Shameless Self-Promotion

     Do you ever get really exciting news…and then realize it’s not as great as you thought?   Thanks, Google Reader.  The other day I’m prowling around my Bloglovin’, and I see that my followers have jumped pretty dramatically from where they were last time I looked (…11).  While I was in the middle of my self-congratulatory party I remembered why.   In just a couple of days Google Reader will be leaving us forever (*weeping and gnashing of teeth*), and even though I’ve pretended like it’s not real for months now…I’m guessing it will happen anyway.  That being said, if you still want to hang out (and I really hope you do) you’ve got just a couple of options:

the aforementioned Bloglovin’

the newly fascinating (to me) Twitter

the Facebook I’ve been neglecting but will do better about

aaaaaaaaand

Feedburner…for people who understand it better than I do

     There you have it, friends…all the ways to keep up.  Aaaaaand, just in case you need a little teaser as to why you should be sticking around…

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WEDDING PHOTOS ARE IN!

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I finally have more to talk about than just the progress of my living room!

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I’ve still got lots of New Orleans to talk about.

     Shameless begging and self-promotion – check.  I’ll see you around friends.  If you need me, I’ll be trying to figure out the least time consuming way to make sure I’m still subscribed to all my faves.

Eighteen Months Later

     …and eighteen months later…we’re married!  I know long stretches without posts have become something of a regularity around here, but I had a good excuse this time.  On Saturday Keith and I spent the most wonderful day with our families and friends celebrating our wedding.  We are so excited and definitely looking forward to our future together.  I absolutely cannot wait to share pictures with you and will be doing that just as soon as I get my hands on them.  Our photographer, Sarah Linnea Photography, was so much fun to work with and has already posted a few sneak peaks on her Facebook page!


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(Please do not crop or edit these photos or remove the watermark.  Sarah deserves every single bit of credit for these amazing shots.)

     I am just about to go bonkers to see the rest of these pictures!  Thankfully, I was able to take my mind of the waiting game for a few days while we honeymooned in New Orleans.  Neither of us had ever been, and it was so fun to explore a new place together.  I will be posting about our trip just as soon as I can.  If you’ve never been…book  your trip now.
     I had planned to have a series of posts about the rehearsal dinner, wedding, details, honeymoon, etc., but as is my custom, I forgot to take a single picture of the rehearsal dinner (I had the cutest dress…I’ll get a picture sometime) and spent the wedding day drinking coke and eating a sandwich (we keep it classy) until it was time to walk down the aisle.  I guess all of my posts will be depending on actual wedding photos…oh well, just another excuse to share them!
     I’m going to get to work on the New Orleans post(s) right now…after I eat some cake and hang out with my husband.  For now, I’ll leave you with a little sneak peak:

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     I have maybe five pictures of the newlyweds…and maybe a million and five of food and buildings…priorities? 

Fathers’ Day

     I have loved getting to read some of your sweet Fathers’ Day posts, and the Facebook pictures of everyone with their dads have been so adorable…but hold on to your hat people.  I have something better than pictures (a good thing since my daddy isn’t a fan of them anyway)…

Daddy,
     Thank you.  Please don’t think that those two words are a cop out, and that I don’t want to list lots of fabulous things you do for me…they’re the only ones that can really encompass all of it.  You have set the standard for every man in my life, and not many can compare.  The term “jack-of-all-trades” does not even begin to describe you, but it' might be the closest I can get.  I’m so thankful to have known for my entire life that you love all of us so much.  Love is not perfectly eloquent words (although you do have a way with words).  Love is the thoughtful way you’ve led our family for the past twenty-seven years.

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My daddy got these for us to use at the wedding…who else would think of going to the sawmill, talking to the worker for a half hour, and coming back with something this perfect?! 

Let’s review:
     1.  Jack-of-all-trades.
          - Found awesome tree pieces for my wedding
          - Knows the answer to every questions (always ask Daddy first…then Google)
          - Makes incredible baked spaghetti
          - Is the artist of 90% of the art hanging on the walls in our house
          - Made a beautiful headboard and matching side tables for their bed (I’ll have to show you pictures!)
          - Need I go on?

     2.  Watches Frasier with me.

     3.  Laughs at all my jokes…even if I have to ask him to.

     4.  So. stinking. smart. 

     I’m getting married this weekend, but I will always need my daddy.  Always.  Who else is going to fix my computer?!  I surely do love you!

My Newest Obsession

     Are you all ready for a break from my living room progress posts?  (I am.)  If you remember, several weeks ago I told you about a company I had just learned about – eFoxCity.  Well…I’ve been chatting with them again, and wanted to share a few new things with you.  First things first, I am loving the necklace I ordered from them and will definitely be sporting it soon.  I chose this little gem…
     I have to admit, I was a little wary of ordering from a company that I wasn’t familiar with, and because it’s overseas, the length of the journey my necklace had to travel had me a little worried, but my necklace arrived and exceeded my expectations.  The metal is heavier and sturdier than I expected and looks just as it does in the photo.  While I haven’t ordered anything but jewelry, I would not hesitate to take a look if I was shopping for clothes online, (super popular) chiffon dresses, and even wedding dresses 2013…there is nothing wrong with doing things on a budget, and eFoxCity can certainly help you out.  They maintain excellent quality control and standards and have been so welcoming to my little blog.  I have had so much fun browsing the jewelry selection and will definitely be adding to my growing collection very soon! 

How cute are these?  I’m quickly developing a necklace obsession.
     I hope you get a chance to check them out, and if you have any questions please feel free to shoot me an email!
*eFoxCity compensated me for this post with my choice of one piece of jewelry from their selection.  All opinions are my own and based on previous experience.*

We Can Do This

     I feel like lately my blog has become “Watch the progress of Allyson’s living room.”  Last week I told you about my new fave store and the rug I scored for less than $20, and after slacking for a whole week…I can finally show it to you!
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That pink blob is my purse…not (unfortunately) the start of my throw pillow collection.
     I am obsessed with this rug.  I was expecting it to be kind of rough and not too comfortable to walk on, but it is surprisingly soft.  My next order of business is to find a fun ottoman for in front of the couch.  I really want something like this…
     With all the neutrals we’ve got going on, I would love it in a color (maybe blue…or a shade of orange…).  Speaking of colors, I have had zero luck finding cute throw pillows (and by “cute” I mean reasonably priced and not ugly).  I guess moving in without throw pillows wouldn’t be the end of the world, right?
     Let’s switch gears entirely.  Our wedding is in…two weeks!  Shockingly (mostly to myself), I am just not that stressed.  Everything is done (except those things that have to be last minute), and we are just so ready to get there.  I am so excited about my bridesmaids’ and attendants’ gifts, and I cannot wait to share them with you, but I’ll be keeping it under my hat until later.  I don’t think I’m some sort of celeb and that they’re going to stalk me find out (except my sister…I see you, Natalie), but I would still rather wait awhile.  Also…I haven’t written the post yet so…
     Hint, they all came from Tiny Tulip.  I was so impressed with how quick everything arrived, and their prices are so great!  I’ll definitely be making a few purchases of my own I think…
How cute are these?!  I would carry either (or both) of these in a red, hot minute.
Two weeks, y’all.  We can do this.

Bargain Time

     I’m not going to lie.  I have been finding it very difficult to get in touch with my blogging mojo lately.  I haven’t really been in a craft mood (I’m embarrassed to tell you how long it’s been since I’ve gotten out my sewing machine.), and I just can’t think of cutesy clever ways to tell you about how this weird transitional time has just not been the most fun I’ve ever had.
     What I am eager to tell you about is my fave new shopping experience.  I’m a sucker for a bargain.  We have a new store in town called Dirt Cheap (it sounds tacky…kind of is…but hang with me for a minute).  The whole premise is that they buy overstocks, insurance claims, salvage etc. from other stores and resell it.  Ours has got a ton of stuff from Target, and I am excited about it.  Today I got a 5x8 rug for $16.43!  I am so excited to put it in my new living room!

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     My living room vision is really coming together.  Because the couch is so light, I want to get tons (or a reasonable few) throw pillows to brighten it up.  I’m also thinking that I want to do lots of different shades of neutrals in different textures.  We have hardwood floors that are pretty dark (here), and the couch is pretty light (here), so I’m thinking this rug will bring them together nicely.  Also, I’ve fancied up some lamps with a can of oil rubbed bronze spray paint and new shades from (where else?) Target via Dirt Cheap.  I’ll take a picture tomorrow.

     I also got two dresses from the short-lived The Webster at Target collection (for way less than Target tried to sell them…)


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(Actually a shorter version of this…that is not nearly so low cut with a sort of ruffle-type thing at the neckline.  Obviously I couldn’t find a picture of it.)

          Places like this always suck me in.  I could spend way too much time and money on “bargains” which are such a good deal…and totally unnecessary.  In unrelated news, I got new lavender nail polish so I’m taking a (short) break from my signature red toes to try it out…loving it so far. 

TWENTY DAYS, Y’ALL!