Saving the Date

On Monday (in between Christmas shopping), I headed over to the graphic design studio where my friend A works to work on our Save the Date cards. The company is actually doing the save the date's as a gift to us, which I think is so generous and lovely! After a few rounds of trial and error, here is the final design we decided on yesterday...

I absolutely love it! The yellow border is actually yellow cardstock, and then the white card goes over that, so it will be 2 layers of paper. Sorry I had to blur out all the important stuff, but our last names are actually in lowercase (like the "maryland"), so it looks really cool I think. It's simple, classic and exactly what we wanted. I knew I wanted to play up the date somehow and I love what they came up with. They will go in white envelopes that I'm going to line with green and white polka dotted paper. I'll take photos of the actual cards and envelopes as we're getting them ready to mail out - we're aiming to send them out right around New Years. With the wedding being on a Holiday weekend, we want to make sure people get them in plenty of time.

And now that Sailor Boy's real name is out there (Jake), I think I'm just going to start calling him that - since he will be my husband and all, I guess I should stop referring to him as a "boy" hehe. Since Jake is off from work for the entire week between Christmas and New Years, he will be a busy guy with stuffing envelopes and writing out addresses for these cards!!

I have also been playing around with my new obsession, Etsy, and I found something absolutely adorable to accompany these Save the Dates....custom stickers for the back of the envelopes! I used a fabulous Etsy seller, LadyBugLabels, and she created the cutest custom labels for us. I was superstitious about using an "E" on our save the dates (our new last initial), so I had LadyBugLabels make us navy blue and green stickers that just say "K&J" that we will stick on the flap of the envelope. She had them designed and sent me a proof all in the same day, and they were perfect! When they arrived, I was even more impressed...the were packaged in cute little tins and she even added some extra labels to the order "just in case". And the price was great - we got 4 sets (which is like 168 labels) for $30.75! Here's the labels...

I highly recommend LadyBugLabels if you need label stickers for anything - she has them for baby showers, holidays, weddings, anything! I think they will look so cute on our envelopes...I can't wait to see the whole final project come together!!

So that's the fun wedding project we've crossed off our list at this point...I do have some other fun projects to share soon - bridesmaids dresses!

Gifts Galore!

I started and pretty much finished my Christmas shopping on Monday and I am so happy and relieved to cross people off of my list. I just have a few more small gifts to buy, mainly for Sailor Boy's stocking. I usually don't know what I'm getting for people until I'm at the store, see something and realize it would be perfect. While I was at the mall, I got alot of inspiration for gifts for anyone on your list. Here's some if anyone still needs some ideas...

Pottery Barn:

Monogrammed Candlepot - $25.00

I bought two of these as gifts and I may go back for one for myself (maybe with my new initial - or is that bad luck??)! They are a good size and come in a cute black and white striped jar with a lid and the scent (amber vanilla) smells really good. They come in a cute little box...perfect for hostess gifts and secret santa presents as well!

Set of 9 embroidered Reindeer Napkins - on sale for $42.99

I am a fan of giving holiday themed gifts for Christmas and I got this set of napkins for my aunt and uncle, who always host Christmas dinner. They are very nicely embroidered and super cute - each reindeer is doing something different!

EMS (or really any other outdoor store):

Petzl Headlamp - $34.99

This is nerdy, but a few years ago Sailor Boy gave me a headlamp for a camping trip we went on and it has seriously become my favorite thing EVER! I use it when our power goes out, to walk Spencer in the dark, etc. It's amazing how much having a hands free light really does help. I decided my dad needs one of these this year. Great for any outdoor type guy!

Crabtree and Evelyn:

La Source Hand Therape Hand Cream - $11.50My mom swears by this stuff, so I always get her a new tube every year. It's super thick and rich, and apparently makes your hands super soft. Great stocking stuffer!

J.Crew: (I couldn't do a Holiday present post without this store!!)

Flannel PJ Pants - on sale for $29.50

La Petite Blog did a post about these yesterday, but I wanted to emphasize these as a perfect gift! We are getting a pair for Sailor Boy's sister in law, I'm getting some for most of my girlfriends and then I may just need to get myself a pair too! (so I don't feel left out!)

Enamel Bangle Bracelet - on sale for $9.99 to $19.99

We are also getting Sailor Boy's sister in law a few bracelets from J.Crew. They have tons of colors and different sizes. I love pairing them with jeans and a sweater or dressing them up for evening with a cute fun top and skirt!

Happy Shopping!

Deck the Halls

We Christmas-tized the house this weekend! Sunday was literally the COLDEST day of the year and that's the day we went to pick out our tree. I felt so bad for the guys at the tree lot, they must have been dying out there all day. But I absolutely love our tree! Last year, in our tiny apartment, we had to get a tiny tree. I was taller than our tree last year and I'm only 5'4". This year, our new house has super high ceilings, so we were able to get a huge big tall fluffy tree!

I promised Sailor Boy I wouldn't go crazy with buying new decorations this year, since we are short on storage space and our house really isn't that big. I have actually kept that promise and the only thing I bought was a new tree skirt because our old one was for our tiny tree and it wouldn't even fit around the new tree. Tree skirts are so expensive, I had no idea! I found one I LOVED at target and when I looked at the price, I just about had a heart attack...$49.99!!! WHAT?? I stood in the aisle for a good 15 minutes debating and when I realized that all the other ones (that I didn't love) were $39.99, I bit the bullet and got the $50 one. I figure we'll have it for a long time, so it's sort of an investment in Sailor Boy and I's future life together :-) hehe.

Here's some pics of our fabulous tree...Yes, those are PRESENTS under the tree! I went from not having any presents bought, to being pretty much done and I have most of them wrapped! Ahh, the beauty of being off on Mondays. I get so much done!

Here's the rest of our decor...My Pottery Barn knock off centerpiece that I made from supplies found at Target for half the price.
Our fireplace mantle. I went simple and just did lighted garland, a nutcracker, a lantern and then the stockings. I hate our stockings...we need new ones, but I'm going to wait until next year to get us some...to celebrate our 1st Christmas being a married couple! Our stocking holders are actually frames and we each picked out the picture of the other person for their frame. Of course, we both picked a really embarrassing funny picture. Classy.
This is actually my favorite part of our decor. Above our front door, we have these 3 windows with a ledge and so we stuck these glittery snowflakes that I have up there. It's cute because you can see it from outside or inside. Ok, I will admit it...this was actually Sailor Boy's idea and I love it! Maybe he's a keeper after all.

15 days until Christmas!

Holiday Tag!

Red and White Preppy tagged me to list 6 random Holiday things about myself...

1. When I was 7, my great uncle took me to see the Nutcracker Ballet in Baltimore and I have been obsessed with it ever since. That same year, my parents got me a set of nutcracker ornaments and I begged them to let me keep them out even after we put all the Christmas stuff away. I love the story, the music, the dancing, everything! Every time I hear a song from the ballet, it brings back such great memories!

2. In my family, we always take turns opening gifts and go around in a circle (oldest person starts and we go down by age) so everyone can see what everyone else gets. I have a huge family on both sides, so this can take quite a long time, but I love it and I wouldn't ever want to change that. Sailor Boys family is NOT like this at all...they all get their gifts and all rip them open at the same time and no one shows each other anything that they got. It's chaos, followed by shouts of "thank you". I hate this. The first year we spent the Holidays together, I sat with my gifts while everyone else was opening them because I was so confused as to what was going on. After everyone else opened, then I slowed opened all my gifts one by one. I'm such a brat!

3. We always eat beef wellington and asparagus for Christmas Eve dinner and it's so good. My mom has the best recipe and I crave it all year, but we save it for Christmas eve. My mom also always makes egg and cheese casserole and homemade cinnamon rolls for Christmas morning after we open our presents. YUM!

4. When I was younger (like 10 and 11), I used to sneak and open up some of the presents my parents would put under the tree before Christmas. Yes, I would unwrap them, look at them and then attempt to "re-wrap" them so my mom wouldn't find out. And apparently I thought I did an excellent job, but I know my mom always knew what I was up to.

5. Growing up, my mom and I would always bake about 28436462 dozen cookies, and we would have tins and tins of them for the entire month of December. We would give some away as gifts as well. My favorite were the peanut butter ones with the Hershey Kiss on top. I don't really bake at all anymore. I really need to get better about that.

6. My favorite part of Christmas is opening stockings! We save it for last and I love seeing what kind of fun little treats that my mom put in it. I would always get new chap stick, a pack of gum and a new book.

I tag these 6 people --
Seaside Prep
Positively Preppy in Pink
Nautical by Nature
More, More, More
Prissy Southern Prep
Prepadelphia

An Award and Some Wedding Stuff...

Two of my favorite bloggers recently left me an award and I have taken my sweet time responding :-) Sorry ladies! Both The Pink Tutu (who happens to be my wonderful grandlittle from my sorority) and Positively Preppy in Pink (who also attends the college that I went to and is currently studying abroad in London...how fabulous!!) left me this award:Thanks so much ladies! As for my 5 obsessions right now...

1. Christmas!! I can't wait to decorate the house this weekend and get our tree!

2. Weddings...yes, this is an obsession all the time, but it's definitely on my mind now more than ever. Currently, I'm getting excited for wedding dress shopping with my mom after Christmas!

3. My new Sedu Ultrapower Hairdryer. Umm...everyone NEEDS to own one of these. I plan on doing a whole blog post about it's fabulousness. My hair has never looked so good!

4. The chilly weather and being able to wear cute sweaters and fun winter accessories...I love me some scarves and gloves!

5. J.Crew. Basically I want every single thing in the catalog...amazing!

I tag anyone who wants to do this too!

Now onto my #2 obsession...we have gotten alot done in a short period of time regarding the wedding! The date is set, we booked a photographer yesterday (who I am absolutely obsessed with!) and everything is falling into place. We also decided on colors! My wonderful friend A, who happens to work in graphic design, made me a bunch of monograms (with our last initial) for the wedding, using our colors. Here's my favorite one:

I just wanted something plain and simple, and I love this! Obviously I'm a big fan of polka dots, but I didn't want something super girly. We'll probably use this monogram on our programs, menu cards, etc. So our colors are navy blue, lemon yellow and lime green. I think it will look really fresh and fun for a late summer wedding. Guys in khakis, blue blazers and either green or yellow ties and girls in navy dresses with white, yellow and green flowers. Since our wedding is 90% outside (ceremony on a lawn, dinner under a tent and then dancing inside), I think the colors will go nicely and be strong enough to stand up to all the greenery and nature.

I also decided that since I posted the wedding date, I can't post exactly where the wedding will be, for fear of internet stalkers. I may post a few pictures that I took of the venue, but I have to keep it a little bit private. But after the wedding, I will post all about it!

We're meeting with my friend A's company on Monday to design the save the dates, which I'm trying to get out before New Years since the wedding is on a holiday weekend. I want to play up our date (09.05.09), since it's sort of cool looking, on the save the dates. Hopefully they can come up with something unique and fun!

Yay Weddings!

Christmas Meme!!

I stole this from Barefoot in the Park (who stole it from Red and White Preppy!)

1. Wrapping paper or gift bags? Wrapping Paper. I love wrapping presents! Random, but I love Ikea for christmas paper...they have really good prints and it's cheap!!

2. Tree--Real or Artificial? I grew up with an artificial tree because my dad is allergic. Now Sailor Boy and I get a real tree, which I think is the greatest thing ever...I love picking out a real tree and dragging it home.

3. When do you put Christmas tree up? Usually a few weeks before Christmas, I think we're going to go this Sunday to get one.

4. When do you take the tree down? Typically on New Years day.

5. Like eggnog? Yuck...NO!

6. Do you have a nativity scene? No, but I'm actually currently searching for one right now. Any suggestions would be great!

7. Favorite gift received as a child? My bike when I was 10.

8. Hardest person to buy for? Probably Sailor Boy's parents. I'm still stumped this year!

9. Easiest person to buy for? my parents

10. Worst Christmas gift? A few years ago, my aunt and uncle got me this pink purse. I think they thought because it was pink, I would love it. But it had a super long strap and was totally NOT me. I felt really bad, but it totally got donated to Goodwill.

11. Mail or email a Christmas Card? I have to admit, I can be a slacker about christmas cards. We're going to try and mail them out this year though.

12. Favorite Christmas movie? Love Actually, Home Alone, It's a Wonderful Life. Sailor Boy's parents throw a "Scrooge Party" every year a few weeks before christmas, where we all sit around and watch the original "A Christmas Carol", so that's become a favorite one of mine as well.

13. When do you start shopping for Christmas? Typically by early December...I need to start doing it a little bit earlier so I don't get so stressed out!

14. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present? Yes, I will admit it.

15. Favorite food to eat on Christmas? Every Christmas morning, my mom makes egg casserole and homemade cinnamon rolls. YUM!

16. Lights on tree? of course...I prefer white lights, non-blinking.

17. Favorite Christmas Song? Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree.

18. Travel during Christmas or Stay home? We stay home....all our family is close.

19. Can you name Santa's reindeer's? Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen, Comet, Cupid, Donner, Blitzen, & Rudolph

20. Angel or Star on Tree top? We have a star and then I usually put some ribbon coming down the tree off the star.

21. Open presents on Christmas Eve or morning? We usually spend Christmas Eve with my dad's family and open our gifts then with them, then on Christmas morning, I go to my parents and open gifts with them. It's always a little bit more difficult splitting the holiday with Sailor Boy's family too, but we make it work.

22. Most annoying thing about this time of year? The crazy ridiculous lines and traffic at all the stores.

23. Favorite ornament? Last year, my mom wrapped up some of my old christmas ornaments from growing up and gave them to me to put on our tree. I found one that was a clay christmas tree that I had made and decorated in kindergarten. I love that one.

24. What do you want for Christmas this year? I haven't actually asked for too much this year. I need some new black gloves, a new black coat, a few random kitchen things.

Happy December!

Wow, can you believe it's already December? Craziness!!

We had a wonderful and relaxing Thanksgiving holiday. Ate way too much (we ended up eating 2 dinners...one at my parents and one at Sailor Boy's aunts) and it was really fun to show everyone in both families the ring and tell them all the engagement story! Then we headed down to VA to the River House for the weekend with some of Sailor Boy's family and we had a great and restful weekend! Highlights of the weekend:

-- Finding out that Sailor Boy's cousins wife is pregnant with their first baby during the "Thankful game" at dinner! Yay for babies!

-- Shopping all day on Saturday with Sailor Boy's mom and aunt at some cute boutiques near their river house. And I'm very proud of myself for resisting the urge to buy anything for myself...but I did get some christmas presents!

-- Showing Sailor Boy's mom my "inspiration notebook" with all the ideas I've started collecting for the wedding and having her get so excited!

-- Roasting marshmallows and making smores on Saturday night with Sailor Boy's parents new firepit that they got for the river house. Ok, I admit...I ate 4 smores! ACK...wedding diet is non-existant!

-- Starting and finishing knitting a scarf for my dad for Christmas, since I had so much extra wonderful quiet time at the house. Check another Christmas present off the list!

Now I'm in super Christmas mode! We're waiting another week or so to go get our tree, but I'm DYING to start decorating the rest of the house!! Goodbye fall and Hello Christmas!