Katie Smith

Thursday, December 20, 2012

Life as of Late

Since I am the official worst blogger ever, I guess there are a few things to catch up on! This Fall has been a busy one for sure, filled with birthdays, weddings, friends visiting, football games and lots more (sorry this post will be picture overload, but I'm a little overdue)

Packing is somewhat coming to a close, although I feel like we will be scrambling Saturday morning before the truck arrives. I'm still not quite sure its hit me that we will no longer be DC residents in 48 short hours.

It will be a lot of fun to be able to go to our football games each Saturday without making the 4 hour drive. Bailey's obviously been inducted into the Wolfpack family too (my father is probably somewhere shaking his head)

Georgetown in the Fall is officially one of my most favorite places in the world. Austin and I are already discussing our plans for a trip back up next Fall!

We also celebrated my 24th (so depressing) birthday in November. As well as having one of my dearest friends and bridesmaids come visit from Chicago. Can't wait to reunite over Christmas!

As well as a wedding. I've never been to a wedding in December before, and I must say being the Christmas fanatic that I am, I loved seeing Christmas trees all lit up in the reception space!

Finally, this past weekend my mom came to visit us and take in some last moment DC tourism. We also were able to catch Les Miserables while they were here in DC. If you ever get a chance to go, do it. It was fantastic.

Tonight, we are giving packing a break and heading out for Happy Hour and dinner with some close friends before we say our goodbyes. Last day of work tomorrow!

Wedding Wednesday

I love reading other bride to be's blog posts about their "Wedding Wednesday" so I decided to give it a shot! Next week marks the 4 month countdown until we say "I do!" The exclamation point is intentional because I truly cannot wait to marry Austin. We will have been engaged for 19 months by the time our wedding rolls around, so it is definitely a well anticipated day for the both of us. We cannot wait to share it with all of our closest friends and family. It looks like I am going to be busy the next four months, because I still have quite a bit to do!

~~Set a date~~

~~Book venue~~

~~Book photographer~~

~~Book videographer- not doing one~~

~~Book Band for reception~~

~~Ask bridal party to be in wedding~~

~~Book caterer & bar- included at club~~

~~Create wedding website~~

~~Register~~

~~Book florist~~

~~Buy wedding dress~~

~~Book ceremony & cocktail hour musicians~~

Book rentals- meeting with Salt Harbor over Christmas vacation!

~~Take engagement pictures~~

~~Select bridesmaid dresses~~

Have bridesmaids order dresses
Select and order groom & groomsmen attire

~~Have groomsmen order suits~~

Select Groomsmen Ties- This. Will. Be. The. Death. Of. Me.
~~Purchase veil~~

~~Book cake baker~~
Hire coordinator – meeting with Salt Harbor over Christmas!

Buy cake knife & server- Let's be honest, this never crossed my mind

Order save the dates
Finalize guest list

~~Send save the dates~~

~~Book officiant~~

~~Pre-marital counseling~~

Order guest book- have something in mind :)

Hotel room blocks
Hire a calligrapher- THANKS MOM!

MOB & MOG dress shopping

~~Find wedding shoes~~

Find wedding jewelry- keeping it simple!

~~Find garter~~

~~Book makeup artist & hair stylist~~

~~Book hair and makeup trial appointment~~

~~Select Reception Food~~

Take bridal portraits – still deciding on this, necessary?

Dress Fitting- thankfully I think I only need one with the style of my dress, thankfully!

Order ceremony programs

Order invitations- picked out!

Mail invitations- early February

~~Book rehearsal dinner venue~~

Rehearsal Dinner music

Buy Rehearsal Dinner dress- waiting for Spring stuff to come out!

~~Bridal Party Transportation~~

Buy bridal party gifts

~~Bachelorette party – March! Woop Woop~~

Bachelor party- Boys working on this in March

Bridal Showers – Working on this! Early Spring

Purchase wedding bands- picked out!

~~Put together picture list for photographer~~

Get marriage license- YAY!

Order wedding favors- picked out

~~Book transportation from reception to hotel- next door to reception venue~~

~~Book honeymoon – IT’S A SURPRISE!~~

Honeymoon shopping

Gift for Groom- picked out

Rehearsal Dinner invitations- picked out

Music selections to band and ceremony artist

Book wedding night hotel room

Order thank you notes

Getaway Car

Walk down the aisle & say I do!

Is there anything I'm leaving out? I'm sure there is. In my opinion, sometimes weddings can get a wee bit ~~out of control~~ excessive. I'm all about trying to keep it simple. I try. I feel like these days there is so much pressure on having an over the top, extravagant wedding. Austin and I are practical people, er, we try to be. And some aspects of wedding costs I truly cannot wrap my head around. I read a great article the other day talking about having a "practical wedding". Do you really need that monogrammed aisle runner? Probably not. Do I see my mother showcasing a 24x30 bridal portrait of me over the fireplace? Probably not. At the end of the day, Austin and I will be husband and wife and that's really all I could ask for. As long as we don't forget the rings and the marriage license, the rest will fall into place. Right?

xoxo,

-Katie

Life Update

Okay, I am officially the worst blogger ever. I am trying to make a promise to myself to be better at it for the coming year. What. A. Year. 2012 has been a complete whirlwind. Does anyone else feel that way? It's still hard to wrap my head around that Christmas is less than a week away... In other news, we are making a big move. Again. This time, I am hoping it will be a little less stressful as we have an amazing opportunity to move back to our home state of North Carolina. God, I love the south. Living in DC for the past year (down to the day) has been absolutely incredible for Austin and I and we couldn't be any more grateful. However, being back down south will be truly wonderful.

Austin has accepted a transfer position with the same company he works for here in DC. We make the four hour trek first thing Saturday morning. Moving back to NC is going to be bittersweet for so many reasons. Bitter: we were in a groove up here, met some great friends and learned a lot about ourselves and each other. Sweet: I'm a family person and simply cannot WAIT to be closer to the ones that mean most to us.

I am so excited for all that lies ahead for us. We get married in four months and move into our new home this week. I hope to blog about all of our experiences along the way. It was such fun for me to look back at my blog posts earlier in the year when we were first adjusting to DC life.

xoxo,

Katie

Flat Out Crazy

Where has this month gone? I could have sworn July 4th was yesterday, and here we are approaching August. That only means one thing...slowly my mind is shifting to Fall. It is my favorite season, and with the recent heat we have had lately, will be thrilled to see it come. Fall is great for many reasons, especially adorable flats with skinnies!

Here are a few pairs I am lusting after...

via

via

Which are your favorite? I'd love one of each :)

xoxo,

Katie

Welcome Summer!

And by "Welcome Summer" I mean welcome serious heat wave. The past week has boasted temps in the low 100's. WHEW. I haven't blogged in awhile, this I know. I'll try to get better about it. I feel like a kid waiting on Christmas. We are leaving this evening for an entire week in North Caroline. I cannot wait to enjoy the 4th of July, friends, sunshine and wedding planning galore.

With the hot forecase ahead, what sorts of things do you do to stay cool? First on my list is a trip to buy Bailey pup a baby pool for the back deck. Something I am sure she is to love. Here are some other ways I plan to stay cool for the 4th...

Cool Cocktails...

Watermelon Frosty

I came across this on Pinterest last week, and I have to say, what a smart idea!

Instructions to make via Fetch Dog

Definitely will get some good use out of my vintage fan that I oh so love

And of course cool frocks...

via

Have a great 4th!

xoxo,

Katie

Remember Me?

My blogging has been seriously lacking lately. With weddings, graduations and just hectic day to day life, by the end of the day I am completely zonked. The past two weekends we have made trips back to NC that could not have come at a better time. Something about traveling home is so relaxing and tranquil it makes it ~~impossible~~ quite difficult to want to come back. They were wonderful long weekends. Let the picture overload ensue...

Two weeks ago, we traveled to Bald Head Island for a very dear friend of Austin's wedding. The weather was ideal, the drinks were cold and the sun was hot. I was a VERY happy girl.

Not to mention that the very same weekend, my sweet friend Jordan and her husband Rocky welcomed their sweet baby boy Christian "Crew" Proctor into this world. Isn't he a cutie?! Melts my heart!

This past weekend, we traveled back down to watch the fiance's sister graduate from college. How time flies! It was a great weekend of relaxation and down time.

How was your weekend? I personally cannot wait for Emily's premiere on Bachelorette tonight! The little things I guess...

xoxo,

Katie

Favorite Fridays

What. A. Week. Friday could not have come a literally a more perfect time. I constantly remind myself that I am extremely blessed in more ways than I can even imagine, but this week was really a bear with work. Thank goodness for the weekend....

Favorite Piece:
Tibi Pleated Chiffon Maxi Skirt

Tibi has been killing it this Spring, and this skirt is no exception. Dressed up or down, it is just right for about any occasion.

Favorite Motto:
(In fact, I love this so much, it may become framed in our house)

Favorite Cocktail:

Pink Grapefruit Margaritas

Favorite Bedroom:

Favorite Local Getaway:
(Could not be any more excited that we are coming up on a FIVE day weekend at Bald Head Island)

(This is also the sweet spot Austin proposed!)

Favorite Date:

April 27th

Today is marks the one year countdown until our wedding on April 27th, 2013. Today is also the due date of one of my sweetest friends Jordan and her hubby's bundle of joy! Hurry up Crew, we can't wait to meet you!

What is your favorite thing about today?

xoxo,

Katie

Our Wedding Inspiration

This Friday, April 27th marks the one year countdown until the big "I Do." I truly could not be any more excited...as if you couldn't tell by starting a one year count down. I truly cannot wait for my best friend to become my husband! Apologies for the "cheese factor." Austin and I planned for a long engagement knowing that we would be making the move to Washington, DC. Now that we are here, and settled, its time to get to planning.

Our wedding will take place in my hometown of Wilmington, North Carolina. The "feel" I am aiming for with our big day is natural, relaxed yet still possessing some traditional wedding elements as well.

Here are some photos that have inspired my color selection for our big day.