Florida Trip Pt. 2: Sanibel & Captiva Island

The second half off my Florida trip with Tieka was spent on Sanibel Island and Captiva Island.  Again, the weather was absolutely perfect. We started our day by cruising through Captiva Island and enjoying the scenery and gorgeous homes. When we arrived to Captiva, we grabbed a bite to eat and some cocktails at The Mucky Duck with a gorgeous view of the beach. 

Our Sunday excursion was a dolphin cruise aboard the Lady Chadwick. They had a stocked bar on the ship, so Tieka and I sat on the deck while with daiquiris in hand while watching dolphins jumping behind the boat. It was breathtaking.  

After docking the ship, we headed off to dinner at The Bubble Room (which happened to be right next door to the marina). We'd heard so many great reviews about the restaurant and were told we HAD to have dessert there. We were sold immediately.

Our trip ended with one last dip in the pool while reflected on the most incredible weekend get-away ever. Thank you so much to Ft. Myers and Sanibel for the fantastic experiences that will never be forgotten. It was JUST what I needed.

xoxo,
Laura

Florida Trip Pt. 1: Ft. Myers Beach

Two weeks ago I was given the chance to fly down to Southwest Florida with one of my best friends, Tieka.  She was offered the opportunity of a lifetime to promote the beaches of Ft. Myers and Sanibel Island for their #SavedByTheShell campaign.  Since the boys had a ton of gigs that weekend, we headed on down for an amazing girls weekend.  It couldn't have happened at a better time, either.  With the stresses of work, wedding planning, car troubles and more.. it all was a true blessing.  I'm super grateful to Tieka and cannot thank her enough for getting me out of Michigan for a few days. 

The night and following day were spent in Ft. Myers Beach, where our resort was.  The weather was absolutely perfect the entire time, so we went for a dip in the Gulf of Mexico while the sun went down.  We topped off the night with some drinks at Bongo's poolside bar and then brought a bottle of wine back to the room where we had a hot tub on our own private balcony.  I couldn't help but feel like we were in some sort of honeymoon suite.

Paddleboarding at the resort was complimentary, so of course I had to take them up on that.  We spent some time on the beach before we had our first excursion: a private chartered fishing trip on the Estero Bay!  We met Captain Rob of Soulmate Charters and took off on the water for a really awesome afternoon of catching fish I've never even heard of.  It was Tieka's first time fishing and she was a total pro!

Later in the evening we headed down to Times Square of Ft. Myers Beach.  We did some people-watching, scoped out some live music, and got some ice cream. 

The beginning of the trip was refreshing and just what I needed to get my mind off of things.  The second half of the trip was spent on Sanibel and Captiva Island.  That post is coming up next!

xoxo,
Laura

Laura's Bridal Shower #2 - Neiser Family

Please excuse the short hiatus.  Between work and wedding planning, I don't have time for much else lately.  Anyway- two weeks ago I had my second bridal shower, hosted by the Neiser family at my aunt's house.  It was perfect weather and the setting was beautiful.  I'm so pleased with how everything turned out and I know how hard my aunts and grandmother worked to make it a perfect day for me and I'm eternally grateful. 

Laura's wearing: Chateau Fontainebleu Embroidered Dress- Ruche // Belt- Marshall's // Wedges- Kohl's
Necklace- Forever21 // Earrings- Francesca's

My two matrons of honor: Stacey and Miranda

My beautiful and supportive friends whom I love so much

My soon to be mother-in-law and my mama

And how good looking is this bridal party? (not pictured: Katelyn)

Unfortunately Katelyn was the only one not there because she was busy helping plan my McKellar/Piszczek bridal party since she's on the other side of my family. ;)

And these women, my grandmother and my aunts, worked so hard to make this day so beautiful. 

Thank you, thank you, thank you for all you do. I have the greatest family. 

I have one more bridal shower to share with you all. It's getting down to the wire!

Can't wait to become a MRS. 

xoxo,

Laura

Frederik Meijer Gardens

Last night I went to see the Kari Lynch Band play at the outdoor amphitheater at Frederik Meijer Gardens with great friends. I couldn't have asked for a more beautiful evening. The weather was PERFECT for the first time in weeks. It was so nice to sit in the lawn on a blanket and watch our talented friends play awesome music. 

Tieka  and myself

 

xoxo,

Laura

A Thank You from the Newest Mrs. Brown

Dear Friends and Family,

I wanted to take advantage of the fact that I (Katelyn) share a blog with my cousin where I can write a little letter of gratitude for this last Friday. It was honestly the best day of Alex and my's life. We literally could not think of a single thing that we would have changed to make it a better day. We know that without a doubt it would not have been possible without everyone's prayers for a smooth day and the support of SO many people whom we love so incredibly much. To our parents (all six of you): you are the world's greatest for everything you have done for us in our lives and for being such great role models. Thank you to everyone who made the trip for our big day as well! So many of you traveled so far to be a part of our wedding day and words can't even describe the gratitude and love we have for every single one of you. July 5th will forever be the most perfect and special day in our lives and to know that we have that many friends and family supporting Alex and I in our marriage is something truly special. 

I still can't believe how fast the day went! I am so incredibly happy and I am so excited for marriage with my best friend. I can't wait to grow as husband and wife and really honor each other and God and watch the other grow. 

Thank you EVERYONE again! None of it would be possible if we didn't have the support system that we do!

And I can't forget, thank you to my better blogging half (my silly cousin) for putting up with me and taking on the bulk of the blog work while I stressed out about seating charts and wedding shower outfits. You are the best and I promise to do the same for you when you join the married club someday!

xoxo, K

My Best Friend's Wedding

I know, I know, the title is particularly commonplace, but the day itself? One-of-a-kind.

Imagine the following:

You're born in 1987 into a small family of (now) 4.  You live in a close-knit neighborhood of friendly people and your best-friend-to-be is just a few houses down the road. You grow up together and spend countless hours designing your own fashion magazines, dancing to your favorite songs, watching chick flicks, and soaking up life's simple pleasures in the Sherman Manor of Norton Shores. 

Fast forward 26 years--  that same best friend you've spent your entire youth with is getting married.  You're now a mature (okay, I'm exaggerating here) woman who has moved out of your small town but still would do anything for said best friend, because some things never change.

That said best friend is Stacey, and that maid of honor is me.

Words really cannot express the amount of joy in my heart as I write this post.  Words alone cannot clearly enough paint the picture of my friendship with Stacey.  How many people can say they've known their best friend since birth?  I'm assuming not very many.  I'm fortunate enough to say that I have.  Stacey and I were destined to be best friends since the day I was born, 26 years ago. 

This past Saturday I had the pleasure of standing with the utmost honor and adoration for Stacey.  The Michelle to my Romy, the Ashley to my Mary Kate, the Fish Stix to my Tater Tots.  My best friend.

So, let's take a quick trip down memory lane. ...Shall we? 

 

I think it's about time I wrap up the sap. I have shed enough tears over these last couple of weeks.

Now I just want to reflect on the perpetual bliss that was Ted and Stacey's wedding day. 

Cheers to love, laughter

and happily ever after.

xoxo, 

Laura