Happy Halloween!

And happy birthday to my favorite guy in the world… I feel lucky every single day to have found you.

Tonight we’ll do a little bit of trick-or-treating and a whole lot of celebrating.  We may have already had our night out (my big surprise — dinner, a hotel room, and a haunted pub crawl… terribly cheesy but also amazing… okay ya I’m a huge nerd) but tonight we’ll get to blow out candles and open presents, and come on… that’s the real fun of a birthday right?

(It’s possible that I am actually more excited than Mark for his present.)

What about all of you?  Do you have any big plans for the night?

Photo: The Coveteur

We’re Still Here

No damage to the house, the power is on… actually we’re not just here, we’re as good as ever… and feeling seriously lucky for it.

(Lemon is still feeling uneasy, but he’s kind of a wimp.)

This morning my thoughts are with those who can’t say the same.

Photo: Our Labor of Love

Friday Already?

Time is flying by… but I’m excited for a special surprise I have planned for Mark’s birthday this weekend.  His birthday is actually on Halloween, so we’re celebrating a little early, but usually the day of is reserved for trick-or-treats and hot mulled cider with rum, running door to door with Austin and then handing out candy at our own… especially since this year it falls on a Wednesday.

Poor holiday babies never get to celebrate on their actual day… but that’s why we have to make this weekend extra special!

Hope you have a fantastic weekend yourself!  Tell me, what are you up to?

Here are a few things I’m loving this week…

Speaking of destination weddings… this one is gorgeous.

I need these studded loafers in my life.

Tell me how I do this.

Also… oreo fudge.

… or maybe this salad, because it really does look delicious. (Do you feel like there’s a little devil and a little angel on your shoulder right now?  I do.)

This is a really cute DIY.

{Real Weddings} Keith & Lauren

Thank you guys so much for all of your awesome book recommendations yesterday, I can’t wait to dive in!  Actually I’m kind of dying, I wish I had the time to start now.

I get all sorts of wedding submissions… big parties, small parties, venues where everything is pre-planned, elopements that were planned in 3 days… there’s no one formula for a beautiful wedding.

But in the end, what really gets me are the emotions.  The bride dancing with her father… the first time the groom sees his bride… the pure joy on each and every person’s face.  That’s the best part…

Here’s the story straight from the bride…

Keith and I met through a sorority sister at UCF, who somehow knew “we were meant to be” and that we were perfect for each other. And sure enough we are. Keith and I love being outside, boating, beaching it up, and other fun things. We dated long distance for a while which was hard, but we some how managed to make it this far.

He proposed simply on April 9th in my bedroom. I think he tried to get my little beagle Lucy involved somehow but she wasn’t cooperating with him. Aka, I found him under the bed trying to get her to come out moments before the proposal.

I will move to wellington fl once I graduate. We are pretty simple people and love to have fun.

Photographer: Root Photography / Venue: Longboat Key Club

What should I read?

There are a million reasons why I can’t wait for our honeymoon, but one of them is definitely the much-needed break.  I’m looking forward to a little time to sit back, relax, and read something fun (because super fun frivolous reading and the word vacation are one in the same).

I’m excited to start making a list of what books I might want to take along… and because I have a sneaking suspicion that you all are sitting on some fantastic recommendations, I thought I’d start with you.

So tell me, what book will I be crazy if I miss?

P.S. Bookshelf Porn

Welcome to the Weekend!

Today we had a long talk with our officiant, and I couldn’t help but think how surreal it all is.  We’ve been planning for this day for nearly a year and a half, but it’s always felt so far away… almost like the moment would never come.  But now we’re down to the final details, and not just the little ones… we’re talking about the marriage itself, and the reasons we want to be married at all… our background, our beliefs… everything that brought us to this place, and every little thing that makes us want to travel on.

And it’s kind of amazing… all of this is almost real.  I’m sorry to spill my sappiness all over you tonight but… you guys.  I really can’t wait.

Here are a few things I’m loving this week…

Gorgeous fall hair (anyone know the original source of this awesome shot?).

These beautiful DIY save the dates.

Myra Callan of Twigs & Honey is making wedding gowns. (OMG)

You’re welcome.

Why women should stop trying to be perfect — thoughts?

Margaret Atwood’s 10 rules of writing.

I might be particularly partial because it was shot on the coast of Oregon, but this gorgeous little engagement shoot.

I really need to make me some granola.

Living and working with intention and supporting others who do the same.

Details, Details

One month to go, and we’re down to the details… but let me tell you, there are details to be had!

From menus to table lists to just plain mailing stuff to the west coast (extra work for the destination bride) I’m pretty sure our weekends from here on out are done.*

There are the details on the surface, and the details underneath… and right now my head is reeling trying to keep up with them all.

But really, in the end, aren’t the details half the fun?

And how about this for some (moderately disturbed) motivation?  A little old, but really, if I could be the most organized person on earth I would die happy.**

*Okay actually we made pretty good use of this particular weekend (sorry for the terrible shot of the back of the camera… I mentioned we’ve been busy right?).

**I’d like to dedicate this post to Pinterest and the terribly dated but absolutely fantastic discoveries I make on you nearly every day… clearly we’ve been spending a little too much time together.

Photo: Backstage at Rodarte Fall 2012 Ready to Wear via The Doppelganger

Friday Link Love

Wow am I glad to see this super busy crazy week go.  I’m sure the next will be just the same (and on and on until the election…) but I’m looking forward to a relaxing weekend at home with the guy I love.  Who knows, I might even drag him to a movie.

It’s kind of nice not to have any plans.

Here are a few things I’m loving this week…

Okay, you can show up in my mailbox anytime now please.

What an amazing way to renew your vows.

Congratulations to James and her family on a new baby boy! (Named Sailor, is that the cutest?)

These shots make me long for an adventure.

This awesome bottle opener and resealer.

Do you change up your pillows in the fall?

With a little heavy cream?  I die…

… also now I want this.

Navy nails.

A Little Inspiration: Autumn

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Okay, call me cliché but I really do love the fall.  It’s sweater season (in theory… in reality it’s been 80 all week, but go with me here) the apples are at their best, the leaves are turning and the holidays are about to begin.

Fall is a time for savoring rich flavors, rich experiences, and gorgeous rich colors like the ones above.

Happy Surprises

1 // Learning that one of my very best friends (who has had a crazy amazing busy year and I am so so proud of her — so I totally understood when she said she wouldn’t be able to make it) just bought a ticket to come to our wedding.

2 // Coming home to fresh seared scallops and cider with rum.

3 // … not to mention a clean house and an empty basket of laundry.  That guy, he knows just what to do to tug at my heart.

4 // A sweet gift for Austin from his soon-to-be step-gramma.

5 // Realizing that after months (maybe years) of work with no change at all, I’m running just a little bit faster.

It’s been a stressful couple of weeks, with tons of work and the wedding right around the corner, but in the end… it’s always the good stuff that comes out on top.

Photo: Cassidy Carson via Snippet & Ink