approaching joy

color chronicles :: a-lure-ing

Yes, it's a pun.  
Yes, these are fish lures (or maybe bobbers??)
Yes, they are in "this season's" colors that all the cool kids seem to be wearing. 
And yes, the "trendiness" of fishing and fashion seemed to be quite a juxtaposition which is why it caught my eye as we were getting our fishing licenses in Galveston this past weekend.

But I'm happy to report to neon lovers everywhere that old guys in non-trendy bleached out khaki cargo shorts have and will continue to use these bright (and beautiful... in their own way) little things way after the rest of us have moved on to the next "big thing".
Happy Thursday friends!! 

wedding wonders :: farm fancies

Barn = me + Instagram / Dancing crowd / Barn + couple / Dancing couple / " Love" topper

As I shared last week, I am absolutely smitten with the Pratt Place Barn which will be the location for both the ceremony and reception of My Wedding of the Century (which is what this event will now be referred to since it is the only wedding I plan on having this century).  

As a wedding planner newbie, I didn't know where to start with this whole "getting married" business, but I did know that people generally pick a date first.  And I instinctively knew (if you can call perusing wedding magazines while in hair salons since the age of 12 "instinctively") that to figure out the "when" you have to make sure the "where" is available.  Luckily, my friend Stacey and I had a cookie making date where she pulled up all the best venues she knew about while I mixed up cookie dough.  I told her the next time I needed to be productive we were going to get together and make Sunday dinner.

In my mind, Pratt Place is perfect.  It is rustic (yes it's a barn) but modern (yes, it has both AC, heat, and running water).  It has a distinct "secluded forest" feel when, in reality, it's a mile and a half away from downtown Fayetteville which has has everything a cool college town is practically required to have.  The barn is well suited for both the ceremony and the reception through the awesomeness that is "the flip".  This is the process when the caterers will change the space from romantic cathedral style seating to a celebration space complete with buffet line, seating, and a dance floor to properly welcome in the wedded bliss via an awesome band... Which we have yet to find so any suggestions are most definitely welcome!

These are obviously a handful of the shots I could have picked:  For more amazing images check out the section of my bosses blog that he has devoted solely to the weddings he's photographed at Pratt Place here.  I'm pretty sure that if I haven't convinced you of the awesomeness so far, his pictures will.

In other news: I found THE dress the same day I posted my first "wedding wonders" post; I told ya'll I finally took the plunge!  Look for details next week.

blog crush :: gluten free girl

{all images are from Gluten Free Girl}

I came across Gluten Free Girl when I was a on a food blog kick.  I had read somewhere about how this blog was one of the top food blogs ever and wanted to see what the fuss was all about. I didn't know anything about this gluten-free thing and, frankly, it scared me a little:  A super restrictive diet? Yikes.

Lucky for me, Shauna is not just a cook or a photographer but a real deal writer.  I was immediately pulled in by her about page which jumped straight into her story about how her life before, transitioning, and after being diagnosed with Celiac Disease.  The fact that she made a description of a serious medical condition enjoyable, intriguing, and even humorous impressed me.

I love her photography is beautiful in that is it simple and lovely and reflects her philosophy of "focusing on food."  And gosh, does she focus on beautiful food.  She and her husband ("the chef", Danny) do everything from the expected gluten-free entries (these posts of scones and tortillas are specially yummy looking) to more "basic" posts that which any wanna-be cook (i.e. myself) could benefit (how to cook the perfect egg).  She also realizes that her success (she just wrapped up her third cookbook!!) makes her a somewhat accidental spokeswoman for those dealing with Celiac Disease.  Because of that she is cognizant of the food issues beyond those that these folks find in the kitchen:  My favorite is her post on eating in an airport; she made me realize how really hard still is for people living with this condition.

As always, jump over to Ms. Shauna's blog and come tell me what you like the best.  Aside from her photos (which may have occasionally made me salivate on my computer) I adore the fact that reading one of her posts is like opening an update letter from a good friend.  That and her daughter is absolutely adorable. (So what if that fact is absolutely un-blog related.)  
What do you guys like most  about her site?  Are any of you gluten free?  Or even have any kind of restrictive diet?  Please share!! 

and now a word about the sea breeze...

Over the weekend the Mister and I met my parents and younger brother at the beach in Galveston. 

I'd forgotten how much I love the breeze that constantly is coming to and from the sea.  I'd forgotten how amazing that wind makes me feel despite the humidity that tends to hang around when in south Texas.  I'd forgotten how alive I feel when I'm watching the sea go in and out.

Here's to everyone having a refreshing long weekend and again- a very grateful shout out to the ladies, men, and families who serve our country that this weekend is all about.

create.edit.share :: beautiful eyes

Happy Saturday everyone!  I'm enjoying the Memorial Day weekend in Galveston, Texas with my family this weekend but wanted to share the first of three Audrey Hepburn (love her!) quotes that I found recently.  
I hope you like it!

Also: Thanks to all the soldiers and family's of soldiers that serve our country.  I wouldn't be up at weird hours of the day blogging about my beautiful life if I didn't live in a free country, and for that and so many other much bigger things, I am so very grateful.