little notes

I love writing little notes...thank you Rock Paper Scissors for supplying C'ville with all of your little goodies! 

Have a Thrilling Thursday...and check back soon!

Weekend Wedding

It's Wednesday and I figured it's the perfect day for the Weekend Wedding photos. This weekend Easton Events helped make the magical celebration at Tuckahoe Plantation happen. It was a blast...from a large Sperry Tent to a cocktail hour spend among the gardens of Tuckahoe this wedding was simply magnificent.

I had the pleasure of spending the afternoon with the Bridal Party as they had their hair done and makeup set. They sat in the Bridal Suite telling stories from college and beyond. It was great fun being in the midst of their laughter and excitement. After everyone was set and ready to go we headed to Tuckahoe Plantation for the 'first look' and photos of the Wedding Party before heading to the Church. 

What a beautiful sunny day Isabelle and Mike had for their wedding! The gardens were lush, the grass was green, and the sun was streaming into the antique windows of Tuckahoe, also known as the home where Thomas Jefferson grew up and attended school! The home was adorned with old pieces of furniture and family portraits hung on the wooden or wallpapered walls.

After pictures were taken we headed to St. Marys and the ceremony took place. There was even a bagpiper waiting in the cemetery for the final procession. Look closely... the flower girl was absolutely precious. 

The Wedding was a blast. With cocktails outside and dinner and dancing under the tent the night flew by smoothly. Don't you just love the simplicity of this escort card table located among the gardens. Cardboard colored envelopes were used with a white calligraphy to create a natural style.

Hints of green and purple were used within the Sperry Tent. I loved the variety of high and low settings as well as the cushioned chivaris which really added that splash of color the bride was looking for. 

 

When things were calm and everyone was where they were needed to be I took some time to slip away and wander around the beautiful property. There were so many wonderful little spaces that were well manicured. From the inside of an old outhouse to a small fenced in garden the Plantation was the perfect place for this Spring Wedding. 

Have a Wonderful Wedding Inspired Wednesday...and check back soon!

This Weeks Issue of Cville

On the cover of the Cville this week is none other than my friend Sam Bush. I was so excited when Lansing pointed out the magazine earlier today in Shenandoah Joes... we both got pretty excited when when saw his face! I only wish this image was a little bigger, guess you will just have to check it out for yourself!

The cover article titled "Signs of a Crossing" focuses in on the local arts organizations and the blurring of the lines between Christian and secular art. The article starts by talking about the Welcome Wagon concert that I wrote about a few weeks ago...what an amazing show at the Haven, located off of the Downtown Mall.

"There was a time when the “Christian” label would’ve made fans of secular music roll their eyes. But the sanctuary at The Haven at First and Market was packed to the gills with concertgoers paying 10 bucks a ticket, a not insignificant price for a show by a little-known folk group on a boutique indie rock label at a non-venue attached to a homeless shelter 

The shows success demonstrates the growing trend of art and music within the Christian community of C'ville. And it's groups such as the New City Arts Initiative, the Garage, and Bifrost Arts that are encouraging this movement within our town....a movement that is drawing in a secular crowd.

can you spot me? Look on the left side third row back

The article even goes into the process of the creation of the Garage... a story I have truly always wondered about. This space, the garage for the old music director for Christ Episcopal Church has no signs of a Church affiliation in the building or on the website. Sam Bush, a music minister at Christ Episcopal and a songwriter with local folk-rock act the Hill & Wood, now curates the gallery and says that The Garage’s relationship with the church has been very “supportive, yet undemanding.” He went on to say that his passion in centered around what the Garage has to offer for the Charlottesville community: a place that brings people together. "It’s funny to talk about, because there’s never been an agenda. I’m not really sure what The Garage is. It’s basically a gift to the community for people to do what they want with it.”

"So The Garage is, in one sense, a reaction to that artistic climate. “We want bands that people think are weird. We want art that is challenging,” says Sam Bush. Be sure to check out the Garage in the upcoming weeks. There is a really great line-up for the month of May. Christ Church is supporting art for the sake of the community and we are lovin' it!

Have a Tremendous Tuesday...and check back soon!

Byrd Jewelry Trunk Show TODAY

Today at 6:45 Hannah and I are hosting a Bryd Jewelry Trunk Show

Please comment below for more information on location

 

How beautiful are her pieces

Today is the perfect day to splurge on yourself of pick up a present for Mothers Day or Graduation! 

Please stop by from 6:45-7:45

Have a Marvelous Monday...and check back soon!

Doobie Brothers at the Downtown Pavlion

Thursday night my best friend and I went Downtown to see the Doobie Brothers live! We are so lucky to have such a great concert setting outside AND Downtown. The nTelos Wireless Pavilion is located at the end of the mall, and is equip with covered seating and a great large lawn.

 

The venue is wonderful, especially during the late Spring and into the early Fall when the nights are warm and the crowds are big. With the purchase of a general admission ticket (usually the lowest priced tickets) you can plop down on the large green grass lawn with a blanket or lawn chair. Guests are welcome to bring along a cooler of snacks for the night... but all drinks must be purchased at the event, drink tickets are sold for $5. The staff are always welcoming and helpful...last night the man selling drink tickets even let me try on his 'beer case' hat! 

 

The Charlottesville Pavilion opened in July of 2005 and since that date has been a place guests seem to gather! The space offers a wide variety of entertainment throughout the night of a concert. From a man making children's balloons to hot dog and doughnut stand there are lots of activities surrounding the venue! (Red- Carpe Donut, Yellow- Last Call Hotdogs... does anyone know about this green one? Maybe Kettle Corn?)

Bessie and I decided to sit on the grass and enjoy the Doobie Brothers together! It was so great being surrounded by many people out enjoying the beautiful night and music together. From older couples sitting in lawn chairs to kids of all ages running about, the crowd contained a wide range of ages all out having a great time. 

I hope you can make it out to the Charlottesville Pavilion this Spring! Check out their site for the upcoming summer line-up. Also make sure to make it down to Fridays After Five....a wonderful and free concert series for the C'ville community presented by Bud Light. Every Friday from now until September 9 a local or regional band will take the stage and perform. 

Have a Super Sunday...and check back soon!

black and white images

procrastination always gets the best of me

Have a Tremendous Thursday...and check back soon!

Blue Mountain Brewery

The Beauty of Virginia. The Bounty of Nature. The Art of Brewing. 

Blue Mountain Brewery is located on Route 151 in Afton, Virginia. Just a short fifteen to twenty minute drive from Charlottesville.... located in the heart of Virginia's Blue Ridge Mountains. The Brewery and Restaurant are open 7 days a week until 10 pm (9pm on Sundays) perfect for a day of beer tasting or that late night dinner.

 

All of the Blue Mountain Brewery beers and lagers are produced onsite in a 15x30 barell Premier Stainless brewing system. They usually craft 2,500 barrels per year! The water used at the brewery is sourced from a 300-foot well that is from the area. Blue Mountain Brewery is even part of the Virginia Green program, working in collaboration with other Virginians to help the local environment by using water efficiently, conserving energy, and reducing waste. 

Blue Mountain Brewery offers a wide selection of their homemade beers. I would have to say my favorite is the Kolsch 151 (a light German-style ale indigenous to Cologne) or second best the Full Nelson (local hop flavor, the flagship Virginia Pale Ale). The best way to decided what you are in the mood for is to do the beer tasting. Then you can choose after tasting a sampling of each beer in season. My friends and I have fun making one another guess which beer they are tasting after reading through the list and their personalized descriptions. Blue Mountain crafts about 20 seasonal draft-only offerings. Make sure to check their website to figure out what they are currently selling. On draft now: Classic Lager, Kolsch 151, Full Nelson, Afton Amber, Evil 8, and Dark Hollow #13.

Along with their beers, Blue Mountain Brewery offers a wide range of food items on their menu. From soft pretzels to gourmet pizzas, their menu is sure to have something that pleases your taste. One of their most popular dishes is the Bratwurst Pizza with apples and onions: Topped with bratwurst form the Double H Farm ( locally produced in Nelson County) with caramelized onions, apples, mozzarella, and fresh marinara and a balsamic reduction. Yum!

 

Have a Wonderful Wednesday...and check back soon!