Monday, September 29, 2008

Weekend adventure to the Big E


Before it started raining, we had a great time gorging ourselves on fair food at the New England Big E (stands for Big Expo). We had Rhode Island Clam fritters, Maine baked potatoes, Vermont apple crisp and, of course, funnel cake!

It was nice to do something fun since I'll be flying home a week early to do wedding prep.




Friday, September 26, 2008

Walking across Africa


I'm in the middle of a wonderful new release called Africa Trek I. It is the first in two books chronicling one couple's three year walk through Africa. This book kind of chose me at the store and I have been immersed in it ever since. Really, I just want to BE this couple.

"Africa Trek is the incredible journey of husband and wife Alex and Sonia Poussin. For three years the French couple walked 8,700 miles across Africa, from the Cape of Good Hope to the Sea of Galilee. During their journey, which they personally filmed, they endured fatigue, extreme thirst, blazing sun, prowling hyenas, malaria and more.

But what they discovered along the way was an incredibly generous place rich with heart, humor and life. The Poussins experienced a piece of the world few of us have ever seen, where time and culture is so different from our own." -www.africatrekseries.com

Smoke with a dash of emerald

I snapped out of the loathing-all-things-wedding phase. In celebration, here is a little inspiration board for you.


Clockwise from top left
Cake by Martha
Yowying gown by Wai-Ching
ring Tiffany and Co.
bouquet Cean One Photography
blueberry mojito from Jennifer Skog
boutonniere by EasterYu
Rose Quartz Bloom by Fuss
mantel from Jennifer Skog
Lanterns from Villa Collection

Thursday, September 25, 2008

Third shoe is the charm


Over a year ago, I went shopping with my two best friends and picked out my wedding shoes. Since then, one friend has moved to Japan, the other friend has gotten engaged and I have bought two more pairs of shoes.

This is the last pair, I swear!

They have been approved by my mother, approved by my florist and shot down by my fiance. But what does he know about strappy heels, right?

(Luichiny Delilah from 6PM.com)

Lovely bird cage veil


Here is my digital sketch of what my bird cage veil should look like. The french netting is from brendasbridalveils.etsy.com.

I've been debating for months if the bird cage style will work with my dress. Since I can't seem to work it out in my head, I just ordered the darn thing. I plan on spending the 2 weeks before the wedding with my veil on my head, asking everyone in sight what they think.

Bridal Veil Pouf

I couldn't resist re-posting this from Craigslist:

Bridal Veil Pouf---Sophisticated and Chic! - $85 (West Simsbury, CT)
Reply to: sale-846460649@craigslist.org

Lovely and so different from the usual hanging bridal veils that move the eye downward! This POUF bridal veil showcases the bride's beaming face by softly illuminating and framing her features! The photos are self-descriptive! It is made of lovely, soft, imported, white to slightly off-white veiling that had a very slight shimmer. It is pouffed in and gathered delicately and kept in shape with hand-sewn pearl beads. The veil is secured by a large comb that anchors it above or on any updo hairstyle. I searched everywhere to find this look , couldn't find it and thus had it made! Will sacrifice for $85. The veil is very attractive sitting just above one's shoulders and works magic with a strapeless dress. Cost of mailing extra but minimal. Can send more pictures, if interested

Wednesday, September 24, 2008

Titanic - A New Musical

I have had one song stuck in my head for days. It is a catchy little number from the first Broadway show I ever saw, Titanic.

Now that I think about it, one of the first questions Ben asked when I met him was 'What cd are you listening to in your car?' I was too busy thinking 'only someone who was really interested in talking with me would ask such a lame question' to come up with something cool so I told him I was listening to Titanic, A New Musical. And that didn't scare him away! Score!

Here is the song that is echoing in my brain right now:

I Have Danced

ALICE BEANE
I have danced with the first class, Edgar
It was oh, such a dream come true!

EDGAR BEANE
That class isn't for our kind, Alice...

ALICE BEANE
That won't do!

There are hotels on islands, Edgar!
Great resorts on a sandy beach...

EDGAR BEANE
That's a world that's beyond our income
And our reach...

ALICE BEANE
Please don't tell me never
I'll want this forever...ever...

There's a new world around us, Edgar

EDGAR BEANE
Won't you ever give up that view?

ALICE BEANE
I want more than we've got now, Edgar
Why don't you?

Is this a wedding dream?

In my dream, it was Christmas time and we were at a holiday party. I walked outside to get some air and I saw a ceramic figurine laying on the ground. It was a panda dressed as Santa and he was holding up a banner that read "Happy Honeymoon." I thought how funny it was that neither the panda (my favorite animal) nor the message fit with Christmas. I wanted to keep it because I knew I was about to go inside to get married.

It was so strange, I thought I would share a doodle of the panda.

This wedding dream was much nicer than the one where I steal my friend's wedding dress and wear it down the aisle at my own wedding.

Tuesday, September 23, 2008

Goodbye wedding planning

I've had a great time planning this wedding. I've lovingly compiled a box of magazine, a LONG list of wedding blogs and a file full of photo clippings throughout this process. I've enjoyed posting things I am excited about on this blog and hearing feedback from friends and random internet people. At one point I thought I could start a wedding planning blog for my newspaper and keep in touch with the industry. Think again.

I find my eyes glazing over when I see a bridal magazine. I've been zipping through the blogs on my google reader without glancing at the entries. I think it is time to move on.

We have 18 days until we get married and I can't wait. I know all the hard work of our friends and family will pay off and it will be beautiful ... but I need to stop thinking about it now.

I'm declaring a vacation from my wedding! Woo hoo!

Monday, September 22, 2008

Signs it is real


The flowers have just been ordered. We are finalizing the menu for the rehearsal dinner. I've been informed that my shoes do not work with my dress, so I am searching for a new pair. It is getting close ...

Friday, September 19, 2008

F-f-f-friday!


Fall, fruit, Friday, fun!

New addition to the family


Thats right, we have a new car! She sparkles in the sunlight. I think she is just the most precious little car ever. Aren't you? Yes you are! Yes you are!

This sassy 2005 Nissan Altima needs a name. Any suggestions?

Thursday, September 18, 2008

Tuesday, September 9, 2008

Knot.com alerts

Thank you knot.com. I could choose to let this freak me out. Or I could choose to be excited. I choose option three ... I'm going on vacation!

I'll be in Nebraska for the next few days, getting things done ... interviewing for a job ... eating sample cakes.

Everyone is an Obama supporter

Tee hee. From Democratic Stuff.

Monday, September 8, 2008

Beautiful poem about marriage

I've been in need of poetry lately. Here are a few poems I found through Ted Kooser's (Nebraskan Poet Laureate) American Life in Poetry.

Marry Me
a senryu sequence
by
Veronica Patterson of Colorado

when I come late to bed
I move your leg flung over my side�
that warm gate

nights you're not here
I inch toward the middle
of this boat, balancing

when I turn over in sleep
you turn, I turn, you turn,
I turn, you

some nights you tug the edge
of my pillow under your cheek,
look in my dream

pulling the white sheet
over your bare shoulder
I marry you again


Love Like Salt
by Lisel Mueller of Illinois

It lies in our hands in crystals
too intricate to decipher

It goes into the skillet
without being given a second thought

It spills on the floor so fine
we step all over it

We carry a pinch behind each eyeball

It breaks out on our foreheads

We store it inside our bodies
in secret wineskins

At supper, we pass it around the table
talking of holidays and the sea.



Love Worn
by Lita Hooper

In a tavern on the Southside of Chicago
a man sits with his wife. From their corner booth
each stares at strangers just beyond the other's shoulder,
nodding to the songs of their youth. Tonight they will not fight.

Thirty years of marriage sits between them
like a bomb. The woman shifts
then rubs her right wrist as the man recalls the day
when they sat on the porch of her parents' home.

Even then he could feel the absence of something
desired or planned. There was the smell
of a freshly tarred driveway, the slow heat,
him offering his future to folks he did not know.

And there was the blooming magnolia tree in the distance—
its oversized petals like those on the woman's dress,
making her belly even larger, her hands
disappearing into the folds.

When the last neighbor or friend leaves their booth
he stares at her hands, which are now closer to his,
remembers that there had always been some joy. Leaning
closer, he believes he can see their daughter in her eyes.

But I want a wedding now!

Ok, I'm excited. And overwhelmed. I'm exciterwhelmed.

I want to see all my friends and family! I want to have girly time with, well, the girls. I want to see Ben in a tux. I want to see my brother Ben in a tux. I want to see how the cake turned out ... and the flowers! I want to sip a Japanese Slipper. I want to go through the whole ceremony and experience what it is like to tell Ben he's stuck with me for the long run.

But then I think, I want my family to all get along. I want the light to be right to take photos. I want people to dance and eat and have a good time. I don't want anyone to feel left out. I want clean up to go smoothly. I want to feel like I talked to everyone but still had time to enjoy the day. I don't want my feet to kill me. I don't want to stress myself into a migraine.

And just like that, excitement turns to stress. I'm going to stop thinking about this now.

Wednesday, September 3, 2008

Corny as Kansas in August


I've decided that being a bride is really just a chance to be a little girl but with great clothes. We just got our first wedding gift in the mail. I feel like a kid at Christmas! Yay! yay! yay!

Ok, back to normal adult mode now.

Tuesday, September 2, 2008

It's happening!


I just heard that the invitations hit Nebraska. A few people have officially RSVPed at www.mywedding.com and we are up to 14 guests! The party is ON.

Funny, endearing vows

I've been combing my bride message boards for ceremony inspiration. Whenever I come across a passage that makes me tear up, I know I've hit something good.

I also found some vows that would have the entire church grinning ear to ear.

Here they are, Dr. Seuss inspired vows:

Pastor: Will you answer me right now
These questions, as your wedding vow?

Groom: Yes, I will answer right now
Your questions as my wedding vow.

Pastor: Will you take her as your wife?
Will you love her all your life?

Groom: Yes, I take her as my wife,
Yes, I'll love her all my life.

Pastor: Will you have, and also hold
Just as you have at this time told?

Groom: Yes, I will have, and I will hold,
Just as I have at this time told,
Yes, I will love her all my life
As I now take her as my wife.

Pastor: Will you love through good and bad?
Whether you're happy or sad?

Groom: Yes, I'll love through good and bad,
Whether we're happy or sad,
Yes, I will have and I will hold
Just as I have already told,
Yes, I will love her all my life,
Yes, I will take her as my wife!

Pastor: Will you love her if you're rich?
Or if you're poor, and in a ditch?

Groom: Yes, I'll love her if we're rich,
And I will love her in a ditch,
I'll love her through good times and bad,
Whether we are happy or sad,
Yes, I will have, and I will hold
(I could have sworn this has been told!)
I promise to love all my life
This woman, as my lawful wife!

Pastor: Will you love her when you're fit,
And also when you're feeling sick?

Groom: Yes, I'll love her when we're fit,
And when we're hurt, and when we're sick,
And I will love her when we're rich
And I will love her in a ditch
And I will love through good and bad,
And I will love when glad or sad,
And I will have, and I will hold
Ten years from now a thousandfold,
Yes, I will love for my whole life
This lovely woman as my wife!

Pastor: Will you love with all your heart?
Will you love till death you part?

Groom: Yes, I'll love with all my heart
From now until death do us part,
And I will love her when we're rich,
And when we're broke and in a ditch,
And when we're fit, and when we're sick,
(Oh, CAN'T we get this finished quick?)
And I will love through good and bad,
And I will love when glad or sad,
And I will have, and I will hold,
And if I might now be so bold,
I'll love her my entire life,
Yes, I WILL take her as my wife!

Pastor: Then if you'll take her as your wife,
And if you'll love her all your life,
And if you'll have, and if you'll hold,
From now until the stars grow cold,
And if you'll love through good and bad,
And whether you're happy or sad,
And love in sickness, and in health,
And when you're poor, and when in wealth,
And if you'll love with all your heart,
From now until death do you part,
Yes, if you'll love her through and through,
Please answer with these words:

Pastor and Groom: I DO!

Pastor: You're married now! So kiss the bride,
But please, do keep it dignified.