We made the long trip to Ikea this weekend, and came back with a bookshelf! And why yes, I did color coordinate our books, inspired by my future sister in law :) Between our new sofa, my side chair project, and the shelf, this room is finally starting to come together — can’t wait to share!

Something I’ve always wanted to do, for as long as I’ve known I wanted to get married in a church, is ring the steeple bell at the end of the ceremony.

Photo by Samm Blake via Style Me Pretty

I think pealing church bells are one of the most beautiful, celebratory sounds in the world, and I always smile when I hear them in the middle of a Saturday afternoon, because it probably means a wedding is taking place nearby!

Photo by The Nichols via Style Me Pretty

Though I’d be happy to have the sound of bells at all, I think it would be extra fun to be able to ring it ourselves. Pulling the rope to ring the bell was one of my absolute favorite things to do as a child, both at church on Sunday mornings and on vacation in Maine for the Sunday evening service.

Photos by Bryan Johnson

Plus, it makes for some pretty cute photos :)

P.S. Though I know our chapel has a bell, I have not yet looked into the logistics of personally ringing it :) I am pretty sure that the bell is rung for weddings, however, so there’s a start!

I have a medium-sized makeup bag that I love and use for transporting larger toiletries (shampoo, toothpaste, etc.), but I’m in the market for a smaller pouch for toting makeup. Here are a few I have my eye on… maybe I’ll add one to my Christmas list?

A. Kate Spade ($60), B. Baggu (3 for $12), C. Kate Spade ($75), D. Fossil (3 for $35), E. Vera Bradley ($22)

I have a whole week of Charleston posts planned for y’all! First up I thought we’d talk about two sights we saw, Angel Oak and Middleton Plantation. Later in the week I’ll give you a tour around Folly Beach (where we stayed), share my thoughts on the food we ate, and do some intense gushing over downtown. And on Friday, I’ll share the video John and I made!