10 months ago on Thursday

I married my best friend on April 25th, 2009...I can't believe how fast these last 10 months have gone by! My florist, and good friend Todd Crawford used some of our photos for his new ad in The Knot NC addition.  I have to give many thanks all the vendors who helped to make our special day so great! 
Photographers: Sara & Mel of Whitebox Weddings **to see more pictures**
Cake: Gail of Cheesecake Etc.
Lighting: Eye Dialogue
Linens: Shay at Party Tables
Rentals: Rebecca at Party Reflections
Band: Swingin Richards
Transportation: CLT Express
Caterer: Side Porch
Venue: The Terrace at South Tryon Square
Day of Coordinator: Dottie Maloy
Hair & Make-up: Joni Lineberger of Creations Hair and Make-up
Dress: J. Majors Bridal Boutique
Paper: My wonderful sister, Amy This Little Pig Designs
A HUGE thank you to my good friends, Elizabeth & Erin who were there the day of to make sure that my vision became a reality!  Ladies, without you the day wouldn't have been complete!  I also want to give a "shout out" to my Mom & Dad, thank you for helping to make my dream come true!

Check it!

Okay...so after I posted, I started doing some blog stalking (yes, I do actually work....sometimes!) She has a great "how to" section! Thanks Cupcakes and Cashmere!!

Curl me Pretty

I love the big, natural, soft curl look (see Carrie Underwood); however, I can NEVER get my hair to look like that!  After doing some research (and watching a ton of YouTube Videos) most people are using a ceramic curling wand...never knew this existed!  I'm going to try to achieve the look with using my 1" curling iron and see if it works, if not...then I may have to purchase!

Jazz it Up

I always liked the look for "jazzin up" an outfit with fun headband; however, I've never done it myself.  I was in Starbucks this morning and this cute girl walked in a basic white shirt and skinny jeans, what made me take a second look was her super cute headband! 
Maybe I should invest! 

Fun Bow Headband

of course anthropologie would have something cute!

Something fun for the Spring/Summer or even our 1 year Anniversary Trip to St. Thomas!

A cute "it's Saturday and I didn't feel like washing my hair" look

birds (& owls too) of a feather flock together

Have yall noticed or is it just me, that bird decor is huge now?  Everywhere I look, there is some sort of cute home accessories, invitations, bird themed weddings, a bird themed nursery...I think that I kinda like it!  It's a retro look, very 50's, very whimsical. I think if done right, it would could work in your home!

Here are some inspirational "bird themed decor" pictures

                                                  

what do you think?

Since we're on a budget, I decided to eliminate some of my not so important expenses, like highlighting my hair...sad, I know! The more I stare at myself in the mirror, the more I'm noticing that I don't particularly like my hair getting darker...nothing against my brunette sistas out there, but I just have always been some sort of shade of blonde. So today, I decided to do a little googling and I am going  to try a natural approach...I hope that I don't jack up my head!  I'll be sure to post some before and after pictures...

another Thursday afternoon

As I sit here "multitasking" with an excel spreadsheet open, my blog open, and another tab open, stalking blogs...I have come across Furbish Studio . Much to my surprise she is in NC!!  To my Raleigh girls...YALL have to go to her store and let me know all about it!  Next time I'm up that way, I'm going .  There is also a great blog that goes along with this super cool store, "i suwannee" can we be friends?

more Vday fun

Although it has my name misspelled (which is another subject, for another time), I think Ry would look very handsome sporting this t-shirt!

this one's for you

So, since Sunday is the dreaded, er, uh...I mean ROMANTIC holiday we know as Valentine's Day I have been trying to rack my brain as to what you could do to make it fun and different. 

You know that Martha is always going to have something cute!

More cute Martha (be prepared to be overloaded!)

YUM...Candy Bar Pizza - what a great idea to take to your co-workers! You could wrap them up in cute baggies...oh the flash backs to 4th grade...Will you be my Valentine?

Okay...so enough of the sweet stuff!  Crab Stuffed Shrimp is a  great recipe and somewhat easy to make for two or for a group of people (I cooked this for Ry and he loved it!)  Paula Deen, I love you!  If you don't want to serve it with rice, I served it with asparagus...which is always a great combo with anything!

To top of a great evening, please pop some bubbly...who doesn't love champagne!  I know it's a splurge, but you should try Veuve-Clicquot-Rose, SO GOOD!

For your eyes only, please tell the kids to leave the room!  For your someone special, VS has some great Vday bedroom ideas...is this too much...NO, it's Valentine's  Day!  Get Crazy :)

gots to get organized

Well...we aren't that bad...BUT since all my friends are having babies and sending out beautiful birth announcements (inset plug for This Little Pig Designs) I can hardly see any door on our fridge.  I want to make a cute pinboard that I can hang on a blank wall in the ugly kitchen.  I say ugly because it's the only room in  the house that we've elected not to touch until we do our major renovation in a few years...sigh.  Anyway, below are some inspirational ideas that I've found...that I think Ry and I will be able to make! Honey-do...or Honey, please help me...

Oh Pottery Barn, I do love thee...but right now you aren't in our budget!

Now to the more budget friendly option...I think that Ry and I can handle this project...maybe this weekend?!

like a candle in the wind

My favorite candle has burned out...I guess that gives me a reason to head to the mall (twist my arm) and visit one of my favorites stores, Anthropologie.  Lord, please give me the strength to only buy my candle, Amen.

The Capri Blue candle does a great job at making your whole house smell fabulous, it's so worth the $28!

to monogram or not to monogram...I think it's just a southern thang

I'm sure you all have this dilemma or is it just me...you're husband thinks that he is a designer (sorry Ry, I still love you) Although, I do have some things monogrammed (towels & a shower curtain) I think that I could just about monogram everything in my house! However, my "designer husband" says "NO WAY"! Honey...you are going out of town for a week, wait 'til you get back! Here are some really cute ideas that I would love to do...and maybe with the help of my mother (who is a jack of all trades) and L&M Monogramming, it may just happen! **as a side note, these pictures are from websites and blogs that I've been inspired by, I wish that I could give them all credit, but I have no idea where they came from**

neat touch for a sit down dinner

I email my sister Amy M. probably 5 times a days, asking her to "check this out" or "we could do this!"  The "idea" below is the first of many from today!

Okay ladies...I know I'm not the only one, but when you host a party you want to have something that standouts from all the other parties that your guests have attended.  You want the wife/girlfriend to leave at the end of the night, turn to their husband/boyfriend and say "gosh, Sara really knows how to host a good party, she doesn't miss any details."  Well...here is a great, custom napkin ring...typically when you hear the word "custom" you don't think budget friendly, but it is!  How cute, I KNOW!

Needs to start somewhere...

I never thought that I would be a "blogger"; however, look at me now! I wanted to have a place that I could share my ideas of "something cool" or "I could use that" or “something fun we did”. I do consider myself an avid blog stalker, I know, I know, a little scary, but all in good fun! My current obsession is blogs about interior design...why can't I be as chic and stylish as some of these ladies!



So, here is my attempt at creating something fun and maybe one day chic and stylish, too!