CARE TO LOOK

a lifestyle, travel, and photography blog

Nashville weddings, celebrations, and reunions

hope-clay-58

Gosh, what a weekend celebrating one of my dearest friends. If you would have told me a year ago that Hope would get married on October 30 I’m not sure I would believe you. But of course she did. Of course it was Clayton. Of course it was the most beautiful thing I have ever seen. Of course we all wept. Of course she did.

Because of Hope, I am who I am. Because of her friendship I’ve always had someone to dream big with me. She is truly a gift and blesses every single person she meets. If you know Hope, you know exactly what I mean. A weekend dedicated to celebrating her is a grand weekend indeed.

I flew in Friday night for the most divine dinner at Butcher and Bee where we had the pleasure of saying, “we’ll take one of everything!”

hope-clay-4 hope-clay-13 hope-clay-14

We went around the table and one by one said how we met Hope and our first memory. I finally got to put faces with names and stories that Hope has told me through the years. What a group.
hope-clay-18 hope-clay-21

After dinner it was back to the Airbnb to consume every Trader Joe treat and pop the champagne. hope-clay-32

Saturday morning I met up with dear friends from Clemson. Shoutout to Ellie and Meriwether for the best coffee date and walk. Familiar faces in new places is always a gift. hope-clay-35

The rest of Saturday we helped set up the reception venue, I went on another coffee date with Katie, and ended the evening with the Clemson game.

Wedding day morning means wedding day breakfast. It was complete with little H+C coffee cups, mini chicken and waffles, a divine parfait bar, avocado toast, and mimosas. It was all a dream.
hope-clay-39 hope-clay-41 hope-clay-42 hope-clay-44 hope-clay-46 hope-clay-47 hope-clay-53

It was such a gift to pray over our sweet Hope and there was hugs all around.
hope-clay-58 hope-clay-60 hope-clay-61 hope-clay-62

You, Hope, are a true beauty and are dearly loved.hope-clay-66

The weather was absolutely perfect, the trees showed off their fall colors, and the park looked stunning.
hope-clay-67 hope-clay-73

While setting up the benches we met this little MINIATURE PIG. So now are several pictures of Caroline, the pig, and myself. hope-clay-75 hope-clay-80 hope-clay-83 hope-clay-87

As Hope walked down the aisle, we all lost it, including this guy. My heart about exploded out of my chest watching his reaction. He loves her so well.
hope-clay-91 hope-clay-92 hope-clay-93 hope-clay-96 hope-clay-101

Their love is so evident and tangibly real.hope-clay-103 hope-clay-106

A little laughter at Hope’s journal post back in 2010 explaining she was never going to let go of a friend like Clayton. I’m sure glad you kept to your word, Hope. hope-clay-110 hope-clay-113 hope-clay-114 hope-clay-115 hope-clay-117

The most beautiful Mr. and Mrs.hope-clay-123 hope-clay-124 hope-clay-126

You mean the world to me Hope and what a honor it was to be a part of your wedding day. You are stunning.
hope-clay-128 hope-clay-129

Another highlight of the weekend was spending time with this dear friend. A little over a year ago I knew Hope was moving to Nashville and Meriwether lived there as well. I just knew they were kindred spirits and did the whole “Meriwether meet Hope, Hope meet Meriwether” thing. Praise Him from whom all blessings flow that this friendship worked out! Meriwether, you are a treat, and I love that the adventures of Murry and Curry continue on. hope-clay-131

The reception venue, Peter Nappi, was INCREDIBLE. Pictures don’t do it justice. hope-clay-133 hope-clay-134 hope-clay-137 hope-clay-140

What a crew.
hope-clay-141 hope-clay-146 hope-clay-153hope-clay-156

I’m so beyond grateful that this picture is a thing.
hope-clay-157 hope-clay-160

A few weeks ago when Ben and I were in Roanoke I found some old boxes. As I sifted through, I realized an entire box was dedicated to Hope. It had letters, gifts, books, cards, pictures, crafts, and diaries from when we were 12 to now. As I read several letters and pulled out pictures a rush of memories and smiles came over me. That memory box is so dear to my heart. As once written by our 12 year old selves in our first attempted book together, “Our friendship has lasted less than a year so far, but we have still shared a lifetime of joys! As you can see, we didn’t plan to be friends… it just happened and it was obviously meant to be!”

Lets add this to the memory box. Here’s to you, Mrs. Hope Chambers.

So far, so good

So far, October has treated us very kindly. We are continuing to settle in, arrange and rearrange, take on home improvement projects, and then re-do said projects. (Who knew staining a table could go so wrong?) But hey, my plants are all around one of our fireplaces and all is well. mantel-2 mantel-9

We are continuing to learn how to slow down and figure out a new routine in our new little town. Our evenings are often spent with walks around downtown and sunset views from our evening. Last weekend, with the impending hurricane upon us, we decided to evacuate westward. Ben was a champ and drove through the winds and rains, and even humored my crime podcast obsession almost the entire way.hurricane

Our dear friends Kat and JD were also evacuating from Charleston and were back in Greensboro which was conveniently on our way to Roanoke. Even if it was just for an afternoon coffee and dinner, it was the absolute best. Gosh, I would do just about anything for more afternoons like that one. I just love ya, Kat.
hurricane-2After the best coffee (IT HAD PEANUT BUTTER IN IT), we met up with Kat’s parents for tacos. I’m not talking your run of the mill tacos. These bad boys had mac and cheese and bbq in them. Divine I tell you. After dinner we said our goodbyes and hit the road for Roanoke.

Although we’ve only lived on the coast for close to a month, it was sure nice to drive through those mountains again.

Sunday morning I met up with my mom for breakfast and Ben went on a bike ride up the mountain and on his way down met up with us. After breakfast we through on our Baum’s BBQ tshirts and made our way to the Food Truck Rodeo to help out my dad on the truck. Ben and I make one heck of a po boy team. If you find yourself in Roanoke, look out for my dad’s truck and then you can thank me.

Dustin brought my favorite little human and dog to visit and really they just stole the show. Now for several pictures of the two of them stealing my heart.
roanoke-foodtruck-4 roanoke-foodtruck-10 roanoke-foodtruck-15 roanoke-foodtruck-19

I am obsessed.roanoke-foodtruck-24 roanoke-foodtruck-25 roanoke-foodtruck-30 roanoke-foodtruck-31 roanoke-foodtruck-36 roanoke-foodtruck-38 roanoke-foodtruck-39 roanoke-foodtruck-44

I am becoming more and more thankful to call Roanoke home. Although only there for a few days, it was a breath of fresh air and a treat to see our families.

On our way home we hit the jackpot. We passed a random store on the side of the road and decided to made a quick u-turn. We scored this clock, a lantern, and coffee table and successfully crammed them in the already full car.

desk-5

I’d say our office is coming along quite nicely.desk

I am in love with this weather and the hints of fall outside our window and downtown.
pumpkin pumpkin-4

Yesterday, we decided to eat lunch outside in the park beside our house before spending the afternoon at the beach. atlantic-beach atlantic-beach-2

I’m not quite use to the whole practically “living at the beach” thing we’ve got going on. I will say, if Sundays continue to look like this past one, I will be just fine. atlantic-beach-5 atlantic-beach-9 atlantic-beach-11

So far, so good with this fall season. Excited for the weekend trips we have coming up and praying this weather stays.

moving in and weekend trips

Well it has officially been a week in little old New Bern. A week of adjustments, sleeping on an air mattress, unpacking boxes, visiting the downtown shops, and frequenting Cookout for the perfect milkshake.

Ben arrived in New Bern mid afternoon last Friday after graduating from Air Intelligence Officer Course (proud of you, Ben!) and I pulled up shortly after. When Ben arrived at our new abode the sun was shining, birds were chirping, and all was well. As soon as my tires hit the bridge towards New Bern a cloud of death came over the city and the heavens opened up. It rained just long enough for us to unpack my car and then the sun came right back out. How nice of you New Bern, quite the welcome you gave me.

We spent the evening unpacking what little we had and blew up the air mattress for our fist night in our new little abode. Ben and I passed the ole “put together furniture with obscure instructions and 100 pieces at midnight” test with flying colors. So what if we had to take the dresser apart at the end and start over because we missed a crucial part, we still ended with a new dresser, two chairs, bed, and desk so I will mark it as a win in our book.

Below is what we get to wake up to. New Bern might be very small and it may not have a lot to offer but the sunrise over the river is breathtaking and the sun set over the town paints the sky all sorts of colors.

newbern-move-1-2 newbern-move-1

Saturday morning was more unpacking more trips to Walmart and a trip to one of the two local coffee shops. newbern-move-1-4

I am certain the sweet older lady in the right hand corner, along with her pups, are regulars. This is certainly the type of town you become a “regular” in. Just like how the kind lady at Cookout noticed that we are “that couple again” who ordered the peanut butter fudge/Reese/banana/Oreo milkshake and yes we want that all mixed in together and sure we will let you know if it tastes good. (Spoiler alert: it’s the best combination, don’t knock it till you try it)
newbern-move-1-5 newbern-move-1-6

Behold, my new office! It’s only partially set up and the rest of the room is empty, but I mean look at the view! newbern-move-1-3 new-bern-move-1-2

Ben has been a champ this week. He doesn’t start work until Friday so he’s checked off our to do list left and right. While I was working, he came up the spiral staircase with HOMEMADE SWEET POTATO CHIPS. I picked a good one. newbern-move-1-9 new-bern-move-1 new-bern-move-1-3

Each evening we have wandered around downtown and down to the water front. It is quite lovely, but also quite sleepy.
new-bern-move-1-4 new-bern-move-1-5 new-bern-move-1-6

Here is a little history lesson for you. Sweet little New Bern was founded in 1710 and was apparently named in honor of the founder’s’ home, Bern, Switzerland, which was named for the first animal they came upon whilst hunting, a bear. “Bern=old Germanic word for Bear=New Bern’s proud symbol. That bear is every where you look. Every store name, every corner, every flag. new-bern-move-1-7 new-bern-move-1-8 new-bern-move-1-9

This past Saturday we hit the road early for a day trip to Wilmington. We hit up Flaming Amy’s on the way in for the best burrito and salsa bar. wilmington-1-4We headed downtown to stop in and out of the shops and treat ourselves to an ice cream cone at Kilwins Ice Cream before strolling along the River Walk.
wilmington-4 wilmington-5 wilmington-7 wilmington-8 wilmington-9

It felt so good to be traveling together again. Even if it was just a quick trip to Wilmington it felt like we were back to our old selves again. wilmington-10 wilmington-11

Before heading back home we figured we might as well hit up the beach. wilmington-13 wilmington-14 wilmington-17 wilmington-18

This next month will be prime time for weekend beach visits. The sun is still shinning, the tourists are gone, and the temperature is just right.
wilmington-23 wilmington-28 wilmington-35 wilmington-39 wilmington-40 wilmington-41 wilmington-45

We hit the road back home just in time to watch the Tigers play. We plugged in our TV quickly and set it on the coffee table to make it work. I would have done just about anything to be in Death Valley, but jumping up in down on the couch while screaming at the TV with Ben in little ole New Bern was a nice second option.

Sunday was home improvement day. We stained our dining room table and bench, hung up paintings, reorganized, and planned more projects. Making this place a home will take time, but I am enjoying the process of doing it together with Ben.

Coming up this week? The pumpkin patch, Mumfest, and swing dancing at the local ballroom. Here’s to small town living.