Wedding Marathon 4 of 4...Brandyce & Pete in NJ

we made it! the last of four weekends in a row of wedding fun! My second run as Maid of Honor this year for Brandyce & Pete's wedding

It's Another Boy!!

Congrats to April and Luis and their little boy, Gavin :)















10.15.09

It's a Boy

meet little Rylan! The newest addition to the Opett family :)



















10.08.09

Wedding Marathon 3 of 4...Tysons Corner

the weekend of October 10th we stayed semi-local for one of my favorite Hokie's weddings! Artemis and Seth had a beautiful wedding at Maggiano's in Tysons Corner, VA

oh how I miss knitting

This picture just says it all...I had to take a hiatus from knitting since school and the jewelry business took priority...but how funny!? Someday I'll be reunited with my needles and yarn :)













(image courtesy of Natalie Dee)

Vote for BEST!!

the Baltimore Sun is running a poll- The Mobbies- for Maryland's Outstanding Blogs...and we need your help! Please go and place a vote for the BEST blog (Baltimore Etsy Street Team) under the Art & DIY sections!!

















you can vote once a day...so what are you waiting for??

Wedding Marathon 2 of 4...Dallas here we come!

let the month-long wedding extravaganza continue! we headed to Dallas next for Brett's best man debut at Paul and Rachel's wedding!





























Congratulations Mr & Mrs Thienprayoon!

October Birthday madness!!

Happy Birthday to...

my cousin Carrie on the 1st

my cousin Brian on the 3rd


and on the 4th Happy Birthday to the best Mom in the world :) :)


and to Aunt Barb on the 5th...

whew...that's a lot of birthdays in one week!

for the animals

I am a big fan of animals...as you all know, so of course I jumped at the chance to donate an item to the Maryland SPCA auction -Shop-a-Paw-Looza- which runs October 2-30th. You can bid on my necklace, as well as more then 300 other items. So head over to the site and start your bidding!!














Here's a link to my item, an Amethyst and Freshwater Pearl necklace :)

oh wait..I actually make jewelry still...

yes, I know, this blog has definitely veered away from the jewelry and design that it was meant for...but with the busy year that I've had, I have had less time to make things let alone photograph, edit and post them. But I'm determined to get back to that very soon...with the holidays approaching, my Etsy shop needs some TLC!

I did finish two orders for wedding parties...for Rachel and Artemis!


gold circles and birds for Rachel's wedding!














crystals and stardust beads for Artemis' bridesmaids! (picture coming soon!)

a wedding...Boston style

Congratulations to Mr & Mrs Simonini :) Kristin and Jon got married this weekend in Boston at the Museum of Science...one of the nicest views I've ever seen!



























We also met the newest addition to this side of the family...little Caden...so another congrats goes out to Laurel & Michael!

Happy Birthday Cuz!

my little Katie is 21! I can not believe it...















happy birthday!! apples to apples 4 ever ;)

We <3 Wine!

Friends and wine on the most spectacular day of the fall...okay yes fall is only about 3 days in at this point, but still...we spent the day Saturday with Bonnie & Andy, and Jimmy & Michael at the Virginia Wine Festival in Herndon.

my favorite place was the champagne tent...could have stayed there alllllll day :)

oh and the hokies won! good day all around!!

Bachlorette Party...80's style!

the last official event for my Maid of Honor year...Brandyce's bachlorette party!

fishbowls and 80's music at the Breakfast Club was the perfect way to celebrate the end of single-dom!

DDS in Herndon!!

my FAVORITE cover band, Drop Dead Sexy, or DDS as we like to call them ;) was in Herndon for Friday Night Live...and thankfully the monsoon didn't stop the fun...the outdoor portion of the night got canceled, but we still made it to Ned Devine's for the inside show. If they are in your area, you must see them!!















waiting out the rain at Friday Night Live - definitely a lost cause
















we found Panda at Ned Devines!!















and I got to sing with the band!

Congratulations Mr & Mrs Feerst!!

Got to share in another special occasion this weekend, when Rob & Andrea tied the knot!











Congratulations to the newlyweds!! And they are off to San Antonio, so visit lots!!

Art Show to Benefit BARCS

Sowebo Arts, in partnership with Zella’s Pizzeria at 1145 Hollins Street 21223 will present an exhibition of art to benefit BARCS (Baltimore Animal Rescue and Care Shelter), opening August 6 through October 5. We are presenting animal themed work from artists in the Baltimore-Washington area. These will be sold and the commission will be evenly shared between BARCS and SoWeBo Arts, Inc. The August 6 opening will be from 6 – 8 PM. Admission is free.

BARCS is the non-profit animal rescue organization that operates the former Baltimore City Municipal Animal Shelter. BARCS in conjunction with Baltimore City Animal Control take into the shelter 12,000 animals a year. BARCS houses over 450 animals on any given day and sends thousands of animals out to rescues and adopters every year. During these trying economic times BARCS is averaging 40 animals or more a day entering the shelter. These times of reduced grants and contributions, BARCS is in great need of funding. Your support is greatly appreciated. SoWeBo Arts supports causes like BARCS and community building through the arts.

for more information, click HERE

some more cute cat photos

I know, I know...it's kind of nerdy to take as many photos of our cats as I do...but I just can't help it...they're so cute sometimes! so here's a few new ones of all three of our furry babies...



















Jack, sleeping on my pillow















Eddie, in the box















and Kevin, in the suitcase

always a Hokie :)

leftover flowers from Bran's shower...that just happen to be maroon and orange?? coincidence? ;)

an Architectural achievement

after several long years of test taking, endless studying and most of all stress....our little Bean has finally become a licensed architect!!!! we are all so proud of our A.I.A. :)















the girls at brunch following the BBQ bash that lasted until...2am? :p