This December I will be attending the wedding of Victor Stopeck to Rachel Goodman. They are both stateside transplants to the island of St. Thomas, USVI so I get to take a trip to see the ceremony. Rachel is ever so sweet and yesterday she sent me links to three very cool sites she found for us less traditional brides:
http://www.weddingbee.com/ for ideas and blogs. It’s good to hear from outside-of-the-box brides.
http://offbeatbride.com/ for more ideas and blogs. There was an actual costume party wedding on here.
http://www.etsy.com for cool handmade bridal accessories and bridal party gifts.
Etsy has been a bevy of uber gift ideas for my girls. I would have never thought to look here but I have found so many things that hit on their style. Their personalities are so different but I am sure they will all like the beautiful pieces I have found there. It has given me reason to pause in thinking that I would by them the standard jewlery to go with their dresses. Why not give them something they will wear always!!!!
Atlanta Arts Festival
Have I said how much I love Piedmont Park. We are getting married there because not only because of its beauty but for all of the great things it offers.
The drought has meant sad times for Screen on the Green and many other events that are usually held there; but the Atlanta Arts Festival still managed to book it this past weekend. Joe and I went down on Friday and had a great time looking at the works of and talking to many of the artists. (Word to the wise, the crowds are thin on the opening nights of these festivals. You can actually meet with the artists due to small crowds).
There was an amazing metalwork artist named G.M. Webb from Texas. He is self taught and twists copper and aluminum wire in to masks that are amazing. Here are two of his pieces. He has a great website with many other pieces. http://www.sculptorgmwebb.com/
We also had the chance to talk with painter Geoffrey Aaron Harris. His main influences are retro toys and arcade games. He works in acrylics and watercolors. Very cool…
Great pieces for decorating a kids or gameroom. His website is http://www.geoffreyaaronharris.com/
Chris Hartsfield of Daphne, Alabama was there with his paintings and we are big fans. He does watercolors of city streets, wine and spirits and nautical themes. I am always amazed by those who can master such a messy medium as watercolors. I bought Joe one of his pieces for Christmas and we are looking forward to adding to our collection. Maybe we can add some of our favorite pieces to our wedding registry. His reprints are very affordable and after taking a trip to Sam Flax for a frame you officially have real art in your home!
See more of his work at http://www.chrishartsfield.com/
After seeing all of the art we enjoyed a dinner of nachos at Willy’s. I don’t know if I will ever be able to live in an area now where I cannot walk to things. Especially when you are walking alongside great neighbors with cute kids and dogs. I am thoroughly spoiled now.
Oh My Honkin!!!
I recently got an email from my friend Brandi who is in graduate school at SUNY Courtland. She is from Tuscaloosa, AL and has taught me the virtue of not cursing..instead yelling things like, “Oh my HONKIN’!” and “WHAT THA’ JUNK!”
Anyway she is from a small town, but Courtland, NY is a teeny town. The photo above is one she took out of her car window. My response was, “B, you are in the KON-TREE!!” . In her colorful emails she explains how the town goes completely dark at 10. And she means street lights and everything else are turned off. She also cries about how there is no Mexican food there. And let me tell you the girl can eat her Mexican. Apparently the nearest thing to it is a Moe’s and that is a 45 minute drive away. At the end of the last email she sent me she reccommended we all pig out on Mexican if we had the chance to make up for the fact that she cannot. Today I am taking her up on that request. Nuevo Laredo here I come!!!
If you are not in the mood for Mexican you can help offset Brandi’s lack of sweet tea. They have none of it up there and that is killing her too. Drink up! Eat up! It is Friday!!!
My best friend
I am in a crummy mood today and I don’t know why. I am very blessed in my life and just realized that “I” decide on my mood for the day. I have many things to be thankful for so I need to quit my belly aching and take stock of them.
The thing I am most greatful of is my fiance Joe. He is my best friend. He likes watching the rain clouds roll in, going to art festivals and holding my hand. He also likes belching, watching Family Guy, and going to Trader Vic’s. He is a good person and makes me want to be more of one.
Maria Pinkelton 