engagement session.

I spent the afternoon getting my outfits for our engagement photo shoot next Sunday! 

With our amazing photographer, I can't wait to see the finished results.

Hello again West Gresham. We've come a long way. 

our new stamp!

I LOVE IT!

Our custom rubber stamp to mark the first item bought for us as an engaged couple.

The copper and black ink pads will come in handy when wedding planning takes steam.

mad.

LOVE IT.

While it has nothing to do with our aesthetic, as mad men lovers I really couldn't pass this up.

i love this calendar. is it 2011 yet?

The Kate Spade 2011 calendar.

Isn't she a beauty?

via: katespade

it's FINALLY up!

Our new hallway addition!

24.

Today is my birthday and I'm officially one year older!

I spent this lovely day with my wonderful fiance and family.

 More than anything, today was a day to remind me how loved and grateful I am for the amazing people in my life. 

Oh and here's the poem my little (and adorable) sister wrote in her gift to me:

"From oceans I have traveled,

Lands I have crossed,

I came upon many wonders.

There is one I hold dear,

But far, I had not to travel;

For this wonder is my Ashley.

A sister to treasure,

A friend to keep, 

And a role model to follow.

I love you my sister;

Even if you are from another mister.

With love, your little sister, Taylor."

Oh how I love her, beyond words. 

my birthday gift!

My egg carton jewelry holder! 

I absolutely love it.

Thanks to my BFF. Love you!

(early) birthday celebration.

On Saturday night, I went out with my favorite people to celebrate my birthday.

It was the perfect mellow night spent with the amazing friends I have in my life. 

I'm a lucky girl.

shutterfly.

So I used the lovely Shutterfly.com to make a book about my engagement trip with Stephen.

The 8x8 book came out wonderful and I am very pleased with the end result.

I may just have to make some more. A lot more!

home.

Home by Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros. My new anthem.

It couldn't be farther from my taste in music, but is addicting beyond belief.

Love it. And it carries sentimental value. 

It played all throughout our engagement road trip.

And home IS wherever I'm with you!

a chapter almost closed.

It's official. I have finished the schooling portion of medical assisting at Concorde.

Only six weeks left while I complete my externship at NW Cancer Specialists. I am nervous, excited, overwhelmed and so content to be able to work in a medical office. And I could not have found a better field of medicine to combine my prior knowledge in biology than oncology. 

I have my life back. Hello again happy hour. How I missed you.

More than anything though, I have this sense of relief that I am almost able to apply to PA school. 

It's been a long road and it's only just beginning. 

wedding photographer.

This has been by far the hardest decision to make in our wedding planning. Even more than our venue, I have this intense need to have the perfect photographer. And I keep switching with what look I want our photos to be (weathered? whimsical?). We're in the process if narrowing it down from 3 wonderful ones. 

They're simply stunning photographers. 

oregon state fair.

A wonderful day full of livestock, fair food, games, and rides!

tying the knot.

Oh this is such a creative invitation!

Not only does it tell the story of them as a couple, but is incredibly unique and heartfelt.

Love it.

via: urbaninfluence