Social Graces

1.11.2011

rinse and repeat

Amidst all the birthday festivites, Sally Kate got her first haircut! She's now sporting a fabulous new bob.

Sister took her to the newest boutique salon in town...Rinse and Repeat. It's for kids only and the interior is so adorable. Not to mention Suzie the owner - she's great! And Sally Kate was an angel too!

first snip!

almost done...

ta-da! and a lollipop for the good customer.

sk admiring her new do

thanks suzie! and don't you just love her houndstooth chair!

1.04.2011

26

Happy Birthday to moi!

My birthday activities today include:
Volunteering at the Governor's Mansion for the Inaugural open house
Misc. Inauguration activities
Lunch out, of some sort
Birthday dinner with friends

Looking forward to celebrating all the upcoming January birthdays~

1.01.2011

new year, fresh start

Happy New Year friends! Cheers to a fabulous 2010 and an even better 2011.

This past year, and really the last few months, has brought much change to my life. Some good, some bad...but all different. Changes I've never experienced before. In the new year I'm most looking forward to marrying the love of my life and all the wonderful change that will bring!

I'd also like to announce my fresh start for the new year. As of yesterday, I am no longer employed at my design firm. I spent a fascinating 3 1/2 years there studying professional interior design and learning so many wonderful things under a great mentor. I will dearly miss all the fabulous clients and projects we had and I will always keep the quaint town of Quincy in my heart. It was no surprise really, just finally a conclusion to too many months with not enough work for two designers.

However, it is a bittersweet ending. I'm not sure what is next but know that the Lord has great things planned for my life. I now have the opportunity to do many design things I've always dreamed of without being beholden to a boss and a business. I'm excited about this change.

Starting today I'm consulting on my own.

This could very well turn into my own business {!!} but for now it will be consulting - design, planning, flowers, etc. All of my passions...done my way. Oh, and the client's way too of course! So if this sparks an interest in your mind as we welcome in the new year feel free to e-mail me...marycaroline04@hotmail.com.

So here's to 2010 and and all the unknown but wonderful things 2011 may bring~cheers!

12.28.2010

the most wonderful time of the year

I love the week time between Christmas and New Year's Eve - one holiday into the next, I love it. Then of course we roll into the January holidays but I'll save that for 2011! Here's a holiday home tour and our Mica family Christmas~

welcome

sweet vintage ornaments from lane

thankfully after christmas in ocala new radkos have been added :)

...try not to notice the dirty windows/screens

our 2010 governor's mansion ornament - the grove

we got our dyson vacuum!!

the soon-to-be sistas

12.26.2010

christmas vacation

We're leaving today to head back to Tallahassee and I have such mixed emotions. I've been home for a week and a half and have both gone through a lot and done a lot. I've been blessed to be able to be home during this time and will miss being with mom and dad immensely, but I'm looking forward to getting back to my life in Tallahassee. We will celebrate Christmas with David's family tonight and I am looking forward to it!

Then Monday, it's back to the daily grind with lots of changes as we go into the last week of 2010 and into the new year. I'm thankful to have spent this special time with my family and dear friends. Holly and Sally Kate even came back for my shower and an early Christmas with us as they spent the holiday with Tallahassee family this year {we missed you!}. We've had a wonderful time celebrating Christmas and the birth of our Savior in Ocala. We're not quite the Griswald's but here are some highlights of our Christmas Vacation...

sally kate and roxie the reindeer

friday morning we opened gifts with sister and sally kate

grandmommy and grandaddy gave sk a beautiful wooden cradle...have I mentioned she likes to "rock my baby" and she's obsessed with babies - real and fake :)

I bought her some dress up shoes...my favorite kind from when I was a little girl. she's also obsessed with wearing everyone's shoes and mostly high heels.

these shoes were made for walking

mom made our traditional christmas morning breakfast on christmas eve morning this year

david made it on the fireplace this year :)

friday afternoon was spent frolicking around ocala with heather lane!

followed by a joyful christmas eve service at church and dinner with the family

it's been fun spending time with michael

on christmas day!

12.24.2010

everyone needs christmas china!

Here's a glimpse into my first shower. It was last Thursday and it was fabulous!! The hostesses went above and beyond to make it so special. And thank you to all our dear friends and family that traveled to be there on the eve of Christmas Eve. I still can't believe it was all for me!

Here's to the first of many showers - may the official party season commence! cheers

my beautiful soiree guestbook

the bride~moi!

this doll makes an appearance at everything wedding

my fabulous hostesses

a hostess thank you gift from moi

with my matrons of honor - heather lane and sister

they pulled out all the stops - antique china...

tasty food...

...and festive drinks!

and of course monogrammed gingerbread favors

heather lane and ms. becky

sk sleeping on grandmommy...she decided to fall asleep on the way to the party

allison, jennifer, aunt debbie and sweet baby john daniel

with liza

my beautiful bridesmaids

gift time

m...now for mica!

sally kate woke up and was my little helper

with all the mica/van hise/rodriguez clan

my sweet mother of the bride

the in-laws :)

the ruffles

my handsome fiance showed up to carry all the gifts away!

I came right home and displayed everything in the dining room. david reminded me that we were having people over on christmas {hint, hint...why are you unpacking everything!} and I replied that I had until saturday to enjoy it!