Location: Paint Mines, Colorado
Outfit Details: Tribal Oversized Top || AEO Denim Rolled Boy Midi Short || Sofia Chaco Sandles (c/o) || Bending Feather Necklace (c/o) || Gold Wisp Earrings (c/o) || Gold Wisp Skinny (c/o) || Docey Skinny (c/o)
Today I turn twenty eight. It’s the age when I can no longer say that I am in my mid twenties – I’ve officially entered into my late twenties. I’m mostly okay with that besides the fact that I have no idea how I got here 😉 But for real, I am honestly kind of surprised – like how have so many years past that would make me a twenty eight year old? HAHA! #thingsIthinkabout
This birthday represents so much. It is the year that I am diving into blogging full time (I keep telling people that I quit my job for my birthday 😉 ) It marks two years since I got a used DSLR (my first one!) for my birthday which started a whole new world of blogging, learning, and growing. And it ultimately holds so much opportunity – who knows what this space will continue molding into this next year?! It’s also will be our 4 year anniversary and there is no one else I would rather jump into the unknown with than my Bruce man – he is a huge reason this place even exists!
I started a tradition of doing a photo shoot for my birthday a couple years ago. I was inspired by some of my favorite bloggers who made a point to document memories like this. I kinda love that I started it because I can look back on the years and see how I’ve grown & aged physically but also in my photography style! You can see when I turned 26 which was pre DSLR. I was so proud of these photos and excited that we made time to get them (thank goodness I’ve grown since then however!!) It started sparking the love for photography & style posts here on Oak + Oats. Last year turning 27 was a much better improvement on picture quality and reflected the excitement of a year of growth in this place. I also look at these pictures and remember the rainy, rainy May we had last year – it was so not like Colorado and everything was SO green! This year I am breaking my dress streak with a tribal top from Old Navy & distressed shorts. I am super into comfy tops & shorts these days so it is a great representation of this year! I’m also taking bigger risks with creating images I want and learning to edit. They may not be perfect, but I’m really digging them! haha. I feel like I am finally starting to figure some things out! lol.
Looking back on 27 I see how faithful the Lord was. He continued to provide in fresh ways – through relationships & friendships. My best friend moved here (YAY MEGS!) and we went on some fun adventures (like our first ever girl’s trip, fat biking in the mountains, and even flying out to hold my best friend & her little baby!!) This year we are already planning some fun vacations & adventures because our basement is finally finished and we won’t have to be trapped at home! But mostly I’m just so thankful for a year of growth leading up to this month where I will be transitioning into being a full time blogger. I never would have imagined this last year and that kinda blows my mind!
Thanks so much for being a part of it all and celebrating birthdays & milestones with me overtime. It has been such a blessing to have a community like you and I’m so thankful for your love and support!!
If you were hoping to send me a birthday gift (you are seriously way too kind! ) and you are trying to figure out just what I would like for my birthday —> I want to point you to my Walk for Life fundraising page! Anything you give will change lives AND it is a birthday gift that gets to be tax deductible!!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY, FRIEND! Whoop, whoop 28! You are a beauty and such a bright light in this blogging world. Enjoy this day celebrating YOU! P.S. This week is the best week to have a birthday!
Happy birthday! I love the tradition of taking birthday pictures! The setting for these is seriously epic.
Thanks so much! We kind of unintentionally started it but now I’m hooked!
Happy Birthday!!
Happy Birthday! Gorgeous photos. I turned 28 this year too. Goodbye mid twenties.
Happy birthday, Beth Joy. You are a gem.
Welcome to the 28 club! 🙂 I seriously don’t know where those years go throughout your 20s, either–but it is a wild ride, isn’t it?? 😉 I’m also closing in on a similar wedding anniversary (it’ll be our 5th), so I know how crazy it is to have all these milestones coming up. Have a wonderful, wonderful day and I pray that the Lord richly blesses you and your loved ones this year!
I agree with Rachel! The setting is epic. Happy birthday! I’m turning 30 this year. How?????
Thanks so much! IT is a beautiful place here in Colorado!!! And I know right!?!? time flies!
Happy birthday!!!! Birthday photo shoots sound like such a fun idea. I had read each birthday post as you published them, but I didn’t make the connection to it being a birthday photo shoot til now! Haha. You’re so beautiful and I think this shoot location is my fave so far! 🙂
Thanks so much!! hahah. I know! We planned a fun hike here so we could get some fun photos!!
First of all, HAPPY BIRTHDAY! Second of all, I love these photos. You’re so pretty 🙂 I really want to take a trip with Mark out to Colorado. It looks so beautiful!
Thanks so much Natalie!!! You and Mark would love it out here!!
Happy birthday! Hope you had a fantastic day!!
Thank you so much!!!!
Happy 28! I love the idea of doing a photoshoot to document each birthday. Birthdays can be so special and fun.
Happy Birthday Elizabeth (a few days late)! It’s amazing to see how far your photography has come in the past two years — you should be so proud! It’s hard to learn all that in such a short time.
I’ll be 29 in August — getting scared of the fact that 30 will only be mere months away soon…
Xoxo,
Ashley || Sed Bona
Happy belated birthday, Elizabeth! You just radiate joy, and I’m happy to see all your blogging endeavors grow! I turn 30 this year (also don’t know how I got here haha) and I think there might be a big leap for me too! Oh and those Chacos look so cute, are they as comfy as the regular ones?!
Happy Birthday! Beautiful photos and such a great idea!
Thank you so much! I am still learning how to edit but I think I am slowly getting there! haha!
HAPPY (late) BIRTHDAY BETH!!
27 is such a fun year, and i’m so excited to see what the Lord unfolds for you in 28 and this new adventure you’re embarking on!
Also, i LOVE LOVE LOVE these pictures! seriously, this location, gah, it’s just stunning.
YAYYYYYYY Thanks! Also thanks! Just panicking about editing but I’ll get there 😉