The Carolinas


Thursday Emily and I traveled to Charlotte, NC for a bridal expo.  There were more than 300 beautiful brides, diamond rings, and many incredible vendors. Being the productive planners we are, we arranged to meet with a couple of our Charlotte clients. Charlotte is an amazingly different market than Asheville, with entirely different clientele.


Friday was a busy day of design work for Saturday's wedding in Greenville, SC.
Saturday I was privileged to work the wedding of Allison and Austin-- high school sweethearts from Texas. After 7 years dating, they were thrilled to finally be married. The ceremony took place in a lovely chapel on the top of a mountain and the reception followed at the Wyche Pavilion (above) in Greenville. The South Carolina heat couldn't stop Allison, Austin, friends, and family from dancing and celebrating well into the evening. Being a part of making a couple's dream day come true is incredibly rewarding.

The Wyche Pavilion is an open air, refubished mill. I think I actually fell in love. I brought Chris back Sunday to experience the unique feel that Greenville has because its essence is very hard to put into words.  I would encourage anyone to visit. 

Traveling through the Carolina's during my time here has been enriching, and has further provoked my desire to travel.

Have a Coke and a Smile


Coke On Ice Coca Cola Bottles Print (1966)

There is nothing in this world more refreshing than a Coca~Cola, and it never fails to amaze me the way that a it will turn my day around. There is just something about the sweetness and the bubble of an ice-cold Coke that nothing else can touch.

Today was  a hard day at work-- the event planning industry isn't always easy. Well, it's rarely easy, but today was ROUGH. On my way to make a drop at the post office I looked down at my clock. 3:47. Could I make it?! If you know me at all, you know that there is only one thing I could be thinking at that present moment-- HAPPY HOUR AT SONIC IS ALMOST OVER!... And yes. I made it, and the day was saved.

You may be wondering why I would take so much time to post about a beverage. Well, because the first quiet moment I had today I was flooded with happy memories,  many of which involved Coca~Cola.
I thought of camping trips with ice chests full of all the soda a seven-year-old could imagine.
I thought of the first drink I bought on my 21st birthday (yes, a coke!).
I thought of my mom pouring me a glass before long talks on our back porch.
 I thought of Cokes and sun tanning with my sisters.
 I thought of sleepovers at Nana and Pawpaws when I could drink Coke as late as I wanted and stay up and watch TV.
I thought of Sunday lunches at Honey's when she would buy mini-cokes for all the grand kids. 
I thought of  Happy hours with best friends and meeting my roomie in the Union between classes, as if we weren't going to see each other in an hour at the apartment.
I thought of Route 44s EVERYDAY before work at Gabbie's on the Avenue.
I thought of giving up Coke every year for lent, and I also thought of it being the longest forty days of my life.
And always, I think of drinking a glass bottled Coke with my great grandmother Marie.

Probably my favorite thought I had occurred to me as I was typing this.
The thought of Chris bringing me a Coke after I got out of the hospital from having a kidney stone removed.
I'm sure he hardly understands all my quirks, but after six years he knows them all...
and he knew that would make me VERY happy.
He really is the best.

It's the simple things in life, right?
So, may I encourage you all to indulge in something you enjoy?
Have a Coke and a Smile.

Enough reminiscing... but in the spirit of Coca~Cola, what better way to add a personal touch and vintage flair to your wedding?

coke drink bar
I love the idea of using a classic soda and antiques to bring a sense of timelessness to an event. I love the familiar pop of red, which is far from understated, but not over-the-top. This soda bar is simultaneously rustic and elegant-- and well, it's simply lovely. Not to mention a refreshing surprise for guests.

Searching for and refinishing antiques is always a good time, and it is a great way to involve friends and family in your big day. Wedding planning should be a time for making sweet memories, not stress-- that's the wedding planner's job :). Think of what great conversational pieces they will be when entertaining in your new home.

Fireworks Over Biltmore Park


The Wesson Memorial Run has always been one of my favorite 4th traditions. It was terribly sad for me to miss out on that time spent with family, but I ran through the mountains in sweet memory of Ray, Ann, and Dave Wesson.

I also had the privilege to visit on the phone with my great-grandmother, Eleanor Bradford Lemon, who turned 96 on July 3rd. It was like chatting with an old friend. She is an incredible woman... I have a lot of those in my life.  

Spring Time

 I find that as I get older, I appreciate each season more and more for what it is because it helps slow down time. Spring has always been a highly anticipated time of year for me. Spring means a break from school, no more puffy winter jackets, birthdays, and FLOWERS! I just wanted to do a quick recap of this gorgeous time of year.

Spring Break 2011

At Universal Studios, Orlando, FL


April

Mississippi State University



This Japanese Magnolia is one of my favorite things about Mississippi State. I have learned over the last few years at State that this tree means the end is near. It is a light at the end of the tunnel so to speak. Studing under this tree is about as peaceful as finals can get.

Chris took the photograph of me before a College of Business Ambassedor event. The pink sweater (which I borrowed from my wonderful roomie) matched so well it was hard to pass up this photo-opt. 

May


May 6, 2011 I turned 21. Chris and I spent a fun day celebrating in the city of New Orleans. Shortly after on May 21, 2011 Chris turned 21 in Asheville, NC. Chris gave me a beautiful Walter Anderson print of a lily that I can not wait to hang up in my pretty purple cottage in Starkville.  I gave him a banjo-- he learned to play it in no time (and he looks great doing it)!
Cheers.



Before we left home we went out to a celebratory dinner with my parents to Mary Mahoney's. It was a really wonderful time spent visiting about what was and what is to come. What better way to finish up a wonderful evening than by wine at Maisanos by the Glass in Ocean Springs?

On Friday, May 13, 2011 both our cars were loaded up and we said good-bye to our sweet, loving (and worried) mothers. We made it to LaGrange, GA that evening and spent it visiting with one of my very first friends in this world, Ms. Sherry Roberts. She was a wonderful hostess and made the long drive and transition smooth and memorable.

On our way to Asheville we stopped in Atlanta for the Fleet Foxes Concert at the Tabernacle. It was a gorgeous venue and the band put on a show that was out of this world. I love, love, love enjoying live music with Chris. I feel safe saying that it is one of our favorite things to do together and always such a treat!
Anyway...

We made it to Asheville. So let the adventure continue and the summer begin!

The Wedding Planner

I have decided to put the personality traits that you all know and love to use. My tendency to worry (as well as other traits I thought to be undesirable) makes me a highly qualified for my internship in event planning and coordination. 

I work for Occasions by Emily.

J.Lo?-- Not exactly. This is Emily, my boss.
emily

She is beautiful inside and out. I could not have found a better employer if I searched the whole world. She has two sweet girls and a baby boy that I absolutely love.

Check out her work at http://www.occasionsbyemily.com/




Sharing


 
As far back as I can remember I have been walking to the beach. As a baby I was pushed in a stroller, and then pulled in a wagon. Before long I was out of the wagon on to my trike, then proudly riding my glamourous two wheeler with sparkly tastles hanging from the handles. Sometimes we would stroll slowly. All the Lemon girls hand-in-hand. Beach walks have been care-free, romantic, silly, sometimes awkard, and of course a great source of excercise. The beach has been a place for talking, laughing, crying, and tanning. My time spent at the beach has molded me into who I am today, but my friends, it is time for a change in scenery.


My life has taken a new direction this summer-- a turn I would never expected, but with the love of my family, support of my parents, encouragement of my very dear friends, and by the hand of my Heavenly Father here I am.  Asheville, NC.

It didn't take me long at all to fall in love with the Blue Ridge Mountains.


"To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven" Ecclesiastes 3:1

This Summer has been an incredible season of my life as I am actively seeking out my purpose. I am so excited to SHARE my experience.