Because today I am feeling very sappy about my one year anniversary I wanted to share some of my favorite portraits of just the two of us from our wedding day. When this goes live we will be on our anniversary vacation in Charleston, SC, hopefully eating a fancy meal and diving into our year old wedding cake before we go. It wasn't always easy (it never is when you meet at 19) but I wouldn't trade, change, or take any shortcuts to get me here. The last 10+ years have been a roller-coaster ride I wouldn't want to be on with anyone else. Cheers.

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I have never been one to stick to set "resolutions." Honestly, who can? I'd like to meet one of the aliens with these super powers. You basically set yourself up for failure and a heaping serving of self loathing when you can't execute the impossible. I didn't even set any resolutions for myself in 2016 and that year went pretty darn swimmingly for me so I know they definitely aren't a requirement for success or happiness. I do, however, think that while last year was amazing, I tend to get complacent when things aren't thrust in front of me. So, because I'm not huge on "resolutions," or even it's less stuck up cousin "goals," I think I can get comfortable with selecting an over-arching "theme" for 2017. Themes are like the cool-mom version of resolutions. The most loose interpretation of the idea, like a target with a bulls-eye takes up 75% of the board and the outer 25% is still considered a "you did great" zone. The "participation trophy" if you will. A theme is the opposite of setting yourself up for failure, it's setting yourself up to be elated with a mediocre performance..which sounds good to me. So, without further ado, the theme I have selected is (drum roll please)... transformation & self-love. Here are just a few of the items that hope to have crossed off my list by December.

1. I want to actually USE the airline credits that I received in 2016 that will expire this year. Go somewhere new, take a weekend to just have fun. Treat myself. Much of my vacation was used on wedding planning last year and while it was super awesome, I need to switch it up from my usual NJ long weekends.

2. I want to do something active (workout, go for a long walk, take a class) 8-10x/month. I know people who work out regularly will think that's nothing but ...baby steps here. I purchased a bunch of cute workout clothes as motivation and it's actually pretty effective.

3. Break out my camera more, learn it's features better. Take more photos of my friends and life (if they allow me).

4. I need to add more fulfillment to my life to transform it a little. This means doing things that I deem scary and breaking from my very comfortable routine, following my heart more, and finding passion.

5. Be a better friend, relative and human in general. I always beat myself up over not making the call or sending the package or even shooting an email. If I take the time to just do the things I intend I'll be nicer to myself later.

6. Keep bringing content to this blog even if it's different so it can transform with me.

7. Keep things simple. Don't worry about the things and relationships I can not change. Don't sweat the small stuff.

8. Be nice to myself. I don't want to be a person that sets that kind of tone anymore. I imagine if I have a family one day I wouldn't want my children to emulate those vibes. In order to be able to set good examples for the little ones in my life (be it friends babies or my own future ones) I need to start with me.

I know everyone else on planet earth is all like #GTFO2016 but I have to go against the grain here and say it was my favorite year ever. Selfishly, it's definitely because it sort of felt like #theyearofErin and those special years don't just pop up all the time so I want to take the time to properly savor it and show appreciation for 2016 and all the amazing humans that made it so incredible. Here are my top eleven (I tried for ten but just couldn't give one the boot) reasons why it was the effing GREATEST.

1. Our freezing cold engagement shoot that I will cherish forever. The memory of warming up at Faustini's for some wine tasting after just was magic to me.

2. I nested like a mofo. We are still a work in progress but it's my favorite apt we've lived in to date!

3. I got to spend MDW at the actual beach this year! Again, riding the Coastal Highway beach bus with my fiance down the main strip, playing mini golf, and sampling every kind of sweet Ocean City, MD had to offer - flavored popcorn, salt water taffy, ice cream (we split them all) feels like remembering something really special.

4. The most incredible bachelorette party of all time. I actually have guilt about it because I know I will never be able to return the favor - it was that good.

5. I turned 30 and actually liked it! Surprised myself.

6. I was spoiled with the most beautiful showers in VA, NJ, and CT.

7. I survived wedding planning and got married! It was pretty much the best day of my life hands down. I wont get all mushy but nothing can compare. This day alone would make 2016 my favorite year of life.

8. I went on a really awesome honeymoon, some photo evidence here, here, here, and here. We really just went for it all around. You only get one and the trip just feels so amazing and romantic and unique. 

9. I really just felt a continuous stream of love - maybe it's always there but I got to look it in the eyes and give it a big open mouthed kiss this year. Very present indeed.

10. I got to spend my first Christmas with my new husband's family.

11. I am ringing in the New Year in the same fashion that I have basically lived in this past one, spending a candle lit night with my new husband at a fancy dinner at Casa Luca. What's one more romantic night for us in 2016? It was the year of love for me anyway!

The deets: Concept by Gilded Lily Events; Created by Mary Kate Moon; Photographed by Alexander Johnnides for Pat Furey Photography.

When your fur babies are your real babies and you get married out of state it's a sad thing to not be able to include them on your most love filled day. When we were first asked about ourselves so our planner, Paige, could get an idea of who we were as a couple we basically both said "we're really into our pets." Who isn't, right? She suggested we bring our love bugs to the party in spirit by naming our signature cocktails after each of them. She then did us one better by finding the most talented artist that totally captured their essence perfectly (see their last Christmas photos here). I saw this and my whole day was made. I took it home as a keepsake and plan to have it framed.

This year I am most thankful for all the love that surrounds me and for the opportunities I have to give that love back. It makes me feel whole and unchanged as the underdog against time. I wake up each day so happy to be living the life that I have, by some miracle, created - and that is truly the greatest gift. Love your family, love your friends, love yourself (especially). You wont regret it.

Seasonal favs: Thanksgiving Cupcakes | Apple Pie | Pumpkin Soup | Pumpkin Chip Cake

The deets: Old Navy chambray; patches and pins from various Etsy sellers including Craft Boner, Wildflower & Co, Winks for Days, KodiakMilly & Ban.do. Photos by Alexander Johnnides for Pat Furey Photography.

This might be one of my most favorite posts of all time. Not only because it is of one of the most fun crafts I ever did but because it includes all the faces of all my favorite humans. It's a photo heavy post but I think that's okay because look how adorable they are. 

I realized early into my engagement that my favorite thing about the getting married process was getting to do special things for my ladies (see their bridesmaid ask boxes here). We were going to spend four hours at a salon the morning before the wedding which was in a very public downtown area so the usual robes and jammies (while I love a good Plum Pretty Sugar set) didn't seem appropriate. There wasn't too much else available in this arena that I was into so after seeing Lena Dunham's Instagram (here and here) of her custom sequin bridesmaid skirts a light bulb went on. The patch trend was coming in hot and I loved the idea of making funny custom chambray shirts for them based on their personalities and style. I made one for myself that was the same shirt but in white and got the bride emoji and some other fun ones. I had my stylish bestie help me place them on the shirts to make sure they didn't come out too "arts & crafts" looking.  We started out by making the groups of pins and patches by person, then she would arrange them and I would iron. It was a pretty efficient little workshop we had going...and we went through a few bottles of wine which is always a good time. I told all my girls they could show up in whatever bottoms they wanted which made it really easy. They also were great for hair and makeup because you could just unbutton them off and didn't need to worry about messing your glam up by pulling anything over your head. Check out the end result! These photos make my heart just warm right up because they take me back to one of the best mornings of my whole life! So much fun and love and awesomeness.

The deets: Kate Spade dress; Banana Republic shoes (sold out, similar); Elizabeth and James sunnies; similar clutch; Baublebar earrings.

When I laid eyes on this dress I literally felt my heart skip a beat. If you know me, you know I LOVE me a black or white base with pops of bright colors. I knew I had to have it for my shower. I also figured these fringy heels would never be more appropriate so I just rocked fun on top of fun. It also happened to be one ZILLION degrees this day with 1000% humidity (totally accurate), so all my makeup melted off in .5 seconds and my hair fell flat basically in the car ride over so it was a good thing I went big on the outfit as I looked like a sweaty mess in the face area.

The deets: Invitation package by Bella Carta Boutique with design concept from Gilded Lily Events + calligraphy by Mary-Kate Moon.

I hope you guys aren't tired of my wedding posts, it's just that when you are less than a month out you really don't have anything else going on in your life because it takes over every minute of your free time. I know everyone probably thinks this about their invites, but I was so blown away by ours that I have to share them. Our designer, calligrapher, and printing boutique did SUCH an amazing job (DREAM TEAM). I really felt like they were so "us" and the super OCD part of my heart secretly loved how the navy and floral totally matched our engagement shoot (his suit, my dress) and save the date's even though we didn't plan it that way. We opted for rose gold accents on each and these photos don't so it justice! How beautiful is that lettering? I just could stare at them all day!