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Happy Thanksgiving!

by in In The Office, Main on

We hope y’all are with your families and enjoying turkey today! (Or tofurkey, if that’s more your style!) We wanted to take a moment to each list a few of the things we’re thankful for on this most wonderful holiday.

From Emily, whose favorite part of Thanksgiving dinner is stuffing:
I am thankful for my family. I really think I lucked out with the most loving, most brilliant, and most fun family that a girl could ever ask for. I’m thankful for a warm home, a snuggly bed, and best friends, even if they’re flung far and wide. I’m thankful for God and the innumerable blessings He has entrusted to me. And today, I will probably be thankful for the Butterball hotline, seeing as I am cooking Thanksgiving dinner.

From Katharine, whose favorite part of Thanksgiving dinner is Stouffer’s Macaroni and Cheese (which is what she’s contributing to her family’s spread):
After five years, I am thankful to be spending my first Thanksgiving with Kyle. My father will be hosting the celebration this year, and I couldn’t think of a better place to share our first official holiday as husband and wife than at my family’s home in Virginia. (Macaroni + Cheese will be included.) I’m grateful for the year of changes we have enjoyed, for my father and three younger siblings and for my new family in Cincinnati. (Our first home in North Carolina, my best friend Molly and the Duke trail are just a few of the blessings that make make life so sweet.) Speaking of sweet, I’m especially grateful for candy – of all shapes and sizes.



From Lara, whose favorite part of Thanksgiving dinner is: my mom’s turnip puree.  OK, maybe it doesn’t sound exciting at first glance, but it’s like mashed potatoes with a hint of spicy heat and nutmeg.  Pretty much Southern heaven on earth. I am so grateful for Jesus, my family, and the way God has worked in my life this year.  I’m so grateful for Katharine, Emily, Marissa, Whitney, Nicole and Sierra and how they make me want to be my best every day.  They put up with my crazy ideas and my insatiable drive that keeps us busy.  I love you all so much.  I am so grateful for Gina and Emily L. and for the adventure of a lifetime we just went on.  I’ve never had close girlfriends and I have found two soulmates.  I’m so grateful for the people who opened their hearts to us on that journey.  All 100+ new friends – I’m thanking God for each one of you at my Thanksgiving table today.  So much love and thanks for all that you are.  As they say, my cup overfloweth.  I could write volumes.  I’m thankful for YOU, dear readers.  Thank you for supporting us.  I’m grateful for my eternal roomie Harmony, who is like a sister to me, and for my half-sister Kathy.  I’m thankful that these two women – my favorite women in LA – just happened to meet by chance the other night.  God is good.  I’m grateful for all of these people who have made this year so powerful for me.  Last but not least, I’m thankful for my husband.  My grandma loves him too… maybe a little too much.  Filmed just ten days ago when Gina, Ari, Emily and I went to Irvine.  Wait for it… wait for it….

Grandma Bunny from lara casey on Vimeo.


Happy Thanksgiving, lovely readers! What are you thankful for?

Photo by Erin Hearts Court

emily Written with love by Emily
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This might sound a bit strange, but I think breakfast on day 2 might have been my favorite meal of the entire trip.  Think I’m weird?  Here’s the rundown of what I had: oatmeal brulee, a fruit and yogurt spoonful, a mini skillet of scrambled eggs with sausage and peppers, banana beignets, and a custom mix from the juice bar.  Yummmm.  Plus, breakfast was outside in the Mediterranean Courtyard, which was beautiful!

We then headed into the Venetian Ballroom for a morning of sessions from fabulous speakers.  Paul Leone of The Breakers spoke first, then Rebecca spoke on the “state of the wedding industry.”  I think I took the most notes during her presentation!  After that we read from the hilarious and heartfelt Mindy Weiss, who spoke about “the good, the bad, and the ugly” in her career and the wedding industry.

After that it was time for a snack in the adjoining ballroom.  Let me tell you, these people don’t let you go hungry!  This time around, we had petit macarons and yogurt parfaits.  Delicious!

Snacktime was followed by a panel of design experts: Tara Guerard, Todd Fiscus, and David Beahm.  The things they are doing with events and flowers and lighting are truly spectacular!  Lastly that morning we listened to a dynamite presentation from business expert and road warrior Cindy Novotny

Pictured below :: Cortnie Purdy of Canvas and Canopy Events, Harmony Walton of The Bridal Bar, Lara, and Lindsay Pitt of TOAST Events; Chris Confero and Lara

We were then ushered into the spectacular Circle Room for lunch.  The room itself is breathtaking, and with the addition of gorgeous decor and a fabulous string quartet, the experience as a whole was magnificent.  Plus, I just about fainted from cuteness overload — yummy boxes?!  The work of Smock and DK Designs.  Oh yes, then I almost fainted again when I got to help THE Sylvia Weinstock decorate a cake.  For reals.

After lunch we headed back to the ballroom for a few more sessions.  First up was the hilarious and brutally honest Marcy Blum, who spoke largely off the cuff.  Next was a panel lead by Martha Stewart Weddings editor in chief Darcy Miller, who was speaking with Amy Atlas, Abby Larson, and photographer Donna NewmanThe Knot founder Carley Roney moderated the next panel of Randy Fenoli and stationery designer Ceci Johnson of CECI New York.  Finally, we ended the afternoon with a talk by Bryan Rafanelli of Rafanelli Events, and I am not exaggerating when I say he blew everyone away.  He was definitely my favorite speaker of the conference.  P.S. You may have heard of him — he designed a little thing called Chelsea Clinton’s wedding!

Oh yes, then there were some more snacks — orange-themed this time.  I thought of my dear Katharine when I spotted circus peanuts in the mix!

We ended the night with dine-arounds at a few of The Breakers’ fabulous restaurants.  I was thrilled to dine with Marilyn Oliveira of Inside Weddings and Siri Eklund, as well as fellow attendees Susan Murray, Julie Sabatino, Josh Madans, and Christine Gallagher.  After that, it was — you guessed it — time for more food at the dessert reception on the Ocean Lawn.  Annie Lee of Daughter of Design and I couldn’t get enough of the custom donut station — delicious!  I also enjoyed speaking with Tim O’Neill of the Piano Brothers — we love playing his CDs in the SW office!

Pictured above :: Marcy Blum, Mel Barlow, Jeff from The Breakers, Lara, me, and Harmony Walton

Back with more from the third and final day soon!

All photos in the post are from Mel Barlow, DVB Photographers, Lara’s camera, or one of our iPhones!

emily Written with love by Emily
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Contest Recap!

by in Contests on

Whew!!  We have so much going on right now, y’all, I think our office might be about ready to lift off the ground!  Since I know we’re feeling a little frazzled, we figured you might be as well.  Therefore, a recap of our current contests is in order!

(Image c/o Stephanie Williams)

You can win one of 10 copies of V3 or a $50 iTunes gift card by tweeting a link to this post and the phrase “I love the @iloveswmag cover!” and/or leave a comment on that same post with your Twitter name and what makes you happiest in life.  See all the details here

Our newest giveaway gives three readers the chance to win a pair of custom map cufflinks from Tomato-Made.  Your entry is a comment on this post — hop over there before October 18!

Win a bowtie (your pick!) from Southern Proper, XOElle, or The Cordial Churchman (all SW favorites and featured in V3!) by telling Lara your favorite thing about fall on this post.  Ends tomorrow!

And finally, my personal favorite: our V3 mega photo contest!!  Entries are due November 5, and we want them to be creative!  See all the details here, then tweet and email your submission ASAP!  Remember, you could win your choice of 1) 10 copies of V3, 2) an ad on the new SW site, 3) an iPod Nano, or 4) a feature on the SW blog!

Good luck, and happy Tuesday!

Written with love by Katharine
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  1. avatar Kendall reply

    The bridesmaid dresses are really beautiful and the scenery is just breath-taking.

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