Merry Christmas from Mr. Mason!

Mr. Mason hopes you'll settle for this pre-scheduled holiday greeting.  He's busy celebrating today but he assures you he looks pretty much the same today as he did back in 2009 when this picture was taken. 

Mr. Mason: the baby years

Mr. Mason -- sometime 2006 or 2007 -- He'd like you to note the misery we put him through.

I love you more than. . .

I love you more than Christmas music.

I love you more than. . .

I love you more than the feeling after working out.

I love you more than. . .

Math Man, I love you more than a Sunday afternoon siesta. 

Mr. Mason: the baby years

Mr. Mason -- Summer 2006

Home Inspiration: Bookshelves, again.



Photo found here at Apartment Therapy

 

Photo found here at Apartment Therapy



Photo found here at Apartment Therapy



I love you more than. . .

. . . even Charleston, South Carolina!

I love you more than . . .

. . . Mr. Mason loves watermelon.  (and he looooooves watermelon)

Mr. Mason at Grandfather Mountain June 2009

Mr. Mason at Grandfather Mountain June 2009

Mr. Mason and Miss Daisy

Mr. Mason and his good friend Daisy, after having got into a bit of mischief (or at least mud) outside, circa 2007. 

Daisy is an older woman (being of the 2005 vintage and not of the 2006 vintage like Mr. Mason) and therefore Mr. Mason always blames her for leading him into mud.  I didn't believe him though.  I know Mr. Mason can find and make messes all by himself.  Miss Daisy is a special lady, and (just like Mr. Mason) is huge supporter of Batten Disease research -- after all, she is the neice (well, isn't that what you'd call the dog of your sister?) of the fabulous famous Taylor.

Wedding Inspiration: Menu

Chapel Hill, NC Crook's Corner Shrimp and Grits Photo André Baranowski via Saveur.com

"Yes, I'd like to place an order for grits."
"Go ahead Sir"
"G-Rits?"

Wedding Inspiration: Decorations

What a cute idea is this?!


Photo by Sayher Heffernan via Polka Dot Bride



A Modern Love Story

I read an amazing story in the New York Times.  I'm not trying to get on a stump and I'm not trying to start a political dialogue.  Nor do I want my blog to house those sorts of discussions.  Instead, what struck me most about this story was that it was about unconditional love.  Acceptance. 

Wouldn't the world be a better place if everyone had a life partner who they loved unconditionally and who loved them unconditionally in return?

Home Inspiration: Bedrooms

All photos from Pottery Barn Design Studio

I love you more than. . .

Math Man, I love you more than you love banana bread.

Wedding Inspiration: Ceremony

Love this.  Simple and naturally beautiful.


Elizabeth Anne Designs



Hello again, a real post.

Well, I've already fallen off the blogging bandwagon and I barely even started. 

(Did all my wedding posts fool you?  I wasn't really here.  I mean, I was, but not really.  Before I discovered pinterest and started pinning my wedding inspiration, I had put several here on the ol' blog.  As a way to record them.  For me.  And to share.  So enjoy as they run out.  They're more general wedding inspiration while the pin board is inspiration specific to the direction my actual wedding is heading.  I find both incredible fun procrastination tools.)

In the meantime (since blogging for real last), I've done some wedding planning, some traveling (to Boston and the beach), and some so-far-still-fruitless job hunting.  And wow--somehow it is magically already August! 

The highlight of my days is dreaming of both moving fulltime to Charlotte and thinking about the wedding.  After so much time apart, I'm thrilled to be back in the same town as Math Man.  FULLTIME.  No more Monday morning 4 a.m. alarm clocks forcing me out of bed to drive across the state and make it to work on time here in Raleigh.  No more random Tuesday nights wishing that I had someone to walk Mr. Mason with or to eat dinner with.  No more lonely knowing that my best friend is across the state and I have to make it until Friday night to see him. 

We have a date.  In May.  We have a place.  (Folly Beach SC Beach House)  AND I SERIOUSLY CANNOT WAIT!  Sometimes I wonder if its normal at almost 29 years old to be so excited about one thing that I cannot think about anything else? 

Probably not.  Probably its just me. 

Wedding Inspiration: Bridesmaid Dresses

Photo by Jonathan Canlas Photography via Style Me Pretty



Photo by  Zofia Photography via Style Me Pretty


Navy!  Yellow!  Belts!  Cardigans!  Love it.

Home Inspiration: Bedroom



Virginia Bed by Ballard Design

Wedding Inspiration: The Dress



Photographed by  Melissa Robotti Photography via Style Me Pretty



Wedding Inspiration: Bridesmaid Dresses



 Photographs of bridesmaids in outfits by J.Crew by Green Apple Photography via Style Me Pretty

Love this idea... Who said bridesmaids have to wear dresses?  Skirts and cardigans are pretty cute!  And definitely rewearable.

Home Inspiration: Bookshelves



Nicole & Brandon's Space



Photo found at Hooked on Houses

Wedding Inspiration: Invitations



Invitation a Collaboration by Love Jenna and Swiss Cottage Designs

 Aren't these gorgeous?  Watercolor.  Yummy.

Home Inspiration: Yes, more horses



bedroom photo by Eric Roth found via Freckles Chick

I wonder if the Math Man would be opposed to large oversized horse pictures...

Wedding Inspiration: The Dress

Photo by Kate Harrison Photography via Style Me Pretty

I'm not normally one for strapless and I can't quite tell if this dress is strapless (and those straps are just for hanging) or if this has skinny straps, but either way, I'm loving the simple tiers of this dress.

Wedding Inspiration: The Dress

I find myself drawn to lace.  I like the texture.  I also love how in every other way this dress is so simple.  Plus scoop back and not strapless!


Allover beaded lace trumpet gown by David's Bridal



I love you more than. . .

I love you more than pedicures.

Wedding Inspiration: Cover those shoulders!



Marisa J95 Couture Bridal Jacket Top

Love the idea of a lacy top over a more bare dress (like a strapless dress).  So classy.

Wedding Inspiration: The Dress

Lily Strapless Floral Appliqué Party Dress

So maybe I'm crazy, but I wouldn't necessarily say no to a short dress.  Especially with a more casual beach wedding.  This one is so simple and pretty--Again, I love the texture.  I'm not really sold on strapless though.

Home Inspiration: Dining Room

Well, really, in our case, dining room nook corner-of-the-living-room. 


Photo from Pottery Barn Room Ideas



Wedding Inspiration: The Dress



Enzoani “Diana” dress purchased at Mockingbird Bridal photographed by Jenna Cole Photography via Style Me Pretty



Wedding Inspiration: Colorful Bridesmaids

Photo by  Stephanie Hogue Photography found at Style Me Pretty

YAY!  For cowboy boots! 
YAY!  For bright color!

Wedding Inspiration: The Dress

Love this one.  Again, simple silohouette.  Interesting texture.  Scoop back.  Not sleeveless.  Gorgeous.


Lula Kate



Wedding Inspiration: Bouquet

Photographed by Jamie Delaine via Style Me Pretty

Love how natural these flowers look--almost like they're wildflowers

Home Inspiration: Framed Wall of Art

Photo found here at Apartment Therapy

Wedding Inspiration: Cake



Picture courtesy of  Mary Dougherty Photography via Wedding Wire



Albemarle Virginia is home.  Right in the middle of apple and wine country.  So how perfect and gorgeous is this cake?  I love its symplicity and how it ties right in to home.  I also love that I think it looks so elegant and yet could have been made by a friend--not a fancy bakery.  I also love that it looks like it's displayed on a big wooden cutting board or chopping block.  I think I'd have it be apple spice cake with white cream cheese frosting and, while they're cute (are they scrabble letters?  awesomely nerdy!) I'd probably leave the letters off the top. 


Picture courtesy of  Mary Dougherty Photography via Wedding Wire

Wedding Inspiration: The Dress



Photograph by Lisa Lefkowitz Photography via Style Me Pretty

 More and more I'm finding myself drawn to lace and simple silhouettes.  Isn't this one lovely?

Wedding Inspiration: So cute, it'll make you smile.



Photo by Leigh Miller Photography

Wedding Inspiration: Picnic

via

This idea is cute, no?

Wedding Inspiration: The Dress



Photo by Hillary Maybery via Style Me Pretty

Again... gorgeous fabric and don't you love her bold jewelry?

Wedding Inspiration: Centerpieces



photo via Roberts & Co Events Blog

Babywhite.  Love!  (perhaps the vases, not as much the look I would be going for.)

I love you more than. . .

Math Man, I love you more than having smooth suntanned legs.  (which right now I don't have.  But which I'd like.)

Perhaps after this weekend (we're going to Charleston to go VENUE HUNTING!!!!!!!!  Can you tell I'm excited?) I'll have a small step towards the suntan.  (but not really, I'm an SPF35 girl and Math Man is an SPFAsHighANumberHeCanFind guy and half the time I end up using his sunscreen.  We're all about healthy non-cancerous skin around these parts.)

Wedding Inspiration: Sparklers & Smores



Photo by  Orchard Cove Photography via Style Me Pretty

Math Man and I went to a wedding last October with smores and I've been pretty much obsessed with the idea ever since.  

Photo by Kelli Boyd with Donna von Bruening
 via Style Me Pretty

And who doesn't love sparklers?  I do.

Wedding Inspiration: Cardigans

Photography by  Betwixt Studio via Style Me Pretty

How great is a cute cardigan, really?!

Wedding Inspiration: The Dress



Photograph via Style Me Pretty

Lace!

Wedding Inspiration: Centerpieces



Photo  Forever Photography by Kylene via Wedding Wire

Love the navy, green, yellow, and white.  Love the use of lemons and limes.  Love how sunshiney and crisp this looks.

Wedding Inspiration: The Dress



Photo by She-N-He Photography via Style Me Pretty



Wedding Inspiration: Boots



 Photo by Heidi with Our Labor of Love via Style Me Pretty

I love you more than. . .

I love you more than that Aha! feeling when I find the perfect case on Westlaw. 

Home Inspiration: Offices

All photos from Pottery Barn Design Studio