Katherine and Nathaniel's wedding

I was honored to be included in Katherine and Nathaniel's wedding on October 11. I have known Katherine and Caroline since elementary school when her family moved here. We could certainly call our friendship hand me down. 

This wedding was my third this fall (parts 1 and 2; shower here), and the whole weekend was so enjoyable.  

Katherine and her family are talented in the kitchen, and her mom treated us girls to a lovely brunch. I need this quiche recipe; it was the best I've ever had. 

We had a sweet time over brunch and gifts. I am looking forward to using my new tea kettle, and I've already tried the delicious pumpkin tea Katherine gave me at her shower. 

She's a beautiful bride, even with her tacky bouquet! I have had to explain this tradition several times lately, so I'll spell it out here. At a bridal shower (or more than one), someone collects the ribbons and bows from the presents to turn them into a bouquet. A bridesmaid, friend, mother's friend, etc. holds onto the bows for the rehearsal. Typically, we put them on a paper plate base, and we tape, staple, or punch holes and tie to attach the ribbons to the plate then make some kind of handle on the back. The bouquet goes to the rehearsal, where the bride uses it as a stand in for her wedding bouquet. 

I was expecting a reunion of old church friends, but instead, this wedding was a bit of a college reunion. Katherine and I lived together our sophomore year in college, and we were in a Bible study with other girls in our dorm. Two of the ladies above led our Bible study that year and the next. 

I enjoyed seeing Lacy, who braved Asia (1,2,3) with me over a year ago. 

My dress is Ann Taylor, pearls were a gift from my parents, and shoes are Nina, from Lindsay's wedding. 

I got to bring this handsome man as my date. 

spring things

Our yard is in full bloom. It's looking like spring!

I've always been a pearl girl, but I thought I was set with my classic short and long single strands, single strand bracelet, and simple, small studs. Now that I've played with some Waccamaw Pearls, I want even more, fun pearls. 

This triple strand, mixed texture necklace is the perfect combination of classic, fun, and affordable.

I found this floral square in a box with one of my grandmother's clutches and felt it would go perfectly with our blooming yard. I think pocket squares are a nice touch on men, and I've had fun folding them to go in a man's pocket. The pocket on my blazer is much smaller than on a man's blazer, though!

Moon and Lola Hartford block monogram earrings // Triple Threat necklace on loan from Waccamaw Pearls // HMD pocket square from Granny // J. Crew schoolboy blazer // Loren Hope small Sarra cuff // H&M dress (old) // Stuart Weitzman shoes (old)

glitz and menswear

This is the second of two looks I've posted with the fabulous Lyra necklace that I won from Loren Hope and Monkee's of Raleigh. See the first look here.

I've been reading Social Primer for as long as I've been reading blogs. I fell in love with the line when I watched a video of K. Cooper Ray talking about starting his brand, and my love grew deeper when I saw debutantes in cummerbunds and the video from the SP Smoking Winter Formal 2013 show. I just can't let the boys have all the fun. A few months ago, I ordered this cummerbund set during a flash sale; it was supposed to be for B, but before it even arrived, I knew I wanted to wear it first.

My mom was a lot more high fashion as a young woman than I am; she wore this St. John skirt thirty or so years ago with a matching top. The skirt is proof that vanity sizing exists: before I got it tailored, it fit like a 6 or 8 despite a size 12 label. I asked my tailor to reattach the label since it reads "made in USA."

This new year's eve, I'm planning a casual night at home with a few friends. Of course, there will be punch.

Loren Hope Lyra necklace // HMD tank from Mom // Social Primer cummerbund set // HMD St. John skirt from Mom (similar) // Christian Louboutin heels (similar)