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
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.
How do you know you live (kind of way out) in the country? You might find yourself shooting giant robots with pumpkins, or watching uncomfortably as your six year old maneuvers what looks like a tank with ease.
Sunday afternoon, we took an impromptu trip up the road to visit a farm where we heard you could shoot punkin’ chunkin’ cannons yourself. Since I’m pretty sure Mark has dreamt of this day since he himself was six, there’s no way we could pass it up.
But really, as totally crazy as they were, the most impressive thing about the whole deal wasn’t the cannons — it was the size of the robots! I can’t even imagine what it must take to build these things.
Lately, my brain has taken to spontaneous combustion. I’ve forgotten the date, the time, what it is I’m even talking about in the middle of a sentence… at this point I think it’s safe to say that wedding brain has taken over.
The thing is that it’s not just a wedding I have to prepare for, it’s also the fact that I’m about to leave… for 3 weeks… right in the middle of a busy political season (to put it lightly) and right in the middle of the holidays…
So, that said, this morning I thought it was Tuesday.
But I suppose my recent bout of forgetfulness just emphasizes how badly I need a night out… and tonight I’m planning to do just that. My maid of honor has the whole evening planned and I can’t tell you how fantastic it feels to just be along for the ride. Whatever the stress that comes with these final few weeks I have to say… the one thing I’m feeling more than anything is thankful that I have such amazing people in my life.
Here are a few things I’m loving…
This is pretty on a whole new level — I can’t wait to see the book.
These vegan cookies also count as breakfast — I’m sold.
There’s an app for that.
Yes.
For those of you who love doughnuts just as much as I do.
How cute is this Halloween party?
These Halloween cards too.
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
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
Fall is one of the only seasons that enjoys an undeniable connection to a particular set of foods. In fact, it might be the only… unless we count certain holidays on their own, in which case winter might also stake a little claim.
When the air gets crisp and cold I immediately begin to crave pumpkin, apple, and all things spiced… and long to ring in the new season with some of the best goodies around.
These are just a few that I’ve been dying to make…
2 // Pumpkin Spice Donuts with Cinnamon Butter Glaze
3 // Two Minute Carrot Cake à La Mode
4 // Nutty Hazelnut and Almond Pear Crumble with Elderflower Cream
5 // Pear and Cinnamon Frangipagne Tartlets
6 // Pumpkin Pie Bars
A small, beautiful church, a happy couple, and their closest family and friends… as far as I’m concerned, the gorgeous simplicity of this Nashville wedding is as good as it gets.
Photographer: Alicia Looney Photography / Venue: West End Church of Christ
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
A Thousand Threads 