Let's Conference w/ ATL Girl Gang & Your Social Team

Yesterday I had the pleasure of attending the first ever Let's Conference at Factory Atlanta with my friend Kelly, owner and #BossBabe of Mint in Dublin. It was the "best Sunday ever" full of empowering speakers, yummy food, beautiful decor, and lots of inspiration! The space was designed to be super cool, even though it wasn't due to a lack of AC that made us all glisten throughout the day. 

Jeni Britton Bauer of Jeni's Ice Cream

We started off the day with panels and key note speakers, followed by a delish brunch from Fox Bros. BBQ. There were networking breaks, as well as time for ice cream from Jeni's Ice Cream {the Frosé was amaze!}. The networking space was broken into a couple of sections include the Babe Board which featured Polaroids of attendees and their Instagram handles plus a cute sitting area, two different balloon backgrounds, a beautiful ribbon backdrop, and even a photo booth inside a vintage bus! Everything was absolutely beautiful, and it was a great to see so many strong women together and meet other bloggers--it definitely motivated me to get back into the swing of things!

 

Dress: Buddy Love from Mint, Similar dress here | Earrings: Lisi Lerch Ginger in Gold | Bracelet: Sheila Fajl and Charleston Rice Beads

Cozy Casual

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This weekend, CJM and I went to Atlanta for a really terrible football game that I honestly don't even want to talk about. Other than that, we had the absolute best time! Friday night, we got in kind of late, but our hotel was amazing--we stayed at The W Downtown, and it was so nice. We had a blast at the bar until way too late in the evening.

Saturday was a chilly and windy, but beautiful day. We walked to the Georgia Dome for the game, where I realized I forgot our tickets in the room {of course} about half way there. After the game, we had dinner at one of our favorite places: Ted's Montana Grill. There is something about a massive bison burger that makes both of us so happy.

Sunday morning we got up and brunched and shopped at Ikea before heading back south. It was really our first weekend getaway since the honeymoon, and we both left feeling so thankful that we had time together this weekend.

Saturday, I broke out a few of my favorite fall staples. I layered my favorite Old Navy chambray dress with this tan plaid Mud Pie wrap, topping it all off with a wool hat from Nordstrom and my favorite Talbots riding boots. The Georgia Dome has lots of rules about what you can and cannot bring in, but my monogrammed clutch from Walker Boutique passed the test...a little bit of sassiness may or may not have also helped make that happen, but a girl needs a bag!

P.S. Sorry for the poor picture quality...camera bags aren't allowed in the Dome either, so we had to do some quick iPhone photography!

Being a Bride: Emily

Emily is a sorority sister of mine, one of my closest friends, and will also be singing in my wedding!

Bride Name: Emily Pacitti Hollis
Groom Name: Carter Hollis
Wedding Date: September 4th, 2015
Total number in wedding party: 12
Total guests: 60
Venue: Rose Hall in Dallas, GA

How you met, and the proposal: Carter and I met during our time in college at Georgia Southern University. A mutual friend had been trying to get us to meet for quite some time but we both kept refusing to go on a blind date. After some time we both gave in to the idea of meeting. It was then we realized we had unknowingly met weeks prior and had been starting to talk and get to know each other.

We gradually started attending social events together and spending more time with one another. From then on we couldnt deny the chemistry and the fact that we were always meant to meet.  Nearly two and a half years later, while hiking in the mountains at his parents’ cabin, we came to a waterfall in the woods.  He got down on on knee and asked me to spend the rest of my life with him. At the time I didn't realize what he was doing and thought he had slipped on the wet rocks. It wasn't until I saw the ring that I stopped trying to help him back up. I imagine that will be a funny story we can tell our kids one day.

What was the best bridal shower and/or pre-wedding event you attended, and why? I really enjoyed going to my dress fittings with my mom and sisters. It was such a special and emotional experience I will only have once in a lifetime.

What was something your bridesmaids or family members did for you that made your day or pre-planning experience special?  My mom and bridesmaids made the morning of my wedding so relaxing and special. When I woke up my mom had a beautiful breakfast with fruit bouquet waiting for me my bridesmaids and the ladies doing our makeup and hair. It was so relaxing and fun like we were all having a big slumber party. It was just reminding me of how special it was growing up in a house full of girls. I gave me a chance to reminisce about my past while preparing for my future.

What was the best wedding gift you received? We wouldn't have survived this long without our crock-pot. {Piper’s Note: I gave her that crock-pot, and was very concerned that it didn’t arrive due to Target’s lack of wedding registry related communication!}

What inspired your wedding day (theme/look/feel): We wanted our wedding to be very low key and low stress. One of the most important things to me was for everyone involved to feel a warm welcome like they were enjoying time with family. The theme was "simplistic elegance." I feel this idea came off very well, mixing elements of sparkle and glamour with touches of rustic elegance.

What is something you couldn’t live without for your wedding day (ex.: a certain band, a specific cake, etc.): I could not  have done without my childhood pastor officiating our wedding. He was such a huge part of me growing in my faith with the Lord from a young age. I feel his presence on my wedding day represented a healthy faith based start to our marriage. His words were so meaningful to Carter and me.

What is something you could have lived without for your wedding day: I truly loved everything so much but if there is one thing I wish I could have changed, it would be adding a runner to the aisle I walked down. Not having a runner outdoors caused very big problems for my long veil and overall walk down the aisle.

If you have any wedding décor DIY tips/tutorials, or money saving suggestions, please share: Make your own programs! It is so worth it and was such a big money saver. I downloaded a template from Etsy that was only $8. The programs in total with all the supplies cost about $100, instead of the original ones which would have been over $200.

Connect with the Bride

Instagram: @emykpac

Being a Bride: Megan

Megan is one of my sorority sisters who was recently married in the most beautiful of venues. She's helping me kick off a new feature, Being a Bride. Enjoy! 

Bride Name: Megan Smith
Groom Name: Frank Smith
Wedding Date: October 31, 2015
Total number in wedding party: 23
Total guests: 150
Venue: Biltmore Ballrooms- Atlanta 

How you met & the proposal: Frank and I met in high school. He sat behind me in homeroom relentlessly bugging me. Over the years, the bugging subsided and we became close friends. After graduation, we both set off to college and went our own ways. In the spring of 2012 we reconnected and by that summer we were dating.

On Friday February 27, 2015, Frank took me out to one of our favorite dinner spots, Blue Ridge Grille, in Buckhead. Frank loves a good cordial and we had wanted to go snag drinks at the St. Regis for some time. I obliged and off we went. As we headed up the gorgeous staircase to the bar, Frank made a sharp left turn towards a fireplace lined with rose petals, candles and champagne. He quickly got down on one knee and asked me to marry him. Soon after, hotel staff delivered macaroons and sabered the bottle of champagne. To my delight, both of our families arrived to celebrate with us. We sipped champagne and shared plans late into the night.

What was something your bridesmaids or family members did for you that made your day or pre-planning experience special?   The day after our engagement my parents hosted Frank’s family at our house to celebrate. He had a chef prepare a special meal and played a slideshow he had created that included pictures of Frank and I growing up.  Friends of my parents threw a fabulous bridal shower at their home. I felt so special having family members fly in from California, co-workers, sorority sisters and old family friends come to celebrate with me. Frank’s family friends threw us a spectacular engagement shower at their gorgeous home. Last but not least, my bridesmaids braved hurricane Joaquin to throw me an eventful bachelorette weekend that included some of my most favorite memories. 

What inspired your wedding day (theme/look/feel): The Biltmore Ballrooms are each painted in beautiful pastels. The ballroom where we planned to marry in was painted a hue of yellow while the ballroom where reception was to be held was a powdered blue. I knew that typical fall colors would not be compatible with the venue’s walls. I opted for a color pallet of blush, gold, and an off-white color with hints of sea-foam green. In months leading up to the big day, I was asked by vendors to describe the feel of our wedding. Eventually I was able to pinpoint a phrase to accurately describe our theme: old southern glam.

What was the best wedding gift you received?  Frank’s grandma, Grandmommy, sent us a precious package containing a Bible, devotional, and a bookmark that she and Frank’s late grandfather once used. Inside the front cover of the bible she wrote us a note providing marriage advice, life lessons, and a prayer for Frank and I as we started our new life together.  

If you have any wedding décor DIY tips/tutorials, or money saving suggestions, please share:

1. Hire a wedding planner or have a close friend/bridesmaid/family member that is willing to help you secure vendors. I wasn’t prepared for the hundreds of phone calls and numerous contracts I had to keep up with. Someone to help follow up with vendors throughout the months leading up to the big day is essential.
2. DO NOT purchase anything until you have the venue secure and have come up with a complete vision of your big day. The look and feel of your venue and the flowers in season will make up a big part of the overall “feel” of your wedding. Once you choose those two things then it is safe start thinking about colors and design accents.
3. Do your research! Read vendor reviews, ask people you know for recommendations, stalk wedding websites. I spent hours on the computer looking at vendor reviews and it paid off. You can find well-rounded vendors in any budget if you take the time to do your research. I attribute everything going smoothly due to great vendors.
4. Look for wholesale items or things you can re-purpose. Wedding decor can be very pricey and nobody wants to spend a lot of money on an item they can use one time. We found our place card frames on a whole sale website which saved us a lot of money. I also found that renting items is not cost effective.  Our candelabra came from an antique store in Chattanooga. We were able to repaint it and use it during the lighting of our unity candle. Re-purposing items can save you big bucks.

Groupies

A few weeks ago, Christopher surprised me with tickets to see Def Leppard, Styx and Tesla in Atlanta. I've always wanted to see Def Leppard, so I was very excited. He of course is a Styx groupie, and everyone only knows that one Tesla song anyways. So we loaded up with his mom and headed to the show. Can I advise you to please never attend a four hour concert in Atlanta and then think it's a good idea to drive all the way back to Statesboro in the same night via Dublin? I am too old to go to work on only two hours of sleep. But we had a blast, and I can't wait for our next concert adventure...Hootie maybe?

How I Asked--The Littles Edition

Junior Bridesmaid Gifts

Asking those most important to you to be involved in your wedding is a very special time. I especially wanted to make an effort to show the littles in my life how special they are to me, and be sure they felt like this is a big deal for me and for them.

Kim and her children were my family last year during a very difficult time in my life. They made sure I was well taken care of and loved on when I was living alone for the first time. I knew I wanted them involved in a big way in my big day from the get-go, and planning a lunch date for a Sunday after a visit with the grands seemed like the best opportunity to ask them to be a part. For the little girls, I gave them matching single pearl necklaces that they can wear at the wedding, and maybe someday at their own {as a something old}. For the boys, they both got their bow ties for their service as ring bearer and usher {Tyler was unavailable for lunch, but I hear he is very excited!}.

Bow Tie boxes

Reading their notes asking them to be Junior Bridesmaids

Mom explaining what being a ring bearer means 

My little ring bearer! 

I can't wait for all of the fun events coming up throughout the next year! To follow along with us on the wedding adventure, check out #marryingmcafee on social media.

On the Move

I thought I was a pro-mover. Having moved every two years growing up {and sometimes on only three weeks notice} taught me the importance of throwing things away before the movers pack trash in a box, and organizing things to be packed in the way you want them to be unpacked. But see here's the thing: we had movers. While I did move three times by myself in college with friends' help, and moved last year with my family's help, moving all by yourself is a totally different experience. I keep looking around with no idea where or how to start, especially since I've spent maybe five whole minutes in my new house. Last year I spent time in the apartment, looking at the floor plan, and plotting where everything was going to go. This time around, I'm not totally sure my kitchen table will fit in my kitchen.

I know I've already committed some cardinal moving 'sins.' I wrapped fragile kitchen pieces in newspaper {I was being stubborn, okay? Determined to make the newspaper work. And yes, I realize my hands and my glasses are now black}. I packed a whole bookcase in one box. Whatever, I'll carry it.

But I have learned a few useful tips that I'd like to share and hopefully make some other single person's life a lot easier in the future:

• Take out the Trash: Every time I start packing, I throw stuff away. It's my goal to throw out a whole bag of trash after each packing session. This is hard for someone who wants to hold on to every note, coupon, sauce packet, etc. Maybe I am a hoarder...
• Little box carries a lot: My new box packing mantra. I took all of the boxes that yearbooks came in from school to pack the majority of my things for this move. I figured if they carried heavy yearbooks, they could carry my stuff. These boxes are wider and much more shallow than your traditional moving box, so it forces me to pack less which lends to more boxes but a lot easier time hauling them down a flight of stairs and across a parking lot. Another box favorite? Chick-fil-a fry boxes. Probably the sturdiest boxes I've ever run across. Call before lunch and have them hold their lunchtime boxes for you to pick up after 2 p.m. You'll get a ton. 
• Mix and Match: Fill your china boxes with dish towels. Your book boxes with small blankets. Your suitcases with hangers on top of the giant stack of clothes. My somewhat OCD brain wants everything to be organized and orderly, but mixing allows you to save packing filler materials, and also prevents over packing too many heavy items {see bookcase box above}.
• Pack what you want First, Last: We're loading the trailer Saturday morning and driving to the new house four hours away. I know I'll be exhausted. So I'll need my bed, linens and pillows, and bathroom things first. Pack everything first and make sure all bed and bath items are easily accessible. After dragging in the mattress, you'll probably have just enough energy to hang the shower curtain, brush your teeth, and sleep on top of the mattress with just a sheet...and not the fitted one. 
• Clean out the Kitchen: Do Not take old food to the new house! Even if its just a box of brownie mix. Moving is a great time to clear out and start over with a fresh, new outlook on life. 
• Organize You: For me, this means my personal files. All of my copies of bills and receipts from the past year need to be filed. My new lease needs to go in place of my old. I need to print out all of my references about transfers from my email {mail, power, etc.}, that way in case anything goes wrong or isn't turned on, or is lost, YOU have reference of what was supposed to happen at your finger tips in your personal file folder. 

What are some of your best #movingtips? 

Happy Spring!

"I stuck my head out the window this morning and spring kissed me bang in the face." --Langston Hughes

I hope you enjoy the first day of spring; here are a few of the springtime 

decorations in my house! 

Handmade Easter wreath with glitter eggs from Wal-Mart

Please excuse the teeth marks--eggs are Layla's favorite