The Story of Us...part two

Happy 4th Anniversary to my love, my best friend, my fella!  Love you babe.

Yesterday I shared the story of us.  How we met, how we fell in love, etc.  Today I wanted to share our wedding story. 

He proposed to me during finals of our last semester of our second year of law school.  He had an early final.  I was still asleep and he called and woke me up saying that there was an emergency with the dogs and to find them quickly.  I was very disoriented.  I hung up and called out to the dogs.  They both jumped up in the bed with me and I saw that they both had cards tied around their necks.  I opened the cards and then began a scavenger hunt.  At 9am!!!!  The hunt led me to the steps of our law school where he stood, waiting. 

He began to say all the things that every girl wants to hear from the person they love.  I then figured out what was happening and started to cry.  And so did he.  Then I noticed two of our friends hiding in the bushes taking photos and video taping the proposal. 

I said yes. That night we celebrated in Kansas City at a phenomenal and famous restaurant and hotel. The next morning I flew out with my two besties to Paris. My mother, aunts and Nana were already there. We celebrated as we should in Paris...with food and wine.

The ring

A few months later we had our engagement pictures taken. We had them taken by Tony Valdez all over Downtown Ft. Worth. They turned out beautifully but I learned just how hard it is to pose for professional pictures, especially with people watching. Embarrassing.

 

My in-laws threw us a great engagement party in Colorado and I had a bridesmaid's get-a-way in New Orleans on Halloween. As I talked about in more detail here.

I also had a bachelorette party in Dallas the week before the wedding.  I can't show you too many of those pics, lol.  Both experiences are two of my most cherished memories. The Fella had is bachelor party at "The World's Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party."  I have heard zero stories and have seen zero pictures.  Must have been a good time.

I had two fantastic bridal showers.  One of which had a "Wine and Brie" theme and we had wine tasting with cheese pairing.  It was so fun!  The other shower, thrown by Slash and Mama Slash, had a "Breakfast at Tiffany's" theme.  Everyone wore LBDs and their best Audrey accessories.  It was oh so divine!

 

My family being mostly in Texas, his immediate family in Colorado and with us living in Topeka, KS at the time, it was hard to pick a spot to have the wedding. We considered a destination wedding in Seaside, FL where my family had a vacation home at the time or in New Orleans where my dad's family is from. But we decided on Ft. Worth so that it would be easy for my parents to help out with my long distance planning because they only lived 20 minutes from here.

The rehearsal dinner was at Blue Mesa in Ft. Worth.  It was so much fun! 

We had a few of their famous Blue Margaritas and shenanigans followed in the hotel room.

I had the flu on the day of my wedding. I could hardly get out of bed. I was terribly sick starting at 5am. But I was determined to make it down the aisle.  Here I am in bed just a few hours before the wedding with my MOH.  She was crying because she was so sad I was missing out on all the pre-wedding fun.

The ceremony was at Robert Carr Chapel on the TCU campus. It is a simple, beautiful chapel. It was the perfect choice for us. The bridal party walked down to a harpist playing "Ava Maria" in honor of my Grammy.  I walked down to the isle the Pachelbel Canon in D and the two of us and our bridal party exited the church while boogying down the aisle to "When the Saints Go Marching In", a nod to my family's Nola roots.  Little details like that meant so much to us.

I had 11 bridesmaids and the Fella had 8 groomsmen and 2 groomswomen. The little lady you see to the left of my husband in his wedding party picture is our dear friend that introduced us.

The theme of the reception, held at the McDavid Studio at Bass Hall, was Old Hollywood, Winter Glam. Lots of white, silver and feathers.

We had a blast. Our band was insane! The Walton Stout Band. I highly recommended them. I can't say enough about them.  By the time the reception rolled around and I got some food in my stomach, I was feeling much better. It was a 12 hour bug down to the minute. 5am to 5pm. Lots of guests had to cancel coming to the wedding due to having the same bug. But I didn't let it get me down. I was on the dance floor the ENTIRE time. I even joined the band on stage for the rap interval on "This is How We Do It". My shy, reserved husband even crowd surfed!

The best thing about the wedding, to me, were the little details that nobody but us would notice. The featured cocktail was my favorite at the time, the grooms cake being 250 mini homemade pecan pies because that is his favorite, me surprising him with a Denver Broncos garter under my dress, my dad and I dancing to both of our songs "Amarillo by Morning" and "Can't Touch This", me having the band rap "I Like Big Butts" for my beast friend, etc....the little things that made it "us".

Our goal for the reception was for it to be like a party where everyone danced for hours. And it was exactly that.  We left following the horn section of the band out the door playing "When the Saints Go Marching In" once again, while guests threw beads to us, a perfect ending to a perfect night.

Our honeymoon was in Playa Del Carmen/Cancun, Mexico. We stayed at Secrets Silversands. It was perfect for a honeymoon. Best week of my life.

I wouldn't trade a minute of these special months.  Just like I wouldn't trade a minute of the past four years.

Note: I used Bride Associates to help plan our wedding and let me tell you, my girl Chelsey, was the bomb.  Worth every penny.  I could not have done it without them. 

Here's to many more,

tbg

The Story of Us....part one

Tomorrow is a special day for me and the Fella.  It is our 4^th Wedding Anniversary.  It is shocking how quickly four years has flown by….so much has happened!    We have grown up so much and yet have stayed exactly the same in so many ways. 

Having a husband who makes you laugh, makes you dinner and will iron your clothes is awesome.  Really awesome.  His heart gets bigger and bigger every year and I love that about him sooooo much.

For those of you who don’t know it…here is our story.

Toward the end of my first year in law school I attended a dinner with my boss.   We were sitting down to eat when I saw a girl I vaguely knew from law school walk in, I waved.  And then it happened.  I saw who she was with.  He basically fit my exact description of the perfect looking (for me) guy.  I turned to my boss and said “who is that hottie bobottie?”  My boss didn’t know him.  I then said, “If I let him, that man could break my heart”.  The girl I somewhat knew walked over and asked if they could sit with us.  We said sure.  I found out that he was actually in my class at law school.  An entire semester had gone by and I had never seen him.  So odd.

A few days later, I got a Facebook invitation from his roommate to join their mutual softball team.    I then got an invitation to a party at his house to take place on the last day of finals, which was a week or so away.  I went.  But I took my boyfriend. 

Here is the thing.  I, at no time, thought that this guy and I would end up dating.  I thought he was way out of my league and even if he was interested, I felt like he had player written all over him and would end up crushing me.  Also, I was perfectly fine in my current relationship with a great guy.

A week or two goes by and I see him a few more times.  My heart flutters every time I do.  I become good friends with the girl who introduced us and she starts inviting me on group outings with their mutual friends.  The Fella and I discover that we have SO much in common.  We were so alike in so many ways that really matter long term.  And then, one Thursday, we all head out to a bar. 

We took tequila shots, danced, laughed and had a great time.  As I was outside the bar waiting on a cab to head home, he walks out and joins me.  It starts to rain.  We just stare at each other.  And then he tells me that he is in love with me.  That he saw me on the first day of class and has been crazy about me ever since.  That his friends knew it and that is why they all started inviting me to join them on outings.  That he threw that party just so he could invite me and then I showed up with a boyfriend.  He then goes on to tell me that if I choose to stay with my boyfriend that he would support me and just be a friend but that he would be waiting for the day for us to break up.  I left, in shock. 

The next day my boyfriend picks me up to head to his sister’s wedding.  We had a good time.  He was always a blast to be with and I adored his family. But at one point during the wedding, I watched his sister dancing with her new husband.  They gazed into each other’s eyes and I could just see all the years they had ahead of them.  All the unspoken plans and milestones and I truly believed in their love and that it would last.  It shook me to my core. 

Once we were home from the wedding, I asked my boyfriend, “Do we have That?”  He flat out told me he wasn’t sure and that he loved me but didn’t think he was in love with me…..and I realized I felt the same.  After all we had been together for like 2 years and we didn’t even say “I Love You”.  He suggested taking a break.  I said ok.

Well, it didn’t take long for the Fella to find out my boyfriend and I were on a break.  In less than 24 hours he invited me to dinner.  I called my ex to tell him.  Maybe even give him a chance to say “no, don’t go. I do love you.”  I was still terrified of this new man and the power I knew he could have over me.  I wanted an excuse to say no.  But my ex said that he wasn’t surprised that the other guy asked me out and that I should go and see how I felt.   So I went.  And that was it.  I was done.  Game over.


This was a year after we started dating.  We were so young!!!

10 months later we were engaged.  19 months after we were engaged we were married.  And four years after the wedding here we are.  And I thank God every day that I gave him a chance.  I haven’t doubted myself once.  I haven’t had one moment were I didn’t completely trust my husband or know that he loves me without end. 

Tune in tomorrow and I will share our engagement and wedding story….

To forever loves,

tbg

In under a deadline

Since I did my own version of the Golden Globes awards yesterday, I didn't get to have my weekly weekend round-up.

Friday we lay on the couch all night and went to bed at 9:30.  Exciting.

Saturday I volunteered at a food pantry for a few hours and the Fella went into the office.  That night we went to a Kentucky Derby themed baby shower and had a great time.  There was a hat contest for the ladies and a bow tie contest for the fellas.



The Parents to Be

I got to wear the hat I bought in Paris a few years ago which I hardly ever get to wear.  Yay for Tiffany blue!

Sunday we joined my best friend Heat, who was in town for the weekend, and her entire family for a little miniature golf, go-carting and batting cage fun.  Slash got to join as well.  We had a fantastic time.

We then headed home to catch the Bronco playoff game which they won so the Fella was happy and so was Cooper, even though he doesn't look like it....

I also pained the guest room!  I came in a week under the deadline I gave myself.  Whoop whoop!! 

Now we will hang the curtains and mount the headboard before putting all of the furniture back in the room.

What did y'all do this weekend???

Laters gators,

tbg

My Golden Globe Awards

Good morning my friends. Last night was one of my favorite nights in TV ever. So much goodness happened. First of all the Broncos won their playoff game which made the Fella hella happy....which in turn, makes me hella happy. Second it was the season premiere of Girls on HBO and there was a new Downton episode. But most of all....it was the Globes y'all!!! Fashion, fashion, fashion.

I have comprised my own awards this morning so here we go...

Best use of your grandmother's dress...Jessica Day. Er, I mean Zooey D.

Worst use of your grandmother's dress....the chick from Modern Family.

Best Surprise...who knew Edith was so hot?

Best switch up....Sofia Vergara...it was cool to see her in something other than a mermaid silhouette.  My husband did not agree.

Best Jewelry.....Jennifer Lawrence...those earrings!

Best color goes to Lena...

Best "I just don't get it, why did you pick that one out of the millions you had to choose from"....Zoe S.

Best Bump goes to Olivia Wilde...

Most Simple in a good way....Reese.

 

Best "You're trying too hard, just stop" goes to Paula P....

 

Best Angelina leg....Ms. Heard.

The "Most likely to be the next starlet to date Marilyn Manson to prove how alternative you are deep down inside" goes to Peggy from Mad Men...

 

Best Va-va-va-voom....Margot

 

 Best prom dress, and by that I mean worst prom dress, and hair, and shoes...H.P.

 

Sexiest Golden Girl...

 

One of my favorites of the night was this amazing 1940's inspired classic Hollywood number that Julie Bowen wore....but I bet most people would disagree with me...

 

And of course best overall and the one of the most beautiful women I have ever seen, Lupita Nyong'o....

 

There where tons of other beautiful women looking smashing.  And Amy and Tina rocked it, didn't they????  They both looked so beautiful and classy.  And they were hilarious. 

 

I love that women that look like this...

 

Will also do this....

 

Who were your favorite and least favorite of the night??

 

Blinded by the Sequins,

 

tbg





The ever changing home

You know what is ridiculous?  The fact that I was prompted to start this blog because we bought a new house and I wanted to share its makeover process with all of you and now I find out that I have home stage fright.  I am sent into terrors every time I try to share one of the rooms in my home like I did here.  That was hard for me to do. There are a few reasons for this...

1. My home is ever changing so I never feel like it is "ready" to share. 

2. I take my space personally.  My home is a complete reflection of me and it is hard for me to just put it out there under scrutiny.

3. I am a horrible photographer and could never do any space justice. 

4. No room is finished.  I believe that your home is never finished and should change and grow with you, but that is not what I am talking about.  I actually mean no room is actually finished even enough for me to be satisfied for a few years or even months.  I hate the idea of sharing an image of an unfinished space.  Many of the projects I have in my mind include sanding and painting and for that I need warmer weather.

All of these reasons are a part of why I find it hard to share photos.

Just an example of what I mean when I say my home is ever changing...here is my dining room in only 5 months....

What's nuts is that don't even have a picture of what it looks like now.  I have a "new" piece of furniture where the bar cart was and 6 "new" dining rooms chairs that need a makeover.  But I have left the rugs the way you see them in the final picture.  I hope to find a new chandie one of these days.  I just painted the one that came with the house for now.  I may be getting a "new" table soon too. I say "new" because nothing in my house other than the couch and mattresses are new.  I like the old stuff with a story. 

Do any of you have trouble sharing pictures of your home?

Freaking out over here,

tbg

Beat the cold

The last couple days have been so dreary. Cold and wet. I know we have it easy right now compared to up north but I still can't help getting in a funk over the weather.

When it is so ugly outside my creativity and motivation suffer. One of the best ways for me to try to snap out of it is by having fun with my wardrobe. Today I am trying to keep out the cold rain but still access the creative outlet clothes provide for me. Here is my tip on staying warm, dry and creative....layer!

Layer 1:
An oxford of some sort and your trustiest leggings or tights.

My oxford is from Banana Republic and my leggings are from American Apparal.  I swear by these leggings.  They are one of the best clothing investments I have ever made.

Layer 2:
A dress that makes you feel good when you wear it.

I love this LBD from Target.  It is work appropriate but also has a fun flirty skirt and pockets.  Top the dress off with rain boots and a fun statement necklace.

Layer 3:
A fun blazer or sweater that you can easily wear and still get some work done.  I chose a graphic standout because of the plain, basic colors underneath.  I wanted to spice it up so I went with this hounds tooth sweater that I have had for years and have worn it with a million combinations. It is kind of my go-to.

Oh...and don't forget a fun umbrella that makes you feel like Mary Poppins when you carry it.

Stay dry my friends,

tbg

Guest Room Makeover

So here is our guest room as is...or at least as it was over Christmas.  The little red tree is now packed away for another year.  But other than that, it is spot on.

 

There is so much left to do to it...starting with paint.  I am going to have that room painted by Sunday January 19, 2014 11:59p.m. or so help me I will snort a noodle.

 

I was thinking Gulf Winds by Behr.  What do you think? 

 

 

I think this color will set off my collection of Audubon birds that I am going to hang all over the walls. The curtains will be lowered a bit and the headboard will be raised.

 

I have a collection of Paris inspired pillows on the bed now.  I didn't plan it...I just happen to buy every Paris inspired pillow I ever see and this is the only place I can put them.

 

Next, I am having a set of very special Euro shams made by my girl at Peacock Pad for the bed.  She doesn't know this yet.  I guess she does now.  Surprise!!!!!

 

The shams will be made out of a special fabric from one of my favorite stores in New Orleans, Hazelnut.

 

Hazelnut is owned by one of the most inspiring people, to me, in this world, Bryan Batt.  He is known for his role on Madmen and has been on Broadway for years.  Well, he has an unbelievable eye for home decor.  His book "Big, Easy Style" never leaves my coffee table. 

 

He and his partner own Hazelnut together.  Mr. Batt designed a New Orleans themed toile that I am crazy for.  Nola my sweet, Nola.  How I love thee. You can only get it from his store.  I believe I will go with the toile in Magnolia (black)....

 

But I have not decided.  The Claret may be making a debut in our master bedroom in a few months. 

 

There is also Cafe au Lait...

 

And Delphine...

 

Hhhhmmmm, I can't decide which one for the guest room...what do y'all think?

 

I was lucky enough to meet Mr. Batt a few years ago and he was fantastic!  His memoir about his growing up with his mother, "She ain't heavy, She's my mother", is hilarious.  Check him out.

 

Now, what do you think of the paint color and which toile should I go with?

 

Help, I need someone,

 

tbg