GCB.

Happy Second Birthday, Grier Caroline Brauner!

Two years ago today you made your grand entrance at 36 weeks and surprised us all! After a very long seven days in the NICU we took you home and life has never been the same. You make me laugh every day and I have no idea what I did before you. You are so loved by so many people, sweet girl, and you make everything seem brighter. Oh, and also, please just stay this little and perfect and kind forever. Okay?? XO.

GCB.

Southern Weddings.

Southern Weddings Magazine's official launch for their V6 issue is Tuesday, but I found a copy yesterday. I'm already married, but my BFF is getting married next summer so I picked it up for her (SO excited for her wedding!). As soon as I got in the car I started flipping through and immediately asked my husband if we could have our wedding again. As expected, he said no (boooooo), so I decided to relive our beautiful southern wedding on my blog.

Kevin and I got married at Brookgreen Gardens in Pawley's Island, South Carolina. Since we were living in Chicago while planning the wedding, we did a very quick engagement session on the Thursday before our Saturday wedding. I initially didn't want to do an engagement session because I think sometimes the pictures look really cheesy and forced. Looking back at these pictures, I'm so glad we did them. And yes, I definitely pulled these pictures off of our photographer's website (shout out to the amazing Kip Beech!). This wedding was three years ago, people!

The sky was so beautiful in the beach shots.

We make cheesy look goooood.

At the time I was so against this picture. Kind of love it three years later.

Shirt, skirt, belt, and bracelets: J.Crew. Shoes: Jack Rogers.

Cheesy but lovely.

We had our photographer blow this up with a matte around it for guests to sign at the reception.

The ceremony was in front of a beautiful iron gate on the property and the reception was at the Holliday Cottage, which was built by Southern Living. It was such a gorgeous place to spend one of the best days of my life. Our colors were green and navy with pops of pink and orange. Our destination wedding was small, around 65 people, and such a fun party. 

Place settings.

My bouquet. Cheryl & Co cookies. Yummo.

Dress: Judd Waddell. Shoes: Kate Spade.

Obsessed with this veil.

After searching for all these pictures for this post and flipping through all the beautiful weddings in the V6 issue, I have decided that our wedding was so perfectly us and I would not change a thing. I would, however, do it all over again a million times over. And although Kevin said no yesterday, I know deep down it was such a special day for him too and he would for sure do it all over again.

You may now kiss the bride.

Dresses: LulaKate. Shoes: I let the bridesmaids wear shoes they already owned in fun colors.

Ties: Brooks Brothers. We let the guys all wear their own navy blazers and khakis.

Our wedding party.

This picture doesn't even look real.

Pumpkin Patch.

This year marked Grier's second trip to a pumpkin patch. Last year she was around 10 months old and really didn't care about the pumpkins or the apples or the flowers or the people everywhere. And this year? Nothing has changed. She refused to touch any of the pumpkins, she did not want to look at the flowers, she hated the apples, and she didn't care that she was there with four of her little friends. I mean, really??! I thought she'd love it. All she wanted to do was push her stroller around the mums and eat snacks. I did get lots of really cute photos of her in a tutu, so that part worked out.

The Patch.

Jacket: Crazy 8 Shirt: Gymboree Tutu: Gymboree
Rainboots: Payless Sunnies: Target

Strolling.

Mum Field.

She loved this swing.

Blogger Pose.

My Current Obsessions.

I am obsessed with these turquoise earrings. They will never go out of style and I can think of a million outfits in my closet that these gems would complement. A million. Seriously.

Earrings: Stella & Dot

Mint skimmers. Love. Love. Love. I never, ever would have picked these out for myself (THANKS, MOM!), but they are fab. Mint seems to be everywhere for Spring and once again, I can think of a ton of ways to style these jeans.

Denim: JCrew Shoes: Lucky Brand (I KNOW! And they were $20!!)

And my favorite obsession of all, Grier Caroline. She is the sweetest baby and she makes everything brighter. Not to mention she has great style. Skinny pink jeans? Stripes? A huge bow? Could you just die??!!

GCB.

Babies Must Have Style.

I went shoe shopping for my 13 month old yesterday. She is taking steps, but not fully walking. My mission was to find shoes that are functional (girlfriend needs to get her walk on STAT), but also fashionable. Let me just tell you, baby shoes, with the exception of adult brands with kid lines (Hunter, Sam Edelman, Ugg, Toms, etc.) are terribly unfashionable. Lots of browns with pink flowers, reflective silver designs, cartoon characters--seriously not cute. Don't get me wrong, Grier loves Elmo, but she will never own a pair of shoes with Elmo's likeness. No way. Not happening. So. Not. Cool. Here is what I picked...leopard Mary Janes. Leopard is fabulous. Especially on a small human. She will wear these with everything. And probably everyday since she will outgrow them in about two to three months. A fellow mom once said Grier is better dressed than her. Let me first say, that mom is a beautiful Southern Belle with great style! While her statement is definitely not true, I do dress Grier very well. No Carters for us. Pretty soon she will be big enough to shop the Crewcuts line at Jcrew. Colored denim, sequins, headbands, and ballet flats for days. Cannot. Wait.

Shoes: Stride Rite

Snow...Finally.

The first real snow is finally happening in Chicago! The past few days it has been bitterly cold...I'm talking about a high of like 4 degrees with a wind chill of like -15 degrees. Say it with me, BRRRRRRRRR. So, it's only fitting that it is finally snowing. However, if it is going to be brutally cold, I'd like a lot of snow. I'm thinking huge snow storm...16 inches...city shutting down...grocery stores running out of food. Okay, maybe not so much that last part, but sometimes I think it would be nice to live in a place like Alabama. When it starts to snow in the deep south, like a few flakes falling and not even sticking, businesses and schools immediately send professionals and children home. I have facebook friends that post statuses that prove this is a real thing. That definitely never, EVER happens here. Salt trucks are getting their salt on. Over it. Thinking about summer. And sun dresses. And wedges. And Jack Rogers. And linen shorts. Are we there yet???


Hunter Boots. Big time classic.


Chloe. Snow puppy for life.

Stripes!

As my car was being serviced this afternoon, I wandered into the Gap. I'm loving the nautical theme that is happening for Spring. Actually, let's be honest, I'm mostly loving all the stripes. I'm sure somewhere there is a fashion rule that says horizontal stripes are bad and make you look wide. I, personally, love them. Can't get enough.