House Hunt: Part 1,000

After almost a year of searching for our first home, we finally found something that both of us were thrilled about. We're putting an offer on this house today! Please send prayers and thoughts our way. As many of you know, purchasing your first home is a huge deal and pretty scary!

Yes- I will host the Nashville brides for a girl's night if we get it!

Some Goodies From Ulta

Earlier this week I ordered some goodies from Ulta. There was one about a mile from our house at Elon, and I really miss going in there to try out new makeup and beauty products! I realized that my once creamy facemask had turned to dried clay, and my Burt's Bees was running really low. So I hopped online and stocked up! The best part? Ulta has free shipping for orders of $45 or more.

This is the BEST product I have ever used for breakouts! It doesn't irritate my sensitive skin, but will banish a breakout overnight. And maybe I'm a weirdo- but I think the herbs in it smell great. (Mr. SE doesn't like them too much)

This DDF face mask is a savior. It keeps my skin tight and healthy looking. I love how it firms up pretty quick, and it really helps control oil.

Dry shampoo could be my new best friend. As you can tell from the first two products, my body is an oil factory. I have to wash my hair every single day. It's blonde, and fine, so you can easily tell when it's dirty. Do any of you use dry shampoo? Will it change my life?

Drumroll Please...

The winner of my first ever giveaway is PMerr! Please see the list of entrants and Random.org generator below. PMerr contratulations and enjoy your lovely new hangers!

Thanks to everybody that entered! It was truly a delight to see all the blog love!

*Giveaway Winner*

Come back later to find out who won the lovely hanger giveaway from The Pretty Pearl!

Migraines, Boo

This is what my bathroom counter has looked like lately. The storms of January and February have literally wreaked havoc on my head. I cannot explain how awful it is do know you're going to get a migraine from an impending snow storm, and not be able to do anything about it. Well otherwise medicate heavily, which makes work somewhat difficult.

Luckily, my insurance allows me to get massages on a weekly basis, and pay for them from flex fund. I know I've mentioned it before, but Essential Therapy is amazing. They're located downtown and really close to my office. I've seen Susan since 2008, and just saw someone new last night, Jerri, since Susan's on maternity leave. Jerri was amazing. She specializes in TMJ and migraines- how perfect! She made me feel so much better, and I slept like a baby. The bad news? I still have somewhat of a lingering headache as of this morning. Thank you impending snow/rain.

Today's the last day to enter my giveaway! It's the first one I've ever done, and the results have been great. I wouldn't mind winning a set of these gorgeous hangers for myself! The contest ends tonight at 8pm. Here's a recap of the rules:

To enter:

1. Become a follower of Sarah Elizabeth & leave a comment (on the original post) letting me know that you are and which hanger you'd like and what you'd use it for {1 entry}
2. You can earn an additional entry by tweeting about this giveaway @MissSE06 {1 entry} OR by posting it on your blog & linking back to mine {1 entry}

My First Giveaway

{doesn't this picture make you swoon?}

Today is my first giveaway! I'm super excited, as I've wanted to do one for awhile. Last week I came across the perfect item and I can't wait to share them with you all. Meghan from The Pretty Pearl is giving away 2 monogrammed hangers to the winner of this contest.

Visit The Pretty Pearl and let me know which style you prefer, and what you'd use it for.

To enter:
1. Become a follower of Sarah Elizabeth & leave a comment letting me know that you are and which hanger you'd like and what you'd use it for {1 entry}

2. You can earn an additional entry by tweeting about this giveaway @MissSE06 {1 entry} OR by posting it on your blog & linking back to mine {1 entry}

You have until 8pm on Wednesday, February 24th to enter!

Sneaky Peaky: Invitations

I'm super excited about our invitations. We have a great team, and totally lucked out with Jess Lehry Designs and Jive Digital Printing. What's better? They're both in Nashville! We're all about supporting our local businesses. The design that Jessica did is beyond fantastic and I can't wait to share it with you guys. But sadly, it won't be revealed until the invites are mailed in June. Right now I'm working on ordering the different components of our semi-DIY invites. You might wonder what semi-DIY means. Here's my take:

Invitation design and layout: Jess Lehry Designs

Printing of items (RSVP, invite, info card, etc): Jive Digital Printing

Blank stock: Envelopments, ordered online

Stamp for return address: Etsy (see previous post)

Calligraphy: Mr. SE's aunt (what an amazing wedding gift!)

Assembly: us!

So there's lost of components coming from many different resources. It's our responsibility to put them all together. Curious about the cost? Right now my calculations are around $4.00 an invite (including postage). For those of you who are really into details, our invites include the following: outer envelope, inner envelope, formal invitation, stock backing, information card, reception card, RSVP card, and RSVP envelope. Whew, no wonder I've been so stressed!

Here's some pictures of the envelopes we're using. We are obsessed with the "peacock" and just love the textured metallic look. Mr. SE's aunt Sally will be using gold metallic ink on the outer envelopes and I think they're going to be fantastic!

Images from Barbara Kua Calligraphy

Blog Award: You're Going Places, Baby

Alanna at Sparkles and Sundresses was sweet enough to give me this award! Here's the rules:


* Link back to the blogger who sent you this award
* Post where you would like to be in 10 years
* Pass it on to 5 other special bloggers!



In 10 years I'd like to have at least one child with Mr. SE, owning a home, and living somewhere close to our parents. If I were to stretch those goals even further, I'd like to be staying at home with my child and working part-time through my blog or a wedding-related field.

Here's my fab 5:
Tami @ Little Miss Southern (You better respond to this. I will stalk you until you do)
Cat @ Nashville Newlyweds
Christin @ A Classy, Southern Bride
Mrs. Bear @ Think Happy Thoughts
Heather @ Live.Laugh.Love

On the Wings of Love: Bachelor Recap

Great girl- not a good fit for Jake

Nooo! Ugh.

Pick Tenley! Pick Tenley!

Valentine's Day Dinner: Mrs. Bear's Shrimp Pasta

This year marks our 4th Valentine's Day together. Mr. SE and I are happier making and eating dinner at home, versus spending money at a fancy restaurant. We decided to make Mrs. Bear's shrimp pasta. It was delicious! Mrs. Bear's original blog has always been a favorite of mine, and I was lucky enough to receive some of her reciepies via email last year. She and I have some of the same dietary restrictions and we both have a fiance/husband that's happy to eat anything! It's no surprise that I was super excited when she decided to write a food blog. We've also made her pizza and it was delicious as well!

**text and picture from Mrs. Bear's Tasty Fare**

Ingredients
1 box angel hair
2 heads broccoli - rinsed and chopped
8 oz pre-sliced button mushrooms (we used canned)
Extra Virgin Olive Oil
2 teaspoons minced garlic
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 - 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes
salt & pepper
1/2 lbs shrimp - de-veined, shell removed - but tail left on
(make sure the shrimp are rinsed thoroughly)
1 tablespoon fresh or dried parsley flakes
2 tablespoons dry white wine

1 jar pitted Kalamatta olives - drained

Shredded Parmesan cheese (we used feta)

Directions
1. Add angel hair to lightly salted boiling water. Cook until al dente (7-9 min). Drain, set aside in a large pasta bowl, drizzle with olive oil so it does not dry out.
2. While the pasta is cooking, over medium-low heat coat the bottom of a large skillet. Add 1 teaspoon garlic and cook for 1-2 minutes.
3. Add the mushrooms and broccoli. Season with garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Cook until broccoli is slightly tender and mushrooms are soft. Turn heat down to low. Transfer veggies into a bowl and cover with tinfoil.
4. In the same skillet, add enough olive oil to coat the bottom. Add the garlic and cook for 1-2 minutes. Add the shrimp and parsley. Cook 3 minutes, then add the wine. The shrimp will be done when they are pink and their tales are slightly curled in.
5. Combine the shrimp, veggies, Kalamatta olives, and 1 tablespoon of olive oil with the pasta. Mix with tongs and taste - you may need more seasoning (of your choice). Sprinkle with shredded Parmesan cheese. Serve alongside a piece of hot garlic cheese bread and a big glass of the same white wine you cooked with.

Head over to Mrs. Bear's blog for more yummy recipes!