Thoughts on Thursday

Thank you so much for the kind words about the new layout! I'm really excited! I have a wedding post ready, but thought I'd go ahead and post some randomness first...
* You know those photo a day challenges on Instagram? Right. I tried to participate...and am a photo a day failure. And it wasn't b/c I forgot to post..oh no.. I did something way more embarrassing. Day three was silver.. So I took a photo of my favorite silver candle lit beside the bath before I was about to get in and relax. :) Well, I posted it...and then THANK GOSH within about 5 seconds, I was like "Wait...that's mirrored glass on that candle...and I was in my underwear (topless, though)..." I looked...and yup. Totally featured a blurry reflection of my scantily clad self...Way.to.go. I dunno if people could immediately tell, but I certainly could. Photo removed quickly and I decided "silver" was just not my day...haha.. Maybe I'll pick it up again in the next few days. 
* SNOW IS COMING! SNOW IS COMING! I say it with overdramatic urgency b/c I'm pretty sure we're expecting 4 inches...and I'm also pretty sure every grocery store in the area is now completely out of bread, milk, etc. and is likely in chaos. Hide yo bread, hide yo milk... SNOWMAGEDDON... Nah, in all seriousness, I hope we don't lose power and it doesn't get too bad. I just enjoy the grocery store chaos. Areas of town have power lines above ground (while the rest of town has them buried). We're in the older area of town so our lines are above ground... and when it sleets as much as they're predicting, it coats the lines. Here's hoping everyone in the area stays warm and safe as this winter weather approaches... 
* I've sent approximately 70% of my wedding thank you cards... I am such a slacker. I wanted to order cards with our wedding photos, so that took a bit. And then when they arrived, I didn't exactly jump on them. *head hung in shame* So now Christmas cards are going out pretty much with thank you cards. It is what it is... Also... I LOVE thanking people and am SO grateful, but I am so bad with thank you cards in general. Just me? I hate my writing, so I often go through like 3 drafts for a single card...Totally OCD. Whatever. 
* Every year, a blogger I read, MODG, does something for the holidays that I just think is wonderful. Operation WANA (We are not assholes) is for bloggers and readers to comment about whether they're in need this season or if they can help someone this season.. The people who can help comment on the folks in need and a connection is made. It will bring tears to your eyes to read through the need that some of our fellow bloggers have due to everything from health issues, unexpected layoffs, or just plain having a rough year. I didn't grow up with a lot at all, but we always had food on the table and gifts under the tree...and many of the comments are often in a situation where they have neither. And yet those in need are still offering help to others...often as a trade.. like "I have baby clothes if someone has x, y, z..." It's beautiful and heartbreaking all at once. Head over and check it out...whether you're in need this season or you could offer help to someone who is... 
* I like the new One Direction song. A lot. Judge me. It's cool. And I'm also kinda amped up about the live Sound of Music on NBC tonight with Carrie Underwood...So there's that. It's LIVE, people!

Le blog gets a facelift :)

Hiya friends!

So I've been saying that Erin from Erin Elizabeth Designs and Two Thirds Hazel was busy designing an awesome new layout for the bloggidy and I'm so excited to roll it out officially!! If you're looking for a fabulous refresh of your blog, I highly recommend Erin.. She's so sweet, talented and captured exactly what I wanted - better than what I wanted - just through a couple emails back and forth! :)

My last blog layout was fine, but it was kinda a hodge podge of what I'd learned how to do on my own sans photoshop (not very much). And it just didn't "fit" anymore. I mean... I'm 32...sooooo even the Roaring Twenties just wasn't working for me anymore. It served me well for many years and I obviously didn't think about having the blog past the age of 30. Pretttttty sure I started it when I thought thirty was still super old. *cringe* Let's not talk about that...

So why name it another age-centric thing? Well...the thirty club is what tons of people said when I turned 30, so that's awesome... But, it's also allegedly a secret society for big media, advertising and PR types... :) As a PR chick, I thought the double meaning was kinda cool. So there it is. :) I don't really do  advertising, but just go with it...

I'd quit blogging as much for many reasons, the primary of which was that I was just busy. But I was also unmotivated...and my old layout didn't really help. It's like gym clothes.. I want to work out more when I have new clothes or shoes! (Totally unhealthy; I realize). And also...I love blogging, but I found that I'd started going through the motions... I dunno what it was, but I just felt kinda blah about it.

But, taking a break was good...and I have felt my interest perking back up in the blog world...I've made some great friends here! :) So, here's to a new layout, a new name, and a refreshed blog! I think the cobwebs just needed to be dusted off a little bit!

Without further adieu, I welcome you to The Thirty Club. :)

My Wish List

I hope you had a blissful Thanksgiving! I'll post about mine later, but it was good. :) I'm one of the 4 people at the office today (used a lot of vacay on the honeymoon), so thought I'd blog over lunch a little...Btw SUPER close to a new layout from the fabulous Erin at Two Thirds Hazel. Can't wait to get it up and live on the blog! I love it so much!

Anyhoo...As people started asking me what I want for Christmas, I realized I probably should pick out a few things.. My head has been so focused on the wedding for the past year that Christmas kinda snuck up. And well.. I don't NEED anything, so there's that. Along those lines, I started my amazon wish list and appropriately called it First World Problems. It's more of a list of stuff I might buy at some point and not just a Christmas list, but whatever. Anyway, while I don't neeeeed anything, here are some things on the good old list...

Hunter boots

* Who needs $150 rain boots? But... I mean...you can insert the little fleece/weather liner and make them snow proof, too (Oklahoma snow proof....not say Minnesota snow proof), so they're DOUBLE DUTY! Er...right? The lawyer in me can rationalize almost anything...Whatever.. I love them and have loved them for years but just won't buy them.

Buxom at Sephora

* If you've been reading for awhile, you know the love I have for holiday beauty sets...especially lip sets. And I also love buxom. Every year, I really do stalk sephora online for their gift sets...It's a problem. 

Lonchamp Le Pliage Large

* I wanted to get these for all my bridesmaids, but had already purchased two other things and it just didn't make sense. But, hello perfect airplane carry-on, classy tote, etc. I know they've been popular for (many) years now and I just didn't get on the Longchamp train, but I have to admit...I crave the versatility of these suckers. 

* I really didn't think I wanted a kindle since Eric has one I can borrow, but on our honeymoon, I realized WHY I wanted one... He was reading his and I only brought one book to save space. When I finished my book, I had to find a bookstore to get another...which again...is why my list is called First World Problems. 

Cocomango

* First, it's called Cocomango. That's just cool. Second, I want this b/c it was the shower gel and lotion from our Kauai hotel spa. I LOVED it so much and thought "I need to go buy some.." But then I didn't. Thinking I could get some at the Oahu Hyatt, I didn't worry about it. WRONG. It's literally only available at the Kauai spa. I started reading forums and realized that I wasn't the only one who cracked out over this stuff. And now that I'm back on the mainland, shipping costs pretty much double the price of this stuff. Grr...why didn't I just buy it?! And yes... I want to smell like a tropical paradise in the middle of winter in Tulsa. Whatever. 

Being thankful...

I think giving thanks is something that should happen every day, but on this Thanksgiving, it makes me even more thankful and reflective for the MANY things for which I'm grateful. Thought I'd post just a few things I'm thankful for this year... 

* For my new amazing husband (still love saying that!), Eric, and for the journey we've been on together and the journey yet to come.

* For being a Tulsan/Oklahoman. I love it here. Does that mean Eric and I will never move? Not at all. But, there have been several instances lately when I've been reminded just how much I love the people here. I make friends with people in line at the supermarket, I witness someone stopping to help change a flat tire for a stranger, we get to know our neighbors...It's just good to be a Tulsan and I'm thankful I will carry that with me wherever I go. :)

* For our fur kids, Gracie and Winston. We're coming up on a year of having little Winston in our lives and it feels like he's been there forever. :) And Gracie dog...She's been greeting me at the door for over 6 years every day and I'm so thankful for that 20 pound bundle of love. 

* For my friends that have become my family in so many ways. A few times this year, I was reminded that not everyone is blessed with such amazing friends. I'm surrounded by very good people and I am so grateful.

* For my job and my team/friends at work. No matter where you work, there are challenging (to put it nicely) days and I 'm thankful to have a good job, but also to work with some great people to make the victories sweeter and the frustrations bearable.

* For my family...and my NEW family! :) When I think of my (deceased) father, it's always with fondness and memories...rarely with tears. I'm thankful to have had him in my life for the time I did and I really try not to think too much about what it would be like to have him here now because it makes me sad. But, as the wedding approached, it really was a little emotionally overwhelming a few times to think about him not being there. It actually took me by surprise a few moments at how overcome I got about it. As frustrated as I get at my mother sometimes (and I'm sure the feeling is mutual...haha), I'm so fortunate to have her in my life and to have had her walk me down the aisle. And I'm so grateful for my NEW family in Eric's family. :) They've been family to me for years, but it feels really great that it's official. 

I hope you all have a fabulous Thanksgiving tomorrow, friends! 

Weekend Recap

How is it already Sunday night?! I got really good at honeymooning/vacationing. I kinda wish someone would just pay me to do that...I'm not super into paid blog reviews of things, but if you're reading and you need someone to review your villa in the Mediterranean, you just let me know...

This weekend was productive with a capital p. We'd managed to clean our house post-wedding, but really just enough to exist in it...So, this weekend, we organized, we cleaned, we laundered, we ran errands.. We basically got back to normal. :) While it's sad to have our honeymoon clothes all cleaned and folded away until next summertime, it's also nice to have a clean house again... 

Friday night, we ate comfort food like fat kids at Caz's downtown- chicken and biscuit anyone? It was yum. Then, we went and saw Captain Phillips. Good stuff, people. Tom Hanks was pretty awesome in it. Do you know he didn't even meet the pirate actor until the scene on the boat? Wanted him to actually be a bit afraid.. I think it worked. 

Saturday night, we went to dinner again (seeing a pattern?) and then came home and watched Man of Steele. Again...good stuff. 

Today, we did our normal Sunday schtuff- grocery store, a bike ride (for Eric), cleaning, etc. But, since the day was so beautiful and winter weather is allegedly headed our way, we headed to the park with the pooches! :)

Kinda addicted to my new self timer app on my iphone. I used TimerCam, but a friend told me about Gorillacam and now I want that one b/c it can take multiple photos! Anyhoo... we looked pretty silly smiling at a rock (where I'd propped my iphone) but got a cute photo! 

You know what else I did this evening? FINALLY got our wedding photos uploaded to Facebook! Lawd that took a long time. I selected the ones I wanted...which was hard b/c I liked them all...and then went through and tagged everyone once they were uploaded. Two hours later...haha... First world problems. Anyway, love that they're online. I'll share more over here asap!

Hope you had a great weekend, friends. Not so ready for Monday, but am working on it...

Rehearsal Dinner

It was 50 degrees outside. Everyone was in winter coats. It was pouring. Needless to say, rehearsing outside was out of the question. And we were starting to figure out a game plan for the next day. After all...even if it cleared up, the ground would likely be soaked. Honestly, I wasn't really freaking at all. The forecast looked great for Saturday. And we picked our venue b/c things could be indoors or out, so whatever. In Oklahoma, you really have to have a plan B if you're having an outdoor event pretty much year round.  And if Mother Nature was going to misbehave, I'd rather it happen on Friday night...

So, we rehearsed inside...

Then, we all donned our coats and umbrellas again and headed to the Atlas building in downtown Tulsa for the rehearsal dinner... 

Eric's parents planned such a fabulous event- check out the awesome floor decal when we walked in! 

Convenient that I have a white winter coat? Me thinks so...haha!

Everything was personalized and was just too cute... You see... the dinner was planned for another local restaurant, but after some less-than-desirable communications with them this summer, Eric's mom decided to move it. And I am so glad she did b/c it couldn't have been more special at the Atlas.

One of Eric's favorite breakfast/lunch places is in the bottom floor of the Atlas building, called Atlas Grill (go figure). Anyway, while they mostly do sandwich food at lunch, they actually have a trained chef who can work up some pretty cool stuff. Plus, Eric knows the Atlas crew personally, so it meant a lot. They were so excited when Eric's mom moved the dinner there! It was cute. The building is historically and architecturally amazing, especially the atrium area. So, that's where we had the dinner- they brought in nice tables, linens, chairs, etc...So pretty. :)

From the intimate feel, the restaurant Eric loves, historical Tulsa, the personal touches, it was just very "us" and it was perfect. :) 

We decided to do the toasts at the dinner instead of the wedding. I'm one of those people that gets irritated when everyone isn't paying attention to the person speaking, etc. At weddings, everyone is drinking (typically) and often not paying a ton of attention to the person toasting. Plus, you can tell the better stories in front of closer friends and family...haha.. Needless to say there were laughs and tears. We're really fortunate to have some amazing people in our lives and I'm thankful so many were there to celebrate with us.

Pretty sure a group of friends decided to go line dancing after the dinner...and the restaurant had to start taking down tables for us to leave. Needless to say, it was a great time... It meant so much that Eric's parents did so much for for rehearsal dinner. It really kinda set the great mood for the weekend and the festiveness of it quickly made everyone forget about the cuh-razy weather we were having outside. 

 Next wedding post: Getting ready! :)

Also... Check out my new tabs! I'm working on cleaning a few things up around here and getting organized to prepare for my new layout. :) I finally wrote an About Me section...haha.. It only sat blank for like 2 years. Whatever. 

MRS!

Hello there, friends! This post is coming to you live from the new Mrs. G. I will do a more thorough post with details and photos (obviously-I mean...you know me with the photos), but wanted to just stop by and say hi in the meantime! Our amazing photographer, Ace Cuervo, already sent me the pics from our day online and I love them all! Seriously...not even being overdramatic. Pretty sure I'm having major issues choosing favorites for a potential book/album. I'm getting the CD from him later this week and will post more as soon as I can. I realize you're not exactly losing sleep about this, but I want to write it all down for myself, too, ya know. :)

Long story short, it was the perfect day. I am sure everyone says that, but really... I couldn't have asked for a better wedding day even in my dreams. You can stop gagging now. The night before, everyone was in winter coats and the rain was coming down so hard, we couldn't rehearse outside. Saturday morning, the clouds cleared, the sun came out and the day was just beautiful. By Monday, the bad weather had returned. It really seemed to just clear off for our weekend and that's just pretty symbolic about how everything else went, too. I wasn't nervous at all. I was probably more nervous to walk down the aisle in front of everyone...haha... Everyone kept talking about how Eric and I were both just all smiles all day long.

Anyway, I find myself fighting the urge to go off with stories and recounts of the day, so I'll stop with that now, but I'm just really happy, friends. :)

We were in Kauai and then Oahu for a total of two weeks and I'm pretty sure we (per usual) looked at jobs and property there...haha.. I have a few (1300+) photos from the honeymoon so I'll post some of those soon, too. :) Just like the wedding, I couldn't have asked for a better honeymoon. And, every vacation we've been on, the hotel staff calls me "Mrs. G" and I'd have to correct them...until I exasperatedly lost interest in doing it. This time, someone called me Mrs. G and I beamed from ear to ear. Pretty awesome, friends. It's less about being a Mrs..and more about being ERIC'S Mrs that just makes me so happy. :)

In fun news, I've contacted someone to help me revamp this little corner of the interwebs. I am excited to blog again. I think I just lost interest for several reasons. I was busy with wedding planning, work was insane, the name doesn't even really fit the blog anymore (the roaring twenties...I'm 32 now...haha), been wanting to revamp it for awhile...so I think it just kinda needs a fresh coat of paint around here. She's got a wait list, so it'll be a few weeks, but excited for some changes. Also, I know I've said this before, but know that I always read comments even if I can't respond to them quickly. Without gmail access during the day- even on my phone (due to service issues in the building, I have to stay on the company network all day, thus blocking things even on my phone)- I often get home and just don't want to be on a computer so I can be crappy about responding in emails sometimes.

This morning, I donned my favorite sweater and jacket and sighed...It's 45 degrees outside. I have a feeling we're not in Kansas Hawaii anymore, Toto.

Wedding Wednesday!

Welp, we're 10 days out (WHAT?!) and I'm stalking the weather channel for updates on the forecast. :) Thought I'd just make some observations about wedding planning as I near our big day.

1. People you hold dear kinda lose their ever loving minds. I'm pretty sure every argument I've had with my mother has been over something that doesn't.even.matter. The most recent one was about whether I'd wear grandma's pearls in the wedding. It's a long story that's not worth it. Long story short, everyone around me is excited for Eric and me, but I think they're also nervous for the big day, happy, emotional, etc.

2. The little things are more stressful than the big things. Photographer? Done. Venue? Done. Food? Done. The exact location of where the photobooth will go? No idea. What order my bridesmaids will go in? Who knows. What are people going to throw when we leave? Rose petals...er...maybe. It's easy to get wrapped up in the little decisions that creep up toward the end of the planning process, but really...some of them just don't matter. Sure, some do. But, others.. whatever. I mean, I had grand ideas for a few things I'd mimic from Pinterest for personal touches, etc. That's fine and dandy, but time got away from me, so my wedding will not be Pinterest-perfect. But it will be perfect...for us. :)

3. Sometimes paying for convenience is just plain worth it. I was planning to do my own centerpieces to save cash. I'm not a huge floral person, so I knew what I wanted and knew they wouldn't be elaborate. But, when I met with our florist, I realized I'd be saving around $300 to do them myself versus having her do them. Honestly, with as busy as work was for both Eric and me, it was just worth it to have her do them. And they'll be way more beautiful. And I won't have to worry about ANYTHING for them...even getting them there or tossing them away afterwards. *happy sigh*

4. I have learned to LOVE lists. Lists of things to order, people to call, things to confirm, payments to drop off, etc. I have like 5 lists on my phone's notes section that are just constantly evolving. Lists for the win.

5. Eric is a rockstar. I mean, I knew this already...but seriously. For example, I could give a RIP about invitations. I'm just not a big invitation person. They were stressing me out and he was like "I can do them with Matt (his best man with graphic design talents)." I was like "They're yours. Done." He did an amazing job. Amazing. He put SO much time into them. And he's currently using the same printer to do our programs and a few signs for the reception so I don't have to mess with it. If I've asked for help with anything, he's been more than happy. Such an active participant in the planning process. :) (He still totally rolls his eyes when I go off about something random, but I'd expect nothing less...haha).

6. Last week, it just hit so hard that I'm just ready to be married. I mean, beforehand, I was obviously ready...but I think now that we're in October, I'm just SO aware that it's close and it's time to seal the deal! So excited!

7. When we'd go on vacations before, the room was always in Eric's name. So, anywhere we went at the hotel, it was like "Mrs. G, would you like another drink? Mrs. G, would you like blah blah..." I finally stopped correcting them but it was so frustrating b/c I was NOT Mrs. G...yet. But, when we go to Hawaii, I will excitedly beam when someone calls me Mrs. G. :) Super pumped!

Happy Wednesday, friends!

Just one more episode before bed...

I blame Netflix and AppleTV for my recent obsession with several series of shows. It's a little out of control. But thought I'd do a post about the television insanity I've created for myself. 

When did TV get so darn GOOOOOOD?! 

Netflix original series Hemlock Grove. Let's be honest...this one isn't that great. It's actually kinda twisty and confusing and bizarre...like the main story is an animal that kills girls by devouring their pelvic regions first. Um...what? But, I actually got hooked. Regular shows hadn't started yet and this was just sitting there on Netflix waiting to be watched. I mean, I liked OITNB and House of Cards, so why not... Anyway, a few marathon couch sessions later and now I know all about the weirdness that is Hemlock Grove. If you liked Twilight and are okay with Walking Dead style gore, give it a shot. I think this was Netflix's effort at the tween audience. 

Damn AppleTV/iTunes for offering the pilot of The Blacklist for free. I watched it and am now hooked on this new show. Blerg. It's on tonight. If you like conspiracy theory type stuff, you'll probably dig it.

My friend got me hooked on Scandal and I love her for it. Eric was out of town, Netflix had seasons 1 and 2 for free...and the rest is history. I had several nights where I was confident a contract killer named Charlie was lurking outside. I think I watched both entire seasons in a matter of 4 days. Seriously.

Walking Dead is starting THIS WEEKEND! Granted, it's the weekend before the wedding so we might not watch it. But I really hope they pick it up this season with the plot. And again, I found this show on Netflix. Blast. 

I can't remember why I started watching season 1 of Homeland on AppleTV, but I did...and I was hooked. As was Eric. And then those hussies made us wait for season two to be released until last month! WTH?! I plan to download all of season 2 and watch it on the plane to Hawaii! Excellent use of a 9 hour flight, me thinks! 

Do you watch Revenge? If so, are you as bummed as I am that NOTHING is happening right now? And what they're doing with Aiden? I don't dig it. At all. 

Oh and just in case you were worried I was totally dark and twisty with my tv watching, I love these, too. I actually kinda prefer Mindy to New Girl, but love 'em both. (Also you should follow Mindy on Instagram. She's funny and awesome. Done).

Look at me... I think I've regained my appetite for blogging a little bit! :) Two posts in three days...I consider that a win! 

Fall TV obsessions...Ready? Go! (Although I'm kinda scared to learn any more b/c it's obvious I already need to cut myself off from the drip. I think I have a problem). 

Dear Blog- I miss you.

This is officially the longest I've ever gone without blogging. Oops. Eh well... let's just avoid the excuses and get right to it...

Warning: This is mostly about the wedding. I can't stop talking about it with just 14 days to go. I can literally turn any conversation into the wedding. It's self-absorbed and it even annoys me. Sorry in advance...and here we go...

1. I've decided I need a new layout and I just want to pay someone to do it. I think I'll come over and play more if I have a new design. That said, I don't have the time to think about mock ups and all that right now so it's going to wait. If you have a good blog designer that isn't insanely expensive (We're paying for a wedding ya know), please recommend! :) This blog doesn't even feature little Winston. And my "about me" section is blank. I have a hell of a lot more about me than a blank page. Lame. I'll fix it b/c I miss it. It's like when you get new workout clothes and it makes you want to work out more...just me? Anyway...

2. This time two weeks from now, Eric and I will be MARRIED and we'll be about to do our grand exit with whoever has indulged in enough adult beverages to feel lively enough to stick around and throw rose petals at us! (They won't allow sparklers...much to my dismay.. First world problems)

3. Speaking of feeling lively, I've kinda started to obsess about everyone having fun at the wedding. For someone who is typically always worried about everyone else having fun, feeling at ease, etc, your own wedding is rather stressful! haha...

4. If you follow me on instagram, you know we booked our honeymoon to Kauai and Oahu! YAY! We're both ready to escape!

So so ready

5. Eric, his parents and I took a dance lesson this morning. Super random but it was quite fun! (Did I tell you I asked his dad to dance with me? I can't remember...Anyway, he said yes and I'm really stoked!) We're all four (Eric/his mom/me/his dad) dancing to the same song at the same time. :) But since we'll look legit for that dance, we wanted to look legit for our dance too, so now we booked another session for us to go this week. :) I mentally just said "this is my dance space...this is your dance space..." (If you haven't seen Dirty Dancing, please stop reading this and watch it immediately. My fav movie ever. :) )

6. Picking a song to dance to was really stressful! (Again, first world problems). I mean.. you want it to be meaningful, but also something that's unique and not cheesy. And our "song" is probably something reggae. Actually, I know it is. It's a song we heard on our first vacay in St. Lucia from a street band. We loved it, shazamed it, bought it and then heard it again in Barbados! But, it's totally not first dance style material. So we just went with a random song. I wanted to do Michael Buble's Everything, but upon hearing it a lot, I realized it might be too fast. I pictured DWTS and Eric and I skipping around the dance floor and mentally cringed. Nixed that. So, I kinda stole a song a friend recommended.

7. Weddings, while amazing and fun and celebratory also kinda draw a line in the sand with some people and I hate that in some ways. For example, remember me telling you about the girl who was really upset I didn't ask her to be in my wedding? Right. She's my cousin and lives in another (far away) state. I haven't seen her in 9 years and we don't speak except for Christmas and the occasional birthday. Anyway, she decided not to come at all. She hasn't told me...her parents told my mom. I think this is going to be a much bigger familial issue than it needs to be. *sigh* It really chaps my hide to be honest...This isn't about her. I could go off, but I won't. It's just sad that some people make things about THEM. And then there are some people who stand out immensely that you never expected anything from, but they really come through. They celebrate, they show up, they offer help, and they are just so genuinely happy for you. And it makes you wonder why on earth you didn't give them more credit before now.

8. Less deep topic...Been obsessing about the Kendra Scott Danielle earrings and I finally just got some to go with my rehearsal dinner dress. Bam.

Well, friends.. I don't even know if I'm still in some of your feeds... I really bailed on the bloggidy for awhile. I might not be back a ton until after the nuptials, but I'll be back (said like the Terminator).

Til then, I'll leave ya with a pic from today's tailgate. Ignore W's crazy eyes. He was happy; I promise. (Also check out my crazy long hair! Everyone thinks I'm using my clip in extensions...nope! It just GREW finally! I attribute it to my awesome stylist and using this stuff all winter/spring long. Best part...I'm probably wearing it up for the wedding...haha.. Eh well. At least it's long now.)

Wedding Wednesday...on a Thursday.

So I started this post yesterday and something came up (seems to be the story of my last month). So posting it a day late.

Well...what have I been up to lately? Hmm..  > wedding planning > lots of work, including a big executive meeting I was in charge of (that went super well- yay!) >  some fun weekend events, including a few bike races for Eric > hired a personal trainer to get my arse in gear (and she's AWESOME, people). I just wish she wasn't too pricey to keep full time! > I got a spray tan and stepped in solution so the bottoms of my feet were burnt orange for like 2 weeks (it was hilarious) > got an intern at work that's fabulous and reports to me (fun!) > shopped more than I should > Eric and I found a house....and then realized it needed so much work it was ridiculous and bailed (no, we're not even looking seriously, just stumbled onto it) > burned/ruined a few dinners I tried to make > planning my best friend's baby shower (!!!) > meeting LOTS of babies this month, including Beth's twins (post from her shower) > and more! So yeah, that was stream of conciousness but gives you an idea of lately! :)

But, on to a wedding Wednesday post for fun! Here goes:

* Eric and I met with our (awesome) caterer yesterday at the venue to discuss where tables will go. I think we're going to do a mix of long and round tables. I love the long tables so much. Meeting with him today created so many questions! (Insert Jackie with a deer-in-headlights look). Do we want chargers for plates? Do we want to do a ceiling draping or gobo lights? What should the linens on our cake table look like? I could go on and on. Glad we had that meeting b/c I'm bad with decisions and have time to think about them now.

* We still haven't booked our honeymoon. We have plenty of time...plenty.. but I'm totally wanting a vacation to daydream about...haha... We have no idea. We want to go somewhere for like 10 days, if possible.

Criteria:

(1) international (b/c we are both on our phones a lot in the states. This honeymoon= no work emails).

(2) tropical/beachy.

(3) with things to do aside from the beach...hiking, surfing, exploring, etc.

(4) BUT not super crazy-industrialized. Places to eat and things to do, but preferably not a Baby Gap on every corner. (Nothing wrong with Gap, just saying).

(5) Decently safe enough to venture around the island without being worried about becoming a Dateline Special.

We have been so lucky and fortunate to get to so some cool places in the past so I think there's some pressure regarding comparisons. Regardless where we go, we'll have a blast. I know that. And we are so lucky to get to go somewhere at all. My parents couldn't even afford a honeymoon when they got married. :(

Anyway, recommendations welcome...

* We have booked one trip, though...my bachelorette party! We're going to my favorite city... CHICAGO! I am so freaking excited! Bleacher seats at the Cubs game, great food, possibly some dancing, Lake Michigan... eek!

* My wedding dress isn't in yet. No I'm not getting alarmed at all. (sarcasm font needed) I have plenty of time, but I ordered that sucker in February!

* Speaking of wedding dresses, I've learned to never google image search your wedding dress. You'll see other girls in it and start critiquing the dress. I had to lock it up and remind myself how much I loved it on MY body, not the random google strangers. (I couldn't take photos at the boutique so it's just left to memory til the sucker comes in).

* Did any of you have a panic where you started to wonder if the reception room will look like you want it to? I mean...not like I've done that at all...yesterday...while meeting with the caterer...No, I didn't do that at all.

* Did you do favors? If so, what did you do?

Okay, so hopefully I'll get my butt back on here soon. Have to admit I love seeing you guys on instagram, though. Keeps me updated. :)

Friday Confessions....

1. I am obsessed with monograms. I want them. On everything. I never really wanted to monogram anything while Eric and I were dating b/c that seemed silly, anticipating that someday we'd get hitched and I'd change my name. In retrospect, I realize that was silly, but whatever. So yeah...recently I've gotten a little cray. I want monograms. On sheets. On towels. On robes. It's a problem. (I haven't purchased a ton of monogrammed stuff, but I've certainly registered for a few things. If you come to a dinner party at my house someday, you might be wiping your mouth with our initials. Whatever. You'll get over it.)

2. I don't watch Law and Order SVU unless it's random late night reruns. But last week, I caught it and assumed it was a re-run. I got HOOKED on the plot and then realized it was the dang season finale. Well hell...now I want to know what happens and have to wait until September. Arg. If you watch it, you'll be with me when I say: How did she not know he'd be in her apartment?! Gah. Duh.

3. I can't decide what to get my bridesmaids. Well wait... I can decide. I have approximately 1,467 ideas and can't commit. That's a better way of putting it. My friend told me to knock stuff like that out as soon as I saw something I really like...just to take it off the checklist later. Well...when you're freaking indecisive like me, you can't help but wonder if you'll like something more LATER. What did you get the lovely ladies who stood beside you on your big day?! ( <--- See...saying it like that adds pressure, people! haha...)

4. Eric and I signed up at a new gym this week AND I just booked a session with a personal trainer next week. Wahoo! Wait.. I guess the real confession is that we had a fitness test at the new gym and um...my arms are sore from the 10 (snaky) pushups I did....two days ago. *head hung in shame*

5. If you saw my instagram, then you already know, but I impulse bought this dress yesterday. Been eyeing it on Banana's site, logged online, saw that everything was 40% off. But no...that's not what sold me. It was seeing that they only had my size left in this dress! That never happens! It was a sign. (It totally wasn't b/c today, they added more sizes), but in that moment, it was a sign. My fingers just click click clicked the keys and a few minutes later, I had an email thanking me for my order. Whoops. Really do like it, though. Hope it fits! I can wear it to bridal showers...or...something... *sigh*

Cheers to the short week that actually felt like a short week! (Sometimes it seems that folks try to cram 5 days of work into 4 days, right?!). Happy weekending!