Getting back on track...

Hi loves!  I feel like I start too many of my blog posts with apologies for not blogging more.  So, I won't say I'm sorry...instead, I'll say thank you for sticking with me during looooong lapses in blogging.  Really, thank you! 

December and half of January just flew right by.  It's all a big blur. I wasn't neglecting the blog intentionally.  I started some big treatments for this crazy neurological disorder that I have that really set me back during the holidays.  We visited the ER twice and Urgent Care once between December 25th and January 5th.  SO fun!

So, let's get back on track...

Before Christmas I was sharing with you what we had been up to a year ago...remember?

I'll refresh...we were getting ready to travel to Jackson Hole, Wyoming for my sis-in-law's wedding. I have to share a few lot of the photos from her day because it truly was a one of a kind event.

Courtney's full ball gown...unbelievably gorgeous!

The bride...complete with a handmade rich dark purple cloak to give her a little more warmth on the ride up. 

She was stunning. 

A sleigh ride to the mountain top complete with apple cider and lots of handwarmers. 

Courtney was given away by Josh.

Courtney and Korbin were married by her dad, David, overlooking the National Elk Refuge below.

  

Unforgettable views from the mountain tops...amazing.

The happy couple.

Courtney spent months on the details...all from Texas. 

The reception was held at The Jackson Hole Flower Company, a quaint flower shop that had been transformed for the night.  It was rustic and still so elegant.  The perfect venue for a small, private night of dinner and dancing.

All of the details were incredible...

real wood chargers, monogrammed linens, and all natural greenery dressing the table. 

The guest book incorporated more of the woodsy feel of Jackson Hole as well.

Take home ornaments for each guest that also served as placecards.

Cozy and yet still so elegant...perfection.

The happy couple dancing in the glow of candlelight...gorgeous.

A little impromptu piano playing with 2 of my favorite guys.

The precious newlyweds!

Courtney and Korbin celebrated their first anniversary on two separate sides of the world...Korbin was on his aircraft carrier serving in the Navy and Courtney was back in San Antonio, holding down the fort until he returns.  They've sacrificed much and have grown as individuals and as a couple this past year.  It's awesome to see what God has in store for them.  We love and adore them very much and were very honored to be part of their big day!

Happy Friday, loves!

XOXO



A year ago...

A year ago on December 1st I clearly remember my hands being raw from all things...needlepointing! 

Yes, I am still in my 30's.  No, I don't need a walker to get around.  Yes, I know the needlepointing sterotype of grannies sitting in a rocker needlepointing with little glasses on the tip of their nose.  Ok, yes...I do wear glasses sometimes and they do tend to slide down every now and then.  Let's move on...

Now, how does needpointing, sore fingers, and a year ago fit together?  Let me explain...

Rewind to December 1st, 2010...My sis-in-law, Courtney, was only 27 days from her wedding day and I had volunteered to make some of the special gifts for guests.  She and her fiance, Korbin, planned a destination wedding in Jackson Hole, WY on December 28th.  It was truly an incredible destination and provided for some unbelievable photos and memories. 

Courtney did most of the planning herself since her husband was deployed at the time while serving in the Navy.  She did it all while here in Texas, which made things a challenge at times, but she allowed me to be part of this special day and help with some of the really special details.

One of the things I volunteered to make were the 'take-away' gift for guests.  THANKFULLY it was a small wedding of only immediate family and a handful of friends!  I needlepointed and made mini-champangne bags for each guest to take away to toast the New Year.  On each bag was Courtney and Korbin's last initial...K.  I couldn't find burlap bags at the time that would fit the champagne bottles that Courtney wanted to use so I made those too.  Thankfully my mom gave me a quick tutorial on how to operate a sewing machine so that I could quickly stitch up 20 bags.  For a good 3 months I would needlepoint whenever I sat down to watch tv, on long car rides, while sitting in doctor's offices, and anywhere I was sitting or even standing for more than 5 minutes. 

Josh about had it with all things burlap, eggplant purple, and anything involving a K by the middle of December.  And I was to panic as the days ticked by and the number of K bags very slowly grew...very slowly.

Here are a few pics of the completed bags...I'll admit, I did really love them.  Do I think anyone knew how much time and effort went into them?  Um, no.  Hell, no.  But, it was totally worth it.  The little details make everything in my opinion. 

Another guest gift that I made for Courtney and Korbin's special day...the welcome bags.  They were also stitched from burlap and had their signature C and K monogram that we designed.  We cut the CK monogram out from a deep eggplant purple satin fabric and used an iron transfer paper to adhere them to the bags.  These bags were filled with hot chocolate and marshmallows, peppermints, maps of Jackson Hole, handwarmers, lotions, chapstick, etc.  Everyone loved them and used the goodies inside throughout the entire weekend.  



There is a lot more to share from this incredible event and I will in the days ahead.  So stay tuned!

XOXO

Let's party!

Hello, April!  I can't believe you are here.  Really.  Please go slow!

With the calendar pages quickly turning, I have to face that wedding season is about to begin.  I know this based upon the stack of invitations that continues to grow on our kitchen counter. 

This time of year has me thinking about the perfect dresses, shoes, and accessories to wear to each event...and the anticipation of what will make each event unique and special.  I love how everyone wants their event to be set apart, to be memorable, and to be an expression of who they really are.  This is what I wanted and tried so hard to achieve. 

One of the fun ways that I keep seeing couples express themselves is with food...yummy, delicious, unforgettable food! 

Check out these inspiration bites, if you will...

 via greige

via Style Me Pretty

via Intimate Weddings



via Living Locurto

via My Sweet and Saucy

via P is for Party

via Quick-Dish

via Ritzy Bee Blog

via Style Me Pretty

I don't know about you, but I am ready to EAT!  I mean...PARTY!

xoxo

Showered with love...

This past weekend my sister-in-law, Janene, and I hosted a bridal shower for our sis-in-law, Courtney (Josh's middle sister).  It was the most incredibly gorgeous day here in Texas.  The sun was shining, the air was cool, and God was smiling on everyone at the event.  It was so much fun and a true privilege to be able to host a special event for such a wonderful woman. 

Courtney LOVES Anthropologie and the eclectic vibe of the store. She would work there for free, I think, just to be able to play with the clothes and dishes.

Janene and I tried to take her passion for the fun and mismatched feel of the store and plan our shower around that.

I made mismatched fabric wreaths for the front doors with Courtney and Korbin's initials.

The shower was filled with lots of little details...

 Lots of clear glass jars filled with babies breath

 Bunting for the dessert area

 The hot trend...paper straws

Fun wool ball garland draped around my kitchen's chandelier

Depression glass plates I collected off of Ebay for cheap.  Perfect for desserts!

Cupcakes, of course!

Janene had sewn bunting for each of the doorways throughout 

the house in mismatched fabrics.
We hung paper flowers from the center of the room
and clear bulb lights since my new dining room chandelier did not arrive on time. Boo.

Mason jars were collected and filled with dry green peas, navy beans, white beans, and candles.  

Bright fabric tablecloths and napkins were found at Home Goods.  

Each guest received an iced cookie with the bride and groom's initials to take home. 

We used a collection of mismatched plates for the day...

both of Janene's grandmother's china, Janene's china and my china!

The spread of "girly" food as Josh referred to it

Printed napkins with the bride and groom's names and wedding date

Since the weather was perfect all of the tables were set up outside under the porch and trees.

 

The beautiful bride had a fantastic day!  

She received so many wonderful gifts...LOTS of them from Anthropologie!

Am I jealous...um, yes!

My precious husband was happy to help with the heavy loading in exchange for the leftover cookies.  

Janene, Courtney and Me

It was truly a love filled day celebrating Courtney and Korbin's upcoming marriage.  

I was so honored to be a part of it.  

Hello, August!

July has been a rough month. I'm actually incredibly happy to welcome August...even with the horrendous heat that comes with it. A change, even if just on the calender, has needed to happen. This just wasn't my month...concussions, family illness, fighting off viruses, handling work disasters, etc.

Hello, August! You couldn't get here fast enough. Don't let me down.

Since I'm still catching up, I'll let Snippet and Ink's darling Summer Honey post inspire us a bit.

Top row from left: yellow gingham honey jar favor via Creature Comforts, iced tea and sweet tea cocktails from Martha Stewart Weddings, photo in a field from Real Weddings, vintage yellow dish via Green Wedding Shoes
Row 2: beehive cake via Design Mom, invitation with kraft paper and yellow gingham via Elizabeth Anne Designs, yellow rose necktie by Chinny Chin Chin via The Constant Gatherer
Row 3: picnic basket from Longaberger, short wedding dress from Martha Stewart Weddings, bumblebee invitation by Ceci New York, bouquet with garden roses and bunny tails from Martha Stewart Weddings