OBX Bound!!!

I've waited 4 long years to say those words. We are FINALLY going to Nags Head. After three years of telling Nick all about OBX, I get to show him!

We are headed to the beach for a whole week. It was very nice of my sister and brother-in-law to ask us to join them this year. There will definitely be some quality time with the family. My parents are heading down a few days too. We are finally getting that family picture. The lovely Maggie Stoup of Homeworks Video Productions will be photographing the Edwards/Cox/Larsen clan.

So I sign off for now because I'm beach bound tomorrow!!!

Picture Source

My Green Thumb

This spring Nick and I found ourselves strolling through the 59th street Home Depot and came across the grow your own basil kits. You know the ones that provide you with the soil, seeds and container? For $6 you can purchase this kit and grow basil all year long (well I hope all year long). The way I see it... Spend $6 and get a constant flow of basil for your recipes. amazing! I was the cook who would buy basil at the supermarket, not use it completely, and have to throw out most of it.

Once we finally planted this bad boy I was like a 4th grader watching their science project grow. As soon as it sprouted I ran through the house skipping. I had successfully GROWN a plant instead of killing it. I may have also done the happy dance.

I keep the pot in our front window that allows for at least 6 hours of direct sun every morning. We also use blackout curtains on our windows, so if I put the pot between the window and the curtains it acts similar to a greenhouse. Occasionally I set the pot on the fire escape to get some fresh air.

After about three weeks I decided that I wasn't going to stop at basil. Off to Home depot I went and picked up potting soil and tomato seeds. I knew I was late in the season to start planting, but I wanted to try it anyway. This too became exciting! I am loving the idea of fresh grape tomatoes and basil.

So far the tomatoes have not produced and I also accidentally planted too many seeds in the pot so it may be overcrowded. Last week I tied a few of the stalks to my wooden dowls but there are a few rouge stalks that may or may not have to go.

For now I've used the basil in two dishes. One night I mixed home made pesto with plain greek yogurt and made potato salad and pork chops with the mixture. Yum! I hope to keep this up. I never knew my black thumb could be green!

Year One Anniversary

As many of you read previously, Nick and I celebrated our first wedding anniversary this past june. As well as the anniversary of our first date, three years ago. For the weeks leading up to the weekend I spent a lot of time on Nick's present. He only had one request and that was it must be paper related. I obliged. On the weekend of our anniversary I presented to him his gift. I was anxious to see his reaction, because I knew he would LOVE it. I was right (as usual) ;)

I used my talented design skills to create a one of a kind image of a rocket ship shooting to the moon (if you know Nick, you will understand the connection). The rocket was formed using the words from his vows and the moon from mine. In the background are stars with the subtle touch of our first dance lyrics (Bob Marley's Is This Love). I framed it and we hung it by his desk as a constant reminder of our marriage.

The entire weekend was amazing! Since the move to NYC was pretty taxing on us financially we opted to have a stay-cation this year. We hope to celebrate our 2nd anniversary in Scotland!

On our actual anniversary, Sunday June 12th, Nick woke up early and cooked us breakfast. It was delicious :) then later that evening I choose to make our favorite recipe (and the one we choose to give out as our favors) Chesapeake Bay crab pasta. I set the table with our fine china and we toasted our first year with a legitimate bottle of champagne from Champagne, France.

Oh and if anyone cares to know the second best part about the weekend (the first was spending quality time with my beloved) was my new 21.5" iMac. (ahhhhhhh... And the heavens sing) I was WAY overdue for a new Mac, so I was thrilled to open this puppy. Not going to lie... It's the best gift ever. I knew it was coming because I chipped in for it, but he still made me wait to open it!

We are featured in The Knot!

A few months ago I was contacted by my event planner, Antonia Christianson Events, regarding exciting news! She told me that our wedding photos had been selected to appear in The Knot DC/MD/VA magazine. I couldn't contain myself! It turns out that our photographer, Trivium Studio, had submitted the photos to the magazine.

It was probably the custom made napkins that sealed the deal... I'm sure of it.

Soon after being selected, I was asked to fill out the longest questionnaire I have ever seen. However, it was worth it. I began to recall all the details that we poured into the big day and I was reminded of the tedious projects I subjected my friends to. (I do appreciate all of the help and I hope to repay the debt one day) but this is living proof that all of this hard work paid off!

After what felt like a century, the article was finally published. I was sent an digital preview by my event planner, Missy. How exhilarating! And I won't lie... I bragged about it on the appropriate social media channels :)

The day my advance copies of the magazine arrived at my house I did a happy dance. The magazine is now on newsstands in the DC/MD/VA areas. Pick up a copy.... and if you're like my single friends, use me as your excuse to by a wedding magazine without your boyfriend freaking out.

52 Weeks Later

What a difference a year makes?? How would I have ever known the journey we would begin once we said our vows and kissed as husband and wife.

I write to you today sitting in my Upper East Side, walk up apartment... reflecting on the past 365 days. I'm now 28 and I live a fabulous city life with my husband and our dog, Maddy.

Last year, on this day we became man and wife. We promised that we would stand by each others side, no matter what life threw at us. I can't say that the year has been all roses and daisies. It's a marriage... let's be honest... you won't get along ALL the time. But when you do, you grow to love each other even more.

After the wedding we spent an amazing summer with family and friends. We started planning our life together and looked to move into a larger apartment that upcoming fall. We were two days shy of signing a new lease when Nick got the job offer in New York. (Talk about life changing decisions) So as husband and wife, we put our big boy/girl pants on and decided to take on Manhattan!

It wasn't an easy change, but I keep reminding myself "In the end you'll be glad you did it." We still have aspirations of a family, a house and maybe a boat one day. God knows we aren't the most patient couple in the world, so sitting back and enjoying New York has been hard when all we think about is the future.

But the most important thing out of all of this is: we are VERY HAPPY. We love each other and have learned to make real world decisions together. I can honestly say that I'm more in love with Nick today than I was 365 days ago. He always amazes me. He is so driven for success in all aspects of life. I love watching him work diligently on his projects, especially Rocketclubs.com. It's his passion. The way he lights up with excitement when he talks about Rocket Clubs is amazing. I know he will go far in life and I can't wait to be right by his side as this happens.

Since living in New York, Nick has been my role model for working on the things we love the most. It motivated me so much that I officially launched my Etsy store for Sweet Peach Stationery this past February. It was a long time in the making, and I'm currently working on the website launch. This is my passion, and he sees that. He supports me and I support him. Isn't that what a marriage is all about?

It's so easy while you're engaged to put planning the wedding as a priority before your relationship. After the wedding is over many brides think "Now what?" Just remember all the energy that you put into planning and use it in your marriage. Enjoy being a newlywed, take trips together, go out with friends and have fun, move to a new city and explore together... whatever you do, make it about "us" and never "you."

Nicholas Larsen, I am proud to be your wife and I look forward to the rest of our lives together. Thank you for an amazing first year of marriage. [Raising imaginary glass of champagne] Here's to the next chapter! I love you.

All images by Trivium Studio.