October? Seriously?

Dear October,

You came fast.

Too fast.

I'm not ready. 

(I truly love fall, but, if I see one more instagram of a fall scented candle I'm gonna implode)

Yesterday, October 3rd, was the day Josh and I started dating 6 years ago.

This is our 6th October together. 

Nuts.

Our wedding is 6 weeks away.

Marriage.

I feel like we are still two little kids.

October also means bachelorette and bachelor parties.

I leave for Vegas tonight with 9 of my closet friends and Josh goes to Vegas in two weeks.

True story.

I never thought I would be old enough to be getting married or to be having a bachelorette party.

. . . but now it is October 2012. 

P.S.

Invitations were sent Wednesday.

I'm SO glad because those are probably my favorite thing so far of all our wedding details.

Expect them to be shared on the blog next week, as well as more details about our honeymoon!

If I survive Vegas.

Fingers crossed.

P.S.S. (or P.P.S?)

It gives me anxiety that I didn't include a picture in this post.

Here is our first photo taken together.

Ever.

Back in 2006.

GMOs

Do you know what GMOs are?

I had no idea until recently.

(Thank goodness for my Ron Paul loving liberal anti-mainstream media hipster fiancé)

GMO stands for genetically modified organism.

Companies are beginning to genetically modify produce in order to make it in larger quantities, cheaper, and with anti-pest properties.

The most common foods that are genetically modified are corn, soy, canola, and many sugar products.

I actually remember seeing GMO free on many of the shelf labels at Trader Joes.

I'm not necessarily the healthiest kid on the block, but after Josh sent me this study last week it really put all of this GMO business into perspective. 

Some mice were given a diet of GMO maize (left) and other mice were given an organic maize diet (right).

The study showed that the ones given GMO maize were more likely to grow tumors.

Now, there is a lot of skepticism and criticism of this study, but regardless of if you believe all the hype/crap/craziness, it still can't hurt you to go organic.

 I don't have many solid facts on the topic, and I'm definitely not providing an expert medical opinion on the subject (even though by no means am I an expert PA) 

GMOs are being linked to cancers and organ damage in studies around the world, and slowly but surely people are shedding light on some very startling information.

Do your research and be aware of what you are putting into your body.

Don't automatically trust that what you are eating and drinking is 100% good for you.

Now that is the end of my oh so serious Public Service Announcement.

Phew, that was intense.

Back to regularly scheduled blogging.

Allison's wedding!

5 bazillion years later, I'm finally getting around to editing my cousin's wedding photos and posting them on here.

Even though I truly had no clue what I was doing, I was surprised at how some of the pictures turned out (fancy cameras and lenses are well worth the money!) 

If only I had the time to learn how to take better pictures and especially the time to learn how to work photoshop (that sweet Alli gave me as a thank you gift for shooting the wedding!)

. . . one day!

Anyways, the wedding was a complete success.

The rehearsal dinner, ceremony, and reception were all perfect.

Everything went smoothly and flawlessly.

Alli was a glowing bride, and the rooms were filled wall to wall with love! 

I was so lucky to be a part of their special day, it was truly a blessing! 

Here are a few of my favorite pictures from the rehearsal dinner, ceremony, and reception.

Rehearsal dinner!

One of their favorite wedding gifts:

The son of Clementine Hunter (a famous Louisiana artist) painted Alli & Cole a custom wedding painting!

Just a tad stressed.

Thankfully, Allison wanted to do a first look before the ceremony.

After the fact she told me that seeing Cole before the ceremony made such a huge difference.

Letting them have some time alone really calmed her down and gave her a sense of peace.

. . . and Cole pulled out tissues! So prepared!

Since they did a first look we had plenty of time to take pictures with the wedding party.

Cousin pic!

The fantastic groom's cake!

Happy Marriage to Alli and Cole!

I wish you two the best and thank you two so much for trusting me to document your special day! 

We Won!

Thank you guys so very very very much for voting for our engagement photo in The Texas Wedding Guide's engagement photo contest! 

We were so shocked yesterday to find out that after becoming a top 10 finalist, and then we were selected to win the whole darn contest!

Nuts!

Not only do we get a $3,000 prize package (ummm $1,000 worth of cake pops?!?! I'll take it!) but we also get to be featured in the December issue of The Texas Wedding Guide! 

 . . . I'm not gonna lie, I'm pretty sure Charlie won it for us.

Seriously though, all the credit goes to our fantastic photographer Stephanie Davis.
She is such a joy to work with, and truly has ridiculous amounts of talent.
Just last week, the day I told her my wedding dress came in she asked if I wanted to do a quick bridal session in the cotton fields nearby (in less than 5 hours)
Even though my favorite hair and makeup person was out of town, somehow we managed to make it work.
I CAN'T WAIT to show off the pics.
(6 more weeks!)
She has major talent y'all. 

Tunesday: Bronze Radio Return

Monday thoughts

1) I get to marry this guy?

(No worries, he doesn't wear hats like that on a normal basis, he just wanted to play dress up while we were shopping yesterday)

2) Our first counseling session with the preacher was Saturday and it was fantastic. 

3) Our full engagement picture session was supposed to be yesterday, and it got rained out.

Bummer.

4) This song is my addiction

Happy Monday yall!