first anniversary trip

Some days I feel overwhelmingly grateful for my life and all of the opportunities that Zack and I have! We took a few days to venture up north to celebrate our first anniversary, and despite heading out with camping gear and our passports, the trip was even more of an adventure than I expected. 

We explored Niagara Falls from every angle (on the Canadian side). We walked all around, went behind the falls, and rode a boat to the falls. I hadn't been there since I was six years old, and this time I feel like I said "this is amazing!" a hundred times. It was definitely worth seeing, and spending about 24 hours there was perfect! 

This squirrel was obviously friendly to the tourists, so we fed it banana and tried to pet it. 

We rode the Hornblower and got close enough to Horseshoe Falls to get soaked. 

A short drive away is a small town without the big city touristy feel. Zack had eaten at this cafe in the winter, so we stopped in for lunch before heading to the airport. 

Let's be real: most of our trip was spent like this, in an airplane. He tolerates selfies sometimes. 

Before heading to our next stop, we explored Niagara Falls from the VERY BEST angle, as we flew right over!!! 

We considered several places and made a last minute decision to go to Basin Harbor, Vermont. This grass strip and the nearby resort were an absolute dream. 

We enjoyed a sunset over Lake Champlain. 

We may have almost crashed a wedding for this shot. We enjoyed a little time by the water that evening and the next morning. There was a dog festival going on so no shortage of dog/people watching. 

The only place we'd planned to stay was Block Island, on the third night of our trip. 

I really enjoyed the charm of the bed and breakfast where we stayed, with gardens and a view of the salt ponds and ocean. 

Our second day on Block Island, we rented a scooter to see more of the island. 

Zack said that if you think warm thoughts, Block Island has the feel of a tropical island. The landscape reminded me of the Bahamas, and the temperatures reminded me of December in the Bahamas. It was a welcome break from the sweltering heat at home! 

We walked the beaches to the North Lighthouse, then we had to see the South Lighthouse, too! 

The Mohegan Bluffs were gorgeous! I am so glad we decided to see the south end. It really wasn't as bad of a climb as the information online led me to believe. 

I would totally live in leggings year round if I lived in Rhode Island! It was COLD (for summer)! I'm so thankful that I packed leggings. 

We enjoyed breakfast overlooking the salt ponds before heading out. 

We stopped in Fredericksburg to avoid some weather and have lunch. This just so happens to be where AOPA's offices are located ;) and the coolest thing is they give tours! We enjoyed seeing where the people work to support AOPA members. Lunch was Black Hog BBQ & Bar, and it was unexpectedly delicious! 

We had a nice trip, and I got to see a lot of new-to-me places! It is kind of unreal to think that we have been married for one whole YEAR. It seems like last week and like ten years at the same time. I am thankful for the chance to get away and celebrate! 

thankful Thursday: my LuLaRoe business

I usually look "hard" for my LuLaRoe photos, but once in a while, you can see a smile creep up in those moments when I realize that playing dress up is my JOB. I am so thankful for 

the opportunity to own a business. Not everyone can start something like this. My family and friends have been incredibly supportive by shopping with me, assisting me with all kinds of tasks, and offering words of encouragement. 

I never, ever thought I would be working from home. I have a master's degree, and I had a great career in that field before I moved to Georgia. My life has taken a different path, and I am so thankful that I discovered LuLaRoe and considered starting my own mobile boutique. 

Working whenever I want to, wherever I want to is perfect for our crazy life. I can go and do anywhere, anytime with my husband. I can book pop-ups and do online sales when Zack is at work; I can visit family in North Carolina while doing pop-ups for people there; I can take off two weeks to travel with Zack if I'd like to. Not only is my schedule 100% flexible, but when I do work, I LOVE what I do! 

I was absolutely a LuLaRoe addict before I became a consultant. These clothes are amazing! I looked professional and felt comfortable in my Irma tunics and maxi skirts, and I could easily play on the floor with my students. Now, I wear maxi skirts, Amelia dresses, and Cassie skirts to church, Cassies and Julias on dates, Cassies and classics, Julias, or leggings and Irmas for running errands. Can you tell that my favorite is the Cassie skirt?! I discovered LuLaRoe at the perfect time in my career and personal life. I had been dressing up way more than my coworkers, but I still had a desire to look professional and needed to be a bit more comfortable. I felt like the play clothes in my closet were starting to look kind of young for me, and I was about to make the transition from single twenty-something to stay at home wife pushing thirty (who knew?! not me). 

Now, I get to meet new people in my (still kind of) new city and share awesome clothes with them. I get to style outfits for people!!! I get to reconnect with acquaintances online and in person and help them find clothes they love. I am so thankful for this opportunity! 

Now, for the photos. This is a sampling of what I post every day--these particular photos show how I have integrated my Hand Me Down Style with LuLaRoe items. Of course, I have my own unique spin on styling LLR! 

I get this from my mom! We have so much fun together when I do pop-ups in North Carolina and she gets to tag along. I wish I had her helping me all the time!! 

Follow along with my daily styling posts on Instagram @lularoe.kathrynschmidt and on Facebook via my page LuLaRoe Kathryn Schmidt and my shopping group (where I usually post a little more in-depth about each day's outfit and also post items like these for sale during flash shopping opportunities once-twice per month). 

Contact me to have my mobile boutique come to your house! lularoe.kathrynschmidt@gmail.com

I continue to post all kinds of snaps of my life on my personal Instagram @kathrynschmidt! 

oversized Julia + Sarah

The Julia dress is one of my favorite LuLaRoe pieces. When I saw this print, I immediately had to have it! Since it is two sizes larger than what I normally wear in that style, I added a belt and a Sarah cardigan. I love how it turned out! 

LuLaRoe Julia dress // LuLaRoe Sarah cardigan // HMD belt // Jack Rogers Palm Beach Sandal

I got even more daring this time and went up three sizes in this Julia dress. It's so comfortable that I may be reaching for this size all spring and summer! When it heats up, I'll ditch the extra layer and roll the sleeves. 

LuLaRoe Julia dress // LuLaRoe Sarah cardigan // HMD scarf // Jack Rogers Palm Beach Sandal

For more of my LuLaRoe outfits, follow me on Instagram @lularoe.kathrynschmidt! 

To snag some LuLaRoe clothes for yourself, host a pop-up in the Raleigh, NC area or northeast GA or shop online with me!