Manzanita Madness

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My current obsession? Manzanita branches. I am contemplating options for centerpieces or other décor that won’t involve flowers (I’m trying to keep the florals to a minimum). Also, I like that I could possibly incorporate some of the leftover Manzanita branches into some home décor for our living room or dining room!

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The tea light lanterns hanging from the branches make such a beautiful statement!

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I am most strongly considering implementing the branches as a guest book option where wedding attendees can leave us wishes and advice for wedded bliss. I think it would be a gorgeous display to see at the reception.

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But lets see here, how much do these stinkers cost?

My search has led me to Nettleton Hollow, which is replete with branches, foliage, and other fun inspiration! Depending on the quantity and the size of the branches you want, the prices seem reasonable…but I’m going to have to do some more sleuthing before making a final decision! And how do you decide the size of branches you need? I must investigate.

I have to admit, there are some other types of branches with some potential too!

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The white sparkle birch branches definitely look like they belong at a winter wedding (oops, not my season…I digress…)

What do you think of implementing branches into your décor? Are you considering it/have you done it?

The Icing on the Cake...

Ok, so perhaps this isn’t icing…but I’m looking for a cake topper!

As much as I love the traditional little figurines that adorn the top of the wedding cake, I am looking for something a little different…

My obsession? Cute and adorable bird cake toppers! I have been scouring Etsy for some options…and I can’t decide!!! Check out my inspiration, and give me your opinion!!!

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I love the lace detail on this one...and one of our colors is blue...hmmm

Rain’s End

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Sooooo...thoughts? Are you partial to any of these toppers in particular? What do you think about non-traditional cake toppers? Have you seen any cute ideas at weddings, or have you had a great one of your own?

Ahoy Mateys!

If you recall from a previous post, our wedding venue happens to be a yacht club on Clearwater Beach. During the cocktail hour, our guests will be mingling outside by the pool area. And, there happen to be some boat slips along the back of the venue as well!

So, I’ve been getting inspiration for some fun photo opportunities during the hour…our photographer, Chad Pilster, is fantastic; I know that he is going to get some great shots regardless! And here's a shameless plug - go check out his blog...you know you want to!

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I would love to get the wedding party out on one of the boat slips for some pictures (assuming that we all fit...the slips are a tiny bit on the skinny side I think)! I love the idea of having some photos of Justin and I sitting at the end with our feet hanging over the water…

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Has your ceremony or reception venue given you some inspiration for wedding day photo ops?

When reality strikes…and what I am doing about it

I had been waiting for the moment when the reality of wedding planning was going to strike me. It struck…hard…last week.

When I started the process of wedding planning a few months ago, everything seemed like rainbows and unicorns and sunshine…it was so fun! I had so much inspiration (and still do), and it seemed like there was an endless list of aspects that I wanted to incorporate into our day.

Then…you get price quotes from vendors. And for me at least, I wanted to just throw up. Mind you, I did realize that the price quotes were going to be extremely high, and most likely much more that I’d be willing to pay for certain things (around $1000 for ceremony flowers?!?!?! Gasp…), but nevertheless, seeing the numbers on a piece of paper or a computer screen really make the reality sink in.

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I’ve said it before; I am a bargain shopper. And, I’d like to think that I’m a pretty creative/crafty person. Therefore, in lieu of this new information, I am now on a DIY quest. Of course, there are going to be some aspects of the event that I will have to hire someone to do for me, but here is my hope: I want to DIY certain projects for a portion of the full retail price (I’d like to do it at half price…we’ll see if I can manage that!).

So, now that I’ve made it public, I am going to have to stick to my guns to deliver on my promise. I know I can do it, and I will appreciate any helpful links, tips, etc, that you are able to throw my way as I journey through the planning process. Wish me luck!

Hello, my name is Katie, and I am a Tanorexic

Admitting the problem is the first step, right???

(Ok, so it isn't THIS bad...)

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Upon moving to Virginia last month, I began to realize that I indeed have a problem. And that problem is the desire…no…the need to be tan all the time. This wasn’t difficult when we lived in Florida; Justin and I frequented the beach through November. But now…

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It is the beginning of September, and my weather forecast tells me in the morning that it is on average about 50 chilly degrees outside when I leave the apartment! Brrrr…freaking brrrrrrr!!!!!

My tan is fading quickly. I can just feel it, like the sunshine is being sucked out of my skin. I don’t like the prospect of being pale!

So then, the question arises; how do you manage to get that tan glow for your wedding day? Mine isn’t until the end of May, but to be honest, I am not sure how much time I will have at the beach before then. What a dilemma. I really hate to go to the tanning bed…I know it is bad for me…but it does get some fast results (and I have to admit, I enjoy rocking out to some tunes in the stand up beds…am I right???).

Is it/was it important to you to be tan on your wedding day? What are you doing to get that beachy glow? Are you hitting the tanning bed? Spray tan? Or are you going to just roll with whatever tone you happen to be at that point?

Cooking With My Man, Edition 1: Vegetable Fried Rice

I love cooking. I like cooking with my man even more. It is something that we can do together, and when we are able to enjoy the finished product, it is even more satisfying. I know not everyone out there can consider themselves a gourmet chef, but I thought I would start sharing some of the recipes that my man and I make that are relatively easy to reproduce, and very yummy!

First up…some yummy fried rice!

Vegetable Fried Rice

Ingredients:

½ red bell pepper, sliced

1 broccoli crown (florets)

asparagus, sliced

handful of shredded carrots

sugar snap peas

1 small can water chestnuts, sliced

3 green onions, sliced

2 eggs

garlic

soy sauce

canola oil

brown rice (or white, if preffered)

Note: you are able to use any vegetables that you enjoy, not just the ones I listed! These are the ones that I used in the dish specifically…other veggie suggestions that I love: bean sprouts, celery, baby corn…

Time saving tip: If you don’t want to spend time slicing up fresh veggies, a bag of frozen stir fry veggies will work fabulously, and cut down on the prep!

Instructions:

1. I make the rice ahead of time so it has time to cool. For rice, follow the cooking instructions on the package. I boil 2 ½ cups of water, add 1 cup of brown rice, cover, and simmer for 45 minutes.

2. Slice all veggies into bite size pieces.

3. In a skillet on medium-high heat, add 2-3 tbsp of canola oil, followed by 1 tbsp garlic, and green onions. Saute until browned, about 1 minute.

4. Add carrots, broccoli, and asparagus. Saute 1-2 minutes.

5. Add remaining vegetables to skillet. If you are using frozen pre-cut vegetables, add these all at once. Add 1-2 tsp soy sauce to taste. Cook until tender.

6. When vegetables are tender, push them to the side of the skillet, and add 2 eggs to the pan (I used Egg Beaters here). Scramble.

7. Incorporate scrambled egg into vegetables.

8. Add cooled rice to skillet (use as much/as little as you would like to achieve the desired vegetable/rice ratio), incorporate into vegetable mixture.

9. Add 4-5 tbsp soy sauce to pan, stir 1-2 min. Add more soy sauce to taste (soy=salt…so add as much/as little as you like).

And here is the finished product! Justin and I marinated some chicken breasts in teriyaki sauce and grilled them to accompany the fried rice, but it is delicious on its own as well!

I Am Not Particularly Romantic

You know you have one of these people in your group of friends. The one who feels awkward giving hugs (hey, there is something strange and uncomfortable when someone is breathing on your neck!)…who isn’t really that big into PDA’s. Ok, in my group of friends there is more than one of us, but perhaps we are just a strange group…

Did that all change when you met your significant other???

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My fiancé gives the best hugs. The very best. I am biased, I realize. If I am having a bad day, I want a hug. If I am having a good day, I want a hug. I want to hug him in public. I want to give him a hug when we are just sitting at home by ourselves. They are the best.

I am almost ashamed at how mushy gushy I have become since I’ve been with my fiancé. I can’t believe that I am the girl who is holding hands in public, sneaking kisses (without a care in the world as to who sees them), and calling her man by a nickname.

…Not that this is particularly a bad thing!

Are you big on PDA’s with your significant other?