Um…

How did I not know about this?!

I am a huge fan of hydrangeas, as evidenced by this:

I know where I’ll be the first weekend of June next year!!

My wish list

There are so many things that I am drooling over right now; I probably will never get most of them because I try to buy the things I want myself.  Here are a few of the things I really want:

As a Religious Studies major at Agnes Scott College, I took a class on C.S. Lewis.  Having never read any of the Chronicles of Narnia series growing up, I was unfamiliar with his writing.  I came away from that class with a deep and abiding love for his work and his being.  I would love to be able to spend some time every day reading some of his words.

I love monograms and would love a beautiful sterling silver ring with my NEW initials on it!

Obviously I have an obsession with personalized things.  This sign says it all.

Scrapblog credits!!  I love creating new things on Scrapblog and all of the really cool themes and stuff require credits.

Etsy designer Coralie Beatrix makes these gorgeous convertible dresses.  There are so many different ways to wear them and the colors are so rich.  They are also flattering to so many different body types (which is always super important to me).  I would love to have a long and a short version of this dress.

What goodies are on your wish list right now?

I never win anything…

until now!!  I came to work, put little B (the 7-month old baby I nanny) down for his nap, and opened up my Google Reader.  Lo and behold, I was a winner!!  I entered a giveaway on Kellie’s blog:

for one of these:

and won!  I picked the black and white (though I’m wondering if I like the green more?) with my lovely new monogram on it!  So if you like these bags, head on over to This Blessed Nest and check out her adorable shop!!

Sponsorship

In an effort to grow my blog, I am opening up the floor for sponsorships.  I would like to provide giveaways or discounts to my readers and, to do so, I need the help of small businesses.  In return for either offering free products or discounting products, I will provide advertising space and reviews of those products.  Please let me know if your company is interested in being a sponsor of the Adventures in Manis-land blog by emailing me!

Yummylicious!

On our wedding night, my husband and I drove to Atlanta and stayed at the Westin in downtown. 

This is, by far, the nicest hotel I have ever stayed in.  We had a luxury suite (bigger than our apartment), with two bathrooms, a huge living area, and a gigantic master bedroom.  The bathroom was my favorite part!  (My shoulda-been-a-photographer husband took pictures of everything BUT the bathroom)

In addition to the soaker tub, which I almost died in, the bathroom had this:

This is the most relaxing and delicious smell! Even my smell-sensitive hubby said, “holy crap, that smells really good!”  I, of course, took all the small samples they provide from the room- who doesn’t do that at a hotel?!  I would love to purchase this, but $12 for 7-ounces (found here) is way too pricey for me.  For now, I will use my samples sparingly and remember the calming smell and amazing room we had on our wedding night.

I will leave you with some pictures of the view from our 69th floor room- courtesy of the hubby!

love love love!

My fall *mantel*

My 500-some-odd square foot apartment has no fireplace.  I know, right?!  Total bummer!  But, luckily, I can try my darndest to fake a mantel with a floating shelf above the TV.  This is my version of a fall mantel:

The text and idea for the Wordle came from Domestically Speaking, but I added a few more words and changed up the colors.  I love the maroon-ish color for future living room walls…  The frame is a Dollar Tree original.

I found these sprays at Michaels; they were 50% off, which made them $1 each!  I already had the vase (another Michaels 50% off find).  I added the orange ribbon to tie the vase in with the sprays.  The ribbon was 2-for-$5, a pretty good deal for wide ribbon like this.  The two Pottery Barn-esque pumpkins came from…  the DOLLAR TREE!  I also got a mottled green pumpkin, but didn’t think it would really fit here.

All together, my fall mantel cost around $6.50 and looks like a million bucks!

Whaddaya think?!

This is my new signature!  I like it because I want my signature to be completely different from my blog design.  I like the color combination and the elegant style, but be honest!  Tell me what you think!

Mrs. Manis

Who is this person?

 

I truly thought I would look like a “country bumpkin” (my words) on my wedding day, but I ended up feeling like the most beautiful woman in the world.  Thank you to my photographer and best friend, Savannah Sundin, for capturing the way I felt and the beauty of the day.

More photos to come!

Mrs. Manis

I now pronounce you…

husband and wife!

I am now a married woman!  The wedding was completely gorgeous and amazing.  Unfortunately, my husband and I are now both sick.  I know, right?!  I will try to post more pictures as soon as I can (and also as soon as I get the professional pics back), but I wanted to give you a little sneak peek of one of my favorite pictures!

Now I need to make a new signature picture because I’m no longer “The Future Mrs. Manis!!”

Mrs. Manis!

We interrupt your regularly scheduled programming...

for my wedding!!

On Saturday, October 16, 2010, I will marry the love of my life at this house.  And I will no longer be "The Future Mrs. Manis," but the ACTUAL Mrs. Manis!

Dear Mother Nature...

Please make THIS happen:

Sincerely,

The Future Mrs. Manis  :)

Love

As my wedding draws closer, my mind often wanders to why I'm getting married.  

This man is my best friend.  He makes me laugh and holds me when I cry.  He reminds me of what really matters.  He surprises me on my birthday and gives me exploding candy as a present.  He tells me he loves me a million times a day and I always believe him.  He tries his hardest to be a good husband and a good man...  and he is.  

For better or for worse.  That is how I will love him.