Fall Fever

Hello Blogging Buds! I'm sure if you live around the South, you are SO with me when I proclaim I AM READY FOR FALL!! I do love the heat and sun of summertime, but I've got Fall Fever BAD this year. I'm ready for the changing colors, pumpkins and spice scents, cooler temperatures, football - ya get it.

Since I've caught "tha fevah", I went ahead and began my home transformation over this past weekend. I mean, what a way to usher out the last weekend if summer (not really, but unofficially) than to throw up some fall foliage and lights, right?

Take a look at my fall frenzy mantel (& excuse the iPhone quality photo). This so simple look took all of 5 minutes. All I used were:
1 - set of white lights with brown cord
2 - two leaf garlands I bought on sale a few years back
3 - my olive jars from Willow House (formerly Southern Living at Home)
4 - my new "H"s from my dear friend Kelly
5 - twigs that the Mr picked up while exploring with the pup

In a nutshell, I had all these lovlies at home, combined them and tah-dah, a beautiful look for the fall. Now all we need is a TV to join the party ;).

How are you decorating your digs for the cooler temps? Any suggestions for other parts of the house?

Good Times & God Bless,
Steph

Blogging From The iPhone

Hey readers!

I'm super excited to share that I'm blogging from my iPhone! Hoping this allows me to post more... Off to explore the new app!

Good times & God Bless!
Steph

Red IS My Color

The title of this blog is something that many of you think you already know – Red IS My Color.  Yeah, I've worn red my entire life… especially in the fall.  (GO DAWGS & ROLL TIDE)  This red is a different kind of red – this red is Mary Kay RED.

When I first began my Mary Kay business at the end of March this year, I decided that I wanted to go as far as possible, as fast as possible. (Besides, who wouldn't want aFREE caddie in PINK?!)  One of my first milestones just happened last week when I received my official promotion to Senior Beauty Consultant.  I was awarded my Mary Kay beauty coat and given my pin enhancer.  I'll be honest, I was a happy, but not super excited.  All that meant to me was that I was halfway to my first goal… (my go big or go home goal) but that all changed on Tuesday. 

Let me begin the SUPER EXCITING part by saying this: my mom is amazing.  She has been SO supportive of my business being an excellent customer and spreading the word about the Mary Kay opportunity.  Well, she finally was able to be rewarded as a talent scout when she helped me recruit my third team member this week!  This put me to my next promotion, Star Recruiter, helped me achieve my first HUGE milestone and put me into my RED JACKET!  Now many of you think I'm nuts because I'm so excited about a red jacket, and that is understandable.  All I can say is know that it is a big deal.  I'm moving as fast as I possibly can to hit goals that will put me on target to debut as a Sales Director in January – changing my red to blue!

I am so excited that God placed such an amazing opportunity in my life to help be support my soon-to-be family (soon is an understatement… we are down to 51 days folks!), to help me grow in such an amazing way and to allow me to meet such amazing women. 

Some other exciting news on the Mary Kay front is that I will be going on target for my first car in August (yes, this August… as in two days from now).  My team is a strong one and I am so blessed to be able to work with such amazing women. 

Good Times & God Bless, 
Steph

Tybee 2010: Report 1

Oh Tybee, how we adore you! The trip has been a BLAST so far and we still have an entire we of fun in the sun!

Just a quick update...

Reception Tables

About a month ago, someone asked me about how the wedding was going... The conversation went a little like this:
     Other: "How is the planning coming along?"
     Steph: "Pretty much done... Need to get rolling on my invites, but other than that I'm good."
     Other: "You have everything? Caterer? Flowers? Linens?"
     Steph: "Oh yeah! My cousin is catering, Brandon's aunt is doing the flowers & we registered for all out linens."
     Other: "Uh, I meant linens for the reception tables..."
     Steph: "Ohhhh.... Forgot about those. Oops!"

I knew that tables needed to be covered at wedding receptions, but I didn't think about WHO was responsible for it. Guess I just assumed it was gonna get done. Ha!

I started my search for the best fit. Like I said in the invitation post (see here), I want the simple, southern, elegance theme throughout - I want people to be comfortable, but think "how nice!"... Got it?

To tie in to the "Simple" & "Southern" part of the theme, the tables will be decorated with antique mason jars of all sizes! I just love the old blue shade the glass has... It also leads to a little more casual feel.

There are going to be three different heights on our tables that will scatter throughout the room on the 15 tables. The first is the short look - blending fall leaves with an overturned Mason jar. (Please excuse the bad pictures and horrible arranging skills I have... just imagine perfection here.)

The second is two medium sized Mason jars, one holding flowers - spider mums, etc - and one overturned.

The third is one large Mason jar with tall glads.

To tie it all together, here is the picture i found of the table layout I wanted. I love the look of this table! It is simple & was exactly the inspiration I needed... Instead of the blue, we are going with black.

Whew... Tablescapes are hard work!  What were your tables like at your reception?  Any thoughts on mine? 

Good Times & God Bless,
Steph

Wedding Invitations

September 19th is quickly approaching (82 days for you folks who are counting down) & I'm getting super excited! Sometimes I'm nervous, others calm - just cannot wait!!

In order to have a HUGE yet budget wedding, I decided one way to cut costs would be to make my own invitations. Wanting them to follow along with the theme - Simple Southern Elegance. I found a really cute idea for the invites at Michaels and decided I'd give them a shot. Making my changes in the ribbon color and invitation selection, they are EXACTLY what I was looking for!

The best part is the price! With coupons and a selection of a little cheaper ribbon, the total for all the invitation supplies is right at $200... Saves me a nice chunk of change all while giving me the simplicity I was going for (and allowing me to throw my crafting skills in to the mix).

First, I printed the information on the invitations by following the instructions provided in the invitation box. All it takes is a little formatting in word and you're all set! Then, I cut the ribbons to fit around the invites for a little pop of color...


Secured them with glue dots and poof! My perfect Simple Southern Elegance wedding invitations!! I also made the response cards, printed the return address on the envelope and made the cute little "info" squares to let guests know about our wedding website where the bulk of the information can be found.

What special touches did you add to your wedding invitations?
Good times & God bless,

Steph

Moooving Aint No Fun...

... So I'm staying put for the next couple of years!

Hello blogging world! Whew... We are in and the new digs are super-amazingly-fantastic! (Like my new word?)

Let me start with a quick shout out to ALL of the family and friends who helped out (Keith, Tim, Timbo, Deb, Adrian, Waters, Kevin & Ma for watching the granddog). We appreciate ALL the help and would've never been able to get it done without you!!

As we started unpacking everything I decided that the walls were going to have to stay the plain ol' creamy color for a while - I have no energy or time to tackle that right now. Slowly, but surely, things are being unpacked and pictures are making their way to the walls - it's so nice!!!

Here are a couple of quick pictures of the place. Note, it is no where near being finished on the decorating end.

Living Room

Dining Room

Kitchen

Mary Kay Office

Stop on by for a tour anytime! :)

Good times & God bless,
Steph