Mr. and Mrs. Christopher Steven Hamrick

Every couple dreams of setting up two best friends, but it doesn't usually work out as easily and magically as it did for Josh and I.  As I've mentioned on this blog before, we had success setting up two very dear friends (a bridesmaid and groomsman) from our wedding almost five years ago.  This past weekend Kathryn and Chris got married in Charlotte.  We couldn't be more thrilled for them and had the best weekend with so many friends and family.

Get ready for lots of pics...sadly, most are iPhone pics.

Thursday Night Welcome: Ayers' Residence

The bride and I in our "crazy pants."  I was shocked Josh actually liked these.

Charles came Thursday and was quite the hit with the young ladies!

Bridesmaids Luncheon: Carmel Country Club

Mother of the bride, Bride and Matron of honor (her sister Ashley)

The bride was a professional ballerina in Charleston for several years and we each received a rose at our place setting - such a sweet touch

One of the lovely hosts, Kiki's aunt Linda

Kiki and Nancy

Church: Covenant Presbyterian Church
Rehearsal Dinner: Bonterra

How adorable is this couple?!

Mother and brother of the groom

Sister and niece of bride

Niece and nephew of the bride.  Shortly after this photo her nephew, Dylan, practiced walking down the aisle and confessed the whole way down, "I don't want to be the ring boy anymore!"  He couldn't be coaxed into doing it on the big day, so he's now known as the ring bearer dropout.  What a cutie!

Parents of the bride

Kathryn had a grooms cake made to represent days at Cape Lookout.  Those are some of our absolute favorite memories with the couple and we look forward to going on the boat with the Hamrick family all year.  Absolute perfect days!

The mister and I

Kathryn's older brother and his son

High school besties

Ayers Sisters

Church: Covenant Presbyterian

Reception: Myers Park Country Club

bride's bouquet

Probably the only time we will be a bridesmaid and groomsman in a wedding

Front and back of the gorgeous gown

Kathryn with her brothers and nephews

MP girls that now are Raleigh residents

Loved this glittery sugar peony on her cake!

You two are really (and finally!) married! We can't wait for many more decades of memories with you both! We love you!

XO,

Whit

Cape Cod Chopped Salad

My friend Laura invited me up for lunch one day last week and served up a variation of this Barefoot Contessa Cape Cod Chopped Salad with a quiche.  It was so delicious that my mom and I made a version we ate for a few days while they were in town for Easter weekend.  Ina nailed this one!  I plan to have this dressing on hand all summer.  

Here is how we made our version:

• Mixed baby arugula and spring mix (as opposed to all arugula)
• 1 large honeycrisp apple, chopped (she calls for Granny Smith)
• 1/2 c. toasted pecans, coarsely chopped (recipe calls for walnuts)
• 1/2 c. dried cranberries
• We omitted the bacon and blue cheese.  I may add in protein like bacon or grilled chicken next time if eating as an entree and not a side.

We followed the dressing recipe exactly as Ina describes:

• 3 tablespoons good apple cider vinegar 
• 1 teaspoon grated orange zest 
• 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed orange juice 
• 2 1/2 teaspoons Dijon mustard 
• 2 tablespoons pure maple syrup 
• Kosher salt 
• 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper 
• 2/3 cup good olive oil 

In a large bowl, toss together the arugula, apple, nuts, cranberries. 

For the dressing, whisk together the vinegar, orange zest, orange juice, mustard, maple syrup, 1 1/2 teaspoons salt, and the pepper in a bowl. Slowly whisk in the olive oil. 

Toss the salad with just enough dressing to moisten. Sprinkle with 1/2 teaspoon salt and toss well. Serve immediately. 

Enjoy!

XO,

Whit

DIY birth announcements

In order to save some cash monies (babies are expensive!) and truly make my vision come to life I decided to design my own birth announcements in PowerPoint.  Of course I used my favorite modern calligraphy font, Bombshell Pro, on both the announcements and the envelopes.  On the announcements I also used Copperplate Light font (pre-loaded on my Mac) and added some blue circles for some design interest on the front and back.  I made the little paw print by Olivia's name out of overlapping ovals.  

I bought the cardstock and envelopes from Paper Source and printed them all on my personal printer.  I printed the wallet-sized photos on the front and back from SmugMug.  They have the best quality prints!

Charles' darling bow swaddle was a gift from my mother-in-law and can be found locally at Charlotte's or online on The Beaufort Bonnet Company's website (here).  His is the Buckhead Blue Chambray.  I had it monogrammed with his initials and date of birth here in Raleigh.

Pretty simple and I think it's one of my favorite projects to date!

I can't get enough of this little boy who is 4 weeks old today.  We are so in love with our happy baby!

XO,
Whit

Happy Easter!

So thankful we were able to spend Charles' first Easter with all 4 grandparents.  We love you!

More non-baby posts coming soon...

XO,
Whit