Weekend Review ...

I love weekends that are slam packed with fun activities...but my favorite weekends are the ones that we have the flexibility to change our plans if we want to.  R just started a new work schedule allowing him to have Fridays off - unfortunately this past Friday he had to take his Jeep out of town to get the transmission worked on.  Since I picked him up in the middle of the day he had to wait for me to get off work before we could go home.  We had to rush to get to Raleigh for a late dinner and drinks with good friends.

Katie and Rob gave us two options for Friday dinner and we picked Trophy Brewing Company.  This chill bar in downtown Raleigh was packed with patrons inside and out but luckily Katie was able to grab four seats at the bar.  R and I had the "Most Loyal" pizza that included a honey drizzle over the crust and sipped on some of their craft beer.  

On Saturday R and I went to the local farmers market for some fresh peaches and I splurged on a pretty bouquet and some ice cold ginger ale.  We toyed with the idea of going to the flea market before deciding it was too pretty of a day to waste the sun.

Instead we sat poolside for several hours before going inside to enjoy mojitos and homemade ziti (odd combination, I know).  R also made the base for some yummy peach ice cream that he churned on Sunday morning in the ice cream maker we received as a wedding gift.

Today, our house received a much needed cleaning and we lounged around since it rained a good chunk of the afternoon.  And - I decided on a web designer!  Remember when I mentioned I wanted a new blog layout well it was put on hold and then I couldn't decided which company I wanted to work with or what I wanted in my design.  Well, on today I took the plunge and "fingers crossed" Carolina Belle will have a new look soon.

I should also mention that I tried a new hair stylist last week.  I grew my hair out for my wedding but with the sun, humidity, heat styling, chlorine, etc my ends were incredibly dry and split in certain areas.  I couldn't get it to hold curl (even my natural curl) and it would get really frizzy.  The stylist had to take off SEVERAL inches to remove the damage and I ended up with hair that just barely hits the bottom of my shoulder blade.  I let it dry naturally with some curl mousse on Saturday and it looks perfect!  I may swear off heat styling for the rest of summer!

3..2..1... Happy New Year!

I decided to take off work early on NYE to catch a mid-afternoon movie with my mom.  We saw Parental Guidance and it was one of those laugh and cry movies...perfect to watch with a parent.  R worked a full day and tried to get home as quickly as possible so we could get ready for our night out with friends.  A couple we met several months ago invited us to their house for Eve festivities ...we have some friends in common so it was a great opportunity to spend time with them as well.  I don't drink often so anything beyond 2 glasses of wine puts me over the moon so keep that in mind while looking at my photo flashback.

A great time was had by everyone!  I had a great 2012 but I'm so excited for the things to come in 2013! 

10 Year High School Reunion

This past Saturday was a real treat...my 10 year high school reunion.  R and I had a great time, he already knew a few people that were going to attend because I still keep in touch with them.  I had fun catching up with people I hadn't seen in a decade.  The reunion committee decided to hold the festivities at a local winery.

 I wore a Suzi Chin dress that I purchased from Bluefly.com a few months ago.  I had to buy it one size too big because they didn't have any left in my size and a local seamstress tailored it to my measurements.  The lighting wasn't great in the winery, I really wished I'd taken pictures prom style at moms house before we left.

 This isn't my photo, I took it from the facebook page because R had my camera all night in his pocket and I forgot about it.  There were a few prizes given out - to the person who had a baby most recently, the person married the longest, the person who had traveled the longest distance to get to the reunion and two random prizes if you were sitting in a chair that had a ticket taped underneath.

 I found this picture from the same album as above.  Our MC for the night held a moment of silence for the classmates that have passed away and took the time to recognize the classmates who had served in the military.  I like that you can see the table set up behind him too...they had little foil centerpieces with balloons in our school colors.  After the welcome, prayer and announcements we had a nice dinner of chicken, carved roast beef, vegetables, and rolls followed by dancing.

A classmate took these "decor" shots before everyone started arriving.

I added this for fun - one of my classmates posted a copy of our commencement...to respect the privacy of my classmates I will not show all the pages but it was fun to read through this little document again.

Currently, I Am...

(post was inspired by Katie at Keep Calm and Carry On - because it looked like so much fun!)

Reading: Midnight in the Garden of Good Evil...ever since we chatted about Savannah as a possible honeymoon destination I've wanted to read this book.  I've seen the movie so I'm familiar with the story but in most cases the book is better than the movie.

Watching: Criminal Minds, an episode from the DVR- I'm such an addict.  I'm convinced that I'm getting an education when I watch these crime dramas and law shows.  I consider myself a professional at pointing out behaviors in psycho serial killers.

Thinking About:  My bridal portraits.  My photographer posted them on her website a couple of nights ago (password protected of course so R can't see).  My mom loves them so much she is buying the disk with all the photos but I have to choose one to hang as my actual portrait.  There are several good ones (and many great ones that don't necessarily show all the details of my dress) and I'm having trouble deciding.

Loving: My fiance :-)  I'm also really loving fall - the weather is perfect to spend time outside.  Spending time inside isn't so bad either, curling up under a blanket in the evening.  There are so many things I'm loving - pumpkin lattes, pumpkin and apple scented candles, pie, soup, boots, and scarves

Looking Forward To:  R has been wanting to use the fire pit and these cool nights are perfect for it.  He also obtained some deer meat that we may use for spaghetti or quiche this upcoming weekend.  We also have a blackout game against Navy this weekend.

Wondering:  If we will ever make a decision where to go for our honeymoon.

Cooking / Baking:  None for now.  I've been craving apple pie and I might make a small crumble for myself since R doesn't like cooked apples.  My mom bought a slice of pumpkin jelly roll recently for us to share and it was delicious!

Disliking:  The long line at the early voting poll.  But at least it's over with and I can say I've voted!

Making Me Happy:  The upcoming holidays - I love Thanksgiving for the food and family and then I love to come home and decorate for Christmas!  I've already started purchasing some gifts and making holiday plans with R.  Next month will be a little stressful with moving and premarriage counseling so I'm really excited to have something to look forward to.

Wishing You:  a blessed evening!

Fun at the Fair

R and I usually go to the fair on "hunger relief day" when cost of admission is a bag of canned goods but unfortunately this year that day conflicted with my bridal portraits.  We decided to go on the last Saturday of fair week - - - one of THE most crowded days.  We waited in a long line on the interstate to get to the fairgrounds but didn't have an issue finding a park.  It's no secret that I love the state fair and I've only ever missed a year if absolutely necessary....

 My favorite section of the fair is the Village of Yesteryear.  I love seeing the bread baking demonstrations, antique farm equipment, and crafting.  This exhibit was just outside of the blacksmiths stand.

 R and I enjoyed the forrestry and soil and water conservation exhibits.  They had it open this year to walk out into the water for photos.

 This looks like one of the trees from The Lord of the Rings movies...I loved it!  The guy was standing on stilts and his suit actually felt like tree bark.  We were fooled at first thinking it was a real tree from a distance.

 I love the Got to Be NC Agriculture stands.  Every year the local farmers show their best crops, largest melons and gourds, and bring their best livestock for judging.  I'm a farm girl at heart and I think I'm lucky that my state has such an extensive appreciation for local agriculture and craftsmanship.

 Oh and the food!  I had the MOST delicious authentic gyro tonight.  We also samples local companies goods to our hearts content...I tried the new product from Pepsi (Next), several new BBQ sauces and dips, local honey, jams, and some annual treats like House Autry hushpuppies.  We walked away with a couple of samples of poultry and pork breader, 2 bottles of Zing hots sauce, and a stack of coupons for new products.  I also purchased chocolate peanut butter fudge for myself and maple cotton candy for R.

We were so tired once we drove home we both collapsed on the couch for several hours and watched a Halloween classic...

LOVE!  I also learned abc family will be showing several of my favorite spooky movies on their 13 nights of halloween series.  Many of them I own because Tim Burton directed them but I'd never say no to Beetlejuice or Edward Scissorhands on TV.

Ready for my closeup...

I know y'all have been on pins and needles wanting my "bridal portrait" experience play by play.  I have been looking forward to this for years months. And it just flew by...but not without several mishaps.

Wednesday evening I went for my nail appointment at a local spa and salon.  I chose gel polish because I wanted something that was anti-chip.  During my appointment I asked about their other services and decided I would get my brows waxed their too....

bad idea

I have never had a reaction in my life to any kind of wax or post wax product but whatever she used to wipe down my skin after the wax caused my face to swell and puff immediately.  Oh and it itched like crazy.  After many MANY curse words I found the common sense to go to the pharmacy and pick up benedryl and ointment.

I seriously looked like Quasimodo without the hump for about 2 hours.

I decided take my swollen eyebrows to the tanning salon...logical decision right?  I was prepared to go through with my portrait appointment through hell or high water.  I tried the VersaSpa on a level 1 bronze.  Ahhhh....It looked awesome.  I would like one of these standing pods for Christmas!  My tan is so even and  the perfect shade of "laid up on the Outer Banks all summer".  Be prepared to stand there and freeze though...that mist is cold, I was actually terrified that all my goose bumps would cause a splotchy tan.

For $40 it's a pricey treatment but for a special occasion it's quick and the results are awesome.

The day of my portraits I had a hair appointment at nine.  Mom and I left with plenty of time to get there, except we were stuck in traffic on the interstate for 45 minutes behind a wreck.  The accident wasn't even on our side of the median which is weird but traffic was completely at a stand still so I'm not sure if it was an issue with the emergency vehicles or if people were stopping to see the accident ( I call it rubber-necking). I arrived to the salon LATE which I was not happy about and clearly neither was the stylist but she had blocked off two hours for our appointment and we were done on time even with the late start.  She used Oribe products on my hair and I think I have a new love.  Yay more Christmas wish list items!

After my do'  it was time for makeup, which I was brazen enough to attempt myself.  Not too shabby either. I decided to wear falsies.

Er, not these.

Yes!

I loved the drama they added, especially to the full length photos that were taken from a distance.  I posed, I smiled, I draped myself over a chair, and I laid on a couch on my belly - - - for two hours.    My photos were taken at the beautiful Oaks at Salem at Apex NC.

Oh my gosh, this bridal suite was beautiful!  I wish I had taken my own photos of her house!

 My face still hurts from all that bright eyed happy smiling.  I don't think I'm all that photogenic honestly, I'm expressive in reality but in photos I seem to have two looks, BIG cheesy grin or totally pissed off.  As soon as I informed the photographer she started looking through the photos and laughed in agreement.  I'll be happy if she can give me one photo that will look great framed above my mama's mantel.  

We left just in time to make a 3 pm cake tasting.  We missed lunch while taking the photos and went into complete sugar coma for about an hour during the tasting.  I found three flavors that I thought would be crowd pleasers and the baker was wonderful to work with.  She loves her job and she is very professional...however we still have to interview two other bakers before we make our decision.  

The last wedding related task for today....I ORDERED MY INVITATIONS!  Holy.............

I still can't believe it.  Ordering the invites was the most nerve-racking experience of my life.  I quadruple checked the wording since I ordered online I didn't have a specialist helping me.  I will get a digital proof before they actually print them so I can have other people check behind me.  I think the one we chose was the perfect blend of elegant but not completely formal.  I also decided against inner envelopes (GASP!) which I know will surprise some on my list, R and I wanted to do a colored envelope liner instead and I'm happy with the decision so far.  Again I thought this added an elegant and surprising touch without the formality.  Blah, this is such wedding talk - I never say this kind of thing in real life.

One last non wedding related update.  I received my invitation to my 10 year high school reunion!  I still can't believe this.  They went with online invitations to help with cost but honestly I love the one they chose through Punchbowl, it wasn't cheesy at all.  The committee set our event for a local winery in mid November and the tickets are reasonable for a night of food, wine, and music  (and bonding with old friends!)  I'm really looking forward to this and I see it as another opportunity to hop into the VersaSpa.

Pumpkin Patch 2012

We had such a fun weekend!  R and I aren't seeing each other much because we are working some strange hours and we are working in different towns every day.  We have decided to move but we haven't found a house yet so for the next few weeks we are trying to make the most of our limited time together.

Saturday morning we set out with a plan...we wanted to go early this year to pick our pumpkins!  I decided Baby should come with us for some excellent photo opportunities in her new Halloween Costume.  We buy our pumpkins from a local church that sales them on a very busy street corner in town.  Apparently on "opening day" of pumpkin sales pets are welcome to attend a Pet Blessing in the morning.  We actually arrived  about an hour after the pet event ended but the preacher still came over to Baby and said a special blessing that ended with her getting a delicious treat.  It was so sweet!

 Riding in the Car.

 Prettiest pumpkin in the patch.

  I love that she doesn't mind getting dressed up.

 Baby wouldn't focus with me for a photo so this is the best one I have.  

 I love this one ...  Baby knows one trick "shake" and she thinks she should get a snack every time she does it.

We left with three pumpkins!  My choice was the small "warty" one - I kept coming back to it.  R likes big pumpkins with curly stems.  We decided to enter this photo into a Pet-O-Ween contest at a local radio station.  So far I definitely think it's the best one....voting starts on October 26 so I may post a request for votes here on my blog :-)

In the afternoon R and I went to a matinee showing of Frankenweenie...I'm a big Tim Burton fan and I've been waiting for this movie for about 10 years.  Oh my gosh the story is so sweet and there were definitely parts that had us teary.  We finished the night with shrimp tacos - a yummy post for another night.

Wordless Wednesday

I want one!