Wedding Wednesday

So... you know that we chose our date, the church, and our reception venue.

I've shared our photographer with you (and later, our engagement photos!).

I talked about finding my perfect dress and then, of course, changing my mind 100% and picking a different one.

I let you in on how I asked my bridesmaids and a peek into what their dresses will look like!

I shared our wedding website and a few items on our registry.

You've also been introduced to our wedding band, seen our honeymoon destination, and most recently, our save the dates!

Phew!

I still need to share with you our videographer and the place where I will be getting ready with my bridesmaids (also where Brandon and I will be staying the night of our wedding!).

Choosing our videographer was simple.  I saw one of their videos before we even got engaged and immediately knew I wanted to use Remedy Wedding Films.  In fact, I never even looked into any other videographers.  I'm a researcher by nature, so picking Remedy without looking at any other company's work is HUGE.

I can't find a way to publish their video samples on here, so take a look at some of their work by clicking on the videos icons below.

I've heard from countless people that your wedding day goes by in an instant -it's all a big blur.  I'm so excited to know we will have a video of our day to relive those precious moments over and over again.  

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My bridesmaids and I will be staying at The Wentworth Mansion the night before the wedding.  The Wentworth Mansion is the same place where Brandon and I took our rooftop engagement photos.  It has one of the most gorgeous views of Charleston.  Travel + Leisure recently voted the Mansion the #1 small, city hotel in the US and the #12 best hotel in the WORLD!  

We have reserved the Grand Mansion Suite for our stay.  My bridesmaids and I will be able to get ready there before the wedding, take photos all around the property (gorgeous landscaping and the rooftop cupola!), and then the room will be turned into a "Newlyweds Suite" for Brandon and me that night.

Here's a view of the cupola.

Happy Halloweenie!

tell it to me {tuesday}

As a huge fan of the Bachelor and the Bachelorette... and Emily Maynard for that matter, I'm surprised that I've yet to blog about Emily and Jef's breakup.  What do you think about the split?  Do you think Emily really paid him to stick around?  It's sad that hardly any of these reality relationships last, but I will still be glued to my TV every Monday night for the next season.

My bridesmaids are working on plans for my bachelorette party.  It will be in March, so most of the east coast will be pretty chilly still, except Florida.  We've picked Miami as the destination because it has a fun party atmosphere, will be warm, and has pretty sand/water.  I know we will have an absolute blast, but there's a tiny piece about going to Miami that doesn't sit right with me.  I want to be somewhere fun, but I'm really not the "clubbing" type, which is the essence of Miami nightlife.  I've never been there... so tell me, is Miami a good choice?  We haven't reserved any accommodations yet, so there is still time to pick a new destination. Where have you been on a bachelorette party?  What location was the most fun?  I've also considered Key West and NYC.

 

Truth on a chalkboard, no?

Ok...now for a relationship that works.  I'm a little late in bringing this up, too, but what did you think about Jessica Biel's pink Giambattista Valli wedding gown?  I don't think there's any doubt that the photos are head-over-heels gorgeous, but the pink makes them look like they are at any ol' fancy soiree.  I'll get over it.  She looks gorgeous in the photos and they both are glowing. 

...and this is completely off the wall, but how great is this idea I found on Pinterest?  I've thrown away so many of those hangers and am always hunting for chip clips!

weekend recap

I feel like this week has been so long already... how can it already be Monday?  I really don't have much for you today other than a quick weekend recap.  

Pink sky on friday evening... no filter!  The sky was pink on Saturday night, too.  Not a pink sunset...but like a pink haze all over.  I've never seen the sky like that before.  Maybe something to do with the hurricane? Anyone know?

My best friend recently moved back to SC (yay!), and so we went out with our other bestie, Chandler, on Friday night. 

We are serious goofballs.

Saturday was mostly spent relaxing and watching football with Brandon.  We decided to go downtown that night and perch up at Starbucks.

This Starbucks looks out onto a busy street for nightlife, so we got to do a LOT of Halloween people watching.  We had some yummy drinks, some chit chat, and some huge laughs at a handful of costumes.  Some people are so creative.  We are total Halloween losers.  The last time we dressed up was two years ago, when we were Barbie and Ken.

After Starbucks, we literally drove around in loops downtown and watched the college students go in and out of bars.  Are we no fun at all or just getting older?  Maybe a little of both.

My favorite costume I saw was an inflatable air dancer.

(one of these things ...just not so tall!)

Sunday was busy, busy, busy! 

Brandon and I went to mass at the church where we will be married.

After church, we got lunch and FINALLY finished our wedding registry, after making stops at Williams Sonoma and Pottery Barn.  

Later last night, we went to the Matisyahu concert at The Music Farm.  It was an awesome show.

I finally got to witness crowd-surfing!  He ran and jumped into the crowd, then stood up straight.  Way cool!

It was worth being sleepy for work this morning!  

Happy Monday.

GIVEAWAY! {Graphic Image}

Brought to you by the same folks who gave away the GiGi New York All-in-One bag, I'm so excited to announce another amazing giveaway that is sure to get your organizational juices flowing!

Graphic Image is ever so kind to give one lucky reader a 2013 Leather Desk Datebook.



They have multiple styles and colors to choose from, and let me tell you... they are all gorgeous.  

Graphic Image sent me a 2013 Desk Diary with Orange Crocodile Embossed Leather.  Since I'm getting married in six months, I went ahead and got my married initials (MSS) embossed on the front in gold lettering.  What is it about a monogram that makes something ten times more special?  

The pages are a thick cream color and have beautiful gilt edges. 

If you can't be organized with this, you have very little hope, my friend.  It includes information pages galore... weight conversions, maps, holidays, anniversary gifts, personal expense summaries, currency exchange rates, birthstone and flower information, etc. etc. etc.

It also includes monthly calendars and day-at-a-view agendas.

If you'd like a chance to win a desk diary of your choice, just follow these simple rules!

You must be a follower of Style Me Swanky via Google Friend Connect (as seen in the right column) before completing any entries below.

For one entry: Leave a comment stating which color you would choose for your date book.  You can view all the styles and colors here.

For another entry: "Like" Graphic Image on Facebook and leave a comment letting me know.

For another entry: Blog about this giveaway and leave a comment with the link to your blog.

For another entry: Tweet about this giveaway using a link to Style Me Swanky, then leave a comment with your Twitter name!

That means you have four opportunities to win!  (Maximum of four comments!)

Giveaway will end Wednesday, October 31 at 11:59 p.m.

Good luck! 

Oh P.S.  This is where I put the sewing table I revamped.  

You know...the one I found on the side of the road. ;)

Wedding Wednesday {SAVE THE DATES}

Most all of our "save the dates" have been sent out, so it's finally time to share ours with you!  

I decided to use Minted to have our save the dates made.  The service I received was crazy good!  I placed my order on a Thursday, approved my proof on Saturday, and received them in the mail on Tuesday. 

What impressed me even more is the quality.  I have photos of our save the dates below, but they really are so much better in person.  The paper is a luxurious, matte card stock.  It's so nice! 

Anyway, here they are...

We wanted to include a message to personalize them a bit more!

I just looked on Minted's website and they are offering 15% off all wedding stationery ...so get to it, my brides to be! 

184 more days!

MUST HAVES {Makeup Brushes}

A lot of you asked me for makeup brush recommendations after I posted the steps I take to wash mine.

Sigma Brushes are, hands down, the best bang for your buck.  They are basically dupes of MAC brushes, but for half the price.  I own plenty of Sigma brushes and have only had a problem with one of them because it was shedding too much.  I called the company and they sent me a brand new one... no questions asked.  It's customer service like that that keeps me coming back.  That, and their brushes completely change the way your makeup is applied.  Makes the biggest difference. Trust.

If you're only going to buy a few, look no further than these.

F80 - Flat Kabuki

This is my ALL TIME favorite foundation brush.  It has made the biggest difference in how my foundation is applied.  I own the MAC stippling brush and the Beauty Blender, but neither compare to this.  

I spray the bristles with a pump or two of water (out of a travel-sized spray bottle), then dip it in the  foundation I have on the back of my hand.  I then apply in circular motions all over my face.  It blends my foundation flawlessly and really gives an airbrushed look.

F30 - Large Powder

This is a great multi-purpose powder brush.  I have two large powder brushes -- one I use for translucent powder and the other I use for bronzer.  

F10 - Blush/Powder

A must for natural blush application.

E60 - Large Shader

Perfect for applying a base color onto the eyelids.  

E25 - Blending

You need this brush in your makeup arsenal.  After you apply eye shadow with the large shader, do me a favor and blend out the edges with this brush.  This is great for everyday use and for creating that perfectly blended smokey eye for evening.

These are my basic staples... brushes every woman should own.  

Shop Sigma and save 10% + get a free gift with the code DEAL2012 (ex. 10/31).

Goodbye Weekend

Why do weekends fly by so quickly?  Brandon and I had a great time celebrating our friends' "I dos."  Here are some pictures, thanks to the trusty iPhone!

 I wore the Diane von Furstenberg Millicent Dress with my GiGi New York All-in-One Bag and old BCBG wedges.

Self Portrait ;)

Friends from high school!

That's all I've got.  Here's to another week!

Xo-M