Mantel Envy

So lately I've really been into home decor, crafting and anything DIY. And while I have had some successes - that I'd like to post about life has sort of gotten in the way. So while I have many things to come and I plan to start blogging on the weekend - i hope this posts holds you over.

As you may know - Hubster and I rent a little "before" house in H-town. We like the house enough but its missing one big thing. A mantle. Most of the time I can live without it but lately with the holiday season I've been dying to have a mantle to decorate, hang stockings from.

So here are some inspirational mantels.

via pottery barn

via house of smiths

Happy Birthday Roomie

Happy Birthday to one of the greatest!





This gal is an amazing friend, always willing to help, always loyal, never flaky, never moody, never difficult, great listener. The laid back beauty is an amazing gal and I feel lucky to get to call her roomie (even tho we live with boys now)!
Love you LBettyMac!

Honeymoon

Well the honeymoon was amazing! I wish I was back in Cabo listening to the constant sound of the ocean and reading lots of books. Here are some of our favorite pictures. We did a lot of lounging, sleeping and reading by the pool. We were both so tired after the wedding it was perfect. Our resort was faboulous with fabulous food so we did not leave very often during the day. Why waste a perfectly good pool day. But when we did leave we did a wonderful boat cruise and saw the famous cabo arch and lovers beach. Cal had such a wonderful time sailing as he loves that type of thing! It was a great getaway and I can't wait for many more tropical vacations in our future!
Here are some highlights:

Wouldn't you like to be there too!

Wishing for...

So while I know I should be blogging about this....

or the fact that we went to this magical place...

what I really want to discuss is how I'm dying to have a similar wall hanging like in this picture. I just love the different colors and patterns and think it's so fun. The creative cell in my body(yes there is only one) really wants to create this look on my own. I think it would be so fun to go to a fabric store, choose 6 fabrics that are different but still go together and frame them. Maybe its a project I could do with my mom over the holidays. I just think its a great way to add color to a room without buying thousands of dollars worth of art. Why is art so damn expensive. I guess I will just have to keep commissioning free art from my uncle and cal's sister!

Those special to me

Well a long time ago whilst blog stalking I noticed a bride towards the end of her engagement took the time to give shout outs to all the members of her bridal party, her parents and special people in her life. I thought it was such a neat idea and while a lot of those people don't read this I still thought it would be a neat idea.

So don't worry folks I'm going to save Cal for last!!!

L O V E

That is my new focus for the next six weeks. I'm going to make the best of everything that has happened, be a positive polly and enjoy this amazing occasion. Because I get to marry my best friend, I get to have my favorite people there to celebrate with, to stand next to me, to dance with, to fix my lipstick. And the great news is I have the best set of people to do that with too. The people that I know will be a part of my life forever and the man that will support and love me my entire life.

So good bye work stress, life stress, and wedding stress.

Hello enjoyment, ease and excitement (i purposefully choose all E's because I'm going to embrace my E. Its in the future after all). I'm going to be honest! I'm freaking excited about marrying Cal and having all my besties around.

LO

VE,

EBD (soon to be EDE)

P.S. I actually like E.D.E. too because I feel like I can sing that rap song that Eve sang with Gwen Stefani but with EDE instead. It's in my head all the time.

What to toss?

So during all this crazy wedding planning I was trying to think which idea I liked more for our grand exit.

The exit won't be so grand as we are just going to hop on the bus back to the hotel- where I hope the partying continues of course.

My two ideas are:

Sparklers a classic and beautiful thought

or

Rosemary and Lavender. I love lavender and I think it would be a cool tie in to the whole belgian-france infused wedding. We shall see.

Now, if only I could think of cute table names. Per my father's request he doesn't want the table names just be numbers after all.

Guest Bedding

Here is the bedding for the guest room. I've already recieved this and I'm so excited about it too! I love paisley. Now I just need my master bedroom set so I can use the duvet for the guest room.

Playing house is fun.

Bedding

As the wedding presents start coming in I can't help but hold my breathe everytime a big macy's box arrives. I'm desperately awaiting my bedding. I love it. Poor Tobi is in for a rude awakening when she realizes she not allowed to be on the bed anymore.

Running on empty

I was recently excited about all my posting. I thought it would be a fun way to stay motivated about the wedding. Unfortunately right now the wedding is the last thing I want to think about.

With all the recent events, I just need a small break so that I can redirect my visions and thoughts about how things will go. I'm assured it will still be great but I just don't want to think about that now.

I want to do nothing. I want to be relaxed. I want to take care of me.

Wedding Shoes - WHICH ONES?

On my mind lately is finding and ordering my wedding shoes. I'm going to be one of those brides that has two pair because I'm nervous about walking down the aisle in heels when the aisle is all grass.

Which ones should I choose. I am totally loving this color but I'm thinking the first pair might be the best since they have a more manageable heel. I don't want to pull a Carrie Bradshaw and fall down the runway--- I mean aisle. Same thing right. Long stretch of walking where people stare :). At least this way people can stare at my pretty shoes.

I love Champagne - THE COLOR

I know I previously mentioned my love for champagne but I have a love for the color champagne as well. I think its modern, elegant, and classic much like the drink I suppose. I came accross this wedding on one of my favorite wedding blogs and thought. HEY - champagne bridesmaid dresses! I think they look great here. Mine are a touch darker but I think it will be a similar concept. Glad I still like it, bridesmaid dresses were a hard find.

Well crap...

It just hit me that the wedding is going to be after the summer. We are in the summer now. That's not far away.

Time to kick it into high gear. Bridesmaids...start your engines.

Another Bites the Dust

Well another bestie got married this weekend in a wonderful laid back and stunningly colorful affair this weekend. I got the honor of being one of the maids of honor and being a part of such a special day. The day was extra special for me because I got to chauffeur the bride around while she got her hair did and all that fun stuff. It was so nice to get to spend some one on one time with her, and well i guess the hip hair chick who took three hours to curl hair. Although I'm not judging, lbetty I'm sorry lmacky has some Long hair. Good news was it turned it out beautiful, just like her dress, just like her face, just like her wedding. What a special day!!! Hooray for amazing brides!

Running

Running is going so well! Cal and I have stayed on track and it feels fabulous. That doesn't mean we don't treat ourselves to a small treat once a week but in terms of exercise we've really started to enjoy it. Apparently after 7 weeks it becomes a habit so we are over half way there. We've been running several times as week for a month! That seems crazy but its exciting. We are up to running for 7 minutes walking for 2. Yesterday was the first time we tried it and it wasn't bad. We were talking more and just enjoying our run. We live in a beautiful neighborhood so its so nice to just run and admire the houses and discuss what we like and don't. This age is such a transition. It is so interesting to see where everyone is in their lives. I have friends thinking about adding bundles of joys to the mix, i have a friend getting married this weekend and cal and i who are still so stinking happy that we get to see each other every day. I'm excited about all the learning and life we are about to live and enjoy with each other and with our friends.

Honesty

Cal and I are trying to live an extra healthy lifestyle and lose some weight. These past few weeks I haven't been very successful and I keep beating myself up about it and hiding my feelings. So i thought if I was honest about what my goals I would get more success with achieving them. I know that if i have support of the people I love I will be more successful. So here it goes. Cal and I are doing a running program that increases each week to build you up to running 3.5 miles in 10 weeks. We are doing good so far on week one. We have to run this weekend and we won't be at home but I'm excited to continue our motivation and eat healthy and smartly over the weekend. I think with strategies and planning it will make it easier. The weekend is about being with some of my most favorite people in the world not the places we will eat.

So here I will keep our progress and let you know. This week we have to run 4 times a week for 30 minutes. The running consists of intervals of run 2 minutes walk 4. Its been really fun to do together so far. I love that cal is doing it with me and it keeps it fun!! I've cooked weight watchers meals in the evening and that's been good too. Let's see if I have lost any weight at my weight watchers meeting! I'll keep you posted! I feel so vulnerable but I think it will be the extra kick in the pants i need.

Goo Future Team Estee!!

Champagne

I'm so in love with champage right now. I keep thinking about what a refreshing and classic drink it is. It reminds me of celebrations and happiness and reaching milestones. I love that Cal is sentimental and kept all the bottles of champagne we had together. The bottle Lisa gave us the night of our engagement. All wonderful memories. This past weekend took champagne to a new level with the French 75 or 77 cocktail- amazing. I want to drink those on September 18.

Busy Bee

Things are so crazy here. Ever since i started the new job i feel like things have been going non-stop!

The new job is great. I'm challenged in many ways- learning a lot- and spending hours at work. I love it. What I love the most is coming home to cal every night of the week. Such a fun experience and it only took 3 YEARS!

Wedding planning is going well. On a total flower kick right now after meeting with my florist and the price wasn't even as bad as I thought! Always a positive. But mostly I'm focused on being a good guest at the upcoming weddings and of course a good MOH to my lovely B2B Lauren. We just went to NOLA this weekend for her last fling before the ring. My oh my what a blast. I can honestly say that girl has wonderful taste in friends!!

Lastly tobi is growing more than ever!! She has flashes of being an obedient wonderful dog but most of the time she is a bit mischievous. But man alive is she a happy puppy!!!

That's where things stand! Hopefully more pics and life updates to come!!!

Lavender

I love lavender:

- the way it looks

-the way it smells

-the way it tastes with champagne

-the way it reminds me of France, of where I come from.

Hooray for little reminders.

Be sure to wear some flowers in your hair...

One of my favorite parts of my wedding is not necessarily my dress or any of that crap but the flowers for my hair. I just love the idea.
So for the ceremony....one big gardenia

then to be more fun a pink runuculus for the reception:

Yay flowers!! The wedding seems so far away and so close at the same time. especially these past two weeks I have a lot of change coming my way and now I'm excited about that as well.
More on that later...

Great Weekend

This weekend The Newtons came to visit us in Houston!!! It was just too much fun. This couple is good for my soul. Its so nice to have a couple friend that we can just hang out and watch tv and be ourselves. We had a wonderful dinner, we did some preparations for hte superbowl party. The newtons were extremely thoughtful and helpful with all the party preparations!

The weekend was particularly special because the newtons brought their wonderful pooch Mia. It was Tobi's first play date and it went so well. The dogs got along great- Tobi loved Mia. They played so well together. I know Tobi keeps looking around for her pooch friend. The good news is that we are going to austin this weekend so a double dose of the newtons. I couldnt ask for a better two weekends.

T-Payne

Here is the latest picture of T-Payne as we affectionately call her. Its times when I'm in Dallas and I look at these pictures, that I really miss her. She a cutie pie.

I love Lemon!

Not only do I love Liz Lemon, I have learned to appreciate lemons. My mom was always someone who had lemons in her kitchen. I never really knew what was so great about lemons until lately. Lemons make everything better, I've used it to make the lightest and fresh tasting lemon pound cake, to make a sauce for chicken, and to spruce up a pasta. Not only that but when you put the lemons down the disposal they make the kitchen smell wonderful! Now, good ol' martha has the idea to make candles with them. I would love to try this...

Can't wait to get married here

I love looking at pictures of the Barr Mansion. It just gets me so excited! :)

Little Miss Tobi...

..is a handful. This little bundle of joy is a very excited puppy. She has two phases as we call them- Party Tobi and Sleeping Tobi. Nothing in between. But we are enjoying every minute. She loves a good Toby Keith song, leaves from the yard, tennis balls, peanut butter,

and howling when no one is around...

Where's Tobi?

AAAH its tomorrow. How are we going to choose? We have the pick of the litter - so that means we get to pick first. I'm so excited! I kind of just want them all. However, we decided we'd go for a female and there are only two in the litter. So that will help narrow it down. I just want to kiss them and squeeze 'em. in fact that's what i'll be doing tomorrow.

Tobi, are you in there??????????

Little Miss Tobi is in there somewhere. On Thursday, Cal and I get to go pick out our new puppy. I'm counting down the minutes! We are so excited to have a healthy puppy on our hands and to love her to death. Will post more pictures when we've got her!