June's Favorite Things

This month has absolutely flown by!

and guess what...I have lots of favorites. I am not sorry either.
 We went to Williamsburg with my parents for the weekend and Wiki surprised us all with a sailboat sunset trip.
We stopped and got my favorite thing about Williamsburg(other than that whole 'historic' side;) Wine smoothies. The Mango is my favorite.
 I caught up with one of my besties and her twinsies for some ice cream. Love these sweet girls!
 Found out I will be an aunt once again this Christmas. Yay!!!
 Indulged in pretty much the best ever biscottis from Roseanne's in Boston. 
Saw NKOTB, 98 Degrees & Boys ll Men...mainly cause that is what you do when you're awesome.
 Got to participate in The Messy Project. Was so much fun! Loved working with Kelly!

 Got to meet my newest cousin, Mister Jake. Sweet boy.
 Got to enjoy my favorite tea and this view from my aunt's porch,
  
 Had our ten year anniversiry party! Went with a coral and mint theme!
 My broither was our entertainment for the night. Pretty sure he was singing some Wagon Wheel right here. Yeah, buddy.
 Headed to Myrtle Beach to Nanny, and she gave me perfect beach waves. Loved it.
 Made a peanut butter oreo cheesecake...with just a fork. and oh, muh goodness...people.
 Tried a lovely drink on my last morning, Caramel Apple 
and the view from our Balcony.

Today is my ten year anniversary and we are headed to Jekyll Island and Saint Simons. So some of my favorite moments have yet to happen!

But here are a few shots from our photo shoot. Love me some him!



Linking up with

How He & She Became We...

Today marks ten years of being the Mrs to his Mr. 
(and PSA, prepare for some mush)
First up, I should mention that I really wanted to walk down the aisle to Brickhouse...and my mother so rudely nixed that. She is really into being classy. Some people...
Our wedding was awesome, we got married at a bed & breakfast with 300 of our favorite people looking on...oh, and I can't forget the cows. We also had a wedding party of 32 people. 
Yes, you read that correctly
...32 people. 12 Bridesmaids, 12 groomsman, 5 ushers and 3 flowergirls/ring bearer. And while I was completely overwhelmed at first...Looking back, I am not sure I would have changed a thing. I love each of these people and everyone has had a major impact on my life.
    We started our future together that day...
Cannot even believe it!  Sometimes it feels just like yesterday and yet others...it feels like forever ago. We have somehow fit a lifetime of antics into ten years and I cannot even begin to imagine how the next ten...and beyond, will look like.

I am more than blessed to be B.. I have been lucky enough to be the carrier of two amazing names. For the first 24 years of my life, I spent it as a Blanks. I was proud to be the only girl carrying that name on in my family, one day knowing I would take on my husbands, but none the less proud of what it stood for.

My father is an amazing man of integrity and character. And in choosing my husband, I chose someone completely opposite of my father in so many ways...but not the ones that count. Tony(yes, Wiki is a Tony;) encompasses every trait that a woman should look for in a husband. He is caring, he has a work ethic that most people could never even fathom, he treats everyone the same. He is smart. He is simply pretty awesome. If you want any more down low on him, you can read my 35 favorite things about him here.

But before I make you want to vomit...he is a man,ergo...sometimes I could wring his neck;) haha 

So today on our ten year anniversary. Here are my ten of my favorite moments from our life together.
1) The day we first purchased our new home. We had no furniture yet, it was still at our old apartment, but we had a step stool and we ate Wendy's(late night) and had champagne. and just talked about our dreams for the future.

2)The day he got his letter that he got into the masters program at Duke. It was a "we" accomplishment and I was so proud of him. and then watching him graduate two years later.

3)Our night in Chiles Valley and our stay at Rustridge Vineyard. Brunch in tiberon on the water, nights in San Francisco and Napa. Best. Week. Ever.

4) Playing scene it and the time the girls actually won. Tony isn't used to losing. It was a pretty priceless moment. Hey, I hold onto this moment, they are far too rare;)

5) New Years with our friends, we have had so many good ones, from a wedding at the Seaport hotel in Boston, to Jamestown Island in Rhode Island, Miami and the beach to just chilling at our house, combining our two traditions from growing up.

6) His speech at his brother's wedding. Knowing how much he loves his brother and hearing his thoughts and the excitement of a new sister in law.

7) Our trip from Philly to Buffalo for a week of back to back weddings where he surprised me and took  me to an Inn in Vermont for the week in between.

8) nights around the fire with my family and listening to my brother sing and we all just tell stories. Simple country nights at their best

9) Our wedding. Truthfully, it was beyond amazing and I still have people mention to me, over and over...how it was the best one they ever attended. and I know they think this, because on more than one occasion, I have met friends of friends and they have said "oh, the one from the amazing wedding?" Yup...pretty much. All of my favorite people, in one place.

10) Our honeymoon. Although...it was a bit too long. But we were officially "we" and I loved every second. We spent a few days in DC and then a glorious week in Aruba. The weather was perfect, the people were so friendly and the drinks were all buy one get one free and then we headed to NYC for the next week. Just us, taking in one of our favorite places, no schedule...just great shopping, shows and food.

and as a bonus.

11) My grandfather is a huge and I mean huge Cubs fan, my childhood is filled with memories of him in his recliner watching games on WGN. He had seen them play a few times, but never at Wrigley, So for his 80th birthday we surprised him with tickets to a game and spent July 4th weekend in Chicago with my grandparents. Probably one of the most memorable times in my life. And he loved every second, showing my grandparents around. One of the reasons I love him so.

I cannot wait to see what the next ten years hold. 

I made  a video of our life together(cause, hello, why wouldn't I?!) and I chose this song because in my case...it is true. If you know anything at all about my illness or story, then you will understand the meaning behind these words, It is not merely a love song, it speaks volumes to my struggle and the man who stands beside me.




This was the song we had our first dance to. Still love it to this day. Maybe we should dance to it this weekend while we're living it up in Jekyll Island and St Simons...perhaps not. I will just drink cocktails instead. and probably eat.
in other words...Like pretty much my usual schedule.

This ten years has been a ride. Sometimes bumpy, but marriage is hard work. Stick with it and you will be rewarded in ways you never thought possible. Everything  that  is worth anything, requires diligence. Anyone who paints marriage as perfect and all roses is full of it,  that isn't reality, the tough times are where you learn the most and they make the really good days that much more enjoyable.

I still have the story of us and marriage myths to write up, Service didn't cooperate with me this week, but I promise to have them up soon. Here are a few of our ten year photos:) He found a coral blazer to match our coral/mint theme. and I love it;)



Linking up with

Our Marriage Is Turning Ten

and so this weekend, we celebrated with some of our family and friends in a low key gathering that involved some of our favorite things: Virginia scenery, Music, food and those closest to us. We were missing our Bostonians though...you were never far from our thoughts( we will see y'all soon!)

Friday my weekend started off right by getting to meet this lil guy. 
  Mister Jake...
My heart is so full for you already! I hope you will always know how loved you are, sweet boy!
Your parents did good!

Saturday morning we headed up to God's Country...
For any of you unsure about where I speak of...
Shame on you;) 
Virginia...obviously.


Look at this rainbow...I am so sad that you cannot fully grasp just how bold the colors were and it was a full rainbow! You rarely ever see both ends.



On Sunday, I was sitting on the deck taking in this view drinking my tea and soaking up life. Preparing for the party and just taking a few moments to myself. And I loved this shadow created by the design in the table.


 When we got hitched ten years ago, we registered for a lot of games(we are big fans of 'game night') and we received Jenga...truthfully we never opened it. and I saw an idea on Pinterest to make this a guest book. We just had the meaningful bonus of ours having been from our beginning. Loved reading all the messages. And I had bubble gum as favors.
 Raspberry Pineapple Punch, my mom's fruit and waffle cones and a few of my decorations. Mom, you rocked it out! Everyone loved your idea!
 Bestie Friends(miss Rhonda had already left:(
 Miss Nadiah trying her hand at it. She was so cute, she was making up songs as she went. And when she held it, she asked for a pick to play and then pondered for a second before quipping "I am not sure what song I should play?"
My very talented brother singing some tunes for us, so lucky to listen to him!

This was our amazing digs for the weekend, I only wish I could even try to show how breathtaking their home is, and they let us stay for the weekend and have free reign of it and host our party there.
I am so grateful for my aunt and uncle.

and of course...the whole reason for the party

US!!!
I cannot believe Friday will be ten years of being his wife! And look at me...I don't look a day over the 24 years old I was when we said I do;)

This week, every day will be marriage/wedding themed. Tomorrow is the story of us(you know you need to know this;) Wednesday will be my thoughts on The Marriage Myths people put forth vs the truth, Thursday will be my top ten pieces of advice I have learned and Friday, the 28th is our actual ten year annv. and I will share my top ten moments from our marriage. 

But now I am headed to the beach...to nanny. Tenuous work, but somebody has to do it.
Linking up with

He Put A Ring On It

and since next weekend marks our ten year annv, we're gonna take a trip down good ole memory lane.

Fan Friday is back and yes, I am capable of entwining the two subjects. Especially due to the fact that I got engaged at center court in one of my favorite places in the world...

Cameron Indoor Stadium...
or for you guys that are not all that into sports, it is best known as where
 Duke is the lay of the Land.

Some of you may be thinking..."That doesn't seem very romantic" 

You'd be all kinds of wrong;)

It was my first year working part time in the Sports info office on campus and that first year I helped out whenever I was needed but my specific job that year was to go through archives of all the old pictures (dating back till way too long before I was even born) and once they were uploaded I had to put them in specific sports categories and then in individual labels. It was a Friday in October and I was in the office preparing to leave. I may have mentioned to my boss that I needed to leave early and I think I may have even said I had a doctors appt. All I knew is that my sissy in law was visiting from Florida with my two nephews and I needed to get home to Virginia...stat. 

Meanwhile, Wiki may have already told them the plan and that I may say anything to get home early...busted. haha So I tell them I really need to leave around 1:30 and they ask me to stay just till two b/c we have to take some pictures of the basketball team after practice. My first thought was "why would they want me anywhere near the team with a camera and ummmm, don't we have professionals for that? " but I did what I was told.

Basketball practice ended and Christy and I head in and it is very quiet, like you could hear a pin drop. I am wondering where everyone is when all of the sudden...

A huge(and I do mean huge) banner drops from the stands and I just see the words "marry me" and I go "Oh, how sweet someone is practicing to propose to someone" Yeah,...slightly behind the game. especially once you guys notice what is on the sign. ha

Christy is looking at me like I am kinda off my rocker...and all of the sudden the door to the far left opens and all I could hear were these footsteps crossing the floor(it really was like something out of a movie, no sounds but his feet on the hardwood) and when I turned I saw him, with a grin, flowers and a ring box...I quickly reread the sign and I remember completely being taken off guard. I actually started backing up because I couldn't even believe it was happening.

He Came right to center court, I am bawling at this point and he says.

"Will you make me the luckiest man alive and give me the pleasure of having you as my wife"

I squeaked out and just barely...

"You know I will"




And now, looking at these pictures...let's judge me on a) my roots? hellooooo. b) where was my makeup? c) What in hades was I wearing?

Haha So this is my fan Friday...next Friday will be ten years of being hitched. In the eleven plus years I have been at this fine university I have witnessed many fabulous things....but this is always my favorite thing that ever happened there.

Next week I will have everything you never wanted to know about my big day;)


Linking up with

The Messy Project

Today is the big reveal for The Messy Project. 
I love Kelly's blog and am super stoked to be a part of it. If you are unfamiliar with the concept(and if so, why?!?!;) 

Here is the set up.

"One of the main reasons I love fashion is because you can make it your own. Everyone can have the same exact clothes but the way you style & wear it, is your choice. It gives you a chance to express your inner fashonista... I can look at a top & style it completely different than someone else would & to me that's cool." -Kelly

The Deal:
1 item
5 Girls
5 Different Looks
1 Major Blog Post Day

Can we take a few moments to talk about how excited/nervous I was about being participatory in this project? I waited(not overly patient) and conjured up images in my mind of what item Kelly might be sending. And then the day arrived when my mail box finally beheld my item and I ripped into that package in front of pretty much errrrybody at the Post Office.

When I saw it was this, 

I couldn't believe it.
 I had searched high and low for a coral skirt. Our ten year annv party is this wknd and our colors are coral and mint and I wanted to wear a coral skirt for some pictures we are having done. I was so elated.

and then...
I tried it on and at first, the whole poofy skirt craze, well...it hated my hips and my hips kinda totally hated it back Actually, that is probably an understatement, my hips totally wanted to kick this skirt's a$$.. No love lost. And then, I realized how fun this was supposed to be and that I just had to embrace it and make it mine. Part of the battle to looking good is feeling good. And I did. And now, I adore this skirt in all its poofy glory...
 abundantly.

Playing off of our theme, I went against my initial urge to dress this up with a white collared shirt, passed by the thought to pair it with a vest and snatched this mint/white chevron tank. 

and then I took Wiki with me shopping for accessories and I mentioned how I had to buy items against my first pairing thoughts and...let's just say he would nix everything I held up and told me I was being too comfortable. So the necklace and bracelet you will see...were picked out and purchased by him. He did a rather stand up job...

We headed to one of our favorite parks nearby to snap a few shots...and then he made me take roughly 150 so pics...and then I was over it. And there was a tree with bees and he is allergic...and I may or may not have pretended to brush them off of him in an effort to end our photo session;)




Here is a close up of how I accessorized. 

And then, later on that night, my friend Megs took a few when it was dark out and I switched it up and added a jean jacket and lighter shoes. Haven't decided which look I like best. 




Chevron Tank- Rue 21
Navy Cardigan- NY & Co
Skirt- F21
shoes(first pair) Guess
jewelry- Belk
Jean Jacket-Old Navy
Shoes(second pair)- Payless

Now go check out these other lovely ladies and the way they styled their skirts:)

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