We're home from vacation...

AND I am not all that happy about it!

I want to be back by the pool with a bahama mama in my hand.  But, alas, life is calling.  The next few months hold a lot of life events and challenges for me.  Can you say?  Finals, graduation, bar study, bar, exam, moving to the country, and "hopefully" starting a career.  So with all that on the horizon, I enjoyed every minute of my vacation with the future hubs and our friends Lauren & Evan.

I will blog the trip in the next few days...STAY TUNED.

 

Xoxo,

One unhappy post-vacationer.
 

Wedding Vision (or lack thereof)

What do I foresee my wedding looking like?

Well, that's the question I have been asking myself since December 25, 2010.  Yes, the day we got engaged (over a year ago).  Like all newly engaged girls, I immediately started doing my research on venues to flowers.  I thought that I would just know my "color scheme" or the feel that I was hoping to incapsulate at our wedding.  That was a massive fail.  Sigh.

Here's what I have managed to come up with so far:

NOTHING.

Okay, a little more than nothing.  I know I want a modern soiree with clean lines and touches of gray and white.  As for a theme or pop of color?  I've got nothing.  I had a hot second of wanting to do gray and yellow.  Then, all of the western hemisphere decided to do that scheme.  So, here we are...no vision, no hope for a vision, and, well, just plain stuck!

Because my rambling can only go on so long, here are some pins that I have managed to pin to my wedding board on pinterest.  Even that is agonizing, as I am indecisive about my pins.

  Laney (or Bug as Zack and I like to call her) would look adorbs in that flower girl dress.  

Take pity on me...I fail as a wedding planner.

One Week

With Key West just one week away, my mind has left "school mode" and gone on vacation...  In some ways I am incredibly decisive, but, in other ways, I am incredibly indecisive AND when it comes to packing it's the latter.  

However, here are a few of my must haves for the beach this year:  

1) A hat to keep those rays off your face (well, and to be fashionable too).

JCrew $40.00.

2) A nice beach towel.

These Trina Turk beach towels are a little pricey at $58.00, but the colors are swoon worthy.  

3) A trendy beach bag.

Yep, the classic Scout bag at $36.50.

Don't forget your Ray-Bans to protect those baby blues:

Now, get off the couch AND head to the beach!!!  It is warm (actually hot) here in the Carolinas.  

We've been blogged!

Yes, our fab photog, Kristin Vining, has posted our engagement session on her blog.

Hop on over to Kristin Vining Photography to see the goods!

Happy Saturday friends!!!

It is all about the Accessories...Engagement Looks!

On a good day, I can pull out a pair of jeans and a decent shirt to wear.  So, I could have NEVER put together our engagement outfits all by my lonesome.  Today's blog is all about the accessories.  As discussed here, the fabulous Lindsey Regan Thorne made these choices.  Kristin Vining was sweet enough to shoot photos not only Zack and I, but all of our accessories.

Shoes:

All photos copyright of Kristin Vining Photography. 

These yummy shoes are Joan & David.  You can by them at Nordstroms!  I would have never thought to pair them with my dress, but they worked perfectly.  

These babies are also Joan & David from Nordstroms.  

Jewels:

 

Both my bracelet and necklace came from the good ole Banana Republic. Oval Bracelet Here. Bauble Necklace Here.

It wouldn't be fair to leave out Zack's favorite accessory:

As you can tell, these puppies have seen their share of use.  I think they are Lucchese, but I can't really remember.  All men need a pair of cowboy boots.  

One day I will tire of discussing our engagement pictures, but that day isn't today....

Engagement Pictures

My photographer, Kristin Vining, is the bomb.  Literally, her work amazes me - it is fresh, unique, and personal.  When you meet her, you feel like you've known her for years.  Her Uptown studio is a girl's dream.  After I got engaged, I researched, emailed, and followed numerous photographers, but I always came back to Kristin.  Once I actually met her, I booked her within the week.  If you're engaged, married, old, whatever...find a reason to use her.

So, Zack and I scheduled our engagement pictures for February 4th.

The Friday before the shoot I went shopping with Lindsey Regan Thorne.  She is a style guru, makeup artist, hair stylist, and, well, really, whatever she touches turns to gold.  Example 1: My hair and makeup in our photos.  We hit up Southpark looking for the perfect outfits, accessories, shoes, and etc.  Boy, she was patient with me and my insecurities.  After a few hours and a yogurt, I had all of the goods for our shoot for both Zack and I.  I should mention we bought everything without Zack trying it on.  The only thing that failed was his blazer, which turned out to be mislabeled.  Lindsey is quite possibly one of the sweetest people you will ever meet and so incredibly humble.  Like Kristin, hire her.    

I should mention that Zack was less than excited about this whole engagement picture idea.  I almost had to result to bribery.  Good thing he loves me!  (Plus, KV has a secret stash of beer).

On the morning of the 4th, Zack and I got up and went the gym, had coffee, and peered outside to see that it was raining.  Yes, pouring.  A monsoon had come to town.  It wasn't long before LRT and KV were calling me and I knew, just knew, we were going to have to reschedule because we were doing one in studio look and one look outside.  After some pouting and hesitation on my part, Kristin told me to kick it in gear and meet her and LRT at the studio.  So, I met them at the studio to start hair and makeup and Zack headed to Southpark to exchange his too small blazer that we tried on him at the last minute.  Once Zack made it back and we were ready, it was time to get in front of the lens.  Talk about terrifying!

We had to "work it."  I am awkward on a good day.  But, somehow Kristin took this city girl and country boy and turned us into the below:

 

 

 

All photos copyright of Kristin Vining Photography.

Kristin's adorable twins (twinks, twinkies) were at our shoot.  Zack and I would like clones of these two.  I fell in love with the two of them and got big hugs at the end of the day!

One last piece to this story...my mom married my biological father, Walter, on February 4, 1984.  So, we had our pictures taken 28 years to the date that my parents got married.  My daddy passed away when I was six years old so I am blessed to share such a special date with him.  (My mom remarried to Mike, my dad, my rock, and our blessing sent from heaven).  Mine and Zack's anniversary will be one day after their anniversary.    

This week I will try to go through all the clothes, jewels, and accessories we wore.  The shoes I wore will get their own post!!!  

But, for now, I am left thinking...DARN...my future husband is HOTT.    

Baby Laney

(Megan, before our sweet Laney arrived).

On Thursday of last week, I got the news that my sister had been admitted to the hospital with possible preeclampsia.  At this point, she was 37 weeks pregnant.  My mom and I were not sure what to do, but it wasn't long before we decided to hit the road and make the journey from Charlotte to Wilmington to be with my sister, Megan, and my brother-in-law, Seth.  We made it to the hospital around 7:30 p.m.  Shortly before getting there, I ate steak quesadillas, a taco, and nachos at Taco Bell.  Apparently, I was stress eating for us all.  At the hospital, we were told that no decisions would be made until Friday.  With my patience, this wasn't good. 

So Friday rolls around and we get the official word that they were going to induce Megan.  I'll spare you all the glory details of the induction process, but needless to say by Saturday night I was ready for Laney to make her appearance.  I had ate enough hospital food, fast food, and junk to clog my arteries.  Both the Stroup family and the Sholar family camped out at the hospital Saturday night.  Around 2 a.m. on Sunday morning, I left Megan's room and made my way to the hospital lobby to sleep on a random couch.  Both families were littered all over random chairs and sofas.  We looked homeless -- we had been in the same clothes for two days.  At 7:30 a.m. my Mom came to tell us that no progress had been made.  None of us downstairs were giving birth, but we all looked devastated.  However, within minutes, my baby sister, Sarah, ran out to tell us that the Doctor had just been in and it was "go time." 

By 9:25 a.m., four days after arriving at the hospital, our beautiful Laney Elizabeth Sholar was born.  And she was perfect...10 fingers, 10 toes, a head of hair, and completely healthy.  Around 10:30, we all got to go up to see her, Megan, and Seth.  Of course, tears flowed, hugs were shared, and two families became one.  When we were leaving, Seth was sitting with Baby Laney in the rocking chair.  (Zack is going to beat me for sharing this part...)  But, I watched as Zack walked over to where Seth was rocking his new angel.  Meanwhile, most everyone else had cleared the room.  Zack put his hand on the chair Seth was sitting in and began to cry.  My strong, tough man was moved to tears watching his brother hold his newborn baby girl.  I share this because in that moment I knew and Zack knew that we had witnessed a miracle.  Our siblings had given birth to a perfect baby girl.  God had blessed us all.  Sure, babies are born everyday, but they are each such a gift.

 I have never slept as well as I did on Sunday night.  My niece, our angel, was here.          

Keep scrolling after the below pictures...I have a little message for baby Laney:  

To Baby Laney:

I hope when you get older your Mommy and Daddy read this to you.  

Uncle Zack and Aunt Rachel love you and love you more than we can express in words.  You hold the world in the palm of your hand.  This world is your playground and nothing is unreachable.  Your dreams can come true.  Don't listen to those that are negative for they are only unhappy with their situation.  We will always be there for you.  Uncle Zack can teach you all about farm life.  Aunt Rachel can teach you how to spend Uncle Zack's money.  Well, and maybe how to wear nude pumps and leopard.  I can't wait to watch you grow up.      

We are so proud of your Mommy and Daddy.  Although they are young, they've showed that they are pillars of strength and will forever love their little girl.  Trust them, they will steer you in the right direction. 

You changed us all.  You changed us for the better.  Your little eyes are full of hope.  I hope my future little girl (or boy) can be as beautiful and perfect as you.  Here's to a good life, princess!  It is going to be an incredible ride.         

 The little giraffe going home...