Smile Friday

I will be married to the love of my life one year from today!! The weather this weekend is beautiful, and I can only hope it will be equally as beautiful in 365 days : ) Happy Friday!

Make Today Fun

I think a lot about life, and how fast time truly does fly by. Today I was thinking about how one of my best friends, Kathleen, has been my best friend for almost 15 years now. Almost fifteen years? That is a really long time. Everyone says time flies, but are we really realizing this and doing something about it? What are each of us doing every single day to make that specific day one to remember? I find that a lot of us, including myself sometimes, are living for the weekend. TGIF... What about TGIW? I completely understand the appeal of weekends - being able to do whatever you want from morning until night, vacationing, etc., but weekends are not the bulk of our lives. I think it's essential we find something that we love to do every. single. day. Something that you do, just for you, to make that day special. Each day of your life belongs to you and only you. Hank and I use to ask each other this question at the end of each day, "What is your one positive and one negative from today?" It helped put that day into perspective to make the next day even better. It's a great question to ask at the end of each day, but I would like to suggest that at the beginning of each day, you ask yourself or your significant other, "What are we going to do to make today fun?" There are so many ways to make each day fun, and sometimes its the little things that make it happen. Perhaps you treat yourself to a mani/pedi, the next night you go on a picnic in your backyard or at a park, take a bubble bath with the music turned up really loud or rent a canoe and bask in the sun. It's the little things that can turn into brilliant moments, great conversations and fun times. The little fun times are what can make a good day better and a bad day salvageable. I hope you'll start today by asking yourself, "What am I going to do to make today fun?"

Beerfest 2010

I love when Jen & I picked these two up last Saturday... They were hilarious & stickerfied!

Everyone has their moments!

Snoop

I laughed out loud after I read this. I hope you did too.

Yes, Please!

This little chap can pick me up for a date. Big pimpin'.

It's Coming

My birthday is coming! I'm so excited. I love birthdays. I love your birthday, my birthday, his birthday, her birthday... Birthdays are fabulous.

This weekend I am going to make and decorate with Martha's puff balls shown above. How fun are they? ... I've already blogged the below photo before, but wouldn't you be so excited if you walked up to your birthday party and this was your tablescape?

I came across the below photo on facebook. What an adorable idea for a birthday cake display:

These pennants definitely need to be included as decorations:

I am getting some major bridal luncheon ideas!

All of these potted flowers and plants are beautiful!

You have got to be kidding me!! These are only the most beautiful cupcakes I have ever seen:

I'm certain this:

Plus this

Equals party perfection. Hooray for BIRTHDAYS!!

Hump Day Hottie

The Disney channel knows how to find them! This Wednesday's HDH goes to Zac Effron. I kind of enjoyed him in 17 Again... It was a cute movie, seriously!

I love him & Vanessa together. They are really adorable.

I mean... REALLY adorable!

I came across this one...

Spotted! Most likely because she was trying too hard?

Favorite Quote

People often ask, 'What is your all-time favorite _______ (insert book, movie, food, etc. here)?' If someone asked me what my favorite The Cupcake Shoppe flavor is, I'm pretty sure it's a three-way-tie between Plain Jane, Coconut and Pretty in Pink. I like a lot of different things, and sometimes it's hard for me to pinpoint only one absolute favorite. Well, when I do pinpoint an absolute favorite, I get really excited about it! So... I would like to share my all-time favorite quote:

Celebrate we will life

life is short but sweet for certain

We're climbing two by two

to ensure these days continue.

I love every. single. thing. about it!

I love this version of the quote most, because it is actually sung differently by Dave Matthews Band. This quote is also accredited to DMB... Can you believe it? Two Step isn't even my favorite DMB song, but I LOVE this quote! Here is DMB performing Two Step (fyi).

Recipe for a Good Life

My fiancée (smile) forwarded this to me maybe two years ago now, and I have had it on my bulletin board ever since. It is a constant reminder of how to live & enjoy life.

1) Take a 10-30 minute walk every day. And while you walk, smile. It is the ultimate anti-depressant.

2) Sit in silence for at least 10 minutes each day. Reflect on your life with just you. Buy a lock if you have to!

3) Eat more foods that grow on trees and plants and eat less food that is manufactured in plants.

4) Try to make at least three people smile each day.

5) Don't waste your precious energy on gossip, energy vampires, issues of the past, negative thoughts or things you cannot control. Instead invest your energy in the positive present moment.

6) Eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince and dinner like a college student with a maxed out credit card.

7) Life isn't fair, but it's still good.

8) Life is too short to waste time hating anyone.

9) Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.

10) You are not so important that you have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.

11) Make peace with your past so you don't spoil the present.

12) Don't compare your life to others. You have no idea what their journey is all about.

13) No one is in charge of your happiness except you.

14) Frame every so-called disaster with these words: 'In five years, will this matter?'

15) Forgive everyone for everything.

16) What other people think of you is none of your business.

17) However good or bad a situation is, it will change.

18) Your job wont take care of you when you are sick. Your friends will. Stay in touch!

19) Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.

20) Remember that you are too blessed to be stressed. When you are feeling down, start listing your many positives in life. You'll be smiling before you know it.

I hope you'll live by these, because they are so true!

Movie Time

One of my favorites made me watch this with her over the weekend... I had doubts... but it is such a great movie!! Raw & Hilarious. I highly recommend!

Dainty Delights

As I mentioned, Hank sent flowers to my work to celebrate five years on March 25th. I wanted to find a way to preserve them. All of the tiny roses dried up, so I broke them off their stems and put them in this tiny bowl. They look super cute and dainty. Preserved perfection.

Why I Loved Friday

1) Met with British photographer & I'm obsessed

2) Tried Indian for lunch (first time) and LOVED IT

3) Learned Indian restaurant has brunch and all you can drink mimosas on the weekends : )

4) The most beautiful campus in the world is where I work!!!!

5) It was the start to a fun weekend.

How Late Am I?

I am currently obsessed with this song... 3 Words by Cheryl Cole featuring Will.i.am.

Throw Pillow Tuesday

This throw pillow is so simple. Sometimes in life that's all something needs to be... Simple.

How beautiful are sand dollars by the way? I love the excitement that surrounds looking for one and finding a complete one. Unbroken.

I have one my Dad found for me in a basket in the powder room.

Customer Service

Customer Service is one of the most important things to me!

Coton Colors Pottery receives an A+

I recently ordered a new attachment for my Happy Everything platter in order to take advantage of their free shipping. Typically their shipping cost is almost half the price of the attachment... Which is crazy! Anyway, once I received it I was really disappointed. It was not so prettily painted... And they are always so prettily painted! I wrote their customer service department expressing my concerns about this recently purchased attachment along with one I ordered forever ago that I was not happy with either. They realized their quality control people missed the art mistakes! In response they are sending me two new attachments. Now that's what I call customer service!

Great customer service makes me so. unbelievably. happy.

Bridal Show

The Bridal Show in Raleigh on Sunday started out really fun. By the time we got to the fourth and final aisle, we were exhausted! Thank goodness for the floor and a limo and party bus to rest in.

We tried a ton of delicious food... Shrimp Ceviche, Salmon, Crab Cakes, Risotto Cakes, CAKE, Champagne, Chicken & Grits, Sweet Potato Pie, Various Dips and the list goes on! We saw some awesome tablescapes, one amazing florist and every other aspect of the wedding day you can imagine.

Anoop (American Idol) was there as a guest to play Toilet Paper Bride... Which was about as random as it gets! My favorite takeaway was the print from my photobooth session with Hank and some silly Bride & Groom shot glasses and maybe a cookie from The Carolina Inn ; )

What I realized most was that a bride can be 15 and a bride can be 80... There was such a range! I can't wait to book our places so I can get to the fun details!!

Weekend Recap

This weekend involved...

Homemade Shrimp & Grits

Two Classics

Three Treasures from The Laughing Turtle

(I can't wait to share with you!)

First Sunrise Biscuit Kitchen Experience... Hank gives it a thumbs up!

First Bridal Show Experience... Exhausting (but fun)!

... Off we go!

P.S. This dress from the H&M Garden Collection received about 4234 compliments when I wore it on Saturday and to the bridal show on Sunday. I suggest you ATTACK! It's so cute, comfortable, and... IT HAS POCKETS!!

Food Friday

This week has been my favorite dinner week in a long time! Harris Teeter has delicious marinated steak shish kabobs. We had those on Monday with grilled pineapple. We had Tuna Salad Tuesday, and made this tuna salad that I blogged about in March. It was amazing, and I think it was even better on the second day for lunch.

Last night we made Summer Pizza... Mmm.

Harris Teeter sells whole wheat dough in the deli section for $1.99. We floured our baking sheet and spread the dough. Then we sprinkled around some olive oil. Then we added:

Marinara Sauce

Pizza Seasoning

Artichokes (Canned Artichoke Hearts in Water - Squeezed & Chopped)

Fresh Grated Garlic

Sliced Zucchini

Mozzarella Cheese

Diced Red Onion

Sliced Roma Tomatoes

Then the pizza went into the oven for 20 minutes at 375.

Delicious. You should make it!

Funky Chicken

I would like to take a moment to say THANK YOU to my wonderful parents for putting me in gymnastics and dance during my younger years. They then supported me when I went on to cheer and had a small stint on our senior year formed dance team. These activities have lasting benefits!!!! These days when I am in zumba or kickboxing I find it hard to concentrate sometimes because people are facing the wrong way, flailing their arms in all directions and are just down right confused. Some even walk out! I am so thankful to be one of the class members that are having fun while not looking too funny!

JShore Ladies

The ladies of the Jersey Shore never looked more fabulous.

Wedding Love

I decided to look back at one of my best friend's weddings. I love the photo above, it's so playful.

Can someone please remind me in a year or so to do the pose below?

My friend could not go without Carolina blue garters!

I love my Dad. A lot. Here he is dancing up a storm! I can't wait to see all of his new moves next year!!!!

My hair. The problem with having really long, thick, heavy hair, and vowing to always have said long hair, is that there is no way to keep curls. Especially when it is hot. I started the morning with tons of curls and hairspray, and the curls did not even make it to the church. I am super proud of this photo because a few remaining curls were captured!

Family!!!! This reminds me that I need to frame some of these!

Loving all of the green here.

How beautiful is this photo below? I am in love.

Bridesmaids!!!!

Wedding Love.

Elaine O'Neil

Elaine O'Neil is one of my absolute favorite artists. She takes fabric and sows it together to make these beautiful campus creations:

Can you believe it? That this is really all little bits of fabric sewn together? I'm amazed.

I like the above one just for fun. I'm loving all of the sick ACC mascots... Only the best to take care of them!

Summer Sandals

I tried on these at Nordstrom over the weekend.

Why are they so cute? I love the jewels, and I love them in natural!

*I received these from the Sayes for my 24th Birthday - LOVE!!

Initials

I am pumped about my future initials... ASL. I am also pumped about the pool opening in a little over a month!! Queen Bea Studio has just what I want to combine these two excitements:

I'm loving this GG medium tote in Boca Grande with future initials in round font monogram! It's huge, light and water/stain/fade resistant. What more could you ask for in a pool bag?

L-O-V-E

I love margaritas, and I love L-O-V-E!! Love is a beautiful thing.
Here I am loving margaritas this past Friday night at Bandido's:



On another love note, our great friends Nick & Jen just got engaged too!! I feel like this photo below shows how engaged happy we are:



L-O-V-E is fun... Dance party fun!

Smile Friday

I already mentioned this, but my twin cousins and flower girls, Olivia and Lauren, make me smile!! On Facebook I have been reading sweet things like,

"We went out for ice cream tonight, and the twins took the flower arrangement from the table and were practicing walking down the isle... They are just a little excited."



"Olivia with her Build-A-Bear in a wedding dress. They are sooo excited about their cousin Andrea getting married!"

I am so excited too!!

Have a Happy Weekend!!