Simply Suzanna

Free Printable Vintage Posters

2013-05-22T19:17:00.001-05:00

Thanks to Honey and Fitz I'm sharing this great website where you can print free vintage posters! Go to freevintageposters.com and you will find a treasure chest of free art. I fell in love with vintage travel posters awhile ago, and I'm loooving that I can print some at home for free.

Friday Fill-in's

2012-12-14T10:39:00.000-06:00

It's been awhile, but I needed some help to get back into blogging.

1. When it comes to holiday shopping, I love it! Gift giving is one of my favorite things to do. Christmas is the best excuse to buy things for people.

2. A few things on my Christmas wish list are... birchbox subscription, YHL's book, Cake decorating set, sewing machine case, fuzzy bathrobe .

3. An intangible gift I would like to receive is a visit with family.

4. A gift I would like to give this year is to my family- a visit from BL, Brody and me.

5. My Christmas will be spent at home with the doggie and BL.

6. My most favorite Christmas gift of all time was my American Girl doll when I was 10 or 11.

7. The best thing about the holidays is the feeling- what you feel when you hear the music, see the decorations, snuggle with loves, think about giving...

Link up with Lauren at the little things we do

Wedding Picture Preview!

2012-12-02T22:26:00.000-06:00

These were taken by our lovely photographers, Krystal and JD, of GingerSnaps!

Christmas Cheer

2012-11-28T14:59:00.001-06:00

It's time to deck the halls around our house. Brody's not sure what to think about the tree. It took two treats to get him to sit in front of it for a picture. Several people asked me what the little stocking is for-- Brody of course!

All right, I cave in, fall is here...

2012-11-07T11:35:00.000-06:00

All right, I cave, Fall is here by simplysuz featuring metal jewelry

Old Navy knit shirt / Old Navy cami top / Ikat skirt / Kendra Scott bride jewelry / Metal jewelry / Sheer shawl / Clarks

Dressing it up or down

2012-11-02T11:28:00.000-05:00

Dressing it up or down by simplysuz featuring sequin handbags

Floral Pop for Fall

2012-10-30T11:43:00.000-05:00

Floral Pop for Fall by simplysuz featuring camisole tops

POL cardigan / Old Navy camisole top / A line skirt / Falke merino wool tight, $46 / Eddie Bauer shoes / J.Crew leather satchel handbag / Kendra Scott white jewelry / Kendra Scott jewelry

Aruba Thursday and Friday

2012-10-27T11:44:00.000-05:00

Aruba Tuesday and Wednesday

2012-10-26T11:40:00.000-05:00

My husband, relaxing on the beach

Reading on my Kindle

Pelican

Bar inside the catamaran- our sunset cruise

yum!

Isn't he handsome?

Tara suites

a tornado!

beautiful beach

Aruba Sunday and Monday

2012-10-26T11:26:00.000-05:00

Our Suite

The sandbar deck

The view from our room

First dinner at Bucuti

Aruban version of flan

Jeep tour around the island

gold smelting ruins

California Lighthouse

Natural bridges

Goats and sheep

Cactus

Coconut trees

Baby Beach

The French Steakhouse

Etsy Purchases for our Wedding

2012-10-24T13:34:00.000-05:00

Now that the wedding is over I want to show you all of the goodies I bought from Etsy sellers for our wedding.

First up, my jewelry.
I love the way this bracelet hangs from my wrist. It's delightfully bauble-y. It made me feel happy every time I felt it swing around my wrist.

Pearl and Crystal bracelet from Teri Huang

This necklace has been in my favorites on Etsy for several years. It feels classy and pretty, and the best part for me is that it's light on my neck. (I have issues with feeling like necklaces are going to strangle me...)

Pearl Necklace on a silk cord from Pamela Curran

Next up, Bridesmaids!
I ordered each of them an initial bracelet with a green gemstone charm. I love these, and thought they would be a great gift that they would like to wear even after the wedding.

Gold initial bracelet from the Jewelry Bar

For the two Moms in my life I special ordered two embroidered hankies with messages from me.

Hankies from Molly and Mom

Back to normal life... sortof

2012-10-24T11:36:00.001-05:00

Well, I'm back from our honeymoon! We went to Bucuti and Tara Beach Resort in Aruba and absolutely loved it. The location was just right for a honeymoon. 7 days was the right amount of time to tour the island, relax on the beach and see and do a few things. It's not a very big place, and normally BL and I would be bored without more to do, but it really forced us to slow down and relax.

Our wedding was so wonderful and I can't wait to get the pictures back so that I can write about it all!

This week is my last one here in Nashville. It was so hard to say goodbye to Bl at the airport on Monday! He flew back to Raleigh and I wanted to be going with him so badly! But we'll only be apart for 5 days, thank goodness. I can't wait to get to NC and unpack and decorate.

In the next few days I'll post pictures of our trip.

Kate Spade vs Modcloth

2012-10-23T11:17:00.000-05:00

Kate Spade vs Modcloth by simplysuz featuring vintage looking dresses

Kate Spade bright colored dress
katespade.com

Vintage looking dress
modcloth.com

Wedding Day Style board!

2012-10-13T15:00:00.000-05:00

My Wedding Day Style board by simplysuz featuring teardrop earrings

Kendra Scott teardrop earrings / Ann Taylor Two Tier Fingertip Length Veil / CULVER-YS / Bridal bracelet with swarovski pearls and rhinestones, wedding... / RESERVED for SUZANNA with CREAM Colored Silk Cording Real Fresh Water...

Rehersal Dinner Dress

2012-10-12T10:48:00.000-05:00

Rehersal Dinner Dress by simplysuz featuring high heels

Cotton dress / Plus size cardigan / High heels / Bridal necklace / Kendra Scott earrings

Green and Yellow Living Room

2012-10-09T13:51:00.000-05:00

Green and Yellow Living Room by simplysuz on Polyvore

Coqo Floral Rug
anthropologie.com

Bukhara Pillow 24" - Apple Green
zgallerie.com

Aqua Blue White Chevron Chic Throw Pillow
zazzle.com

Rizzy Home T-3511 18" Decorative Pillow in White Yellow
wayfair.com

Target:Cooper Tub Upholstered Chair Leaves
target.com

Seagrass Wingback Armchair
potterybarn.com

Radiant Mirror
pier1.com

Fern Delilah in 1.45 Quart Ceramic Tabletop Planter
lowes.com

Seagrass Ottoman
potterybarn.com

Z Gallerie - Dachshund Bookends
zgallerie.com

DwellStudio Pebble Blue Double Bulb Vase
zincdoor.com

Ginger Salt Side Table
crateandbarrel.com

Esme Bruno Pedestal Table
crateandbarrel.com

Honeycomb Lamp
pier1.com

PB Basic Grand Sofa - Brushed Canvas | Pottery Barn
potterybarn.com

Grande Medallion Window Panel - Pier1 US
pier1.com

Antiqued mercury glass sparrow | My Sparrow
my-sparrow.com

Textured Chevron Pillow - Pier1 US
pier1.com

Elephants on my shirt

2012-10-03T10:28:00.000-05:00

I just bought this top. It has pink elephants on it. For some reason I couldn't resist!

This shirt has elephants on it! by simplysuz featuring a pleated blouse

Pleated blouse / Old Navy khaki shorts / American Eagle Outfitters ankle strap sandals / FOSSIL handbag / Morra Designs disc earrings

Summer into Fall

2012-09-28T11:20:00.000-05:00

Summer into Fall by simplysuz featuring seychelles shoes

Sheer top / Elastic waist skirt / Seychelles shoes / Leather bag / Monserat De Lucca / Kendra Scott bridal jewelry

Looking for a Wedding Day cardigan

2012-09-27T12:14:00.000-05:00

Hmm, should I get ivory or cream? Or blue? or green? Remember, these are my shoes:

I can't show you what my dress looks like, but I'm looking for a cardigan to put on before the wedding and during the reception if it's chilly. Here are a few I've scoped out:

Wishing summer would stick around

2012-09-27T10:23:00.000-05:00

Wishing summer would stick around by simplysuz featuring genuine leather handbags

Elastic waist skirt / Swell Said Top / Jack Rogers leather slip on shoes / FOSSIL genuine leather handbag / Nordstrom handcrafted earrings / Kendra Scott gold chain jewelry / Metal jewelry

Organizing Photos and my scrapbooking dillema continued...

2012-09-26T11:23:00.000-05:00

from here

If you couldn't already tell by my last post, I'm leaning more towards digital than traditional scrapbooking for most of my To Do List.

I have several albums that are half finished that I'll finish the traditional way, and there are a few special events that are less than 10 pictures each that will go in albums I already have. So here is my updated Photo To Do List:

Finish unfinished scrapbooks
Organize remaining photos
Create photo disks for all digital photos
Back up digital photos on portable hard drive
Create digital scrapbooks (see list below)

Digital Books to make:

Wedding
Honeymoon
2012
2011

Here are some options I'm considering:
Blurb
I've really really intended on making a Blurb blog book for a year now, and just haven't done it yet. But I've been hearing more about Blurb for photo books. This might be a great option for both. I really like how Natalie did hers. I also like what Lemon and Raspberry did with her Alaska and Scotland vacations and her December daily book. When I first found Allie Edwards blog I was convinced that I wanted to do a week in the life book, but the December daily book looks really fun. The buildup to Christmas would be so interesting to document. Another interesting photo book is this Instagram one that Elise did. She wrote captions in it after it was printed. I like the personal touch.

Shutterfly
I've heard mixed reviews on this one. Their software crashes and people lose all of their work... other people say they love it. They have some great coupon codes though, like 50% off and buy one get one free. I've ordered prints from shutterfly many times.

Mixbook
Not sure yet about this one, but I like what I see so far. Great reviews and lots of freedom to customize. The software is online, and that makes me nervous. Just like with Shutterfly- there's more of a risk of losing your work.

MyPublisher
I've heard some great things about this one. You download their app on your computer and do all of your work in that. The books are all landscape- which is probably fine- but I noticed that some of the other sides have portrait sized books too.

Also...
PhotoBookGirl is a fun blog that has a ton of reviews on different photo book sites and has coupon codes. There is also a wizard that will help you decide which site to use and show comparative prices. I'm not sure how accurate it is, but it's pretty cool.

Organizing Photos and my scrapbooking dillema

2012-09-25T11:09:00.000-05:00

I've got a box of pictures. A box bigger than I should have for my 27 years of life. Oh I should mention that I l also have about 20 albums filled with scrapbooks and pictures. Not good for my minimalist heart.
As I'm getting ready to move (for the 8th time in 5 years!) I'm really trying to consolidate, sort and donate my things. I've tackled the kitchen, my closet, and my storage closet. I set aside a few boxes from the storage closet that I just didn't want to tackle at the time and one was this dreaded box of pictures. The wedding is so close now that I know I'm not going to be able to do anything about it right now, but I've been thinking about after the wedding. I'm ready to get down to business and organize this mess!

Here's my dillema: To scrapbook or not?

My Photo To Do List:

Wedding book- for BL and me and both sets of Parents (will probably include engagement photos)
Yearbooks: 2009, 2010, 2011 and 2012
Vacations: Florida 2006, Boston 2010, East 1999 or so, Dale Hollow twice, and several others I'm forgetting
Senior Trip and Open House (yes, from High School)

The Methods:

Old-Fashioned Scrapbooking

Pros

I have a ton of paper, empty books, page protectors, stickers etc.. to use up.
Possibly a cheaper option considering #1.
I like to do "crafty" projects, it's stress relief for me

Cons-

Takes up a lot of SPACE (supplies spread out everywhere while you work, ugh... and the finished product tends to take up more space on a shelf than digital)
I would have to get a bunch of prints to fill in gaps where I didn't get pictures printed
I can only work on this when I'm at home surrounded by supplies
takes more time.

Digital

Pros

It's fast
Neat and Clean looking. I can make similar sized books that would look great lined up on a shelf or stacked on the coffee table.
We can order duplicates for family
Takes up less storage space (I could also get rid of all of my supplies!)

Cons

Less personal in some ways. It's not my own handwriting and it's not the same feeling as paper and embellishments layered together.
Requires time in front of the computer. some days after work this is not what I want to do. But who knows, after the wedding I may not be working at a desk job all day.
Will cost money.

The list

2012-09-24T13:33:00.000-05:00

umm, yeah...

19 days!!!!! eeek! I'm not really sure it feels real. but, oh man, I'm so ready. I miss BL so much and I'm ready to be done with work here in Nashville. So here's "the list" dun, dun, dun....

Wedding:

make veil (second attempt, the first one was the wrong color)
Shopping: guest book pens, Fishing line, misc. fabric, gift cards
Confirm ceremony order with Pastor
Confirm ceremony music with Muscician
Finalize reception playlist
Pack for honeymoon
Pack for week of wedding
give honeymoon itinerary to parents
finish day of schedule
Finish games for reception tables
Make and print ceremony programs
wrap presents (for parents, attendants, etc.)
Make signs for guest book, lawn games, etc.
Buy gift cards for people giving us their time
Make bunting and banner
go ~~to 2nd and~~ 3rd dress fittings
~~get ring plated and cleaned~~
~~buy heel inserts for wedding day shoes~~
decide on wedding day hairstyle and practice creating it
E-mail wedding day details to everyone involved with the wedding
Make sure wedding day binder is ready for day-of-coordinator
Create diagrams and descriptions of decor for day of decorating (that I won't be allowed to help with)
~~Download sheet music for ceremony and give it to our ceremony musician~~
~~Give Brody a close haircut so it has time to fluff up a bit before the wedding~~
~~Get a facial ? maybe?~~ probably not...
Whiten my teeth
Work on pre-marital counseling homework

Other To-Dos:

return comcast equiptment
e-mail about 10 people back
polish up my resume'
find someone to buy/take my furniture
~~Pack Apartment (enough said)~~ Almost done!!!
~~cancel gym membership~~
~~cancel rental insurance~~
get copies of medical records from Endocrinologist
~~get new glasses~~ 3 pairs! I love them!
go to the dentist

Week of the wedding:

make bridesmaids bouquets
put together napkins with utensils
get marriage license
Pay the photographer
Pay the florist
Decorate the tent
Decorate for the ceremony
Finalize our reception music
Steam rehearsal dinner dress
practice dancing

Hair Tutorials for Wedding Day Hair

2012-09-24T00:41:00.000-05:00

I'm probably going to be doing my own hair for our wedding and these tutorials are giving me some great ideas! I am going to try some things out, take some pictures and see what I like best for my hair. What I know I want:

an updo
at least a few curls
a bump in the back with a smooth place to put my veil

What I don't want:

a style that is so complicated that it makes me nervous
a loose style that will fall out during the day
volume on the sides

A last hurrah

2012-09-21T10:09:00.000-05:00

A last hurrah by simplysuz featuring metal jewelry

Bernie Dexter strappy dress / Lightweight sweater / Nickel free earrings / Metal jewelry / Fossil Sasha East/West Satchel Brown - Zappos.com Free Shipping BOTH... / Sofft Amble

Tomorrow is the first day of fall!