the jewels of autumn....

Who knew?!

Two barn parties in one month!

Its fall...and last night, Shawn Cossette and Gay Berry, threw an incredible celebration of autumn. Their barn was draped in burlap, the inside housed hundreds (maybe a thousand?!) of beautiful candles..and gourds beyond the imagination. It was a throwback to the olden days...

The entertainment was everything from gospel music to the workers of the Buckingham County Rail Road-- who showed us how railroad tracks were laid way back when... when manpower was the only kind. They sang their songs, swung their hammers... and sent chills up our bodies. If you ever have the chance to see them-- do it. They were quite an amazing act.

The evening was absolutely spectacular. And leaving the party... we looked up...and there were stars dotting the sky... which is just another reason to love fall and its celebrations.

happy sunday

Sunday is (by far) my favorite day of the week. Anything goes on sunday.... anyways... last night, while grabbing a drink with some friends, we looked down and saw this on the bar. It was hard to resist a picture. Doesn't it remind you of a charlie brown character? His smile got bigger as the night went on...

(compliments of one sean wathen!)

Paige

It is a well known fact that being around little kids can boost your

serotonin production. They are their own little source of giggles and smiles... it is almost impossible not to want to scoop them up, put them in your pocket, and take them with you. That is how I feel about Paige. I spent a couple hours yesterday with my cousin Peter and his wife Karen...and the apple of their eye (and now mine) Paige. She was pure joy for two hours, smiling, hamming it up for the camera (and her parents, who she knows are wrapped around her little pinky finger)... I think we got a couple good shots for her Christmas card....and a few to keep until her rehearsal dinner... (say no to crack)...

36 Hours in Charlottesville...

As a proud Cvillian... thought I'd share this with any of you interested... The NY Times Travel section thinks we are worth (at the very least!) a 36 hour visit... Check out the article

Bethel Hollow

This past weekend my brother, let's call him Munk, spearheaded a fall party at Bethel Hollow. There was a myriad of drinks, plenty of pork (and by plenty, i mean 70 pounds), good tunes, great friends, fireworks and even flashlight tag. This is my question to YOU. When was the last time you played flashlight tag? Do it. Do it tonight. With your neighbors. Neighbor bonding! (if your neighbors won't oblige, then as your back up, call your friends...). My favorite hiding spot: under a tent ("in" the tent was "in" the rules...you can't do it). So that is my challenge to you my friend. And if you find yourself needing an extra tagger...you know my number!

it has nothing to do with lucky numbers

i've never really believed in those lucky numbers they put at the bottom of these fortunes. but for some reason, i always believe in the fortunes themselves.

i'm a believer i guess.

this fortune was given to a friend of mine. the fortune that came in my cookie didn't suit me, so we traded. i hope its still ok to believe in them. this one suits me.

fleatamus maximus

For those of you who don't know flea, you should.

She is my sister...and she is pretty incredible.

Yesterday morning, I went to brush my teeth-- and sitting next to the sink were these two rose buds, with a little handwritten note. I don't know about you-- but the very essence of a good day starts with some handwritten love. A sticky note, a scrap of a paper, a piece of snail mail-- it doesn't matter, it hits me all the same, its pure and its sweet, it is a straight squeeze to the heart.

This morning, when i woke up and looked at my dresser, one of the roses had opened -- and looked so happy next to the other. I'm still waiting for that one to open--but I have a feeling, that will have to wait until tomorrow.

little Miss Julia James

In life, I consider myself to be a hard worker.... most of the time, that is. Friday, at Lucy and Alex's rehearsal dinner, I spent most of the evening with a little girl named Julia. When I first met her, she was jamming away on the grand piano in the corner of the Clifton Inn's dining room (rehearsal dinner guests present). As great as she sounded (something tells me she hasn't had lessons...yet) she had some competition with the actual dinner music playing over the house sound system. It broke my heart to ask her to stop. Not even phased, she hopped off the bench, looked up at me and asked, "do you think you could just keep an eye on me?" It was hard to say no to that. Especially when I realized just how cool this 5 year old was.

In between my event "duties" (which happen to be far and few between for this particular dinner...no, i wasn't slacking!) I kept an eye on Julia, and she on me. We colored, talked about life (she told me she was very brave...then led me down to the wine cellar to prove it) and contemplated the different reasons octopi had 8 legs (or are they arms? julia asked...).

Here are a few pictures from our coloring session. My favorite was the tree she drew me..."with leaves falling, because its fall". That Julia is one smart cookie. And I must say-- the next day, at the wedding, when I was running about handing out personal flowers and making sure the ceremony went smoothly... Julia was back at my side... "just in case you need me" she said. And I did. A big thanks to little Miss Julia James, for the pictures, the giggles and the reminder of the joy in everyday things... Especially little people who are willing to think big.

(isn't she something else?!)

recent easton events...

Ronda and Brian's Slideshow!

Kelly and Graham's Slideshow

(Both compliments of Patricia Lyons...)

Price and Kip's Slideshow 

(Compliments of Lynne Brubaker!)

unsolicited advice

my dad gave this to me a couple months ago. since then, the top of the page has become dotted with thumbtack holes--where i've taken it down, read it, and reposted on my corkboard above my desk. i've copied it, scanned it, even written it out by hand, for friends. i thought it was time to type it out. so here it goes...

unsolicited advice...(which i recommend taking)...

• No one is in charge of your happiness except you.
• Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.
• You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.
• Make peace with your past so it won't screw up the present.
• Don't compare you life to others. You have no idea what their journey is all about.
• Life is too short to waste time hating anyone.
• However good or bad a situation is, it will change.
• When it comes to going after what you love in life, don't take no for an answer.
• Burn the candles, use the nice sheets, and wear the fancy clothes. Don't save it for a special occassion. Today is special.
• Frame every so-called disaster with these words: "In five years, will this matter?"
• Growing old beats the alternative - dying young.
• Your children get only one childhood. Make it memorable.
• If we all threw our problems in a pile and saw everyone else's, we'd grab ours back.
• Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.
• Life isn't tied with a bow, but it's still a gift.

Note: My dad didn't write this... it's author is unknown. I love it that much more!

Jamie and Kristen!

Jamie and Kristen were an absolute blast to work with, I'm a little sad that its all over!

Kristen wanted a "Midsummer's Night Dream" feel for her reception...

Compliments of Easton Events... 

Here are a few shots from their celebration at Veritas.

And once again, Allegra and her assistant, Jen, captured their evening beautifully! Stay tuned for more pictures...

Lucy and Alex...they love each other most

Lucy and Alex are hitched! 

Between the Easton Events team and the great people over at the Clifton Inn, Lucy and Alex celebrated their marriage all weekend long. Their friends and family flew in from every corner of the globe, making their 100 person guest list the most eclectic I've ever seen. It was a beautiful day and a beautiful celebration of two people's love. As Lucy's sister, Margot, said in her toast, its so amazing to see two people who "love each other the most" in this world promise their lives together. (Side note: if you haven't read "Where the Wild Things Are"... you should...)

Check out these gorgeous shots Allegra (http://www.allegrasblog.com/posts/weddings/lucy-and-alex/) took of the Lucy and Alex...