Zermatt, Switzerland

Zermatt, Switzerland was a fairytale. I have been to eight countries in Europe and can say that Switzerland is my favorite. I have to go back to this country again in the spring or summer to take advantage of all of the hiking trails they have there. Zermatt is a cute little town right at the base of the Matterhorn. The Matterhorn is the mountain that inspired the Matterhorn ride at Disneyland. The mountain did not disappoint, the people were so friendly and the hotel we stayed at was perfect. The continental breakfast tables were set with pink table cloths and teacups. It was perfect.

And to top it all off, if you follow me on Instagram, then you saw the picture of the most perfect snowflake you will ever see. We rode the Gornergrat-Bahn railway, the highest open-air railway in Europe, to the summit of Gornergrat (pictured above), where they have an observatory, hotel and restaurant. While we couldn't see anything around us because of the clouds, (we would have been able to see 20 4000 meter peaks all around us) we experienced multiple perfect snowflakes falling from the sky. You guys, the intricate drawings and cut-outs of snowflakes that you often see do not just come from imagination. Those are real! Intricate snowflakes are real. It was unbelievable. 

Zermatt was a complete dream. Looking at these pictures makes me miss it so much. I cannot say 

enough good things about it and I cannot wait to go back! 

This Year I...

From Fall in the Northwest

I'm back! It feels like it has been FOREVER since I have written up a post for you guys! Everything is slowing down now, so I feel like I can get back on track with this blog and update you all on my trip to Europe! But first, for my first post of 2014 (Happy New Year by the way!!!) it will be a recap of what I did this past year, which was also my first year of blogging (!!!) More on that later. So, to begin…

This year I…

Started this blog! (Best decision I made all year)

Had my last college class, complete with mushroom jeopardy and all. 

Graduated from Washington State University. You can see the recap here. 

Took a road trip to Vegas and California.

Got a new lens.

Took a trip to the Washington Coast. Part 1, 2, 3 & 4.

Opened an Etsy Shop. 

Made, probably, my favorite Halloween costume I have ever worn. 

Took my brothers engagements pictures. 

And… went to Europe to take my brothers wedding pictures! Official post on that coming soon! 

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas! I hope you have the most lovely day today, full of family and relaxation! 

Outfit Details

Top || TJ Maxx

Skirt || Ever + Mi Crush

Tights || We Love Colors

Shoes || Seychelles

Belt || Target

Whimsy Darling || Guest Post

Hello lovely readers! We're Alex and Paige of Whimsy Darling and we're so happy that Jordyn asked us to write on her (pretty lovely) blog. On Whimsy Darling we blog about style, life, food, and DIY ideas of all sorts. Really though, when it comes down to it, we're a pair of best friend bloggers who have a ton of fun making the world a little prettier in our own little ways.

We intended to take these photos at a Christmas tree farm, but apparently all the farms around us are only open on weekends! We actually just ran around in Alex's parent's backyard. It looks just as "Christmas card perfect" as any tree farm to me! Alex and I both grew up as "Northern" girls, living outside of the big city in the Canadian countryside. Our family homes are the best places for Christmas gatherings as they are nestled in the snowy woods. Since Alex has moved to Toronto (the big city), we really appreciate these moments where we can wander around in the trees and play in the snow like the goofballs we are.  

Alex is wearing: Jacket- H&M, Boots- Thrifted, Tights- Forever 21, Dress- Dear Creatures, Scarf- H&M, Mitts- Gift, Hat- H&M With the hustle and bustle of Christmas shopping, wrapping, decorating, baking (etc, etc), we're really happy that things are starting to slow down so that we can start to simply ENJOY the holidays. That's what they're supposed to be about right? Some fun holiday traditions we've been keen on keeping up includes curling up by the fire, putting on a holiday film, and concocting some festive drinks while we giggle like the crazy people we are. Paige is wearing: Jacket-Neon Buddha, Scarf-Similar, Mitts-Gap, Headband-homemade, Shirt-Golden Valley Boutique, Boots- Land's End Thanks again to Jordyn for hosting us! We hope we've inspired you to stop by Whimsy Darling (and that we become kindred spirit type friends in the near future). For now, a very Happy Holidays to you all! love love love, Paige (& Alex)

Currently

Making: a scarf on a knitting loom. It is taking entirely too long. Maybe I should work on it more.
Drinking: Apple juice. I love apple juice. Yep.
Wanting: Snow! Its been so cold, there just needs to be snow on the ground. Plus, it's pretty!
Playing: Candy Crush. Level 70 is impossible.
Wasting: Time. Always.
Wishing: I was able to watch Netflix AND work on my laptop at the same time, without having to split the screen in half. I don't want to watch Breaking Bad on half the screen. That show deserves full screen privileges.
Enjoying: Home Alone on TV. This movie is so funny, sad and good all at the same time. You could really learn a lot from Kevin.
Liking: REALLY liking the new show Reign on the CW. It is so good and I may be continuing to watch it because of the costumes the girls wear on the show. O. Em. Gee. The most gorgeous wardrobe I have ever seen on a TV show. Seriously if you don't like the storyline, (Kings and Queens and such) then watch it for the dresses. So unbelievably gorgeous.
Wondering: How the wardrobe department can make so many beautiful, unique dresses for that show. Alright I'm done talking about it. But seriously, go watch it.
Loving: One Directions new album. Yes, I am a (huge) One Direction fan. So what?
Hoping: One Directions new movie will be one of the movies available on the plane...
Marveling: At the fact my brother is getting married on Friday. Woah.
Needing: Tomorrow to get here!!
Smelling: My boyfriends new cologne I got him for Christmas. So so so good. Lacoste Pour Homme.
Wearing: So much buffalo plaid. I can't get enough of it this season.
Following: Floral blogs makes me want to be a florist even more. And the fact that so many have blogs is even better.
Noticing: My nails I just painted are already chipped. Great.
Thinking: "I should probably be packing instead of writing this.."
Feeling: Nervous. Excited. Anxious. Curious. You name it, I'm it. I'm going to Europe tomorrow… (!)

I won't be posting on here about my trip until after I am home, so if you want to follow me along on my journey, follow me on Instagram. I'll be posting whenever I can (hence whenever I have wifi). You can find me at @pretty_lovely_blog. While I am away look for some pretty awesome guest posts coming your way!

Winter is Here!

It may not be officially winter, but boy winter has arrived. It has been so cold around here lately. But no snow! If its going to be that cold, there might as well be snow on the ground. It looks like there is in these pictures, but this is frost. These were taken at Wintergreen Tree Farm in town. They have the cutest little gift shop tucked inside of a barn filled with ornaments. I went back today to get a couple for my Christmas photos. Be looking for those soon! Christmas is almost here!

My family has never cut down our own tree, but I have ALWAYS wanted to. When I get my own place and Christmas rolls around, you better believe I will be heading to a tree farm to get my own tree. Maybe the idea sounds better in my head than it actually is, but I have to do it at least once. Do you cut your own tree or buy the pre-cut ones? Or go fake? 

Don't forget to enter the giveaway I have going on right now!

Outfit Details

Top || Kohls

Pants || American Eagle

Shoes || Target

Scarf || Forever 21
Photos by Paige