Categories
Family/Travel Photography

Wedding Day Photos!

Here’s a few of my favorite photos of Kelly’s wedding day. The day started at Jolie Salon & Spa where some of us got out hair done while others were at the mall getting their make up done. Afterwards, the bridesmaids all met up for lunch at Village Deli/Cafe Carolina in Cameron Village (Kelly’s mom as well as my mom & aunt stopped by then to say hi!). We then headed to the church to do make up/hair, chill, & get dressed. Photographs started outside but were quickly moved indoors due to rain. That’s lucky right?! Next came the beautiful ceremony & a few more family photos. We then headed on to the reception held at Brier Creek CC. The wedding party had its own cocktail hour area with drinks & appetizers. Most of these photos are from the ceremony when we had a chance to take them. Here’s Kelly & her mom & my mom & I.The reception seemed to fly by: introductions, first dance, wonderful station for dinner, then Kelly & her Dad’s dance, cake cutting. The Chi Omega’s in attendance sang “Shades” to Kelly then we started off the dance party!Here’s husband & I, the new Mr & Mrs, & “Annie” & her Kevin 🙂 Good times with friends old & new!A little more mother/daughter love at the end of the night!

And Mr & Mrs S are off to St Lucia!! Congratulations to an awesome couple!

Categories
Everything Else

Friday evening… aka Kelly & Brett’s Rehearsal Dinner

After the shower, I ran to Costco to pick up their fruit salad (only $12 & includes mango, pineapple, grapes, cantaloupe, etc) then to Trader Joe’s for wine & flowers. Then dropped off muffins for the bride’s family to munch on for the weekend~ they were so laid back & having fun.

The rehearsal started at 530p at Edenton Street UMC downtown. We ran through the beautiful ceremony & made sure we could line up & leave correctly. The music & bride were so georgeous I think most of us teared up as she and her Dad came down the aisle! We then figured out where’d we be headquartered the following day & the best way to enter & park.
We met up with other friends & guests at Caffe Luna for the rehearsal dinner. We enjoyed looking at old photos of Kelly & Brett growing up, enjoyed catching up with friends at our table, ate lots of yummy appetizers & pasta.
Then it was time for toasts! Brett’s Dad gave a couple cute toasts, Beth & I nervously did our best, the Fab 5 girls did great in rhyme no less, both of Kelly’s brothers did a sweet toast & Brett’s brother Brad’s brought us all to tears. Over all a great event that got us all ready to celebrate the upcoming big day!

Categories
Everything Else

What I’ve Been Up To… aka Kelly’s Wedding!

I decided I’d break this up into a couple of different posts. First Kelly’s Bridal Luncheon, then Kelly & Brett’s Rehearsal & Dinner, finally the big event, their wedding! I didn’t take any photos, but I will post some that my friend B shared.

After months or fun events & plans & last week’s worth of running around (and this was just me!!), Kelly & Brett’s weekend finally arrived. I made Kelly’s rehearsal bow bouquet last Monday night. I wrote the rehearsal dinner matron of honor toast Tuesday. I got my hair cut & highlighted Tuesday night. Wednesday I cleaned up since my parents were staying with us for the weekend. Thursday, I got a manicure & pedicure then I used my KitchenAid mixer for the first time to make blueberry muffins & banana bread muffins for family breakfast & wedding day snacks. Friday I took off work, woke up early to do Jillian’s 30 Day Shred for one last pre-wedding work out, got dressed up in a new Lilly dress & celebrated with Kelly’s female family members and wedding attendants at the Bridal Luncheon.
The Lilly Lovers~ Kelly & her maid & matron of honorKelly & the Chi Os in her wedding

The luncheon was held at the Capital City club which is on the 28th floor of the Wachovia building downtown. Great views, wonderful food (oh that peanut butter chocolate cake!), and a great time with friends. Kelly & her Fab 5 bridesmaids from HS.

Brett’s super sweet aunt served as our hostess. Brett’s cousin who’s newest hobby is photography, took some great photos of the bridesmaids. I’ll share those once she posts on facebook.Here’s all the bridesmaids. Posed by the cousin, taken by another friend.

Categories
Everything Else

Weekend Shopping Trip

Hubby was out of town last weekend & I had coupons for Old Navy, Gap & had heard Ann Taylor LOFT was having 40% off all their sale items. I also needed new tinted moisturizer & mascara and maybe eye product from Laura Mericer so off to the mall I went. First stop was Old Navy where I returned this kacki jacket I’d bought last week & repurchased it using the 20% off coupon I had. So I started out the day spending negative $6.

The Laura Mericer counter was actually having a national event Saturday so I had full makeup done. They did a smoky eye with golden green eyeshadow. Very different for me, but I loved it. So with more money than I will mention spent, I left with a lot of new makeup & tips on how to use it!
 
Next stop, Ann Taylor LOFT where I bought two top that aren’t on their website. One is sleeveless & pinkish/purple & a little ruffly & V neck. It’ll be perfect for work this spring/summer. The other is more of a dressy T-shirt. Its light purple & has a sparkly flower on the right side. I think it’ll be great for weekend when you want to look cute running errands, out to lunch, at the beach etc, but still be comfortable. Both shirts were right around $20. 🙂
 
Sunday after church I went back to the mall. I wanted to check out the new H&M (really big & good looking stuff but I didnt see anything I couldn’t live without) & also see if Gap had anything worth spending my $10 off & also 30% off coupons. I thought this polo was too cute & loved the color. After $10 off, it was only $14!With the 30% off full price I found this basic white cardigan (on sale for $39 then after coupon $24!) that I thought would be great over dresses for work or with a scarf & dress pants.I used the 15% off sale items to buy this dress (only $21) which I wore to work yesterday & received compliements on (even from my husband who doesn’t always notice what I’m wearing!) I thought I’d wear the dress again on Saturday before the wedding while we’re getting ready & getting our hair done.

Anyone else shop over the weekend? What’s been your favorite new outfits for spring/summer?

Categories
Food

Dips!

I went to a dip themed dinner club last night. I realized when I was making mine that I didn’t have the recipe posted.

Pizza Dip

Ingredients
8 oz 1/3 less fat cream cheese, softened
approximately 8 oz pizza sauce
1 c shredded part skim mozz cheese
pizza seasonings

Directions
Spread cream cheese on bottom of dish. I use 9″ pie plate. Top with pizza sauce, then seasoning, then cheese.
Bake at 350 until cheese is all melted. Maybe 10 mins.
I serve with sliced French bread which I sprayed with Pam then broiled until crisy.

The below dip Lindsay B brought. It was a huge hit! She just emailed it to us so I thought I’d post (this way I’ll remember & be able to find the recipe!).

Artichoke Dip

one 14 oz. can (water packed) artichoke hearts, chopped
3/4 C plain lowfat yogurt
1 C grated parmigiano-reggiano cheese
2 cloves garlic, pressed
2 T fresh basil chopped

*I added some chopped fresh spinach as well.

Microwave 3 minutes on high. Stir. Microwave 2 more minutes. Serve
warm with chips, bread or pita bread.