Cool Weather is Here...

...finally!! I'm probably jinxing the great weather we have had over the last few days by making the bold statement that cool weather is here(hopefully to stay). In the South, especially Alabama, it can be 80 degress in December, so you just never know! I've been enjoying the pleasant fall weather we have been experiencing and hope to do a good bit more dining al fresco. I LOVE this image from Martha Stewart because of the hanging candles. For casual evenings at home, don't worry about fresh flowers, just light a few candles to add some glam to your dinner table. Don't you want to be dining at this table tonight??!
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Photo via Martha Stewart

In love with Rice Designs!!

Words cannot express how crazy I am about Rice Designs...and I know you will feel the same way once you see the fabulous invitation, program, save the date, (etc.) designs below. I posted several because I just couldn't choose a favorite! Ashley, the designer behind Rice Designs, is from Alabama, and her work was recently introduced to me by a friend. I was so excited to discover such amazing talent right here in Alabama!
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As you may have heard me mention before, I am addicted to reading blogs or as Brooke would call it, I'm a blogaholic! There are so many wonderful blogs out there that have introduced me to very talented vendors(photographers, event planning companies, invitation designers etc.), but so many of them are from the west coast or the east coast or the midwest, so needless to say...I get PUMPED when I find someone with lots of talent from the SOUTH! I promise to stay true to my blog name (so.= southern) and try to bring to the forefront more amazing vendors from the South to use when you are planning your next event!
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Check out more of Ashley's designs here!

Photos via Rice Designs

The Wine Opener

The "Wine Opener" event last Thursday night was a huge success! It was held at the Loft at Flower Stems, and wow...what a fun venue!! If you live in Birmingham and are looking for a modern space (with a lot of character) to have a birthday party, wedding reception, anniversary party, etc. you must check out Flower Stems. I took my camera with me and of course snapped several photos, but I unfortunately left out the front entrance/exterior of the building, so you are just going to have to do a drive by to see it!

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When you walk in the front doors, directly in front of you is the flower refrigerator. I braved the cold to step in and take a few photos of the gorgeous flowers in the fridge. While at the party, I met the owner of Flower Stems and he told me that often at wedding receptions or birthday parties, they will set up an ice cream bar in the fridge, which I thought was a fabulous idea!

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At the hip downstairs bar, we set up the wine tasting portion of the event. High boy tables were draped in gold linens with wine colored sashes, and cocktail rounds were draped in wine colored linens. Flower Stems donated a handful of flower arrangements for the evening...which was very helpful for keeping costs down on this fundraiser.

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Upstairs we set up the silent auction, which was packed full of great gift packages.

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We decorated several of the tables with candles and wine corks (in keeping with our wine theme) for the evening. The food was catered by Happy Catering and it was absolutely delicious! There was a great turnout for the event, which means more money for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation to continue to its important research.
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This event would not have come together without Margaret from the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. She did an amazing job planning and executing this event with the help of just a few volunteers! I so enjoyed helping out with this fabulous event for a great cause!

More Wine Please

Over the last few months, I have been on the planning committee for the "Wine Opener" fundraising event to benefit the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation...which is being held TONIGHT! I am excited to attend the event to see it all come together, and don't worry, I will have my camera with me! But in the meantime, I thought I would share some fun wine inspired images with you...
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Photos via Letterpunch Design, Jose Villa via Style Me Pretty, Martha Stewart, Artisan Events via Style Me Pretty, Perfect Wedding Guide, Pottery Barn

Monogram Madness!

I was over on Julie's blog a couple of weeks ago and stumbled across this fabulous party idea...Mimosas and Monograms...for a bridal shower. I LALALOVE it!! I should have hosted this party for my mid-western friend Lauren since she had no idea what the big deal was with monograms until she moved to Alabama. I mean didn't everyone get a monogram ring and earrings when they were in middle school?? Seriously though, I love the monogram vase, linens and wine glasses that I have gotten over the years as gifts (although I am hoping my monogram will change in the near future), and who doesn't love a mimosa?!  I definitely wouldn't want to overdo it on the monogram theme, but I love the decoration idea of initials (or a monogram in this case) made out of flowers to hang on the front door...

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...and who could resist these adorable monogram cookies for dessert?

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While we are on the topic of monograms, if you haven't discovered Allison R. Banks Designs, you must check out Allison's web site ASAP!!  She has been designing monograms since she was 15 and her work is AAAMAZING!  With an eye for detail and a unique personal touch, each monogram design is customized to reflect the individual style of her clients. You can have the monogram printed, engraved, or digitized for embroidery. My mind is racing just thinking about all the possibilities!

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If I were planning a wedding, Allison would be first on my list to call. Not only does she design fabulous monograms, but she is also a beautiful calligrapher! I wasn't able to pull many photos from her web site, so its a must you check out her gallery here.
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Photos via Madeline's Flowers, Gumdrop Cookie Shop, Allison R. Banks Designs

Bachelorette Party Recipe...

Looking for the recipe for a fun bachelorette party? Here are a few basic ideas to get you started...

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1. Friends to celebrate with (of course)

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22. Lots of Champagne

3. Delicious food

4. (Embarrassing) Bachelorette Gear

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5. And finally, lingerie for the bride!

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Those are just a few suggestions to begin your planning process.  Whether small or large, wild or tame --- definitely don't forget to get input from the bride! Also, be creative and throw in a few fun surprises (burn a CD of the bride's favorite songs to give as favors, make up a list of questions to ask the groom and see if the bride can guess his answers). 

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A few things I learned this weekend at the bachelorette party...

1. I'm old...the body aches I was feeling on Sunday was not the onset of swine flu, but "old person" hangover (as diagnosed by Kathryn).

2. Late night dance parties are still cool at age 28.

3. I'm so thankful for excuses to pretend like I'm back in college with all my girl friends!

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Prather, thanks for being such a fun bride to celebrate with this weekend and for giving us an excuse to all get together back in Sewanee! I'm counting down the days until the wedding...

My Favorite Place!

I was with my college friends this weekend in Sewanee for a bachelorette party...and I'm still recovering! Sewanee is one of my FAVORITE places in the world...and from the pictures below, I hope you will get a glimpse of the beauty we enjoyed for four years. I will be back tomorrow with pictures from the party!!

Weekend Links

Not so sure what I think about this...thoughts??

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Mmmm these apples look delicious.

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What an adorable birthday party!

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Loving this inspiration board and this one too!!

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Swooning over Jeff Leatham's gorgeous floral designs!

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Photo seen on glimpse of glamour via weheartit 

Hurry Up Fall!!

If my house only had window boxes...
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Hello gorgeous centerpieces...
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How fabulous are those vintage cheese graters used as vases? I know what I'll be scouting at my next flea market outing!
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Hurry up fall and get here already!!

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Photos via BHG

I heart Birthdays!

I don't know about you, but I LOVE birthdays (especially my own, ha!). I think my love for birthdays started when I was very young, and I blame my mother for this. Every year she planned the most fabulous birthday parties a girl could ever wish for. Unfortunately those were the days when pictures were taken on film, leaving me with none of my birthday pictures to post today :( . My mom seriously should have started a children's birthday party planning company, like Dawn from MerryB Events.

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Dawn, MerryBelle, and Brooks

I was flipping through the September issue of Birmingham Magazine and came across Dawn's story. With a background in coporate events and a love for throwing fabulous parties for her children, Dawn launched MerryB Events in 2008.  MerryB Events lets mothers sit back, relax and enjoy their child's birthday! MerryB works with you to create the perfect theme for your child's birthday and takes care of every detail following...including the clean up!

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I love these images from MerryB's pirate theme party. The invitation is so perfect and sets the tone for the party...and who wouldn't love to cut into that treasure chest for a bite of cake?!

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Ok, so what do you do if you don't live in Birmingham and can't hire Merry B?? Enlist the help of family and friends! First, find out what type of party your child would like to have.  Then, look for inspiration everywhere around you...trust me you will find it! Finally, get creative and have some fun. The more relaxed you are, the more fun your guests will have at the party.

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Happy planning!

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Photos via MerryB Events

Real Southern Wedding: Emily and Stephen

I have been so excited about posting Emily and Stephen's May wedding in Greensboro, NC for some time now!! Of course with life being busy as usual, it has taken me a bit to get organized to post this fabulous wedding. I asked Emily about the inspiration behind the design for her big day and she said she wanted her wedding to be simple and elegant, and she achieved just that! Natalie Hyde from Aesthetic Images beautifully captured this special day.

The bride and her groom look fabulous! I love this special moment between them just moments after the ceremony. Stephen's big grin is enough to make your heart melt!

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I am obsessed with lanterns, so of course when I saw this image from the reception, I knew it would be part of my post! This wedding is all about special touches that come together in such a fabulously elegant way. Emily had the help of wedding planners Lucy Hamilton and Lisa Johnson from Hamilton Johnson Inc., to make sure her day went off without a hitch. If you are planning a wedding in North Carolina, you should definitely contact them -- 336.272.4618 or hamiltonjohnson@triad.rr.com!!

Not only do I love the floral arragements, but I love that they were created by her childhood friend's mother! Denny's floral company Bloemenbinder (which means "the flower maker") is all about incorporating elements from nature, which I LOVE! They specifically focus on creating unique, elegant arrangements, which was the perfect fit for Emily's vision.

So, you may remember me talking about the koozie/hugger debate a few weeks ago? Well, I love that Emily went a different route and had matchbooks printed with their names and wedding date.

I don't know what else to say other than, what a FABULOUS cake!! Sweet Memories out of Apex, NC created this beautiful cake to echo the design of Emily's wedding dress. Once again...how FABULOUS!!

I'm a big fan of bringing out french fries for a late night treat at receptions! I think all the dancing must have worked up an appetite in the guests. Although I have yet to hear the band, The Celebration Group, after viewing photos from the reception, I know they must have been a blast!

There is nothing that gets a party started like a band who can get the groom and his groomsmen out on the dance floor!

I love nothing better than a unique exit and I think this one by Emily and Stephen takes the cake! Stephen loves fixing up his own motorcycle, so this exit on a motorcycle and side car was arranged by him. How perfect!?

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Thanks Emily and Stephen for sharing your fabulously elegant wedding with us!! I think I used the words love and fabulous way too much, but how could I not??!! Every detail was thoughtfully executed and better than that, your personality was able to shine through as well!

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Photos via Aesthetic Images