Romance girls dream about...

I had the most romantic weekend getaway right in our back yard. Adam took me to The Star Inn located in Star, NC for my 25th birthday (I have lived in NC for half of my life and never even heard of Star). This house blew me away! The Star Inn was build originally as The Star Hotel in 1896 it is beside the train depot. Star is actually the center of NC so the train station and hotel was very important to this area. 

This was taken not long after the hotel was complete and in business.

The Star Inn was recently renovated in 2004 and it looks amazing!  

This is the side of the house you cannot see in the picture above.

Waking up with someone handing you a fresh cup of coffee on this porch is heavenly!
 

The rose and lily garden was the most romantic spot at the house for me. On Friday night Adam poured me pink champaign and we sat in the garden for hours just talking. It was seriously perfect, lighting bugs were flying around in the nice summer breeze & this was my view... 

The hummingbirds LOVED these. My iphone just could not keep up with them to get a good shot. I saw 3 at one time! The Star Inn is truly magical. 

My birthday we had a SPREAD of breakfast including the BEST french toast I have ever had, many fresh fruits, hash browns, sausage, bacon, eggs, biscuits, & toast. It was served on beautiful silver platters at the massive dinning room table complete with candlelight. & under these...  

These are 6 foot chandeliers can you say bling. The owner told us they bought these out of a historic Victorian mansion in New Orleans and they were shipped in pieces. I took many long night putting them back together & 8 men to hang each one. I was smitten!! I love sparkle.

 

Eye level view <3 

They were in every room : ) Even our bathroom.

This photo was taken at the front staircase, the people that build this actually completed the woodwork on the titanic. The owners joke that they received the better woodwork. The good ole American craftsmanship and the hard work that went into building this in 1896 is breathtaking. 

  

The art & decor in the house was more than a show itself.

 I loved this piece. It was hand made in Greensboro NC.

I understand how difficult it is to make satin look like satin and fur to look like fur. This painting was perfection.

 

Pieces in this home were imported from ALL over the world.

The owner did not know the exact number of Tiffany lamps in the house, however I am willing to bet it is over 100.

Saturday we decided to check out the town it was a collectors heaven. I found great antique dishes, cups, chairs, a handbag and all kinds of other goodies (most wedding related).

 

 These are a few gifts Adam bought me while we were out. I fell in love with the handbag. It is vintage and looks like it was never used. Ya'll know I am obsessed with chairs for the wedding right now!

After we unloaded Adams truck from antiquing all morning we stopped into a local diner, there we decided to check out Town Creek Indian Mound. It was about a 20 minute drive from The Star Inn, it was HOTT, but we had such a great time. Both of us are interested in everything so learning about these people was pretty neat. We go to Lake Tillery all the time but we have never stopped by to check this out and I am so glad we did. 

3 different huts in the Indian Mound.

Town Creek is one of the most popular State Historic Sites in North Carolina.

I think Adams larger than your average Indian!

Adam was full of surprises we had reservations at a fancy restaurant that night. We went back to the B&B to get ready. After a shower and primping I waited on the porch for Adam & enjoyed my new ring : ) and frozen pomegranate cocktail.

Our dinner at bistro 42. Yummers!!! The service was great too. Plus we were pretty much the ONLY people in the restaurant. 

I have to admit I was sad to wake up Sunday knowing that I was not going to spend another night. We had another amazing breakfast & talk with the owners then we spent a little time walking around the property before leaving : (

This land was beautiful, it gave me a feeling as if I was in 1896. 

My birthweek was not over yet. Adam knows I LOVE going to the zoo, so being only 25 minutes away he decided to take me on our way home. Walking hand & hand with him, people watching, and seeing all the different animals was a perfect way to end my birthweek!

                               

 Adam was "seal training" with his shirt. The animals would follow the shirt wherever Adam would hold it. (Yes we are big kids) (Yes we did this to most animals after this) (Yes it was FUNNY) (Yes it worked)

This was an archway at the dinosaur exhibit in the zoo. It was made from vine, Spanish moss, and a few medal rods. DIY wedding archway must have!  

I know I used the words perfection, amazing, and romantic over and over in this post but honestly that sums up my weekend. Next time I want to check out more of seagroves awesome pottery but other than that I would not change a thing & thats unusual for me to say! I am that girl that maps out a plan in her head and MAKES it happen exactly like I want. Not last weekend I gave up all control sat back relaxed and had the most perfect, romantic, amazing time. It was filled with love, southern charm, quality food, laughs, and memories made.

I want everyone to know that romance is alive most of the time its just waiting to happen... Sit back and let it be... We often form a mold in our heads about how life's events should unfold this weekend proved to me that is setting yourself up for disappointment. I vow from now on to trust it will happen and let it be. I am still on cloud 9.

& a special shout out to my LOVE (Adam Gardner) that is not Fabio by any means he is just an amazing man that is willing to do anything see me happy.

Yall check it out http://www.starbedandbreakfast.com/
                                                                                                     
                                                                                                              iamthatgirl

Here comes the bridesmaid gifts....

Hello again ya'll. We are packing up to begin my birthweek celebrations. I am so glad Adams home from working in FL, but while he was away I had some girl time! I pulled out my jewelry making boxes & went to work. A few weeks ago I made a couple pairs for myself & my friends went CRAZY, they wanted them all. Soooooo the other night I made about 130 pairs!  I collected buttons, beads, rocks, feathers & went to work. About 20 pairs into this project I started thinking this could be an amazing bridesmaid gift. I have the most diverse group of friends ever so I can totally personalize a pair for my bff's personalities. This is what I have came up with so far.... Do you like? Who likes what?

(Tools needed)

Above I tacked a net fabric to the frames used in our engagement photos to display the earrings (consideing making those next) 

  One of my fashionista buddies will want the pair above!

    Just a preview of the 130 I made.

 The bright zebra earrings are for my flashy friends (im over GAINT chandelier earrings for everyday). Plus theses are super light.

This is my favorite glass!!! <3

 Incase you forgot since the last blog post I LOVE cameos

 Such an easy & cute way to display your earrings. Its a frame with ribbons tacked on the back to support the earrings.

My FAV:

How great is this 12 piece punch bowl set plus silver platter. 

Its trimmed in ruby (my birthstone) & Im in love. Since I am sharing my favorite punch bowl set I should share the bar idea at the wedding.

Inspiration for our bar @ the wedding

 This is the look I want for our bar. Except I want beautiful antique punch bowls sets!!!! I have so many great punch bowls already when I have more time I will take pics and blog about them too. I am also hoping that the small punch glasses will keep the alcohol intake to a minimum.

iamthatgirl