I haven't done a style/inspiration post in a while, and it certainly isn't because of a lack of inspiring details out there. So, without further babble, check out my latest loves:
I love the photography and hairstyle of the top picture and the absolutely exquisite and antique style of the jewelry on the bottom. The mix of metals on that ring is perfect. TO DIE FOR. I want it. Can I have it? I am not even remotely joking. I swear.

A little pop of color on the feet ;)




The different prints for the bridesmaids dresses work perfectly here. I really like the mixing of materials and prints, and I particularly like this one because it's done with yellow and gray!

I have never been a big fan of Valentines Day. Maybe it's because I am not that much of a romantic, or maybe it's because I am a monster. Regardless, I tend to get annoyed by it and a little uncomfortable. I do have to say, though, that I have seen so many cute things on my designs blogs, that I am slowly starting to have a little appreciation for the "holiday." While I still don't like that there is one day that is slated for me to tell people I love them or vice versa, there are some super cute Valentine's items that I think capture the simplicity of it all quite nicely. I wouldn't mind giving these to my sweetie or a friend I think I couldn't live without. Or maybe even Tai. You know.

As I look back and reflect on 2009 (because that is what we all do around this time of year), I can't believe 1) how fast it has gone 2) how much has happened. I realize that is common and almost cliche, but for someone who is usually a grandma and appreciates time to herself and unplanned weekends, it's been a crazy ride. Let me recap:

1) Jared and I started planning a wedding! What? That's insane. Fortunately, it hasn't been all that stressful. I think we gave ourselves more than enough time to research what we like and slowly make the big decisions. I am sure that will change as the big day gets closer, but so far, it's not bad at all. Finding the person you want to spend forever with is a pretty incredible thing, and while the wedding is important, realizing you get to grow old with your best friend is even better.

2) I changed jobs...twice. Who the heck does that? Ohhhh, me. What have I learned from that? Every person has the power within them to make themselves happy in their job. If you find yourself complaining every day and living for the weekend, it's probably a good idea to reevaluate your current position. I will never accept that thinking. I am in such a wonderfully content place right now and couldn't ask for more. All the craziness/disappointment/uncertainty of the changes was worth it, 100%. The worst thing anyone can do is sit around hoping things will change.

3) My brother got married. It wasn't just any wedding, though. I got to visit Portland and experience his life for the first time. Something really changed in me when I went there. I don't know what it was, but I felt like that was when I began to TRULY appreciate each and every moment. I feel like I look at things a little differently now, and when I get upset I think, "does it really matter?" Most of the time, it doesn't, and I accept it and move on. Why did this approach to life begin there? I can't really say, but it was like I saw some form of pure happiness and realized what was actually important in life. It was so wonderful to spend time with my family and see my brother so sincerely and blissfully happy. I STILL tear up when I talk about it. Oh, and that is another thing, I cry like a baby now. It was like all my emotions had been backed up for years and the dam finally broke. It's a good thing, though - I have come a long way.

4) My best friend got engaged and started planning her wedding in which I am a maid of honor. It's pretty cool to be able to share the process of planning a wedding with your best friend. We got to (still do) bounce ideas off each other and ask the questions we need answered that no one else will. Her wedding is January 9th, and I am still trying to plan my toast. :) She should be worried.

5) I gained some new friends that added so much to my life. It's amazing how positive people can affect you, and that is the case for me. I truly believe some people are toxic and just bring you down. I do my best to stay away from them. Alternatively, there are people who always make you smile and see the good in everything. They are genuine and do not have ulterior motives. This year, I was lucky to add a few of them to my life. It may seem like a small thing, but nothing beats having supportive, happy people around you.

All in all, 2009 was a blessing. I have always said that things in my life have a way of working out in some way or the other. I have a lot of faith that someone above is leading me to where I need to be. I definitely had some awful moments, but I wouldn't give those up because it most certainly led me to where I am today. I have never felt more content, and that is HUGE. I only hope that 2010 will be just as nice. :)

Many people asked me about the poem that came along with one of the multi-part shower gifts I received, so I thought I would share it on here as well. The gift revolved around the poem, and I had to open gifts where it said to in the poem. Check it out below, and click on the links to see the gift:

Hopefully, you tried to guess what some of the items were before clicking on them, but it was definitely one of my favorite gifts. Not only was it clever and cute, I can use each and every single I item included.

I am hoping to use this on someone else someday (who hopefully doesn't read this blog).

I just have two quick items to share because I just love them so:

1) How adorable is this print? A tree, a bird, a cute little haiku - perfection. I will keep this in my bookmarks for future gift ideas because it's just the cutest. The custom print also includes the couple's name, wedding date and location.

I could honestly change the colors/theme of our wedding every day. While yellow is my favorite in general, I see things like the images above and think, "HOLD UP! Purple and aqua are awesome colors together, and I need to have it" (not too mention the owls and the wood textures too). This is actually from a baby shower, but how pretty and perfect are they?


I just adore the aqua color here and am really thinking that it could be incorporated...maybe. I have a problem.

On another pretty note, I also saw these adorable save the dates. While I realize mine are done and out the door, I couldn't help but share these as they are as cute as pie. The birds, the colors..."I die."

You may recall my little infatuation with tree houses...Well, lookie look at what I found while reading through my never-ending google reader. Oh yes, BOOKS dedicated to TREE HOUSES. And not just little, dinky throw-some-wood-beams-together-and-walk-on-them-like-a- balance-beam-or-tight-rope, nooo no. They are REAL, amazing-looking, want-to-get-a-way-for-a-weekend tree houses with electricity and a balcony!! (Let's be honest, while I am obsessed with them, the whole roughing it part isn't exactly what calls me to them.)

I really should have known they existed. A quick little google search would have directed me right to one of them. Alas, I never researched, but now I am going to have a date with Barnes and Noble. I don't know what it is about them, but they just look so inviting (well, most of them).

Now, how do I go about getting one of these lovely getaways? Or maybe, I could just get a bunch of pictures and make a themed room with treehouses as the focus. Hmm, the options are endless. But, wow, was this a lovely find.

While I am still at the point where I could - if I wanted to - change the color scheme of the wedding, I am pretty sure I have known all along what I wanted everything to look and feel like.

I have been saving images for quite some time of what I like, and I have to give most of the credit to one blog in particular that I stumbled across before Jared and I even became engaged. It was pictures of a wedding that I actually felt connected to - as if I could actually do it. For some reason the thought of being married didn't scare me so much as the whole wedding ordeal. The research, the meetings, the pressure, the invites - it all seemed too much. But, after seeing this one blog entry on thoughtfulday.com, everything pretty much changed. And finally, I started to envision what I wanted on our special day.

That said, below are a view images from that very blog as well as a few from erinheartscourt.com, that has guided me through the inspiration process. I don't want to give everything away, but by sharing some of the images I see in my head, I think you will begin to see exactly what I (we) are hoping to create. :)


The chairs in the picture above is the kind I believe we are going have at ours as well. And how cute are the flowers on the ground?
I love the yellow and white theme and the vintage/romantic feel to the flowers and the cake. And, I am obsessed with the little cake toppers.

So, what are your thoughts?

So, like I mentioned, I read a ton of blogs. That said, I always find a ton of cute things that I save either as inspiration for cute ideas to include in our wedding or for a general decorating style.

Today, I am obsessing over....

These beautiful owl cake toppers. Honestly, I may actually track these down for my own cake. My mom pointed out how amazing these were, and seeing that I am slightly obsessed with owls, they just may be neccesary.