Tuesday, April 30, 2013

One Month of Marriage Down + Facebook Wedding Pics

Well it sure did fly by, but we've officially got one month of marriage under our belts! Both of us get asked almost daily if being married feels "different" and the answer for both of us is "not really." As most of you know, we lived together for 2 years (after dating 2 years) before we got married so the biggest change for us was my last name! And not like I didn't know it before, but being married now assures me (and him) that neither one of us are going anywhere. We're now officially a team and I love that!  
 
As a treat for celebrating one month of marriage, and since I'm waiting for the photographer's cd to be mailed to me, I thought I'd share some of my favorite pics off of Facebook from the wedding!
 
Enjoy!
 
Me and some of the maids getting ready
 My daddy and I holding hands on the way to the Island House
 Nervously waiting to get the cue to go see Cameron for our first look!
 First look. Tear.
 
 My SIL and sister spying on our first look.
 I want to crop me out and frame this pic of him. So handsome.
Mi familia.
 My sweet and beautiful junior bridesmaid and flower girl, Cameron's nieces. They automatically started calling me Aunt Megan after the ceremony. Melted my heart.
 A few gusts of wind made for interesting pictures.
 My sweet daddy walking me down the aisle.

 
Love this pic for so many reasons. Cameron's face, my mom's face, and me with my daddy.

 Signed, sealed, delivered, I'm yours!

Mr. and Mrs. Baker! 
 My Chi O girls
 Cameron's cousin made our beautiful cake!
 Me and my bff in the www
 Party on the dancefloor!


Monday, April 29, 2013

Weekend Recap!

Whew, what a weekend! Most of it was spent at work and while I am so thankful everything went well, I am SO glad it's over!
 
Let's see a recap, shall we?
 
Friday I didn't have to be to work until lunch time so I went to the DMV and officially got my name changed!
 
After that, I had a little time to kill so I went to the J.Crew outlet and sat right outside their door until they opened at 10am. They were having a sale 50% off of the whole store!
 
I walked out with two tees and a pair of bright pink matchstick jeans, which I mistook for toothpick jeans, so I will have to go back tomorrow or Wednesday to exchange those. Dangit.
 
Worked Friday night blah blah blah. Woke up bright and early Saturday and headed back to work. I was in charge of our annual member event this year for 500 people! Talk about busy and stressed! I felt like I was planning our wedding all over again! Luckily, the event went very smoothly and I received nothing but compliments!


 
Sunday, Cameron and I ran some cloudy day errands and grabbed a lunch with Emily & David at Mex 1! It was a nice surprise because we walked in and there they were! So we just joined them.
Went by Cameron's grandparents house to show them the wedding video trailer and honeymoon pictures.
Then, after 2.5 years, we (ok, Cameron) finally installed towel bars in our master bathroom!

 
Hope everyone had a great weekend!
I think I might post our wedding video trailer on Wednesday! Yippee!


Sunday, April 28, 2013

{Guest Post} DIY Coffee and Vanilla Body Scrub

Treat Yourself this Spring: DIY Coffee and Vanilla Body Scrub

Springtime is finally here, and with it, the promise of shorts and sundresses. Although you may certainly be ready for the warmer weather, you winter skin may not be. This spring, don’t let that winter coat prevent you from thoroughly enjoying the outdoors – take some time to rejuvenate. Don't think you have time? Think again. As women, we need to take time to unwind and pamper ourselves every once in awhile. Your job, your friends and your family deserve the very best you!

Spas, now more than ever, are being utilized as a tool to de-stress. After a long career in the travel industry, I know all too often the tendency to put off beauty treatments and relaxation for vacation days that come only a few times a year. But with our schedules packed and our stress levels high, why do we limit ourselves – and our skin – to nourishment so infrequently? You can start today with a do-it-yourself spa treatment that won’t break the bank!
 
Recently, I returned from a trip to Honolulu with my family. The day before I headed back home, I spent an afternoon at the Moana Lani Spa at the Moani Surfrider Hotel, ranked prominently as one of Honolulu’s top hotels, where attendants pampered my skin with a scrumptious-smelling scrub made from Kona coffee beans and vanilla. As my nose took in the comforting aroma and I felt the massaging hands of the attendants on my aching muscles, all my stress melted away. Using coffee beans as a scrub has been shown to reduce cellulite, something I think we all wouldn’t mind leaving behind.
 
Fortunately, I discovered that I can replicate the same experience at home for less than the price of a bag of coffee.

Coffee and Vanilla Body Scrub

You'll need:

2 tbsp Coffee Beans (Kona coffee is preferable, but any will do)
2 tbsp of Rice
1 Whole Vanilla Bean
Optional: Your favorite body wash OR a mixture of olive oil and honey
 
To make your own coffee-vanilla scrub, head to the grocery store and purchase a small bag of coffee beans. Also, you'll need one whole vanilla bean and some rice. Remember, it's important to use all-natural ingredients. Split the vanilla bean and cut it into small parts. Add two tablespoons each of coffee beans and rice. Grind all of the ingredients in a coffee mill. For a less intense scrub, combine with your favorite body wash or a mixture of honey and olive oil. Then apply to skin, concentrating on rough spots such as elbows and the soles of your feet. Massage lightly and enjoy the invigorating scent this scrub evokes.

There you have it, a spa-inspired treatment you can do at home. I hope you enjoy this little piece of the tropics as you prepare for spring!
 
Bio: Kendra Thornton: Travel advocate, TV spokesperson, PR businesswoman, proud wife and mama of 3. I am a long time travel expert who has been packing my bags and traveling the world since I was 3 months old! I've found my utmost desire in life is right here in my own home. I have mixed my excitement for travel by bringing the taste of authentic cuisine and rejuvenating beauty remedies to my own home with some of my unique recipes and tips. Enjoy!


Thursday, April 25, 2013

Baker Wedding: Rehearsal & Rehearsal Dinner.

Our rehearsal was at 5pm the day before the wedding and surprisingly, most of the wedding party was actually early! It was sunny and in the upper 60's.
 

Emily, my Matron of Honor, made my lovely rehearsal bouquet!


 
After we all rehearsed, we headed down the road to the rehearsal dinner! Our rehearsal dinner was held at Cameron's parent's house on Johns Island and there were about 100 guests in attendance. The weather forecast called for a chilly evening, so we added sidewalls on to the tents and rented a heater to keep everyone warm. We wanted our rehearsal dinner to be a casual party so delicious barbeque and sides were served from Bessinger's, along with beer, wine, and sweet tea vodka! Calvin Taylor provided soulful tunes for everyone to enjoy. Cameron and I put together a slide show and had that playing throughout the evening so that guests could watch it whenever they wanted. It was a great night and a nice way to spend time with our family and close friends before the big day!




 So there's a meaning behind the heart with the fish hook through it that you'll see below on the grooms cake, and throughout the wedding. Cameron had a brother named Travis who passed away due to a heart condition when Travis was a freshman at Clemson and Cameron was 9. Travis knew of his heart condition and was planning on getting a boat and naming it Heartthrob, and drew a picture of a heart with a fish hook going through it! It was very special to have reminders of him throughout the wedding.
 
Emily getting ready for her speech!

 
Sibling group hug with Gil trying to escape.

 
That night, my mom and I spent the night at Cameron's parent's house and Cameron slept at our house with Brady. We both debated going out for a little bit so we could spend more time with our friends, especially out of town ones, but both decided to call it a night.
 
Dress is by Laundry and was purchased from Rue La La!


Wednesday, April 24, 2013

Baker Wedding: Bridal Luncheon + Bridesmaid Gifts.

Friday morning, my step-grandmother threw me a wonderful bridal luncheon at her house. But before that, Emily and I went downtown and had our first experience at Tease!
 
Before
 
During
 
After
 
My bridesmaids, junior bridesmaid, flower girl, grandmothers, mom, and Cameron's mom attended the luncheon. We mingled and drank mimosas while everyone was arriving and ate a delicious lunch of shrimp salad, tomato slices, and a blueberry cobbler for dessert. After we ate, I gave all of my girls their presents!
I gifted the bridesmaids with monogrammed pashminas from Marley Lilly and necklaces from Forever 21. The maid and matron of honor also received a matching bracelet from J.Crew. The junior bridesmaid and flower girl received monogram tote bags from ilu.lily on Etsy, a sparkly gold headband from J.Crew (similar here) to wear at the wedding, and a personalized coloring/activity book in case they got bored at the rehearsal dinner or wedding. Happy to report neither one of them got bored at the wedding - they were both on the dancefloor the entire night! :)
 
Dress is a random find from Ross!