mascaras meet the mediterranean, part one: the journey.

Our journey to our honeymoon was a long one. It started on Sunday, September 6th at approximately 6:00 am. Yes, we woke up at 6 am the day after our wedding! We showered, got ready, and packed all of our things before making our way to my parents' house to say goodbye to our families. We had a short visit and a homemade breakfast, hugged our parents and sisters and we were on our way. We would have loved to stay to visit and open gifts, but we had a flight to catch!

We drove the 4.5 hours back to our apartment outside Chicago, switched luggage and did a quick load of laundry before getting picked up to go to the airport.

Enjoying our ride to the airport.

We're MARRIED!

We made it to the airport with time to spare, checked our luggage, went through security, and took a deep breath. We had made it! The hardest part was over. We grabbed some food and talked about the wedding day while we waited to leave Chicago.

We boarded our flight around 6 pm and got settled in our seats. It was going to be a long flight to Munich.

Before takeoff.

Bye bye, Chicago!

We spent the next 8.5 hours or so in those seats, but luckily we were so exhausted from the wedding craziness that we slept most of the way there. We landed in Munich and had some lunch before boarding the last leg of our journey to Barcelona.

The longest part is over!

Landing in Munich.

Almost there!

The first of many tomato and mozzarella sandwiches.

When we finally arrived in Barcelona, we were very tired yet very happy. We had finally arrived!

WE MADE IT! This girl is sleepy.

We headed to the duty-free shop to get some Spanish wine before picking up our luggage. We like our wine, and knew we probably wouldn't have time to shop in Spain at anywhere other than the airport! With wine and luggage in hand, we took a bus to the port, snapping pictures along the way.

The view from the bus.

Upon arriving at the port, more than 24 hours after we'd started our journey, we were so excited to see our ship! The honeymoon could FINALLY begin!

Hello, Mediterranean cruise!

A word of advice: I would recommend avoiding leaving for your honeymoon the day after (especially the morning after) your wedding if at all possible! It makes for a long and somewhat stressful journey (depending on where you are going of course)! Did anyone else opt to leave for their honeymoon the day after the wedding?

a teaser or two...or three?

It's too hard to narrow it down. I asked for a teaser or two to tide you all over (who am I kidding, to tide myself over) and our photographers delivered. They delivered 53 teasers, to be exact. But you'll have to survive on three for today.

All photos from Deborah Cull Photography.

Win kate spade Designer Handbag

The lovely gift_girl from Wishpot asked me to spread the word about an exciting giveaway they are hosting this week!

Wishpot and Avelle the New Bag Borrow Steal (think Sex in the City) have teamed up to bring you our latest giveaway. Enter to win this fabulous fun red kate spade Designer Handbag! Retail value $429

Here’s how to enter: Tell us or show us what you want to carry in your Avelle Designer Bag!
(Your fave accessories, your pets, your dreams, the kitchen sink and more….)

Tell: get 1 entry for each response here, on Avelle FB Fan Page, or on Twitter RT #Avelle

Show: get 2 entries when you post a pic of what you want to carry on Avelle FB Fan Page, or on Twitter

Share: Get 3 entries when you sign up at Avelle, follow Avelle on Twitter or blog about this giveaway

Be sure to leave a comment on the Wishpot Blog with what you did. Giveaway lasts one week. We will draw a winner on Monday Oct 5^th. Good Luck!

About the bag: kate spade 'Quinn' Knightsbridge Croco Tote

The clean lines and elegant croc-embossed patent leather of this kate spade tote transition effortlessly from daytime to evening. Designed to fit snugly under your arm, it's finished with an open top, goldtone hardware, metal feet, three center compartments, signature lining and interior zip and cell pockets. Dimensions: 12"L x 3"W x 9"H. 7" handle drop.

back to the real world.

I have a confession to make. We've been back from our honeymoon for a whole week and I haven't blogged about the wedding yet. For some reason, I've been nervous to write my first post as a Mrs., but I suppose today is as good a day as any! My husband (HUSBAND!!) and I have been busy putting our life and apartment back together after neglecting them for three weeks. And of course, enjoying our time together as newlyweds!

The wedding was a wonderful whirlwind of events and emotions. Of course everything didn't go exactly as planned, but it was still perfect to us! We didn't want to leave at the end of the night, and neither did our guests!

And the honeymoon...our Mediterranean honeymoon was AMAZING. I have so many wonderful experiences and pictures to share with you! I'll be posting honeymoon recaps while I wait for our pro pics, so you'll hear from me again soon!

I'm sorry I don't have any wedding teasers yet, but I'll leave you with a photo taken by our fabulous photography duo Deb and Matt of Deborah Cull Photography a few days before the wedding.

today is the day.

To my almost husband--

Today is the day. The day we have been planning, stressing, and obsessing over for the past 14 months. The day that we've been waiting so patiently for during these past 8 years. I'll never forget that day way back when we were teenagers, the day when we were talking on the phone and the words "I love you" slipped out of your mouth. The day that I said "I love you too." That day lead to this day, and there are many more wonderful days to come. Today is the day where we become a family, husband and wife, forever and ever, and I am so glad it is finally here.

Love you today and every day,

Holly