Wedding Wednesday

Short and sweet today.

I have only one question.

Who wants to finish planning this wedding for me?!?

Life has gotten crazy lately which means planning has gotten hard.

I know one thing,

more than ever I cannot wait for the next 108 days to fly by.

Come on, Mrs. Hodges!

xo,

Shans

Wedding Wednesday: We're headed to Savannah!

Y'all,

my bachelorette party is THIS weekend!

I can't even believe it.

All my bestest girls in one place under one roof

for TWO nights!

My big sis/ MOH is awesome

and set up an awesome VRBO in Savannah.

Here is the house!

In case I haven't spoken to this before,

I LOVE Savannah!

It is such a wonderful city.

Many many many thanks to all my girls for making this trip.

And extra big thanks to my sis and my bfff Lucy

for putting it all together.

SO blessed.

xo,

Shans

Mondays all about me.

1. What time did you get up this morning? Alarm went off at 7:20. I couldn't do it. Decided to wear my hair curly and got up at 7:40.

2. How do you like your steak? Medium Rare . YUM!

3. What was the last movie you saw at the theater? The Campaign.

4. What is your favorite TV show? Modern Family, Kardashians anything, Two Broke Girls, Girls

5. If you could live anywhere in the world where would it be? Somewhere in the Caribbean.

6. What did you have for breakfast? Does coffee count?

7. Do you wear glasses or contacts? both. 

8. What food do you despise? Raw onions and eggs (unless the are scrambled and COVERED in cheese) 

9. Favorite Place to Eat? I'm not sure I can answer this? I love Italian but our fave little place (Capriccio's closed a couple of years ago). I also love Mexican (we have it at least once a  week). I also love a good salad from Mellow Mushroom. and Gyro from Manny's.

10. Favorite dressing? Ranch on everything but my salad.

11.What kind of vehicle do you drive? Kia Sorento.

12. What are your favorite clothes? Comfy cute dresses.

13. Where would you visit, this weekend, if you had the chance? NYC to see my bestie, Lucy!

14. How many tattoos do you have? None.

15. Where would you want to retire? That is a hard one too! Out in the country with lots of land please?

16. What is your desktop photo? One of my favorites from our engagement session.

17. Where were you born? Charleston, SC!

18. What is your favorite sport to watch? College Football, Carolina and Georgia.

19. How many siblings? One sister, 9.5 years older than me!

20. Favorite pastime/hobby? Spending summer days on the boat. 

21. Coffee Drinker? Yes!   

23. Are you a morning person or a night person? hmm is afternoon person and option. 

24. Do you have any pets? All of you regular readers probably know all about my sweet pups. 8 year old chocolate lab, Buoy, and 1 year old black lab, Botany, who are my absolute pride and joy. Love them to the moon!

25. Any new and exciting news you'd like to share? I am going on my bachelorette this weekend!!

26. What did you want to be when you were little? When I was little, I wanted to be a marine biologist and play with the dolphins at sea world. That last until high school probably when I wanted to be Katie Couric/Oprah. I majored in Communication Media Studies and somehow...I work for a law firm?

27. What is your favorite color? NAVY!

28. Are you a cat or dog person? Dog. No question about it.

29. Are you married? Not yet, I will be in FOUR months!!

30. Always wear your seat belt? Mosttt of the time.

31. Been in a car accident? Nothing too serious.

32. Any pet peeves? A few..like mouth noises. I'm weird I know. 

33. Favorite Pizza Toppings? Mushrooms and black olives. YUM!

34. Favorite Flower? I have no idea. Hydrangeas?

35. Favorite ice cream? Ben and Jerry's half baked.

36. Favorite fast food restaurant? Chick-Fil-A!!

37. How many times did you fail your driver's test? One. I still am not very good at backing up in a straight line :(

38. From whom did you get your last email? My boss.

39. Which store would you choose to max out your credit card? JCrew.  

40. Like your job? Yes, love it. I learn something new everyday and that is such a wonderful feeling.

Wedding Wednesday: Updated Checklist

Just a little checklist update for y'all today.
Again, I am sorry for being such a poor blogger lately.
Sometimes life just gets in the way!

Things are moving along rather smoothly!
Lots of things crossed off-
the italics denotes almost being ready to cross off
aka things in the works.

Enjoy!

Set a date

Book venue

Book photographer

Book band

Ask bridal party to be in wedding

Book caterer & bar

Create wedding website

Register

Book florist

Shop for wedding dress

Book rentals

Finalize rentals

Take engagement pictures

Select bridesmaid dresses

Select groom & groomsmen attire

Find veil

Book cake baker
Decide on day of coordination

Buy cake knife & server

Buy champagne flutes (on the registry!)

Order save the dates

Send save the dates

Book officiant

Pre-marital counseling

Order guest book

Finalize guest list

Find a reasonably priced videographer

Engagement announcement in Post & Courier

MOB & MOG dress shopping ( a process!!)

Find wedding shoes

Find wedding jewelry

Book makeup artist & hair stylist

Take bridal portraits / hair & make up trial (March 2nd)

Dress alterations (1 down at least 1 to go!)

Make ceremony programs ( I have designed them!)

Order invitations (All picked out just need to order)

Mail invitations

Book rehearsal dinner venue

Book RD caterer (Duke's BBQ)

Book RD rentals

Buy RD dress

Buy sparklers for send off

Order matches for sparklers

Get canisters for sparklers

Order koozies

Order cups

Buy bridal party gifts ( 1/2 done)

Get date set for bachelorette party
Go on bachelorette (next weekend in Savannah!)

Bridal showers (one down two to go!)

Purchase wedding bands

Create wedding day timeline

Put together picture list for photographer

Get marriage license

Book transportation from reception to hotel

Pick out RD invitations

Order RD invitations

Address and mail RD invitations

Final vendor payments

Music selections to band

Order thank you notes

Wedding announcement in Post & Courier

Walk down the aisle.
Say "I will."

xo,
Shans

My Christmas List

This Christmas is going to be a small one.

With the wedding on the forefront,

I just don't see the normal gift overload happening.

As far as Mom and Pops are concerned,

this wedding is my Christmas gift,

and birthday,

and next Christmas too probably.

But...

a girl can dream right?

Here are some things on my "imaginary list"

this rug

I'm really wanting to spruce up my

 "office/workout room/dressing room"

 a little bit.

I think this rug, a new chair, and a coat of paint on my desk will do the trick.

speaking of a new chair

I would like to have this one.

So far I think the list is looking pretty reasonable.

Don't you think?

All things I "need" right?

While I'm on the decorating kick,

I could also use this

We I could probably use a King size mattress to go along with it though.

That would be nice.

Oh hell, why don't we just finish off the whole house.

While were at it right?

I could really use...hmmm...a "few" of these.

4?6?8?

Really any would be great.

I think these things would suit me just fine.

Thanks, Santa?

xo,

Shans



Christmas is coming! Christmas is coming!

I am TOO excited that Christmas is right around the corner!

Sunday I got busy decorating

and I have added a few holiday touches to our little home.

My apologies if you follow me on Instagram

because you have probably already seen these!

Call me old fashioned but I love white lights.

C is all about the colors

 but I think there is something beautiful about a lit all in white Christmas tree.

Sort of takes my breath away :)

This is the second year I have stuck with a gold, silver, and red theme.

Mostly gold and silver (matte and sparkly) ornaments

with some red mixed in for a pop of color.

It may be hard to tell...

but that angel up there?

She's a chocolate lab.

C's mom got it for us before Botany was even a glimmer in our eye.

Buoy loves the special attention.

Then there is our very special 12-seat Mahogany dining table.

For which we have 4 total chairs.

Only 2 of which match.

We clearly only have very fancy dinner parties.

The Pottery Barn footed bowl was a wedding gift from our first party.

I absolutely love it!!

I especially love it filled with extra sparkly ornaments.

The hurricane vases are from World Market

and filled with pecans straight from my mamas tree

around the most delicious apple scented candles walmart has to offer.

And lastly,

our stocking are hung.

On the bar of all places.

Gotta make do with what you have!

xoxo,

Shans

Thanksgiving Heaven

I apologize again for my lack of blogging enthusiasm.

Wedding planning is beginning to put a toll on me.

Is it April yet?

In the mean time,

while I prepare myself for a weekend in Heaven'

I mean PonPon, 

I thought I would share some favorite photos.

Get me there now please!!!

Coleman's mama loves to build a fire.

I am yearning for a good cuddle by the fire.

xo,

Shans

So So Sorry

I owe you all an apology.

For the past and inevitably for the future.

I am so so sorry,

I really am a bad blogger.

Some days, and sometimes it feels like some weeks,

I just cannot come up with anything to blog about.

It is not like I have a million daily readers to impress.

Hell, I may be pushing it thinking that I even have 10 daily readers.

Regardless, I feel like I deadbeat parent when I neglect this little blog of mine.

Coleman would roll out of his chair laughing if he heard me say that.

Good thing is that he barely even reads this silly little thing.

So really, if any you readers are actually out there,

give me so ideas, people!

What should I blog about on days that I've got nothing??

I'm all ears.

Ready,

set,

go!

xo,

Shans

Fashion Friday

This girl needs some new boots in her life.

I have one go to pair of "riding boots"

that I have had for 2 years,

and they need a little break.

Wearing heels to work

leaves a lot to be desired in the realm of keeping my feet warm,

so I would also like a pair that could be suitable for work.

with dresses, and with pants.

Of course, being the frugal lady I am I do not want to break the bank on these things,

so I have been doing a little online bargain shopping.

Here are some of my top contenders.

Please, let me know what you think. 

Every day riding boot/found here

Black/Could maybe work with work dresses (also with tights)/found here.

Either of these could do for wearing under black pants to work.

The second ones could also double as something sassy for the weekend.

found here and here

What do y'all think??

xo,

Shans

Wedding Wednesday

Only a few photos to share from this weekend's shower.

Promise there will be more to come.



My girl Chelsy did such a fabulous job on the burlap pendant banners.

I wish I had half the creative talent she has.

Paige and Alex did an over the top job putting it all together.

All the little details were there,

and I loved them all!

Who knew Alex had a secret life calling to be florist?

A BIG thank you goes out to all 3 of these ladies

as well as my sister and brother in law

for making the oyster and beer

of this "oysters and beer couple's shower" happen.

SO blessed.

xo,

Shans

Monday again

We had such a great weekend!

Our first wedding party was Saturday,

and it was an absolute blast!

More to come on that on Wednesday.

In other news,

it has just dawned on me that it is November.

Which means that Thanksgiving is like tomorrow and

that Christmas is basically almost over.

I LOVE the Holidays.

For the past 2 years Coleman and I have celebrated Thanksgiving together.

His family always hosts the glorious food-filled day

at their house on the Edisto River.

Lucky us, they have even invited my parents to partake the past 2 years.

It is so fun to have everyone together,

and I already cannot wait to share photos from this year's festivities.

In the meantime,

I will start gathering up recipes for all of the yummy dishes I want to make.

Broccoli Cheese Casserole is a must.

As is Sweet Potato Casserole.

My mouth is watering already?!

I may have a problem.

xo,

Shans

A Thursday Thought

Just one for you to ponder.

"Resentment is

like a glass of poison

that a man drinks;

then he sits down

and waits

for his enemy to die."

-Nelson Mandela



Just Wednesday

I already did a little Wedding chatting this week,

so today is just Wednesday.

and..

HALLOWEEN!!!

Sadly, I don't think we will be dressing up this year.

With so much going on it has completely slipped my mind to think about a costume.

But,

we are going to a Halloween supper club tonight!!

Some friends of ours live in the most precious neighborhood ever

with lots of little children running around all the time,

so we will be heading there to eat, drink

and hand out candy!

It is so funny the things that you get excited about as you get older.

3 years ago I would have died to not be going out in a costume on Halloween night!

Here is a glimpse at Halloween 3 years ago.

7 sorority sisters as the 7 deadly sins.

I was gluttony.

Funny, dressed as a chef!

What are your halloween plans this year??

xo,

Shans



a first: tasty tuesday

Yesterday I decided I needed to have tomato pie.

Then I decided I should share this thought with C.

His response:

"YES. YES. YES. YES. YES. and how about some fried chicken too?"

That boy loves tomato pie,

and he hates tomatoes?

Strange I know.

So, for the second time every I ventured out to make some tomato pie.

I worked from the Paula Deen recipe,

but held back a little on the mayo

(I still think there was a little too much even when using 3/4 cup)

and left out the onions.

You can find Paula's original recipe here.

Promise you will love it!

xo,

Shans

Fast Forward Please?

Monday is here, and for once I don't hate it.

Because the sooner Monday comes and goes,

the sooner the rest of the week can come and go.

We have our very first party this weekend!

I could not be more excited!!

So thankful to my sister, brother-in-law,

and besties Alex and Paige

 for making this happen for us!

We are so incredibly lucky to have such loving friends and family.

Hurry up, weekend!

xo,

Shans



Wedding Wednesday: Tux Edition

Last night C and I made a little trip to Men's Wearhouse.

I heard so many great things about how simple the tux renting process is there,

and Coleman has experienced it first hand.

So, we decided if it ain't broke don't fix it.

Simply, we would be using Men's Wearhouse for our tuxedo rental needs.

I highly recommend if you are not sure where to go!

Here is what we decided.

Coleman will be wearing full dress tails.

White bow tie.

White pique vest.

The rest of our handsome group

will be wearing a classic black tux

with black cummerbund

black bow tie

and suspenders.



What do y'all think?

I am already swooning over Coleman's look.

I can't wait!

xo,

Shans

Monday Monday

Happy Monday?

Back to work again :(

How much longer until I can retire?

C and I had a fabulous day yesterday!

We took our newly engaged besties

Fleet and Ellen

out for a little Sunday afternoon

Champagne boat cruise!

Here are some pictures from the excursion.

Sorry for the picture overload, but I had to share!

I thought they were all so great of our little adventure.

Coleman and I are so excited for our sweet friends

who officially have a date set!

May 4, 2013,

Coleman will be standing next to Fleet

as he says I do to Ellen!

YAY!

We ended the evening in the deer stand.

Of course, given my hunting luck we saw nothing. :(

Hope y'all have a great week!

xo,

Shans

Wedding Thursday?

Work has been so busy lately.

I can't believe I miss Wedding Wednesday!

I'm sure you are dying for some updates

so to tie you over,

I will have to "borrow" Charlotte's idea from yesterday

Registry Faves!!

Eat your hearts out.

I am obsessed with our registries,

and I was jumping up and down at my desk on Monday

when I discovered our first gift has been purchased!

Thank you anonymous gift giver!!

everything via Pottery Barn



Every single one of these images make me swoon.

Oh, Pottery Barn.

I will stop while I'm ahead in order to prevent posting the entire registry.

Happy Thursday, y'all.

Almost Friday!

xo,

Shans

Barry Beaux: For the Men in Your Life!

A dear friend of mine from high school,

Frances Barry,

is doing big things!

She has started her very own company

designing and making by hand the most

fabulous fashion pieces for the men in our lives.

Barry Beaux got its official start back in 2009

when fashion-forward Frances felt inspired to make one-of-a-kind

pieces for her daddy, her brother, and her boy.

Well, thank goodness for those boys,

because if it were not for them

Barry Beaux may have never been.

And trust me,

when you see how cute these designs are

you sure are going to be glad that she felt so inspired.

Here I am with an assortment of some of her handmade designs!

I cannot help but share some of my favorites!

Charleston Harbor

Duck

Shem Creek Shrimp

Sullivan's Island Sand Dollar

Mount Pleasant Mahi

Oysters on the Half Shell

If you are anything like me,

you have already fallen in love.

Check out her website, www.barrybeaux.com,

or visit her on Facebook and Etsy

for more information.

I just know the men in your lives would love

to have a sweet, original, preppy,

and hand made gift this holiday season.

Happy Shopping!

xo,

Shans