creative ventures

Our fabulous photographer, Kate Headley, just launched her new blog and featured our engagement photos as one of her first posts. Congrats to Kate on the new blog--I love the new design!

I've also been meaning to post a congrats to the ladies of the Hive at 1511 for the recent opening of their new creative studio!

We were lucky to visit during our engagement shoot and during their recent open house and it's such a great concept! Ritzy Bee Events, Simplesong Design, and Kate Headley Photography all in one space, and a ridiculously awesome space at that. What an exciting venture!

images by Kate Headley

Pretty Shoe Tuesday

I don't think it's possible to have too many patterned ballet flats; the design options are endless and they can dress up an outfit while still being comfortable. Plus, who wouldn't want some patterned pep in their step?

the Marilyn from Pretty Ballerinas, via Habitually Chic

clutch

Two cute clutches, new from J.Crew:

the Raffia Bow and the Ribbon Rosette

that hat

I am in love with Carolina Herrera's latest bridal collection. Purely gorgeous. And I'm dying over that hat!

Oh that people still wore hats that way.

all images by Matthew Grazier via Style Me Pretty

e-session

One of the most important wedding priorities for me was the photography. It was probably the first thing we researched and booked aside from the venue. I wanted a fresh mix of classic style, photojournalism, and editorial. So I am super excited that the talented Kate Headley will be our wedding photographer! I came across her work through the blogosphere and really love her style, so she was the first photographer I turned to :)

A few weekends ago we set out on a beautiful spring Saturday to take our engagement photos. Although our original plan to hit up Georgetown (and Georgetown Cupcake) was spoiled by the masses of people descendant upon D.C. for the Cherry Blossom festival, we still had a fun time at an alternate location, strolling Old Town Alexandria.

Let me preface these photos by saying that the week leading up to our shoot, I had clocked in a tremendous number of hours at work. The day before our session I ended up working in the office from 7:30 am Friday to 5:30 am Saturday morning! So by the time we started taking pictures I had been up for about 34 hours straight with no sleep... Not how I would have preferred to prepare for my engagement photos, but we still had lots of fun and got some great shots :) Thanks Kate!

all images by Kate Headley Photography

Pretty Shoe Tuesday

The chic-ness speaks for itself:

Valentino satin bow sandal via Net-a-Porter

4.16

It has been three years now and I still tear up when I revisit the memories of April 16th. I will always be proud of the immense spirit that bonds the Hokie community together, and be moved by the world's heartfelt embrace of Virginia Tech in grieving with us over such a tragic loss.

In remembrance of the 32....

image

a book by its cover

That saying, "Don't judge a book by its cover"...? I totally do. And I'm totally judging that these coffee table and art books, recently reviewed in Veranda magazine, must be pretty fabulous. Just look at their covers!

I want to flip through them all.

images via Veranda

Pretty Shoe Tuesday

Purple and orange animal stripe with a rosette poof.

Sounds kinda crazy, but it's surprisingly fresh and fun. I would totally wear these.

Any Clemson girls out there? These shoes are calling out to you...

the Marielle by Brian Atwood

a glimpse...

...of the Save the Dates that were sent out back in February.

I designed, printed and assembled them myself.* I received numerous compliments on them, which of course made me feel good, but what was most gratifying was that I was able to create. It was satisfying to see an idea become tangible and to be able to make the first glimpse of our wedding with my own hands.

*Thanks, Mom, for cutting envelope liners!

image by me

where are the wedding posts?

It's rather obvious that there has been a lack of posts on the actual wedding plans here on the blog. At the start of the planning process, I had every intention of sharing the process on here... all the fun details and decisions. But as planning kicked into full gear, and I actually started checking things off my list, I found that I kept wanting to keep the details under wraps, since many of our wedding guests also read my blog.

So I've decided not to post specific details about my wedding here until after the wedding in July (only 3-1/2 months away!). I know to some it might be a bit of a let down now, but I think it will be much better to be able to recap everything (with pictures!) afterwards. Not that I won't post about wedding stuff, I'd just rather keep the specifics of our actual wedding day a surprise :)

This whole planning process has been a roller coaster of emotions. Most of the stress comes from the fact that I seem to work so doggone much, and I feel like I don't have time to seriously plan, or do anything else for that matter! But we're making progress and I'm excited to see it all starting to come together. Here's some of the big things we've done so far, and some big things we still need to do...

I think we're way behind on the typical wedding timeline checklists, but oh well, we'll get it done! Thanks for sticking with me, faithful readers!

Pretty Shoe Tuesday

Gosh, I really need to get on the whole "posting on days other than Tuesday" thing. Bear with me... life has been chaotic (mainly my job) and I will be back to posting normally soon (I hope!)

In the meantime, how about we admire this piece of springtime art...

the Badgley Mischka Randee from heels.com

easter

I didn't dye Easter eggs or get an Easter basket this year, and I hardly ate one Peep. But we were blessed with a gorgeous, bright and sunny spring day, had a wonderful church service and delicious lunch, and enjoyed spending the day outside and at rest. I would say this Easter has been one of the best.

He is Risen, He is Risen Indeed :)

Happy Easter!

image via bhg