the start of a tradition

this weekend was absolutely perfect in every way.  as i mentioned last week, we packed up & escaped to the mountains for a weekend away with the very best friends.  it's after times like this, and memories made like these, that i think, wow, choosing penn state was the best decision i ever made.  the people that psu gave me are the seriously the first loves of my life. there's no other way to put it.  i feel so blessed to have friends so close that they are family!

already looking forward to next year's trip!

xo,

weekend get-away

this weekend we are packing up our bags and trekking up to raystown to spend the weekend in the woods in a beautiful cabin that my girlfriend & her family built from the bottom up.

seriously, isn't it perfect? 

i'm definitely looking forward to spending a few days with my college friends...just like old times!

we'll miss you courty!

xo,

i'm dreaming of...

a secret romantic getaway. let's pack our bags & leave our phones at home. sneak away to somewhere quiet, and sweet, and unsuspecting.  wouldn't it be nice to curl up together with a favorite book and some hot coffee. don't worry about the time, the only place you need to be is where you are.

later on, we'll pop some champagne and get all dressed up for each other. we'll walk the streets of this cute little town and pop in and out of any and everywhere. after our adventure, we'll hold hands and laugh on our walk home. i can't think of anything better...then to be here, to be with you. my whole heart & my whole life, right by my side.

xo,

gray & yellow

it sounds funny coming out, but have you ever been able to feel a color? like actually be able to put an emotion to what you feel when you see certain colors? ever since i was 16, i've been able to feel yellow. i can't quite explain that. but it's just an emotion that strikes me when i see that color...

so when it came time to choose colors for our wedding, there was no question that yellow would be in there somewhere. then gray came along, and it was like, well don't you two look amazing together!

and i give you some of my inspiration:

via

via

via

via

via

for more of my "pinspirations" click here

xo,

a little bit of birdy

have you heard of birdy? the 15 year old from england? she has been in my head for two whole days now...i'm obsessed..

my brother introduced me to her music & i was instantly addicted. i cannot believe this is the voice and talent of a 15 year old...so jealous ;)

here are a few of my favorites:

"People help the people
And if your homesick, give me your hand and I'll hold it
People help the people
Nothing will drag you down"

xo,

8 MONTHS!

..two days ago, on saturday, we hit our 8 month mark! it's crazy to me how fast this time is going by. i remember when we first got engaged, (7 months ago) thinking that we would have plenty of time.. think about how long it takes for 15 months to come & go! we are good on time, i feel as though the planning is where it should be, i'm super excited that it is going at this rate!

on saturday, my mom & i went shopping for HER dress. we tried all the big department stores. you name it, we were there. while she had on some gorgeous gowns, nothing really wowed us. my mom is not going to wear your typical mother of the bride attire.  she is not one for the usual, and i encouraged her to stray away from that look.  i rarely see my mom in dresses, and with this being my wedding, i really wanted to see her glam it up! we eventually found a gorgeous gown, the most beautiful shade of blue-purple you have ever seen! it's asymmetrical, has a little bit of bling, & she looks like a million bucks in it!

by the end of the day we were pooped! shopping is exhausting! but it was also a memory i will never forget, a day i will always remember of laughs, and giggles, and awkward fitting room posing; the day i helped my mom say "yes" to the dress for MY wedding!

 via

xo,

happy friday + 3day weekend

always nice to know that this coming weekend will be one day longer.  makes me think monday should permanently become part of the weekend days.
this weekend, i'm looking forward to sealing the deal on the honeymoon reservations, curling up in a corner of starbucks with my kindle, & shopping for my momma's dress for my wedding!
...just a little tune i've been humming lately...

happy weekend!

xo,

{citylove wedding} thoughts on a flower girl

we have been tossing the idea back and forth for quite some time now and are still up in the air.  but when i see photos like these, how could i say no?

via

the tu-tu style skirts; the bows; the flower crowns....so adorable!
it's still something to consider at this point, but i think it would be a LOT of fun styling a little one!

xo,

make up your mind january

i don't know about you, but this weekend's very spring like temperatures have had me day dreaming of warmer days & outdoor fun. i don't know where winter is this january, but that's ok with me ;)

*****

this weekend was exciting - an unexpected work-less surprise. trips to a local brewery, visits with friends, dance parties, and an unplanned dinner with family.  the arrival of a new kindle case (via etsy) and some really, really good food.

sort of in a monday slump - not quite wanting the weekend to be over, but also nice to be back into the routine.

wishing you a fabulous week

xo,

still obsessed

...with adele!

for my birthday, my brother gave me the best gift! a dvd/cd of adele's live concert at royal albert hall from this past septemeber.  i love how the dvd captures her true personality & shows how sweet and humble she is - which is exactly how she was when i saw her live this past may!

"throw your soul through every open door

count your blessings to find what you look for

turn my sorrows into treasured gold

you'll pay me back in time, to reap just what you've sown"

enjoy!

xo!

2012 {my year}

there is something to be said for the feeling of starting fresh, starting a new year.  2011 was incredible in many ways of joy, excitement, sadness, happiness, and so much more.  but with a great new year's eve party to bring in 2012, i am ready to embrace all that will take place in the next 12 months. 

with a wedding proposal & engagement this past spring, nothing could be more exciting for me then THE YEAR I GET MARRIED! .. and all of the fun events that lead up to & follow it! i'm anxiously awaiting the draft of our save-the-dates - should be here within a week or so.  i've also begun collecting & saving addresses.  i came up with our guest list months ago, but more recently have been going back to add or delete as necessary.

i'm excited for registering for gifts & deciding on what items we want.  i get so giddy daydreaming about us in our home one day, a home filled with items from our wedding, from people who mean so much to us!

i'm looking forward to meeting with the priest to discuss the details of our ceremony. ie - our flower arrangements and decorations for the pews, as well as readings & song choice.

speaking of floral arrangemets - i can't wait to choose those as well! as of right now, i'm picturing all white and green ...

i'm excited to find "my wedding shoes" and the jewels i will wear when i walk down the aisle...definitely have images in my mind of what i would like....

i can't wait to shop for a bridal shower dress & honeymoon outfits & the perfect dress for a bachelorette!

i can't wait to go shopping with my girls and choose what they each will be wearing... as well as my mom & future mother-in-law!

this year holds so much meaning, and hope, and excitement for me.  i am so excited that 2012 is here!

xo!