August Cara Box

Hello again!!!

Things have been so excitingly busy, but that is a post for another day. Today is all about August's Cara Box!

This month I was paired with Brenda and Raewyn! Both are such awesome ladies and I had SO much fun getting to know both of them!

I sent a box filled with fun stuff to Brenda. She loves baking, so I added some things there, as well as some other fun goodies. Check out her blog, you will LOVE her posts!!

Raewyn spoiled me for sure! 

The adorable box was filled with fun stuff! Cards to write recipes on (I LOVE creating recipes!) The CUTEST buttons ever!, and SO many things I can use for my shop: buttons, bright polka dot buttons, a sewing kit, tape measure, ribbons, and the sweetest little stamp and tags to use for packaging. I cannot wait!!

Also included was a warrior queen bracelet! You all MUST check out Raewyn's blog!

July Cara Box

I am a *bit* behind here, but PLEASE forgive me! The new job has been kicking my booty this week, and I had hoped to have this up by Wednesday. This was my first time participating in the Cara Box exchange, which is hosted by the amazing Wifessionals! This month's theme was "Nautical"--which is one the BIG reasons I signed up!!! I absolutely LOVE anything beachy.
If you are unaware of the Cara Box deal--here is what is up: From Wifessionals: cara (car-rah) noun   :   beloved friend

You will get paired up two other bloggers, email back and forth to get to know each other, and will crazily stalk their blog...in the most non-creepy way.

Towards the middle of the month you will create a box or package, specifically for the woman you were paired to send to, and ship it off to her. Your other partner will do the same for you.

You can participate as much or as little as you choose. Need a pick me up this month? Come and join in! Don't have an extra dollar to spare right now? Come back whenever you want!

Since you are re-paired each month, you can come and go as you please (:

WHY YOU SHOULD PARTICIPATE:

Who doesn't like getting surprises in the mail?

You can meet other great women

You can get encouragement (see below)

Get some blog exposure (see below)

This month I was paired with two AMAZING ladies!

I sent a package to Darcy! She is such a gem, you MUST check out her blog! She is so fun, full of life, and a great friend.

The beautiful La'Shawn sent a package to me! Also, check her out! She is SUPER creative, has a fabulous personality (SO easy to talk to!), and is such a positive person. 

This is what was included in my Cara box:

So much it was hard to get a solid pic! The background is a really great tote that has already gotten some use as a pool bag! Three GREAT pairs of flip flops, that I am LOVING! A cute bracelet, Cracker Jacks (I'd already eaten a box by the time of pic haha) tropical cups and straws, stickers, and 3 nail polishes! I emailed La'Shawn because she NAILED it--Sinful Colors is my favorite brand of polish ever!

Thank you SO much, La'Shawn!!

I am so excited to continue my blog friendship with both ladies, and SO excited to meet more ladies in August!

Oh, how Pinteresting!

This is one of my favorite weekly link ups! Somebody very close to me (not me :( ) is pregnant! So, this week's pins are all focused on planning the best baby shower ever! I cannot wait for everybody to be in on this little secret!

Wedding Day Link Up!

I will take ANY chance to share our wedding details, so when I saw this link up, I knew I had to join!

Justin and I were married 2.19.2012 in Key West, Florida.

We fell in love FAST. On our 6 month anniversary he proposed and we vowed that weekend to take our time and plan the perfect wedding.

Big fat lie. We were engaged in September 2010 and we were going to wait until January to start even thinking of plans.

Within 12 hours of being home for our engagement weekend, I was calling venues. Originally, we planned a BIG, 250 guest wedding at home.

Then, we went on vacation in December 2010. While sitting in the sun, I looked at him and said, "Let's go away and get married."

SO, we started planning.

By Christmas 2010, we knew it would be Key West. We picked a date for 2012 to give our family and friends more time to plan for a big trip.

Venue:

We did a private chartered catamaran.

Bridal Party:

I jumped the gun when planning and asked my girls before I knew we'd have a destination wedding. I told them all I would understand if they couldn't make the trip or didn't want the added bridesmaid expense. They all totally still did it! Our sides were uneven. Justin's friends and many family members couldn't get the time off work/afford to come. So he had 2 groomsmen, and our ring bearer.

Colors:

Purple, Teal, and Gold

First Dance:

The Beginning, Alice Peacock

Details:

We arrived in Key West a few days before the wedding. Saturday night we had a Welcome Party, rather than a Rehearsal Dinner. It was a BLAST! There is this GREAT place in Key West called Dante's. It has a pool, great food, and awesome service! We had a blast.

Sunday, we had pictures on the dock around 4:30, then boarded the boat.

We did ceremony and first dance while the sun was setting. Then we had our yummy tropical feast. The rest of the night was spent dancing. It was amazing!

The Dress:

I had my dress custom made by a local seamstress. I called her SIX weeks prior to our wedding because I hated my dress. She and I sketched out what I dreamed of and she made it! It was PERFECT.

Honeymoon:

We stayed a week in Key West and then we departed on a 7 day cruise!

Driving down to Key West from Orlando

St. Martin

What would I change?

Honestly, NOTHING. Our day was PERFECT. There are sometimes I wish I had put more effort into finding cheaper deals for our guests so a few more people could have made it down. But then I think, nahhh, you had a YEAR. Find your own deals! 

I am SO happy we went to Key West to get married. We fell so in love with it, and now it is "our" little place. And for real---this was the view at our wedding!

Oh, how Pinteresting!

I love this link up, and I decided to finally join this week! Necco Wafers!? SERIOUSLY/. So chic! Caramelized Banana Tart....cannot wait to try this! Salted Caramel Cheesecake bars....I can feel how sinful they are. I am lovin' this style...must try! I am getting my hair colored this week, and I am thinking of blondest blond! Check out all of my other Pins here!