Life Chronicles: Celebrating Shelley

This past Saturday, some girlfriends and I got together to celebrate this mama-to-be.

Isn't she the most gorgeous pregnant woman you've ever seen?

Shelley's soul is as a bright as her sweet smile so we were thrilled to come together to host what was our group's first baby show. Ever. And in doing so, we kept things simple. The breathtaking WaterColor home we threw the shower in, overlooking the lake and flooded with light from the screened in porches and windows, needed minimal decor—some simple, hydrangea-rich arrangements and lilies were all the accents needed throughout the home.

The menu was put together by another close friend who does personal catering on the side, and included everything from cheese grits, quiches, and shrimp cups to colorful fruit skewers and cheese plates. And let's not forget the mimosa bar. Or these adorable Baby Belen cupcakes, complete with the white chocolate Bs.

Just look at those little baby feet.

As guests left after a few hours of celebrating and champagne, we made sure they had sweet treats wrapped in simple wax paper and baking twine to take with them for their day.

Then we got a big surprise this week—it looks like Baby Belen is so anxious to meet her mom, she may just arrive this weekend! Luckily sweet Shelley got enough baby girl attire to to make sure she's dressed to a tee since she'll be arriving almost a month early.

We love you Baby Belen (and you, too Shel). Your aunts can't wait to meet you!

Daily gratitude: Healthy Shelley and bright blessings.
xoxo

Monday Mantra

Well that was quite the weekend, ladies and gents.

And living life joyfully on the fly continued this weekend. I hopped into town, literally, an hour before the rehearsal dinner and did not stop running from that moment on-- to the rehearsal dinner, to the after-party, to a sweet wedding shower for another dear friend, to a late lunch date, a quick break to get ready for the wedding, then off to the ceremony (complete with a full orchestra) and the grand finale reception (featuring the same band that played at George W's daughter's wedding). We ate, drank, and twirled merrily to Motown on the dance floor among many of my favorite people. But somehow, my favorite moment of the entire time was the early Sunday morning "breakfast party" spent lazily among fifteen or so of my closest girls and guys-- piled up on top of one another, in pajamas eating pancakes, telling stories of the old life and the new life and loving and missing each other all at the same time.
And when I returned to work today, a customer told me my eyes were brighter. It's surely the sign of a full heart.
Changing gears, sort of, it saddened me to hear of the passing of Lilly Pulitzer today. Her prints and love of color were an influencing factor in developing my sense of style at an early age. So when I ran across this quote, I knew it would describe nicely the light heart I've been sporting as of late:

Here's to a week of keeping summertime in your heart and a smile on that face.
Daily gratitude: reasons for light hearts and bright eyes
xoxo

(photo source)

Sometimes You Forget to Schedule Your Monday Posts

Because occasionally, the beginning of the week is like that, ya know? Especially if you've been a road warrior like I was this past. I was very sneaky this weekend. Very sneaky indeed...
You see, we had to take off for Nashville to get this girl engaged.

Do you know that best friend who is always going to remind you to RSVP, is always excited to see you, always thinks late night is a good idea, or is always going to listen patiently as you complain about the same situation for the 1093th time all the while nodding and giving the same good advice? That's Ann Clark.

We've lived together. Traveled together. Learned together. Grown up together. Cried, and laughed a lot, together. And as the sentimentalists of our group, documented, appreciated, and valued every moment of our times all together. While I've been blessed to have been able to stand by the side of two of my dear friends who have already tied the knot, this was the first occasion where the fiance-to-be prepared me for what was to come. So sitting on pins and needles was an understatement. And on Thursday, I hopped in my car for a quick 48 hour trip to get our girl engaged.

The funny thing is, Ann Clark is impossible to surprise. Once, I flew home while living in Manhattan and straight to her on her birthday to surprise her, only to be greeted with an enormous hug and "I knew you were coming!"
#Fail
So, fiance-to-be Warren knew that he was really going to have to pull out all the stops and tie up the tiniest of detail to get our girl good. And while it's their story to tell, let's just say the tears kept coming multiple times throughout the night. After the proposal, Warren took our bride to dinner, where their families were waiting to surprise her there. Then, they "went back to the house to call their friends,"—and their friends were waiting for them in an impromptu surprise party to celebrate the newly engaged.

(Ann Clark with our bride-to-be in two weeks, Mary-Crosby!)

And then we hit the town in Nashville. Obvs.
I can say from the bottom of my heart that these two people are truly two of my favorite. Meant for each other is an understatement, having popped into one another's lives when they least expected it. Which leads to the perfect mantra for the week:

Congratulations, my sweet friend. Thrilled is an understatement.
And happy Monday to all!
(Update: Make that Tuesday)
xoxo

Happy {Wedding} Weekend

Today is my Friday! Why is it my Friday, you ask? Because I’ll be shimmying into a bridesmaid gown to celebrate this beaut on Saturday.
That’s right, Betsy’s getting married.

Betsy was one of my college roommates. She’s been destined for marriage life since she could walk—this girl can throw a party, decorate a room, or host a dinner at the drop of a hat. And talk about having the sweetest heart around. So it was no surprise to us that Collin wanted to marry her as soon as he laid eyes on this sweet little gem.

So, in what is sure to be the chicest and most stylish wedding in Rosemary Beach, Fla. to date, we’ll be celebrating the lovely couple all weekend long—starting tonight. So, because of my short week, I’ve rallied up a few fabulous Friday Finds a bit early—consider your weekend an early start with me.

• Though I’d rather be nowhere but the wedding this weekend, I’m still homesick for NYFW that began yesterday. This great article made my fashion obsession feel better. Then, this piece made me crack up for being a broke, confused twenty-something. Wins all around.
• My bridesmaids dress is steamed, my nails are painted a neutral-like lavender, and now for the wedding hair—with a strapless chiffon gown, I’m thinking of going a little romantic with this or this.
• Speaking of weddings—this gown literally made me gasp. Now, for a fiance (or, uh, boyfriend?).
• In honor of the festivities, a good weekend mantra to keep in mind for a little fun here.
• And in preparation for another upcoming celebration, this Valentines girlfriend soiree looks like so much fun—I’d contribute these to the menu.

Have a blissful weekend my friends—we’ll be marrying off our best friend down here.
xoxo

{Wedding photo credit here}

Wordless Wednesday: Leap of Faith

Big things happening over here. Taking chances. Leaps of faith. And lots of trust.

Navigate those unknown waters with class, faith, and a whole lot of style...

(Photos via here)

Monday Mantra + October + More Confessions

I'm ignoring the fact that I haven't written in almost a month.
I'm also ignoring the fact that I've said that before.
The truth is, I'd look at the blank pages of my blog as life was happening so quickly around me, taking aways moments, hours, days in what seemed to be the blink of an eye. I'd look up and, oh, yes, there it goes—I've stopped making time (like I've discussed here before.) I was left wondering, more than once, about balance and managing everything just so and how occasionally weeks can seem like a house of cards that you're building up, up, and up with the utmost optimism but maybe, and who knows when, those cards will fall if you aren't careful. I would look up from my cell or my computer or the camera just long enough to think, I'm just so busy, I don't possibly have time to do anything else one hundred percent, so I'll wait just a bit longer until I do.
And then I stumbled across this, and it couldn't have fallen together more perfectly:

Sometimes all you need to get back in the groove, whatever your groove may be, is a little nudge. And it looks like Miss Prepared for Everything could use to be a little less prepared.
Big surprise.
So here I am, making time again. For what, exactly, who knows? But making time nonetheless. Maybe making time for phone calls and catch-ups. Making time for long walks and lessons. Making time for writing words that come straight from the soul, and making time for me so that moments to myself don't feel so much like this:

Making time, essentially, to live life a little less deterred by the significantly small amount of hours in the day and let the edges unravel just enough that the schedules and time frames aren't quite so important.
September was a month of whirlwinds and fantastic adventures. After spending a week in New York for Fashion Week take two, I jetted back to the beach for birthdays, reunions, and a challenging but creatively satisfying work schedule. And amidst the events and the photo shoots and the meetings and the planning, I was thankful for moments when I felt myself able to exercise the ole brain muscle.
But now it is October, already, which always means a new start essentially. So here's to a Monday mantra, though a bit late in the game, celebrating a bit less planning and a lot more doing.
Happy Monday.
xoxo

Photo creds here.