The week of the wedding made me think of The Great Race.  I had a long list of errands to run, bags to pack, people to see, and loose ends to be tied.  Thankfully that week I had two events that allowed me to take a break and enjoy time with friends.  The first fun event was my bachelorette night.  Since I had family coming in from out of town and most of my friends have little ones we had a low-key night at the home of one of my bridesmaids.

The next fun event was my bridesmaids brunch the morning of the wedding!  Held at the home of one of the hostesses we enjoyed quiche, fruit, muffins, and salad on a beautiful table decorated with vintage cake toppers and elegant silver and white dishes.

All these beautiful ladies will be standing with me in some fashion in just hours after this delicious meal!

I’m so blessed to have all these wonderful ladies celebrate with me the morning of the wedding and I’m so blessed to have such a WONDERFUL Momma!

Finally a HUGE thank you to these FABULOUS ladies who pulled this all together!

Well, maybe it wasn’t tea for two, more like, tea to celebrate two!  My mom’s wonderful friends put together a bridal tea to celebrate Brian and I!  Everyone showed up in their hat and gloves and enjoyed delicious tomato tarts, fruit, and sweets with a variety of teas.   I loved the teapot and teacup sugar cookies made by one of the hostesses!

After arriving for the shower, I quickly realized we had left my beautiful wedding book at home. While we could have used any kind of paper for guests to sign as they arrive, and we could have used any kind of paper for the gift list, it seemed a shame to do that after going to the trouble of ordering such a pretty book specifically for guests to sign and specifically for gifts to be recorded in.

Ordered from Nursery Rhymes

So, enters the groom-to-be!  My sweet fiancé arrived just in time, with wedding book in hand, to help open some gifts.  After one broken ribbon I was quick to fill Brian in to the superstition of breaking bows at wedding showers.  You can see in the pictures below he became much more careful in handling the packages and their wrapping.

We had a wonderful time at this shower but I think the most fun part was shopping for this shower.  My mom and I tried on more hats in one day than we have in a lifetime!  I was certain I was going to wear a hat that I wore to the Kentucky Derby but then I came across this gem that was perfect!  Also, take note all you brides-to-be, I’m not wearing white!  While it is fun to wear white to the events leading up to the wedding it is not necessary, or expected of the future Mrs. to be in white!  A girl does not need multiple white dresses hanging in her closet.  I chose this navy dress from J.Crew with the intentions of accessorizing with white and I still felt bridal, but most importantly, I felt pretty!

My Dress: J.Crew Outlet   Shoes: J. Renee  Hat: Dress Code  Necklace: J. Crew Outlet                     My mom’s Dress: Ciara Sun Woo  Necklace: BDesigns  Hat: Dress Code  Shoes: T.Abeles

Hats off and a HUGE THANK YOU to everyone who made my bridal tea so much fun!

Hi! I feel as though I should introduce myself, I’m Mrs. Mandy Jones!  That’s right, I have a new name since the last post!  I know it has been forever since my last post but so far this year has been nothing short of a whirlwind leaving me strapped for time.  Planning a wedding, celebrating Brian’s graduation from medical school, buying a house and moving to another state all while still working my day job(s) was no joke! However, during these past few months I have gotten some pretty good pictures with some pretty great people and I’m so excited to finally have time to sit and share them with you!

Today I’m excited to share a few of our engagement photos shot by Lindsay Vallas Photography.  The photoshoot took place in locations around my parents house in Flowood, MS.  For our first photoshoot Brian suggested we get some 20’s style pics. Yes, that right, Brian suggested it.  One of the many reasons I love this man! I pulled out my dazzling flapper dress from my 3oth birthday party and Brian looked dapper in his suspenders and fedora.

After a quick outfit change we headed to a neighbors old barn to capture our Southern roots in denim and boots.  Brian was excited to find an old truck parked in the barn and I made a new friend!  I love the way these pictures almost look textured with the muddy beat-up walls, the grooved metal siding, and the aged tree bark.

For the last part of the photoshoot I decided we needed a picture with both of us in blue.  One reason is because we both have blue eyes but also, when Brian and I first started dating I noticed he needed a little Steal Magnolia help so, I took him shopping.  I remember when he came out of the fitting room in a button up blue plaid shirt my heart skipped a beat.  He looked so handsome! Blue is definitely his color!

I hope you enjoyed looking at a few of my favorites from our engagement shoot!  Our time as an engaged couple, albeit busy, was a lot of fun! I’m so glad to have these pictures that display our love and of course, our style!

2016 has begun! Brian and I had a great time bringing in the new year in Star, Mississippi at the Boswell Farm.  We filled up on BBQ and peach cobbler before shooting fireworks over the lake then warmed up next to the bonfire.

I am very much looking forward to a wonderful 2016 and new adventures, new clients to help in their closets, and a new last name!

Jeweled Top: Two by Vince Camuto     Jeans: GAP

I just wanted to take time to thank everyone who has shown their love and support for Brian and I during this exciting time in our lives.  A friend told me that the period of your engagement being lavished with love, gifts, and support is a demonstration of how Christ lavishes us with his love, gifts, and support.  I love this analogy since the Bible calls those who have been saved Christ’s bride.  Just as we should be preparing ourselves to be in the presence of Christ, the groom, I have been busily preparing for mine and Brian’s “Big Day.”  Again, thanks to everyone for your outpouring of love!  We’re looking forward to June!

“YOU WERE BORN TO SPARKLE”

Left to Right: Amy, Terri, Me, Lora, Brooke, Callie

Top: Neiman Marcus for Target    Jeans: Old Navy    Headband: Alter’d State

In case you missed it last year, I love celebrating my birthday.  My mom was always the best at planning my birthday parties growing up and so still to this day I like to plan some sort of celebration for my birthday.  Last year I went all out with a “Saying Goodbye to the 20’s” party, see link here.  This year I decided to keep it small but sparkly!  I found fun “sparklettes”  at Fresh Ink to stick in the cake and served sparkling punch.  All the guests were adorned in something shiny.  Little did I know I would be leaving the party with a little extra bling!

My wonderful, fabulous, amazing boyfriend proposed!!!  He showed up to the party unexpectedly and surprised me with this beautiful ring that was his grandmother’s!

I didn’t think my 30th birthday could be topped but 31 has been the best birthday yet!  I can’t wait to become Mrs. Jones! 🙂

Top: DKNY      Shorts: Vince Camuto

                                Shoes: T.Ables           Backpack Purse: Perlina (great for shopping!)

Yesterday the Canton Flea Market was in full swing with hundreds of vendors selling their handmade goods. The event surrounds the historic Madison County courthouse in Canton, MS. Booths are set up all around the courthouse and they stretch for miles beyond the courthouse grounds. Aromas of handmade soaps, kettle corn, and honey roasted pecans filled the hot air while shoppers juggled their new prized possessions and a cup of fresh squeezed lemonade. I’m not a big flea market shopper but I did get in on the fresh lemonade, it was hot and dusty! One vendor even joked that the dust on her products came with no extra charge. The one booth where I could have gone crazy was B Designs Jewelry, shown in the above picture, it’s made by my aunt and cousin and, I may be biased, but I thought they had the best booth there! If you want to see more of B Designs you can follow them on Facebook and they will have a booth at Mistletoe in November.  If you missed the Canton Flea Market yesterday, don’t worry, it will back in May!

Dress: J. Stewart          Shoes: Lucky Brand

Purse: WalMart

I decided to make a change for the fall and what better change than to hop on board with the pumpkin spice craze?  No, I don’t mean I treated myself to a latte, I changed the color of my hair and I’m calling the color “pumpkin spice.”  Thanks to my wonderful hair stylist, Lauren Cooper, at Static Salon in Madison I have a beautiful darker shade of blonde with subtleties of red.  It’s been fun going through my closet to see what colors would best compliment my new hair color!  Are you making any changes for the fall?  If so, I would love to hear from you!

On a different note, thanks to WhoaWaitWalmart.com for pointing me in the direction of this fun fringe purse for only $17!  Check out their website for other amazing fashionable finds!