No crazy blog post today! It's the start of a long wonderful, lake, football and friend-filled weekend! And I can't wait to start enjoying it!
Have a great weekend and War Eagle!
-E

Meet one of my new suites, Diane. Below is the inspiration and my sketches. Check back tomorrow as I reveal the full Diane Wedding Invitation Suite!
PS- The weekend was great! Got our photoshoot done and I can't wait to start looking through the pics and picking out my favorites to show you. Got to visit our dear friends Mel + Brad and we went to our favorite restaurant overlooking the Intercoastal Waterway on Saturday. Sunday we went kayaking, which was a blast! On the way home yesterday we stopped at Ikea in Atlanta (favorite!) and then stopped at my friend's Sara's place for a visit in Chattanooga...We didn't get home until 10 p.m. and went straight to bed! BUT the mini vacation was definitely worth the long trip, good to see friends and our ole stompin grounds.

-e.n.h

Hey fab friends! I'm in such a good mood (even though I stayed up til 2 last night) because I'm getting everything finalized for our photo shoot with La Dolce Vita Studios this weekend!!!
AND I'm in a good mood because I see sunshine, friends and flip flops in my future! We're leaving to go back to Jacksonville tomorrow morning. Haven't been back since we left over a year ago, so it will be good to see the 'ole' place.

On that note, I'm out for the week from the blog world. I'll be back Tuesday where I'll start introducing some of my new wedding suites ( I can hear your excitement from here!).

Have a fabulous weekend!
e.n.h.

So this year I wanted to do something different than just send out a Christmas card...this year I wanted to add a little treat. I found this link, sometime this summer about how to make hot cocoa and such for wedding favors...I decided I wanted to send all my friends some cocoa for Christmas! Now that we're in east Tennessee where we have already gotten snow and below freezing temps, it feels right to send out some warming Christmas treats...AND the best part, it was homemade, so of course B and I did a lot of taste testing before we sent out our final batch!
Here's how it came out:

I got all my ingredients at my favorite healthy grocery store Earthfare, and I think all the organic ingredients make the cocoa taste so much better! B would probably argue with that since he's still not on the organic train like I am.
I used some green and white baker's twine from Divine Twine and labels from Swoozie's. I already had bags from a long time ago, so I measured out each bag, attached the twine and label and...


Voila! Little packets of Haines' homemade Cocoa! Marshmallows included! yum!

The next step was the tricky (and expensive part) I ordered small A2 mailer boxes from Paper Source back in October, added the cocoa packets and our Christmas cards, then attached a long label that wrapped around, in order to keep the box shut (sorry post office, no cocoa for you!). Slapped 4 stamps on each and sent them on their merry way! Lets hope they make it to everyone!
And here's our Christmas card!

So I'm out for the holidays. B's family has been here since Friday. They're staying in the Pigeon Forge/Gatlinburg area, which is about 40 mins from us. And let me tell you, I will definitely be back there for 2 reasons:
1. the mountains! I really didn't realize that the mountains were so close to us...I guess I knew they were there when we went to the lake near that area this summer, but when we were driving to their place last night the mountains were snow capped and sooo big! I felt like I was looking at the Grand Tetons or something! I cant wait to start hiking (when it gets warmer) and water fall searching this summer!
2. the outlets. Um, why did it take me almost a year to discover these outlets, fully equipped with a Banana, Jcrew, Coach + Gap! Cant wait to find an excuse to go back!

B and I are travelling back to Memphis Christmas Eve day. We're going to spend the Eve with my parents eating dinner + opening gifts (b/c that's our Christmas tradition at my house), then Christmas day we're going to go see Sherlock Holmes and maybe another movie to fill the day.
Then we'll be back home for good on Sunday (like we're not moving, leaving or budging from Knoxville for at least 2 months kind of good).

Hope you have a very Merry Christmas!
-e.n.h.

Been crazy busy since my last Jamaican post which was, what like a month ago? Jeez,I'm a slacker!
Ok here's the rundown:
-Jamaica was awesome, way to short and my tan is already gone. :(

-After the Jamaican week I flew to Baton Rouge to visit one of my BFF's Emily for the weekend and to go to the Auburn/LSU game (yuck!). She has a new house, a new job and a new husband. And they are all great! So glad I got to visit, besides the actual game I had a blast. All the girls are old married people now, and we live in 4 different states ( Louisiana, Alabama, South Carolina + Tennessee---can I get a shout out for the south! whoop whoop!) Its really funny because this past year we've seen each other almost every other month with weddings, showers, bach. parties and such so hopefully we can keep that tradition alive and see each other more than once a year from now on!

-When I got back it was the 4th anniversary of my 25th birthday...B got me flowers and took me to a delicious Italian dinner and when we got home I opened my bday present: Season 1 of True Blood. We just finished the whole season yesterday and I think its safe to say we're both hooked! What is it with vampires these days? I'm a total groopy!

-That next Saturday was a rainy game day, but with our yummy catered BBQ and our tent rigging it turned out to be a great night with both Auburn and TN winning!

-Next week I went to Atlanta for a meeting and back...6 hours of driving is no fun. Especially when you stick a stressful meeting in the middle of it!

- Went to a Vols bball game with B. He proceeded to inhale a hot dog the size of his arm. They won, and it was a nice middle of the week break!

-Went to Nashville to host a Welcome Back to Mox and Donna (the lucky Jamaican wedding couple). Had a great time, the food and company were awesome! The highlights were when me, B, Mox and Donna were picked up in an 1998 limo to drive us to the party...prom 2009!!! Unfortunately the sun roof did not open so we didn't get to have as much prom fun as we wanted! But still fun. Then once we got home after the party, B and Mox decided to play "chase Jackson" and spent at least 45 mins falling all over them self's as Jackson owned them with his quick speed. It was hilarious. Poor Bobby landed on his face a couple times and totally stained up his clothes...But they did catch him once, and it was a mighty victory!

-The following week my rent's came for a visit. We had a great time hanging out especially on Saturday and watch fball (even though neither Haines' teams won) and eat some Tbones! They just left yesterday, but I'll get to see them next week for Thanksgiving!

- Oh, I almost forgot!!! B busted his ankle playing bball last week. So bad I had to take him to the doctor and he's getting an MRI today. Its not broken, but torn ligaments and maybe some bone chips floating around. Might even have to have surgery. Poor guy, I think he is more pissed off about the whole thing (since he's so high-adventure) than anything. It will get better B!!!

And I think that catches us up. For the rest of the week:
- Going to see New moon Friday morning at 12:04 am! And I am soooo excited!!
- Fball on Saturday, its the last TN home game so our last tailgating experience for the year.
- Then there's Thanksgiving in Memphis...super pumped about all the good food. Traditional Thanksgiving on Thursday, then Memphis BBQ on Friday...I plan to splurge a lil even though I'm on a diet (thanks C-line! Lost 4 lbs so far!).

Hopefully I'll be back before another month rolls by!
-E

I will be here: and it is well needed, and I think well deserved!!! B and I haven't taken a vacation since last August. So over a year since a vacation. AND keep in mind, we also moved away from Jacksonville and the beach this year too, so really, no beach...no warm water to float in, no sand between my toes while I read smut, no smells of sun tan lotions (and aloe after!), no real vacation to relax and do absolutely nothing...I miss it, and I am so excited to be going to Jamaica in one week. We're going for a friends wedding, which makes it even more fun since friends will be there. AND its also an all inclusive resort so I'll be sure to take advantage of a daquari or two...or seven! ha! And the food too! Last time B and I went to an all inclusive the food was amazing and we were fortunate enough to get to try every restaurant on the resort. But with that came bad tummy aches for the both of us. So I'll be sure to stock up on the pepto for this trip! Can't wait, can't wait, can't wait....no really, can we go now?? :)

So we had a fabulous time in Auburn this past weekend! I got to hang out with my BFF's + we pulled out the win! There was a wee lil bit of rain....and when I said a wee lil bit, I mean the entire earth's supply of water was dumped onto Auburn, about 20 mins before the game was to start. Lucky for us (well maybe lucky) we were running late and snacking on some tailgate bar-b-q leftovers when it started (you can tell where our priorities were!). So we hung out in my car until the rain slowed down, picked up the boys and hauled our butts to the game before it eventually started. Here's a pic from the night before at the supper club:
Caroline - Heather - Emily - me! Oh and PS I am NOT that short, actually we're all about the same height, but after we trucked it down from our hotel to downtown my feet were burning in my wedges so I changed to flats, and thus became the 'short big busted one' of our group!

Sorry for not posting anything for a long time...this girl has been busy!
Let's recap:

1. went to OKC for a wedding. After 3 hours of driving + 5 hours worth of flying we made it! Went to lunch with the guys, hung out for a bit then went to the rehearsal/dinner. Fabulous Mexican food followed by an early bed time for me! (but not for B!)

2. woke up early Saturday morning for a run (while B and our roomie slept in)...the hotel treadmills were broken so I jogged my way to the OKC bombing memorial that was about a mile or 2 away. Very sad, somber and strange to be there early in the morning, where there was no one around but me. When I ran up there my ipod started on the Killer's song "Goodbye, travel well" and that gave me the chills. The memorial is beautiful though.

3. Did a lil weekend work and then went to the wedding. It was so fun! Amanda (the bride) picked a great color palette (pinks, lime greens + oranges) and it brightened up the room! I wish I had pictures, but our camera decided that the $2 batteries we picked up at the hotel gift shop were too lame, so we got in 1 pic before it died.

4. After the wedding, we ate, drank + danced! Those Memphis boys sure know how to break it down! And our friends Becky and Ryan's son Tyler was the hit of the party. He had an obsession with the dj's disco ball and would run up and down the dance floor to the dj and then back to his parents. He was so cute and I think he had a lot of fun! We had a lot of fun hanging out with him!

5. Sunday was spent flying back. We got picked up in Nashville and after a yummy dinner started the drive home to Knox....so at 1 a.m. we got in :( and we were grumpy, tired and not ready for Monday!

6. Monday morning, I drove to Atlanta for a big work meeting that lasted ALL week! and I'm very glad its over!

7. Drove back to Knox Thursday night. Our great friends Angie and Watkins were driving through so we saw them later that night and got to hang out a bit.

8. I went to breakfast with Angie and Watkins then got ready and we started our next trip (seriously, aren't you as tired reading about all of our travels as I am travelling them!) to Memphis. It was our 10th year high school reunion. Luckily B and I both graduated at the same time from the same High school, so it worked out great!

9. Made it to Germantown just in time to go to the reunion tailgate and hang with some old friends. It was really nice to see people we knew, but to also kind of meet people we knew of or were friends with in Middle school, but didn't really hang out with in high school.

10. Saturday day I spent getting the final touches to my reunion attire and then we both hung out with our parents a bit. Then it was off to the reunion! And it was a blast! The food, drinks, music, company was awesome. I really am glad that we went. There are talks of doing a 15 year reunion because it was such a hit, and I would definitely go!

11. Sunday we did lunch with our dear friends Ashley and Joe and we got to meet their lil boy Tyler, who is a doll! Loved him, can't wait to hang out with them when they come up for a football game in November!

12. Picked up Jackson at our friends Mox and Donnas house in Nashville, got a lil dinner and then came home...luckily this time we made it home by 11:30 p.m.! Still late, but we weren't as cranky as we thought we'd be.

So there you have my past 2 weeks, in a nutshell! But I'm still not done yet! This Friday I'm going back to Nashville to take my mom to see Wicked. Can't wait, I hear its great! Then I'll be back Saturday afternoon to hang out with the tailgating crowd. Sad I'm missing the first game, but hopefully I'll make it back to tailgate some! The rest of the weekend we hope to make it out to the lake and RELAX!!! Here's hoping!

-E

So this weekend B and I will be taking a journey to a new state/city in which neither of us have been to. Oklahoma City, OK is where we are headed this afternoon (by way of Nashville). Would it be wrong if I get off the plane and start busting out "OOOOOOOOOkkkkklahoma, where the wind comes sweeping down the plains...."....I loved that movie when I was little. I wonder if they still have Surrey's with fringe on top....If you don't know what the heck I'm talking about, you must have had a lack luster childhood without musicals...

Anyways we're off to a wedding of one of our favorite Memphis friends, Brad, who is marrying a great girl, Amanda. B is actually in the wedding, so I'll be the stress free one this trip! Not only is our friend Brad getting married this weekend, BUT we'll get to see a lot of our high school friends. So I'm excited.

I think I'm want to go and see the OKC bombing memorial. If its close to the downtown hotel we're staying at I'm going to attempt to hike it over there on Saturday. I've heard about it. There are like 200 empty chairs in a field and a reflection pond and a tree that took the blast but is still standing...yes, I researched it...what else am I supposed to do in Oklahoma City besides watch out for tornados! Luckily so far the forecast says no chance of rain or bad weather. Just hotness.

I'll post pics when I return....hope you have a good weekend!
-E

Sorry! I haven't been back to blogging since June! Crazy how time flys. Anyways since we last spoke I had a wonderful 4 year anniversary with my husband. We went to a nice seafood restaurant and a movie. Then we had a lazy and productive weekend. Its officially the start of us not having to go anywhere and we're so excited to just hang out in our house and around Knoxville!

After our low key weekend I headed to Hilton Head, SC for a work meeting. Its such a big tease and so hard to concentrate when you see the beach right in front of you and when your bosses son and his friends are splashing in the pool, all the while you're having an important meeting about the state of your job. Wonderful! Anyways I was there for 2 days, and when I got back I had the rest of the week off, so I've been diligently working on getting be true designs up and rolling. I'm almost there! The launch date is now July 17th!!! I'm super excited, and you should be too!

This weekend we had our friends Melanie and Bradford come to visit. They are my personal photogs and I love them to death! We all went (as well as Mox & Donna) to the Smoky Mountains on Friday to go tubing down the river. Well who would have thunk it would be 75 degrees outside on July 3rd! Needless to say it was so much fun, BUT the first 2 hours we all were a bit close to hypothermia! By the 3rd hour the sun came out and warmed us up. And all and all we still had fun. (It wasn't extreme white water tubing, like I had been on before, more like a lazy river). See pics below:

after our 3 hours tubing excursion, waiting for the bus to pick us up.

So B and I went to New Orleans on Thursday morning last week for my best friend Emily's wedding. Emily got hitched to Jason and he is one of my (and B's) favorite people, so I'm so glad that they are officially hitched and together. It was by far the best wedding I've been to in a long while, the best food I've had on a vacation, and the hottest I've been since I lived in Memphis! Emily was an absolutely beautiful bride, and everything (though a lil stressful in the background) turned out perfect. Right now Emily and Jason have their surgery masks on and are enjoying the beach in Mexico! Very jealous!

I know this is Wednesday, but I still wanted to post about the weekend. It was great. It was B's 28th birthday and we had such a great weekend at home (something we haven't gotten the chance to do since we've move to Knoxville really). Friday we ran in the park then went home got ready and went to our new favorite Mexican joint for some yummy food and big ole Margaritas! So big we didn't finish (or at least I didn't) all of them.

Saturday morning we woke up early to beat the heat and headed to the park. B ran 10 something miles while I ran/walked 5. Oh and Jackson ran too! After that we headed to grab some lunch and took it to another park nearby and had a lil picnic. Then of course we went home and took a nap! I took B to a nice dinner on the UT strip and then we went to see the Terminator movie (it was his birthday so I had to go! but it turned out pretty good). When we got home it was Key Lime cake time (you can see that mine didn't turn out exactly like the one I posted the other day, but it was still very very yummy!)

Sunday we slept in a bit and then spent the rest of the morning cleaning like crazy! (My MIL is on her way right now to come puppy sit so I had to make sure we had everything in tip top shape!). Somehow that afternoon I got talked into a bike ride. So we headed towards the river. In Knoxville they have these things called a "greenway" all over the city. Its just a paved path around the city but most of it is in the woods or away from the street. We rode our bikes 12 something miles and although I enjoyed myself, I was sore the next day because I am still tense on the bike. Hopefully I'll get better the more we ride.

And that was our awesome weekend! Very low key, but very much our style.
Anyways like I said before the MIL is coming tonight. She is going to watch Jackson for the rest of the week/weekend while we're in New Orleans for Emily's wedding. We head to Nashville tonight because we have a flight out at 8 something tomorrow morning. I can't wait for the rest of the week though! Thursday we'll get to play around the town because come Friday/Saturday I'm all booked up with bridal duties!
And I hear its going to be a normal New Orleans summer with the temps around 95 (+humidity) and some rain chances...yuck! But I can't wait!

Hope you have a great rest of the week! I'll post pics of the trip when I get back!

-e.n.h

B and I were having a discussion (argument, tantrum or whatever you want to call it) last night about vacation. Now for some reason this year we have an abundant amount of mini trips. Trips to weddings, bachelor/bachelorette parties, showers, visit family, visit friends, etc. In fact if you look at our calender for the month of May you can't even see the dates because of all the pen and pencil markings of the events we're going to. We are booked. Solid.

So naturally I want to have a "relaxing" beach vacation at the end of the summer season, to unwind and destress. We had a 10 day long beach vacation last year that was to die for! It was perfect! And I don't even need 10 days. Just some time for my toes to get all comfy in the sand, and for me to catch up on my smut, and a tan wouldn't hurt either.

But B, well, we have determined is against vacations. I think he might be on vacation overload (since we're having to pay a lot of $ for our travels) but non the less I don't think its going to happen this year. It is especially painful now. Now that we no longer live a hop skip and a jump away from a beach. (not an anything special beach, but A BEACH none the less!) In Jacksonville we were a 20 minute, windows open through the palm trees drive away from a semi-deserted beach. Now, we're like 6-8 hours. Hmmm, Maybe I didn't think this move thing through!

Anyways I was thinking what would my top 4 vacation spots be (some I've been to and most I haven't). And surprising enough, they are not ALL beaches:
1. Italy. Especially the Tuscany region. Always has been, always will be. I even know the perfect Tuscan villa I want to stay at.
2. Greece. Something about the bright blue water and white buildings makes me happy.
3. Seaside, Florida. I have been making visits to this area (Seagrove Beach is the best place to stay) since the beginning of college, and I want it to be a tradition to visit every year. ha!
4. Maui, HI, I went once when I was a freshman in high school with my grand parents and aunt. Sadly all I really remember is the purple Seabring convertibles that all the honeymooners were driving. But I definitely want to make a return trip!

- e.n.h.

PS- I would like to formally apologize, B has taken offense to my hatred of the tv wall. He claims that the picture isn't what it really looks like. For the record, it wasn't some sort of carnival mirror camera. It came out how it is and although I apologize for publicly making fun and hating it, BUT I still don't like it.