Wedding Wednesday: Guest Post!

Spring 2013 Wedding Trends

Hi everyone, my name is Priti Patel and I am so exciting to be guest posting for Wedding Wednesday today!  Unfortunately Megan is making us wait to see which beautiful dress she chose but I’m here to bring you some great wedding fashion trends for the spring.

 Choosing a dress for a spring wedding is the perfect occasion to take advantage of the freshness of the season. Designers have embraced bold new shades and silhouettes for brides who want to look timeless and beautiful yet utterly unique.

 Pretty in Pink

For a bride who wants something other than a traditional white or ivory gown, there is a palette of colorful dresses from which to choose. One of the most popular alternatives to white is blush pink, an unmistakably feminine choice. Even Hollywood A-list celebrities are following the trend; top actresses including Anne Hathaway and, most recently, Jessica Biel were pretty in pink when they tied the knot. This ethereal, soft pink strapless ball gown from the White by Vera Wang collection at David’s Bridal will have you feeling like Hollywood royalty. Alternatively, a dress in a champagne color offers both the uniqueness of a color other than white and the sophistication of a neutral shade.

360 Degrees of Beauty

Just as important as what your wedding dress looks like from the front is the detailing in the back. Whether you are walking down the aisle or having your first dance with your husband, the rear view will take center stage. A lace keyhole back is an elegant way to show off a little skin and look just as beautiful going as you do coming.

New Silhouettes

Peplum dresses have taken over the runways, and wedding fashion is no exception. Peplum styles emphasize the waist and enhance curves while maintaining a sense of sleekness. This column gown is the height of sophistication, while the peplum silhouette adds to the femininity factor.  Expect to see dramatic dresses with an architectural feel this spring.

 Fresh Florals

There is no better way to celebrate spring than with beautiful flowers. Floral details are an ageless wedding classic that are feminine and add drama and texture to a dress, yet allow it to remain light enough for spring. Whether it is a floral print, 3 dimensional floral appliques, or a floral sash, there are several ways to incorporate flowers and add freshness ideal for a spring wedding.

Spring Shades

Pantone, the world-renowned authority on color, recently released its Fashion Color Report  for Spring 2013.  This report is released during fashion week and is created based upon the use of  colors in the upcoming spring collections of top designers.  These fresh and bright colors are perfect for spring weddings, whether as part of the overall color scheme or for bridesmaid dresses. 

What is your favorite style for the spring? 

I can’t wait to see if Megan’s dress features any of these trends!
David's Bridal coupons

Tasty Tuesday: Mustard Fried Venison

When I think of mustard fried venison, I think of Thanksgiving in Olar, South Carolina (basically Bamberg) with Cameron's family. When we arrive around 11 or so, we immediately make our way to the pick-up truck in which the bed of the truck is filled with the makings for bloody marys. We greet everyone (which can take a while because this is not a small family), chat about what's been going on since the last time we saw them, and then some of the men start walking around with plate fulls of fried goodness as a snack before the big meal. The fried goodness is called mustard fried venison.

I asked Cameron for his recipe...but he wasn't a very big help, so I looked online. None of the recipes seem as simple as they way Cameron makes them (and they are still just as tasty, I'm sure) so I found one that sounded similar and almost as simple. So simple that it's just a few sentences and you just eyeball the ingredients. 

"Lay out your steaks on a cutting board, sprinkle on a little garlic powder, and use the edge of a saucer (like cubed steak) on both sides. Pour a jar (again, just eyeball it) of mustard in a stainless bowl and add about the same amount of water. Soak the steaks in this overnight. (We don't leave them soaking overnight.)
Now......the important part! Take the dripping steaks out of the mustard/water and flour quick. Lay the steaks on a cutting board and let the mustard/water soak all the way through the flour. Deep fry quick so they don't get too dry inside."

 Recipe found here.

Would love to know if you try this and what you think!

Two One + Menu Monday.

Unless you've been living under a rock, or maybe you and your significant football just don't watch football/ESPN, you probably heard about our (South Carolina Gamecocks') beloved Marcus Lattimore getting hurt in the game on Saturday against Tennessee. As Cameron and I were watching the game and saw what happened, as it was happening, we were shocked,  and if you've seen the video, you'd understand as to why we were also a little disgusted. It was not pretty. I'm not going to post a video or photo of it, because believe me, you don't want to see it. Through all of my years as a Carolina fan and our ups and downs, I've never shed a tear. Until Saturday. The look on Marcus' face as he was lying on the field, the support by both his teammates and the Tennessee players, and him being taken off of the field, visibly upset, just broke my heart. This was a guy who had just recovered from a knee injury (opposite knee) that happened last season. Why was this happening to him again??

Rumors were swirling Saturday evening and Sunday morning of a broken femur, broken patella and all four main ligaments in the knee torn. Luckily, that rumor turned out to be not true. Reports are now that he hyperextended his knee, which caused injury to several ligaments in his knee. I believe an MRI is scheduled for today.

Caroline's post pretty much says it all, regarding how much of a team leader and all around amazing person he is.

On an upbeat note, today is Marcus' 21st birthday! Happy Birthday, Marcus!! You have a world of support behind you!

(Sorry for all of the random, jumbled thoughts that were inside my head.)
 

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Finally a normal work week, which means a normal cooking schedule!

Monday - Katie's baked ziti and caesar salad

Tuesday -  Cajun stuffed chicken with spinach and pepper jack cheese, tomato pie

Wednesday - Pork chops, bacon wrapped green beans, cinnamon baked apples

Thursday - Pumpkin chicken enchiladas

Friday - Working until 11pm

Saturday - Fair with the girls!

Friday Five.

-My bridal portraits yesterday were SO fun! My photographer, Juliet, is amazing. My mom, sister, bff Emily and pup, Brady, joined in on the fun, too! I'm so glad that they were there to help me and I can't wait to see the results!!

-We received our first wedding present yesterday! What a nice surprise!

-I don't get to celebrate any Halloween fun this weekend because surprise, surprise, I'll be at work, but I can't wait to see what everyone dresses up as! Today, Emily and a couple of her teacher friends dressed up as "Candy Rappers." She may kill me for putting this pic on my blog, but I think it's hilarious!

-Can't wait to try Katie's baked ziti next week!

-Tonight my event is a welcome party and I am LOVING the decor!

 

 

 

 

 

Happy weekend, friends!!

New favorite snack!

A co-worker left some tasty treats called Somersaults in the break room last week with the note, "Be careful, these are addicting," stuck on them. Well, she was right! Luckily, the bite size nuggets are pretty filling, so you don't find yourself eating the whole bag. 

Somersaults are made up of mostly of sunflower and sesame seeds...along with a few other natural ingredients. 

They come in the following flavors:

-Pacific Sea Salt

-Cinnamon Crunch

-Dutch Cocoa

-Santa Fe Salsa

-Salty Pepper

Health benefits:

- As much protein but less fat and calories than many popular nuts including almonds, walnuts, pecans, and macadamias
- Six times more vitamin E than peanuts
- Seven times more folate than almonds, cashews and pecans
- More fiber than an apple, and a comparable amount to a serving of bran flake cereal 

They are great by themself or dipped in Trader Joe's Roasted Garlic Hummus!

 

Charleston readers - you can find these at World Market & Earthfare!

*I was not paid or asked for this review. I simply like them a lot!*

Wedding Wednesday: Bridal Portrait Inspiration.

Spray tan - check!
Ring cleaned - check!
Manicure - check!
Brady groomed - check! 
All accessories packed up and ready to go - check!
My bridal portraits are tomorrow!!!!

Here are some pictures I sent my photographer (who actually took some of the ones below) as inspiration:

And since a I'll have a special guest with me...

Tasty Tuesday: Baked Apple Slices.

I made these a few weeks ago as an after dinner snack, and Cameron and I were both big fans! They also made the house smell yummy, which is an added bonus.

 Baked Apple Slices

Recipe and photo found here.

Ingredients:

-An apple or two

-Cinnamon

Remove apple core.
Thinly slice the entire apple.
Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper and place apple slices on it.
Sprinkle with cinnamon.
Bake at 275 degrees for two hours. At the end of hour one flip them over so they bake evenly.
*Check on them at the hour mark and every 30 minutes after that. Once they look nice and crispy take them out and enjoy. :)

Vitamin C is our friend. {Weekend Recap}

Only one more week of crazy back-to-back-to-back-to-back events to go this week and then I'll be back to my normal life again! I must admit, it has been nice to sleep in, drink a cup of coffee in bed and watch Kelly & Michael and Kathy & Hoda almost every morning. And getting to see Cameron during his lunch break before heading to work was a nice perk, too. :)

Wanted to share a few photos of some of the events held at my work last week...

We had a Mardi Gras themed corporate dinner party on Thursday. 

 A wedding ceremony and reception on Friday.

And another wedding ceremony and reception on Saturday.

On Sunday, Cameron went fishing with Andy (Caroline's husband) & Rob, so we met up with Emily at Triangle for some brunch and mimosas. 

After that, we did a little wedding crafting...and drank some more mimosas..

And after that, Caroline and I met the guys at Zia for some Mexican food and...frozen screwdrivers!

I think it's safe to say that we got our fill of Vitamin C for the day. :)

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No menu this week..only cooking tomorrow night and it's nothing new or exciting.

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Have a fantastic week!!

Gameday.

Go Cocks!

Beat those Gators!!

 

 

Forever to thee!

Thanks (again), y'all!

So proud to call Charleston my hometown and the place I live today. 

Have a great weekend, y'all!

Thursday Tidbits.

Happy Thursday, everyone!

 

Some random happenings that have been going on this week...

 

-Brady had a play date with Bennett, Gracie, Landon & Mickey on Tuesday and he was in Heaven.

We stopped by Katie's house afterwards and I totally forgot she had a cat. Brady hadn't been around a cat since he was a pup so I was nervous that he was going to attack sweet Sophie! Luckily, he didn't. He did, however, make her super nervous because he was so interested in her. She lives with two dogs and they don't pay her any attention.

-I'm in full blown pumpkin mode. I've made pumpkin bread, crockpot pumpkin spice lattes, and last Sunday I made pumpkin french toast. Yeah bubba.

Also on the pumpkin front, I made a random trip to Wally World yesterday and walked out with a $5 BHG pumpkin spice candle and some Bailey's pumpkin spice coffee creamer. I like the Bailey's version over the Coffee Mate version b/c it isn't over the top sweet.

 

-Tuesday night I started my first wedding project! Ribbon drink stirrers! I followed this super easy tutorial and made them as I was sippin' on a white russian and watching Dancing with the Stars. Successful evening.

 

Off to eat lunch with Cameron & his Grandma, then on to work!



Wedding Wednesday: Bridesmaid Dresses Part II

My apologies for no Tasty Tuesday post yesterday..I needed a personal day. So I slept in, went to Trader Joe's and our brand spankin' new Hobby Lobby with Katie, and started on a wedding project!

Now on the regularly scheduled Wedding Wednesday post...

The other day when I went to link back to my original bridesmaid dress post, it dawned on me that I haven't announced what my final decision was on them! I know you were all just waiting on pins and needles for me to. ;)

I decided to do the same style dress in 4 different, yet similar colors. I searched for the colors in "real life" weddings, rather than the picture on the website because those usually don't look the same. 

Cameo

source

Rose

 

Palomino

My beautiful friend, Kady, and her bridesmaids!

Topaz

This is the actual dress, as a reminder.

I'm crossing all of my fingers and toes that the colors will flow in person as well as they do in my head! Do you mind crossing yours, too?

Gamecocks, Weekly Menu, Engagement Announcement.

Well even though we didn't walk away with a win this weekend, the game was a close one like everyone expected. LSU winning 23-21. We watched the first half at a "congratulations on your wedding" party for a friend, then the second half at my aunt & uncle's house.

 

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Monday - Turkey meatloaf with sundried tomatoes and feta with mashed potatoes

Tuesday - Chicken & dumplings

Wednesday - Megan working until 8pm

Thursday - Megan working until 10pm

Friday - Megan working until midnight

Saturday - Megan working until midnight

Sunday - ??

PS - Our engagement announcement was in the local paper yesterday! Woohoo!

Friday Lovin'

Happy Friday, everyone!!

Here are a few things I've been loving this week..

 

I was finally lucky enough to be contacted by a representative from Misikko.com who offered me a free Hana Pro Straightener in exchange for a review of the product! Who's going to say no to a free straightener? Not this girl.

My hair is already extremely straight and thin but the main reason I use a straightener is to make my hair softer and tame the frizzies. With my old straighteners, I always felt like I had to turn the heat all the way to the max for it to work effectively. Not with this one. I could straighten my hair on medium heat and it still looked good!

To see even more of the best hair straighteners, visit Misikko.com!

 

BEFORE

AFTER

Always loving this cute guy. 

LOVING my new Voluspa Crisp Champagne candle! It was my first official candle splurge and I'm so glad I took the plunge. It's so light smelling and it claims to burn for 50 hours! 

Also loving that I FINALLY got my hair done yesterday. My roots and split ends were BAD but since I'm getting my bridal portraits taken in 2 weeks, I didn't want to get my hair colored too early and it start growing out again! It was torture waiting that long. And since Kady, who does my hair, is having a baby in February, I've already scheduled appointments for the beginning of January and the week before the wedding. :)

 

What have you been loving this week?