This Week's Loves

These leather shorts.

Ok, we aren't all glamazons.  The shorts really aren't that short unless you have Giselle Bundchen legs, in which case... please order these.

This bathroom.

This stuff should win a gold medal.  Really, it should.   It's gentle, so I use it every morning in the shower.  It really does make your skin bright and fresh.  

This quote, because it's so true.

The Tory Burch Labor Day event.  If you've been eyeing those fall boots or a handbag, now is the time, my friends.  I'm so sad that my favorite 757 handbag is not in stock. Boo.

Xo-M

Wednesday Pretties (+ Honeymoon Reveal!)

I decided to forego the usual Wedding Wednesday post and share some eye candy.

 Check out these furniture pieces that are beyond delicious and on MAJOR sale at Joss & Main in the "On the Softer Side" event.  

Stanley Furniture Million Stars Hostess Chair

Garbo Tufted Wingback Bed

Lenox Club Chair

Camille Belle is on my "top five" list of the most classic, beautiful celebrities.

Xo-M

P.S.  We booked our honeymoon!  St. Lucia, here we come!

PMD Personal Microderm Review

Hi ladies!  Ok, so I watched a video Michelle Money (The Bachelor...remember?) made about this at-home microdermabrasion device and how wonderful it is for making your skin look younger.  It's called the PMD Personal Microderm and it's supposed to help to minimize the appearance of fine lines, enlarged pores, blemishes, and wrinkles.  While I don't have to worry about fine lines and wrinkles yet, I was definitely intrigued to try it for polishing my skin and reducing the appearance of my pores.  The kind folks at PMD offered to send me one for review, whether my review happened to be good or bad! 

It has been about two months since I received it and I've tried it out about six times.  You are only supposed to use it once per week.  The product is so neatly packaged and it includes an instructional DVD so that you know how to use it.  Don't want to hurt your skin from improper use!  

It includes a white training disc, blue gentle discs, and the slightly more abrasive green discs.  You also get a small disc of each color for your face and a larger one for your body.  Also, it plugs into the wall, so you don't have to worry about keeping the battery charged. I love that.

My thoughts:  

The PMD does not hurt when you're using it.  It's very easy to use and small enough to get into the smaller areas, like the sides of your nose.  When I finished using it, I could see tons of tiny skin particles left in the clear chamber.  This shows that it really did polish my skin!  However, my skin always looks pretty dull immediately after using the PMD.  But this is expected... this is when your toner and moisturizer step in. 

I use my Clinique clarifying toner afterwards to balance the pH of my skin.  Then, the MOST IMPORTANT step is to follow with a great moisturizer.  This is the time to pull out your best products because the PMD has created a perfect canvas for your skin to better absorb your skincare products.  That is huge to me.  

Every time I use it, I wake up with glowing skin.  I really don't know if I can speak on the "reduces the appearance of enlarged pores," but does it polish my skin and make me look refreshed? Yes.

At first glance, the PMD seems pretty pricey, but when you compare this one time fee to multiple professional microdermabrasion treatments, the $179 pales in comparison.

Just my two cents :)

Xo-M

view from my weekend

A relaxing Friday evening spent on the back porch...

Essie "Pilates Hottie"

 Had dinner and drinks with my brother and his lady friend.

My favorite meal... quite possibly, ever.  Mellow Mushroom's "The Caesar" pizza is amaaaazing.

Thank you, Brandon :)

Then, last night while I was on a run walk, I found this vintage sewing table on someone's curb!  One man's trash is another man's treasure.  I'm going to revamp it with a white lacquer paint.  What do you think?

I'm obsessed with my curbside find.  Brandon thinks I'm crazy.  

Xo-M

Just a thought for Sunday...

via

I put some new shoes on...

...and suddenly everything is right.

I said, hey, I put some new shoes on and suddenly everybody's smiling!

I've got that song in my head for two reasons...

a.  because it's FRIDAY people!

b.  because I just really like that song.

c.  because I love shoes, especially when they are on sale.

Visit Shoes.com and use the code 20SCHOOL for 20% off, free shipping & returns, and no tax! 

So basically, you're making money by doing it, right? ;)

Here are my picks:

Sam Edelman Alvin

Sam Edelman Louie

MICHAEL Michael Kors Flex Open Toe

(perfect heel height for work!)

Steve Madden Favoryte

Happy shopping!  I've said it a million times and at the risk of sounding like a broken record, if you're not an Ebates member, do yourself a favor and become one.  A cash back check just for shopping online is a very nice bonus. ;)

Xo-M

P.S.  I ordered our Save the Dates last night!  Can't wait to share!

fake it 'til ya make it

With these cooler temperatures (okay let's be real, cooler means it's finally under 90 degrees), I am daydreaming into a world of pumpkin spice lattes, comfortable boots, and orange and brown leaves.  I'm a summer girl all the way.  Being on the river with music and friends is my happy place, but I would be lying if I said I wasn't counting the days until I can tuck my sandals and sundresses away for a while.  

I'm ready for the cooler weather and to pull out my faux fur vest, my Essie Wicked nail polish, and chunky accessories.  

 

 But until the weather cools down another, oh 40 degrees, why not bring the faux fur look into your own home?  I LOVE me a faux fur rug.  I've had them in my bedroom for years.  My eyes are on this rawhide rug. 

 

 

 

 

images via

Xo-M

she's making a list and checking it twice {Wedding Wednesday}

My girl Megan at Fried Green Pickles gave me the idea to create a Wedding Wednesday checklist to show the progress I'm making in my planning.  For any new readers, Brandon proposed last November and we're getting married on April 27, 2013!  

Anyway, here's my list so far...

Set a date

Book venue

Book photographer

Book videographer

Book band

Ask bridal party to be in wedding

Book caterer & bar

Create wedding website  *Just have to publish it!

       Register    *We’ve started this!            

Book florist

Buy wedding dress

Book ceremony musician

Book rentals

Take engagement pictures

Select bridesmaid dresses
Select and order groom & groomsmen attire
Purchase veil and accessories for dress

Book cake baker
Hire coordinator

Buy cake knife & server

Order save the dates    *Narrowed it down to two options!
Finalize guest list     *Almost, but it’s SO HARD!!

Send save the dates  *September

Book officiant   (My childhood priest!)

Pre-marital counseling (soon)

Order guest book

Hotel room blocks
Hire a calligrapher

Engagement announcement in The Beaufort Gazette, The Sumter Daily Item, and The Jasper Sun

MOB & MOG dress shopping

Find wedding shoes

Find wedding jewelry

                Find garter     *Brandon’s parents brought me back one from Belgium!

Book makeup artist & hair stylist *Working on this!

Menu tasting

Take bridal portraits / hair & make up trial

1st dress fitting (November)
2^nd dress fitting

Order ceremony programs

Figure out where I'm getting ready & where Brandon is getting ready

Order invitations

Mail invitations

Book rehearsal dinner venue

Book RD music

Buy RD dress

Order koozies

Book transportation for church to reception for bridal party    (Historic white trolley!)

Order monogrammed cocktail napkins

Buy bridal party gifts

Bachelorette party

Bridal shower

Purchase wedding bands

Put together picture list for photographer

Get marriage license

Order wedding favors

Book transportation from reception to hotel

Book honeymoon *Getting reeeeaaallly close!

RD invitations

RD groom's cake

Music selections to band and ceremony artist

Book wedding night hotel room

Order thank you notes

Wedding announcement in Beaufort Gazette, The Sumter Daily Item and The Jasper Sun

Walk down the aisle & say I do!

Also...

I must have been under a rock yesterday because I completely missed the memo about the start of the Endless Summer sale at Lilly Pulitzer.   Apparently the site crashed all afternoon because of the amazing sales.

Hello dresses for $50-$100.  Please do yourself a favor and pick up some things.  You deserve it.  (That's what I just told myself at least.)

Xo-M

the view from my weekend

Mom and I had a very successful trip to Charlotte!  No, I didn't catch a glimpse of Emily Maynard.  I was seriously crossing my fingers to run into her in Neimans.  Boo.

I found my wedding shoes!  I fell in love with Jimmy Choos.  The Nova is the prettiest and most comfortable pump I've ever put on my feet.  

The shoes in the middle are gorgeous and I loved the way they looked on my feet.  They weren't as comfortable as the Nova (left and right), plus the sales associate told me that the straps stretch a ton, causing brides feet to come straight out of the shoe!  Um, no.

We seriously shopped 'til we dropped and had such a great time.

We also had our first trip to The Cheesecake Factory.  This was probably the best part of the meal ;)

  I got back late Sunday night and watched Maid of Honor with Brandon while eating pizza.  Does that not sound like the perfect relaxing Sunday evening?   Last night, we went to Best Buy and he got me the... 

Canon Rebel T3i!  

I'm so excited to start taking some quality photos.  I really don't know what I'm doing, but I was impressed with the pictures I snapped around the house last night.  

Thanks so much for all of your suggestions on the camera battle.  I was told that Nikons and Canons are so comparable and really, you should just buy the one that feels best in your hand.  If you've got any helpful Canon tutorials for beginners, by all means, send them to this sister!

Xo-M

Friday Five

It has been a while since I've put up a Friday Five post.  I just love these... probably because they are allowed to be random.

{1}

Brandon and I are thinking about getting a beginner DSLR camera.  We've got a lot of big moments coming up in the future and we don't want to rely on iPhone pics and Facebook albums to document them.  This one is the front-runner right now. 

Nikon D3100

I'm really struggling with the Nikon vs. Canon debate.  Bring on the opinions!

{2}

Julie of Belle Maison did a fantastic post (ok, back in June -I'm late to the game) on how to style bookshelves.  This has me rethinking my choices on styling my built-ins.  

{3}

I've found an inexpensive shampoo that I just love.  

Aveeno Pure Renewal 2-in-1 Shampoo and Conditioner

I don't think I've used a two in one shampoo since I was nine years old.  But, this is fantastic for those of you with hair like mine.  I have fine hair that is oily at the scalp and dry at the ends.  I don't think I've met a shampoo that is so balancing.  Depending on how my hair feels when I rinse it out, I may or may not add a tiny bit of conditioner to only the ends.  It keeps my scalp oil-free FAR longer than my high-end shampoos, but keeps my strands super shiny.  Best part, it's sulfate free, which is a dream for those of us who color/high-light our hair.  I just love it and have declared its official spot in my rotation of shampoos. 

{4}

Some friends of ours got together on Tuesday to watch the premiere of The Week the Women Went (Lifetime, Tuesdays at 10 EST) with my MOH, Ryan, who is on the show!

Ryan can cook!  This is just a little display of the food we had there.

My favorite was the grilled pimento cheese and bacon sandwiches.  Best part, she had strawberry preserves to spread on top.  Don't knock it 'til you try it!  It's amazing.

Brandon and I are standing on a chair in the back. ;)

{5}

I'm having a huge sitch with my closet.  I just purged things from it this spring and it's already way passed time to do it again.  But if I get rid of everything that needs to be tossed, there really isn't going to be much left in there.  I see some shopping in my future  I'm making use of what I have by mixing and matching.  Here's an outfit that I threw together with casual J. Crew shorts and a simple white tee, but made dressier for a night out by adding a white blazer (from Banana Republic).  Seriously, it's amazing what a blazer and heels can do. Wedges are old BCBG.

Happy Friday!!! I could scream that at the top of my lungs.  Seriously.

Mom and I are going to Charlotte this weekend to shop 'til we drop.  

Xo-M