Laura's Month of September via Instagram

They say time flies when you're having fun, and September was more than enjoyable. I have so many reasons to be excited right now. Here's a look at my past month:

 

1. I had my first Five Guys experienced after one opened in Grandville. Truly American. 

2. I caught my first fish in the lake behind my apartment. I named him Vince Bluegill. Yes, I threw him back.

3. This Minus the Bear album dropped, and I'm in love. 

4. Steven came home with these flowers for me when I had a bad day at work. It turned my whole day around.

5. I baked my first apple pie of the Autumn season. 

6. The weather has been abnormally warm for September, which is perfect for ArtPrize season. I love GR.

7. Tieka and Wolverine hosted an event for Fashion's Night Out at the Reserve GR. It was great to meet so many MI bloggers!

8. I GOT ENGAGED, YA'LL!

9. The new downtown market opened in the heart of the city and it's AWESOME!

 

Have a great week. 

xoxo,

Laura

ENGAGED

WE'RE ENGAGED!

That's right, folks. Steve popped the question, and I, of course, said "YES!" 

I don't think I've ever been so thrilled in my entire life. He is the most amazing man in the world and I get to spend the rest of my life loving him. I'm feeling beyond blessed right now. 

It all happened Thursday evening when Steve arrived in Grand Rapids after driving from his hometown in Ontario, Canada. He made it to my apartment before I got home from work, and called in a reservation at the Melting Pot, which is where we had our very first dinner date together. I freshened up, threw a dress on, and headed out the door with him around 7pm. We had plans to go check out ArtPrize downtown after dinner, so it was just going to be a low-key evening of walking around. Well, things changed when we were at dinner for almost 2.5 hours. When we got on the subject of weddings (because I have a ton coming up in my family), I mentioned where I had wanted to have my future wedding someday. Steve responded with "Well, I think you should book it." I quickly rolled my eyes and responded with "I'm not going to be that crazy girl that books a venue before I'm engaged."

I then continued to stuff my face full of delicious dark chocolate fondue.

...before I knew it, he was taking out a ring.

I think he had to ask me about three times before I was conscious enough to respond with a solid "YES!" I couldn't believe it was all happening. My heart was thumping, my legs were shaking, and I felt my body starting to sweat. It's all happening. 

I get to marry the man of my dreams.

It was just over one year ago that I took a trip to Nashville with my cousin Ashley and my friend Whitney. The three of us girls decided we needed a ladies weekend in a different city, so we set out to one of my favorite places in the world where I had spent much of my childhood. Tennessee has always felt like a second home to me, and I couldn't wait to bring the girls there for their first time.

It was our second evening there where everything was about to change. 

This is the photo that was taken just hours before I met the man I will soon call my husband.

Nobody saw it coming. It wasn't a 'love at first sight' type of moment. In fact, we met while we were each with a group of friends at a bar in Midtown, Nashville called Losers. We shared casual conversation and eventually exchanged information. I told him I worked in advertising in Grand Rapids, MI, and he told me he was a Canadian country singer/songwriter.

Several weeks later, he told me his plans to drive through GR on his way back to Canada. We made plans to hang out while he was passing through. We made such a strong connection and hit the ground running.
The rest is history.

Fast forward to a year later.
We had plans to get our pictures taken by two of our best friends who are working together to take amazing photos and build a portfolio. We agreed to letting them take our pictures since they wanted some couple's shots. Who knew it would be right after getting engaged?

Steve and I are so fortunate to have such amazing and talented friends. Tieka of Selective Potential and her boyfriend Eric did such an amazing job capturing our love in these amazing photos:

(side note: yes, that's the same outfit I wore the night we met in Nashville)

xoxo,
Laura

Find Me At...

Hey everyone! Today you can find guest blogging over at Sally Ann! She's a great friend who was born in Michigan but moved to the south where she sews beautiful pieces of clothing and accessories from recycled materials. She also owns her own mobile boutique made from an old vintage Shasta, which she drives around from show to show. Check out her blog and follow! 

xoxo,

Laura

Belknap Loookout

The two of us have been trying to keep up our weekly routine with meeting up at least once during a lunch hour. This week we headed over to Belknap Lookout on the north side of Grand Rapids. The view is spectacular and it's the perfect escape from the city during the madness of ArtPrize.

 

Katelyn's Wearing: Jeans- Thrifted // Top- Charlotte Russe // Jacket- h&m // Boots- Wanted //

Scarf- Handmade // Sunglasses- h&m 

 

 

Laura's Wearing: Dress- Along The Boulevard Chevron Dress from Ruche //

Shoes- Samantha Pleet Picnic Sandal co/ Wolverine // Necklace- Forever21

This weekend we will be dedicated to more ArtPrize. Stay tuned for photos!

xoxo,
Laura

Wolverine FNO

Last Friday evening, we attended the Wolverine Fashion Night Event hosted by Wolverine and Tieka of Selective Potential.

The Reserve Wine Bar was so accommodating to all of the Wolverine guests and bloggers. The food was delicious and the wine was endless. You can't go wrong with a bottomless glass of wine and champagne, right ladies? Plus, there were numerous displays of the Wolverine 1000 Mile collection sprinkled throughout the upstairs of the restaurant. Everything looked stunning.

I tried to not make it noticeable, but looking back on the photos, you can definitely tell that I hadn't slept the 48 hours leading up to the event (due to a big work project). I came to the event straight from work and was not looking/feeling my best. I made the most of it and tried to ignore the fact that I felt like an ugly slob. The complimentary pair of adorable Samantha Pleet / Wolverine sandals definitely helped.

 

Laura's Wearing: Dress- H&M // Cardigan- Marshalls // Necklace- Premier Designs // Shoes- Samantha Pleet Picnic Sandal co/ Wolverine

Katelyn's Wearing: Top- Zara // Pants- Marshalls // Boots- Steve Madden // Scarf- Market in Morocco 

The event had such an amazing turnout and we were both really excited to finally meet some of the Michigan bloggers we had been connected with for the past several months. Since starting up this blog, Katelyn and I both have been so anxious to get out there and network with other girls like us who are in this to meet amazing people and share once-in-a-lifetime experiences.

Tieka of Selective Potential and Kayley of Sidewalk Ready

It was so great finally meeting Alison of Look Sharp! Lansing

I am so honored to call Tieka one of my best friends. She's incredible and I'm so proud of all of her accomplishments. She did an amazing job with co-hosting this event.

xoxo,
Laura

Katelyn + Alex Wedding Photos:III

Alex and I got our professional wedding photos back a little bit ago and we are so thrilled with them! Marie Clark Photography was so amazing to work with, so thank you Marie! I wanted to share a few of my favorites-not all of them because that would take way too many posts =) Also, shout out to my loving husband who treats me nothing less than like a princess literally every single day, you're the best dear.

And here comes the first look:

Why yes, I did cry like a little girl.

I'm so completely smitten with this guy.

xoxo, K