So tell me what you want what you really really want

January 16, 2015.Reading time 5 minutes.

They say the key to marketing is understanding the hot button issues of your client or customer. And while this blog is far-removed from following a formal business model, I’d argue that delivering the content your audience (or select few close friends and family) find most valuable is key to making them happy. And you […]

5 ways Pinterest is ruining engagement photos

December 22, 2014.Reading time 7 minutes.

Can you believe another year has passed? How is that possible? It seems like just yesterday I was making a list of 2014 resolutions I sincerely intended on keeping, only to replace them with a cross-country move, new jobs and an engagement. Oh well. I suppose my read one book each month resolution can rollover […]

For the love of bridal mags

November 11, 2014.Reading time 5 minutes.

5 ways I'm failing at wedding planning, wedding, bridal magazines, bride, wedding planning tips

One of the perks of being newly engaged is receiving a plethora of bridal magazines to kick off your planning process. Oh sure there is that whole formal establishment of your life partner and all but you and I both know that all anyone cares about are the details. And they seem to take serious concern […]

5 years later

October 17, 2014.Reading time 2 minutes.

It’s not often that I use the blog as a platform for love and mushiness but with our big announcement last week, I figured this was as good a time as any. 5 years ago today I went on a date with my best friend’s brother’s best friend from college. We watched the Illini get their […]

Making it official

October 11, 2014.Reading time less than 1 minute.

greater swiss mountain dog, engagement ring, dog engagement announcement, swissy, wedding,

Just shy of five years and one cross-country move later, Finn is no longer an illegitimate child. We are over the moon, excited and blessed. Disclaimer: No engagement rings were ingested in the making of this announcement.

Golden Globes and Craft

January 13, 2014.Reading time 5 minutes.

social print studio instagram prints, greater swiss mountain dog photobomb, simply social blog

From the Beverly Hilton in Los Angeles, California, this is live with Sarah Murphy. Just kidding. We’re not live. And I’m not in Los Angeles. And that photo is actually from one of my best friend’s weddings. Doesn’t she make a beautiful bride though? Speaking of beautiful, it feels like California today here in Chicago […]

Prayer and Gratitude

September 22, 2013.Reading time 3 minutes.

I wanted to come back from my blog vacation and share with you the beautiful wedding of Claire and Ian, complete with a breathtaking view of the 18th hole at Torrey Pines, La Jolla sunsets and the chatter of friends and family. Or the unique ways that Austin gets into your soul and makes you […]

Vacation Recap: full heart, tired body

June 17, 2013.Reading time 9 minutes.

My body is tired. My heart is full. I may or may not be reconsidering having children of my own someday. These are just a few of my symptoms after a weekend spent with my family to the (slight) northwest. It was a Murphy/Gleason weekend and it was lovely. Give me a weekend filled with […]

Creative Wedding Crafts…

February 17, 2011.Reading time less than 1 minute.

> I recently got the Handmade Weddings book as a gift for a good friend of mine who is getting married this year. I thought it might drum up some excitement at the 6-month-out mark when most of the big planning is over and the waiting game begins. Whether your are crafty or just looking […]

Happy New Year…

January 5, 2011.Reading time 1 minute.

> Happy New Year! I rang in 2011 with a double-wedding weekend. First, we celebrated the wedding of one of my cousins down state and then headed up north to dance the night away with a good friend of mine. I’ve attended a few weddings in my day and I must say my favorite part […]