mr. and mrs. perrow- happy one month!

Nothing like recapping a wedding EXACTLY one month late. Better late than never, right!?

This past month has been crazy busy and I'm not going to make excuses for not blogging. I just wasn't feeling it. And I can't decide how long I'll stick around in blog world BUT for now, I'll keep on keepin' on....

On November 23, my cousin and his bride tied the knot. The weekend was so much stinking fun. All of our family and friends were together again and this time Tyler and I weren't the center of attention so we could enjoy the weekend!

Mom and I drove up to Spartanburg on Friday, November 22 to drop off the hotel welcome bags at the Marriott before guests arrive. Then my cousin Adam and his wife Stacey and I decorated the hospitality room all afternoon. It is so much fun hanging out with them and we laughed so much. Family is the best.

Friday night was the rehearsal dinner at Cleveland Park. I totally dropped the ball on pictures, but their photographer was there to capture the moments. I gave a toast and didn't cry which was my goal. After the dinner we headed back to the hospitality room to hang out for a few hours.

How awesome is this cotton and peanut grooms cake!!! The red velvet cake pops were to tie for too!

Only people shot I got at the rehearsal- Tyler and my mom

Gorgeous table- Jack Brantley is the most talented caterer in the state!

Saturday I got up at 7 am and ran through my college campus. So much nostalgia. I kind of had tears in my eyes running around campus, remember ALL of the fun times I had in those 4 years at Wofford.

After that we had the bridesmaid luncheon which was so sweet and pink! We played a game where you wrapped string around your finger and talked about the bride as you wrapped the string- I took a pretty long piece and got teary again, but I luckily repeated what was said in my toast the night before. Betsy's bridesmaids were so so sweet! Brunch was delicious and everyone was in such good spirits!

Future sisters-in-law

Bride and future mother-in-law

Grandmothers (mine is on the left)

Pretty bridesmaids

During the game

Saturday afternoon my aunt (mother of the groom) and my cousin (ok cousin's wife but we're past that) and I hung out in my aunt's room to get our hair and makeup done. It was so relaxing and fun to just chill out with my family that I don't get to spend much time with anymore.

Then it was time for the wedding! Stacey and I handed out programs which was fun because we knew EVERYONE on the groom's side since we are family. I got lots of hugs of people that I missed talking to on my own wedding day. I also cried during the wedding (shocker) and had a huge grin on my face. I was so excited to get another GIRL in the family!

The reception was held at the perfect venue! Betsy had it perfectly decorated- lots of cotton, southern touches, flowers, and old family pictures! We danced the night away and the band was so much fun! They did a fun Jersey Boys set for my aunt (her favorite) and then got dressed up like women for "Don't ya wish your girlfriend was hot like me" which almost had me in tears from laughing so hard!

First dance

Father/daughter

Mother/son

LOVE this pic!

Cake cutting

Beautiful portrait

Cake!

Bouquet

Friends!! Recognize Caroline and Kendall? They were my bridesmaids!

I just love this couple. They attend my church and are like family. Mr. Ed just overcame a liver transplant and when I saw them dancing at the reception I just had to snap a picture. Mrs. Jane did all of the calligraphy for our wedding invitations to pass the time when he was sick!

Bride and mom

THIS was hilarious!

I'd say this sums us up. Stewart is always looking out for me and is like my big brother! I was probably about to cry and he told me to stop or something!

My aunt and uncle- seriously how adorable!

Off they go! Jamaica bound!

Don't you love my uncle's Chevy?! This is a family jewel :)

So there's the wedding recap! It was a fun, fun weekend and I want to do it all over again!

Love you Stew and Bets!

xoxo

a plug for my entrepreneurial friends {blogtember}

Again, Blogtember coincides with a blog post I had already thought of in my head!

Wednesday, September 11: Share links to your favorite online shops, preferably with a few photos of your favorite items in each shop.

I have some awesome friends. They do a lot of cool things and I'm really proud of them. Instead of telling you all about my favorite stores (J.Crew, LOFT, Nine West, Target), I thought I would spotlight a handful of my friends who have started their own businesses. I truly hope you look into them and support them!

Writefully His

My sorority sister and fellow Wofford alum, Grace, began a stationary company, WritefullyHis, LLC in which a percentage of the proceeds going back to purchasing paper and pencils for schools in East Africa. These supplies are purchased locally in the village markets to make it more sustainable for their local communities.

Wildflower: Purple

Typewriter: Crisp White

Follow Writefully His on Twitter // Facebook // Pinterest // Wordpress

Exposed Brick DC

One of my best college girlfriends just started this cool website just a few weeks ago. She lives in DC and has been there with another one of our girlfriends since college graduation. After Jamie's first lease was up, she became obsessed with the hunt of looking for a place to live. She began logging on to websites like Craigslist, Padmapper, 4walls, and Live Lovely every day. Her obsession became worse as she studied management companies’ websites, explored open houses and grilled friends about their renting experiences.

So, Jamie created Exposed Brick DC which will give you a sampling of affordable rental listings for young professionals, in some of DC’s best and most exciting neighborhoods. For those of you not looking, “Off The Market” provides inspiration and ideas on how to make your rental feel like your own.  I am not an expert but I’d like to think that I have good taste and know how to spot a deal.

And just for fun:

Just a little college throwback

Follow Exposed Brick DC on Facebook // Twitter // RSS Feed // Bloglovin

Rodan + Fields - Alexa Pack

If you read my post a few weeks ago about Rodan + Fields, then you know all about it, but my new friend Alexa is a consultant with this company. Just as a refresher: Rodan + Fields a dermatologist- created skincare line by the two Stanford-trained dermatologists who created Proactiv. If you are interested in trying it out, just leave a comment (make sure you aren't a no-reply blogger) and I'll get you in touch with Alexa!

Folllow R+ F on Facebook // Consultant Website

Copper Penny - Columbia

And last but certainly not least, these two girls are awesome! Kensley the blonde was my college roommate for two years and is still one of my best friends. Mollie, the brunette is also a really good friend. In August, they opened up a Copper Penny in Columbia, SC, which is super exciting!

Copper Penny was first started in the Charleston area, but has spread all over the state and areas like Savannah. Columbia desperately needed a new women's clothing store that wasn't too expensive, but also wasn't too inexpensive. CP in Columbia carries Trina Turk, Rachel Pally, French Connection, Sam Edelman, Bella Dahl, Tolani, Jack Rogers, Hanky Panky, and so many more! If you are in Columbia, SC, please check them out on Harden Street!!!

Follow Copper Penny on Facebook // Instagram: @CopperPennyColumbia

Happy Shopping!

an ode to my girlfriends

One thing I've learned since I've been married is that girlfriends are just as vital now as they were in college. I was super blessed that I attended a very social college, was in a sorority, and was always surrounded by an awesome group of girls!

After moving to a new city twice in two years, I understand how hard it is to make friends. In Illinois, I lived with two girls around my age which really helped me make friends (above). They invited me to hang out with their high school friends, attend girls night at a Mexican restaurant, and run 5k races. Now since I've moved to Beaufort, I'm really learning that you really have to put yourself out there to find women like you. There are a few young women (in their 20s and 30s) that I work with and work out with at the YMCA after work. The guys that I work with have wives that are in the same age group as well. I've applied to be a member of the Junior Service League to not only give back to my community, but fight a tight-knit group here in my new town. Tyler and I are seeking a church family and an important thing we are looking in while "church shopping" is young couples.

All but two of my closest girlfriends from my ZTA pledge class are getting together for Labor Day. The other friend who is unable to make it and I were talking today about how hard it is to be a friend and to really keep friendships going. Though we will always remain best friends, I think its important to also find women in your own town/city.

Girlfriends are so important. I cannot imagine not having a female to talk to about "girl" things. Whether it is talking about unimportant things, venting about a fight with your husband/fiance/boyfriend/fling, borrowing that favorite dress, or going to them when you need a shoulder to cry on, I just think it is vital for us as women to have other women in our lives!

And don't get me wrong, I love my virtual friends that I talk to all day everyday (hey Shannon and Megan), but there is just something about calling up a friend town to ask to join you for happy hour! Does anyone ever feel like it is a red flag when other women you know don't have girlfriends? I don't know what it is. Are they catty? Jealous? Spoiled? Bratty? Obnoxious? I have no idea but lately I've run into women that "don't do girls as friends" or end up ruining every relationship they have. And I hate that!

This post may have not made any sense at all, but I think it was one of those that was floating around in my head for a while and needed to get out! I guess I'm just thankful for my girlfriends - in Beaufort, at home, in DC, NYC, Florida, Charleston, Raleigh, Illinois, and even those that I've never met in person but can't wait to share a margarita with!

So cheers, friends!