Founders Brewing Co.

One of our favorite spots in Grand Rapids is Founders Brewing Co. We've made it a tradition lately to go every Monday. Plus we're always there for any good bands playing over the weekend. They have the best atmosphere, especially in the summer. They have these big garage doors that they open, and you can sit inside or out on the patio. It's perfect. I love having this place in town and seeing friends there all the time.

Crazily enough, I'm not a beer drinker! I don't mind their pale ale mixed with lemonade for a shandy, but usually I grab a coke and peanuts! I'm more of a wine drinker, or I drink cocktails. Founders only has beer, but they brew all of their own and it's definitely a household name in Michigan. Also, Grand Rapids was just named Beer City, USA!

I was cracking up at Eric all night, and was so excited to grab candid photos of him. He has an amazing natural smile. When I snapped these, he was currently in the process of throwing peanut shells at our friends. Haha! I love him. His sister had a major heart surgery today, and did just great. I was in tears with his family, mostly just because they mean the world to me. Thank you to everyone who sent good thoughts and prayers for Renee today. ♥

Do you guys have any fun traditions you do every week with friends in your town? I really think everyone should have something they look forward to on the weeknights, especially on a Monday! I also just wanted to thank everyone who left thoughtful comments on my last post about perfection. It's okay to not be perfect, but it's also perfectly okay to be grateful and publicly appreciate the things you have and love!

Outfit details:

French Vanilla Sweater c/o Nectar Clothing

J Brand Jeans

Forever21 necklace

Swiss Dot Lace Up Flat c/o LuLu*s

Windmill Island Gardens

A couple of weekends ago, Eric and I took Eleanor to Holland to see Windmill Island. Unfortunately, not all of the tulips were bloomed yet, but it was still a gorgeous day to walk around! We snapped some pictures in the tulip fields and in front of the windmill, and explored the little tourist shops for a while. Afterwards, we headed downtown to visit Frances Jaye (cutest store ever) and grab candy and sodas at Lemonjellos and Holland Peanut Store. I love that little town.

I need to back to Holland this week or next to see all of the tulips in bloom. There is one field that has buffalo roaming too. I've been there before, but not for long, so I need to do a revisit. It's supposed to be beautiful this upcoming weekend for Memorial Day. I'm really excited for a long, and hopefully peaceful, weekend. I want to take a day trip, get majorly caught up on laundry, cleaning and grocery shopping! Plus, I need some major relaxing time!

I just took Eleanor to the airport today to head back home to New Zealand. She was here for three weeks, and it honestly flew by! It's crazy how time flies. But it was so amazing to have her here with us and to finally meet her after blogging together for almost four years, and trading clothes for three. I'm really glad I was able to give her a taste of life in Grand Rapids and Michigan. I got a little teary in the airport. It's been kind of a rough week in general, and goodbyes are always sad!

I want to write a more detailed post soon about perfection, because I don't want you guys to ever think that my life is perfect or that I think my life is perfect. Because it's definitely not perfect. Certain moments, times and things? Of course. I post pictures and memories of the good times, and I've warned you all before that I'm going to continue to do so. But that's not to say my real life is just sunlit fields and floral dresses. Eric and I argue sometimes, I get insanely stressed about my schedule, I cry a lot, I'm dealing with serious back pain right now due to a kidney issue, and I never ever feel like I'm "on top" of things. Please be realistic when reading my blog (or anyone's for that matter!) and don't compare your life to theirs thinking how perfect they are. Blogs are not always true portrayals of someone's real life and issues. They are supposed to be fun (or mine is at least) and that's how I intend to keep it.

Outfit details:

Forever 21 Jacket

Strolling through Amsterdam Dress c/o ModCloth

ModCloth Daylight Cravings Sunglasses

Sonia "Hello Sunshine" Flats c/o Loly in the Sky

Forest sunlight

Hello, summer? It has felt like it all weekend long! 86 degrees today in Michigan. We spent the weekend dancing crazily to a jungle-themed dance party on Friday, laying in the grass and listening to music at an outdoor festival on Saturday and visiting with family eating tacos today. It has been the best weekend. It gave us a little taste of summer and now I can't wait for everyday to contain bare feet, gorgeous sunsets and riding with the windows down.

This is one of my favorite dresses ever. I'm pretty sure this is the best floral print I've ever found, plus with the cut out back? Perfection. I love the ability to grab any dress in my closet right now and just throw it on without thinking much about styling. It's just yet another perk of this perfect weather. And I just wanted to say thank you to Kani for this amazing floral crown! It's going to be so lovely with many of my spring and summer outfits.

Eric has been taking the most beautiful photos lately. I'm so insanely grateful for him, and how much time and effort he puts toward my blog. Having been together for a year now, I'm feeling super nostalgic and more in love than ever. It's funny how life works out in the strangest ways - ways you'd never expect. But I couldn't imagine my life without him, and I'm so happy everything happens for a reason.

Outfit details:

Urban Outfitters dress

Floral crown c/o K is for Kani

Samantha Pleet Blixen Boots c/o Wolverine

Make Out Hill

Last night, I took a trip with Eleanor to Belknap Hill. It's a prominent river bluff directly northeast of downtown Grand Rapids. I've been here once before, but it's been a long while. It was so beautiful to come back at sunset and see downtown from the hillside city park! The reason this park is nicknamed "Make Out Hill" is because it has been often visited by evening romancers throughout history. It has also long been a popular place to propose marriage!

I loved driving up the hill to this view. The surrounding neighborhood is full of simple nineteenth century homes from days when Belknap Hill sat upon small farms and apple orchards. A cherished historic feature of the hill is the steeply inclined Trowbridge Street, which is one of the city's two remaining true fieldstone cobblestoned streets. Eleanor and I went looking for it and I was so excited when we drove down it. I'm such a nerd!

I received this dress from Tailor and Stylist a while back, and I love it. I felt like it deserved a true warm-weather post because I love the heart detail. The heart is actually meant to be worn in the front, but I preferred it in the back! But I love how it can be worn either way. Plus, I always love red as a pop of color in every season. It doesn't look like they have red available now, but they do have it in mint or white. Perfect for spring/summer!

Anyone have any fun plans this weekend? I'm off to a jungle-themed dance party tonight with a bunch of friends. Tomorrow, Eric's band is playing a festival in Lansing that we'll be attending. And Sunday, I'm headed over to my Mom's house for belated Mother's Day tacos. After that, Eric and I are heading back to the city for a really fun photoshoot with Katie of James and Katie Photography. I can't wait to share photos! xo

Outfit details:

Wear Your Heart on Your Dress c/o Tailor and Stylist

Forever 21 Straw Hat

Love Letter Necklace c/o Lalamagic

Old Navy Ankle Boots

The Parlor at Cherry Hill Market

Last night, we headed just down the block to The Parlor at Cherry Hill Market for an ice cream cone. I just adore this little shop. It has big storefront windows, a huge selection of yummy hard-serve flavors and I love how simply decorated it is inside. I got a single scoop of birthday cake flavor, in a waffle cone. So yummy! This place is a little dangerous though, considering it's right in our neighborhood.

I received this darling striped dress from my friend Caitlin of Dear Faithful. She is based in Vancouver, Canada. She was inspired to create her line after she discovered a box of her parent's love letters in the attic of her childhood home, many of the letters were addressed, Dear Faithful. Isn't that the sweetest story? I love her romantic pieces and I'm so thrilled to help promote her beautiful clothing.

I've been saving this necklace from One Ten Zero Seven for this post. It just fits so perfectly! Oh how I love matching my outfits to my locations. I have an inspiration board going right now for all of my upcoming summer posts with a photo of the location and the outfit I plan on wearing at that location. It's been a ton of fun and really helps in the planning process!

I feel like I'm "back" with Selective Potential, if that makes sense. I know everyone goes through lulls with inspiration and coming up with new and creative content, but man. This winter was so long and tough. I was wondering for a while if I didn't like blogging anymore, but after these past few posts, I know that I do. But really? Who loves standing out in 30 degree temperatures for photos when all you really want to be doing is snuggling inside watching a movie? I know I get burnt out on it easily in those pesky winter months, but I'm feeling inspired again. I'm back with a vengeance! xo

Outfit details:

Candy Stripe Dress c/o Dear Faithful

Ice Cream Necklace c/o One Ten Zero Seven

Shop Ruche Belt

Pointed Sole Heel c/o Deb