I heart Julie and Amy Lynn Brown.

One of my favorite stories about the wedding has surprisingly little to do with Brandon. No offense, dear goofball. Are you familiar with the movie Fried Green Tomatoes? I hail it as the ultimate story about love, but not just marriage and starting a family and kisses love. This is the best-friend-you-never-knew-you-needed love. 'Til death do us part may still apply.

Well, I share this bond with one Julie S. I won't type her last name for privacy reasons, and because maybe I still can't spell it after all these years. (Ok, that's a lie, but it is difficult.) Miss Julie agreed to be my maid of honor, and she put a whole new set of standards on such a position. In summary, a notable contribution was made to our day via this gal. She was well aware of my nervousness regarding only one facet of this wedding: needing makeup that would last the day and photograph well under professional lighting. She saw my sweat and worries, and stepped in to help in such a grand way.

I found Amy Lynn, a Nashville makeup artist through fellow bridal blogger the Budget Savvy Bride. After meeting with Amy, there was so much peace about the whole topic, except for one major detail: I simply did not have it in my budget to hire her. I tried squirming around with some numbers, and even arranging a bridal fair to raise some money and spotlight her. No such luck though. I think you see it coming.... After a few months had gone by, I'd come to terms with doing my own makeup, but I was scared as heck. There was no other way.

On April 18th, a month before the wedding, Julie stopped by my apartment to give me a birthday gift. Sweet enough, in and of itself. She handed me a card where she had written, "Call Amy Lynn. She's waiting to hear from you for your trial run."

WHAT?!!!!! I stared at the card in disbelief for so long. The services of Amy Lynn. GIVEN TO ME? If this is a joke, ouch.

It wasn't. And look what happened because of these two wonderful blessings, in the form of ladies:::






I was on a cloud that whole day. Wow.... Towanda, Julie. Towanda.

My life lately

I. Love. It.

Elissa, Julie and I have been keeping up with this instead of elliptical time, and it's truly kicking our butts... but we're already seeing serious results. I'm stoked. Weight loss isn't a huge concern of mine, but being healthy and taking care of my body is, and this has been so helpful.

I won't drone on and on about it, but if you're looking for something, I'd seriously consider this as an option. It is quick, basic and thorough. Do some research. ; ) Click on the picture for a shopping list.

Bridesmaid Feature: Elissa, whom I have no clever quip about

This is the our most recent addition to the wedding party...as in, she was asked and agreed just a few days ago. Bah! We knew she was just too much fun to be left out of the wedding party. It'll be a blast having her there.

Meet Elissa. She's from Michigan, and a worship leader if you know a church that's looking to hire... Color pallet - moss green plus ivory, gold and peachy-corals. Suits her coloring, no?


She's thinking about wearing her hair down but with a braided something-or-another going on, much like Rachel McAdams is here:


Dress of choice, via David's Bridal...


The flower accompanying said hairstyle, from Forever 21, $3...


Picking up the peachy tones, Forever 21, $5.


Hinged leaf bracelet in gold, Forever 21, $3.


Coral and awesome, Forever21, $7.50


And the flowers: She'll have more white in her bouquet than I will! Photo via The Knot.

Bridesmaid (and roommate) Feature: Whitney Easey!

You can ask Julie why we call her Whitney Easey instead of Whitney Casey... but here she is! Her color pallet is made of the moss green plus blue, ivory and brown, which will be reflected in her accessories and flowers.

Note: there are more pieces for Whitney that I don't have pictures of but really tie her whole look together. Just trust me.



She chose the crinkled-chiffon halter dress, from David's Bridal:


Ring, Forever 21, $4.


Sandals, Target, $13.

Bouquet inspiration, The Knot.

Fun with Toy Cameras, Take 2

The many faces of Ben and Kaley...


Sweet Genevieve...


Julie has a knack for catching me when I'm doing something stupid...


I wound this roll of film incorrectly, so it's even weirder than it should have been! Julie is in two places at one time, it appears...


I am a man, I guess...


Oh, you know...


And there I am, falling, in the amphitheater. Oops...


Last weekend was beautiful... Clearly.

Bridesmaid Feature: Jarlee (who will kill me for calling her that)

Meet Julie. She is pictured on the right. Her name is not Jarlee, but I'm sure it's her favorite nickname. On the left is Beth, who, if she had a blog, I'd link, but, I don't know if she does!


One of few ladies who can pull off a strapless. This can be found at David's Bridal.

Forever 21 strikes again. $7. This isn't what we'll actually use. I want something this size but with a leaf motif. Eh?

I'll make these out of satin ribbon that is cut and edges seared, placed on a bobby pin.

Target had these for $11.

And her bouquet inspiration, via Martha Stewart Weddings.


Julie's an earth-loving lady with an appreciation for soft beauty. I almost want to define her by smells because she floats by and leaves only sweetness. (Does that sound totally absurd? Just try to reason with me...) Think Magnolia Blossom. That equals Julie to me. Because of this, the orchids in her scheme could easily be substituted for magnolias. Both are quintessential JMS.

Bridesmaid Feature: Is she a hippy? I dunno. But she's fun!

Case and point:

I’ll say this much: Mandy, my big sister, lives in Austin, Texas. I think that predisposes her to being incredibly fun and down–to-earth, literally. She is also a musician extraordinaire, which you’d expect from the Live Music Capital of the World. Look up “Girl Guitar Austin” or “Girl Guitar LA” if you live in either area and would like to learn to play the guitar with other women over a glass of wine.
In Mandy’s case, her colorful personality definitely shows in her ensemble. And, well, the last-minute perfection of the bouquet is quintessential Mandy. Take that to mean whatever you’d like. ; )



Again, all of my bff's dresses are from David's Bridal. Don't judge. ; )

Flower hair pin, Forever 21, $3.

Set of Bangles, Forever 21, $4.

Earrings, Forever 21, $4.

Big ole ring, Forever 21, $3.

Strappy sandals, Target, $13.

Bouquet inspiration photo via Martha Stewart Weddings. Yes, that's Lena Corwin. Dang her.

Bridesmaid Feature: Kaley Equals Grecian Glamour

Her title is pretty self-explanatory, right? I’ll let the pictures do the talking for the rest of the bridesmaid posts. However, I must clarify: Kaley, no, is not my sister. Everyone is pretty sure that we were separated at birth because we have the same mind-of-its-own curly hair, and are 6 feet tall, and, well, we favor. Ha.


David's Bridal. Who knew?


We'll make this ourselves, but it could be purchased at Urban Outfitters:

Forever 21. $6. Almost touch the shoulder.

Forever 21. $4.

Go Jane. $11. (Remember, heels on a wooden floor are bad news!)

And once again, bouquet inspiration via The Knot. Mainly, we just want to pick up that blue in her bouquet.



Stell. Ar.

Bridesmaid Feature: E. Claire Equals our Vintage Romantic

As I have mentioned, all of the Bridesmaids have their own personality and style that is strongly reflected in their attire. The common bond is a full-length moss gown in similar styles and fabrics. Introducing my silly little sister, Emily Claire. She’s the hopeless romantic among the sisters in our family. Her color palette is based on the moss and complimented with ivory, silver and a soft pink. She’ll have pearls and cameos. If I may say, she is the most traditional bridesmaid in the lot, but this soft, flowing romance is so genuinely at the core of Emily that this fits perfectly.
The dress (don’t knock it ‘til you try it) is from DAVID’S BRIDAL. All jewelry (don’t choke) is from FOREVER 21. Her shoes are from GO JANE. Once again, these are major answers to staying under budget. While their jewelry may seem so important right now, it’s not something they will cherish like we do. For each lovely lady, the jewelry and shoes are theirs to keep as a gift from me (Read: Bridesmaid gift). It’s personal, and celebratory of their personalities, but fits into the big picture.

Emmy, on left, has curlier hair than I do but straightened it for the night. This is us at the Homecoming Banquet in November.


An Ivory Flower pin for her hair. $2.

Cameos! What?! $6.

Ivory Pearl and Rhinestone Bracelet. So glam. $8.


This is actually our Mom's Mom's, and Emily is going to have it in her bouquet.

There is a very loud wooden floor in the church, so we opted against heels. $10.

Found on The Knot. Hydrangeas, Ranunculus and Peonies. It's a goal for the look we'd like it to have for her. All flowers will be coming from the Farmer's Market in Nashville.


Won't she just be beautiful?