Just look at these gorgeous pieces from my beautiful bridesmaid Melissa. Wow. Every single one of these is classy,  stunning and unique in it’s own way. (Look at the bee! On the right! LOVE it!)

I’ve had the pleasure of knowing Ms. Melissa D. for the past 4 years. (Is that right?! Time flies.) Melissa and I met during my first year as a media liaison for CMA music fest here in Nashville. I don’t remember what our first conversation was about or specifically how our friendship started. All I know is she seemed like a darn cool lady, there was an instant connection between us and I was hooked.

Here we are a few years ago all sticky and sweaty (and probably smelly!) during the Dierks Bentley concert downtown on Demonbreun. (I have no clue why I always do that weird sideways head angle during photos…*mental note* Don’t do that on June 12.)

Melissa, you’ve been my go-to-gal through so many life events. You’re always available any time I need to talk, vent, celebrate, etc. You’ve mentored me personally and professionally numerous times. I admire your work ethic and your gigantic, kind heart. Thank you for blessing my life in so many ways. I’m extremely grateful for your friendship and stoked you’ll be standing up with me on our big day.

Thank you for gifting me with these incredible brooches. They. are. PERFECT. Andilovethem…and you!

More to come tomorrow…31 days, 10 hours until June 12. The countdown IS ON. YIKES!

My cup runneth over, ya’ll! I’ve officially collected more than 70 pieces of jewelry for my bouquet and it’s ALLLL because of YOU and your big hearts.
Thank you thank you THANK YOU! This is SO special to me. Words can’t even describe.

The pins in this top picture are from fellow Belmont alumna Miss Rachel G. The moment I met Rachel I was hooked. She has one of those electric personalities to which you can’t help but be attracted. We were inseparable at Belmont. When we weren’t in one of our PR classes, we would typically be found studying at Bongo Java or enjoying sushi at Taste of Tokyo. After walking through the graduation line together, we both found ourselves on new life adventures. Although our paths took different directions, we’ve remained good friends. I’m so thankful that, although time passes without regular visits, we pick up right where we left off. When we do get time together, it’s almost as if no time passed at all. Thank you SO much Rachel for these beautiful pins and for your unwavering friendship.

Next up we have a set of sparkly hairpins from Mrs. Marion I. It’s through my PR career that I know Marion because I am employed by her husband! Marion is one of those ladies who can do it all. Blogging, event planning, kettlebell training, eating raw, giving back to the community. Not only is this woman legitimately incredible, she has a refreshingly vibrant personality to match! Marion, I’m grateful for the time we’ve spent discussing PR/marketing ideas over coffee. Your zest for life and for helping others are rare attributes. I’m so blessed to know you and also to work for a stand-up person like Hunter. Thanks for not only being a positive influence in my life, but also for positively affecting the lives of many others in and around the community as well.

More pieces are coming soon! Stay tuned!

That’s right. The grandmother-lode. All of these fantastically brightly colored flower pins are from the jewelry box of my grandmother, aka Mimi. I had NO clue she had so many items that would be perfect for my vintage jewelry bouquet!

There’s a lot to take in and enjoy in the photo above, so this is a short post. Enjoy!

One of my longtime, dearest friends is a lovely gal named Stephanie. She and I are both originally from Southern Illinois. We met back in high school during a speech tournament. From then on, we were inseparable. Although on opposing speech teams, we always supported each other and didn’t mind not taking 1st place in prose or poetry, as long as the other won.

After high school, we were both offered scholarships to be on the Southeastern Illinois College speech team. During our time with SIC, we became even closer and our friendship grew even stronger. Here we are in a SIC team photo shortly after winning the Phi Rho Pi National Forensics Tournament. I’m on the front far left (all pink) and she is on the front far right (with those amazing white/gray/black heels):

The best part about true friendships is that time and location don’t matter. Although Stephanie is in Chicago and I’m in Nashville, we get together or talk on the phone and it’s like no time has passed. We’re both busy women who lead busy lives (who are both planning weddings!) and although we don’t get to catch up as often as we’d like, it never affects our friendship.

Stephanie, I’m so grateful for you. I hate that we’re miles apart, but I love that we’re still best friends. I’m incredibly happy we’re each a part of this exciting time in one another’s lives. I can’t wait to see what the future holds for us and our fiances. You are the definition of a classy lady and one of the most beautiful souls I know. THANK YOU for your friendship and for taking time to select these amazing brooches for my bouquet.

If not, GO CHECK IT OUT NOW.

As I’ve shared with you previously, Ashley and her amazing blog have been a HUGE source of ideas and inspiration for the Nashville wedding Philip and I are planning. Heck, I was following along with Ashley and bookmarking posts MONTHS before he “put a ring on it”.

The new ABG site features:

1) A revamped layout that makes navigation much easier. (Which includes links to DIY projects, real weddings, luxury bridal, Nashville wedding events and all the hot spots where you’ll find Ashley chattin’ it up with local brides and folks in the local bridal biz.)

2) A FANTASTIC inspiration gallery. (This is one of the MANY reasons I love you, Ashley. You make life SOOO much easier. *sigh*)

3) A directory of wedding blogs and links that features cool bridal bloggers (like yours truly) and other Ashley-approved wedding-pros.

4) A multitude of brand new, bright, hip badges you can add to your blog or wedding site. I’ve picked out my badge…have you?

Whether you’re a Nashville bride or not, you will fall in love with AshleysBrideGuide. Go see her new site pronto! (And don’t forget to check out the wedding blogs page where you’ll find the badge I created with my mad Photoshop skillz. Not really. Well, I did create the badge all by myself…not bad for someone whose messed around in Photoshop once or twice, huh?)

More vintage brooch bouquet updates coming soon! The brooches are still coming in. I love it!

I have more beautiful brooches to share with you! Last week I attended a networking event with one of my lovely bridesmaids. Little did I know that a dear friend, Jessica, would also be there…and she would have these two beautiful gifts for me! She lovingly picked out these two brooches at an antique store and gave them to me that evening. The design on the left pin shows a man playing a guitar (or some type of stringed instrument) to a women with blonde hair. Fitting. The pin on the right is made of beautiful aurora borealis rhinestones. It’s so glittery, sparkly and perfect.

This little jewel of a brooch below was given to me by my delightfully curly-haired compadre, Sarah S.  She ordered it from an Etsy shop. I LOVE the opal in the center of this piece and the blue stones really set it off. Such a unique piece of art! (Kudos to you for braving Etsy! I get on there and get overwhelmed with all the beautiful things!)

Thank you Jessica and Sarah! You are both rays of sunshine and I’m so blessed to know you.

And folks, there’s more coming soon! I received a package last night from one of my bridesmaids. She says there’s another package in the mail! Wow! I’m so amazed by the outpouring of love from you all.

Stay tuned for more!

Sheesh! Where has February gone?! We’re at 4 months and counting..yikes!

Two weekends ago I represented Rodan+Fields at the Southern Women’s Show in Savannah, GA. When I returned from that trip, I had all kinds of brooches and lovelies for my vintage jewelry bouquet! The first two photos are packages I received while was out of town. The beautiful pieces in the first photo are from Dawn, one of Philip’s twin sisters. I love the colors! Especially the black pin with the purple stones. Very unique!

This second photo showcases some stunning pieces from my cousin Leah who lives in Central Illinois. The necklace and dragonfly were her mother’s. The small gold brooch with pearls and the pink/white flowered circle pin was her grandmother’s and the blue set was her mother-in-law’s. The other three pieces belonged to Leah. Absolutely gorgeous! And so special that these pieces have so much love and history behind them.

The week before I left for Savannah, I received the following pieces from my co-worker Ambrosha. I especially love that blue flower. The smaller pieces are going to look so neat attached to the larger ones. I can’t wait to see how Amanda weaves all of these together!

I’m so blessed to be surrounded by such loving and caring people…even though some are many miles away! Thank you Dawn, Leah and Ambrosha for contributing these fantabulous pieces of jewelry for my vintage jewelry bouquet. I wouldn’t be able to do this without incredible people like you.

I have EVEN MORE brooches to share with you. I’ve received 4 more in the past week! Stay tuned!

As Philip and I have been working with our wedding budget, we’ve both been very realistic with what we want versus what is truly possible.

So 6 months ago, when we started envisioning our wedding day and setting our priorities, I have to admit, flowers were a low item on the totem pole. Don’t get me wrong. I love flowers. I think they’re beautiful and certainly wouldn’t complain if I received some tomorrow. But from the beginning of our planning process, I’ve really disliked the idea of spending money on something that will be beautiful for a short amount of time and then will wither, dry away and turn into a fragile mess. I’m SUPER excited to share that I’ve found a solution to my conundrum…a vintage brooch bouquet!

Isn’t that BEAUTIFUL?! Thanks to Amanda over at Fantasy Floral Designs, I’m going to have my very own lovely vintage brooch bouquet created from a collection of pins, earrings, brooches, rings, charms, etc. given to me by friends, family members and others who are special to me. Not only is it a unique piece of art, but it’s a keepsake I’ll get to treasure for years to come!

Everyone I’ve told about my project  has been so excited! I’m so excited others are as excited as I am! Just this past week I started telling people and I’ve already been given two brooches! (A cool little frog pin and a lovely gold butterfly!) I CAN’T wait to see what my final product looks like.

If you’re interested in contributing an item for my bouquet or have questions, thoughts, suggestions, PLEASE get in touch with me at becomingmrsdial (at) gmail (dot) com. I’d love to hear from you!