Adventures

Alan and I have been on a few adventures lately to try and get away from routine.

This first adventure was a little spontaneous

We first stopped at Davenport's for pizza, and I am sorry to conclude that for the price...

Whole Foods is much better and cheaper.

This was our next stop.

The neighborhood near Vulcan.
This is our city.

Swung by Alabama Theatre for old times sake.

We then went to the new Railroad Park and it is amazing!

I cannot wait for picnics and movies in the summer.

This "estate sale" was not very good but it was worth coming just to see this house!

And this was taken today when Mountain Brook was being
hailed upon as well as lightning strikes every 2 seconds!

Alan and I found a sweet window planter that we will plant flowers in


and we are on the prowl for some cute (yet afordable) patio furniture.
We need a small iron table and two chairs to go on the back deck for our "breakfast nook".
And for our screened in porch out front we need either a hammock for two or a comfy outdoor loveseat.
I can't wait for BBQs, and lake visits, and watermelon....Oh summer I'm glad you're coming early!

Local Love

This week's local love is...

Amy's Artistic Expressions

These are her latest paintings on canvas she has done.

She also does faux finishes, murals, and remodeling.

She is one of the best in Birmingham, with her creative talents as well as reasonable prices.

Let me know if you would like her information.

be my sweet bride

Alan and I are going to Minnesota in less than a month.

We are going to visit his family while we are there,

 but also we are going to celebrate our marriage with his family and friends.

My amazing inlaws are throwing us a second reception and I can't wait!

This is also an opportunity for me to go for a different wedding look

than the one I sported on our Big Day back in September.

 Because as much as I tried to make it what I had visioned it didn't quite get there style wise.

Don't get me wrong that was the best day of my life, but I think every bride goes back in her mind and says

"I would have done this a little differently."

My new name has Irish origins and in honor of that and St. Patty's Day,

we will celebrate through some sweet wedding details.

Ready?

Here they are

Our September Wedding Wardrobe

I'm adding this to the wardrobe- Unbuttoned over my dress

(Keep in mind it's minnesota so it is still frigid up there
and I would like my arms covered thank you very much.)I am trying to decide between the following three shoes: the oxford flat, the classic pump, or the lace up boot?

What do you think?

 





 That is for my wardrobe and as far as Alan goes... we still need to figure that out :)

Well now with our wardrobe out of the way on to a few reception details.

As our "guest book" we will do what we did back in September.

Handwritten notes are very important to Alan and I from day one of our relationship so instead of people

 just signing a guest book, we have vintage linen postcards for people to write a message to us.

Short and sweet but meaningful.

Next up are wedding favors for all the sweet people who come to see us!

We were thinking our wedding music on cds ...

Here are but a few that were in our ceremony:

Who knows where the time goes- Kate Rusby

Your'e Beautiful- Phil Wickham

All My Devotion- Kristene Mueller

with a bundle of 5 of our favorite wedding pictures tied to the cd with twine!

What are your thoughts on this?



with love

One of the first things Alan and I bought when we got our apartment was and address stamp.

You can find some formal ones on Expressionery.

The one shown above can be found on Etsy.

I love it because it is modeled after the old pony express and it fits us perfectly.

And of course you must have cute stationery to send letters on!

Here are a few selections from Chronicle Books!

Even though technology is great, never understimate the power of a handwritten letter.

Joyfully yours,

Kaitlin Slattery

old sketches

This was inspired by a photo I saw in National Geographic

With our wedding almost five months behind us...

I am just now opening what will be my new favorite thing we got from our registry.

An epson printer/scanner.

Over the next few posts...it will probably involve the scanner...

mostly because I have never used one before and it's the closest thing to magic I have ever been apart of.

I saw this amazing play called "A Piece of my Heart" about nurses who served overseas in the Vietnam War.
There were about 6,250 nurses who served overseas.

School project- China style

A beach in Hong Kong...I miss it

friday favorites

Fridays are the best and because today is so beautiful outdoors I will keep this post short.

I love my friend Lauren, and coming up with endless ideas for blogging and etsy products.

I love the Hoover library that is riddled with books, magazines, and movies to inspire!

And finally I love bubble tea from Mr. Chen's because it reminds me of China and they don't laugh at my attempt to speak chinese...which makes me feel good:)

Home Part III

Alan's orchid in our dining room window



Our current system of organizing all our creative supplies!




Built in cabinets that house our dishes and cookbooks




Flour, Sugar, Rice, and Bread Tin. We also used an old oatmeal tin to put in loose change in.



Martha Stewart and the dried carnations are from Alan's December "I love you" to me

Where all of our mail is kept! This painting was found at a thrift store- $4

This is the final installment of our home...for now:)

It really has made me realize that when you come home, you want something
that will feel different than any other place you go to during your week.

You want a haven. A resting place. A sanctuary.

 Even though our place looks a little like an antique store it is our home and its perfect for us.

Create your own refuge.

Local Love



Valentine's Present

 

Perfect for all of the snow days that occured in January




November sunset roses



Fall tulips for October



September Wedding Bouquet



Today's local love is Whole Foods in Mountain Brook!

My favorite people who work there are:

ALLY & DAYE

They are so helpful and I love going and visiting them while shopping for groceries.

If you ever need beautiful flowers go see them and they will brighten your day!

Our Home Part II

Our bathroom

Women's Burberry Original and Men's Burberry London

Some of our current favorite novels

Mannequin to drape my jewelry on and a vintage
 humpback trunk we store our extra blankets in.

Alan's beloved boots...he just can't get enough

Glass door knobs... a favorite detail of mine

Our tiny bedroom closet

Our bed with a white down comforter (Target)
and a cedar chest to hold lingerie (ooh-la-la)

Most of our home decor is purchased at estate sales or given to us by friends and family.

I love the idea of hiding scripture all over your home and I think that will be the next project.

Actually I should probably take Paula's advice on two ellie and organize our home first...

And maybe purge a few things...maybe:)

Be mine

Hope everyone gets to spend valentine's day with someone they love.

Celebrate love in all its forms. 

In honor of this day here is a playlist:

Dearest- Buddy Holly

So In Love (Acoustic version)- Icarus Account

Come away with me - Norah Jones

My love- Sia

La Vie En Rose- Louis Armstrong

Sweet Disposition- The Temper Trap

Let's Get Lost- Beck & Bat For Lashes