2012 recap: my year!

i can remember way back in january, shawn repeating, "this is our year.  it will be great."  (a little bit more on that here) of course i agreed.  but i don't think we knew quite what was in store for us.

january started out with lots of excitement for the upcoming wedding, and that was pretty much all i could allow myself to focus on.  time was flying by and we were busy planning something wedding related for almost every weekend of each month! but not before we had a weekend escape to the mountains with our very best friends, which started a tradition that i am so excited to continue next month.

with february, came the 7 month mark and a very small valentine's gesture that will always have me swooning over my sweet husband.  (love that guy so much!) we also settled on the final invitation design and i revealed our save the dates.  then it was off to select the bridesmaids dresses, which still remains one of my most memorable and favorite day-that-turned-into-nights with my girls ever!

in march, i drank the koolaid that was hunger games and my obsession was born! not sure i've ever read through 3 books that fast!  and all of a sudden we were at the 6 month countdown! this month was all about FLOWERS.... i love looking back at what i selected as my inspirations, and seeing what came to life on the big day!

april brought some warm weather and spring fever was in full effect! we celebrated easter at our home and had some outdoor dinners on our deck,  some of my favorite memories for sure! and, of course, the 5 month mark on our countdown ensued!

in may, we celebrated mother's day, finalized some major details for the wedding day and rehearsal dinner, and then we fell off the map for a bit....

june was certainly very eventful! after returning home from our little get-away, it was a surprise bridal shower for me! i remember thinking that if the shower was just a small taste of what the big day would be like, i could hardly contain my excitement! i talked a lot about hair trials and make-up trials. and even shared some of my dream home inspirations.  but one thing i didn't share that month, was afraid it might be too soon, was that while we were in florida i received a life changing phone call - a job offer for my dream job! i will always remember jumping up and down like a fool after very excitedly accepting the offer, and knowing in my heart that good things were absolutely happening for me.

july was a quiet month on the blog. i was busy getting things done before starting my big girl job! our invitations were in my hand and i loved every second of assembling them and mailing them off to their destinations...and eagerly waiting for the responses! .. and, we marked TWO MONTHS to go!

in august, once all of the invitations had been received, i shared our invitations with you! shawn and i made a fun purchase for the honeymoon... and then it was time for my very own bachelorette party!

september was another quiet month on the blog, as we were only days away from the big day! but, i did share my wedding perfume, my excitement for our honeymoon, and a love letter to my soon-to-be husband!

in october, i was back to blogland after taking a small wedding/honeymoon hiatus with  my favorite motto: husbands are the new black! i shared some of the highlights from our honeymoon, and revealed our wedding song, and what we had engraved in our bands.

we were really settling into our newlywed lives in november, and i was so excited to share a sneak peek at two professional photos from the wedding.

and finally, this month, december, i was able to start to share our wedding photos! i gave you a peek into what the day started like, and share with you our very first christmas card.

i have had so much fun looking back at what this past year has brought.  honestly, 2012, you were the best year of my life! you were the picture of love, positivity, health, wealth, and amazing memories.  i don't know how 2013 could be any better! i'm sad to see 2012 coming to an end, but oh so excited to see what is in store!

wishing you and yours the happiest and healthiest of new years! may 2013 bring you many joys, lots of love, and the loveliest of memories..

xxo!

happy monday! hoping you had a gorgeous & fabulous easter.  ours was just perfect & i'm still enjoying a little break from work...not anticipating going back tomorrow. but on the bright side, it will be tuesday, which is almost wednesday - which is mid week! woo...

some photos from the weekend:

 

 a risky move...ending in failure! c/o my brother!

 every year, my brother gives me flowers on easter. this year: peach rananculus...my fave!

 

mom's chocolate peanut butter cake...seriously to die for!

easter (as are most holidays) are a chance to reflect & be thankful.  i'm so thankful for time spent with family, for health, for good food, and great memories made...&  i'm thankful for the future!

let's make it a great week!
xo,

birthday recap & christmas right around the corner..

i find that the holidays are the craziest time of the year along with the best time of the year.  my birthday is on the 19th, which to me, is the perfect way to start off the christmas celebrations! and the best way to round out the celebrations? with shawn's birthday on new year's! yes, that's a lot of celebrating in a very short period of time, but i know of no other way to do it so i absolutely love it!

with my birthday being on this past monday, shawn & i decided to have a little celebration, just the two of us, on saturday.  we started the day off with a little bit of shopping around town.  it was the perfect way to get into the spirit. we walked along main street, in and out of the little boutiques...which were perfectly adorned for the holidays. i love seeing strings of lights and holiday wreaths all around.  i found some perfect gifts for my brother & mom, as well as the perfect stocking stuffer for shawn. thankfully, he was outside on a phone call when i made that purchase! after our afternoon stroll, we headed home to wrap up some gifts & relax for a little bit before readying and heading out for the evening.

one thing we both love is a good bottle of champagne.  lately, we have decided that champagne doesn't need to be saved for special occasions, but rather enjoyed for all occasions that you want to make special! so we sipped on some bubbly while we got ready.

then we headed out to partake in...BOWLING! if you can believe it, in the 5 and a half years we have been together, we have NEVER gone bowling together!

after our game that went by way too quick, and shawn beat me so pathetically, we headed to the bar upstairs and enjoyed a drink or 2! then we played air hockey, where shawn may or may not have pathetically beaten me again ;)

it was the most fun!

on monday, we met with my mom & brother for some amazing sushi.
mom brought  my favorite wine: cupcake savignon blanc & a new one that i have been wanting to try: cupcake red velvet. which was perfect in every way!

 my brother's creatively wrapped gift (above) & its contents (below!!!)

 yes, all of that was consumed..

all in all, it was one fabulous birthday & i can't think of a better way to start my year!

*****

christmas eve is tomorrow,  i can hardly believe it! today will be filled with wrapping & baking. the rest of the weekend? family, friends, food, laughs, love & a few presents :) i can't wait!

merry christmas to all!

xo,

weekend wishes

friday is here & christmas is NEXT weekend. therefore, go on & get that shopping done. drive around town & admire the lights. snuggle up a little closer to your hunnie & watch your favorite holiday movie..or two. drink something warm & eat a cookie & be thankful for another year.  all things i plan to do this weekend!

enjoy it..

xo,

mix & a mingle

one of my favorite things about the 2011 holiday season is the ever present: glitz, glam & glitter. it's everywhere, there's no avoiding it, & i think it's fabulous! it's quite festive . .

whether it be:

 on the top..

or on the bottom. ..

 in the home. ..

 on the toes. ..

 on the finger tips. ..

 on the wrist. ..

 or in the ears. ..

 or in the accessories. ..

are you sporting some glitz & glitter this season?

all images via pinterest.

xo,

{citylove gift giving guide} for the guy in your life

in the past, i have had the most difficult time finding the perfect present for the men in my life: more specifically fiance (then boyfriend) & brother.
but this year was slightly easier..have not quite figured out why. here are some ideas:

sperry top-sider cloud logo

for the reading man in your life

i know not many guys wear designated pjs, but there is something so handsome about these

i love these nike tops for men for trips to the gym, lounging around, or running errands.

i love this half zip patagonia fleece & this is a great color.

this scent makes me melt...this one is definitely for the fiancee!

happy shopping;)

xo,