Tuesday, May 25, 2010

Success

Well, it has been more than a week since my resolution to do new and independent things everyday before I lose my freedom forever. Guess how many things I've done in that week that would count? None.

Unless you count the cake I made for my Mom and sister's birthday. Not too shabby for my first one, eh?

If only I had this gem to display my baked goods, it would be the "icing on the cake." The pun IS intended.
(Esther Coombs)

The weekend with my Mom and sister was glorious. I still loved my dress when I tried it on (and was able to zip it up!), finalized wedding flowers, practiced wedding hair and make-up, and spent way too many hours playing around in a fancy bra shop with my Mom.

Oh, and this cutie turned 21! Welcome to the world of legal drinking, little sister.

Friday, May 21, 2010

Fresher than Fresh

I read a feature this morning on a snowcone stand in Kansas City that is apparently "the talk of the food blogosphere." The best part is that these yummy treats are served out of a renovated 1957 trailer! It must be a coincidence that I am going to be in Kansas City this weekend. Fresher than fresh...here I come!



(photos by fresher than fresh via Oh Joy Eats)

Thursday, May 20, 2010

I am having trouble containing the excitement I have for this weekend because:

1. I am going to Kansas City to celebrate my Mom's birthday
2. I am get to try on my wedding dress for the first time since it came in
3. I'm meeting with my wedding florist and hair dresser to do practice runs
4. My little sister turns 21 and I get to go celebrate with her in Lawrence



So, as I anxiously await tomorrow evening to come, I'll leave you with this picture that made me smile even when it hasn't stopped raining in 3 weeks.

This "hot mess" is what I miss now that Kaci has moved out.

Wednesday, May 19, 2010

The jewelry flew westbound- and made it!


A "loaded" shipping fee and a very frustrated FedEx employee (who had to individually wrap each piece of jewelry in bubble wrap as I looked on and critiqued) later, all of the pieces for my jewelry bouquet have arrived in California. I am giddy with excitement to see how everything will turn out. I spent a great deal of time playing with the pieces before I mailed them off so I got a little attached to them. It was relieving to read in an email from the artist that she thinks I did an excellent job picking out broaches and thinks this will be a masterpiece! So, thank you to all of my family and friends who contributed. I'll post pictures as soon as I get it back in the mail.


(image by Kate Spade New York)

Monday, May 17, 2010

Love List

I am having a really hard time grasping the idea that it has already been a year since I graduated college. Instead of counting my blessings (like the fact that I am employed by a charity that does amazing work and am going to be married to the man I love in just over 100 days) I have decided to go a different route. I have compiled a little list of all the things I am in love with an would like as "Happy One year anniversary of your college graduation" gifts. Do you have a favorite?


These ceremic farmer's market baskets would look absolutely perfect holding all my jewelry! I can't decide which one I love the most: the small one or the smallest one?
Spanx bathing suits: I'm pretty sure this is the best invention ever. Now nobody will know how many cupcakes you ate before you left for the pool.


Dorothy Draper Chests: If I could create my dream bedroom these beauties would rest elegantly on either side of my bed.


Anyting with zig-zags on it. I just ordered a set of these Monogram Cards from Etsy. I plan to use them to write little thank you notes after the wedding (or after you buy me something from my Love List!!).


And to make things a tiny bit better, this British company makes a chevron (which is fancy design lingo for zig zag) bedspread. I feel like I might actually sleep better if this was on my bed.













Imagine the smirk that would cover your face if every time you reached for your planner to pencil in a boring meeting, your planner had a witty comment for you. I'm smirking now just thinking about it!


Now you can do what I do when a crave for online shopping comes over you: add things to your "shopping cart" and then click out of the browser before giving them your credit card information. Works like a charm.

Friday, May 14, 2010

Dallas Shaw

Now that Kaci is moving out and I am on in the market for a new roommate I am wondering how I can get Dallas Shaw to become my BFF.
How amazing are these fashion sketches she does? I would just love for her to paint me one of these beauties to hang on my wall.
Or I suppose I could just purchase one in her Etsy shop like other people who are not her BFF.

Thursday, May 13, 2010

only 112 New Things left to go....

I only have two days left until my beloved roommate moves out of the teeny tiny apartment that we share. I am not really ok with her leaving, but I guess I can't be too upset since she's leaving to make room for Boyfriend to move in after we tie the knot. I am really going to miss her and am currently trying to come up with some sort of catastrophe that I could stage on Saturday so she would be forced to stay and console me.

Eight months ago my roommate and I had made a very ambitious list of all of the fun things we wanted to do before I got married- very few of which we have actually done. This has made me realize that I am not using my "freedom" to its full potential. There are 113 days until the wedding and I have set a goal to do 113 new (or new-ish) things on my own before then.

I haven't made a list or anything organized like that- I guess I'll just make it up as I go along. That seems to work pretty well in every other aspect of my life! Except when I adopted a dog.....

New thing Numero Uno:
Attending a 6:30 am breakfast with the Yemon of York at the Lake of the Ozarks this morning (which I left for at 5:15 am)



Perhaps it's the coffee talking, but I think this is a fab idea.

Monday, May 10, 2010

BeneWine

Tonight I asked my roommate if she thought it was ok for me to put BeneFiber in my wine. I guess there is an old man living inside of my body that I was unaware of.

+  

Dear Mama Fabulous,


Happy (belated) Mother's Day to Mama Fabulous! Thank you for all your encouragement, unconditional love & never ending laughter. You are THE BEST.

And while I'm at it: Happy 25th wedding Anniversary too! Hopefully I got your "tolerance" genes. I wonder what Annoying Boyfriend will look like in 25 years?

Friday, May 7, 2010

Bridal Bingo

I'm heading home to Kansas this weekend to help my parents celebrate their 25th wedding anniversary, Mother's Day and my very first wedding shower. It doesn't get any better than a weekend jam-packed with family, friends and pastries.
I am a virgin to wedding showers so I googled the term to familiarize myself with the process. I found heaps of interesting information but perhaps the strangest is the idea of playing wedding bingo while the bride opens gifts.



Oh, Mary with two "R"s, was this as awkward for you as I'm imagining it was? My real concern is why "wine glasses" is not listed on this bingo sheet? Surely, if you plan to move in with a boy, you plan on drinking?

I know I frequently whine about the annoying things my boyfriend does- but my therapist says it's healthy. Just kidding, I don't have a therapist. He's actually a pre-marriage counselor....which is super different. Anyway, annoying boyfriend just brought it to my attention that "marry" is probably a verb (as in: getting married) and not the brides name. This whole game has now been ruined for me.


In other news, I now have TWO followers to this blog. Holler.

Thursday, May 6, 2010

Pro: Flowers, Con: Dancing

I know you've all been sitting on the edge of your seats waiting for a report of our dancing lesson- but you aren't going to get it. My sister's friend canceled on us! We weren't devastated because it gave us an opportunity to celebrate cinco de mayo (like true Americans).

I have to share what I've been obsessing over lately. EmersonMade is a company that makes the most beautiful fabric flowers.


Oh how I need everything on their website. So, so badly.

Monday, May 3, 2010

Is she having a baby?

I can think of four movies off the top of my head that have a punch line involving someone getting asked when their baby is due while they are not pregnant. In fact, one of my favorite Brian Regan comedy sketches revolves around the very same thing.

But let me assure you, friends, it is so much less funny when the jokes on you!

While babysitting last night, I took my kids outside to play four square on the driveway. The little neighbor boy (let's call him "Satan") walked over and started up a conversation with my kids that made my blood boil.

"Satan": Hey, is THAT your babysitter?
Sweet angel boy: yeah
"Satan": Is she having a baby?
Sweet angel boy: No! She's not even married.
"Satan": She looks like she's having a baby.
Me: Hey kid. Go home. These kids told me they think you smell weird.

And the pregnant babysitter of the year award goes to...Me! Good thing I have cake class tonight so I can drown my sorrows in red velvet and icing.

Sunday, May 2, 2010

Dancing Queen

“Almost nobody dances sober, unless they are insane.”

- HP Lovecraft

Apparently I'm insane because one of my sister's friends has agreed to teach JJ and I a dance for our wedding. It is very sweet of her and I'm anxious to see how this turns out, however, I have two left feet and JJ is 6'6". Enough said.

I suppose it would not be socially acceptable to be un-sober for this lesson? This is kind of what I have in mind....