Pregnancy Announcement (from Nov ’18)

Fast forward three years from my last post (our wedding) and we have an absolutely adorable, loving baby girl!  Before she made her debut, my photo-loving self had to document the pregnancy!  While the first three months of my pregnancy were well, just horrible for me, as soon as I came out of the first trimester fog /sickness/exhaustion, I felt AMAZING!  The first set of photos were for our “announcement” and the second set that are coming in the next post are just a few short months but quite a few POUNDS later (lol).   Enjoy!

Photos by: Christy Nicole Photography

Hand-written sign: Dana Britni Designs

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Our Wedding

Told you I was going to go back over all of the lovely events that have happened over the last 3-4 years!  Apologies in advance 🙂  I especially apologize to anyone that I know personally who reads this as they are probably SO OVER our wedding at this point!  But anyway, on with the overkill….

We got married on September 24, 2016 (seems like so long ago!) at Hamilton Farm Golf Club.  The day started out cloudy, drizzly and cool.  But as we got ready in the mansion on the grounds, the skies opened and the sun started to shine through!

I remember being so calm that morning even though leading up to the day I was a frazzled bridezilla who’s attention to detail was keeping her up all night, every night.  I thought I had forgotten some important detail or factor or that the things that I had planned with each separate vendor wouldn’t look right when they all came together.  Oh, not to mention that the week leading up to the wedding I totaled my car, had to board our super nervous dog (who hates being anywhere but in our home) and :minor detail: my dress hadn’t arrived when it was supposed to.  The morning of the rehearsal dinner/day before the wedding, we were on the phone with customer service — they had scheduled the dress to SHIP the day it was supposed to ARRIVE.  We finally got to someone just below the OWNERS and she gave me her personal number while she was out to hunt down my dress.  It was at FedEx just outside of the city! WHAT? She had a driver go to pick it up and drive it an hour to the rehearsal dinner site.  Wow.  Talk about last minute!

But that morning of the wedding…. calm.  Total zen.  Like nothing that had happened that week or night before even occurred.  I just soaked in every moment, had fun with my bridesmaids and the hair/makeup team getting ready.

So remember how I was saying I was an anxiety-ridden mess leading up to the day?  Yep, that was me.  I had buyers remorse as soon as we left Kleinfeld’s, thinking “was that really MY dress?”  I love clothes and fashion so picking ONE dress without seeing EVERYTHING that was in the store… ugh I get antsy thinking about it.  But zipping up that Monique Lhuillier ruffle tiered ball gown was just about as close to a religious experience as dresses get!  I had a window overlooking the grounds and seeing everything being set up was magical!

Stepping outside knowing I would get to see Matt for our first look, I started to get butterflies.  I couldn’t contain my excitement when I saw his back turned to me and our photographer said “Okay, go tap him on the shoulder” that I went and squeeze his sides (not the greatest in photos LOL but it was so much more “us” than a tap on the shoulder).  As soon as I saw his face and hugged and kissed him, I was soooo ready to marry this man.  I won’t get too mushy here but even thinking about it now puts a big smile on my face.

The ceremony was so beautiful!  The string trio played “A Thousand Years” as I walked down the aisle to my groom.  The path to him was all stone, so I held on so tightly to my dad’s arm as I just thought “Just find the next stone and DON’T FALL!” Oh, and remember that sun that started to shine through the clouds?  Well at the end of September it was around 75-80 degrees even at the 5pm ceremony.We were all SWEATING but it didn’t matter, we were married!!!

Next was cocktail hour!  It was beautiful but so rushed (for us) with photos being taken and trying to say hello to everyone!  The reception was so much fun.  We had planned a choreographed first dance that one of my best friends/bridesmaids helped us with.  The night was full of dancing, laughing and cake!  We finished off with a sparkler exit that happened in the wrong location (our photographer and videographer were waiting for us somewhere else) but one of my super quick-thinking bridesmaids grabbed a bunch of left over sparklers and saved the night!  The photos were epic!

Vendors:

Photographer: Christy Nicole

Florist: Blue Jasmine

Cake: The Vintage Cake

Invitations/Calligraphy: Design House of Moira

 

Quarantine 2020

I have been dying to get back into the groove of blogging and writing and I thought, no better time (literally… all the time in the world) to start than while in quarantine.  This is by no means an ideal time for anyone but why not make the most of it!

So much has changed in my life since I left off with blogging — the last blog posted was of our engagement photos!  FAST FORWARD 3.5 years and we are now married, homeowners and parents to the cutest almost one-year-old around!  Obviously, that’s quite a few major life changes so excuse me while I will likely bore you with recaps of all events leading up to now because again…. quarantine has got us going out nowhere fast!

Previously, my blog focused on fashion and style and while that is still a HUUUGE passion of mine, I also plan on incorporating some mom-life content, beauty, home decor and lifestyle into this blog as well.  Keeping up so far?  Me either.

Stay tuned while we turn back time (does that even make sense?  Waiting for something that already happened… hmmm…).

I featured the photo above from Mother’s Day just a few days ago — my FIRST Mother’s Day!  Mimosas and flowers were obviously the highlights for me but just being able to celebrate this crazy, exhausting, overwhelming, still-trying-not-to-fail-everyday, completely fulfilling and amazing role I now find myself in was so warming!  Also big shout-out to all the moms (especially mine) because you are all rock and super-stars!!

Katie

Our Engagement Photos

Wedding planning has completely taken over my life and I love every second of it.  It’s made me want to start my own wedding/event planning business!

I wanted to share some of our amazing engagement photos from our photographer Christy Nicole.  She took the most beautiful photos this day (which started with rain then turned into humidity- don’t mind my frizzy hair) and I cannot wait for her to shoot our wedding.  These were taken back in November but I’m just now getting around to posting – wedding planning is seriously a second job!

Matt and I love Christmas-time.  We started dating around this time of year so it holds a special place in our hearts.  So, what better theme to go with for our engagement photos than Christmas!  We went to a near-by Christmas tree farm for the shoot.  I came up with this little set-up (I love the use of props!) and purchased that cute date banner from Etsy.   All other rentals are from Eat Sleep Vintage.

Our Engagement Party

A few months ago, we celebrated our engagement with our bridal party and family at my parent’s house.  It was such a beautiful day outside for some food, fun and bubbly!

I wore a boho-inspired white maxi dress with side slits.  To complete  the hippie-chic feel, I wore a flower crown from our local florist (I was so obsessed with it!).

Our whole bridal party was in attendance and with everyone coming together, it made the wedding seem so REAL!  We cannot wait for all of the other celebrations to come over the next year – including the big day!!

Wedding Season Events

With so many celebrations that follow up to the big day, each one calls for a different outfit!  From the bridal shower to the big bachelorette bash to the rehearsal dinner – being part of  a wedding party calls for quite a few clothing options.  However, looking back on a wedding “event schedule” my go-to choice has been short dresses that were perfectly appropriate for each separate occasion.

The Bridal Shower – the bride requested that all her lovely ‘maids wear her wedding colors (red/orange).  I picked this lovely simple coral number at Marshalls!  Necklace – J. Crew Factory

  

The Bachelorette Party – Since the bachelorette party was to be in Atlantic City, dancing the night away, I opted for a sassier dress -this sheer paneled black fit-and-flare Topshop piece.  I thought it would be a bit difficult to wear with certain things showing or popping out when I didn’t want (!!!) but it stayed perfectly all night and was ideal for a last fling before a ring!

  

The Rehearsal Dinner – To celebrate the last night before the couple makes it official, I opted for a classy, slightly preppy pastel yellow fit-and-flare from Nordstrom.  The rehearsal took place in a church and the dinner was at the groom’s old college club (kind of like a fraternity but much nicer – so awesome!).

 

The best part is – WEDDING SEASON AIN’T OVER YET!!  Stay tuned!

How I Proposed to my Bridesmaids

Almost immediately after getting engaged, one of the first things I thought of (among a million other things) was – who would be in my bridal party?!  Only it was less of a question since I already knew exactly who I wanted standing next to me on my big day!  But… ::I’ll just put it out there now:: I’m not a simple person. I wanted to ask my bridal party ladies to be my bridesmaids in an exciting and fun way.

I sent out these Paperless Post invites and stocked up on some bubbly 🙂  I also bought some cute favors, customized bridesmaids picture frames… and the fun factor: “Will You Be My Bridesmaid” confetti poppers!  Needless to say, after a few glasses of champagne and girl-talk, the confetti lasted and lasted.. much longer than it should have among a group of 26 yr olds 😉  See below for all the fun photos!

Grammy’s 2015 Best Dressed

As I was watching the Grammy’s Red Carpet last night, I was thinking there would be ZERO best dressed choices.  I mean, you’ve got to agree with me – there were so many AWFUL looks that I believe the best dressed stood out even more. Before I get to my best dressed ladies, I have to say I’m LOVING the all-natural makeup look.  For real – Nicki Minaj, Chrissy Teigen, Beyonce and Rihanna (just to name a few stand-outs) looked flawless in their no-makeup makeup look.  Fresh faced and simple hair is going to be a huge trend this year and I’m soooo okay with it – low maintenance = less getting ready time!

Anyways, on to the best ensembles of the night:

Jessie J in Ralph and Russo.  At first, I hated/loathed the whole sheer dress with granny panties showing, but it has definitely grown on me.  Loving this look!

Chrissy Teigen in Gucci.  So sexy, yet also tasteful.  I love the bright white paired with natural mermaid waves.

Meghan Trainor in Galia Lahav.  See Jessie J – you get the jist.

 

Katy Perry in Zuhair Murad.  Coming from someone who usually goes for shock-factor (and not in a good way), I actually loved this different look for her!  Every detail from her lavender hair to her simple strap heels.

Taylor Swift in Elie Saab.  No other explanation needed. ❤

Beyonce, aka Queen Bey in Proenza Schouler.  Bow down. She truly is.. flawless. (Had to)

 

The jury is still out on…….

Rihanna in Giambattista Valli.  This is SO Giambattista Valli to a T, but somehow, it never translates on the red carpet (remember the disaster that was Lena Dunham at the Emmy’s last year?).  Looking at all the factors, I should love this – my favorite color, big and poufy with some embellishment.  But… just… I don’t know.  The verdict is still out….

On Getting Engaged….

Before I actually got engaged, I always thought people’s reactions to others getting engaged was so strange.  Why are you congratulating someone on their engagement?  It’s like saying “hey, congrats on finding someone that loves you enough to want to be with you forever…” Ha.  Don’t get me wrong, it is a very exciting time in a person’s life, just the reaction is kind of… weird.

Now that I have gotten engaged and received my fair share of congratulations, I see things differently.  I love being congratulated – not on finding an amazing person to spend the rest of my life with that loves me just as much as I love them – but on this next chapter of life!  There is so much to look forward to and I am so excited to be able to share it with someone so special to me.

With all of that being said, I am a lucky person.  Not just for my fiancé but for my friends as well!  I love that they wanted to celebrate with me and join in on my happiness!  So, I thought I’d share how they spoiled me with gifts! (I appreciate all their love and support, but gifts are always nice too!)

Lenox cake knife, Vera Wang frame, Bridal magazines (including my own subscription to Brides magazine!)

The Knot wedding planning binder, more Bridal magazines, Bride-To-Be glass, my Mrs. hanger!, and (love this one) Feyonce shirt.

InStyle weddings book, flask, Kate Spade ring holder.

People’s Choice Awards Fashion

Awards Season has arrived!! (We can count this as a legit awards show right?)  And that means the season’s latest fashion will be splashed across red carpets for the next few months – I personally am so excited, it’s like another holiday for me.

If these ensembles were a glimpse into the future of what is to come, we can expect to see a lot of a)pants/suits for ladies, b)sparkles and c) cutouts.  At the PCA’s there were some decent showings and others were complete disasters.  However, I’m all about the positives so let’s take a look at my choices for the BEST dressed stars!

Sarah Hyland in an embellished number by Christian Siriano – love the monochromatic look created by incorporating the same metallic accessories.

Portia de Rossi in a Zuhair Murad jumpsuit – loving the deep blue and sexy yet sophisticated pants!

Allison Janey in a gorgeous Rani Zakhem gown – girlfriend totally wanted a “I’m the host” dress and this was just perfect!

Olivia Munn in Giambattista Valli sequined striped look.  This may be too casual on any other red carpet, but to me this just fit perfectly and looked so amazing on her!

Viola Davis in a bright Escada gown.  Maybe it’s because I love pink or because this bright color makes me think of summer while I’m currently freezing in these frigid temps – but i.love.this.dress!

And of course the biggest trend of the night – everyone looked great in BLACK!