four years

On this day four years ago Taylor asked me to be his girlfriend. These past four years have been the most wonderful adventure and I can't even imagine where we will be four years from now!

I love you Taylor, forever & always.

// Photo by Matt Miller //

soul work

After our trip to San Antonio, my mom and I had a conversation about taking a relationship with God deeper and how she recently read Randy Harris' Soul Work. She shared with me why she enjoyed it and how much she learned from Randy's experience with monks. She bought me a copy and I think it will be just what I need for growing in my walk with God.

What are you reading these days?

have a bright weekend

Hooray for Friday! Tonight I am watching Taylor play in the Athens Area Men's Baseball League and tomorrow we're going jet skiing at the lake with friends. I'm especially excited about meeting my mom for lunch on Sunday to celebrate her birthday. I hope your weekend is bright and cheery!

Oh to be a kid again

Even more nautical bathroom inspiration

The silly truth

Drop cloth curtains

// Top photo via Patterson Maker //

girls night

On Wednesday I went out with my sweet friend Lauren to Pauley's for Reisling and crepes and we talked about life, marriage and everything in between. One part of our conversation has stuck with me since.

how to wear a scarf like a Parisian

My dad recently went on a short business trip to Paris and brought me back a lightweight scarf. I was instantly reminded of my trip to Paris two years ago (wow time flies!) and admire how all the Parisian girls tied their scarves so effortlessly.

I sent an e-mail to a fashion blogger asking for some help with the look. She kindly responded with a link to Hermes' scarf cards:

The heat in Georgia has been unreal so I haven't tried out any of these looks yet, but I'm hoping on a cool night I can attempt the third look. Do you wear a scarf in the summer? How do you rock it?

xoxo

p.s. thanks Joanna for the help!

wedding wedneday

When I saw this wedding feature last week at work I nearly fell out of my chair. The touches of indigo were simply mesmerizing and I couldn't get over all the other gorgeous elements. I pretty much love everything about Jilleen + Jake's chic rustic wedding- from the ambiance and lighting to the food and floral.

The bride looked stunning in her flowing dress and gorgeous jewlery...

The venue is pretty amazing too. Just twenty minutes from Nashville, Southall Eden seems like the perfect spot for simple, down-home nuptials.

What makes this wedding incredibly creative is that the color palette and theme aren't bound by a season- I could see this late spring wedding easily taking place in early fall. I also thought of a client's wedding coming up in March at The Hill and when I sent her the link to this wedding, she told me she was thinking of dip-dying her own table runners like the ones below:

I would love to make some for myself as well. I found a tutorial on The Sweetest Occasion and am determined to try it out soon and share results :)

For more photos of this lovely event, check out part one, part two, and the full gallery on OnceWed.

// Photos by Tec Petaja, via Once Wed //

over the weekend

The weekend kicked off Friday night with dinner at Farm 255 for Carol Anne's 25th birthday. She, Alisha, and I savored our drinks while catching up on life (I had the refreshing rosé and Carol's pimm's cup was to die for). We also discussed young adult novels that are awfully awesome and books being made into movies.

I thoroughly enjoyed my Grassfed Beef Burger with a Lazy Magnolia Southern Pecan Ale. It's amazing how much you can truly taste the difference of quality & freshness in a meal prepared the way it always should be. After dinner our waitress treated Carol to a sweet birthday surprise - homemade ice cream!

Saturday's rain and Taylor's work schedule left me home [almost] to myself. While my brother & sister-in-law rested from their week at camp, I lit one of my favorite candles and did absolutely nothing except laundry for the remainder of the afternoon. It was bliss.

xoxo

happy birthday carol anne

Today is my best friend's birthday! We went out for dinner last night (pictures coming Monday) and are going to see the new Batman movie tonight with a crew of friends. Carol Anne is one of those friends you just thank your lucky stars for on a daily basis.

Although we met while I was still in high school, we didn't become close friends until my freshman year of college when she had already been at UGA for two years. She patiently helped me through a lot of questions and roller coasters in my faith and I feel confident in saying I would not be the person, friend, wife, follower of Christ, etc if it wasn't for her. And she was my matron of honor :) So yay for Carol Anne!

// Top photo via Pinterest, middle photo courtesy Alexandra Laing, bottom photo courtesy Erin Hayes //

have a fresh weekend

What are your weekend plans? Taylor has work at the hospital both Saturday and Sunday so I am forcing myself to accomplish as many DIY's around the house as possible. And clean out/wash my car. And play with Chief :) I hope you are staying cool during this summer heat and keeping things extra fresh!

Knoxville life updates

Cool sketchbook DIY 

Farm to table dinner

An idea for place cards

Just discovered HomeMint and loving this blanket

Stunning desert colors 

xoxo

// Top photo via Prepaganda //

everything is bigger in TX

Since I am playing catch up this week, I must fill you in on my long weekend in San Antonio. The trip started off with fireworks right outside our hotel room Wednesday night at the Grand Hyatt (for the 4th of July...not because we arrived :).

My younger sister and I took a trip to the mall the next morning to pick me out some sandals. I have to say I am pretty happy with my $20 purchase as I've worn them every day since!

Attending classes at the conference was awesome and I'm eager to share the things I've learned and want to grow in. Between classes I grabbed coffee or a meal with friends (mainly Candice + Morgan :) and enjoyed the River Walk scene.

The most moving part of the weekend was worshiping the Lord with approximately 17,000 followers of Christ. Praising God with people from around the world was humbling, fulfilling and a glimpse of eternity.

I'll always cherish this time spent in Texas with my mom and sisters- we had an incredible time together and it reminded me of how much more glory God deserves in my life.

// Photo courtesy Jack Frederick & Candice Broyles //

pictures from the beach

It's hard to believe it has already been three weeks since our trip to the beach. Of course the vacation was nothing short of amazing- sleeping in until 9, having breakfast and a quiet time with my man, and heading to the beach around 11...It was a dream. I'm a little behind on posting so I though I'd some photos from our time in the North Carolina!

happy fourth!

I'm flying to Texas today with my mom and sisters and will be landing in San Antonio when most firework displays are getting started. Maybe we will see some from the plan as we land. Here's to hoping your day is filled with parades, hot dogs, sparklers, and most importantly All-American pride!

xoxo

// Photo from Pottery Barn via Strikes our Fancy //

house update : bedroom

If you remember what our first bedroom was like, then you will appreciate understand how much I love our new, little sanctuary. It's cozy and the most calming retreat of the house. I painted the room with my friend Kelsey the day we moved in because we were that determined to get our bedroom settled.

I've only added a few decor touches since I like the effect of the windows in the room and don't want to overpower them. The dried baby's breath bouquet is from Jenna's wedding and the photographs are of my dad as a boy growing up in Miami :)

xoxo

// In case you're wondering - wall color is Behr Premium Plus Ultra in Whitened Sage. Also: before pictures and inspiration //

house update : bathroom

I've read that if you only have time to tidy one room for unexpected guests, it should be the bathroom. With that in mind, I wanted our bathroom to have a clean, simple and relaxing look. We covered the aqua walls and brown ceiling with a fresh coat of Behr Premium Plus Ultra in Bleached Linen. The white actually makes the space feel larger and inviting!

The vintage wood cabinet was unused in my parent's basement and it's been the perfect way to display and store everyday necessities. I just need to install a piece of glass or metal for the door. Since taking these pictures, I've made a few updates - like removing the red stool (I think I'm going to repaint it the same color of the guest room) and adding brighter towels from Target.

I'm still in the process of incorporating nautical touches, but will definitely find a way to display the shells I collected last week at the beach!

// Also: before pictures and inspiration //