Lights Out

Well apparently Irene liked the Super Burbs as much as we do and decided to make her mark on our sleepy little town. It really is quite amazing to see what this storm did to the surrounding houses. Word on the street is that our power might not be back on until Friday (or now Saturday). So if there is silence in the Super Burbs, you know why.  To be honest, it has made me slow down a bit - which I think my little mind needed. I've read a bunch, which I forgot how much I loved. Mr. C and I have had some long, fabulous talks over flashlights and candles....and lots dance parties because there isn't anything else to do. And wine, lots of wine.

Hopefully we'll be back in business soon..until then, please excuse any delay in my email, twitter or facebook responses...battery power is priceless right now....xoxo

Happy Weekend {Not You Irene}!

So a little lady named Miss Irene is deciding to pull a party crashing move and spice up our weekend. Normally I am a fan of spice, but not this time. She is not on my good list, she is on the other list that starts with a "S" and ends with an "it". And there aren't many people on that list so she really sticks out. We have the most amazing bride getting married tomorrow in a gorgeous tented wedding, and Miss Irene is NOT on the guest list. Not to mention my darling best friend's bridal shower is on Sunday smack dab in the middle of the storm. Seriously, come on Irene.  It looks like she's going to be a feisty one, so I thought I would show you what I am stocking up on in preparation for the big storm...

Basically, I plan to drown my sorrows in bloody marys and hummus.

Stay safe out there folks...

Inspire Me Pretty Georgia!

My little peaches, it's time to inspire all of us at SMP with your southern style. SMP Georgia is hosting a board building contest of sorts - and I think each of you should take some time to build a little something pretty. It's good for the soul, I promise. Here is the peachy palette I whipped up...

Tuesday Shoesday

How in the heavens have I not posted this pair of stunning shoes yet? They screaaammm Super Burbs and need to be on my feet immediately. Why oh why aren't they free? I would dance around the house like Doris Day if I could prance around in these puppies. Would you blame me?

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For more pep For more check out {TRUE Event} {brancoprata} {magnolia rouge} {demoiselle} {meant to be sent} {simply & forever} {landlocked bride} {swatchbook weddings}{luna & chloe weddings} {merci new york} {enchanted dream weddings}

Garden Party Dreamin'

I've said it once, I'll say it again - the Summer of 2011 is the fastest summer on record. Proven fact. Today I think I complained about it (to Otto, he's the only one here to listen) five times. It was just one of those days where it was absolutely gorgeous out, but I could feel fall in the air. And as much as I love fall and all that comes with it (hello pumpkins!), this year I am just not ready for it. So my mind is focused on all things summer, and today I am dreaming of a sweet, casually elegant garden party. With lushness all around,a country estate, fun pops of summery color and not a leaf in sight.

http://smp.gd/b/jok click for credits



Don't you dare leave me summer. I'm not done with you.

Happy Weekend!

Lordy, lordy another week has come and gone. I swear the days go faster in the summer time and I do not appreciate that one little bit. Regardless, I am going to make the most of the sand & sunshine this weekend, and I hope each of you lovelies do the same. Any fabulous plans?

the one, the only Jose Villa. I have a mad crush on this man.

Here are some pretty links from around that world wide web I am so fond of...

TRUE Event has a new website & it sure is pretty!

Records are the the new doilies

Mrs. Lilien makes hangovers look good.

My kind of tart

HAPPY BIRTHDAY WEEKEND to THIS fab lady...

Have a fab weekend! Miss y'all already!

xoxo, Abby

Where the Magic Happens

Lately my mind has been on our bedroom. Decorating it, that is. The poor room has been 100% neglected since we moved in. We even use the duvet Mr. C had in his bachelor pad (for shame...I shouldn't admit this). This does not make me happy, but by the time I make my way up to our bedroom everyday I am so exhausted I literally collapse and could care less if we had spider man sheets. But this is changing. My fall goal is to transform that room into a place I can hibernate all winter. And I am collecting inspiration for a traditional yet modern look with a few monograms thrown in for fun. Also - do you have any recommendations for FABULOUS non-spider man sheets that won't put us in the poor house? I need an upgrade.


One thing I have decided on is that I will either paint (aka someone else will paint bc I have ZERO patience) this pattern or I will use this wallpaper for the wall our bed is on...

From there, I'm thinking this color palette because these colors make me happy and sooth my soul. And soul soothing is important in the bedroom. Am I right, or am I right?

via

And here are some of my favorite rooms. Can I tell you I know exactly what I want this room to look like? I have the perfect vision in my head. I can't wait to see it come to reality.

all via Lonny

Notice a bit of a trend? I LOVE big statement headboards mix with traditional bedding and a few loud pillows. And patterns. I. LOVE. patterns. I want this room to say, "Yea we are traditional old souls, but we like to party & travel the world." With me? Also, I am replacing our ceiling fan (Sorry Mr. C) for a chandelier (if I can ever find one I love and doesn't cost money).

Ok, what do you think? And where should I buy bedding? I want hotel worthy fluffy duvets and sinfully soft sheets.

Featured: Etsy + SMP + little ol me

I remember when I first stumbled upon Etsy like it was yesterday. I do believe I got up an skipped around the house and then started to favorite things like a MAD woman. As someone that likes pieces that not everyone has and that are affordable, Etsy has changed my life. Anywho ... I just happened to get to write a little something for the folks at Etsy - a little SMP fall bride buying guide...so skip on over and take a look!

Check out my full feature HERE!

Tuesday Shoesday

This picture makes me happy. Maybe it's the stripes, maybe it's the clean, crisp, white shoes or maybe it's the adorable wedding they came from. Whatever the case, they make this Tuesday pretty terrific.

Jesse Leake Photography via Style Me Pretty

For more pep For more check out {TRUE Event} {brancoprata} {magnolia rouge} {demoiselle} {meant to be sent} {simply & forever} {landlocked bride} {swatchbook weddings}{luna & chloe weddings} {merci new york} {enchanted dream weddings}

Creative Kraft

Oh So Beautiful Paper is such a guilty pleasure of mine. I'm pretty sure if you follow my blog this is no shock to you - for I love all things paper. There have been SO many stationery suites I've wanted to post from that pretty site in the past few weeks, but for some reason this one made me jump to hit publish. It's creative kraft paper goodness and to top it all off the bride & groom - Christine and Ian - designed them. Love that. I basically plan on stalking their blog until they get married now.

Photos via Christine and Ian

See even more here....

P.S. Yes - those little trees are pop up. CUTE.

Happy {Anniversary!} Weekend!

It's been a year. On Sunday it will be a full year since I became a Mrs. to my Mr. C. I really don't see how that is the least bit possible, yet I am so thankful for another year of us as a team. Because really I can't imagine taking this world face-on with anyone else. This time last year there was a tizzy of excitement around the two of us - fabulous memories we will cherish forever and ever (and ever). And this year - it's going to be just the two of us, and I love that. We are escaping to the Ocean House for the weekend - the gorgeous place where our story hit a high note, and a place we will always (and have always really) treasure(ed). And although that day was BEYOND fabulous (still thankful everyday for it) the best thing about that day is the fact we - Mr. & Mrs. C - get to hang out for ever (and ever). I could give you all the wedding planning advice in the world - but the biggest piece of wisdom I could ever pass along is to find someone you want to spend every minute with, the person you actually look forward to being "bored" with, the person you enjoy doing absolutely nothing with - because although the high points are completely fabulous...you know you picked a good teammate when you love and long for the points in the middle. So Mr. C, here's to another year of so many more fabulous points in the middle...we are so lucky.

Leila Brewster - she is amazing.

Shower Me With Cuteness

Oh.my.bridal.shower.fabulouness. Since the moment I spotted this pretty party over on Inspired by This, I haven't been able to get it off my entertaining-obsessed mind. Planned by Carolyn Chen of The Special Day and captured by Caroline Tran - it goes without saying that this bride to be is one lucky lady! You can see the entire shindig here...

Confession

Today was a crazy day (hence no blog post until now) but I feel as though I must come clean on something... Today I may or may not have put my wedding dress back on in the middle of the day and walked around our house. Heck, it's our anniversary week - there has to be some rule stating that is this normal behavior...right? riggghttt?!

the one and only Leila Brewster

Tuesday Shoesday

If you know me at all, you know I LOVE to travel. Rick Steves is my favorite show - half because I am jealous of all the fabulous places he gets to go, and half because my subconscious thinks I could do a much better job being a travel show host (sorry Rick). But that's neither here nor there. I love travel, and I think my brain spends half its time in Paris or the French Rivera on any given day. I also love shoes. So when you put travel and shoes together - well I obviously love that. I think I just might do this to a pair of shoes I have in the Super Burbs so I never forget to keep dreaming of places to travel...not that I have a problem with dreaming or anything...

via Ruffled

For more pep For more check out {TRUE Event} {brancoprata} {magnolia rouge} {demoiselle} {meant to be sent} {simply & forever} {landlocked bride} {swatchbook weddings}{luna & chloe weddings} {merci new york} {enchanted dream weddings}

Make Me Blush

Lately I've been obsessed with all things blush. The pretty little shade that teeters on the line of girly pink and potentially boring beige (although, I really love beige - so sorry beige for calling you boring, we have a long friendship). It's funny how a color can really make my heart flutter, and blush totally does. For instance - If Mr. C and I were ever to throw a 20th anniversary party (ps. our year anniversary is on Sunday...ummm how did that happen?) back at the Ocean House (not that I've thought about that or anything....) I think I would incorporate a blush color palette (with hints of gold). Another example, yesterday at brunch I basically stalked a girl in an awesome blush dress just to tell her I LOVED it...Mr. C had to literally pull me away from her (I'm usually not that embarrassing in public, but I had just run a half marathon in a straight monsoon - so I am going to blame it on being delirious).

Anyway, I love blush. I think that's pretty clear now.

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via a la parisienne

via Elizabeth Anne Designs

via Style Me Pretty

via Design Seeds

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via Bare Faced Minerals

via Atlantic Pacific

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via net-a-porter

via Style Me Pretty

via Martha Stewart Weddings

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Whoa! It's the Weekend?

So sorry for my lack of posting this week. I have been lame-o in that category. Can I be 100% honest with everyone? I feel a bit deflated this afternoon. Have no fear, I am still flying...just a tad bit lower to the ground. Just one of them days, and I think it's good to be able to admit it every now and again. Don't you agree? This is by no means a pity party (unless that party involves champagne - then sign me up), it just means I might be indulging in a glass or three of wine this evening...and I guess when I put it that way, things are really pretty grand.

via the completely amazing, make any day better, genius of a photographer -  Jose Villa

Anyone have stories of fabulous weekend plans to pick up my pep? What do you do to get out of deflated funks? My current remedy for the situation is going to be long Otto hugs, long convos with Mr. C over dinner, and wine....lots of wine. With that prescription, I should be back to normal by the morning! xoxo

Tuesday Shoesday

I am going to be in complete denial when September comes around and fall starts knocking on our door this year. I am going to cover my ears and kick and scream circa me in 1988. Because this summer just hasn't been long enough and seems to have FLOWN by so far. I am banking on a very slow August to help me soak the rest of it in (which looking at the calendar won't happen). So mark my word, Tuesday Shoesdays in the Super Burbs will be full on summer style until my tootsies have frost bite. And why not add a little color into the mix like these puppies from Jcrew?

For more pep For more check out {TRUE Event} {brancoprata} {magnolia rouge} {demoiselle} {meant to be sent} {simply & forever} {landlocked bride} {swatchbook weddings}{luna & chloe weddings} {merci new york} {enchanted dream weddings}

Summer of the Scarf

Lately, I have been all about the head scarf. All about it. Partly because it allows me to not brush my hair for days and still look somewhat chic, and partly because it reminds me of the good ol days I never got to live through (though totally feel like I would have rocked those days). So now I am in a mad dash to find pretty ones from all over the land to stash away and maybe bring the trend into the fall. Know of any great scarf finds? Please do send them my way. My hair will thank you for it.

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