On My Mind Today...

Diorshow Blackout Mascara. My absolute favorite mascara (and I have tried tons of them). The blackout color (099) is definitely darker than the regular black (090), but I still use it for everyday wear.

Lilly Pulitzer Resort. I am so obsessed! My favorite (if I had to pick just one) is the Worth Shift in Not So Crabby. Love all the green and the super cute pattern. I can't wait to purchase and wear this one. Now, if only it wasn't almost November in Virginia...


(pic from corrico.com)

Fun Etiquette Books. My current read? How to Live Like a Lady by Sarah Tomczak. I picked this up during a late night Barnes and Noble run with the fiance (He said he needed some medical book, but I think it was just an excuse to go there. He loves BN!) So far I've only read the introduction, but this little book looks like a lot of etiquette fun! More about this to come...


(pic from bn.com)

Anthropologie Lake Cake Stand. I love baking and decorating cakes (especially around the holidays) and they just look even more fun and festive on top of a great cake stand.



Anthropologie Octagon Cup and Saucer. I so love a beautiful cup and saucer! It just makes having a cup of tea so much more glamorous. This comes in several colors, but my faves are the green and blue. They have such a fun vintage feel...and you know I love some vintage inspiration!


(both pics from anthropologie.com)

Being Fashionably Late. Ok, so I must admit this is only on my mind because it seems to be the current story of my life. It seems like no matter what I do I'm a few minutes late wherever I go! I won't leave the house until I'm satisfied with my outfit and I can be very indecisive! Fiance hates being late so I know this drives him crazy. I'm trying to work on it, but so far haven't been very successful. Suggestions? Anyone else have this problem?

Emily

Wedding Countdown: 2 Months To Go

I finally finished addressing and assembling wedding invitations last night and I’m sending them out today! They took forever to address, but I felt very strongly about doing them by hand (although I must admit about halfway through I was really wondering why). I’m so happy to have them finally ready to go! I still need to order monogrammed note cards for after the wedding thank yous. So far I’ve just had a time trying to find what I want! I haven’t really found a stationary store I like in town (usual shopping situation), and it’s so difficult to tell what you’re getting online. I hate not being able to feel the paper before ordering. Any suggestions?

Our wedding planner has been so amazing and there’s really not that much left to do. Right now I’m working on finishing our guestbook. I’m making a coffee table book with our engagement pictures and plenty of room for people to sign. I obviously haven’t been able to get very creative since it needs to be a kind of blank for signing, but this project has got me thinking about scrapbooking. Digital scrapbooking could be a lot of fun!

I’m also having a difficult time deciding on some of the songs. I can’t seem to get an inspiration for the cake cutting and tossing of the bouquet and garter. I’m so excited for our first dance. We are going to dance to my grandparent’s song, String of Pearls. I love it!

Here are a couple pictures from where we’re getting married:




I'm in love with the chandeliers in the ballroom! This picture doesn't really do them justice.

Emily

Weekend Shopping Trip

I can't believe the weekend is already gone! On Saturday several friends and I went on a fabulous shopping trip. Here's a perfect example of the shopping situation in town: When I told my tailor I would have to send the fiance to pick up a top on Saturday because I was going shopping her husband turned, looking quite concerned, and said "You're not shopping in town, right?" Obviously, there's no good shopping here and our trip was much needed (especially for sweaters since they aren't as necessary in Florida). Here are a few of my purchases:

Warm, comfy cashmere from J. Crew


Love J. Crew half-zips on the fiance


Super cute Tahari pumps


As I was putting away laundry (and all my new purchases) on Sunday, I realized I just need more room for all my clothes. Clearly my wardrobe, dresser, two closets, and the multitude of other places I've found to store my clothes are just not enough. Then I've got to think about shoes...Anyone else with this problem?

Tomorrow I'm going back to the Lilly store to get my dress tailored and buy my cardigan. So excited to see Resort in person! I already love it.

Emily

Happy Birthday Kappa Delta

Today is the 112th anniversary of Kappa Delta's founding and I'm dreaming of pearl white and olive green. I was a KD at FSU and I loved every minute of it. Since I moved to Virginia its been hard being away from my sorority sisters (most of them are still in Florida) and I already miss being involved with KD. My bridesmaids in my upcoming wedding are Kappa Delta alums, and my maid of honor (my sister) is a KD in her last year at FSU. I'm always excited to meet other Kappa Deltas, but there isn't an alumnae association where I now live!



I've found that Junior League is a great way to get involved in the community after sorority life. I'm a provisional member or the league here and I absolutely love it! Has anyone else had this experience?

Here are some pictures of KD fun in college.









"Let us strive for that which is honorable, beautiful, and highest."

Emily

Lunchtime Lilly

I went on another lunch hour shopping trip today. I was still in a Lilly mood from yesterday's find (I mean really, when am I not in a Lilly moood), so I ended up at The Pink Palm. I definitely had on rehearsal dinner dress blinders the last time I was there, so today I looked at more casual dresses for my bridal shower. I tried the Marcella Tunic Dress, loved it, and bought it.



I'm going back on Tuesday to have the tailor take it in a little and remove the belt loops. I love the belted look, but since it's fall I want the option to wear a cardigan over it without looking bulky. The Paley Cardigan in deep cyan looks so great with the dress, but they didn't have my size! No worries though...it's being sent to the store so I can buy it on Tuesday when I meet the tailor.



Can't wait for Resort!

Emily

Shopping and Fun Finds

Just got back from a quick lunch hour Anthro trip! I didn't have tons of time, but I did come out with the Juxtaposed Sweater Jacket. Love it! It's super cute and the wool is heavy enough to wear on the cooler fall days in Virginia.



Another exciting find today! Earlier, while I was trying to find info on Lilly's 2010 resort collection, I came upon an article about a new Lilly Pulitzer collection at mac. Mac in Lillyland comes out in January 2010! I am so excited. I googled it to get more info and it seems like everyone knew about this but me. Apparently, I have been living under a rock!



I can't wait to purchase this one!

Emily

Busy Weekend Fun

I was one busy girl this weekend! Friday night I came home from work and made Shabbat dinner for the fiancé and me. It’s been so cold here (It hasn’t been out of the 40s in days), so I thought I’d make something warm and comforting. I found a chicken casserole recipe, made some changes, and it turned out pretty well. The fiancé makes fun of me because most nights he comes home for dinner to me saying, “I couldn’t find a recipe I liked, so I just made one up. We’ll see how it turns out.” Probably not the most comforting thing to hear before dinner, but he seems to trust me! Fiance says I should start writing my creations down, but I usually make them up as I go so I’m not sure how it would turn out.



Ignore the Southwestern themed plates/silverware! I can’t wait to get different ones, but fiancé wants to wait and see if we get any from our registry before I go buy anything. I won’t even put placemats on the table because nothing I like would look good with those.

Saturday morning I woke up bright and early to attend a ropes course with my Junior League provisional class. I didn’t really know what to expect, and even though it was super cold and windy it was so much fun! I spent literally the rest of my Saturday hand addressing wedding invitations. I feel very strongly about the importance of hand addressing invitations, but after all that writing on Saturday I was beginning to wonder why. We aren’t even having a large wedding (about 130 guests), so I can’t imagine how long this would take if we were inviting more people!

I took a break from weekly cleaning on Sunday to read the November issue of REAL SIMPLE, one of my all time favorite magazines, and here are a few of my finds:

Matte Nail Polish. I’ve been so bored with all my polish colors lately so it’s definitely time for something new. I am obsessed with dark plum purple and I think it would be fun in a matte.



Classic riding boots. I have brown Arturo Chang riding boots that I love, but recently I’ve been looking everywhere, with no luck, for black riding boots. There are several pages with promising potentials! I especially love the pair of Miz Mooz boots that laces up the back. I am all about anything with Victorian inspiration and these definitely have it. I've never tried this brand though, so I'm not sure.




I was shocked by the list called “Things you thought could go in the dishwasher, but really shouldn’t.” Items included: cast iron, formal dishes, good knives, and crystal glasses. Who in their right mind ever thought it was okay to put any of these things in the dishwasher?!

Emily

My Fabulous Fiance

I realized I didn't have any pictures up of my fiance and me! He is such a sweet man and I can't wait to marry him in two and a half months!



Before one of my sorority events in college:



Fiance's white coat ceremony at the beginning of medical school:



Our engagment dinner:



At two of our friends' wedding this summer:



Yay! Engagement Pictures!

Great Trick For Slipcovers

I recently found a wonderfully easy way to keep slipcovers in place. I felt like everyday I was readjusting the slip cover on our couch and as soon as The Poe Cat got on it was messed up again. Every place I looked told me to use upholstery pins, but I just done like that idea. They might tear the cover and I was afraid The Poe Cat might somehow get a hold of them and hurt himself.

I finally found a much better suggestion! After putting the slipcover in place and tucking it in I placed rolled up magazines (secured with rubber bands) between the cushions and the back of the couch. The magazines hold the slipcover in place and I hardly have to make adjustments anymore. It’s such an easy fix and creates a use for all those old magazines I felt guilty about throwing out (but didn’t know where to recycle). It definitely works!

I’m going to look for more good organizing and decorating tips this weekend. My fiancé is a second year medical student in the middle of a week and a half of midterms so I will definitely have lots of free time!



Emily

Today's Obsessions

Here's what I'm loving today:

A Good Tailor. A good tailor is always on my favorites list. I spent my lunch hour today at my tailor and I just have to say that she is fabulous. She and her husband work together and they both do a wonderful job. Today I picked up a pair of jeans and dropped off about five more things! I had the jeans done with a California hem and you would never know they weren’t originally that length.

I’m petite and have a really difficult time finding clothes that fit me properly. Although J. Crew, LOFT, and Banana have pretty good petite stuff, I don’t like being limited to the petite section. I end up having to get just about everything I buy altered and I definitely think it’s the way to go.

Vintage-Inspired Jewelry. I love making jewelry and my recent obsession for fall has been finding vintage pieces for inspiration and creating around them. Etsy.com has some really great vintage jewelry finds and also some really great handmade jewelry. I found the necklace I’ll be wearing for my wedding on etsy. Here’s one of my favorite necklaces I’ve made this fall. I found the pin at a little vintage store in town and designed the bead pattern around it.





I also found this pretty purple ring!



Emily

I'm Not In Florida Anymore

It’s definitely becoming fall in Virginia. The leaves are turning beautiful autumn shades, the sun is setting earlier, and tomorrow’s high is 48! Time to pull out the cool weather clothing…except I grew up in Florida where fall really doesn’t exist and a winter wardrobe consists of a few sweaters and a jacket or two. This means I get to shop for an entire new season of clothes!

One of my most fabulous purchases so far has been my Frye Matilda Boots. Four inches of heel and they are still incredibly comfortable. Even better, endless.com has free overnight shipping. I bought them one evening at home and the next day our wonderful UPS man delivered them to me at work!



I’ve also gone crazy over the cords at J. Crew. My favs are the toothpick ankle. I love a good skinny pant and the length on these is great for someone petite. They are definitely a slim/skinny fit, but also don’t belong to the ever growing group of spandex tights masquerading as pants. (The ones that look painted on and show the entire shape of your leg from thigh, knee, to ankle – no thanks!)

I’m having trouble finding fun sweaters that have honest to goodness long sleeves. Besides the basics, it seems like everything I see has three-quarter length or even short sleeves. Any suggestions? I have a serious collection of cardigans and tons of cable knit crew necks, but I want something a little more interesting.

One last bit of fall fun for today - The Poe Cat is the star of my Halloween cards this year. Although, I think he was more excited about playing with paper scraps than being on the card. He loves making a mess!



Here he is playing with some packaging paper from an engagement gift.



Emily

Beyond the White Dress…All the Other Dresses for Pre-Wedding Events

Finding my wedding dress was unbelievably easy. It was the first dress I tried on! I’ve had a drastically different experience finding the other dresses though. There is a serious shortage of stores where I now live – a stark contrast to Orlando where I did my shopping in Florida. Thank goodness we do have some of the necessities: Lilly Pulitzer and Anthro. There are a total of three other boutiques, all of which rarely carry anything below a size 4! So, after countless hours of online shopping, having several dresses sent to the Lilly store, one tailor who was just a little too close for comfort (not my usual fabulous tailor), and spending time on the phone with a lovely girl at Anthro in SC, here’s what I found:

Rehearsal Dinner



Going Away Dress (It had to be kinda casual since my fiance and I going directly from our reception to the airport to catch our flight to Spain!)



Now what to wear to my bridal shower and bridesmaids luncheon? I bought a wonderful pink Trina Turk dress several months ago (it was just too pretty to pass up, even though I had nowhere to wear it), but I just don't know if it's passable for winter. I definitely wouldn’t wear it in Virginia, but it might be alright for Florida. Any suggestions?



I still need at least one more dress and fabulous shoes for all of them. A few of my friends and I are taking a Tysons trip (an outstanding mall in DC) later this month and I'm hoping to have good luck there!

Emily

My Debut in the Blog World

With over 9 months of wedding planning behind me (and less than 3 to go!) I have definitely been to my share of wedding blogs. Still, it wasn’t until a friend of mine told me about her blog that I realized I too could create one of those blogs I’ve been loving for so many months. So here it is…my daily adventures building a life in a new state, all the while trying to plan a wedding in another!