“the most beautiful campus that ever was”

Mike and I hadn’t visited our alma mater in four years and while so much has changed since graduation day, so much has remained the same. Our former off-campus residences still stand–to our dismay; the old brick buildings are just as beautiful against the crisp and colorful fall backdrop as they’ve always been; the charming cobblestones on High Street could still catch a stiletto; our favorite bar is still in-tact; and the traditions still hold true.

One of Miami’s oldest traditions is for couples–or Miami Mergers–to kiss under Upham Hall’s arch at midnight (otherwise known as the Upham Arch). Now it wasn’t midnight, but Mike and I–being the traditionalists we are–just had to carry on this tradition.

All college experiences are special in their own right, but Miami holds a special place in our hearts more now than it ever did. This is the place that brought us together and changed our lives forever, and it is certainly, without a doubt, still the most beautiful campus that ever was.

miami mergers

The Location: Dayton, OH  |  The Date: October 11, 2014

The Ceremony: St. Charles Borromeo Church  |  The Reception: Dayton Art Institute

The Couple: Fellow “Miami Mergers” and former Slow Idaho-dweller

The Vibe: Elegant + Timeless

weekend recap

This past weekend was another busy one with lots of traveling, but it was well worth every mile.  Our first stop in the Buckeye State was Cincinnati, followed by Dayton, then Oxford, and back to Cincinnati. In less than two days, Mike and I managed to spend time with my sister and brother-in-law, attend our friends’ beautiful wedding, catch up with friends from college, and visit our alma mater.

The weather was crisp, the leaves were changing, and the smell of fall was in the air. With the 85-degree weather that Charleston has had this past week, it was nice to get that little fall fix.

big day dancing shoes

As somebody with a bit of a shoe addiction–just ask my parents who helped me unload boxes upon boxes of shoes upon moving to Charleston–it may seem shocking that I am 95% sure that I will not be purchasing a brand-new pair of shoes for my wedding day. My goal is to be comfortable by avoiding the dreaded blisters from breaking in a new pair of shoes, and if that means that my shoes may wind up having to be my “something old“–and/or something blue–so be it.

If I were to purchase myself a shiny new pair of shoes for my wedding day, though, these would all certainly be in the running…

1. Manola Blahnik  |  2. Manolo Blahnik  |  3. Rupert Sanderson

4. Kate Spade  |  5. Badgley Mischka  |  6. Valentino  |  7. Stuart Weitzman

 

a day at the races

Although I attended college in the midwest, I had never been to Keeneland or the Kentucky Derby. Fortunately for me, I had a chance to visit Lexington, Kentucky–which is really such a beautiful and fun city–and attend Opening Weekend at Keeneland’s Fall Meet this past Saturday. Keeneland is attended by people of all ages, but it was definitely a bit more sophisticated than say, Belmont or Preakness.

Albeit chilly, we had a beautiful day at the Keeneland Clubhouse and enjoyed a boozy brunch and lots of Southern fare beforehand to help keep us warm.

weekend recap

As the co-maid of honor in my friend’s wedding this coming November, I hosted her bachelorette weekend at a charming beach house in Folly Beach. Although it was overcast and rainy for much of the weekend, the sun managed to poke through on Sunday during our beach yoga session with Serenity Tree Yoga.