Happy Weekend {+Friday Finds!}

Hi everyone! It's Friday again :) And that means I get to share all the little things that pumped me up this week. Speaking of pump - does anyone watch the Jersey Shore?  Well, I am sure you don't watch such garbage - but if you happened to pass over it last night looking for something intellectual to watch on the History Channel or CNN did you just die laughing? Mr. C and I were fist pumping all over the house and looking back, it was quite hilarious. Of course we immediately switched back to CNN, obviously.

Anyway, sorry for the tangent, here are some beautiful things from the web that Snookie would probably never appreciate.

I am in love with this table setting. 

 {via Brooklyn Bride}

Paper Garlands. Yes please.

{Kristina Marie's Etsy shop via With this Ring}

If you don't love this little bunting, we need to talk.

{cake bunting designs from dawn at kiki la ru Read more at Design*Sponge }

Sassy headpiece alert!!!

{Sara Gabriel via Style Me Pretty}




Happy Weekend! Miss y'all already! 

xoxo, Abby

Real Wedding Stationery Story

Well, I love this.

Martha, you really know how to get my goat in a good way.  If you happened to see this shindig on Martha Stewart Weddings - you know it's a pretty awesome affair.  What you probably didn't know is I lit-er-ally died over their wedding stationery story (is that what people call it these days? Because I do).  That save the date had me at hello.

{The Paper Nickel via Martha Stewart Weddings}

Check out the rest of the fabulous wedding here.

Tuesday Shoesday

I love classic. You know this. I also love when brands take a little chance with classic. Enter today's Tuesday Shoesday pick - The Sperry Top-sider with a twist.

Found here at good ol' classic Sperry.

For more places to express your love for shoes check out Landlocked Bride, Gwyneth Paige, Swatchbook Weddings, Meant to Be Sent Postcards and Pretties, and Weddings & Pretty Things.

Advice.

Ok, so we have less than 20 days until the big day and I have no idea how that happened.  It also hasn't really sunk in that this is my wedding. Is that weird? I think it's my survival method - because really, I haven't been stressed this entire time.  So I thought I would pass along some words of survival wisdom for all the brides to be out there (other than being in complete denial).

1. Surround yourself with happy people.  This is my main piece of advice for not only wedding planning but life.  We are so lucky to have so many people in our life that are so happy we are getting married. There are of course people that feel the need to criticize every decision we make (even if they aren't even coming to the wedding!) - being able to let those silly criticisms roll of your back is key to survival.

2. Pick Vendors that are so awesome you become friends. Let me tell you something - after the wedding I am seriously going to miss my vendors. Mr. C makes fun of me because I send approximately 500 emails a day to various people involved in the wedding, what he doesn't know is we could be discussing random issues that have nothing to do with our wedding (aka my love for Mad Men). They are my friends. I love our vendors so much - I will be sad when they aren't a part of my day to day life, but I also fully trust they will do a great job so I have absolutely no stress in that department.  Aka - survival tactic.

3. Remember this is the last time you will do this.  This is a one time shot. Never in your life will you get to do this again.  I know that can sound daunting - but soak it up. Enjoy it. You learn so much about yourself and others during this process.  Even though Mr. C and I have been together for six years - I have to say, wedding planning has taught us so much about each other (and made us realize even more that we are a rock star team).

4. Organize.  Make excel and Google docs your best friends. Not good at organizing? Hire a planner and tell him/her that this is not your strong suite. Can't hire a planner ? Assign this task to your most type A friend. Do what you have to do to organize all the moving parts, because there are a LOT of them. The more your are organized, the less you have to stress.

5.  Focus on the positive: There are so many things you could get stressed or hung up on during wedding planning. Maybe you didn't get your first pick of venue or vendor, or your family is causing drama, etc. etc - there are many things that can lead you down a stressful planning path.  Focus on the positive. You didn't get your venue - but the other venue is cheaper or has better chairs! (sometimes you have to reach for the positive, I admit).  Your family is making things difficult - but you aren't marrying them! You get the idea - focus on the positive and the end result of getting to marry this amazing person and eat cake. I mean, it can't be bad when cake is involved.

6. Take a honeymoon. You will need it.

{Images from our amazing photographer (and now friend) Leila of Olive Juice Photography.}

I want to hear your words of advice - what helped you? Or if you are a planner - what do you tell couples?

Happy Weekend {+Friday Finds!}

If you haven't noticed, I've been a little MIA these days. I have a notebook of blog ideas rearing to be launched into cyber space and a million clever tweets that want to flutter through hootsuite complete with hashtags (I always forget those -#guessi'manewbietotwitter). Alas, life is filling my days to the brim, and I can't say that I'm complaining. I've never been happier. I'm on creative overload so much so I can feel my heart race (does that happen to anyone else?) - kind of like drinking Red Bull minus the threat of heart problems. Here are a few things that made my natural energy kick into high gear this week:

 When you mix floaty & flirty fonts with letterpress you will actually make me stop for 2.5 seconds (which is an achievement, let me tell you)...

{100 Layer Cake}

I kind of want one of these that says - Bomb Dot Com.

{Poppy Talk}

 What if you used these chairs at your wedding or next dinner party.  Those two little turquoise pieces of heaven need to be mine.  My dinner table is screaming for them! 

{Flights of Fancy}

Stop. Look at that wall paper. Amazing.

{Amy Atlas}

Happy Weekend Loves!

SMP Guest Post: Chicago Sophistication

This is happening on Style Me Pretty today.

{Garbo Productions via Style Me Pretty}

I think that is all I need to say.

Happy Wednesday ;)

Tuesday Shoesday!

Good morning blog land! I have a skip in my step today and I have no idea why.  Maybe it's the sunshine, maybe it's the fact that the big day is so close, or maybe because today is the day I get to look at all the fabulous shoes blog land puts on my computer screen. Regardless, it's a good day, and now it's time to get down to business. Business = shoes.  Today's post is a trend I've noticed becoming increasingly popular and I just love it.  Tom's as wedding shoes. How cute are these brides and how great is this company?

{Collin Hughes via Wedding Chicks}

{via Earth Friendly Brides}

{via Jessica Hill Photography}

Need more shoes {correct answer: yes} check out Landlocked Bride, Gwyneth Paige, Swatchbook Weddings, Meant to Be Sent Postcards and Pretties, and Weddings & Pretty Things.

Wedding Wheel of Fortune

How cool is this idea from the ladies of Amorology(they are such wedding rock stars) spotted on Green Wedding Shoes (another wedding rock star)?

I am in love.

{Natalie Morton}

Happy Weekend {+Friday Finds!}

This is what happens when you are month away from the big day - you enter detail heaven.  I suppose it could be a little overwhelming if you don't live for details, but I live for details, so this month is like a carnival for me (minus the unsafe rides, scary food and scary people). 

Well yesterday I found a certain detail I almost didn't want to share because I wanted to keep all the garland goodness to myself.  But I did some soul searching and realized I shouldn't hoard beautiful ideas. So, my friends, I give you Hank + Hunt (and their little blog too).  Jenny is an absolute doll & accepts custom orders!

{via}

And you want to see something just as adorable? How about using these at your next dinner party for conversation starters, or putting them at each place setting at your wedding? Because if you did that I would die in detail heaven.

{via Design*Sponge}

I really don't know what to say about this picture, but I had to share it because I have gone back to it over and over this week. There is just something so peacefully perfect about it. Mostly during the final countdown month!

{Black*Eiffel}

Speaking of carnivals and details, did you see this inspiration beauty on Style Me Pretty? I think it's a perfect way to wrap this post, and week, up. Happy Weekend! 

{via}

I miss y'all already!! 

xoxo,
Abby

Celebrity Wedding: Carrie Underwood

{image}

I love Carrie Underwood and I have been dying to see her wedding in all it's glory! Thank goodness it's starting to leak. I need to go buy a People ASAP.  I am such a sucker.

Anyway, from what I gather, her tiara was encrusted with more than 40 carats of diamonds and was a gift from the groom! Wow, nice gift. Mr. C - do you have something similar up your sleeve? (kidding, I'm not really the tiara type so you get a pass on that one). She wore a chantilly lace and silk organza gown by designer Monique Lhuillier, and then changed quickly into a cocktail dress following the ceremony. I loooove that idea.

The reception for their 250 guests dined on sushi and crispy risotto lollipop hors d'oeuvres and for dessert they enjoyed a cake made of cupcakes which we all know & love.From what I gather - there was lots of pink...but they did have painted hockey pucks for table assignments. And I love that.

Congrats Carrie!! (i write like she is actually reading this...haha)


(all found on E!online blog)

P.S. I also love her "I'm on my way to my honeymoon but I still look fantastic airplane outfit":

{justjared}

Honored

I love how quickly life can just say to you "sorry, I have different plans for you missy." I am a planner. I have lists for everything. I get a kick out of mapped out time lines. Give me an excel chart, and I can make magic happen - so I just get a kick out of Life when it just laughs in my face and crumbles up my color coordinated excel chart and throws it out the window.  Well, first I am a bit sad about how that pretty excel chart will never live to it's full potential but then, almost always, the option Life gives me is better. Much better.

{applechampagne & iheartmodernart}

Call me an optimist. Mr. C does all the time. It's a compliment.

So where am I going with this? Well, not even a year ago I up and left Corporate America and let life take the wheel. I started this little blog because I thought it was fun way to let my city friends know what day to day life was like in the Burbs of the Burbs (aka the beloved Super Burbs).  Never in a million years did I think it would open the doors it did for me. Thanks Life. You ol' rascal you.

So with all that rambling, I am beyond honored when someone as revered in the industry as Sophia from Brancropta gives me the compliment of an award like this:

So the rules are - I must share 10 random facts and pass the award to five other bloggers.  Done and Done.

For the five other bloggers - my Tuesday Shoesday girls:  Gwyneth Paige (she was the first person to RT me!), Swatchbook Weddings,   Landlocked Bride, Simply and Forever, & Weddings & Pretty Things...

And for the 10 random facts:

Happy Wednesday!!

Tuesday Shoesday

Well, first and foremost -I was a bad blogger yesterday.  It was one of those crazy, million things going on kind of days. Then when you add the heat into that equation the few spare moments I did have were spent fighting a nap that wanted its way with me all day. Oh naps - you are quite the temptress. Have no fear, I prevailed.

Back to the important things at hand - shoes. And boy do I have some lovelies to share with you.  I feel like today is one of those days where you could use a few extra fabulous finds for your feet and I aim to please. This little collection of wedding shoes is sure to kick start your day.

I love pops of color for wedding shoes, but I also love the timeless look and feel of a classic wedding shoe. Long story short, I love shoes.  How about you? Are you classic or color?

For more places to express your love for shoes check out Landlocked Bride, Gwyneth Paige, Swatchbook Weddings, Meant to Be Sent Postcards and Pretties, and Weddings & Pretty Things.

SMP Guest Post: Style Me Pretty Meets the South

I love to be inspired. I literally get inspired by the littlest things. I see an old rusty pail and my mind goes on a roller coaster of ways it can be given life at some fabulous make believe party (I have issues, I will be the first to admit this). So when BIG things happen, well, I can barely contain myself. That is basically what happened when I first saw this shoot. I was immediately uncontained (yes I realize that is an awkward way to use that word, but you totally get what I am saying). That is the hard part of getting to work with Style Me Pretty - you are on constant inspiration overload.


And I wouldn't want it any other way.

{via Style Me Pretty}

Do yourself a favor on this fabulous Friday and check out this fantastic shoot right now.

A New Addition

Late last night my darling older sister brought another handsome man into the world (hooray for the little ladies being born right now!).  I am so happy for their amazing family.  Obviously I am now searching high and low for something unique to do for the little man and immediately my brain went to monograms & logos (surprised?).

Tell me this isn't just adorable - oh the parties you could plan.

{Sarah Drake via Stroller Traffic}

Then I came across this picture and was completely side tracked from the monogram mission. Um...this is pretty cute. This guy is totally too cool for school at age like 3 weeks (or maybe 3 months? I have no idea when it comes to babies).  That hat needs to make it to my sister's house ASAP just so I can laugh at the pictures.

{Becky's Baby Crochet}

And then I died & was sidetracked again when I took a visit to good ol' Ralph Lauren and came across this (apparently it's for infants - but I'm not so sure):

{Ralph Lauren}

And then this happened - when you combine gingham and a monogram, you have my heart:

{Ralph Lauren}

What do you think? If you are a new mother, what did you want from your sister or friend? I admittedly know nothing about what are the "it" things to buy a little guy - so if you have the inside baby scoop, please share! I am an Aunt that needs to spoil!

SMP Inspiration to Real Wedding

Yesterday was a big day for many reasons.  One - it was hotter than a billy goat in a pepper patch (haha - had to say it), two - I got to meet with my fabulous creative team {aka wedding vendors - Sarah of TRUE Event, Sayles of Sayles Livingston Flowers and Emily of Paper Moss} at the Ocean House for a wedding brainstorm session (my favorite), and three - this happened:

{The talented Justin & Mary via Style Me Pretty}

If you didn't get to see the Inspiration to Real Wedding on Style Me Pretty yesterday, that needs to happen asap.  The team behind the design genius (including my lovely planner and friend, Sarah True) are unstoppable even with record breaking floods. Not that we should be surprised. 

Please also take note of those chairs. To die for.

Tuesday Shoesday

When it's 89 degrees before 9am - you know you are in for a scorcher of a day.  I secretly love the heat. It means we are in the thick of summer and to me that is the best place to be. For this Tuesday Shoesday, I am loving this perfect, effortless summer staple. Not too clunky, but just fun enough to make even the hottest days feel cool...

Tell me these don't have my name written all over them...

{Tory Burch}

Happy {4th of July} Weekend!

I love the 4th of July weekend for so many reasons...

{Olive Juice Photography}

There are, of course, the obvious ones - the beach, BBQs, big girl bottles of wine, the annual softball tournament, parades, giving a high five to the good ol' USA, etc. etc. etc.  But the big reason I love the 4th? Six long years ago, on this very weekend I met Mr. C at one of those fabulous 4th of July BBQs, and that my friends is the reason why I really love the 4th of July.  Such great, great memories.

Here's to more great memories - Happy 4th everyone! 

P.S. How beautiful/ fun are those images? Leila never ceases to amaze.

DIY Custom Sparklers

Found this lovely gem in the Style Me Pretty archives (my favorite place btw)...wouldn't this be perfect for the upcoming weekend celebration? Get all the crafty details here.

{via Style Me Pretty}