dreamy bedrooms...

puppies!

Lately Michael and I have been talking about getting a dog, down the road, after we've been married for a little while. My brother calls it our "Junior Baby", which I think is perfect. I plan on staying at home and a little companion would be lovely while Michael is away at work. We don't want a big dog- they're way too much trouble- I hate the shedding, the smell, and the barking. So we're definitely looking at a little dog. Pugs, French Bull Dogs, and Miniature Bull Terriers, to be exact. Aren't they SO cute?!!

wedding bands & engagement photos

We got our engagement photos done back in January, but I just had to post a few of them again here. Thanks to Rosemary Ragusa, our photographer- she did a BEAUTIFUL job! She's also doing the photos for our wedding, which I am really looking forward to...

Starbucks Lust

This is my fat kid post. I am obsessed with Starbucks right now, and all of the reasons are a little embarrassing. I've been cutting down on sugar lately, but for a nice treat, there's Starbucks. And you don't have to just limit your sweet-tooth to coffee...there's pastries and ice cream too! See, what'd I say? Fat kid.

My only non-chubby reason for loving Starbucks right now is their 40th anniversary mug, which I find absolutely adorable. I want one!

there's always more...

First let me say that I try really hard not to write about my wedding every single day. If you know me at all, you know that I've been excited about planning this day since I was about 12 years old. Some girls are wedding girls, and some girls are not. I happen to be one, and I'm a proud one at that. With our wedding only four months from tomorrow, things are really starting to come together...here's a little peek at some more of what's been inspiring our big day...

While our cake is only going to be two tiers, it can be expected to look a little like this:

 

I love these old-fashioned candy sticks for favors. Perfect for adding to the decor, keeping with the theme, and carrying home as a sweet treat!

 

 BALLOONS! That's all I'm saying.

These gorgeous circus-themed invitations inspired our own, which we'll be sending out next month...

 More adorable bunting, because I can't convey how cute it's gonna be...

And finally, a tiny glimpse at what influenced me to design my own dress instead of buying one off the rack:

baby, baby

I LOVE this nursery! Just because I don't want to have babies for a few more years doesn't mean a girl can't dream.

5 loves

This is a gorgeous album, one of the best I've ever heard. Adele's voice is pure heaven and I cannot stop listening to it. I've got my fingers crossed that we might use her exquisite cover of Lovesong in our wedding...

I'm really loving the sushi from Ichiban, a new Japanese restaurant in Florence. Michael and I went there on Sunday and I am already craving it again. The price is very affordable- we were both stuffed for less than $25. We're making plans to go there again soon!

Speaking of Michael, we're going through a pre-marital counseling class with our friends Terry & DeeAnn, a couple from our church who've been married for 35 years. We love them! They have us reading a great book about communication, called "Now You're Speaking My Language". It was written by Gary Chapman, who also wrote the popular book, "The Five Love Languages". We're having a great time meeting with Terry & DeeAnn, going through the book, and doing the homework. It's really preparing us for marriage in a lot of ways...

I'm also reading another book, called "Reaching for the Invisible God", which is BRILLIANT, not to mention life-changing. Philip Yancey is a beautiful writer whose books tend to be on the vulnerable side...something I really gravitate toward. For anyone who has struggles making sense of what it means to believe in an invisible God, I strongly recommend this.

Finally, this is the decor inspiration for our wedding! We have a little bit of a circus theme, which I know is unconventional and maybe even a little weird, but Michael and I both really love it. These will be incorporated in both the ceremony and reception decorations.