Happy Belated Valentine's Day!

Hi friends! How was your Valentine's day? Ours was great! I picked up a couple of beauty goodies at the mall and Target while Aaron worked. I purchased NYX Dewy Finish Setting Spray, RT Miracle Blending Sponge, Sonia Kashuk stippling brush, Flowerbomb travel sized perfume (looove this smell), and FIT Me concealer by Mabeline. So far I really like all of the items I have purchased. The setting spray works great for long lasting makeup coverage. My makeup stayed fresh the entire night for our charity event. I was not ready to take the plunge and drop 20 dollars on a Beauty Blender sponge and read up on the reviews when I spotted the RT Miracle Sponge. I decided to give it a whirl since it was only 6 dollars and the reviews were pretty positive. While 20 dollars isn't a lot, it is to me when it comes to a sponge. So far I love it, but then again I have nothing to compare it to other than my throw away makeup sponges that I get at the drugstore.

 When Aaron got home we gave each other Valentine's Day cards. We didn't exchange gifts as we bought tickets to the charity event and we are also trying to save for our wedding. We went to a wine tasting/auction for the evening and had a blast! The wine was so good and we danced the night away.

Olive Branch Wedding

So I have been browsing Pinterest a lot lately and came across a beautiful olive branch themed wedding. I continued to research more olive branch weddings and really fell in love with their simplicity and beauty. We are planning a very small intimate wedding with approximately 20 to 25 guests. He has italian roots on his father side so I would like to incorporate some of their heritage into our wedding. If we do favors I was thinking of getting some mini infused olive oil from a local shop or even a diy project with the word "Grazie' on the label.

I already have my dress, so I really do not need any inspiration there except for the accessories. I am only having two bridesmaids and they are wearing black cocktail dresses. It is easy, classic, and who seriously couldn't use a new black cocktail dress? My friend bought hers at Nordstrom Rack for only 20 dollars and it is beautiful! I will post a picture as soon as I get one. Here are some inspiration pictures that I am using for my wedding board:

                       Via                     

 Style Me Pretty

Via

Here Comes The Guide

 

Via

Once Wed

Via

Snippet and Ink

Via

Belle and Chic

Via

SBChic

Via

Etsy

Via

Etsy

Via

Etsy

Via

100 Layer Cake

Have a fabulous day!! 

Engagement Pictures

A couple of months ago we had engagement pictures taken by the talented Erica V Photography and I just love them! We had our session taken in the historic district of Ybor City. I want to share with you a few of my favorites and hope you enjoy them!

Photo courtesy Erica V Photography

Photo courtesy Erica V Photography

Photo courtesy Erica V Photography

Photo courtesy Erica V Photgraphy

Photo courtesy Erica V Photography

Photo courtesy Erica V Photography

Photo courtesy Erica V Photography

Photo courtesy Erica V Photography

Photo courtesy Erica V Photography

Photo courtesy Erica V Photography

Photo courtesy Erica V Photography

Photo courtesy Erica V Photography

I love how she used black and white, sepia, and normal photo  editing on the pictures. I also loved that she grabbed a few shots with us both facing the camera. I don't see that too often in engagement photos. Also, did you notice how I changed into a dress and my fiance only changed into a different shirt? Yeah, I tried to get him to change into different pants, but throwing on a tie and a dress shirt was as fancy as he was getting. What can a girl do? Pick and choose your fights I say. If you are ever in the Tampa area I highly recommend Erica V Photography.

Happy New Year 2015!

Twine and Honey would like to wish you and your family a safe and Happy New Year!

Can you tell how thrilled Diesel is wearing his New Year's hat?

Totally.

Side note: Did you see the red chair in the background? My New Year's resolution is to refurbish that chair. I already picked out the fabric and plan on painting it antique white. Stay tuned!

Christmas Leftover Frittata

Aaron and I hosted Christmas this year and somehow we ended up with all of the leftovers. My guests took tupperwares full of food home with them, but we still have a fridge full of food. It is just the two of us (plus two fur babies) and there is no way we can eat all of the food. I've been trying to come up with recipes so we don't have to throw it all out.

Friday morning I made a frittata and basically just used whatever I had on hand. I followed this recipe.

Oops. We started eating before I was able to snap a picture. I loved how simple it was to make this and it tasted good too!

Baked Frittata 

Slightly adapted from Kraft

INGREDIENTS:
8 eggs
2 Tbsp milk
1/2 cup leftover chopped broccoli cheese casserole (whatever you have on hand, leftover asparagus, extra tomato, etc.)
1 cup of shredded cheese( I used a blend of cheddar and parmesan)
2 Tbsp chopped bacon (or even ham)
1/4 cup chopped basil (I omitted this)

COOK:
Preheat oven to 350°F. Beat eggs and milk with wire whisk in medium bowl. Stir in broccoli (whatever veggies you have), 1/2 cup of cheese, the bacon, and basil. Pour into greased 9-inch pie pan; sprinkle with remaining cheese.

Bake for 30 minutes or until puffed and golden brown.

Yield: Approx 8 servings

Christmas 2014

Hi friends! I hope you had a Merry Christmas with all of your loved ones. I know that we did as Aaron and I hosted for both sides of the family. I have to say it was a huge success. It was my first year ever hosting such a large event so I was a little nervous. The next day we didn't do much of anything but relax and nap. Haha. We were just a little exhausted. Here are a few pictures of the event:

I bought candlesticks at the Goodwill and spray painted them gold. Then went to an antique store and found some milk glasses to put flowers in. I just bought one bouquet at the grocery store and arranged it in each milk glass to my liking.

As you can see from this picture I had quite a crowd coming. Unfortunately I had to use mismatched chairs and I didn't have chair covers enough for 18.
Sometimes you have to pick and choose your battles.

I also used white table cloths and then used a red table cloth folded over to look like a runner. I bought fresh garland at home depot and cut it to the length I wanted. Then I spread dollar store silver and gold ornaments around the garland.  Ta da! Inexpensive yet festive tablescape.

Our Christmas tree that I am still perfecting. It will be awhile I think before I get it to my liking. And yes that is The Christmas Story on our t.v. I mean, Christmas wouldn't be the same without watching that now would it?

Since it is just Aaron and I we haven't started any traditions,but I would like to start implementing some so that when we have children it will be a magical memorable time for them. I know my parents definitely made mine very special growing up.

Hope you and your family had a wonderful holiday. I wish you the happiest new year!

Engaged!!!

Since the last time I posted, I was proposed to by my very wonderful loving boyfriend, now fiance, back on April 11th, 2014. Eeek!  It has been such a wonderful experience and we are just enjoying being engaged to eachother. We have both been married before with sad endings and I am so blessed to have found such a sweet loving man to share my life with. I just bought my dress and I cannot wait until I can put it on again.  I absolutley love it! I went to a fabulous place called The Dressing Room and the owner is wonderful!! She is so helpful, kind, funny, and straight forward. If you want an upscale experience without the upscale prices, seriously, I highly recommend her. She is the champagne experience you are looking for.

I also made a Will You Be Maid Of Honor box and gave it to my maid of honor as a unique way of asking her to be a part of my day.   I still need to make a bridesmaid one for my sister. I am only having two bridesmaid as my fiance will only have two grooomsmen.

So we are hoping to be married May 2nd of next year, but we both need an annulment so we can get married in the Catholic church.  If it doesn't work out that we can get married in the Catholic church then we will move on to another route. We have a few obstacles to overcome, but I am sure it isn't anything we can't handle. I just can't wait to marry my best friend. Salty Dog and Salty Cat are also in luuuuuuurve with him. To all my fellow brides out there, happy planning!!