Weekend in Charlotte

I’m posting here to announce the BEST WEEKEND EVER in Charlotte. How I
ever drove away on Monday afternoon is beyond me.  That guy is
something else.  That’s probably why I’m marrying him. In 51 DAYS!
Whoa.

It is a strange thing walking into your future apartment and being
allowed to hang stuff on walls and move furniture and having very
important conversations about whether that ‘thing’ is a rug or a
tapestry and does it belong on the wall or the floor.

By the way, I think it’s best as a tapestry, and I assure you would
look great on the wall. Danny does not agree. See below.

Tapestry? (Danny painfully agrees to demonstrate).



Rug? (I painfully agree to lay the small tapestry at a slight diagonal
under the table to demonstrate its use as a rug).



To be honest, it will NOT remain in either location, but it was a fun
exercise in decorating together.

While he may not be on the tapestry train, he does have quite good
taste, and I look forward to hopefully making our space a cozy
reflection of our combined aesthetic. {I’ve been reading too many
design magazines.}

Our weekend also involved a belated Valentine date to the Liberty
(yummy!) and the movie “The Vow”.

I have this thing where I really fight crying at movies. I just find
it awkward to walk around with puddles of mascara under my eyes in a
public place. I made it about ¾ of the way through “Courageous”, but
that movie really wore me down! I was pleased that I had actually made
it all the way through “The Vow” with no crying, but alas there was
some serious tear duct build-up. And then, an abundance of crying and
hugging in the car. Needless to say, I really liked the movie. And I
really like my fiancé.

Other things we did during my visit included brunch, red velvet
waffles for dessert, a rotisserie chicken joint, more brunch, two
Insanity workouts (I'm still alive!), and a dance lesson! You can
add to the list of his noncritical but awesome qualities that
D has rhythm and is a fast learner.

And that is our weekend in a very big nutshell.

I love D.C., but I am so excited to get myself down to Charlotte to
start our life together!

P.S. I am really hoping to revamp this blog soon and begin posting
more often. It’s on my post-wedding ‘list’. So stay tuned . .

Valentine Wishes

Valentine's Day is just five short days away, and I have been spotting a number of love-ly gifts that I would be oh so happy to receive. Of course, all I really want is dinner, a movie ("The Vow" please) and cuddle time with D . . and I am set to have it, if even a few days after the holiday.

But I thought, for fun, I'd still share the things I've been eyeing / craving this week. They may not be all red or romantic, but they have one thing in common - I'm loving them!

First up, Gorjana Love Ring Set. I don't have the longest fingers, so these dainty rings would be perfect.

Source: shopbop.com via Laura on Pinterest

#2. Asos Pink Patent Watch. A pop of pink is always appropriate.

Source: us.asos.com via Laura on Pinterest

#3. Crosley iSolo Radio. How cute is this guy? He doesn't just play the radio, he plays your iPod/iPhone, and streams Pandora.

Source: amazon.com via Laura on Pinterest

#4. Another watch! Dying over this beauty. Nixon's Time Teller Watch.

Source: shop.nordstrom.com via Laura on Pinterest

#5. Kate Spade 'Mrs' Necklace. How appropriate is this? Well, maybe not for a couple more months.

Source: Uploaded by user via Laura on Pinterest

#6. Handwoven Turkish Beach Towel. Can you tell I'm dreaming about my honeymoon already? I want the aqua color! Or the pink!

Source: wantist.com via Laura on Pinterest

#7. Coral Kate Spade Studs. I could never have too much coral! {It's one of my wedding colors.}

Source: katespade.com via Laura on Pinterest

#8. A very cool D.C./Maryland map.

Source: 20x200.com via Laura on Pinterest

#9. Candy, of course! I am always craving some cinnamon bears.

#10. And finally and completely cliche . . CHOCOLATE! To be specific, I'd love some dark chocolate wafers.

Hope your Valentine's Day is high calorie and full of fun!

On the actual holiday, I will be fiance-less and curled up on a couch with my girlfriends re-watching a series we LOVE - "Friday Night Lights". I think chocolate and wine will most definitely be involved.

Hiding Place

Ok . . I’m going to write a post with no pictures. Just say no to picture pressure. It’s part of why I rarely blog anymore. That, and this blog ain’t pretty. But I’m doing this for me. I know I have very few readers anymore, but is that really why I blogged in the first place? I lost sight of why I began blogging, but I want to come back.

I know I’ve said it before but long-distance wedding planning + a wedding workout plan + pre-marital reading and counseling + a long-distance relationship + a full-time job + job-hunting + an upcoming move + a gazillion expenses = A LOT.  There are normally a million thoughts running through my brain, but now? It’s a little out of control.

The importance of silence cannot be underestimated. I absolutely need those times where I get quiet, mentally put each and every thought on the shelf, sit before the Lord and say “I’m ALL Yours. Talk to me.”

That list up there is all important, but He’s the most important. He loves me, AND He’s got it all under control.

I could plan my wedding down to the last detail, but what matters is the covenant I will make before the Lord that day and preparing my heart for that.  

I could work out every day and be the healthiest I’ve ever been, but my identity and beauty is in Him.

I could read a million books and talk to a dozen people about marriage, but above all, I will need to be sensitive to the Holy Spirit’s guidance and receive His grace on a daily basis If I’m to be a godly wife.

I could apply for a hundred jobs, but He knows which one is right for me and when to open that door.

I could save as much as possible to pay for the honeymoon, the ring, furniture, moving, and more, but why stress when He is my provider, and He will give me everything I need?

And you know what? This wedding and this life isn’t all about me. In the midst of the busyness, I want to love God and love people.

So life may be busy and crazy, but sitting at His feet each day . . that’s where it’s at! It’s not busy and crazy there. It’s sweet, it’s peaceful, . . my very own hiding place with my very best friend. All else just fades away. . .

Psalm 143:8 "Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in you. Show me the way I should go, for to you I entrust my life."

2 Samuel 22:31 “As for God, his way is perfect: The LORD’s word is flawless; he shields all who take refuge in him.”

Psalm 91:1 “Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the LORD, “He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.”

Mark 1:35  “It was very early in the morning and still dark. Jesus got up and left the house. He went to a place where he could be alone. There he prayed.”