Notes

I need to focus more on writing. I normally reserve my blog posts for photos and lists, and any writing of substance is scarce. I will admit that is the easy route, and that's why I do it. It takes a lot more time to think deeply about a subject and compose intelligent and perhaps witty commentary. Not to say that all commentary need be intelligent and/or witty ... Sometimes unintelligent and unfunny commentary is worth noting. The important thing though, is that the commentary is worth noting.

Just a thought.

And while I'm in a verbal mood, I'll continue with a list (sans pictures) of things I want to accomplish during Christmas break:

-make bridesmaid dress appointment and make final decision on dresses
-officially order my wedding dress
-have a tea party
-play board games
-accomplish more on the internship front
-bake a new dish
-create my Target registry
-have at least one photo shoot
-survive all of the family get-togethers (I have six scheduled so far)
-go dancing once
-book a tent for my wedding
-and as always, etc.

Back on the planning wagon.

So I'm back on the wedding planning wagon! An engagement photo session and some registering at Macy's seemed to do the trick to revive my enthusiasm. Also, with the help of a friend, I finally made a couple of wedding dress appointments. I need to find my dress!

The little things that make me happy:

Engagement photos! Thanks to our AWESOME photographer Lucas at Elldub Photography, our photos turned out so beautifully! I have so many favorites but here are a few I like: <3





We picked our china pattern! [MJ actually picked it out. I'm actually quite pleased/impressed. It was his favorite in the store and it happened to be my fav too! I love that he has a somewhat of a vintage-y taste.]



I registered for the ice blue Kitchenaid mixer! Let's hope I don't change my mind (I'm turning out to be Miss Indecisive lately), but I really love it.




Baking. Even if it's just the simple things. Here's a blurry picture of the epic brownie/rice krispie tower I made + a plate of cookies. So delicious, you don't even know. Each cookie/brownie/krispie stayed chewy for DAYS. Major skill. Kay I'll stop bragging now.

Decor inspiration

I'm currently in the process of dreaming up designs for my kitchen/dining/living room. I always go back to romantic vintage designs with muted tones it seems. Here are a few inspiration photos I'm diggin' right now:

The classic KitchenAid mixer. Pistachio or ice blue?

Flowers, flowers, flowers:

I have been pining over this cookie jar for over a year. It's on Etsy. Why haven't I purchased it yet? Maybe because it's $50...

More vintage-style inspiration:

Halloween as a Stepford Wife

Earlier I guess I said I was going to dress up as Amy Winehouse. I was, but the day of Halloween came and I didn't have anyone to help poof-up my hair and draw on tattoos...and I really didn't want to deal with the leftover Sharpie-party on my skin the next morning, especially because I had to wake up early for a baby shower.

Photos of me as a Stepford wife are below (you can't see, but I made an "Emergency Off" button to go on the front of my apron). MJ (not pictured), went as a Stepford husband in slacks, a sweater and side-slicked hair and held a remote. Haha.


I'm not a fake bangs expert, but here's what I came up with: I made the bangs by sectioning off hair in the front, flipping it upwards and bobby-pinning it to my head (oh, and I used hairspray to make the hair stick together better). I then put a headband on to cover up the bobby pins. Next, I hairsprayed the crap out of my hair some more and used the straightener to curl my bangs under a little more and make the hair stick together. Lastly, more hairspray.

My new kitchen! It's not "decorated" yet, but hey, I moved in last week!

I knew those pink walls in the extra bedroom were gonna be good for something! Haha, but seriously, once I settle on a paint color, bye-bye pinky.

Party planning: a pink birthday

Last week I put together a party [with the help of friends of course] for my wonderful friend Sarah's birthday! The theme was "The life of a domestic diva: eat, pamper and play" and everything was pink. I made special stationary-type items for the party too that had to do with the hours of the day and clocks.

Some photos:

The table after present-opening. Too bad you can't see the pink jelly beans!

The card I made.

Flower arrangement: pink daisies and white dahlias. Notice the pink and white circus animal cookies as well! The vases I bought were really wine decanters...but they were adorable!

A birthday party isn't complete without friends, balloons and streamers!

I can't say how much I enjoyed putting this party together. I'm really wondering if this is something I should get into...of course planning parties on the small scale for people you know is quite easy...the bigger parties are the challenge. Would I be up to that challenge? If I don't have the proper inspiration I get lost [ahemmm...wedding!].

Can't wait until my next party!

Costume Preview

If all goes to plan, I'm dressing up as Amy Winehouse this Halloween. Here is a preview of the costume--it's a photo I took for the Ledger (taken by Sarah). For the big day I'm gonna amp it up a bit with more tattoos and some minor costume additions. Can't wait!

The idea came from my friend Lana, who was working on a unique but budget-friendly costume story for the Ledger. I was the only one with long enough hair to model for the story, so I agreed--hesitantly. The costume turned out to be so much fun that I decided to rock it for Halloween!

Now I just need some solid October 31st plans...if I can finally get the keys and close on my condo then I want to have my own party!

The Unknown

I'm floating down a river
Oars freed from their holds long ago
Lying face up on the floor of my vessel
I marvel at the stars
And feel my heart overflow
Further down the river
Further down the river
Further down the river
Further down the river
Two weeks without my lover
I'm in this boat alone
Floating down a river named emotion
Will I make it back to shore
Or drift into the unknown

Further down the river
Further down the river
Further down the river
Further down the river

I'm building an antenna
Transmissions will be sent when I am through
Maybe we could meet again further down the river
And share what we both discovered...
Then revel in the view

Further down the river
Further down the river
Further down the river
Further down the river

I'm floating down a river
I'm floating down a river
I'm floating down a river
I'm floating down a river

[Incubus, Aqueous Transmission]