Happy days

The guy I live with is pretty rad.  What a nice little Saturday night we had eating French cheese, sipping Spanish wine and munching on California almonds. (The caveat being some kind of rodent squealing in the kitchen in the middle of our conversation.  Whatever, we barely noticed.)

P.S. Those are my special pickled beets on the left, yummm.

One month

For the last ten months I've been counting down to our wedding day.  But now, the reverse countdown has begun!  Happy 31 day anniversary, Ryan.  You're the greatest.

{dustyroadgurl}

Live from our living room

What a fabulous way to kick off our wedding celebration!  Thank you, Rosie! xoxo

 

 

While I was away...

17 Days!

This video made me well up a little.  Music is so powerful on it's own, but when mixed with the high emotions of a wedding ceremony...watch out!

Rosie Thomas. My living room. OMG.

Rosie Thomas is playing a show at our house on September 18.  

I don't think I could be more thrilled, shocked and utterly beside myself.  

I've been a devoted fan since high school-- to have her in my living room is completely wild and totally unexpected!  But somehow- by what feels like an act of God, this is really happening! 

I actually feel like I've died and gone to a little bit of heaven.  I can not wait. 

(God, grant me the serenity to act like an adult and not make a fool of myself!)

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True Love

You have to see this video by Story Corps featuring Brooklyn couple Danny and Annie.  (Prepare for tears.) 

{Via A Cup of Jo}

Mr. Darcy said it best

{Via Brookish}

29 Days

While the ending of Annie Hall doesn't look quite look like a classic love story, I seem to remember it that way, anyway. 

In May 2007, Ryan and I saw Annie Hall together.  We'd been dating for less than a year, we were infatuated with each other, and we hadn't been apart for even a few days.

So now when I think of Annie Hall, I think of it as "our movie".  It feels like a love story in the end, after all.

{Prints from Mike Oncley via A CUP OF JO}

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33 Days!

One faith is bondage. Two
are free. In the trust
of old love, cultivation shows
a dark graceful wilderness
at its heart.  Wild
in that wilderness, we roam
the distances of our faith,
safe beyond the bounds
of what we know. O love,

open.  Show me
my country.  Take me home.

{"A Homecoming", Wendell Berry}

Water Wedding

You know how I feel about "the jump" in wedding photos.  

This jump, on the other hand, is something I could get into!

{Photos by Michelle King via 100 Layer Cake}

Brilliance

"...stop, for a fleeting moment, the arrow of time passing by."

This photo is a bit impossible to see properly.  That's why you should go here and learn about this Argentine family's amazing 30 year photography project.  {Via Snippet & Ink}

Wishing you a happy, long, and wonderful weekend.  xoxo

American Royal

Congratulations, Chelsea!  What a beautiful dress (by Vera Wang, of course).  And what a glowing, blushing bride!  She looks so happy and relaxed- all that a bride could ask for.

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60 days!

On Sunday morning I realized it was July 25th. July 25th already? 

If it was already the 25th, that meant it was only two short months away from our wedding!

I have to admit, the realization made me shiver a bit when I thought of the loose ends that need tying up before our big day.  But, the thought of actually seeing the planning come to fruition and becoming husband and wife makes all the details worth it.  I can't believe we'll actually be married! WOW. That's a really big deal!

For now, I'll be dreaming of our wedding day...

Eating Vivace Coffee Ice Cream in my wedding gown.

Photos as pretty as these to capture each moment.

Seeing everyone's reaction to our caterer.

And...
 

DANCE PARTY with my husband (omg!) and best friends.

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The Best DIY Wedding Cake EVER!

I love my fiance!  This cake design he drew last night on Microsoft Paint is exactly why: 

Isn't this adorable?!

To match our record themed wedding invitations, Ryan designed our cake to have fondant records cascading across it's edges.  I found the original design inspiration at Brooklyn Bride and with his impressive imagination, he came up with this perfect modification.  I'm so proud!

The best part about our cake is that my mom is making it!  My mom, Jane, who is a stunningly talented self-taught baker, will be using Seattle's famous Macrina Bakery Tuxedo Cake recipe. 

How does this sound for breaking all stereotypes about wedding cake tasting horrible...

"A bittersweet chocolate cake moistened with brandy syrup and filled with alternating layers of ganache and white chocolate buttercream. Frosted with white chocolate cream cheese buttercream topped with chocolate curls."
 
I couldn't be more excited!  If you're coming to our wedding...save room for dessert!

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