Shopping Just Got Intense

Okay, I LOVE shopping and watching for new trends.  I love wearing dresses, skirts, and 'girly' blouses.  Wedding dress shopping?  It's the most intense shopping I've ever done in my life!  Yes, it's wonderful to have champagne while shopping.  However, that doesn't help that I'm lifting 40lbs of fabric over my head!  I'm literally sore the next day!  I don't know how some girls can try on any more than 15 dresses - it's a workout! 

It's not a complaint, though, because I know how lucky I am.  With each dress I feel how blessed I am to be in love with the man who wants to spend the rest of his life with me!  I wasn't looking for him, and he wasn't looking for me.  But, He is good and He created and molded us into the woman and man we needed to be at just the right time.  If I were to count my blessings, I would have too many to stop!  The challenges I've faced and still face have shown me who I am in Him and who I am in this world, and one of the things I'm going to be is a best friend and partner in life to a man greater and more wonderful than anyone deserves. 

Alright, alright, I'll get back to the fashion.  That's what we're all here for, right?  :)

Here are some of my favorites, and I'm not sure whether it's the cut, color, fabric, or just the fact that it takes my breath away; I only know that these are the dresses that show up again and again in my dreams:

Jenny Packham - This is my original dream gown. The back of the gown is just as gorgeous as the front!

Not sure of the designer, but I know the silver on this dress is calling my name!

For someone who doesn't want a huge ballgown or any traditional elements, I was surprised I fell in love with this gown.  It's a work of art, and I can't deny that!  All of my rules go out the window with this gown because it's simply magical.  From Novias de Espana

Novias de Espana

Novias de Espana

This Lazaro gown has a simple corset bodice with a sweetheart neckline, but what I love about the gown is the textured skirt!  It's no secret that I'm not a fan of dresses with the everyday ruffle, lace or large cliche flower pinned to them; I'm drawn to the skirts with wild texture - texture that from a distance one can't quite tell if it's rosettes, pick-ups, etc.  I love deconstructed material and lines that are cut a little bit irregular to give the gown more visual interest.   

Decisions, decisions.  I guess we'll see what wins out in the end... :)

A White Diamond Christmas

Christmas lights around the gate

This was the best Christmas I've had in my entire life.  That's a pretty bold statement, because twice I've gotten new cars Christmas morning from my sweet parents.  Christmas is always very special because of the incredible event that it marks - the birth of Christ. 

Taffy, our cat, looking quite festive next to my watch

However, this Christmas, I received some pretty amazing gifts, particularly the jewelry.......................
my parents gave me a new beautiful Marc Jacobs watch! --------->


Okay, okay, yes the watch was gorgeous.  It's not what made this Dec. 25th the best Christmas I've had so far.  I'll let my story continue with photos:

My amazing boyfriend became my fiance!  A beautiful proposal on my front porch while it was snowing on Christmas afternoon led to me saying "Yes, of course!" and then crying many, many tears of joy!

 

  

David is excited and keeping it together.  I'm excited and crying like a baby, haha  Thank goodness for waterproof mascara!

A ring he designed especially for me, and it was made of conflict-free diamonds (something that's important to us both!).  He had some help from my sweet friends and family, too.  The result is the above: a gorgeous symbol of a promise to spend our lives together!

We just couldn't pass up the opportunity to celebrate in the snow!  We haven't had a white Christmas in a long time, so the weather made this day even more special.  The mistletoe didn't hurt either... :)

A very snowy candy cane heart.  It was really coming down at that point, and we were freezing!

This is my favorite shot of the night.  He said "I want to dip you" and I replied "umm..okay?" kind of nervously.  But in this moment, I completely forgot the camera and pretty much the rest of the world except for the two of us.  Looking at this photo now, I still get caught in that moment.  

 

 So, that's my Christmas story.  I started the day happy and thankful, and I ended it happy and thankful, but also blessed to be able to say that I'll get to spend the rest of my life with my best friend by my side. 

Merry Christmas and happy holidays to you and yours!

XOXO,
Anna