Traveling in style

Since Kevin and I are going for a New England style wedding, what better way to portray that message than through transportation? Instead of renting limos or fancy cars, we've decided to rent a local trolley. Trolley services/tours can be found everywhere on the seacoast during the summer. I love the look of trolleys and think that we could get some really great bridal party shots through the windows. Its something different and I think that people will love it.

What do you think?

What to do when you don't have a clue...

I know that I have been slacking on the blog posts lately, but I've been stuck in a bit of a rut. I love reading about everyone's wonderful day-to-day happenings, but in reality we all go through stormy times. It can feel pretty lonely thinking that you are going through this by yourself, but in reality most people deal with personal difficulties all the time. So I'm going to come right out and say it: I have depression and anxiety issues. They came to a head my junior year in college and I've learned to live with the fact that I will be dealing with them my entire life. It's the hand I was dealt and there's no getting around it.

There are certainly times when things are at their worst and others when things are at their best. Well, lets just say that right now is not exactly a 'high point' for me. I left a cushy job after almost three years for something that I truly believed I was meant to do. Things were switched around quickly, and I was then shuffled into something else. Something else, that at the moment, I am currently hating. I've only been in this position for three months and cannot believe that I am already considering trying to find something else. I hate that I might have a random blimp on my resume that will haunt me down the road, but I also hate this feeling of not being happy. I was reading this a few weeks ago, and it really struck a cord with me. Especially # 14:

Let your passion shape your profession. You know that thing your dad says? “If work wasn’t hard, they wouldn’t pay you to do it.” Please. There are professional rock stars, astronauts, puppy trainers, and bloggers.

I'm too young to be wasting away my time. The catch though- what would I rather be doing with my time? I haven't got a clue. I tried making a list of qualities I would want in an ideal job, but they aren't pointing to one specific thing. The listed included things like helping others, having a creative outlet, not being at a desk from 9-5, interacting with others, having fun, taking pride in my position, possibly traveling, etc.

After working out some of the medical effects of this low point, I still haven't dealt with the underlying cause of just plain being unhappy. I'm young enough that I feel like its okay to be selfish and try something new for the fact of having fun, but I'm still at a loss.

When you've hit a crossroads in your life, how were you able to deal with it? What steps did you take to improve things? I'm in need of some serious advice here ladies. Thanks.

Dress Update

First off, I want to say a big THANK YOU!!!! to Kari for sending me some encouragement to try on wedding dresses now. I went last night, and am so happy that I did. I think I found the one!!

Only one of my sisters was able to make it so the two of us were able to go through the racks like mad women. I must have tried on at least 20 dresses. It honestly is like playing dress-up all over again! At first, every dress I tried on was nice but they just weren't wowing me. I was really nervous that I wouldn't find one that I absolutely loved.

It was one of the last dresses I tried on, and let me just say- I totally had that 'wow' moment. The fact that I didn't want to take it off was definitely a good sign. My sister kept reiterating that the dress just screamed 'me'. I'm getting excited all over again just thinking about it!

I made another appointment for the 10th to go back with my mom, my other sister and possibly some bmaids. I just hope that they love it as much as I do!

We made it!!

We made it through the week people!! Only a few more hours and it is officialy the weekend! This week has actually gone by relatively quickly, so there's really nothing to complain about. But no matter how awsome a work week has been, a non-work weekend will always trump it :)

What's on the schedule for this weekend you ask?

Hopefully lots of dancing! We have wedding number 2 this weekend and I'm hoping that it will be just as fun as all of the others. Kevin's cousin is getting married on Saturday and it'll be nice to cut-loose and dance the night away with his (and my soon to be) family.

Ahh if only we all could pull off the chic sheet look so effortlessly...

Happy (almost) weekend everyone!!

Wedding Dress Conundrum

So here's the question on the table: now or later? I know that for many brides one of the first things on their list is to buy their dress. Me being me you would have thought it would be purchased by now. Truth be told, I've only gone to try on dresses once in 10 months that I've been engaged (and we all know how poorly that went). I knew in the beginning that I had time on my side so there were no worries. Well folks, we're now 11 months out (thank you reminder email from the knot on Monday :))and it feels like the last thing I want to do right now. Manly because every bride wants to feel gorgeous & svelt on their wedding day. Let's just say there's nun o' that going on over here.

I'm worried that if I go shopping and choose a dress based on how I look now, I'll miss out on something spectacular that will look great on me in a few months. Am I crazy?

I've started running every day which has helped to shed a few pounds, but I have more than just a few pounds to go. I had a shock to my system when I entered college and I've never fully gotten back to where I want to be. I know that its insane to try and reach a goal of high school weight, but I want to reach of goal of just plain feeling great.

So should I just bite the bullet and start trying things on now? Or is it okay to wait until say August (8 months out)?

"The List"

As promised, here is "the list". Not everything is definite, it will depend on if I have time to get to it (or if it fits in the budget). It is also broken down into sections (can you tell I plan things for a living? lol). I would love to hear any and all advice from you out there!

Ceremony:

• Programs
• Something to hold the programs
• Flowers for program table
• Pomander balls on pews
• Vases with hydrangeas mimicking centerpieces on the altar intermixed with candles

Cocktail Hour:

• Family wedding photos
• Oars as guestbook
• Flowers for guestbook & gift tables
• Card box
• Flowers for bar & cocktail rounds
• Framed seating chart
• Monogrammed cocktail napkins
• Moss covered M & K for doors into cocktail area

Reception:

• Hydrangea vases on tables, fabric covered stands, votives & holders
• Table numbers
• Menu Cards
• Cake stand
• Flowers for cake topper
• Favors

Etc:

• Flowers for MOB & MOG
• Pomander ball for flower girl
• Ring bearer pillow
• Boutonnieres
• Bouquets for Bride & Bmaids
• Bow ties for Groom, Groomsmen, FOB & FOG
• Invitations, Save the Dates, etc.

Wish me luck!!

Updates...

First off, I just want to say thank you for all of the support regarding my last post. You are all wonderful and have no idea how great it felt to read your kind words. And secondly....Kevin got a job!!! And at our amazing alma mater no less!! I'm so happy for him. And so happy that he's happy! He doesn't have to start until July 1st, so he still has a few weeks of vacation. It will be nice for him to actually enjoy his time off now that he doesn't have to scramble for a new job. God works in miraculous ways, and I know that this is where Kevin is meant to be right now.



Things have been a little stressful lately with all of the changes going on. We were wondering if we would have to cancel our dream wedding and opt for something smaller, or push the date back, etc. We decided though that we could still have our dream wedding, just on our reality budget lol. I've done a lot of research, and the good thing is that time is on our side. I already knew that I wanted to do a lot of DIY projects for our big day. I'm a DIY kind of person anyways, and I wanted to incorporate a lot of personalization into our wedding. Now...we'll just be doing more of it! Be prepared for lots of upcoming posts on DIY ideas and projects. I've been scouring the blog world like crazy for inspiration. There really is no place better to look for it!



The main project that we have decided to take on ourselves will be our flowers. Not use an actual florist...are we crazy?! Well, looks like it folks. I've been doing some research and it seems that a lot of you out there are doing the same thing. I'll be able to purchase all of the flowers and materials for our bouquets, centerpieces, etc. at about 25% of the cost to go through a florist. To me, this seemed like a no brainer. I know that it will not be a piece of cake, but with careful planning and preparation I know that I can do it.



I found this picture on JL designs and fell in love. It is so simple and classic, yet works perfectly. And even better, they simply covered blocks with fabric themselves to create the stand! Sounds pretty simple to me! This is definitely my inspiration for our centerpieces, and I know that I will be able to pull it off.

I knew that I wanted to use hydrangeas to begin with, so this seemed like the perfect idea! Hydrangeas are not only beautiful and classic, but they are large enough that it wont take many of them to fill a vase and they are relativly inexpensive! I also had a thought of borrowing tall vases from family and friends instead of buying 15 or so new ones. I like the idea of each one being a little different as long as they are all generally the same height and width. I have a feeling that it will not be a problem rounding them up, and it will be a great use of resources!

I have a long list of the projects that we need to start looking into. Be prepared for that post tomorrow!