To Explore / Peach Tree Farms

     Hi there! Just wanted to share a few photos from our visit to the pumpkin patch! Ironically, we didn't get any photos with the pumpkins - we were too busy enjoying all of the other activities that Peach Tree Farms offers!

      They have sunflower patches all over the farm, and this was as close as I could get, as the bees were thoroughly covering the flowers. They also had a new feature this year: a "corn crib" for kids to play in! It's a giant crib filled with dried corn, like a sandbox or ball pit but with corn. It was Bailey's favorite part, as you can probably tell! 

      More pretty flowers! The ones on the left were swarmed with butterflies, so much so that I couldn't help but think they plant them specifically for the butterflies! 

      Brett's going to kill me for this picture, but Bailey looks so glorious with the sunlight shining on her! It looks like she's on a mission, which she probably was (she adamantly insisted on getting popcorn and pumpkins after this)! And yes, she's covered in dirt. Apparently the children's corn maze was a little muddy and poor girl took a tumble inside while trying to run around! 

      Thanks for reading, and have a fun Thursday! We will be moving all weekend to a new house, so it may be a little quiet in this space next week. However, regularly scheduled content will follow the week after, so be on the look out for more fall goodness!

To Make / GF Pumpkin Tahini Cookies

     Hi there! October means all things pumpkin, and I have a yummy pumpkin tahini cookie recipe for you all today! They're on the slightly healthier side than other cookies, being gluten free and containing nutrient filled tahini. Get the recipe below (adapted from A Beautiful Mess)!

Ingredients:

- 1/2 cup pumpkin puree
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 egg
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 heaping tablespoons tahini
- 1 1/4 cups gluten-free all-purpose flour
- 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon (aluminum-free) baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 bag semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 1/4 cup of softened butter

Directions:

1. Mix together the butter, pumpkin, and sugars. Then add in the egg, vanilla, and tahini.

2. Next add in the flour, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon. Once dough has formed, add in chocolate chips. Scoop out into cookie dough balls, and refrigerate for 30 minutes.  

3. Either store in fridge until ready to bake, or preheat your oven to 350, and bake for 12 minutes. Serve warm and enjoy!

For #MomStyle / Fall-ish

       Hi there! Just wanted to share a favorite outfit of mine that I've been wearing on repeat this fall. It's been really mild so far, so short sleeves and jeans have been the perfect combo.

     I particularly love this top's color for fall though! Mustard is so pretty and is the best yellow to pair with neutrals, as it has strong warm tones.

      I'm also a huge fan of the shape and structural details! The fluttery sleeves and waist shape are ideal for a top that can go both casual and dressy, as it makes them comfortable enough for the former, but also special enough for the latter. 

       Too pretty! This color also pairs so nicely with vintage light wash denim. Mustard is a grounding color, so it works well with any relaxed outfit!

       One of my favorite aspects of mustard is that it's one of the only shades of yellow you can wear as a "cool" (I mean that tonally, but Bailey tells me I'm cool too) blonde. Lemon and buttery colors don't offer enough contrast to my hair, but mustard is so warm, it doesn't even feel like it's in the same ballpark as other yellow's. 

       Ah, the ease of a comfortable top! And jeans, and shoes, and my purse that I wear 24/7. :) If you can't tell, I'm big on comfort!

     Last but not least, the accessories! You've seen this bag plenty of times, but I'm a minimalist and it goes with every outfit, so prepare to see even more of it. 

      My trusty mules that I never want to take off. These were one of those pairs that I saw online and immediately had to buy. I don't do that often because #money, but when I fall in love with a pair of shoes I know I'll wear over and over, I'm very persistent in acquiring them!

     That's all for today, have a fun Monday everyone!

Wearing: Mustard top (Marshalls, similar here) / vintage jeans (similar here) / Mules (Target, only available in black now!) / black bag (Forever 21, no longer available, similar here)

To Review / Maple Holistics Tea Tree Shampoo (Sponsored!)

     Hi there! I have a fun post for you all today! A month or so back, Maple Holistics reached out to see if I'd like to try out their new Tea Tree shampoo, and I immediately said yes! Who isn't always looking for the best products for their hair? Also, the fact that their products are made with natural ingredients sold me. You know I can't resist a good natural product!

      I ended up loving the shampoo! It's made with tea tree, rosemary, and lavender; each providing smoothness and softness to the hair. After just a wash or two, my hair is clean and smooth, which is always the goal! All in all, this shampoo is a great homeopathic solution to haircare.

     Get your bottle of tea tree shampoo here, and bonus: Maple Holistics is offering my readers the chance to sign up for their free samples program! This is great for testing out which shampoo would work best for your hair type, and is a good way to save money by only buying full-size products you know will work! 

    Thanks for reading, and have a fun weekend! See you back here on Monday with a new #MomStyle!

Note: This post is sponsored by Maple Holistics. All words and thoughts are my own. Thank you for supporting the brands that support What a Fun Day.

To Make / Salted Honey Apple Gouda Toast

      Good morning! I have a delicious recipe for you all today, and it's perfect for the season: apple gouda toast (adapted from Half Baked Harvest, I just can't get enough of her recipes)! Topped with sea salt, honey, and rosemary, these toasts hit all of the flavors and are amazing for an easy fall lunch. Get the recipe below! 

Ingredients:

- 2 slices of your choice of bread (I used my favorite sprouted version from Food For Life!)

- 2 pats of butter

- 2 slices of gouda

- half an apple, cut into slices

- raw honey

- sea salt

- rosemary

Directions:

1. Place a pat of butter on each of your bread slices, then layer on the cheese and apples.

2. Set your oven to the broiler, and place your toasts on a baking sheet. Broil for 1-2 minutes, until the cheese is melted.

3. Drizzle your honey on the toasts, then sprinkle your salt and rosemary on top. Eat as is, or mush the two toasts together for a tasty sandwich! Enjoy!

To Style / Fall Capsule Wardrobe

     Good morning! Today, I wanted to share my fall/winter capsule wardrobe with you all. I've finished up my shopping til spring, so this list is it! Check it out below!

Fall/Winter Capsule Wardrobe:

- 9 tops / a white t, a grey t, a baseball t, my trusty striped top, a mustard blouse (pictured above), a white blouse, a gingham blouse, a chambray blouse, and my vintage graphic baseball t that was my dad's in his youth

- 4 sweaters / a classic camel cardigan, a beige pullover, a grey pullover (also snagged from my dad's closet many years ago), and my new turtleneck (pictured above!)

- 4 dresses / my favorite mini floral wrap dress, a rust shift, a flowy cream midi dress, and a black floral maxi dress (perfect for a fall wedding we are attending)

- 3 skirts / my trusty denim skirt, a vintage suede midi, and a new plaid mini from Target (also pictured above)

- 5 bottoms / white overalls, a pair of light wash jeans (lastly, pictured above!), a pair of medium wash jeans (both vintage, the only way I shop for jeans currently), black culottes, and my already-worn-a-bajillion-times pink trousers

- 4 jackets + coats / an olive bomber, a denim jacket, and two coats (a pink suede trench and a cozy red buffalo plaid wool overcoat)

- 7 pairs of shoes* / one pair of ankle boots, mules, pink heels, vintage brown heels, flat black slides, nude lace up flats, and vintage black flat prairie boots

- 3 bags / a brown work satchel, my black ring handle bag, and my vintage white mini Berkin.

*I have a pair of hiking sneakers (and obviously exercise clothes + PJ's) but I don't wear them any other time than when hiking or exercising, so I don't count them here. 

     All in all, a total of 39 items! I usually aim for anywhere between 35-40 items, so I'm set.  If you would like some help creating your own capsule wardrobe, head to my Contact page and shoot me an email! Thanks for reading, and have a fun Tuesday!

To Love / Welcoming Fall with Bailey

      Good morning! Tomorrow is the first day of fall, and thought temps are supposed to be in the 90's, I'm going to ignore that and bake pumpkin cookies (recipe coming in October), decorate the house with our fall things, and do a fall craft with Bailey. The leaves are dropping like flies around here, and that's enough for me to say bye to summer!  

        Now, one of the fun things about parenting is that you get to make a big deal out of stuff like the seasons changing! It's to get kids excited about a new season, and to also teach them something about the way our Earth works, which I think you're never to young to be aware of. That being said, I've rounded up a list of fun fall activities for everyone in the family, most of which I plan on trying to do this season with my own family. Check it out below!

Fall To-Do (Bailey Included!):

- Do a few fall crafts / My favorite ones are this fox puppet, these pumpkin apple stamps, and any of these nature projects (fall is the perfect time for foraging outdoors!)

- Go apple picking / There is an orchard near Columbia that lets you pick 'em yourself, and we plan to finally go this year! I've never been apple picking, and neither has Bailey, so this is the fall activity I'm most looking forward to!

- Bake all of the pumpkin treats / As I mentioned, I'm making pumpkin cookies for the blog (and our pumpkin loving tummies) this weekend, but we've already made these brownies, and ya they were as good as they look!

- Explore new trails / Fall is my favorite time for hiking (hello pretty trees everywhere), and though I've lived here for 6 years, I still haven't trekked all of the ones in and around Columbia. I plan to chip away at the list this season! (Bonus: Bailey has endless energy and is an excellent hiking companion)

- Visit Rocheport / Rocheport, MO is the closest thing we have to a wine country around here. We like to do an outing each fall, starting at our favorite pumpkin patch with a corn maze and tepees, and ending with a picnic on the bluffs of Les Bourgeois winery.  

Thanks for reading, and have a fun Thursday!

For #MomStyle / Prairie Life

     Hi there! I'm in love with today's #MomStyle outfit! There's something about it that is just really calling to my aesthetic right now. Not sure if it's the gingham blouse (a b-day gift, thanks mom + dad!), or if it's the setting, but this outfit is golden in my eyes. 

     We shot this in a field close to Brett's family's house, and normally it's filled with rolled hay bales, but for some reason, they didn't harvest this year. This means wildflowers have taken over a little bit, which is fine by me!

     I also love how sunny it was this day. It makes me pale to a maximum, but is so idyllic that I've stopped caring. We are enjoying these sunny days while we can!

     Now onto the blouse! It's from Topshop, and it's become one of my favorites. It's a wardrobe wild card, but as long as you're confident you can pull off anything! It just fits in well with my more basic pieces, so it's made any outfit I pair it with more interesting. 

      I don't think I'll ever stop carrying this bag, regardless of the repeats on here. It's too good!

      I also love the little details on this shirt, from the ruffles on the shoulders to a small bow on the back (see more below!).

      You really can't avoid the wind in any field, regardless of the weather. Fields are never still, and some may say hair in your face is a bad thing, but I love it in this shot!

     Onto that bow, it's such a cute detail. I thought the front of the shirt was cute, but then I saw it had this on the back and freaked! 

     You'll hear about this shirt for awhile, since I'll be able to wear it until it's in the 90's again (and maybe even then). Be on the look out for a cute little post with Bailey this Thursday! Thanks for reading!

Wearing: Blouse / Topshop (no longer available, similar here), Overalls / Forever 21 (no longer available, similar here), Purse / Forever 21 (no longer available, similar here)

All photos by Kristen Williams

To Style / Bailey's Fall Wardrobe

     Hi there! Just wanted to share the items I consider essentials to a toddler fall/winter wardrobe. They're mostly the same as adults but much cuter, as always! See below for more!

Bailey's Cold-Weather Essentials:

- A denim jacket / goes with everything and the warmth from the denim goes a long way

- joggers (also known as sweatpants) / these are perfect for little ones because they are just as comfy as leggings, but are cozier for their little legs

- boots of some kind / this year it happened to be star patterned motorcycle boots (she picked them herself) :)

- a "fall-ish" blouse / I typically get her one nice shirt, as even toddlers get to dress up sometimes

- the coziest sweater you can find / no reason why adults are the only ones who get to enjoy #sweaterweather

     Thanks for reading, and we'll see you back here on Monday for one of my favorite #MomStyle's yet!

To Make / Homemade Tomato Soup

      Hi there! A couple of weeks ago, my neighbor brought over some surplus tomatoes, and I immediately wanted to make tomato soup. I adapted Half Baked Harvest's recipe, and am sharing it with you all today! Get the how-to below!

Ingredients:

- 3 ripe tomatoes

- half an onion

- 1 cup of milk

- 3 tbs. of pesto

- 3 tbs. of olive oil

Directions:

1. Preheat your oven to 425, and roast your tomatoes and onion drizzled in your olive oil for 20-30 minutes.

2. Once roasted, place your tomatoes and onion in a blender and add your milk. Blend until smooth.

3. Pour your blended soup into a large pot, and heat over medium high until bubbling slightly, then add in your pesto, and heat until warm.

4. Whip up a grilled cheese, and serve with your soup. Enjoy!

To Style / Fall Accessories

      Hi there! Just wanted to share my top 4 fall accessories today! These are items that I consider essential to keep around for fall, but also into winter and then spring. On that note, lets get started!

1

2

3

4

1. A tan or brown bag of some kind. / The warm color of this tote (purchased in store, but not available online yet - here's a similar option!) complements so many autumnal colors! I purchased this one for work, but it's just as cute with a casual outfit.

2. A felt or wool wide brimmed hat. / I talked a lot about this hat last year (available on clearance!), and it's never let me down. A wide brimmed hat is perfect for making any outfit feel more "fall"! 

3. Ankle boots. / A neutral pair of ankle boots (mine are from here, only available in grey) will carry your fall outfits throughout the season. They can be dressy or casual, and can be worn with anything from tights to jeans!

4. A neck scarf / Surprisingly, and cute neck kerchief has stayed on trend from last year to this year. It remains a wild card, and adds a touch of whimsy to any outfit! 

     Thanks for reading, and have a fun Monday!

To Explore / Downtown Columbia, MO

       Hi there! Just wanted to share a little CoMo love today! Columbia's great for many things, but the downtown scene here is probably my favorite. I've corralled some of my favorite spots to eat and shop downtown, so let's get to sharing! First on the list is Uprise Bakery, a mainstay in Columbia's downtown culture. They offer up delicious pastries, and some of the best iced coffee's in town! I'm partial to their iced maple latte. 

      Next up is Coley's for dinner and drinks! They serve classic "American" dishes, but always with a twist. The brie burger is a must try, but I took my family here when they visited last (hi mom + dad!), and everyone said their meals were great! 

      Another great dinner + drinks spot is 44 Canteen, a more downtown-friendly outpost of 44 Stone. Brett and I just went on a date night here this week, and their hot chicken sliders blew my mind! We also tried out their fries as an appetizer, and it was definitely the right choice. 

Photo by Kristen Williams

      Lastly, we have Columbia's beloved Logboat Brewery! This is our favorite place to visit during the summer, as it's family-friendly (they have a massive, gated yard full of games and open free space for kids to go crazy) and serves our favorite locally-brewed beer. Also, there is at least one food truck parked by their outdoor space at all times, which is always a plus!

      Now, onto a little shopping. There are tons of fun boutiques downtown, but I'm going to single out two! Up first is Muse Clothing, which boasts a bountiful shop full of vintage and new clothes. I'm partial to their vintage selection, but all of it's just plain good!

Photo by Cate Willis

     My second pick is the gorgeous, well-curated Poppy. They carry everything from paper goods by Rifle Paper Co., to locally handcrafted ceramics. I literally can't walk away without buying something, as I typically want it all! This is a must-stop if you are looking to buy anything downtown. Seriously. :)

     Thanks for reading, and let me know if you ever visit our little city! Have a fun Thursday!

All photos by me, unless otherwise stated.

For #MomStyle / My Dream Pants

     Hi there! I found the perfect pair of pants, and just had to request them for my birthday (thank you mom and dad!). They are from Topshop and are almost identical to Jesse Kamms famous Sailor pants, which I've been loving since they came out, but are just way out of my price range for pants!  

       I've been wearing these blush-colored beauties non-stop, and they've been the best thing to ramp up my fall wardrobe. Paired with a basic t and flats, they make the outfit special.  

     To some, they're a statement piece, but to me, they are practically a basic! The color is so close to a neutral, and they're made of durable but soft cotton twill. Their shape may be the most interesting part, but it looks so nice and simple that it again makes me think these guys could be a staple in any wardrobe!

       We of course had to bring Bailey along to snap some pics! She loves my pants and wants a matching pair of her own (I've only been successful in finding a denim pair of culottes, but they sure are adorable!).

       We shot these pictures at our favorite Shelter Gardens, so Bailey got to have a blast running rampant as usual! 

      I'm not sure what it is about blush pink that I'm so obsessed with, but I did find out that the sunstone is Leo's largest stone (Leo's ruling planet is the sun, so anything sun = Leo!), and it happens to be the prettiest shade of light pink. That kind of made the whole pink obsession come full circle for me! 

     I took this as one of my last chances to rock some sandals with this outfit, and chose neutrals for everything except the pants!

      Bailey actually picked out my necklace for me! She started to do that more recently, and it's making me so happy. 

     I just let her choose one item for my outfit, and then wear it as long as it's not too crazy of an idea!  

     Thanks for reading, and have a fun work week! 

To Style / Keeping for Fall

Good morning! Just wanted to share my summer items that are still wearable in the fall! Let's get started: 

1. Mini dresses / these look so cute with a cardigan and ankle boots! 

2. Cross body bags / these work anytime of year, but pair very nicely with jeans, a cute long sleeve blouse, and flats for a casual but cute outfit. 

3. Mules / the shoe that keeps on giving! I'm wearing these until the cold is unbearable, and no one can convince me otherwise! 

4. Lightweight Knits / fall means layering, and I can't think of anything better to start with than a pink ribbed knit top. 

To Make / Chocolate Coffee Nice Cream

    Hi there! This is my last #whole30 friendly recipe for the time being! I loved this treat for when I had a sweet craving, and it's guilt-free, which makes it even sweeter! Get the how-to below!

Ingredients:

- 1 ripe banana

- 1/2 cup of almond butter

- 1/2 cup of almond milk

- 2 softened dates

- 1/2 cup of coffee

- 1/4 cup of cocoa powder

- berries for topping (I used fresh blackberries because the taste really works with this strong chocolate flavor!)

Directions:

1. Add all ingredients into a blender and blend until smooth.

2. Freeze for at least 6 hours.

3. Scoop out and enjoy!

For A Birthday

     Hi there! Just wanted to pop in and share that today's my 24th birthday! The solar eclipse was yesterday and it was awesome, probably the coolest way to start a new 365 days around the sun. To commemorate my special day, I wanted to share a few of my favorite photos with Bailey, as time with her is all I really need for a gift! 

     That face, I can't!!

     Kisses with my cutie! 

     Thanks for reading, and have a fun Tuesday! I know I will (burgers will be involved)!

For #MomStyle / Ready for Fall

     Good morning and happy eclipse day! While I'm going to be enjoying the totality in Columbia, business as usual is continuing here. I have a new #momstyle to share with you today, and it's all about going into fall with style! I'm just ready for fall, as I always am at the end of summer, and nothing would make me happier than a crisp breeze and a hot coffee in my hands. That being said, I still have to dress for warmer temps until the end of September, so I always like to find ways to sneak fall in early. Today, it's with a pumpkin colored dress!

      This dress is so flowy and breezy, but in my favorite autumnal shade. Next to this evergreen wall, it really gives off the fall vibes!

      I would also like to point out that a sleeveless dress is one of my favorite transitional pieces for fall. It gives you the option to bare your arms if it's hot, or sheath them in a light layer for when the days get chilly enough for a cardigan. 

       I decided to pair the dress with neutral flats and my trusty cross body bag. They're the perfect accents to the coloring of the dress!

       These shoes will always have my heart!

      And last but not least, my "please hurry up, fall" look. LOL

      Thanks for reading, and everyone have a fun Monday!

For a Bucket List / Summer Progress

     Hello! As summer starts to come to a close, it's time to reflect on the joys from the season! I think it's necessary to fully appreciate the way you live your life, and all of the fun things you're lucky enough to get to experience. So here goes!

Summer 2017 Bucket List:

1. Visit HaHa Tonka! √ (This was so cool and I can't wait to go back!)

2. Go camping (Going this weekend!)

3. Read √ (I've read at least 5 books this summer!)

4. Kayak √ (Also planning to do more of this over the weekend.)

5. Put up a swing for Bailey! (Hasn't happened yet, but this can still be done in the fall!)

6. Picnic √ (More of this to come as well)

7. Explore Columbia √ (Downtown is always a fun experience!)

8. Make bruschetta, panzanella, and sangria (Half check LOL I made sangria of course!)

9. Patio refresh √ (We've been loving our front porch all summer long)

      That's all! Thanks for reading, and have a fun weekend!

To Make / Healthy Red Pepper Dip

      Hi there! During my Whole30, I tested a lot of recipes. You basically have to, to survive a month of eating no dairy, grains, legumes, or sugar. That's one of the best parts of the program though, it pushes your creativity! One of my favorite things to test was snacks. I love a good snack after work and am always switching it up. When I stumbled upon this recipe from A Beautiful Mess, I had to try it out! Roasted red peppers give the best flavor, and combined with pumpkin seeds, make a super nutritious dip. Get the recipe below!

Ingredients:

- 1 red pepper, sliced in half and roasted

- 1/2 cup of pumpkin seeds, or pepitas

- lemon juice

- chili powder, paprika, and salt

Directions:

1. Put your peppers and pumpkin seeds into your food processor, then squirt in some lemon juice, and sprinkle in your seasonings. 

2. Blend until smooth. 

3. Serve with chips of your choosing and enjoy!

To Style / Early Fall Buys

    Hi there! Just wanted to share a few things I recommend purchasing for the fall season now, while these popular items are still in stock! Things like ankle boots and cardigans are the top items on everyone's minds once the temperatures drop, so pick them up while you can. 

Early Fall Buys:

- Ankle Boots / The most utilized shoe in my closet, I suggest getting a pair in black to pair with almost any outfit you'll dream up this fall. 

- Cardigans / Every outfit can use a third piece (sweaters, jackets, hats), and cardigans are the coziest option for the season!

- Denim / We live in denim year-round, and fall is no exception! Get a medium wash with a high-waist for the most versatile option.

- Hats / You'll need these in winter too, so invest in a felt fedora or wool beanie to stay cute and warm!

     Thanks for reading, and have a fun Monday!