a veil and a confession {wedding inspiration}

I have a confession to make...

I don't think I'm a very traditional bride.

I think it's ridiculous, the things that are expected at a wedding.

Things that aren't necessary and are, often, quite expensive.

I have a small budget to work with.

I want to enjoy my wedding day, not go into debt over it.

I want to make it special, and lovely, but not because it's something that everyone always does.

I'm just hoping I can pull it off. :)

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As to veils,

I really love the vintage-y birdcage veils.

I think they're just lovely, and more my style than the traditional veils.

I tried on this blusher at David's Bridal,

and I loved it a lot.

The price? Not so much...

So I started searching for DIY options,

and I'm definitely going to try it!

I especially like this tutorial:

What do you think?

I'd rather spend the money on the supplies, than $70 for something so simple...

I love being able to create things on my own. :)

*****

Have a lovely Monday!

{lovely finds} floral

{some floral finds for your friday enjoyment...}

cottage floral bag from thetulgeywood

vintage floral necklace from AfternoonGarden

anastasia - hydrangea crown from gardensofwhimsy

orange floral tote from LoHiBags

violet floral bag from DesignByThassariya

*****

What is your favorite flower?

happy weekend!

sick day

{via}

Oh boy....I hate being sick.

The sweetheart was sick all last week, as well as most of my family and church,

so it was probably just a matter of time.

The problem is, I really can't afford to be sick right now.

I'm busy preparing for the craft show.

I need my voice for Friday morning

{when I start teaching at our local homeschool co-op again}.

And I'm really bad at resting.

So, here's hoping I feel better soon!

wedding {color} inspiration!

The sweetheart and I are getting married.

Seriously, it's still a little surreal.

In less than 36 weeks, I'll be a wife.

But it's SO very exciting. :)

We've set a date...

October 8th, 2011

We're getting married on a Saturday afternoon,

and it's going to be a fairly casual wedding.

{I looove this wedding.}

I've always loved chocolate brown and pink together,

and I've long planned on using the combination for my wedding.

I'm leaning towards a fairly eclectic mix of pinks, because using just one would be boring. ;)

Right now I'm loving these photos for inspiration:

{via}

{via}

{via}

So, what do you think?

What were/are/will be your wedding colors?

{lovely finds} this week

some of my recent favorites from this week...

floral ruffle pouch from MoxieMandie

{love the natural color with the pop of floral - so cute!}

silver locket necklace from SeaOfJewels

{would love to add this one to my collection...}

black/gray damask market tote from Gussy Sews

{with a pink ruffle, please!}

Mr Wilson boutonnieres from sunshineandcarousels

{love the idea of using these instead of the traditional flower boutonnieres}

polka dot party earrings (pink) from oh, sweet joy!

{these are just too cute!}

pomegranate tree shopping tote from roddyandginger

{love this. a lot.}

what are you loving this week?

happy friday!

lifesnaps {the view from today}

My parents gave me a new point&shoot camera for Christmas this year,

which is so exciting for me. My old Kodak EasyShare did not last long...

the pictures were just awful.

One of my goals has long been to take more pictures.

I'm no photographer, but I love the memories that pictures capture.

My goal is to take at least one picture every day {similar to a 365 project}.

Since The Sweetest Petunia is all about capturing sweetness in everyday life,

I'll be sharing my pictures here once a week.

It's nothing fancy, just snapshots from my everyday life.

lifesnaps.

the view from today.

Because I want to enjoy the sweetness of normal life.

{yesterday. my calendar/desk & blooms that need finishing.}

{my bin of fabric & pouches waiting to be sewn.}

What are you enjoying today?

Go 'Noles! {custom order}

A custom order for my sister...

her friend loves FSU, so this is a sweet birthday gift!

I hope she loves it. :)

if you'd like to place a custom order, please contact me.

{blooms} new product!

Now in the shop...

blooms!

These are the new & improved version of the petal pins, and they're just adorable.

Perfect to add a pop of color to your shirt, bag, hat...anything you can think of!

Enjoy! :)

sale! {& a makeover}

Guess what?

It's time for a {Petunia Blooms} sale!

I've been reworking my design for these petal pins,

so the "old style" listing are now on sale.

If you've been eyeing a set,

please feel free to snatch it up now!

The pins are now $9 for two,

free shipping + a gift with purchase.

{not sure it gets much better than that...}

{shop the sale}

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{sneak peek of the new blooms}

I've been stitching away on the new blooms,

and several will be listed over the weekend.

I looove them!

They're larger, fluffier, and so cute.

Can't wait to show you! :)

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Happy weekend!

the best day

I had the best day with you today...

-Taylor Swift

Saturday was an amazing day.

I'd been invited to spend the day with the sweetheart's family several weeks earlier,

and I was really looking forward to it.

Thursday was our anniversary,

and H told me that he had something for me,

but he'd forgot to bring it.

{not at all unusual for him}

He mentioned that he'd probably pick me up a little early so we could go for a walk

 before the rest of the family arrived. Going for a walk is pretty normal, so I don't think anything about it.

Saturday ended up being a beautiful day.

Warm, but with a nice breeze.

H picked me up, and we went back to his house just long

enough to say hi, and then we left on our walk.

Usually when we go for a walk,

neither of us really have anywhere to be,

so we tend to meander along.

This time, though, H was walking a lot faster than usual.

I guess he really wanted to ask me. :)

So, we walk out on the pier, and it's gorgeous.

We sat down on one of the benches, and H told me that he brought a card for me.

It was a hand-written {my favorite!}, very sweet card, that I will definitely hang onto.

Then he said he had a present for me.

I was a little confused just because I didn't see a present,

but I closed my eyes like he told me to, no peeking!

And when I opened my eyes....

He was on one knee!

I could scarcely believe it!

He asked me to marry him,

and I barely let him finish his sentence before I said yes! :)

H said he wasn't sure how I would respond,

but I didn't go into shock, or cry, or anything like that.

I was just SO excited!

{it was very bright and windy out there!}

It's kind of amazing how things work out, too.

I've always told H that I'd prefer it to be just us when he proposes,

so he didn't want to plant anyone to take pictures.

{especially when there really isn't anywhere to hide out on the pier...}

It wouldn't have been the end of the world if we didn't have pictures,

but, as he was proposing, there was a man out fishing with his family who took some pictures.

He offered to take some more for us, and email them to H.

It worked out so well!

And I love these pictures. :)

I was almost giddy.

We walked around the neighborhood for an hour,

just enjoying being engaged!

I think I had a huge grin on my face the whole time. :)

It was perfect.

We spent the rest of the day with his family.

Went home & told my family.

It really was the best day...

{the ring}

thank you SO much for all the sweet comments left...it means so much to me!

*****

Wow.

Being engaged has been rather surreal.

We've known that we were going to get married for a long time,

but now it's for real & official.

I'm still working on the story of {the proposal},

but I couldn't wait to show you all the ring.

I snapped some pictures while I was in the car yesterday,

so these aren't the best.

But it is really gorgeous.

I absolutely love it. :)

*****

happy wednesday to you all!

{happiest}

On Saturday, January 8th...

The sweetheart got on one knee and asked me to be his wife.

I said yes, of course. :)

{more pictures & details to come. the ring is gorgeous!}

{lovely finds} around your neck

I don't own many pretties to go around my neck, 

{I do have this one from The Vintage Pearl & this one from Lisa Leonard,

and I wear them all the time!}

so whenever I come across one I like, I add it to my wishlist.

I think it's time to share!

{favorite necklaces}

skeleton key necklace from a little thistle

{I'm so glad that Kim featured one of these necklaces a while back,

because I love pretty much all of them!}

modern pearl rosette necklace from allora handmade

{I should own one of these already. I need to order one someday soon!

But deciding on the color is going to be difficult...}

this necklace from Love Erica has sold already,

but I loved it too much not to include it!

vintage lovebirds from the vintage pearl

{I love sweet birdies, and I love anything slightly sentimental...perfect!}

romantic locket from kimberly layton designs

{I think this is just so sweet and pretty!}

plum ruffle necklace from pretty things by meg

{love ruffles. love plum.}

you're the cream in my coffee from lisa leonard designs

{Yes, I've shared this before, but I love it too much not to!

And I'd be thrilled to add any of Lisa's designs to my collection.}

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I hope each and every one of you has a lovely weekend...happy Friday! :)

{...four...}

{the sweetheart & me, taken last night}

Today, my love and I have been together for four years.

Thanks, babe. For loving me, being there for me and making me laugh.

You're the best. :)

{busy...}

{vintage paper bobbins}

I have several major things coming up that I am going to be extremely busy preparing for.

I'm participating in my first craft show at the end of February.

I might be working on a wholesale order soon.

Trying to keep the shop stocked.

Making some lovelies for giveaways on different blogs.

All of the new fabric I bought yesterday is washed & ironed.

Waiting to be sorted out, cut, ruffled, sewn...

I need to order zippers and hair clips. And business cards.

Cut out a gazillion small circles for new blooms and petals.

I think as long as I can stay focused, I'll be okay. :)

In the meantime, any advice from my wonderful readers would be much appreciated.

How do you stay focused while working on projects?

{I'm very easily distracted...}

Have you ever done a craft show? What do I need to know?

Wholesale?

*****

P.S. Many thanks to Libby for passing along this award to me!

{fabric & sewing}

{via}

Today I'm heading out to JoAnn's to shop for fabric.

I love looking for lovely colors and patterns, trying new combinations,

matching thread and buttons...I just think it's so much fun.

The only part I don't enjoy? The lines at the cutting counter. ;)

I'm hoping to add more to the shop very soon, and I'm also preparing for a craft show at the end of February. I'll be sewing away until then, and trying to stay diligent and get a lot done.

In the meantime, what would you like to see added to the shop?

What's your current favorite color combination?

I'd love to hear your input!

my goals {2011}

{via}

I'm generally not too good at resolutions.

I make a list of all the changes, all the big ideas...

And the list is usually forgotten by February.

Sad, isn't it?

But this year, I have some goals, some things I would definitely love to do.

Some of them are very important to me; some are just good ideas.

{which is why I loved Mique's printable!}

But I'm hoping that 2011 will be a very good year. :)

{2011}

• read through the Bible chronologically.
• grow my shop!
• play through my entire Hanon {piano exercises} book.
• read as many of the books on this 100 Classics (UK version) list as possible.
• exercise more regularly.
• drink more water.

And lastly {but certainly not least}, I want 2011 to be remembered fondly.

I want to embrace life, and choose happiness & contentment.

Miss Gussy once shared this quote, and I've never forgotten it:

"If you want to be happy, be."

And that is most certainly what I want.

What about you? What are your hopes and dreams for this year?

*****

The {randomly chosen} winner of the Christmastime giveaway is Meg!

Emailing you soon... :)