our engagement anniversary.

today marks one year since justin & i got engaged at louisiana tech university homecoming.

in the time since then, we have moved to kinston, north carolina, i've moved back to shreveport, louisiana, he moved to wilmington, north carolina, we got married, we honeymooned in boston, massachusetts & portland, maine, & this coming weekend, i'll be joining him in wilmington.

it's been one whirlwind of a year!

it's so strange to me, to think that the photo at the left over there only happened one year ago. it feels like ages ago, probably because of everything we've crammed into the space & time between then & now. 

but i have to say: we're happy. and we'll be even happier when we're finally in the same place again, with no extra stress from a big event coming up.

we'll get to just... live. go to church on sunday mornings, watch our t.v. lineup, try new restaurants... cross things off our wilmington bucket list for this year.

a few notable engagement posts:

engagement announcement.

the details.

our engagement story.

my engagement ring.

a surprise engagement party.

photo: right before the proposal \ iphone

the art of writing a thank you note.

when getting married, you are more than likely going to receive some gifts.

as it happens, our family & loved ones have spoiled us silly & thrown three showers for us. view them here, here, & here. showers translate into gifts, which - in my opinion - should translate into thank you notes. yes, of course, i always tell gift-givers thank you in person, but i feel that a thank you note conveys extra thought & extra gratitude. and i absolutely never want my gratitude to get lost in translation. 

luckily for me, i actually enjoy - and dare i say it, look forward to - writing thank you notes. chalk it up to my love of all things handwriting & penmanship related. chalk it up to my love of the act of writing, of stringing words together. either way, i love indulging in the art of writing thank you notes.

and here's a little trick i've picked up over the years: if you approach writing the notes as simply writing a letter to a loved one in which you mention a gift they've given you, things have a way of becoming much more natural. the note doesn't have to be the technical drivel that thank you notes have been reduced to in recent years [i.e., dear friend, thank you for the blender. i'm going to use it to blend things].

so i just let go & talk to my friend via ink & paper. and i always find that i'm actually having fun. and i hope that when they open up their mail box & see a letter from me, it brightens their day. because, really, who doesn't love receiving mail?

photo: you've got mail \ instagram

leaving for nottoway.

today, my mom, dad, sister, & i are packing up the truck with things like a huge box of flowers from our florist, an entire sound system, a wedding gown, & twelve black tuxes.

then we're going to pile in & drive south until we get to the exit.

then we're going to drive through a cute little town called plaquemine. and after those nearly-20 beautiful miles, we're going to turn left at the sign that lets us know we've arrived.

and then, we'll finally, finally be at nottoway... for the WEDDING! we plan to sip wine & sit on the porch of our cottage this evening, after a guided tour through the house & indulging in the delectable bread pudding.

and tomorrow, i'll rise early to go for a run on the levee, overlooking the mississippi, before all the festivities begin to unfold.

justin will be traveling from north carolina to our hometown today, so as we get settled in to white castle, i'll be wishing him safe travels & trying to contain my excitement over seeing him tomorrow after 3 months apart.

so, here goes nothin'...

photos: wedding week preparations \ instagram

the weekend before wedding weekend.

 

the weekend before wedding weekend had just begun.

my last day at work came to a close & i drove home.

i met rachel for a quick afternoon run, & then it was time to go.

the three of us jumped into the truck & headed west.

we made it to the twisting, turning, water-lined drive.

and then, there were some of our oldest friends.

dad maneuvered the boat out onto the water.

and then we saw the sun sinking behind the horizon.

and as planes flew in over the water, i hurriedly clicked this out:

 

now that the sun is going down the twinkle lights are coming out across the water.

 

and really, the evening was as simple as that.

 

 

photo: cross lake at sunset \ instagram

the tenth month.

 

she trudged up the steps after her daily run, spent.

she gazed down the street & realized,

this is the month i'll be getting married.

 

ten days & counting.

 

 

photo: october colors \ instagram

a bayou state shower.

my coworkers sure do know how to spoil a girl... last wednesday, the lovely staff members of 

bayou state therapy,* as well as the other offices in the building, pitched in to produce

an absolute feast, as well as a wedding shower for justin & me.

there were red velvet cupcakes. there was rotel dip. there were sandwiches, pasta salad,

 cocktail weenies covered in bbq sauce, potato salad, & even some oreos. it was delicious.

and after we all had our fill to eat, we gathered in the pt gym for some good old fashioned

 gift-opening. justin & i have been so very blessed to receive so many great, useful items.

i truly can't say thank you enough, but i will do my best by sharing these silly images with you.

i sure do get a kick out of them, & i think you will too...

... yep. that's me.

a heart-felt thank you to everyone involved.

photos: via mom \ iphone

*i have absolutely loved working for my dad this summer/leading up to the

wedding this month. next week, i will discuss this experience in further detail.

thoughts after the shower.

i'm not certain, but i really don't think there's any feeling better than wearing a bright, sparkly, billowy dress to your wedding shower. as if you don't already feel special enough that day, the added bonus of feeling like the belle of the ball just pushes your excitement quotient over the edge. 

this past saturday, as i flitted from room to room, speaking to this guest & that, nibbling on petit fours, i realized: these are the pre-wedding moments i'll treasure. and with each shutter click, i stood tall in my purple suede stilettos, feeling proud of the festive outfit i pulled together the day before. 

i can't really adequately express my gratitude to kara, julianne, & jennifer - my hostesses - or my mom & dad - huge facilitators of this beautiful brunch - or the many, many folks who traveled - some for hours, others a single neighborhood block - to celebrate with me...

but as i lounged on the couch, post-party, sipping on one of the remaining mimosas, my mom, kara, anna claire, & i recapped events of the day while michael buble warbled on about love in the background. as the conversation wound down & we all fell into hushed, exhausted silence, i looked at the folds of bright orange chiffon puddling onto the couch beneath me, & thought to myself: today is a day i'll always remember.

photo: my party dress \ instagram 

a family shower, in photos.

tomorrow i'll be sharing thoughts on my wedding shower this past saturday,

but today i'll be sharing a compendium of photos from the event.

i greatly enjoyed this shower, & i think the photos will be

all the proof you need to see an excellent time was had by all.

 

like i said, thoughts coming tomorrow...

photos: family wedding shower \ iphone

the food + the music.

two fridays ago, my mom & i went for a tasting at nottoway. not only was the food delicious,
but the four-hour drive to & from afforded us some quality music-listening time.

my favorite things to taste were the creamy corn & shrimp bisque & the garlic mashed potatoes. oh, & the tortellini, too. people have been telling me that we won't have time to eat at our reception, but i sure do hope that isn't true.

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here is a collection of my favorite songs from that day.

freedom at 21 [jack white]

the king & all of his men [wolf gang]

itchin' on a photograph [grouplove]

i've got friends [manchester orchestra]

i will wait [mumford & sons]

shake it out [florence & the machine]

spiralling [keane]

take a walk [passion pit]

work [jimmy eat world]

listen on grooveshark here.

photos: iphone

1 month!

 

one month.

thirty days.

 

that is all that's standing in between us & our wedding day.

 

yes, that is justin wearing my sunglasses.

yes, that is justin circa 2006,

on the way to a florida game in gainesville.

 

i was looking back through some of our old photos last night, contemplating our relationship, how far we've come since we met at eighteen. it's hard to fathom that nearly eight years have passed since this all began - since i turned the corner at the fraternity house & introduced myself. just reflecting on all of that - you know, the important stuff - made me realize how trivial all the last minute details of wedding planning really are. so, rather than record the list of what's left to do here today, i just want to stew in the moment - to let myself simply feel the excitement.

 

because now we're just thirty days away.

 

 

photo: justin, circa 2006 \ point & shoot

thoughts after the tasting.

I'M ONE lucky girl: between friends' weddings, bachelorette parties, & now a tasting for the food at our reception, i have been traveling up & down the great state of louisiana like crazy. and, you know, i am insanely busy. and there are times that i get overwhelmed. but when i take a deep breath & really think about it, i know that i'll always look back on this time of twelve-mile-long to-do lists both fondly & nostalgically.

this past friday, my mom & i jumped in the car, hit the interstate, & traveled once again down to south louisiana, exiting i-10 right before going over the big bridge into baton rouge. my dad couldn't make it - our air conditioner broke the night before, & the animals couldn't be left alone in an increasingly warm house.

we left early, knowing there was an lsu home game that weekend, knowing the probability of traffic. but that day, it was clear skies & clear roads to match. and when we arrived early, we decided - ravenously - that we needed something to eat. so, we stopped at sonic for a snack of popcorn chicken & french fries. and as we sat & ate, i reflected on how silly it was that we were eating before a tasting. i laughed to myself.

and then, as the distance between us & the place

justin & i are getting married - in a little over a month -

grew less & less significant, it hit me:

i am getting married.

i am getting married at nottoway.

i am getting married at the place i've always wanted to get married.

i am fulfilling my 11-year-old, off-handed, that's-a-million-years-away, wish.

i couldn't - really couldn't - be more grateful. or anxious. or excited.

and i don't really think it'll feel real until the day arrives,

though i know i'll continue having flashes of clarity, of reality.

but for now, i'll just wait.

photos: the rotunda at nottoway \ iphone

*oh, & the food was delicious. and the soundtrack, equivalent. i'll soon be sharing.

a labor day weekend, spent on the beach.

THERE'S NO doubt about it - this trip almost didn't happen. hurricane isaac nearly kept us from traveling down to the beach where i spent my childhood summers: gulf shores, alabama. but like so many other things, this trip had a way of working out. and now i can say i've got a labor day bachelorette party under my belt.

 

thank you so much to my friends for giving me a beach trip i'll never forget, & will always yearn for.

 

on the skirts of a great week of guest posts by some of my favorite bloggers, i wanted to give a little peek into my festivities. more photos + a look into justin's coordinating celebration will come next week.

 

view the guest posts here:

 

natalie's | daci's | eliza's | alison's

 

 

photos: gulf shores, by way of our balcony at lighthouse condominium \ instagram

a bachelorette fete: alison's.

TODAY, ALISON from {long distance loving} 

has created a gorgeous, golden bachelorette look!

she is also sharing some details

from her very own pre-wedding jaunt - read on!

and don't forget to check out all of the friday's fancies this week.

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Happy Friday, friends! It's {av} from {long distance loving}--gleefully standing in for Lauren while she enjoys her bachelorette festivities! She's been linking up with Friday's Fancies for ages now, so it means the world to stand in for her today :)

Though it seems like yesterday, I celebrated my bachelorette just under two years ago in Nashville, Tennessee. It wasn't a big affair and it was exactly what I envisioned. A few of my best girl friends had a fun night out in Music City, donning surprise t-shirts and candy necklaces. {No male body parts allowed! haha} If I was celebrating again this weekend and not sporting a t-shirt with my picture on it, I would love to wear the gilded ensemble below. It's a lot of gold, but every bachelorette deserves to be the center of attention on her night! 

Let's be serious: I wish I could wear sequins more often than I actually do. This Sequin Bell Sleeve Sheath {via Rent the Runway} would make me feel like a princess--without being too overexposed ;)

Leave it to Kate Spade to make Statement Earrings--and leave it to me to fall in love with each and every color iteration. These beauties would be versatile for plenty of other wedding functions!

Doesn't it go without saying that some bubbly is in line for a bachelorette? Splurging on a bottle of Veuve Cliquot would definitely be in order for this special occasion.

These Nadri Pavé Bangles are quite the sparklers. Much like the earrings, they'd get more than one wear during wedding season.

I'm a long-time lover of Ann Taylor heels, so when I spied these Glitter Perfect Pumps, my heart skipped a beat. Comfort and glamour are right up my alley!
---
Don't forget to hop over to {long distance loving} and check out a bevy of beautiful ensembles from the Friday's Fancies family! If you'd like to join the link-up, click here to join the mailing list :) I'd love to have you! Much love to Lauren on this once-in-a-lifetime weekend!! xoxo {av}

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read about other pre-wedding festivities here:
natalie's.
daci's.
eliza's.

i want to thank each of the four ladies who stood in for me this week following my labor day bachelorette getaway in gulf shores, alabama. next week, i'll be sharing the details.

a pre-wedding fete: eliza's.



TODAY, ELIZA from case study is sharing some details from her favorite pre-wedding festivity: her bridal shower! she is also sharing some inspiration for those of you out there who may be planning a party. i love her ideas, & i think you will too. don't forget to check out her blog & leave some love. 

 

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Hello, Siddathornton readers!

I'm honored to be filling in for Lauren today while she's recovering from what I'm sure was a fabulous Bachelorette Party ;) My name is Eliza + I'm the voice behind Case Study, a lifestyle blog that takes a glimpse into my love for wearing stripes, drinking champagne, and living the newlywed life.

via

When Lauren asked me to share something special I did to prepare for my wedding, I thought through all of those great memories and settled on my bridal shower. My man-of-honor planned the perfect bridal shower, centered around my favorite part of any weekend, brunch! It was surprisingly easy to get guests to agree to a late morning shower + the menu came together quickly. Having everyone I love cozied into one space for presents + breakfast made for the best wedding shower I could have imagined :)

Are you planning a bridal shower? Here are some thoughts/pins to help get your creative juices flowing!

Gift Idea :: a gift to last a lifetime ;)

Favors :: individual tea bags or lingerie cookies

Invitations :: love how these include the bride-to-be's size

Our menu included :: croissants, quiche, fresh fruit, coffee, and mimosas!

Thanks for having me, Lauren! I can't wait to hear all about your bachelorette festivities :)

I hope you'll all come by Case Study + introduce yourself. Leave a link to your blog in the comments, I'm always on the lookout for new blogs to follow!

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read about other pre-wedding festivities here:
natalie's.
daci's.

and coming tomorrow:
a sweet round of friday's fancies created by alison herself + a little story from her.

a bachelorette fete: daci's.

TODAY, DJ from just d and y is sharing her bachelorette adventure.

her blog keeps me in stitches, & to top it all off, i actually know her in real life.

please don't hesitate to go check her out! you won't be sorry, i promise.

 

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I went to the site of JFK's assassination for my bachelorette party.

 

Hi, by the way. I'm DJ, lover of American History, hater of fun. 

 

(Kind of.) 

 

In 2009, a few months before my wedding, four friends and I decided to take a little road trip from Louisiana to Dallas. It was on this road trip that we came up with a plan of attack in the event that creepy guys tried to talk to any of us -- we would tell them our name was something "mom-ish" in the hopes that it might deter them. After a lengthy discussion, it was determined that we would go by the name of Carol. All five of us. No one would talk to a bunch of Carols.

 

 

It didn't work. 

 

(But we did invent Carol Convention, so it wasn't a total loss!)

 

The next day, the other Carols revealed that there was an ulterior motive to this trip: a bachelorette party for little old me.

 

But the first order of business was to wash the Dallas/Jersey Shore cooties off of us. We needed to detox, to do something completely intellectual to cancel out the hot mess that was the previous night.

 

The 6th Floor Museum in downtown Dallas -- housed in the building where Lee Harvey Oswald allegedly shot JFK -- was the obvious choice.

 

 

You guys, it was a really good museum. I highly recommend it. Maybe not for your scandalous bachelorette festivities, but you know. Any other time. 

 

For your bachelorette enjoyment, might I suggest the events that followed:

 

 

Receiving semi-scandalous lingerie (I fully believe 2008-2009 will be remembered in history as The Year of the Romper).

 

 

Eating cupcakes and partaking in a little Skittles vodka.

 

 

Waving at your adoring fans out of a glass elevator  (editor's pick - this one is extremely necessary to achieve maximum bachelorette-ness).

 

 

And last but not least, getting embarrassed onstage at a piano bar (no pictures appear to exist from this, which is probably not a bad thing.)

 

I hope Lauren is having a fabulous time at her bachelorette party -- and hopefully learning something in the process :) She's got me in the mood to reminisce about my wedding, so I've got a few pictures up on my blog today -- click here to check them out and say hi!

 

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read other bachelorette wrap-ups here:

natalie's.

and i hope you'll stop by again tomorrow to enjoy eliza's story.

 

a bachelorette fete: natalie's.

AS I recover from my labor day bachelorette festivities, 
a few of my favorite bloggers have agreed to stand in for me 
& share their own bachelorette experiences. today, natalie 
from natalie merrillyn shares some sweet details from her party. enjoy!

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Hello Siddathornton readers! I'm Natalie from Natalie Merrillyn and I'm so excited to be sharing about my bachelorette party while Lauren is enjoying her pre-wedding festivities. Ironically, my bachelorette party was exactly two years ago today -- it was such a fun day!

My bachelorette party was pretty low-key. My bridesmaids and close friends gathered at a friends house for homemade sushi and tropical drinks. We had a mini lingerie shower and then headed to downtown Annapolis {my hometown} for cocktails and dancing. It was a fun night with some of my best girlfriends, I wouldn't have it any other way!

Here are a few things that helped me get through the night:

band-aids

tylenol

water

flats

lipgloss

wallet

Thanks so much, Lauren, for having me! And please be sure to stop by Natalie Merrillyn!

xoxo

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thank you, natalie! and i hope everyone is having a fabulous day off work for the labor day holiday!

check back on wednesday to read daci's story.

a photo, a wish, & a thank you.

the extremely hectic nature of the week i just put behind me only makes me feel a smidge better about not having prepped a friday's fancies post this week. in lieu of my usual post, i'll leave you with a little photo & a little wish: that this weekend is one i'll always remember, for all the right reasons.

 

 

and if you're positively itching for some fashion-inspired material, here is last year's friday's fancies labor day look. i can't believe it's been over a year since i first started participating in alison's link-up. it's something i genuinely enjoy putting together nearly every week, & it has enabled me to become acquainted with a great group of fellow bloggers. and if that wasn't great enough, i'm beyond excited that she will be guest posting here on siddathornton next friday, as i recover from the bachelorette festivities of this weekend.

 

thank you, alison, for all you do!

monday - a wilmington wish list.
tuesday - lunch time currents.
wednesday - bachelorette party essentials: one last nod to neon.
thursday - love lists: august.
friday - a photo, a wish, & a thank you.

here's to a weekend of safe travels, strong drinks, & best friends.

 

photo: boats in alabama \ instagram