have a nice weekend!

We made it! This week has been great, but I have been so exhausted from all of our previous weekend trips. I'm looking forward to having a weekend in our new city- I'm ready to explore and relax :) I have a friend coming in town for the night, too. I'm starting to understand why weekends are so awesome for everyone in the working world... :)

Baha. Yes.

Would have been wonderful in college.

Mine and Andrew's motto for the month of May, it has seemed. May is always the busiest!

Oh. My. Yum.

Another amazing food find.

I saw a little baby boxer today at my apartment and now I can't get him out of my mind!

Totally gorgeous.

I know I'm all over the food links today (can you tell I'm hungry?), but, OH MY!

Looking for a weekend DIY?

A woman of true beauty and deep wisdom.


xo


Image found here //

summer style watch

I'm totally into the shirt dress look this summer. I originally was thinking, "Great, another style that only looks good on super thin, super tall women." But I decided to give one a try and with a little bit of a length adjustment, I love it! It's a great casual look that you can dress up or down depending on how you accessorize. I recently wore mine to the wedding we went to this past weekend. The best part is that it has sleeves and isn't low-cut, so you don't have to worry about anything being accidentally revealed :) 

You can watch the video of Andrew and I singing at the Anies wedding here.

Shirt Dresses worth a mention:

1. // Anthropologie 

2. // Urban Outfitters

3. // Shopbop- AIR by Alice & Olivia

4. // ASOS

5. // Stripe button-down

6. // Target (I'm wearing the Oatmeal/Black in the video)

Top Image found here //

third time's a charm

This was road trip weekend round 3, and it's taken me an extra day to be able to recover enough to update on here. Let me begin by saying, this was an incredibly beautiful and moving wedding of two people that we love and adore so tremendously. Let me also say that after this weekend, I have decided I am never driving to Chicago again :) With stops in Nashville, St. Louis, and even the-middle-of-nowhere Bradford, Illinois, this trip to Chicago was one for the books.

In addition to the plentiful mileage, there was plentiful love :) I was able to spend (too brief of) an amount of time with one of my best girls, which naturally included many Parks & Rec quotes, creepy dancing, and life talks. The wedding and reception were held at Shallowbrook Farm, with corn fields for miles, a train passing through every few hours, and windmills on the horizon. It was dreamy!

{Video to Come Soon...}

Andrew was a groomsmen for Derick, who he traveled the country with in 2008- which is when Andrew and I first met! Needless to say, Derick has been a special part of our lives for some time. And his new bride, Jess, is an absolute joy and lifelong friend for me. We were also honored (and nervous! okay, just me.) to sing during their ceremony while they said their personal vows privately to one another. 

Mr. and Mrs. Anies, we love you and can't wait to travel the world with you- starting with your new home in Colorado, where we will be sure to visit you very very soon :)

xo

early weekend love

Do you have plans this weekend? I'm signing out early this week because we are headed to Chicago this weekend for yet another wedding :) This time, Andrew is a groomsman, so we have several days of fun (and busy!) plans ahead of us! Hope you have a great long Memorial Day weekend!


Bathroom swooning.

For the Italian chef.

How cute is her hair?! Here too. Babe.

Great dress, great outfit.

Sing.

The freshest pregnancy announcement, ever.

xo

Image found here //

the saga continues

Happy Anniversary to our other "anniversary week twin" friends, Marilisa and Taylor. What a fun day, and weekend, that was back in 2011 :) Can't believe it's been three years! Andrew just told me this morning as we were reminiscing on our own wedding, "I remember when I went to their wedding, I thought it was the best wedding I'd ever been to. Everything was executed so perfectly." I said, "Well, that's Marilisa. She knows how to plan!" :) So, know your special day is still one we remember fondly :)

Love to you, our favorite red head duo!!

xo

Photos by Max Wanger //

another year in the books

Happy Day, my love! This time two years ago, we were preparing for a beautiful day. 

After a day full of magic, we whisked away to Maine for two weeks.

This past year has brought more tears and challenges than before, but with it, so many more laughs and an even fuller heart. I'm so grateful you are my partner and best friend through it all. I love you, Andrew.  

P.S. Our wedding soundtrack and see more of our wedding pictures here and here.

Top 3 images by Gracie Blue Photography //

'tis the season

It's that time of year again! Weddings galore. May is always so busy with travel and celebration as summer kicks off and the gorgeous weather finally becomes more consistent. This week is jam-packed full of love, with 5 couples I know celebrating their days of matrimony.

Saturday, Ashley and Justin said "I do" and celebrated in New Smyrna Beach at The Delamater House- a gorgeous venue with a cool history. The bridesmaids carried daises and the garland that hung above them as they said their vows was one of the most beautiful floral pieces I have ever seen.

Yesterday, an old friend of Andrew's celebrated her 1 year anniversary with her husband in Pittsburgh. And today, one of my close friends celebrates her 1 year anniversary. It was such a privilege to be a part of their special day in Chicago this time last year, and it has been a joy to watch them grow together as a couple over this last trip around the sun. 

Happy Anniversary, friends! I am so thankful to be a witness to so much love. 

Two more anniversaries this week... we'll take it one day at a time ;)

xoxo

Top photo found here // Bottom 4 photos by Summer Lynn Photography //

have a marvelous weekend

What are your plans for the weekend? Andrew and I are leaving bright and early tomorrow morning for a wedding in New Smyrna Beach, Florida. We are renting a car (our first time!) and are super excited about driving a new Fiat or something of the sort- and saving plenty of money on gas. Should make the 7 hour trek a little more enjoyable :) Hope you have a marvelous weekend. Congratulations to the sweet couple, Justin and Ashley!

Wow. Now this is talent.

Beautiful re-imagined princesses.

Food for thought.

Did you know Wednesday was National Chicken Dance Day?!

These look incredible.

The book that highlights the approach followed by the counselors at my new job. A great read, for anyone. Seriously, I can't stress it enough!

Love the sweet sass.


xo


Image found here //

the working woman

So... I started a new job on Tuesday! We are just in a trial training period for the first two months, but if it's a good fit, then I will have the pleasure of continuing to work at a local relationship counseling practice in their administrative office. I'm so grateful to have this opportunity to extend my skills set and make a little cash. I'm also happy to have a "normal" schedule, for the first time, um, ever... but I am a little nervous at how I will respond to balancing work and home- cooking dinner right when I get home, not having as much time and flexibility to run errands and spend time with other people, etc. But, hey, many women around the globe have done it for decades, so I know I'm not alone in learning to manage the chaos. Also... I'm kind of excited about buying some new nice work clothes (and actually having the money to do it!!) :) :)

xo


Image found here //

instashop discount!

I'm having a special on my Instashop today, and the deal ends tonight! Anyone who lives in Athens, GA is eligible to receive FREE 

1-day shipping*. See the image for details, and don't forget to comment on your favorite item!

xo

*Some rules apply
Image found here // (words added, mine)

two new adventurers

Guess where my two baby brothers are visiting this week??!.... INDIA! They left Saturday and I have been a worried and weepy big sister ever since. They have never truly been out of the country (sorry boys, family vacation to Cancun in 2007 does NOT count), and I just feel so proud of my little world explorers. They are with a group that is implementing a kids camp for the week, and you can follow their blog updates here. 

Grayson in the middle, riding the bus to the camp in Chennai

Jacob on the left, waiting in the airport with two of his teammates

Have you ever been to India? It is definitely on my list of top 5 places I want to visit asap, including Israel and the United Arab Emirates. After browsing through pictures on Pinterest, I am experiencing some serious wanderlust. For real, if you need a "daydream" break, simply search "India" on Pinterest. The beauty and energy is unbelievable. 

P.S. I've heard some hilarious stories about the Indian monkeys...

P.P.S. What a chic elephant! :)

P.P.P.S. (last one, I promise.) HA! Reminds me of Haiti...

xo

Image Source: 1. Painted Elephants // 2. Grayson and Friends // 3. Jacob and Friends //  4. Rainbow Door // 5.  Baby Elephant // 6. Looking into the Blue

Furniture Restoration Reveal: more than you bargain for

I set out on a yard-sale hunting adventure at a local neighborhood last weekend. Yard sales can be so hit or miss for me. I tried to keep my focus strictly on the (many) furniture pieces we need, and ended up going home with a bargain- $15 book shelf and $15 couch (score!). While the renovations on the book shelf ended up costing more and requiring way more effort than I had planned (why is this becoming the norm in these projects?!), I'm happy with the end result! 

I spent way too much money on paint, and still ran out before the job was done. So, I improvised by adding paper to the backs of the shelves. It'd be sweet to do a paper with a little more personality and a pattern, but I already had this paper in the house so we're keeping it simple! I love the natural wood on top, too. And, (surprise!) all of our books somehow fit on this one shelf. Magical.

xo

pretty in pink

I'm not usually this type of girl, and I don't really do these types of posts, BUT... I was scanning through some photos from the recent Met Gala and my jaw DROPPED when I saw Emma Stone. Can she do no wrong? Her style is so effortless but glamorous. She's been one of my top 3 favorite actresses for quite some time now, but this look just deepened (was that even possible?!) my love for her. Emma, be my bestie?

                                      

Also kind of obsessed with this... Rock those curves, Blake!

K I'm done. Thanks for allowing me to indulge for just a minute there ;)

xo

Image Source // 1. Pretty in Pink // 2. Whirl & Twirl // 3. Too Precious // 4. But that back! // 5. Like a goddess

the gift it is to be a nanny

Last week I said goodbye to 4 little people who have stolen my heart. When I started spending every day with them back in November, I didn't view this temporary situation as one that would grab hold of me so deeply. Now, 5-6 months later, my heart has grown bigger and my love deeper...

insta-giveaway!

My Instagram shop, @lovefromlombardis, is having a giveaway today! Check the instagram account for more details on how to enter and what you can win :)

Furniture Restoration Reveal: the little things

So this isn't a furniture renovation, but it's still one worth sharing! I found this old mirror at a thrift store for a decent price and absolutely loved the details. The shape and design gave me vision for what it could be, and I also felt a little inspiration from one of my sweet friends :) I forgot to take a picture before I started painted, so this is all I got for a "before!" Click below to see the final result...

have a sweet weekend

What are your plans for the weekend? We stayed in a hotel last night (courtesy of my dad who had a coupon for a free night that expired today), and it was nice to get away for a few hours from the clutter of our (still) unpacked apartment. My mom is visiting tomorrow, so I am hoping with our powers combined we can really make some progress! She's wanting to stop here for lunch. Whatever your plans, hope you enjoy the gorgeous weather!

A great article for the parents who volunteer at their childrens' school.

What are you leaving behind?

Ooohh, good to know.

Love her humor on an otherwise stressful situation- I can totally see how my mommy friends could relate.

Ha- anyone ever feel like this?

Might be trying this this weekend- seems like a great, cheaper alternative to normal bathroom storage cabinets.

Get crafty!

Have you mastered the art of folding a fitted sheet? I tried for 30 minutes today and just couldn't get it right.

Would love to try these!

I made my own salad dressing last night, for the first time (photo above)!

xo

light and peace

"... to shine on those living in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the path of peace."

Luke 1:79

What a beautiful and powerful image! Jesus came to free us all from darkness and death. Thank you, God, for shining the light on me in the darkness. I am so thankful to not be enslaved to it, and to have Him as my guide on the path of peace.

xo

Image found here //