MIA

Literally.  I was in Miami for work...

Ok.

I have definitely been MIA, too.  But work and Norman (and Matt on the weekends) have been coming first and this blog was put on the back burner for a couple of weeks.

So what have we been up to?

• I went to Miami the week before Super Bowl for work.  It was a blast to get out of the office (it had been awhile!) and head down to warmer weather, to not only work on a great event, but to work with fabulous clients and colleagues.  We had a good time!
• Matt and I celebrated our first Valentine's Day as husband and wife.  We took Norman to my parents house for the night and just did whatever our hearts desired.  First stop, Mulligan's for wings.  Then we headed to Saratoga for some bowling.  Drinks at Monarch and finally dinner at The Post. We had so much fun!  No time restrictions, no bed time or wake-up call.  The night was our own and we definitely took full advantage.
• Our friends Joe and Kelly got engaged (yay!) and we were able to celebrate with them over the weekend.  So excited for their October wedding!
• Norman is really starting to get the hang of this "training" thing, thanks to puppy class and my dad.  He is getting neutered next week, so we're hoping this calms him down a bit.  We shall see!
• This Thursday will mark me and Matt's 5-year anniversary!  I can't believe that we have been together for this long.  Our love grows by the day and we have really enjoyed being married and building a home together.  And yes, we will always celebrate this anniversary with something small, i.e. a dinner or cards, because it marks an important part of our lives - meeting each other.  I never want to let this day pass without celebrating "us".

That's all for now.  More wedding pictures and home improvement pictures to come this week!

DIY Headboard

Headboards are awesome.

You know what's even more awesome?  Headboards that you make yourself.  That's right.  Matt and I made a headboard for our guest room bed.  We already had the frame (thanks Dad!) and bought foam, batting, fabric and a staple gun.  Seriously, this is all you need to create your own headboard and provide a dramatic change to any room.

One old headboard

Some good old foam (found at any fabric or craft store)

Fabric!  A queen size bed usually calls for 2 yards

Wrap the headboard with foam

Put batting over the foam to hold it in place

Wa-la!

On to the fabric

And the finished product!

Looks awesome, huh!?

Let's take a look at everything put together...

Closer? Alright!

Still can't see?  This may help!

And then we used the leftover fabric for some picture frames

This room has definitely come a long way since...

We still need to buy more decor (vases, wall frames, etc.), but it's looking fabulous!

16 Weeks Old!

The time has come.  Norman is 16 weeks old and losing his puppy teeth!  What a sweet, sweet sight for sore eyes (mine, in particular).  The thought of no more war wounds on my hands, or rips in my favorite clothes, makes me one happy mama.  Not only are things changing in his mouth, but he continues to grow by the day.  Norman downs his breakfast and dinner faster than I can say "check your bowl".  I'm sure he is nearing 30 lbs and I can't wait to find out at his next vet appointment.  So let's see how much my guy has grown, shall we?  Here are a few pictures that definitely show the drastic change; you can tell by just looking at his face.

8 weeks

12 weeks (I think)

and now, at 16 weeks

His head has gotten so big!  Here are some more pictures of my 16-week old pup....

Happy Sunday!

Lucky

Alright, folks!  I'm finally ready (i.e. have time) to post my favorite pictures from the wedding.  I can't believe it's taken me three months to do this, but what can you do...

Luckily for me and Matt, October 24th was the nicest day of the month this year.  October was full of clouds, rain and bitter cold, but for some reason, on our Saturday, the clouds opened up and the sun came out.  We were definitely being looked down upon on our special day.

The morning started out at my parent's house in Chesterfield.  All of my bridesmaids came over to get ready with me and oddly, I felt so comfortable.  I wasn't nervous, I wasn't scared, I was incredibly happy and at ease.  And being around my family and closest friends definitely helped.

Before all the make-up

My amazing parents

Make-up and hair: check!

Love my Cooper and he loves me.  Doesn't he look so handsome in his bow tie??

My hairpiece was my "something borrowed" from Aray.

My dad's tux.  Love the H-Diddy. Talk about custom made!

H-Diddy's a ladies man

Thank goodness the counter didn't break

Matt's ring

Great friends

Purple shoes (let me rephrase, UNCOMFORTABLE purple shoes)

My beautiful, amazing and talented mother

What?  Matt and Stevie are "saying I do"?

What a good lookin' group of guys

My handsome Matt, love that smile

Tears of joy

Getting ready for "the walk" with my youngest bridesmaid, Sydney

What a magical day!  And this post is officially really long, so ceremony and reception pictures will come in another post.

Until then!

Guest Room Additions?

Like I've mentioned before.  It's so hard to hold off on decorating an entire room!  I want to buy everything at once so I can finish the project and move on.  But, I have come to realize that it takes time to furnish a room with interesting trinkets and wall decor.  So, my goal for the guest room and master bedroom is to take. my. time.  I'm not going to rush into purchases...when I find something I like, I'll think about it before handing over my worn out credit card.

But today, I have found these two beauties. 

Found here.  There is so much wall space in this room and I think this votive holder could be just the right purchase.  It would look lovely above the custom-made headboard I'm currently working on!

Found here.  I just adore the simplicity of this vase set.

The weathered look I created definitely calls for a more rustic approach to guest room decor, which is not something I'm used to.  I tend to lean torwards contemporary and modern pieces, but have officially decided to leap out of my comfort zone.  How will I do?  Only time will tell, my loyal readers (all five of you, haha).

So what do you think of the two pieces above?  Any other suggestions/ideas I can work with?

The 24th

Today, as I sit on the couch incredibly hungover, I can't help but think back on these last three months.  Why?  Well, three months ago, I married my best friend and MAN has the time flown by.  So much has happened...

House updates/projects/makeovers

Reunions with old friends

Weber's Holiday Party and The Relations

Matt's 29th birthday at Harvest

Quality time with family (my parent's have all of our Christmas and Thanksgiving pictures, I need to post them!)

H-Diddy

Cooper

Work trips to Atlanta and Houston where I met and worked with Tony Gonzalez and Matt Schaub

(Pics are at work, I'll get them up tomorrow)

Bangs!

A new family member, Norman

.....

Love

Growth

and Laughter

Matt and I have made many new memories in a mere three months.  I can't wait to see what else this first year of marriage has in store for us.  SPEAKING of marriage, and looking at these pictures, I realized I didn't post my favorite wedding pictures OR honeymoon pictures.  What was I thinking?!  Posts to come soon.