we scout wednesdays {weddings}

hmmm...any excuse to talk about our wedding is a good excuse to me! It's we scout wednesdays over at Scoutie Girl and I couldn't be more thrilled that the theme this week is weddings! I started this little blog well after the wedding and haven't had an excuse to share pictures of stories here yet.

I'll start with the only snafu of the day and then the details!

 A story to remember: the only detail that did not go as planned was the cake. I had ordered a four tier cake, all different flavors, in a light turquoise with fondant gerbera daisies splattered over the cake. The baker got rear-ended while delivering it, and my cake ended up in pieces all over the back of her delivery vehicle. My aunts ran out to the local grocery store and bought this cake so that we would have something to cut on our wedding day!

I loved every minute of planning the wedding. Not once did I feel stressed or overwhelmed and I loved researching all the different possibilities and DIY projects. We knew from the moment we got engaged that we wanted an outdoor beach wedding close to my family's beach cottage in Emerald Isle, North Carolina. We chose the Dolphin Ridge club because of it's simplicity and because it could hold our 125+ guests. We rented 6 large beach cottages within walking distance of the club for the wedding party and families. All events were local and we rented a shuttle for the rehearsal dinner and party the previous night.

 I'm a huge fan of color, so I incorporated all my favorites into the day - bight pink, turquoise, lime green, yellow, and orange.    One of my bridesmaids told me she thought I was nuts when I told her that the bridesmaids dresses would be pink and turquoise, but when she saw them she absolutely loved them.  

 The boys wore khakie seersucker suits with turquoise ties {even the ringbearer!}.  The flowers were mixed bouquets of the wedding colors with a focus on gerbera daisies. 

 I either made or customized the favors {flip-flops with our initials on them and koozies}, the programs, and the guestbook {a scrapbook that followed our path to the wedding with spaces for personalized notes from the wedding guests}. We had an awesome selection of comfort/real food including chicken tenders, shrimp and grits, and roasted potatoes. We had a dj and a band so there would not be a lapse in music at any time during the celebration. These images were captured by our fantastic photographer, Leslie Ann Mills.  I wouldn't do anything differently and wish we had another excuse to throw a huge party!

Oh happy day!

Carolina Handmade - Elissa Keno {weddings + events}

Good morning Lovelies! It's Tuesday and time for the 2nd Carolina Handmade post. This week I have a real treat for you - Elissa Keno of elissa keno {wedding + events}! Elissa is an uber-talented wedding and events planner and crafter. It takes a special eye for beauty, a talent for craft, and an extreme amount of organization to be a successful wedding planner and Elissa has to all! Here's the goods from the interview:

Name: elissa keno

Company: elissa keno {weddings + events}

How did you get started in your craft/art? I think I always knew that I would work in the visual arts, I just didn’t know in what capacity. I
always loved design. As a child, I used to create inspiration boards from
old magazine clippings, and I would constantly study art books,
photographs, and magazines for design ideas. When I found out about the
world of wedding design, I realized I had found my calling. I love telling
the story of a couple’s wedding day through design and details.

Is this your day job or a hobby? both! even when I’m not at work, I find the compulsive need to style. I color code my books, repurpose wine
bottles into chandeliers and vases, and visit flea markets to add to my
collection of props.

What is your favorite thing about creating/designing? I love creating
something tangible and unique that is a representation of my client’s
interests and design aesthetic. It is amazing to see months of hard work
come together in the form of a beautifully designed event.

Who is your strongest supporter? My husband. Hands down. He has done
everything from manage my website to hanging chandeliers from trees while on crutches. He is actually an excellent crafter, which has come in handy on many a night when I’m doing something crazy like making corkboard silhouettes for a photo shoot.

What keeps you motivated? My clients. If they are happy, I am happy.

Any thing else you would like to tell us? In addition to event design +
styling, I love blogging. I currently write a wedding advice blog for
Fox50’s Carolina Wedding Connect Website and I have my own style blog
Annabelle Lane.

Thanks for sharing with us Elissa! Happy creating!

Rainy Day {daydreaming}

All this rain has me daydreaming of places like this:

and this:

and this: (our honeymoon resort!)

and an evening out on the town:

Tasty Thursday {Sauteed Grouper}

Tasty Thursday is back! Sorry for the hiatus ya'll, I just couldn't get the meals together and the few times I did, I forgot to take pictures! Here's a quick and easy Sauteed Grouper recipe. Of course you could use any white flaky fish for this and it would taste just as yummy.

The ingredients:
Grouper (how ever many fillets you need to feed your group!)
Cumin
Old Bay
Adobo Seasoning
Cajun Seasoning

Here's how to do it:Get yourself a nice piece or two of white flaky fish.  This is grouper and is a little over 1 lb.  This would feed three people.

Dry it off really well with a paper towel.  If you don't do this, you won't get a nice blackened crust when you saute it.  

Here's the mix of ingredients.  I did not add any salt because Old Bay and Adobo both have salt in them.  Some cajun seasoning will also (mine didn't), so you want to be careful not make it too salty.

Season both sides of the fish with your mix of ingredients.  Here's a good ratio: 1 part Old Bay, 1 part Cajun, 1/2 part Adobo and 1/2 part cumin.  Tasty mix.

Spray a saute pan with non-stick spray and heat over high heat.  When the pan is hot, add your fillet (?) side down.  Cook for about 3 or 4 minutes or until you have a nice crust on the outside.  The sides of the fish will begin to turn white.

See? A little whiteness.  Turn the fillet over and cook another 3 or 4 minutes until you get a nice crust on the other side.

Yummmm. Nice, slightly blackened crust.  If you have a normal size fillet, you're done! If your fillet is like this one and about 3 inches thick, stick it in the oven at 350 for about 10 minutes.

Yummmo! Nice flaky white yummy fish. Enjoy!

The Handmade Market {Raleigh}

If you're in Raleigh, check this site {and event, May 1} out!

The Handmade Market - May 1, 2010

found {downeast basics} and an etsy rave {replicca}

So I bought my first Downeast Basics shirt today. A lot of you blogging lovelies rave about the brand and since it is half the price of my beloved Splendid basic tees, I figured I would give it a try. I got this pretty pink color.

I must say if Replicca sold basic layering tees, I would buy her out if my husband would let me. I have her cowl neck dress and it is hands down the most comfortable thing I own. Check out her shop on Etsy - she has some cute new styles for the summer!

Carolina Handmade {Stitches and Purls}

Good morning Lovelies! I am very excited to bring you a new weekly series called Carolina Handmade! This series will focus on a variety of artists from North Carolina and will showcase their talent, work, and ideas. I believe that art encompasses anything that requires use of your creative mind so you'll see artists, crafters, designers, photographers, event designers, sewers (sewing crafters, sew masters?) and more in the spotlight. I hope you enjoy the new series and learning about all the talented people in our beautiful state!

First up is the talented Natalie Lodato of Stitches and Purls. I won a headband from Natalie and few weeks ago and I love it! The colors are beautiful and you can really tell it is made with love and care and that Natalie really loves to knit. I'll let her take it from here!

Name: Natalie Lodato

Company: Stitches and Purls

Store: www.stitchesandpurls.etsy.com


How did you get started in your craft? To make a long story short - I taught myself to knit from kit about five years ago! I was at job training in NYC and decided I needed a hobby in my downtime :). Then about a year ago one of my best friends taught me to crochet. Little did I know that my hobby would turn into an obsession, favorite thing to do, and pseudo business.

Is this your day job or a hobby? For now - it is my hobby and side job. However, I would love for my designs & work to turn into something more permanent one day.

What is your favorite thing about creating? Hmmm... well I have a 'thing' about being unique. I love the fact that when I design - I get to make every item one of a kind. It is so much fun to pick out every aspect from the yarn to the construction to the finished product. In short? I'm kind of a control freak :)!!

Who is your strongest supporter? Oh gosh - I can't pick - definitely friends & family & my knitting buddy.


What keeps you motivated? Great feedback from customers! There is nothing more motivating than seeing or hearing how happy a customer is with a product that has so much of 'me' in it.

Any thing else you would like to tell us? Well - since this is for Carolina Handmade, it is relevant that I am a native North Carolinian :) . Born and raised! I have a great dog and a wonderful husband and family... and I hope ya'll will check out my blog & store to learn more about me and my work!

Thanks Natalie! It is so fun and motivating to hear other people's stories about how they got started and how they stay motivated! Check out Natalie here: Etsy, Stitches and Purls Blog, Facebook, and Flickr.

Big Day {a shop display}

It's a big day for Perfect Chance Memories! I put my first bit of inventory into a shop today. It's a local coffee shop here in Emerald Isle called Beans N' Screens and the lovely owner, Kim, supports local artists by letting them set up a small space in her shop. (The coffee is delicious too!) Here are some pictures of my stuff:







Tomorrow I will be starting a very exciting new weekly post! I think ya'll will really enjoy it - stay tuned!

Macys Fashion Director

Macys Fashion Director: "



Macy's is having a fun little contest called The Daily Fashion Contest. You create an outfit from a selection of choices and are entered to win $500. Today's challenge - create an outfit for your favorite boy toy.

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

May you be blessed and lucky today!

I had my wisdom teeth taken out this morning, so I'll be on the couch recovering all day. I'm sure I'll be working on posts, but not publishing until I can double check my typing after this medicine wears off! Have a Happy St. Pat's Day lovelies!

Happy Monday! {festival recap}

Good morning lovelies! Monday is here once again. Did ya'll have a fabulous weekend? We had a busy one round this parts with company (!) and the Emerald Isle St. Patrick's Festival. I truly had no idea what to expect since this was my first festival. I learned that this is more of the drinking and dancing type festival than the buying type. However, there were tons of people there and I got lots of great feedback on all of my stuff. The cards were a big hit, as were the name signs and the Annabelle bag.

Here's some pictures of my booth.








And even better news, Kim from the local coffee shop offered to let me put my stuff in her shop to sell! She already has an empty rack that I can use for my cards. I will be doing that this week!

Introducing............

.....the Annabelle bag!

There were lots of good suggestions for names for this bag including Delilah, Scarlet, Frances, Mary, Sassy, and Bilbo (baggins). Two people suggested either Belle or Annabelle, so that is the winner! I think it is very fitting, thanks lovelies!

p.s. I will probably be a little m.i.a. on the blog this week. My first festival is Saturday and I am busy busy getting everything together and making some last minutes pieces. I am anxious to see how everything goes on Saturday!

Fashion Friday Home {Outdoor & Parties}

A little different approach to Fashion Friday today.  One of my favorite things about wedding and party photo shoots is the inspiration I get for decorating, both indoors and outdoors.  My lovely sorority sister, Elissa Keno, recently stylized a stunning Bohemian inspired wedding shoot (shot by the talented Kellie Kano) and let me tell you, the inspiration for a casual chic outdoor space is endless!







I want the table, chairs, china, glassware, flowers, and bunting in my back yard stat! Add some friends, yummy food, good spirits, music and the Crystal Coast breeze and you've got the perfect evening. Ahh, hurry up spring!

Check out more of the lovely shoot on Elissa's blog, Annabelle Lane.

Name Game

 This new bag needs a name! Give me your suggestions! Do you like the bow?