[unabashedly uncorked: your daily dose of EPH]

Champagne? On a Thursday evening? What in the world is the cause for this impromptu celebration you ask?

Well y’all, my baby bother did it…

last night as he and Katie were winding down after a busy Thursday, he asked her to be his wife

BHP AND KATIE ARE GETTING MARRIED!!!

My eyes have been filled with tears all morning. I knew this was coming [I helped him pick out the ring!] and I knew I would be excited- but I had no idea that I would be so emotional about this. Chalk one up for being the proud big sister I guess!

A funny story: BHP announced a few years ago that he was quite dissatisfied with the notion of a modern-day engagement. He proclaimed quite loudly that he didn’t think it was fair that the girl got a ring and the guy got- well- nothing. “I want a sword when I get engaged.” he said. “And I’m not going to ask Katie until I get it.” Well, my Dad, being the prompt decision maker of the family, immediately went on eBay and ordered him an authentic Civil War sword [complete with original initials carved into the handle] and the sword has been in storage at our house ever sense; confiscated until BHP actually popped the question. Last night, he was finally able to collect his artillary [see above].

My brother and I had a rocky relationship as teenagers. I’m sure my domineering older sister mentality played a [not so] minor role in this. Once BHP went off to college we finally forged out gaps and started on the road to a new, strong brother-sister bond. Dare I say that Miss Katie has helped us become even closer and that- thankfully- our bond is stronger than ever. There were days as a teenager that I would never imagine going with my brother to help him pick out an engagement ring for his soon-to-be bride. Thankfully time and maturity have closed that chapter.

As we celebrated with them last night, I shared one piece of advice that my Mother shared with me when Blake and I got engaged:

This is such an exciting time for you both. Enjoy every single second of it. But don’t loose sight that- at the end of the day- this is and always will be about the two of you. About your relationship and your love for one another.

High-fives, jazz hands, chorus lines, and the loudest of all cheers for my sweet brother and his beautiful, blushing bride. We are ALL so over the moon for you. Now, please excuse me— for those of you that we in attendance at our wedding, you know I have some MAJOR shoes to fill in the toast category…

Here’s to happily ever after.

I’m [more than] moderately obsessed with this [not so modestly priced] ensemble.

Alexander Wang leather high-waisted shorts // Missoni Charlotta cardigan // Miu Miu cotton + silk tie sleeveless top // Jimmy Choo Porto wedges [I prefer them in gold]

image via

gpoyw: a very overdue shot from our Charleston trip edition

frock: Dress- Raleigh // necklace: anthro [recreate with this spiked necklace] // champagne: Gruet // bracelet stack: Yurman, Tiffany’s [a similar style], vintage, Kate Spade

Which reminds me: remember that time I found this knock-out red maxi dress for under $50? For those interested, it has arrived in purple and- for you non-Triangle residents- it can be ordered via telephone.

this concludes your fashion inspired PSA // photo credit to my husb

When you’ve given it your all…

you’ve chased your rainbows, dug deep for courage, battled the demons [mental and physical] that accompany you on your journey, fought back tears of unfairness, weighted out each and every new option to be sure the path you choose is the right one.

When you’ve done all this- but it still isn’t enough.

What comes next? When is it okay to throw in the proverbial towel? When is it okay to know that your life will not look like what you planned all along? When your 7-year-old visions were sketched out before you in a Mead notebook and thoughts of “adult-ness” looked more glamorous than the mortgage payments you’re tied to these days.

Life is sweet for certain- but all together unpredictable. This year [more than ever] I’ve learned that- regardless of my desire to- I can’t control most aspects of my little world. That sometimes, I have to sit back and enjoy the ride, learn that each experience [no matter how trying] is worth the lesson, and that it’s never “the end” unless you allow it to be.

Life; topsy-tervy, unexpected, emotional, sometimes unraveling…

and yet sheerly brilliant all the same.

There are few things that I love more than a crisp, fresh salad and a ripe piece of fruit on a hot [read: humid] summer afternoon. A refreshing combination of both of those? To me- that really can’t be beat.

[well, aside from scoring a fabulous pair of designer heels on major markdown but that’s totally off topic now isn’t it…]

This sweet, salty and spicy summer salad has now been added to our grilling rotation [ie- throw protein on the grill and call it dinner] for the season.

Sweet, Salty & Spicy Watermelon Salad

The players:

• 1/4 cup fresh lime juice
• 1 tablespoon turbinado sugar
• 2 tablespoons fresh orange juice
• 1 jalapeño or 2 serrano peppers, seeded and minced
• 1/2 teaspoon sea or kosher salt
• 1/4 teaspoon dried crushed red pepper
• 1 small red onion, diced
• 1/2 cup coarsely chopped fresh cilantro
• 2 tablespoons coarsely chopped fresh mint
• 1 small seedless watermelon
• 1 small cantaloupe
• 2 English cucumbers
• 1 jicama
• 2 mangoes

The play-by-play:
1.Combine lime juice and next 5 ingredients.

2. Place red onion, cilantro, and mint in a large bowl. Dice watermelon and cantaloupe into 1-inch pieces; add to bowl. Peel and dice cucumbers, jicama, and mangoes; add to bowl. Stir in lime juice mixture. Cover and chill 20 minutes. Add salt and pepper to taste.

Happy eats, y’all!

[recipe and photo via]