Weekend Recap - Liz's Wedding

Weekend Recap:

Groups of women sit together in Nepal while making these beautiful handmade bracelets. These are Nepal Mission Bracelets and purchasing one helps to empower women , sponsor poor children, and educate young minds in Nepal. Bella Salon and Pure Barre in Homewood are selling the bracelets and I could not help but purchase three to support the women and children in Nepal while also getting new arm candy. 

For additional information see the Fair Trade Fashion Design Site. I'm now dying for a turquoise and red bracelet. 

My watch is from Francesca's

Friday night was spent on the couch watching the opening ceremonies for the Olympics. Gymnastics and diving are my two favorite Summer Olympic Sports. Saturday Chad and I went to Trent and Elizabeth’s Wedding in Dadeville at Still Water Resort. The reception was at the Creekside Lodge on Lake Martin. Elizabeth and I graduated high school and college together. It was so great to see everyone at the wedding and reception.

Saturday after the reception and sparkler send off, Trent and Elizabeth left for their honeymoon in Jamaica. A group of us left for Alex City and stayed with Sushannah. We woke up Sunday and left for Lake Martin. Nine of us rented a pontoon boat from The Ridge at Lake Martin. We spent the day in the sun on the lake before heading back to Birmingham.

I hope you all had a great weekend!

Being Engaged

After one week of being engaged, here are five things I've learned so far:

1. I need serious work on my nails.

2. It takes longer to get used to this ring than I thought it would.

3. People expect you to have your wedding planned out the second you get engaged. Within the first week, I've already been asked: Where will you get married? Have you set a date? What colors are you going to use? How are you going to do your hair? Where are you going for your honeymoon? How many bridesmaids are you going to have?

4.  We know more people than I thought. 

5.  It feels so weird to refer to Chad as my fiance.

Last weekend when we went to Troy to celebrate with my family, my parents (probably all my mom) had written Chad and I the sweetest note. I want to share it:

"As you start this new chapter in your lives we wish you all the joy and blessings imaginable! We are so very happy for you and can't wait to share in your special moments. Always know that we are here for you through the good times and the bad. May God bless your marriage and give you happiness, good health, and wisdom as you embark on this exciting journey through the rest of your lives."

Love always,
Mom and Dad

Their note also included the following bible verses:

"Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work: If one falls down his friend can help him up" - Ecclesiastes 4: 9-10

 "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." - Philippians 4: 6-7

"Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trust, always hopes, always preserves. Love never fails." - 1 Corinthians 13: 4-8

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans toprosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." -Jeremiah 29:11

I am blessed to have such amazing parents!! Each day I wake up even more excited! I must be having an 'Engagement High' or something. 

Now we are leaving for Alex City to meet some friends and head to Elizabeth and Trent's Wedding at Lake Martin. We are staying with Sushannah tonight and a group of us will be renting a boat tomorrow! Looking forward to seeing lifelong friends, a wedding, and spending tomorrow on the lake! 

Happy Weekend!  

Pinterest - Wedding Time

It's my eleventh week in a row to link with The Vintage Apple for Oh, How Pinteresting Wednesday! 

Since I got engaged on Friday :)
(here is the story)
I had no problem picking my theme this week:

Wedding Time

Gardenia Bouquet

Source: dreamgroupplanners.blogspot.com via Lauren on Pinterest

Something blue  - Wedding Date Stitched in Dress

Source: girlywedding.com via Amber on Pinterest

Hydrangeas as Pew Decor

Source: stylemepretty.com via Lauren on Pinterest

Floral Monogram on the Entry Doors

Source: etsy.com via Lauren on Pinterest

Since we live in Alabama: Cotton Boutonnieres

Source: weddings.theknot.com via Lauren on Pinterest

Last but not least, a lace dress

Source: tumblr.com via Lauren on Pinterest

Last week's theme: Creative Cooking



Next week's theme : The Wedding Reception

We are ENGAGED!

Weekend Update

My weekend recap can be summed up in three words:

We are engaged!!

After work on Friday we grilled. By ‘we’ I really mean Chad grilled. He had the entire meal organized and I had to beg him just to let me help with dessert. It all makes sense now that I know he was planning on proposing, but at the time I had no clue why he didn't want my help. 

He grilled salmon, squash, zucchini, and asparagus. For dessert we grilled/toasted bananas stuffed with white chocolate chips, milk chocolate chips and marshmallows. See Taste of Home for the recipe, because you need to try them!

After grilling Chad informed me we had one other place to go. Of course I began asking 500 questions. He took me to a spot that overlooks a large part of Birmingham, got down on one knee, and PROPOSED!! His roommate Chris came right after the proposal to take a picture for us. 

After calling everyone to tell them the news we met a few friends for drinks at Jackson’s in SOHO. 

Chad and I woke up early Saturday and I was dying to show my ring to my family and my best friend so we packed our things and headed to Troy! When we got to my parents' my mom had the sweetest note printed out for us. I will have to share it this week. Lacey brought over champagne and the celebrating continued!

My left hand feels really weird and I can’t STOP LOOKING AT MY RING! I feel very lucky and truly blessed to have found Chad. I am thankful for all the calls, texts, messages, and visits.

Let the wedding planning begin!! I'm gladly taking any wedding ideas/suggestions!

Fifty Shades of Messed Up

Fifty Shades of Grey

or should I say

Fifty Shades of Messed Up?

I am linking up with Blonde…Undercover Blonde and The Nerdy Katie for Book Club Friday. 

Title: Fifty Shades of Grey Author: E L James   Description from the Author When literature student Anastasia Steele goes to interview young entrepreneur Christian Grey, she encounters a man who is beautiful, brilliant, and intimidating. The unworldly, innocent Ana is startled to realize she wants this man and, despite his enigmatic reserve, finds she is desperate to get close to him. Unable to resist Ana’s quiet beauty, wit, and independent spirit, Grey admits he wants her, too—but on his own terms. Shocked yet thrilled by Grey’s singular erotic tastes, Ana hesitates. For all the trappings of success—his multinational businesses, his vast wealth, his loving family—Grey is a man tormented by demons and consumed by the need to control. When the couple embarks on a daring, passionately physical affair, Ana discovers Christian Grey’s secrets and explores her own dark desires. Erotic, amusing, and deeply moving, the Fifty Shades Trilogy is a tale that will obsess you, possess you, and stay with you forever.

My Thoughts:

This is definitely a fiction book. How often does an innocent, soon to be college grad, part-time worker at a local hardware store (Ana) end up with a super-freak billionaire, CEO of his own company (Christian)? It’s typical; the guy that supposedly never commits starts to fall hard. 

Everywhere I went, I kept hearing about a book called Fifty Shades of Grey . I didn’t realize exactly what the book was about until after I ordered it. As soon as I found out, I was a little nervous to start reading it. I read the first approximately 90 pages and thought, this isn’t nearly as bad as people are making it out to be. I was wondering why places were banning the book and then I got to page100 and things definitely changed. Let’s just say the book went from PG to XXX and I’ll be interested to see how they make this into a movie.

I’ve heard the second and third books are more about Christian and Ana’s love story. I hope so! I want the second book to be less physical and I’d like to find out more about Christian Grey, his past, and the ex-subs. Right now he seems Fifty Shades of Messed Up.

Side Note: 

If you want to meet new people, just walk around with this book! If you want to have a relaxing day at the pool, DO NOT BRING Fifty Shades of Grey with you. Apparently everyone has heard about the book and wants to either: 

A) Ask you about it

B) Share their opinion

Summary:

#1 - Ana bites her lip A LOT.

#2 - I can’t say I would recommend the series, but then again I haven’t stopped reading it. I am starting on book two now.

HAPPY FRIDAY! 

Pinned It.

It's my tenth week in a row to link with The Vintage Apple for Oh, How Pinteresting Wednesday! This week's theme:

Creative Cooking

I thought all of these were really creative ideas! I'm constantly amazed by how creative people are!

Freeze whip cream on a cookie sheet and use a cookie cutter to cut out a heart.

Source: dondalees.com via Lauren on Pinterest

Summer Mimosa - Orange Sherbert and Champagne

Source: pbpickles.com via Lauren on Pinterest

Shut the front door. There is  a  Reese’s inside of that cupcake and Reese’s are my FAVORITE!

 

Source: bakeitinacake.com via Lauren on Pinterest

I have a bad feeling that this is a cake I'll be able to make more than once.

Source: imgfave.com via Lauren on Pinterest

Weekend Recap - Otey's Fest

Last night Chad and I met up with Morgan, Mike, Allise, and Josh for the

4th Annual Otey's Fest

at Otey's Tavern in Crestline Village. This year Otey's Fest was held to benefit UAB's Comprehensive Cancer Center. 

The weather was a little cooler than it has been the past couple of weekends and there was a stage set up outside for live music featuring:

The Hurlers

 The Eliot Morris Duo

Secondhand Jive

Rollin' In The Hay

 Chad, me, Allise and Josh

 Even BIG AL was at Otey's Fest!! 

ROLL TIDE!!!!

There are three chic villages in Mountain Brook:

English Village
Mountain Brook Village

Crestline Village

Otey's Tavern is in Crestline Village and there are lots of neat restaurants in all three of the villages. We had heard great things about a little Mexican restaurant named Taco Mama. I'm so glad we listened to the recommendations because after having dinner there on Saturday, I've decided it is my new favorite Mexican Place in Birmingham!! Bright lights are hanging outside and two sliding garage type doors are raised to open up the restaurant when the weather is nice. Chad had the Alabama Redneck Tacos which are pork tacos and I had an order of build your own nachos. After dinner we headed back to Otey's for more live music.

 Today was a pretty lazy day!! Allise and I rented  

This Means War

I ABSOLUTELY LOVED THE MOVIE!!! I do love a good chick-flick and Chris Pine's looks alone can make any movie amazing. If you haven't seen This Means War and you like movies such as How to Lose a Guy in Ten Days, Sweet Home Alabama, and/or any other girlie movie then you have to rent it!!

I hate the weekend is coming to an end, but I am excited for

The Bachelorette

tomorrow night. I can't believe there are only two episodes left! Jef is still my favorite!

Friday's Fancies - Wedding Guest

Lately I have been all about LACE! I started with a purchase of a lace dress when Spring clothing came out, but I didn’t stop there. I now have two lace dresses and two lace shirts. I am incorporating my love of lace into this week’s Friday’s Fancies theme with Long Distance Loving

What to Wear: Wedding Guest

My Friday’s Fancies # 85

 

The Wedding Guest by scarbrough featuring alexander mcqueen handbags

1 - Pink Lace Bodycon Dress – wallisfashion.com

2 - EMILIO PUCCI Pearl Lace Dress – StyleBop.com

3 - Periwinkle Lace Dress – ModCloth.com

4 - Jimmy Choo - Margy Heels

5 – Alexander McQueen Clutch

6 – Stella & Dot Earrings

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Pinterest Wednesday - Monograms

Maybe I like to lay claim to my belongings? Maybe I just like my initials? Either way, this week I am into monogramming!


I am linking up with The Vintage Apple for the Eighth Week in a row for another Pinteresting Wednesday.

Let's start with jewelry - Necklace #1

Source: moonandlola.com via Lauren on Pinterest

Necklace #2 (MY FAVORITE) - The only reason I don't already have this is because I'm still debating the color choice.

Source: moonandlola.com via Lauren on Pintereest

Initial Bracelet

Source: via Lauren on Pinterest

Monogram iPhone Case

Source: workathome24h.com via AlidaPfaff on Pinterest

Monogram Shower Curtain

Source: etsy.com via Lauren on Pinterest

Koozies

Source: haymarketdesigns.com via Lauren on Pinterest

 Monogram Pillow

Source: zhush.com via Natalie on Pinterest

and even a comfy monogrammed t-shirt

Source: etsy.com via Lauren on Pinterest

I'd gladly accept one of each. :)

Eat Dessert First.

"Life is short. Eat dessert first."

I have to start my Weekend Recap off with DESSERT! What better way to start of the weekend than with dessert? I headed home from work to try a recipe I'd seen on Pinterest that looked insanely easy and it turned out SO GOOD!! I don't recommend many things, but this you HAVE TO TRY!! You only need 3 things: crescent rolls, peanut butter, and chocolate chips.

Just roll out the crescent rolls, spread peanut butter on top, and then add chocolate chips! I had milk chocolate and white chocolate chips so I added a little of both and put them in the oven for 11 minutes at 375. I thought they turned out perfect. Now I just need to come up with a really good name for them.

 Chad and I spent Saturday afternoon at the pool and I'm getting close to finishing Fifty Shades of Grey (I've yet to figure out the obsession).

"You had me at CINNAMON ROLL."

Saturday night was DATE NIGHT!! We had dinner at Micheal's Steak and Seafood Restaurant inside Aloft Hotel in downtown Homewood (also referred to as SOHO). It's one of my favorite areas here.

As soon as we ordered dinner, we were served bread. Not just any bread, but CINNAMON ROLLS (dessert first, please and thank you). I decided this place had my approval before we had even seen our entrees. I am a semi-seafood snob. I love good fish and Micheal's definitely has my approval!! I had grilled salmon and Chad had blackened grouper. I've added Michael's to my TOP 3 restaurants in Birmingham. 

While we  were at dinner, we ran into another couple from Troy that is now living in Birmingham and stayed for drinks with them to catch up on some Troy gossip.

GUITAR HERO

Confession... At 26 and 27 we definitely spent part of our weekend playing Guitar Hero. I've never played before and let me just say - I AM BEYOND TERRIBLE!! It's frustrating to be so bad at something (especially when you have the level set on EASY), but at the same time it was hilarious and I'll definitely play again!!

I hope everyone had a great weekend!!