Austin – Snapshots & My Thoughts by Ailee Petrovic

Events April 1, 2015

#Jophee2015

This past weekend, a best friend of mine got married in one of the most gorgeous (and emotional!) wedding ceremonies I’ve ever witnessed, which was followed by one of the most incredibly fun receptions. Every single detail of the weekend was perfect. Sophee is definitely one of the most organized people I have ever met, so I was the least bit surprised. From the bridal brunch on Friday at Z’Tejas to the reception at Lakeway Resort & Spa, everything was planned to the nth degree. Everyone kept commenting on how the rehearsal dinner felt fancy enough to be the actual wedding!

Sophee and Johnny wrote their own vows, so pointless to say – everyone was crying. We had discussed doing the same, but I knew I wouldn’t have been able to keep it together and I know that’s a fact after boo-hooing when they read theirs. Sophee and Johnny are two of the most thoughtful and loving individuals I’ve ever met, and every single speech that was given reiterated this fact. And then there’s their model looks. I’ve never seen a model in any wedding magazine that looked as gorgeous as Sophee did when she slipped her dress on. Truly breathtaking.

It feels like yesterday that Sophee asked me to be her bridesmaid. I cannot believe they’re now married, relaxing on their honeymoon as husband and wife. I could not be any happier for them! Her wedding photographers (Anne Marie Photography) snapped a million photos, and I cannot wait to see them. Until then, here’s a sneak peek at some of the precious moments from the weekend.

Bridal Brunch

Venue: Z’Tejas | Paper Goods: Paper Therapy Shop | Florals: Walton’s

Baby August 1, 2014

Isla’s Newborn Photos by Taylor Lord

When the doorbell rang yesterday, and Sasha came into the living room with a package, I freaked out. Isla’s newborn photos had arrived from Taylor Lord. We opened them, read Taylor’s sweet letter and immediately started looking at each photo, one by one. I love them so much. Taylor captured our happiness and Isla’s sweetness perfectly. I am absolutely terrible at editing down photos, so pardon the large number of pictures in this post, but I had to share my favorites. I love this little girl so much, and I am so happy that the Lord blessed Taylor with such an incredible talent. View Taylor’s website here and her blog here. View details about Isla’s nursery here.

PS We took these over a month ago – Isla is so much bigger by now! It’s crazy how fast they grow.

Oh, and the Trumpette giveaway ends tonight at midnight! Enter here to win a free set of adorable socks!

Stationery May 16, 2014

Sasha’s MBA Graduation Announcements

Today, my husband graduates from The University of Texas at Austin – McCombs School of Business with a Master of Business Administration. It feels like yesterday that I posted this acceptance post (June 28, 2012 – “my boyfriend”!). He has spent so much time and effort after work studying, doing homework, having late night study groups calls, etc. and then spending every second weekend (sometimes back-to-back) in class. Needless to say, it has not been a fun process for him, but he has learned a lot and says it’s definitely worth it.

The plan since day 1 has been that I would attend his graduation, but this week has been rather tough – my back hurts, legs hurt, etc. and my doctor advised me not go to Austin with only 2.5 weeks until our due date. It took lots of convincing from Sasha, my mom, and friends, but we decided the best thing for me to do is stay put and cheer from afar (and FaceTime!). I am obviously very upset to miss this milestone occasion, but understand the reason. I did faint in the car two weeks ago on the drive back from Austin!

For Sasha’s graduation, I designed letterpress announcements that I had printed by Czar Press. They were so great to work with. I did the calligraphy on all 50 envelopes (which took much longer than expected!) using Crane envelopes from Paperworks. We included a small square picture of Sasha and Belle, and I secretly snuck in a ‘Congratulate Sasha’ card with a pre-stamped return envelope (addressed to my parents – bought at Paper Source). I gave him all of his presents last night, including the notes we got back. He was very surprised, and we had a great time reading them – laughs and tears.

Congratulations, Sasha, I am so proud of you! I wish more than anything I could be there with a foghorn! Hook ’em!

Personal May 5, 2014

A Weekend Well-Spent

Sasha and I headed to Austin at the crack of dawn on Saturday, after spending Friday with one of my best friends, Kirby, who flew in town from Oklahoma City for her baby shower (she’s due exactly 4 weeks after me!). We had plans to meet my childhood best-friend – Alisdair, (we met before we were one years old in Scotland), who came to live with us in Texas for his senior year of high school, then ended up going to The University of Texas at Austin with me and married an Austinite! They moved back to Scotland last year, much to my dismay, and I only get to see him once a year, so I was anxious to hug him and Erica. We stayed with another best friend, Sophee, at her gorgeous house (where we spent my bachelorette weekend!). She recently got engaged to Johnny (who took many of these wedding preview pics) – they are the sweetest, most attractive couple ever (see pictures of them at our rehearsal here). I am over-the-moon excited to be one of her bridesmaids next March. Her invitation was perfect (see picture below!).

In the late afternoon, we went to one of my good friend’s wedding – Eric and I have been close since fourth grade! Him and Alisdair also became best friends during our senior year, so we’re one big happy family. Stephanie, his bride, looked radiant. I love weddings! The reception was held at Thurman’s Mansion, just south of Austin. The venue couldn’t have been prettier, neither could the weather.

We had a big family breakfast at Kerbey Lane on Sunday morning, then headed back to Houston. I had a bit of a scare in the car, as I suddenly felt nauseous and then fainted while Sasha was driving. I am a big fainter (errh, fainted at the altar), and have passed out during every pre-natal appointment that involved needles, but this was the first unprovoked fainting, which is a bit concerning. I have my 36 week appointment today and plan on checking with my doctor. Fingers crossed!

I hope you had a good weekend! Happy Cinco de Mayo and first year wedding anniversary to my sister and Carl (pictures here and here).

the back view of thurman mansion in austin // sasha and kenneth getting rather competitive with bean bag toss (‘cornhole’)

sophee’s amazing bridesmaid invitation – obsessed and so excited // mother-son dances always make me cry

shameless selfie with my new ray-bans (after mine got stolen) and haircut (long overdue) // most amazing photo album from ryan ray

32 days from my due date (feeling ever-so-swollen) // dad and sasha being competitive per usual

post-breakfast at kerbey lane with dad // wedding selfie in the hot-hot texas sun (think 90+ degrees already)

outside kerbey lane with my childhood bestfriend/brother and his wife (vising from scotland) // belle is petrified of our stroller… so we’re practicing

Baby March 27, 2014

Newborn Photos by Taylor Lord

It has been a back-and-forth conversation for the last few months – to do maternity pictures or not? Eventually, Sasha and I landed on doing newborn pictures vs. maternity, for a variety of reasons – namely because if we’re going to pay for photos, I want Isla to be in them as opposed to being inside my tummy! We are going to use one of my favorite photographers, Taylor Lord, for the shoot. I could look at her blog all day long. She posted these adorable newborn photos almost a year ago – I am obsessed. First, baby Henry is too cute, and second, how gorgeous is their house?? I’m anxious to meet (and hug!) Isla after looking at these again. 10.5 weeks left!