waterfire in providence

beautiful WaterFire

an annual tradition for the prep family

WaterFire is 100 sparkling bonfires on three rivers that run through the heart of Providence is an amazing sight, and one that occurs on scheduled saturday nights during the summer. 

the fragrant scent of aromatic wood smoke, 

the flickering firelight on the arched bridges, 

the silhouettes of the firetenders passing by the flames, 

the torch-lit vessels traveling down the river, 

and the enchanting music from around the world engage all the senses and emotions of those who stroll the paths of Waterplace Park. 

it is an event that draws thousands of people to simply watch and listen.

even the park is filled with luminaries 

there are also international food stands throught the downtown area,
along with open bars!

mr prep and his girls on saturday night

while most of the music along the riverway is opera, there was a stage and big band orchestra set up in the middle of the city where hundreds danced the all night

even babies and dogs got in on the act!

my little cupcake

i know this cereal is loaded with sugar, 

but hey, we had to try it!

wedding week: a party for pink champagne!

as pink champagne prepared to depart for her nuptials this weekend,
i formed a wedding sendoff committee to wish her well!

(if you haven't guessed, we work in the same office)

it's a tough job to transform a very grey and white conference room into a lovely pink and green bridal shower/wedding sendoff venue, but the committee and i did our best!

a very talented co-worker recreated her pink and green
nautical flag theme into a banner that hung above the table.

we also had pink and green paper lanterns strung on
pink and green grosgrain ribbon hung from the ceiling,
big diamond rings and tiaras!

muffy even came for the festivites

(and to act as the pre-wedding flower girl...

bless her heart, that child cannot wait to be in a wedding!)

we had pink and white (and chocolate too) cupcakes,
pink and green champagne (ginger ale)
and chocolate-covered strawberries
for the festivities

and presented her with a gorgeous kate spade vase!
(isn't the etched bow beautiful, and so very her?)
oh what fun we had planning, decorating and 
celebrating her and her big day!
if you know her, you know her cinderella moment is just a day away.


best wishes, dear friend!
xoxo

wedding week: the venue

where to get married?

where to have the reception?

it sets the tone and theme for the wedding day, yes?

in honor of pink champagne's wedding 

in *three* days, let's talk about "the place"

i think i've been to every type of venue and reception...

the hotel

the country club

the cape

the country

the inn

the hall 

inside

outside

and on and on

and i have to say, each wedding has had its' own spin and loveliness

a few of the unique ones i've been to:

the drake hotel in chicago

 featuring:

lobster bisque with sherry

a 20+ person orchestra where we danced all night

my uncle, cousin and her husband at

the art institute in st louis

beautiful setting

hot dog cart for snacks after the ceremony, so cute!

our good friend's own farm in vermont

the wedding cakes were little bundt cakes 

to look like nests with chocolate eggs on top!

mr prep and i got married at the 

old first church in bennington, vt -- his hometown

and had our reception in a tent on the property 

of an old vermont inn, across from a covered bridge!

how did you choose your wedding and reception site?

or

what does your dream wedding look like?

lilly sale recap; wedding week kickoff!

did you get a box of pink and green this weekend?

i did, i did! 

and i just love everything, 

especially the little cosmetic bag that came 

as a gift from the folks at lilly!

here's what was in my package

plus, i was notified that my complimentary 

mckims are on their way as well.

mr prep says i am cut off!

now, onto wedding week!

have you all met my dear friend pink champagne?

she is getting married this saturday!

so in honor of her, and her soon-to-be i-do's 

i'm going to be posting about weddings all week long!

let's start things off with the ultimate kickoff discussion.

the ring!

forever is a very long time to live with the wrong ring, 

so ladies, 

did you pick out your own design or let him surprise you?

when mr prep and i started talking about getting married 

i presented him with a full-page tear-out of a cartier ad 

and told him the jeweler that i would like to replicate my ideal ring.

(i know that's bold, but i knew the jeweler and trusted his work and prices)

the surprise of the actual engagement was up to mr prep

and he did not disappoint!

what was/is your ideal engagement ring?

part of the rl gang

ralph has done it again,

this time for the little ones!

http://www.ralphlauren.com/shop/index.jsp?categoryId=4357818&[LINK_NAME=MBNWATCHNOW]&ep_mid=152934058&ep_rid=2733988

it's a shop-able storybook,

take a look and listen

(it's narrated by harry connick, jr.!)

my favorite has got to be Mae,

here's a peak inside her closet.

kindergarten wardrobe

anyone who knows me is well aware that 

updating muffy's wardrobe each season 

is super fun for me

maybe i'm living vicariously, 

because i wish i was the one getting an 

entirely new set of clothing every season!

many of you have asked where i shop for her clothes, 

and the answer is everywhere! 

but i do have some brands that i'm definitely loyal to:
carter's and gymboree for playclothes 
(sometimes wal-mart, too!)

Mis-Tee-V-Us, Lilly Pulitzer,
Zutano (she can still wear some), CWD Kids,
Ralph Lauren, Kelly's Kids
and i recently discovered Lolly Wolly Doodle

i like to shop when i'm home in TN at specialty children's stores as well as the department store BELK, for something different.
and of course, i have to have her a signature bow
to keep her southern spirit alive!

i've also found some GREAT items on ebay for her as well.
we live just a few miles from a big outlet center,
so the shopping temptation and deals are always close
(mr prep says this is a BAD thing)

with just two weeks to go, we've been giving mr prep 
fashion shows and organizing the closet.
here is what we have for kindergarten so far

her backpack from gymboree

and the cutest little crocs

of course, THIS tee is what she told me 
she is wearing the first day of school!
what am i in for?!?

do you do heavy-duty back-to-school clothes shopping

before or after school starts?

sale temptations

does the word 

SALE 

tempt you?

it sure does me!

so i was logged in at 9:58 am 

awaiting the secret lilly sale to start at 10 am

i was amazed by the prices and abundance of styles, 

so i quickly filled my tote with these lovelies

and have been waiting 

(not so patiently) 

for over an hour for my order to go through...

did you get this message? 

were you one of the ones standing in the virtual line with me?

while i was waiting, i decided to check out a few of my 

other preppy SALE sites for a look-see, and some temptation.

here's what i found

lands end sweaters

ll bean sweaters, shoes and boots

ralph lauren sweater

i'm still waiting to see if my lilly order went through...

why is one little word so exciting?