How do you know your wedding dress is perfect for you/meant to be/the dress you were meant to wear?

When you put it on and it fits like a glove. And not a loose glove. A perfectly form fitting-in-the-right places glove that makes you feel like a million bucks. Went to meet with a seamstress to pin for alterations today. It didn’t need ANY.

I love it. I can’t wait to debut it. I hope everyone loves it as much as I do. Because ya’ll, I may never take it off.

currently reading:

If you haven’t read any Jennifer Haigh books and are looking for some quality summer reads, look no further. It is an understatement to say I’ve read several of her books this summer. I have devoured them, in less than 48 hours a piece, and am on my way to the library to get another. She is witty and seamlessly weaves her characters lives together. Just can’t put her down.

Of course I’m reading HP 7 in an attempt to jog my memory before the second installment of HP 7 movies this summer. I’ve got to be that obnoxious girl in the movie that is constantly whispering to her mother and sister, “That is NOT how that scene went. Harry didn’t say that in the book….RON did.” Nerd me if you want.

Melissa recommended the Sweet Potato book, and its one that has been on my radar for awhile. It will be my next read to tackle!

Jen Lancaster books = laugh out loud fluff, perfect to read by the pool or on the beach. These memoirs are sarcastic and witty, and I find myself literally LOLing at her crassness and willingness to voice things that most people would be mortified to say. She is a hoot.

A Wild Ride up the Cupboards was picked up in a totally random, judge a book by its cover moment. I have no idea what it will be like, but I’m intrigued!

currently eating:

Real Simple has done it again. This recipe caught my eye with its use of leeks and spinach, two of my new favorite ingredients to cook with. RS recommended using shrimp with this recipe (along with about a gallon of heavy cream. oops on that bridal diet), but try as I might, I just cannot like shrimp! It is one of the only picky things leftover from my childhood eating habits, but I cannot bring myself to down a shrimp. Never going to happen. So I will take my vegetarian pasta with extra leeks and spinach and enjoy it!

currently making:

Here is a little glimpse at the upcoming wedding theme. I have been making these organza fabric flowers to add a little pizazz to the grey bridesmaid dresses. The flowers are in all of the neutral colors I am currently loving and that are quickly becoming my “wedding colors.” Nudes, blush pinks, creams, taupes. Love them. These flower belts/sashes will hopefully add the delicate touch I’m going for and tie in seamlessly with the rest of the wedding decor. Bridesmaids, I hope you like them!

currently loving:

This terrible picture. A classic Berkley impromptu shot, it captured my sweatiness and griping about yet another picture. Logan looks ready to spit at the camera. We are very good at taking a pretty rotten picture. Too funny and captures the moment perfectly.

What are you currently doing in your summer?

Melissa and I have been cracking ourselves up lately with the “problems” we are encountering this summer. We fully recognize our stereotypical whiteness and the supposed “issues” we face in our terribly difficult white middle class world. I’m sharing them with you so you can (hopefully) get as much of a giggle out of privelege as we do.

“OH NO. I just smudged my OPI Get in Lime nail polish for the second time. I’m going to have to do another coat and it’s going to take forever to dryyyy.”

“My hair will just not hold any curl in this NC summer humidity! I’m going to have a terrible hair summer, so why am I even trying!” (verge of a 23 year old temper tantrum)

“If I’m making all of these fabric flowers, I should start an Etsy shop! Oh but what in the world would I call it! I would never be able to make a decision or come up with something cute enough….”

“Which nude pumps should I buy that could transition throughout all the seasons and go with the majority of my clothes? Should I get the ones with the wooden soles? Or the ones with the platform toes? Wedge? Peep toe? Slingback? Too many choices!”

“Ugh. The apartment complex is out of creamer again! I mean you would think with the rent we pay we could get some creamer in the morning! (With our complimentary Keurig individually brewed coffee)

Ya’ll. I need to clarify, we are not as bratty as this makes us sound. After these comments (most of which are made in jest, promise) we have to giggle and then say a quick prayer for the less fortunate of the world. All of these trivial matters only serve to remind us that we lead extremely blessed lives and that our time and efforts can always be put to better use (than stressing over nail polish and shoes). If nothing else, these comments bring us back to earth as soon as they are uttered and remind us to CHECK OURSELVES. Nevertheless, enjoy our ridiculousness. We do.

We had a lovely weekend at the wedding of Sarah Anne and Bailey. It was a fabulous time to catch up with friends and spend some time chatting and dancing it up. She had the wedding in her grandmother’s backyard in historic Bath. Her house was right on the sound and it was simply picturesque. Despite the 26 bug bites I took away as souvenirs and my incredibly sweaty fiance, it was a perfect evening and a great celebration for the Watkins’!

bffle reunion.

delicate touches.

roomsoulmate picture.

cool can and cool coco.

breathtaking sunset!

our wedding favor - monogrammed glasses designed by Ms. Emily herself!

The lovely couple. Is her dress not to die for?

Beverage boat. Loved it saran.

Boo pic.

It was such a nice night! I loved every bit and loved being a part of their day.

Everyone said, you are next!!! So with that note, I’m off to plan!

This one turned 27 last weekend. We had some softball. We had some supper club. We had some biscuits. We had some outdoor movies. We had some celebration. We welcomed his 27th year together with smiles.

He asked for some action shots. So killer swing, take one.

Flipping the score as he brought home another run.

First course of the Yum Yum Supper Club extravaganza. It was heavenly.

Third course. I think those were beer battered and fried okras? Whatever they were they were delicious and they were gone!

Official birthday = birthday biscuit from Sunrise Biscuit Kitchen. Big boy food!

So, happy birthday boo. You are loved!

Ya’ll, Melissa and I stumbled on a new food phenomenon from our beloved Durham tonight. Enter The Parlour. It’s an old refinished school bus, painted white, that serves gourmet-esque and homemade ice cream at a non-gourmet price. Not only are they serving delicious ice cream, but they have flavors like salted butter caramel, and honey chai. WHAT?

Not only that, but can we talk toppings? Berenbaum’s Donuts. Mocha whipped cream. Ginger butterscotch. Again, WHAT?

Friends, I fully intend to hunt that bus down this weekend and indulge myself in some major sweet treats. It’s a good thing that my fiance (it’s still nuts to call him that) and my best friend share my affinity for all things sweet, otherwise I might come off as a little nutty. Luckily, they are right there with me salivating after the endless supply of brownies, doughnut muffins, and pie that Durham has to serve up.

So, mission for the weekend? FIND THAT TRUCK. I will report back as soon as I have sampled (hopefully more than one flavor) and most assuredly loved. Ice cream here we come!

Friends, I am dreaming of this mixer, DREAMING! I can almost taste all of the wonderful treats I could bake if I had this thing. It is the one thing I will be totally heartbroken about if I don’t get it during all the wedding festivities. I have long admired my mother’s and now my own is within my grasp. For such an avid baker like myself, it only makes sense. Right? Am I justifying? Or just lusting after such a fine piece of kitchen machinery? It’s beautiful. And I need one in my future kitchen! :::sigh:::