Fella

Today, my fella is another year older. We're celebrating in lots of ways, but highlights include doughnuts, a road trip to Houston, time with family, and a Boston College-inspired corn hole set. It may not be too fancy, but it will be happy (just like he is).

Happy birthday, Bug! You are my #1 always.

Resolute

I'm a sucker for January 1 and the possibility for new year's resolutions. Many people (rightfully so) argue that you shouldn't need a new year to embrace change, but if you're like me, you sometimes need a reminder that it's time to reflect and reprioritize. Here are my 2014 resolutions, in no particular order:

Get organized: When we moved into our a house a little over a year ago, Christmas and our wedding were quickly approaching, so Andy and I mostly shoved unnecessary items into random closets. Let's fix that.

Get cultured: Every time I see a great film, read a great book, or actually cook a meal from a cookbook (and not from the back of a box of instant mashed potatoes), I always catch myself saying, "I should do this more often!" Here's to putting my money where my mouth is.

Get healthy: Eat better, exercise more, get on a regular sleeping schedule. It's pretty simple. I don't know why I make it so hard for myself.

Get goin': This resolution will definitely be the most challenging, but it has the potential to be the most rewarding, too. I am  terrible at waking up in the morning, but on the rare occasions that I do get out of bed and start the day early, I have noticed that I am far more productive, and actually make better, healthier choices throughout the day.

What are you resolving to do differently this year, friends?

Functional Fall

From top to bottom: H&M top, Topshop necklace, Essie nail polish in "No More Film," 

Coach cross-body purse, Levi's black jeans, Old Navy ankle booties

September is almost here, and with that comes the requisite back-to-school shopping. Even though I haven't been a "student" in any kind of capacity for years, I still do my part for the U.S. economy by hitting the stores with my wish list. You're welcome, America.

Fall is by far my favorite time of year, and when it comes to embracing a new season's fashion, I am drawn to color more than patterns or silhouettes.  I love this season's new take on army green, a more muted, mossy hue (Pantone's fall report calls it Deep Lichen Green). Paired with a couple of leathery chocolate brown accessories (again, Pantone calls this color Carafe) and a pop of deep purple (Pantone lingo: Acai), it's a subtle take on a very current palette.

What are you planning to pick up while you shop for fall? And, can I borrow it?

The Evening Hikes

About a month after we got married, Andy and I discovered some trails around our neighborhood, and we began taking Gadget out to explore with us. We've continued the ritual, and now I take the dog out at least once or twice a week for a hike... Actually, there's no way that what the two of us do can be classified as a hike. A "hike" implies that I'm wearing an anorak and boots and carrying a water pack on my back, but I'm actually repurposing my road running shoes, and I forget my Dasani bottle most of the time. A "hike" also implies that I can identify different types of plants and tree bark, but all I really do is dodge cobwebs and try not to step on lizards.

Luckily, the dog doesn't seem to mind his mediocre guide.

Why "The Luckiest"?

Welcome to the blog! I'm Jenn, and that tall guy next to me is Andy. We got married in February and are livin' life in Austin, Texas, home of live music and breakfast tacos, two things we don't get to enjoy enough. This blog is our little space on the interwebs where we can share what we're up to with anyone who wants to know (hi, Mom).

Like all great couples, we met at a bar. I was wearing high-waisted jeans (awkward), and Andy was eight days in to growing a beard (way awkward), but miraculously we still found one another attractive. Three and a half years later, we got engaged on a football field, where we thought we were alone but in fact were not (a story for another time...). And at our wedding reception 10 months following, the first song we danced to was "The Luckiest" by Ben Folds. 

"... And where was I before the day that I first saw your lovely face?

Now I see it everyday. And I know that I am the luckiest."

We're definitely not perfect, but as long as we have each other, we are The Luckiest. :) See you soon!