A Southern Wedding

In May, my niece Melissa married her long time boyfriend, Kevin, at Bethesda Academy in Savannah.

I was so happy that I was able to take a few days off and make it back to the States for the happy occasion.

Here are some of my favorite shots from the weekend!

bridal luncheon at The Olde Pink House

my niece Melissa, my sister Cece, and my niece Danielle

I love this picture of Mimi, Neal's mother

Richard, Melissa, and Neal

Aunt Joni and me

gettin' hitched!

my family...Neal, Cece, Melissa, Kevin, Danielle, Mom and Dad

the reception

me, with the beautiful bride! 

For the weekend, I used Rent the Runway instead of buying a dress. I rented these three dresses for four days. It was really exciting to try this service out. The rental prices are a mere fraction of what these dresses would normally retail for in a store.

Overall, my first experience was fun, but there were some issues. Each of one the dresses was tight in the chest and shoulders, the pink dress being the most problematic. The blue and white dress came with a split seam in the back and when I reported this the rental cost was credited back to my account. In the end, all worked out fine and I'm excited to rent again soon!

If you're interested in trying Rent the Runway, you can use my referral link and we can both earn a $20 credit. For now, I think rentals are limited to the U.S.

L: dress by Carmen Marc Valvo
M: Lilly Pulitzer...kind of love this one!
R: Milly dress

Melissa and Kevin used Jade + Matthew for the wedding photos. Based on the pics I've seen, I would quickly recommend them if you're in the Savannah area. Check out the link for some of the professional shots.

100 Things that I am Grateful For...

A few weeks ago one of my students commented on a blog post about gratitude. It was written by a young student in the US and I was thoroughly impressed by her list of 100 things for which she was grateful.

by pocketful of perspective
https://www.flickr.com/photos/pocketfulofperspective/8114143719/

With that in mind, I'm working on my own list.

1. my family- they really are a fairly amazing bunch

2. travel

3. the ability to read

4. puppies

5. hair cuts

6. photography field trips with my dad

7. the chance to watch my niece try on wedding dresses this past summer

by Tambako the Jaguar
https://www.flickr.com/photos/tambako/8476612001/ 

8. pumpkin everything

9. leggings- I would wear them everyday if I could

10. hoodies

11. pistacchio gelato

12. a hot cup of tea

13. handmade ceramics

14. writing this blog

15. ashtanga yoga- it's changing my life and body

16. deliciously scented candles

17. my rainboots

18. Dancing with the Stars- it just makes me happy, what can I say

19. home cooked meals

20. an unexpected apology

21. a handwritten note from my Aunt Joni

22. candy corn sent all the way across the ocean

23. rides home from school

24. being included

25. a warm smile

26. audio books

27. my parents' commitment to physical activity- my 80 year old dad walks a couple miles several times a week and my mom has run the Rock and Roll Half Marathon the last four years

28. University of Cincinnati basketball

by Jacky Yang
https://www.flickr.com/photos/zen1972/4114606416/ 

29. chicken fingers

30. pedicures

31. unexpectedly understanding an Italian conversation

32. sunshine

33. the ability to cook

34. my education

35. a strong work ethic

36. Facebook- despite annoying me greatly, it does help me keep up with what happens in the US

37. blue skies

38. good friends

39. a great book

40. being able to give

41. teachers

42. a bike ride on a Fall day

43. lazy Sundays in pajamas

44. WINE!

45. freedom

46. choice

47. good health

48. running water

49. indoor toilets

50. change

51. missing American political ads

52. hair color

by Universal Pops
https://www.flickr.com/photos/universalpops/5509323247/

53. bacon

54. fresh mozzarella

55. a cozy sweater

56. living in Europe

57. coming home at Christmas

58. routine

59. friends who listen

60. summers in Savannah

61. Alpha Phi- some amazing women have come into my life because of this sorority

62. hugs

63. challenges

64. face wash

65. friendly hellos

66. playlists

67. Skype

68. my tutoring job- I work with the cutest kid ever

69. storage space

70. clean sheets

71. summers off

72. adventure

73. the Hola unblocker

74. unlimited internet

75. a roof over my head

by Lee Coursey
https://www.flickr.com/photos/leeco/5121662628/

76. the desire to be better

77. my parents' sacrifices

78. cheese dip and margaritas

79. friends who keep in touch

80. comments on my blog

81. each country I've visited

82. hot showers

83. views from the top

84. Ursuline Academy- my all girls high school instilled a strong sense of self

85. chocolate

86. my iPhone

87. a small umbrella and the bag it comes in

88. comfortable shoes

89. picnics in the park

90. frozen food

91. boat rides

92. bug spray

photo by BK
https://www.flickr.com/photos/pictoquotes/14671807134/

93. Christmas lights

94. direct flights

95. watching children learn

96. failure

97. time with my family

98. long weekends

99. the men and women of the U.S. military

100. vanilla lattes



So, what are you grateful for? Leave your message of thanks in the comments.

Happy Turkey Day everyone!

Somebody's Having a Birthday!

I had a great few weeks at home this August. I spent lots of time with friends and family and Aunt Joni flew to Savannah while I was there to spend time with all of us.

Ladies' lunch at The Olde Pink House

My friends, Christy and Keith, were planning to celebrate Hudson's first birthday while I was home and I offered to make the cake. It was a lot of work, but a lot of fun, and I wanted to share some of the pictures and highlights from the experience.

Christy wanted a cake in the shape of a one with primary color polka dots. I set off to try and make fondant for the first time, which I thought had about a 10% chance of working out. But, after several laughing moments with hands covered in sticky marshmallows and sugar (even though I rubbed Crisco all over my hands first), I had the fondant made. It's a shame there's no pictures of this part of the fun because it was quite hysterical! The trick would then be getting the fondant on the cake.

two batches of buttercream wasn't enough- I made a 3rd the next day

I cut the one after two margaritas! Not bad, not bad!

Rolling the fondant

Success! Mom and I laid it over our arms and draped it on the cake.

Mom and Aunt Joni were responsible for all the colored fondant cut outs!

the finished product!

Smash cake!

What a cutie!
Happy 1st Birthday Hudson!

I think that was my first and last attempt at that cake! Don't mess with success!