My Style

It's not any surprise that my style consists of practicality.  I'm not one to say "Seasons are changing, time to go shopping for a new wardrobe".  I'm more likely to say "Crap, I have that thing coming up this weekend and nothing to wear", then I go out and find something for that occasion.  The only time I can remember constantly shopping is when I transitioned from college attire to student teaching and had to look nice 5 days a week.  Since then (and starting to pay for a wedding) my style has become whatever good item I can find for a steal!

The other day I caved and went to a website (online shopping does tend to get me in trouble) that I was trying to avoid, but it just looked so cute.  I took the style survey and here are my results.

Source : Shoe Dazzle

Wedding Wednesday #5

Monday we hit the 2 month mark!

"It will be here before we know it" is what I'm hearing from everyone.

I'm beginning to think this might just be true.



This week I finished this for the guest book table.

My Grandfather made a wooden box for my Mom and Dad's wedding.  This box is for cards at the reception.  He was my Mother's Father and he passed away in 2007.  I miss him dearly but am so happy that I get to use the same box for my wedding.  Matt and I are getting married on May 28th which is actually the wedding anniversary of that same Grandfather and my Grandmother.  I'm so thankful that my Grandmother will be there for the wedding.  Here is the box (the white picture is from my sister's wedding).  I painted it blue to match our color theme!

 I was so happy with the way that our personalized napkins turned out!  We ordered some for the bridal shower, the rehearsal dinner, and the bar at the reception!  So cute!
They say Eat Drink Be Married.  Matthew and Brittany.

This weekend was the amazing Bridal Shower so of course I couldn't do the following Wedding Wednesday post without some more highlights.


Here is a personalized hanger that can be found at Etsy  (personalized hanger).
I can't wait to put my wedding dress on that hanger!  Thanks Kate!

Here is my bow bouquet for the rehearsal from all of the bows off of my presents at the shower.

Finally...here are my before and after pictures of the presents.  I just had to organize them because the chaos of not knowing what was where was killing me!

Videos

Sometimes I need a good laugh or something sweet to watch.  My sisters always have great You Tube video suggestions.  Here are a few that I am currently in love with.

Home is whenever I'm with you.


The version that melts my heart.  See lyrics below.

 Alabama, Arkansas, I do love my Ma & Pa

Not the way that I do love you

Holy moly, me, oh my, you’re the apple of my eye
Girl, I’ve never loved one like you

Man, oh man, you’re my best friend, I scream it to the nothingness
There ain’t nothin’ that I need

Well, hot & heavy, pumpkin pie, chocolate candy, Jesus Christ
There ain’t nothin’ please me more than you

Chorus:
Ahh, Home
Let me come Home
Home is wherever I’m with you
(2x)
La la la la, take me Home
Baby, I’m coming Home

I’ll follow you into the park, through the jungle, through the dark
Girl, I’ve never loved one like you

Moats & boats & waterfalls, alley ways & pay phone calls
I’ve been everywhere with you

That’s true

We laugh until we think we’ll die, barefoot on a summer night
Nothin’ new is sweeter than with you

And in the sticks we’re running free like it’s only you and me
Geez, you’re something to see.

Chorus

“Jade?”
“Alexander?”
“Do you remember that day you fell out of my window?”
“I sure do, you came jumping out after me.”
“Well, you fell on the concrete and nearly broke your ass and you were bleeding all over the place and I rushed you off to the hospital. Do you remember that?”
“Yes, I do.”
“Well, there’s something I never told you about that night.”
“What didn’t you tell me?”
“While you were sitting in the backseat smoking a cigarette you thought was going to be your last, I was falling deep, deeply in love with you and I never told you ‘til just now.”
“Now I know.”

Ahh, Home
Let me come Home
Home is whenever I’m with you
Ahh, Home
Let me come Home
Home is when I’m alone with you

Home
Let me come Home
Home is wherever I’m with you

Ahh, Home
Yes, I am Home
Home is when I’m alone with you.

Alabama, Arkansas, I do love my Ma & Pa
Moats & boats & waterfalls & pay phone calls

Ahh, Home
Let me come Home
Home is wherever I’m with you
Ahh, Home
Let me come Home
Home is when I’m alone with you

This video is crazy to me - I was 6 years old at this time.  In the past 17 years think about how much the world has changed...amazing.

Also these statistics blow my mind.

Travel Monday

Driving from Richmond to Farmville this morning I turned on my GPS (not because I don't know the way, but because I get some sort of weird excitement when my GPS estimates my time of arrival and I beat it by 10 minutes).  Under recent places traveled it lists the addresses for...

WORK
FARMVILLE APT
HOME
MATT'S APT IN WV

It's completely understandable that most of my friends and family members have no idea what I'm up to because at any given time on any given day I can be at any one of these 4 places.  Talk about traveling...

My Bridal Shower

To say that today has been crazy would be an understatement.  The day could not have been more perfect in my eyes.  We started the morning with my Bridal Shower Brunch at Feathernesters.  Yes...it was snowing, but we didn't let the weather put a damper on the day.  I couldn't have asked for a better group of women in my life.  Fun stories, a delicious meal, presents, laughter and a great atmosphere made for such a great morning.

Here are some pictures.

After the bridal shower I went out with my Mom, two youngest sisters, Mom's best friend, my Uncle and my 86 year old grandmother to do some shopping.  My Mee-Maw has lost over 50 lbs recently and we wanted to get her a new wardrobe.  No more pinning her pants so they'll stay up.  It was a production to say the least but I wouldn't have traded it for the world.  After shopping and a quick trip to CookOut (yummy fast food) for dinner we headed home.  I had a ton to do at home and the organization started after a quick 40 minute cat nap.  It was a great day and we made memories that will last a lifetime.

Lauren's Bridal Shower

Woo Hoo!  What a crazy day! 

Started out this morning doing some last minute shopping at Target because I had bought a spring dress for Lauren's shower and wouldn't you know the temperature decided to be FREEZING.  Plan 2 - black pants and go to Target to get a cute sweater and pair of shoes.  I was so happy because Madison was able to join me this morning before I had to take her to softball practice.

Cue mental breakdown #1.  I've been so caught up in wedding planning and the craziness that is school, wedding, and moving that I haven't digested the move in its entirety.  Madison and I had a conversation on the way to me taking her to her softball practice and we started talking about visiting each other and she was curious about when Matt and I would be trying to get back to Richmond.  I dropped her off and sobbed the entire way home.  Came home to both of my parents and told them how sad I was to have to leave everyone.  That is when my Mom reminded me that when you find someone you love you realize you would do anything for them, and that is what this marriage thing is all about.  I was at ease because I know I really won't be alone, I'll have Matt.

Then the excitement set in.  I was going to a bridal shower for one of my best friends and able to catch up with my best friends from High School.  I knew it was going to be an amazing weekend.

Here are some wonderful pictures from today!  So much fun!!!

The Beautiful Bride and her Mom

The spread from the wonderful hostesses.

 

Toilet Paper Brides!

Lauren and all of her closest girl friends!

Hermitage Girls

After coming home for a few hours and catching up with family and friends that came in from out of town for my shower (that is tomorrow) it was time to get ready to head to Lauren's Bachelorette Party!

Slightly embarrassed about opening her present!

Dinner was at The Empress in Downtown Richmond and it was such a cute and trendy restaurant.  The food was also delicious!

After dinner I came home and cue mental breakdown #2.  I just let it go as I hung out with my sisters and told them how sad I was to be leaving them in 2 short months.  No more random nights at home.  Of course they made me laugh and get out of my funk.  Plus it's time to get excited for tomorrow!

West Virginia

First I have to take a minute to say that I passed my comprehensive exam!  NEVER thought that would have happened on the first try.  Literally would have bet money that I failed at least one question...now on to today's post.

I hit a serious mental block and at the urging of a good friend (thanks Shannon) I've decided to write about the top 10 things that I have to look forward to after the big move to West Virginia.

1) Waking up to this beautiful face every morning.

 (In all seriousness, I really can't wait to be with 

Matt everyday and not have to say Good-Bye!)

2) Growing with Matt as we meet new friends and continue to go to church.

Source: Facebook

3) Having Family and Friends come visit! 

(You better make it out there in the summer,

when there is actually stuff to do!)

The Barge is a restaurant on the water that we love to take visitors to on a beautiful summer night!

4) Taking in a game at the ball park!

Source : WV Power

5) Soaking up the rays at the apartment complex's pool.

Source : Presidio Pointe

6) Matt's clothes laying all over the apartment.  Seriously I forsee this being marital fight #1.  I always ask him to just get his clothes in the hamper.  This is what I walked in and found the other day on his bedroom floor.  His pants, nicely laid out, on the floor about 5 feet from him closet which has the hamper in it.  It took all of the strength that I had, but I let them stay there for about 3 days until he picked them up.  Clearly he is TRYING to push my buttons at this point.  I joke that when you're with someone for as long as we've been together you start to look for ways to annoy them.  

Clearly he won.  

Matt - 1   Britt - 0

7) Taking day trips to explore the state and see what Wild, Wonderful, West Virginia has to offer.

8) The jokes that I'll hear from everyone I meet for the rest of my life about West Virginia.

Source : College Humor

9) Calling Matt my husband. 

(To be fair I could do this in any state as long as we're married, 

but hey...it's still something that I'm really looking forward to!!!)

10) Trying new delicious restaurants.  Just stumbled upon this blog today and plan to make it my mission to visit the 4 fork restaurants!!!

Source : forkyou.com

With all of this stuff I have to look forward to, I can't help but to think about how much I'm going to miss this.  These were taken last weekend when I was at home.

Yellow

 Kate Spade currently has a "Live Colorfully" add campaign where they announce a new color each month.

January was Red, February was Pink, and March's color is by far my favorite...just got the email yesterday!

 

Matt and I have been shopping a lot recently in home decorating stores and we've noticed a trend.  I'm always drawn to the pale or light colors.  Usually yellows, blues, and greens.  I love these colors especially when they are paired with gray or off white.  I just bought linen placemats the other day for our apartment in WV and they are light blue, yellow and champagne.  So pretty.  When I saw this piece of art featured by Kate Spade, all I could think about was how perfect it would be for our dining room!

See the print here Artist Portfolio Prints

The sunshine yesterday made me think of this hat that I saw on the website.

I also love this tunic...I just bought one recently in blue for the honeymoon!

Here are some other great yellow accessories that scream SPRING is HERE!

Enjoy these pictures as the weather gets cold and yucky these next few days, and don't forget to...

All pictures from KateSpade.com

Wedding Wednesday

I'm starting to realize just how many people I know who are getting married in the next year.  I spared the extra expense of having a "wedding planner" and have done the leg work on my own.  I visited with or researched 3-5 vendors in most categories and really found the best bang for my buck and thought that maybe someone reading this would like to know about some vendors in the Richmond Area.

I'm glad because I know I'm getting quality vendors that I love and respect, and not just someone who was handed to me because they have some deal worked out with a planner.  Don't get me wrong, if I had the additional finances, I would not pass up the opportunity to have extra help.  I believe more in a wedding designer who can help you personalize every aspect of your big day over someone who mass produces the same wedding.  I want to take this Wedding Wednesday to introduce you to my vendors and tell you a little about why I chose them!

The D.J 

I chose Fantasia Sound in Richmond, VA.  Not only does this company have multiple D.Js that you can pick from based on your style, but I also have seen our D.J first hand and know that his style is just what I want for my wedding.  One of the best weddings that I ever went to was for two great friends of mine last July.  Their D.J played the best music during dinner and we all had so much fun dancing the night away.  Not only was I impressed with the quality, but the price was comparable to every other company I researched and the meeting with the on-staff wedding planner really put me at ease.  She was so detailed with setting up a day-of timeline for the photographer and reception venue so everyone knows what will happen when and the night can flow flawlessly.  I'm so excited to be working with my D.J and know they will make the night amazing.  I was also thrilled with the opportunity to make a "DO NOT PLAY" list and a "Request List".  Feel free to comment and write which songs you want to hear played at our wedding...I'll make sure the D.J knows!

The Florist

Pam at Over the Top Wedding truly is over the top.  She is one of the nicest ladies that you will ever meet.  I've seen her flowers in person and can't wait to see her work her magic at the ceremony and reception.  The best part about this florist is how willing she is to work with your budget.  You tell her what you want and how much you are able to spend, and she (may improvise a bit) but will make it work.  She is also there for you in every way on the day of your wedding.  She offers to set up the ceremony and put EVERYTHING together for you at the reception (even if it has nothing to do with the flowers).

The Photographer

Mike Topham is a well known photographer in the Richmond area.  While his prices are out of my price range, I found out (thanks Shannon) that he contracts out another professional photographer for almost half of the price.  Their pictures are nearly impossible to tell apart because the quality of both photographers is amazing.  We are using Terry Brown through Mike Topham and couldn't be more excited about having a great photographer that we trust to capture such an important day.  Also, Mike Topham's daughters do videography so we got a great deal booking through him and are excited to have his daughter videotape the ceremony and reception.

The Cake

 (look familiar, Shannon?  haha)

Neither Matt or I are big cake eaters so the cake was not a big to-do for us.  There is a lady that works at Longwood and makes cakes out of her home as a side business.  I can seriously say it is the first cake that I have ever thought was delicious and just the smell of it made my mouth water.  She doesn't use fondant (thank god, that stuff is nasty) so I'm excited to have a traditional, iced, simple cake that tastes wonderful!  Also by finding a personal baker you cut the cost almost in half as opposed to using someone with a big name or brand who can hike up their prices for a mediocre product.  Point in case...Cakes by Graham in Richmond, VA.  Just a fair warning...he is nice, charming, and everyone in Richmond knows him.  I personally know 2 brides who were excited to use him and paid the extra money because they thought he would be worth it.  When they got to their reception both of these particular brides were quite upset with the look of the cake, not what they expected at all.  Just be mindful that what you expect from your cake person is something they can actually deliver on!

Happy Wedding Planning!!!

Back to the grind

After 2 crazy weeks, I'm finally back to the routine of work and class in Farmville.  Here are some of my favorite recent pictures from the past few days.

My sister, Madison, is in tenth grade.  I picked her up from school the other day and she said "I think I'm going to try out for the softball team".  She hasn't played softball ever.  She played T-Ball for like 1 season when she was maybe 5.  I was shocked, but I am so proud of her that I can't even explain it.  I had the chance to watch her play in her first game last Friday and was so excited when she got up and connected on the first pitch!  Way to go Maddy!  We love you!

Saturday was a gorgeous day, and I was sick :(  Later in the afternoon my Mom took Riley on a walk, my Dad and Maddy were in the front yard playing catch and I sat outside for a bit just hanging out with everyone.  Riley ran around the front yard for quite some time like this.  She's so weird.

I actually made the fruit salsa that I blogged about here.  It may not look very good (I took a picture after it had been out for about 2 hours) but it all got eaten and was delicious!  I would suggest this for any summer cookout or party that you have to take a side dish to!

Finally, my favorite thing about being away from my apartment for 2 weeks was that when I got home I had bare cabinets and an empty fridge.  I love starting from scratch and going grocery shopping!  Here is my favorite thing to eat this time of the year.  Light and Fit plain yogurt, Fresh produce, and my favorite granola (Bear Naked).  Read the story and support this great company.  Ever since Matt lived in CT (in the town where Bear Naked started) I've tried to buy their product as much as possible!  It is delicious!

Travel Monday

Everyday at some point, I find myself thinking about how excited I am to go on our honeymoon to Antigua in a little over two months.  The first time Matt and I ever flew together was during the Summer of 2007 when we went with his parents to Marco Island, Florida.  I cannot wait for Sunny Skies and I love looking back at these beautiful pictures!

We had such a great week here.  Matt and I took long walks and enjoyed everything that the Island had to offer.

I'll never forget the amazing sunsets over the Gulf of Mexico.

Also Matt decided to take me out on a Jet Ski (which he flipped).  

We had so much fun!