Gift Guide: For Him

Nothing like waiting until the last minute to post a Gift Guide for the guys. But since there are 4 more shopping days until Christmas, here are a few ideas (some of which my husband might just find under the tree). Many of them are still available for Christmas shipping (or available at Nordstrom and Macy's if there's one close by!).

Holiday Firsts with Pyrex

 

JR and I moved into our first home almost exactly one year ago. It has been a year filled with many firsts: our first moments as husband and wife, our first real vacation just the two of us, and our first holidays spent creating our own traditions. Although we were technically in this house over Christmas last year, we were still getting settled and pulling our home together. So this year definitely feels special to be celebrating our first Christmas as husband and wife in a home that we've made ours.

Many of the traditions that we are creating, as well as the traditions that our families hold, center around food. It has been so fun for me to begin to contribute to the family meals, rather than just show up and let the "adults" cook. This past Thanksgiving was the first where I had specific items to bring along to each family meal (both JR's and mine). I'm excited to do the same for Christmas. Cooking and sharing and traveling has been made easier for me (as a first-timer) with Pyrex.

Note: This is a sponsored post by Pyrex. All opinions expressed are my own. 

Gift Guide: For Her

Happy December, everyone! I feel like I have been saying this every month, but I can't believe how quickly this year has flown. For so long, I was always working toward the next thing. First it was college, then it was an internship, then getting a first job, then back to grad school, then another internship, then a sales rotation, then a full time position, then eventually a wedding. Now that we are finally settling into our home and marriage and jobs, I think the time will just continue to fly. But it's exciting! And now it's the holiday season, which I absolutely love.

Over The Knee

 

Happy Thursday everyone! While I can't believe this year is almost over (crazy that Thanksgiving is next week!) I am quite happy that tomorrow is Friday. This week has actually been a little more tame than other weeks this fall, but today I just felt myself dragging. 

One Sweater, Two Ways

When I first saw this sweater, I was immediately drawn to the color block. When it arrived, I second-guessed it a bit and debated sending it back for a solid. I was worried that it wouldn't be as versatile. But I'm so happy I kept the bold color, I've gotten so many compliments and have worn it multiple times (in multiple ways) over the past few weeks!

Sweater Weather

 

What happened to fall in Indiana? Fall is arguably the best season in the Midwest, but always seems to be the shortest. This year feels especially short. It seems like we jumped straight from 85 and sunny to 40 and chilly. We didn't have much time for jeans and tees and light jackets, but I have enjoyed cozying up in some chunky knit sweaters.

Super Casual

 

Are you all sick of seeing these overalls yet?! Because I'm not sick of wearing them. They've been one of the more popular items I've posted this fall, which gives me the feeling that I'm not the only one on the overall bandwagon this season.

Old and...Old

 

As most twenty-something girls, I don't have a bottomless bank account. I enjoy shopping and keeping up with trends, but I also like saving up to acquire timeless pieces that will stay in my wardrobe for years. I like to mix high and low, and old a new. While this post has the high and low, all of the pieces are over a year old (but similar styles are linked below).

Lessons From Mom

 Ninety-five percent of the time, my mother is right. Doesn't really matter what the subject is...she just generally knows what she's talking about. Except for the time I recently posted a picture of this jacket and she texted me telling me I look like a grandma and "gotta take the good with the bad." Thanks mom, I'll keep the jacket and leave your opinion. But one very timely lesson my mom has always preached (and I have carried with me throughout my life) is to be kind.

Fall Overalls

 

It's officially fall! And has been for a few days now. However, in the midwest, we're feeling record-breaking high temperatures. When I left work today, the thermometer on my car was reading 92 degrees! And as much as I love fall, I'm really trying to soak in these warm evenings before it becomes cold and dark by the time I leave work. The cold of winter isn't what bothers me so much (although, ask me again in January)...it's the darkness that makes me really miss summer.

Mini Skirt

 I'm not usually one to wear a lot of short skirts and dresses. I tend to purchase dresses that are work-appropriate and can be worn in multiple ways. So I never expected to feel comfortable in a miniskirt and thigh-high boots. Until I found these boots during the Nordstrom anniversary sale.

April 15, 2017

On April 15, 2017, just a little over 9 months after we got engaged, I married the best man a girl could ever ask for. We got married downtown Indianapolis, and being the Midwest, we were preparing for a rainy, 40-degree day just as much as a sunny, 75-degree day. We lucked out with the latter. People talk about their wedding day...how amazing it was and how fast it went by. I had no idea just how amazing the day would really be and just how fast it would really go. One thing I know for sure, I'd do it again in a heart beat. 

Every Body Can Relate

 

I have never really had to worry about my weight. Yes, it fluctuates, but it has never caused me a lot of angst or worry. I'm lucky to be (somewhat) tall and where I do carry weight (my midsection) is usually pretty easy to hide. When our wedding came around this past April, I did make a conscious effort to drop a few pounds and was surprised to lose almost 15 before the big day. However, it has ALL come back.

French Connection

 

Happy Wednesday! As most weeks have gone lately, this one is flying by. We spent last weekend celebrating my sister, and this weekend I get to go to Nashville to celebrate one of my best and longest-time friends. Any recommendations for things to do and see in Nashville?!

Feeling Blue

 

I've never been a huge fan of blue. I love navy, but I'm never really drawn to blue things. But when I saw this little French Connection top, I fell in love with the flowy sleeves and decided to give the blue a try.

Free People

 

The temperatures have been slightly cooler in Indianapolis over the past few days, and as much as I love warm summer nights, I'm getting excited for booties and sweaters and layers. I'm also excited for all-things pumpkin. I know, that makes me basic. But I just googled "basic" (no joke) and the definition (as a noun) is: the essential facts or principles of a subject or skill. Sweaters and booties are essential for fall. So go ahead an call me basic allll autumn long. I'll just keep sipping on my PSL while flinging my plaid over-sized scarf over my shoulder.

WorkWear

 

I admire so many bloggers out there. I am very much a self-proclaimed, wannabe stlye-blogger (and consequently, very grateful to have you following along). I wish I had the style and knack for blogging that I see out there from some of my favorites. And while I also strongly admire those who quit their jobs and pursue their blogs as businesses, I'm so very fortunate to have a full-time job that I genuinely love and that affords me a life to where I can dip my toe in the blogging pool.

Tie-Front and Button-Down

 

My sister gets married in a little under 3 months! While she's obviously been stealing the show with her outfits lately, I wanted to look nice for the couples shower that her future sister-in-law threw down in Charleston. After looking around online, I found this pretty little tie-front midi dress.

White Tiers

 

Happy Tuesday, everyone! It's another busy week at the Renbarger house! I'm heading to Chicago today for work, then looking forward to my friend's bachelorette party down in Bloomington this weekend. It's always so great to get back down to IU!

Pink Tassels

 

We are busy little bees this summer. Between work and travel and weddings and celebrations, we have a lot going on. I'm so happy for the chaos because it's all stemming from such great things! But in the spirit of also trying to slow down every once in a while and enjoy the ride as newlyweds before we (eventually) throw some little kiddos into the mix, I've been a little slower on the blogging front.

Feeling Like Summer

 

I love summer. I love the hot weather, love the sun, love the cookouts, love spending time outside. I know everyone probably feels that way once the temperatures rise, but I've really been relishing time outside in our yard...our first summer in our own home.

#LOVELOFT

I've really been trying to build up my work wardrobe lately. I work for a large corporation, but our marketing department is fairly casual. While we can't technically wear jeans throughout the week (except for Friday), I sneak by with black or dark jeans pretty frequently. Loft has been one of my staples for casual work-wear for quite some time, but recently I've also found some great pieces for a casual dinner out with hubby or friends.

Smile Brilliant: Custom Teeth Whitening

 

I cannot believe it has almost been two months since JR and I got married! I figured things would slow down a bit after wedding planning, but it feels like we're (almost) just as busy! One of the things that was looming on my to-do list a few months before the wedding was to whiten my teeth. It kept falling to the bottom of my list because I knew I didn't want to go to the dentist, but I didn't know if I wanted to go through the hassle of home whitening. When SmileBrilliant reached out, the timing couldn't have been better. I was so excited to try home whitening with custom trays, rather than messy strips or pastes.

Spring Style

 

Yesterday marked one month of marriage! It also marked the day that Ruby had an accident on the floor, I spilled coffee creamer all over my dress, I forgot my work notebook at home, honked at someone on the way to work (twice) then he pulled into my work parking garage (sorry, colleague), and at the end of the day when I went on a walk with a friend...a bird pooped on my head.

Major Ruffles

I have to admit, I copied this top off a sorority sister. She was a few years behind me in school and I saw her wearing a similar style on her bachelorette party a few months ago. Since I decided to do something a little more casual for my own bachelorette, and because it was in the middle of March and still freezing cold, I thought it would be perfect for our night out for dinner. So, I spent a good chunk of time searching the internet for this little gem, and found it on shopbop.com.

Happy May

 

Hi, it has been a while! JR and I have officially been married for a little over two weeks, and I took a much needed break from...well...just about everything after the wedding. We got married on Saturday, April 15 and headed to St. Lucia bright and early on Monday the 17th. I disconnected, shut down, spent some time with my new husband and read 3 books in 5 days. Now it's already May!

April Showers...

 

Okay, so I know it's only March, but spring always makes me think of the little rhyme "April showers bring May flowers." I know it's still March, but it's almost April, and it has been rainy and gloomy. Hopefully that means spring is right around the corner. 

JR Hates These Jeans (but I love them)

One of my favorite parts of my bachelorette party the other weekend was that my sister sent JR a list of questions and he recorded his responses and sent them back to her. Throughout the weekend, she would state the question that was asked, I would try to guess what he said, and she would show his recorded answer. It was so fun! It's timely for this post because when he was asked what clothing item of mine does he hates the most...he responded: her flare jeans. (I got it right).

Spring with SheIn

 

So we had a few days there that really felt like spring! And then we quickly turned back to snow. Am I crazy to say that sometimes I like those little bursts of spring in the middle of winter? I know, it's not natural, it's global warming, it's confusing...but it's also hopeful. It's a little reminder that even in the coldest, darkest days, there's a chance for some unexpected light and warmth. And who couldn't use that reminder every now and again?

Same Sweater, Different Day

You know when you run in a store looking for something specific, end up grabbing something else on a whim, and it becomes one of your favorite pieces? Well, that happened to me at H&M with this chunky sweater. I've been wearing it non-stop since I got it a few weeks ago, and you better believe I'm going to squeeze as much use as possible out of it before the temperatures rise (which might actually only be until this weekend...)

Let It Snow?

 

I know it's only February, but for some reason, I was expecting it to start warming up! Instead, we've gotten quite a bit of snow over the past few weeks. Typically, I think of the worst of the Indiana winters in December and January, but then again, I remember snow flurries on Easter one year. I suppose that's Midwest weather for ya!

3 Years of S&S

 

Today marks three years since I started this little blogging adventure! S&S started as the result of a breakup in grad school. I had already gotten my full-time job offer, and found myself spending a lot of time thinking about my ex. So a friend suggested I channel that energy into thinking about something more positive and proactive, and that was that! Seven and Stitch began. So much has changed since that time three years ago, and I'm so grateful to look back and see how much I've grown.

SEERSUCKER + SOIRÉE

I've lived in Indianapolis for most of my life, but the past two years here have almost felt like living in a brand new city (in a good way). JR and I have lived downtown and now in Butler-Tarkington, which has introduced me to a whole new set of restaurants, neighbors, and routes to work. And thanks to both my full-time job and my side gig as a self-proclaimed style blogger, I've met some really lovely people. Thanks to one of the loveliest of aforementioned people, Beth from Seersucker + Saddles, I had the pleasure of receiving an invitation to her s e e r s u c k e r + s o i r é e.

Organizing for the New Year with The RoomPlace

If you read my last post, you might remember that my New Year's resolution is more about personal acceptance, but there's one thing I definitely cannot accept going into a new year with a new house...disorganization. So I teamed up with Midwest furniture retailer The RoomPlace to help get my home office/closet in shape.

Ringing in the New Year

 

Happy New Year, everyone! Well, happy 4th day of the new year! I would say that the reason this post is late is because my resolution is to live on my own schedule and not put unnecessary pressure on myself, but in all honesty, it's just because I didn't get around to posting sooner. But that's not to say I'm not all for a good ol' New Year's resolution.