More Magical Moments

I was really thrilled to wake up this morning to an email from my great friend and wedding photographer Naomi. Photos from my wedding reception last month have been finished, and I'm so excited to share a few more. Glancing through, I am reminded of how unbelievably fun that day was. Just, perfect. Family, friends, and unbridled fun. Memories to last a lifetime.

Steve's family (this is one of my favorite shots)

Dancing

 A much less dignified type of dancing

 My  momma

Some of my closest friends - we go way back

 Om nom nom cake

Who knows? 

My oldest (and most handsome) friend/ex-roommate, Greg 

My worse half Dave and I, in the throws of a singalong 

A happy man.

Hear Ye, Hear Ye!

Ladies and gentlemen, I have a big announcement - and it's not about my excitement over the newest batch of photos from our wedding, but I've included a few of them anyway because I want to share two things at once.

Decisions have been decided, things have been taken into consideration, sacrifices have been made, tears have been cried, plans have been put into action, and flights have been booked.
Steve and I are moving to England at the end of July.

It wasn't an easy decision, and it certainly isn't an easy process, but we finally bit the bullet and need to do what is best for the two of us - both now and in our future. As hard as it is going to be to pack up and leave, this is also the most exciting journey of our lives, and I am so so so thankful that we can be embarking on it together. We know that some people will be shocked, and some will be upset, and some will be sad, but right now we need the support of our close family & friends more than ever. Trust me, this is hard. But not going would be harder for us, both in the short and long run. We're going to do our best to see as much of our family & friends as possible before we leave, so please don't hesitate to call/text/email if we can squeeze in a visit before the end of next month.

And once we get our own place across the pond, eventually, one and all will be welcome.



Other notable mentions: I am excited to announce that in August I will be launching a new blog. I'm using this opportunity to really pursue my love of writing and cooking, and the official announcement will follow once the website itself is somewhat finished/up & running.

Notable mention number 2: Did someone say SALE?? I'm going to be having a massive moving clearance in the shop, to minimize the amount of inventory that I will have to move. On top of that, I'll be having a closet sale! I'm not sure if it'll be on eBay or some other site yet, but I'm going to be cleaning out closets and getting rid of a lot! So stay tuned for that, because I have loads of cute stuff (mostly XS/size 0 things that I don't fit into anymore but couldn't bear to part with) that will be up for grabs. Fo CHEAP, yo.

Notable mention number 3: It is with the saddest of sad faces that I am looking for a new forever home for sweet little old Buggy. My dear kitty is not in good enough health to fly with us to our new home, and she would do best in a single-cat household. If anyone has or knows of a wonderful, calm, quiet, loving environment she could be a part of, please let me know! I want the absolute best for her, and my heart is breaking over the thought of saying goodbye to my sweet girl.

More updates to follow as the story develops. That's all for now, folks!

Photography by Naomi Huober

The Best Day: Part 1

So the big day arrived, complete with a hairstyle catastrophe and the need to double up on Spanx.

We're now "officially" church-married, and the sunny 85 degree weather this beautiful weekend in my Pennsylvania hometown made for the most memorable few days in the most beautiful place.

Here's a few of the first photos.... I'll try not to post TOO many :) 

Entering the church in the morning 

Happily ever after! 

The beautiful barn where our reception was held 

Our (second) first dance 

Photography by Naomi Huober

{check out her blog and hire her for your wedding! }

6 Weeks and Counting

This may have officially been the most exhausting weekend of my life. Basically, Steve and I took a 5 hour bus ride to my hometown in Pennsylvania for a marathon of wedding planning and his first time meeting most of my extended family. 

It was overwhelming but exciting to see all of the bits and pieces of our upcoming church wedding come to life, in one of the most beautiful places that I'm lucky enough to call my hometown. I can't believe that in only 6 weeks, that big barn will be where our families finally come together to celebrate what we've all waited so long and sacrificed so much for, in so many ways. 

Now I feel like I need a week to recover from all of the excitement & traveling (and celebrating), but it has been and will be all totally worth it! 

Oh, and Steve got to color Easter eggs for the first time. And our Easter basket was so big that we'll probably both get diabetes. Thanks, mom. 

The Next Chapter

I know I've been absent for almost 3 weeks, but I think I have pretty good excuses.

First, one week before my wedding day, I lost my day job. Cutbacks and downsizing are a bummer, and I learned this firsthand. I've been in a flurry trying to keep myself busy (and paid) with freelance gigs while searching for my next job.

Then....

My wedding day arrived(!), and I needed some time off for preparations, in-laws, and of course celebration. Now, I don't have a lot of my own photos, as I was too busy being nervous/getting married/drinking after the ceremony, but luckily I had the talents of Taylor Scott for my wedding photographer. 

I wore my grandmother's rings, and mink cape for  the wedding.

It was a small ceremony, City Clerk's office here in NYC. Which isn't small at all - it's sort of like a butcher shop for weddings: take a number (literally) and wait to be called. It was a hectic waiting period but my immediate family and friends made it for the most amazing day ever. Which is all I really wanted or needed. I had the most amazing reception/after party/celebration thanks to Whiskey Tavern and their big backyard, and even bigger hearts. Thanks, Rob, for making our big day so wonderful. 

The first week of this marriage thing has turned out to be a breeze. For our weekiversary, Steve and I anticipated going out somewhere nice, but after getting all dolled up, we ended up at the end of the night having a few drinks on our own couch and watching a movie. It doesn't take much :)