happy new years!

As the year comes to a close, I can honestly say it's been a good one - a new job, a new (old) car, a fiance, and of course wonderful family and friends. I am truly blessed and ever thankful for all of these things.

One thing that I have never done in person, as a Georgia native, is watch the peach drop at Underground Atlanta. I don't think I'll be heading out there tonight (a chilling 28 degrees!), but I'll be watching the show from my poang chair in my warm living room.

[[image found via google]]

I hope everyone has a safe and Happy New Year's! Best wishes for the year ahead and I'll see ya'll in ohnine!

the first dance

With a little over three months to go, things are about to get wild. T and I have been thinking a lot about the ever-highlighted-first-dance-as-husband-and-wife-where-everyone-will-be-starring-watching-us-try-to-pretend-we-know-how-to-dance. We've been trying to figure out what song we would dance to since T and I don't really have a song. A lot of our music choices wouldn't suffice for this monumental first act as a married couple, but I think I've narrowed it down to two songs - Ray LaMontagne and Eva Cassidy, two of my favorite artists.

[Please Note: These are youtube videos because it was the only way I could figure out how to upload songs for you to listen to. If anyone knows of another way, I'd love for you to share].

{Hold You in My Arms -- Ray LaMontagne}

{Songbird -- Eva Cassidy}

Which song would you choose??

honeymoon: it's official

T and I booked our honeymoon at this adorable little cottage in Asheville. Now that it's book, I'm getting a bit more excited.

Things I'd currently like to do:
1. Relax of course!
2. Take a couple of hikes
3. The Biltmore House
4. Eat at a few recommended restaurants
5. Enjoy the hot tub overlooking the mountainous view
6. Grill some corn on the cob

As always, we're open to suggestions for things to do in Asheville.

pumpkin parfaits

As the holidays continue onward, I have a few more Christmases to celebrate. For Christmas dinner with my Dad tonight, I tried this new recipe. They look quite delicious!

I hope everyone is continuing to have a merry holiday!

happy holidays!

I wish everyone a safe a joyous holiday with family and friends. I'll be heading to Top Sail Island, NC for 4 days to spend time with my step-dad's family.

In the meantime, enjoy these beautiful images of some lovely sweets from Joycelyn's awesome blog. It isn't a holiday unless there are sweets involved...

[[all images from kuidaore]]

banner idea

I'm totally loving the looks of this banner as seen on hellohandmadepaperie. I think I might create a similar banner for the wedding, either as our 'just married' banner or maybe as a banner to hang over the cake table. It's too cute!

a crafting weekend

This past weekend I had some quality time with my m.o.h. in Athens. I showed her how to make pom poms and she became a pom pom machine! We're hoping to make enough for guests to toss at T and I as we're leaving the reception. Since I'm a knitter/crocheter, we totally dig the idea. What are you having guests toss at your departure??

.........................................................................................

In addition to pom poms, magnets are my new thing. They're an easy project with wonderful results. The Obama magnets are for my dad as a christmas gift. The adorably cute animal magnets will adorn our refrigerator. I have loads of other magnets that I'll be packaging as gifts this christmas...they're my something handmade. Everyone loves magnets! (or at least I do!)

good eats

One thing I'm really exited about our wedding is our choice of caterer. After much debating between serving heavy hor d'ourves or a full dinner, we've decided to go with a nice southern bbq dinner. There's something about bbq at a wedding that makes me smile.

[[photo found here]]

honeymoon: update

So after lots of back-and-forthness, we've finally decided our honeymoon location -- Asheville. The warm, beautiful beaches of Mexico will have to wait...

So, with that said, can anyone offer up ideas or things to do in the Asheville area?

invitations design

After many designs and changes, we've finally decided on our invitation design. The accommodations card is still a work in progress, but here are the preliminary designs done in Illustrator CS.

I hope to print these using my gocco. Hopefully it will be a successful project...

[[designed by: yours truly]]

What do you guys think??

picture slideshow

The amazing Lisette has put together a slideshow of ALL our pictures. Enjoy!

engagement photos

Check, check, check 'em out! Our lovely photographer has blogged our engagement photos. These are a few of my personal favorites from her blog post.




Thanks Lisette!!

i couldn't resist...

another picture of my cactus. The bloom has opened up even more! Now, only if all the other buds would get the memo...

it's officially christmas...

...because my Christmas Cactus is blooming!!! I received this interesting little fellow last year and it failed to bloom at the holidays, but this year is quite different. I have several buds on my cactus! And in one day this beautiful bud has decided to open it's petals.

Bring on the holidays...

gifting

With Christmas quickly approaching and money slowly dwindling, I've been trying to come up with gifts that are $10 or less, in addition to the little ideas I hope to hand make.


I saw this on (oh so) beautiful paper and just had to share.
A weekly planner :: $10 -- [inprint]

I would love to find one of these in my stocking...

Stationary Sampler :: $8.50 -- etsy seller cicadastudio

Sticky Notes :: $8.95 -- Amazon or Sukie

or, maybe some matching labels...

Mini Vintage Coffee Mugs :: $6 -- Sleep Owl Vintage

Ceramic Coffee Mug :: $10 -- Standing Stone Pottery

Petite Desk Calendar :: $10 -- The Paper Princess

That's it for now. Check back as I continue my search...

happy thanksgiving!!

[[image found via google]]

I hope everyone has a lovely Thanksgiving with family and friends. I wish everyone good eats, great times, and a weekend full of happiness.

For those traveling, I hope you have a safe and successful trip.

T and I will be hitting the road Friday afternoon to go to Lenoir and spend time with his family.

gocco: holiday card success!

I finally had a successful gocco night! Yippee! and I have to say it was so satisfying. Now I just want to gocco everything!



I made 50 of these darlings because I felt bad wasting the ink. and I don't have 50 people to send them to. So, does anyone want a set? I'm thinking of grouping them in tens, so I'll probably have only 2 full sets to offer. Leave me a comment if your interested.

holiday cards

There are so many unbelievably talented people in this world. It's amazing!

After seeing Nole's Holiday Card Round Up, Part 1 and Holiday Card Round Up, Part 2, I seriously would love/want to own a letterpress. Letterpress cards are just so beautiful.

[[Lucky Bees Press]]

On a side note: I've tried out my new gocco with a holiday card of my own. However, I haven't been too lucky yet with the gocco...some newbie mistakes...some difficulties with the screens...and too oily of ink. I'm going to give it another shot in a few days. Wish me luck! I hope to become a gocco pro in the next month or so.

honeymoon

T and I have been going back and forth about our honeymoon. It's quite frustrating at times.

Do we take a nice honeymoon now, or wait a year? Do we go to a nice warm beach in Mexico, or do we go to Asheville?

NOW:
1. our priorities and goals will be different once we're married - saving for a house, paying off my car and student loans, etc.
2. enjoying the first week of wedded bliss vacationing away from the real world of atlanta

LATER:
1. it really just saves us upfront costs, so we don't have to add the expense in addition to the wedding.
2. gives us time to save (but see NOW: 1 for reasons this might be unlikely)
3. have to wait a year

MEXICO:
1. warm
2. sunny
3. beach
4. all inclusive
5. adults only
6. all inclusive
7. sort of expensive
8. have to buy plane tickets
9. have to get new passport

ASHEVILLE:
1. secluded mountain house
2. mountains
3. deck with private hot tub
4. asheville
5. probably cold
6. have to buy all food
7. less expensive
8. can drive there


What would you do?

checklist

completed::
venue
caterer
photographer
cake
tent rental
dress
m.o.h. dress
officiant
save-the-dates
rings
florist

to do::
ceremony music
reception play list
boys wear
invitations
marriage license
favors
programs
finish up decorations {napkin rings, centerpieces, garland}
yarn pom poms
honeymoon
rehearsal dinner

anything missing?

m.o.h. dress love

my m.o.h. attire: the cotton cady lydia dress in black

i've got a gocco!!

I'm so excited!! I finally have a gocco!...Thanks to the lovely lady of Once Wed. I can't wait to play with my new machine...

punam bean

[[image c/o: punam bean]]

Check out this amazing destination wedding.

Her photos are amazing!! I love love love reading her blog and I can't say enough how much I enjoy her work...BEAUTIFUL!

motivation...where are you?

These last couple of weeks, I've had no motivation whatsoever. I've been in a little lull with the wedding since I'm at the point where most of our vendors are booked...so I'm not sure what all needs to be done anymore. I mean, I know there's a lot to do, but I just don't know where to focus my time.

I honestly get so overwhelmed with all the ideas and inspirations out there that I just don't know where to go with them; and I often feel like my wedding will never compare to all these beautiful weddings out there.

So my New Goals: Focusing solely on MY wedding; regaining motivation; and not looking at as many wedding blogs as I currently do [I get depressed].


Up coming things...
1. Our invitation design
2. Our wedding bands have been ordered and are awaiting pick-up
3. Our engagement session this weekend with the lovely Lisette Price

such an adorable idea...

Check out this amazing new DIY project from Laurie on Once Wed! It's oh-so-fabulously adorable. I seriously love Laurie and all her DIY goodness.

Have a wonderful weekend!! I'm head to NC for my soon-to-be-sister-in-law's wedding [aka: Tim's sister].

a lovely wedding

I love perusing Our Labor of Love - the blog. The husband and wife team always take amazing pictures and have such an eye for composition. Check out this stunning wedding on their blog. ABSOLUTELY BEAUTIFUL PHOTOGRAPHY!!


And look at this adorably cute idea!! Remember these...it brings back all the childhood memories....

[[Photos c/o: Our Labor of Love]]

farewell pinwheels

This is another DIY project, from Once Wed, that I might have to add to our list of things to do. I love the idea of pinwheels spinning as we're making our get-away.

For full DIY instructions click here.

MOOOOO

I am new to the MOO world and have fallen for the moo mini cards. I especially like the new frames. It's a must purchase for after the wedding (I hope).

save-the-date

I mailed out our save-the-date announcements this week. Hooray!

the shoes

I've finally decided on a pair of shoes! and I have to say I'm thoroughly impressed with zappos. I placed this order yesterday at 10:40 PM and they arrived at my doorstep today at 4 PM. Aren't they cute?

jewelry

I've been working on ideas for my jewelry and have decided to crochet my necklace and bracelet. I've patiently been waiting for the arrival of my sterling silver and white agate, which came today! So of course I had to get to work right away.

baby seedlings!!

On Sunday I planted one of my lovely hearts and today I woke up to find this....
They worked!! I'm so excited! I wonder how long my little hearts will last, will they still germinate come April...

centerpieces!!

When I first saw these on Once Wed, I knew I had to make them. I love love LOVE this idea for a centerpiece (but I think I kind of love the ribbon even more). I was so stoked to give it a shot. After many unsuccessful trials of trying to find the little cube vases, we settled on small 1.5 ounce jars. Slowly the idea has evolved into something slightly different from my first inspiration. We decided to go with a gerber daisy too ♥

[the ribbon isn't quite as snazzy either]

[but i'm slowly growing fond of them]

We'll probably be tweaking a few things, but generally we're pleased with the idea (and just ignore all the clutter in the background).