Wedding Wednesday | Put a Ring on it

When Christopher and I began planning our wedding, one of the decisions we had to make was what wedding band he would like. My engagement ring came as a part of a set with a matching wedding band which made everything really easy. After looking at a couple of different styles at jewelry stores, Christopher decided he liked a few different elements: a hammered or distressed outside, the idea of a finger print or engraving on the inside, and a very narrow white gold band.

Like most brides, I spent way too much time and money on Etsy during the planning process, but actually stumbled upon a custom ring company called Brent & Jess. They had a wide variety of designs, sizes, and materials, but the number one thing that sold me was that they custom make each ring using a physical imprint of the fingerprint. It's not just an engraving; you can actually see and feel the textures of the fingerprint!

I was intrigued by the process, and decided that this was the best way to get all the details Christopher was looking for in a ring. So I made my selection, and waited on the kit to arrive. When it did, I was very impressed. The instructions were very straight forward, although I did have to have some MOH help with this process, the branding was very concise, and it all made me very excited to get started!

You can choose if you want the fingerprint included on the outside or inside of the band. Since I chose a hammered outside, my fingerprint went on the inside of his wedding band. I decided to do my left ring fingerprint, since that's where my wedding band will be. The basic gist of the process is you have to heat water to a certain degree, lay the flat molding piece on the hot water before pressing your finger into it to take on the fingerprint. After running the finger with the mold still on it under cold water, the strip is pulled off and the kit is returned to the manufacturers. They sent a couple of strips so you can do the process a few times which will hopefully ensure a clearly detailed mold that can be used to make the ring.

Ring Kit

Sample of the fingerprint

Lots of directions!!

Make sure to mash your print into the mold
cleanly and deeply

Running the impression under cold water
to help it set

The littlest helper!

My ring fingerprint

Six to eight weeks later, the ring arrived! It looked even better in person than I could have imagined. Christopher didn't want to see his ring until our wedding day which made the surprise even more fun for me. I did make him try it on a few times with his eyes closed to make sure that it fit! 

Brent & Jess make all different kinds of jewelry: rings, necklaces, and charm beads. They were a great Etsy company to work with: very quick to respond, ship, and stay in communication throughout the entire process. I appreciated the communication as this is a kind of long process, and it's such an important piece! I'm thrilled that Christopher has a one of a kind wedding band, and that he'll always be able to wear a little piece of me with him each day.  

Such wonderful packaging!

Christopher's unique wedding ring!
I can't wait to see professional pictures of it!

V-day His Way

Gift giving is my number one love language. As much as I love to receive pretty presents, I get so excited about the hunt of the right thing to give to someone I love. I may put a lot of undue pressure on myself during the holidays to get the right thing for my special someone, but this Valentine's Day, I knew well in advance what might work!

My fiance loves a vest. He also loves shorts, even in the winter. I think I see a theme developing here...anyways. I really love this Southern Proper All Prep Vest in cream. It's fuzzy warm, with a patriotic plaid pocket, but the best part is that its REVERSIBLE! Watches seem to be trending more among the man-set as of late, and this personalized carbon fiber watch box would be a big hit with the man who likes to be punctual--or just likes to wear a watch. 

The Yeti Rambler was super hard to find during Christmas, and will continue to be a popular gift for Valentines Day. I've even seen a few local places that will do engraving! These cups of course keep your ice cold, but rumor has it that they don't sweat, either. This is definitely the more affordable Yeti gift. 

I'm really picky about men's fragrance. I really just like the way soap and/or laundry detergent smells on a guy. But this Avon Luck for Men is amazing--clean, but manly, and my man loves it! He's gone through two bottles in the past year. Oh and P.S. you can buy it directly from me through my Avon Representative site {linked below}. 

Southern Proper All Prep Vest | Carbon Fiber Watch Box
Yeti Rambler | Avon Luck for Men

Happy shopping!

A Little Note of Appreciation

I wanted to take a moment and just brag a little on my wonderful fiance. He is such a gentleman, who takes wonderful care of me, and loves me like no other. We have been through a lot this past year, and I've put him through a lot as well, and he's stuck by me through it all. We're able to spend a lot of time together now that we only live an hour apart, and I'm so thankful. Last week, I came home from work to find that he had surprised me by completing a ton of the "I need to do this..." things around my house. He's helping me refine my tennis skills, cooks the best dinners for me {seriously. He make eggplant parm last week and brought it to work for us Chamber ladies--what a gem!}, listens to my not-so-funny jokes, and always makes me laugh. 

I'm so very proud of him for completing his first year of pharmacy school last month. He'll be starting rotations in just a few weeks, and I can't wait to see what else is in store for him, and for the both of us!

Stocking Stuffers

I absolutely love going through my stocking on Christmas morning! We always go through them after the presents are done, sometimes even after breakfast, and it's a great way to round out the morning's festivities. Some of the goodies in the stocking have even been wrapped like little mini presents, which adds to the fun! These are a few stocking stuffers I've seen while out and about this year, and hope to find in my own:

Make Up Gift Sets--in my opinion, you cannot go wrong with this.
I love e.l.f. (most things are only $1!), and they have great gift sets
around Christmas. Check out Target for the best selection--this 14
piece nail polish set is only $10!
{They have brush sets, eyeshadow sets, and of course LIP GLOSS sets!}

Raspberry Sticks...yum. These have been in my stocking for as long as
I can remember. And I am obsessed. Must be careful or I'll eat the whole box!

I am really not a big fan of the Beibs, but I am of his "Girlfriend" perfume!
It's really sweet and warm, so a little definitely goes a long way. It
reminds me of Vera Wang "Princess," but I like this price a little better.
Justin Beiber "Girlfriend" Eau de Parfum, 1 oz.

My mother is not a Katy Perry fan, and I'm not normally one either
{so this may shock her} but I absolutely love this album!
So many great songs! She is really very talented, and I have to have this one!
Katy Perry "Prism", Deluxe Edition 

I have been a lip gloss junkie my entire life. In 4th grade, I collected so many,
they covered the entire top of my dresser. So when I stumbled upon this most
perfect gloss in the Urban Decay Naked 2 palette last year, I had to find out more.
This gloss tingles, and plumps and comes in amazing non-sticky colors! This color,
Wallflower, is a great creamy nude-pink for every day. Not available at Ulta,
so order here: Lip Junkie Lip Gloss.  

Elton John Date Night

For Christopher's birthday, I wanted to get him something fun and different. But I had to be sneaky. So I decided to do gifts-inside-a-gift, my favorite method of gift giving only reviled by the tower-of-gifts I so love. So I got him a Marley Lilly overnight bag for his travels to see me {with his new monogram--he's changing his last name to his grandfather's, which will be finalized within the next month}. After looking in the bag to find homemade pumpkin muffins, and a new shirt, he found two tickets to see Elton John in Atlanta on Nov. 16! Woohoo! 

     Friday night we had Mexican Cornbread Casserole, and and Ice Cream Sandwich Cake. Yum--this is so good, especially if you love ice cream and cake! Best of both worlds. We went to Atlanta Saturday afternoon and ate at Ted's Montana Grill which neither of us had ever been to. It was amazing! I wish bison was more readily available because it was delicious.
    We then wandered over to Phillips Arena for the concert, and although we didn't have the greatest seats, you could see the sequins from a mile away! The concert was wonderful, music was great, and it was so neat to learn that two of the band members have been with EJ since he started. 2Cellos opened for the band, and played with them throughout the night, which was a great surprise. I had no idea they were going to be there and Christopher loves them!

     It was a really great night, and it was so nice to do something different like this. I'm not usually a big concert person, but EJ was a great performer, and we both truly enjoyed the evening. Check it out!

This is My Grown Up Christmas List

Attention! Attention! It has arrived--My Christmas List. I'm sorry, but there is truly no time to develop a Christmas Power Point this year, so a blog post will have to suffice. It's really become quite difficult to develop a Christmas list these days. Thanks to Pinterest, I find things all the time that I would want, but then forget about it until its too late (Bauble Bar Opal Teardrops...) so these are just big things that I could remember.

Women's Classic Wool-Blend Pea Coat from Old Navy in Camel

Last year, I somehow had two black peacoats (one was found

in my car, I have no idea whose it was), and this year I am

down to none. It's cold ya'll. And this one is on sale today

for $35, regularly $65, and there is a 30% off code to use too!

***Update: went ahead and purchased this (Thanks, Mother!) using the 

30% off code--totaled at $33 after code and shipping costs. Go! Now!***

Pandora Sincerity and Better Together, Pink Rings

I love the Mother of Pearl in the Sincerity ring ($55), 

paired with the pink band ($35). I am a size 7 in rings

(showroom size), so I love getting rings because they

pretty much always fit perfectly *see engagement ring*! 

Canon PowerShot A2600 16MP Digital Camera with 5x Optical Zoom

After doing some research, this Canon PowerShot seems to deliver 

the best in the word of affordable point and shoot cameras.

I really need a small one to keep in my bag for work, and at $129,

and pink, this one seems like a winner!

 Gold Crystal Embedded Pave Link Bracelet

Inspired after that pricey J. Crew piece a while back,

this Etsy find is a steal at $25. I love all chunky

chain pieces, and you can't pass up a good sparkle!

Tory Burch "Reva" Ballerina Flat

Size 8 please. Gold medallion. And

they're 20% off at Nordstrom right now!

10k Gold Earrings, Cultured Freshwater Pearl and Diamond Accent

Okay, this is my "yeah right" wish. I am dying to have these

beautiful baubles, but they are mighty pricey. Though you

can get 20% using the code: "gift" ...

And if that's not enough inspiration, feel free to check out my Pinterest boards for additional ideas! ;-)

http://www.pinterest.com/piperellice/accessories/

http://www.pinterest.com/piperellice/jewelry/

http://www.pinterest.com/piperellice/falling-into-fall/

http://www.pinterest.com/piperellice/big-girl-clothes/

Happy Birthday, Christopher!

     Happy birthday, doll! Birthday season for the two of us kicks off a reminiscent time of year for our relationship. The first time we ever hung out was on my 20th birthday at the Statesboro Fair. Then, we attended my sorority's formal on his 20th birthday a few weeks later. December 7th marks the day we officially became a couple, and then we are into the Holiday Season, which is always so much fun. I love this time of year, and this man more than anything!
     I couldn't have made it through the last six months without him as I've gone through some of the hardest, most trying times I could have ever imagined. He is always there to listen to me, and hold me when we are together. Even though we are miles and hours apart most days, he always makes me smile. I never imagined that the guy who I wasn't sure totally liked me after like, three months of dating would be the one I would spend my life with, but I am eternally grateful for the surprises he brings to my world daily! Loves you.
     After spending the weekend celebrating Christopher's birthday with presents, fun with friends, and the best pumpkin pie gelato, we are looking forward to a great weekend in Atlanta at the Elton John concert! I can't wait!

I'm Feeling 22!

Happy Birthday to Me!! I have finally arrived at the end of my birthday month and thought I should do a recap. I was able to celebrate my birthday two weekends in a row this year. Over the weekend of October 11-13, I traveled to Edenton, NC, to visit my family. I updated to the iPhone 5--the government does not need my fingerprint, via iPhone 5s--and was give some gift cards for "big girl clothes" by my brothers, and The Little Mermaid on DVD by my mother! Watching the Little Mermaid as a 22 year old was quite shocking. It's kind of scary! And very intense with the whole Ursula situation...

     I really only had two things on my list this year: The Little Mermaid {check}, and a new purse. And what to my wondering eyes should appear, but the Bag Fairy! Bringing me the most perfect specimen of a bag! My very own Dooney & Burke Chelsea Shopper in Black--just like I wanted!

     

     

     Probably the most amazing bag I've ever owned. Black and brown leather, so it goes with everything. Feet on the bottom to keep it off the floor. And the pockets; have I mentioned the pockets? So many pockets! And I of course love having the shoulder strap option in addition to the top handles. 

     Thank you so much to all my whole family for making this birthday a great one! My school family also got in on the action--we celebrate staff birthdays with a potluck-style lunch. For my celebration, we had the famed Ultimate Grilled Cheese Sandwiches, along with some Tuscan-style soup. Yummy! Now to get ready for Christopher's birthday in just a few weeks!

I Said YES!

Well this week has been eventful.

During the weekend of April 20th, me, my mother, and my boyfriend Christopher went to Atlanta to see my new apartment, where I would be working, and to re-establish a feel for the place. Having grown up in the area it was a really neat experience to look at my old stomping grounds and think of how new it was actually going to be. On our way back to Statesboro that Sunday, Christopher asked me to meet him in Myrtle Beach the following week. I thought this was odd, Hilton Head is much closer to Statesboro, and driving four hours to meet me was really out of his way. But he persisted and I complied.

All week I wondered, but I didn't want to get my hopes up. A hopeless romantic, I had wondered if an engagement was going to happen a few times before, but it hadn't yet. I even told Christopher to not get my hopes up, I was already thinking it was going to happen. He said he wasn't going to (liar).

The week flew by and I went home for the weekend to start painting furniture for my new home (posts to follow!). As Sunday arrived, I over analyzed every event thinking to myself "If I was going to get engaged today this would make sense..." but when I hadn't heard from Christopher by early afternoon, I figured he was still asleep from his late night working and wouldn't make it in time for us to go. So I settled in to watch a Hallmark movie with my mother, still in my dress from church.

When Christopher finally arrived, my whole family practically shoved me out the door, with me still in my church dress. We drove to The Beach House Bar & Grill, one of our favorite places for some crab legs (which Christopher barely could eat). After dinner, he surprised me by taking me to ride on the SkyWheel ferris wheel across the street. Ferris wheels have a somewhat significant meaning for us as we met at the Statesboro Fair on my 20th birthday.

I got more and more nervous each time the wheel went around, until finally on the last rotation it stopped at the top. Christopher got down on one knee and asked me to spend the rest of my life with him and become his wife. He pulled out the most amazing ring, and I began crying. After he reminded me to answer him, and to which I said YES!, we descended and got off the ride. Still crying, I turned to look and see my whole family waiting for us on the other side of the gate.

I am so incredibly blessed to have such an amazing fiance and family. They did everything to make this the best day of my life, and I can't wait for so many more to come!

Piper & Christopher

Engaged April 28, 2013--Mytle Beach, South Carolina