Tuesday, September 15, 2015

Anniversary Celebrations

At this point we've been married for one year, one week and two days.  We decided to celebrate our anniversary two days before the actual day since we were going to be out of town (see here and here) - I liked to call it "anniversary celebration day" because we started celebrating right away.   I'm usually our "planner" but Derek took control of the anniversary and handled everything.

Anniversaries might just rank before birthdays now - how fun it is to have all those memories from our special day come back to me and to enjoy "remembering" as well as celebrating all over again.

The day actually started off the night before - accidentally.  A new dry bar opened up close by and I decided what better of a day to try it out?! I told Derek and it turned out that he had asked the best boss/mom in the world to let me have the day off for an afternoon massage.  Both were scheduled for 1:15 at the same salon just different locations… I guess we have ESP but after some thinking (and an email for a special promotion for both for the price of one) I ended up with a spa afternoon to start the celebration with a massage then dry bar appointment. The verdict is - I am now a HUGE fan of dry bars.  My hair stayed curled and cleaned until two days later.  I also squeezed in a mani/pedi with my nail color from the wedding which worked for the anniversary and the new wedding we attended days later.


I came down for my morning workout to find a little extra decorations on our coffee table with photos from college until now and a date jar for me to pick items whenever I'd like - Derek was thinking paper :)


I was thinking paper too.  Derek got his gift at the beginning of summer, our trip was our major gift to each other and even though I was getting my gift during celebrating - I still wanted him to have a little something.  I'm hoping the ____ year of marriage to do list can be a yearly thing - we'll see if we even get anything done for this year.


When I got home from the spa day I found a flower arrangement on the counter - the same as my wedding day bouquet which I'm still obsessing over and enjoying.  One of my favorite parts of the day.


I headed in to meet Derek in the city for happy hour on a rooftop - my favorite! The rooftop was near Independence Hall so we wandered around for a bit afterwards before we headed to dinner.  (The Miss America contestants had just arrived across the lawn at the Liberty Bell on an evening excursion from Atlantic City).

 dress: nordstrom // necklace: kate spade (similar style here) // 
earrings: nordstrom // clutch: louis vuitton

 For dinner we headed up for a fantastic view of the city sky line (you can sort of see below along with our reflections) for a delicious meal and great time celebrating one year of marriage.


The food was delicious and we really enjoyed testing out a new spot.  I really enjoyed having no clue where we were going.


My last surprise of the night was that Derek had slipped away to the bakery and picked up a new version of the top tier of our wedding cake - just as delicious as before and 100% my favorite cake - I enjoyed snacking on it for the week after too.


Monday night after we landed back in from Providence, we headed over to my parents' for a Labor Day BBQ and I'm not sure if we'll do these pinterest inspired photos every year but we took them just in case so it's an option… 


The treats weren't done yet.  We also enjoyed our first anniversary wine which was a gift from the bridesmaids at my bridal shower.


Is there ever such thing as too much cake?  We still had our top tier in our freezer (quite thankful for the extra space now) so we cut into that and each had a taste - well I had it smashed in my face and then we enjoyed more of the new one as well.


This past year has been fantastic - Cheers to many more!


Don't forget to enter here for a chance to win a $300 Nordstrom gift card.  Good luck! 


35 comments:

  1. Happy anniversary!!! Your hair looks AMAZING! What a coincidence the dry bar opened up right there, I mean, you had to try it right? It'd be wrong to just ignore it there! :) Cheers to many more years girl!
    <3, Pamela
    Sequins & Sea Breezes

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  2. Looks like the most perfect anniversary! I love that he made plans for you to get a massage without you knowing--super sweet! Love the area around Independence Hall--it's so fun (we got engaged there so it has a special place in my heart) :)
    Your hair looks fabulous--dry bar for the win!!

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  3. He did SO good! My favorite is the typed paper on the table- I love when guys try to do crafty things, it's so cute. Happy belated anniversary!

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  4. I love how much Derek surprised you for your anniversary! It's alwasy so much fun when they take control and surprise you! I love that you did the Pinterest photo ideas because that's something I wish that we had done!

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  5. What a wonderful way to celebrate and kudos to Derek for planning such a wonderful day for you!!! xo, BIana -BlovedBoston

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  6. You guys are too cute! Looks like an amazing anniversary filled with thoughtful gifts and delicious food. And yay for DryBar, I wish an official DryBar would open up here in Orlando. We have copy cats, but not the real deal!

    Green Fashionista

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  7. I'm impressed by Derek! You have quite the catch there lady! Happy anniversary again. :)

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  8. Shut. Up. This is perfect!!! I'm with you - anniversaries are totally the best!! At least, my first one was.... this year was a disaster, but that's another story... I love the replication of your bouquet!! Derek so needs to chat with my husband!! :)

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  9. What a perfect anniversary!! He went out of his way to make that an amazing day--so thoughtful! I'm jealous of the spa day!

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  10. Could you guys be any cuter?! Seriously, what an adorable anniversary! Happy anniversary! Your hubs did good!

    Annie
    All Things Big and Small

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  11. I can't wait until you guys celebrate the big 2-0 like me and Hubs did back in April!

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  12. Such a fun anniversary! I love all your presents to each other...especially in keeping with the "paper" theme. Cheers to many more years of happiness and adventure!

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  13. Aww you guys are so cute! I love that you can tell how much you both enjoyed celebrating. Happy anniversary!

    xo, Carly | carly blogs

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  14. What an amazing first anniversary!!! We are doing the traditional gifts, too and it's fun to have to think outside the box :) And no, you can never have too much cake!!

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  15. Happy anniversary! We're planning on traditional gifts as well and I'm working hard to come up with something cool for paper. I like the date night jar!

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  16. Happy Anniversary!! Sounds like you all had a great celebration :) Marriage really is the best!
    Kelsey
    www.thepeacockroost.com

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  17. Your hair looked amazing!!! Which dry bar did you go to?! I want to go to one but don't feel like driving to the city! hah! Such a fun anniversary celebration!

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  18. Happy anniversary!!! Such a great way to celebrate :)

    liz jo @ sundays with sophie

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  19. What a sweet night! Happy Anniversary!

    michellespaige.com

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  20. Happy Anniversary! My cake topper is at my Aunt's house and she asks me on the daily when we want to come and get it ;-) I think she wants that space back as well lol

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  21. Holy cow so many adorable and thoughtful things! So precious that he had your bouquet remade as an arrangement... So cute! Happy (late) 1 year and cheers to many more!

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  22. Well, this sure was the perfect first anniversary for you love birds! I love how thoughtful you two are to each other - I think Ryan needs to take note, ha! Cheers to many more years together!

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  23. Eating our top tier from our cake was my favorite, and ours still tasted just as good and fresh as the day of our wedding! Glad you guys had such a great anniversary celebration! Sounds like your hubby is very thoughtful!

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  24. So many celebrations! So sweet! I died at the coffee table of pictures from Derek. Sooo thoughtful!

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  25. Happy Anniversary!! =) I can't wait to eat the top tier of our wedding cake.. it stares at me from the freezer and I need to resist it everyday.

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  26. The flower arrangement is gorgeous and yes rooftop drinks are the best. Sounds like an awesome celebration and dinner. Happy Anniversary!

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  27. Those flowers are gorgeous and all of those things that your husband did were so sweet. Your hair looks fab too. My sister is a big fan of blow dry bars. :-) Wishing you both many more years of love, laughter, and happiness. :-)

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  28. Your husband is so sweet!! I love everything he planned for you!
    Sarah at MeetTheShaneyfelts

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  29. I'm getting married next April and I can't wait. I love your anniversary celebration pictures. Happy belated Anniversary. What a fabulous husband to plan all those activities for you. Love it :)

    Shea
    Monograms and Southern Charm: http://scox86.blogspot.com

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  30. I'm getting married next April and I can't wait. I love your anniversary celebration pictures. Happy belated Anniversary. What a fabulous husband to plan all those activities for you. Love it :)

    Shea
    Monograms and Southern Charm: http://scox86.blogspot.com

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  31. Your hair looks amazing! I love all of the fun things you did for your anniversary. Your husband is so sweet to surprise you with all of that! Happy 1st :)

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  32. Wow, you guys really went all out!! He did really well with the surprises and gifts! Thanks for letting us share in your day!

    ~Ashley @ A Cute Angle
    acutelifestyle.blogspot.com

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  33. Aw this is so much fun! So sweet of Derek to make your celebration special! Love your blowout - the curls look fantastic! We totally tried to do the whole "picture, within a picture" and totally forgot this year... super fail

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  34. Such a special and sweet celebration! I loved incorporating paper into our gifts as well! Cheers to many more years of love and happiness, sweet friend! Xo, Stephanie

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