#FriendsGettingMarried

This was the last outfit I wore before heading out to the beach – my friends Christie and Amy got married on Saturday, so I delayed my vacation by a day so I could be there. That’s how much I like them. (Take note, ladies.)

It only seems appropriate I tell you the story of how I met Christie and Amy, and I’ll try to do it in a way that is less embarrassing for Christie. So they moved to the Indianapolis area last spring, and they went to the Pride Parade. It just so happens that I was there too, and being the Instagram addict that I am, I posted a couple photos using the #indypride hashtag. Christie looked through that hashtag and saw my photos, which led her to my profile, which led her to my blog. From there she figured out that (a) I live in Indianapolis, and (b) I’m obviously super awesome.

Running the strong risk of coming off as a total creepster, Christie emailed me (she told me later that she read the email over and over and made Amy read it too before sending). I guess I was feeling nice that day, because I emailed her back. Not long after, the 4 of us met up for brunch, and the rest is history!

So if I get nothing else worthwhile out of this little adventure that is blogging, at least I have 2 great new friends. You can make fun of hashtags all you want, but without them, I probably never would have met Christie and Amy. They’re both fantastic people, and they make a fantastic couple. A million congratulations to the newlyweds, and thanks for stalking me!

Top (on sale) // similar Skirt // similar Shoes (on sale) // Sunglasses // similar Bag // similar Ring // Nails // Lips “Whimsical”

So I Got Married Yesterday…

In case you don’t live in Indiana and/or don’t follow the news, yesterday Indiana became the latest state to have its same-sex marriage ban overturned by a federal judge. The judge didn’t put a stay on the ruling, meaning many county clerks started issuing marriage licenses right away! This ruling is likely to be put on hold soon while the decision gets appealed, so a crap ton of excited couples swarmed the clerk’s office here in Indianapolis to get hitched while they still could.

Well…we were one of those couples!!!

My wife Kristin and I had a wedding ceremony (you know…pretty dresses, vows, cake, dancing, etc.) almost 3 years ago but we never made it legal until now so we’re pretty excited. Our original wedding is still our “real” anniversary in our eyes, but I’m glad we took advantage of this awesome opportunity to be a part of history! There were so many happy people there with their friends and family, and every time a couple walked down the hall with their marriage certificate, the crowd clapped. (I felt like a celebrity. It was pretty awesome.)

left to right: waiting in line; finally getting to the doors of the clerk’s office, filling out our application (YAY!)

Just to be clear, being a part of history is not quite as romantic as it sounds. We stood in line in a hot hallway for nearly 3 hours. No flowers, no music, no wedding party. We exchanged generic vows in a tiny office with someone we didn’t know. But hey, the important part of marriage isn’t the wedding day; it’s the rest of your lives. I already knew that, but yesterday was a good reminder.

The best part of the whole experience was the fact that everyone at the Clerk’s Office was amazing. We were in there at 8:30 PM, and they didn’t seem at all upset that they were supposed to have clocked out 4 hours earlier. The County Clerk Elizabeth White was walking around, personally congratulating couples, including us. People were upbeat and seemed legitimately happy to be there. Judging by the line that was still there when we left at 9:00, they still had a couple hours ahead of them!

Even the police officer who was controlling the crowds was awesome. He said things like, “I know it’s hot in here, but love is worth the heat, right?” So adorable.

Now to the part you really want to see…what I wore! This is really something I would have worn on any random day, but the fact that I got married in it makes it special, right?

Dress* // similar Jacket (under $25) // similar Clutch* // Bracelet // similar Shoes

*Dress provided courtesy of Kika; clutch purchased with gift card provided courtesy of H&M.

Challenge Accepted

^^I love the rose gold zipper detail on this skirt!

Question: What do you wear to a daytime wedding of people you barely know when there are scattered snow flurries and you’re in the middle of the Take One, Pass it On challenge?

Answer: Hell if I know. This? I went with this.

Skirt // similar Shirt // similar Coat // Shoes (on clearance) // similar Clutch* // similar Necklace // Bracelet // Lips “Crush”

*Clutch purchased with gift card provided courtesy of H&M.

3 Ways to Wear a Floral Sundress

Welcome to a new series that I like to call “How to Wear.” Actually, I don’t just like to call it that; I do call it that. Now that I’ve been posting my daily outfits consistently for a good chunk of time, I can look back and reminisce about the good ol’ days. You know, like 2 months ago. I’ve never liked repeating an outfit, but I do like wearing my favorite pieces in different ways. So let’s get to the good stuff and check out three ways I’ve styled this floral sundress.

1.  For a casual and functional traipsing-around-on-a-hellishly-hot-day ensemble (sorry, I’m not good at brevity): with a knotted belt, comfy sandals, a cross-body bag, and minimal jewelry

2.  For a night at the theater (said with a British accent because it’s cooler that way): with a statement necklace, wedges, and a summery bag

3.  For a summer wedding: with sparkles, nude pumps, and a sophisticated clutch

There you have it! Which one is your favorite??

For the original posts, see here and here.

Seasons of Love

OK, get ready for a story so cute you might cry and gag simultaneously. It’s like a Nicholas Sparks book minus the tragedy.

My friends Bob and Lydia celebrated their 10-year wedding anniversary this past weekend, and Bob decided  to surprise Lydia with a ceremony to renew their vows on Saturday. Of course, he needed the help of some of his amazingly awesome friends (like me). I volunteered to make a bouquet and programs.

B & L had wanted to go to Hawaii for their anniversary, but because of extenuating circumstances – like Lydia’s getting pregnant with their second kiddo – the trip didn’t work out. So instead we brought Hawaii to a park in Indiana.

After the bride arrived looking incredibly confused, she was ambushed with a white dress, sandals, and the bouquet (which was really beautiful and nicely arranged, don’t you think?). Then she walked onto the little pile of sand to the tune of a ukulele. The ceremony was modeled on a traditional Hawaiian wedding, so they exchanged leis and then said their vows (which involved a sing-along, although that part’s not traditional).

Then they each took sand from under the other’s feet and put them together in an authentic coconut shell from a party supply store (hey, we had to work with what was available).

The whole thing was pretty damn adorable. Here’s the happy couple. Can you believe they’ve been together 10 years? They obviously got married when they were 13. OK, now I’m just sucking up. And can I just point out that bouquet again? It’s so lovely I just can’t get over it.

But let’s not forget what’s really important: what I was wearing. Keep in mind that these photos were taken at the end of the day. It was literally 100 degrees in the shade, and the after party was at a pool so I was a hot mess. That’s why I conveniently didn’t include photos of my head.

Skirt: Everly / Nail polish: Essie Bikini So Teeny

Wedding Bells are Gonna Chime

I wore this to my friend Brandy’s wedding on Thursday. A lovely time was had by all. I had an especially good time because I was excited to wear this adorable new dress. I think it will be cute with a belt or maybe a long necklace, but for the garment’s debut I kept it simple. It also flows nicely in the wind (see above).

At the end of the night, I had a little fun with photos on site…

And since I know there are a bunch of chicks reading this who are obsessed with weddings, here’s your wedding porn.

I’m not much of a wedding person myself. The way people stress out and spend tens of thousands of dollars on what should be just one day of the rest of your life with your spouse seems silly and wasteful. Luckily, Brandy didn’t have one of those weddings! It was simple, classy, and personal. I had a good time and wasn’t worried about ruining some $500 vintage tablecloth with spilled wine (because I did in fact spill my wine).

Congrats, Brandy and Bradley!

Dress: Pitaya / Shoes: Nine West / Clutch: Coach