TGIF

Yippeee!!! It's Friday!

Just to prove I went to work out early, I took a picture of my car clock!!! It says 7:21 am and that is when I pulled in to my gym. I was going to take a body pump class today, but I got there too early and decided to just walk at 4.0 on the treadmill.

Last night the quesedillas turned out great ... and they were SO easy to make. All you need is goat cheese, corn, onions, tortilla shells, and some salsa! Sautee the corn for a minute and then layer corn, cheese, and salsa in your tortilla shells and cook for about 10 minutes on 400 degrees.

Rob's sister came over last night with her daughter Lila, aka diva on wheels. Lila just turned 3 and she is the flower girl in our wedding. Last night we were trying to look for flower girl dresses and she wanted the ones with attachable butterfly wings!!!

Bride Book

My Bride Book came in today!! For the wedding-illiterate, a bride book is a bound book that documents your whole wedding process. Your engagement announcement, wedding announcement, showers & party invitations and guest signature pages. I am so excited to start putting things in mine!


Also, how cute is this floral wreath? You know me, I went to the bookstore last night to read wedding mags and take pictures with my iphone.

Sleepy

Today is a prime example of my previous post about how I have a problem lately with getting up early. Take last night for instance ... I went to bed at 9 pm with intentions of getting up and working out from 7-8am. Wrong. I didn't wake up until 8:30 am. I probably would have slept later if I didn't have a facial at 9.

Seriously, I used to get up at 5:30 am (used to meaning like a month or two ago) and lately, no matter how early I go to bed I am sleeping in until 8 am, which is super-late for me!

What is wrong with me? Can interrupted sleep be the answer? Lately the dogs are getting up in the middle of the night and rummaging around. Maybe this is my problem.

Tonight I am trying out a recipe a friend gave me from "Cooking Light" for goat cheese quesedillas. Should be interesting and I will let you all know how they turn out!

Gotta Love Target ...

This is hilarious to some, but I have no shame in telling everyone that Rob and I got our engagement photo taken at the Target portrait studio last week. With how expensive wedding costs can be, this is one area that both of us agreed we didn't care a lot about. The picture is going to be used ONE time, for the newspaper announcement. We really didn't want a photo session where we had several hundred photos taken of us. Plus we just couldn't justify the cost of a full engagement photo session; we want to focus on other areas of our wedding. So, last Wednesday we dressed up and went to Super-Target to have our portrait made. And let me tell you-- it was COMPLETELY FREE. We paid absolutely nothing to get our portrait emailed to us, which I am now going to email to the newspaper. All in all it was a win-win situation. Which picture is your favorite? They would be in black and white of course, for the newspaper.

I hope everyone who participated in Fat Tuesday enjoyed themselves. I really wanted to go to Owen Brennan's last night and get some cajun food and king cake, but nooooooo. Last night I had to work a Junior League shift, which normally I don't mind at all. Much to my surprise I get to the JL building last night in my skinny jeans and tory burch flats only to see everyone in sweats. I am feeling a little out of place until I learn that I signed myself up for CLEAN UP SHIFT. Not just minimal cleaning, I'm talkin' we are cleaning the whole house, top to bottom. All of this is for the upcoming ball they are having there this weekend. Don't get me wrong, I don't mind cleaning (err maybe I do), but to do it for three hours inside and outside in the freezing cold was NOT fun. Plus I was starving and normally every event to do with the Junior League is filled with snacks, food, and goodies. Not this one!

All this week I have been trying to get up early to go work out. Well, it hasn't quite worked out for me. Ideally, I would like to work out from 7 am- 8 am, but I just can't get myself up and roaring! Any tips from those that work out in the early am? I am a morning person, so I can't figure out why I can't get to the gym early. Ugh. Now I'm on my way to go walk on the treadmill and read magazines. I have set a goal that starting in March I am going to attend the body pump classes in addition to cardio, but we'll see if that happens or not.

Weekend Updates

We started out this wedding weekend with a pleasant surprise while checking into our hotel room- Claire had put together Mardi Gras King Cake's for her out-of-town guest favors! Being the sweets addict that I am, you better believe that I ate the whole cake as soon as we got up to the room, and no, I'm not kidding.

Here are some pics from the rehearsal dinner:


The bridal luncheon was so elegant and wonderful!

The wedding was a traditional Episcopalian ceremony and afterwords we headed to the Country Club for the reception. At the reception, traditional Louisiana food was served including red beans and rice, crawfish, hush puppies, and other goodies!


Overall it was a great weekend :)

The time is counting down for me as well. This week I will be getting my invitations and guest list to my calligrapher, booking an Elvis impersonator for my reception, ordering my favors, and taking my dress for my first fitting!

Ebay Items are Listed

I have finally listed a few things on Ebay. Two handbags, a pair of sunglasses, and a Lilly dress. If anyone has any questions about any of the items, don't hesitate to ask me!

HERE is the link to the items.

Weekend Plans

This weekend we're headed back to Louisiana for my friend Claire's wedding, in which I am a bridesmaid. Claire and I met when we shared an apartment while studying abroad in Paris. I have attached a picture of us in Paris. We are standing in the courtyard of the Ritz-Carlton, right before our night at the Bar Hemingway, where we were there mere minutes before Lance Armstrong and Sheryl Crow (Please excuse my gross outfit, what was I thinking? You have to keep in mind that this photo was taken circa 2005).

Claire has such classy taste; it's going to be a big traditional southern wedding and I can't wait to see what she has been planning for all of these months! This will be the only wedding I get to attend before my actual wedding, so you better believe that I will be stalking everything in sight to get last minute ideas and inspirations!

I have found the most adorable design company to design my stickers for my guest favors. She is also going to do my bridal luncheon invites and a cute little map of Memphis for my out-of-town guest baskets. It is truly a small world because I actually attended the University of Kentucky with MEllen, and even though we've never met, I have heard her name several times and we have several mutual friends. She graduated the same year as me and has already established her own stationary business! Check out her website and super-cute blog:

M.Ellen Designs
Mostly M.Ellen Blog

Here is the template I am going to use for my bridal luncheon. It's being held on Derby Day and it's going to be a morning tea (derby hats encouraged, but optional!):

This is an example of the kind of Map she is going to make for me, except mine will be of Memphis, of course:

Somewhere warm ...

The stint of warm weather the last two weeks has really gotten me in the mood for summer and warm weather. Sadly, that weather is gone now and we're back to the gross 40 degree temperatures. I found myself yesterday planning out landscaping ideas for our house. Speaking of, when is the right time in the spring to landscape? I consider myself a complete landscaping novice, so any help would be appreciated.

Also, I am yearning to go somewhere warm on a mini-vacay. Unfortunately, Rob has to save all of his vacation days for our honeymoon, so that won't be happening until then. I would really just love to go down to southern Florida for a few days ... wouldn't that be nice?

Here are the cocktail napkins that I've designed for our wedding. Thanks to Missy in Pink, who shared an awesome website that lets you design them yourself!


I am going to do a couple of other styles with the same color scheme.

What do you all think?

IRL Blogger

I have yet to blog about my IRL friend, Britney. Britney is hilarious and always kept me laughing during those long and boring Student Government meetings back at the University of Kentucky. We both were elected senators on the same ticket, and we like to say we were the "all blonde" ticket.

This past summer she got married and is now expecting :) She has an incredible blog documenting her journey ... check it out:

Dave and Brit Plus One

Monday- Day Off!

Today was my day off, so I started out the day by going to the gym and "walking" on the treadmill. For me, that means people-watching and looking at magazines.

I think I have found my bridal up-do ... featured in the latest edition of "Southern Weddings" is the wedding of Thea & Nilsson. I think the bride is absolutely beautiful and her hair looks amazing! I love the "poof" at the top aka teasing galore (anyone who knows me knows that I LOVE to tease my hair)
Here are photos I attempted to take with my iphone:




Also, look what I got ... I may have lied about what all I got at Saks last weekend. I just had to have these ... they're like walking in tennis shoes- so comfy! I am telling you, if you need a pair of comfy work shoes or pumps, these are it!


Stay tuned for some new eBAY items I'm listing today. I have to pay for these shoes somehow, right? HAHA!

As most of you know, yesterday was Valentine's Day! R was nice enough to get me roses AND chocolates from a fine candy store here in Memphis called "Dinstuhl's". There really isn't a better gift for a true chocoholic like me than chocolate candies! I've already sampled each one and I'm working on polishing off the whole box!





Life of A Southern Belle has tagged me for a fun purse game!

1) Post a picture of whatever bag you are carrying as of late. No, you cannot go up to your closet and pull out that cute little purse you used back before you had kids. I want to know what you carried today or the last time you left the house. No cheating!
2) I want to know how much it cost:) And this is not to judge. This is for entertainment purposes only. So spill it. And if there is a story to go along with how you obtained it, I’d love to hear it.
3) Tag some chicks. And link back to this post so people know why the heck you’re showing everyone your bag.




This is my LV Neverfull, aka my suitcase purse. I was carrying my YSL muse last week, and as of late I have really had a lot of crap to put in my purse. I like the neverfull because, as the name indicates, it can never be full! This thing will hold all of my crap and more! I got it at the LV store in Jacksonville, Florida. My Mom and I both got similar bags and when we get tired of one, we swap them out.

Now I tag:
- GRITS
- Red, White, & Preppy
- Christin
- Dave and Brit plus One
- Petunia in Paradise
- Sparkle Sparkle!

Happy Friday

Happy Friday everyone! Also, Happy early Valentine's Day! R and I are going out to dinner and to the movies tomorrow night. We are going to see "Confessions of a Shopoholic" and I can't wait! I read all of the Rebecca Bloomwood books and I can't wait to see the movie, especially with Isla Fisher - I just love her!

What is everyone else doing tomorrow night?

Our invitations came in yesterday!!! They are magnificent. I wish I could post a picture of them, but I don't want any creepers out there to know my full name or address. I can't believe they're already in - I just ordered them a couple of weeks ago! I guess the stationary business is either hurting or not that busy right now.

Oxygen-Infusion facial ...

Today I had my first of six oxygen-infused facials by intraceuticals. These facials are all the new rage and instantly plump and infuse your face with oxygen and serum. They are supposed to take away fine lines, scars, pigmentations, and more. I am here to say that after just one treatment, my face feels and looks awesome. Apparently, Madonna and other celebrities swear by them.

Check out the website:
http://www.intraceuticals.com/index.htm

The shoes have arrived ...

The beautiful wedding shoes have arrived! In attempts to avoid LA state sales tax, I had my little jewels shipped.

They arrived yesterday ... how stunning! I am obsessed with them!




I just love the gold detailing around the jewel ...
YAY!

dress

Thank you all for the comments about my dresses in yesterday's post.

The second dress was admittedly one of the most comfortable dresses that I've ever worn. I'm embarrassed to say that it was a Lauren Conrad dress (this is coming from someone that doesn't care for Lauren Conrad). I walked into a boutique here in Memphis and fell in love with it from the window. I looked at the tag and was shocked to see that it was Lauren Conrad dress because of how dressy it looked. I was used to seeing her cotton dresses. I have to say, I am now a fan of her clothes because that dress was a hit! Here is a pic of the whole dress. It reminded me of a party dress.


The first pictures was a dress as well. It was from the new Twelfth Street by Cynthia Vincent pre-spring collection and it was adorable as well. I love it and I'm considering getting it in black as well.

I joined a gym yesterday! I'm so excited to get back into working out and taking classes. I think I'm going to try my first class tonight :)

I hope you all have a great day and are enjoying this beautiful weather !!!!

Too much fun

First of all, New Orleans was by far one of the most fun places that I have ever been. I am already planning a second trip back with Rob. Second, I had to contain myself while driving through the Kentwood exit because I really wanted to go exploring to find "Serenity", aka the Britney Spears compound, or else go to the local Wal-Mart to find Jamie Lynn, baby, and Casey Aldrige. Okay, that's enough.

I went to Saks on Friday and to my surprise they had the Brooch d'Orsay Manolo heels that I had originally wanted for my wedding shoes! And guess what? They only had a 36 left (just my size!). I also got some really cute Chanel sunglasses, just in time for spring!

Friday we went to Rock and Sake, a sushi bar. It was a lot of fun and due to our hour wait for a table, made a new friend who had been in prison for five years. I love talking to random people and this is a prime example of random:

Saturday we had brunch at "A Court of Two Sisters", which was amazing. The bananas foster were to die for.

For dinner we rode the trolley car to ""Jacque-Imos"" which was traditional New Orleans cuisine. We got so many appetizers and had a great time!

NOLA

This weekend I'll be in New Orleans for my friend Claire's bachelorette party. I am going to drive down a little early tomorrow to shop at Saks and other stores for some wedding shoes :)

We have a pretty eventful weekend planned; dinners, brunch, shopping, and fun!

Believe it or not, this will be my first visit to NOLA, so if any of you all have any recommendations (stores, rrants, etc.) please, let me know!

I'll have plenty of pictures to post upon my return!

Feeling Lazy ...

Does anyone else out there love the crock-pot? I've had this little jewel since my Mom got it for me in college. Sadly, it stayed in the box until this past month when it re-appeared from the depths of our moving boxes. Lately R and I have been trying not to eat out as much. Last month we were eating out three or four nights a week. After talking about how much money we were wasting I made an executive decision to start cooking more. I have found that making dinners in the crock-pot is the easiest thing in the world to do. Tonight I poured some General Tso's sauce in the crock pot and added chicken slices. I let the mixture cook for about three hours and then cooked some rice. Voila! Easy General Tso's chicken!

What is it about January and February that makes me feel so lazy? It's probably the cold weather. I swear, I am lucky to get out of my house to leave for work. The second I am home I trade the heels for my restoration hardware fleece booties (aka LPOH "little piece of heaven") and my comfy clothes and turn on the space heater. And forget about getting me back out ... once I am in for the afternoon that is it. It took all I had to attend my required provisional Junior League meeting last night. I will even avoid running errands because it's "too cold" to get out of my car. I am always cold. Our house was built in 1941, so it's not very well insulated. I have grown to love my little space heater. Oh, and I've been going to bed the past couple of weeks at 8:30 pm!!!!!!! I mean, come on grandma! Seriously though, I don't know what's wrong with me! I guess it could be that it's so dark and cold, but 8:30?! I am turning into a little old lady ...

I had a genius idea today when I had to stand in a 20 minute line at the post office. Why doesn't the post office have a drive-thru? I just don't get it ... every single time I go to the post office there is a massive line of people. Everything else has a drive-thru, so why can't the post office?

Monday Ramblings

Is it sad that I am totally disinterested in anything related to the superbowl? I could totally care less. It wasn't until R was talking to me about the superbowl that I even knew what teams were playing. I have never liked professional sports. College sports, occasionally, but professional sports, never. Needless to say, I spent last night browsing wedding mags and hanging out with my pups. How awesome is this table that I found in "Bride & Bloom"? I am thinking of incorporating gold into my color scheme somehow, and this would be a perfect way:



I wanted everyone to get a chance to visit "The Reality of Happily Ever After"'s blog and vote for my girl GRITS for the Sweet Blogger award.

GRITS is awesome. She is one of those people that feels like a long-time friend, even though I've never met her in my life. I could see myself hanging out with her in real life and laughing about stupid things. We love you, Grits!