Christmas tree hunting is one of my favorite activities of the year. There were only a few years after college when I didn’t hunt for a tree because family I lived with had a fake tree *gasp*. Even in my college apartment, I cut down a tree every year.
As a kid, my family brought our dogs with every year it wasn’t too cold for them. They always had a blast running around the tree farm sniffing all the smells. My brother and I would run around pointing at our favorite trees. I have always loved the big fat ones. The fatter the better. One year in college, I found the fattest tree, and it was 12 feet tall. It was ginormous. And it didn’t fit in my tree stand. It ended up being one my favorite disasters, and my best friend and I still giggle about it!
The Christmas after Beau came home, it wasn’t even a question of if she would come with us or not. We didn’t know exactly how she would do riding on the trailer at the farm or with all the people around, but she was a dream. Beau is incredibly well behaved around all the people, loves sniffing the smells, and running between the trees as best she can on a leash. This year, she did even better on the trailer. I’m such a proud Mama!
This is our third Christmas in Houston. The first year, we found High Star Christmas Tree farm just North of the city. We love it. The prices are unbeatable. They’re very kind. And they’re dog friendly! We’ve gone every year! Beau has come with all of her years with us! So, two.
Beau helped pick out our tree. As best as she can…. She sniffed it and wagged her tail, so I’d say that’s a yes. I’m so picky about trees. I like them tall and fat, but we don’t have a ton of tree space in our apartment. It’s also important to find one that is green and doesn’t have too much dead stuff in the middle. It’s a process. When we arrived, we took the obligatory blogger pictures. Then we spent an hour roaming around looking for the perfect tree. Don’t go tree hunting with me unprepared for a bunch of walking and “hmm…,” *head tilt*, walk around, and “not quite.”
The tree is now up and decorated. I couldn’t be happier. I love sitting at home with a cup of cocoa enjoying all the lights! Beau cuddles have made my Christmas season a gazillion times better.
If you still need a tree, you can find more information about High Star Christmas Tree Farm here. They’re really wonderful. This is not sponsored at all. I genuinely love them!
*Style* We decided to be nerds and all wear matching shirts. Beau LOVES her jacket. It keeps her so warm. It is an absolute must in the cold weather for our furry friends. It’s a deal at Target under $10. My shirt is from Old Navy. Dylan’s shirt is from Target. I actually wear his when I want the over-sized look! My jeans are talls from Abercrombie, but they come in short and regular too. I wear them all the time. I’m absolutely in love with my shoes. They’re silver sparkles from Old Navy! I’m wearing a size 7.5, and they’re true to size.
Happy Wednesday! Love, Beau, RaeAnna, & Dylan
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Beau’s jacket doesn’t actually fit that way. You couldn’t see the pattern when she wore it the right way, so it’s a bib.
If you don’t know what Small Business Saturday is, it is a day in America to celebrate the small and local businesses we love and falls on the last Saturday in November. I like to think of it as the real kick off to the busiest shopping season of the year.
This year, I decided to visit my beautiful and talented friend Natasha at Burd and Burdie, her pop-up store. She is the owner and creator of BurdLife, a jewelry collection. Her work is amazing. Everything is handmade by her. She has big and sparkly, petite and girly, long and dangly, and so much in between. I fell in love with her jewelry last month when a mutual friend introduced us. Natasha is also one of the kindest and most genuine people I have ever met. Her smile and laugh are beyond contagious. You’ll want to go into her store and just hang out with her all day.
Burd and Burdie is open now through the end of December in River Oaks here in Houston. If you’re local, you should stop in before it’s too late. You can see and try on Natasha’s absolutely stunning pieces. She also has amazing clothes, purses, shoes, rugs, candles, and a few other things. Everything is hand-picked by Natasha and locally sourced. Everytime I walk in, I want to take everything home with me. I’m not exaggerating. If I come into a boatload of money, I will hire her to decorate my house and my body. She has an eye for the alluring. Her Instagram handles are @burdlifeofficial and @burdandburdie.
Burd and Burdie is not the only local business I love. So here are six of my favorite local Houston places I frequent!
A 2nd Cup– I love this coffee shop because their profits go toward ending human trafficking! Tout Suite– This is one of those hip Houston hot spots. Kaboom Books – Read about this hidden gem of a used bookstore here. Brazos Bookstore– They have a great selection of new books and host a bunch of events. Tea Sip– I love this Heights tea store!!! Crave Cupcakes– Yumminess.
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Caledonia, Minnesota is a small town in the southeastern part of the state. It’s almost as close as you can get to Wisconsin without actually being in Wisconsin. It’s the county seat of Houston County, so there’s a courthouse alongside all the other small town amenities. There are a few bars, a bakery, a couple restaurants, a grocery store, a coffee shop, and a few other things, but it’s not much more than a hiccup of a town.
Why, oh, why am I writing about Caledonia?
About eight years ago, my partner in crime, Alex, took me to meet his family in Caledonia, Minnesota. I was there often during college because it was only a few hours away. After college, it’s become a lot less common since he lives in North Carolina and I in Houston. This is the first time I’ve been back in a year.
My two favorite places in town are the cafe and the bakery. The bakery is open in the morning and serves yummy donuts, pastries, and cookies. The Wired Rooster is an adorable cafe in the middle of downtown. I had to buy one of the mugs because they’re cute/I have a mug addiction. The cafe is a fairly recent addition to the town landscape, but it is very cozy – especially now in the winter with the snow on the ground.
I have a turkey cookie!!!
I’m here for a little over a week and a half. It’s a calm and understated several days. It’s a nice break from the normal busy-busy-busy of my life at home.
Caledonia is a blip on a map, but it holds so many wonderful memories and feelings for me. It’s a place where I have no reception, so everything and everyone else fades into the other. The people are friendly and passionate about the Vikings. It is football season, you know. Everything closes early except the bar. It’s like many small towns. But this one is special. It’s the home of my person.
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I love fashion. I have always loved looking my best. When I was in 2nd grade, I was frequently called into the front office because my outfit was “adorable” and needed to be seen. I always dressed up in middle school, high school, college, and the corporate world. Now I work from home, so I don’t get dressed unless I have a pressing reason to go out into the world. As a blogger, I have a reason to look nice when I’m content creating.
I’m also a tall girl. I’m 5’10”, and that comes with its own shopping and dressing complications. Cute shirt… if I were four inches shorter. Awesome pants! Where’s the flood? Pretty dress: DO. NOT. BEND. OVER. The list goes on. Every once in awhile, I’ll be sharing my favorite outfits, which are tall girl friendly.
Since I started this blog (and long before in my personal life) people have been complimenting and asking where I get my clothes. I figure, I might as well start writing about! Maybe make a little money. Even when I’m not writing about fashion, I will be linking my outfits in all of my posts!
I’ve never been much of a t-shirt girl, but when I found this one on Amazon, I knew I needed it. It is very, very me! Books, Coffee, Dogs & Social Justice??? I mean how much more me can a piece of clothing get?!? You can buy it here. It’s less than $16!!! You probably need it too if you’re following along.
I love over-the-knee boots. I never owned a pair until last year. These black otk boots are so cute. They literally go with everything from jeans to skirts to dresses; you could probably pull an Ariana Grande and wear them with shorts. I’m not that confident. I got these on JustFab, and they are definitely worth it.
I love Express because their clothes range from classic to trendy, and they’re more likely to fit me than other retailers. I bought this great blazer there. I love pairing them with jeans, but it would also work great to the office or really any occasion. The jeans are from Abercrombie & Fitch. They’re high waisted and super skinny; more importantly, they’re super comfortable. I have worn them a ton and washed them almost just as many times. (Really, who washes jeans EVERY time?) They have held up so well!!! The houndstooth silk scarf in my hair is from Forever 21. It’s a fun little accent.
The highlight of this outfit is for sure the graphic tee. I loved strutting my stuff in this outfit. I was really comfortable, but felt like the bad-ass boss babe I am trying to be!
I love style, fashion, accessories, etc. I have since I was a little girl when I would go shopping with my mom and grandma in New Orleans. As I have gotten older, my style has evolved through the years. I have received so many compliments and questions about what I wear through the year and a half I have been blogging. Bookish Liaisons was started with an all encompassing lifestyle thing in mind, so now I’m dipping a toe into something else I love!
I met Paulina Tobon of Luca Love last spring, and I fell in love with her business and bracelets. I love that this blog and my social media has allowed me a platform to advocate for causes I am passionate about. When I decided to this step, I immediately thought of Paulina. I wanted to make my first style post special. Luca Love, a small, local, female ran business, is exactly where I want to start. I decided to take the plunge because Paulina is from Colombia, and her business does a lot of good in Colombia. I just read the Fruit of the Drunken Tree by Ingrid Rojas Contreras, who is a Colombian author.
I have a really simple, understated, and easy sense of style. I may be fancy, but I like fancy to be quick and affordable. Bracelets have always been the bane of my existence. I love them. I want them. I hated wearing them because they’re impossible to put on by myself. Not anymore! Luca Love bracelets are super easy to put on because they cinch. They’re also incredibly cute. I have four in blacks and whites because they go with everything.
Not gonna lie, I wore them every day when I was on vacation in Colorado. I received so many compliments. They’re just enough sparkle without being distracting.
I could tell you about Luca Love myself, but I decided to do a little Q&A with the founder Paulina!
Short Bio My name is Paulina Tobon, and I am the creator of Luca Love Bracelets. I graduated from the University of Houston Bauer Business College. Currently I spend most of the year in Houston, but I travel to Colombia often. I love to be outdoors and have a dog obsession. I also enjoy music, reading, and practicing a healthy and fit lifestyle.
What gave you the idea to start Luca Love? The idea for Luca Love started after a study abroad in Southeast Asia with the University of Houston. I was working on a microfinance project that helped families in need through business. I always had a passion for travel, philanthropy, artisan work, and entrepreneurship. After the study abroad, I learned that I could mix all the things I love while creating a career at the same time.
Why bracelets? I have always had a bracelet/accessory obsession. Every time I traveled, I bought bracelets and artisan work. I love the concept of wearing something that tells a story, has a message, or a meaning.
When did you start this journey? To be honest, in a weird way, I think I started this journey a long time ago. I’ve always been a dreamer. As a little girl I would always come up with business ideas and different ways of creating things I could sell. After I graduated from UH, I knew where my heart belonged, and I haven’t stopped since. Luca Love started in the summer 2015.
How did you come to the name Luca Love? Luca Love was named after my uncle Luis Carlos. I took the first two letters of his initials to create the name. He dedicated his life to helping others. My uncle made a huge impact in my life and many others. The name was the perfect fit.
I know part of your business is giving back to your community. How do you do that? What inspired you to do so? We give back to the community through opportunities of employment to low-income Colombian women and through education. Luca Love sponsors a free English program to a rural community in Marinilla, Colombia. I believe the way I was raised has a lot to do with it. My family always taught me the importance of giving back and helping those in need. I remember my parents would sponsor kids in need with their education. My uncle who was another father figure to me also lived his life in service for others, and it’s something I always wanted to continue.
As a woman and a Colombian woman in the United States, was starting your own business? I was born in the US, then moved to Colombia, then back to the US, and I think the cycle is never ending. I like to say I live in both places. I was never intimidated to start a business because of my gender or race. I believe they are my strong points. I was more intimidated by the fears of uncertainty. Was my business idea strong enough to make a living off of? Was I dreaming too much? Was I crazy for believing I could make an impact? Was the market going to value my product and mission?
I sure hope you say no, but I have to wonder. With the current political climate, have you experienced any change in your business or how people treat you? Sometimes we do receive comments like, “You’re in America you need to make jobs here,” but we explain that Luca Love goes beyond borders and believes in creating bridges of opportunities. Plus, aren’t I an American along with my US sales team?
What impact are you hoping to have in the U.S. and in Colombia? I just want all of us to understand how much of an impact we each can make when we join forces. We are global citizens. We all have so much to offer in our own unique ways. I want people to celebrate and embrace their differences and at the same time realize we have so much in common. I specifically want to fight against stereotypes and ideas that are destructive to our growth as a nation and as individuals.
Your family is in Colombia and a huge part of the business. Has it helped your family grow closer? Extremely. Conversations are now beyond feelings of distance and saying “I miss you.” Having a business has also taught us the importance of clear communication, personal growth, and development. It has made us so much stronger.
Do you go back to Colombia often? For work, fun, or both? I go to Colombia at least once a year and definitely a lot of both!
What is something people don’t know but you want them to know about Colombia? Colombia is more than Pablo Escobar and cocaine. Colombia is a country filled with beautiful passionate people. Despite our rough history we believe in a better and brighter future.
What has been the best part of owning your own business? The people we’ve met along this journey, and the impact we’ve all made on each other. The stories we’ve heard, the opportunities we’ve received, and overall the connections made with amazing people from all kinds of backgrounds. Hands down.
What advice would you give to young women wanting to start their own business. To love the process. Sometimes we are so focused on that end result that we don’t enjoy the journey. The journey is not easy. It is a lot of hard work, and you come face to face with a lot of fears. You have to overcome those fears and doubts in order to keep growing. Also, celebrate the milestones! Acknowledge how awesome you are and boost up that confidence. You are capable of great things 🙂
Anyways! I will be hosting a giveaway with Luca Love tomorrow through my Instagram, so keep an eye out for that. I absolutely enjoyed getting to know a little bit more about her and her business journey. I hope you love it as much as I do!!!
I decided to celebrate with a Get To Know Me post because I haven’t done one in, well, ever. Since I have over 6,000 followers, I thought it might be time for you to know more about me as the blogger and person.
I was born and raised in Ames, Iowa, which is known for being the home of Iowa State University. You’re welcome for peanut butter; George Washington Carver discovered that gem about a mile away from my parents’ house.
I’m allergic to peanut butter, but didn’t develop that allergy until I was 17. So I know exactly what I’m missing.
I went to Cornell College and majored in Literature, French, and Russian with an Emphasis in Literary Translation and Analysis. Yup. It’s a mouth full.
I speak English, French, and Russian. My Spanish is passible. My German is marginal at best.
I am a freelance editor, writer, and translator. I would love to do more writing.
I hate wearing pants. I work from home, so I never have to wear pants. My dog starts having mild anxiety attacks whenever I pull pants out of the drawer because she knows that means I’m leaving the house.
I lived in Aix-en-Provence, which is in Southern France, for a bit during college. If I could live anywhere, I would live there. I also spent some a summer studying literary translation in London.
I travel all the time because I love it. My dream would be to get paid to travel with my dog.
My dog is named Beauvoir – for Simone de Beauvoir – but she goes by Beau. She’s a rescue, who I brought home a year and three months ago. She is almost three years old and is the light of my life.
My favorite genre to read is literary fiction. Although, I also really love British history.
The top five places I want to see: India, Nigeria, Algeria, Ireland, and Bali.
I have a passion for advocacy and volunteering. I have spoken and written about my past with sexual and domestic violence because it is really important to me to try and change the world we live in.
I trained to be a ballerina for years, but stopped because I was too tall to be a ballerina and I had a bunch of injuries.
I am incredibly goofy and weird. I sing and dance around the house constantly. I tell jokes a lot because I love making people laugh.
I love fashion and looking good, and I always have. When I was little, my grandma used to make me clothes, and everyone loved them.
I love fashion, but shopping is a pain in the ass because I’m 5’10”. Clothes, in my budget, are not made for people this height. UGH!!!
I hate working out. With a passion. I like going for walks, but working out is the worst.
I LOVE food. I love eating, cooking, baking, and learning about food. I am pretty sure I ate my way through Europe.
There’s a bunch of random information about me.
In my 27th year living, I am focusing on doing. Doing the things I have wanted to do, doing the things I’ve been scared to do, doing the things I should do, and doing more. So that’s my goal! I wrote more about it on my personal blog Unashamed Truths about my Year of Doing.
