Wedding Photograpghy [Getting Ready]

While I don't have many solid plans for the wedding yet (and won't for a while), I do have some ideas that I can share. Like most girls nowadays, I've been tucking my favorite wedding ideas away [or storing them on my pinterest board] for use when the big day comes along.
I went over some ideas [here] and [here].

Today I'm going to share some of my favorite shots from before the wedding. No, not that type of shot! Most of you may not know, but I LOVE photography. I've always been the friend or family member taking pictures, and it's paid off---we have so many good pictures to look back on from the last few years. So, needless to say, I live for amazing pictures! Which is why I'm SOOO excited about the photography from our big day. Honestly, the photos mean more to me than the decorations, venue and the food combined. I know that I'm going to look back on these pictures for years and years to come. Not to mention my children and hopefully grandchildren : )

I picked out some of my favorite getting ready pictures to share. I love how personal these are, and the emotion that is captured in them. [Ahhhh, I can't wait for the big day!]

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I can't wait to share more along the way!!

Weekend Essentials

Is it the weekend yet? Now a days I basically live for the weekends--especially because it's summertime! I'm beyond excited about every part of this upcoming summer. I have plans for hanging out by the pool, soaking up the sun, grilling out and eating yummy food, enjoying lots of time with my friends, and having the best of times!

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After last weekend's holiday fun, I quickly realized that I won't need much to survive this summer. Considering my to-do list above, I really will be able to get by with just a few essentials.

Here are my fashion must-haves!

hat//sunnies//sun lotion//towel//tote bag//flip flops//koozie
pink suit//black suit//blue suit top and bottom//coral suit

With a few swim suits, the sunnies, and a coverup or two, I'll be set! Obviously I'll be rocking a cute dress in the evenings, and a yummy drink in my hand at all times [but we all knew that]. : )

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On the topic of swimsuits....is there one thing in particular you have to have with each bathing suit you buy? For me it's a gathered side [see below]. I love having a little something extra on the sides of the suit, and I definitely don't prefer string sides. Just not enough coverage for me!

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What are your weekend essentials? I'd love to hear what you can't survive the summer without!

P.s. Remember to wear sunscreen.....or else!

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Sorry, I had to!! : )

[Secret] Blogger Swap!

Happy hump day ladies! I hope you're having a great short week at work (or at home, in school, etc.)! I can only speak for myself, but I am counting down the seconds until this Friday at 5. I know, we just had a short weekend, but they're just so fun I can't help but want it to be Saturday every.single.day.!

If you follow me on Twitter then you might have seen my tweet from yesterday....I had a surprise package waiting on me at home and I couldn't wait to get my hands on it! What was in the package? Surprise goodies! And why was it a surprise? Because I'm participating in the Framed Frosting Secret Blogger Swap! [Sign up for the next one here!]

After signing up, passing along some info and patiently waiting, I was passed the name and URL of a fellow blogger. We got a short list of some of their favorite things and then we set out to send them some sweet goodies!

I was matched up with Sami [at Sami's Shenanigans].

Go check out her chic blog!

Sami sent some awesome stuff! I'm so excited to share it all with you : )

How cute is the packaging? I love the pink and orange!
And those Jolly Ranchers? Delicious :)

I don't know if I've made it clear on here before [actually, I have!], but I love me some stationary. Not only did Sami send a super cute card, but she also sent an adorable stationary set!
I just love the colors.

I also received something that I've never used before....a Lush bath bomb!
I've only ever seen these bad boys online, so naturally I'm very excited about using one!
And just so you know, this one smells AMAZING!

I can't wait to use this pretty pink for my toes.
A girl can never have too much pink polish, can she?

Last, but not least, is my favorite item from the whole package....Bauble Bar earrings!

Aren't these babies darling? I have used this exact style of earring, as well as many similar styles, in lots of Polyvore outfits and Friday's Fancies outfit posts [here] [here] [here] and [here].
I am so excited to have them!

[Yes, I'm even wearing them today!]

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P.s. I was matched up with Amanda...go [here] to check out the goodies I sent her and see what she sent her swap partner!

What I Wore Wednesday [Plum]

Happy hump day lovelies! I hope you're having a great day! To keep with the trend of wedding talk [wedding brain], my WIWW outfit will be all about what I wore to our close friends' wedding this past weekend.

I searched high and low for the perfect cute, comfy, not too dressy dress for the wedding. I was helping with setup and acting as guest book attendant, so I wanted to look my best-but not over dressed. So, after tons of shopping around, I found this beauty.

Isn't the bride beautiful?!

She fit perfectly! I was definitely comfortable and I got a ton of compliments!
I'll enjoy wearing this dress again and again.

via Kohl's website

The dress came from one of my most trusted/favorite go to stores for dresses---Kohl's! If you don't already, you should start shopping there for all of your dress needs. They always have the cutest dresses and they are beyond affordable!

[You can find the dress here--it's even on sale!]

P.s. I wore a silver cuff (Target), my beautiful engagement ring and medium sized
silver ball earrings (also from Kohl's). Simple and understated, no? : )
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Is wedding season in full swing for you? What pretty dresses have you been sporting lately? Share [here]!

Check out my past WIWW posts [here].

Wedding Brain

Well, it's official ladies...I have wedding brain [similar to baby brain, no?]. Why, you ask?? Because I'm engaged!!

It didn't happen at a baseball game, but this is where we told some of our friends

It happened last Wednesday at home. Ryan definitely surprised me! It was intimate and special, and I'll never forget that moment.

Although I did mention to him that I wouldn't bug him with too many wedding questions right off the bat (or for 30 days....), I can't help but peruse the internet and pinterest gathering my favorite ideas! So far I've categorized my favorites into these categories: wedding color ideas, flowers, centerpieces, bridesmaid dress ideas, decoration ideas, and photo inspiration.

Though there are still a ton of other categories to address, these have been my main focus so far. I feel like if I make a few preliminary decisions on these details, I'll have an easier time picking out the big things down the road.

Here are a few of my favorite details so far!

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Can you tell I like yellow? : )
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What did you focus on during your first month of planning? We'll be engaged for a while, so I'm in no rush to finalize anything, but it's fun looking through the million ideas online!

What I Wore Wednesday [Derby]

Hello ladies! I've been a terrible blogger [again] this week....this I know. I promise to post a Derby recap as soon as I get a free minute in the evening! Until then, I'll share with you my outfit from the big day this past weekend [Derby], as this week's What I Wore Wednesday outfit!

While we did have a blast this past weekend, I have to admit that my favorite parts (as usual), were seeing my friends and getting dressed up!!

This peachy dress [+belt] is from Forever21, the hat is from Kohl's, the shoes are BCBG, and my jewelry [thick silver bangle and silver outlined pearl earrings] came from Target!
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What did you wear to celebrate Derby? Share [here].

Friday's Fancies [Derby!!]

It's finally here! The 138th Kentucky Derby is this weekend! I've been waiting 363 days for this weekend to arrive!

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Do you know how much I love Derby?? I bet you will be the end of this post! : )

Appropriately, this week's Friday's Fancies post has a Derby theme. Boy was I excited to hear about this one! If you know me at all, you know I'm a thrifting hound. I love a good deal, but I also LOVE to look my best. When it comes to Derby it gets a little tricky. You have to consider the price of everything that's involved....transportation, the tickets, the drinking, the amazing new dress, hat, and shoes, the drinking, and the wonderful eating. Did I mention drinking?
See, it really starts to add up.

Despite having to watch my budget when creating my IRL outfit, with Friday's Fancies I got to put together an outfit that makes my heart sing! The point of Friday's Fancies is to dream big, and not to worry about the price. So, ladies, that's what I did. I picked an outfit out that is beyond my dreams, as well as my budget!

Dress, Hat, Earrings, Bracelet, Sunnies, Heels

This coral-pink dress mixed with the peplum style makes for a classic, yet "now" fashion statement. I paired the dress with strappy wedges (easier on my feet!), a fun Derby hat, and the perfect unassuming jewelry to finish my perfect look!

We're making the trip up today, and going our for our annual Derby Eve party night! I can't wait to see all of my favorite ladies (and guys), and see my 2nd home, Louisville!
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What do you do for Derby? Are you going? Do you have a party to celebrate? Whatever you do, I hope you have a great Derby weekend!!

P.s. Here are some fun Derby drink recipes to get you through the weekend!

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Mint Julep [Famous Drink of the Derby]

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Oaks Lily [My FAV]

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Mojito