For the Boys

Yesterday, I was looking through the gift guides over at A Cup of Jo and found quite possibly, the perfect groomsman gift. I always thought engraved flasks were a cheapo and cheesy gift, but this one is chic and classy. And they would make for a great boys photo op :)

IZOLA

Wedding Wednesday- We go "shopping"!

I have a confession. I have not dreamed of my wedding since I was a little girl. I didn't dress up in my mom's dress and walk down the aisle with our neighbor (Steven "broccoli head"). Instead, we played house- and pretended to blow up the occasional Barbie.

No, the dress, the flowers, the venue were not on my mind. But one thing was...

The Registry.

How freaking awesome is it that you get to pick out all the super cute kitchen stuff you have always wanted and then have people buy you that exact same stuff!? Phenomenal I tell you. So you can imagine my excitement when the boy said to me last night, "want to go to the mall and register for some stuff?"

That my friends- was HALF the excitement I felt last night haha

Sadly, we realized today that registering isn't all scanner guns and daisies. It's hard! Mostly, because you are SO ready to go, and then a really nice lady makes you fill out paper work and gives you a 20 minute schpeal about what the program is all about. It's a bit of a buzz kill. But once we got through that (smiling and holding hands like good engaged couples should do!), we were lost. Where to start? What do we really need? And then the boy found out that a high end down comforter costs $700 and nearly chucked the scanner down the aisle of neatly folded color coordinated Idon'tknowwhatthreadcountmeans luxury towels.

After 20 more minutes, we had under 20 items on our list. We looked at each other and realized- we are SO much better at buying things online. Why? There are reviews! And comparable price lists! And I could Google what made one towel better than another! I should have known- I am a researcher when it comes to buying things. I browse the J Crew site before stepping into the store and know all the dresses carried at the LOFT by style name. Why would it be any different when trying to pick out knives, plates, and other lovely home things?

So here is where I need your help. I have come to the conclusion that I need to pick my "kitchen style" before setting forth. Right now, we have gorgeous cherry stained wood, dark granite counter tops, stainless hardware, and bright white walls. The main accent color is a apple to sage-y green, mostly because all my fabulous Marshall's finds come in that shade (you know how that goes!)

I think the shining star of every little girl's registry is the KitchenAid Mixer (even if she can't bake). And thus, I need your help picking out the color! {all photos courtesy of Macy's and KitchenAid}

Blue Willow (navy?)

Cobalt - has almost a purple hue?

Ice - paler in real life

Pistachio - a bit more green in person

Apple Green- a bit brighter in person

What do you think?? Right now, I'm leaning towards the blues- I just don't know which one! The idea of the Blue Willow is lovely, but will I EVER get it to look clean again?? Experienced ladies (and gents), chime in!

Wedding Wednesday- Favors!

I have the weirdest details planned out for our wedding. So far, we have a venue, date, and caterer. No photographer, DJ, dress, etc. So why then, do I daydream about details like candy bars, signature drinks, and invites?! Tonight, we meet with our **fingers crossed** photographer! I hope she's as wonderful as she has been in the emails. That will be another great thing to check off :) In the meantime, I'm obsessing over our end of the evening snacks!

Our original plan was to hire a food truck to come in to serve street food to our guests as they left the venue. I had seen adorable shots of Carpe Donut, ice cream trucks, and taco vendors coming in to feed the masses- but I couldn't find the right fit for us near our venue.

Plan B was platters of chicken fingers, mozz sticks, and other finger food goodies- but our caterer gently reminded us of the massive amount of food we are already planning to serve early on (Family style dinner!! more on that later!)

So what to do? Soft Pretzels!

Source: crepesofwrath.net via Nichol on Pinterest

The boy is obsessed with them (as am I), and they suit our needs perfectly. Paired with a candy bar full of sugary treats, they will be the perfect take away at the end of the evening. Of course, we can't just pile them onto a plate and say "take one". Here's how I'm thinking of making them a little more special...

Piled on fancy plates

Source: anthropologie.com via Jenn on Pinterest

Source: anthropologie.com via Devon on Pinterest

Fun dipping sauces (I loveee mustard)

Source: thekitchn.com via Ami on Pinterest

White paper take away bags with a pretty stamp

Source: stylemepretty.com via Devon on Pinterest

Source: stylemepretty.com via Devon on Pinterest

What details would you plan out first?

Wedding Wednesday- I. Want.

I would like this photo to drive the inspiration for my entire wedding...

Source: stylemepretty.com via Devon on Pinterest

It scares me a little to stray from navy as a base, but *swoon*...

Wedding Wednesday- Love Letters

Over the last few days, I have been writing thank you notes here and there for engagement and birthday gifts (8 days til 26!). Email is fine and dandy, but wedding browsing has made me realize how lovely a hand written note can be. It's also made me realize how expensive it is to have someone do that writing for you (helllloooo calligraphy!)

Since all the etiquette books say "no labels" and I don't have an endless supply of money or pretty handwriting, I started looking into custom return address stamps. I'm not sure which way we will go- custom calligraphy or something simpler with a hint of whimsy- but how cute are these?!

Source: etsy.com via Devon on Pinterest

Source: etsy.com via Devon on Pinterest

Source: feltandwireshop.com via Devon on Pinterest

I'm a little partial to selections 1 and 2, but with using our first names. It will allow us to use the stamp while sending out invites and again for thank yous and throughout the time we live here!

Another fun idea- Embossing...

Source: expressionery.com via Devon on Pinterest

The down side being you can't be flexible with your placement.

Have you tried the stamp route before? I love that I can potentially change ink colors up too depending on what I use for envelopes!

Wedding Wednesday- Venue Inspiration

This morning, the boy and I visited our first venue- a beautiful historic mansion in one of Delaware's State Parks. The grounds were gorgeous (despite the fact Spring has not arrived here in the least), the coordinator sweet, but we are still looking. Here are some of the pictures guiding us on our search...

Source: stylemepretty.com via Devon on Pinterest

Source: stylemepretty.com via Devon on Pinterest

Source: peach-pearl.blogspot.com via Dallas on Pinterest

Source: southernliving.com via Devon on Pinterest

Source: blog.weddzilla.com via Devon on Pinterest

Source: southernliving.com via Devon on Pinterest

Source: stylemepretty.com via Devon on Pinterest

New Nail Routine

Ever since the boy proposed, I've become very aware of the awful state I keep my nails in. A little bling can do that! Admittedly, I'm not kind to my hands- I work with them every day, slather them in hand sanitizer, and usually dig around in the dirt once or twice depending on what's going on. Now that I keep staring at my nails (and ring!), I've decided to start a little routine.

On our vacation, I had a chance to stop by the spa owned by my future MIL. She knows a TON about products and immediately handed me a bottle of CND Solar Oil Cuticle Treatment upon seeing my fried mitts. 

tiny bottle- big results!

I've used greasy cuticle oils in the past, but this one is phenomenal! It goes on with a brush applicator, smells lovely, and sinks in to my skin asap. I immediately saw results and also noticed when I stopped using it for a few days. Applying it takes only 20 seconds- definitely worth it!

I don't usually paint my nails- and when I do, I love dark vampy shades or fun brights. They are hard to maintain though, and usually my hands look a mess in 2 days flat. Instead, I've decided to embrace milky nudes that keep my nails looking shiny and fresh for days on end! Plus, you can't notice chips nearly as fast :)

A few favorites:

Essie's BBF Boy Best Friend (I like to call it Best Boyfriend!)

Essie's Hi Maintenance

OPI's Bubble Bath

OPI's Coney Island Cotton Candy

Do you have any favorite "go to" easy nail tips?

Wedding Wednesday- sneak peak!

A little low quality sneak peak from yesterday's photo shoot (this is definitely my favorite).

Thank you to my wonderful future sister in law for taking the time to capture our goofiness :) ChristineLynn Photography

Wedding Wednesday- Color Inspiration

Even though we don't have a venue yet, I've been day dreaming of a chic outdoor wedding that isn't the least bit stuffy. I think color definitely sets the mood for an event, so I've been pulling inspiration from every corner of the internet in hopes of finding something that says "us".

I know Navy will be an anchor for the day- crisp, a little preppy, and easy to make fun, it's a great base and won't make the boy feel out of place one bit! Accent colors that are dancing in my head- sunny yellow, bright coral, and gray seersucker (just for my man).

Source: taylordevents.blogspot.com via Devon on Pinterest

Source: pizzazzerie.com via Devon on Pinterest

Source: stylemepretty.com via Devon on Pinterest

Source: wedding.theknot.com via Devon on Pinterest

Source: stylemepretty.com via Devon on Pinterest

Source: stylemepretty.com via Devon on Pinterest

Introducing...Wedding Wednesdays :)

Hi! Sorry for the lack of posts- life is a little crazy this week! Since I don't want to be come an overly obsessive bride to be, I've decided to limit my wedding inspired posts on Little Red Deck to Wednesdays! Mostly because I heart alliteration :)

Budgets have been made, lists written, and now it's time to check out venues, dates, etc. Here are a few images that have me dreaming of a summer evening in 2012 already!

A few must haves for the boy (oooh the fiance!) and I- outdoor venue, good food, drinks, and great people :)

all photos courtesy of southern living