wedded bliss

You are just going to die when you see the images from Amy's amazing wedding, so I won't keep you waiting with a verbose introduction. On to the photos!

a surprise, personalized mrs. vericker hanger

prepping the ceremony site

guest book of wishes

some of the hundreds of handmade flowers painstakingly created by Amy's lovely mother, Renee

a dessert buffet in the making

pick your poison

so many good ideas

the handsome husband-to-be

groomsmen tying raffia bows

setting up the snack bar

centerpiece pefection

signature cocktail

cutting the {bundt} cake

family dance

 the keeper of the garter belt

groomsmen {plus two}

and they lived happily ever after

gone fishin'

Lately, I just cannot get enough seafood - whether it be sushi, salmon, shrimp, lobster or crab.

I'm sure my parents thought I'd never get to a place where my palate matured past grilled cheese and chicken tenders {although I still love these guilty pleasures}. When I was kid, I remember visiting my cousins in Maryland for the 4th of July and there was seafood aplenty. Steamed crabs, crabcakes {and football, cuz that's what Maryland does} and more piled high on platters. And what did I want? A hot dog. Smothered in cheese. Today, I would never pass up an authentic Maryland crabcake.

So I'm looking forward to heading back east where I can really sink my teeth into something yummy. But that's not to say that I haven't had some tasty seafood meals here in the desert.

deliciousness from roy's.

from beckett's table. too bad I had a migraine and couldn't fully enjoy the meal {or my wine}.

I also have been known to bake up some frozen salmon on busy nights. My favorite is from Sea Cuisine. It's easy and delicious and ready to enjoy in about 30 minutes. Just add a side of steamed veggies or a light salad and it's the perfect weeknight meal.



~via~



sugar fix | death by chocolate

Currently dreaming of the most amazing way to go

photos from the week

As is usual these days, my week was hectic. I spent the first two days in Phoenix before hoping a plane to Houston for an event at the end of the week. Everything went smoothly, but I was up for nearly 48 hours straight. Saturday, I spent some time with my mom and Stephanie doing some wedding stuff, and I used Sunday to rest with a bit of yoga, some much-needed loads of laundry and a 90-minute massage.

Here are some images from the week...

a wedding weekend + wish i was here

This weekend was Amy's wedding. It was an amazing labor of love and absolutely no detail was left to chance. A full post on that coming soon, but suffice it to say it was spectacular, the bride looked gorgeous {she even trusted me to do her hair for the big day!}, the groom - handsome, and the party was a hit!

And since we really partied it up over the weekend, I need a moment to recover. Unfortunately, that's not going to happen, so until this weekend when I'll actually have time to recuperate, I'll be dreaming of floating around the Pacific Ocean.

~via~

searching...

Lately, I've been wholly uninspired. Maybe it's because I'm swamped at work and busy planning a wedding. Maybe I'm just not looking in the right area. Maybe I'm looking too hard.

Either way, it makes me jealous of those who seem to have boundless engergy and endless creativity. Like my dear friend Diana. She's a photographer who encompasses those things - and she has an amazing eye, to boot.

You can check out more of her inspired genius on her blog.

reminiscing

When I was growing up, there was a local bookstore that was owned by a couple who lived in my neighborhood {one of whom is now in state government}. I loved that bookstore. After earning enough money from chores, I would collect my cash, grab my frequent reader card and ride my teal blue and white bike to the Little Professor bookstore to pick out a new book.

I still remember the smell of that store...pages upon pages of printed word. The paper, the ink. Sure, there are still the megachain bookstores that carry shelves of books - a much bigger collection than what was at Little Professor - but their book-y smell is tainted by lattes and cappuccinos and baked goods. Little Professor was old school. And wonderful.

I would pick out the latest Babysitter's Club or Sweet Valley High book and quickly gobble it up.

What made me think about my favorite bookstore? Sweet Valley Confidential, of course. The book takes a look at where Elizabeth and Jessica, the two main characters, and their friends are 10 years after high school. I've read mixed reviews on the book, but I think I'll still check it out.

Full disclosure, I loved the series so much, I even had the board game.

~via~

birthday bouquet

Today is my friend/coworker's birthday and I thought it was the perfect opportunity to test out a new recipe. Maybe you've heard of them or seen them or even tasted them, but it's the first time I've tried making them.

Cake pops!

I got the recipe from Bakerella and made them on Sunday. I can definitely perfect some things, but I think they turned out well.

~ i borrowed my mom's candy maker...thanks, mom! ~

~ first finished. second one dipped. ~

~ cake pops and cake balls ~

~ a cake pop bouquet. happy birthday, sarah! ~