Saturday Catch Up

Here's a sneak peek (one of our friends pictures) - one of our bridesmaids is in the navy and cream sash - I loved how it turned out! Our pictures are on the website and we are waiting on our prints. When I get the time, I will put them up.



This is our first weekend at home in a month, so we are relaxing, cleaning and catching up big time. Labor Day plans = not so crazy. But we do have a football game and so we will be tailgating which is always fun and great to catch up with people who are in town. Other than that, I've been trying to get some laundry done and unpack our new PB duvet and comforter !

Concidentally, both of our parents are coming through town, my mom for lunch and his parents for dinner - so , we will visit with them. I'm trying to get some school work done also. We have also had some "testing the boundaries" issues with Ralph - he's finally comfortable, but now he's trying to get away with stuff in the house that he knows is wrong!

I also want to have everything ready for my friends wedding next week - for which I can't wait. I'm excited to go to a wedding to enjoy without any of the stress. But let me rant here for a moment about Bridesmaid's dresses. I actually like this one, strapless chocolate brown silk with a light pink sash. But to pay about $240.00 for a dress, only to have to ge,t oh about 40.00 in alterations because the lining is messed up and the top is just way too big is very aggravating. Oy, and don't even get me started on the 80.00 snakeskin heels I had to buy for another wedding (which are way too small!)

Its always about this time of year where I get ready for Fall! I want cooler weather, autumn and colored leaves on trees. Where I live, however, doesn't really have a fall until about October, maybe. So, alas, I am probably stuck with capris and short sleeve shirts for awhile but I've been compiling pieces I would like to add to the fall wardrobe. Here are some things I feel could be good for in the classroom teaching and that I could jazz up later on the weekends.

Born shoes (I randomly found the website online - which I really like. It looks like the shoes are really nice quality and look like they would be comfortable and stylish - anyone ever bought these or heard of them?)
Anyway, I though these were a cute preppy addition that could be worn with jeans, skirts or dressier khaki pants.
Ok, J.Crew again. But I actually really like this knit dress for $78.00. I really love this color and the forest green they have. I can see this dress going far for the wardrobe - dressing it up or down, layering it.


I'm a scarf gal. I love scarves and have a decent collection of ones I like (I inherited this from my mother) but I haven't worn them in awhile. I think its a great way to add a little spice to an outfit and because I'm trying to cut back on clothing purchases, I think I'll probably turn to scarves to brighten up my wardrobe. I love this J.Crew one - perfect for fall and looks very chic.

Love this top - I love the stripes and the style. This is the kind of knit top I would get lots of wear out of as a basic.

I've been eyeing the Le Pliage Longchamp bags for awhile. I really like the pale blue color they have out now - esp. with a brown monogram!


I also made an order from Talbots a few days ago. They are having a Ridiculous sale with a lot of the summer stuff on clearance. I got a couple lightweight jackets/blazers (perfect for school) and a pair of black bermuda shorts for about $60.00! Great deals if you can still use summer type outfits for awhile.

That's about it for now, Have a great Labor Day Weekend!

Quenching my thirst.

With Bottled Water.

(I know, I know - refill a Nalgene for pete's sake - Hey I do recycle them though - believe you me, this is my husband's complaint!)

For some reason, I love all kinds of bottled water. I feel so satisfied taking the top of a unopened bottle. I also feel like something is missing when I don't have one in my purse or bag. In fact, its a bad joke that I leave a trail o' bottles around the house. One on the nightstand, usually 2 on my desk, one in my purse and tote and usually 1 or 2 lying around downstairs.

Fiji is my favorite - yep, the overpriced but stylish bottle is the one I splurge on while I will take any old other brand sitting on the shelf. I love a sparkling Pellegrino in the summertime with cranberry or juice. And when I'm feeling cheap - I buy the Sam's Brand 24 case for $5.00
. And in the summertime, when its hot and I've been working out, I buy the big 1.5 liter to carry around all day. Then, I get into phases where I buy the flavored sparkling waters (again Wal-mart for about 50 cents). Now, I'm thirsty...

Judge me if you will -

But Michelob Ultra's Pomegranate Raspberry beer with a lime is my current favorite drink...
and with a grilled steak, fresh tossed salad and homeade hummus for dinner = good end to a crazy week.

Have a great weekend everyone!

A Few Friday Things

These are the dogs days of summer here in SC. I call them "2 a days" because I need 2 showers a day. After I get showered, dressed and ready in the morning, the afternoon rolls around and I run errands, walk Ralph...etc., by that time shower 2 is a must!

If you need a cool off - a glass of limeade splashed with some Pellegrino is delicious and is my favorite refresher (along with some hardcore AC!)

Married life is fabulous, I'm really enjoying it! But actually we are off to another busy weekend (thankfully, we have the next weekend at home to relax and look foward to). I have a bachelorette party in Charleston for a friend who is getting married in a few weeks and the hubby is taking Ralph to his parents house. Our first week of school and getting back into the routine was Hectic! My classes were better than I expected, the kids really worked this week (their freshman first week too!) but I'm realizing how I'm going to have to be a thinker on my feet - these kids don't miss a beat!

So, of course, even in this heat I'm trying to put together a fall wardrobe that is good for teaching and basics I can wear. I think I've hit the jackpot at Lands End. They have some great basic cardigans, pants and shirts that I can use. I'll post later, but check them out for their prices too!

Speaking of a wedding...here's an etiquette question for you bloggers. My friend that is getting married in the next two weeks is having a huge formal wedding. In fact, it was rumored that it was black tie. But she never said anything to us (Bridesmaids) about it. So when the invitation came, it did NOT specify black tie BUT the wedding is at 6:30. One of my friends told me that after 6:30 translates to black tie. So, no black tie wording on invite, but we are supposed to assume since the ceremony is at 6:30, that it is? Also, my husband and I just got back from our honeymoon less than a week ago and before that we were consumed with wedding stuff (and paying the bills for it also!). We just don't have the time or money to rent a tux for the wedding and made the decision that he will wear his brand new navy suit (the one he just wore for our wedding) with a dark navy tie. (Oh, and the bridesmaids dresses are tea-length, not full length either)
I think that is formal enough but tell me, is this a huge faux pas??

Hello All!

Thanks for the sweet welcome back! As soon as I get the pics in my grubby little hands, I will post them up! Our photographer gave us a sneak peek at the pictures, at his house, and we are just thrilled. :) We've also been doing a little registery returning and exchanging. I love love love our dinnerware and flatware, its made dinner the past 2 nights so classssy ;) We used our new Cuisinart food processor to make fresh pesto, which we tossed with some grilled chicken and pasta. YUM! I'll never go back to jarred pesto (not that I was ever really a fan anyway) but ohh my, was that delish. Otherwise, married life is great - we are just enjoying being back at home with our dog. :)

Part of my job/master's program is to teach Freshman English courses. I have 2 classes this semester and its a daunting task. My first day was today and I am pretty sure I was more nervous than most of the students. It's a daunting task because freshman in college are scary and are probably smarter than me (in different ways!). Also, while I AM older than this crowed, I really decided I need to step up my "professional" attire to make myself more authoritative. I think I'll be sticking with khakis, black pants and nice jeans with cardigans and blouses for class. My classes are full of freshman males and I'm short and I look like I'm in my mid-twenties (which I am). I want them to respect me as a teacher, so I'm trying to give off that vibe. I'm just so used to being the student, that it is a little scary being given the reins. Its really exciting too, and being the control freak that I am, I love having that control. I'm excited because a composition course is a great writing introduction for students and I know they will enjoy it. I'm sure I'll have some stories after this week.

I'm looking for a good school year agenda/daily planner. I'm having a hard time, mainly because I like for them to be pretty big, with enough room for each day inside. I also need it for the school year (2007-2008), not just the year 2008. Of course our Target has sold out and I'm still in need of one. I really like this one called the "momagenda" - its the exact style, inside and out that I want...I'm just not a fan of having the "mom" labels because I don't need that Quite Yet! I may just end up ordering this one, unless you readers have any good suggestions?!

Oh and a good tip if you are a teacher - if you go to Ann Taylor Lofts website right now, they have a special offer for teachers. It is well worth filling out the quick form, esp. if you are an ATL fan!

Thats it for now!

Mr. and Mrs.!!!

We are back and officially hitched! It was, by far, the best day of my life. I had so much fun and I have to say it was worth every single ounce of stress. I really wish that I had NOT sweated so many small details, that when I look back now, didn't make a difference (like where there 3 or 5 votives on each table...I don't know!) All I knew was that I was incredibly happy and all my favorite people in the world were there to celebrate. Everyone commented on our ceremony, our style and how much fun they had! It was HOT - humid and hot, I was "glowing" the entire time, I never tried half the food we had and it was so hot the flowers began to droop and brown by the time we got there (which is not unusal for flowers at an outdoor southern wedding), but I just didn't care - I had a flippin amazing time. I just wanted to show off the man I married and how amazing he was - its pretty amazing to know that someone only wants to make you happy in life, not matter what!

Our colors worked great, the weather held out (as far as rain/storms - it was still HOTTTT) and I absolutely loved our flowers - the florist did an amazing job. Its just great to see all the family pull together and offer their help. My favorite night was when my dad, now husband, grandfather, mother, brother and my best friend worked tediously to hole punch and tie bows in our programs. I live for things like that!

Our honeymoon in the Keys was relaxing and fabulous. The place we stayed in Islamorada, called The Moorings Village, I would recommend to anyone. Their service was impeccable, the houses were right out of Pottery Barn catalogs and we felt like we where on our own deserted island. I don't think we did anything but have cocktails in the afternoon, lay on the beach and eat. And nap. It was just perfect.

However, as much and the Mr. and I love to travel, we are homebodies and we are just happy campers being at home, with our dog, in our routine. We're still tired, so we are just resting, organizing and using our new dishes for the next few days.

I missed my blogging world and am excited to be back. Thank you so much for all your well wishes and comments - it meant so much! My plate is still full - what with finishing my master's, teaching Freshman Comp. and being a newlywed, but I'm in a great place. Also, I'm ready to scrapbook (or do something creative/unique) with all of our cards, pictures and invitations. Hmmm...I do have grand ideas, but I believe that is a post for another day!

Cheers!

Well we are off to get married!! I can't believe we are only a week away!!

We are actually renting the house that will be the reception site, so we have the week before to get ready, set-up and hopefully go to the beach. I'm just so excited now. I know its going to be worth all the hard work, tears and sweat we put into it. I just can't wait to be the Mrs. and start our life together!!

I just sincerely wish that I had a table full of bloggers coming! I can say to all my regular readers and commenters, I wish that you all could be there so we could read the posts the next day!Thanks for all your advice and support.

I'll be back, with tales of raising a dog, being a newly-wed and what else - shopping, I'm sure!

See you in a few weeks,
Soon to Be Mrs.