Keep Calm and Carry On

I spent today running errands and shopping. It was rather nice since it's the first time I've had alone time since the 23rd. I decided to set some goals for the upcoming year. I think that that this year's mantra will be:

2009 was a good year, it had a tough act to follow in 2008. That was the year that I got a dog, a house and a fiance in that order. This upcoming year is a big milestone, I am getting married. A lot of things will be prepared for but when it boils down to it, on our wedding day they will be out of my control. If you know me, you know that I firmly believe in preparedness (aka, control), so this may be hard. I think that I can do it though, just relax and go with the flow, a lesson I should take from D. Sometimes I think that's the only way that he puts up with me.

Now, in no particular order, I want to share my goals, some good and some a bit selfish, for 2010.

1. Keep Calm and Carry On...duh
2. Get back into shape (meaning 3-5 miles at least 3 times a week & not stopping after May)
3. Wear Sunscreen (but be slightly tan so I don't burn in Antigua in May)
4. Don't spend money to save money (those coupons get me every time)
5. See the glass half full (even when it isn't easy)
6. Go to Church more and get D to go to mass at least once a month
7. Don't speak about others, even in a positive way, if they aren't there
8. Clean out my junk and get the house the way that I want it (after the wedding)
9. Figure out where I want to be in my career in 10 years and stop being a wimp about it.
10. Win the lottery.

D wanted number 10 to be to quit smoking but I'm not ready for that yet. I only set attainable goals. So my friends, let's make this happen!

One more,

11. Read and write more. I really enjoy it. Oh and don't neglect the blog.

uh huh.

Just saw this and found it worthy of sharing. How glorius is this refinish bath? Hope D is paying attention, I wouldn't mind something similar in our next house!

{images from DesignSponge}

I just love how it's modern yet rustic at the same time. Swoon.

Wedding Wednesday, the Quotes

I have been thinking a lot lately about the details. There are so many that it's hard to avoid them! In thinking about the actual ceremony and readings and vows I have come across so many interesting and creative ideas. Some of which, I hope that we will be able to incorporate. Ofcourse, that said, when you marry in a house of God, you do loose a bit of freedom of expression with regards to not only words but to music. I would love to write our own vows, an idea that D isn't particularly keen on. I know that not many males are all that interested in standing in front of 300 of their family members and closest friends and getting all mushy gushy so I plan to let that slide.

Here is a small compilation of quotes, vows and ideas that will hopefully make their way into our wedding.

"The best love is the kind that awakens the soul and makes us reach for more, that plants a fire in our hearts and brings peace to our minds. And that's what you've given me. That's what I'd hoped to give you forever."
-Noah Calhoun, The Notebook by Nicholas Sparks

"Together with you, I want to live a life full of the kind of love and the kind of laughter that makes strangers stop and stare. I will take care of you and give you piece of mind and piece of heart."
-Miss Apple Cider of Weddingbee (as featured on SWMag)
What an amazing vow to make to someone!

"From this day on, I choose you to be my {husband/wife}...
To live you and laugh with you
to stand by your side and sleep in your arms.
To be the joy to your heart and the food to your soul.
To bring out the best in you always.
And for you, to be the most that I can."
-No idea where I found this, it's been in my planning book for over a year and is a very close second pick. Maybe I can combine them?

I also love the idea of the hand ceremony where as you hold your soon to be spouses hands, and the officiant describes how you hands will change over the years that you are commiting to be together. It is told how they will change mirroring the journey your relationship is about to embarq upon.

And as far as poems, I could go on forever. A few favorites come immeadiately to mind,"To Love is Not to Possess" by James Kavanaugh, "To Say Before Going to Sleep" by Rainer Maria Rilke, "Love" by Roy Croft. But anyways. I also think that it would be really special to allow each of our readers to select their own readings to share with us. I think that would really personalize the ceremony and bring in different perspectives.

The final thought for this Wedding Wednesday is the box tradition. The only thing that super conservative and traditional, D and I agree on. Before the wedding, we will both sit down and write letters to one another about what and why we love one another and are choosing to be married. We will seal them in envelopes and nail them into a crate with a bottle (or two) of wine and two glasses. We agree that if our marriage ever faces adversity, before we make any decisions, we will read the letters and drink the wine together and try to remember why we are there. Hopefully, we will never need the box, but it's never too early for a plan.

Winter Wedding Inspiration

What a lovely take on a holiday wedding! See it doesn't have to be all Christmas Trees and red and green. These silver, gold and blue hues are beautiful!

{image from Style Me Pretty}

Swoon...

After looking through the fave's today, here are the things that I want...

{from Furbish, I Suwannee}

{Toile Apron, Anthropologie, how Betty}

{His and Her's Sheet Set, Bed Hog}

Reflections upon shopping with D.

Written on Tuesday, December 8, 2010. Not published because it was not finished.
So sorry it's been a while since I last posted. I have been very busy, infact today is my ninth day in a row at work. That said, I am beginning to panic a bit over the quickly approaching holiday season. You see, I pride myself on organization, always having a plan. But between work, the wedding and unseasonably warm temperatures, I just haven't gotten into the holiday spirit. I have no idea what to buy the majority of my shopping list and quite frankly, haven't really had a chance to think it through. D is the one that I am most worried about since it is unbelievably difficult to shop for him. He doesn't think that he needs new things particularly often and ofcourse, the things that he really wants are EXPENSIVE (I mean really, I can't see spending $300-$700 on a fishing reel) and he just doesn't get as excited about the types of things that I do. I have decided that a toy boat will most definitely be included in his stocking this year.

Update: We almost completed the shopping today.
It was not the most fun but we are learning how to shop as a couple. Interestingly enough, I think that I may shop more like a man than D. I took a Western Civilization class in high school that swore that shopping was one of the few activities that men and women still participated in that showed their "hunter/gatherer" roots. Women allegedly browsed and slowly gathered while men entered their destination with their spear ready to stab. They would then grab their product and get the heck out of dodge, leaving the women wandering, slowly collecting their necessary items.

Today, I was a HUNTER. I hate pre Christmas shopping. I generally have a list of where I am going and what I am purchasing at this time of the year. I will admit that the rest of the year, I am a gatherer, but not when the store looks like a mullet filled jungle. The first store we entered went very smoothly, leaving me optimistic about the remainder of the day and banishing all doubts that we would end up snapping each others heads off. I should have known better since we were shopping for Baylor. The next three left me doubtful. D didn't want to look at anything that they had and had no clue what he wanted to buy. At the third store, Best Buy, he got into a line that had approximately 100 people in it to purchase a single DVD. I thought he was crazy. No worries though, alls well that ends well. We rounded the day out only needing to purchase gifts for one another and our mothers. Moral of the story, he needs department stores. He gets lost and confused and snippity anywhere else.

Wedding Wednesday

It's official! I have flower girls and junior bridesmaids! I am so excited that my Aunt Steph's four girls will be rounding out our wedding party. Hurray for Abby, Emma, Anna and Catherine! Ofcourse, this news sent me on a hunt for flower girl and junior bridemaids looks that were both age appropriate and unique but not completely ridiculously priced (after all, they'll out grow it).

The flower girl look proved to be significantly easier than the junior bridesmaid look. I think that junior bridesmaids are at a tough age to dress, not quite child, not quite adult and in the world of weddings this makes things a bit complicated. There are plenty of sweet dresses for flower girls that would make any 13 year old girl feel like a baby. I think that we are leaning towards putting Abby (our oldest junior bridesmaid) in one of the bridesmaids dresses. As is the norm for me, I started looking at traditional flower girl dresses but then decided to think a bit outside of the box. If seems if you slap the word flower girl on it, the price sky rockets (just as with anything else wedding related). Check out some of the great dresses that I found. Somewhat ordered by traditional quality and price. Some of the looks are great but who in their right mind is going to spend $300 on a dress for a 7 year old. I mean really?

{image from CrewCuts}

{image from CrewCuts}

{image from CrewCuts}

{image from David's Bridal}

{image from David's Bridal}

{image from David's Bridal}

{image from CrewCuts}

{image from CrewCuts}

Finally for my personal favorite.

Not too overpriced at $68. Made of silk and cotton. A little unexpected.
Most Importantly, AB FAB! I wish it came in adult sizes. Let me know what you think!

{image from CrewCuts}

That needed an easy button!

Also, Pray that my portrait is delivered today so that I can still cash in on the 60% off Custom Framing Coupon that expires tomorrow!

Loves, S

Wedding Wednesday

A girl can wish, right?

{inspiration board from Style Circle at Style Me Pretty}

And here is the genius shoot done at Orton Plantation. Styled by Salt Harbor Designs and photographed by Millie Holloman. I always wanted a sun drenched outdoor wedding and I think that their interpretation is genius!

I don't even feel the slightest bit guilty stealing these images from SMP...they're too good not to share!

Just what D wanted...

A Griswold Christmas, "Russ, we checked every bulb, didn't we?"

{saw this gem on Three Men and a Lady's blog}

Happy Holidays...

Spent the weekend decorating for the holidays. And look at the fun I found.
Here is a little holiday cheer for you my friends.

{All from Calypso Cards, Naughty Betty}

Wedding Wednesday!

It' wedding Wednesday and I'd like to share a little bit of wedding inspiration with you all today. These are my bridesmaids dress options. I really wanted to let the lovely ladies that I am lucky enough to be a part of D's and my wedding select a dress that would best suit their individual bodies as well as personal taste. The dresses are from JCrew and are shown in Peppermint. I really wanted for each girl to select something that they could each wear again and I hope that as the dresses arrive, they aren't fibbing when they tell me how much they love them. Sometimes I wish that I had chosen black, but if I had, I wouldn't have been true to myself.

I knew the first time that I saw Steel Magnolias, Shelby got it right, "Pink is my signature color," she said. "My colors are blush and bashfull." "Her colors are pink and pink," M'Lynn corrected. I always knew that I wanted a wedding just like Shelby's and that is just what I will have.

Oh Martha!

Guess which of these images is serving as inspiration for my wedding...

Holy Cool Idea Batman

I just stumbled upon the cutest idea...EVA! Wedding invitations themed around famous historical and movie couples.

{Ferris Beuller's Day Off, TheFutureMrsDarcy.com}

{Grease, TheFutureMrsDarcy.com}

And finally, from my favorite movie eva.....

Allie Hamilton and Noah Calhoun!

{The Notebook, TheFutureMrsDarcy.com}

Thoughts on Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving has always been one of my favorite holidays. I think it's because it hasn't evolved into a material oriented "giftcard holiday." This year I am embarqing on a new adventure. D and I will be hosting Thanksgiving for our immediate families and maybe some friends. I am so excited yet also so nervous. One of my best and worst traits is trying to please everyone, therefore I have run the menu by both families and have made adjustments accordingly. Now I can just pray not to screw up the turkey.

Last night I made my first foray into pie baking {just call me domestic goddess}. Not only was it my first attempt at pie baking, I also baked two different types, pecan and pumpkin. I haven't tasted either pie yet, but they look pretty darn good. They will be making their debut at the ECU tailgate this weekend, I figure slightly intoxicated folks will make great guinea pigs for my cooking. I also finally figured out how to use my standing mixer most effectively {v. big step}. Here is the proposed menu,
Snacks
Spinach Dip {al la Fresh Market}

Veggie Tray

Jelly Meatball

Soft Cheeses and Crackers

Dinner

Turkey {both smoked and baked}

Gravy

Mashed Potatoes with Sour Cream

Stuffing with Spicy Sausage, Celery, Onions and Green Peppers

Momma's Awesome Sweet Potatoes

Momma's Amazing Spinach and Cheese

Homemade Apple Sauce

Cranberry in a Can {a holiday must have}

D's Mom's Salad

Soft Rolls

Dessert

Pecan Pie

Pumpkin Pie

Some sort of Deliciousness from the Fresh Market

{Fabulous Squirrels, via Pottery Barn}

{I'd also like these, via Pottery Barn}

{Pottery Barn Tablescape}

Too Cute...

Ummm, Yeah...

{courtesy of Bluegrass Bride}

I want one of these.

umkay, thanks

Wedding Wednesday!

It has been a productive week! After much debate, I think that I may have finally chosen my bridal portrait. Thank you's to everyone who has patiently looked through the 100 plus pictures offering suggestions and listening to me shoot them down. I really do appreciate your help. I must get it ordered ASAP since a fabulous coupon for 60% off custom framing came in the mail yesterday!

Since work has begun having me work some weekends (after much protest), I had Friday off as comp time. Ofcourse, I spent the day meeting with vendors and I believe that I have finally made a decision on my florist. I have found someone who uses hydrangeas and peonies but is still with in my budget! If you have discussed my wedding with me at all, you have probably heard my dismay at the astronomical cost of my favorite flowers...I mean really, $15 a stem. One flower, have you lost your mind? Without further ado, I give you some of her bouquets. Leave a comment and let me know which one's you like the best!





{photos courtesy of Rebecca Everette with Occasions}

While our countertops were being refinished on Saturday, D and I were very productive. We picked out tuxes for the wedding, and I must say I find them to be very dapper. After very little debate, D and I reached a verdict. As classic as possible. Black suiting, black bow tie and cumberbund. We will distinguish wedding party roles with different bouts.

Busy week with much progress and I couldn't be happier!

Today is brought to you by the letter "C"...

For COUNTERTOPS!!! I have new countertops! They are not blue! Life is good!







But like any project that I partake in, they have spurred a desire to revamp the floors. We'll see how D feels. I'll keep you posted.

Baby's Breath

So lovely. So fluffy. So many uses.