Melt my heart...

This is what I came home to last night...

You all know I love a hard working man! He’s wonderful to me. Billy made sure the house was spotless, vacuumed, kitchen cleaned and not a stitch of dirty laundry (except what we were wearing). We both are a bit OCD and do not like leaving a mess behind so he took care of everything. Now we are taking the week off to enjoy each other and actually do something besides work…and housework! I'm looking forward to 10 days of bliss! :) Have a happy weekend/week everyone.

Trendy Ink Designs - Website News

Have you ever loved doing something so much you would do it for free…with a smile!? That’s exactly how I feel about designing for my clients; I really do love the process of working with them to execute their vision or ideas through custom design. Although, after years of voluntary work I decided early last year that it was time to venture out and started Trendy Ink Designs. I have been blessed with fabulous clients and am grateful for this road the Lord has lead me on.

So recently, I decided it was time to finish up a project that has been in the works the past year. It’s been a long time coming but my website is officially up and running with updated content. There’s still more to come in the future, but for now I am pleased to show it off to you. I’m grateful to my web designer, Karen Salsbury, for her patience with me during this process. She was easy to work with and does a great job. For anyone looking for a web site you can find Karen linked from mine...go check it out & share the love, http://www.trendyinkdesigns.com/!

Celebrating in the Outer Banks

The family arrived in Manteo, North Carolina early Friday morning. Everyone seemed excited to be in a quaint town full of new experiences but the best part was having the family together again. It’s rare that we get to have all of my moms’ siblings and their families in the same location. There are five siblings so someone is usually missing. We were all gathering for a big day, an exciting day…my cousin, Jay, was getting married! Personally, I was thrilled because as the bride at the last family wedding I didn’t get to hardly visit or enjoy everyone. I found the trip a perfect opportunity to celebrate with Jay & his new sweet wife, Beth, and enjoy my New York family. Unfortunately, Billy had to work and couldn’t make the trip; he also missed out on all my dance moves! *Maybe that's a good thing!?* That’s right; we all danced the night away at the reception. I’d love to go back to the Outer Banks and stay at the Roanoke Island Inn again; it was such a lovely place!

Pop & I waiting in the airport for our rental car

Mom and her siblings (my favorite New Yorkers!)

Aunt Donna & Mom - Irish Twins

Pop and I took the Inn's bike's out for a ride along the dock

Uncle Jimmy & Aunt Donna took the family Sailing

on the morning of the wedding.

It was such a fun experience for everyone!

Jay & Beth exchanging vows
Dance! Everyone was dancing the night away -

it was such a fun wedding reception...even Pop!
Jay & Beth Boeri, the happy newlyweds! Congratulations!!

Umm...I want an adventure, please?

I woke up this past weekend knowing I wanted to do something different than our "usual". Billy asked me what I wanted to do and I told him I wasn't sure, I just wanted an adventure. We had already conquered the beach, shopping, house projects and I couldn't put my finger on just what it was I wanted to do. A few moments later Billy came to me and told me to put on my tennis shoes. Okay, wait - are we talking a pony tail day!? He said yes - so I continued to ask questions and figured out whatever adventure he was going to take me on required going all out. I'm not talking about dolling up and sporting my fav heels...going all out in my pony tail, Diesel sneakers, and packing a smaller cooler with ice and water.


Billy was taking me to the Okefenokee Park to do some trailing! I must say it was extremely fun and it was my first trip there. Before trailing the Okefenokee, my days of playing in the woods and seeing huge banana spiders had ended on Braddock road. Braddock road was my childhood street where to survive each kid owned a go-cart or four wheeler, a BB gun or machete and a canteen and no one returned home until the dinner bell rang. Our hike this past weekend through the woods definitely brought me back 20 years! We had so much fun I might just want to go again...soon!

Mott Braddock

Recently, I had the opportunity to work on a different kind of project for Trendy Ink Designs…something new! One of my oldest and dearest friends approached me about possibly designing his new self titled EP cover and CD design. Of course I jumped at the opportunity because it’s not everyday I get to work with a country music star! :) The new EP features four hits produced by David Fanning and Mott himself, the first song “Don’t Give up on Me” is my personal favorite! I’m so excited to see Mott finally living his dream. I cannot wait until he makes it to the big stage so I can travel back up to Nashville and watch him shine. Until then, keep up with Mott Braddock and his journey here on his new website, he truly is a hidden talent yet to be unveiled.

Taylor & Josh are getting Married!

I love-love designing anything wedding related. It's such a happy time for the bride, her groom and their families as wedding preparations take place. Taylor contacted me at the beginning of the year about her December '09 wedding. After meeting with Taylor I was excited to start thinking about design concepts because she is an "out of the box" thinker. She did not want anything too traditional and everything in the stores did not seem to spark her interest. I was thrilled to take on the challenge! Together we came up with a unique & personalized wedding package. While the invitations are at the press I will share with you the ‘Save the Date’ she mailed a few weeks ago - it's a magnet! Wedding Invitation previews will follow in the coming weeks. Congratulations, Taylor & Josh, I’m delighted for you both.

A day in Savannah

This past weekend Billy and I woke up knowing we just didn’t want to stick around town. Saturday, June 27, had marked our 1 year “anniversary” to the first day we actually met for a lunch date face to face after emailing for about 5 weeks prior. By the way, we both left that lunch date knowing we would eventually marry and 5 months later as you all know, we did! God is so good. Here's Billy on another improptu interview, he sure does love me to put up with all my interviewing!

Isn't he the cutest!? :-)

Anyway, we thought about going to Orlando for the day and decided Savannah would be better! Sad to say, neither of us had been there to visit. Pure *shock* if you grew up in the south. I’ve driven through countless times on numerous trips but never stopped to take in the beauty of Savannah and I’m so glad we did! It is such a beautiful place to spend a Saturday. Although, I must admit that a visit in June wasn’t our brightest idea! We walked all over the city (who needs those carriage rides anyway!?) and it was at least 99 degrees that day. Needless, to say though it was a blast!

We have not perfected the self portrait...in due time.

My personal goal was to have some of Paula Deen’s yummy food at her oh so popular restaurant, Lady and Sons , and I wasn’t disappointed! When we got there the sign said that they were booked for lunch and dinner, I was crushed! Booked? What?? Billy went up and talked to the hostess and asked her if there was any way that she could fit just the two of us in and she gave him the golden ticket (actually it was blue). =) Straight up to the 3rd floor we went. The place was crowded with people eating lunch and everyone looked happy! How couldn’t they be happy? They were eating Paula’s food. It’s probably a heart attack waiting to happen but it’s a southern gals dream. I do recommend the lunch buffet filled with fried chicken, ribs, baked chicken, Mac & cheese and numerous southern styled veggies. We both ate for under $35 – not bad for a hot spot!

After lunch we walked and walked some more. I’ve been on the hunt for “the perfect” pictures for our bedroom. To no avail a lovely boutique had just what I was looking for! I was excited to have found the perfect pieces to make our bedroom a little more complete. Decorating a home is exhausting (but fun)!
How cute is this little old lady!? I want to dress like that when I'm "old"! :-)

We ended the day with several cold bottles of water on the drive home and were happy to have had the time to get away and enjoy Savannah together. I love getting away for the day with my best friend, what could be better!? We’re hoping to go back in the Fall once the weather is a bit cooler.