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OOTD: Coffee Shop Stop

No #OOTD would be complete without coffee….mmmm…

In search of this outfit, below we’ve compiled a list of similar styled items so you can get the look. All the jewelry featured in this #ootd is from our line, which you can check out here.

1. LL Bean Boot / 2. Chunky Scarf / 3. Denim Shirt / 4. Coat

 Comment and share your pictures below, we’d love to see the styles you create!

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Vote!-  It’s a privilege and your civic duty

Yes, we know it can be daunting. You may even wonder if your participation matters - short answer: YES!! Here are a few bullets to get you fired up to vote:

Our right to vote was hard fought by many generations - don’t let apathy trivialize their efforts.

The United States of America is the world’s oldest continuous democracy - uphold a time-honored tradition.

You won’t just be voting for president, you’ll be voting for local government as well.

And if none of those reasons are good enough for you vote so you can complain about elected officials with integrity. Not kidding, if you don’t vote - you can’t justifiably complain about the outcome.

Where can I vote?

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Father’s Day Weekend

Sensibly, my mother came to visit me on Father’s Day weekend -- also Pride. Edibles, tacos, Moscow Mules and rainbows were the theme <3

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Karaoke on a Sunday:

My dear friend Sapana from NYC has family in Denver - JACKPOT! We sang, we drank, we schmoozed and we even got a stellar performance from this little nugget. Watch your back Taylor Swift, there’s a new blonde hitting the charts!

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Mount Evans: America’s Highest Paved Road

We can’t get enough of these beautiful freaking mountains we live in now. My mom comes to pick up the truck next weekend so we decided to head up to Mount Evans.

Unfortunately they are STILL receiving snow and have a lot of construction going on so we had to settle for a walk around mirror lake. Still, pretty epic place.

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New Crib: Denver

After looking at about 4 (VERY well researched) places, we dejectedly greeted the woman at Red Peak. Expecting very little from this garden level, one bedroom we waited for our agent to open the door.

All at once we knew. This is it, this is our apartment. The price was right, the space was huge and there was SO much light. Bike storage, laundry, gym, pool - uh, yes please! The next few days were filled with frantic shopping trips to Ikea and heated discussions about plates. Ahh, the joys of marriage.

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Weekend Follies: Denver

Have you seen the South Park episode featuring Casa Bonita? I hadn’t either, but Steven has been singing the damn song for the last week, mandating that we visit at our earliest convenience.

It didn’t disappoint. Passable food, laughable acting and impressive diving. I had a great time. I’ll likely never go again, but I was glad to get that off the list quickly.

Despite the fact that we’ve never been to Portland, or Oregon for that matter, Steven is infatuated with the Timbers. After learning that they’d be playing the Rapids shortly after our arrive we also decided to get our soccer on.

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On the Road Again: Colorado

Without much incident and the assistance of Sirius Radio we made it to Colorado. Taylor Swift really is dominating the pop music scene right now. 

Consistency is our thing, which is why we booked and AirBnB while we look for a new pad in Denver. Here’s the first sunset we were treated to courtesy of Sloan Lake.

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Lubbock

No visit to Amarillo is complete without a pit stop to LBK. After kickball practice and a few drinks at Chimy’s we spent time with the delightfully sassy Abby Orta.

It’s entirely wrong to say as we have 2 sweet nephews and 1 spirited niece, but this creature is the most precious of things. I hope that I was like that as a child.

You’re probably asking, ‘For the love of God, what the hell is all over the Jeep?!’ Great question, maybe you’ve heard about the crazy amount of rain that Texas has been fending off over the past few weeks. These are the hell-spawn that resulted.

That’s right, we did our duty to humanity and killed a small colony of mosquitoes on our way back to Amarillo - you’re welcome world.

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Amarillo

Home of blonde hair, snowcones and precious dogs.

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May 18th, Houston: Last Day with Jack 

Meeting our newest nephew was such a treat. The most averagest baby boy in all the land. I have a sneaking suspicious he’s at the top of his 50 percentile class (is that a thing?) On to Dallas and then Amarillo - because what’s a RTW trip without a stop in the Rillo?

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May 17th: Houston

Breweries, babies, bad bitches and Barbarella <3

How ‘bout them Rockets?

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May 14th: Houston//Home Coming

530am arrived sooner than expected. We’ve been so amped to see our family and loved ones again that the wait should have been brutal. Our driver was curious about our friend from the day before, but mostly silent as we coasted through the quiet streets.

Our flight wasn’t until 830am, but at the advice of our host we got there with plenty of time before our trip. Good thing too, because after we wrapped up breakfast we heard our names (poorly pronounced) being called on the overhead speaker.

With a bit of trepidation we made our way to the desk and discovered that Steven had been selected for a random search. No big deal, except that his Spanish isn’t perfect and I wasn’t allowed to join him. I berated the attendant who escorted him, letting her know that he didn’t comprehend very well and that he’d need an English guide. After an exasperated sigh she quietly shouted, ‘8 Minutes’ and took his arm ...greeeeat...

He got the clear, we boarded our plane, no biggie. We anticipated a Starbucks run and louging lunch at the Mexico City airport - we were completely wrong. Have you ever transferred at the Mexico City airport? We hadn’t, apparently even connections have to go through customs. Seriously, WTF?!

After waiting in line for an hour we got through to be greeted by our bags and another line of security. Complete bullshit. As if that wasn’t bad enough I spent 15 minutes looking for a store with tampons and Steven was AGAIN selected for a random search. So much for our relaxing layover. We barely made it to our gate in time.

Our gate was another issue, 5 gates use the one terminal for AeroMexico. So after passing through security we found ourselves in a crowded room waiting for - a bus. Our plane was delayed and a bus drove us out to the middle of the runway where we boarded our USA bound craft like the President (with the weird stairs and all).

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May 13th: Quito Basilica

Tomorrow marks the official 6 month mark. We left our jobs and home 6 whole months ago. Reflecting on everything we’ve done during our travels makes me exhausted. I can’t even think of Guatemala or Bolivia without wanting a glass of wine and a foot rub.

It’s even crazier to think that in 2 weeks Steven will be back at work in our new home, Denver. We’ve know this would be our course for a while now, but that doesn’t make it any less anxiety-inducing.

As our last day we should have done something of epic proportions, we should have had one last hurrah. Instead we sat on the church steps for nearly and hour talking about all of the amazing things we’d experienced, held hands and drank far too many coffees. Sometimes you have to surrender to complacency.

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May 12th: Hausquila to Quito

 After slaying bugs all night 7am came a little too soon. Rain pounded on the thatched roof and the noises of workers starting their day kept us from snoozing. Following a hearty breakfast and a few last farewells to the staff and guides we packed our exaggerated belongings into the back of Cecila’s car.

 Over the river and through the woods, we were on our way back to Quito. Juan told us the history of he and his wife while sprinkling in a few lessons in Spanish. The phrases ‘ponte pilas’ and ‘simoso’ will forever be tied to that lovely gentleman.

 After a quick stop at a hummingbird sanctuary Juan invited us to his lovely home just outside of Quito. We shared sandwiches and congratulated him again on his upcoming grandchild. His eldest daughter was told she would never have children, then at the age of 41 she became pregnant. Miracle are real – don’t stop believing.

 Jaun helped us to our new place and headed off to his own appointments in the city while we settled ourselves in. After grabbing a taxi and grabbing a few last minute souvenirs we found ourselves at the Guayasamin Foundation at the top of the hill. Much like Pablo Neruda, Oswaldo had an eclectic sense of style. Lovely, local crucifixes shared places of honor with decades old erotica. To be honest, there was a nice flow to the place.

 He apparently constructed the home with the intent that it would one day be a museum. It’s been donated to the city, but his family is still a huge part of the place. We even met one of his granddaughters. Weirdest part of the whole place was likely the tree of life in the front yard. It’s under this enormous tree that Guayasamin and his best friend are buried.

 We shared one last dinner with Pam and then sent her on her way back to the United States. It’s hard to believe we’ll be back in the US of A shortly hereafter.

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May 11th: Huasquila

 Pam had a terrible, awful, no good night. After falling asleep she woke to what sounded like footsteps outside her window (likely just rain or animals) only to find that a few bugs had joined her in the bed and on the floor. Welcome to the Amazonian Rainforest.

 After a delightful breakfast of fresh juice and fruits we embarked on a 3.5 hour nature walk. Led by a local Kichwa tribe leader we were instructed on all sorts of natural medicines. One of which was a sassy little plant that stung like hell and supposedly cured muscle aches. As my hand welted and turned red Steven and Pam wisely declined trying the ancient medicine. While the rash did fade I’m still rocking a few raised bumps at the site of contact.

 According to our guide these plants were used by ancient messengers who would relieve their tired muscles with this plant while delivering messages – they’re made of stronger stuff that I am apparently. Now-a-days this plant is used by locals to punish naughty children. I hope the punishment fits the crime, because this foul weed stung like hell.

 In addition to this pain plant we ate live lemon ants, tried a natural tuberculosis cure, briefly entered an alligator’s cave, dodged spiders/scorpions/mosquitos and other creepy crawlers and ended our day at a beautiful waterfall. Sacred to the locals, this place is visited most frequently on New Year’s day by locals looking to refresh their spiritual energy.

 As lunch concluded we were told there was another cave we could visit, we’d seen enough alligators and scorpions for one day and lounged in the huts until it was time for the Kichwa tribal tour.

 After a walk of 20 minutes we arrived at their small community. Modern by some standards and very primitive in others the place had its own charm. Local women and children wore traditional clothing, served us a few of their tribe’s favorite chicha-like beverages and even gave us a dance lesson.

 The girls grew bolder and bolder fighting for seats near us. Not to be out done, the little boys pulled out their secret weapon – a pocket monkey! He was so scared of the music and dancing, but he was enamored with his little boy. The monkey and boy gave kisses and snuggled, I was even given the chance to hold the little pet. To be clear, most people look down on the ownership of wild animals like this – but who is going to police it?

 These clever salesmen guiled us into buying all sorts of beautiful handicrafts. The three girls from the tribe around 12-14 years old. Walked us back to the lodge asking questions and throwing themselves into fits of giggles as we repeated back Kichwa words. With much persistence they convinced us to go swimming with them after we got to the lodge before taking off as dusk approached.

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May 10th: Huasquila

 After a long night of desperate packing we were all set to make our way to the Amazon. Our timing was just perfect enough to allot us a quick coffee run, but much to our surprise the car was waiting for us 30 minute early!

 As coffee addicted as Steven and I are, Pamela is more so. In desperation I asked him if he could make a quick stop for a coffee before we embarked on our 3 hour ride to the jungle. He laughed and said he knew just the place, Che Italiano.

 The breakfast menu provided and appetizer (garlic bread), meal (eggs & meat), juice of the day, coffee and chocolates – all for $3.99. Gotta love Ecuador ;)

 Our breakfast conversations about family and loved ones continued on into political subjects as we left the parking lot. We were a bit skeptical of our first two guides’ opinions about the government, but soon realized that it was a pretty common sentiment among the working class. The president is an incredibly smart socialist who is loved and hated depending on your level of income (another reoccurring theme in South America).

 We rounded the curvy (simosa) road and carefully made our way up and down mountain passes. Juan was a very deliberate driver and prolific teacher. Calm and methodical he made up cute sentences and sayings to help us remember all the new words he introduced.

 Sad to leave Juan, but happy to end our hectic, rainy drive we arrived at Huayquil. The fancy lodge in the middle of the jungle. With pina coladas in hand watched our bags be taken to our rooms and our lunch be laid out for us.

 Post lunch we hopped into our adventure clothes and headed to the zoo. I’m not usually one for zoos, but this zoo was very different. Very lax. As in, they let me hold hands with monkeys. I didn’t know I wanted to hold hands with a monkey, but it was incredible. The expression of desperation for my hand as I approached the fence. All this little guy wanted was love and affection. He couldn’t have met a better human for the job.