Summer in Seattle!

I never thought summer would EVER hit Seattle, but it has and the past few weeks have been glorious! 

I still can't get over the fact that out of all the places we moved to it was Seattle, the rainy state. When I live for beaches and bikinis. 

We've been enjoying every moment we can outside. Two weekends ago we headed East again to find even hotter weather- 100s! YES. I was in heaven!

We rented a condo & boat at Crescent Bar and there were a LOT of jello shots consumed over the weekend. ALOT. 

The whole group!

and then this happened... I don't think there is anyway to look good when being pulled in a tube..

This past weekend we enjoyed a relaxing day by the pool at our friends in Bellevue. I got to wear my new Guess bikini that I scored for 15 bucks at Marshalls! 

After a day of drinks by the pool we headed to the Tap House Grill and enjoyed a few rounds of beer samplers and delish fried shrimp, calamari, wings and spin dip on the patio!

But sadly I have a feeling this weather isn't going to stick around very long! But that's ok, I'm already looking forward to buying some new fall clothes!!

Lazy Dog

I may NEED to buy this...

Randomly stumbled upon this dog sling on Etsy... I would so buy this but I am pretty certain Eddie wouldn't be caught dead in public with me if I had it on.

But really, it would be super helpful! Russ has been extremely stubborn lately on our walks. He'll just lay down when we are a mile away from home and refuse to walk anymore so I have to carry him. This could be our solution to the lazy dog situation!

Russ, your lucky I love you buddy!

Lollipop Workshop Cake Topper!!

MUST HAVE THIS ON TOP OF OUR WEDDING CAKE!

find it here!

I seriously don't know what I would do without Etsy!

Parents always pull through

Just when I was starting to feel overwhelmed with homesickness and missing my family, I get an email with a bunch of random old school pics that brought the biggest smile to the face.

One of the many reasons why I love my family :)

a few shots of life growing up in New England...

Engagement Photo Anxiety

Ok this will be my LAST engagment photo post, promise! :)

I had severe engagement photo shoot anxiety. It stemmed from the huge question WHAT WAS I GOING TO WEAR?!

So I spent a good 2 months collecting pieces and spending all of my paycheck on random articles of clothing. 

and then taking pictures of myself and creating a snapfish album to share with my mom so she could give me opinions from across the states!

When it came down to it I wasn't sold on any of these outfits, and these aren't even all of them! eesh!

A few short days before our shoot I found this beautiful J.Simpson number on Zappos.

Thankfully I am VIP status with them so I get free next day shipping (FYI they hand this status out like candy just express some dissatisfaction and you too will be VIP!)

Anywayy... In my anxious state I scoured sites to find tips on engagement photos and in turn came up with my own mish mash of tips for you all :)

DO NOT LOOK TOO MATCHY MATCHY (this was a HUGE no no for me)

Wear a neckline or accessory that frames your face

Don't look like a hooker!!!

Wear your make up and hair the way you normally do! No need for glamour shots!

DRINK A GLASS OF CHAMPAGNE BEFORE YOUR SHOOT! (my tip)

 Trust your photographer! (sooo easy for me to do because we were CLUELESS and I 100% counted on her to tell me what to do!)

DRINK ANOTHER 1/2 GLASS OF CHAMPAGNE BEFORE YOUR SHOOT, but DON'T over do it, we dont want drunk eyes! ;)

Engagement Photos on New Pond

For our second location we headed to Eddie's parents house. They recently bought and renovated a beautiful house on a pond in Walpole, Mass. It's only a few miles from our house there, one of the many reasons why I soooo look forward to moving back HOME in the next few years!

ohhhh take me back there!!

By the time we got to the 2nd location we were both so comfortable in front of the camera and with our photographer. I really can't say enough about how at ease she made us feel, and I was SO nervous for these pics. I'm glad we got to spend this time with her before the big day, it reassured us that we made the right decision, even if we did go a little over budget!!! :)

I heart canvas prints!

Way back when I came across inspiration on Rhi's blog, Hey Gorgeous, to blow up an engagement photo on canvas and have your guests sign as your wedding "guest book".

**I should also include that Rhi's blog inspires me daily with wedding beautifulness!

I knew I NEEDED to have this at our wedding!

Here is Rhi's canvas on display in her home after the wedding



source



How cute right?!

Today Groupon (Washington DC) is featuring a deal from Canvas on Demand!

45 bucks for 16 x 20 a 126 dollar value! You can use the $126 to upgrade to a larger canvas which I think we will need to do considering we plan to have around 200 guests who will need a place to sign!

Quick and painless purchase for me! I can't wait to place our order.. but first we must decide on the photo! YIKES!

Engagement Photos in Bird Park!

When I opened my mail box yesterday I squeeeeleddd with delight! 

And then ran down the stairs to my apt like a rabid animal was chasing me and busted down the door...

once inside.. I ripped open the little package with do not bend written across the front...

And gave a quick jump up and down before I threw that disc into my pink covered Macbook and waited impatiently that .2 seconds for the icon "frances & ed engagement" to pop up!

I had already seen these pics but now they were MINE to post on facebook & share with my favorite bloggers, we all know how important that is!

So here we are...

 I would love to share with you some of my favorite pics from our FIRST location at Bird Park in Walpole, Mass! 

This park is less than a mile from our house in Massachusetts, we had never even been there before! I was so surprised at how large and beautiful it was!

I should also add these were shot in about 90 degree heat... yes, our photographer is the bomb.com at editing those little sweat drops outta there ;)

this pic makes me giggle because I legit asked Ed to practice our "photo kiss" so that this pucker would not happen!

He didn't want to practice!!!!

a few more pics to come at our second location!