Times, They are a changin'

Well folks,
We had a wonderful weekend at the fall wedding we attended. I was in the bridal party and our grey dresses were questionable before but really turned out well for the color scheme of fallish colors, including lots of mauves. Gorgeous weather with the leaves turning. A fab. rehearsal dinner in a barn on a golf course (imagine more of a Martha Stewart designed barn/bbq rehearsal dinner). Then, we got ready, hung out with the bride, ate Chick fil-a and prepared for the wedding. She had a dress designed for her, based off of a Monique Lhullier, with lace and silk and it was - utterly gorgeous! The ceremony was beautiful, pictures were quick, a trolley with beer & koozies to the reception was fun and the reception was a blast. Great food, drinks and live band performing Al Green and other dance hits = great time for everyone (even my parents got on the dance floor!) The Mr. and I love to get down and boogie, so it was a Fun weekend.
Oh, and the bridal luncheon was a perfect pre-wedding event where we had a delish salad and received our gifts - monogrammed tote bag with monogrammed pashimina to match the dress. I love the pashmina (love them in general) because the monogram is the same color as the fabric. I know I'll be using it all the time!
Of course, we had so much fun that the drive home Sunday, while lined with amazing foliage, was long and hungover. I required 2 cups of coffee and 2 egg mcmuffins for my fuel - gross.

Anyhoo, this week I've been studying to pass my final exam to graduate while working on revising and finishing my thesis. My brain hurts and I'm really really really ready to be done. But, onward ho! because I still have a few more weeks of intense work. Everything, including blogging!, has taken a back seat. I have noticed, though, that Wal-mart and most stores have started putting up their Christmas decorations. Now, I am, some would say a Christmas fanatic. I thrive on the 'cozy'. I love the atmosphere - Bing Crosby, candles, Christmas music, cold weather outside, good food and drink. (We bought a few pine candles this weekend to soothe me - good pine, like we have a forest in our closet.) But, as I meander around the Christmas card aisle, I remember, it's November 1st and you have once again fallen prey to mass marketing. So, I am going to try to put off my craziness fora few more weeks. No promises though!

Speaking of Christmas...I believe I am still in need of a Holiday/Graduation outfit (Remember the whole rehearsal dinner, black dress post - well, the invitation lacked a note of the "casual" dress since it was in a barn...so, plans were foiled on that one!)
Here are a few items from J.Crew I am coveting right now and would be perfect to dress up for occasions.

I am a fan of black/white combinations and LOVE this Great Gatsby - esque scarf.


Love this style, shape and color.

Saw a few turtleneck dresses this weekend and decided I would enjoy one - cute and warm!


I like how you could change the look with layering different pieces with that plunging v-neck.

Again, with the cozy - but this could be perfect for running around town:




And in other Big news - the hubby accepted a job in Indianapolis!! We are excited, busy and probably going to be moving the week of Christmas (which really puts a damper on the whole decorating scheme.) It is a great opportunity for him, they are excited to have him and are giving us a very generous relocation bonus. I believe it is truly the best move for us, right now. It will be hard moving away from everyone we know - but this isn't a long-term or permanent move and hopefully will be the kind of position that can give us the opportunity to move where we want in a few years. It is going to be hard, especially around the holidays. But our families are excited and supportive and that is really helpful. It also affords me the opportunity to have room to get the job I want (which I need to proactively start applying, emailing like now). We've looked at a few areas and think we have some in mind, of where we would like to live. Things are just about to get craziER b/c now we have to pack, move, enjoy Christmas, get to NC for a wedding and start new jobs by January. Oh geez. Isn't that how life goes, you keep thinking you have relaxation/down time around the next bend...and then, Hello- here comes life!

So, readers, do you have any info. on the Indy area - Schools, betters areas to live, places to rent, school districts, shopping, restaurants? Any advice at all (or perhaps any bloggers from that area) would be helpful.
The Mr. lived there for about 3 months a few years ago, but wasn't looking at housing, schools, areas to live...so, he has an some idea of the area and his co-workers are more than willing to help, but I'd enjoy some blogger advice. :)


Oh, and functional but classic and stylish winter jackets? Or tell me, what kind of coat would be the best investment for a gal moving from SC to Indy in January?