Barbour Navy Beadnell-12

Thank you for outfitting us, Barbour!

I’m wearing: Barbour Jacket in Navy (Also available here. Make sure to grab the hood, too. Btw, this is my absolute favorite navy Barbour for the colder months, in case you’re looking ahead! And here’s an affordable navy version. This one, too!) and T-shirt c/o Barbour / Paige Jeans (Maternity version here) / Tommy Bahama Sandals (And love all the similar options from Madewell! Specifically these and these!) / Similar Sunglasses

Jess is wearing: Barbour Jacket (In navy here. I also love this one!) and Long-sleeved Tee c/o Barbour / Keds / Similar jeans here and here / Ray-Bans (Jess also loves these!)

Yesterday, Jess and I were featured on Barbour’s blog, which was definitely a “pinch me” moment. I’ve been a Barbour fan since I was young, and never in a million years did I ever think that one day, I’d get to work with the company in this capacity. :) Be sure to read the blog post here!

Sometimes, don’t you just wish you could go back and give your former self a glimpse of the future? I think about this all the time. Like, what if I went back and said to my 24-year-old self, miserable in the South Bronx, “See that cute sixth grade math teacher walking down the hallway? Yeah. One day, you’re going to marry him and have a family with him and be so happy.” Surely I would’ve passed out from shock.

A little different than working with a brand, yes. But you know what I’m trying to say. ;)

Similarly, wouldn’t I loved to have known, just two years ago as I was packing my bags for Chicago, that I’d soon have this absolutely amazing best friend I couldn’t live without? (Former Self totally thought she’d missed the prime “friend-making” time and was destined to a life of loneliness in the Windy City.) And oh my goodness. How wonderful to have photos together from such magical, monumental times in our lives: Jess recently engaged, and me about to have a baby.

Listen. I know I’m all hormonal right now, but I can’t tell you how much I love Jess. I’m actually just realizing that while I talk about her on the blog all the time, I’ve never really explained how special she is to me. And since Mitch and Neal refer to these photos as our “engagement pics,” haha, this is probably the perfect opportunity to do just that!

In all seriousness, though: I’m so lucky to have Jess. It’s hard to believe that we’ve only been friends for two years, as it truly seems like we’ve been “together” forever. ;) I’m not exaggerating when I say that she is a HUGE part of the reason I’m so happy in Chicago. Jess totally took me under her wing when I first moved here, and introduced me to so many people and brought me to a ton of events. We got together regularly to shoot blog photos while our significant others were at work, and became friends extremely quickly. Today, we’re inseparable, and I’m pretty sure we can’t go a day without seeing or talking to each other. (Thank goodness for iMessages, less I would have been kicked off the Family Plan a LONG time ago.) Which is why it only makes sense that we have these adorable “engagement photos,” right?!

Jess is one of the most caring and thoughtful people you’ll ever meet. She’s constantly doing these amazingly sweet things for me because that’s just who she is. She’s also someone who loves life. The girl is always smiling, always excited about whatever it is she’s passionately working on, and always putting 110 percent into what she does. (It’s pretty inspiring being around her all the time.) She’s also ridiculously fun and has me in stitches on the reg. (The next time you’re in Chicago, make “Go out with Jess” a priority on your list of things to do, hehe.) She’s there for me during the hard times and the good, and I can tell her anything and everything. Which I do way too often. Sorry, Jess!

It goes without saying that I’m so happy we’re able to share such exciting times of our lives with each other. We’ve had such a blast planning the wedding and planning for Baby. It’s like I finally have that sister I’ve always wanted! And, oh! How could I forget how meaningful it is that the four of us–Jess and Neal, and Mitch and I–have become so close? Mitch and I feel beyond lucky to have Jess and Neal. So many fun (and hilarious) times. I kind of wish the boys were in a few of these photos. ;)

Anyway, below are a few of my faves from our photoshoot with Barbour. Barbour, it was such an honor to be featured on your blog, and Jess, I love you. :) I can’t wait for what this year has in store for us, and eeeeee! Congratulations! I can think of no one else who deserves the love that you and Neal have. I’m so, so happy for you guys.

Happy Friday, All!

Do you have a best friend you couldn’t live without? I’d love to hear about her! (Or him!)

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Thank you for outfitting us, Barbour!

I’m wearing: Barbour Jacket in Navy (Also available here. Make sure to grab the hood, too. Btw, this is my absolute favorite navy Barbour for the colder months, in case you’re looking ahead! And here’s an affordable navy version. This one, too!) and T-shirt c/o Barbour / Paige Jeans (Maternity version here) / Tommy Bahama Sandals (And love all the similar options from Madewell! Specifically these and these!) / Similar Sunglasses

Jess is wearing: Barbour Jacket (In navy here. I also love this one!) and Long-sleeved Tee c/o Barbour / Keds / Similar jeans here and here / Ray-Bans (Jess also loves these!)

Photos by Julie Kennedy