We're kicking off an exciting couple of months on our blog! We have so many fun things scheduled and we're starting off with a bang!

I don't know about you guys, but I'm about summered out. It's so hot and humid here that it isn't even funny. My (Cat) best friend loves summer's hot weather and never complains, but for me, I prefer to be in the AC.

I'm ready for fall. I was looking through some old Instagrams of Luke's last night and saw this photo from last fall of our front door, which was decorated and ready for cooler weather. I can't wait for this again! This year, we're growing our own pumpkins (well, we're trying.... but Myrtle Bo keeps getting in 'Luke's Punkin Patch' and mowing down the leaves) so Lord-willing we're going to have pumpkins galore! We already have about 5 big pumpkins growing.

What better way could we start out our exciting changes on the blog (you'll want to keep checking back, because we're getting serious here!) with a giveaway. Our friends Millie, Brent, and Jen from Pressed Cotton have *the* best eye for decor, and a real talent for offering things that work for both weddings and real life. So whether you're a bride or just someone who likes to have a cute front door, you'll be excited for this!

We're giving away this adorable Hanging Heart Chalkboard! Be sure to click the link below and see all the cute ways that Pressed Cotton has styled this product, at a wedding or at a home.

GIVEAWAY SCOOP + HOW TO ENTER!
Pretty easy stuff! Just comment on this blog post! Be sure to leave a valid e-mail address so we can notify you if you win! Comments close tonight at 12:00 Midnight CST. Winner will be notified by e-mail tomorrow, Tuesday, July 30. Please note that our blog requires that comments be approved, so don't freak out if your comment doesn't show up right away :)

It's not required, but it would tickle us pink if you'd be sure to like our Facebook page and also Pressed Cotton!

We live in an old house (built sometime in the 1900s) which we absolutely love... we both like to think that we'll be happy here forever! One of the only things that kinda stinks (literally) about living in an old house is the musty old house smell. I don't know why this happens... our house has been repainted and remodeled... but it still sometimes has the potential of smelling kinda musty.

Lucky for us, we have a solution that we are just slightly obsessed with: home fragrance oils!

About two years ago we discovered these little doodads and since then, there's no musty smell in our house... EVER! All you do is put about 10 drops of the oil in the warmer, and light a little unscented tealight under it. For about 3-4 hours, it burns and heats the oil and makes your whole home smell like the scent.

You might be thinking, why is this different than a scented candle? We like those too, but for the most intense fragrance, nothing beats the oil. Also, the oil really seems to permeate the house better, as opposed to a candle that smells the strongest in the immediate area it's in. We have 5 different oil warmers in our house to make sure it is 'covered' completely. When company comes over, we light them all, and you can even smell the 'smell-goods' (as we call them) from outside our house. If we are out of town and are coming home, when we get home, the first thing we do when we walk thru the door is 'light the smell-goods!'

Everyday around our house, we keep 1 lit in our living room and 1 lit in our bedroom, which still keeps the whole house smelling fresh.

Our favorite warmer is the owl one shown here, which sadly is discontinued! Boo! My favorite oil scent is Lavender Vanilla from Yankee Candle, and Luke's favorite is Eucalyptus Mint from Bath and Body Works. We hoard the oil and probably have 50 jars right now! If you catch them on sale they are a great bargain.

So you want one, right? Guess what! GIVEAWAY TIME!!! We're giving a 'starter kit' away! Comment on this blog (be sure to leave a correct e-mail address in the comment form) and we will select one lucky winner to win a new (I'll pick the cutest one I see) oil warmer and 3 bottles of our favorite scents of oil. Let the comments begin! We will e-mail the winner on Monday morning!

What an awesome day this was! We were so excited to meet up in Panama City Beach, Florida with Katie, Jed, and their closest friends and family for their destination wedding.

Lessons I learned from this trip. First, it is NO piece from here to Panama City Beach. I almost feel a little sheepish calling us 'Panama City Beach Destination Wedding Photographers' because it wasn't even that far of a drive! The trip was a beautiful and easy drive and we had a wonderful time. Second, while parts of Florida ARE close, sadly, Disneyworld is not. But that's an excuse for another Florida trip!

Of course, what made the trip even more fun was the awesome people that we knew were going to be there once we arrived. Katie and Jed have trusted us completely and put their full confidence in us through this entire experience. From their ranch engagement session in Weatherford, Texas, all the way to the wedding day on the white sand in Florida, I'm glad we've 'traveled' these roads.

I am so happy for these two and the happily ever after that I'm sure is going to be the rest of their life!

Katie hit the jackpot with these friends. Luke and I commented as we were looking through all the pictures that this group was all smiles, all day long.

What a happy guy!

This ring shot is a tribute to Katie and Jed's cattle ranch, Aces Wild Ranch. The -W on Jed's ring is their brand.

An excited last minute hug before we all walked down to the beach.

As things got going for the ceremony, I thought it was so fun to watch all the people on the beach. They turned their chairs around to make sure they had a good view.

As we walked along the beach with the new Mr. and Mrs., I thought to myself, "Why sure, I would LOVE some sun flare photos on the beach."

Katie stopped and drew these hearts. So cute!

After the ceremony we all headed back up to the big house (just a short walk from the beach) for dinner and dancing. As you can tell, everyone was super happy!

Katie and Jed had a grand sparkler exit, but by far the most exciting part of the end of the night was when they came back in and jumped in the pool!

Katie and Jed, thank you for letting us come to Florida for you guys! You have been nothing short of amazing to get to know. I want to do it all over again!

Friends and family, take a moment to sign Katie and Jed's guestbook and view their entire gallery.