It's All in the Details...The Wedding Invitations

Originally, I had planned to wait until tomorrow to share my pictures of our wedding invitations, but because I am just so overwhelmed with giddyness and excitement, I decided that all of our guests have surely received their invitations by now so I can divulge the detailed goodness.
So without further adieu, here they are...my favorite pieces of paper e v e r:

The full invitation suite...invitation, response card, and accommodations card

The full digital file so you can see the detail

Detail of my calligraphy on the outer envelopes

A heaping pile of hard work and love

All boxed up and ready to be mailed!

So there you have it!! Words can't describe the feeling I had when these lovelies were sent out last week... first of all, relief from finally being done with such a huge component of our wedding, and secondly, happiness in that I {as well as the parents and my wonderful MOH} spent loads of time stuffing and sealing these pretty little envelopes for our guests. I know some people think wedding invitations are merely paper, but for this girl, it's the first element of our forthcoming wedding where friends, family, and guests will hopefully get a sneak peak of what's to come and what to expect.

And finally, thanks SO much to our friends and family who have emailed, texted, and called me and/or Jeff to tell me how much they love our invitations. This is icing on the cake for me with this labor of love and it means more than you will ever know ;)

You Asked For It...Wedding Wednesday

I had a handful of some of my lovely readers email me and ask how I have so much to talk about each Wednesday...well, obviously you can break it up as you please, but there are so many details and I think it's fun to share this planning adventure with the blogging universe so that I can help other brides planning their dream weddings, too! So, tasks to-do and items complete as of today--a mere 129 days to go:

Bridesmaid Shoes—Check!

Are these not adorable?? My ladies will be sporting these fun peep toe heels but in classic black to match their Melissa Sweet dresses… we tried them on last week and knew they were perfect! And I think they really liked them. And as a helpful hint, make sure you ask for discounts--since I am ordering in "bulk", I got an additional 10% off my total purchase!

Reception Design and Rentals--Check!

This is a HUGE component to finally have completed. We have submitted our order for all of the linens, draping, tables, chairs {and yes, the chiavari chairs are actually going to be mine}china, lighting, and all other odds and ends. I was sent draft pictures and drawings of the reception floor plan and design and I could not be happier… I think it is going to be gorgeous—oh but how I know I am just a bit partial ;)

Favors Ordered—Check!

A sweet little surprise for all of our guests… not going to give the details away just yet, but take a look at some of my favorite favor finds from the internet—I heart anything homemade, out-of-the-box, and sentimental.

Fresh Baked Cookies via Project Wedding Blog

Paperwhite Flower Kit via Project Wedding Blog

Candied Apples via Style Me Pretty

Homemade Jam Favors via Style Me Pretty

 Finalize Wedding Invitations—Currently Ongoing

This is the biggest outstanding item I’ve got brewing right now. Joni from Chocolate Butterbean sent the original designs last week and I am now waiting to receive the revisions… I cannot wait to have these ordered and delivered so I can start the calligraphy process for MY wedding invitations-giddy can you tell? A bit of envelope inspiration from some of my favorite calligraphers...

Shopping for Honeymoon and Showers—Currently Ongoing

Some of you may call me crazy, however, I have already started shopping for outfits for the honeymoon, and other miscellaneous wedding activities {hey, sales are few and far between and when you find it in your size you just have to get it!}. I promise to bookmark them all and share at a later date!

Additional items to knock out in February: final catering menu on the 8th, cake tasting and final design on the17th, ordering the guest book, working on the rehearsal dinner, and ordering the rehearsal dinner invitations...nothing this lady can't handle--haha!

Hola Thursday... So Glad to See You!

First and foremost, I logged on this morning to see I had reached 500 FOLLOWERS—never in a million years did I ever think so many people would care what I have to write, but thank you so much for taking a small peak into my daily life… I know it’s not all glamour and I say rando things at times on a wide range of topics, but I appreciate your love and comments more than you could ever imagine! Can’t wait to see what’s in store next!

Speaking of opportunities, the lovely team at CSN Stores contacted me to do a product review. With so many options at their 200+ stores, I can’t wait to see what I can find to complement our home…maybe some Corelle for entertaining, some fun new lamps for a guest room, or maybe a new blanket for our lazy couch downstairs perfect for a nap!

I just got in a BIG BOX of supplies delivered via FedEx so that I can teach myself the fine art of Copperplate calligraphy…. I ordered it from the MAJOR online calligraphy superstore and can’t wait until I have some free time to get to work—practice makes perfect!!

Copperplate Calligraphy Sample via Betsy White

AND, tomorrow afternoon, this wonderful desk will be arriving at my house so I can set up shop—yippee!! I am so excited to have a place to write/work/blog in our house rather than on the kitchen island...

Last night, a few of us girls got together to hear all about Meg’s Mexican honeymoon adventure… we had ladies’ night cocktails at The Wine Loft (the best baked brie in town!) and went through the slideshow on her camera of all their pics—looks like they had a BLAST!!! So lucky to have such great friends =)

Today’s high temperature in Nashville is a mere 85…say it ain’t so??? It’s August 26th and we can NOW go outside and enjoy the weather since we weren’t able to all summer—so glad fall is fast approaching, which means football every weekend, decorating our house for fall, and spending way too much $$$ on Starbuck’s Pumpkin Spice Lattes =)

I just bought this OPI nail color to wear to our party Saturday night because it matches my dress… no, not fall at all, but can you say girly????

Enough of me and my mindless ramblings for today... Happy Thursday friends--so very close to the weekend, though I have too much to accomplish before it gets here, and I can't wait to let the fun begin =)

Just Another Manic Monday

I'll give you shortened, condensed version of how my weekend went: (1) because it's not all that exciting, and (2) because I'm crazy busy again this week--both work and personally--so I need to pick it up a notch to make sure I get everything knocked out in time.

Friday Night--cookout with some of Jeff's work friends ended up with be babysitting my dear fiance because he just had to sample a few too many rounds of tequila shots--poor baby! I also made this FANTABULOUS corn dip that I will post the recipe for!!

My Little Grillmaster!

Saturday morning, we got up and headed to run errands all around town...and I am happy to report that we added a brand new coffee table AND throw pillows to our couch/living room--let's see the before and then the after! 

No Couch or Table

  

Bring On My Couch

And Introducing Our New Coffee Table and Sofa Pillows

Now that we are slowly but surely getting the furniture, we are going to start looking at accent pieces and art for the walls--can't wait to make it finally feel like a living room!

Saturday night, we headed to my parent's new house since they had just finished moving in...they did a great job picking out paint colors and the new furniture looks incredible, but my Mom would kill me if I showed pics before it was done so that'll come soon!

As for Sunday, I spent practically all day working on calligraphy...my hand felt like it was going to fall off, but I made a lot of progress

Last night, we met our friends Andy and Lauren {sorry darling, can't tag you here--hehe} for dinner at our favorite Mexican establishment and then headed to the movies to see Inception. So for my personal preference, was it as good as everyone made it out to be? No--but these are the reasons why: (1) it was FOREVER long, and (2) confusing as all get out. Now don't get me wrong--it was a great movie, but you definitely need to be ready to think and not just sit back and get entertained...VERY thought provoking!

Alright, back to work--Happy Monday friends!

Working for the Weekend

It's sad when one your friends says she got tired just by reading about your weekend plans via email, right?? Just when I thought I would have a weekend off, a multitude of things jumped up and bit me and stuck their tongue out and said "na na na na boo boo" in my face!

Not one to complain, I am going to make light of the situation and put on my happy face--maybe if I am good I will get a treat from Mr. Jeffrey =)

Here's what we have lined up:

Backyard BBQ cookout tonight at our house for Jeff's coworkers and friends...crossing my fingers I remember to post the recipes soon after, too!

Saturday morning: gym time, living room furniture shopping, and then to help my parents get settled into their new house!!!

Oh and then I forgot to mention I will be working on not 1, but 2 calligraphy orders this weekend... overwhelmed would be an understatement at this point, but I thrive under pressure and I love doing it--just wish they BOTH didn't have to be completed by next weekend--yikes!

Then comes Sunday... my saving grace day! We actually get to have some fun with Lauren and Andy for couples date night! Mexican at the best local place you'll ever find and then to see Inception featuring my Leo--yummy!

Happy weekend friends--hope you all have a GREAT ONE...and if you're anywhere near Nashville, stay out of the heat--tomorrow's high temp is supposed to reach 100 which means humidity, ugly hair, and trying to keep myself hydrated!!

Busy Little Bee!

Now that wedding season is finally here, I am officially working like crazy on my little side business venture in calligraphy. I finished one of my friends' set of envelopes a few weeks ago--with rave reviews from her and her fiance, so I posted the finished product on my other blog, here!

And today, I kick-off my best friend's invitations--all bazillion of them {haha Meg}. It is definitely going to take the entire month we have allotted to finish them, but I know all that time will be worth it in the end and I really think they are going to look beautiful for her wedding.

And yes, I promise to show pics afterwards, too!

P.S. I got an email from the beloved Knot.com today reminding me that today is the 13-month countdown to my own wedding--yippee!!

A Little of This, A Little of That

Oh Thursday... how happy I am to see you! With everything I have going on in my personal life, I hate to say I have been a little slacker at work, yet I know things will get crazy again in a few days so I am taking this much-needed quiet time to get caught up on other important details =)

Yesterday, our family room tables arrived... after searching high and low, I stumbled across them at American Signature and instantly knew these were "THE ONES". I promise to post picstures of the actual room with everything in it, but here is a little taste of some of what we ordered--both the TV console and my favorite part, the coffee table with lift that doubly serves for eating and working via laptop=greatest invention ever!!

Both pieces from the Urban Living Collection via AS Furniture

In other exciting news for me professionally, the uber:wonderful Ms. Ashley King from Ashley's Bride Guide--whom I now have the pleasure of knowing --caught up with me a few weeks ago and asked to do a feature on my calligraphy. Being overly excited, I worked feverishly on developing new samples to showcase and worked with her associate Cassandra on my interview, etc. Yesterday, they featured me on their website and I couldn't have been more humbled... these two women are incredible and Ashley is the go-to person for everything speaking to Nashville Weddings. If you don't know her site, you need to--she is amazing. Thanks again Ashley for such a wonderful opportunity! OXOX

You can see the post here

And because we all need a little quote inspiration, check these out:

Update: for those who inquired about the 30 day shred, yes, I am still a bit sore today... haha! Running definitely has my body in shape, but Jillian did something different to areas I hadn't worked in awhile and I LOVE IT!

The Business Savvy Side of Me

By now some of you may know that I rendezvous as a part-time calligrapher on the side... seems like all those doodles on my notebooks growing up somehow paid off and has benefitted my real life--who ever would've dreamed of that??

I began my adventure by starting a blog site dedicated to my calligraphy, though sadly because of timing and everything else, I never really focused on it. After lots of thinking and planning, I decided to change things up and revise my so-called "vision" and refine it into more of what I want to accomplish with my calligraphy. As I was stalking blog designers, I stumbled across Penny Lane Designs, and instantly knew that I wanted Marina to help me with my new site... and boy did she impress!

You can visit my new site here--I finally have the blog up and lauched--keep in mind that this is a work in progress, but I will be focusing a lot more attention to paper, stationery, and all things ink as I really want to grow my business... it is something I am extremely passionate about and I really enjoy doing it {with the bit of free time I do have}. Today marks April 1--a day when I am starting a brand new order of a fellow friend and bride and I couldn't be more excited to see the end product!

If you have any friends getting married in need of stationery, I love referrals and would appreciate your help, too... thanks for all your support and I hope some of my readers will follow me on this new journey, too! Hop on over and see my new samples!!

Random Musings and Thoughts

Can you believe it??? I don't have ONE certain topic I am posting today, so this is going to be one good old RANDO post with a bunch o' goodness thrown into the mix for your reading pleasure

1. There has been so much negativity in the blogging world lately... a few of my daily reads have blogged about nay-sayers/mean people who leave rude comments and such. Although I feel bad for these ladies, I am lucky my bloggy friends have been kind and considerate--I know everyone is entitled to their own opinion, but I think the saying of "if you can't say anything nice, don't say anything at all" still applies and should be considered... =)

2. I want my blonde hair back--yes, the brunette has been fun, but it is time for me to get back to my roots as they say and transform back to sun-shiney blonde! The damage I did to my hair has been almost fully repaired and I'm ready to be "me" again... appointment has been scheduled for March 16th and I'm hoping for loads of highlights as I start progressing back to blonde

3. With the permission of Meg AKA MOH, she said I could reveal her hard work and dedication by showing yall her adorable Save the Dates!! My little Malcorn all grown up... they look fantastic and her wedding is inching closer--lots of fun showers and parties coming up!!

**STD cards created from Etsy via Lille Barn Too

4. The beach... in a mere 52 days, I will be sitting with the parents and Jeff and basking in the Florida sun! It's not even summer and I am already overwhelmed because we have so much going on... I need some R&R with a drink in hand, walk on the beach, and a good book

5. I need help--major help! In the hopes of trying to grow my business, I have decided to revamp my other blog and I am turning to you for guidance/suggestions/constructive criticism. I am in the process of creating a new name for my services-- I have a FABULOUS name that I am in love with {thanks in part to Meg}, but will not be revealed until a later date. This is where you come in... should I stick with blogger or venture to wordpress? I know both have their pros and cons, but what is better for a business? I need a design with multiple pages for samples, packages, the process, etc. I also need a new template-- I am open to any and all suggestions, though I am not wanting to spend an arm and a leg for this... send me names, websites, links PLEASE!!

And because I have definitely tired you with such an overwhelming post,
I leave you with some fun quotes and pictures to get you to Friday