Through Painted Deserts

[rachelelizj]

Coffee & Tacos.

Happy Cinco de Mayo, ladies and gents! (The anticipation of margaritas after the workday concludes makes Monday a little easier to bear, don't you think?)

I've decided to try something new by starting a fresh, clean blog called Coffee & Tacos. Head on over to learn more about why I chose to make this change and why (as you may be wondering) my writing space is named after two of my most favorite treats.

I LOVE Through Painted Deserts and plan to leave it up on Tumblr forever and always (likely more for my benefit than yours, since it serves as an online scrapbook). And, who knows, maybe I'll continue to use this space to post pretty, inspirational images or other things that tickle my fancy? Keep this blog bookmarked for now, and head on over to Coffee & Tacos in the meantime. Thank you for following me on this new adventure!

[rachelelizj]

WELL. I just sort of fell off of the face of the earth, didn't I?! I hope you don't mind - I think getting married & enjoying our honeymoon in Belize made for a pretty great set of excuses. :)

To put it succinctly, James and I are (still) living on Cloud 9. We are so grateful to our amazing families and friends who made our wedding day (April 13th, whoop!) so incredibly special, meaningful, and memorable. We can't wait to see more photos from our darling friend, Heather Hawkins (credit goes to her for the gorgeous image above), and we're so excited to see Patrick Cone's video footage from our special day (and from our weekend in Austin - he was all over the place capturing great stuff as we prepped for the big day). And, of course, we have to make a shout-out to The Nouveau Romantics, our wonderful planners, stationers, and florists (they do it all - they are amazing!) - thank you, thank you!

I've got a new project in the works (because once wedding planning started drawing to a close, I had to scramble to start a new one, of course), one that came to mind as I started to think about changing my name (I am now Rachel Brown, pleased to make your acquaintance!) and my blog's website. So stay tuned for some fun stuff, and forgive me if I don't post frequently enough here while I'm getting things ready…so much love to you and yours!

[rachelelizj]

It's wedding week!!! In light of this special celebratory time, I feel compelled to post a favorite photo from Erin's wedding in San José del Cabo, Mexico. On Sunday, this beautiful bride will be standing up for me as one of my gorgeous Matrons of Honor (insert excited squeal here)!

Photo via Cana Family - see more beautiful photos from the wedding here

[rachelelizj]

The first issue of The Collective Quarterly is everything I hoped it would be and more. What a beautiful publication (and excellent subject matter - Marfa, TX!). I'm a believer.

[rachelelizj]

Ambergris Caye, Belize.

In 12 days (!!!), James and I will be heading to Ambergris Caye for our honeymoon! Ambergris Caye is Belize's largest island, located mere minutes from the mainland. We chose this destination based on the three criteria we had set out for our honeymoon: we wanted to go to the beach, travel to a place that neither of us had ever been, and use our passports. Check, check, and check! The photos of Ambergris Caye are just so unbelievably beautiful - they're making me antsy to get there. Here are a few from around the web that are absolutely making me swoon:

Images via Elizabeth Bean, tmrsfca, San Pedro Scoop, TripAdvisor, & Destination Wedding Mag

[rachelelizj]

I LOVE this post on designlovefest about turning April Fool's into April Rules by showering loved ones and strangers alike with little gestures of kindness today. I am swooning over the idea of making pretty flower arrangements, wrapping them in kraft paper, and passing them out to family, friends, coworkers, and passersby. Beautiful!

P.S. IT'S WEDDING MONTH, Y'ALL!

Photo via designlovefest & Julia Stotz

[rachelelizj]

Weekend Recap.

You know those weekends where one perfect activity just rolls into another? That's what mine was like, and it was so restorative…and so dang fun. It was definitely a girly weekend spent celebrating birthdays and friendship, full of great food and sunshine and patios and laughter.

On Friday, Laura invited me to join in on the fun at Sara's birthday bash at the Katy Trail Ice House (helloooo, beeritas!). It was a beautiful evening and it was so great to have a night out on the town.

The rest of the weekend was spent celebrating the gorgeous Kyla Kiser's birthday (which is actually today, so we're heading to True Food Kitchen tonight to continue the fun!). It was full of fabulous brunch dates (I can't believe I've lived in Dallas for four years and never been to Taverna before this weekend!), manicures & pedicures, walks & runs on the Katy Trail, sun-soaking, pajama parties (at 7:00 p.m…), ordering in pizza, Parenthood recaps & movie marathons, slumber parties (with puppies!), lazy mornings over coffee, and patios sessions (at Mi Cocina in Lakewood, my very favorite post-up spot). It was so perfect…I'm wishing I could go back in time and relive it all over again!

[rachelelizj]

The newest issue of Darling Magazine is now available and it is as just as gorgeous as ever. I feel so blessed to be a tiny part of this amazing publication. Snag your copy today and check out my article, "All Roads Lead to Others", on page 159!

[rachelelizj]

When spring came, even the false spring, there were no problems except where to be happiest.

Ernest Hemingway, A Moveable Feast

[rachelelizj]

One dozen red roses sent to my office, just because. I love you, fiancé!

[rachelelizj]

There are plenty more photos and recaps to come, friends, but let me just say this: MY BACHELORETTE WEEKEND WAS ABSOLUTE PERFECTION. And now I am wallowing in self-pity because it's over. I can't quite describe how it made me feel to have all of my very best friends in the world in one room - it was so overwhelmingly beautiful, a memory I will carry with me always. Erin and Karli, my gorgeous MOHs, did an insane job of planning every last detail (including orchestrating the decor, like the hilarious banner pictured above). After our heavenly spa day on Saturday afternoon, all of us came over to my house to wear pretty jammies, nosh on delicious foods, and sip on fabulous cocktails. A brunch composed of supremely tasty leftovers and desserts followed on Sunday morning, and I may or may not have cried after I dropped all of the out-of-towners at the airport. My heart is so full!

P.S. Even though this photo only gives a glimpse, my pajamas (on the left) are from Plum Pretty Sugar and Erin's robe (on the right) is from Stone Cold Fox (lucky me - E gave me a matching one as a gift at her wedding!). 

[rachelelizj]

IT'S HAPPENING - my bachelorette weekend is underway!!! I'm picking Erin T-K up at the airport this evening and we're heading straight to Mesa for guacamole, ceviche, vegetarian enchiladas, and spicy margaritas. Tomorrow we'll get to spend the whole day together before snagging Karli at the airport and taking her out to another equally delicious dinner (location TBD, though perhaps Mambo Taxis should be in our future?). Becca and Erin P. get in late that evening, and that means that the festivities will officially begin!

I cannot begin to put into words how humbled I am by the effort, thoughtfulness, and planning that has been put into this weekend, not only by my beautiful friends who purchased plane tickets and planned road trips to get here, but also by my gorgeous Dallas-based gal pals who offered to do airport pick-ups and drop-offs and help in any capacity necessary. I am so beyond blessed and SO DANG EXCITED. Eeeeee!

P.S. Exactly ONE MONTH to go 'til the big day! Is this real life?!

Image via Forever Flawless

[rachelelizj]

I love this little corner of my office. When we moved offices in November, we acquired a new space that has tons of windows and plenty of natural light. This corner, which is just to the left of my desk, looks especially pretty in the afternoons. I need to add some flowers to the gray vase in the corner but everything else is complete, and I love how all of these simple, little touches have come together to create a peaceful, pretty vignette.

[rachelelizj]

Currently.

Lately I've been feeling totally overwhelmed, but in a good way (not in the frazzled, chicken-with-its-head-cut-off way): overwhelmed by the blessings and joys that I've experienced during this beautiful season of life, overwhelmed by the prospect of our special day looming ever closer, overwhelmed by what it will mean to exchange vows with James on our wedding day and become man and wife, overwhelmed by the task of making my house a home…there's so much to take in. There's so much to be grateful for, too. And, of course, there's lots to do! So, currently I'm:

Hanging a new gallery wall above my couch in my living room. It came together in such an impromptu fashion, and I love it. Photos to come soon.

Working on a post about the interviews Patrick shot for our wedding video a few weekends ago. The afternoon James and I spent with him was so much fun that it definitely needs to be documented, so hang tight.

Filling my house with lots of pretty succulents and fresh flowers, and utilizing the bistro table in my backyard as a makeshift office as often as possible. Spring has sprung, y'all!

Finishing up a 10-day AdvoCare Cleanse (shout-out to James, Mom, and Lauren Cone who all did this at the same time as me) and working on continuing to maintain the same diet (because, dang, it makes my insides feel good) but also incorporating a few margaritas back into my culinary routine...

Finalizing the floral, decor, and rental proposals for the wedding. Our planners, The Nouveau Romantics, absolutely knocked each of these storyboards out of the park - our wedding is going to be so gorgeous (if I do say so myself!) and completely customized to our tastes and vision for the big day, which I absolutely love. 

Counting down the seconds to my bachelorette party this weekend! All of my best friends in the world are gathering in Dallas for a spa day at the ESPA at the Joule and an evening of home-cooked goodness and bubbly beverages. Erin T-K (formerly Macdonald) is flying in from Louisville, Karli from Los Angeles, Becca from Nashville, and Erin P. from Boulder, and Katelyn's driving in from Louisiana for the festivities, which really just blows me away. All of my Dallas-based besties (Laura, Kyla, Lauren, Korena, Allison, Heather, Karen, Kristen) are setting aside time from their schedule to celebrate with me for a whole weekend, too. WHOA, I can't wait!

[rachelelizj]

Obviously, considering my love of succulents, I downloaded this desktop background from designlovefest the second I saw it. Isn't it so sweet? I like it so much that I think I might want to frame it somewhere in my house/office, too...

Download your desktop background from designlovefest here. And have an AWESOME weekend (three cheers for Friday!).

[rachelelizj]

On March 6th, 1957, Ghana gained its independence and celebrated the end of colonial rule within the country. This year, Touch A Life is celebrating independence, too - but for a slightly different reason. Join us as we rejoice in the fact that the children in our care are truly independent and free from slavery. Come alongside us as we celebrate that these children have been rescued and given a loving place to receive rehabilitation.

Consider making a donation to Touch A Life in celebration of our Independence Day campaign, or share our story with your friends and family. Every little bit counts!

[rachelelizj]

It's March, which means that

JAMES & I ARE GETTING MARRIED NEXT MONTH!

Omgomgomgomgomgomgomg. SO EXCITING!

P.S. In case I've never mentioned it, you can see some of our favorite engagement photos on our wedding website here and you can find the entire album of gorgeous shots that Heather took in our Dropbox album.