spring bridal brunch

On Saturday morning a delicious and beautiful brunch was held in my honor! The hostesses were wonderful ladies that have known me since I was born. It was so nice to be surrounded but lovely, Christian women and hearing their support and love for David and me.

The brunch started with a surprise by my Aunt Laura and cousin Emily all the way from Tennessee!! I cried when they walked in the door - I had no clue they were coming. It was so special to me.

We also had a devotional read by a friend and everyone enjoyed hearing funny Mary Caroline personality traits that David may experience in the future {I'm pretty sure he's familiar with them all!} - not that my mother would ever divulge traits to be read allowed such as my persistence, dislike of the word No, and expensive taste!

The devotion was followed by a scrumptious brunch, gift opening and desserts by Betty Cakes!

Thank you for another wonderful wedding soiree~

my fabulous hostesses

these petit fours from betty cakes were the best I have ever had!

hostess gifts - a thyme to celebrate cookbook

sandy reading the devotion

my beautiful bee napkin holder - thanks mom and sister

sally kate with her new bff liza

grandma jean, aunt laura, and emily with the bride

with sweet liza and rebecca

with miss june

pamela, mc, and abby

with childhood friends ashley and lois

bridesmaids

pre-party pics:
sally kate with her grandaddy

my beautiful mother of the bride

the cutest two year old ever!

blush and bashful

Oh, Shelby. The wedding is approaching and I'd like to take Shelby's lead and talk about "my colors." However, it's not too easy to describe as I don't have a set palette or typical two-colored scheme. Not that I'm not necessarily opposed to it but I just tend to do things a bit differently; whereas, my wedding decor isn't evolving around any specific color{s} but rather things I love and find beautiful in fabrics, flowers, and the decorative arts. So since everyone seems to be asking more than usual lately I've decided my first response to them is going to be blush and bashful to get a good rouse out of the inquirer! And then if they really want to know I'll start on my long winded description of "Well, the bridesmaids are wearing these green and cream silk skirts..." and then you would have rather me have said those two famous shades of pink. I'm in Ocala this weekend for another bridal shower and I am more than thrilled. Can't wait to use my new line!

spring is here

Happy Spring!

The photos above of the fabulous spring arrangement were taken by me at The Cummer Museum of Art and Gardens in Jacksonville a few weeks ago, as I was there for work.

They were kicking off their Garden Week with Petals to Paint, an evening in the Gardens with floral interpretations of the art collection in several galleries. We got a sneak preview.

It reminds me of Spring and all the new life and God's beautiful creation during this season.

happy everything!

On Saturday, some of my favorite people hosted a fabulous Backyard BBQ for the soon to be Mr. and Mrs.!! The Gunters graciously entertained some of our nearest and dearest at their house. Please check out her post here to see all the amazing details. And click here to see The Bruces take...they got some great candids!

As for my contribution to all these fun parties...I get to pick out great hostess gifts! And then wrap them which I almost love even more! I've been giving a little piece of Tallahassee to everyone and enjoying calling on my talented friends to help create them. For this shower, I had Kathryn Glass Designs create personalized decorative tassels for each couple. They all turned out beautiful and fun. Not even knowing the bbq color scheme and decor, I wrapped them up in kraft paper and a gingham bow. The finishing touch was a sketch of the couple by moi!

Enjoy~

the bruces, pattons, edenfields, meadows, campbells and gunters - thank you!!

2011 couples shower prom

the honored couple

with the fabulous hostesses

sorority sisters

sibling pose

finally...so glad I got to see you!!

I love david's reaction to his lacoste towels

at last...my happy everything plate from coton colors.
how did the hostesses ever know I wanted one?!

jacksonville friends

roommates

an end to the best backyard bbq couples shower ever!

chili cook-off

This weekend we headed for a short trip to the coast. On Saturday, we went to the St. George Island Chili Cook-off and boy is that a sight to see! We only stayed long enough for a bowl of chili then it was back to the house to enjoy island life...nap time.

David and the guys went oystering earlier in the day and brought back several bushels fresh from the bay. There is nothing like eating a fresh oyster picked only a few minutes before.

We also celebrated Marcus's birthday which is actually today - Happy Birthday!!

so incredibly good.

and I came home to this...I love receiving wedding packages!

a frolic through february

February as come and gone and March is already passing quickly! We're almost to the 3 month wedding countdown and everything is wonderful. I was asked to come back full-time to Main Street Design and started officially on February 1st. Since then I have been busier than ever and am working on some really fabulous projects! It has all been a blessing in disguise.

For Valentine's Day, David and I like to stay in and cook dinner. This year we took on the adventure of cooking lobsters! David picked two fresh lobsters on his lunch break and they were anxiously awaiting for me, live, in my refrigerator crisper drawers! We also made delicious asparagus risotto from the new Junior League cookbook. Everything was top notch - flavor and company.

Last but certainly not least, at the end of February I attended the annual Thomasville Antiques Show. I went two years ago to hear the famed interior designer Bunny Williams speak and this year I was even more thrilled to attend the Carolyne Roehm lecture. She was fabulous!! An icon in my book for all "passions" - flowers, interior design, parties, blue and white...the list goes on.
And of course no trip to Thomasville is complete without lunch at Jonah's Fish and Grits! Yum.

Awakening foliage in my neighborhood is a sure sign spring is upon us! I'm enjoying the late blooming camellias, fragrant Japanese magnolias, and my dogwoods that are beginning to bloom.

Here's to March and two more wedding soirees this month!

what I came home to...

delicious antipasto

asparagus risotto in the works

ready to eat!

left over tea treats for dessert

2011 thomasville antiques show

fyi - I do not have these two books yet and would love to own them someday :)