{Monthly} Midweek Ramblings: September 2024

 September 2024:

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Highs of the Month:

• My 30th birthday! I felt very ready for this milestone age. Although I had very low expectations for birthday plans and gifts this year, everything was so wonderful and ended up being such great surprises.
• My second bridal shower and my bachelorette party! I'd been waiting a very long time for both of these exciting wedding related celebrations, and it still seems so surreal to me that both have come and gone now. So many memories from this special weekend that I'll never forget!
• My annual girls' trip with my friend Amanda. This year we just opted to do a day trip instead of an overnight weekend trip as we both have a lot going on in our lives this fall, but it was still lots of fun. We explored the nearby city of Elizabeth City, NC. I've driven by here many times on the way to Edenton, but had never stopped to explore it. There are definitely some hidden gems to be found here. (The picture in this blog post is from a lovely bakery we discovered during our day trip!)

Lows of the Month:

• A dear friend / member of my bridal party had to drop out of being in my wedding. 😓 While the reasons are valid and it wasn't necessarily a total surprise, it was still hard news to receive (and pretty close to the wedding to get this type of bad news). 
• My left front tooth chipping pretty noticeably on my 30th birthday!! I've had issues with that tooth chipping before, but never chips as large as this. My bridal shower and bachelorette party were both the day after my birthday, so that means I was pretty conscious of my smile the entire time. Luckily friends said it didn't look that bad, but still! Of all days for this to happen. Fortunately I was able to get it fixed within a week, and I also found an amazing new dentist and happily switched practices.
• Some really tough life circumstances going on in various friends' lives. I have also been putting some grief on myself in the past month feeling like I'm not being the best or most supportive friend to others' needs right now with my own wedding planning stress and still adjusting to my new job (and a work schedule that's never consistent week-to-week anymore, which is draining in itself). 

September Weekend Recaps:

• 6th-8th - My birthday, bridal shower and bachelorette weekend!! I've done separate blog posts already about all three of those things, so check them out for all the details. Certainly a weekend I will never forget! 😊
• 13th-15th- I worked on Friday and Saturday of this weekend. I was off on Sunday thankfully! Ryan and I went to church, and then I spent a good chunk of the day trying to unpack bridal shower and wedding gifts around our apartment. I ended the day with a nice round of golf in the late afternoon with my friend Amanda O. 
• 20-22nd- Saturday the 21st was my third annual girls trip with my friend Amanda D.! This year we just did a day trip to nearby Elizabeth City, NC. On Saturday evening after I got home, Ryan and I went out for some delicious hibachi with his parents. On Sunday we went to church, and then I met my friend Bri for some shopping and an early dinner at Red Robin. A burger and a milkshake was a great way to conclude the weekend! 
• 27th-29th - This was a very full and fun weekend! I had a hair appointment on Friday morning, and then left from there to pick up my friend Megan and head to the Richmond area. Our dear mutual friend Lily got married on Friday evening just outside of Richmond. Unfortunately the weather was not great (due to the remnants of Hurricane Helene passing through), but I am so thankful this part of Virginia only had rain, and no other storm damage! The wedding ended up being moved all indoors, but it was still so much fun. Anytime my Charlottesville girlfriends are together, it is just the best time! The next day Megan and I had breakfast with one of our friends before dropping her at the airport, and then we headed back to Virginia Beach. That night was Ryan's uncle's 60th birthday party, so he and I headed over to that! It was a great party. On Sunday I went to church, and then met my friend Amanda O. for golf at a local course that I had never played before. It ended up being one of my best rounds yet!

September Purchases:

• One of the biggest months of personal shopping that I've had in quite awhile. Let's get to it. First I'll highlight a fun but unexpected purchase: I got new wedding shoes! I was originally planning to wear my Loeffler Randall Penny Mules that I've had for a few years and absolutely love, but by accident I stumbled upon the most darling pair of heels on super sale from this brand in September. I had to try them since they were such a good deal, and I think they fit the vibe of my wedding day style better than the shoes I was originally going to wear. Can't wait for you all to see the shoes I got next month!
• I've been wanting a tweed suit set for years now, and finally pulled the trigger on a pink one this month. I could not be more obsessed with this matching tweed lady jacket and tweed shift dress. (I made an Instagram Reel styling them both together and separately!) I think these two pieces will be timeless classics in my closet for years.
• I also splurged on a herringbone blazer this month! Another classic wardrobe staple that I'm sure I'll have for a long time. The icing on the cake was finding a perfectly matching headband to get with it. 
• I got one of my all-time favorite cardigans in a new pink shade when it was on sale.
• I always try to use my Kendra Scott birthday month discount each year. This year I used for these cute aquamarine huggie earrings. I've been wearing them nonstop!

September Wishlist:

• This is a bit of a splurge, but such a bold and fun printed blouse for fall. 
• These white sneakers were recommended by some other influencers I follow, and they look like such a great basic sneaker. I know I'd wear them often.
• I cannot stop thinking about this cute halter top! It comes in a ton of colors. I think it would be perfect for a dinner on our honeymoon, but I feel like I could also easily rewear it for things like concerts or other fun plans, too.
• Also high on my wishlist right now are these wide leg pants. I feel like they're the perfect balance of very trendy but also very classy and professional looking. 

September Blog Posts: 

• Fall Fashion Savings With Savings.com
• Wedding Wednesay: My Southern Tea Party Bridal Shower
• Wedding Wednesday: My Bachelorette Party
• 30th Birthday Celebrations Recap

     God Bless,

     

     xoxo Annaliese