holly jolly

Well, I'm back at it after a nice, long Christmas break.  But, one week (& two days!) is never quite long enough.  My excuse for not blogging during this time is that my parents have the slowest internet connection known to man.  Sorry Mom, but you do.

Hope Santa was very good to all of you!  He spoiled us. Oh, and thanks for the recommendations in the vanity vs. jewelry armoire battle!  Santa/Brandon agreed with all of you & brought me the armoire.  And, thanks to my parents, Brandon, and his parents, I have three new pieces of jewelry to put in it!

New Yurman link bracelet from Mom & Dad...

 This next piece is an ametrine ring ...a rare combination of an amethyst and a citrine occuring in the same crystal.  I love how unique it is! (from B)


Love this gorgeous necklace from Brandon's parents!



It was a very merry Christmas!

 Obsessed with these new Tory Burch Revas.

 This is a photo taken the day after Christmas at Brandon's house.  His family hosted an oyster roast for close family friends from Brandon's younger years. 

We even got some wedding planning done started while I was home.

possible reception venue?

ornament that I've had on my dresser since I was eight years old!

  

our "Just Engaged" ornament from my mom

 



Thank you to everyone who commented on my last post with tips/advice/personal experiences from their own catholic weddings!  I know everything, including the time of day, will all work out perfectly ...eventually!

Hope you all had the very best Christmas.

Cheers to 2012!

Xo.

Hump Day Happenings

Hi strangers! 

I have been incredibly consumed in wedding plans ...and I'll be the first to say, it's definitely not the fairytale that I thought planning a wedding would be!  I know it will get easier... if I can just get a church & reception venue booked!  I need the date to be set in stone for me to feel a sense of relief.  Speaking of anxiety, did you know that it's incredibly hard to be married in the Catholic church after 2pm? It interferes with the regular Saturday evening masses.  This is not sitting well with this gal who has dreamt of an evening wedding ceremony her entire life. 

On another note...

My mother found my grandmother's wedding dress in her cedar chest.  It was so neat to see & touch! My Memie had such a pretty figure! I don't think I could fit into this dress, although I didn't try (the fabric is incredibly fragile right now).

I also found a couple photos from my parents wedding.  They have a whole album, of course, but these were stuck in a pile of photos that my father happened to pull out...

 The folks next to my parents are my paternal grandparents.  My granny's life was taken of breast cancer right before I was born, so I always love seeing pictures of her! 

While looking at churches one day this past weekend, we saw this fantastic one-man-band.  Reception entertainment, perhaps?  He drew in quite the crowd!

After all of this wedding talk, this meal with Brandon was much needed.

Taco Boy has the best salads, in case you're wondering.  Literally makes my mouth water looking at this picture.  I just cannot even explain how amazing their dressings are! This one is served with seared ahi tuna ...yum!

I had to take a picture of this outfit because the whole thing was purchased before I ever went to college!  The jeans, shirt/shrug AND shoes are definitely the oldest pieces of clothing I have in my closet.

Moving right along...

The python trays I ordered from Two's Company are amaze.  I bought all three sizes and am obsessed.  

(Thanks Memie & Poppop for my Christmas present!)

As soon as I was reminded about these beauties on Natalie's blog, I couldn't stop thinking about them. 

Not only have I neglected my blog recently (and also my nails & the gym, but that's another story), but I am also insanely behind on my Christmas shopping! 

What has gotten into me!? 

Happy Wednesday, loves.

Time for me to watch a Hallmark movie & eat gingerbread. 

Xo.

All I want for Christmas is.....

Hi dolls!

I promise I'm not neglecting you on purpose...

Please visit Tiffany Ashley's blog to see the guest post I did for her! 

To find out what I'd love under the tree on Christmas morning, click here. 

Speak soon!

Xo. 

Thursday's Grab Bag

Hi all!  I'm sorry that my posts haven't been as regular as usual.  It's the busy season in our office, plus I'm taking all of next week off, so my plate is extra full.  Whenever I have free time, I can't help but work on wedding plans! The excuses could go on & on!

I'm going to use this post as a random "mixed bag," then will get back to regular posting next week.

As you all saw in my last post, I went to visit my brother in Myrtle Beach.  His birthday was yesterday, but we celebrated with our mutual friends last Friday night.  He had no idea that Brandon and I were coming.  I love a good surprise! :)

Since then,  I received these two books in the mail.

I love Peggy Post's book because she talks about the etiguette for the entire wedding process -from invitations, to showers, to the actual ceremony & reception.  My nose will be buried in these books for quite some time!

While we were in Myrtle Beach, I had a caramel brulee latte at Starbucks, which was phenom! Before I ordered it, the barista wanted to give me a sample, but couldn't make the entire latte for me to just take a sip. So, she put some of the caramel brulee syrup into regular coffee.  It sold me immediately because it flavored my coffee into the most amazing thing you've ever tasted.  I ended up ordering the latte & it was just as good as I thought it would be, based on my little taste.

Long story short, I went to Starbucks again yesterday and ordered a regular coffee with some of the caramel brulee syrup.  I added in a little bit of nonfat milk and it tasted just like a latte!  My venti cup total was right at $3.00,  compared to almost $6 for a venti latte. YUM!

Speaking of sweets, are all of your homes & offices flooded with holiday treats?  We've had quite the many goodies sent over, but my favorite of all are these:

Has anyone ever tried Fairytale Sprites?

I don't know what makes these brownies so amazing (or expensive, for that matter).  They come in all different flavors, but the one you see above is white chocolate.  Too tempting for my own good!

Super excited because I placed another order with Sephora and received this sample bag, full with various skin products!

This is in addition to the three samples that Sephora always gives each customer.

The code I used to get this sample bag is: SKINSTARS

On Tuesday night, some friends and I went to see the James Island Festival of Lights.  The light displays are extravagant!  The only photo I got of the lights happened to be one of the most simple displays, but it is the most beautiful, in my opinion.

 

Then, we stopped for s'mores at "Santa's Village."

Okay, one more topic of discussion...

If you were me, which one would you choose?

(Santa wants to know which one I like best)

A jewelry armoire (the silver one)...

 ...or a new vanity?

I already have a beautiful antique vanity, but I'm just in LOVE with this one from Pier One.  I could really use the jewelry armoire, because it would be able to stow away all of my jewelry in one place, rather than having some "here" & some "there," all throughout my bedroom.  Help me, ladies!

Oh, and my OOTD for work today...

(It's 75 degrees in Charleston)

Shirt: Banana Republic (old), Skirt: J. Crew, Shoes: Tory Burch (similar)

 

Xo.

Merry, Merry!

Please do yourself a favor...

...and visit The Stationery Studio.

I saw this company featured on Today this morning and visited their website as soon as I got to work. 

They are offering an amazing deal --they will double your quantities on many items for free! (until 12/19) 

Plus, it's guaranteed to be delivered by Christmas if you order by 12/15.

Look at these awesome finds:

Chevron Go Notes!

$24 for a set of 50 note sheets

Classic Frame Monogram Foldover Note Cards

$35 for 50 100 note cards

(every southern gal needs a set of monogrammed note cards)

Classic Monogram Memo Square with Holder

$35 for 330  660 sheets

Pink and Lime Memo Sheets

$42 for 200 sheets

Personalized Nautical Blue Greek Key Small Lucite Tray by Jonathan Adler

$79 --Save "at least" 10% with coupon HOLIDAY2011

Xo.

scenes from my weekend

white chocolate croissants, new aubergine J. Brand skinny jeans, the most comfy lounge shirt from Victoria's Secret PINK, where I sat in Barnes & Noble for over an hour.

We surprised my brother for his 27th birthday.  He is the best brother anyone could ask for -for many reasons, other than the fact that he carried my purse for me through the parking lot :)

Mark (brother) and I found our friend who danced (and still dances) at Revolution's every weekend by himself.  We would take photos with him when I lived in Myrtle Beach for my first two years of college, before I transferred to CofC.  He was there this past Friday night!  The next photo is the big group of us that went to dinner two Fridays ago.  We celebrated our engagement with them at Red's.  The next two photos are, of course, Brandon and me.  In the last picture, we were trying to whistle at Broadway, but it wasn't working.

work outfit for today

my new Kendra Scott earrings -LOVE,  what I see when I make my 1.5mi commute to work every morning, a creepy man with a cat on his shoulder...driving along I-95,  Brandon showing how we both felt after such a fun weekend ...EXHAUSTED!!!! 

lookie lookie

This "Valry" bootie is normally $220.

Now, $88 -for a limited time.

Nine West

You're welcome.

Xo.

{Holiday Party}

It's the time of year where the holiday parties are beginning to be in full swing.  I'm crazy over the colors of the season - gold, black, red, grey, silver, dark plums & greens.  Add sequins and some baubles, then you're ready to go!

both via pinterest
***

 ABS Sequined Tank Dress

I would wear this with a blazer, tights, and super high pumps.

Aidan Mattox Lace Dress

Insanely adorable and feminine.

 

 

Diane von Furstenberg Lee Long Sleeve Dress

This dress may be simple, but it would look amazing with chunky jewelry, tights, and booties. 



Aidan Mattox One Shoulder Beaded Dress

This would be a fabulous NYE dress, too!

BCBGMAXAZRIA Simona Embroidered Dress

This dress, paired with black tights, black pumps or booties and all black accessories = gorgeous.

Xo.