have a happy new year!

Tomorrow is New Year's Eve which is exciting for multiple reasons...

1. This NYE is the 5 year anniversary of me and Tay's first date. He was a freshman in college and I was a senior in high school. Let's just say sparks weren't exactly flying...Here is the proof we were awkward:

2. NYE is a fabulous excuse to wear something sparkly. This is what I wore last year (same date, much more chemistry):

3. We get to have dinner with some of our best friends.

4. And we're going to this band at one of my favorite venues- the Georgia Theatre.

5. 2011 will be over! Not that it's been a bad year at all- I'm just thrilled to see what 2012 has in store.

I hope your New Year's Eve is safe, fun, and ends with a fancy smooch! Have a good one and enjoy some link love!

A very cool blog that makes me miss NYC.

The perfect New Year's Day drink

Party hats

Tay got these shoes for Christmas and I love them.

I wish.

Avoid at all costs

On the menu for dinner tonight

// Top photo from Downtown From Behind. //

trying to catch-up

Have you ever had one of those weeks where as hard as you try, you just can't seem to catch up on everything? I have to be honest and say I am having one of those weeks. Luckily the house is somewhat clean, the pantry is full, and the laundry done, but I still get home and feel worn out. Perhaps because of traveling out of town and adjusting into my new role at work, I have had less time to sit and decompress.

Change and transitions always require a little fine tuning to the day-to-day schedule. Which leads me to my realization that I'm going to need some strict New Year's Resolutions. I'm talkin' 8 hours of sleep, no junk food, and more consistent work outs. And planned ME time :)

My hope is that I can have a relaxing, yet diligent Saturday morning at Big City Bread Cafe; reading this book and my Bible. I also have some exciting posts in the works for next week so stay tuned!

Christmas Bliss

Photo via Pretty Stuff

I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas! The past week has been a blur and I'm sorry I couldn't get to my computer enough for updates. Taylor and I flew up to Connecticut on Christmas Eve to be with his family. It was my first holiday away from my family and I assumed it would be harder than it actually was. Tay's family has many similar traditions to mine so that made the change much easier. Do you and your spouse/significant other split holidays? What was your first holiday away from your family like?

We flew back to Georgia last night and today was my first day at my new job! The break was great, but I'm exciting to be back to a normal schedule and regular posting.

new year's eve attire

photo from ban.do

I am on the hunt for the perfect New Year's Eve dress. Our plans aren't definite- but Tay and I are looking for something fun and romantic to do in Athens. And I am planning on wearing something sparkly...

I like these dresses from Asos- found here and here

And this metallic skirt from Gap!

Oh, and this gorgeous clutch from BHLDN

I would love to rock some shimmery makeup as well :)

photo via A Cup Of Jo

What are your plans for New Year's Eve?

movin' on up

graduation day, May 2011

Today I have some very exciting news to share. I've written before about my internship with a fabulous full-service event coordinating company. Over the course of this semester I have learned so much about the industry- everything from sales, to etiquette, to menus and proposals. The experience has only made me more sure about the career I want to have within the event planning and styling field.

On Monday...[drum roll please]... I was offered a position as an Event Coordinator Assistant! I am very grateful for the opportunity to work for one of the Southeast's best catering companies- especially as a paid employee :) I've been praying about this since my internship started and God has been so gracious to me. I can't wait to share more of my adventures at work with you as they come too!

it's better to give

Wow this week is flying by! I'm so sorry for the lack of posts these past 3 days- life has been FULL. And also very fun. Last Friday night was Jessica's graduation party and we had a great time celebrating our fabulous friend.

Taylor went to work in Atlanta last Saturday which left me with an entire day to shop! I completed our Christmas shopping and man did it feel good. Even better- we came out under budget! I find it thrilling to buy gifts for loved ones and anticipate their excitement when they open them on Christmas day! I fully enjoyed wrapping everything too.

homemade ornaments

my parent's first Christmas :)

our UGA pennet tree topper

Last night we drove to Marietta to stay with my parents for a few days and we will celebrate "Christmas" tomorrow night (since Tay and I are spending Christmas day with his family)! It's refreshing to finally be home and get time with my family. I hope everyone has a wonderful week!

P.S. I know it's technically Wedding Wednesday...but I'm just going to have to save this feature for one more week. I'll give you a hint though...it's pretty and white :)

have a hipster weekend

Hip hip hooray for the weekend (and payday)! Tonight I'm celebrating Jessica's graduation and tomorrow I am hoping to complete some Christmas shopping while Taylor is at work ;) Maybe even make peppermint bark for my co-workers. Can you believe Christmas is only 9 days away?! So much to do and so many movies to watch. Have a good one!


Link love:

Hot air balloon ornament

More printable gift tags!

Ungrateful kids, mean funny parents

A fancy etsy shop

Every woman should read this article via A Cup of Jo

Another pretty blog

Serious wedding envy

Two books for the man in my life- this and this.

Gorgeous bobbi pin

squirrels

photo from Attack of the Cute

Today I thought I'd let you in on one of my worst-kept secrets. I love squirrels. I'm not exactly sure why these little woodland creatures strike my fancy so much, but ever since my Freshman year of college and watching them frolic around North Campus, I've thought they were so silly & cute.

Anyways, just wanted to share that about myself. And here are some squirrely gift ideas :)

Match strike

Warm your paws

Pincushion

Candle and ornament

Earrings

Time for nuts

Cake topper

xoxo

p.s. a sneaky squirrel

gift guide

[source]

If you haven't noticed, gift guides are all over the place these days. There are ideas for mom, dad, sis, bro, significant other, best friend, favorite teacher, dog, etc! Some of my favorites are from A Cup of Jo, J.Crew, and Martha Stewart.

The ideas come easy, but figuring out (and sticking to!) a fair budget for each person has been difficult for me. Taylor and I have decided that we can only afford gifts for one another and our immediate family. BUT that doesn't mean I can't get creative with gifts for friends! I've come up with a few of budget-friendly ideas for those special gals in your life!

- Bake something and assemble it in a precious package

peppermint bark, cookies, or coco mix! [source]

 - Make them a mix CD with a homemade case & note explaining song choices

 - Revamp a vintage card with somethin' extra - like graph paper & a gift card pocket

card jotter via Design*Sponge

-Using scrap fabric from thrift stores, make no-sew bunting

from Delightfully Tacky via Pinterest

Some tips:

- Take advantage of all the free downloads for printable cards and gift tags

- Reuse paper grocery bags for wrapping paper

- Always check the clearance section! You never know what random object could only be $5 (a notebook, nail polish, earrings, candle, vase...you get the picture :)

What do you do to stay within budget for gifts?

wedding wednesday

photo via Strikes our Fancy

From my own wedding experience I've already shared the ring, the engagement shoot, and the invitation. Now for some of the pre-wedding festivities! Tay & I were lucky to have three- count 'em, THREE- bridal showers. And all three had a sweet, charming, and rustic feel. The first was a jack-and-jill shower in New York with his parent's friends and both of our families from the North.

the lovely spread

a photo from our engagement shoot

the sweet cake

opening our gifts. awkward, no?

cutting our cake together :)

looking through family pictures with Tay's momma

This day was not just fun, but was when everything started to feel REAL. Like, "Wow, we are really getting married and building a life together!" We felt so blessed to be surrounded by our loving family & friends.

The second  shower was in Athens hosted by my bridesmaids. Let's just say these girls really know how to throw a Southern soiree.

donuts from Ike & Jane

fresh fruit

The girls blew me away with their thoughtfulness and ALL the precious details. The menu, made by my MOH Erin, was incredible and I'm so wishing I could go back and enjoy it all over again!

The third (and last!) shower took place outside of Atlanta and was hosted by my mom's best friends- who are also like second-momma's to me too :)

the flower on the plate is actually a corsage- from here

the beautiful cake- from Sarah Kate's Bakery

excited about pretty plates

Granny & all her girls

The whole experience was so memorable and I feel very indebted to the love that was shown Taylor and I by our friends & family during our engagement. Oh, and just in case you were wondering- we registered here and here. We also ordered our thank you cards from here.

If you're looking for more bridal shower inspiration, enjoy these sweet ideas:

Flower arranging class

Garden party

Honey Bee themed Jack & Jill

"Geek-Chic"

A pancake breakfast

Donut themed

Pretty invitation

Colorful

Not your typical tea party

Gelato themed

Retro-inspired beach shower

Photo credits: New York Shower - George Bremer // Athens Shower - Lauren Davis // Atlanta Shower - Hillary Nielsen.