Garden Party

Hello!

It's been a long while. I took an accidental hiatus due to work, fun, illness, obligations, etc etc etc. One thing that has been taking up a TON of my time has been wedding planning. The wedding is now a month and a half away (!!) and the planning is just about done.

Since our venue is located on a scenic farm, we have decided to go with garden party apparel instead of black tie. I got to thinking what I would want to be wearing if I wasn't wearing.. you know.. the white dress.

Fun Florals by kristin31200 featuring Reef wallets

Pinks & Purples by kristin31200 featuring earrings

Alll images via Modcloth.

-Kristin Lynn

Viva Las Vegas

Ian & I are off tomorrow to Las Vegas to spend a week visiting with his dad.

Here's a few things on our to-do list: (All images via Pinterest)

Source: en.wikipedia.org via Kristin on Pinterest

Pinball Hall of Fame

< a href='http://pinterest.com/pin/130745195401792453/' target='_blank'>

Source: google.com via Kristin on Pinterest

Minus Five Ice Bar

Source: hotels.com via Libby on Pinterest

Breakfast at the Paris hotel (where we got engaged in 2010!)

Source: bspokeblog.com via Mandy on Pinterest

In N' Out Burger, yumm

Source: google.co.uk via Rhiannon on Pinterest

New Year's Eve at Fremont St

Source: static1.travelandleisure.com via Melissa on Pinterest

The fountains at the Bellagio. You have to.

-Kristin Lynn

And just like that, it's all over

Hope you and yours had a happy holiday!

-Kristin Lynn

Smells like Christmas

Happy December!

I did some holiday yesterday to get into the spirit.

Today I'm getting started on holiday shopping! This is the earliest I've started, ever. I usually wait until the last few days before.. What about you?

-Kristin Lynn

Decorating Dilemna

This is our current "dining area." Our living/dining room is very long and narrow, with that ledge going around the whole room. At one end of the room due to the boiler closet, the room is much narrower, creating the little "nook" you see above. It's really too narrow to do much with, and is very cramped when four people sit down to eat.

Right now on the opposite side of the room, we have our two couches up against the walls across from each other, and the TV set up at the end of the room.

To maximize space, we are thinking of ditching one couch and re-arranging the room to make three "zones" - for TV, dining table, and a bar section. The bar will go in the space pictured above.

I'm still debating how to set up this area - a vintage bar cart? Wooden wine bar with storage? Build our own?

Here's what I've been looking at for ideas:

Source: apartmenttherapy.com via Kristin on Pinterest

Vintage Bar Cart

Source: mylittleapartment.blogspot.com via Liz on Pinterest

Shelving as a bar

Source: Uploaded by user via Kim on Pinterest

Source: google.com via Amanda on Pinterest

Could put bar stools up to the ledge as the counter and put shelving up on the walls

Source: thatssmartdeco.com via Leslie on Pinterest

Vintage dresser as bar - pretty!

Source: tumblr.com via Melissita on Pinterest

Another bar made from shelving

What do you think? Do you have a bar in your home? I'd like to see pictures if so! :)

-Kristin Lynn

Wedding Planning Update

Today we decided on a caterer and chose our Save The Date's! It feels good to get things crossed off the list. Every little bit done makes me feel so much better.

In honor of this, here are some photos I have been collecting on Pinterest for centerpiece inspiration. I plan on making my centerpieces and I am going for a simple,vintage feel.

Source: noknowsweddings.com via Kristin on Pinterest

Love the potted plants

Source: blogs.dexknows.com via Kristin on Pinterest

Very simple & romantic!

Source: theldsbride.com via Kristin on Pinterest

Love this and it would be a very easy DIY

Source: vmburkhardt.tumblr.com via Kristin on Pinterest

Buttons as a vase filler

Source: stylemepretty.com via Kristin on Pinterest

So cute, especially the paper pinwheels

I can't wait to get my bridesmaids together for mimosas and crafting!

-Kristin Lynn

Sweet & Salty

I made these a few days ago to use up the very bottom of a bag of chocolate chips/canister of mixed nuts. They came out so good that I will be definitely making these again! They would be great for a holiday party.

Salted Dark Chocolate Nut Clusters

Melt dark chocolate chips in the microwave (heat 30 seconds, stir, repeat until melty.) Once melted mix in the nuts. Scoop chocolate and nuts into liners in a mini muffin pan.Add a tiny pinch of sea salt to each cluster. Set in fridge until solid.

These were such a hit! Even Ian's friends, who I can't get to eat sweets for the life of me, loved the sweet and salty combination. 

Have you ever come up with a favorite recipe on the fly? What is it? I'd love to hear.

-Kristin Lynn