delightfully engaged

It's the most wonderful time of the year....

I am absolutely mad about March Madness and the NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament! I think it represents one of the most true and exhilarating journeys to name a champion in all of sports. Love that the underdog has a fair chance to compete for the national title. 

While I am a sports fan through and through, college basketball definitely owns a big part of my heart. Alum to a basketball dominate university, having worked for the Men's Basketball Coach as a student and member of the collegiate cheer squad, loving college basketball is naturally part of me (and one of the things that instantly connected my husband and I!) 

Needless to say, every year I anxiously wait for March and the committee to announce the top 68 teams and the brackets for "The Big Dance" once all of the conference tournaments have ended. It has truly become a family affair as we all fill them out and place our bets and diligently highlight and X out the teams as each game wraps up. We long for our favorite teams to make it to a city near us for even Regional play and better yet, make it to the Final Four! (ahhh...remembering a last minute road trip to New Orleans 2003...so fun!)

So join the madness and print some brackets, make some unlikely predictions (even if it has to be by who has the coolest mascot, we don't judge!) and wear your team's colors proudly over the next few weeks on the road to Atlanta...and of course, Go Marquette!

Cheers,

I absolutely love discovering such a sweet and beautiful couple paired with charming details and personality to match!

Sarah of InFocus Images and Design captured this rural fete in Northwestern Minnesota, where Kelsey and Luke had one of the most adorable DIY-filled farm-chic celebrations. While Kelsey was the source of inspiration, knocking out all of the details was a year in the making and truly a family affair.

From the jewelry hand-crafted by her Aunt (I'm sweet on Kelsey's necklace!) - to the homemade jams and honey made with Grandma and mom - to the girls' hair styled by Kelsey's sister - and of course, all of the desserts made with love by some amazing women. It took a village!

Most significantly, the transformation of the historic, Coliseum on the Norman County Fairgrounds is off the hook - and without an ounce of tulle! The bunting, the lights, the wood panels. It's country chic at it's best!

 

 

 

Wedding Details | Church: Grace Lutheran, Ada, MN | Reception Venue: The Coliseum, Norma County Fairgrounds | Photographer: Sarah Tommedhal, InFocus Images & Design | Dress: Alan Evans Bridal | Jewelry: Kathy Dyrdahl, Kaidee's Things | Makeup: Callie Fredrickson, Cloud 9 Salon & Day Spa | Hair: Katie Chloupek, The Source Salon | Desserts: Tammy Erickson, Sue Merkens

An A-MAZING giveaway from Ki and The Junk Bonanza!

The Spring show (April 18-20, Canterbury Park, Shakopee, MN) will feature The Wedding Lab, a lavish display of vintage-inspired wedding ideas brought to life from the pages of the inaugural issue of FMS Weddings (which is STUNNING mind you)! It will be beautifully staged and chock full of ideas and resources...and Heather from GetMarried on-site!

All we need for you to do is visit our Facebook page by 5 pm CST on  MARCH 17th and leave a comment regarding this post and you will automatically be entered in the random drawing.

See our post from our day at the 2012 Junk Bonanza here. One of the must-do events of the year!

Good luck and can't wait to see you there...

Always searching for the Fountain of Youth, I LOVE to try beauty products...wandering Sephora, ULTA and the beauty counters of Nordstrom brings me pure joy. And now to get a box from Birchbox each month...what a magical thing!

While I do tend to product hop, here some of my faves that I don't steer too far from and are definitely share-worthy!

1. Kerastase Resistance Force Architect | 2. The Clarisonic Plus | 3. Jouer Essential Lip Enhancer | 4. Crest 3D Glamorous White Toothpaste | 5. Intellishade Broad-Sprectrum SPF 45 Anti-Aging Tinted Moisturizer by Revisions Skincare | 6. Marula Oil | 7. L'Homme Eau de Toilette Spray by Yves Saint Laurent | 8. RevitaLash Advanced Eyelash Conditioner | 9. ColorScience Hydrating Setting Mist | 10. Oscar Blandi PRONTO Texture & Volume Spray | 11. The Blue Print Cleanse

I love them all!

And yes, #7 is correct. I do prefer to wear this men's cologne. It is the perfect fresh, clean scent on a girl! And while it was a bit challenging to choke down on the first day, after the 3-day Blue Print Cleanse, it was the closest I felt to a million bucks! (and worthy of it's own review...) But if you could get only one thing off this list, I say go for The Clarisonic Plus! It is face-saving at its best!

Good stuff! I would love to know your faves and if there is something I should try and consider adding to my list?!?

Cheers!

Alt Summit. Sigh. Where do I begin?! Smile.

I will preface this post with (1) it's not wedding specific (but keep reading, there's some good stuff!) and (2) it's the coolest thing I've ever done in my career.

A relative newbie on the blogging scene, my journey to the Alt Summit was nearly a year-long process that culminated in Salt Lake City - alongside some of the most talented, friendly, smart, insightful (and stylish!) hipster lady-bloggers in the world (okay, there were a handful of guys). No exaggeration. This was amazing.

Entering the blogesphere less than a year ago (eek!), I knew out of the gates that I needed some insight into this subculture of the infamous blogger. And the first place I looked was some of MY favorite blogs (Say Yes To Hoboken, Camille Styles, Apartment Therapy, Hank & Hunt). At that time, everyone happened to be doing recaps of this illusive "Alt Summit 2012" and what seemed like the mecca of all blogging and cool people.

Alt is defined as the definitive resource for the very serious business of beautiful, brillant blogging.

I'm in! I was immediately determined to figure out how to attend in 2013. The images, the stories, the videos...all so engaging and full of passion and like-minded people. 

Needless to say the process to get a ticket to this wildy-popular event was more stressful than getting tickets to a Madonna concert?!? I was watching Twitter feeds race across the registration page while I deliberated over dinner and class options that were filling up right before my eyes. Yoga breathing required. While the event sold out in a crazy 30 minutes, gratefully I was in (and so was my photographer!) AND better yet, we had a room on-site at The Grand America Hotel (ummm...a ridiculously GRAND place more than worthy of its name.)

Months passed and I kept hyping up my pilgrimage to Salt Lake City and Alt to my friends, family and anyone who would listen...who are we kidding?! (many had no clue what I was talking about but either appreciated my passion - or called me crazy!) Well... I am more than happy to (finally) report that Alt exceeded all expectations...and yes, I may be a little crazy.

I am told I light up when I talk about what an incredible experience it was and can't help but share some of what I learned - even to the non-blogger folk. First of all, the HUGEST of thank yous to Jordi of Jordi Lee Photography who joined me on this journey with her own great energy, enthusiasm and even blog crushes. (Yes, how lucky am I to have had a photographer join me and capture the three days - AND be the best roomie and seat saver ever!?!)

While I have a whole notebook full of notes, here are some things that resonated with me as I digest all of this gourmet food for thought...and not all are about rock star blogging...great life lessons too.

• Be weirdly honest. - Tiffani Jones Brown, Pinterest
  
• If you follow your passion, you WILL find success. - Mitra Morgan, Joss & Main
  
• It's not a party without a pinata. - Darcy Miller, Martha Stewart Weddings
  
• Planned chaos is a beautiful thing. - Jenny Batt, Hank & Hunt
  
• The only risk is not taking a risk at all. If you do not have butterflies in your belly, you are too comfortable with what you are doing, challenge yourself. - Stefan Sagmeister, Sagmeister & Walsh
  
• Maybe you are judging me, but that's not really any of my business. You do what you like to do and I"ll do the same. - Katie Sokoler, Color Me Katie
  
• If people say you are crazy, you are most likely a visionary. - Scott Kurnit, Keep.com
• Think BOLD. Think BEAUTIFUL. Think BIG. - Merrilee Liddiard, Mer Mag
  
• Natural light is your friend. - Shauna Younge & Maddy Hague, Confetti Pop
  
• Two things you won't regret for your wedding: A planner and the photographer. - Darcy Miller, Martha Stewart Weddings
  
• Intentions evolve. Be ready to evolve. - Laura Mayes, Mighty Girl

 And a few other gems that I took home (no round table needed...)

• Business cards can be your best accessory.
• Buy a pair of pretty scissors.
• Get some cute glasses and learn to do a top knot.

Now here's some eye candy from the wondrous three days (so hard to narrow down from 600+ photos?!)...hope you get a good feel for the magic of Alt.

The Welcome Dinner sponsored by Minted, complete with the cutest party decor from their new line (I love this stuff!) and a great group of bloggers...

The BING lounge...the perfect place to recharge, be inspired and even photo booth!

Quickly making connections and new friends...

Kirsten Krason | Lisa Anderson Shaeffer | Camille Styles | Mariam Naficy | Liz Stanley

and more friends! So cool to meet people in person that you only knew virtually!

 Chelsea Andrews | Darcy Miller | Jenny Batt | Emily Henderson

The Land of Nod lounge was a crafting fairyland filled with paper crowns, embellishments and macarons...a fun retreat.

And the shoes were just as fun as the business cards...

 FABULOUS sessions where I wish I could have cloned myself and attended more!

photo by justin hackworth

photo by justin hackworth

An over-the-top Clue-inspired evening fete where the Ballroom was transformed into a giant Clue board!

And for the final evening we celebrated with NINE mini parties oozing with swag, inspiration and of course, a dance party!

It makes me smile seeing these images again and again...what awesome ongoing inspiration and memories. 

photo by justin hackworth

I look forward to all of the friendships and connections made - and the next Alt! Hmmm...San Francisco or NYC? Decisions...

Cheers!

Photo credit: Jordi Lee Photography

I am unbashedly obsessed with a modern rustic wedding (...and this ridiculously amazing antler chandelier?!) So when I got a glimpse into Brienne and Andrew's wedding celebration designed and coordinated by Alicia K Designs, I was 100% smitten.

I'm not sure where to even begin as this celebration was in overdrive with charming details in the most perfect way. And wine country as the back drop?! Swoon. I love that Brienne and Andrew celebrated their love in such a big, beautiful way and it was so wonderfully captured by Kate Webber Photography.

And a bride after my own heart with words of advice..."Don't sweat the small stuff. Party like a rock star and enjoy every. single. moment." 

 

 

 

 

 

Wedding Venue: Kunde Family Vineyard Estates \ Wedding Design & Coordination: Alicia K Designs \ Photography: Kate Webber Photography \ Bride's Dress: Martina Liana, Haute Bride - San Francisco \ Bride's Shoes: Miu Miu \ Groom's Suit: Burberry, Nordstrom \ Bridesmaid Dresses: Custom, Eel and Ermine \ Groomsmen: Express \ Catering: Park Avenue Catering \ Dessert Table: Narineh Mardirosian, Sweet and Crafty