last week thanks to all the beautiful, thoughtful, loving people in my life! Every text, gift, tweet, post, hug, smile and birthday wish seriously meant the world, so THANK YOU to everyone who took that time! I love and appreciate you all so much! 

I wouldn't change a single thing about the first 25 years of my life. They by no means have been easy, and I'm not entering this new season of life free of problems and pain, but the faithfulness of my Heavenly Father makes it impossible for me to be discontent. The day I realized I had a choice to be thankful set my life on a course filled with unexplainable joy and peace. Paul says it best… 

"I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. 

I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, 

whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. 

I can do all this through Him who gives me strength." 

Philippians 4:12-13

Chevron Chic

- outfit details - 
top || Francesca's Collections (similar)
jeans || Old Navy
heels || Charlotte Russe
clutch || Francesca's Collections (older)
statement necklace || Charlotte Russe (older)
watch || Michael Kors 

My mom recently surprised me with an early birthday present - the cute chevron top pictured above! I'm grateful that even though I'm about to turn 24, my mom still buys clothes for me and thinks of me when she's out shopping :). I'm not the only one in my family with a September birthday though - my mom, dad, and brother all have birthdays this month too! My husband and I threw my parents a joint-birthday party over this past weekend to celebrate both of them turning 50 this year - such a fun evening! I'll be sharing a post with all the party decorations and details later this week, so stay tuned!

style tip || Look for great "necklace and heels" combos - you can pair them with a variety of tops and bottoms and always have a pulled together look!

Have a marvelous Monday!

high note: 23rd Birthday

I missed last Friday's "high note" post due to the pure craziness that has been my life for the past couple of weeks! September 29 was my 23rd birthday, and October 7 was my one year anniversary with my boyfriend Reed, so needless to say my last couple of weekends have been packed! 

Birthdays are always a great reminder of the sweet, precious people in my life - they always make me feel so special and loved! Here are some pics from my birthday week and the loved ones who shared it with me! :)

Every Thursday morning, my amazing team and I have a weekly meeting at Panera. The Thursday before my birthday,  Kristy (we sing in Warr Acres together & she's also Reed's cousin!) surprised me with these adorable - and delicious - cupcakes! 

To my additional surprise, Kristy gave me these darling chevron mugs that she hand-painted! I absolutely love them!

This girl is an absolute gem of a friend/sister, and I love her to pieces! 

Every year, my mom never fails to make sure I wake up to something like this on the morning of my birthday. She really is the sweetest, cutest, most thoughtful mom around. 

I thought this gift idea was so cute and clever! (My mom said she found it on Pinterest, of course) Chocolate, money, jewelry, perfume - seriously, what more could a girl want?! :) 

As I mentioned in yesterday's post, my best friend Katie and I have a tradition of making each other gifts for our birthdays. Each year she continues to blow me away with her creativity and thoughtfulness! Each of the canvases above have lyrics to different songs that I've written over the years! I can't wait to put these up in my future home! Grateful for a best friend who's been so supportive of my music!

My wonderful boyfriend Reed went above and beyond on my birthday and our anniversary (I'll be going into more detail about our anniversary in another post)! He surprised me with this cute little set-up (I love the touch of the iPad slideshow of our pictures!) which included a personalized "coupon" he designed for me to pick out a Michael Kors watch of my choice, something I've been secretly wanting for a while!

He's the cutest and sweetest! :) 

This is the one we eventually landed on! I absolutely adore it and have worn it almost every day since. It literally goes with virtually everything! Most of all, I love looking at it and instantly stopping to think about how blessed I am to be with a guy who makes me feel so special, loved and appreciated! 

All in all, my birthday was nothing short of wonderful! Excited for all that the 23rd year of my life will hold! Thanks for reading! 

-Lael

The new panoramic feature on the iPhone update/iPhone 5 is awesome! Birthday dinner at Zio's!