Kicking It Into High Gear + Wedding Inspiration

Friends! I've missed you all! I've been crazy busy this week and just haven't had time to blog...which is definitely not my favorite thing : ( On top of that, it has sorta hit me that we're less than four months out from the wedding and it's time to kick it into high gear in all aspects! If you're new here, I'm getting married in June! And if you're wondering why a home decor blogger never shows pics of her home, just detail shots of projects, that would be because I live with my parents until the wedding : )

Slimming Down

I began eating healthier after the holidays and have dropped a few more pounds. I'm down ten since my heaviest last year, and for someone with my build it makes quite a difference (I'm not short but I have a fairly petite frame so a few pounds really tend to show on me). I wouldn't mind losing another few, but now my goal is to tone and tighten. No more "I sit in an office all day" body. It's time for "perfectly toned bridal/Jamaican beach ready" body : ) I've been getting back in my usual yoga routine and I feel great! I'll also start walking once it warms up outside.

Left: Valentine's Day 2010. Right: Valentine's Day 2011...ten pounds lighter. Proof that eating healthy works!

Crafting It Up

I'm also kicking it into high gear in the crafting/details/decor/preparation department. I've always had all sorts of specific ideas swirling around in my head and now it's time to make them come to life. I promise I'll blog about them all along the way!

Here's where I'm getting some inspiration...

I've been plotting a way to include French Macaroons at the reception, at least a few of them, since my recent obsession.
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My package of lovely gray and white striped straws arrived in the mail today and they're just what I'd been waiting for!
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Our place card board will be somewhat similar to this, but minus the clothes pins. I'll show you once I'm done : )
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Super cute set up! I'm also inspired for another reason, but I can't tell because Matt reads my blog and it's something he can't know about...shhh!!

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Pretty mercury glass
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A simple shot from one of my favorite inspiration weddings
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This shot is from my "ultimate inspiration" wedding here. Matt and I had giant balloons in our engagement photos, and I still adore them!

This bride loved vintage jewelry and displayed it at her reception. So pretty.
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Also from my fave wedding, we're making similar lace covered vases, and our table numbers will be these scalloped cylinders.
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A dreamy love shoot
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Love it all
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I'm making a very similar "love is sweet" banner for our cupcakes table. I think that will be my first project, so I'll show you soon!
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Again, just pretty vintage inspiration

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This is one of the invites that has inspired my design of our wedding invites...which I'm still trying to get juuuust right!
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I looooove this cake. The lace details are gorgeous!
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I'm also making a "just married" banner, but it will look a little different than this. Again, I promise to share!

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Whew! That's a lot of projects, but I'm up for it! I want our big day to be amazing. I also know, though, that all of that is just icing on the cake (hardy har) because the real thing of importance is that I'm marrying the love of my life and beginning a new journey together. And that's all that matters in the end.

{live beautifully}
Courtney

The Winner

Well girls, I'm pooped! I've had quite the Monday. I think I needa hot shower and my bed right now, but luckily I first have the fun job of announcing the winner of my giveaway!

The Winner Is...

Beth from The Everyday Life of Bellom!!!


Congratulations, Beth! E-mail me at roberts.courtneym (at) gmail.com and I'll get your prize in the mail!

If you've never visited Beth's lovely blog, you most definitely should! She's crafty, creative, resourceful and has excellent taste. And I shamelessly stole some photos just so I could show you : ) Sorry Beth! Please don't hate me!








See? Told ya she was fab!

Thank you so, so much to everyone who entered my giveaway and my new followers. I'll be back soon with some welcoming words and a bit of info on me if you're new here. Have a great Tuesday girls!

{live beautifully}
Courtney

Bargain Hunting Triumph

We interrupt this regularly scheduled Sunday Etsy Favorites for a bargain announcement of ginormous proportions.

I FINALLY FOUND A COFFEE TABLE!!

And I practically stole it from JC Penney!

You see, as I mentioned here, I was having the worst of times deciding between coffee tables for our new place. And being newlyweds (or soon to be) I knew I could not spend much. Oh sure I could paint my parents' old table that they got when they were newlyweds, but that's just no fun. I wanted a pretty new piece, but at a bargain basement price. And that meant under $200. Preferably well under. (And yep, I'd scoured Craigslist, garage sales and flea markets too... no dice.)

If you visit my previous post on the subject I hash out all the details and choices, but I knew in my white-decor-loving heart, I wanted the round white coffee table all along. But at $400 it was just not cutting it. It went on sale, but was still $230. Nope, not doin' it.

That all changed today when I hopped on to the JCP web site just to pay my coffee table a little visit, and low and behold it was a President's Day half off sale! But at right at $200, I was still a little hesitant.

Being the resourceful girl I am, I searched my fave coupon sites until I found a coupon code for 15% off your entire purchase via RetailMeNot.com. Yes, please! I certainly can handle...

$169!!!!!

Perfect table. Perfect price. And I already had Matt's blessing, so I snatched it right up. Plus it's free shipping to the store (or that definitely would have been a factor), so it's even better.

Now our future living room will look a little like this...









Here's to bargain hunting success ... and online sales/coupons ; )

{live beautifully}
Courtney

Saturday Reading

Happy Spring, friends! Or at least that's what it feels like here in Kansas! I've been having a fabulous weekend because my best friend Meg is home, and she, our other bestie Sarah, and I have been having so much fun together! The weekend has/will include...

- mani/pedis at our favorite nail lounge (the massage chairs are amazing!)
- peach champagne and girly chatting
- lunch at Panera
- lots of shopping
- discussing wedding plans
- drinks and/or frozen yogurt
- probably more shopping
- even more chatting/giggling

Today while we were out and about enjoying the sunshine, we made a stop in Barnes and Noble because Meg and I both had Groupons there. I had a hard time putting down the decorating books, and even a pretty baking book, but I ended up deciding to get a whole slew of magazines. Here's what I bought...


Cottages and Bungalows
Because it has Miss Mustard Seed's first article in it! Hooray!

Southern Living Weddings
I haven't bought many bridal magazines because there are so many fabulous wedding blogs out there, like Style Me Pretty and Grey Likes Weddings, but this magazine is right up my alley and has great tips and ideas.


Pretty inspiration from Southern Living Weddings

Sarah is making our wedding cake, and I think we might use this picture from the cover as a jumping-off point of inspiration!

Country Living, British Edition
I love the US Country Living and have subscribed to it for four or five years now, so the fact that I can get a double dose of CL style with the British edition is awesome!

Flea Market Style
I'll admit it... I've called Barnes and Noble almost every day this week to see if they'd gotten Flea Market Style in yet. Today = success! And it's just as fabulous as you think it's going to be. If you haven't found it yet, keep looking! It's so worth it!

A sneak peek of Flea Market Style ... gorgeous!

I can't wait to dig into each one of these pretty magazines! But first, a graphic design sesh, running a few errands, and then meeting up with the bffs again for a second Gap trip (44% off this weekend!) and enjoying yummy treats : )

Here's to an awesome weekend!

{live beautifully}
Courtney

P.S. Don't forget to enter my giveaway here! It ends tomorrow at midnight Central time.

Winner and A Great New Blog

Ladies! You have blown me away with your sweet responses to both my giveaway, and my mushy Valentine's post. Thank you again for your constant support and affirmation. You all are awesome!

And speaking of awesome people, I wanted to let my 100th follower know that she has won a surprise gift. Congratulations to GinaE! You became follower number 100! Gina, e-mail me at roberts.courtneym (at) gmail.com with your contact information and I'll get your surprise into the mail : )


Today I wanted to introduce you all to a wonderful new blogger and etsy shop owner I discovered while browsing etsy. Her name is Ellie and she has the incredible blog and etsy shop called Frog Goes to Market.

When I first laid eyes on her blog I have to say my jaw hit the floor. Her home is gorgeous. She has this way of creating a calm, inviting, perfectly vintage space. The selections of items in her home play together seamlessly. And...well I'll stop talking and let you take a peek for yourself.


Her bedroom is so peaceful looking.


I love the chippy white dresser where she keeps her beauty supplies.


Her kitchen is adorable. But you've got to see the before...


To after...



Wow. Girl's got talent.




Her living room is simply perfect too, not to mention the great collections and displays.


Ellie's etsy shop is full of amazing vintage finds, like this pair of flower frogs.


And did I mention she makes her own homemade organic soaps? Awesome. She sells them online here and in her etsy shop.

Go pay Ellie a visit and welcome her to blogland!

Have a happy Thursday!

{live beautifully}
Courtney

P.S. Don't forget to enter my giveaway here. It ends February 20.

P.P.S. All the photos are from Frog Goes to Market. Please ask Ellie before using them. Thanks! : )