A Unique Gift!

One of the most unique gifts I got at my bridal shower was from my friend Lauren, who got us something for our honeymoon. After finding out where were going on our honeymoon {by checking our website}, she looked at the different excursions and activities to do at the resort. Knowing that I LOVE horses and rode for many many years, she chose to buy Blake and I horse back riding on the beach! After a beach ride, you go in the ocean  with the horses and swim with them! It was such a creative gift and I can't wait to do it! To top is all off she got a Papyrus picture frame and put pictures of the horse back riding activity in the frame! Thanks Lauren. Love you!

Bridal Shower Recap!

This weekend was my bridal shower and it was so much fun. My Mom went above and beyond. Her planning was perfect and she made my day so special! Here is a short recap....

1. The Venue

The shower took place at the Palm Court of the Plaza Hotel in New York City. The atmosphere was great and the hotel looked beautiful. It is one of my favorite places in the city! The tables were dressed nicely and my mom placed a personalized canister of tea on everyone's place setting.

2. The Food

Instead of having a shower that overlapped with a lunch or dinner, I really wanted to have afternoon tea. Ever since living in London I love having afternoon tea. I had been to the Plaza for tea with my Mom several times and I knew it was perfect!

3. The People

I had all of my friends and family in one place and there was a great mix of people. I had so much fun with everyone and the people there truly made it such an amazing event. My bridesmaids really stepped up to the plate with their responsibilities and sticking to the timeline that my Mom gave them!

4. The Surprises

There were 3 surprises for me during the course of the shower. The first was Blake surprising me and showing up to the hotel with a corsage. I didn't even know Blake was in New York so I was shocked to say the least. He did a great job of keeping it a secret and I can't believe I didn't catch on! The other two surprises were Skype calls from two bridesmaids who couldn't make it to the shower. It meant so much to me that they took the time to talk to me! 

5. The Games

We played 3 games. In the first game each table had a teacup with a wedding cake sticker underneath it and whoever had the sticker won a prize! We also played How Well Do You Know The Bride and it was funny to see my friends answer the questions. The winner at each table received a prize also. Lastly, I was a contestant on How Well Do I Know Blake. Every wrong answer I got, I had to put a piece of gum in my mouth. Let's just say I was chewing a lot of gum  by the end of the game! 

6. The Gifts

Of course, at the end of the shower we opened gift and I can honestly say I love every single one of them. People really put time and effort into choosing their gifts. Thank you so much everyone! 

After the shower, we went out to dinner and stayed in a hotel in New York that my dad had planned for us that night. I went out with my high school friends and it was so good to catch up with them. Another highlight of my night was seeing Chuck Bass while we were out. He was at a table at the lounge we were at and I could not help but be star struck and watch his every move!!

I'm so sad this weekend is already over but I had the best time and I can't wait for the last few events before the big day!

Not Your Average Workout

Barry's Bootcamp, often described as "one of Hollywood's best kept secrets," is finally expanding to Nashville. The California-based staple also has locations in New York and London.  Celeb-adored Barry's Bootcamp, which counts Kim Kardashian and Jake Gyllenhaal among its fans, has become a successful fitness recipe that's been around for 13 years. The fact that it's called a "boot camp" might sound intimidating, but co-president and trainer Joey Gonzalez insists that they have no intention of pushing anyone beyond their limit. "We're aware that people are doing the best they can, and the last thing we want to do is discourage someone from coming back," he said.


Nashville, keep a look out for Barry's Bootcamp this Spring! Visit the website at: http://www.barrysbootcamp.com/.

Hope in the New Year

At the start of each year I like to make some resolutions for the year to come. These resolutions are not ironclad activities or goals that I must accomplish. Rather, they are hopes. Here are some of my hopes this year...

1. I hope to relax. Sometimes as busy as we all are, we forget to take some time and relax. I especially want to take advantage of the free time I have in my last semester of law school. Once graduation comes I will be occupied with studying for the bar and starting work. I hope to make the most of my free time in the next few months!

2. I hope to cook.  Over the past year, cooking has come to be something that I enjoy. Towards the end of 2011 as I became busier and busier with wedding planning, I went on a cooking hiatus. I hope to pick up my cooking in 2012 and make Blake some great meals!

3. I hope to travel. Traveling is one of my favorite things to do. There are so many places I want to go and see in both the U.S. and abroad. 

4. I hope to appreciate. Although I know how lucky I am, I don't feel like I take enough time to appreciate it. I hope to make a more conscious effort to appreciate my family, friends, and accomplishments. 

5. I hope to love. 2012 is our wedding year!  Love is definitely something I don't appreciate as much as I should and I really am so lucky to have Blake in my life. 

What are some of your resolutions or hopes? 

2011 Wrap up

Hello everyone! I know I have been MIA lately, but I've been so busy with friends, family, and wedding planning. The last two weeks of 2011 I was in New York. We got a lot accomplished for the wedding, but I also had an amazing time in the city! 

1. I saw Priscilla Queen of the Desert, a very popular Broadway show. It was hysterical and I can't wait to bring Blake to see it. The person sitting next to us in theatre said he had seen the show 14 TIMES!! The music and the costumes were incredible. 

2. I went to the Rockettes on Christmas Eve. I had seen the Rockettes show several times when I was younger, but I think I really appreciated it more this year. Those girls sure can dance! 

3. My mom and I went for tea at the Plaza Hotel. We went to the taste the different tea options because in just about 3 weeks I will have my bridal shower there! There were two meal options to chose from and they even had a cute little menu prepared for our tasting day. Ever since living in London I love afternoon tea and can't wait for my bridal shower. 

4. I had my hair trial for the wedding. I brought some pictures that I liked as a guide and I love the way the girl did my hair! I'm going back for one last trial the weekend of my bridal shower, but if it comes out the way it did this time, I am sold. 

5. I had my make up trial. Recently I have taken an interest in makeup so this was a lot of fun to me. I did my hair and makeup trials on the same day so I really got a good idea of what my head will look like on the special day!

6. I met with the florist and saw the floral arrangements. This was a really productive meeting for me because I realized I didn't like the bouquet that I had initially chosen. We made some modifications and now it is perfect! 

7. I spoke with the photographer about the timing for the day of the wedding. Going over the entire schedule was very overwhelming and it is going to be a lonnnnnng day. Hang in there bridesmaids! 

8. I started doing some honeymoon shopping. Getting wrapped up in all the wedding planning made me forget that I get to go on a week long vacation at the end of it! 

9. I had two wedding dress fittings and I can officially say that I LOVE my dress. I also got my rehearsal dinner dress and bridal dress altered. 

10. I came back to Nashville and celebrated NYE with my wonderful fiance! Happy wedding year 2012 brides! 

Here is to the best year yet!