updating...

If you happen to be browsing around this evening, BEWARE! I am in the midst of making a few changes. :)

wedding wednesday

{Though I've been blogging for some time now, and a lot of my posts are focused on our wedding, I've never done an official "wedding wednesday" post. So, here goes nothing!}

CSB and I picked up our printed save the dates today. So. excited! He has been a good little groom and gathered all of his addresses... Me? Not so much. 

Now, to decide on how to address them! We are going with (100% recycled!) kraft paper envelopes. I have always loved using kraft paper for projects and as stationary and thought the envelopes would be a fun touch. Now, to decide how to address said envelopes. CSB is dead set on printing them. Me? Not so much. I have an obsession with all things written, pens, and paper and have already decided I will be addressing both our save the dates and invitations. 

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Which one is your favorite? Did you undertake the task of addressing your own invites? 

save the date decision: made!

I've gone back and forth and back again on save the date ideas (you can follow here and here). Well, a decision has finally been made. {I'm pretty sure CSB was going to pick up cards from the dollar general and send them out if I didn't make a decision this week!} Though I am not going to reveal the ones we decided on, I will give you a preview of those in the running: 

We just ordered envelopes last night... AND I will be hand addressing them all once we get them printed. So, it may be a few weeks before the reveal but I will share them as soon at the are out and received by guest! 

P.S. We are saving a ton of money DIYing. I looked at several online and would be spending $300-$500... The grand total of of DIY will be under $75! 

neutral nails

Good friends of CSB and I got married on Saturday night here in Nashville. K was a beautiful bride and J and handsome groom! The wedding was held at the Parthenon/Centennial park and we had a great time. On Saturday morning I realized my nails were a mess, but didn't want to put anything with much color on them because they are currently super short (my first week of work did them in, apparently!). I tan easily and have an olive complexion but with a lot of pink undertones. I'm yet to find a good light pink/nude I love and that provides the coverage I want (I hate seeing through it!). 

Enter OPI's San Tan-Tonio: 

Love. it. 

This picture is a little dark, but it gives you an idea! The color is perfect with my skin and will be my official go-to neutral color from here on out! 

P.S. Our engagement pictures are finally here! Pop on over and check us out on Summer's blog. :) 

featured blogger

I'm a few days late, but such is life! I was featured on GentriLee's blog on Friday! Check it out here and browse around while you're there!

it's Wednesday, right?

I already know the answer to this question. It is indeed NOT Wednesday, but Thursday. In fact, it's already Friday on the east coast! Whew!

It's been a whirlwind week (story of my life in the past few months). I began my first big-girl job this week and love it. I am exhausted, granted, but it's completely worth it. I am working at a local non-profit clinic for autism. Seriously, I know it's only one week in but in addition to loving the job in general I am also pretty excited about the people with which I work! And I am obsessed with the kids. Love, love, love them! They are so adorable, fun, and have endless potential. Do they require extra patience sometimes? Sure. But it's what I was made to do so I don't feel like it's too tough to provide, if that makes sense.

The perk about not realizing it was Thursday until this afternoon when my sweet neighbor reminded me it was Grey's season finale? The fact that tonight was the season finale! I am one of those folks who has watched from episode 1 and still watch every week. Sure, some seasons have been better than others, and some episodes better than others (Singing Greys? No thank you!). I still watch every week and allow myself to completely buy into the storyline. Any other fans out there?? It was a cliff hanger and of course I am already ready for the next season.

Paisley has been a bad puppy this week. As in I offered her up for adoption to anyone who mentioned the word "dog" in the last 48 hours. She was an angel on Monday. Tuesday? An angel. Wednesday? Not so much. Wednesday was tough for Paisley. She not only pottied on her nice bed downstairs but also chewed up a corner of the living room rug. I was NOT happy when I got home! Last night, while sitting at the dinner table, CSB glanced around into the living room to catch her chewing on the rug AGAIN. Needless to say, neither of us were entertained by her choice of chew toy. We sprayed lots of bitter apple (doggie safe!) spray onto the rug but it didn't phase her. Oh, my sweet puppy...

Ummm, I have no idea while I saved this for the end (best for last!) possibly because I am exhausted (have you seen a theme in my last several posts?). I am a featured blogger this week for GentriLee! She has a fun, adorable blog and I just won a MEGA giveaway! I cannot wait to share it with you once I receive my goodiess. :) Be sure to head over and check her out. I'll direct you her way again once the post is up.

That is all for the evening, this little girl needs some sleep!

Dr. L. Caroline

This weekend has been amazing! 

I am officially a graduate. Dr. L. Caroline. :) 

I am exhausted at this point but wanted to quickly post a few pictures from the weekend. I was blessed to have not only my family in town but also CSB's parents. It was a great weekend of family bonding! 

Here are a few of my favorite pictures from the weekend. 

My sweet mamma and I. I would not be where I am today without her! 

My 2 favorite boys. 

My momma and my soon-to-be momma B! 

Paisley. :) 

CSB and I Friday afternoon. 

CSB and I downtown before dinner Friday night. 

Graduation day! 

CSB is excited. :) 

Sweet Paise got in on the picture-taking. (Yes, she's in my lap on the kitchen counter.)

 A close up. 

Two of my absolute favorite people on earth! You've heard all about my little brother. I could not have made it through grad school without my Rebeks and I am so glad she was with us Saturday!

I have more to say... But I am calling it an evening! 

Oh, P.S. Check out my blog friend's awesome giveaway! 

And ENTER NOW- it's over tonight. :)

silly save the dates...

Oh, save the dates... I planned to get our save the dates out LONG before now. As in, at least by last month. Guess what? They aren't out yet. 

Not only are they not out, they aren't even printed yet. 

Even more truthfully? I haven't even decided (definitely) on a design. 

It's on my short-term "to do" list. Right below "pick up cap and gown", "register car in TN", and "apply for passport". It may or may not happen this week. 

In other news, the dad is in town for graduation. He came in a few days early and is bumming around until the weekend. We enjoyed lunch (with Paisley in tow!) on the patio of local coffee shop and ran errands this afternoon. He suprised me with a CAMERA for graduation. I am so excited!! Mine bit the dust a little over a year ago and CSB has generously let me use his since. However, it's on it's last leg and I planned to buy one post-employment. I can now share non-iPhone photos! Wooo-hoo! 

Maybe I'll put my dad to work on assembling save the dates... Hmmmm, could be interesting. 

Paisley and I are off to her last night of puppy school tonight! Hopefully she will graduate. :) Though she still has a long way to go, she learned alot! 

Engagement picture update: It didn't rain! In fact, the weather was perfect. It was a little warm but overall really nice. Summer was SO sweet and great to work with. I CANNOT wait to see the pictures! And will share a few when I get them, of course. :) 

That's about all for this lovely Wednesday afternoon. 3 more days and I will be an official graduate! :) Dr. LCM it is! 

first wedding gift

On Friday evening I attended a very special event for a very special person (who also happens to be my junior bridesmaid!). 

Sweet S has been a part of my life for almost 10 wonderful years. I very vividly remember the first time I ever babysat for her when she was only 5 months old. She has grown into a very talented, intelligent, and compassionate young lady and I cannot wait to see what her future holds. 

On Friday, S's art was featured at a local studio and I showed up and suprised her! The look on her face was priceless and I am so very glad I was able to make the trip and view all of her wonderful pieces. The girl is talented! 

(Pictures courtesy of Izzy the iPhone because (of course) I forgot my camera...) 

When I arrived, my eyes immediately gravitated toward a painting of a boot but I gave it little thought after spotting a red dot, indicating it had been sold. I admired the boot, but notice the title of the piece, moving around the room to look at everything else. A few minutes later I asked J, S's mom, to get a picture of S and I. She strategically placed us in front of the cowboy boot and made a comment about it. At this point I turned around and read the placard: "LORI'S WEDDING BOOT". S then told me it was her wedding gift to me. My sweet girl. I was very excited and cannot wait to hang it up in our house after the wedding! 

I also purchased these little guys to hang in the kitchen. Love! 

preppity prep prep

...for pictures tomorrow. I feel as if I am going overboard! However, I think it's more of a reflection of the neglect my appearance has received during the last month or so as I've been completely immersed in school. The eyebrows need some attention and the fingers and toes are in desperate need of a little polish! The momma and I went shopping last night last minute. She did not love one of the dresses I originally planned to wear for engagement pictures. And was not shy about telling me- one of the reasons I love my mom, I don't worry about her not being honest! Granted, I am twenty-something and perfectly capable of dressing myself but I still value my mom's opinion. 

So, I thought I'd give a little preview! 

The good folks at J.Crew chased this dress down for me and I love it! It will also be perfect for a summer shower or date night. 

I tried this Lilly on last week but didn't get it... I went back last night and it came home with me. I had to go a size up and need a few alterations (TODAY, haha!). A classic. 

Lastly, I still haven't decided what my third option will be... Either jeans + top + boots OR another dress + boots. I have been incredibly indecisive. Like I said, making more out of this than I should?? 

P.S. I've been on the lookout for white jeans. After I came home yesterday wearing my all time favorite white pants I've had since my junior year in high school (almost 10 years!!) my mom decided to help in my purchase due to the saggy/bagginess of my current pair. I found the cutest pair at Talbots last night and can't wait to wear them! 

Any Derby fans out there? If so, I am sure you've seen the Vineyard Vines KY Derby collection. Love it! CSB is a big fan off all things horse racing and has been eyeing the ties in the collection for some time. I suprised him with one for this weekend! 

(I actually got the tie in this print, I just couldn't find it online!) 

suprises and sweets

Preface: This is a random, long post... I'm still playing catch up from last week! There are a few pictures so feel free to skip on down...

Last week I officially finished my residency project (you can read more about it here). After sixteen long weeks of work I was relieved to turn in my nearly 200 page thick portfolio and breath a BIG sigh of relief. (I didn't really know what to do with myself for the first day) Anyway, on Friday, day two of temporary freedom before I began studying for the NBCOT, a mysterious package appeared from Amazon.
Hmmmm... I didn't think I had ordered anything. I opened the box to find another box inside.
Those silly Amazonians!
I then opened that box to find a little piece of heaven. 

Actually, 12 little pieces of heaven. 

One of my very bestests (not a word, I know, but it's 1 in the morning and I am allowed) from college sent me a sweet note congratulating me on finishing residency and a box of bags of my favorite snack food ever. It made my entire week!

Another suprise (well, kind of suprise... CSB had already spilled the beans on the fact he was ordering me one for graduation) came in the mail last Saturday. I was baking away when the doorbell rang. I walked to the door, apron-clad and with a spatula in my hand (and I wondered why the FexEx man took a step back when I answered...) and accepted a second mysterious package. CSB intervened quickly and ushered me to a chair, instructing me to close my eyes. I'll save you the suspence (riiiiight). 

This little guy now has a home in the guest room/office: 

note: This may not be the exact model... But mine looks really similar! I haven't used it yet but CANNOT wait! 

Finally, CSB suprised me with "just because" flowers on Saturday. Tulips, my absolute favorite. :) Of course I don't have a picture... He certainly spoiled me last week.

On to the sweets! I made goodies for one of our neighbor/friend's little boy's first birthday on Saturday. The cupcakes and smash cake were so much fun to make! 

Last but certainly not least, I got a job! A real life, big girl, pay check included, JOB! :) I'll share more soon. 

engagement pictures, T-minus 4 days!

Our engagement pictures are in 4 days... First of all, I really hope the weather is nice.
As of Monday it was forecasted to be high 84/low 61 and mostly sunny with 10% chance of precipitation. As of this morning the forecast was a high of 81/low 60 and mostly sunny with a 10% chance of precipitation...
NOW, however, the forecast is a high of 78/low of 60 and a 40% chance of thunderstorms. No buenos.
Eh, I'd rather it rain this Saturday than on October 15.

I am completely unprepared to embark on this said photo shoot. Firstly, I HATE having my picture taken. Despise it. Secondly, I haven't sent my ever-so-patient photographer a single inspiration picture. Oh my.

I have, however, chosen 2 of the 3 outfits I am going to wear. I can't decide if there will be a third, yet. I am SO stinking excited, as tracking down one of the J.Crew dresses was a feat, and i love. it. And I got my hair done last Friday. I was in dire need. And the mom and I are getting manicures and pedicures on Thursday night. I should probably throw in an eyebrow wax on Thursday, now that I am thinking about it... Also, CSB and I are going to stake out our location tomorrow at lunch.

I'm guilty of some serious engagement picture stalking this evening. Here are a few I will be sending along to my photographer for inspiration! Did I mention we plan to have Paisley in a few pictures?

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Any suggestions?