Wednesday Whining

I normally like to keep things positive on the blog because that’s why you read it, right? I can’t imagine anyone sticking around if all my posts had a negative spin and focused on things going wrong in my life (there is always something!). But a friend pointed out to me that it’s okay to remind my audience every once in a while that I am human, just like you, and talk about things that just aren’t going my way. Don’t worry, you aren’t in for a poor me, boo boo session and I certainly don’t expect any violins. I just kind of want to vent a little if that’s okay?

Today marks 3 ½ weeks until the Big Day. Each day I get more and more excited for it to finally be here after over a year of planning and anticipation. But planning a wedding is super stressful at times. Especially when there are a lot of things you have to remember and deadlines to meet. But it’s also dealing with vendors in general. My experience so far doesn’t come with any horror stories…yet…it’s just more of a general annoyance I’m feeling. If I am paying you to do a job it should be your responsibility to keep in contact with me and remind me when things need to happen. I’ve never done this before so I don’t know how it all works. Brides/Grooms to be are so busy the closer it gets to the wedding it can be difficult trying to squeeze in last consultations with regular life still going on. I feel like I shouldn’t be the one making the calls but rather I should be the one being contacted to say okay this is the timeframe we need to settle final details, what works for you? But I guess it doesn’t always work that way. At this point I’m not wishing it would all just be over or say that it’s disrupted my excitement, it’s just irritating. I would still recommend all my vendors though, because they are clearly awesome at what they do. And for the record, some of them have been fantastic about contacting me first and taking me through the process.

In the midst of the wedding hoopla, we are knee deep in the buying/selling a home situation. We knew putting our current home up on the market just a couple months before our wedding was a gamble, but the fear oF missing out on a great offer during a time that so many people look for homes outweighed the worry about timing. After just 4 weeks on the market we got an offer that could not be refused. And so the house hunt began. It’s enough to be busy every weekend with holidays, awesome wedding events, birthdays and playing catch up during the week with real life and vendor meetings. Add in keeping the place as clean as humanly possible for showings while trying to sell and then house hunting and it will make your head spin. We thought with the offer in place and financing situation seemingly good to go for the buyer that our next big goal would be finding a new house. After looking at several options last night we found out that our buyer’s original plan didn’t work out and she was on to plan B. That means we are stuck in limbo right now. There is a limited window for the buyer to get things back on track and if that doesn’t happen, back on the market the place goes. Sure, that means we aren’t in a time crunch to find a place, but it brings about other issues. Keeping the place showing worthy on a regular basis is time consuming with 2 of us, but Chris will be gone in the 2 weeks leading up to the wedding, which leaves me on my own. Plus, he will be traveling so much over the next 6 months that getting another buyer soon would mean I might be house hunting solo as well and having to take a million pictures to send. On the flipside, if the buyer is able to secure financing, we have very limited time that Chris is able to look at house with me and then to pick one. We would never pick a home simply to get it right now. But if we don’t find a place very soon we would have to move out and essentially by homeless. Don’t worry, I know some people who would take us in, but how big of a pain in the ass is moving twice? Ugh.

The point of this spillage is not to make you feel sorry for me or obligated to say “It will all work out”. I realize people say that because they are trying to sound positive and encouraging, but I kind of want to punch the next person who says it to me. Sometimes things don’t work out, at least not the way you wanted, but that’s okay. Life goes on. I’m not so worried about it I want to cry or just move past this part of my life. I just think sometimes it’s healthy to get it all out there. I’m generally a private person and I hate when I feel as though I’ve burdened someone by laying out my “problems”. But my blog allows me to have an outlet without standing in front of a person and having that person feel like they need to say something to make it all better, provide a solution or give me a hug. There might be some things going wrong or in limbo for me right now, but there are so, so many things going right. I will take this moment to let myself feel overwhelmed, anxious and crazy, but then I will get my shit together and carry on with my life. Because really, I have a pretty damn good one.

The Wedding Diaries: Bridal Shower Part 3

These days we are so busy I worry I will forget something important in the midst of all the craziness. Friday I turned 28 and even though I had to work it was a beautiful Spring day complete with gorgeous flowers from my dad and lunch with my mom. After work Chris and I met our realtor to start house hunting and the very first house we saw was a great start. We finished off the evening at home with some cold ones and the furballs running around like wild things.I managed to catch a rare moment of Piper sweetly smooching her little brother.

 

 

T-Shirt

 

Saturday morning was cold and rainy but Chris and I headed to the County Clerk’s Office to get our marriage license. In KY you have to get the certificate within 30 days of your wedding so that really puts how close it is into perspective. The bottom of the initial form asks if you (bride and groom) are related. Only in Kentucky. **I marked no just in case you were wondering**

In the afternoon I had my 3^rd and final bridal shower hosted by my mom’s sisters. It was gloomy and wet outside but we were having a blast inside. I am pretty sure there aren’t many items left on my registries after seeing the entire haul stashed in my old bedroom at my parents’ house. The generosity of my family and friends is really amazing.

If you have never tried a mimosa with peach juice, you are really missing out. I highly recommend it for hosting a shower, brunch or just because it’s Sunday Funday. And for my pregnant friends, just try soda water with it for a cool treat. Of course they had all my favorite Springy drinks so I had to mix it up. Mimosas, grapefruit shady and Pinot Grigio all made their way into my glass. Don’t worry Chris dropped me off and picked me up like the awesome fiancé that he is.

The festivities continued into the evening with dinner out and a few shots with a friend I haven’t spent time with in quite a while. We were out late so yesterday morning called for breakfast at Bob Evans. The blueberry pancakes were just calling my name and I had to answer. We took the dogs to the park in the afternoon to burn off all the empty calories. Ares was cracking me up just rolling around in the grass like it was the best thing ever. And all Chaos wanted to do was eat the grass, which he puked up later on. Sorry if you were about to eat. It wasn’t really that bad I promise!

We ended the weekend snuggled up in the living room browsing new homes on the market online and watching TV. Ares and Chaos were so tried from their park adventures they slept under their blankets all evening. Tomorrow Chris and I are off to look at more houses so hopefully we will have some good luck!

Happy week everyone!

The Wedding Diares: The Bachelorette Party

Sorry it’s taken me a few days to get this post up but it’s been extra crazy in my world. After an amazing weekend celebrating with my girlfriends I found out from my realtor that an offer had been made on my condo. Yesterday was pretty intense because a million things were going on at once but by the end of the day I was signing the offer acceptance papers. Now the search for our new home is on!

So back to the Nashville weekend. I worked half a day and then went home to finish packing and getting ready for my friend Amanda to come pick me up. We made great time getting down to Tennessee and the rest of the crew met up with us shortly after. There were pizza slices and drinks as we got ready for the first night on the town. Not surprisingly to those who know me, I decided I didn’t want to wear what I had on so thanks to my soon to be mother-in-law for ironing my alternate outfit. Aren’t we a fun looking bunch?!

Saturday our room was up at the crack of dawn. I’m not sure if it was being away from home or sheer excitement but none of us could sleep in. We had breakfast in the hotel and then chilled out for a little while and got ready for the day. In the afternoon I was treated to a little bachelorette shower in one of the suites complete with gifts, games and Panera for lunch. Then we headed riverside for cocktails before a comedy bus tour we had planned later on. The bar we went to had grapefruit beer and it was amazing!

  

Our bus tour was absolutely hilarious and if you are heading to Nashville and appreciate a little blue humor and also some fun facts about the city then I highly recommend it. Afterward it was time to get ready for dinner and do a wardrobe change. My talented friend Kristina did my hair and makeup. Impressive, right? We had our own private booth for dinner and ordered these giant moonshine mason jar drinks to share. My pasta was so delicious I ate it all!

I ended up wearing my white skinny jeans as planned but my sister had gotten me a cute Bride t-shirt so I wore that with my military jacket and favorite booties. I did wear a Bachelorette sash but nothing else that screamed I was about to get married. I have zero problems with anyone who has a great time going all out with that stuff but it’s just not me. I like to fly a little more under the radar. But of course lying low didn’t stop a drunk girl from running full force into me, knocking me down and spilling her drink down my white pants. I figured if it wasn’t someone else it would have been me so oh well, it didn’t put a damper on my night out.

When I made it home Sunday afternoon I was pleasantly surprised to walk into a super clean place with freshly bathed pups! My fiancé is the best. I told him all about our trip and he just laughed at our shenanigans. Mostly they were “well you had to be there” stories but he got the picture anyway. I don’t think I can express with words how grateful I am to have such amazing family and friends willing to come and spend a weekend just celebrating with me. My little sister, who even at 24 will always be little to me, spearheaded the whole planning process. She was dreaming up ideas before I was even engaged and so excited to do this for me. My other maid of honor Kristina helped with the planning and execution as well and of course my mom was right in there with them. Thank you is no enough but I hope they know how much it meant to me to make my pre-party wedding party so memorable and fantastic. I love all my girls and am so lucky to have them in my life!!

The Wedding Diaries: Bachelorette Party Packing

Tonight we kick off my bachelorette party in Nashville and I can't wait to get down there! But first, coffee. 

 How cute is this monogrammed coffee tumbler from The Sister Studio? It was an early birthday gift that arrived yesterday, just in time for me to take on my weekend trip. 

Yesterday afternoon we took the boys on a walk and they posed just for you. I thought they were going to help me pack but they took naps instead. Nice. Here's what I'm bringing for the weekend.

I'm notorious for over packing because I just can't seem to decide one specific outfit before I'm actually going to wear it. I need options. What's funny is that I have no problem planning a week's worth of clothes for work but when it comes to going out I become very indecisive. We will arrive this evening in Music City so we will go out but keep it on the low key side. Tomorrow we have a fun afternoon event and then the major partying will start later on. I've packed my new denim shorts and coral chinos that I could wear with my chambray shirt or my lacey tank and sandals. The overalls I made it through prom season shopping to get are coming with a white t-shirt and cowboy boots for tomorrow afternoon. My sister really wants me to wear white Saturday night so I'm packing white skinny jeans to pair with either my chambray shirt or white lacey tank and military jacket. I do have a white dress that I wore to my engagement party, but let's be honest, there's a good chance I'll be up on a bar at some point and definitely not down for anyone peeking. 

Sorry, I couldn't find links for the chambray skirt, jacket (both from Fossil) for shortalls (from JC Penny). 

Have a great weekend, digital cheers to you all!

Window Shopping & Walking Weather

It's been crazy around here as usual but as the wedding date approaches it just adds to the excitement. We had our final consultation with our photographer this week and we are so glad we are able to go with our original choice of location for pictures. It does mean we have to get things started a little earlier on the big day, but thankfully our hair and make-up vendors have been more than accommodating and my family and friends are on board. Flexible people make everything so much easier and I am so lucky to be surrounded by them!

I'll be honest that I've been a little stressed with everything going on, but in my opinion it hasn't taken away from the whole experience at all. Fun and exciting things are happening but that doesn't mean every day is great. That's okay though because the happiness far outweighs the stress. Everyone has their way of dealing with that and for me, one thing I like to do is online browse. Oh, you hadn't already figured that one out? While my laptop is STILL down, here are some of my newest favorites from my lunch time "window" shopping. 

My stripe obsession may be slightly out of control but you like what you like, right? There is currently a large gaping hole in my wardrobe that only a pair of striped leggings can fill. Good thing these pairs from J. Crew & Madewell are on sale right now. Really, I don't joke about leggings. Or stripes. Which is why I also was drawn to the Monday Dress maxi skirt and Piace Boutique crochet sleeved dress in fun Spring & Summer colors. There is always something begging to be ordered with my new monogram on it from Marley Lilly and the leather cuff bracelet might be top on my list. It comes in a lot of cool colors but I love that the neutrals would go with anything. The Mint Julep Boutique maxi dress would go so well with the cute new Tommy Hilfiger sandals I basically stole from TJ Maxx last week and could be worn all the way into fall. I recently got rid of nearly all my old bathing suits and I love mixing a bold colorful print top with a solid bottom, so this Victoria's Secret mix would be a perfect combo. I am loving the Hello Apparel t-shirt I recently purchased on sale so much that I want another one. Does anyone ever REALLY want to grow up? I've heard so many good things about the Philosophy Purity face wash but have never tried it. I've used Cetaphil forever but I think I might have to give this a shot and hopefully get that blushing bride glow for my wedding!

Striped Leggings (1) / Maxi Dress / Blue Dress / Leather Cuff / Bikini / Maxi Skirt / T-shirt / Striped Leggings (2) / Face Wash

The weather has been better this week for walks and Ares and Chaos LOVE when the weather hovers in the 60s. I usually prefer it to be a little warmer, but for walks I'm totally with the dogs. It's nice to wear less clothes but also not sweat to death. I got to rock my fun new Target shades and TJ Maxx tank, and if you ask me, showing off anything new is always fun. 

 Women's Surfrider Sunglasses

I'm gearing up for my bachelorette party tomorrow in Nashville so stayed tuned to see what I'm packing!