Football Fever

So you may or may not know I love college football. And by love I mean I loooooooooooove it.
And my team of choice is and always has been the one and only Alabama Crimson Tide. Let's pause here and pay our tribute...




Growing up in Tuscaloosa, it's pretty much a way of life you learn from the time you're knee-high, and it's a Saturday tradition I plan to continue. There's just something about settling in on my sofa with my lucky t-shirt on to watch a game at home or better yet going to a game and being surrounded by a sea of crimson and white shakers to the tune of the Alabama fight song - oh man, my heart is beating faster just thinking about it!





So today is officially the start of game week, which will culminate in our first game of the season this Saturday in a showdown against Virginia Tech at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta. Allow me to add that Mr. T is as big of a Virginia Tech fan as I am of my Tide. And there's been some trash talking from both sides for about the past six months about who's going down. Now add to that the fact we're getting in a car on Friday and going to this game, AND that our seats are together (on the Virginia Tech side, nonetheless). What was I thinking? I fear as though this is a fight just waiting to happen...


Anyway, some sweet friends of ours (we love you, Ben and Rachel!) are kind enough to throw us an engagement party at Stats before the big game, which is pretty much the most amazing sports bar ever invented. Apparently there is even a pour-your-own-beer system. That's trouble, folks. But fun trouble!

I am so excited to have our friends coming in their game day finest, to celebrate a big day of college football rivalry with us. Friends, football and the start of fall - it doesn't get much better than that.

So who is your team of choice? And for all my fellow Bama fans, can I get a roll tide? :)

Keith!

So I have to gush again. I know, you guys hate it when I get all girly and do this. But if it bothers you I'm sorry but it's my blog, and I'll gush if I want to. :)

Alert the press: Mr. T surprised me with tickets (in the VIP suite, nonetheless) to see Keith Urban tomorrow night in concert! Yee haw!!



I mean, do I have the best man on the planet or what? I'm so excited - I should be president of the Keith Urban Fan Club- he's got crazy talent, illegally good looks, and an Australian accent. Sigh. And it speaks volumes that Mr. T is willing to sit there and watch me go ga-ga over another man, just because being in the presence of such genius makes me blissfully happy. Which is precisely why there are about 2,000 reasons why I love him so very much.


Funny story...I can remember when we went to see Keith Urban in concert last summer at LP Field (it was actually a Kenny Chesney concert but Keith totally stole the show) and Mr. T and I had only been dating a couple of months. I remember getting dolled up for that date and agonizing over what to wear when lo and belold, he shows up at my doorstep in an AC/DC shirt. To a COUNTRY concert. Bless his heart. But even still, he was so very handsome to me. :)



Evidence of the shirt




Our awesome seats, which will only get more awesome this year!


The only picture I managed to take last year - too bad it was his bum!

So I plan to put on my Greatest Hits CD on my way home from work, dig out my cowboy hats from the back of the closet, and start my Saturday night with a rousing rendition of one of my favorites, "You Look Good In My Shirt." Can't. Freakin. Wait.

Happy Friday, y'all!

I Won, I Won!

Who just won TWO Giveaways in TWO weeks you ask? That would be ME, dear friends, acquaintances and blog stalkers. (Yes, I know you're out there).

So get this...I found out that I won the first fab giveaway (compliments of Miss Pickles Press) last week and my goodies just arrived in the mail - I seriously can't stop looking at them! If you haven't checked her out, please do so now. No really, she is amazingly talented and I heart every one of her fresh, down-home, unique designs. She even included some fun throwback Christmas cards in the package, which made me first think "ooh how exciting, this could be a fun alternative to the traditional Christmas card I always think I'll get around to and never do" and then think "oh crap. this means my wedding is ummm, four months away. yikes." But anyways, go check out Jenn's lovelies and mention the Bride in Boots sent you. :)

I found out I won the second lovely little giveaway yesterday, which is compliments of the uber-fantastic Alyse Woodward Designs who is so sweet to send a $25 Target gift card my way, just for subcribing to her blog. She is a genius wedding planner in the Charlotte area and I totally dig her style. I'm telling you folks, the world is your oyster when it comes to checking out blogs and posting a comment to enter these giveaways. I feel like I have had two strokes of major luck, and I was a randomly chosen winner both times! Score.

So what have you won recently, or what other giveaways do you know about? Feel free to share with the world, and if you have won, go ahead and brag on your luck!

Ode to Indigo

I'm back and so very refreshed! A little trip down to the coast was just what I needed to recharge my batteries. Yay for renewed energy. So I'd like to turn my attention to the fact that as I have probably mentioned before, my wedding colors are midnight blue, platinum and ivory - a nod to our New Year wedding that is now 131 days away (not that I'm counting). So rather than think about all the To-Do's left on my list, and all the checkboxes left unchecked on that pesky checklist provided by The Knot that makes me feel oh-so behind, I'd like to just point out that I think I may have lucked out and chosen this season's hottest color, as I'm seeing it turn up everywhere in clothes, jewelry, handbags, you name it. Midnight Blue, Indigo, Navy - it's everywhere! Don't believe me? Well while I was at the beach I made a little stop by the J.Crew outlet and bought this little number at a great price...




Don't you just LOVE it? Just like I used to do when my mom and I went shopping for back-to-school clothes, I immediately came home and modeled it for Craig (who from now on will be referred to as Mr. T - no reason, I just think it's cute to call him that on here). I would do the same thing after my mom and I did our department store shopping blitz, and would parade around the house in my new clothes so my parents could tell what a fine job I did in picking them out. Some habits die hard. Anyway, love the shirt - when I checked out the clerk said she had bought it in every color she loved it so much. I resisted the urge to do the same...

So as I was saying, I've really started seeing this color pop up everywhere - maybe it's always been there and I'm just more aware since it is a wedding color and always in the back of my brain somewhere, but I choose to think I've just got one hot color on my hands. Just browsing J.Crew and Banana Republic (two of my standby stores) gave me the following. See exhibit A:




Always a fan of the shirtdress - I think it's the perfect day-to-night ensemble, don't you?



Exhibit B:

This reminds me of a cocktail dress I'd wear to a grown-up cocktail party - something that doesn't show much skin so the blue hairs approve but still screams sexy the way it hugs the curves. And the pleating at the top is perfection...



Exhibit C & D:

OK, so this may be a wee bit too J.Lo for my taste, but we've got a drop waist dress and a fabulous hat to boot! Bonus points for rocking a blue accessory - don't know that I could do that, but I'd sure like to try.


Exhibit E:


Well speaking of accessories, THAT is one magnificent cocktail ring, don't you think? But please don't buy it- 'cause I'm about to. :)



And finally, Exhibit F for Fab-U-Lous:



Who wouldn't love to have this handbag by your side? Love the color, love the fabric, love the black shiny handles. This may just be my new handbag for fall/winter. Wow, I am SUCH a girl...

Back to the Beach

So it seems I'm headed back to Destin for one last getaway before fall officially begins. I wish I could say this was purely for pleasure like the last trip was, but it's actually business-related. I do, however, think this couldn't be better timed. I feel like I've been swimming upstream lately with all the last-minute decisions to make about our new home (which we have been informed we will be closing on September 17 - woot!) plus everything at work picking up the pace, much less a wedding to plan! There just aren't enough hours in the day. So I'll be at an AAF conference for a good part of both days, but I'm not above sneaking in some pool time between sessions. And yes, I do solemnly swear to wear my SPF, though I'm very tempted to drench myself in baby oil to soak up that last bit of summer glow. :)

And speaking of skin, (don't you love my subtle segways?) I have to give a big shout-out to Amy Lynn Larwig, who did my makeup consult last night. Can I just say that she is just fabulous? I'm so glad I went with the Budget Savvy Bride's recommendation and booked her! We basically took over Craig's living room (she brings a suitcase of makeup and supplies - how fun is that?) for the better part of two hours and talked about my vision for hair and makeup on the Big Day. I won't share the finished product but I will share my inspiration. Feast your eyes on these lovelies...


Beautiful up-do with hair flower? Check.




An adorable half-up bouffant? Check.
P.S. I am in love with this whole wedding, by the way, which you can see here.




Another romantic half-up option? Reminds me of Jennifer Anniston's hair when she married Brad Pitt. Check.



Fabulous messy updo AND perfect make-up? Way to rock it, Eva. Double check.



Are those fake eyelashes I see? Yes please. And Amy Lynn promises she has some great natural-looking ones that pump up the volume. I'm biting the bullet and doing it. Don't judge.



Or perhaps you prefer a sideswept, slightly messy updo? Got that too. Check.



Let's end on one of my very favorites, shall we? Love the height on her hair in that photo at the bottom. I'm not afraid to rock the teasing comb, either.

Decisions, decisions! So let's hear it ladies, which one is your favorite?

Miranda and My Man

Gush alert! Don't say I didn't warn you. Now I know there are a lot of fabulous fiances out there, but this post is purely to brag on mine in particular, who happens to make me feel like the luckiest girl in the whole wide world. Not only for obvious reasons like he's uber-thoughtful, he makes me laugh every day and he's hands down my favorite person to be around, but he does a lot of those little things that make me smile. Such as...

When I got my Ticketmaster email alert last week that lets me know when my favorite acts are coming to Nashville, and it just so happened to have one of my favorites at the top of the list. Naturally, my first thought is to forward the email to Craig with the tag line "Wouldn't this be fun?" which I did, to which he responded with equal enthusiasm (another plus that we have the same great taste in music). So imagine my delight when he emails me on Friday to tell me that he has bought us some of the best seats in the house (floor tickets-yay!) the nano-second they went on sale Friday morning at 10 a.m.! I mean, really. He just rocks. So we'll be going to see this person...

at this place...

In a few weeks! Woo Hoo! Oh, and I have to add that the Ryman is especially dear to my heart and has special significance for Craig and me because that's where this happened...



Which of course made me do this...

Which made me have the biggest smile you've ever seen as you can see here...

on my 29th birthday, which quickly became the best birthday, and all around best day of my life. :)

So now when I look down and see this...



I think about how lucky I am to be marrying my best friend, who does things like buy awesome concert tickets, and lets me know in big and little ways that he loves me. Sometimes you just have to gush a little. :)

Hotlanta Hiatus

What a crazy week it's been! I had to head to Atlanta for a work event on Wednesday and have been so incredibly busy since I got back yesterday. Two day work week = good, feeling like you'll never catch up = very, very bad. So I have to interrupt all this wedding talk to introduce you to one of my absolutely favorite stores, H&M, which just opened in Atlanta last year. Naturally, I had to make a pit stop. What makes this place so great, you ask? Oh, probably just the thousands of square feet that house some of the cutest and trendiest fashion you've ever laid your eyes on, at prices that make you think you're mistaken. I think the most expensive thing I looked at cost under $50! You just can't beat it. Here are some of my current favorites for the fall:

Yes, folks that is indeed a romper in the top left. Appparently they're back baby, and they're cuter than ever (if you have the body to pull it off, which I definitely do not. Which is why I laughed hysterically when I tried it on in the fitting room.) Anyway.

I also love the distressed denim vest, though I'm not certain I could pull it off without channeling my inner Cyndi Lauper. But the jackets are to. die. for. Love the bomber and love the fur collar. They're great pieces for those chilly fall nights that I know will be coming our way soon. (And by the way, I am not complaining about the heat because this has been one of the most excellent summers weather-wise I can remember. We haven't had one 100 degree day yet - which are pretty commonplace in my native state of Alabama).

Which brings me to my next subject...football season!!! Anyone who knows me at all knows I'm a big fan of my Alabama Crimson Tide, and I love to say with pride that my hometown is Tuscaloosa. A big part of my childhood was watching those Saturday games with my Pops, and I still think there are few things in life better than being in Bryant-Denny Stadium. That said, my Alabama boys will be starting the season off in Atlanta on September 5 against Virginia Tech, which just so happens to be the team that my sweet fiance pulls for. And by pulls for, I mean he's pretty diehard. As in, he has superstitions about where the remote can be placed when he's watching a game. It's actually a little scary. But at least we have the love of football in common, even if we may not be on speaking terms after this game is over. We're heading down to Atlanta for the game, and our sweet friends Ben and Rachel (who also happen to be Virginia Tech fans, though I won't hold that against them) are throwing a party for us at a sports bar close to the Georgia Dome (where the game will be held at 8 p.m. that day) to celebrate our engagement! The invitation came in the mail last week and I squealed with delight when I saw it. It says, and I quote, "The Hokies and The Tide are coming together to celebrate the engagement of Craig Turman and Lillian Quarles" and has our team logos in the corners - too cute! I can't wait to sport my crimson and white with pride. :)

Little Ones

Since we're on the subject of attire, let's talk flower girls. I am so excited to have my dear friends' daughter (who also happens to share a name with Yours Truly) be our fabulous little flower girl. And this chick might be one of the cutest things I've ever seen. Just get a load of that face - think she has her Daddy wrapped around her finger? Me too.


So here we are with our lovely little winter wedding (which is getting bigger by the day!) and I keep thinking that this girl has got to have some GUTS to walk down that big scary aisle with all of those people looking at her. And not to mention, she's three years old. So the way I see it, we've got to find one amazing little dress that she can feel like a princess in, so she'll want to strut her stuff down the aisle. (And also place her dear parents nearby in the event of a case of stage fright). So I'm asking you, dear readers, where do I find such a fabulous flower girl dress? I've heard good things about Strasburg but I want to be sure and explore my options. Any ideas?

And just because I came across these pics and they're too cute not to share, check out these little angels. I give them all an A+ on their attire...and the halo of flowers is exactly what I had always envisioned for my wedding. I just LOVE it!

Behold the Bridesmaid Dress!

Because it's Friday, and my mind is already on vacation, I'll keep it short and sweet today (just like the dress!).


I chose this dress from this adorable place on a super-fun shopping trip with my future sister-in-law, Treva, and her daughter, my future niece and junior bridesmaid, Amber. Amber was like my very own little dress-up doll, trying on all the options for me and twirling around in the mirror. The girls at Bella Bridesmaid could not have been any sweeter, and their swanky new digs made for an intimate, personal and most of all FUN shopping experience. Just like my wedding dress, it was one of the first ones I gravitated to and ended up being the chosen one. I'm having my four bridesmaids (shout outs to Stacy, Summer Candice & Marcie) wear it in a beatiful midnight blue color called "Deep Sapphire" and my two junior bridesmaids (sweet nieces Katelyn and Amber) wear it in this fabulous titanium, to keep with our wedding colors of midnight blue and silver. For our ivory accents, they'll be carrying either small bouquets of flowers in shades of cream, white and ivory - which flowers, TBD - or lanterns, an idea I stole from my personal trainer, Brooke Rosolino, whose wonderful winter wedding was featured here. We actually have the same wedding day (January 2), and are getting married in the same chapel (how I love Scarritt-Bennett, sigh) the only difference was hers was 2009 and mine is 2010! Great minds really do think alike. :)

Happy Friday, y'all!

Food and Bev Finds

Perhaps I've mentioned before that I adore my job as an event planner. I truly love going to work every day, and I thank my lucky stars that as the saying goes, I'm finally doing what I love, and loving what I do. How cool is to be able to say you get paid to make people happy? To find ways to create memorable events that give folks a "warm and fuzzy" feeling, and meet great people in the process? I just feel so blessed. So with that in mind, let's turn our thoughts to some fantastic food and beverage inspiration I've recently discovered. I'm working with on a menu for an upcoming cocktail and hors d'oeuvre reception, and found these beauties that I'm determined to work in somehow. Feast your eyes on these bad boys, and try one at your next party!

I love this trend of serving dainty food on spoons - these are Asian-inspired and look oh-so yummy!

This is what I like to call "Not Yo' Mama's Fruit Cup"

If you MUST have a cheese tray, why not get creative and pass it on this tree trunk platter?

A fresh take on the All-American burger and fries with mini sliders and cones - love it.

In the soul food department...how adorable are these mini mac and cheese ramekins? Try them with Gruyere cheese and you'll never go back.

Roasted red potatoes with creme fraiche - perfect portion and presentation!

Assorted ice creams in a mini waffle cone bowl - heavenly for a summer affair.

A nod to the old school milk bottle holder, these vanilla milkshakes with chocolate straws are great for kids.

And finally, because there are few things more perfect than coffee and doughnuts, get a load of these espresso shooters. I think they're perfection. And they will more than likely be making an appearance on 1/2/10 at our wedding!

Bon appetit!

Wedding Website unveiled!

Check it out at:

www.mywedding.com/lillianandcraig

And write a comment on the guestbook to let us know what you think!

Beauty and the Bluff

So let's talk about the amazing weekend we had in Gorham's Bluff. Umm, that place is something out of a movie! It's like you step back in time from the moment you step into the lodge - Sinatra playing throughout the house, a personal innkeeper to show you to your suite (which by the way comes stocked with shelves of books, a fireplace, a four-poster bed, a balcony with a fantastic view of the bluff, two robes AND two rocking chairs - heaven). And since the rooms in the Lodge don't have TV's, the idea is to reach for the nearest book or magazine to pass your time, which is really quite nice. I've been an avid reader since I was a kid, and it's still one of my all-time favorite things to do.


The Lodge at Gorham's Bluff - the best weekend getaway ever invented


The Satterfield Suite - hello, most comfortable king-size bed ever.


This picture doesn't do it justice, but just look at that amazing view!


A view of the wedding site from our balcony - too cute!


Craig sipping a real Coca-Cola - they had the fridge stocked with the old school kind in the bottle. Who can say those don't taste way better?


So...now that I've set the scene for our lovely accommodations, let's turn our sights to the real reason for our trip - the beautiful wedding! Candice was an absolutely gorgeous bride - she was just glowing all day and the picture of calm - Elliott was more frazzled than she was, but that was probably because he realized Saturday morning that he had forgotten his shirt! (No worries, Candice found not one but three nearby, so no one knew the difference). Their wedding was the perfect intimate affair - 75 guests max, an outdoor afternoon ceremony at the gazebo overlooking the bluff, and picture-perfect weather. It literally started raining about thirty minutes after the reception, and didn't stop until Sunday morning. I think Someone up above was smiling on them. :)


Like I said, picture perfect...


The ceremony was short and sweet - just like Candice!


Presenting for the first time, Mr. and Mrs. Elliott Robbins!

Once we were adjourned, it was a short walk across the street to a chapel that had been converted to a fabulous "town hall" reception site. We walked in to a beautiful set-up, complete with awesome photos of the bride and groom as kids, and the item that everyone immediately gravitated toward was this little gem...

A nod to Elliott's RV business, their groom's cake was made in the shape of an Alabama RV, complete with sugar look-a-likes of Candice and Elliott tailgating! Please tell me that's the cutest thing you've ever seen.


Guests enjoying themselves at the reception - LOVE those aqua chair ties!


The fabulous bride's cake - tasty and tres chic!



Our "sassy" pose - hands on hips, smiles on lips! I mean, could Candice BE more beautiful?


And get a load of her shoes - modeled from the golf cart they drove away in!


The newlyweds making their getaway in a shower of fresh rose petals - so pretty!


This was truly one of the most enjoyable weekends - everything was so relaxed, so peaceful, so very THEM. I love when weddings showcase the personalities of the couple, and this one did just that. We couldn't have asked for a better place to get away for a weekend, or a better place to celebrate the start of their sweet marriage with them. We loved it SO much, we already have plans to go back one weekend this fall!

My future husband rocking away on a Sunday morning before we left. We'll be back, Gorham's Bluff!