Preview...Emily and Stephen

Here is a sneak peek of Emily and Stephen's elegant southern wedding. The rest of the photos will be up tomorrow...you don't want to miss this fabulous wedding!!

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Photo via Aesthetic Images

These are a few of my favorite things....

...for fall that is. Which happens to be my favorite time of year. The air-conditioning is exchanged for open windows, the annoying kids on my street go back to school (just kidding, we don’t live near any kids), and clothes-wise, things get a tad dressier. Flip flops, white jeans, and tank tops go back under the bed in that plastic tub you’ve had since college, and we break out the boots, sweater coats and scarves….

I just can’t help but want so many things this season, but I’m a “guest” blogger and don’t want to be rude by clogging up Sidney’s beautiful blog with my endless list of things I’m loving (seriously, my wish list knows no bounds ). So I’ve narrowed it down to a few key “must haves” that I think are wearable yet fashion forward without looking like you are trying really hard. If you want to look like you are trying really hard, turn to Vogue’s fall trend section and go with their “faux” fur vest and embellished ballerina skirt option, I promise you won’t look like an old lady who forgot to take her dementia medicine. Of course, I’m going on a few givens here: 1) You don’t want to look like an old lady that forgot to take her dementia medicine 2) that everyone reading this has an incredible, fits you to perfection/borderline jealously pair of jeans and 3) that you also have a gorgeous go-to white blouse or top. Staples people, staples.

Super Long Cardigans aka the new faceglasses
I must have super hero envy, or just a desire to wear something cape-like without actually looking like a Warlock and wearing a cape, but I am craving a super long, almost to the knees, cardigan right now. This Three Dot one can be worn over a chic blouse for nighttime festivities, or in the morning, for your Saturday latte and bagel run. Either way, you can’t lose and I predict it will become as essential as your Hollywood, Nicole Ritchie sized-please-don’t-take-a-picture- of-me (but seriously do or my career will be nothing) sunglasses, which really are so big they should be renamed “face”glasses. Choose weight of sweater according to your current city’s winter climate.

found here

Flat Boots-two friends for the price of one
Hi. These Cynthia Vincent boots are your new best friend. They will go EVERYWHERE with you. They will love you, support you and never make you feel stupid for wearing them, unlike some of your other two-faced you know whats in your closet… You (and your new BFF) will be the envy of town. You will be stopped and congratulated on your intelligent purchase, so prepare yourself and make sure to have a pen handy when asked for your autograph.

found here

Dressy Puffer-a most serendipitous merger

found here

I hate being cold. But I also don’t want to look like the Michelin Man walking around town in my puffed up puffer heading to a nice dinner. I mean, I don’t get out much as it is already, so when I do, I gotta make it count. That is why this Burberry coat is so to die, because it solves my little quagmire. I just know I would be warm & toasty in this pretty blue number, but also quite sleek and fashion-forward, the ultimate fashion accomplishment for an article of clothing.

found here

Pop Quiz! If these items are wasting space in your hard to come by closet real-estate, you are living the 2004ish dream my friend…

1. Boots with a stiletto heel (unless your name is “Vanity” and you work 57th and Main AFTER the sun goes down)
2. Big, pulls the lobe down earrings
3. Baby-doll, maternity-like wear
4. Terry cloth hoodie and matching pant jumpsuit

P.S.

P.S. Wesley had a baby girl today!!! I promise I had no idea that when I posted her photos this morning that she would be holding her baby this afternoon! I, needless to say, am so excited that I can hardly stand it!!

P.P.S. Without really meaning for this to happen, this week has become "friend week" on my blog. I am sooooo pumped about my guest blogger for tomorrow....my favorite fashionista and friend Claudia! She always looks so fabulous....I just want to sneak in her closet and steal her wardrobe!!

Baby Love

I am LOVING this maternity photo shoot by Libby Hoppe, but what I love even more is the fabulous couple in these photos!! Wesley and Lamar are two of my favorite people in the world, and I am so excited for their baby to arrive any day now(I'm DYING to know the sex)!

Aren't these photos gorgeous!??! Libby is a writer and editor who just happens to do some photography on the side. After seeing these photos, I think she needs to make photography a full time gig! I love that Wesley and Lamar took the time to document the final days before their baby arrives. Wes, you look amazing and I know you will be a wonderful mom! I'm on pins and needles here waiting for the big day...

Photo via Libby Hoppe

Star Struck!

I'm sure my friend Kathryn will laugh when she reads this, but I get star struck every time I see her book (well, now its books) on the shelf in my local Barnes and Noble. Kathryn Williams in print...and she is friends with me...how cool is that? I feel blessed to have so many talented friends that constantly amaze me with their accomplishments. Not only is Kathryn an amazing writer, but she is an amazing friend, and for that I am thankful! Her second "young adult" novel, The Lost Summer, was published in July, which made for a great excuse to throw a party!


Dori Thornton from The Social Office put together a fabulous "book release" dinner party that tied in with the theme of the book--summer camp. Invitations for the Camp Southpoint Supper were designed by Nicole Speake of Nico & La La. Unfortunately, I only have a few photos, so for some of this you will just have to use your imagination! As guests arrived at the venue, they were greeted by a tent outside, a sign reading "Welcome to Camp Southpoint" and a couple of other painted signs pointing to the "Lake," the "Barn," and the "Riflery Range." How clever is that??

The tables were decorated with care package centerpieces, bottles of bug spray and pixy stix. Camp food was of course the inspiration for the menu, which included hamburgers, hot dogs, mini grill cheese sandwiches, hash brown casserole and green beans. For dessert, freeze pops and "dirt cups" with chocolate pudding, crushed oreos, and gummy worms mixed together in mason jars were served. Oh and let's not forget the signature cocktail -- "Bug Juice"-- a mix of vodka, sprite and hawaiian punch. Mason jars...signature cocktail...this party is right up my alley.

Packages with ingredients for s'mores were piled on top of a trunk at the exit for guests to take with them as a parting favor. YUM! What I love so much about this party is that every detail was thoughtfully executed. I want to throw a camp themed party now! I know everyone out there reading this blog is not an author of a camp novel, but this is such a cute idea that you could incorporate into a birthday party for your child. Happy planning!

Cart Service

I'm loving this bar cart from Pottery Barn that I saw on Camille's blog.  Since my house does not have a built in bar, I'm usually taking up space in my kitchen or my dining room table to serve drinks when I have a party. What I love most about a bar cart is that it can be used indoors or outdoors for entertaining.  I think its about time that I invest in a bar cart!

Photo via Style Notes

Is it time to say goodbye...

...to white? I am so excited for fall to get here, but I'm sad to have to fold up my white jeans and tuck them into the back of my dresser. Is white really taboo after Labor Day? Maybe I will purchase a pair of "winter white" jeans to ease my winter blues. Don't get me wrong, I am excited for fall fashion, I just can't get my bank account to agree with me :) .

Ok, so switching gears, let's talk weekend links! Here are a few of my favorites posts from the week. I hope everyone has a fabulous Labor Day weekend full of relaxation!

As a lover of travel, I'm digging this travel themed rehearsal dinner on Style Me Pretty.

Thanks to Oh So Beautiful Paper and Peculiar Pair Press, my obsession for letterpress keeps growing and growing...

Surprisinly, traditional me is drawn to Blair's inspiration board that incorporates black into a wedding.

I'm wanting to go buy balloons for my next party, thanks to Camille!