So Much Excitement

I am on the edge of my seat! 

I can't wait for the shop to re-open on Monday!!!

There are so many things to tell you about... so many new features and products... a new website... LOWER PRICES!

I am going to be working all weekend to get everything in place, but for now, a sneak peek:

EEK!  Are you excited too? 

Christmas in July

Today I drove by a house that had icicle Christmas lights up, and a light-up plastic Jesus, Mary and Joseph on the roof.

Clearly, they do not live in an association, but don't you think just one of their neighbors would suggest they take it down?  Or take it down for them in the middle of the night???

Maybe they are just really efficient and they put them up for this Christmas.

Regardless... it made me feel much better about the state of affairs in the Blakely household.

Don't Bother Me... I'm Pinning

Some things I have been pinning lately:

Source: deliacreates.blogspot.com via Emmy on Pinterest

Chore Blocks!  How much fun are these?  I LOVE this idea.

Source: None via Emmy on Pinterest

I am obsessed with this backsplash!  I want it.  Now.

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If only my office were ever this clean.  Right now I'm not even sure you would be able to tell what color my desk is.

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We made this for dinner last night, and it was delicious!  Big hit.  If you're looking for a super easy recipe to feed a big crowd this summer... this is it!  We also grilled some pineapple slices, and I made rosemary infused white rice.  If you have a rice cooker {which everyone should}, cook white rice in part water and part pineapple juice and add a few sprigs of rosemary on top.  I removed the rosemary when it was done cooking.  Yummy.

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My friends say I have a knack for repeating the same story with the exact same details every time.  Hey... at least I don't exaggerate.

Alright... of to try to get some actual work done.  ONE WEEK UNTIL THE SHOP REOPENS!!!  EEK!

Drive an Hour

I want to know what you would drive an hour for.

Today I drove an hour for a Bob's Big Boy burger.  It was worth it.

 

That's my mom and Penelope... and Bob.

I love a good burger, and Bob's has one of the best.  And you know what the best part is?  It's $7.99 for a burger {which means a double burger, because that's how Bob makes them... yes, I know that Bob is not actually the chef}, fries and a salad.  That's a good deal.

So what would you drive an hour for?

If I Marry Nathan Again, Can I Have Another Wedding, Please???

I had an amazing wedding.  It was a beautiful, fun day.  It was {almost} everything I had ever dreamed of {and yes, I was the girl that had started my wedding portfolio when I was 10 years old}.

At the time, I would not have done much differently.  {Except for my dress.  I hated my dress.}

But I have to admit, if I was getting married today... it would be so different.

I would have a destination wedding.
I would get married outdoors.
My bridesmaids would all have different dresses, and the men would not wear tuxedos.
I would have a small wedding.
It would be very eclectic, and very vintage.
I would not do my own flowers.
There would be a swing band.
I would wear leopard print shoes.

I envy today's bride.  With the popularity of DIY and handmade products I feel like there are so many more creative options for adding a personal touch to your wedding. 

I keep telling Nathan that I want to have another wedding, and I think he's starting to worry that I may go looking for a new groom.  NOT A CHANCE.  But can I just marry Nathan again?

I recently came across Erin + Brett's wedding on green wedding shoes.

Oh.  My.  Gosh. 

This might be... no, this is the most fabulous wedding I have ever seen!  I wish I had been there.  Plus, they look like a super fun couple.  I want to be friends with them.

Here's a little sampling {photos by Gabriel Ryan Photographers}:

Isn't it fabulous???  You must head over to green wedding shoes to check out the entire posting.  There are so many details that you are going to want to see.  You can also check out Erin's blog here.

Oh, and my wedding would have umbrellas.  Somewhere.

Mani-Pedi Time

For the fourth of July I decided to give myself a festive mani-pedi.

Then I remembered why it is worth every penny of the $29 to have it done at a salon.  I kind of made a mess of my nails.  I wanted my toes to be blue with white polka dots, and my fingers to be red and white striped.

The stripes didn't happen.

But in my attempt to figure out how to make lovely stripes I went on Pinterest to search for nail art.

Now, let me be clear about one thing here: not unlike my feelings about clear bra straps, I think nail art has a time and a place, but for the most part is tacky.  Sorry.

If anything, I prefer the fanciness to stick to the toe region.

I have to admit, I found some pretty cool options that I would love to try {read: have someone try for me}.

Source: weheartit.com via Emmy on Pinterest

Source: thebeautydepartment.com via Emmy on Pinterest

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But I also found these beauties.  Ladies... please don't try this at home:

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Source: lemondrop.com via Emmy on Pinterest

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Source: None via Emmy on Pinterest

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