Back in December, my matron of honor and bridesmaid threw me an amazing bridal shower at my cousin’s home. I spent the afternoon with some of my favorite ladies sipping on iced coffee and being spoiled silly with beautiful gifts, thoughtful gestures, and lots of love.
My shower was incredibly personable, and fit me style to a tee. From the clever #chelseabride hashtag, to the coffee bar complete with a legit barista (thanks, Sam!), and a platter full of my favorite dessert – maple long johns! Everything I love (and so many people that I love) all under one roof to celebrate such a special time in my life! I truly feel so blessed to have had such a lovely bridal shower, and will next forget this day.
Courtney flew out from San Diego the day before my shower to be here to celebrate (and co-host!). During the weeks leading up to the shower, Courtney planned and plotted with my cousin, Odessa, on the decor, food, coffee bar, and party games. Courtney and Odessa also teamed up with Scott to make a few handmade decor pieces and the party favors! My heart swelled hearing that Scott wanted to help in any way he could to make my day that much more special. Can’t believe he’ll be my husband in TEN days!
For the party favors, Scott made coffee scented candles in vintage coffee cups that we collected together when we were younger. I LOVED these and currently have one sitting on our dresser! We also had tea strainers tied with ribbon for my tea loving family and friends.
One of my favorite parts of my shower was the coffee bar! Courtney asked her sister, Sam, who is a barista at a super hip coffee shop in Tucson to be our barista for the afternoon. She made pour overs and the best iced coffee! We sipped our drinks out of fancy paper straws and I may had had three or four iced coffees (and one for the road!).
We had a delicious spread of tea sandwiches, salad, fruit and mini quiches. Odessa made these cream cheese and apricot jam sandwiches that were SO delicious — I’m still dreaming about them!
Scott also supplied my co-hosts with some old/embarrassing photos of us from some of our early years together – 2006, 2007, 2008! It was funny to walk in and see these photos hanging – we were so young!
During the shower we played a few games (I’ll save you by not sharing the other, although, you may guess what the game was by one of the photos above!), and the (soon-to-be) newlywed game was by far my favorite. Courtney and Odessa had Scott record himself asking questions, like what’s my favorite color, where did we meet, where was our first kiss, and then everyone had to guess before he shared his answer. The only disagreement we had was on his childhood nickname – he said he didn’t have one but his mom and I had other thoughts. He sure knew mine, though – Boots!
My momma and I! People say we look quite a bit alike. What do you think?
My bridal shower was everything I could have hope for and so much more. I feel so blessed to have such sweet family and friends in my life who just get me and are so excited to see Scott and I finally tie the knot!
We’re almost in the single digits now and we’re seeing everything come together nicely. Starting Monday, Scott and I will both be off work until after our honeymoon! The past few days we’ve been finalizing details, doing last minute errands and DIYs, and making sure all of our ducks are in a row. Our wedding is almost here and we can’t share our big day with you all!
-Chelsea xo
There’s truly something so magical about the winter light. In Phoenix, we have months and months of the harsh, bright (hot!) sun gracing us with it’s presents, so when the cooler months roll around, I tend to cherish every moment of the soft light that shines down upon is in the city. January truly is such a special month, not only for it’s amazing light, but also for holding some of the soon-to-be best days of my life. T-minus 12 days and counting!
This weekend really went by way too fast, but I did knock a few wedding errands off my to-do list! Finalizing our cake order, meeting with our wedding planner, Katherine of Lucky & in Love, picking up a few accessories, helping pick out bridesmaids shoes and so much more. On Saturday, I spent a few hours in downtown Phoenix in the neatest salon having my hair and makeup trial done by the extremely talented Marianna Marie of Blonde and Banker. We chit chatted about the local music scene, makeup, hair, and realizing even more that our paths have crossed in the past (we’re talking way back in 2007!). She did an amazing job on my trial, and made me feel absolutely beautiful! I’m so excited to have her be a part of our big day!
Today, I’m back in the office after working from home for almost the past two weeks. I feel very blessed that my job allows me to work at home during such special times of the year, but I do have to say, extra coffee is much needed today for a lady who has been out of the office for so long. If anyone feels like bringing me any, I would certainly not be opposed! Scott did make me a yummy breakfast and packed me a very happy lunch for my first Monday back. Since the new year began, I’ve been focusing on eating healthy and listening to my body better. So far, I’ve been feeling great and also feeling less bloated (tmi? meh!). I’ve been reading up on the Whole30 program and feeling very inspired to eat less processed foods and more fruits and veggies. I’ll admit though, I’m really missing sugar – daily treats are my thing!
Outfit details:
Sweater: Eddie Bauer
Button up: Columbia
Bracelets: Kate Spade
Jeans: American Eagle
Booties: Minnetonka Moccasins
Ok, I’m off for a busy day of work and wedding errands this evening! We’re in the home stretch now, and I’m getting more and more excited as the days slip closer and closer to January 18th. I would love to read any bridal/wedding advice ya’ll might have for a bride to be!
Back in December, my sweet maid of honor, Odessa, and my sweet bridesmaid, Courtney, threw me the most beautiful coffee shop/constellation themed bridal shower! The afternoon was pure magic, and I feel extremely blessed to have been surrounded by my family and friends in celebration of such a special occasion! I’m a bride!
Before I share the photos from my shower, I wanted to share the outfit I wore for the occasion. Courtney made me the most darling crown, and my mom draped it in baby’s breath (we made flower crowns during the shower!). Along with the dress I wore for our engagement photos, a little red lipstick, and my favorite booties, I felt like a celestial princess on my special day. The amazing winter light that was filtering in through the leaves didn’t hurt the ambience of our post-shower photoshoot either!
So far the new year is off to a smashing start! I’ve been eating healthy, feeling good, drinking yummy coffee, checking things off of our wedding to-do list, and spending quality time with my family. Today would have been my grandmother’s 86th birthday, and while my heart aches, I’m doing the best I can to honor her sweet soul, kind heart, and the amazing women that she will always be.
Outfit Details:
Crown: Handmade
Cardigan: Target
Dress: Madewell
Bracelets: Kate Spade
Tights: We Love Colors
Booties: Sam Edelman
I’m off to spend more time with my sweet family, sip on more iced coffee, and enjoy this beautiful January day. I’ll be a Mrs. in 15 days, and I am truly so excited that our big day is almost here!
What are you up to today? Have any bridal/wedding day advice? I would love to hear your thoughts!
Happy New Year! I hope you all had a fun and cozy New Year’s Eve celebration! Scott and I spent the evening at a community celebration, and later at home with sparklers and puppy snuggles. Now that 2013 has come to a close, I thought it would be nice to reflect on the year that was. This post is very photo heavy, so proceed with caution! xo
January
In January, I was featured in Emma Magazine! Back in December of 2012, I had the opportunity to work with them and take the most glam photos ever!
Scott and I also spent quite a bit of time in downtown Phoenix sipping on hot coffees and taking pictures at some of our favorite spots. This circle wall will forever be my favorite.
I also had the opportunity to meet a longtime internet friend, Alyssa! We met back in the Myspace days and still keep in touch today. She truly is the sweetest lady!
February
In February, we checked out the new and improved Welcome Diner in downtown Phoenix. Their homemade biscuits are amazing, and it felt so good to get some diner hangs in!
We also welcomed little Piper into our home! She is Scout’s biological half sister, and they are truly two peas in a pod. I couldn’t imagine our life without her!
February also held a few warm days, so we spent them eating outside at a local fav, D’Lish.
March
March held the hardest days of my life. My grandmother was my everything, and I will forever miss her more than I could ever explain.
April
In April, Scott and I saw The Postal Service live! We got pit tickets and danced our hearts out!
April also held the 2013 Arizona Blogger Conference! The gals and guys of The Phoenix Collective worked their buns off, and the conference was better than I could have ever imagined!
Did I mentioned that Scott asked me to marry him that evening? Well, he completely surprised me and popped the question at the end of the evening in a room full of our family, friends, and sweet conference attendees!
I said, YES! We’re so excited to get married in 17 days!
May
In May, I turned the big 25! Scott and I had breakfast at Matt’s Big Breakfast and I couldn’t stop looking at my engagement ring. My parents also closed on The Orchard, and I was there to see them sign the paperwork on my birthday. We spent the evening eating french toast at Chompies and celebrating such a momentous day!
I also graduated with my Master’s degree in Communucation Studies! I worked my butt off for two years and I felt so good to finally don my hood and accept my diploma!
To top things off, Scott also graduated with his Bachelor’s in Design Management on the very same day! I’m so incredibly proud of him, and I may have shed a tear or two when he walked up and accepted his diploma! Baby, we’re graduates and we did it together!
June
In June, Scott and I took a trip to Louisville, Kentucky to visit some of his family. While we were there, a lady with a street style blog snapped our photo on our way out of a local coffee shop.
Being in Louisville was a real treat – family, good coffee, exploring with my honey, and cooler weather! We really had a wonderful trip!
In June, iced coffee 24/7 was also a must. Phoenix was hot, hot!
July
In July, I started working full time! This was a first for me, and I have to stay that I’m still getting used to such a structured schedule. I do feel incredibly blessed for my job and the people I work with.
In July (and June) I partnered with Starbucks to show off how to pair the color of the year, emerald, with their trademark green straw! It was an amazing opportunity and I’m thankful to have worked with a brand that I love so much.
July was also for learning how to transition into our new routine, and really taking advantage of the time that Scott and I have together. I’m forever thankful for his love.
August
In August, I co-hosted a blogger workshop for Frances Vintage. I’m was super nervous going into it, but ending up having an amazing time.
Scott and I had the opportunity to see Tim Robinson and Aidy Bryant perform at the Tempe Improv. Since Aidy is a local lady at heart, there were so many familiar faces in the audience. We laughed our butts off can’t wait to see her again.
In August, I also began getting into the fall vibes and kicked summer to the curb!
September
September brought up an amazing opportunity to partner with Madewell and host a viewing/shopping party for their new fall line. Our pal, Perry, slung some delicious iced coffee for us that afternoon!
I was also featured in Glamour Magazine’s fall special edition! I feel incredibly fortunate to have not only been featured in Glamour once, but twice in one year (first time was in their March edition)!
Scott and I also took a trip up to Flagstaff, Arizona for a little family time and some cooler weather.
October
In October, we finalized and sent out our Save The Date cards that Scott designed!
This handsome guy turned 25 and we celebrated with homemade cheesecake and presents!
Our wedding photographer, Sarah of Arrow and Apple, also took our engagement photos in October in the most amazing orchard near our home. We’re so in love with these photos, and can’t wait to have her work her magic on our wedding day (17 days!).
November
In November, we celebrated the marriage of two of our sweetest friends. We sipped on hot coco and danced the night away!
My bestie and bridesmaid, Courtney, came to visit from San Diego and I kidnapped her for a coffee date! Can’t wait to see her again oh so soon.
Scott and I also sold his handmade goods – Citizen Home Decor – at a local craft fair for the first time! We had a lot of fun meeting attendees, sipping on good coffee, and seeing friends!
December
In December, my sweet maid of honor, my cousin, Odessa, and my bridesmaid, Courtney, co-hosted a beautiful bridal shower for me. I had the most amazing time celebrating with some of my favorite ladies, and couldn’t have asked for a better day!
On Christmas Eve, Scott and I got our Marriage License! Woohoo! We’re almost officially official!
We celebrated the end of the year the best way we know how, with a coffee date!
Here’s to an amazing 2014 — I have a feeling it’s going to be the best year yet!
Thank you for reading!
-Chelsea xo
In true end of the year fashion, I wanted to shared a few of my favorite outfits of the year! I definitely felt like winter and fall were my strongest seasons outfit-wise. This was my very first summer in Phoenix, so dressing for the non-stop heat was a tad difficult, but Scott and I still had fun shooting in the shade on 110 degree days. When autumn rolled around, we had a really great time shooting at The Orchard, and taking in all of the fall vibes surrounding us. To be quite honest, this year I felt like I really grew into my own. I got engaged, graduated from grad school, landed my dream job and planned an early 2014 wedding. It’s really been quite the year! I’m still all about the layers, and love mixing classic prints and styles with unique twists. I don’t see my style changing much in 2014, but I am excited to see where it will go. I do know that I will be donning a stunning dress on the 18th of January, and I’m so excited for that day! Thank you to everyone who has been reading – from the beginning or even just a few days. I am incredibly thankful for your support! Here’s to an amazing 2014!
December has been a busy, but wonderful month! I’ve been loving the chilly days and evenings we’ve been having, pefect for bundling up and going on a long walk with a hot cup of coffee in hand. With Christmas just around the corner, I thought I would round up a few of my favorite items that may be on my own wishlist! I’ve had our honeymoom trip to San Francisco on my mind lately, and knowing how cold it’s going to be, I’ve picked out a few items that would keep me warm and toasty during our walks around the city. I’ve also been dreaming of the perfect dress to wear for a fancy honeymoon dinner, and window shopping for a few bits for my office! What are you into this month?
I’m starting off the week with a full heart and feelins so thankful for such a lovely weekend. On Saturday I had the most perfect bridal shower with some of my favorite ladies, complete with a coffee bar, maple donuts and incredibly thoughtful gifts. During the evening, Scott and I attended my work Christmas party at The Duce in downtown Phoenix. We danced, ate yummy food, sipped on ginger beers, and watched one of my coworkers rap about everyone in our company. Saturday afternoon alone was completely wonderful, but the evening’s festivities really topped things off!
On Sunday, I spent most of the afternoon Christmas shopping. I’m pretty indecisive when it comes to gifts, so I spent a lot of time going back and forth from store to store deciding on the perfect present. Usually, my mom is pretty easy to shop for, my dad is impossible, and Scott’s pretty easy going. I started my shopping trip off with an iced coffee and a basic list of what I thought I might like to get, sticking to it most of the time but falling astray when I came across a few perfect gifts. I know it might sound weird, but I really do enjoy Christmas shopping – holiday mall craziness and all!
Phoenix has been rather warm the past few days, hitting a high of 70 degrees some day. I’ve been dreaming of going on a snowy walk, and I’m hoping that this Saturday Scott and I can take a trip up to Northern Arizona to enjoy some cooler temperatures, some time being surrounded by snow, and maybe even a quick trip to a favorite coffee shop that we always seem to go to in the winter. I’m so ready to pull out my winter coat and bundled up with some cozy socks, a big ol’ scarf, and a pom pom beanie – winter is almost here!
This week I plan on finishing up my Christmas shopping (fingers crossed , as I usually can be found at the mall on Christmas eve!), baking my mom’s famous orange Christmas cookies, and running a few wedding errands. We’re almost down to one month until the big day and I still feel like we have so much left to do! We really only have two big’ish things left to confirm (this week!), but I’m starting to feel the pressure. Good thing I’ve got work and Christmas to keep my mind occupied for a few more weeks – staying calm during the process of planning our wedding has been something I’ve been striving to achieve, and while I’ve not always been calm and collected (que moments of panic about my dress and venue), I’ve definitely been trying!
Today is my bridal shower and I can hardly believe that it’s already here! My matron of honor, my cousin, Odessa, and my sweet bridesmaid, Courtney, are hosting the shower together and have kept the day’s details zipped up tight — no peeking for me! I do know that they chose the most beautiful invites that mirror the “Will you be my matron of honor/bridesmaid” cards that I gave them, and I have a feeling that the shower is going to be just as lovely! I’m really excited to spend some time with a few of my best lady friends, and get in the wedding spirit! Thirty five days and counting until I become a Mrs.!
Have you ever hosted or been thrown a bridal shower?
I would love to hear your stories and all about the details!
Ok, I’m off to make some coffee and get ready for the shower!
-Chelsea xo
It has been chilly lately and I’ve been taking full of advantage of the cold to bundled up and put my cold weather digs to good use. The cold has also been definitely putting me in the Christmas spirit, and every evening this week I’ve found myself either decorating, Christmas shopping, or baking some yummy treats. The holidays always seem to go by so fast, so I’m taking every moment I can to enjoy the season while it’s here. Scott and I were just talking about how we haven’t been feeling panicked about the wedding because we’ve been so distracted with Christmas. We’ll just call it a blessing in disguise!
I’m really excited for all our upcoming holiday plans. Tomororw is my work’s “End of Year” breakfast. Everyone’s brings in a dish for a potluck style breakfast, and we’re going to eat and play team games together. This year my team is dressing up like classic Christmas movie characters! I’m still not sure who I’m going to dress up as. Any suggetions? Saturday evening is my work Christmas party and we’re having it at a really cool space in downtown Phoenix. From what I’ve heard, we’re going to have yummy food, games, music, and a slightly embarrassing presentation. Oh joy! 😉 My bridal shower is also on Saturday and I really excited to spend a few hours with some of my favorite ladies!
This weekend I’m also hoping to pick up my wedding band (!!!). Last weekend Scott and I went ring shopping together and ended up leaving with two bands that we both love. Scott’s band fit him perfectly right off the bat, but mine had to be taking in a bit. I’ve been teasing him that I’m going to start wearing it after we pick it up, but truthfully, I’m going to wait until our wedding day. I can’t wait until he puts it on my finger and calls me his wife. We’ve got just over a month to go!
Tonight I plan on making something to bring to our potluck breakfast tomorrow, sip on some hot coco, wrap a few presents (didn’t quite get to it last night like I had planned to), and pick out what I’m going to wear to my work holiday party. The dress code is “Christmas Casual,” so I’m thinking that I could either go really dressed up, or just wear some dark jeans and a pretty blouse. We’ll see come Saturday, I guess!
Outfit details:
Scarf: Old Navy
Sweater: Madewell
Top: Ann Taylor
Skirt: Gap
Purse: Coach
Leggings: Jessica Simpson
Boots: Sam Edelman
On Sunday, Scott and I headed to a new-to-us breakfast spot in downtown Gilbert. The Farmhouse is a local favorite, and is known for having the best homestyle breakfast in town. The wait for a table in the tiny restaurant is usually 15 to 45 minutes, which is a bit of a bummer, but so worth it. When we went we only had about a 20 minute wait, which was just enough time to sip on a hot coffee from Liberty Market and to working on filling in a few sections in our wedding day timeline. Liberty is usually our go-to breakfast spot when it comes to Gilbert, but it was nice to switch it up and try something different. The portion sizes were huge, and it felt like were in an old hometown restaurant, small town charm and all. The Phoenix Metropolitan area is well known for their breakfast spots (Matt’s, Liberty Market, Lola Coffee, Phoenix Public Market, etc.), and this is just another gem that I’m adding to my list – check!
I picked up this studded, army inspired jacket this summer on a whim for $7 at Nordstrom’s Rack. Its proven to be my most worn, and well loved, fall piece that I picked up this year. I’m obsessed with the color and style, and find myself throwing it on over my five other layers every day as I run out the door. Fall and Winter really are my jam when it comes to style preference, and I’ve been really enjoying layering it up lately!
I ordered a swiss cheese and spinach omelete with homefries (my absolute favorite!) and sourdough whole wheat toast for breakfast. It was really yummy, and very filling! Scott and I might have skipped lunch this day because we were still full from breakfast when noon rolled around. We also got a refill on our hot coffee as we headed out to Chandler for a little Christmas shopping – Liberty’s new house blend is so good. We wrapped up our weekend with cozy blankets and Christmas movies on ABC Family. So far Christmas in Handcuffs has been my favorite this year – Melissa Joan Heart will always be one of my favorite tv actresses (I loved her in Sabrina the Teenage Witch).
Today has been crazy busy, so I’m really looking forward to a slow evening at home. On the upside, Scott stopped by my work for a lunch date, we took outfit photos together, and he brought me some of the chocolate fudge we made last night. He’s a sweetie, I tell ya!
Outfit details:
Jacket: Nordstrom’s Rack
Sweater: Madewell
Bag: Coach
Bracelets: Kate Spade & vintage
Jeans: Gap
Boots: Vince Camuto
What are you up to this evening? What’s your favorite holiday tune?
-Chelsea xo
