Randoms this week

 - I've gotten a lot of wedding things done this week....mainly buying gifts for people in the wedding.  Gotta start early!  And I've become obsessed with Etsy. 

 - My favorite monogramming shop and I got in a big fight over a $20 onesie.  This is a story for a different day, I must share my experience.  Anyone have any favorite etsy seller's that have quick turnaround time on bridal and baby gifts?

 - We had the Trader Joe's salad kit that has spinach, cranberries, pecans and blue cheese with a raspberry vinagrette dressing last night.  We forgot how much we love it.  I don't do blue cheese, I just went without and it was still so good.  Highly recommend.

 - And I had to share some Easter pictures of my nieces!

Anna Kate posing at Church

Sweet sisters

Sarah is a beautiful baby isn't she?! 

My brother and his family!

Best friends.

How to Pack for 6 days and Not Check Luggage

So this is the method to my madness with how I pack each week.  Most times I'm only out for a night or two but this time I had work meetings then went home-home.

Two bags - one carry on suit case and one larger bag for valuables.

For work trips - pack all black outfits or all brown outfits.  In other words, don't pack outfits that you'll need to wear brown shoes with and another that you'll need black shoes with.  Wear one or the other that week and take one pair of shoes.  Keep jewelry basic as well, you don't need a million necklaces.  Just bring classic pearls, they go with everything. 

I don't know about you all but when I leave for a long time, I need to bring work out clothes.  Stick your socks and sports bras in your shoes.  Bring limited running clothes that you can layer if need be.  Put your kicks in last, upside down in your suitcase, they squish easily (see them in the top pic on the left?). 

As for other events, bring a few dresses - Lilly ones pack easily and never wrinkle.  I always bring two pairs of jeans (you could always use your work heels to dress jeans up).  And then I bring two short sleeve and two long sleeve shirts (especially during the spring weather).  If cowboy boots are a necessity like they are mine, wear them instead of having them take up a lot of space.  Put all your underwear in a little lingerie bag and stuff it in the top zipper since it doesn't need to stay neatly folded (I also put PJ's in here).  Max out all space in your suit case.  If you don't think it will fit one more thing, trust me, it will.  ;)

In my second "purse size bag" which is actually quite large haha, I have another longchamp in there full of my work stuff and computer.  Then I have a couple gifts in that bag, my straightening iron, makeup bag, brush, wet ones to wipe rental cars stearing wheels off with (I'm crazy!), any magazines to read, your baggie of liquids and technically you're supposed to be able to fit your regular purse in this bag too.  Well according to US Air you should.  I "amazingly" made that fit this past week by sitting it on top of the bag and draping a Shep Shirt over it.  :)

Need any other travel packing trips?  Please leave a comment and I'll respond!  Happy Summer Travels!  Love, the girl that likes to pack everything in the world!

PS - hi to my friends from EAS's blog Let The Tide Bring Your Dreams Ashore!

Easter Recap

I had to do this Easter recap before I forgot everything.  I can't remember a thing any more.  Brain overload.  Okay here it goes....

Wednesday - I finally arrived at my parent's after a work meeting that afternoon.  Mom had made crab cakes.  Nothing better than Mama's cookin!

Thursday - I had to go to Baltimore for another work meeting so a stop at Fisherman's Inn on Kent Island was essential. 

That evening while Dad was at Rotary, Mom and I went to Goin Nuts with a couple her friends (The Champagne Ladies). We shared lots of wedding ideas and they gave us lots of opinions which was fabulous! Fun fun!

Friday - Mom and I shopped til we dropped.  That night the three of us went to dinner at a casual place which was nice.

Saturday - Dad's birthday!  We started the day off with a 10 mile run and Dad biked it with me.  We hit all the good spots - went downtown, through the zoo, by the schools, through the University then back through some neighborhoods and home.  I loved how flat it was!

That afternoon, we headed down to the beach and went to South Moon Under as you saw yesterday.  Then we went to Fishtails for a pre-dinner cocktail.  It was the perfect spot.  Lots of people and of course right on the water, bayside.  We will be going back. 

Check out the bar area.  This is where we sat.  We picked Kevin up a shirt from here just to let him know he missed out! ;)  (He stayed home with his family, which is how it should be, we think so at least!)

Next on tap for his birthday was a nice dinner at Fager's.  We got there in time to watch the sunset to which they play the 1812 Overture until the sun goes completely down.  Everyone claps at the end.  Very cool. 

Mom and Dad had the prime rib which was fantastic, I had the tuna.  They brought a piece of carrot cake out for his big day!  He might have had one bite of it.  Mom and I on the other hand....!

Sunday - Easter.  The Easter bunny evidently still comes even in your late 20's!  I guess til we're married?  Isn't this bunny adorable?  Too fragile to bring back so I'll get him for next year!

A few new ornaments for my Easter tree which is always fun!  And you can't have Easter without Robin Eggs.  My fav!  Easter bunny even brought Kevin a basket - complete in an Allstate bag haha!  He was excited. 

Family Easter dinner was at 4:30 and boy was it great.  My Mom's cousin's home is right on the water as you can see. 

Parentals!

One side of the family!

 They always have an Easter egg hunt.  Different age groups now to be fair!  Us big kids even had one...each egg had mulah in it!

So gorgeous.  There were even some boats out.

The table was perfectly set.  Crab cakes were on the menu.  I didn't miss a day of having crab the whole time I was home.  Essential for being in Maryland.

My parents and I on our way out.

I flew back to Charlotte yesterday.  While it is nice to be back to a routine, I always miss being home longer.  I hope to get back sometime this summer, with Kevin making the trip then too which will be fun!

Thanks for everything Mom and Dad!!!

(PS - sorry if there are any grammatical mistakes in this, no time, but wanted to get it done).

South Moon Under

I was a very bad girl on Saturday night at South Moon Under in Ocean City, MD.  Mom is a bad influence haha! 

I haven't bought clothes like this since before we got engaged and honestly it was a big treat.  The reason I do like South Moon is because no one in Charlotte has these clothes and they are different.  And I don't buy clothes any more that I can't wear for both work and fun (well except bathing suits ha!).  I did get an additional couple things than what is shown below but these are a preview...

Could totally wear this with white or regular jeans with dangly gold earrings for fun.  Or tucked into a suit skirt for work with pearl stud earrings.

via

Same with this shirt.  How fun right?!  Love the bow.

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This R Collection bathing suit was a steal.  Originally $98, I got it for $40 (swimwear is 20% off right now).  Perfect for la honeymoon! ;)  Aaaaand I need to keep running A LOT.



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Mom said I had to have this cover up.  It's actually that great material that dries quickly so it'll be perfect for the pool or any water adventures.

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I got another couple bargains but I have to leave some surprises when I wear things right?! 

Even though I had buyers remorse like 5 minutes after walking out of the store, I must be confident in my purchases and excited for some new, fresh things for spring!  And some of it is for the wedding so even better!

Easter recap to come soon.  I'm on my way back to NC in a couple of hours. 



One Year From Today

One year from right now, my girls and I will be primping and will walk over to the church that afternoon. 

And I will get to marry Kevin at 5:30pm!!!!

Then the party will begin!  All of our favorite people will be in the same place at the same time and we can't be more excited!!!! 

I love the above picture.  Kevin and I took it a couple of weeks ago when we were walking around uptown Charlotte.  It's the church where we will marry and the Avenue in the background where we met and live (still separately of course!). 

Let the festivities commence!

Quick Check In

Thanks for all of your comments on our color palette yesterday! 

The first picture (the big swatch) is actually the same color as the top two pieces in the second picture. 

In the second picture - the top two - one is silk shantung and the other is silk dupioni.  We're using the silk shantung which has fewer natural flaws.  We just thought on a whole dress, the dupioni would have been a lot (for what we are looking for). 

So I agree that we couldn't go wrong with any of the choices, they're all beautiful but the emerald-ish/blue-ish is just going to be striking for a Spring, Uptown Charlotte, evening wedding.  I think the light corals will compliment it well and be a little different. ....which is exactly what I want our wedding to be!

Well I have finally gotten to my parents home for good and will be here through Monday.  I'm thrilled to spend some time with them!  Hope you all enjoy the Easter weekend with your friends and family!  :)

Wedding Wednesday - Color Palette

One of these with light corals and light champagne?!