Exterior decorating

I won my first blog giveaway today! Ms. Shawna Coronado at The Casual Gardener did a post about these lovely Incredible Spirit hydrangea (proceeds benefit The Breast Cancer Research Foundation) and I won a hydrangea and Rose of Sharon bush! Yippeee!

Now, I'm reading up on what these lovlies need to thrive and trying to decide on the perfect spot for them. I've got a huge, flat yard and it lacks some visual interest, so I was thrilled to win this prize. We planted a willow and dogwood two weekends ago to spice things up and these two bushes will add some lovely color.

In other news: my first bridal shower is this weekend! Not only is this MY first bridal shower, it is also my FIRST bridal shower (you follow?). As in, I've never been to one before and this will be the first (of two) for my own wedding. I don't know what all is in store, but the invitations were precious (they matched my wedding invites and as a branding-obsessed gal, I was quite happy)! Any advice for a bridal shower noob?