Congratulations to Valerie M. from Ohio~ our very first winner of the weekly GIVEAWAY.

Treat yourself to some romantic inspiration this Tuesday morning… read Valerie’s story on how she was proposed to here.

Are there people in your life that aren’t fulfilling their obligations? Not returning your calls? Not living up to their word~ seemingly, just taking up your space? REFUSE to be offended!  Love ‘em anyways. Give them the benefit of the doubt before casting them out to sea.  Who knows, maybe that email you sent went straight to junk… Besides, we ALL have bad days.

Is it possible to get through life refusing to be offended?  If you’re anything like me (too sensitive and easily distracted), you get your feelings hurt easily. Thankfully, I bounce back quick enough, refusing to stay down too long. It’s depressing down there.  I hate being depressed.  And for that matter, I hate PMS.  It does nothing for society.  If I could shoot it, I would!

Refusing to be offended is a choice~ albeit most difficult at times.  People let people down.  I’m surprised it hasn’t happened to me yet this morning. It’s a human condition.  I’m not referring to major life issues here, more referring to day-to-day as you deal with vendors, work-mates, family, bridesmaids… the nuisance, irritating “I wish they’d get their act together” kinda stuff.

Live audaciously.  Be wise.  Be forgiving.  It takes a lot less energy to be happy than to be offended.  Go ahead, resend that email and have a nice day!

The GIVEAWAY is going very well.  We’re getting your stories up as soon as we can so if yours isn’t posted yet, don’t worry~ it will be!  They are so fun to read…romantic, sweet, funny.  I have to share one in particular because A~ it’s hilarious and B, it brings back memories that probably most of us can relate to.

Lindsay J. (Corinth, MS)

“My fiance’ and I met in the second grade.  I remember him and he remembers me a little bit, but one of the funniest things is that I have his picture X’d out in my annual page.  He must of made me mad.”

I find that so stinkin funny~ who doesn’t have a pile of grade school yearbooks with x’s over certain photos? I do.

How many are engaged to (or married) their grade-school sweethearts?  Do Tell…

Everything goes with nature.

Color trends are fun to watch abut ultimately, it’s about your preference, your style~ the colors you love and are passionate about.

The many shades of Purple…gorgeous as accent colors or as a dominant theme.

If you go with purple as your dominant color, consider any ways it might get lost in dark areas i.e. evening time, or the reception room.

I love how the deep hue of the bridesmaid’s dresses are set off by the bright orange flowers for a gorgeous combination.  What a fun wedding party!  They look like they’re having a blast~ especially the bride!  Yeah!!

Wedding party image: Chocolate Sushi Photography

I love purple~ it’s regal and versatile…What do you think?