Addiction?

Admitting you have a problem is the first step in recovery, right? Well here is my admission......

I have a Pinterest problem.

 

There, I said it. Wow, I feel better now that I've gotten it off my chest. Seriously though, I'm scared to admit just how much time I waste spend pinning and re-pinning different images. I'm still just a bridesmaid in life but if you looked at my boards, you would think I'm getting married next week! You would also think I'm the kinda gal that can whip up crazy good things in the kitchen. I am here to tell you that while I can cook, and I do know my way around a kitchen, I will not attempted a 28395718346534975 layer cake with sparklers and mini circus adorning it. Sorry, I'm not that kinda gal. 

Maybe one day when someone else is paying my/our bills and I don't have a full-time job. Also I have a feeling I'm going to need a gourmet kitchen so I'm going to have to move first. 

Do you see all the problems that said cake has already caused?!?! Apparently, I few things to work on in the near future.

However, today Pinterest got something right. I stumbled across this...

I could not have said it better myself. I've been contemplating going to CO. I'm doing it. I needed that last push to pony-up the credit card and bit the bullet. Thank you Pinterest and might I add, well played. Lure me back in just as I was facing my problem head on.

Happy Friday!

Southern Gal

Remembering

My Grandma is on the left with one of her friends. They were on a road trip in their early twenties to visit their soldiers. This was pre-WWII because their road trip was to the military base where their men were training. My grandparents weren't married at this point and wouldn't get married for at least another four years while my grandfather was stationed in Europe. 

The point of this is that today marks two years since my Grandma passed away. I still miss her everyday and my Sunday nights are still weird without our weekly talks. Fortunately I remember every word of our last Sunday night talk because it was the day my nephew was born. I am so lucky that I got to spend 27 years with her but mostly I wish I could have one more talk or visit with her. 

I have lots of times where I'm jealous of my brother and cousins. I'm the only grandchild that didn't get to introduce their significant other to our Grandma (remember, I'm forever a bridesmaid ha). With that, I know that I will be able to cherish stories, family history, and moments that she shared with me that my brother and cousins didn't get. 

She held our family together and one day I would like to be able to step into her shoes. She was a smart lady and often I catch myself wondering what advice she would give me for a given situation. I also know she didn't like to miss a party so when our family is together, I know somewhere she is mad that she is missing the fun!

If you still have a grandparent, call, visit, hug, kiss them right now!

XOXO,

Southern Gal

The Seasons Have Changed

There is so much to celebrate today! I don't even know where to begin. I guess I'll start with the most obvious! 

It's the most wonderful time of the year......college football season!! I am beyond excited! Of course I have my red and white on today. I can't wait to skip out of the office and into my local bar to cheer for some touchdowns today!

My next celebration is fall is almost here. FB is a frenzy of pumpkin lattes and football excitement. You know fall is on its way when Starbucks pulls out the pumpkin. So ready to kiss these 90 degree temps goodbye and say hello to a crisp fall day.

Finally, I hope the skies are clear tonight because there is a Blue Moon. There won't be another blue moon until 2015. I'd like to see it. I know I sound like a dweeb but it might be cool. Maybe I'll dance to Frank's Blue Moon under a real Blue Moon after drinking Blue Moon tonight. (Man, I'm good at this game!)

Happy Friday and Go Pack!

S.O.S.

Sickness

I've decided that summer sickness is the worst! Absolute. Worst. Ever.

I was out of work for three days this week. If you know me, I don't take sick days. Especially three in a row. I had every possible funk all rolled up into one. All I wanted was to pull out fleece pjs, stocks, hoodies, but it was way too hot for all that. Blah.

I watched way too much tv over the past few days. Since its still summer, there was only one new show on my DVR. Thank you Dance Moms (I can't give you a link bc Lifetime.com is blocked at work?) for giving me one hour of entertainment over the past 3 days. Theres a new dancer and mom in town and they are gonna be a handful! I wonder if she'll dance at Nationals. Do you think Maddie will have a solo at Nationals?? Drama, drama.

It got so bad, that last night I watched an hour special on Lizzie Borden AND an hour special on Jack the Ripper.  The show last night found James Kelly guilty of the Jack the Ripper killings. Apparently there were 10 total across London and the US. I also watched the series final of Teen Mom (tear). I'm gonna miss those silly girls! I really do hope Amber gets her life together.

Today is my Monday and tomorrow is Friday with a three day weekend. I've got all my days completely out of whack now. I have a feeling I'll be even more confused at some point next week.

Lesson the week- take your vitamins year round. 

I hope the germs stay far away!

S.O.S.

Clean Laundry

Everytime, without fail, a little grey furball burrows into my clean, fresh out of the dryer, laundry.

I guess her nose was cold! 

Happy Friday, Y'all,

SOS

PS- I promise those sheets, pillowcases, and pajamas are clean!

4 Month Reflection

Yesterday marked four months of being at my new job- uhh, how did that happen?! Sometimes I feel like I've been here forever and other days, I feel like its my first day.

I can say, without question, that changing jobs was the best thing. My stress levels appreciate it, my checkbook loves it, my family and friends see a huge change in me. Granted, while I LOVED my old job and coworkers, I was burnt out. The reality is, that happens. Its no one's fault. It was just the nature of that job. 

I have learned so much at my new job. Its amazing to see the differences between a state nonprofit and a national nonprofit. I have all the good corporate benefits (my insurance is out of this world!, and I have support everywhere I look) yet still have the "we roll up our sleeves and get the job done" mentality. Since I have never worked corporate America, I can't accurately compare- just my assumptions. But my blog so I can assume away!

I've also been surprised how much knowledge I've been able to apply from my old job. I'm no longer in the MH/DD field and I'm no longer doing design work so I wasn't sure how many skills would transfer.

I've made it through 3/4 of our events, all were in June. We have one major event left for the year and that will be a breeze compared to June.

I'm thrilled where life is taking me and I haven't looked back once!

Cheers,
Southern Gal

Summer Reading #2

Thank you for your summer reading suggestions that y'all emailed me.

I have read...

White Girl Problems

Image
This was hilarious! I could totally identify friends/myself throughout the book. It was a quick read and very entertaining. Her adventures had me laughing with every turn of the page. If you are looking for something serious, profound, etc, then I suggest you find another book.

The Secret Lives of Dresses

Image

This book was really sweet. It is sad in parts but I found myself cheering on the protagonist. I did cry but I would read it again. Its a quick read! I just found it at the book store and bought it on a whim. Two thumbs up.

Fifty Shades of Grey trilogy 

Image

I'm sure you have heard lots of opinions about these books. I liked them for what they are. They aren't meant to be the next great American novels or Shakespeare. They are fan-lit. There is more to the storyline than wild, insane sex. By book 3, I found myself wanting to get to the story!

Bitter is the New Black

Image

Jen Lancaster is hilarious. This was her first book she wrote and its based on her own life. She is raw, honest, funny, and real. Truthfully, I appreciated her snotty-ness.

Current Read...

Preppy in Plaid

 Image

I'm only about 20 pages in so I don't have much of an impression at the moment. (Same author as Bitter is the New Black)

Next...

Gone Girl, Summer Rental, Spring Fever, and Bright Lights, Big Ass

These books are recommendations but I'm not sure what order I'll read them in. I'll probably read Gone Girl so I can return it to a friend. Its about a wife that goes missing. I LOVE borrowing books instead of paying for them! Bright Lights, Big Ass is another Jen Lancaster book. I saw Spring Fever on BitP blog and from that I found Summer Rental. I'll let yall know how they go.

Edit- I also have I Totally Meant to do That in my queue. A director from my old job talked nonstop about this book so maybe I'll have to squeeze this in very soon.

What else have you been reading this summer??

Happy Reading,

Southern Gal

No Cake for You!

Sadly my dreams were smashed last night and I won't be frolicking in the land of icing bags, sugar flowers, and piping tips.

My friend, K, and I arrived at my cake decorating class about 30 mins early to pay for the class and get settled. Well we got there and the lady looked at us like we was crazy. Ok, so maybe she was super polite, but the reality is she snatched my dreams from me. I. BLAME. HER. There I said it.

Let me tell you what happened.

We walked in and asked what we was suppose to do, where we was suppose to go. Miss Dream-Snatcher looked at me and asked me where my supplies were. Well I didn’t have any. I thought since I was paying for the class, that would cover my supplies. Neither one of us had supplies. Miss D-S pulled out a supply list from her handy-dandy notebook and informed K and I that there was no way we could gather all our supplies before class started. Thanks for that vote of confidence. 

Anyways, said list would have been helpful last week! Keep in mind there is NO supply list anywhere on the website. Also when we called to confirm, no supply list was mentioned. K and I are smart people so I REALLY want to know how the other people in the class knew what to bring. It wasn't fair.

So maybe Miss D-S didn’t smash my dreams into a trillion pieces, but she messed up my cake plans this month AND K's birthday. Yes, yesterday was K's birthday and the fine people at AC Moore ruined it. I hope they feel guilty.

 I just want to learn how to make a nice basket weave on a cupcake. Seriously, am I asking too much?! AC Moore, you are now on my S*** List! Maybe I’ll go take the class at Michael’s instead.

S.O.S.

Sugarland

I bet you're thinking this is post is going to be about the wonderful musical styles of Sugarland, but you are wrong my friend.

Tonight I start my cake decorating class. Every Tuesday evening for the next four weeks you will find me frolicking in the land of icing bags, sugar flowers, piping tips, and I am beyond excited!!!

Via

The cake above is my goal. I want to make it one day. I love the way the color fades as you go up. I love the texture. I just love it. 

I have been wanting to take a cake decorating class for some time now and I'm thrilled that I have prioritized it.  Remember back when I made my list To Do List. Well here we go!!

I can't wait to tell you all about it!!

XOXO,

S.O.S.

Vacation Love

I am on vacation at the beach and I am beyond relaxed. We've had thunderstorms every afternoon. On two afternoons the thunderstorms have given us double rainbows! I'm not sure you can see the second rainbow in this picture, but its there!! Do you see it?

When I was on study abroad, I learned that double rainbows mean good luck. Do I get double the amount of good luck since I saw double rainbows on Sunday AND Monday?? 

I hope your week is as relaxing as mine! 

Hi! Are you there?

Hello there!!

I'm back!! Are you ready for this?! Because I am. Seriously, I feel guilty that I haven't made blogging a priority like I promised myself I would. However, I have been out and about.

There’s no way to go back and go into detail about everything but I'll do an overview. After that, I'm moving forward. I was slightly overwhelmed with the idea of having to go back and talk about everything AND blog about current events. Therefore I just didn't blog. Opps!

Thank you for all the summer reading suggestions yall have emailed me. I have read several books so far this summer and now I'm in the middle of 50 Shades of Grey. OMG! Don't tell me what happens but I can barely put that book down!

Life has finally calmed down. And I honestly mean that. Three work events (a two day bike event, a week of summer camp, and a black tie gala) in June was a bit much. We got them done and came through with flying colors. I've learned so much at this job already. My boss is amazing. He is fully confident in me and appreciates hard work. I'm very happy!

I have finally finished the last of the moving boxes and hung everything on the walls last weekend. It feels like home now. I can't thank my friend Shannon enough for coming over and helping. I'll take some pictures this weekend to give yall a tour.

Let’s see what has happened in the capital city lately....
Kt Pav got engaged!
Stacia got married
Shannon and Pat moved to the capital city
Pav asked me to be one of her bridesmaids. That’s wedding #11 ;)
I survived a wild work month!
I've had some dates. Maybe I won't be the eternal bridesmaid haha
I finally feel like I'm not living out of boxes, my car, my suitecase, etc. Oh happy day!

Upcoming funs...
A whole week at the beach! Yay vacation
Cake decorating class. Working on that bucket list...
Kelly's bridal shower. Kelly and I have been friends since 1st grade and she is getting married this fall. I can't believe after all these years, we still keep in touch.
Baby Fogleman is due this fall
A dinner party to celebrate the upcoming arrival of Baby Fogleman

Okay, I think that sums up life around here. I'll post pictures, hopefully this evening.

XO,

Southern Gal

Summer Reading?

I need your help.

What are you reading this summer?? My nightstand is empty as of this weekend. I finished two books and now I have nothing to read. For some reason I read more in the summer plus I have a FULL week at the beach in July. I need to be prepared for beach reading!

Whats on your nightstand? Whats your book list? Whats your favorite book? Who is your favorite author?

By the way, I have not read 50 Shades of Grey. Is it worth it?

Thanks!

Southern Gal

IOU

I know I keep promising lots of great pictures, posts, stories, etc but I haven't delivered. I'm sorry!

Here is my IOU list-

1. S + P wedding part II
2. S + C wedding- I discovered my talent for setting up a candy bar!
3. New house tour
4. New job update (Tour de Cure is a semi-update)
5. My trip to DC

For now, here are some pictures of life

Yay peonies!

I received this beauty the other day in a text. That's Sara and I when we were like 4 years old- baby dolls and dress up!

I learned a new drinking game! Have you played Four Corner?

And of course, a sleeping princess!

Happy Hump Day,

S.O.S.



I Survied!

I survived my first Tour de Cure. 2 days, 500 riders, 200+ miles, countless volunteers, and one capri pants sunburn lines.

Here is the Start Line on Day 1 (my 3am wake up call)

From the Start Line, the riders either headed out on an 85 mile route or a 100 mile route to the overnight site.

Sunday was a day long event as well. We had the 25 mile route, 50 mile route, Family Fun Ride, bouncey houses, face painting, and cheering the riders as they crossed the finish line.

I got a killer sunburn on Sunday. My coworkers told me it looked like I had red knee-highs on yesterday because my shins/calves were sooooo red. They still hurt!

Thinking about training for next year's event???

xoxo,

Southern Gal

The Other Side of 3am

I failed my Memorial Day weekend goal. I didn't blog. Does life ever slow down?!

Tour de Cure started today! Its a two day bike event to raise funds to cure diabetes. AKA, supporting this event is my new job. Yes, I started 6 weeks before a 2-day, 200 mile, road bike event. I'm crazy. I've learned my job at the busiest time of the year. I left my old job at the tail end of a busy season, just to start a new job in the midst of busy season. Seriously, I'm ready for down time. My soul is yearning for sandy feet and salty air.

Anyways, today I realized that 3 am looks very different when you are on your way to work, versus on your way home from an evening of cocktails!! I had to be at the event site at 4am so I was on the road by 3:30am. I can't believe I'm awake and typing coherent sentences- at least I hope my writing is grammatically correct! The morning went smoothly and I happily sent everyone on their way. Once the bikers left, the crew broke everything down and I headed to the office to crunch numbers.

I got really lucky with my day-of job. All the other staff hit the road with the bikers and are coordinating the all the rest stops and the overnight event. I'm at home in bed AND I've had a nap this afternoon. Lord, thank you for this blessing.

Tomorrow is Day 2 and we will have a couple more local bike rides while we welcome back to town the 200 milers. I don't have to be at the event site until 6am so I get to sleep in! Yippie lol

I didn't sleep very well last night because I was so worried that my volunteers wouldn't show up, the thunderstorm wouldn't pass through by morning. or the t-shirts would be wrong! Everything went smoothly today so fingers crossed for tomorrow.

Alright, I'm heading to bed.

Sweet Dreams Darlings,

SOS

3 Day Weekend Goal

It is my goal to blog this weekend. I have a 3 day weekend and only have plans for Saturday. I'm pretty sure I'll cave and go into the office on Monday. Either way, my plan is to devote some time to hanging prints on the walls, tackling the last few boxes and catching yall up on everything.

I think I have a few more crazy weeks and then life will finally slow down. However, I feel like everytime I see the light at the end of the tunnel, another party train decides to head my way.

Is is time for a vacation yet??

Southern Gal

On the Road Again...

I'm off to the nation's capital! My dear friend is graduating from law school (cue pomp and circumstance!) so I'm going to celebrate my Meaggie!! Maybe I'll find my future hubby at graduation lol

Happy Weekend!

Southern Gal

S + P Nuptials in the Sunshine State (part 1)

Okay, I've said that life was a whirlwind for a few weeks. Lets put a little perspective on this...

Tuesday was my last day of old job. Wednesday morning (5am) I loaded up the car with Shannon and we drove the 9-10 hours to Florida for her wedding weekend. Saturday we walked down the aisle, Shannon said "I do," then we toasted the couple and celebrated all night! Sunday I flew back to the capital city and Monday morning I started a new job!! The move took place the following Saturday, aka Shannon's one week wedding anniversary!!

Yaya road trip and Florida! 

Funny side story- Shannon and I were about 30 minutes into our drive and I realized that neither of us had grabbed my dresses (including my bridesmaid dress)!! I just assumed Shannon had grabbed them since they were hanging over my suitcase. She assumed I grabbed them. We are some lucky girls because Shannon's sister had not left the capital city yet. Stacia zipped on over to my house and grabbed all my dresses and certainly saved the day!!

The road trip and the few days in Florida prior to the wedding were amazing. Like my soul need to recharge. The wedding took place at Grandma Lynn's house. Shannon and I stayed there for a few nights before moving to the hotel with the rest of the wedding party.

Once we arrived in the sunshine state, we noticed all the smoke from the forest fires that were apparently happening all over the state. We never saw a fire but we drove for hours with this weird smoke.

 

My morning view. Serene. I'm so glad the smoke didn't follow us.

I started each morning on the deck with a big cup of coffee and a book. It was my peace before each chaotic, wedding-packed day.

When we arrived, we hung out with the family and seriously relaxed. Grandma Lynn made some fabulous meals for us, we drank some great wine and enjoyed each other's company. Sorry I don't have more photos but I completely checked out. I was in the moment and cherishing the special time that Shannon and I had before she became a Mrs.

Friday was the bridal luncheon at Aunt Nan's home. She hosted us on the porch with a lovely lunch. Shannon gave us our bridesmaids gifts at the end of the lunch. We all got Vera Bradley totes- each were different to match each girl's personality. We also got earrings, again different for each girl. Seriously the gift kept coming! Finally we each got a Velcro towel wrap with our initial on it.

After the luncheon, I worked on Shannon's practice bouquet for the rehearsal.

The happy couple!

Shannon and Patrick got married in the front yard with the lake off in the distance. We entered the ceremony through the front doors. It was a loooooooong aisle!! Fortunately, Shannon let us wear flats with our dresses so the walk was totes manageable.

We got through with the rehearsal and headed out to Grandma Lynn's barn for the rehearsal dinner.

We had bbq and a crayfish boil. It was my first crayfish boil and those little suckers are good!

Bride in yellow, MOH to the left and friends.

The "adults" warming up with the karaoke!

The rest of the night was a blur of fun! We all headed to the hotel bar after we closed down the barn. I met lots of new friends then the MOH and I decided it was time to put the bride to bed. We all needed our beauty rest!

Florida was fabulous and I'm seriously glossing over half the stuff we did! We were all over the place to make everything happen.

I will devote a whole post to the wedding day. I hope you enjoyed the pictures and my random stories ha

~Southern Gal~

Home Sweet Home

Bella has found a new perch on top of my dresser. Clearly she has made herself at home in the new place, or perhaps she is trying to tell me to turn the tv off!

Also, I obviously haven't hung anything on the walls since you can see the stack of framed prints and photos haha.  

Enjoy!

Southern Gal

Slowly Making My Way Back

Hello! Hello! Hello!

After so much scolding from various friends, I'm making my way back to the blog! So where to begin?!?!? I have no clue!! Soooooo much has happened since my last post. I do apologize for neglecting yall.

Alright, I'm gonna share my stories; however, there is no order to my posts. I will try to give time references but things were honestly a whirlwind. Okay, enough chatter and on to the fun stuff!

Bella!! We all love her to pieces. Here is her last picture in the house she grew up in. She LOVED the bathroom window so it was only fitting to snap this picture before the boxes and litter box were loaded up and moved into our new casa. I am happy to say that she has adjusted beautifully and loves truckin'-tail up and down the stairs in the new house. Most of the time she gets moving faster on the steps than her little paws can carry her! Its hilarious!

Here is the living room and my mantle the day before the movers arrived on Saturday. I think I teared up a few times that Friday night. A couple friends stopped by that last evening, helped me load my car, and enjoyed a final glass of wine on the front porch. It slowly started to sink in that I only had one night left on White Oak. I was nervous and excited. At this point, I had also finished my first full week at the new job and Shannon and Patrick had been married for one week. (I will get to all those stories!)

My closet after the girls loaded all my hanging clothes into my car on Friday evening. It is still so weird to look at these pictures.

Moving Day!!

My old bedroom about 20 minutes before the movers arrived. I used Two Men and a Truck and it was worth every single penny. They were fast, professional, and amazing. I can't believe their attention to detail. It took them just shy of 2 hours to load up, move, and unload!

Couch and chairs gone, and only a few things left! I think at this point I was crying. It was sad watching these guys move all my stuff out of my home. I was in that house for six years! I became a true adult in that house. I learned about life, friends, careers, love, relationships, everything in that house. I know I will continue to learn but I spent the majority of my 20s in my sweet little home.

Again, these guys were unbelievable!

The rest of the day was a blur and I forgot to take pictures. We hauled everything to the new place, unloading, had lunch, then started moving all the odds and ends that I didn't have packed for the movers. My mom and I spent the rest of Saturday and all of Sunday getting the last bits of stuff and started to settle into the new place. My mom rocks! She had my kitchen all unpacked and ready for action before I could turn around.

Wow, I'm tired all over again just thinking about that weekend!! Once I finish the details of the new house, I'll start a room by room tour.

It is now bedtime for this gal. I will be back soon, hopefully this week.

xoxo

S.O.S.

PS- Thank you Merdeezy for encouraging me to blog tonight!! ;)

I'm Still Alive

Hey Everyone-

I'm still here but I'm beyond exhausted. I have great stories about Florida, new job excitement, and moving crazies! I haven't forgotten y'all but I can't mentally formulate posts this week.

See ya soon,

S.O.S.

Big Announcement #2

I picked a new home! I decided on the Dylan townhouse. Ahhhh I can't believe this is all happening. Yes, I'm starting a new job and moving all at once. New job begins on the 16th and the townhouse is mine on the 20th. Apparently, I wanted to be a crazy lady this month haha.

Let the packing begin....

 Empty china hutch and empty boxes.

Most of my kitchen is boxed up below. Yikes, this is really happening! Side note- my mom rocks. She is on Spring Break and drove here to spend the day packing and cleaning while I was at work. Can you believe that?!?!?!

As a best friend and former duplex roomie quoted Samatha from S&TC, "A lot of shit went down in this apartment. Attention must be paid!" Its the end of an era in so many ways- job, and home. I'm excited about all the upcoming changes and slightly freaked out.

Stick around to discover how these changes work out!

xoxo

Southern Gal

Weeeeeeeeeeeee

On the road again! I'm off to Florida to get Shannon married!!

And I actually got my first spray tan for this event! Feel special Shan lol

Fun in the Sun,

Southern Gal

Big Announcement #1

Hey Yall!

So I officially gave my 2-week notice at work!!!!! Yay! That is correct, I have left my job of six years (gasp!) and have decided to join a national nonprofit team. I'm super excited!!! I am behind in announcing my job change on the blog; so far behind that today is my last day!!

Today is not officially 2 full weeks, but sometime ago I put in for vacation for this Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. Since it was already approved, it is considered part of my 2 weeks.

A couple of my awesome friends decided that we must celebrate so we tried our local Wine & Design. Big hit but holy cow, lots of concentration!

This blank canvas will soon be Charleston's Rainbow Road.

Wine & Design strongly encourages their guests to bring snacks, wine, etc. KtP took care of JB and I with this amazing apple and goat cheese tart, as well as pimento cheese and crackers. I LOVE when KtP cooks, yumm-o!!

Midway through. At this point, my phone died so I'm hoping someone will email me the picture of the 3 of us (hint, hint).

Final piece! Not bad for my first time. I'm ready to try another piece. Who wants to go??

Wine & Design was a neat way to celebrate.  I'm so lucky to have these girls in my life to take the time to celebrate me! Thank you KtP and JB xoxo

Check back tomorrow for MORE news haha

Happy Tuesday,

S.O.S.

Showering Bridal Wishes

Last month we were celebrating Shannon in Charlottesville, then at the end of March we showered Shannon's sister, Stacia, with bridal wishes! Yes, Shannon and Stacia are both engaged and are getting married 6 weeks apart!! Needless today it has been a busy spring for these sisters!

Stacia lives in town and Shannon lives about an hour away so I opened my house for the shower. It was bittersweet. It was my last party here so while my chapter here closes, it was wonderful to celebrate Stacia as she begins her next chapter as wife and Mrs. W.

Welcome guests! I don't know how well you can see the decorations, but we had tissue wedding bells hanging from railings as well as wedding bell garland looped around the railings too.

Oddly enough, I have truly enjoyed my mantle since Christmas complaints. I've not had any decorating dilemmas. I've kept it clean and simple. A moss 'W', white hydrangeas, magnolia leaves, and candles. Classic and timeless. Also, Stacia is a photographer with natural talent so we decked the house out with pictures of her and her future hubby starting with the mantle.

 

 Here we have the drink table. We served wine (red and white), water, and had an ice coffee bar. That was a hit! I will have to do that again for future parties.

Next to the drink table, I have this huge/random message board that takes up a whole wall in my kitchen. We carried the clothespins and pictures into the kitchen onto the memo board. Remember my glitter lanterns from ESM? I've kept them hanging since because I like the splash of color!

Food table- yum!! Shannon had food catered, including chicken salad, pimento cheese, corn dip, pasta salad, and broccoli salad. It was delicious and I'll use that caterer for future events!

The side table set up with plates, napkins, silverware, and dessert baskets. Shannon's fiance made Andes mint cookies and they are amazing! Shannon also had the caterer make strawberry cake pops. Mid-party I realized I wasn't taking enough pictures so I apologize for the random wine glass in the picture.

The night before the party, Shannon and I made mini key lime pies. I must love these sisters to juice thousands of key limes for those pies!!! About midway through squeezing key limes, I asked Shannon why we couldn't use store bought key lime juice. Apparently she didn't realize you can buy that at the grocery store.

We did play one shower game. When guests arrived, we asked each one to take a note card, write advice, wisdom, tidbits, etc for the bride. Once they were done writing, we had them fold their card and drop it into a vase. While the Bride-to-Be was opening presents, each guest read a card (not theirs) and Stacia had to guess who wrote the tip.

We had a full house and everyone showered Stacia with tons of gorgeous gifts. Lucky girl!

Yay for love!

Mother of the Bride(s), MOH, Bride

These sisters are beautiful, inside and out. I am so excited to watch Stacia walk down the aisle in May!! You'll see these ladies a few more times this month as we have a wedding next week!

xoxo,

Southern Bridesmaid (haha)