My Julie Friend l Personal

This beautiful video was brought to my attention by my lovely julie friend. Just when I needed a touch of inspiration. Lovin' the Diana colors...



Julie is also designing our wedding invitations. Would you like a peak? Okay, but just a peak.



okay ONE more peak. the watercolors are to die for. and the BIKE?!

Manhattan l Personal

until new york city as a wife. mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmyay!

also, 19 posts until another FREE giveaway. it's a good one this time.

Wedding Finds l Planning

Nick and I went antiquing and found some great items for the wedding. Things are moving along slowly but surely. I'm pretty excited about this first thing...





A vintage 1924 Remington Portable typewriter

look closely and you can see the date it was sold.





and of course, a book on ball-room dancing. I don't think I'm quite skilled enough to learn how to dance out of a book....but it will look good at the reception.

Feeling Crafty l February 14

Pretty sure the last time I stared at my calendar, I was thinking to myself, 'wow, thanksgiving is coming up soon'....Is it just me or is the time just flying by? Not that I'm complaining, our wedding is now in 201 days. Tomorrow we're almost out of the 200's. That makes me happy. :)

I'm not really one of those girls who thinks guys should splurge on diamonds, flowers and chocolate for Valentines Day. (not that I would turn away nick handing me a bouquet of yellow tulips-what am I, stupid?) I think that we should show the same amount of compassion and kindness to each other on a day to day basis. Flowers on a random thursday are always delightful. I'm also not one of those girls who curses the day and repels the color red all day. I just think that February 14th should be a simple reminder to everyone you love, how much you appreciate them being in your life. It should be shown whatever way you know how.

Found these ideas while flipping through the Martha Stewart magazine over the weekend. It isn't too early to jot down ideas.


Mini Berry Pies (recipe)


Pear Raspberry Heart Pie (recipe)



p.s. this kind of has to do with valentines day....since I love nick and we are getting married. We had originally planned to go to Ireland for our honeymoon. We had planned to fly out 8-8 and land in Dublin late that evening. With the cost of flights, cost of living and (to put it lightly) overall uneasy state of our country, we thought it best to stay here.

We will be taking a train to New York City and deciding our daily itinerary on a whim. Broadway musical? let's go! Sleep until 11am? why not? Skydive off the Empire State Building? ehh..no thank you. Anyway-we are both free spirited and will have a wonderful time wherever God allows us to venture to. In honor of New York City, a tune for good measure.

Feeling Crafty l Fabric Bouquet

I'm penny pinchin' for this wedding. I'd rather spend less for the wedding and save more for our life together. I saw this cool bridal bouquet idea while looking through my awesome wedding photographers newest album.

Benefits
1) Saves Money
(no purchasing whole-sale flowers, keeping them cool, no design/arrangement fees & shipping cost)
2) Keepsake
(I could keep them on my kitchen table in a snazzy vase for all of time)
3) It looks cool
(this is the most technical reason of them all)
4) they don't die.
(thanks Cheerupcherup!)





Photo Credit:
Rachel Williamson

Chilly Love l Personal

home-made is spilling into other parts of my life...one of them being our wedding. here's an engagement photo to tide us over until my super cool friend kelly takes some for us when its warmer.

I wasn't properly prepared for the snowy weather...nick let me borrow his coat :)

Ireland

We're going to Ireland in 261 days. Get ready dear Canon's, you will be working hard getting some amazing photos.

How it happened

Since I'm sure you are dying to know, I will tell you the story of our engagement. It's one of my favorites :) Nick and I have these really cool friends-Wendy & Todd. You may remember their session from a few weeks ago.



Anywho, their wedding was set for November 1, 2009 in Corolla, NC. Wendy had asked me to take her bridal portraits the day of her wedding so Nick and I ventured down to North Carolina for a fun weekend. I get bored in the car, thus pictures of many odd things.





Wendy and Todd's wedding was on a very special day! You see, it is also Nick and I's one year anniversary. November 1, 2008 we went to a bonfire with some friends and that night he asked me to be his princess. Seriously, how could I say no to that!?



He treated me to a lovely dinner right on the water...



then we went on to the PARTY for some harrison style celebratin'.



we did some sleepin, plannin and prayin and woke up early the next morning for wendy to rock her dress. mmm steamy!



Nick and I then ventured into nags head to do some shopping and to grab a bite before their ceremony. On our way back to the ceremony, we encountered some bridesmaid dress problems but God had a handle on nick's plans and let them work themselves out. He took me to Milepost 6 for us to see the pier and walk on the beach. I certainly do love a good pier.

I thought to myself, how sweet, someone carved their name! I snapped this picture, turned around to show nick and he was on one knee with a shiny ring. He said will you marry me and I swooned..there you have it. fiance's!



as my friend holly called this....cryface. bam!



and the handsome fiance'



And there you have it folks, my dream come true :)

Cheerupcherup

Looking for original, one-of-a-kind wedding stationary? Take a look at Cheerupcherup.
I've become quite fond of her work....so fresh and perfect! The fonts are classic, the style original and her prices are awesome.

Save the Date's
Wedding invites
Dinner Parties
Wedding Menu's
Tent Programs
You name it.

Don't take my word for it. Check these out yourself!

She has her own Etsy shop. Love it!

Shoe Secrets l Personal

I'm not much of a heels person. In fact, I own a red pair a brown pair and a black pair. You know, the basics. I pretty much live in flats because of my clumsy-ness. I don't care if that isn't a word.

When I saw these, I didn't care how much of a heels hater I am. I had to get them and i will find the perfect dress to go along with them. Shhh, don't tell my flats.





Oh, one other thing! Nick and I have decided on a wedding date. Big day!

Inspiration l planning

These things make me happy. Even though I have no clue where to start with wedding planning, I'm sure some (if not all) of these things will make an appearance. And by the way, i hope you all dont mind a wedding update post every once in a while :)



Image credit:
Jasmine Star, Once Wed and Jamie Delaine

Kristin Williamson to be!

I interrupt my regularly scheduled photos of random objects to bring you my new favorite photo. I am newly engaged to my nicholas and I can't wait to be his bride :) I'll post the story later in the week once I get a chance to properly edit all of the photos. I gotta do it right, yo!

I have never seen myself as a bride but now that this ring is shining back at me, this is all becoming so real. I'm excited, nervous and have no idea where to start! If any of you newly engaged and/or newlyweds have any advice, I would be more than grateful to listen! and yes, oncewed has been a saved bookmark since i knew how to blog.



excited about these photos to come!

(the new) Wendy Woodburn: bridals!



my beautiful sister: anytime (actually, christmas-time)