Birthday Recap: CJM is 24!





Happy birthday, Christopher {yesterday.}! Although we didn't get to see too much of each other yesterday, I'm forever thankful that you're only an hour away and we can have a late night El Som/birthday marg run on your day off. Also sorry that we're the same age again, which I know makes you sad {#cougar}.

Grown up birthdays, especially those that fall in the middle of the week, are kind of weird. I love birthdays, so I want it to be a big deal regardless, but the rest of the world seems to not feel the same. I tried to stretch it out just a little bit by bringing Christopher's birthday gift and goodies to him on Sunday when I went to visit his family. 

His favorite cookies are white chocolate macadamia nut cookies. Coincidentally, I also needed to do some baking for the Statesboro Jaycee's bake sale last Friday. So I whipped out the Kitchen Aid {which is never an easy task with the industrial one that I have} and made a double batch of this cookie recipe. Yum. So good, and very easy--my only suggestion is to bump up the temp to 350 degrees. I'm much more of a baker than I am a cooker and I find baking to be something of a stress reliever, too. 

Bake Sale-ers. 

For weeks I've been teasing Christopher about his birthday gift, saying that it was something I wanted him to have and not necessarily something he wants. Because I found it and thought it was awesome! His family is very into their Scottish heritage {he even plays the bagpipes, although I've never actually seen this happen}, and we are planning on incorporating the family crest into some of our wedding details. So when I stumbled upon this ring on Etsy, I thought it would be something he would really enjoy or could at least become a family heirloom of sorts.




How cool? I think he and his whole family were really excited about it. I know it's been a transition for him, getting used to wearing a ring, but it's good practice for that wedding band! Oh, and those truffles from the first picture? Major yummies. Birthday cake truffles--tastes just like birthday cake batter and they're made from golden Oreos and cream cheese. I found the recipe here, and I'm definitely going to try this out at Christmas with the mint oreos. Wouldn't they be pretty dipped in white chocolate with crushed candy canes sprinkled on top?  

HBD, LP!





It's Lilly Pulitzer's birthday today! Yay!

I've worn Lilly a lot throughout the years, but I especially love wearing it
on special occasions like my little brother's high school graduation,
engagement pictures, and more. 

I can't wait to wear the beautiful resort dress I snagged for a
steal at my wedding rehearsal in April! 

Celebrating the Carters




 After a very fun evening preparing for the big day, November 1 came rather early. We all thought that since the time change was happening that morning, we'd be getting an extra hour of sleep. Unfortunately, my body clock is pretty well tuned and I was awake at 5:30 a.m. due to my summer sleep schedule of waking up at 6:30 a.m. Bummer.

The day went smoothly, and although it drizzled throughout the day, there was a break in the rain during the ceremony. The pictures all probably turned out even more stunning because of the overcast skies. Ashleigh Dees Photography took all of the professional shots throughout the day--they were a joy to work with. You can check out the profesh pics here, which are way more exciting than my iPhone shots!

We had a blast at the reception, dancing the afternoon away. I gave my first ever wedding speech, and managed to not sob through the entire thing, which I was worried about. We sent the couple off to the the Dominican Republic {which was a surprise for the bride!} before heading home. I'm so thankful I was able to be a part of such a perfect day!


Ceremony Space


Guest Book/Gift Table

Send-off Station

Bar Details

Seating Chart--super impressed I managed to
pull this off the morning of!

Bar



Groom's Donut Cake




The Bride's Beautiful Dress

My handsome wedding date--hey, only six months till ours!

Bouquet featuring our Phi Mu pins

The Bride!

How We Met--Big/Lil while Phi Mu's at Georgia Southern

Family

Monogramed Doors

The Ladies

Ready to Wed




This weekend, one of my very best friends got married! It was a beautiful weekend in Augusta, Ga., full of lots of fun with friends and really amazing food. Saturday morning arrived with the start of the bridesmaid's luncheon hosted by the groom's aunt. Everything was perfect from the sweet devotional read by the uncle, the amazing home cooked meal {hand ground wheat muffins, y'all.} and the flower arrangements done by the host herself! 





Our sweet gifts from the bride-to-be which included
Kate Spade pearl earrings to wear day of, matching
monogrammed button downs to wear while getting
ready, and nail polish. 

Such a fun group of girls!

MOH, BRIDE, MOH.

Big/Lil, Bride/Moh, Sisters/Friends/

After spending the afternoon getting our nails done and shopping for some bubbly, we went back to the hotel to get ready for the rehearsal and rehearsal dinner. Niki's wedding coordinator made sure the rehearsal went quickly and smoothly. Dinner was at Eli's American Grille in Evans--be sure to eat there if you're ever in the neighborhood because it was so good! Dinner was followed by a delicious chocolate cake. Both cakes on Saturday was so good, I couldn't even attempt a piece at the actual wedding because I was still stuffed!

The bow-quet I made from bridal shower bows. 


Honeymoon gift for the couple: Starbucks gift card for the
morning after the wedding, white chocolate pretzels for
snacks while on the road, and Mr. & Mrs. drink spikes
for their week in the sand and sun!