wedding planning

1//2//3//4//5//6
I've had a wedding board on pinterest for.. longer than I'd care to admit- so when it came time to actually start planning my wedding I actually felt pretty prepared. Boy was I wrong though! It is amazing all of the things that you have to take into consideration when planning the big day. Luckily I have already had two full days of planning with Erin immediately following the proposal (they were snow days-it was perfect), a few weeks of planning under my belt, and two amazing families to bounce ideas off of. What I have found is that the hardest thing to figure out is when you are going to have the darn thing. It has been pretty tricky to try to work around the schedules of the venues, officiator, friends, family, and other events. Though these all have made it tricky, and we haven't yet set an official date, I am sure that every thing will be perfect in the end. We will find that perfect day that will work for us. We also have been trying to figure out where we are going to have it. It is actually kind of a process to find somewhere that will fit around 200 people. We know that we want to have the actual ceremony out in the flint hills-I am a prairie girl at heart so it seemed only fitting- but the reception is a whole other possible location to lock down.  What I do know is exactly what I want it to look like. We will have succulents, candles, and christmas lights everywhere. I may or may not have found a dress and dresses for my bridesmaids. Also, the beautiful smiling faces of all of the people that I love. I am so excited to have their smiling faces around me on that day- and hey, that is the most important part, right? Here is to more planning! Anyone have any great tips for me? -Leah

1//2//3//4//5//6
I've had a wedding board on pinterest for.. longer than I'd care to admit- so when it came time to actually start planning my wedding I actually felt pretty prepared. Boy was I wrong though! It is amazing all of the things that you have to take into consideration when planning the big day. Luckily I have already had two full days of planning with Erin immediately following the proposal (they were snow days-it was perfect), a few weeks of planning under my belt, and two amazing families to bounce ideas off of. What I have found is that the hardest thing to figure out is when you are going to have the darn thing. It has been pretty tricky to try to work around the schedules of the venues, officiator, friends, family, and other events. Though these all have made it tricky, and we haven't yet set an official date, I am sure that every thing will be perfect in the end. We will find that perfect day that will work for us. We also have been trying to figure out where we are going to have it. It is actually kind of a process to find somewhere that will fit around 200 people. We know that we want to have the actual ceremony out in the flint hills-I am a prairie girl at heart so it seemed only fitting- but the reception is a whole other possible location to lock down.  What I do know is exactly what I want it to look like. We will have succulents, candles, and christmas lights everywhere. I may or may not have found a dress and dresses for my bridesmaids. Also, the beautiful smiling faces of all of the people that I love. I am so excited to have their smiling faces around me on that day- and hey, that is the most important part, right? Here is to more planning! Anyone have any great tips for me? -Leah

Guess what?

Leah is engaged!

We have had so many exciting things going on over here that have been pretty distracting for us from our blog and this engagement is just one of them! My boyfriend (now fiance), David, proposed to me a few weeks ago on my birthday. It was so out of the blue, adorable, and awkward(yes- that is just us), and I am just so excited.
We started dating our freshman year of college which was about four years ago. David was the shy boy that lived down the hall from me. I was the bubbly girl that showed up in his hallway to play games with his friends in order to be near him.
The past four years have just been wonderful. So much snuggling, eating tacos and cookies, and watching Jimmy Fallon. I can't wait to get married to him at the end of this summer! 
We will make sure to keep you updated on our wedding planning progress and to post lots of pictures!
-Leah

Leah is engaged!

We have had so many exciting things going on over here that have been pretty distracting for us from our blog and this engagement is just one of them! My boyfriend (now fiance), David, proposed to me a few weeks ago on my birthday. It was so out of the blue, adorable, and awkward(yes- that is just us), and I am just so excited.
We started dating our freshman year of college which was about four years ago. David was the shy boy that lived down the hall from me. I was the bubbly girl that showed up in his hallway to play games with his friends in order to be near him.
The past four years have just been wonderful. So much snuggling, eating tacos and cookies, and watching Jimmy Fallon. I can't wait to get married to him at the end of this summer! 
We will make sure to keep you updated on our wedding planning progress and to post lots of pictures!
-Leah

Birthday Girl.

Today is this darling young woman's birthday. I couldn't ask for a better friend to blog with! So here's to 23 years of living, keep it up! Birthdays are such nice reminders to appreciate the people who we see everyday. Happy birthday Leah, you're a gem.

Also, here is the GIF we made last year for her birthday... (apparently my go-to word to describe Leah is "darling")



-Erin

Today is this darling young woman's birthday. I couldn't ask for a better friend to blog with! So here's to 23 years of living, keep it up! Birthdays are such nice reminders to appreciate the people who we see everyday. Happy birthday Leah, you're a gem.

Also, here is the GIF we made last year for her birthday... (apparently my go-to word to describe Leah is "darling")



-Erin

freedom at its finest

It is official! As of Friday at noon I am officially done with college (everyone likes to remind me to add in "for now"... but I am choosing to ignore that for now...:) ). I had an awesome past four and half years at my little ole' Bethel College. I made some amazing friends and learned so much about the world around me, art, education, and about myself. It has been an amazing experience that I wouldn't trade in for anything, despite it kicking my butt at times.  My sense of freedom hasn't quite kicked in yet. While I have spent most of my days relaxing and spending time with Erin (she is home you guys! My roommate is back!) it still feels like it has just been a long weekend and that I should be going back to class soon. I am so excited to sit back and relax for a little while.  For those who are curious, I will be spending the next few months sitting back, blogging, and working at Mojo's Coffee Shop, where I have worked for the past three and a half years. I am so excited to just enjoy myself making coffee and spending time with my friends. I will be applying for art teaching jobs in the area as well! I can't wait to start decorating a classroom and making lesson plans for my first year of teaching. Crossing my fingers that I will find a job! -Leah Faye

It is official! As of Friday at noon I am officially done with college (everyone likes to remind me to add in "for now"... but I am choosing to ignore that for now...:) ). I had an awesome past four and half years at my little ole' Bethel College. I made some amazing friends and learned so much about the world around me, art, education, and about myself. It has been an amazing experience that I wouldn't trade in for anything, despite it kicking my butt at times.  My sense of freedom hasn't quite kicked in yet. While I have spent most of my days relaxing and spending time with Erin (she is home you guys! My roommate is back!) it still feels like it has just been a long weekend and that I should be going back to class soon. I am so excited to sit back and relax for a little while.  For those who are curious, I will be spending the next few months sitting back, blogging, and working at Mojo's Coffee Shop, where I have worked for the past three and a half years. I am so excited to just enjoy myself making coffee and spending time with my friends. I will be applying for art teaching jobs in the area as well! I can't wait to start decorating a classroom and making lesson plans for my first year of teaching. Crossing my fingers that I will find a job! -Leah Faye

july, july

For some reason it is nearly impossible to sum up the entire month of July in just a couple of words. It went by so quickly and was stuffed so full of things that it is hard to be sure exactly what happened! A lot of small changes happened-piercings, hair cuts, cleaning out our wardrobes- and a lot of bigger changes happened too- we changed our name to a clover & a bee this month! A lot of this month was spent with the ones we love, either at home snuggled up in our apartment, in other states at weddings, or in my case at home with my family. It is always so comforting to get to spend time with the people who love you! A lot of big changes are coming our way in August! We both go back to school, Erin as a Senior, and me as a fifth year senior. We will be very busy with senior projects, assignments, and mandatory after class naps, though we are very excited to keep up our blog. A clover & a bee is such a nice escape from the weird outside world-sometimes you have to let out your creative sides! -Leah
All photos are from our Instagrams this month! Follow Leah at @leahfaye3 and Erin at @twicee

For some reason it is nearly impossible to sum up the entire month of July in just a couple of words. It went by so quickly and was stuffed so full of things that it is hard to be sure exactly what happened! A lot of small changes happened-piercings, hair cuts, cleaning out our wardrobes- and a lot of bigger changes happened too- we changed our name to a clover & a bee this month! A lot of this month was spent with the ones we love, either at home snuggled up in our apartment, in other states at weddings, or in my case at home with my family. It is always so comforting to get to spend time with the people who love you! A lot of big changes are coming our way in August! We both go back to school, Erin as a Senior, and me as a fifth year senior. We will be very busy with senior projects, assignments, and mandatory after class naps, though we are very excited to keep up our blog. A clover & a bee is such a nice escape from the weird outside world-sometimes you have to let out your creative sides! -Leah
All photos are from our Instagrams this month! Follow Leah at @leahfaye3 and Erin at @twicee

leah's food adventures

Thank goodness Erin is home from her trip... I experienced a small dose of panic and shame when it came down to cooking the first full day without her. I came home from work, already a bit hungry, and threw open the doors of the refrigerator and cabinets. I could not think of a single combination of items I could put together for dinner. I began to freak out a little and I was feeling pretty pathetic. Can I really not cook for myself?? What happened to all of my dreams (according to pinterest) of being able to cook anything imaginable??

The feeling of shame came as I threw my dog into the car and sped to Taco Bell for a crunch wrap. As I sat by the window, professor jumping around on the seat next to me, waiting for them to hand my my greasy goodness, I realized the new low I had sank to. I knew something had to change. So I got home, took out my computer and dug up these recipes to try this week.: One Pot Wonder Tomato Basil Pasta and Corn Bean and Shrimp Salad.

Both ended up amazing and they were so easy to make. My inspiration to cook for myself has been reborn-I will no longer panic and drive through for fast food.

Did you try any new recipes this week?

-e plus l

Thank goodness Erin is home from her trip... I experienced a small dose of panic and shame when it came down to cooking the first full day without her. I came home from work, already a bit hungry, and threw open the doors of the refrigerator and cabinets. I could not think of a single combination of items I could put together for dinner. I began to freak out a little and I was feeling pretty pathetic. Can I really not cook for myself?? What happened to all of my dreams (according to pinterest) of being able to cook anything imaginable??

The feeling of shame came as I threw my dog into the car and sped to Taco Bell for a crunch wrap. As I sat by the window, professor jumping around on the seat next to me, waiting for them to hand my my greasy goodness, I realized the new low I had sank to. I knew something had to change. So I got home, took out my computer and dug up these recipes to try this week.: One Pot Wonder Tomato Basil Pasta and Corn Bean and Shrimp Salad.

Both ended up amazing and they were so easy to make. My inspiration to cook for myself has been reborn-I will no longer panic and drive through for fast food.

Did you try any new recipes this week?

-e plus l

June in instagrams

Leah:

As it turns out it has literally been forever since we last did an instagram update! June was a whirlwind of around home adventures. I got back from a wonderful trip to California with my roommates that I will never forget. I'm so glad we got to spend some time together after school got out.

I finally finished unpacking my things upon arriving home which felt incredible. Having my things packed up in boxes leaves me with a really unsettling feeling. Especially when I can't remember where I put important things like my checkbook!

I played at one of my friends from school's wedding with my little quartet, The R.E.A.L. quartet (otherwise known as pinkfoot). It was an adorable little wedding, I was so glad to be a part of it.

I payed $140 to get Professor's little paw fixed within a week of having him. That little guy is an expense, let me tell you what.

I also worked a lot, went on many thrifting excursions, and started not one, but two rounds of succulent propagation.

Erin left town for the last 10 days of June which has left me pretty lonely at home. Luckily our upstairs roommates are pretty awesome, I have been spending a lot of time with them.

I feel like I accomplished a lot so close to home this month!

Erin:

Looking back, the beginning of June feels like ages ago. We got to settle into our new apartment and figure out all the decorations. I think we're mostly done now!

I'm on a mission to only have homemade bread, which I'm finding out is actually a lot easier than I thought! Only a bit time consuming, but so so rewarding.

This month I had the opportunity to fly out to North Carolina and photograph the beautiful wedding of one of my highschool friends.

We're getting used to other things about apartment life too, like laundromats and potted plant gardens. Sadly most of the flowers we tried to nurture didn't survive.

I went on a week long road trip vacation that I am just now home from - but I already posted those pictures.

Also, last but not least, I got a septum piercing! 

-e plus l

Don't forget Google Reader is shutting down! Follow us on Bloglovin' here!

Leah:

As it turns out it has literally been forever since we last did an instagram update! June was a whirlwind of around home adventures. I got back from a wonderful trip to California with my roommates that I will never forget. I'm so glad we got to spend some time together after school got out.

I finally finished unpacking my things upon arriving home which felt incredible. Having my things packed up in boxes leaves me with a really unsettling feeling. Especially when I can't remember where I put important things like my checkbook!

I played at one of my friends from school's wedding with my little quartet, The R.E.A.L. quartet (otherwise known as pinkfoot). It was an adorable little wedding, I was so glad to be a part of it.

I payed $140 to get Professor's little paw fixed within a week of having him. That little guy is an expense, let me tell you what.

I also worked a lot, went on many thrifting excursions, and started not one, but two rounds of succulent propagation.

Erin left town for the last 10 days of June which has left me pretty lonely at home. Luckily our upstairs roommates are pretty awesome, I have been spending a lot of time with them.

I feel like I accomplished a lot so close to home this month!

Erin:

Looking back, the beginning of June feels like ages ago. We got to settle into our new apartment and figure out all the decorations. I think we're mostly done now!

I'm on a mission to only have homemade bread, which I'm finding out is actually a lot easier than I thought! Only a bit time consuming, but so so rewarding.

This month I had the opportunity to fly out to North Carolina and photograph the beautiful wedding of one of my highschool friends.

We're getting used to other things about apartment life too, like laundromats and potted plant gardens. Sadly most of the flowers we tried to nurture didn't survive.

I went on a week long road trip vacation that I am just now home from - but I already posted those pictures.

Also, last but not least, I got a septum piercing! 

-e plus l

Don't forget Google Reader is shutting down! Follow us on Bloglovin' here!

over the weekend//symphony in the flint hills

On Saturday I left my little apartment family (erin and professor), while I headed out for one of David and I's new traditions-attending the Symphony in the Flint Hills. They looked pretty cozy when I left, Professor less so as he still had a cone on his head and was apparently being whiny about his paw all day. Poor guy, he and Erin bonded though (I could just tell).

Typically the Symphony is actually held somewhere in the rolling hills of the prairie but this year it was held on the military fort, Fort Riley. We were pretty close to my hometown and actually stopped in for a little while-though I really missed being out in the hills. We actually got to pop in to the new Discovery Center in Manhattan that I had never been to before! If you are in town... go. Seriously it was pretty cool.

Generally at the symphony you park and take a terrific hike through the prairie greeted by cowboys up on their tall horses the entire way. This year we walked along a paved road past the houses of the fort. Needless to say it was a very different experience but David and I still had a really good time enjoying the music (though David slept through a lot of it) and his parents company.

What did you do over the weekend?

-(e plus) l

We will announce the giveaway winner later today! Remember to enter!!

On Saturday I left my little apartment family (erin and professor), while I headed out for one of David and I's new traditions-attending the Symphony in the Flint Hills. They looked pretty cozy when I left, Professor less so as he still had a cone on his head and was apparently being whiny about his paw all day. Poor guy, he and Erin bonded though (I could just tell).

Typically the Symphony is actually held somewhere in the rolling hills of the prairie but this year it was held on the military fort, Fort Riley. We were pretty close to my hometown and actually stopped in for a little while-though I really missed being out in the hills. We actually got to pop in to the new Discovery Center in Manhattan that I had never been to before! If you are in town... go. Seriously it was pretty cool.

Generally at the symphony you park and take a terrific hike through the prairie greeted by cowboys up on their tall horses the entire way. This year we walked along a paved road past the houses of the fort. Needless to say it was a very different experience but David and I still had a really good time enjoying the music (though David slept through a lot of it) and his parents company.

What did you do over the weekend?

-(e plus) l

We will announce the giveaway winner later today! Remember to enter!!

Over the weekend//our new furry housemate

We had quite the weekend over here at e plus l. Erin spent the weekend in North Carolina photographing her friend Kaari's wedding. She is planning on sharing some of the (amazing) photos she got later this week! She did such a great job, especially for her first wedding! I am a very proud friend/roommate.

I spent the weekend snuggled up in our apartment and at home with my parents. I was kept company while erin was out by the birds that have nested in the wall behind my bed, so I wasn't too lonely.  On saturday david and I drove down to manhattan to see the ole' rents. My dad and I talked gardening quite a bit as that is one of the new hobbies that we both share. My dad found Jason Mraz brand seeds for his garden, I made sure to tease him plenty for that.

It was an especially fun trip for many reasons; I got to see my best friend Natalie, I finally found those darn colorful cacti that I have been searching high and low for (home depot, who knew?), I got to drive home in my new car, AND I got to bring back my puppy! I've waited four years to finally call him my own, having him just during the summers was not enough. We have been bonding quite a bit since we got back!

Don't forget to enter our giveaway!

-e plus l

We had quite the weekend over here at e plus l. Erin spent the weekend in North Carolina photographing her friend Kaari's wedding. She is planning on sharing some of the (amazing) photos she got later this week! She did such a great job, especially for her first wedding! I am a very proud friend/roommate.

I spent the weekend snuggled up in our apartment and at home with my parents. I was kept company while erin was out by the birds that have nested in the wall behind my bed, so I wasn't too lonely.  On saturday david and I drove down to manhattan to see the ole' rents. My dad and I talked gardening quite a bit as that is one of the new hobbies that we both share. My dad found Jason Mraz brand seeds for his garden, I made sure to tease him plenty for that.

It was an especially fun trip for many reasons; I got to see my best friend Natalie, I finally found those darn colorful cacti that I have been searching high and low for (home depot, who knew?), I got to drive home in my new car, AND I got to bring back my puppy! I've waited four years to finally call him my own, having him just during the summers was not enough. We have been bonding quite a bit since we got back!

Don't forget to enter our giveaway!

-e plus l

California Ocean

I must say, walking along the ocean barefoot collecting sand dollars? totally my thing. Laying on the beach getting pelted with sand due to the sideways wind? not really my favorite.

For our second big planned event while relaxing in California, my roommates and I decided that it was only appropriate to head to the coast for some beachy goodness.When in California... they say.... The drive wasn't too long and was made even better by our roommate Allison who quoted SNL's The Californians the entire way there.

We tried for awhile to enjoy laying on the beach. We had heard that the sun shining like it was that day is pretty rare for Pismo Beach, so we decided to take it as a sign from heaven. A sign we read completely wrong though as the sideways wind blew sand all over us. A few of us tried to brave it and woke up completely buried in sand and burnt to a crisp on one side (you can't blame us.. we are from Kansas, the beach is rare). Our bags were full of sand as well as our electronics and every crevice of our bodies. It was a bad new experience....

Despite this we still managed to have a pretty amazing day. We were able to get some pretty delicious fish and chips and spent lots of time walking up and down the coast letting the waves tickle our feet. We ended up staying and enjoying each others company for most of the day.

I hope to get to the coast again sometime soon. Though being in the center of the state makes it a little more of an adventure.

-(e plus) l

I must say, walking along the ocean barefoot collecting sand dollars? totally my thing. Laying on the beach getting pelted with sand due to the sideways wind? not really my favorite.

For our second big planned event while relaxing in California, my roommates and I decided that it was only appropriate to head to the coast for some beachy goodness.When in California... they say.... The drive wasn't too long and was made even better by our roommate Allison who quoted SNL's The Californians the entire way there.

We tried for awhile to enjoy laying on the beach. We had heard that the sun shining like it was that day is pretty rare for Pismo Beach, so we decided to take it as a sign from heaven. A sign we read completely wrong though as the sideways wind blew sand all over us. A few of us tried to brave it and woke up completely buried in sand and burnt to a crisp on one side (you can't blame us.. we are from Kansas, the beach is rare). Our bags were full of sand as well as our electronics and every crevice of our bodies. It was a bad new experience....

Despite this we still managed to have a pretty amazing day. We were able to get some pretty delicious fish and chips and spent lots of time walking up and down the coast letting the waves tickle our feet. We ended up staying and enjoying each others company for most of the day.

I hope to get to the coast again sometime soon. Though being in the center of the state makes it a little more of an adventure.

-(e plus) l