South Beach Diet: A Sad Update

image found here

I forgot to update, so I figured I would let you all know- THIS IS NOT AN EASY DIET.  I mean, I have pretty good self-control, but eliminating sugar did nothing at all for my mood.  Which, um, slightly lessened my self-control abilities.  My awesome and supportive mother (who functioned as personal therapist this week, THANK YOU MOM) tried very patiently to convince me that after the first week, it is easier.  But let me tell you- we did not make it that far.  Five days was about all I could do, and then on July 4 I had pizza and coke- my favorite meal in the world.  Saturday was worse.  Since then I have been trying to do better.  But I think for now, the total elimination of sugar and bread is out of the picture.

At least until grad school is over.  Or I stop loving pizza and soda.

Don't leave me alone in my guilt- Someone encourage me with success stories, please!

How To: Super Easy Embossing

I hope that everyone had a great weekend celebrating America's Birthday!!  I actually got LOTS of homework and studying done, and also I finally worked on my Save the Dates!  You have patiently listened to the plans, and now you are saying-

"Enough already!  Just show us the gosh darn things."

Well my friends, the finished product is coming soon.  But first, don't you want to see how I gave them a special crafty touch?  (I will safely assume the answer is yes.)

Before placing my beautifully edited vintage postcards into the safety of their new homes, I thought I would do a little decorating.  So I figured I would give a short "how to" about embossing our new address onto the backs of the envelopes as the return address.  (Please ignore the awful blocked out info!)

Step One: ink stamp and press onto envelope flap

Step Two: not so centered, try harder next time!

Step Three: cover with embossing powder in color of your choice

Step Four: dump off excess powder

Step Five: use sweet pink embosser to heat it up!

Step Six: now ain't that a perty touch?

Materials:

Envelopes

Custom Rubber Stamp (from impressrubberstamps.com)

Ink in color of your choice

Embossing powder (can be clear, as shown, or colored)

Embossing Tool

Tips: I use a paper plate to tap off my excess powder onto; it makes for easy clean up if you fold it in half and use it to funnel the excess back into your container.

Very simple; gives it a personal and homemade touch.  Which is what I am going for- you can't take me too seriously if my own address isn't centered, now can you?  ;)

Tomorrow comes the finished product, I promise!  Thank y'all for your continued patience!  Anyone else finding the little things endlessly amusing while trying not to study for this week's midterm?

So I ran out of time this week to talk about the Save the Dates OR Photography!  Don't worry- there are almost seven more months left for me to fill you in.  Enjoy your weekend!!

Random Love Friday

Happy 4th!!!  I hope everyone is out enjoying good food, good friends, and good fireworks.  Let's all take a minute and say a big thank you (in our heads or out loud!) to the women and men fighting to maintain our freedom, and the families who miss them!

I figured why not celebrate the holiday by starting a new trend- Random Love Friday.  I figured I would post a few random things I love this week.

I'll start here, because I can't get this picture off my mind.  I want to be there- have my reception there, eat there, stay there, live there, anything!  Something about this picture just speaks to me.  You might have noticed it was in my inspiration board, but I have not yet expressed the extent of my love for this picture.

photo of Hotel Splendido via Little Winter Bride

I saw this ring on Nibs ages ago, and I just love it.  It looks nothing like my ring, or any ring I have ever seen, for that matter.  But I think it's gorgeous.

Pearl ring via Nibs Blog

I saw this on Brooklyn Bride and I thought it was adorable- for some reason I am fascinated with family trees anyway, and this one is beautiful, simple and thoughtful.

Jessica Rust Family Tree Platter via Brooklyn Bride

Last, I can't remember where I got the link for this site, but I am very in love with this pillow.  I should collect one from each of the states I have lived in!!  Alright, just kidding, but seriously- so cute!  Perfect way to display love for my new home.

Georgia Pillow from Catstudio

What random things are y'all loving this week?

Lindsey's Wedding: Round Three

Round Three is all about the details.  Forgive the bad photography.

Centerpieces

More shepherd hooks lining the dance floor

(Yes, I almost burned myself more than once.)

Fantastic Band

Bouquet Toss ("I was aiming right for you!!")

We ate barbecue, drank beer out of our favors: monogramed koozies, and danced to a fantastic country band.  (That is saying a lot, from me!)  Members of the bridal party spent the night outside, drinking moonshine.  (I was way too afraid to try it!)  Thank you Lindsey and Chris for showing this military brat how it's done in south Georgia!

a work shot to end things

(V, my great boss, Jess the decoration thief, me, and Steph,

surrounding the beautiful bride)

Tell me about your favorite real wedding!

A (Slightly Edited) Letter to my Bridesmaids

With less than seven months to go until my super sweet wedding, I thought y'all might be dying to know what I would like you to wear!

DRESS: 

from JCrew

CEREMONY SHOES: Any BLACK or BLACK-ISH heels that you find comfortable

RECEPTION SHOES: ANY shoes (including and especially flip flops) that you love to dance in

JEWELRY: Any non-obnoxious metallic jewelry of your choosing that makes you feel beautiful.  (I also support the wearing of pearls, but of course do not require it.)

COAT: If it's cold, you best be bringing a coat!  I don't want anyone to freeze!  And no, I don't care what it looks like, as long as it makes you feel snuggly.

REMINDER: No, Abby, you cannot wear red heels in the Cathedral.  But bring those red flops to the reception.

If anyone doesn't know what non-obnoxious means... wait, then why are we friends?  Just kidding!  Use your best judgment, I am not super picky.  Or just ask!

I love you all and I so appreciate you agreeing to this torture and letting me pick out your clothes!

Lindsey's Wedding: Round Two

So you already heard about Jess's decoration stealing techniques... But what about the rest of Lindsey's wedding?  I want to share with you my absolute favorite part of the day, entitled:

How to Leave Your Wedding in a Bass Boat

Yeah, that's a Georgia blanket.  What did you think her theme was??

We all stood around, in the hot sun, while all of the pictures of the bridal party and families were taken inside the church.  What were we waiting for, you ask?  No one wanted to miss watching a bride climb into a Georgia Bass Boat.  No one.  Consider the cocktail hour skipped.

"How do I get in?"  and  "I guess I'll kick off my shoes, hike up my skirt, and DO this!"

Chris helps get those shoes back on, and the couple poses for some memorable pictures

Younger Brother at the Wheel (Someone has to pull the boat!!)  and  The Happy Couple Waves Goodbye

And you thought your get-away plans were creative!  Let me know if you can top this!