Happy Thursday!

It's now single digits until wedded bliss. I have been keeping track at the office on my white board and every so often I come in and there are "additions" to my countdown! Thanks to my coworkers for always keeping me laughing and in check. They are an amazing group and a bunch of cut-ups!

My shopping extravaganza last night was a success and I'm looking forward to doing it again later in the summer/fall time frame! Got a few new things but didn't have time to snap any photos last night, but it's on my list to do today! I have one more shopping trip in mind before we head to Hawaii and it could be a doozie on the bank account.

Nearing Single Digits!

The days are dwindling and we'll be in the single digits tomorrow! I keep telling myself that if I make it through this work week, I'll be all good! With this weekend being Easter, I've got some down time to hang around the house after church and lunch with our families. I'll be working on my packing lists for the wedding weekend as well as Hawaii and my work trip to Raleigh (could that have come at a worse time?!) I'll also be making sure I 100% have everything together, which I'm about 98% of the way there. Wedding week should be pretty easy and relaxing, just the way I'm wanting it to be. Here's what's on tap!

Monday: A good workout in the morning and my final day in the office to get my stuff together for work trip and my new intern. After this, I'll be out of the office for 19 days straight. EEK!!

Tuesday: Work seminar from 8am-11:30 by the American Heart Association and then doing final counts and dropping off all items at our venue, venue for Rehearsal Dinner and taking our welcome bags to the hotel. After that, I'll be getting my hair colored and a final small trim so that my locks look perfect when they go up for the big day on Saturday!

Wednesday: A good workout in the morning and then heading to take my two Matrons of Honor to the spa for massages. I am AMPED about a massage and am 100% in need of one. I'm sure they are too! We're heading to the Spa at Chateau Elan and I can't wait to hang out with them, relax, enjoy some wine and get a massage!!

Thursday: Taking the morning to myself to get my nails done, run any final errands for the honeymoon (ie: more shopping!) and hope to get myself all packed by this day.

Friday: My Bridal Luncheon will begin around 11 and then the day/weekend will be non-stop from then on out. At that point, I'll be in shock, excitement and anxious to get to Saturday!


Just trying to chug along though this week though it seems like it's never ending! Looking forward to my shopping extravaganza at Fab'rik Buckhead tonight with some of my girlfriends and a birthday party for Mike's buddy, Scott, Friday night. Also, I know about a little "secret" shower for me this coming Friday at my office ... so much for the surprise but I'm very much looking forward to it!

J.Crew Private Event Wrap Up

My sister in law, Danialle, is obsessed with J.Crew. She has a personal shopper there and is friends with all the associates in all the metro Atlanta stores. When Danialle got invited to the private J.Crew event at Lenox, she picked up the phone and eagerly asked if I'd attend with her. She promised a good time (and a way to keep my mind off Mike being in Las Vegas), discount on clothes and drinks. I was sold.

After a heinous day and an hours worth of traffic on the way home, I was ready for a drink and some retail therapy. This event was the cure for my stressed out day! In no time, I had a dressing room started and a drink by the amazing crew at Holeman and Finch (a favorite bar of Mike and I's was catering the event). I wasn't concerned on spending money, I just wanted to have fun. After knocking out some immediate no's, I was able to score some awesome items at J.Crew (all with a 15% discount)! I picked up all of the below items as well as an adorable necklace which I couldn't find online to show.

3 inch Chino shorts in Light Sage

3 inch Chino shorts in Shadow

Katie Color Block Cami in Orchid Blue

Jenny Dress in Deep Peri

Summerweight Chino (bermuda short) in Sweet Moss

Colette Dress in Heather Nickel (shown here in Faded Black)

Currently I'm rocking the Colette Dress in Heather Nickel and my new necklace! Thanks for the new outfit, J.Crew!

Also, the highlight of the event was that Jenna Lyons, J.Crew's Creative Director, was going to be there. Not only was she there, we got to meet her and chat with her for a few minutes! Jenna is totally down to earth and personable.  She looked amazing and told us that not only does she love sequins, she wears them at minimum, 3 times per week! So fun to chat with her and even more fun that Danialle got to meet her fashion icon! What a great role model for J.Crew and all fashionistas out there!

After 3 attempts at a normal photo, Jenna decided this is what was needed. 

Overall, I spent way too much money, found a new personal shopper (thanks, Natalie) and had a great time with my sister in law! Thanks Danialle for the invite, can't wait to do it again!

Momma Needs a New Toy ...

With our wedding and honeymoon only 2 months away (holy crap), Mike and I have been discussing a big purchase. No, not another house, but a pricey piece of technology. The candidates?

Amazon Kindle

Barnes and Noble Nook

Apple iPad

While I realize 2 of the above are much more similar than the 3rd, we're discussing all of them ... and some other tablets that I'm not real sure of the name to be honest. I want it more for reading, games, pictures, entertainment on a 14 hour flight and beach time. I think Mike is looking at it more from a reading and price perspective. Rumor is that iPad 2 is being announced tomorrow, not sure when it's going to be released. We need this prior to the wedding so that we can take it to Hawaii with us! If you had to pick one of these 3 items, which would it be and why?

My vote :Apple iPad - most functional piece of the 3. I can read, email, browse and play games. Not to mention the new one has a camera and can store our photos!

Awesome Collection at Pottery Barn

I was searching for some gifts as well as items to add to my registry (my one of four that is...) and came across this cool Founders collection at Pottery Barn!

I love the wood and style of each of these items! They could be used everyday for decoration as well as functionally for parties or holidays! Priced at good points as well! Some of them are already on backorder, or no longer available, but check your local Pottery Barn stores for items that could be found in-store (and save on shipping!)

Founders Wine Storage Box    $69.00 

Founders Pedestal   $49.00

Founders Wine Trough    $79.00

Founders Standing Wine Opener    $189.00

Can't wait to get some of these in my own home!!

Christmas Came A Little Early...

Mike and I decided that we wouldn't do gifts for each other this year. It's been an expensive Fall/Winter with our trips to Las Vegas, Mexico, getting a puppy, wedding stuff and so much more. Instead of individual gifts, I suggested a joint gift that we both could enjoy and use for many years to come...hopefully!

The package came last Wednesday when Mike was out of town in Dallas. Like a good girl, I put it away under where our tree would soon be standing (I'll do a tree post later this weekend!) and let it sit in the box. When Mike got home on Friday, the first thing he did was open it! He was like a kid just ready to get his hands on a new toy! So much for having a gift to open together on Christmas day .... guess the good news is we can enjoy it early! So here's exactly what we got....

Enter our new camera! A Cannon Rebel T2i.

Front of camera

Top of Camera

We were able to score a deal on it at Best Buy on Black Friday...well really Black Thursday after 10pm when they went on sale on-line. Not only did we get the camera, we also got a new lense and a camera bag all for one price! So far we're kinda not 'up' on  using it but we're getting there. It takes pretty awesome photos and even video in HD!

I'm thinking it'll come in handy with having little Kona around, all the wedding parties and fun stuff this coming year...and we're for sure taking it on our Honeymoon to Hawaii!


**Images via Google

Holy Moly It's Cold as..... Guacamole?!

How is it Monday again already!?

photo via Google

Holy Moly it's chilly outside! I know we live in the South and all, but a high of 39 for the day is just chilly no matter where you are! Good thing I was up early to take Miss Kona out and was able to put a big ole thing of chili (thanks Julie for the awesome recipe!) in the crockpot so we have something yummy and warm for dinner tonight!

On the note of being chilly and Christmas time rolling around, I finally finished my Christmas shopping this weekend. Took me around 3 hours and a few trips to both the mall and a few other stores, but I'm DONE! I played a little elf and wrapped them all too! I love wrapping gifts! I can't believe that Christmas is only 21 days away. Where in the world has the year 2010 gone. I can't believe how much time flies the older we get! What I really want for Christmas, a time stopper thingy like Hermione had in Harry Potter 3!

Also, I just had a nerve wracking experience and was sick to my tummy, but it's all over and done. The invitations have been approved and I have submitted my list for printing. We're 145 days away and that was a BIG thing to check off the list. My total number of invites stands at 90....a whopping 179 total number of people invited. A little more than my sweet mother wanted, but overall I think we'll be happy with the number that can actually attend. I'll have my invites here in a mere 2-3 weeks and I'll be sure to share just how awesome they turned out! Once they are here I've got to package them, seal them and stamp them all up ...  then wait patiently til March 9th to put them in the mail. I can't wait for RSVP's to start scampering back in! In other wedding news, some sweet friends are throwing us showers at the start of the New Year! We can't wait to celebrate with everyone and get the parties started!

Speaking of marriage and all, Mike and I have been together 2.5 years today! Seems like just yesterday we started dating and now we're on our way to getting hitched! Nothing big planned tonight, just hanging out and keeping warm while playing with Miss Kona.

Hope you stay warm today!

Houndstooth for my Tootsies!

I went to peruse a few aisles of the DSW by my office today and I stumbled upon these little gems!

Aren't they so cute!?! If you're a BAMA fan or a fan of Houndstooth, I recommend them! Comfy, good heel height and cheap...only $30.00 at DSW. You better believe I snatched up a pair! Can't wait to wear them this weekend while I watch the TIDE roll on over the UF Gators.