Happy Thanksgiving Week!

What are your plans for the holiday? Andrew and I are headed to Savannah tomorrow to celebrate with his family, and then Friday I am off to Nashville to then fly to LA on Saturday with my best friend, Brittany, and her (newly engaged) sister and their mama to be a part of the audience on the Ellen Degeneres show! (Her sister, Ashley, won 4 free tickets after asking and emailing them every single day for over a year…) That means A LOT of traveling, but so much fun crammed into the next few days. Hope your time with family is special, and that this time of thanks prepares your spirit for the next month of holiday celebration! 

xo

Image here //

terrarium inspiration

In our next home, I'd really like to make it more green. In addition to the succulents I've been day dreaming about, I also have visions of having a terrarium or two. Honestly, they used to confuse me and I wondered what the big deal was. But we recently stayed at Lucille's Mountain Top Inn & Spa (we would definitely recommend!), which was beautifully decorated and had a couple little terrariums in their breakfast room. They were so simple, but created such a beautiful, earthy feel. 

love these glass and wooden combo terrariums- you can find some really beautiful ones here.

Wouldn't this be such a fun table centerpiece?

And I absolutely love these terrarium prints. 

They'd be lively in a living room, or even so sweet in a nursery.

Happy Planting!!

xo

Last two images found here and here //

a time to be still and a time to move forward

"The Lord our God said to us at Horeb, 'You have stayed long enough at this mountain. Break camp and advance into the hill country…'" {Deuteronomy 1:6-7}

"'You have made your way around this hill country long enough; now turn north…'"

{Deuteronomy 2:3}

How did He know when it had been "long enough"? What made Him decide? I'm not sure the reason, or if there really is one.
But He hadn't forgotten them.
He knows when enough is enough, and He will give direction when "it's" been enough.

 Let me be faithful to and trusting in You, and not to myself or in my circumstances.

Image //

the shepherd and the sheep

"Then I said to you, 'Do not be terrified, do not be afraid of them. The Lord your God, who is going before you, will fight for you, as he did in Egypt, before your very eyes, and in the desert. There you saw how the Lord your God carried you, as a father carries his son, all the way you went until you reached this place.'
 In spite of this, you did not trust in the Lord your God, who went ahead of you on your journey, in fire by night and in a cloud by day, to search out places for you to camp and to show you the way you should go."

                        -Deuteronomy 1:29-33

He goes before you.

He fights for you.

He's done it before.

He's pulled you out of slavery and desolation.

You've seen it.

He carries you lovingly. 

He carries you to where you need to go.

He goes ahead of you.

He searches for you, and finds where you should go.

He shows you the way to get there. 

Image found here //

simple daily joys

I recently received this cute bag as a bridesmaid gift from my childhood best friend, Carly. I use it almost every day and can’t even remember how I ever toted around my laptop without it! It is the perfect size and I love the bright cheery yellow, which brings a splash of color to my otherwise usually  neutral style. I love practical, but fun gifts! Just had to share this little piece of sunshine :)

A similar Gap bag, here. 

xo

Jacmel photographs and Haiti musings

While I still feel confident and happy with our decision to move back to the U.S., I find myself thinking about Haiti- what we would be doing, how I might be feeling, what our friends there are doing at this exact moment, what the weather is… I got out of the shower this morning and remembered how I spent three months without hot water, sometimes showering from a bucket of water, flushing with a bucket, using only bottled water to brush our teeth… And then how quickly hot water felt normal once coming back to the states, using sink water was immediately once again habit… how luxurious it would have all felt in Haiti. 

While we were in Boston last week, we got the chance to see one of our friends from church in Port-au-Prince. She had to move to the U.S. for a few months, leaving her new husband (as of June) in Haiti because he does not have a visa.  She is living with her mother outside of Boston, and taking English classes. Seeing her reminded me of the bond we have formed with these people- one that is so strong that it transcends countries, cultures, and languages.

xo

birthday flashback

Andrew celebrated his birthday back in August, while we were living in Haiti. Since he was unable to celebrate with all of his friends back home, I organized a video with messages from each of his closest friends. Each of the boys gave such heartfelt messages, I felt so grateful for him to have so many godly and loving men in his life! I promised to post the link, and finally got the video uploaded to youtube. We had a great time with our new friends in Haiti, but nothing beats the love from home :)

xo

exciting news

Today is the official launch day of Southern Weddings Magazine Volume 6. I loved Southern Weddings even before I got engaged because of the beautiful photographs and southern vibes found in each lovely featured wedding, and during engagement it proved particularly helpful in spurring on my creative juices. Today is especially noteworthy, however, because there are several people close to me that are featured in this issue!

First, my wedding photographer, Gracie Dinwiddie with Gracie Blue Photography, had an entire wedding published! It's a truly beautiful wedding and stunning bride, and Gracie did an amazing job capturing it (on page 219-223 for those with a copy!). I am so excited for her and proud of her that she gets this recognition. She deserves to have her name out there, and her talents known! Congratulations Grace!

Gracie also received publication featuring marriage advice from couples who have been married for more than 25 years. Not only does she get to have her work in this section, but guess who the couple is? My parents!!! Grace captured them beautifully, and my mother's answers to each question are so sweet and sincere. They really have a wonderful, fun, united marriage and I am so happy that they get to share a little bit of it with all of the new young married couples out there. 

Lastly, one of my best friends, Marilisa, is making her model debut ;) She had the opportunity to participate in a photo-shoot, which was used in an article in SWV6 to discuss ways to make the bridesmaids feel honored on a bride's special day. Doesn't she look gorgeous?! (Photos from the magazine of her and her pretty red hair above and below)

Gracie's best friend, Laura with Laura Leslie Photography, also got a shout out in SWV6! Laura actually photographed my wedding (in film!) with Gracie, and she is an amazingly talented photographer. She had a photograph published, and I am so excited for her to receive this honor, as well. Check out her blog, with an entry about this feature, here.

Phew! That is a lot of excitement ;) I love that some of my favorite people are taking over the wedding world! I am so happy for each of these ladies (and mom and dad), and hope this only leads them to more fun, joy, and passion in the work they already love! 

Follow Gracie Blue Photography on Instagram

"Like" Gracie Blue Photography on Facebook

Also, check out our wedding photos here and our engagement photos here (by Gracie Blue Photography)

xo

Top 3 photographs taken by Gracie Blue Photography and found on her blog at grblue.com

warm and cozy

Spending time in Boston has also got me day dreaming about cozy winter necessities. I know nothing in my current wardrobe could prepare me for the bone-chilling cold temperatures that New England winters bring. I browsed a few products at L.L. Bean, and the great thing about this company is not only do they provide great quality items, but every item also comes with a life-time warranty!

I love these winter boots, and they seem to be everyone's favorite, as well. 

&

For more protection, a taller version here.

And for more warmth (your best bet in New England), an insulated boot here.

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A good winter coat is also essential. I found these two that seemed like they could do the trick:

The Goose-Down Hooded Parka (here) in Black, Navy, Dark Teal Green (!), or Plum.

&

The Ultrawarm Coat, Three Quarter Length here in Black or Dark Raspberry. 

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Any suggestions or things to look for?
If we do end up moving north, it will be interesting to see how this Georgia blood handles the new climate ;)

xo

(Top Picture found here // Last Picture here)

house dreaming

This week we have been visiting Boston and staying with our good friends, Alexandra and Jesse. Alexandra has decorated their apartment so beautifully, it's got me day dreaming about our next home. All of our belongings are scattered across various friends' homes in Georgia- basements, attics, and bedrooms. I'm really looking forward to having our own space again to call our own. 

These succulents, above, belong to our friend Michaela and have me feeling inspired. She also had some lovely prints from Ikea, similar to these. Hoping that very soon we will know which city we will next call home!

morning reflections

"... so we speak, not to please man, but to please God who tests our hearts."

- 1 Thessalonians 2:4

This morning, praying over the decision to be free from self-inflicted guilt, from pleasing people, and to trust fully in God's forgiveness, grace, and faithfulness. Seeking to completely surrender my heart to Him, in every way.

For a collection of scriptures about pleasing God over man, click here.

Picture found here //

made new

"Because of the Lord's great love we are not consumed, 

for His compassions never fail.

They are new every morning;

great is Your faithfulness."

-Lamentations 3:22-23 

Just reflecting today on how humbling and wonderful it is to have the chance to be made new in the peace of each morning. 

Thank you, Lord, for your unfailing grace and love, mercy and direction. 

"Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path."

-Psalm 119:105

 // Picture here