Grand Rapids ArtPrize 2013

Before the madness of all the wedding festivities last week, the hubby (he’s my husband!) and I decided to check out ArtPrize downtown Grand Rapids (you can read a little bit more about it here). This year the entries were just as inspired. We literally looked around downtown for an entire day (and the evening before) and I still feel we only saw a fraction of the art work that the city had to offer. It’s always excited and exhilarating to see the city buzzing the way it does during this time. Yes, the additional crowd was particularly challenging this year trying to navigate the wedding festivities through it, but all worth it once we see the pictures from the Photographer (4-6 weeks feels like a lifetime!). 

p.s. Don't worry, you'll see more when the wedding pics come back!

{we love Panda... he made top 10!}

{real man on right imitating not real man on left... it was creepy}

{live painting his daughter's face through many individual canvases}

{NEMO!)

{PANDA :)}

Grand Rapids Blues

I can't believe it's already over. 

Meg and Max's wedding weekend was packed with so much anticipation, activity, joy and excitement...and then it all just flew by. 

Some brides have post-wedding blues, knowing that the most exciting day in her life has just passed, but sisters who see each other 2-3 times a year have withdrawls of their own.  

I miss my sister and, dare I say it, I kind of miss Grand Rapids.

During my trip to GR, Michigan, I had not only the wedding festivities to enjoy, I got to see the couple's new house for the first time, have lots of sister-pampering time and experience some of M&M's favorite hangouts. 

[Excited & charged up on the way to the airport last week.]

[Soundtrack to boarding the plane...thanks for the rec, Meg!]

[QT with Mom & Dad]

[Rehearsal dinner spot. A favorite of Meg & Max's.

Great food. Really great beer. I paid this place 2 visits during my stay.]

[Amazing, thoughtful bridesmaids gift from Meggie.]

[Best man and I may have carved something into the wedding trolly]

[Couldn't get enough of the smooching with my husband. 

Weddings have a way of bringing out the romantic side in other couples.]

[Just two married ladies enjoying the local beer.]

[Had to get a souvenir.]

[Soaking it all in before it's time to go home.]

I know that the memories made in the past 5 days will stay with me and keep me going for a long time to come. 

Congrats to Meg & Max and cheers to my baby sister...who made a stunning and composed bride from start to finish. 

CLINK!

When NOT on a Honeymoon…

This past weekend was the wedding! THE best day of my life! Since we’re not going on a honeymoon until January, we’re both back to work tomorrow. BUMMER! Instead of sharing a whole bunch of wedding day candid’s (I’ll dedicate a whole week to different parts of the wedding day once the photo's are back) I want to show what ELSE we did this past weekend, other than get married J Since the wedding was on a Friday we still had Saturday and Sunday to enjoy ourselves and friends and family that were in town!

I believe I’m going to add another label “Marriage Diaries” since I’m now a wifey! So far, pretty amazing!

{ring around the rosy with Dave's niece... this was right before hide and seek}

{Grand Rapids Brewing Company sausage}

{thanks for the spread Cheeky Strut}

{kinda obsessed with this mirror.. I took the same photo after my practice updo}

{morning after mimosa's}

{chalk board love from bridemaids}

{our guest book!}

{our home will be filled with centerpieces all week}

{clearly we spent lots of time with Dominic}

{he loves founders!}

Friday Five!

{rehearsal love}

Today is our wedding day!! #MaxAndMegTieTheKnot2013

Friday Forte: Northern Wind – City and Colour (I’ve tried my best not to listen to this song since we’ve been engaged…I slipped up a few times, but nothing will compare to the chills I get in just a few short hours when the first notes of this song start to play)

{picking my sister up from the airport! then promptly whisking her off to Founders!}

{GFS Appreciation Dinner Party – an event that I always look forward to downtown which kicks off Grand Rapids Food Show week}

{mani/pedi time}

{my girls!}

Wolverine FNO w. Selective Potential

A couple of weeks ago, I had the amazing opportunity to be a part of a bloggers Fashion Night Out hosted by Tieka of SelectivePotential. I must say, I was nervous going into this event because I only knew a couple of people and would be thrown into a sea of recognized fashion bloggers from around the West Michigan area. This is very intimidating, especially since Tieka asked me to model a pair of shoes from Samantha Pleet’s new line. No pressure... Ha!

The event was a massive success. Not only did I have the time of my life mingling with fellow bloggers (while the waiters oh-so generously didn’t let my champagne glass get below half), but I got to re-connect with an old GFS colleague who now works for Wolverine. The night was everything I hoped it would be and so much more! But don’t you worry; I’m not done with this topic yet. I’ll be showing off more of the amazing shoes that Wolverine has to offer in future posts.

Per my suggestion, Tieka was kind enough to provide a list of all the bloggers in attendance and the sites in which they own. I’m so excited to dig into some of these girls blogs. Meeting them in person makes it even more fun to follow their lives. I anticipate seeing some of these girls in the very near future! 

{the very fun gift bags from the girls at Wolverine}

{i would be in heaven with these shoes}

{and these...}

{Kayley of Sidewalk Ready with Tieka behind the camera}

{picture courtesy of Melissa of the bee's knees}