Wednesday is Hump Day

And it certainly feels like it, with 70 degree weather here..gorgeous outside!
I keep thinking today is Thursday, I've got lots to do including laundry and getting some stuff mailed away and getting ready for a bachelorette party in Savannah this weekend.
Speaking of, this cousin's bachelorette party - she is getting married in about 3 weeks - I'm in the bridal party, so I don't have to worry about what to wear (J.Crew, guess the obsession is hereditary). But for the rehearsal dinner, I've got the sophia short silk dress, in navy (getting a theme here...a navy kick perhaps!)...


I just don't have the right shoes...I have a bright pink pashmina I want/need to wear with it (being March and all) but I really don't have coordinating shoes...I wouldn't mind some pink shoes but I was also thinking a neutral pump - and the dress hits me almost mid-calf, since I'm so short - I really want some heel. I just need a way to perk it up!

In other news, Hostess is making 100 calorie packs - thats right. Three little mini Hostess cupcakes. Yumm, delish - lets just not talk about the fact that I've eaten an entire box in oh about 2 days.

Gettin a little crafty over here

So, we did a little do it yourself project for our save the dates. Actually, not that crafty really, just some paper cutting and glueing. We got some great pics on the beach where we got engaged (almost in that spot!) in Cape Cod. We really wanted to use them, so we picked out our favorite one, FI did a little photoshopping with colors, added some info - and then we glued them to some embossed navy (of course!) paper from Micheals. I know people get craftier or more fancy but we had enough trouble making time to do these! I think they turned out well, - i couldn't get that glare off, but you get the idea..


Now, I'm going to order bridesmaids dresses, find a new florist and finish making address labels this week - whew.
In other news, my Endless shoe order came, the black "Na-na" wedges - LOVE them and that is such an incredible, convenient deal with the negative $5 shipping. They feel great and I think they will be comfortable - maybe a tad too big, even my regular size 8 but I'm just trying to figure out what other color I want!
Off to make chili and cornbread...yuummm - even though it is warm and sunny outside today!

Florist Rant

Ok, when I first started wedding planning, I was nervous about dealing with vendors instead of hiring someone to do it all for us. But now, I believe I have had enough with our florist, or ex-florist that is! When I first contacted this florist, I was impressed with the professional attitude of the owner on the phone who laid out exactly her process, which was an initial consultation where I would sit down, give her my ideas and "vision," then she would come up with an estimate/quote of cost and depending on my budget, we would tweak the list according. Furthermore, she belonged to the church I am having my ceremony and has done quite a few weddings there. So I thought great, we will meet with her. So, we made an appointment for a consultation (which, mind you we have to take a weekend off, drive 4 or 5 hours to meet). The lady we met with was once again, professional and lovely. She got all of my thoughts - and we are using them for all the basics, my bouquet, bridesmaid's bouquets, groomsmen boutonnieres - etc. She then promised us a quote within the next two days. Well, they didn't call me that week, so I called. No return call. The next week, I called, left a message. Etc. Etc. goes on for almost 6 weeks. You get the idea, and not only have I've left numerous messages on the answering machine, but I've left messages with a live being! So, I called today to relate my frustration (somewhat politely) and the lady seemed miffed that I was frustrated! Maybe, its just me, but all I'm looking for is a number - just an estimate - so we can know that we didn't order $20,000 worth of flowers! Since we don't live nearby, we want to get everything signed, contracted, paid for - so we can worry about smaller details. I think I'm just going to call tommorrow and let them know they have lost my business ! I mean, I am over-reacting in true bridezilla form, or is this standard?

I can't believe Feb. is almost over...

Whew, less then six months till our wedding - everyone said this year would fly by and they were so right! Loved loved loved my dress, it is friggin perfect. And, actually doesn't need huge alterations (although hopefully by the summer after i've lost 15 more pounds and am as svelte as can be - it will. hopefully!) except the bust needs to be taken in some. Now for shoes, veil and jewelry. Decisions never end, do they - I was a pretty decisive gal before wedding planning, now, its all I can do to figure out what kind of sandwich I want for lunch! Our weekend was pretty low-key, a visit to my parents, some reading, cleaning, laundry and we went to see Music and Lyrics with Drew Barrymore and Hugh Grant. Pretty damn cheesy, I thought the eighties music parody was funny but the rest of the movie was typical "romantic lame comedy".
Great finds this weekend:
Thanks to Preppy Wedding who told us about Endless.com (thanks so much!). I love the website and LOVE the discount and love the shoes I found this weekend:

Sorry for the horrible pic, but they are adorable, esp. with the button - i love a good button. AND they have the most adorable colors - pink, mint, yellow, turquoise - I really needed black and I'm going to see how they fit and prob. order a bright color too, for spring. Word.

Real Simple March issue (I have some ego issues with the month of March since I was born in March - I tend to see it as the best month ever and drag out my birthday for oh, at least two weeks. Thus, I always think the March issues of magazines are the best. Hmm, psychoanalyze later.) But, this issue is great, they show how to coordinate bright spring patterns, like polka dots with flowers and have some great recipes that I'm going to try out this week.

John Legend - Motown music/oldies are some of my absolute favorite music - Al Green, Otis Redding, Aretha Franklin, the Spinners - Classics for life, love it. But John Legend (who has some pop/rap hits, I believe), has some great songs that are Motown-ish - would be perfect for dancing at any party or reception - Check out "Slow Dance" and "Stay with You," I love them.

Spring Lilly

WooHoo, Spring Lilly Pulitzer has arrived. And I am loving it! Here are some of my favorites and with showers, brunches and lunches in my future, I think they might be quite a necessary purchase. :)

I absolutely love this dress with the retro neckline, it seems like it would be flattering.

I love the patchwork and bow of this dress, if I got it though, I would probably not wear the ties.

I'm conflicted b/c I love this retro style top, too! I think it could be versatile with skirts and capris.

Great, bright fun skirt.

Same great patchwork pattern that I really like.

Like I said, we are off to visit my parents and pet my dress. Thanks for all of your sweet compliments on the dress, I'm so excited! Have a great weekend!

Thoughts for the day...

*I'm giving up Diet Coke & cookies for Lent. I didn't realize yesterday was Ash Wednesday and have a box of Girl Scout cookies in my pantry. Damn.
*I love love love love Anthropologie. The prices - very unloveable. I can't justify a cotton tee for $70.00. Maybe one day, but not today.
*Britney Spears is a sad lady. She makes me appreciate my life and my childhood. I feel so sorry for her children, its like they are just a footnote in all of the articles and websites.
*Remember the show "Sisters" - when is that coming out on DVD? Talk about a part of my childhood - Saturday nights were "Sisters." I'd love to watch it now, being older.

The Dress!!

The ultimate delivery! I got my dress yesterday, the dress, the wedding dress! woohoo, except its in Virginia! at my parent's home :( Boo, because now I am thinking about it all the time. We sent it to VA because I live in an apartment complex and would rather have it delivered to their home. So, I'm prob. going to be hitting the road this weekend to try that badboy on!
I originally wanted a vintage lace dress, but I tried this one on and it was the one! The boutique where I tried it on didn't have my size and from my handy dandy Bridal book, I found the dress for $400 less on netbride.com - its a reputable website, highly rated and my dress came within six weeks. Its a Watters & Watters dress, silk shantung and in ivory:
For some reason, I couldn't get blogger to download the picture but if you click on that weird empty box above, it will come up.

Registering!

I was inspired by all of the registering talk by MMM and The Seven Spot (whom I just discovered! Great blog!)
I thought I would have more fun registering, but it was actually FI who had the most fun! He was in charge of the "scanner/laser/gun" thing which was basically pointed at every item in Pottery Barn, Target and Williams Sonoma. I was worried about looking tacky , but then I realized hey, we need this stuff and people are going to buy it whether we like it or not.
We chose PB because well, I could spend a life savings there but for dishes, linens and other classic things. We chose Williams Sonoma because we like to cook and we wanted to get really nice cooking gear - food processor, grill, knives - etc. And then we realized we needed to register for some sheets/towels and lower end items at TARGET because all of our friends are recent college grads and we didn't want to have a high-priced registry. And, we tend to break things, so we thought, yes we should have some things that are replaceable.
We decided that we weren't going to register for fine china, (a) because we probably wouldn't use it very much (b) my grandmother will probably pass hers down. We registered for the PB sausalito dishes in white ( and afew green serving pieces) b/c I really like the idea of being able to change based on holiday or decoration.

Then, we registered for this duvet cover and shams (along with the rest of the bedding) but in a blue color - can't wait to monogram that!!

I'm so excited about everything. All of the wedding books I read kept saying, "it's a modern day and age, you can register for whatever you want!" - for ex. my rock-climbing outdoorsy cousin and her fiancee registered at REI - but, I really wanted the traditional basics for a house. We did do a few fun things at Target like some camping equipment, (if FI can ever convice me to go a few days without a shower! ha.), TiVo, a hammock and a wine cooler - not anything too crazy. However, we were curious as to what other people registered for - what did you all do - anything fun, crazy or traditional? Any items you think everyone should register for?

Shop It To Me

A co-worker told me about this website which basically acts as a personal shopper. You basically enter in your sizes, what stores you like and some general questions on your style and it emails you twice a week with deals/sales on certain items that it thinks you would like. It is nice because it calls your attention to sales you may not have known otherwise. (I sometimes tend to ignore the emails, though, because I've already got so much in my online shopping bags, if you know what I mean!). But if you are busy and don't have time to look for sales, its a cool idea. Check it out!

Shop it to me!

Help! Dress decisions

Ironically, I am having more trouble deciding on my bridesmaids dresses than I did on my own wedding dress! I knew exactly which one I wanted when I tried it on, but I am being indecisive about the bridesmaids.
I've put up a few of my choices for their dresses, in one of my earlier posts this month. Like I said, our colors our navy/kelly green with a few splashes of pink here and there. The groomsmen are wearing navy blazers, khakis and a navy/green striped J.Crew tie. Our actual ceremony will take place in a church, with a full mass. Our reception is taking place at a house, a block away from the beach. And we are going with a real lowcountry/beachy theme - serving bbq, bluegrass band, etc. So, as my friends and I were checking out the dresses in the J.Crew store, they agreed that this dress might work(Strapless embossed beach dress):


With a pink sash, a green hydrangea bouquet, pearls and probably a neutral strappy heel, I think they would work! A great steal and I KNOW that my girls would be able to wear these again - So, what do you think, is it too casual?? Let me know your fashionista opinions please!

Weekend update

I had a fabulous time in Charleston with my girlfriends. One of them had just gotten engaged in January, so we celebrated with a lot of wine and great food. I've lived in Charleston for a few summers during college and oh, how I miss it! It is such a unique beautiful town. We went to Poogan's Porch for a late lunch on Saturday - it's one of those places you must go in Charleston. We got bloody marys with shrimp and grits - can't beat it. It is in an old Charleston style home and we sat right by the fire on a cool windy day! (The service wasn't that great though,I think because we walked in 15 minutes before they stopped serving lunch).
Then, of course we did some shopping. And some serious damage. I'm loving this whole sailing/nautical theme and I think I may have my share of sailboat clothes now. I picked up a cute white/navy tee from J.Crew with a sailboat sketch on it (not online for some reason), a few basic tees for work and these cute sailboat sleep pants from Victoria's Secret.
My friends and I are in a hard clothing position - we aren't quite into suits for work or Ann Taylor clothing but we aren't teeny boppers at Urban Outfitters anymore. We all love J.Crew and Banana but they are just out of our price range. Being pretty recent college grads/graduate students, its hard to afford the quality clothes we like. But, no worries, the sales this weekend were good to us!
My friend is planning her wedding in our hometown but she is going to use a local Charleston designer for her bridesmaid dresses which look beautiful! Check out Lula Kate
(she also has some great belts/clothes on sale)!
That is it for today folks, trying to get some wedding decisions/stuff done this week. Ill keep you updated.

FUNdue for me and you

Last night we went out for our Valentine's celebration to a fondue restaurant complete with strawberries, champagne and lobster. It was my first time at a classy fondue joint and let me tell you, its bad news for people to be bringing me pots of melted cheese and chocolate while I have a buzz off of champagne. It was so much fun though.
Then we went to the mall and into Eddie Bauer - not a store I usually frequent but some sunglasses caught my eye. I have some typical brown ray-bans that aren't so hip, but are great everyday sunglasses but I wanted to have some bigger black hip sunglasses. Also, they had to be polarized. I didn't know about polarized until I got my ray-bans, but let me tell you I can't go back. I wish I could give you the technical info. but basically they help you see in sunlight a lot better. So, Eddie Bauer has these medium size black square sunglasses - polarized and on sale for $33.00!! Are you kidding me? ? Great deal and they look hip but not so "bug eyed" as all the popular celebs wear and that the FI hates.
Anyhoo, off to Charleston this weekend to meet up with some dear friends for shopping, gossip and drinking!

Sale!

Extra 20% off J.Crew sale items until Sunday Feb, 18 2007.
Snatch it up fast because we all know how fast these sales go!

Favorite Products

I have issues with products - I'm not good at finding the right ones or enjoy shopping for make-up or hair products! There. I have finally admitted it. I have tried every drugstore brand hair product (my hair is CURLY & frizzy - so it gets curly in the summer and straightened in the winter). I take no care, if the label says anything like curl or frizz, I buy it.
I like 5 minute make-up. My mother is a southern woman who will NOT leave the house without three fresh coats of lipstick - even to workout. A lot of my childhood was spent waiting on her to "put her face on." So, I hate spending time doing my own. And when I find something I like, I use it for oh, maybe three years b/c I don't like to experiment.

Anyway, to the point of my rant...Here are some products I have found that I LOVE:

I was easily seduced by the lovely saleswoman at Aveda who offered me warm tea and since she had the same hair type (auburn, thick and curly) I took her advice on their curly products. So far, so good.

The salesgirl at Sephora gave me a pitying look when I told her I didn't have make-up brushes - I had a make-up brush. She was right, fast forward to a year or two I use them everyday. A must have.

This is the best liquid foundation. I have dry skin and this is like part moisturizer/part foundation and does not feel heavy at all. Love it.

Best make-up cleanser. Wonderful smell. Leaves your face fresh. Go Purity.

Ok, this palette (called Greatest Hits CD by Lorac) for me is great. It has everything on it, blush, shadow, lips and different shades. I can dress it up or down. It's like a one stop shop and I use it everyday.
This is the curly that you use on dry hair, to snazz up the curls. I think it will work well with the other Aveda.

Any great products you can't live without?

Notes of Interest

Dear PhD,

While I have the utmost respect for your degree in literature and your ability to think on levels others couldn’t fathom, let us review some basic concepts in common sense. It seems that you need to remember how to use “context clues.” For example, if you walk into the copy room – (which is usually loud with sounds of people trying to chat over the buzz of the copier, smells of fresh brewed coffee and has stacks of paper lying around) – and it is quiet, desolate of human interaction and a few sheets of lonely paper are scattered, take note. Then, when you see the big black permanent markered sign “OUT OF ORDER,” please don’t ask , not once but THREE times, with a genuinely puzzled look on your face, if the copier is indeed out of order! Please don’t ask if it is a joke or a mistake. We enjoy the curses and evil eyes of an entire syllabus-less faculty and staff. Happy early April Fools Day, we say.

Love,

Your Noble Office Minions

Dear Rude Lady at the Gym,

Again, a lesson on context clues might be appropriate. Take notice of the class you are about to enter and notice if the class is sweaty and tired, the class may have already started. I’ll pull a Full House Stephanie Tanner and say “How rude!” Don’t enter a class 30 minutes late like it ain’t no thing b/c we sure as heck aren’t doing warm-up stretches. Also, when the instructor is kind enough to keep the lights dim, so we are not subject to watch everyone flap in fluorescent light, DO NOT go and turn on all of the bright lights, as you please. And when the instructor stops the music AND the class (b/c frankly, you have pissed her off) and asks you if that kind of lighting is better for you, don’t shrug – perhaps apologize for your rude behavior!

Sincerely,

Sweating to the Oldies

PS. If the class requires a lot of kicking – hence the name “TurboKICK” it would be wise to NOT burst someone’s personal bubble, b/c they probably won’t feel bad about kicking you.

Happy Valentine's Day!

Pink for everyone,
free chocolate,
flowers everywhere...
What is there to not love about Valentine's?

When I was growing up, my mom always made a special point of making Valentine's day a celebration for my brother and I, special treats and notes in our lunchboxes and of course, the requisite boxed V-Day cards!
Today was my morning off, so I was able to watch Martha - and everyone was wearing a "I "heart" Martha pink t-shirt! So cute, esp. for all you crafters out there. But I was please to see that she had on two of my favorite chick lit authors, Jennifer Weiner and Jane Green! They were so pulled together and chic - especially Jane Green, who is British (why am I obsessed with everything British - the accent, the proper manners, the tea - who knows!?)
I read Little Earthquakes by Weiner this summer and it was a great read. Jemima J by Green, which is one of my favorites, is going to be made into a Lifetime movie - I can handle that.
I love "chick lit" (which, by the way, I'm an English Lit.grad student and my peers love to trash "chick lit" BUT there are many verifiable arguments for it, so please, don't let anyone tell you it is trashy romance!) whenever there are a few new paperbacks at Target, I'll indulge!
I'm a huge reader & when I have time to read anything besides my 2 books a week for school, I have fun with it - I love children's books too, maybe I'll do another post on those.
Some of my favorite reads are the ones I mentioned above
Good in Bed
The Nanny Diaries (movie this summer)
Shopaholic series
Bridget Jones's Diary
Something Blue
The Devil Wears Prada

What are some of your favorite chick lits?

The Tote Family

I don't really need to praise the virtues of tote bags because we all know that they are preppy, versatile and classic bags. I have one in every size and from every store. But alas, I realized that when I get married, I'm going to need a whole new set b/c all of mine will be my old monogram (kidding, Ill prob. still use them but any excuse right?) So, I mentioned to my future sister in law (and fellow prep who has good taste) that I wanted to order a whole set of LLBean bags, with our new last name on them, so we could have them all for any occasion. (Because I know FI wouldn't want his own but we will need joint bags for tor trips or whenever we need to haul our junk around. Well she got us the biggest tote, in navy, for Christmas and she's planning on giving us the rest of them through various showers and other parties.
So, Tote family gift idea was born...!
I thought this was a great idea, if you have a close family member or friend (of course who will use tote bags) who is getting married, why not start them on their own set? It is an inexpensive way to be able to buy a couple something matching and very useful. Also, if you are like my friends who will prob. have several showers and parties, you won't be digging around for gift ideas. And if you want to get more creative, some can be themed - like the beach tote, with flip-flops, beach towels etc. or a gardening tote - whatever is more suited for their personalities.
I think I'm going to do this for a few friends of mine because its personal, can be creative and not that expensive.

Bizarro World

I feel like I'm living in a bizarro world - who could have thought that
- a jealous astronaut would drive cross-country, in a DIAPER, to terrorize another woman?!
(makes you have a lot of faith in NASA, doesn't it?)
- Anna Nicole Smith passed away, every news channel, internet site and gossip magazine is alll over this! (Its a sad tragedy, I think, especially for the baby that everyone is talking about in terms of how much money she is worth - disgusting. And very sad for their family.)
- Jessica Simpson & John Mayer - let me just say that 4 years ago, when John Mayer was still traveling the college concert circuit and I was jamming to his first album and Jessica Simpson was still married to Nick Lachey (By the way, what does one do with Newlyweds series DVDS? Can't watch them now!)- I would have NEVER have guessed that they would have been dating...wild times!


My weekend was pretty standard (not that thrilling!). It included lots of cleaning, laundry, school work and trips to Target. However, the FI and I did an early V-Day celebration b/c we both have work/late class on Wednesday and we wanted to enjoy a dinner and gifts. The pound cake dessert went over well, looked great and was so easy!
I recieved flowers, cookies and framed pictures from our travels this summer. A few things you should know about me - I lovvvve cookies (I haven't grown out of a 5 year old mentality), I will take a chocolate chip cookie over any dessert - seriously. Also, FI is a wonderful photographer, its a passionate hobby of his & framed pictures are the way to my heart...so he did a wonderful job!

I also had to take a picture of a super early Valentine's gift I got last week (after a particular guest list meltdown). My sweet FI walked out with this group of pink hydrangeas which are beautiful (pink, my favorite color and hydrangeas are our wedding flowers!)




I'm trying my best to keep them alive, I lack a green thumb, (to say the least). My apt. is pretty small and there are only a few places with light for the flowers, so I just the covered plant in a magazine tin I have. They go perfectly with all of my Target shabby chic gear. I love them!

wedding tidbits & thoughts

Well, hello loverrrr - I think I have found my wedding shoes! I love the bow, the satin and the heel - thanks to j.crew...



I have naturally curly hair and a wedding taking place in the most humid place - lowcountry SC in August. I've been having the great hair debate, but this I love. I want to be able to put my hair up but still show off the curl! (Emmy Rossum always looks classy and gorgeous to me, usually in Ralph Lauren!)



This picture is taken from someone on the knot.com but I love the idea of a lowcountry fan as a favor, to keep with the beach/southern theme...





Other than that, not much going on here this weekend. We are going to try to assemble and send our Save The Dates and cross my fingers - get them out and in the mail! We have family and friends spread all over the country and we want them to be able to plan for our wedding as soon as they can, so I want to get them finished asap.
I went Valentine's day shopping today (but of course was derailed by the Aveda store, J.Crew and Banana Republic). As well as I know and love my FI, I find it hard shopping for him. Why doesn't he want a brand new outfit for every gift occasion (I know I would gladly take clothing, even a giftcard!) I did end up finding something at Eddie Bauer - a good place for masculine clothing and "trinkets" - aka compasses and leather belts and wallets.
Then, I went to Whole Foods to shop and eat lunch (I'm obsessssssssed with WF and drive 45 minutes to go - that is a whole different post!) I wanted to make a great dessert for V-Day, but I'm just not a baker or dessert maker, I try but its not my skill unless its from a box. But I read online about a quick/easy dessert. I bought half a loaf of WF's homemade pound cake - and I'm simply going to warm up some chocolate sauce, pour it over a slice and serve with vanilla ice cream and strawberries. Yum. I hope I can wait!
Other than that, its a weekend of cleaning, cooking and relaxing. I'm ready to watch some movies and get caught up with my trashy reality shows. Have a great weekend everyone!!

Please don't do this!!

I got this email from a friend of mine with this video from youtube.com & I honestly have never laughed so hard in my life - talk about a bridezilla! (Apparently, its fake, but still funny).

"You look like Shirley Temple!"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MRNntNBEUF0

Bridal Book Review

After two of my very best friends recently became engaged, I wanted to give them the perfect engagement gift. I recieved quite a few bridal books as gifts myself and wanted to give them to my newly engaged friends too. There are so many bridal books out there but these were the ones that were (or weren't) helpful to me:

The Knot Ultimate Wedding Planner: This was the very first bridal organizer I bought, after sitting in Barnes & Noble for hours trying to find the perfect one. It was helpful in the beginning, but now I have a huge notebook I use. I found the stories and the initial organization helpful and a well done and cute book, but it didn't last for my engagement. I have, however, found theknot.com very helpful.

The Busy Bride’s Essential Wedding Checklist: I bought this for an engaged friend of mine who is getting married in less than 9 months and works full-time. I haven’t read it completely but it is small and has quick information with places to write. It seems to be all that the title suggests.

The Best Friend’s Guide to Planning a Wedding: This book was given to me by my dear friends and it is a cute, quick read. I wouldn’t say that it had advice on anything that I didn’t really know but it was funny and a good addition to my books and information.

Bridal Bargains: Secrets to Throwing a Fantastic Wedding on a Realistic Budget: Although I wish that I had Star Jones's budget, I don't. That being said, this book is chock full of information! I recommend to anyone getting marriend, on a big or small budget. It is for people who are doing their own wedding and want to it smart. They do into detail about everything, even a chapter on dress designers where they rate based on price, quality and service. It is a fabulous go to book and I can't tell you how many times I have gone to it to answer my questions. I'm passing it on to all my friends now that they are getting married too.




The Southern Girl's Guide to Surviving the Newlywed Years: How To Stay Sane Once You've Caught Your Man : I read about this one on Amazon and thought that it sounded funny. I wouldn't say that it had the most pertinent advice for my relationship but she sure as hell cracked me up. I was laughing outloud while reading it. I would definitely recommend this one as a fun read.

Nice to meet you

I'm a graduate student at a school in South Carolina where I met my fiance almost 3 years ago.
We met over a Spring Break in Florida (kuhlasssy, I tell ya) and have been dating ever since. He proposed last August on Cape Cod (where his grandma has a house) and we have been wedding planning ever since. I'm so excited and can't wait for the day to get here. Our colors, as I said, are navy and kelly green. We are getting married on the SC coast with reception close to the beach. I'm addicted to shopping (which has caused some arguments as a part of our merging lifestyles ). Target, Neiman Marcus, J.Crew, malls, 5th Avenue - I love it all!
I'm also a grad. student, so most of my time is spent reading, writing and working in the department office. I enjoy it, mostly, but I went straight through undergrad. to my masters and I'm ready for a break - and my coke bottle style glasses are too! I'm stubborn, funny (at least to myself!), considerate and love to laugh. I love to cook, look up recipes and watch food network (Paula Deen, puhlease, she cracks me up!) Grey's & The Hills are my favorite shows (the hills, much to my FI's dismay) I am slightly addicted to celebrity gossip - so what if I don't know them, I like knowing what tacky outfit Britney Spears wore last week.
Ok, thats enough about me!

J.Crew, you are my dirty mistress

Yes, that's right. I'm having an affair. With J.Crew.
How many times have you caused me tears and aggravation -
the sale item that disappears, the cardigan that runs out of stock and the bridesmaid dress that only had 2 sizes I needed - but, yet, I always run back. I want a piece of you, J.Crew. You hold my hand when something doesn't fit and let me return it. I stalk your website waiting for the next classic piece that you will surprise me with and I can't wait.
I love, love, love J.Crew spring collection and here are some pieces that are my favorites.

A seersucker tote for the summer, a must in my book. How great would that be monogrammed?

Seersucker bikini for the honeymoon.
How great is this little sailing tank? (I'm learning how the sail with the FI and I think I need this tank top for my lessons!:)
Absolutely perfect dress for a beachy rehearsal dinner!!
I've already ordered these flip-flops - a staple for my summer wardrobe.
Of course, I could buy every pink, seersucker and madras item from J.Crew, but those are my favorites!

Wedding Colors

One of the reasons I started this blog is because I'll be asking lots of wedding/bridal questions on here. I wasn't ever one of those girls who had my wedding planned out before I got engaged. But one of the first bridesmaids dresses I looked at was navy with a kelly green sash - my FI and I immediately loved it and decided those would be our wedding colors. We wanted a classic, yet casual beach wedding. We are using navy bridesmaid dresses (from J.Crew - more on that in a later post) and green hydrangeas as their bouquet to make the colors pop.
Here are a few of the contenders (although one has already sold out of the colors we needed :(





Then, the groomsmen are wearing navy/kelly green striped J.Crew silk ties with khakis and navy blazers. We wanted our wedding to be more on the casual side because it is taking place near the beach in lowcountry SC. I loved the colors and the ideas, but now I am indecisive about my bouquet. As of right now, I'm incorporating white hydrangeas with pink roses - to make mine unique but to blend. (As you can tell hydrangeas are the flowers we are using for everything!) What do you all think about the brides bouquet?

Premiere Post

This is my very first post on my first blog (so I hope that it works!)
I've been reading blogs for awhile now, inspired by Preppy Cafe this summer - which was a beacon of all things preppy, which I absolutely love. I'm a graduate student, a true pink and green preppy southern girl who is getting married in August. I have so many wedding planning and preppy shopping stories that I decided to create my own blog to write them down.
I look foward to it and will probably write more later.