Happily Ever After

It's here, it's here!!! Apsy is getting MARRIED today.

The maids laid by the pool and then gussied up with the bride.

It was so much fun getting ready and beautified together.

  She let me wear her hardware for the ceremony. Her groom proposed with just the 

stone in a band setting and then let her pick out the setting as you see it. 

Talk about gorgie!!! She added a band after the "I dos."

I do love that her sissys gifted her an emerald band --- so sweet.

Mr. and Mrs. can dance up a storm!!! Such a great first dance into happily ever after.

 Apsy is such a stunning bride and glowing with joy.

Her Split Ends posted this on Instagram and I had to steal it.

We had sooo much fun celebrating with the newlyweds. 

We wish them a lifetime of happiness!!!

Xoxo-BLC

Lunch, Rehearse, Rainbow, & Dine

We were up and at it first thing for our maids luncheon.

It was at a lovely restaurant that grew the veggies and fishes on the roof.

Talk about FRESH!!! It was so fun having girl-only time.

By late afternoon, it was time to r-e-h-e-a-r-s-e.

Isn't the back drop for the ceremony divine!?! TDF.

 The rehearsal dindin was poolside and oh-so-fun. 

As we sat down for dinner, we noticed the rainbow ... what fun!?!

I toasted to Apsy and gave her the best pre-wedding advice I've heard: "negotiate your 

shopping budget tonight before tomorrow's I-dos!!!" Thanks cousin R!!! ;)

  We are all smiles for the bride and groom's BIG day!!!

Of course the night ended at the resort watering hole ...

All the maids are all smiles!!! We folded early to get our beauty sleep.

Yeahhh for their BIG day!!! Xoxo-BLC

PS: I cannot STOP wearing these earrings by Loren Hope: Dabney!!!

O-O-O-rlandooo!!!

It was such a pretty day to fly into the clouds ...

... we headed to the land where dreams come true: ORLANDO!!!

This is a dream weekend as my college best friend is tying the knot.

Mickey let me pretend to be his Minnie for a minute ... 

We were the last of our friends to arrive, so we headed straight for 

our nesting spot: Bay Hill Lodge. It is such a lovely resort!!!

We dined at the Bay Window and then enjoyed cocktails: is mine a dark'n'stormy

or an Arnold Palmer!?! If you cannot tell ... why should I!?! Hint: shift dressss.

It was so much fun seeing what a remarkable lifetime Mr. Palmer has lived.

Now, let the wedding festivities BEGIN!!! Xoxo-BLC

The Skinny on White Jeans

I do believe Katharine Hepburn was telling Audrey Hepburn the skinny on
white jeans and that it's a-okay to wear 'em after Labor Day when she said:

When Audrey and Jackie O popularized white jeans in 1960, they didn't stop wearing them after Labor Day ... so why should we!?! Jeans are heavy gauge material fit for all seasons. Forget those silly fashion rules and keep those white jeans out year round!!! It's just more fun. Xoxo-BLC

It's OFFICIAL ...

It's officially Fall.
Which means I'm blue for summertime.
The best way to fight the blues:
THE
LILLY
PULITZER
WAREHOUSE
SALE!!!
You had me at Lilly.
I'm overdue to visit a college chum.
We will hit the sale bright and early.
Then head to New York City for a
girls-only, shop-infested,
Elizabeth-McKay-visiting,
sight-seeing, play watching,
fun-filled times.
Is it November 30th yet!?!
Who is going with me!?!
Xoxo-BLC

My boys + Hike = Happy

My boys ...

... on a hike ...

... is happiness. Happy weekending to you and yours!!! Xoxo-BLC

Milk & Honeydew

Yesterday was the last bit of Summer. Boo hiss!!! I'm going to keep on summering in spirit and the best way I see fit: starting my morning off right with a taste of summertime. This honeydew smoothy is my easy-peasy, go-to, refreshing breakie to kick start my day. Smoothy cheers and let's keep on summering!!! Xoxo-BLC

Meet Ashley!!!

This is a year of prayer for me. One item I never ever forget to pray for: my single friends. My prayer is for a patient heart, a ready heart, and that their mister is the perfect match. And sometimes I pray he would hurry up already. :) Well, today is special because I am not only praying, but I'm doing something about it. Sara and I have the most ah-mazing friend Ashley. We are joining Kelly's Korner link up to introduce our Ashley. She blogs at The Sweet Southern Life. Just maybe you have the perfect match for her. 

Without further ado, here is Sara and my snippet about Ashley: We thought Kelly’s link up would be the perfect opportunity to show off our amazing friend, Ashley. Ashley is a 28 year old native Texan who graduated from Clemson University and now works as a nurse in Dallas. First and foremost, Ashley is a strong Christian woman with a deep love for the Lord. She is the most loyal, generous, faithful person you’ll ever meet. She is also loads of fun!!! We just KNOW she is going to make one lucky man very, very happy. Ashley always has a fulllllll calendar. Whether it’s attending Bible Study, a Junior League Meeting, attending a fundraiser, or just a night on the town, she has no shortage of social activities. She is an incredible cook and an even better hostess, always having people over for a Cinco de Mayo party or to watch that weekend’s football game. She’s a true southern girl who loves the South and all that comes with it. Ashley has a great sense of humor, is an avid skier and loves her German short haired pointer, Lily. If you or someone you know might be interested in connecting with Ashley, leave a comment below!!! Xoxo-BLC

PS: Many thanks to Ashley for letting Sara and I show her off. Also, many thanks to Sara for joining forces and doing the heavy lifting. If you want more Ashley + TCSK posts, look here, here, and here. Lastly, this is the fifth Singles Friday that Kelly has hosted ... and FIVE couples have met, married, and are living happily ever after!!! Finger's crossed Ashley makes six. :)

October Baby

This is the story of a life that almost wasn't. You have the power to choose: love, forgiveness, hope, life, joy. It's a Christian story. The cinematography is incredible. Choose to watch it!!! Xoxo-BLC

Making Work Friends ...

A little over a year ago (one year, three weeks, and one day ... but who is counting ...), I started my big girl attorney job at a new firm. I only knew one person at the firm and it wasn't one of the firms I clerked at during law school. So making new friends was important to me. My how-to:

 Then add any flavor or color of ...

 And viola:

It's the perfect pop of color, 

low calorie, 

sweet treat 

to kick start work friendships. 

And the talk is sooo much better than at the water cooler. 

But beware, when you run out ... 

it's time to restock pronto!!! 

Making new friends is fun and shouldn't be hard work ... 

work is hard enough. 

Xoxo-BLC

Plaid Affair with Devon Baer

It's beginning to feel a lot like Fall and that means a few things: New York Fashion Week, layers ... layers ... layers, boots, and, my favorite: time for a plaid affair with Devon Baer!!!

 I have the dress similar to this Devon Baer top and it is simply TDF!!! I pictured wearing the hunter green plaid top with my killer silk poofy skirt ... but then I saw Devon's picture left and thought, "hello Thanksgiving dindin" donned with jeans. The best part about this plaid affair: free shipping until 09/17/2012!!! Chin chin to falling for FALL. Xoxo-BLC

Shell Yeah

Tortoise shell has been timeless since 1973 when the synthetic Delrin hit the fashion scene and saved the hawksbill turtle. I love love love anything tortoise shell and always will. Shell it out:

Sunnies :: Specticals :: Watch :: iPhone Case 

 Servers :: Tall Boys

 Hoops :: Ring :: Bangles :: Claw :: Purse :: Clip :: Cuff :: Loren Hope Bracelet

Wear it well, but not at all at once. A pop of tortoise here and there is the perrrfect amount. Between the tortoise and the hare, we know who wins the race ... shell yeah tortoise shell!!! Xoxo-BLC

Sit. Shake. Roll Over. Stay.

Since we rescued Stewart in February, he has been learning the basics. He was potty trained ... but didn't know how to sit, shake, roll over, stay, and so forth. He mastered his name and sit almost immediately. And today for the first time ever, he shook my hand like a gentleman. I squealed with delight and hugged him and then rewarded him with a milkbone. As such, a doggy-treat-recipe was a must and woof woof is it delish!!! Xoxo-BLC

Unforgotten

I hate today's date. I always will. I will never forget. Will you? My heart is heavy and sad. My prayer for today is that everyone impacted will feel the love, comfort, and peace that comes from the Lord. Godspeed to those who paid with their life for our freedom. Xoxo-BLC

PS: And this ... 

Letting Go

I’m letting go
Of the life I planned for me
And my dreams
Losing control
Of my destiny
Feels like I’m falling and that’s what it’s like to believe
So I’m letting go

This is a giant leap #33ccfffaith
Trusting and trying to embrace

The fear of the unknown
Beyond my comfort zone

Giving in to your gravity
Knowing You are holding me
I’m not afraid

So I’m letting go

I love this song by Francesca Battistelli. I've needed to let go of a few things for a while. I fear letting go because it's out of my control. If I let go, I can't take it back. But there is sooo much power and freedom in letting go and letting God take over. I am reminded of 1 Peter 5:7, "Casting all your anxieties on Him, because He cares for you." Chin chin to letting go and letting God!!! Xoxo-BLC

Happy Labor Day!!!

Happy Labor Day! Many thanks to the worker bees for alllllll their hard labor. Enjoy 9-5 today with your feet up! Cheers to you and yours on this holiday. Xoxo-BLC

Lake View

We left Atlanta smiling ear to earrr for my in-law's lake house.

 The sun didn't shine as bright and hot as usual ...

 ... but that didn't stop us from boat rides and jet ski spins.

And on one of those trips ... we saw cows!!! Mooo.

Aren't they cute as can be!?! What a fun surprise.

Many thanks to my in-laws for a looong relaxing weekend. Xoxo-BLC

NUKE!!!

We headed to Atlanta this weekend to cheer on our CLEMSON TIGERS!!!

 It was beyond funnn and I still am jumping for joy: WE WON!!! Eeeeeek.

I am sooo excited for Clemson's football season. And yeahhh ACC!!!

Go Clemson Go!!! Xoxo-BLC

PS: NUKEEE!!! I'm use to cheering for Duke, so Nuke is easy peasy for me. It might sound like booo to a rookie, but I assure you it's all ra-ra cheers. I'm thrilled for Nuke: he just accepted Christ as his Savior. We might not formally meet in this lifetime, but I know I'll see his happy face in Heaven.

Until then, all best wishes to NUKE!!!