This past week my husband Dylan and I took a mini vacation to celebrate our first year of marriage. With everything going on currently, we decided to be safe and go somewhere close by that we knew would still be fun and relaxing. So, we drove up to one of our favorite lakeside towns in Michigan called South Haven.

While we typically visit in the summer, I’d always wanted to check out the area in the fall. While it may have been a tad chilly, it was still so beautiful! Another positive note is that with the prime-time vacation season gone, the beaches were almost empty. It was so nice to be able to get up early each day and take a walk to the pier or have coffee on the beach. However, you will need to be sure to really bundle up if you go by the water. As it is about 15 degrees or so cooler if there is a breeze.

My usual favorite spots have always been the piers, lighthouse, and local beaches. However, there are also many shops and restaurants to peruse and snack at as well. If you are into hiking, there is also a state park just down the road as well. Then if you continue up north, you can hit up a number of other super cute towns by the lake. Some of my other favorites include, Holland, Grand Haven, Silver Lake, and so many others.

One new thing I noticed and greatly appreciated in the town and those surrounding, was that the restaurants have started carrying way more allergy friendly items. Those who know me personally know I can have a hard time finding something on a regular menu that is both gluten and dairy free. While on our trip we stopped for lunch at a place called Schu’s that had a truly amazing GF turkey burger. I’m used to getting dull lifeless bread on my sandwich when I ask for GF, but they actually had a real bun. You definitely learn to get excited about the little things when you have any dietary restrictions.

Hopefully next year things will be a bit more normal, and we can check somewhere new off of our list. But we still had a great time in one of our favorite southwest Michigan cities! Where is your favorite place to travel in the fall? Let me know in the comments below!

We recently got our wedding photos back and I am absolutely in love with them! Our best day was captured so beautifully. If you get married in east Tennesee (we got married in Gatlinburg) 2 Hodges Photography was amazing to work with. Such a sweet couple and great at what they do. They made us feel so at ease even though neither of us had ever had professional pictures taken before.

Our wedding took place at Spence Cabin, which is a historical cabin that had been redone to host events in the Elkmont area. Kind of a weird fact but one street over from our venue was a modern-day ghost town with all kinds of strange but cool old cabins. A few others looked to be currently getting renovated.

The cabin itself was pink and nestled in the woods along the Little River. There was a cozy fireplace inside and a quaint porch overlooking the water in the back. While we originally wanted to get married by the river it was cold and rainy on the day of (October 20th). So we made the decision to get married inside the cabin by the fire. It was so dreamy and romantic I can’t help but relive it every time I look at our pictures!

My wedding dress was from a small bridal shop in Indiana (where we’re from) called Rose Gate Bridal. This particular shop was actually the 5th place I looked! I was pretty picky and knew I had to have a blush dress. Once I stepped into their shop the majority of the decor itself was blush, so I had a good feeling. If you are an Indiana bride I’d highly recommend paying them a visit!

As far as the decor goes, almost everything was from Hobby Lobby and the floral arrangements and bouquets were made by my mom and I. I also walked down an aisle lined with white pumpkins. A family friend made us a pumpkin-flavored naked cake. To this day I have dreams about it. It seriously was like fall in a wedding cake!

After it was all said and done, I’m so glad we decided to do something different. We had more of an elopement style wedding with immediate family and our closest friends. My pup and my best friend’s pup were our flower girl and ring bearer as well. Because what’s a wedding without puppies?

The week of the wedding Dylan and I had what I call a mini-moon while we were in the area. We spent a lot of our time hiking and exploring the surrounding towns and relaxing in an adorable cabin. It was seriously the best!

Happy Monday!

XOXO

Jess

Sharing a few of my favorite things that would make great Christmas gifts or stocking stuffers! These are all products that I love and would be excellent for your sister, mama, or girlfriend.

1.) Victoria Emerson Wrap Bracelets: Currently they are having a BOGO sale. These are a great accessory for any outfit and are very high-quality pieces!

2.) LC Snowman Mug: I absolutely love Lauren Conrad’s Line at Kohl’s. Even the coffee mugs are the cutest!

3.) Raw Sugar Gift Set: This brand is truly wonderful and they care about the ingredients that go into their skincare and beauty products. My personal favorite is the lip scrub!

4.) The Bridge Novel: Nothing is better than cozying up on the couch with a seasonal favorite while watching the snow fall! Karen Kingsbury is by far one of my favorite authors.

5.) Cozy Plush Blanket: Who doesn’t love a new ultra soft blanket? I get these every year for family, friends, and myself.

6.) VS PJ Set: Nothing says the holidays like a new set of matching pajamas. Your best friend would love one of the many patterns these sets come in. They are also currently 40% off.

7.) MAC Lip Set: If you have a beauty lover or someone who is wanting to try out new lip shades, this gift set by MAC is a great place to start.

8.) Holiday Candles: This Santa’s Workshop sent smells like fresh baked cookies! Take $10 off of $30 now.

What is your favorite part of the holiday season? Let me know in the comments below!

XOXO

Jess