Saturday, March 30, 2019

Saturday Shopping

Happy weekend!! Yesterday I got the keys to the house!!!! We ended the evening at one of my most favorite spots, Poulet Bleu, and this morning we start the move!! To say I am beyond excited is an understatement! I don't know what to expect but I'm taking everything one day at a time!

I am determined to get this place feeling like a home ASAP! I also have a SUPER fun trip coming up next week to Jamaica and I absolutely cannot wait!!!











Friday, March 29, 2019

Spend vs. Save

Shop the Pieces:

I love putting these collages together! Sometimes, you can't even tell which are the splurge and which are the save. The most important thing that I look for in pieces for this type of post is that the 'save' version is also high quality! I am not sharing any super cheap 'knock-offs' with you. Rather, items that look similar, if not identical but are still of quality!

Today's pieces are all about SPRING! It's finally getting 'warmer' (relatively speaking) here in Pittsburgh and it has me so excited to wear sandals again!

Thursday, March 28, 2019

Lately




I GET THE KEYS TO MY HOUSE TOMORROW! I am so so excited!! I truly can't believe the day is here. I'm overwhelmed with the move and thinking about everything that needs to be done but, I know we will get there!!!!

To celebrate, my fiance´is taking me to one of my absolute favorite Pittsburgh restaurants tomorrow night!

This week has been crazy!!! So so much going on in the next 5 weeks, just thinking about it makes my head explode, but all good things.

Wearing: I popped into Banana Republic the other day and found a few really cute dresses! Is it just me or is shopping IN the store at BR so much better than online? I rarely love anything I see online, but once I see it in the store, I love it! I tried on this navy and white striped dress this white eyelet dressand this striped belted dress. I think the belted dress was my favorite because it's a little different than your average column dress!

Reading: Did you guys catch all of the latest Apple launches? Worth the read/watch. They launched a credit card which is crazy technology for the credit card industry! They are also launching Apple TV+ which sounds like Netflix but it's host to only Apple created content. Very intrigued!! 

Watching:
 Did you all see the Southern Charm trailer for season 6?! The season premiere is May 15. I cannot wait it looks sooooo good! 

Loving: Did you see that Anthropologie is now carrying some of the Gal Meets Glam pieces? I am eyeing this gorgeous white dress for summer!

Loving II: Newly obsessed with Saddle Stitches... think gorgeously monogrammed everything! 

Wanting:
 I really love the neutral look of a rug like this, but my question for anyone that owns these type of rugs- are they soft/comfortable on your bare feet?! I especially love this one that has a patterned weave. I also love this one that looks like it might be a little softer underfoot. 

Pittsburgh-ing: This weekend, we went to PA Market in the Strip District. It opened in October but I hadn't had a chance to stop in. We went for drinks and dinner. It was just OK. The food was fine, the wine was actually delicious, though! It has a huge outdoor space, though, and I think it will be the place to be this summer!

Smelling: I was in Sephora last week and smelled this Gucci perfume and I love it!! It kind of reminds me of my favorite Chanel Chance but a little more floral-y! Definitely a beyond amazing scent for spring!

Quoting: 'The happiness of your life depends upon the quality of your thoughts.' // See more of my favorites, here. 

Wednesday, March 27, 2019

Wedding Wednesday: How We Asked Our Flower Girl and Ring Bearer

We have completely figured out our bridal party which was quite easy... more on that to come in another Wedding Wednesday post! But for now, I thought I would share how we asked our ring bearer and flower girl to be in our wedding! 

Andrew has a niece and nephew who are 9 and 4, respectively. They are so cute and so sweet so it was a no brainer that we would be including them in our day! I'm the oldest in my family so we don't have any children in the family on my side! 

To ask them, I really wanted to have a wedding theme so I scoured the internet for things tailored to that! It was actually really hard to find anything so, here is what we gave each! 

Ring Bearer:
- Stretch limo car... he is really into hot wheels cars so I thought this would be right up his alley! 
- Sock Monkey Groom... which I said was a ring bearer, ha! Though it was so cute and children just love stuffed animals. 
- Ring Bearer book (they have flower girl, too!).. this book is adorable, plus, the groom's name is Andrew which is just too funny! 

Flower Girl:
- Sock Monkey Bride...they come as a set so that made it easy! 
- Lilly Shift Dress...I got this in the Lilly sale and while totally not wedding themed, I just couldn't wait to give it to her! 
- Palm Tree Necklace ... not going with the wedding theme but thought it was fun to pair with the Lilly shift!

Just a simple little gift for each and it seemed to go over quite well because they said yes!! I can't wait to see them dressed in their wedding best- it will be so cute!

Tuesday, March 26, 2019

Frequently Asked Questions





Top (also here)// Jeans (also love these)
Shop the post:

I am asked questions all day every day via e-mail and DM! I love interacting with you all and so I thought I would round up some of the most asked questions that I get from you all on a daily basis.

I started blogging back in 2009 and my blog/website is my passion. I realize that platforms like Instagram have grown and grown but my blog is still my bread and butter. It's where my true passion lies! Therefore, I typically create posts that answer the often-asked questions. So, I will link to past blog posts where it applies!

What breed is Henry? Where did you get him? 
He is 50% Australian cattle dog, 25% chihuahua, 25% herding dog. We used the Wisdom Panel DNA test for Henry so that is how we are so accurate with his breed!

We rescued him from an incredible non-profit, Tracy's Dogs, which I highly recommend. You can read the first post ever about Henry, here

Do you want to adopt more dogs?
I truly wish I could adopt/save every single dog. But for now, Henry will be the only pup!

Do you recommend having a dog if you live in an apartment? 
I was so hesitant to have a dog with apartment living and honestly, it wasn't bad at all. I definitely think Henry desired more room but he was totally fine. He is a small dog (just 25 pounds) so my apartment probably felt 'big' to him! I will say, it was annoying to have to go up and down all the time since I live in a high rise building, but it's not as much of a pain as I thought it would be and well worth it to have Henry in my life! 

How old are you?
I was born on April 14, 1990. I'm 28... almost 29! 

Do you have eyelash extensions? Where do you get them done?
Yes. I get them done every 2-3 weeks. I see Brittany at Fluhme Glambar. I would highly recommend lash extensions, you just need to make sure you go to a reputable salon with a well-trained technician.  

Where do you get your hair done? What do you ask for? 
I see Abby at Max Manni salon. I get blonde highlights, I do not have a base on my roots, and I get a gold toner. When I get my hair cut, I get it ever so slightly angled in the front and a blunt, straight cut in the back.

How do you curl your hair?
I have an IGTV tutorial showing exactly how I do it!

What products do you use on your hair?
You can read my hair FAQ, here.

When is your wedding?
 Spring 2020! For privacy reasons, I am not sharing the exact date. I wrote a post about that, here.

How did you meet your fiancé? 
I wrote an entire post about this! We met on New Year's Eve!

Where are you moving to?
The suburbs of Pittsburgh. Not sharing the exact location for privacy reasons!

Did you build your new home?
Yes, it is new construction, not a custom home and not a forever home- you can read all about the home here and here.

Do you live with your fiancé?
We do not live together now but my fiancé will move into the new house shortly after I do.

Do you have hair extensions?
No- all of my hair is my own and I have never had extensions. I am asked this ALL of the time whether online or in real life, haha!

Where is your gold and diamond necklace from?
It was custom made by our jeweler from a diamond that my grandparents gave to me in a ring for my 16th birthday. You can read all about it, here.

Where is your pearl necklace from?
You can read all about my pearl necklace, here

What kind of car do you drive? 
A 2018 Volkswagen Passat SE. It's my second VW Passat and I absolutely love it. I'm not a car person but I am very much loyal to the VW brand. 

Where did you go to school? What degree did you graduate with? Were you in a sorority?
I went to James Madison University in Harrisonburg, VA. I graduated with a BA in Communications and my concentration was in Public Relations and my minor was Writing and Rhetoric. I was a Zeta Tau Alpha.

Do you have hobbies, if so, what are they?
I love to ski, I take violin lessons, I play golf and tennis (poorly), I'm a bit of a foodie and love trying new restaurants. I travel any chance I get and I love practicing calligraphy. Something I would love to learn is needlepoint. 

Do you workout? 
I wish I did more. I mostly just walk Henry daily and do 30-minute floor workouts such as sit-ups, push-ups, etc. once or twice a week. You can read this post about how I plan on getting fit for our wedding! 

Do you like living in downtown Pittsburgh? Would you recommend it? Do you feel safe?
Yes, yes, and yes! I have loved living in downtown Pittsburgh. I especially love it in the warmer months because I can walk everywhere- the north shore, the strip district, etc. Plus, I'm a quick drive/uber from Shadyside/East Liberty. I could not recommend it more. It's city living, though, so space is very limited but I was able to make the small space work for 3 years. I live in a 1 bed/1 bath by myself! There have been a few times I haven't felt safe, but for the most part, I have had no issues! The only thing that you run into when you live downtown is that most buildings do not have on-site parking. The sole reason I moved into the building that I live in is that the parking is on site in a garage with valet attendants 24/7 plus a 24/7 doorman. I wouldn't have felt comfortable parking my car blocks away and walking alone late at night- my parents were not ok with it either. I would have also been so annoyed doing multiple trips back and forth to get groceries into my apartment from my car or having to walk back and forth between my apartment and car in the rain.

Do you have siblings? 
Yes, one sister, Callie, who is 4 years younger than me. She lives in Charlotte, NC.

How did you get started blogging? Do you have any tips for those who want to start a blog?
I have posts about this that you can find here and here!

How do you make money blogging? 
Several different channels. Affiliate linking, sponsored posts, creating content for brands, public speaking, hosting events, etc.

What camera do you use? 
I wrote an entire post about this! I also use my iPhone XS Max often for Instagram and blog photos. It takes great photos and I love the bigger size of the phone. 

Monday, March 25, 2019

Striped Ruffle Maxi Dress for Summer







I had to interrupt today's scheduled post to bring you this dress... it is BACK IN STOCK! This dress sold out so fast last summer that I realized I never even properly shot it and shared it in a blog post!

However, it was one of my most worn dresses of the summer and I already can't wait to wear it again this summer. It is easily dressed down with Jack Rogers, but you can also wear heels, fun earrings and a clutch to dress it up! 

I am sure it will sell out quickly again, so snag it while you can. It runs true to size, however, if you are busty, I would suggest sizing up! I'm 5'6" and the length is perfect on me and I didn't have to have it hemmed! 

If it ends up selling out again, you can get a similar look with this striped maxi dress, too! 
Shop Blue and White Maxi Dresses:

Friday, March 22, 2019

Easy Breezy Dresses for Spring and Summer






As we are just starting to see the light at the end of the winter tunnel, it seems a little nuts to talk about hot weather. I'm still unsure if it will ever get here again, but here's to hoping!

I've shared this before but I am not a huge fan of the hot weather. I love spring and fall because of the mild temperatures... I think shorts and a sweatshirt or a dress and a sweater is the perfect weather for me. 

But, it will be scorching hot once again and one of the things I HATE about that type of weather is getting dressed for the day. I never know what to wear or what will keep me comfortable. 

My answer for the hot days are simple, breezy sundresses, minimal accessories and your hair pulled halfway or all of the way back! I don't have a crazy amount of breezy day dresses and so I've been wanting to add a few to my closet so that when the heat strikes, I'll have something cute to throw on!

I just added this Yellow Dress to my closet and I am so excited to get more wear out of it as the temperatures rise. It runs really big so size down! Scroll through the widget above to see more easy breezy dresses for warmer temps!

Thursday, March 21, 2019

Lately

As of yesterday, we have officially entered SPRING! See ya, winter! It has actually been pretty mild lately so I am loving it and fully embracing spring with open arms.

This week has been great- I've been crossing a lot off of my to-do list and continue to put in extra work so I can give myself a little time for the move!

I get the keys to my new house next Friday and I am so excited. I'm going to do a full post because I'm having allll of the feelings about this huge change about to take place. It's such a big change and now that it is finally here, I am nervous! It's a good, happy nervous, but nerves are nerves.

This past weekend I had a big group of people over to celebrate St. Patrick's Day and I said to them 'this is probably going to be the last time you are in my apartment'. It was so weird! So, this weekend and all next week I am planning on fully embracing my apartment and downtown life because it won't look like this as of next weekend!

Wearing: I love a good athleisure set and this navy one is so perfect for spring. The sweater is such high quality. These are my favorite leggings because not only do they have a really nice high waist and hit me right at the ankle (I'm 5'6"), but they have TWO pockets on each side of the leg. Whenever I'm walking Henry it is so nice to have these pockets to be able to hold my phone and keys! They're high quality and wash really nicely, too! If you are between sizes, I would recommend sizing down.

Wearing II: These linen shorts are back this year! They are so insanely comfortable and basically feel like running shorts but look way more put together. I wore them SO much last year so I'm glad to see them back and fully in stock. Right now, they are on sale for $15!!! They run true to size! They also come in black, white and green!

Sale-ing: Serena and Lily is offering 20% off everything through March 25th. Use code INSPO. There are a few exclusions so keep an eye out for those. I want these counter stools sooooo badly, this might just be the 'excuse' I need to snag them! I'm also obsessed with this rug

Watching:
 We watched Greenbook on Sunday and it was SO good. I highly recommend it. It is really well done and the acting is phenomenal. You can rent on Amazon Prime!

Watching II: OMG the Stranger Things season 3 trailer was released and I am SO excited! It's being released a little earlier this year- July 4th! 

Listening: I gave up on creating a March playlist because I have been so into Podcasts, so I started on an April playlist and although it only has a few songs, it is SO good. This George Ezra remix makes me SO happy and energized. Great for playing during a 3pm slump! 
Loving: Isn't this custom painted dog bowl SO cute?! The lovely Dana, who creates these amazing bowls was so sweet and sent one for Henry for our new home! The bowls come in several different colors to match your decor and are so well made! Henry is a happy pup! 

Wanting: I'm sure you have all seen those slow feeder dog bowls before? Henry eats out of a food ball that he rolls on the floor. But that's admittedly messy. For the new house, I have been looking for a pretty slow feeding dog bowl and have come up empty-handed. BUT, I came across this brilliant removable thing that you can put in any dog bowl that forces dogs to slow down. I ordered it and will report back if it really works!

Quoting: 'I have found that when you love life, life will love you back.' - Arthur Rubenstein// See more of my favorites, here. 

Wednesday, March 20, 2019

Wedding Wednesday: Black Tie Wedding Guest Dresses






Yellow Gown (old, similar, similar, similar)
Today I thought I would share what 'type' of wedding we are having. This is something that I have always wanted in terms of weddings: a black tie wedding. 

I think there is something so elegant about tuxedos and gowns and I wanted my wedding to feel like a very special occasion. There are so many different occasions to rock a cocktail dress, but nowadays, it's a rarity to rock a gown and tux! 

Plus, our church and venue are very elegant so black tie really works well in both environments! I'm so excited to see our little ring bearer in a tux- so cute!!! 

Because I personally skew 'fancier' and my fiancé skews more casual, we compromised that we would have a more casual rehearsal dinner! 

For wording on our invitations, we are wording it 'black tie' without the 'optional'... I just personally appreciate dress codes that are more clear cut, so there isn't any gray area for interpretation. 

I thought today would be perfect to share some black-tie gowns you can wear as a wedding guest! Most of my friends have all had black tie weddings so I have quite a few gowns. But, even if you have been attending more casual weddings, I always suggest having at least 1 black gown in your wardrobe. You never know what will pop up! Plus, a black gown will work for every occasion from a formal fundraiser to a black tie wedding! I have this gown in black and it is so gorgeous! 

My other tip for choosing a gown is to order a bunch and try them on or shop in store. Oftentimes, I don't love the online photo, but when you see it in person, it is gorgeous!

Tuesday, March 19, 2019

The Little Things Part III

It's quite amazing to have amassed 10 years worth of blog posts. There are over 3100 blog posts on summerwindblog.com. Three thousand!!! I mention this a lot, but one of my favorite things about Summer Wind is that it is like a personal diary of sorts. 

I can look back to any day in any month of any of the last 10 years and read about what I was into, what I was up to, what I was looking forward to. 

Basically, I'm all about finding happiness in every single day. Even a bad day. And when I find the tiniest pieces of happiness, I save them into my phone and read them whenever I need a pick-me-up. They're little things- things that many people might not even think twice about- things I often don't think twice about but are a series of small, insignificant moments where I think most of life's happiness can be found! 

Here is my latest list... 

The warmth that comes from cuddling with Henry. 

The sound of trees rustling in the wind. 

The right ratio of juice to champagne in a mimosa. 

I love you text messages right before taking off on a flight. 

Waking up just before your alarm and not being tired. 

The first sip of coffee. 

The beacon of lights as you fly into a city at night. 

When you come across a song that you become obsessed with and play on repeat. 

Running your hands through your freshly cut hair. 

The sound of the drowned out chatter and commotion on an evening flight as you doze off to sleep. 

The moment when your Jack Rogers are finally broken in and amazingly comfortable. 

A random Homegoods trip where you hit the jackpot!

A knock on your hotel door signaling that your room service has arrived. 

The first spritz of perfume. 

The sound of torn wrapping paper as a gift is being opened. 

Freshly showered, new pajamas, and freshly washed sheets. 

The sizzling of fajitas arriving at your table! 

A beautifully packaged purchase- so good that you don't even want to open it!

A sip of Coke the next morning after a night out of drinking. 

A long walk after a few days of bad weather. 

When it's so clear you can actually see the stars. 

When you realized you completed all of your errands. 

A perfect parallel parking job. 

Not trying something on in the store, bringing it home and it fitting perfectly. 

Chik-Fil-A Chicken Mini's for breakfast. 

Monday, March 18, 2019

21 Pairs of Neutral Sandals for Summer

21 Pairs of Neutral Sandals for Summer


Shop the Sandals:

I think one of the hardest parts when dressing for the summer is what shoes to wear. I typically stick between two pairs of sandals: Jack Rogers and Hermes Oasis. I've been searching to add another pair of neutral sandals into my repertoire. 

You'll notice that I did not include many dark sandals such as black or navy and that is because I find a nude/tan sandal to be the most flattering. The color somewhat blends into my skin and helps to lengthen my leg so that is just why I personally prefer a light shade of sandal. Whereas I notice when I wear a dark slide sandal, it cuts off my leg and I just find it to be unflattering! 

But, I do think there are some really cute darker sandals so I wanted to include a few because I do like wearing darker sandals with white jeans! 

I scoured the internet and found 21 pairs that I really love. they are from all different retailers and are at all different price points. I've also added some different heel heights so there is something for everyone.

Do you have a favorite pair/brand of neutral sandals? I'd love to know! 

Saturday, March 16, 2019

Saturday Shopping


Happy weekend! Today is the big St. Patrick's Day celebration in Pittsburgh. I am having family friends over to my apartment for a brunch and then we will head out to the celebrations in the city! 

I did this last year and it was so much fun. I figured I would do it again as the last hoorah in my downtown place! It's so bittersweet but I am glad everyone could come! 

I did a lot of online browsing this week so there are lots to check out! I am currently in the struggle between deciding whether I want to buy clothes/shoes/accessories or home stuff!! 

Friday, March 15, 2019

Spring Wish List

Spring Wish List
I don't know about you but I was exhausted on Monday from the time change! But, can I just say how amazing it is for it to be light out so much later?! It's quite literally the light at the end of the winter tunnel. Thank goodness. 

March is usually my least favorite month just because it is so bleak and cold here in Pittsburgh. However, it looks like it is shaping up to be a little milder than usual and I will take it! 

The longer days and the non-freezing temperatures have me SO excited for the warmer weather. I've been eyeing so many things for the spring season so I thought I would share some of them with you!

Striped Joggers// These are the same style of joggers that I always rave about but they are in blue and white stripes. SO. Cute. 

Leather and Canvas Tote// I am so excited because this bag is on its way to me. Isn't it gorgeous? So classic and the leather dresses up an everyday casual bag!

Mom Jeans// The 'mom jeans' trend has been everywhere for the past year or two and I haven't been able to find a great pair that works with my body. I ordered these on a whim, so I'll see how they work! 

Gingham Belt// I'm not into the designer belt trend at all. It's something you will not find me wearing. However, I love love love this gingham belt. It's an easy way to add some pattern to a simple outfit! 

Statement Earrings// I am not much of a statement earring gal, but I saw these and have been thinking about them ever since. They're so different, don't you think?

Diamond Initial Necklace// So simple and beautiful. A timeless, luxurious staple. 

Floral Skirt// Love this skirt. Florals are such an easy print to wear in the spring and I love the blues in it! 

Scalloped Napkins// I want these napkins so badly. I'm really trying my best not to buy things like this and save items like this for my registry. It's so hard but if I don't save things like this, I will quite literally have nothing to register for, ha! 

Blackberry and Bay Candle// This is one of my all-time favorite scents. Perfect for the spring season. 

Chanel Chance// This is my favorite perfume. I'm about to be out of my current bottle. I usually switch to a different perfume but I just love this one so much I think I'm going to order another bottle! 

White Sandals// These sandals are the 'it' sandal this year and for good reason! They are inexpensive and so simple. 

Athletic Shorts// Aren't these fun? I typically go for black workout attire but this blue print is a nice way to mix things up. 

Thong Sandals// I love these sandals! I will be doing a post on neutral sandals and I'm definitely going to include these because they are so simple but also beautiful. 

Thursday, March 14, 2019

Lately


This past weekend, we got our favorite Thai takeout, went to a beautiful wedding, and walked to the Strip District for brunch! We were lucky to have had great weather and it has continued through this week. Henry has gotten lots of walks so he has been so happy!!

This week flew by- I got SO much accomplished and I'm trying to work ahead as much as possible as I prepare for the move. This weekend I am hosting family friends for a St. Patricks day brunch. I did this last year and it was so much fun! This is going to be like the last hoorah in my apartment. Bittersweet!

Wearing: I am obsessed with this sweater coat and this striped tee! Seriously, they are both such nice quality for the price and I really love pairing them together. An easy casual, but put together look!
Eating: This is one of my favorite products from Trader Joe's! I usually pick one up every other time I go because I go through it that fast! It's a non-chunky salsa that tastes just like what you would find at a Mexican restaurant. So flavorful and yet there are only a handful of ingredients. 

Watching:
 The Adnan Sayed documentary on HBO finally premiered. I watched the first episode and thought it was good but not great... I just don't know how you could top Serial! But, it's worth the watch just because it is so interesting to actually see the people from the Podcast! 

Loving: I rescued Henry from a non-profit called Tracy's Dogs. You probably have heard this many times before but I like to give the organization as much publicity as possible because it is amazing. They just partnered with a musician to create a music video of a dog's journey from Tracy's Dogs to finding their forever home and it is SO SWEET. The count of dogs that Tracy has rescued is ow almost to 5000. Incredible. Pittsburghers, Tracy's Dogs comes to the area on July 13th if you are interested in adopting! There are so many cute dogs available for adoption!

Wanting: Lots of good things this week but I have had shoes on the brain!
Pittsburgh-ing: We went to Smallman Galley in the Strip District for brunch on Sunday. We typically get Home or Iron Born, but this time we got an order of tacos from Baco. They were SO good. Highly recommend... it's so hard to pick whenever I'm in there- all of the restaurants this round are just incredible! We also got the fish sandwich from Home that was incredible. Giving fish fry's a run for their money! 



Traveling: Last week I spoke at a conference in Richmond. It was held at the Quirk Hotel which was SO cute. The branding was beautiful and I loved all of the blush pink!! If you are ever in Richmond, I highly recommend! 

Quoting: 'Some of the best days in your life haven't happened yet. Just relax and keep going.' // See more of my favorites, here. 

Wednesday, March 13, 2019

Wedding Wednesday: My Pearl Necklace


A lot of you have noticed the new triple pearl necklace that I have been wearing daily in addition to my diamond necklace and have asked a lot about and it where you can find one for yourself. 

I have been wanting to share this story ever since I received this necklace because it is so very special to me.

At our engagement party, we received so many beautiful gifts. We honestly were not expecting to receive anything and it was just such a generous gesture from so many of our family and friends. Not only was I not expecting gifts but I was not expecting to open them that night. However, our family friend came over to me and said that I should open the gift from my grammie while she was there. I was hesitant at first, but I said sure! 

Everyone surrounded me as I was opening the package. It was just for me- not for my fiance´. The small box gave away that it was going to be jewelry. My grammie often gifts my sister and I the most beautiful pieces of jewelry. My grandfather was in the jewelry industry and so my grammie has so many beautiful pieces and has now passed a love for jewelry on to me! 

As I opened the box, I saw the dainty gold chain with three pearls. The necklace is so me. I have a love for pearls and yellow gold as well as very dainty jewelry that is appropriate for everyday wear. An absolutely lovely gift in and of itself, but it had a back story. 

My grandpa passed away in 2010. I was very close to my grandpa- my entire family was. He was one of the best men I have ever met and I miss him every day. He was the definition of a gentleman. I was so lucky to have had him in my life for 19 years. 

My grammie said that my grandpa had picked out this necklace to give to me when I got engaged. Over 10 years ago. She has held on to that necklace to give to me for over 10 years just to wait for this moment. I am not a crier and I really cried. This was one of the most special and touching moments ever and a gift I will cherish for the rest of my life. 

I was so glad I opened it with everyone there. They all knew and loved my grandpa as well and it was a great moment for everyone to remember him. 

I know the necklace is a 'thing', but to me, it symbolizes that he was right there celebrating with me. It gives me a great sense of peace every time I touch it or see it in the mirror knowing that my grandpa is by my side as I prepare to make the most important commitment of my life. 

My grandparents were married for over 50 years before my grandpa passed away and their love and marriage is something that I am so thankful to have been able to witness and be a part of. It was a great lesson to see true, unwavering, and unconditional love in action and I can only hope and pray that Andrew and I have that same type of marriage. I will think of it every time I get a glance at my beautiful pearl necklace.

Shop Similar Necklaces:
 

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