Map it!

I think it is so important to provide out of town guests at a wedding with helpful information that makes them feel right at home in a new city.  I absolutely adore these cute illustrations from Merry Maps! They are full of fun information including the wedding location, restaurants, and city attractions. I love that they are super stylish yet very informative...

Not only does Merry Maps design maps, but their portfolio also includes super chic invitations and menus!

Images via Merry Maps

I heart Cupcakes

I am dying over these "milkshake" cupcakes!! Can cupcakes get much cuter than this?? I am pretty obsessed with striped paper straws too, so naturally I fell in love with this adorable idea. The "fudge sauce", sprinkles and "cherry" on top make this milkshake just perfect!

Perhaps you want to combine your milkshake with a burger? Not only do I love the burger on top of this cupcake, but I am crazy about the cupcake liner! The red and white check looks just like the paper you would see lining a basket of burger and fries at burger joint. Very clever!!

And, finally for all you fashionistas out there...which bag do you prefer to compliment your outfit...wait, I mean your meal!? I don't know about you, but I am having trouble choosing my fav look....

Yep...I'm sold...I totally heart cupcakes! 

Images from Bakerella, P is for Party and Half Baked

Bonjour...

I am LOVING this inspiration board on Snippet and Ink today! Kathryn is so talented in putting together inspiration for her readers. So many of her boards make me fall head over heels....especially this one!!  I feel instantly transported to Paris...the city of LOVE! I just HAVE TO HAVE the gorgeous gray dress from Nina Ricci...its flirty, fun and just down right fabulous. I think the hues on this board are perfect for a winter wedding. What do you think?

Image via Snippet and Ink

In a galaxy far far away...

With my twin nephews birthday just around the corner, I have been helping my sister pull together ideas for their Star Wars birthday party! When I was blog surfing last week I came across this DIY project with yarn and thought that it would be a cool decoration for their party....

I definitely get the outer space kind of feel from these...what do you think?



Image via Ruche

Southern Living + Weddings!

Of course now that I am done planning my wedding and am officially a newlywed, Southern Living has decided to come out with a wedding magazine!! I might just have to pick up a copy for fun and see what fabulous southern ideas abound....

Here is a little eye candy for you that I found on their web site....I am LOVING this chic outdoor wedding! Hanging lanterns, burlap, custom monogram...oh la la!!!

Images seen here

Chic Links

I am beyond flattered to have my wedding featured on Southern Weddings this week!! (Can you hear my little squeal of excitement?). Click here and here for the story! I definitely stalked that blog when I was planning my wedding to get loads of inspiration for the perfect southern soiree. I'm hoping to post more about my wedding in the coming weeks, so you will have to be sure to check back. In the meantime here are some links for your weekend...

I am not turning 2 tomorrow, but this birthday party is totally AWESOME!!

These flowers are simply gorgeous...

I can't believe Valentine's Day is just around the corner!

I am so love love loving the mix of textures on this table.

Hello deliciousness for the eyes and mouth!!

Birthday Wish List....

Yep...that's right...my birthday is coming up! And, this year its kind of a big deal. I'm entering a new decade (insert groan here). Um, so where did my twenties go? Wasn't I just graduating from college and getting my first job like yesterday?? I'm typically a totally obnoxious birthday freak. You know the type....I'm that girl who likes to celebrate all WEEK (but really all month would do too)...but this year things are a little different. I keep wanting to forget that I am turning 30...I keep wanting to pretend that its not January and that I am NOT getting older. Regardless, its coming, so I thought I would put together a little wish list. Probably too late for the hubby, but hopefully if he is smart he will think about using these ideas in the future for other special occasions.

I'm one of those who has been holding out for the i phone to come to Verizon and its almost here! (Just in time for a "belated" birthday gift to moi in February!)

I've had my eye on this David Yurman ring for awhile...and will probably have to keep having my eye on it for  awhile. I'm sure my hubby is tired of buying me diamond rings right now!

Ok, so the first two are pretty big wishes, so let me drop back down to earth with some more realistic wishes. I LOVE LOVE LOVE candles...especially this one from Votivo.  Right now my candle collection is down to zero!!

I've really been on a kick lately of trying out new recipes, but I haven't done much branching out past Barefoot Contessa (I love her!!). I think my hubby would love for me to change it up, and I have been dying to pick up a copy of this southern girl's cookbook!

My Dad's 65th Birthday Party

At the beginning of January, my hubby and I hosted a family dinner to celebrate my dad's 65th birthday.  It was our first time to have my whole family over for dinner since the wedding and we had a blast! My hubby is quite the chef, and I'm not too bad myself so we decided to whip up a delicious dinner. 

The menu:

                                                                        Pork Tenderloin

                                                                 Boursin Mashed Potatoes

                                                                 Snap Peas with Pancetta (we served them warm)

 and for dessert...

Homemade Chocolate Cake 

Homemade Vanilla Bean Ice Cream

My hubby was in charge of the pork tenderloin and the ice cream so I don't have those recipes handy unfortunately. My sister helped out by bringing the boursin mashed potatoes, which is a recipe that my hubby and I created together. Its super easy and one we love to make. Simply make mashed potatoes (combine cooked potatoes with butter, milk, salt and pepper) and then add in boursin cheese. Even my 5 year old nephew is a big fan! So, of course when I got busy in the kitchen I completely forgot to take pictures of the food to show you, and there was not much left after the party!! I did however snap a few pics of my table set up. I decided to go casual with place mats from Pottery Barn and my white berry and thread Juliska dinner plates. I added a little bit of flair by alternating plain white napkins and white napkins with greenery embroidered. I also thought it would be fun to drink out of our new William Yeoward crystal glasses!

 Since my hubby now has me on a budget with all my party planning, I went for a simple floral arrangement displayed in a fun modern vase. I think the total cost was about $3...not too bad!!

Here are a few more close up pics of the table....

Chic Links

I came across this quote in my blog surfing and it really jumped out at me. I'm currently trying to figure out my career path and its definitely been an emotional process. I am torn between the practical side of me who is telling me to get a good, stable job and the creative side of me who is dying to take a risk...to do something unpredictable...something, well, more creative. I think I know what makes me come alive....but can I do it successfully and earn a living? Will I be happy or will it start to feel like work? And so the questions keep on going and the emotions keep on turning and I am left wondering what oh what to do. I need a sign...preferably one in bright neon lights telling me what I should be when I grow up. Is that too much to ask for? Ok, enough of my ramblings...here are some chic links for your Friday...


How cute is this card!??

Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow...

I'm loving this gorgeous brunch.

I can't get enough of this romantic inspiration!

My new favorite blog...

This wedding is absolutely beautiful!


Image seen here

Linen Save the Date

My jaw is on the floor....can Save the Dates get any more fabulous than this???

To see more on this unique shabby chic Save the Date, head on over to Oh So Beautiful Paper!

Balloons

This image has me wishing for summer and outdoor celebrations. My birthday is in 10 days...and its 25 degrees here. I don't think there is any chance for me to be celebrating like this....

I just love the white table cloths and white balloons...such a fresh, clean, and festive look for spring or summer. This is definitely going in my inspiration file...

Image via Style Me Pretty

After...

For less than $200 I had both of my wing back chairs recovered...too bad the fabric wasn't that cheap! I am really pleased with how they turned out and am hoping to add a pillow to each to complete the look....what do you think?

Before...

I inherited two wing back chairs from my grandparents...which I am sure you could guess by the look of the fabric! I wonder what my grandkids will think one day of my decorating style? So, needless to say...these babies needed to get recovered!! 

I came across an article a few years ago in Cottage Living of a living room redo, and ever since then I have  not stopped thinking about the fabric used on two chairs in the room. #1 I LOVED the color...neutral, but definitely not boring....and #2 I was crazy about the texture of the fabric - velvet!!

I started to wonder if it would be possible for this fabric to look good on my chairs and also if the fabric would blend with the other colors in my living room? Luckily, when I brought a sample home, I saw that the "Aloe" fabric picked up the same color in my oriental rug and blended perfectly with the colors in the paintings hung on my walls!! So after several months of waiting in line (my upholster guy stays very busy) for my chairs to be recovered, I finally have them back home....stay tuned tomorrow to see the new look!



*Second image seen here

A new beginning....

I can't believe that 2010 has come and gone! It was a big year for me.....

I planned my dream wedding

I sold my house

I got married on the most perfect day to my most perfect mate

I traveled to the most amazing island for the most amazing week

I moved into a new house 

I accomplished a goal at work that most thought was impossible

and I celebrated the last year of my twenties...

I typically make New Year's Resolutions, but I think half way through the year they are forgotten and most likely never accomplished. This year I hope to be different....I hope to....

1. Pursue My Passions. I am going to stop ignoring my passions. I'm almost 30 (yikes) and its about time that I start to embrace them and find a way to possibly earn a living doing them!
2. Travel More. Time seems to fly these days and I want to take every opportunity I have to travel somewhere new and different...because before I know it I will have a family and jet setting here and there will be a lot more difficult!
3. Give Back. I am so thankful for the many ways I have been blessed over the last 29 years. I want to make a conscious effort to do more to give back. I have realized over the years when I volunteer my time or my money that giving is so much more rewarding than receiving.

Have a great weekend!!!

P.S. I hope to be posting soon on all the details of my wedding, but the photo above is a little sneak peek!

Image via Studio A Photography

The Full View

A few friends told me that they were disappointed that I did not show the full view of my dining room in my "after" photos from earlier this week. So, here you go ladies....

My dining room is pretty small making it hard to get a great picture of the whole room, so I took  photos from a few different angles. The china cabinet is painted...the chairs and bench are recovered....now onto the chandelier! I really wish I could find a fabulous one for under $300...but that may be asking too much. Oh how I wish I could get over to Scott's Market in Atlanta...I just know I could find something there!