How do you know your wedding dress is perfect for you/meant to be/the dress you were meant to wear?
When you put it on and it fits like a glove. And not a loose glove. A perfectly form fitting-in-the-right places glove that makes you feel like a million bucks. Went to meet with a seamstress to pin for alterations today. It didn’t need ANY.
I love it. I can’t wait to debut it. I hope everyone loves it as much as I do. Because ya’ll, I may never take it off.
currently reading:
If you haven’t read any Jennifer Haigh books and are looking for some quality summer reads, look no further. It is an understatement to say I’ve read several of her books this summer. I have devoured them, in less than 48 hours a piece, and am on my way to the library to get another. She is witty and seamlessly weaves her characters lives together. Just can’t put her down.
Of course I’m reading HP 7 in an attempt to jog my memory before the second installment of HP 7 movies this summer. I’ve got to be that obnoxious girl in the movie that is constantly whispering to her mother and sister, “That is NOT how that scene went. Harry didn’t say that in the book….RON did.” Nerd me if you want.
Melissa recommended the Sweet Potato book, and its one that has been on my radar for awhile. It will be my next read to tackle!
Jen Lancaster books = laugh out loud fluff, perfect to read by the pool or on the beach. These memoirs are sarcastic and witty, and I find myself literally LOLing at her crassness and willingness to voice things that most people would be mortified to say. She is a hoot.
A Wild Ride up the Cupboards was picked up in a totally random, judge a book by its cover moment. I have no idea what it will be like, but I’m intrigued!
currently eating:
Real Simple has done it again. This recipe caught my eye with its use of leeks and spinach, two of my new favorite ingredients to cook with. RS recommended using shrimp with this recipe (along with about a gallon of heavy cream. oops on that bridal diet), but try as I might, I just cannot like shrimp! It is one of the only picky things leftover from my childhood eating habits, but I cannot bring myself to down a shrimp. Never going to happen. So I will take my vegetarian pasta with extra leeks and spinach and enjoy it!
currently making:
Here is a little glimpse at the upcoming wedding theme. I have been making these organza fabric flowers to add a little pizazz to the grey bridesmaid dresses. The flowers are in all of the neutral colors I am currently loving and that are quickly becoming my “wedding colors.” Nudes, blush pinks, creams, taupes. Love them. These flower belts/sashes will hopefully add the delicate touch I’m going for and tie in seamlessly with the rest of the wedding decor. Bridesmaids, I hope you like them!
currently loving:
This terrible picture. A classic Berkley impromptu shot, it captured my sweatiness and griping about yet another picture. Logan looks ready to spit at the camera. We are very good at taking a pretty rotten picture. Too funny and captures the moment perfectly.
What are you currently doing in your summer?
Melissa and I have been cracking ourselves up lately with the “problems” we are encountering this summer. We fully recognize our stereotypical whiteness and the supposed “issues” we face in our terribly difficult white middle class world. I’m sharing them with you so you can (hopefully) get as much of a giggle out of privelege as we do.
“OH NO. I just smudged my OPI Get in Lime nail polish for the second time. I’m going to have to do another coat and it’s going to take forever to dryyyy.”
“My hair will just not hold any curl in this NC summer humidity! I’m going to have a terrible hair summer, so why am I even trying!” (verge of a 23 year old temper tantrum)
“If I’m making all of these fabric flowers, I should start an Etsy shop! Oh but what in the world would I call it! I would never be able to make a decision or come up with something cute enough….”
“Which nude pumps should I buy that could transition throughout all the seasons and go with the majority of my clothes? Should I get the ones with the wooden soles? Or the ones with the platform toes? Wedge? Peep toe? Slingback? Too many choices!”
“Ugh. The apartment complex is out of creamer again! I mean you would think with the rent we pay we could get some creamer in the morning! (With our complimentary Keurig individually brewed coffee)
Ya’ll. I need to clarify, we are not as bratty as this makes us sound. After these comments (most of which are made in jest, promise) we have to giggle and then say a quick prayer for the less fortunate of the world. All of these trivial matters only serve to remind us that we lead extremely blessed lives and that our time and efforts can always be put to better use (than stressing over nail polish and shoes). If nothing else, these comments bring us back to earth as soon as they are uttered and remind us to CHECK OURSELVES. Nevertheless, enjoy our ridiculousness. We do.
We had a lovely weekend at the wedding of Sarah Anne and Bailey. It was a fabulous time to catch up with friends and spend some time chatting and dancing it up. She had the wedding in her grandmother’s backyard in historic Bath. Her house was right on the sound and it was simply picturesque. Despite the 26 bug bites I took away as souvenirs and my incredibly sweaty fiance, it was a perfect evening and a great celebration for the Watkins’!
bffle reunion.
delicate touches.
roomsoulmate picture.
cool can and cool coco.
breathtaking sunset!
our wedding favor - monogrammed glasses designed by Ms. Emily herself!
The lovely couple. Is her dress not to die for?
Beverage boat. Loved it saran.
Boo pic.
It was such a nice night! I loved every bit and loved being a part of their day.
Everyone said, you are next!!! So with that note, I’m off to plan!
This one turned 27 last weekend. We had some softball. We had some supper club. We had some biscuits. We had some outdoor movies. We had some celebration. We welcomed his 27th year together with smiles.
He asked for some action shots. So killer swing, take one.
Flipping the score as he brought home another run.
First course of the Yum Yum Supper Club extravaganza. It was heavenly.
Third course. I think those were beer battered and fried okras? Whatever they were they were delicious and they were gone!
Official birthday = birthday biscuit from Sunrise Biscuit Kitchen. Big boy food!
So, happy birthday boo. You are loved!
Ya’ll, Melissa and I stumbled on a new food phenomenon from our beloved Durham tonight. Enter The Parlour. It’s an old refinished school bus, painted white, that serves gourmet-esque and homemade ice cream at a non-gourmet price. Not only are they serving delicious ice cream, but they have flavors like salted butter caramel, and honey chai. WHAT?
Not only that, but can we talk toppings? Berenbaum’s Donuts. Mocha whipped cream. Ginger butterscotch. Again, WHAT?
Friends, I fully intend to hunt that bus down this weekend and indulge myself in some major sweet treats. It’s a good thing that my fiance (it’s still nuts to call him that) and my best friend share my affinity for all things sweet, otherwise I might come off as a little nutty. Luckily, they are right there with me salivating after the endless supply of brownies, doughnut muffins, and pie that Durham has to serve up.
So, mission for the weekend? FIND THAT TRUCK. I will report back as soon as I have sampled (hopefully more than one flavor) and most assuredly loved. Ice cream here we come!
Friends, I am dreaming of this mixer, DREAMING! I can almost taste all of the wonderful treats I could bake if I had this thing. It is the one thing I will be totally heartbroken about if I don’t get it during all the wedding festivities. I have long admired my mother’s and now my own is within my grasp. For such an avid baker like myself, it only makes sense. Right? Am I justifying? Or just lusting after such a fine piece of kitchen machinery? It’s beautiful. And I need one in my future kitchen! :::sigh:::
Millionaire’s Shortbread = productivity on my Memorial Day.
With Logan working and Melissa at the beach, what choice did I have but to bake something delicious and terrible for me? A pound of butter later, I have added this little treat to my waistline and my baking repertoire. It is a labor intensive cookie, but friends, well worth it!
I found the recipe on The Blue-Eyed Bakers blog and knew that I had to try it. I had been itching to bake something fabulous, and knew this was it. Here is the recipe:
Millionaire’s Shortbread
For the shortbread:
1/2 pound unsalted butter, softened
3/4 teaspoon salt
1/3 cup sugar
2 cups flour
1/2 cup plus 1 1/2 tablespoons cornstarch
For the caramel:
1/2 cup unsalted butter
1/2 cup light brown sugar
2 tablespoons light corn syrup
1/2 cup sweetened condensed milk
For the chocolate:
1 1/4 cups semi sweet chocolate, chopped
First, make the shortbread. Preheat the oven to 325 degrees. Generously grease a 9 x 9 baking pan with butter. In the bowl of an electric mixer, combine the butter, salt, and sugar and whip on medium speed until the butter becomes fluffy and white - about 5 minutes. Turn the mixer to low and add the flour and cornstarch. Mix to incorporate. Pat the dough evenly into the pan. Bake for about 30 minutes, until the edges just begin to darken. The shortbread will remain white. Set aside to cool.
Next, make the caramel. In a 2 quart saucepan, combine butter, brown sugar, corn syrup, and sweetened condensed milk and bring to a boil, stirring constantly. Continue stirring and allow mixture to boil for another 5 minutes. Remove caramel from heat and stir vigorously for a few minutes. Pour over shortbread and allow to set up at room temperature for at least 30 minutes.
For the chocolate, simply place chocolate in a microwave-safe bowl. Heat for 45 seconds, then stir and continue to heat and stir at 20 second intervals until chocolate is completely melted. Pour chocolate over the caramel layer and spread evenly to cover. Chill to set the chocolate - about 30 minutes.
Get to baking!
PS. I bake better with fresh flowers around. Especially when they are my favorite kind. From my favorite person. If I were a millionaire, I would have fresh flowers in every room, always.
These pictures are currently inspiring my wedding ideas/plans. Rustic, natural in pastels and natural colors like grays, taupes. Loving it.
My checklist is slowly filling with checks! We have a venue, caterer, cake, dress, bridesmaid dresses, photographer, shoes! Now to the fun part…..crafting, DIY, and decorations!
Logan’s mom was kind enough to order our precious Save the Dates, which we totally love. I’m trying to decide if I’m brave enough to tackle making my own invitations. School is over in two weeks so I will have months to get my craft on. To craft or not to craft. That’s my question!
This is one patient man. Last weekend he accompanied Melissa and I to none other than Bridal Mart to “watch” us pick out bridesmaid dresses. He sat through every try on in a store full of women, and even ventured to give us his opinion. After that, I figured he needed a treat. Enter the unknown foodie heaven of Prego in Burlington. Run by authentic Italians and recommended by Mell, we stopped for some decadent cannoli’s to rival the cannoli’s we enjoyed last summer in NYC. Holy cannoli is right. It was de-licious.
So, if you are ever rolling through B-Town and need a little pick me up? Prego - cannoli- get on it!
The dangers of owning/wearing a boyfriend watch: your boyfriend will actually take it and wear it thinking it is his.
I will be sporting a true boyfriend watch for the week, and Logan will be sporting the newest ladies trend of the “boyfriend” watch.
Thanks fashion!
One of my dearest friends, Laurel, is in India fighting for those who have no voice. She has been working against the sex slave trade, and wrote this moving post. Check it out here:
http://laurelgillespie.blogspot.com/2011/04/behind-veil.html
1. “Ms. Rogers, you have been helping me so much on this art project. I should buy you a beer.” “A beard? Did you say a beard? Why would she need a beard? She’s a woman!” “NO, not a beard! A BEER. Like the juice your dad drinks.”
2. Little girls singing “Jesus Loves Me, This I Know” while in their mama’s Target shopping cart.
3. My cashier’s name was Blender. She was an older sassy woman with an elaborate updo and two inch, immaculately painted nails - all matching her tomato red Target shirt. You go Blender.
4. Homemade chocolate peanut-butter and coconut eggs. Better than any candy bar you can buy.
Happy Tuesday Ya’ll.
After seemingly endless grueling weeks leading up to spring break, it is finally here. Thank goodness! My life has seemed like a fairytale, full of diamond rings, fantastic food, great friends, and sleeping till I feel like it. Cheesy as it sounds, teaching is definitely my true calling that I am thrilled to have found. But can we talk about the perks? After this 9 days off, I have a few months and then I get off for an entire summer. So fairytale life, by all means, please continue!
Engagement dinner at Alivia’s.
Sweet Melissa.
Sassy Coco and some decadent chocolate cake.
Friends and the Durham Bulls.
Durham, meet the young and fresh.
Seedlings I am nurturing along for my kids. Dedication.
Cafe Arancia. Scratch Bakery. Orangey delight.
Clearly I’m delighted. 80 degree weather. Slight sunburn. H&M deals. Good day.
practicing updos for summer wedding season.
photo op? cue sassy face.
Real World: I am truly sorry you do not get spring and summer breaks. Play hookey. Enjoy the day. The world of sunshine and doughnut muffins with gingham wearing friends is out there waiting for you. All you have to do is SKIP. THAT. JOB.
I highly recommend it.
I am only a few days into wedding planning.
This is the face it makes me want to have.
This is the face I make after my first choice venue emailed me back with prices and charged more to rent their facility for four hours than my entire budget is worth.
Good grief. Anyone have a fabulous outdoor barn/patio/garden complete with a dance floor, white folding chairs, twinkly lights/chinese lanterns, and tables complete with linens, stemware, and flatware that they want to volunteer for use one Saturday in October? Because if you do, I am your girl. Otherwise, this girl is going to have to get creative.
DIY project partner anyone?
