Simple. Chic + Southern

I'm back!

2012-01-22T17:13:00.000-05:00

I realize I fell off the blogging map in the last couple of months. I even missed all of the holiday posts that I had been looking forward to all year. What can I say, life has been busy!

In addition to owning a new home, work has been quite hectic in the last couple of months. This is considered our rush season from Mid- December until the end of February. I love my job but it has been exhausting for the past month or so!

Our holiday season was wonderful! Truly couldn't have asked for a better way to end 2011!
We hosted Thanksgiving in our new home, and I believe the last time I posted I would do a dining room table reveal. I'll have to get to that in my next blog.

Makes me feel stuffed just looking at the spread

Then along came Christmas.

I always take pictures of new ornaments I got during the year.

And a mere week later, we were ringing in 2012.

he wasn't having a good night, i guess his friends couldn't make it to the party.

So here we are at the end of January, and I'm finally getting a chance to write a quick post. I have a lot of stuff I want to share in the new year. I hope to get a little more personal and share more of a background about myself. I get a little weary about putting that stuff out there but then I would love to have an outlet for the thoughts inside my head.

I wish all of you the best in 2012! Thanks for stopping by and I hope we get to do this again real soon!

A Look Back at Our Halloween

2011-11-07T14:22:00.003-05:00

It's rare that I ever get to sit down at my own computer. I stare at a computer screen most of the day and when I get home, I don't even walk into our "office" room. Nevertheless, my apologies for not posting about Halloween sooner.

I did manage to do a little decorating before Halloween. I'm not big into the spooky stuff but I do love fall decorations. The Saturday before we picked up two small pumpkins at a farmers market which I later used to adorn my bottom step. Then, I put my two Ikea lanterns to good use and filled them with different colored miniature pumpkins which also came from the farmers market.

The scarecrow people were a gift from one of my husband's aunts, so here they are hanging out in my Carolina Rocking Chair. It wasn't much but it was a little something to give our house a fall look.

I also picked up some pansies at Lowe's to go in my baskets on the front porch. The porch was seriously lacking in floral, since the mums I bought when we first moved in died after a month. Hopefully the Pansies will lost longer, at least they're supposed to.

It was a nice little Halloween in the new house... luckily we had mobs of children to take all of that candy off my hands.

Even Cal was kind enough to leave the bunny ears on for a couple of minutes while I snapped some pictures. Okay, we really just distracted him with food. :)

Next up on the blog- Dining Room Reveal...

Fall Decorating

2011-10-26T18:00:00.001-04:00

As Halloween rapidly approaches (where did October go?), I thought I would get into the Fall spirit by figuring out how I'm going to decorate.

No, I haven't done this yet. New home ownership will do that to you, plus working 40+ hours a week. I haven't even bought our pumpkin yet!

I found plenty of inspiration on Pinterest to decorate this fall, and maybe in the next few days I will get to some of this. If not, I'll save it for next year.

2011-09-29T13:15:00.000-04:00

While I haven't been on blogger lately, I have been hanging out over at Pinterest gathering ideas for the new home. I joined the site in early July, and in fact started this initial post July 15th so you can kind of understand that it's been a couple of months since I had actual free time. Anyhow, Pinterest has pretty much been my go-to site ever since. Forget Facebook, this is so much more entertaining for someone like myself that could flip through magazines daily looking at home decorating ideas.
Oh, and if you didn't catch that first sentence...Yes-- we found a home! Bought it and already moved in. Until I get my workspace set up again (which should be soon), I can be found collecting ideas over at Pinterest.

Here are some of my Decor ideas I have been gathering...

Must have Fall Wreath from Etsy shop TwoInspireYou

Master Bedroom Bedding from West Elm & Colors

I love little pops of color

There's plenty more where these came from on my Boards. Go get Pinning!

Update: Finding a Home

2011-08-21T21:57:00.000-04:00

Checking blogger for the first time in a while tonight. I have missed the blogging world, and promise to return soon.

We are in the process of searching for our very first home, leaving very little time for new posts.
The good news is ... I believe we've found our future home!!
More to come once the craziness is over with.

Fave Find Friday: Vintage Collegiate T's at AE

2011-08-05T09:04:00.000-04:00

American Eagle introduced their new Vintage Campus Collection this week and I can't wait to get into a store this weekend to pick up a few T's.

My husband's favorite. Notice the resemblance to my dog in the sidebar.

My best friend bought me a Georgia Bulldogs (my college football team) vintage Tee from Urban Outfitters a few years back, and I have pretty much worn it out. There's nothing I enjoy more than kicking back and watching college football while sporting a soft-tee with my favorite pair of jeans.

Less than a month to college football season :)

Have a good weekend!

Fave Find Friday: Save the Date postcard

2011-07-22T11:52:00.000-04:00

I could spend all day surfing etsy.
Check out these adorable, vintage custom Save the Date postcards in the
LilyGene shop.

Inspiration: Wedding Invites

2011-07-18T21:35:00.000-04:00

This is the style of wedding invitation I really wanted but didn't want to buck tradition too much.
I wish I had.

And this is one of the best wedding invites ever... it really tells the couple's story. I found it on Pinterest last week, originally pinned by Madison McDaniel. As I was reading this, I could almost fill in mine and G's journey especially with our 6 months long-distance and moving all across the country.

Are they crazy?

2011-07-14T15:11:00.000-04:00

I got this email today from J. Crew...

Who is doing their marketing? Seriously. It's mid- July. The last thing I want to think about is a cashmere sweater. In fact it just sounds suffocating to think about when it's 97 degrees outside.

Try back in the fall J.Crew.
Sincerely,
Courtney

Uploaded our wedding photos to facebook...

2011-07-11T21:59:00.001-04:00

I have to multi-task. I just can't sit and watch sappy tv...

...so I'm finally getting around to uploading our wedding photos over a year later. We purchased the DVD to our photos to have access to all of them for our anniversary back in May so technically I've only procrastinated for 2 months. I've also wanted to keep them to myself but I know that we have friends out there who would like to see them also. It's nice to finally share our special day with those people!

When you have over 600 wedding photos, it is quite the task in uploading all of them, tagging everyone and writing captions. This is quite the chore!

Catching Up

2011-07-10T21:40:00.000-04:00

Sorry, no fave find friday this past week and no new blogs. Life has been busy with vacation, work, house hunting and working out. I'm not good at sitting down at my computer after a long day of staring at my computer screen at work.
I'm actually taking some time tonight to finally upload our wedding photos to facebook. It's only taken me a year and two months. I'm sure our friends will be glad to finally see them!
I'm working on some blogs and I hope to get them out to you soon!!
Best,
C

Fave Find Friday: Baseball Tee

2011-07-01T08:00:00.002-04:00

mlb.com (Braves Shop)

I love that women can actually look cute while supporting their favorite team these days. Trust me, it wasn't always like that. I still have big J-Shirts from my teenage years that make better night shirts than they do t-shirts.

Just added this Braves v-neck, vintage-style tee to my wish list!

Discussion: Heart of the Matter

2011-06-28T21:18:00.002-04:00

For those of you that were interested, I finally finished Heart of the Matter by Emily Giffin. Another great read from this talented author.

She never ceases to amaze me! For those of you who have read it, and have also read Something Borrowed... what did you think of the tie in with Dex and Rachel? I definitely had an "awe" moment when I read they had two little girls and were happy in their marriage. As if they were real people.

I loved hearing the two perspectives. I would read two chapters each night, reading one from Tessa's point of view and the other from Valerie. Well, until I got to the end and then I couldn't put it down.

Did anyone else feel like they were on Valerie's side even though she was "the other woman? I guess I just wanted her to find love. It's not like she sought after Nick, it just happened, right? What did you think of Nick? I'd love to hear your opinions.

Fave Find Friday: Bridesmaids Dresses

2011-06-24T08:00:00.002-04:00

J. Crew has some bridesmaids dresses on sale for brides looking,

or bridesmaids that get to pick out their own dresses (lucky)!

More of our Wedding Details : The Dessert Table

2011-06-19T18:29:00.001-04:00

Since my Rehearsal Dinner Groom's Cake blog is one of my most popular, I thought I would share with you our Dessert Table at the wedding.

Initially I thought about having a traditional wedding cake, and then I saw how expensive they were. And of all the fancy looking wedding cakes I had ever tasted, the delicious cakes I grew up on. I wanted my wedding cake to be delicious, not just pretty. I knew just the person to ask. My Aunt Betty is the go-to person for baking cakes in the family whether it be for birthdays or holidays.

She's an extrordinary baker and I wanted to feature her best work. I decided to have a dessert table to include all of her southern classics that we love so much.

I wanted all of her best desserts including my absolute favorite: Red Velvet Cupcakes with Cream Cheese frosting. The ones on the top two rungs have regular cream cheese frosting and the bottom rung have crushed pecans mixed in.

Red Velvet Cupcakes w/ Cream Cheese frosting.
Some had crushed pecans in the cream cheese.

Another southern favorite: poundcake. This one is covered in her homemade chocolate frosting.

Yum... Homemade Traditional Poundcake w/ chocolate icing!

Carrot Cake cupcakes in Gingham cupcake wrappers from Bake it Pretty!

These are also my favorites, it's so hard to choose just one favorite...

Vanilla & Chocolate Cupcakes with festive decorations

We also incorporated some of the traditions and favorites from my husband's side of the family with a Kransakaka cake (a Norwegian tradition) and Buckeyes since he spent his middle and high school years growing up in Columbus, Ohio.

K-Cake made courtesy of the groom's aunt & The Buckeyes made by the groom's brother

There were also cookies and candy on the table. Our dessert table was definitely a group effort to pull it all together. It was one of my favorite things about our special day!

For more on my aunt's cakes, check out her blog: Betty Bakes

Photos Courtesy of Rachel Barker at Millie Holloman Photorgraphy

Fave Find Friday: Beach Hair

2011-06-17T08:00:00.001-04:00

Picked this up last week since I was at the beach for work. I struggle with keeping my hair straight when at the beach and I wanted something that would provide texture and beachy waves.

Bumble and Bumble Surf Spray

I'm still on the fence about this actually being a Fave Find. I'm going to try it again when I have time to sit on the beach and let the wind blow dry my hair. Otherwise, it was not worth the $23.00. I've tried lots of other wave and curl sprays that work better.

Update

2011-06-11T21:05:00.000-04:00

Sorry there was no Fave Find Friday this week. I was out of town on business.
Hoping to have a wedding related blog up this week!

Fave Find Friday: Nude Pumps

2011-06-03T08:00:00.001-04:00

Courtesy of Steve Madden

So I hear Nude Pumps are in style this summer, especially when paired with a colorful dress. My best friend swears by Steve Madden so I think I might give them a try (even though all of my dress shoes are Nine West).

I'm not quite a fan of the platform or bulky toe look like the above. I think these are more my style...

Ultamit

Although with my inability to wear high heels and my narrow heel, this one with the mary jane strap might be just right for me. And they're on sale! Even better!!

Urgency

Fave Find Friday: Outdoor Patio

2011-05-27T09:04:00.000-04:00

Since it's Memorial Day weekend, I thought this outdoor dining set might get us in the mood for a cookout this weekend. I'm not really purchasing it, just dreaming. I don't even have my own home yet.

The Meridian Dining set is currently 40% off at Crate & Barrel.
Just in time for a backyard family cookout! I'm loving the yellow accents!

Spring Flowers

2011-05-26T10:37:00.000-04:00

My stock pile of drafts is now empty that I worked on at the beginning of the month. And since I don't have much time this week to think of anything new to blog about...here's a picture of an arrangement my mom put together in her planter outside of our garage.

Inspiration: Aqua Dining Room

2011-05-22T21:49:00.000-04:00

Never really thought a dining room should have aqua walls, it's definitely more of a bathroom color, but I like it in this dining room. Featured in this month's Family Circle, the designer used sand tones to create a soothing yet stunning dining space. I also love this chandelier which can be found at Home Depot.

Courtesy of Family Circle

While I love this dining room in aqua, I think I will actually be painting the bathroom this color.

Fave Find Friday: Chi Hair Dryer

2011-05-20T08:00:00.001-04:00

I think I'm going to be in the market for a new hair dryer soon.

I would really love to spring for the Chi blow dryer this time.

It's really tempting with this deal at Ulta this week!

Recycle your wedding

2011-05-15T19:48:00.000-04:00

Ruffled, a great wedding resource blog, recently launched Recycle Your Wedding. This is great for a newlywed like myself who still has things sitting around a year later from the wedding (unused candles, vases, and other decor). Instead you can list them on here to make $$ from current brides in need of affordable items for their wedding.

You can also list a used/unused wedding dress. Before the wedding I thought reselling my dress after the wedding would be easy. Now that I've worn it, the dress just has so much more meaning and I've really been thinking of keeping it. As every bride should, I loved my wedding dress! I'm not sure if I can part with it.

Any other newlyweds out there sold their dresses or have you kept it around for sentimental value? Anyone used Ruffled yet? Or found it beneficial when planning your wedding?

Fave Find Friday: Havana Clutch

2011-05-14T20:54:00.000-04:00

Havana Clutch from J. Crew

Since blogger was down yesterday, here's a late Fave Find Friday.

Also available in black. I'm picturing this with a maxi dress down by the beach. What do you think?

A baby shower for Tornado Victims

2011-05-11T15:58:00.000-04:00

My creative friend Callie at Wannabe Athlete came up with this amazing idea to create an online baby shower using Amazon.com to help those affected by the tornadoes in Alabama.

I was looking for a way to help that would make a direct impact. I know Red Cross does wonderful things but I wanted to do something more than a $10 text. I wanted my money to go directly to putting clothes on someone's back or feeding someone. The Blogger Baby Shower gave me the opportunity to do just that!

The Baby Shower has been up and running since Monday, and the support has been astonishing. Check out an update she wrote today regarding the support: Humbled.
Oh, and there's also an incentive if you contribute by Friday! :)

Spring Handbag

2011-05-09T20:59:00.000-04:00

From Lalunedesigns shop on etsy, click picture for more

I'm still searching for this year's spring/summer tote. I like to carry an inexpensive, cloth material, lightweight, over-the-shoulder handbag in the summer. I want something floral or beachy. I like something that I'm not going to care if it gets dirty.

Meet last year's Gap bag...

2010 Summer Gap Bag

Check out the stains at the bottom; I definitely got my money's worth. For being a simple bag I still managed to get lots of compliments on it.
Let me know if you have suggestions for me.

Happy Anniversary to us!

2011-05-08T13:15:00.000-04:00

Along with being Mother's Day (Happy Mother's Day, Mom!), it's also our first anniversary!

I love you, honey!

Fave Find Friday

2011-05-06T08:00:00.003-04:00

Welcome to Fave Find Friday, a new section I decided to add to the blog!
Inspired by the loads of email I get from all of my favorite stores such as JCrew, Sephora, Pottery Barn, etc). My email box is bombarded daily with temptations, calling my name to spend money. Luckily, the good Lord gave me self-control!

I thought if I blogged about them, and shared with you my sense of style, then the temptation might go away. Unless I really like it, of course! Typically, I will post a fashion item or beauty product... pretty much anything I find during the week that I want to share.

Without further ado, the first ever Fave Find is...

Denim Western Shirt from J. Crew

In true, southern fashion- every girl must have a button-up denim shirt. I have not owned one for quite some time and I'm glad they're making a comeback. As a child I remember quite a few outfits throughout the years including denim shirts. I love the versatility of this one, being able to roll up the sleeves and even putting it with a dress/skirt.
I have been looking for one to put with a dress that I own. I actually didn't know the two would go together until I saw a bride on "Say Yes to the Dress" where my exact same dress and layered it up with a denim shirt and scarf. It looked super cute so I'm going this week to try it on :)

Any other southern girls out there with a denim shirt in their closet?

Inspiration: fresh flowers

2011-05-05T16:10:00.000-04:00

I love having fresh flowers in the house and recently I have been plucking a few from the garden to livin' up the place! Check out this gerbera daisy on the nightstand...

Vase from Crate & Barrel

Kinda goes with my bouquet of daisies I held in my hands almost a year ago on my wedding day!

Spring Bridal Shower Inspiration

2011-05-03T20:41:00.000-04:00

These are from my own bridal shower last year. While my mother, maid of honor and good friend planned the shower; I had a little bit of input when picking out the invitations, choosing the colors and flowers. I knew I wanted to use tulips, and I love violet and lime green together. I wanted to do something different than my wedding colors and to better fit a March bridal shower.

I created the below flowers with my grandmother which is a memory I will always cherish. We created three of these to sit around for decoration.

Tulips & Limes

Arrangement on the food table

These might be a great DIY arrangement for Mother's Day.

Lemons and gerbera daisies also look great together!

Francesca's Baby Bumps

2011-05-01T16:05:00.001-04:00

I am at the age where it seems everyone around me is pregnant, or just had a baby. In fact, one of my best friends is pregnant, very pregnant actually-- she's due June 7th. I could not be more thrilled for them! I am just not ready for my own so this blog is inspired by all of the pregnant ladies around me. I have no intentions of getting pregnant for a while. When I do get pregnant someday (and no that's not a hint or anything), I would love to wear some outfits from Francesca's chic Baby Bumps line!

Any pregnant women or new moms out there have suggestions on chic maternity clothes they really love?

Heart of the Matter

2011-04-27T21:34:00.000-04:00

I waited, and waited, and finally ... it came out in paperback!
I'm weird, I prefer paperback over hardback any day.

Heart of the Matter came out last year but I decided to wait until it came out in paperback to read it. I have read all of the other Emily Giffen books in order they came out. I fell in love with Something Borrowed which in my opinion is still her best book. After I read the book in 2008 they announced Hilary Swank purchased the rights to produce the movie but it would be 2011 before the movie would come out. And now we're only about a week away from the premiere of Something Borrowed!!

If anyone has read or wants to read Heart of the Matter with me, I thought about doing the Reading Guide and blogging about it to have sort of a book club style discussion. Let me know if you're in!

Happy Reading!!

Spring Cleaning- Attic Style

2011-04-26T21:19:00.000-04:00

I was given quite the spring cleaning challenge this year! Cleaning out the attic of an entire family. Luckily my own family, or that would have be an impossible challenge. That means 30+ years of marriage (my parents) and two grown children's (my brother & I) worth of boxes, and all of the sentimental kiche that comes with. My parents are always complaining that I have so much stuff in their attic, and well, I admit-I do. But I also found out they have a lot more.

I'm preparing for a garage sale in a few weeks and I wanted to dig out all of those items to sale. I'm also throwing out loads of stuff in the process that we don't need, and sending some of it to goodwill.

Tip #1- Put any old clothing in a garbage bag and get rid of it! Unless you have recent or expensive, quality clothing- it's best to bag it up for Goodwill. It's difficult to sale all of your unwanted clothes at a garage sale. If I do, I put them in a box and say anything in the box, $1 each. Try to think of anyone or any other charities that could use those bags of clothing. It may make you feel better that someone will be given these items instead of having to purchase them from Goodwill.

Before Shot

I can't show you an actual panorama shot but you get the idea. Just imagine stuff piled up with absolutely no pathway. Do you see all of my mother's Christmas stuff? It's out of control and taking up at least 50% of the attic space. Also my dad has a bad habit of putting stuff right at the door and not organizing it. Gosh, I hope my organizing doesn't come undone within months.

Tip #2- Create a path if one doesn't exist. I literally had to start sorting and throwing out as I entered. We have some hard to get to space that wasn't being used and I began clearing a path to it. I pulled out anything blocking the way and began using this space for anything we wouldn't touch for a while.

Garage Sale area

On one side in a small area I began clearing out a space for what would be my "garage sale only" side. (Somehow one of my brother's racing trophys got stuck over there for the picture.) Luckily most of it could stay put. This now provides me a space to put these items as I move along through the rest of the madness. I came across a lot of "keepsakes" which then created a whole other section called "keepsakes" (duh).

I tackled one section at a time, slowly moving along the wall... clearing out and organizing. Going through the items is the tough part. When you haven't seen something for a while, it's easy to sit and reminise. That's the great thing about the "keepsake" section. I can move it there and go through it another day.

It took several weekends but I finally got it finished this past weekend, just in time for the May garage sales I have planned with my aunt. With our attic, it's not protected from the heat/cold so working in the attic only happened when the weather was between 50 and 70 degrees. This is really the only comfortable times to be in there so that's why I couldn't work in it every weekend.

Once all was said in done, I had a large area for garage sale to the left of the door, a clear area in front of the door, keepsakes on the back wall, and christmas stuff to the right. I have temporarily placed my belongings that will move out with me and my husband (hopefully, soon) in front of the Christmas stuff in an easy to get to location.

It may not be the cleanest attic but it is now organized!

The end of an era

2011-04-24T22:11:00.000-04:00

ABC recently announced the cancellation of two of their three legendary soap operas: All My Children (AMC) & One Life to Live (OLTL). AMC will go off the air in September, and OLTL in January. While I no longer keep up with these two shows, I did grow up watching them and I'm sad to see them go. I'm not a big fan of change especially when it comes to pieces of my childhood.

I have been watching soaps since I could sit in front of a TV. Back then we only had basic television (in fact most people did) so once Sesame Street and Reading Rainbow were off, there really wasn't much for children to watch during the day. Don't judge my stay at home mother because I'm actually glad for the exposure at a young age. It made me a lot wiser to things going on in the world. Looking back at old episodes I never really understood the entire context of the adult conversations. I was still quite sheltered.

Despite the over dramatic acting, there is a rich history in these shows that should be valued. There are actors who have devoted their entire lives and careers to being on one show such as Susan Lucci, "Erica Cane." And if you're a soap opera fan, you absolutely hate when your favorites are "killed off" or "leave town" because of contracts or other opportunities that come their way in real life. So when actors devote their career to one soap, we love it! Soap fans are faithful despite bad story lines and awful actors that sometimes sweep through town. If only ABC had been loyal to us.

Like I said though, I haven't kept up with these two in quite a few years, mainly to poor writing. I, however, am solely devoted to General Hospital (GH). And when I say devoted, I mean every day I spend 40 minutes (thank you DVR) unwinding to GH. I have no idea what I would do if it came to an end. I have watched this show most of my life. I grew up with Kimberly McCollough "Robin Scorpio-Drake." I remember her when she first came on the show. I remember the day Luke and Laura came cruising back in town in the Pink Cadillac like it was yesterday (1993). I fell in love with the show during the Sonny, Brenda and Jax love triangle days. And I've been watching daily since. I would sincerely hate to see this show be cancelled for inexpensive talkshows and I hope ABC realizes the rich history of this show before it's too late. According to reports now, they do and they believe the writing and viewership are in a good place. Let's keep it that way GH fans!

I'd love to hear some feedback if you are a soap fan, GH fan or have a devotion to a show for 20+ years!

Happy Easter!

2011-04-24T11:23:00.000-04:00

Wishing ya'll a Happy Easter!

Courtesy of thegogreenblog.com

My Carolina Grocery List - Part 2

2011-04-12T20:51:00.004-04:00

It's great being back in NC and being able to shop at my local Harris Teeter store!
Here are a few more of my favorite foods I'm enjoying since being back home. Check out Part 1 if you missed my post back in January.

Five Alive is really not a Southern product, it actually originated in Canada but for some reason it's always been successful in the southeast. It is bottled by Coca-Cola (headquartered in Atlanta) which might be why it can be found in the southeast. I was able to find it in the canned version around the country at Wal-mart but it's not quite the same. I first remember seeing Five Alive in my grandparents vintage green refrigerator and can recall my granddaddy pouring a glass for me. Not long after our family also started drinking it as our "orange juice" every morning. Quite honestly, now that I've become a lot more health conscious... Five Alive isn't that good for you. Five Alive is a tasty blend of citrus flavors, and is smooth unlike orange juice but it's not real fruit. You can't get a full serving of fruit by drinking a glass like you can Tropicana orange juice; nonethless, it is delicious! And in true southern fashion -- what tastes good isn't always good for you.

Five Alive

Two words: Merita Bread. Need I say more fellow southerners? Can you find a softer, fresher, better tasting white bread than this one? Again, white bread isn't the best thing for you but in my opinion, this is the best! They also make a good wheat bread. Since I've been away and couldn't get my hands on Merita, I actually converted to Sara Lee whole grain white. For me I am still able to get the fiber but the taste of white bread. I also eat more wheat bread now though. For the most part I don't eat white breads anymore and have moved on to whole grains/wheat.

Mertia Bread

Carolina Treet is one of those items I used to bring back with me after a trip home. I'm glad I don't have to go far to get this great marinade. I have always used this on grilled chicken as a marinade. My husband has become a fan also. Even though it says BBQ sauce, don't expect a sweet bbq sauce. It's a tangy kind of sauce that gives the chicken a little kick but not spicy.

Carolina Treet

Do you have any of these in your kitchen? Any more southern favorites out there?

Safe Haven

2011-04-03T22:20:00.000-04:00

A few weeks ago I finished the latest Nicholas Sparks book Safe Haven. It was probably the most suspenseful Sparks book I've ever read. Like all of his books they are slow to start but once you start nearing the end, you can't turn the page fast enough.

Before it was ever released Safe Haven had a movie deal in place. As I was reading I thought to myself this is going to make a really great movie so I'm absolutely thrilled about this. I can't wait to see who will play Katie and Alex. If you read the book, do you have anyone in mind?

I'm already looking forward to the next book coming out this fall: The Best of Me.

Happy Spring!

2011-03-20T08:00:00.003-04:00

Courtesy of Pottery Barn

Happy 1st day of Spring! I love this time of year, minus the allergies of course. The trees are already starting to bloom. Luckily it's felt like spring since February...thank you God for blessing the South. Nonetheless, it's still nice to officially say goodbye to winter. Hope everyone has a beautiful week!

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

2011-03-17T08:00:00.001-04:00

Don't forget to wear your green today :)

Groupon

2011-03-13T17:55:00.000-04:00

On Saturday I had my first massage ever thanks to Groupon! A massage is not something I would normally spend my money on but when I was able to get an hour, full-body massage for $39.00...I couldn't pass it up!

When my husband and I went to Hawaii, I researched places to get a massage all over the island and it was going to end up costing us between $200-$300. We figured being in Hawaii was relaxing enough so I decided I would look for deals when I got home.
My co-worker recommended a spa day so we looked daily for offers until we found the right one. It turned out to be a wonderful experience! And the best part is I didn't walk away feeling like I spent a ton of money.

If you haven't checked out Groupon yet, I recommend signing up! They have awesome deals daily.

Foundation

2011-03-08T22:13:00.001-05:00

Choosing the right makeup foundation can be tricky. Recently I've been having trouble in this department. Since I was a teenager I used Clinique, and never thought twice about trying anything else. I have worn every line of foundation that they have at some point or another.

Up until last year when I discovered the coverage and smoothness of Christian Dior's Nude foundation. At about $50 a bottle it's a bit of a splurge but worth it! You only need a small amount (1 pump) to cover the entire face and it lasts for a long time. I still had some left in that bottle that I broke and I believe it was purchased back in late summer or early fall of last year.

I had some concerns that it was causing breakouts though. By the end of the day, my face would have a shine to it from the oils so I was on the lookout for something new. When I dropped the glass bottle on the tile floor one morning, I was forced to go shopping that night. I also thought to myself, there goes about $10 worth of makeup.

That day in my email I received the daily bulletin from ivillage.com featuring Giuliana Rancic's beauty secrets. I think she's absolutely beautiful so I took heed to her advice. One of her suggestions was Smashbox's High Definition.

I purchased a little kit at Sephora for almost the same price as the foundation alone which includes: photofinish primer, concealer, a loose powder and the foundation. So I'm getting to dry all of their products which is great! While it doesn't cover as well as I would like, my skin is definitely not oily at the end of the day. Here's a little excerpt from their website that talks about the benefits:

Our revolutionary HIGH DEFINITION HEALTHY FX FOUNDATION SPF 15 is an oil-free, weightless formula packed with anti-aging, revitalizing, and firming ingredients that work overtime to provide cellular nutrition for skin. UVA/UVB SPF 15 offers sun protection, vitamin C fights free radicals, and new cell-energizing Ribose renews the appearance of skin. Our unique, patented bio-delivery system gives you time-released moisturization and firming benefits that last all day. Skin is refreshed and revitalized for a flawless future. Best of Sephora Award Nominee for Best Foundation.

I'm still going to be on the lookout for another foundation to try once I'm finished with this one but it's definitely a good one to try. My face is clearing up so it may be something I stick with.

I would love to hear about what you wear and why you love it or hate it!

Update

2011-03-06T22:30:00.001-05:00

Dear Life,
You can seriously slow down a little!
Sincerely,
Courtney

Wow, I can't believe it's been an entire month since my last post! Time just got away from me in February. I also don't spend nearly as much time in front of the computer as I used to, and if I do... it's usually to pay bills or check e-mail. I promise there will be more posts in March though!

One good thing- we are officially moved out of Pittsburgh! And, I didn't have to lift a finger. I have a wonderful husband and father who took a few days last week to drive up, pack, load everything, and drive back down.
I am so grateful for them and all of the wonderful things happening in our lives right now!

Will update again soon!

Super Bowl Commercials

2011-02-07T20:26:00.000-05:00

Kudos to the people behind this year's commercials! Here are a few of my favs...

Who would have thought one of the best commercials would have come from the NFL itself? For this TV junkie, it takes the cake!

The Detroit/Chrysler/Eminem commercial is also right there at the top for me:

I definitely got a good laugh at the end of this one!

Okay, one more...

That doesn't look fun...

2011-02-02T21:04:00.000-05:00

Lake Shore Drive- Chicago

Days like today make me very thankful to be out of the snow belt and down south. Happy Groundhog Day! At least he didn't see his shadow. Hoping the north unthaws soon! We still need to move our stuff.

anthropologie home love

2011-01-30T20:59:00.000-05:00

One thing I love in life is decorating. Or at least looking at magazines and feeling inspired to decorate. So when Southern Living Magazine featured the above "blooming filigree mural" from Anthropologie in the February issue, I went to their website to check it out.
Here are some of my other favorites that I thought I would share.

*I heart the bud vases, they are adorable and affordable!

*How festive is that shower curtain? That would cheer me up every morning! Urban Outfitters also has a ruffled shower curtain like this also but in solid colors.

*Anthropologie is currently sold out of the letters except for "I." So disappointing. I'm guessing they will get more in or some variation of them in the future.

*I actually have knobs like these hooks on an antique dresser my mother found at a yard sale. We painted it white and picked out green and pink flower knobs. It is one of the few things I can actually afford in the store. I love their hardware section.

Out of Touch

2011-01-23T21:11:00.000-05:00

Wow, I feel so out of touch with the blogging world. I started a new job last week but my training is about an hour's commute drive each way so needless to say, I've been pretty wiped out by the time I get home. Luckily, the actual job is not far from my home at all!
This is the first time I've sat down at the computer all weekend (Sunday night). I think the last time I was on the computer was Friday afternoon at work but that was work related.
So please forgive me for not keeping up with my blogs lately!!

This was my saving grace one day this week, as the sound on my alarm was turned down and I woke up an hour late. I still made it on time, but I wasn't able to wash my hair. Some days I seriously hate having long hair- it takes forever to wash, comb out and dry. So thank goodness for Dry Shampoo!!

BigSexyHair Volumizing Dry Shampoo

I hope to find some time this week to blog! Until then, I hope everyone has a Happy Monday!

Calhoun

2011-01-13T22:34:00.001-05:00

I haven't really felt like blogging much this week, so instead I thought I would share with you a picture of our adorable, 4-year old Siberian Husky. For now, he's our baby.

Blue Steel

He might have been the only one in the family who enjoyed the snow/ice storm this week. He lives for this kind of weather; in fact, he just lays down and refuses to go back inside after a walk.

Some budget-friendly beauty favorites!

2011-01-08T23:06:00.000-05:00

Anyone else tired of making sacrifices because of this economy? Luckily, some of these little cutbacks have actually been successful for me!

I've never been much of a drugstore kind of buyer when it comes to beauty products. I get my shampoo from salons and facial cleansers and make-up from department stores.

Recently I decided to try a few items to save money and absolutely fell in love with both of these...

Before leaving for Hawaii in October, I picked up this little bottle of Neutrogena Acne Stress Control daily scrub; I have been using it ever since!

Usually I pick this up at Target for $6.99

Yes, I still breakout in my late 20's and it's usually stress or environmentally related. This is a great little formula to help prevent breakouts and quickly get rid of any breakouts if they do occur. The small bottle is great to travel with (this particular size lasted me about 2 months). It received Allure Magazine's Editor's Choice Award in 2007. I kinda wish I had discovered this before now because I had been using Clinique products for almost $20 a bottle and I was still having breakouts.

(I really should get paid for writing this stuff but I don't).

Another great find was the L'Oreal Ever Pure Shampoo. I use the Color Care System because I highlight my hair and the Moisture Shampoo because my hair gets really dry in the cold, winter air. You probably noticed my bottle of Aveda Shampure right next to it. I always have a bottle of this lying around. While Aveda is expensive, Shampure is only $9 a bottle and worth every penny. I love the Shampure because it truly makes your hair feel clean and well, pure. I like to alternate with shampoos so I use both throughout the week.

L'Oreal Ever Pure $6.99 at Target and can
currently be found with a travel-size attached

Has anyone else made successful changes to their beauty products to help keep money in the wallet?

My Carolina Grocery List

2011-01-03T14:35:00.002-05:00

So I initially started writing this post in early December when I was only planning on coming home for Christmas vacation and returning to PA. When circumstances changed those plans, and we decided to make our trip home a permanent one, I no longer had to worry about stocking up on the items I can't get anywhere else but the South (and in some cases North Carolina). Nevertheless, I wanted to share a few of my favorites Southern goodies...

Duke's Mayonnaise
originated in Greenville, SC

I've gotta have Duke's for tuna melt's and my home-grown tomato sandwiches in the summer. I'm not a big mayo user but I can't use anything else.

George's BBQ Sauce
originated in Nashville, NC

I can't eat BBQ without George's. We had catered BBQ sandwiches at our wedding and I provided the George's!

Texas Pete Honey Mustard
courtesy of Winston-Salem, NC

Goes perfect with turkey wraps or chicken tenders! While it does carry the Texas Pete name, it's not spicy. You can usually find Texas Pete hot sauce in the stores; however, their other sauces are difficult to find outside of NC.

Sun Drop Lemon Lime

Cherry Lemon Sun Drop

Last but not least, Sun Drop. The NC based soda was purchased by Dr. Pepper Snapple Group and will go nationwide in 2011. Sun Drop has always been a favorite, I can't go too long without craving the regular Lemon-Lime or a Cherry Lemon Sun Drop. When I first moved away to Oklahoma back in 2006, my grandmother drove up to the Sun Drop plant, purchased and shipped me 12 cases of Cherry Lemon.

Look for more Southern Favorites in 2011!

Resolutions

2011-01-01T17:36:00.001-05:00

Well, hello 2011! I certainly hope you live up to expectations!
As I say goodbye to 2010, I'm reminded that every year has it's ups and downs... it's how we choose to handle those that truly define us. During the downs, I rely on my faith in God and His strength to get me through. The sun will come up tomorrow and I believe you just have to handle things one day at a time. During the ups, I try to enjoy every moment and give thanks for what God has provided. This year I have so much to be thankful for as I married a wonderful, loving man and we were able to take two honeymoons, one of which was my ultimate vacation desitination in Kauai, HI. I just hope we have more ups than downs in 2011.

found on flickr-dryicons.com

Now I'm going to change gears to resolutions. While I never set actual resolutions there are things I hope to work on in the New Year. Like I said in my previous post, I hope to be more eco-friendly in 2011. I think I might write an entirely seperate blog on this one in the future. I also hope to grow closer to God and since I'm finally settling back in NC... I hope to find a church to call home. This is more of a short-term goal, but I need to get rid of the weight I gained during the Holidays. Say no to cookies! But more long term, I hope to exercise on a regular basis. It's so hard for me to stay motivated. Grr!
I have more goals but I'll stop there, we could be here all night. Personally, I'd rather go watch some bowl games. Hope everyone has a wonderful, exciting and blessed 2011!

Ready for 2011

2010-12-30T22:53:00.000-05:00

I picked up my 2011 planner this week at one of my favorite stores- Paper Source! I chose the Curry color--an uplifting, sunny yellow which (I think) brightens my outlook on 2011. I need positive vibes in my life right now even if it's as simple as the color of my planner.

In my previous blog, 2011 Planners, I was considering other options because I'm not too crazy about the boring cover. Once I opened it up, I was pleasantly surprised to find some improvements from last year which made the planner's cover a minor detail.

One of the my favorite features in the 2011 planner- the stickers! There are more than the 2010 and also more variety including stickers for dental, doctor, haircut & nail appointments; a beach chair for vacations; popcorn for going to the movies; and an alarm clock to name a few! I know, I sound 8 years old right now. I don't care. Like it says under my blog title, "it's the simple joys in life that make me smile."

The notes section expanded to "Doodles & Notes," "People & Places: Contact Information" and "Curiosities"which includes four different sub-sections: "websites to visit," "blogs to explore," "restaurants to visit," and "books to read."

The planner is also eco-friendly, made from recycled leather and 100% recycled paper! Half way through 2010 I started making efforts to be more earth-friendly and I want to continue that into the New Year!
See ya in the New Year!

Merry Christmas!

2010-12-25T17:08:00.000-05:00

courtesy of dryicons.com

Wishing you and your family a Merry Christmas! On this Christmas I'm reminded how God can change your life so fast. In one week we have moved home to North Carolina (which I will have to blog about when I have more time), welcomed a nephew (from a distance who was born on Christmas Eve in Pittsburgh), and my sister-in-law got engaged yesterday in Tampa! What an exciting and eventful week! We are thankful for all of the wonderful blessings in our life and looking forward to the New Year! God Bless!

Christmas Classics

2010-12-20T19:29:00.000-05:00

With just five days away from Christmas, I want to know what your favorite Christmas movie is?

My personal favorite

Personally, I love the animated stuff: A Charlie Brown Christmas, Rudolf & Frosty. My mom recorded a tape of the trio back in the 80's so you can imagine that the commercials are almost just as fun to watch. Is it wrong that I don't love the non-animated classics like "It's a Wonderful Life" or "A Christmas Story?"

Giveaway Winner

2010-12-19T19:12:00.000-05:00

And the winner is...

Ex-Tek Girl

Thank you for the comments! I really appreciate the responses.

I may have to try this again when people aren't so busy with the holidays! Special Thanks to Shawnee from TinkersCottage on Etsy for providing such an inspirational giveaway!

Giveaway!

2010-12-17T11:55:00.003-05:00

I apologize for the delay. Okay, here's what you've been waiting on!
If you'll remember from my blog on an Etsy Christmas , one of my favorite items -the Burlap Seashell Shabby Christmas Wreath- came from a shop called tinkerscottage out of Topsail Island, NC. Go check out her shop because there are some really awesome shabby chic items for sale! I love the Family Name sign & the And They Lived Happily Ever After sign, which both make great wedding presents.
She has been gracious enough to donate one of her favorite items, the Pledge Allegiance Colonial Primitive Sign (also available in antique white).

Click to see more

When she told me about this item and her passion for it, it reminded me of my drive home the other day. Something came across the radio about The Pledge of Allegiance and I thought to myself, do I even remember the words? So I tried to remember it in order but I was having trouble, kinda sad, huh? I mean this is something we had to recite everyday in grade school. I should be able to spit it right out without thinking.. I think this sign is a good reminder to display in your home or in a classroom (is that even still allowed?) For me it's a great reminder of our freedom, the flag, and it makes me want to give thanks to those who protect and serve our country whether at home or abroad.

In order to enter the giveaway, I would like you to comment about how you (if given the opportunity) would work to create change or improve the current state of our country. Maybe it's something large scale like an idea to improve the economy or small scale like a hometown project to help the homeless. I want to know what your passionate about? You can keep your response simple like "education" or "a campaign to support our troops." I would love to hear your ideas! Please be respectful of all ideas and beliefs because that is what it truly means to be an American. Any comments discriminating others ideas will be removed and ineligible. Make sure that you do not leave an anonymous comment.

The Details:

A comment is worth 1 entry but I will double your chances if you also become a follower of my blog, or let me know you are already a follower. If you comment and re-post about the giveaway on your blog, it is worth 3 entries! Please share with your friends on facebook and twitter! If I see it, I will double your chances.

A winner will be chosen at random on Sunday night and will be announced on the blog!

I'm looking forward to seeing your comments! Good Luck!!

Giveaway Delayed 1 Day

2010-12-16T20:53:00.000-05:00

Sorry about this folks. I've been in bed with the flu all day and it has been brutal. I'm hoping to have more energy tomorrow and get this giveaway posted. Stay tuned!

Check Back Soon for a Giveaway!

2010-12-15T22:39:00.001-05:00

courtesy of icklebabe.com

On Thursday evening, I will unveil my first giveaway on the blog! Check back tomorrow to enter. A winner will be drawn at random on Sunday. Good Luck!! And Merry Christmas!

Best of the South: Savannah Bee

2010-12-13T20:28:00.000-05:00

I could really use some of this Beeswax Hand Cream by Savannah Bee today! It's snowing and cold... 17 degrees out right now with a windchill in the single digits. Brrr!!!

Beeswax and royal jelly replenish and nourish skin with essential nutrients. We add softening pecan and peach kernel oils, anti-oxidizing blueberry extract, and healing propolis to create Savannah Bee Company Beeswax Hand Cream. Fresh peach-scented with a rich and creamy texture, our long-lasting formula protects and softens hard-working hands with all-natural moisture.

My hands stack dry and cracked throughout the winter. Until I moved to Pittsburgh, the dryness was minimal but now... I'm constantly putting on hand cream.

Anyone have any favorites for surviving the winter? I'm considering this or L'Occitane products.

An Etsy Christmas

2010-12-12T18:18:00.002-05:00

As you may know, I adore Etsy. And this is a great time of year to shop etsy for unique gifts and decorations. Here are a few of my favorites this holiday season. Click on any of the pictures to go directly to the seller's page.

Rusted Tin Snowflake: NestaHome Phoenix, AZ

Mitten Ornament: RedRavenNest
Vineland, NJ

Christmas Apron: LoveDoversClothing: Los Angeles, CA

Burlap Seashell Shabby Christmas Wreath
TinkersCottage- Topsail Island

Love this designer's hand painted signs:
MyFlipFlopz Jupiter FL

16 Days until Christmas!

2010-12-08T18:59:00.003-05:00

I was definitlely ready to get into the Christmas spirit this year! I had everything decorated the day after Thanksgiving! I even had presents wrapped (not shown here) the weekend before. I'm not usually that ahead of schedule but we bought all of our gifts in Hawaii this year.

Here's our homely Christmas tree. Next year we are definitely getting a new one. Every year when I get this out, I love how simple it is to put up but I always forget how Charlie Brown it looks. Since we're not staying here for Christmas, and no one really comes over to visit... we decided one more year won't hurt.

Checkout this Countdown to Christmas Clock!

Designing the Perfect Holiday Card

2010-12-06T21:58:00.006-05:00

While this has been a year where we have had to be very frugal, I still wanted to make room in the budget for a quality Christmas card. Luckily, Shutterfly is making that happen!

I love their expansive Holiday Collection and Christmas Collection with three different layouts to choose from...

Traditional Folded Greeting Cards

Peppermint Christmas Story

Perfect if you have three kids, or a small family like ours- me, the husband and the dog :).

Flat Stationary Cards

Family Wall Red Christmas Card

This is my personal favorite! Just a heads up for those of you on my list, you might be seeing this one again but with our mugs on it. Being a newlywed, I wanted to use my new initial and establish our new family. I think the monogram in the middle will be perfect to do just that! I plan to incorporate some of our wedding pictures, honeymoon pictures and of course, one of Calhoun.

Flat Photo Cards

Starlight Colored Snowflakes

Love those colorful snowflakes!
Flat Photo Cards are the most affordable option, usually under a dollar per card (based on quantity). This particular one ranges from .44 (for 225+cards) to .71 (for 12). You really can't beat that! And it includes envelopes.

Shipping is free for orders of $50 or more on all orders. Promo Code SHIP50

Among these layouts are hundreds of different designs to choose from. Shutterfly has it all! I may also order some address labels for our new family. I love these because they can be used year round.

Retro Chic

Hope this helps those still searching for the perfect card like myself. Now I'm off to design the perfect card for 2010!

Also, don't forget that bloggers get 50 free Holiday Cards. Click here for the form: http://blog.shutterfly.com/5358/holiday2010-blog-submission-form/

Free Shutterfly Christmas Cards to Bloggers

2010-12-06T17:43:00.001-05:00

Look what I found out from Mouth of the South blogger: Shutterfly is giving away 50 free cards for bloggers!! Here's the submission form to sign up! Just in time too, I was about to order my Christmas cards!

My Hawaiian Christmas Ornaments

2010-12-05T19:40:00.001-05:00

While in Hawaii I bought a lot of souvenirs including: playing cards, a magnet, postcards and a 2011 calendar to adorn my cubicle at work. I couldn't help it! I've always been in love with all things Hawaii without ever having gone. My room in college was decorated Hawaiian with a Pottery Barn quilt to boot.

So when I saw these Christmas ornaments on sale at Macy's in Lihue, I couldn't resist!

I love my Island Santa

In 2007 we began collecting an ornament for the tree to represent each year we've been together. I 'm so excited about our 2010 ornament below!

gotta have a surfboard ornament

Flip Flops or "Slippers" in Hawaii

Mele Kalikimaka!

(Merry Christmas in Hawaiian)

Are there any special Christmas ornaments you have hanging on your tree this year?

2011 Planners

2010-12-03T15:43:00.000-05:00

I love a good planner/calendar to keep me organized throughout the year. I can't function without one.

For a while I was using the Kate Spade planner. It had everything I needed from monthly calendars in the front, weekly diary throughout and notepad pages in the back.

My Kate Spade collection 2007-2009

Then in 2010 "Kate" decided to leave out the weekly diary section which is my whole reason for needing a planner! Thanks "Kate" (heavy sarcasm). If you were to open the weekly diary section on any given week in one of my planners, you would see that it is filled with little reminders and to-do lists. I NEED this section. So I had to make a change. Very sad, because these planners are only $20-and are pretty much the only thing at the Kate Spade store that I can afford. (FYI-They still charge $20 without the weekly diary section; notepad pages replaced those).

After a lot of searching (just ask my husband), I found a great planner from papersource.com for $29.95. I love it! This planner has everything the Kate Spade had and more (even stickers in the back). I may choose this one again if I can't find anything else. The only negative is that the cover didn't change for 2011 and the other color options aren't that great. Here's a link to the 2011 to check out the inside.

This is also what my 2010 looks like.

*********************************************************************************

So, I'm keeping my eye out for that perfect planner to get me through another year. I came across these day planners recently at Tiny Prints by Erin Condren.

I thought the below would be cute since I have a new last name this year that I'm still getting used to...

Taffy:Waterfall from $50 each.

... or this cute one that you can have your picture printed on the cover.

Zen Gems: Chocolate from $55 each.

I'll keep my eye out for some other ones since these are on the expensive end. I'll let you know what I find for 2011.

How do you stay organized? Let me know if you see something I might be interested in!

Our Thanksgiving

2010-12-02T19:59:00.001-05:00

My husband and I love Thanksgiving. For some odd reason we love spending all day in the kitchen slaving over a hot stove. Strange, isn't it?
It's kind of become our favorite holiday other than Christmas, of course. It began in 2007, when I moved out to Arizona to live with him. It was our first real meal together and it was my first big attempt at replicating all of the amazing recipes the southern women in my family have concocted over the years. Guess what? It was a total success. I don't know if it was because the expectations were low, but everything tasted amazing that year! So we had to keep it up in 2008. Well, not only did we cook an amazing meal together on Thanksgiving, he proposed the next day. In 2009 we took over my family's kitchen in Charlotte, and this year we spent it in our own in PA cooking for my husband's family. We love spending this time together, cooking the foods we love for the people we love. And more importantly, giving thanks for all of the wonderful blessings in our life.

So I wanted to share a few pics from our little Turkey Day feast...

I started out the night before baking the pecan pies. So bad for you but yet, so yummy!!

my little pecan pie montage

I also baked my sweet potatoes since it doesn't hurt those to sit out overnight. Timing is everything when cooking, so if you can prep the night before, go for it!

ignore the dirty oven

Onto the Big Turkey Day...

Mixing together all of the goodness that goes inside the sweet potato casserole.

the finished product was my favorite dish

Believe it or not, no pictures of the turkey this year but here's some of our side dishes...

broccoli & cheese casserole, with ritz cracker topping

my husband's cheesy baked mashed potatoes

We also had brown rice, green beans, stuffing, jellied cranberries and rolls.

Now I'm ready for Christmas!! Bring it on!

Morning Glory

2010-11-21T12:37:00.000-05:00

While on vacation I took a break from The Last Song (still struggling to pick it up since I've seen the movie now), and picked up the book Morning Glory. This time I was determined to read the book before seeing the movie.

Click to read about the author

I'm sure you've seen the previews by now for the movie currently in theatres featuring Rachel McAdams, Harrison Ford and Diane Keaton. The book is by Diana Peterfreund who I had never heard of prior to reading the book. It's an enjoyable, quick read with very little conflict. Definitely a great book for vacation!

Let me know if you plan to read, have read it or if you've seen the movie!

Home Sweet Home

2010-11-13T20:50:00.000-05:00

The honeymoon is over. And vacation too for that matter. [Insert sad face here]. I think we were ready to make Kauai our new home... if our dog had been on the trip with us, we may not have returned. Of course it was absolutely amazing and as beautiful as I had seen in pictures! It was just unbelievably perfect!

We have been battling jet lag this past week so I'm not up to blogging too much but wanted to share some pics with you! Enjoy!!

Sunset at Poipu Beach

Another beautiful sunset through the palms (I did do some photoshopping but it was beautiful before I did that)

Kilauea Light House- Northernmost point in the Hawaiian Islands

Go Pink!!

2010-10-24T20:23:00.001-04:00

We're probably all aware by now that October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. I told my husband the other day "Susan G. Komen Foundation has it going on! It's everywhere!!" Their marketing is phenomenal and has brought so much awareness to the fight against breast cancer.

Everything goes pink this time of year, I love it! From downtown fountains, the cap on my Yoplait yogurt ( www.yourlidmatters.com ), even NFL players sporting pink shoes, gloves, heck! even the coin for the toss had a Breast Cancer Awareness side to it.

Breast Cancer has affected my life, as well as my husband's. In remembrance of his mother, and in celebration of my grandmother's 10th year of being cancer free, I wanted to write this blog and let you know about some of my favorite items to purchase that support the cause.

My personal favorite which I carry year-round is my Bank of America debit card...
From 2009-2011, Bank of America is guaranteeing a minimum of $1,950,000 and a maximum of $2,700,000 to Susan G. Komen for the Cure^® in conjunction with this program. For each new Susan G. Komen for the Cure branded credit card account opened and activated, Komen receives a minimum of $3 and up to 0.20% of all net retail purchases made with the card. For example, 20 cents for every $100. Komen also receives $1 for each annual renewal of the card.

One of my favorite tennis shoe brands New Balance has several different Pink Ribbon styles this season...

Pink KitchenAid mixer

I own an Under Armour hoodie from last year's collection that has a pink ribbon on the sleeve like this one. It is so comfortable and warm in the winter. This one sells for $54.99 on the Under Armour website.

UnderArmour.com

These are just some of my favorite items. There are so many out there that contribute so please get out there and shop for a cause!

While October is awareness month, the fight against breast cancer never stops. Please visit http://ww5.komen.org/ and make a donation or sign up for a 5k in your city! God Bless!!

Pain in the Neck

2010-10-19T21:21:00.000-04:00

Literally.

from http://sunrisechiropractic.ca/

For just over a month now I have been having problems with my neck and back. I pulled a muscle in my right shoulder while drying my hair... I know, not the best story.

Kinda like the time I sprained my ankle while walking to the front of the classroom to turn in an exam my senior year of college. My ankle had fallen asleep, when I got up to take a step, it flipped over, took another step and voila!... back into place. The professor looked at me oddly like "what'd you do?" I had no idea. I didn't feel the pain right away but as I began walking out of the building, it began to throb with pain. Point of that story... I never do these things while actually doing something athletic like most people, and I used to be an athlete! But anways...Back to the muscle strain...

I nursed it back to health (or so I thought) but in the mean time the muscles around my neck began to hurt. It got to the point where it was uncomfortable to sit at the computer at work, and also to get comfortable at night to fall asleep. So a few weeks ago I decided I needed to see someone right away. Everyone was saying go to the chiropractor. I don't like chiropractors, don't believe in them and sure never thought I would have to go to one. Sure enough, there I sat four Tuesdays ago in a Chiropractor's office desperately seeking some answers and pain relief. The guy probably thought I was crazy because I was just very hesitant about everything and had lots of questions. He was actually very nice and I believe he's probably a very, good chiro; however, I did not go back. Not because of his work but because I just had this enormous uneasy feeling in the pit of my stomach. The next day I called a Physical Therapist and spoke with her about what she could do for me. I have been seeing her since. I love it! I get heat stimulation when I get there, then she works my neck and back muscles to loosen them up, then, I go through the exercises. The exercises are meant to help me now and in the future with my posture which is probably one of the causes of my "injury." At first my homework was doing these exercises twice a day but now I am down to once a day now that I'm at about 90%.

My goal was to be 100% before Hawaii and it looks like I'm going to get there! Another good thing, I should be done with PT next week!

So I told you all of that to explain why I haven't been blogging as much. It's just kind of hard to sit at a computer all day at work and then come home and do the same. But I look forward to blogging some more when I return from our trip.

One of many dreams...

2010-10-09T23:20:00.000-04:00

...to own a farm one day. Like this one in Efland, NC featured in Southern Living Magazine. When I read the Pioneer Woman, I grow envious of her Oklahoma Ranch. While I don't think we could manage a ranch, a nice little farm would be nice at some point in our lives. I grew up in the country on lots of land and that is definitely something I would love for my children to experience.

You'll find out that I'm quite the dreamer. I used to have 7 different career goals... one of them may/may not have been to be a soap opera writer for GH. ;)

Do you have any secret dreams like this?

The Beautiful Mess: Engagement Photos

2010-10-07T09:22:00.000-04:00

Photo courtesy of The Beautiful Mess

Check out these lovely engagement photos from The Beautiful Mess! The bride, Abigail, and I have been friends for almost 10 years now. She's an amazing, fun and Godly woman... and look how gorgeous she is! Not to mention blissfully happy to be marrying the man of her dreams! Can't wait to meet Mr. Tanner!

Congratulations to the both of you! Wishing you nothing but happiness!!

Photo courtesy of The Beautiful Mess

Click here to see more from their session: http://thebeautifulmess.com/2010/10/engaged-justin-abby
They also need your help before Friday... If they get 100 comments on The Beautiful Mess link above, they receive some free stuff! Anyone who has had to pay for wedding photos knows how important this is!

Cleaning Made Simple

2010-10-03T20:32:00.002-04:00

Cleaning...it's what we do every weekend unless there's something going on or we're sick. I don't clean during the week, just pick up here and there (if that) so the weekends are for cleaning. I'm not saying I spend my entire Saturday and/or Sunday cleaning but I get what needs to be done for that week.

Please, don't get me wrong -- I abhor cleaning. I wish I could hire a maid but I know it wouldn't be good enough for me. You see, my mother was a housewife for 13 years until she decided to go back to work. And everyday she cleaned. Our house was always spotless. The carpet was vacuumed at least once a day. You did not wear your shoes on the carpet, they came off at the door. My room was always tidy, and the bed was always made. My best friend Lauren recently joked that she would like my mom to come visit her so that she could "really clean" like "wash the base boards" type of stuff. That's my mom and that's how I was raised. So my standards for cleaning are up there! While I don't think I'm near as particular about cleaning as my mother, I do like a clean house. I love you mom for always keeping our home clean!

My husband and I have lived together for almost 3 years now and we've got this cleaning thing down really well! Yes, I said my husband cleans. :) He doesn't have an outside to take care of yet so we share duties in the apartment. I know, I'm blessed. Although this weekend my husband was "busy" watching football but I'll let it slide because I did get a "honey, you did a really nice job with the kitchen." That was worth doing it all by myself.

For those of you who find cleaning a struggle or just need a better routine, here is a guide from Real Simple Magazine that might help. I don't follow everything on here, but it's a good place to start.

Click on the pictures to enlarge

Thank Goodness for Real Simple Magazine!

Hawaii countdown is on...

2010-10-02T21:27:00.000-04:00

My husband and I are counting down the days until our official honeymoon in Hawaii this month! We are going to be escaping the cooler temps of Pennsylvania and soaking up the always warm and sunny island of Kauai.

from KauaiDiscovery.com

I know I must look crazy buying up the sunscreen & tanning oils at the local Walgreens when it's rainy and barely 60 degrees outside but that's what I did this week.

from KauaiDiscovery.com

You know those Corona Commercials? My total inspiration for travel destinations. I picture a nice relaxing beach, some palm trees, a frozen alcoholic beverage in my hand, crystal blue ocean, and lots of sun & sand.

Can't wait!! :)

Short Wedding Dress

2010-09-28T20:09:00.000-04:00

From Style Me Pretty: "Carmel Valley Wedding"

I adore short wedding dresses... on the right person, with the right style and right venue! When I found Myka + George's Wedding on Style Me Pretty... I just had to share!

Photography by Melissa Diep

Love those ruffles!

The Last Song

2010-09-26T20:00:00.001-04:00

Okay, I'm finally going to get around to reading The Last Song by Nicholas Sparks. Being from NC it's pretty standard to own every one of his books, at least in my family it is. Last year I purchased it the week it came out just like I do every fall when Sparks releases a book. I usually begin reading right away. Well, I attempted... got through the first chapter and stopped. I just couldn't get interested. I think it was because it was based on teenage love and I kept picturing Miley Cyrus since I knew she was going to be in the movie. I hadn't read about teenage love since reading a Walk to Remember and The Notebook but at that time, I wasn't so far removed from being a teenager myself.

So, I'm going to give it another try because I hear it's not so bad. It will also be the first time that I watch one of the movies before I read the book. I currently have it rented on netflix. Maybe this will help me get into the book a little more.

Next up on my reading list: Safe Haven (Nicholas Sparks) & Heart of the Matter (Emily Giffen)

DIY Contest on Ruffled

2010-09-24T09:34:00.000-04:00

For my bridal friends and fellow bloggers out there, Ruffled Blog is doing a DIY Contest with some great prizes! I'm planning on entering my "last minute wedding programs" which bridesmaid Callie finished for me while I worked on other projects.

Here she is at the hair salon providing moral support while assembling the programs just hours before the wedding:

To enter the contest, you must have at least 4 images and list all of the materials and instructions. Everyone has until October 3rd to enter. Good Luck!!

Here is the final product along with another DIY project I put together which adorned the aisle:

More from Southern Living

2010-09-20T13:27:00.000-04:00

From the "Made by Southern Hands" section...

Time for a little unsolicited promotion... Check out these clipboards from Cottage Indus-tree! Creator Amy lives in Alpharetta, Georgia (the suburb I always dreamed I would live in but that's another story in itself). It's so neat to see someone take such a simple concept and make a dream business of it!

Daisies

Vintage Postcard

She even has collegiate sports...Go Heels!

Tar Heel!

Check out the rest of them on her website! She also has magnetic clips...

My college football team, GO DAWGS!

"Why I nev-ahhhh!"

2010-09-14T21:31:00.002-04:00

Here's a Link to the Article Above

My grandmother sent me the September issue of Southern Living Magazine last week and I had the chance to sit down and read it on Sunday. You're probably wondering why I have my grandmother send magazines to me. For one, my grandmother subscribes to a slew of magazines that she will then pass along to me. If I haven't made a trip home in a while she will just send them in the mail. Second, she knows I like reading the Southern Living's specific to the Carolina region. Each region has a special section devoted to it and the advertisements tend to be more directed towards that region also. Naturally, I love to see what's featured from the area I grew up in.

Moving along...at the very end of the magazine was a commentary article by Amy Bickers on how Hollywood portrays us Southern folk. Let me stop there and say that I haven't read the last page of any magazine since Rick Reilly left Sports Illustrated. But on this particular occassion, I had some time on my hands due to a muscle strain I experienced on Saturday, keeping me lounging around in my PJs all day. Plus, when she said "it's really not all moonlight and magnolias down here," I was hooked!

Take a moment to read the article and let me know what you think!

Old Fashioned Soda Bar

2010-09-13T19:39:00.000-04:00

From Project Wedding

I was going back through some of my notes & ideas when I was wedding planning and found this! I really wanted to do this at our wedding but it didn't happen. I actually have a collection of empty ones at home in my parents attic but I figured that wouldn't do anyone any good. I'm thinking I need to throw a party in the future and set up an old fashioned soda bar. What do you think?

Etsy Finds: Fall Accessories

2010-09-10T20:40:00.000-04:00

One of my favorite sites is Etsy.com where you can find a collection of homemade goods for sale. I have purchased several items from Etsy suppliers and have had great success! I subscribe to their daily e-mails called, "Etsy Finds" which each feature a different theme. Today was "Fall Colors." I found some chic fall accessories I wanted to feature on the blog since I can't afford to purchase any right now (saving for the honeymoon).

Obi Handbag from GraceDesign

While this bag is $74.00, they also have an adorable clutch made from the same Japanese fabric for only $24. I love those daisies!

Mini Bow Shoes Clips in Mustard Yellow by No144s

I can just see these on a pair of J. Crew ballet flats. I think I "need" them.

Upcycled Jemina Jones by SparkyJones

This clutch has pockets to keep you organized!

Brown Leather Watch Cuff by Nualaleather

I saved the best for last. I love this watch, it reminds me of a fossil watch I used to have.

Those silver studs have flowers on them to add some femininity to it.

Happy Shopping! Let me know if you have purchased anything on Etsy or plan on it!

I'm a nerd. I'm in love...

2010-09-09T21:06:00.000-04:00

...with Microsoft Office 2010. More specifically, with OneNote.

My parents just bought me a new computer for my birthday. After having two Dell Laptops that went south after about 4-5 years and costing about $2,000 each... I decided that I was ready to move on to a Desktop and more importantly, a new brand. This time around I'm trying out the HP Pavilion Slimline and I made sure that they didn't sink a lot of money in it. I think it was between $500-600 at Best Buy. The monitor had previously been purchased by my parents but is like new.

Also, I wanted a desktop because sometimes I feel lazy with a laptop. Do you ever feel like that? For instance, let's say you're applying for jobs and need to write a "knock the socks off of them" cover letter. For some reason, I can't get it done on a laptop unless it's sitting on a desk and I'm sitting upright. (Totally defeating the purpose of a LAP-top, right?) Not sitting on the couch, watching tv and trying to concentrate on the screen in my lap. I feel more motivated behind a desk and I spend less time aimlessly wondering on facebook and blogs which is typically what I do when sitting on the couch with my laptop.

Okay, I'm getting off topic.... getting back to my new found love, OneNote. Microsoft Office 2010 did not come on the new PC but I did get an offer through work to purchase it for $9.99. Awesome, huh?

OneNote is like having a five-star notebook on the computer. I am a person who loves to collect journals, notebooks, etc. and write different ideas, thoughts, recipes, decorating ideas, etc. in them. But you know what happens to them? They become unfinished, unused and stuck on a book shelf only to be picked up when I clean.

just a few of my notebooks

OneNote is going to provide an alternative for me. For those of you have yet to discover OneNote, maybe this image will help give you an idea of how it works:

I love the colorful tabs. Currently I have General, Decorating Ideas, Recipes & Helpful Websites.
I already have a few pages under each tab. Under recipes I was able to quickly paste a picture, the recipe and the link where it came from onto one page which I can later print or share with others. The great thing is ... it won't get lost in a cookbook or notebook I rarely pick up. It will be right there on my computer to keep (or delete if the recipe is a bust).

If anyone else has OneNote, I'd love to hear about what you chose to use it for and what your tabs are labeled as! I know, so nerdy but who cares.

Goodbye Summer

2010-09-05T23:13:00.003-04:00

Living in the north I have realized that summer really does end after Labor Day. (Goodbye white pants). Temperatures dropped significantly this weekend giving us a preview of fall. In the South we usually don't cool off until October. Where my family lives in NC, it finally dropped from the 90s down to the 80s this weekend, and as you can imagine that was quite the relief from the dog days of summer. As a lover of warm weather, I still struggle with the cooler temps of the north but it is nice to truly experience the seasons (i.e. lots of beautiful colored leaves in the fall decorating the trees, multiple feet during snowfalls and a good chance of a white Christmas, beautiful flowers blooming throughout spring and summer.)

So as we say goodbye to summer, here are a few of my favorite things that came out of this Summer 2010:

My favorite refreshing treat:

McDonald's Smoothies! My favorite- the Wild Berry Smoothie.

The resurgence of my favorite baseball team: The Atlanta Braves:

Currently holding on to first place in the NL East

and last but not least...winning an affordable honeymoon to Hawaii on an auction site:

Can't wait, less than 2 months away!

When to Say Yes to the Dress

2010-08-30T21:49:00.000-04:00

As I'm watching "Say Yes to the Dress," I thought it might be time to start blogging about my own wedding dress and how I knew it was time to Say Yes to the Dress. Yes, I still watch this show even after the wedding has come and gone. Watching the show prior to the wedding actually made me feel more confident about my dress despite seeing all of the gorgeous dresses in Kleinfelds.

We were living in Arizona at the time that we got engaged and I found my dress. Knowing how indecisive I would be, I thought it would take me forever to find the right dress. I thought I was going to be one of those girls that had tried on 100 dresses and none of them were good enough. Everyone's in search of the perfect dress. Some get it right the first try and some on the 100th. Luckily, it didn't take me 100 dresses but I would say with 4 shopping trips under my belt (including the final) I averaged about 10 dresses per trip so I may have tried on about 40 gowns before finding the one.

It was during a Melissa Sweet Trunk Show at my favorite bridal boutique, Destiny's Bride, located in Scottsdale that I found my wedding dress. I invited my friend Leslie to go along with me even though I told her it was probably just going to be for fun. I really did not think I was going to find the one that night.

The Melissa Sweet rep was there from New York and we had about 10-12 dresses of her dresses in my dressing room including 1 Monique Lhuillier, just to dream (really expensive). My dress was one I actually hadn't picked off the rack, the rep did. And it was the last one to try on too. Actually, I almost didn't because I was tired of getting in and out of all of those dresses. The rep said, "you have to try this dress on, you'll thank me... it looks way better on than on the hanger." She was right. Some of the bright white dresses I had tried on made my fair skin look pale and drab, this one didn't. The ivory actually complimented my skin tone. The soft A-line defined my thin waistline. This one also made my flat chest have a bit more volume than what was actually there (always a plus, right ladies?) thanks to the higher cut and draping across the chest and torso. And the silk shantung felt amazing against my skin. When I put it on, I knew it was perfect and I didn't want to take it off.

It was exactly what I was looking for considering our wedding was going to be outdoors and simple. To some it would be very plain, no beading or sparkles but for me... it didn't need any of that. It had a bow in the back, something I thought I would never like but I actually loved it.

So I took the plunge on the dress exceeding my budget even with the Trunk Show discount. Luckily, it was a done deal and I couldn't do anything about it. I just kept thinking the girls I know who have gotten married never spent more than a $1,000 on their dress. I kept thinking thoughts like what if it's too plain? What if my future husband doesn't like it as I'm walking down the isle? Why did I pay so much for a dress that I'm going to wear once? Buyer's Remorse started to set in...

...especially looking through the bridal magazines. So many gorgeous dresses to choose from , it was easy to start questioning my decision. I decided to not look at the dresses anymore when flipping through those magazines. I told myself that I actually tried on some of these fabulous dresses and they didn't look right with my body type. Of course, they look good on the models in the magazine but they're not made for everyone. My dress fit my body type, my personality and my wedding. And I began to feel much more comfortable with my decision.

I also began watching the show "Say Yes to the Dress." Not every girl chose a dress that in my opinion was gorgeous but that didn't matter, she thought it was. It was what looked best on her and what she had invisioned looking like in a wedding dress. So, that's why I say it helped me gain a little confindence in my choice. And the buyer's remorse went away considering most of those dresses on the show are at least $5,000. Luckily, mine wasn't close to the 5K mark.

So, here are my thoughts on choosing a wedding dress for all of those brides-to-be out there... You want to feel like You in the dress, you should be comfortable, and you should pick a dress not by what it looks like in a magazine but how it looks on you!

And guess what, My Groom Loved my Dress!!

For those brides out there, any advice you would give to those looking for a dress??

More of our Wedding Details: the Groom's Cake

2010-08-24T22:29:00.001-04:00

While we're waiting on those wedding pics, I thought I would share the Groom's Cake we had designed by the Chef at our rehearsal dinner location. We originally booked Soiree in Mooresville, NC when we were planning on having our wedding in the area. When we changed the location about 30 mins. away, we kept the Rehearsal Dinner location because we really loved the food and atmosphere. Unfortunately, the night before my wedding... I could have cared less about food and atmosphere. I could barely eat from all of the nerves... and I had to get back to the house to finish programs and other last minute details to really enjoy the atmosphere. I hope our guests enjoyed Soiree! One thing we did get to enjoy was the Groom's Cake...

UConn Huskies, New England Patriots & Hartford Whalers

If you'll remember my blog about Groom's Cakes from my former site Something Carolina Blue, I blogged about how I wasn't even sure about doing the Groom's cake or having it at the rehearsal dinner. Personally, I loved this idea and we had an amazing pastry chef who accomplished exactly what we were looking for. My husband having grown up in Connecticut (with New England sports teams) and also Columbus, Ohio (Buckeye country) has quite a few teams he roots for depending on the season. I wanted a way to include all of them.
The chef took the logos we sent him via e-mail and transformed them into fondant. They even asked if we wanted to take them home with us afterwards. We declined but took pictures to remember it by.

Red Sox (the only team we can agree on) & Celtics

Ohio State Buckeyes

I still can't believe I allowed a cake with the Patriots logo on it.... oh the things we do for the ones we love!

My Birthday

2010-08-15T21:59:00.002-04:00

While the Wedding Dress blog has been written, I'm still waiting on photos from the photography company to get here so that I can scan them in to complete the blog. In the meantime, I thought I would share some pics from my birthday this past week.

He brought me some flowers

He cooked me dinner, stuffed crab tilapia and baked potato.. .yum!!

(Don't judge the amount of sour cream on my bp, it's my bday)

The Best Part: I got my first wife card!!

He also picked up this delicious DQ Ice Cream cake. He told me the girl was having some trouble writing on the cake and spelling my name. When I pulled off the lid, I was like "Oh, my gosh!! They spelled Birthday wrong!" My hubs was disappointed and said he was so worried about them spelling my name right, he didn't think he needed to check out the word "birthday." Haha! I love my "brithday" cake though.

Sneak Peek!

2010-07-31T22:34:00.000-04:00

I wanted to start previewing some of our wedding pics on the blog and decided this picture was a great place to start as it was sort of a sneak "peek" for us prior to the ceremony.

Our photographer, the amazing Rachel from Millie Holloman Photography, suggested the idea to me and I was all for it! My husband-to-be was hesitant and nervous that he would accidentally see me. I had to send messages through Rachel to convince him, and luckily he conceded. It was such a special moment and made for a beautiful picture. I could tell even without seeing him that he had some serious nerves and emotions going on. Holding hands for just a few moments while Rachel snapped some pictures eased off some of the nerves we had been having throughout the day. It was just one of those special moments we will remember forever!

This picture also provides a glimpse of my dress which I wasn't able to reveal (for obvious reasons) in my old blog prior to the wedding. More on the dress in my next blog!

A Summertime Favorite: Homemade Cheerwine Ice Cream

2010-07-19T19:29:00.002-04:00

Ever since I saw the article on the Krispy Kreme Cheerwine doughnuts, I've been on a Cheerwine kick. It's not even one of my favorite sodas but I got to thinking about the homemade ice cream I mentioned that my aunt makes.

Since mom was making a trip to PA to visit me, I told her to bring the Cuisinart Homemade Ice Cream maker and a bottle of Cheerwine :). What a great little machine! You can make homemade ice cream in 20-30 minutes!! The recipes are a lot easier than the homemade too. I haven't had homemade ice cream in a long time, but I do remember as a kid that it took hours to make. It may not be the exact homemade taste if you compared the two side-by-side, but it was close enough that I couldn't tell a difference.

Ingredients:

2 cups heavy whipping cream, well chilled
1 cup granulated sugar
1 cup whole milk, well chilled
1-2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract, to taste
of course, bottle of cheerwine (we guesstimated the amount but at least a 1-2 cups)

Recipe:

In a medium bowl, use a hand mixer or a whisk to combine the milk and sugar until the sugar is dissolved, about 1-2 minutes on low speed.
Stir in heavy cream and vanilla. Add the cheerwine.
Turn on ice cream maker and pour mixture into freezer bowl (kept in freezer at least 6 hours prior to making) and let mix until thickened for about 25-30 minutes.

Not only was the ice cream delicious but it was a good mother-daughter moment too! :) Mom was nice enough to leave me the ice cream machine to keep!

(a little melted down but still yummy!)

Cheerwine + Krispy Kreme

2010-06-30T23:30:00.001-04:00

As I was reading The Charlotte Observer online this morning, I discovered something to be even more excited about as I head home to the Carolinas this weekend!

Cheerwine infused Krispy Kreme Doughnuts:

Two yummy North Carolina products combined into one! Cheerwine is a cherry soda based out of Salisbury, and of course you know the delicious Krispy Kreme is based out of Winston-Salem. These treats hit the stores Thursday in the Carolinas (Food Lion, Lowes, Bi-lo and select Harris Teeters). I'm all over it and will let you know if it lives up to the hype! This is actually making me crave my Aunt Betty's Cheerwine homemade ice cream!

I hope everyone has a safe and Happy 4th of July weekend!!

welcome to the new blog!

2010-06-30T21:59:00.002-04:00

I love the blogging phenomenom and enjoy blogging when I can keep up with it! During our wedding planning process, I kept a blog on wordpress:

http://somethingcarolinablue.wordpress.com.

When it came down to the last couple of months of planning, I gave up! And I was saving all of my good blogs for those last couple of months. I wanted to reveal the details in the making but never got the chance. So you will definitely see some highlights of our wedding on here and the story behind the pictures!

I'm excited about being on blogger! Seems like there's so much more flexibility and capabilities.

On this blog you will see wedding inspiration, fashion, decor, shopping deals, and more. Stay tuned! My first blog is coming right up!!

Check out the About Me section to learn more.