cute touch!

How fun is this?!? Super cute and easy to make. And cheap, too!

(found at Project Wedding)

color

I don't know why I'm struggling so much with colors - I know what I like to wear and I know which colors I prefer. I guess it's just more than that - it's what will represent DB as well? What will look best in the photos? What will make the prettiest ambiance? I know that I want everything to be soft and romantic looking. And I want white to be the main color - but I know that there should be an accent color. I want things to be crisp and clean and classic. I used to always say white and a shiny champagne color. but I don't know anymore.

And DB and I have talked about an "ice blue" sort of look. I worry that I won't be able to match the shade that I love though when creating parts of the wedding.

• I love pink - but i don't know how DB would feel about that. And it's just so...so.
• I love the fresh green look. But it doesn't really work for winter.
• I like the deep, cranberry red a lot - but my SIL did that. Need not repeat like that.

Oh, I just don't know. So many choices!!

minneSNOWta

It's snowing like a mo-fo here in Minnesota.
I'm sitting at my desk at work, eating chicken noodle soup and watching the cars try to see where they're going on the entrance ramp right outside my window. it just started snowing 30 minutes ago, and already, I can hardly see the stop light/intersection that's a mere 1/2 block away. We're supposed to get 6-8 inches. Oye. This really disrupts my day in my ways...1. my car is currently sitting in the non-covered part of the parking lot. but I'm too lazy and warm inside to go move it. 2. I have to work at my part time job tonight. So even if i wanted to leave the office early - it does me no good because hell if I want to drive home with this and then drive back to this area for my 2nd job. 3. working tonight (retail at the local mall) is going to blow because it'll be so boring because nobody will be at the mall due to the weather. 4. of course, dealing with driving and the dumb drivers on the road. Needless to say, I'm thrilled.

(the view from here)

The interesting thing is - I'm sitting here looking at all my wedding blogs, researching, etc...and I keep thinking. And I want a winter wedding in minnesota WHY!?!?! I've always wanted a winter wedding - that's why! I don't want the Christmas-y kind, just a pretty - fresh snow - white fur wrap - lots of candles - romantic kind. Sure, there are plenty of obstacles...weather, driving, out of town guests, etc, etc...but it's just what I've always wanted.

And it seems pretty possible even now. DB knows this is what I prefer - I've never been the spring/summertime bride type and he also knows that I want the engagement around the 10 month mark. So, say we get engaged in March or April - that puts me right at the winter wedding season! But this...this snow storm...is scaring me!!

first shot at an inspiration board

k-so I'm not really sure if I did this well enough...but here's my first go. I'm going for a classy, winter style. Silver? blue? champagne? lots of white, definitely. Lots of candles and I like the crystal look. Not sure about this obviously...but here's my first go!

DB and I had a lovely weekend. Friday night was nothing but relaxing on the couch (and a bit of whining from me - I'm quickly getting sick of winter and getting a little cabin fever here in minneSNOWta! But he promised me that Saturday would be better and asked if I would mind accompaning him to one more jewelry store - one he had high hopes for. Um...OK! :)

So saturday we filled ourselves up with a hearty breakfast from our favorite joint (ok - it's not much of a "joint" - it's Baker's Square...we just LOVE it!) and headed on our way to The Shane Co.

WOW - what a difference this place was than the last. I loved it there and would've happily stayed the rest of the weekend with those wonderful people, lovely natural light and allllll of those pretty-pretties!! The salesperson was spectacular - full of information and comparisons to other area jewelers (as she had worked for a few others previously). She taught us SO much more than we learned at the first place, saw SO many BEAUTIFUL rings and truly felt valued. She wasn't afraid to talk about anything, and I loved that. Complete honesty and truthfulness. I picked out three and narrowed it down to one (gasp!). She even let me see how it would look with different bands on it (droooool). Then, she showed us different diamonds in the setting. Oy-vey!

It was a wonderful experience, the prices were better there than the other place, they have better lifetime service, the list goes on and on. Needless to say - I'm done. DB said he MIGHT go to another place on his own...but probably not.

So now the waiting begins.

...btw, I totally fell in love with the ring I singled out. I really couldn't care less if he proposes with that one or one like it...but it was soo prettyyyyyy...



In other news....I've been obsessed with scouring the internet for my favorite wedding things in order to find the best prices. I've already got a budget in excel and I'm trying my best to find better things for better prices in order to get that "total" a bit lower - I'm not sure what it's at is feasible right now. However, I do live in Minneapolis where venues and catering are certainly expensive with a capital "E." It seems as if no matter how much I wittle (sp?) away at all the little things, that total will never look less scary due to venue and catering. Plus - I REALLY want to do a photobooth - I know, I know - it's so overdone. But honestly, neither DB or myself have ever seen one at a wedding so we feel like it'll be something new and exciting for our guests. Basically, it stems from me wanting to really make an enjoyable reception atmosphere. My older brother got married 2 years ago and everyone was out of his reception by 7:30! I do NOT want that! I want fun and merriment and partying! So yeah...photo booth = lots more money. But I'm trying to find the deals! I think that a lof of my prices will go down once vendors are actually contacted though. Not to mention that I'm totally open to a Friday wedding (which sometimes equals less money) and I think we'll be getting married in the "off season" (which usually equals less money!) - so that's good.

I'm really not sure what else I can cut in the budget. And I really don't want to give up anything that I care a lot about. I also don't know how much parents will be contributing - but we're both assuming not much.

What was the hardest thing you had to cut from your budget and did it work out?

giveaway!

My blog of the day to keep me looking busy is Three Times a Bridesmaid.

I'm forever looking for new inspiration, fun writers and something to entertain me while "watching" sports on the couch with DB. You too? Awesome - go check her out.

AND - she's currently doing a giveaway - a Target gift card! Yay!

just another day

I've kinda been freaking out about this whole "I went ring shopping with him" thing. I just hope I'm still super surprised and love the ring he ends up with and I don't feel "cheated" or something by it not being a COMPLETE surprise. It's just weird to be like "I know he knows the rings I like, I know he's going to propose sooner than later," but still want it to be a surprise and romantic and exciting. ugh - whatev.

So last night we went to see Slumdog Millionaire. Put it on your list RIGHTNOW. kthanks. It was SO good!

So the other night we discussed the bridal party and who we wanted to stand up with us. Now, I have a real hard time with this because all of the girls that I've always thought would be my bridesmaids are all from different parts of my life and don't know each other...is that a problem? One from childhood (my bff), one from high school, one from college in MN and one from drum corps. Then, DB wants his sister to be in the party too - since his brother will be his best man. I'm not TOTALLY in love with the idea - but it's OK. Besides the fact that I have two brothers and I'm not asking him to fill two of his groomsmen spots with them. Ah, well. I'm not totally convinced on my girls yet - but he seems pretty set on his - his brother and 3 friends. So I need to cut one out of my list, I guess. That's stressful! The girl from HS is one of my best friends, but I feel like asking her to be a bridesmaid would be really asking a lot of her - she lives out of state and has a 3 year old daughter. Decisions, decisions!!

Also, today I fell in love with this amazing DIY cake topper by First Blush Bride. Super cute!! (I hope I did the correct linking that I was supposed to in order to give credit where credit is due!)

I had originally been thinking birds for a cake topper - glittery and pretty. But I could be convinced of making one of these! Or possible a music note? :)

Happy Thursday, everyone!

The song in my heart

I've been thinking lately a "theme."

Usually, I think it's cheesy, and I'm not sure if I have anything that's a true object to make a theme off of. When I think of my wedding, I think about the colors and feel - not "everything will have sailboats on it."

But lately I've seen a lot of cute little themes bursting out of weddings I've seen online. I love the teachers who use books or chalkboards and such. If DB and I were to have a theme - it would have to be music. Music has always been a huge part of both of our lives - he a trumpet player and myself...well, a lot of instruments. And, we met while both playing in a local group together. But I guess I'm just not sure how to do it without being cheesy. I don't want sheet music wrapped around vases - or do i? I can invision a DIY project of musical notes hanging from branches in a centerpiece or a groom's cake in the shape of a trumpet or the logo from the group we met in.

I don't know, maybe I should search for more inspiration in that realm. Ideas?

OMG.

We have reached a whole new level...We went to look at rings last night at Wedding Day Diamonds.

And WOW am I so excited and even more impatient now!!!

We only went to one place, and intend on going to a couple more. The sales person was very nice and fun and kept me laughing, which was good. DB did really well and stayed calm and under control. :) I tried on lots of rings and surprised myself by which ones I actually liked compared to what I THOUGHT I liked. I fell in love with a couple Ritani ones - I love the halo look around the diamond. Anyway, I'm trying to stay calm, but you know!

I'm glad I can help him out so he's not so nervous. Our thoughts are that we'll look at a few places and I'll show him what I like, but I just won't know which store he'll go back to - so it'll still be a bit of a surprise. He was VERY relieved after we went and happy that I helped him - he would've been SO overwhelmed by himself. He was super excited after we got done, I could tell it made it a lot more real and things for him - it was nice to see him like that. :)

Anyway - yay! progress!!

where have all the good girls gone?

Am I the only one that feels like I don't have any girlfriends anymore?

I've always been jealous of those girls that have a tight-knit group of best girlfriends. You know - Sex and the City style. The girls that you've always known would be your bridesmaids, the girls that you've had too many sleepovers with to count, the girls that know everything. I definitely don't have that - in fact, my best friends don't even know each other. I attribute it to the fact that I've moved around so much and I have so many different groups/types of friends. And it really irritates me. And even moreso, I've lost touch with SO many that I would love to still be on great terms with. Sure, I can make effort to reach out (and I have!) - but it isn't always returned...and that's not fun at all!

I fear that when I get engaged...I won't have anyone to call and squeel with over it. I fear that no one will be excited about my wedding, no one will want to help and no one will want to come.

Isn't that horrible?? I think so.

I have a few childhood friends who I still keep in touch with - mainly via facebook though...does that count? Then there are high school friends - only a few are still good friends. College friends from MN (but I was only there 2.5 years!), college friends from OH (I was only there 2 years!) and then the amount of friends I lost during my pregnancy/adoption situation. It's hard to describe how many friends didn't care or how I had no energy or strength to put into friendships at that time. Then there are new friends since graduating and starting my adult life. And drum corps friends. OYE!!

Then I met DB and now, I hardly spend any time on the phone or in person with girlfriends. My life's consumed with him - which I love. But...there's this empty spot where girlfriends used to stand!

When I think about bridesmaids...I'm afraid that none of them will get along, because they're all from different parts of my life. I better get working on telling DB that I'm going out and getting ahold of my girls. There's some serious time to make up for!

My poor DB has been all out of sorts lately. And I feel so bad because I just don't know how to help.

So, as you know, we've been talking about wedding bells for a long time. We both knew very early on in our relationship that we were meant to be together forever. I kept the discussions at bay for a long time, but it became hard once he became so adament about discussing it! He brings it up almost more than me! He's always jokingly steering me away from jewelry stores, asking me what cool ideas I found on the wedding blogs that day, throwing in random references here and there, etc. So I know he's just as excited as I am!

The last few months I've seen a drastic difference in his spending habits. Cutting his cable bill down, not spending money all weekend long like he used to, and other little things. I've also heard him mention a certain month that would be a good month to put a pretty accessory on my finger more than once! So naturally, I know things are impending and getting even more excited and hopeful and impatient.

We've looked at rings online a little bit together, because he's so scared of picking out what I'll like. Then - this past weekend, we were at the MOA and it came up that maybe we should actually go IN TO a jewelry store together, try some one and see what tickles my/our fancy. This scared me because I really don't want to choose for him - I want it to be from his heart and I trust him! He wants to ultimately choose THE ring, but is so desperate for help. We ended up not doing it though because we just couldn't figure out if we"should" or not. Plus, I know nothing about which store is the best to go to!

So then, I was looking at rings online last night and showed him one that I LOVED. I mentioned the price, saying "it's ONLY" because frankly, it was on the lower end of the scale, and I could've picked out a MUCH more expensive one! He scoffed at it and said "ONLY?!" This threw me into a fit because if he was as prepared as I thought he was, he would've been doing some research and know that that price of that one really isn't bad AT ALL. So I got scared and upset that it'll never happen because he doesn't understand the importance of putting some true money into it. And then I got confused because I thought he had been saving - but I know he should have a decent amount pocketed by now...why is he so blown away by that low price?! UGH.

So I freaked out, and upset him, etc, etc, etc. and he told me he just needs help. To figure out the money involved, the ring, etc. And I feel so bad, because I want to be that girl that's totally surprised! As much as I love to research, help, etc - I just don't want to hold his hand through this! But he apparently needs it.

So I don't know...does anyone have supportive stories or ideas of how to go about this? I guess maybe just look at a couple stores with him and help him figure out what i really like and what I do/don't want him to spend on it?

Ideas?

I picked up a group of 10 empty cigar boxes for free today, thinking that I can either sell them or come up with some creative way to use them. They're not wooden - some have wooden bottoms though. They're just about all from the Dominican Republic and definitely vintage and cute looking. Any great ideas?

I Should be in a Support Group

I have a confession to make.

I'm addicted to wedding planning.

And REMEMBER - NO, I'm not engaged.

But still! It's just that I'm SUCH a researcher and SO into details and I know how big of a project planning a wedding is. And when I know that it's going to happen - I can't help but want to get started!

I'm trying SO hard to contain myself. But I just can't help it. DB has allowed me to buy ONE bridal magazine - and I slipped one into my stack of library magazines as well last week. :) Other than that - I've been surfing the web like crazy - reading blog after blog, getting so much inspiration,working on what our budget looks like and even checking out local vendors. I'm trying very hard to not get too sold on anything, because my ideas might change based on when it actually happens and when the date actually is.

Am I the only one who's doing this? I feel nuts.

Playing Catch Up

My lovely boyfriend, let's call him DB (Darling Boyfriend)...

He's 28, a graphic designer, sweet, compassionate, giving, sensitive and everything else. He's perfect for me. DB has taught me so much about love that I never knew before. He is truly an amazing man. PLUS - he's kinda into this whole wedding planning thing - which thrills me. He actually brings things up and asks me what I envision for certain aspects and gives his opinion. How fun!

And so it begins

I've always been a blogger. There's no question that I love sharing my experiences, documenting them for my own sanity and having this outlet to "get it all out there." I've been blogging since 2002 - beginning with my drum corps experience, to college life, to the unexpected pregnancy and open adoption placement of my daughter and now to this - becoming a bride and wife.

Quick overview of me. I'm a 25-year-old, outgoing, social, laid back, friendly, people-pleasing sort of girl. I grew up in small-town Iowa, went to 4 different colleges in MN, OH and IA and now I live and work in a suburb of Minneapolis; I love the big city. I work all day at a consulting company and have a part time gig at a local retail store, as well.

My boyfriend and I have been together for a mere 6 months - but 6 great months, at that! We spent a lot of time together January - August 2008 via the local drum and bugle corps that we both marched in. Then we decided to date and it's been bliss ever since. Definitely one of those "you just know when you know" situations. We've fallen completely in love and talk about marriage all the time. Although we know that we're meant to be together, we're both struggling with the timing and financial aspects of things. So for now, I'm driving myself crazy doing "leg work" in the research-end before I can fully start planning. Stop by here to check out my latest musings, frustrations, ideas and concerns...and maybe one day - a ring!

Come along - should be an interesting ride!