Kate + Ben | Southern Lawn Games Wedding

If there was an award for most excited facial expression on your wedding day, Kate would win. This gal could not stop grinning -- like over the moon, I can't believe this is happening, grinning. She and Ben were married last July at the Tennessee River Place, surrounded by family and friends that were equally as thrilled to see these two tie the knot. It was obvious that everyone there had been encouraged by, prayed for and loved on by this beautiful couple. And even though the weather put a damper (get it?) on their lawn-game reception, it didn't stop folks from celebrating. Also, fun fact : Kate and I communicated for about a month before we realized that her Ben and I went to elementary school together! #smallestworld

We really couldn't have asked for a better venue with the rain -- The Tennessee River had plenty of lovely balconies and alcoves which allowed us to enjoy natural light and stay dry at the same time. The only comment the two made about the rain was how nice it was to not be hot (Tennessee in July, remember). That's the kind of wonderful optimistic folks I get to work with.

Kate + Ben -- thank you so much for inviting me to document your beautiful wedding day. It was an honor to be a part of such an edifying experience. xo

Venue : Tennessee River Place
Hair : The Hair Lounge
Makeup : Sarah Thiry
Caterer : Clumpie's Icecream
Florist : Humphrey's Flow
 

3B Bed & Breakfast | Brooklyn, New York

We visited New York City for the first time four years ago and each arrived with a certain amount of skepticism and nerves. Ten minutes off the train and my Benny's heart was stolen right out of his chest. So for his 27th birthday we returned and did several of our favorite things -- Patsy's Pizza, improv at the UCB, Woody Allen's Jazz at the Café Carlyle -- and a handful of new experiences  -- the Brooklyn Flea, Marlow & Sons, Pok-Pok NY -- which included staying in Brooklyn.

I stumbled across 3B Bed & Breakfast on Designtripper and immediately fell in love with the concept -- seven creatives cooperatively own and operate a B&B while still practicing their respective arts. I emailed right away.

While there we photographed the space and yummy breakfasts for their new website and it was such a treat to peek into each room -- really guys, you'd love this place. Their renovated space in downtown Brooklyn is bright, clean and welcoming; 3B offers four rooms which can each accommodate different amounts of guests (10 in total) and is at prime location for subway transport. We got to meet several of the fine folks that run 3B and so enjoyed hearing about their love for Brooklyn and the passion for their work. If your travels take you to Brooklyn anytime soon give them a look! -- And then contact me for a special discount code for your stay!

St. John via Instagram

According to the Traditional Anniversary Gifts by Year, "wood" is the gift theme assigned to help commemorate five years of wedded bliss. We'd been throwing around ideas for our fifth anniversary (January 10th), for a few months and had yet to make a decision until I came home late one December evening to a cuba libre and a stack of papers with witty one-liners ending with "driftwood." Happy Anniversary to me. I mean us. Ben had booked a mid-Winter trip to the lovely St. John.
We've had the treat of visiting this U.S. Virgin Island before with Ben's folks (they own a fabulous villa there) -- gorgeous beaches, beautiful hiking, novels upon novels by the ocean and endless rum -- but this round would be accompanied by a little one who isn't much into novels (or rum, for that matter). Though it was a much different experience (more chasing, less reading) it was so much fun to see Ruthie-girl fall in love with the ocean. My film is on it's way to sunny California for processing but in the meantime, here's a peek at our Vitamin-D-filled trip via Instagram photos.

Keep up with more instagram adventures (including my 365project #lifeat214) @lilyglass