Weddings Galore

I'm 25 and it wasn't until recently that I've felt old enough to have a job, own a home, and be married, but the truth is, I've been in that phase of my life for 4 years now! I was a young bride, a baby, still in school...I've heard them all (and still do). But as one of my dear college friends said in the midst of all the stares and comments behind my back, "He knows what he wants and he's sure of it." (obviously about Elliott proposing to me my junior year of college) The plus to being engaged in college is that I got to have a candle passing at my sorority house! I'll never forget it. I had only told a very few friends and sworn them to secrecy. I was standing next to a friend of mine who was a senior and had been dating a guy since high school so everyone was convinced it was for her! We sang in the courtyard around the fountain and the whole chapter passed the candle around 3 times (it took quite awhile) and when it stopped on me you could see the shock on quite a few faces.  My friends were all so excited for me and within the next few months another good friend (Frannie, who we went skiing with) got engaged and had a candle passing too...as a side note, being in the greek community at LSU is a lot like being in high school again and word spreads VERY fast. So, with Frannie and Rudy's engagement, it seemed like we weren't so crazy after all. Or that they were just as crazy as us!?!?
Besides Frannie and Rudy, we didn't have any of our close friends get married for about two years.  Then there was a rush of parties, rehearsals, bachelor/bachelorette trips, and WEDDINGS. And so it is upon us again! Now that all the non crazies have caught up with us, I again find myself in a year of weddings.

First of all is my best friend from high school, Jennifer.  Jennifer and John started dating our sophomore year of college and got engaged this past Thanksgiving.  We've known for quite a while they would get married, just not sure when. When I saw her calling me on Thanksgiving, I knew she was calling to tell me he had proposed.  I am incredibly happy for them! I know Jenn has been patiently waiting and will be a beautiful bride!

Elliott's brother Evan got engaged to Claire (previous post) and had their wedding in Jackson where she is from.  It was a busy weekend full of luncheons, brunches, and great company.  Elliott and I were both in the wedding so it was extra special.

(we all wondered why we were taking pictures without the groom!!)

Claire was a beautiful bride and we had a wonderful time dancing to our favorite band United We Jam from the Baton Rouge area and going out afterwards! The newlyweds honeymooned in Vail and are settling into their new home in Baton Rouge.


My dear friend from college, Carolyn, is marrying Tyler in August.  For the past 2 years Carolyn and Tyler have lived in one of my favorite cities, Charleston, SC (where Elliott and I honeymooned). Carolyn is finishing up PA school at MUSC and Tyler is an ICU Nurse.  He was recently accepted to LSU's Nurse Anesthetist program and they will be moving to New Orleans this summer!! While we are all thrilled they are moving closer to home, I hate that I haven't taken advantage of visiting them!

We missed their engagement party because I was out of town that weekend but I was able to make a wonderful bridal shower hosted by great friends! 

 While celebrating weddings is WONDERFUL, they are exhausting! There are a few other weddings this year that we will happily be in attendance at, but not participants in!
 At every wedding, I love listening to the vows and charges and being reminded of the commitment Elliott and I made to one another.  I am also thankful that I can fully enjoy weddings and never have to do it myself again!

Ski Trip

I believe I started this post in January and haven't gotten around to finishing it so now that it's wayyyy past due, here goes.
Back in October, our sweet friends Rudy and Frannie called to see if we were interested in going snow skiing after Christmas. Elliott and I had been talking about wanting to go snow skiing for about a year now so this call was in perfect timing.  Frannie is quite the planner and within a few days she sent me a spreadsheet of the trip timeline, activities, and expected costs. After about a week of "thinking about it" we couldn't come up with any reasons not to go especially since I was able to get off work! We had the best time and decided that we have very similar vacation ideals and expectations as the Comeaux's.  We hope to have many more ski trips and vacations with them as our families grow!

 It snowed the first 3 days we were there and stayed around -15 degrees!!!

 Elliott in skier position

The snow was magical! This reminded me of the white woods from The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe.

Although we had the best time, it wasn't hard to leave the frigid temps to come home to a Louisiana winter of 40-50 degrees!!

Pinterest

A few weeks ago, I got an invitation to join Pinterest from my sister-in-law Meredith. She is always into the "cool" and "trendy" websites and I usually get sucked into most things she sends me. She has also introduced me to HauteLook, Rue La La, and Rent the Runway.  I should have known this was the hot new thing but unlike a discount fashion site, Pinterest has given me an outlet to store (and share) all those things I tear out or dog ear in magazines! Needless to say, my whole afternoon has been consumed with Pinterest. It is AMAZING! I'm sure everyone has heard of it but I hadn't "pinned" anything or even gone to the site since I got an "invitation" to join a few weeks ago...I actually laughed because I had 3 followers before I had really logged in...and then I followed them. and saw what they pinned. and became addicted.  My first pins were things I've seen in catalogues and want to buy or things I think that Elliott or I can make ourselves...we'll see how that goes! Next, I'll be going through these stacks of magazines!

I don't like to think of myself as a hoarder because I really find joy in cleaning out closests and giving things away, but for whatever reason, I have the hardest time getting rid of magazines! It cannot be explained but it makes me happy that they are organized by title and month and I love the way they look on my shelf!

1-6 = January-June
7-12= July-December
Have I mentioned I'm type A and a bit neurotic?
You can't deny that it's quite satisfying to have that messy stack end up looking like those organized shelves :)

And incase you're wondering, the magazine holders are IKEA and thanks to fabulous sister, I have 12 instead of 10!

Now, go join Pinterest!
holly