long time, no see.

It’s been quite awhile since I’ve posted anything on this little website of mine, and although the months leading up to the big day will be both busy and emotional, I am going to try my best to keep up with this.

Over the years, I have found that posting, writing, and compiling have been some of the greatest stress reliefs and creative outlets for me, so I refuse to give up so easily. The past several months have been a fun and exciting blur and it is my goal to document it all as much as I can, and what better way to do that than by sharing some of my most favorite photos of Charleston in full bloom this spring?

Weekend Scenes: Litchfield, SC

Weekend Scenes: Antiques & Garden Show of Nashville

Old Westbury Gardens

Personally, I love nothing more than exploring new places with nobody else around. Guilty pleasure? I think so. After an impromptu meeting with a potential vendor, Mike and I had the opportunity to do just that at the beautiful and breathtaking Old Westbury Gardens in Old Westbury, New York.

The shooting location for several films, Old Westbury Gardens is as beautiful in the dead of winter as it is in the springtime when its gorgeous gardens are in full bloom. I swear it almost felt as though we stumbled upon the set of The Secret Garden.

Christmas in New York

I’ve said it 100 times and I’ll say it 100 times over… There is nothing quite like Christmastime in New York City.

I was in desperate need of a good fix after spending much of the season in Charleston–albeit a beautiful city, it lacks any type of Christmas spirit–so spending the remainder of the season in New York was quite a treat. Mike and I merely scratched the surface during our 2-night stint in Manhattan, and despite our first attempt at visiting Rockefeller Center being a major fail, there was plenty of visual stimulation to be had otherwise.

holiday recap

Two weeks off may sound like a lifetime to some, but never has two weeks flown by so quickly. I made sure to make the most of my time at home by taking care of some business for the wedding, registering(!!), having a karaoke night with friends, going on date nights with my fiancé (which still feels crazy to say), taking a trip to the MoMa to view the Matisse exhibit, enjoying a beachside Christmas lights show, having a failed attempt to go ice skating, eating pizza and/or Italian food everyday, and spending quality time with family, Riley, and my soon-to-be in-laws (again, crazy!).

homeward bound

Between wedding planning and a busy fall schedule at work, I am looking forward to curling up and enjoying some much-needed R&R these next two weeks (!!). Although every single day of my two-week vacation is already pretty much planned out, I am determined to find time to relax and enjoy what is left of the holiday season. Nothing’s quite like New York during Christmastime and I can’t wait to cram all of that spirit into a few days.

There’s a reason why they say that there’s no place like home for the holidays, right?

 

 

“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.