Wedding Love

I always thought I would love to have my wedding outside, under a big white tent and in a big field with old barns. With that envision, this wedding completely made my heart skip a beat when I stumbled upon it.

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Of course, reality set in and the more I thought about it, the more I realized getting married in my home church meant more to me and my family than having an outdoor ceremony. So we will be getting married in my home church, which happens to be Home Moravian.. in a beautiful old settlement of Old Salem. Perhaps I am bias but I love the look of my home church....

Remember to VOTE!!!

Just a reminder to VOTE!

John and Sherry of This Young House recently completed the 48-hour challenge from Home Depot/Better Homes and Gardens. For this challenge they had to "design a $500 outdoor project that you can re-create at home in a weekend.". And now they need your vote for a chance to win $5,000 bonus towards home decorating.

Less than 100 votes separate first and second place. It takes two seconds to vote so you have no excuse. To vote, just click HERE! You vote once a day until June 12. Help this amazing couple take home the prize!

My Dress....

ARRIVED!!!!! I got the call yesterday while I was at work that my dress had arrived!! I did a little happy dance and immediately remembered that my parents are flying out tonight to Wyoming for a week-long work conference. So... even though it is here, I won't get to see the beauty until Monday, June 8. But it will be completely worth it to have my mom with me when we go pick "her" up!

But sorry... no pictures of her since Brian isn't allowed to see her until our big day! All I will say is she is white and she is beautiful!

I won't leave you without a pretty picture though....

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I love this picture! It makes me smile and laugh every time I look at it.

Happy Birthday Dawn!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY DAWN!!!!

I couldn't ask for a better friend and "partner in crime". Thanks for always being there for me and for be willing to go along with all my crazy ideas! From Bishop McGuinness to Wilmington to Appalachian, from lifeguards to guard parties to work.. we have had a blast! I am truly honored that you are going to be a part of Brian and I's big day! Love you lots, girlie!

Just the Girls

I've been thinking about the bridal party group pictures lately and have come across some great ones. We don't really dig the "typical stand at the front of the church together" look. I would say our, or at least my, style is more modern but we know the traditional pictures will be hard to escape (for our parents sake). What about you? Is your style more modern or traditional?

Here are just a few of the great ones I have come across..

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Warning: I told you I had a slight obsession with this wedding....


and this is by far the most "typical Lynsey" picture..

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First Look - Picture Love

One of the "must haves" on the photography list is the first look. Brian and I have chosen not to see each other before the wedding. It's a very personal decision for any bride and groom to be but it's what fits us best. So the first look Brian will have is has I am heading down the aisle and I can only hope Critsey is able to capture his expression.

Some of my personal favorites are...

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Prepare yourself for more pictures from the wedding featured in the last picture. I have a slight obsession with that wedding.

Hair Envy

When it comes to hair, I have major hair envy towards Carrie Underwood. I'm not sure I've ever seen her hair look bad. With three weddings this fall, I just might use her as inspiration for the weddings. And when it comes to our wedding, I do know I will be wearing my hair down or half down/half up so again, I will be turning to Carrie Underwood for inspiration. Here are just a few of her looks that I absolutely love...

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Are you turning to the stars for hair inspiration when it comes to your big day? If so, which ones?

Target Thursday

Just wanted to share a few things I have picked up at Target lately that I absolutely love!!!

1. Mossimo® Black Mixed Fabric Dress - White/Blue Ash

Love it! Runs big so buying a smaller size always makes a girl feel good!

2. Juniors' Xhilaration® Flutter Sleeve Top

Like the dress, this also runs big. I got a small and it fits be perfect. So comfortable.

3. Juniors Mossimo Supply Pocket V-Neck Tee

Go today and buy one in every color! I promise you, you won't be disappointed! And at $8/each, you can't go wrong. They are the most comfortable shirts I have ever wore. I bought the white, pinkish/red, blue, green and grey! They also had yellow and orange in the store.

4. Women's Mossimo® Vanecia D'Orsay Pumps - Natural Snake

You can't go wrong with this heel. Tends to run a bit big, so I would recommend go an half size down. But it is very comfortable. I wore them all over town the first time and never got a blister.

Dancing with the Stars

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We are big fans of Dancing with the Stars. The running joke is that Brian and his mom are going to do the paso doble as their Mother/Son dance at the wedding. So I can't tell you how happy I am that Shawn Johnson won!!! She is such a fierce little thing and I think she completely deserved it. This was the best finale, in my opinion. Shawn, Gilles and Mellisa were all great dancers and it came down to a 1% difference in first and second! Talk about a nail bitter! Congrats Shawn and Mark!

Alphabet Fun

I have always loved the prints where a name is spelled out using various letters found in nature. Recently I came across a really neat site called Spell with Flickr and my heart skipped a beat! If you go to this site you can type in any word and you instantly have your own personalized letter artwork. Cool, huh?!
These beauties might become permanent fixtures in the house or once we get married, we can do one of our last name!

Sneak Peak

This is a mock up of the address labels that coordinate with the invitations I designed. My mom and I are throwing a "Couples Shower" for my brother and his fiance so mom asked me to handle the invitations. Once we send them all out, I'll put the actual invitation! Brian was a good sport and helped me by manning the paper cutter while I rounded the corners. I promise everything is straight and lines up on the actual ones we are sending out!

More Engagement Pictures

My best friend and maid of honor, Colleen, is getting married one month after we are. She and her hubby-to-be had their e-pic session with Becki Dickinson at Duke University! Colleen has raved about Becki and I have been eagerly waiting to see the pictures. They are a stunning couple and I knew Becki would have a blast with them. Check them out...

and my personal favorite...

{ all image credits go to Becki Dickinson Photography}

If anyone in the Greensboro area is looking for a great photographer, Becki comes highly recommended!!! I know of at least 2 brides and 2 brides-to-be that have worked with her! Can't wait for Colleen and Keith's November wedding and to finally meet Becki in person!

Engagement Pictures

With our upcoming engagement pictures on Sunday {pray for no rain!}, I've been searching "blogland" like crazy for my favorite shots. Needless to say, I have complied a long list. I am going to just trust our photographer and I know we will get some rockin' shots! But nevertheless, these are still some great shots, in my opinion.

image credit: sms photography,lyons wedding, the youngrens, critsey rowe, jasmine star,whitebox weddings

Biggest Loser - Tara

Seriously.. this girl should have WON!!!!

Before

After

OK, I'm letting it go now!

Biggest Loser Finale

It's over and I can't wait for next season. Was I happy for the outcome? Not so much. However, one can not deny that the final three all looked amazing. Mike, Tara and Helen... you are all such an inspiration. In the end, Helen came out on top. She lost an amazing 140 pounds and had the most total percent lost. She beat out Mike, who lost 207 lbs. and Tara , who lost 155 lbs. Personally, Helen scared me. She was way too tan and looked much older, but perhaps I am bias towards Tara! Interesting note: Third season in a row that a Pink Team member has won. First Ali, then Michelle, now Helen. Ummm....

Ali Vincent Before & After

Michelle Aguilar Before

Michelle Aguilar After

Helen Phillips Before

Helen Phillips After

Congratulations to all the contestants. You all looked great and are well on your way to a healthier life.

This article states exactly how I feel. GO TARA!