Bridal Shower

A group of my mom's sweet friends hosted a lovely shower for me on August 26th.  The shower was at Monica Shults' home, which was decorated beautifully as usual!  Nan Clem created the most precious invitations displaying cowboy boots underneath a wedding dress. 

 Hostesses L-R:  Melinda French, Penny Smothers, Monica Shults, Nan Clem, Karen Henley, Joyce Whitfield, Sherry Fisher, Jann Hubbard (not pictured)

Wonderful snacks and refreshing lemonade were offered to guests!  The hostesses gift to the bride and groom were a selection kitchen knifes.  Brad was especially excited about this as choosing them was his main contribution when registering for gifts!

  L-R: Barbara Ballard (my aunt), Sarah, Janice Carhart (my mom)

 

In fitting with the rustic theme, I donned a pair of cropped cowboy boots myself!  It's so much fun to get new outfits for special occasions like this,  I'm not sure if I'll wear this shiny dress again, but it was perfect for this shower! 

• Boots:  Ross Dress for Less several years ago
• Dress:  Ross Dress for Less $7.99
• Earrings: TJ Maxx $10

This was such a beautiful shower!  Thanks to Kristin Shults for writing a list for me for thank you notes!  I wish I had more pictures of this shower, but my camera was being difficult!

 

$ Sarah's Steals & Deals $

It sure felt like fall when I took the dogs out this morning and was pretty chilly! I think it's time for a new coat.  This gorgeous wool herringbone coat by Ivanka Trump is on sale today for only $54.99, which is almost half price.  With free shipping this is a steal!  This is definitely a contender!

This would be great dressed up with your LBD, tights and boots, paired with red cords for the next Razorback game or even daily to the office.

Here is the link for the deal:   Ivanka Trump Herringbone Coat

Razorback Couple's Party

Brad's sister Ali and Ross welcomed us into their home and put together a great party with Holly, Mark and Anna.  The food was amazing, drinks were plentiful and company was perfect! 

 

L-R: Ross, Ali, Sarah, Brad, Holly, Mark, Anna

 

Check out this spread!  I grabbed the pics courtesy of Ali's Blog Project Game Day.  (Be sure to check out PGD for the latest on Razorback tailgating!)

 

 

These were truly the BEST cupcakes I have ever had.  Holly made them and everyone raved about them.  She and Ali are teaming up to make them for the wedding and I am beyond thrilled!

 

 

L-R: Kellye, Anna, Sarah, Amy, Susi

I'm really looking forward to marrying this guy!  We received so much fun Razorback stuff at the party and had fun catching up with friends.  Wish I would have taken more pictures of everyone there!

 



$ Sarah's Steals & Deals $

Kitchen & Garden Shower July 21, 2012

I received so many compliments on this dress at the shower and again when I wore it out to dinner.  It looks like it came straight from Anthropologie.  Paired with nude heels, bright red polish and a loose braid it provided that vintage feel that I was going for.  I will add a better shot of the shoes later!

• Dress:  Ross Dress for Less $9.99 
• Shoes:  Ross Dress for Less $16.99
• Earrings: TJ Maxx on sale $10

When I lived in Texas I typically went to Ross just for shoes and home decorator stuff.  Since getting a Ross Store here in Hot Springs, I have been obsessed!

I'm thinking of pairing this dress with either metallic or leather flat sandals for our honeymoon.  This fall it will be precious with tights and a cardigan.  I love buying versatile pieces that take you from one season to the next!

What's your most versatile piece?

Kitchen & Garden Party

The Red Oak Fillin Station served as a perfect backdrop for this Kitchen & Garden Party.

Brad's aunt Sandy selected this venue with our vintage rustic wedding theme in mind. 

Guests enjoyed flavored tea in mason jars and warm cobbler topped with vanilla ice cream reminiscent of a true Ice Cream Social. 

The hostesses gave a beautiful Cynthia Rowley watering can with garden tools. It was filled with fresh flowers from Texas and fresh rosemary from Pam's garden that filled the room with a wonderful aroma. There was also a cardinal hanging in the arrangement, a sweet memento of Brad's grandmother Willa.       

Sarah with the Hostesses & Jr. hostesses L to R: Sandy Sutton, Katherine, Amy Horner, Carissa, Calynn, me, Ellie & Pam Wendland     

Although this is not the best picture of me, it is one of my favorites from the shower!  My sister Rachel is sitting next to me (She has been married for seven years and is expecting a little boy in December).  Refrigerator dishes are these amazing vintage glass dishes that sometimes came inside your new fridge back in the day.  I have wanted a set of these forever. Apparently Rachel did too :)  Thanks so much to my Mammaw, I will treasure these always!

 



L-R: Monica, Rachel, Sarah, Janice and Georgia in front

 

L-R: (back) Rebekah, Monica, Patsy, Beverly, Jenny, Rachel, Sarah, Janice & Barbara  

(front) Cora & Georgia

 

 L-R: Ellie, Pam, Ali, Sarah, Ila, Sandy

 

L-R: Ali, Ila, Sarah, Beverly, Holly

 

Like the true gentleman that he is, Brady showed up to haul all the gifts.  We received so many wonderful things and are thankful to have so many loving people support us as we venture into the next chapter of our lives! 

 

Be sure to visit Sandy Sutton Blogs for Sandy's post of the shower and other great interior design posts!

$ Sarah's Steals & Deals $

Family Wedding Shower July 19, 2012

 

With so many wedding events on the calendar, and wanting to wear something new to each one I had to rely on my frugle ways to get me through it!  Here's what went down for the family shower:

• Dress: Ross Dress for Less $11.99
• Belt: Vintage lizard belt from Brad's Nana (check your local Goodwill or even Habitat for Humanity for fun vintage finds like this)
• Shoes: Ross Dress for Less $22.99 (sorry you can't see all of them- they are precious wedges with camel colored leather straps and a striped heel)
• Necklace: Swirly Monogram Jennifer Zeuner inspired (birthday gift from Brady)



Where is your favorite place to find deals?

Showered With Love

The wedding season started strong in July with our first shower!  My uncle Jimmy, aunt Beverly and cousins Jenny and Bethany hosted a wonderful shower for us out on their farm.
 

L-R: Brad, me, Jenny, Beverly (holding Caroline) & Bethany

I love that whenever my family throws a shower it always includes the men of the family and is centered around a meal!  I could feel the love that went into preparing the meal for this shower!  I'm sure the entire spread was apetizing, but as usual I honed in on the meat and bread!  Jimmy grilled delicious chicken and Beverly made homemade biscuits! 

 My Perfect Meal: chicken, biscuit, BBQ sauce & pink lemonade

 

Yummy Dessert



 
Jenny did such a wonderful job on the decorations!  She's one of the few people I know that actually turns her pins into reality!  The tissue paper flowers were a big hit with the little girls!

Me & Jenny

 

If only we had 30 harvest tables for the wedding reception!

 

Adorable Kids Table 

 

Beverly covered the top in paper so the kids can color directly on the table.  Such a smart idea!  There were also some Cinderella coloring pages available.  My second cousin Cody made Brad and I the cutest "happy birthday" sign at the shower :)

 

 

We received so many great things to start our home together.  Traditionally in our family our grandmother gives a vintage quilt to the engaged couple.  I love this tradition and look forward to keeping this quilt in our family for years to come!!

Our New Quilt

 

One of the things that attracted me to Brad was the importance he places on family!  I am so excited Brad is now a part of my family.  Here is a picture of most of my cousins (missed you Tim & Sarah B.) and our growing families!



 

This was the perfect way to start off our wedding season.  We are so blessed to have such a loving family!  

 

 

What has been your favorite wedding gift to give or receive? 

  

Do you have any wedding family traditions?