A little project

Ok, so I love the bedazzled cake toppers on the internet, but REFUSE to pay $50-80 for plastic and rhinestones.

So I decided to make my own!

I got a plain letter "g" off of etsy for $5 (free shipping)

And I then picked up some green rhinestones (actually my mother did!)

And..... Ta da!

Frustration.......

Well we are officially under the 20 day mark!

Holy Cow!

I will say one thing, people still amaze me daily in both and good ways.

Some people don't do their part, others go above and beyond.

As of today I still have the following loose ends to tie up:

• Figuring out the procession and what to put on wedding programs
• Designing and printing programs
• Marriage licence (getting that tomorrow)
• Two more meetings with the Pastor (one today, one in a week)
• Final Floral meeting (next week)
• Final Photography meeting (Friday)
• Final Mavris meeting (tomorrow)
• Final DJ meeting (still trying to nail that down)
• Final Cake meeting (Friday)
• Need a guest book for the ceremony site (We have a cool silver engraveable frame for the reception)
• Need a toss garter (I already have my keep)
• Something borrowed (looking to my Aunt to find me something of my Grandmother's to have in my bouquet)
• Card box (going to make that one)
• Finish up gifts for wedding party and rehearsal dinner guests
• Final fittings (tomorrow)
• Decide when in the world we are going to make the carmel apples!

Ok so I thought I just had a few things left to do... Guess I was wrong.

My list may be easy to accomplish, but my list of things to make other people do seems to be growing every day. It seems like lately if I don't tell someone to do their part, they just don't even think about it.

I mean everyone involved in the wedding was asked, and could have said no. So I guess I don't feel like it is the end of the world for them to get fitted or book a room. Apparently that makes me the devil.

When it comes down to it I feel like this wedding really has forced me to take off my rose-colored glasses and realize that some people just aren't who I thought they were.

Like I said before, then there are others that have gone above and beyond, and have really been there for me.

I just can't wait until next week. By then my final meetings will be over, monies will be paid, and anyone quitting the wedding will have officially resigned. It will just be time to focus on being ready for the big day.

I am comforted by the fact that I am marrying my best friend, the man I love, and the person that has been soooooo supportive and awesome these last few weeks. I came home today and he had done all the laundry from the weekend, among other things. Just reminds me why I love him!

Well off to go to meetings and get things done.... Hopefully my next update will be a little less stressed!

Coming to a mailbox near you....

So after nine hours and lots of folding, stuffing, and attaching my invitations are in the mail!

My Mother was such a great partner for this project! See she has a background in design and printing, and was able to bring to life my ideas and put them on the computer.

We paid a printer to print and cut all the pieces, and then it was game time!

Keep in mind, that last minute I changed the color of green paper (the other looked more alien than apple), so all the printing was done in 24 hrs!

We decided that to pull it all together we needed to ad something to the green backmount for the invitation. We used a rubber stamping kit and chocolate brown ink to add some design elements. As we went, we saw that the more random the better.

Next we stuffed the side pockets with information about the wedding, and the complex RSVP. (See we are having guests pre-select their meals so that we can have a plated meal for the price of a buffet). The final product was neat, organized (appeals to my OCD), and gave the information needed.

Next, we fashioned 'belts' to hold the pocket folders shut. We had the same color green paper cut into strips by the printer. Then we used a scalloped square cutter to cut ivory paper squares. On top we placed an apple green on chocolate monogram (again designed by my mother). We decided once again that there was some more needed, so we used a rubber stamp (the same as on the inside) and added chocolate ink to the ivory. It really created a nice little detailed effect, especially where the brown ink was on top of the brown background of the monogram.

I think that the final product was perfect, and much less expensive than comperable invites that you purchase. (Believe me I looked at 100's!)

Another neat little fact is that my mother hand addressed all 100 invitations, just like my grandmother did for my mother. Throughout this wedding I have so deeply missed my grandmothers, and for some reason it made me feel very comforted to be repeating the traditions that my mother and hers went through during wedding planning.

My little dog Remy was quite exhausted by the whole effort!

This Thursday we do our tasting for the reception menu, my first dress fitting, and other errands. I ordered the groomsman gifts today, and have figured out what we are doing for the rest of the wedding party.

40 Days!

I can't believe it! In other news my fabulous Auntie has began construction of my flower girl's dress, and I am soooo excited. I wish I had her talents, but being related to someone with them is as close as I can get at the moment!

Until next time..... Adios!

90 Days People!

Ok so really a few more than that, but not that many more!

Went to a friends wedding this weekend and it really go me excited for my own.

On Saturday my little Mother and I got quite a bit accomplished:

• Designed/Conceptualized Invites and ordered necessary pieces
• Had a sit down with the DJ ( I hired him based on a memory from a bridal show after the original one fell through, so until now we had not formally met)
• Spoke with my favorite florist (JP Parker) in their adorable space (ironically in the same building as the DJ... a sign) and set up a meeting for the 28th
• Purchased all the vases for the other half of the centerpieces

All this and I still had time to get back to Farmland and spend an evening with friends and my man!

Oh yeah, Farmland, we totally have a house! It's funny because I finally referred to it as "home" on Saturday. It caught me off guard, but left me with a smile because until now I referred to Indianapolis as "home."

I also finalized out Target registry, and I am still working on Macy's. It was hard to know exactly what we needed when we were armed in the store. So I went back online and added a few things.

So, as a way to publicly keep track:

• Save the Dates: Done and Sent!
• Invites: Should be completed by the end of June
• Centerpieces: Finalized the 28th
• DJ: Done
• Food: Still need to decide on the final menu
• Mavris: Paid in full, just have to do our final meeting/walk-through
• Rehearsal Dinner: Purchased all picnic themed decor, just need to finalize catering and centerpieces
• Dress: Ordered and in!
• Bridesmaid Dresses: Done
• Tuxes: On the list!
• Shoes: Yet to be purchased

Ok so I am going to stop now because I am feeling overwhelmed again!

Toodles~ Jenn~

Also!

We got some great snow shots from our photographer Kelly Lynn last weekend. We really only needed one good picture for our save the dates, but as usual it was hard to pick because quite a few of them are awesome! Thanks Kelly!

Somewhere on this page the slideshow will appear.... once I figure it out!

Edited to add, that I cannot figure it out... So here is the link to the slideshow

Hello...

So I know, it's been a while! But I finally feel as if I have some update-worthy information!

First.... WE HAVE A CHURCH! Ok so I know that I already shared that news and pictures previously. Anyone that knows me knows that I am always second guessing my decisions and as it got closer to the day I decided maybe it was important for me to have a long center aisle to walk down.

Now one would think that this would be an easy thing to find. It's not! In my desparation I even started looking at the absurdly expensive churches downtown. By expensive I mean it starts at $1500! The most expensive one was $6500!!!! Crazy. It really just turned me off of the churches because aside from cost, I really think its disgusting to charge people that much to get married in the house of the Lord! I mean come on people!!

The perfect church existed in Wanamaker, Indiana, a few miles from my house. The problem is that they decided to no longer allow non-member weddings after they found beer cans and pot after the last non-member wedding (which is horrible!). Well my oh-so-wonderful mother who has more balls than most people I know attended church there, was introduced to the pastor, explained the situation... and well long story short we now have a wonderful church! It only hinges on us completing the necessary paperwork and pre-marital counseling. I can't tell you enough what a relief this was!

Here is a little sneak peak of the interior... but I promise this picture does not do justice to St. Johns Lutheran Church!

In addition to that, I officially paid for my dress and veil... again this makes it oh so real! I was a little apprehensive and having second thoughts when we went to the bridal shop and I saw other pretty dresses that I had not tried on. Once I had MY dress on though I knew it was the one!

This month I have some goal, and I feel like if I publish them on here then I will be held accountable:

• Order and send the Save the Dates
• Lose at least another 4lbs
• Start officially looking at invitations
• Pick out bridesmaid dresses
• Don't fail student teaching because I am so busy with wedding madness!

So we will see how it goes!

So much to post...

But so much of it must remain a secret! That has definitely been the hardest part of all this wedding stuff for me!

Got my dress! It's beautiful, different, and nothing at all like I expected I would ever get. I love it, and I feel like a bride in it. Which is important if I do say so myself. Many of the dresses I tried on I just felt like a little girl playing dress up! I can't tell you what it looks like, that's a surprise... But I will tell you it's a Maggie Sottero So feel free to go look at the site and take a guess!

Dress shopping was not without it's dramatic moments (and I'm not just talking about finding the 'one'). Once I put the veil on, I burst into tears, followed by my cousin getting goose bumps, Mother bursting into tears, Aunt welling up (I heard she had been emotional the whole time, but I didn't notice). Even my Maid of Honor had tears that day, unfortunately they were not tears of joy!


Poor things was blessed, or cursed, with most flat-chested women's dream bosoms... But it gets a little frustrating for her when trying on strapless dresses. I felt so bad for the girl. I mean she's a tough one... So to see her in tears over a dress made me cry as well. So I have decided that if it takes us the next nine months we will find her the perfect dress and undergarments. I mean what's the point of looking gorgeous (because she, as well as all of my other bridesmaids are) if you don't feel like it?


So we got the dress, and the church, and the reception site, and the rehearsal dinner..... So now I feel like it's time for the little things I have so been waiting to find!


I was thumbing through a Black Friday ad (I didn't intend on shopping since I already have most of mine done) when I saw something that with a little jazzing up screamed, "wedding centerpieces!"


I found these awesome brown tree-like votive holders. Thanks to my mom, and three different Jo-Anne Fabrics locations, I am now the proud owner of these little trees. They are hard to photograph, so reserve your judgements... But I put some of the antique chandelier crystals I had already purchased (and to think Josh laughed at my eBay find!) on the branches and I love it! Picture them on an apple green tablecloth, in low light, they look awesome!



I plan on surrounding them by smaller apple shaped candles. Once I purchase all the flowers I will show you what the other half of the tables will look like. They will have chocolate brown table linens with apple filled glass vases topped with off-white and green hydrangea.



Soooo yeah exciting stuff! Also, as my time in first grade comes to a bittersweet end, I am excited to be in third grade next semester at a school that is only a few minutes from my house! I do loooooooove my students that I have right now though, and I really hope my mentor means it when she says I can come back and visit next semester!

Until the next batch of wedding decisions.... Adios!

PS... Comment or I will quit posting because my loving mother is the only person who reads this!

Shooooweee...

So I have finally gotten started doing the for real stuff... Made my list and I am slowly making progress!

First, I got a CHURCH!!!! Wooooo Hoooo! Finally! It's a really cute white country church just down the road from my parents home. I have thought it was cute since I was nine and we moved here, so it just seemed fitting that we get married there.

It had all of the requirements....

Stained Glass: Check!

Neutral Colors: Check!

Wooden Pews: Check!

I am really excited! Now there is not a center aisle, which was something that I wondered about at first, but I have got some really cool solutions and can't wait for our guests to see!

Plus there are little to no restrictions about decorations, so I can go crazy with them! It's like a blank canvas. That was great to find out, since so many other churches had such strict restrictions about what we could or could not do.

So since I have the church I was able to book the rehearsal dinner...

I wanted something low key, like a class cookout, since so many of our friends and family have never met. Since I don't just happen to have a huge tent-worthy backyard, I have to rent one. Ironically, the site is called 'Winchester Place,' (I will be settling down in Winchester, IN).

There is a really good butcher in town that specializes in hog roasts and cookout style catering. They are a family business, which I can appreciate, and have already been more than accomodating. I just feel like the rest of the weekend will be so formal, it will be nice to have a good time with all the important people in our lives!

I am doing some dress shopping this week and weekend, so maybe I will have more good news to report! We have a few weddings to attend coming up in the next few weeks, so I plan on stealing some ideas!

My how the time does fly!

Ok... Start the one year countdown!

I mean technically it's not one year until the 25th, but I plan on being done with decisions by this time next year.... I mean hopefully I am not making important ones two weeks before my wedding!

I am going to look at a church tomorrow morning. My Mother has already scoped it out. A friend of a friend is actually getting married there tomorrow evening, but the church was really in to me seeing it decorated before the wedding.... I'm excited.

I came to the decision not to get married at Mavris simply because it was going to be a hassle. If we got married out in their wonderful garden, we ran the risk of our ceremony being halted by a passing train. And although their 1st floor is just as gorgeous as the rest of the facility, I really wanted to have cocktails down there, not my ceremony.

In addition, there is a wedding the night before mine. This isn't a big deal except that we would have to have our rehearsal very early on Friday, with hours to kill until the dinner. With so many people having to book hotels, etc., I just didn't feel like making them take the entire day off of work.

So I have narrowed it down to two very traditional churches.. I look at one tomorrow and the other in a few weeks (they are laying new carpet and don't want me to see it until the pews are back in place, etc.)

On another note, I have somewhat officially hired the ladies at Heavy Metal Event Planning to be my day of coordinators. Even though Mavris provides me with one, I really wanted to have someone that sees my vision and knows what I like, not just someone hired to make sure things run smoothly. With all the DIY projects, it's really important to have someone there to make sure things are correctly executed, and I know I can trust Katy and Kathi to be as particular as I am!

I also set up a cake tasting with Jill at Indy Cakes for the first weekend in October. She was referred to me by my photographer and has some pretty neat skills.

I want to start looking at dresses soon, but getting it coordinated with the people I want to be there is probably going to be complicated. As long as I have at least started looking by October I will feel ok.

In the meantime don't forget I am student teaching, showing my horse, and trying to work when life allows for it! I just don't want to wait until next summer to do all of this, so I am going to take it one piece and one step at a time!

I will let everyone know how it goes tomorrow! I'm excited!!

And I just want to take time out to address how grateful I am to be planning this wedding at all.

On a day like today (9/11) I really stop and think about how lucky I am to be alive and have so many loved ones still happy and healthy. I know so many that have suffered such loss and tragedy, and I can only hope that if I ever do experience anything like they have I will handle it with as much grace as they have shown. You know who you are.... and you know I love you.

<3 Jenn

Sometimes busy means boring.....

And this is one of those times!

Same old story... Too busy to plan my wedding!

I did start my registry at Pampered Chef after attending a party at ironically my photographer's home.

Which led me to, one night in sheer boredom, register for frivolous kitchen items (for the home I do not have) on Macy's.com.

Josh was a little perturbed he didn't get any input. He is mistakenly under the impression that you get to register for fishing poles and Wii games when you are getting married. WRONG!

I think with September right around the corner, and the one year countdown beginning I will get a little bit more motivated. Right now I am just steadily sending payments to my vendors (courtesy of the rents). I figure once I get that all paid down the fun spending will begin!

College begins again tomorrow; which just means I will really be busy now. But so far I love, love, love student teaching. My mentor teacher is awesome, my kids are adorable, and for the most part well behaved. Of course if you know me then you are aware that I have a soft spot in my heart for cute brats, being a former one myself!

I promise to have slightly more to discuss in the future.... Although be prepared, it could be a stressful few months!

Short little update!

Ok so there really is not a whole lot to update on....

Except for the fact that I now officially have four bridesmaids!

My two Maids of Honor were a given, so I didn't really even get the chance to think of a creative way to ask them... I'm sure that they will get a little something creative at some point! ;)

But my cousins were not such a given; especially since one of them has been in Paraguay for a while, and will still be there next september (She is a wonderful person devoting herself and serving in the Peace Corps). So I was thrilled to find out that there was even a small chance of her returning home for the wedding, and wanted to take advantage of her temporary visit (ironically to be in someone else's wedding) to ask her and her sister to take part in our big day.

Keep in mind our theme is apples, apple green, and brown....




My mother picked up these adorable little baskets. Inside was an apple the exact color of our wedding, and a simply tag asking the big question.









I used a "G" off of Word and just traced it with a brown colored pencil onto a sheer green paper. I then layered it over a harder cardstock, and attached it with a brown bow to the stem of the apple.












I then cheated.... I had my mom write on the back of the tag (I have the handwriting of a little boy).

They seemed to appreciate getting more than just a hug and a question. This is really the first DIY that I have done for the wedding so far, and it has me itching to do more!

For Kathi...

Ok so I've had some pressure lately to update in the form of my dear friend Kathleen.

Here ya go!

I have been beyond busy.

A typical day for me starts at 5:45am with work/school ending around 9pm.. followed by homework, television (I can never seem to wind down), laundry, and a shower(when I'm not being a dirty person and just pony-tailing it the next day).

On the weekend I have been cramming as much time in with Mr. Right as possible. It's been a busy but fun summer. Filled with canoeing, camping, concerts, and ice cream, I've had a blast so far.

Sooo yeah, outside of all that, not much time for anything.

Great news is I found out today a certain someone might be able to make it back to the country for my wedding; I'll keep you posted.

And... WE ARE GETTING A HOUSE! Well we haven't found like, the one, yet, but we're working on it and we are pre-approved. These last few years of long drives to see one another, Josh working literally around the clock, and school, are finally starting to pay off. I am just so thankful! I mean don't get me wrong I am exhausted right now, but there is light at the end of the tunnel!


Oh and I am a little over half way to being able to try on wedding dresses! Weight Watchers is really paying off, and even though I am at a plateu currently, everyone's wonderful feedback is keeping me motivated. So thanks! You know who you are!



Until next time!

Photo Stalker.... Stealing Inspiration

Ok, so i know that I have not posted in a long time... :::cough:::sorry Kathi:::cough::::

At least I have good reason! I am working, well, a lot to say the least. Any spare time I have is usually either already spoken for, or I give it to my man and my friends. Lucky for you, I am sitting in class tonight, done with my test, waiting for the lecture to begin. So I'm going to take the next 24 minutes to share with you what I have been doing.

Stalking.

No really I do read a lot of other blogs (Check out my list of reading favs), and I have no shame in right clicking and saving the photos I see in my wedding photo inspiration folder. Some of them also come from facebook.

::::Sidenote to add that in the beginning I was terrible about keeping track of my sources, so sorry and if you know where some of these came from let me know! I just google stuff::

Ok so Mavris is located near a railroad track, so I googled and found a couple good inspiration photos.

These next two are courtesy of the Indianapolis photographer Rich Miller.

This one I stole from a friend of a friend's facebook album... check out deer&darling for more information on the bride and her photographer whose name is Cathy Satre.

These came from Wedding Cabaret, a blog I follow, and she has the original sources on her site.

I love the look of the falling petals.... And how happy does the couple look!

Because I don't know this person I am only going to imagine this is her father pre-wedding.. in which case I think this is a very neat way to capture the moment before you walk down the isle... and well as my dad might say, "Give the family its name back!"

These are from Rich Miller again... and from couples that got married at Mavris.

So yeah i might not be on here much... But September I kick off the official planning madness... In the mean time I'm just stealing inspiration!

Ok so I know that I have not posted in forever... and for that I apologize to all 6 of the people that read this!

Things have been reallllllly busy with school. I just got done with my final project (Benchmark II) and aside from needing a drink I am so pleased to be done with the semester.

I got my student teaching placement.... First grade!!! Woo hoo!! I could not be happier. I mean I just need to throw that out there so that this time October when I am ready to kill the little buggas I can remind myself that at one point I was very, very, very excited to be there.

I have not done anything wedding lately, so I have zero to share! I am going to a bridal show tomorrow with my future mother-in-law so maybe that will get me refocused.

I am going to be working 7-2 this summer at a preschool that I worked at before, and then 2-5 at my father's office, followed by checking clients three nights a week. So I am guessing I will not be getting as much done this summer as I was originally planning. Oh well! (I mean it nothing can ruin this mood today!)

So here it is... summer! I am so happy and ready to get a tan!

It Was All Yellow

I have mentioned before on here that I could see how people want to get married more than once, if nothing else just to get to have everything they want. I'm not abandoning the green apple theme, but if I were to abandon the idea of getting married in Indy completely, and say jet off to Hawaii, Yellow would be the color for me!

The flowers are to die for! Especially since daisy's are my favorite!

And are these cup cakes not just so cute!?

And what bridesmaid wouldn't like this dress? (Priscilla of Boston)

Shoes anyone?

I am thinking of getting a pair myself! (J. Crew)

And I can guarantee you my future husband would never come home to a dirty house if this bad boy happened to make an appearance! (Jk sweetie I will clean anyway!)

But alas, I am stuck on being green! It will look great at Mavris with all of the deep wood floors and exposed brick walls to put it against. However, yellow is adorable!

I cannot wait for summer! Even though I am taking a summer class during May, I am so excited to simplify for a few months! Things have been very crazy lately, and I am looking forward to the next 3 weeks (yeppers that's all that's left!!!) of school to fly by!!

Have a great week.... and comment darn it! :)

An update....

Ok so I wish the weather would get consistent already! This beautiful one day gross the next has not only had an impact on my sinuses, but my mood and laziness!



MOB (mother of the bride) has been really great in helping me track down my green lanterns I love so much from yankee candle since I discovered that they were out of stock on the website. I am doing 1/2 the tables with the tall manzanita and chandelier crystal center pieces, and I love the idea of putting these little guys at the bottom! Sooo yeah I am guilty of calling each store in the area and picking up all that they have. My mother has been my main accomplice, and Kathi helped out by contributing one herself!

Oh and I am addicted to reading other people's blogs and websites! Really it's bad. I mean even if it's not an idea I would ever use, I love to see all the creative things that people come up with! If your bored, and wedding obsessed, check out my link and blogs that I follow, people are really creative and inspiring!

Also, have you ever looked at Etsy? Oh my goodness! Not only is their wedding stuff so creative and totally worthy of taking a look, but the baby stuff is unreal! I am probably going to end up buying some unisex baby items just because they are so neat!

Like these boutonnieres! I love them! Oh.. and yes those are little apples! You can go on Etsy and look up La La Laurie! Paper creations by Laurie Cinotto.

Oh...... I think I found THE dress!

At least I found the designer.... Jim Hjelm. I love this dress! I have no idea what it is going to look like on, and I won't for a while since the nearest JLM Couture retailer is hours away and I've only lost 7lbs so far (I told myself I had to lose 15), but I doooo love it!

Spring is here officially, but it's not reflected in temperature! I can't wait for summer because that means dresses, ice cream (low fat lol), drive in movies, fairs, concerts, walks, horse shows, and all the other things that make me happy. Another reason I can't wait is I fall in love with Josh all over again while we are doing these things together! I really feel like God has blessed me with not only someone to love and cherish, but a wonderful friend. Even when it's hard, it still feels right!

Ok enough sappiness....

Sorry for not posting in so long!

Life has been so busy! I am freaking out trying to decide when to start the main planning. I planned on doing so this summer, but with horse shows, summer school, concerts, and a few road trips I am not sure when!

I thought before that I would really start a year before, but then I will be student teaching from September until May, so that might make it eve crazier.

Planning on moving in May of 2010, and starting the job hunt.

Maybe I can take that summer off and plan? I doubt it!

Any who, went and spent some me time today since I am technically on SB (woo hoo). Got may hair done, not cut but colored/highlighted. I hate this growing it out phase, but I love long, romantic, loosely curled wedding do's so I must keep growing it.

Then headed in to work to do payroll and tie up a few loose ends before the weekend.

After work I plan on tanning, getting a pedicure, and tending to Dirt.

Dirt is my 'dirt' cheap horse I picked up to show this year. Found the little guy on the Internet, and said what the heck?! I purchased him on Valentines day and brought him home the following week. Poor guy went in yesterday to have a simple procedure done (making him less of a man by removing his "man parts") and ended up having to have his abdomen open in order to find his second "part" clear up by his kidney. I seriously lost sleep over the potential vet costs this will entail. Mostly thought I just feel sorry for the poor guy. He looked pretty defeated in his stall last night, so I plan on giving him a little TLC today!

Then it's off to Louisville for the weekend with my honey! Since I couldn't justify the costs of a Cancun SB with the wedding costs slowing growing out of control we decided to head south for a little R&R, gambling, horse farm tours, museums, and of course we plan to participate in the local night life scene!

I will post a more wedding related post when I get home!

Have a great weekend!

Mermaid or Princess?

OK so everyone likes to tell me two things all the time:

1) "Your wedding is so far away why are you planning?"

Usually followed by:

2) "Have you looked at dresses yet?"

Well if anyone knows my I've been planning my wedding since I was five, so this is just the beginning of me planning it out loud, instead of just in my dreams!

The answer to the second question is a bit more complicated. I could easily get married over and over and over again so I would get the chance to wear every kind of dress I like (I only plan on getting married once!) And yes, I have looked. I have been browsing websites and bridal magazines since the dawn of time; but no, I have not felt the need to go try anything on, nor look at it in person.

My parents are spending a lot of my wedding, and I feel obligated to look my best for it. While my thyroid has really made it hard, I have been putting a real effort in to my weight loss since January. It's a roller coaster, as soon as I lose 10lbs I put half of it right back on.

So how does this effect my wedding dress? I REFUSE to go look at them until I lose at least 15lbs! Seriously I am so disgusted with how far I have let myself go sometimes! Then there are other days where I have never felt more confident and beautiful. I want things to level out, and I want to be proud of how I look in my dress, not wishing I had just buckled down and lost a few more pounds!

I should be getting in the mail my weight watchers kit any day now. So wish me luck, and remind me to get something healthy if we go out to eat!

In the meant time.... here are a few of the lovely dresses that I like!

The Mermaid Dress

The Mermaid dress is one of my favorite styles. I am short, and have a huge butt, so I think that a more tailored, sophisticated dress would look best on me. I guess i will have to wait until I try some on to know for sure!

This b-e-a-utiful gown is by Palomo Blanca. I love the simple lace detailing, as well as the empire waist!

This one struck a chord with me because while it is full on the bottom, and wonderfully gathered along the bodice, the fabric is not weighed down by beading etc. It's a Moonlight creation.

The gorgeous layer effects on this Mia Solano dress create such a dramatic image. However, I'm not sure something like this is meant for someone with my body type!

This dress, while way out of my price range (Monique Lhuillier) is so sophisticated. I love love love the bow detail as well. I think that a ribbon sash tied in a bow can be such a great way to add a little color to the traditional dress!

On to the Short Ones

While I think that there is nothing wrong with short anything (I'm 5'1") I do not want a short dress at my formal wedding. Sometimes I toy with the idea of wearing one for my reception, but regardless there are some amazing short dresses out there right now.

This Sarah Arnette dress has a gorgeous sheer at the top. I think that this dress is so old Hollywood, and Jackie Kennedy esque! I have no idea what they were thinking with this models hair however!

This Alice Padrul Blanca dress walks the fine line between short and long, and I love the "peeping out" effect of the shoe. It's just adorable!

The Classics

Sometimes I find myself more attracted to simple, straight dresses that have less detailing, and lots of glamour.

Like this dress by La Fluer by Anne Barge. I love this neckline and the simple details on this dress. The A-line helps as well.

Or this J. Crew (yes you read correctly) dress. The simple bodice is covered with flowers created from a similar material. It's just so sweet. It would be perfect for a back yard or beach wedding!

Regardless I think that dress shopping will be a great reward for the weight loss I intend to have happen!

Have a wonderful weekend!

Jennifer and the terrible, horrible, no good, very bad, week! (Pity Party)

I will warn all of you that this has nothing to do with my wedding......

This is a summary of my week:

Monday
After all day Friday planning a lesson plan for my new "focus child" (I got him assigned to me at the end of the day Wednesday, so I had no idea what he struggled with) I managed to pick the one math skill he had mastered! So our activity that was supposed to fill 30 minutes took about 15! Then I had to go to the IMA with my classmated to basically watch a power point that could have been shown to us on campus!

Tuesday
Got to work late, for which I got the evil eye from my boss! Then I realized that my dyslexia had led to me to an incorrect balance in my register, which made me become overdrawn. So basically I was broke until today.

Wednesday
I already was just in a bad (partially bc of PMS) when I found out that we had yet another lesson plan to plan. I got stuck with a group that I am less than thrilled about working with. One person is possibly being kicked out of the class, and the other, bless her heart, has no time to do anything extra because she gave birth a week ago.

Then in class I find out that I have to teach a five minute lesson on minerals on Wednesday. Nice. I hate minerals!

After being annoyed by my professor that relies heavily on the Socratic method, the lack of answers, and the lack of time to complete things I was at least excited about lunch! My mom had made my 'healthy' spaghetti the night before, and I was having mine for lunch (because I am poor and couldn't buy anything good).

Poor S, she spilt the entire thing on the floor and my shoes when she bumped into the table. While the spaghetti was not that important, it was the last straw. I burst into tears and had to run home to change, as well as to borrow money so I could feed myself lunch. Unfortunately the library doesn't offer a refund for feeding their floor instead of yourself!

Thursday
Again met with the evil eye at work when I had to tell the boss that I would be leaving early due to needing to meet the horse shoer at the barn since my father was unable to. Oh well. Right as I am walking out the door to head home, I get a phone call and spend the next 25 minutes trying to make someone in who knows where understand about one of my employees insurance coverage. Thus making me late getting home, so I was met with the evil eye of the horse shoer.

Had a total OCD breakdown at this point and spent the rest of the afternoon cleaning and organizing (my mother got some alphabetically organized spices out of the deal) so as to not go crazy!

Finally time to go to a lovely required concert at IUPUI with a few good classmates, when I get a call at 6:45 pm that two of my employees won't be in. So i spend the whole car ride there swearing and making phone calls trying to get things covered.

Then the concert: let's just say that I do not consider making the same sounds at the tornado sirens that go off on Fridays music, and I got to listen to and hour of this 'music.'

Grey's Anatomy was a repeat. Enough said.

Friday
Sprained or broke (not sure yet because I haven't had time to go to the ER) my foot on my little brother's shoes. Sure hope the Marines teach him how to clean up!

Found out that Jackie O (horse) is not ovulating correctly so I have to shell out $300 in meds to "trick" her in to getting preggers.

Had to drop kick the ladies at the facility that the company does our drug testing at bc she still doesn't have results from a test taken a week ago.

Oh and after he regretfully agreed to go shopping with me tonight, I had to cancel on Josh because I can't walk. Pizza and Sports Center instead.... yay rah!

I am going out tomorrow night for a drink, even if i have an air cast!

I will share with you the hilarious "permission slip" sent out by some of my classmates for this little journey!

All Block II Southside Interns are invited to attend a social gathering at the Slippery Noodle in Downtown Indianapolis for drinks, conversation, and general tomfoolery.

Date: Saturday, February 28, 2009
Time: 8:00 - ?
Cost: $5.00 Door

*Students are permitted (or required in some cases) to bring friends and spouses. Dress for a comfortable Saturday night. Please no name tags, clipboards, or backpacks.

· Spouses and significant others if they insist (Phill) are invited.
· Fraternizing is allowed and expected.
· Dancing shoes also expected.
· Found instruments may be required by G. Miles & the Hitmen who will be performing that evening. Rain sticks, glockenspiels, and jingle bells included.

No official RSVP needed but if you have time to give a heads up it would be appreciated. Please consider coming out, it will be nice for us all to relive some stress together, away from class!!

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------

INTERN NAME: _______________________________________

I give permission for my naive and influential intern to go and relieve some stress at the Slippery Noodle Inn and release any participants from liability or humiliation in the event dancing or singing takes place.
SPOUSE SIGNATURE: _________________________________

Can't wait! I am glad there is a light at the end of the tunnel. And thanks to those reading this that have been directly effected by my craziness for being patient with me!

An Apple A Day....

Ok so recently I have become obsessed with the apple green and brown color combo. I really wanted to include the purple, and who knows I might just have a random purple dress in my ceremony, but I have decided to go with just the apple green, dark brown, and ivory.


So I headed to my good old research buddy GOOGLE, and low and behold fell even more in love with the colors.



Then I got to thinking....... Why not just have an apple theme?!?


I mean after all Josh is the "apple of my eye" (barf cheesy), and I am going into a profession that has been represented by the apple forever. So here are some of my b-e-a-u-tiful ideas thanks to the Google Gods!


I love the idea of using apples for place card holder, table numbers, etc.

I also think that they can be used in centerpieces and are in inexpensive filler.

Then come the favors... which can be really pricey! I think that I would love to just make home-made caramel apple (yet another project to add to the ever-growing DIY list!). Mine would be simple, but these are really cute ------->

And finally.... drumroll please..........

The cakes!

How cute is this one?! ----->

It's even already in my colors. I just love how simple and adorable it is.

What I think is really cool is how this cake is displayed (I don't care for the cake). If you look closely there are apples underneath the glass that is held up by clear wine glasses. I mean I'm sure my cake would come toppling down, but still it's an awesome idea!

I think that when people hear Apples they picture something really boring and cheesey. I know my mother is not the biggest fan; But I really like the idea myself. All in all I am very excited, and I think I am getting more of a solid idea of what I want!

On to the dresses: I am happy to say that while in Von Maur the other night I had one of the Maids of Honor (she hasn't been fired yet ;)) try on an apple green dress, and she liked the color! She declined green originally, but since then I have convinced her that the right color could be really cute. Plus it helps that so far all the women I have asked to be a part of the wedding party are gorgeous!

Which brings me to my next point.... I am trying to think of a really creative way to ask everyone else to be a part of the wedding. The two girls that are already in it, well it was sort of a given, but the other ones might not know that I want to ask them. I also have a few family members to ask, as well as the recruitment of ring bearer(s) and a jr. bridesmaid. Plus, if a certain classmates baby can walk by then, I will have a proper flower girl. (Not gonna lie I briefly considered hiring a child actress due to the complete lack of little girls the right age on either side of the family or our friends!)

Oh and yeah, tomorrow my first proper Valentines Day is going to happen! I have never had a good one. There was one year I broke up with someone days before, another I totally spaced getting the dinner res. at the restaurant we had been planning on trying, so we dined on popcorn at the movies, and I got the flu last year (my fiance kindly brought my sick-scary-looking self flowers anyway). So I am pumped! Yeah it's a Hallmark holiday, but who cares? Even if it's just a heart shaped pizza (we're having one tonight) or a lavish surprise date, it's fun to have a person to share it with! Cirque De Solei here we come!!!