tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-80639671444586115372024-03-13T03:32:55.194-05:00The Thirty-Something BrideAn outlet for the inspirations, frustrations and mutations from Singleton to Wife.Louisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07715082960831035952noreply@blogger.comBlogger282125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8063967144458611537.post-83341576999011233262010-02-07T07:23:00.004-06:002011-06-30T16:14:27.015-05:00The New Website!<div style="text-align: center;"><br /><a href="http://thethirtysomethingbride.com/">The Thirty-Something Bride</a> has a brand new website! Grab my new button for your own page, or just click on the link!<br /><br /><div align="center"> <a href="http://thethirtysomethingbride.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="TTSB" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2713/4322959457_37e25860c2_o.jpg" /></a> </div> <div align="center"> <form><textarea rows="6" cols="20"><a href="http://thethirtysomethingbride.com" target="_blank"><img alt="TTSB" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2713/4322959457_37e25860c2_o.jpg" /></a></textarea></form> </div><br /><br />What's so great about the new website?<br /><ul><li>Recaps of my own wedding!</li><li>Fresh ideas on decor and design for both weddings and home interiors!</li><li>Contests!</li><li>Wedding Features (contact me if you're interested)!</li><li>Budget saving ideas and <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">DIY</span> projects!<br /></li><li>The occasional <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">snarky</span> post (some things will never change)!</li></ul>You can sign up to get the new <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">RSS</span> feed <a href="http://www.thethirtysomethingbride.com/imported-20100102151706/rss.xml">here</a>. That way, new posts will show up in your Google Reader. I also <a href="http://twitter.com/T30SB">Tweet</a>. And, you should really follow T30SB on <a href="http://www.facebook.com/reqs.php#%21/pages/The-30-Something-Bride/112149415698?ref=nf"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Facebook</span></a>.<br /><br />See you on over at the new <a href="http://thethirtysomethingbride.com/">site</a>.<br /></div>Louisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07715082960831035952noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8063967144458611537.post-36383430626196681462010-01-05T12:55:00.005-06:002010-01-05T13:11:01.674-06:00Hey You, T30SB Followers! Yes, YOU!<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ez6rtDS54Yk/S0OOCSUUsRI/AAAAAAAACDk/PQmtUuJnzxE/s1600-h/follow-me-stockings.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 279px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ez6rtDS54Yk/S0OOCSUUsRI/AAAAAAAACDk/PQmtUuJnzxE/s320/follow-me-stockings.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5423334546212172050" border="0" /></a><a href="http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://cdn.mashable.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/10/follow-me-stockings.jpg&imgrefurl=http://mashable.com/2009/10/14/follow-me-stockings/&usg=__bu1D1EhfDkIa0kFCScELx8rPGi0=&h=493&w=430&sz=42&hl=en&start=98&tbnid=ZghBAJRsHres0M:&tbnh=130&tbnw=113&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dfollow%2Bme%26gbv%3D2%26ndsp%3D18%26hl%3Den%26sa%3DN%26start%3D90"><span style="font-size:78%;">Source</span></a><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Come follow me on my new site<a href="http://thethirtysomethingbride.com/"> http://thethirtysomethingbride.com</a>.<br /><br />Click right <a href="http://www.thethirtysomethingbride.com/imported-20100102151706/rss.xml"><span style="font-size:180%;">HERE</span> </a>to subscribe!<br /><br />That way, you'll get all my updates in your Google Reader or <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Feedburner</span> or whatever your blog-reading poison is.<br /><br />Come on, you know you want to......<br /><br /></div><div id="moduleContentWrapper5526053" class="widget-wrapper widget-type-rss-syndicate"><div id="moduleContent5526053"><br /></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">And how cute are those <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">freakin</span>' Twitter stockings? Not that I'd ever buy them, but they are too cute! </span></span><br /></div>Louisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07715082960831035952noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8063967144458611537.post-69512585879283061972010-01-02T16:05:00.003-06:002010-01-02T16:26:13.427-06:00NEW BLOG SITE! NEW BLOG SITE!<div style="text-align: center;">OK, so I got it done.<br /><br /><span style="font-size:180%;">Ta-Da!</span><br /><br /> Go <a href="http://thethirtysomethingbride.com">here</a>, y'all.<br /><br />You can find and follow me at:<br /><a href="http://thethirtysomethingbride.com">www.thethirtysomethingbride.com</a><br /><br />I've got my own freakin' domain name (no more blogspot!)- BOOYA! Book mark me. It will make me feel SO important.<br /><br />I'm still updating some pages and stuff, but the guts and glory are all there for you to enjoy.<br /></div>Louisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07715082960831035952noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8063967144458611537.post-30455451896937687672010-01-01T22:59:00.007-06:002010-01-01T23:59:47.718-06:00New Year, New Blog? Not So Much...I was totally hoping to surprise everyone with a great new blog design for the New Year, but alas, I have not worked it out. I had a mini-heart attack earlier today in my attempts to update and write my own code. It worked in the test-blog I set up, but then I tried it here and I thought I'd lost all my links and followers and all this happened right as The Candyman wanted a quick smooch. Right at that moment I was <span style="font-style: italic;">freaking out</span>. I was a bit of a Bitch and had to go apologize. Thus, I have given up for the time being on the blog redesign and have opted to write one instead. Go figure.<br /><br />So where was I?<span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-style: italic;"></span></span><br /><br /></span><span>Right, I was threatening my family with imminent death</span><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-style: italic;"> </span></span>if they sneaked peeks at the blog. Why? Because I got most people pictures for Christmas! I have to say, I am most impressed with myself. I was able to get a Photo Book made on-line, printed and sent to me at astonishing speed. I'm sure you are all familiar with the fancy-schmancy books you can buy from your <a href="http://jonathoncampbell.com/">photographer</a>, <a href="http://inkubook.com/Default.aspx">InkuBook</a> or <a href="http://www.apple.com/ilife/iphoto/print-products.html">Mac iPhoto</a>. <span>I</span><span> got mine through <a href="http://www.mypublisher.com/">MyPublisher</a></span><span style="font-style: italic;">, </span><span>which I found through Costco's on-line photo section (hello, 20% discount!). I simply uploaded all the photos I wanted to tell the story of our wedding day, arranged them in the style of book I wanted (this took me ALL DAY) and had the printed versions in my hot, little hands a mere 3 days later! Totally bad-ass. We got the 15" x 11.5" size with a linen hardcover. If I could do it over again, I'd get the leather cover and pay the extra $$$. The linen cover is very nice, but it tends to fade in areas where it's touched, almost like it's getting dirty. Ew. However, I love my book and so do both sets of parents!<br /><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ez6rtDS54Yk/Sz7ZgS8FdXI/AAAAAAAACB8/uMecDWfVJw0/s1600-h/Christmas+018.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ez6rtDS54Yk/Sz7ZgS8FdXI/AAAAAAAACB8/uMecDWfVJw0/s320/Christmas+018.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5422010150263551346" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ez6rtDS54Yk/Sz7ZgkOIplI/AAAAAAAACCE/s7oLxnu4qGQ/s1600-h/Christmas+019.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ez6rtDS54Yk/Sz7ZgkOIplI/AAAAAAAACCE/s7oLxnu4qGQ/s320/Christmas+019.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5422010154902660690" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ez6rtDS54Yk/Sz7Zgz_33wI/AAAAAAAACCM/4PKlk7hcyhY/s1600-h/Christmas+020.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ez6rtDS54Yk/Sz7Zgz_33wI/AAAAAAAACCM/4PKlk7hcyhY/s320/Christmas+020.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5422010159137808130" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ez6rtDS54Yk/Sz7ZhfMbmdI/AAAAAAAACCc/csWQYIcH9dY/s1600-h/Christmas+022.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ez6rtDS54Yk/Sz7ZhfMbmdI/AAAAAAAACCc/csWQYIcH9dY/s320/Christmas+022.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5422010170733205970" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ez6rtDS54Yk/Sz7ZhFwWOUI/AAAAAAAACCU/lePN9N80WTs/s1600-h/Christmas+021.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ez6rtDS54Yk/Sz7ZhFwWOUI/AAAAAAAACCU/lePN9N80WTs/s320/Christmas+021.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5422010163904526658" border="0" /></a><br />These are just some different shots of the pages so you can see all the different ways to set it up. You can also add text and all sorts of frames and such. It was actually really fun to do! If you're really interested in seeing how it turned out, send me your email addy and I'll send you the link to My Bookshelf on <a href="http://www.mypublisher.com/">MyPublisher</a>. The book was 47 pages and had 125 photos and was under $90 with my Costco discount!<br /><br />I also took our engagement photos and loaded those into a small, paperback book as a secret gift to The Candyman. I put a few lines of "tender feelings" along with the photos. I don't know how much he liked it, but I liked making it for him!<br /><br />I'll tell you what The Candyman was definintely happy about....the Wii I got for him! Look at that smile!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ez6rtDS54Yk/Sz7cv1ySETI/AAAAAAAACCs/L9lw3F4Njcw/s1600-h/Christmas+005.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ez6rtDS54Yk/Sz7cv1ySETI/AAAAAAAACCs/L9lw3F4Njcw/s320/Christmas+005.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5422013715850596658" border="0" /></a><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ez6rtDS54Yk/Sz7cwJ4BNYI/AAAAAAAACC0/g4DIagqWtHw/s1600-h/Christmas+001.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ez6rtDS54Yk/Sz7cwJ4BNYI/AAAAAAAACC0/g4DIagqWtHw/s320/Christmas+001.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5422013721243366786" border="0" /></a>Ho! Ho! Ho!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">I will be getting back to the wedding recaps starting with my next post! Now that all has been revealed, I can start posting my fav pics! Ooooh, I can't wait! I can't wait! It's like Christmas, all over again!<br /><br />I do want to share with you one of the amazing sights that The Candyman and I saw in our Christmas travels.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ez6rtDS54Yk/Sz7cwfr3bgI/AAAAAAAACDE/YQImk1gUrNE/s1600-h/Christmas+016.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ez6rtDS54Yk/Sz7cwfr3bgI/AAAAAAAACDE/YQImk1gUrNE/s320/Christmas+016.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5422013727097974274" border="0" /></a>Yes, the plate says TITMAN. Awesome. What was funny was that the driver noticed I was taking a picture and gave<span style="font-style: italic;"> me</span> a strange look as we passed him. I swear, I will never understand people. Never ever. I mean, how could I <span style="font-style: italic;">not</span> take a picture of it?<br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">P.S. I just noticed that I lost all my blog links in my sidebar. Swell. Just swell. </span></span><br /></div></div></div>Louisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07715082960831035952noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8063967144458611537.post-47909455510917990922009-12-21T09:07:00.005-06:002009-12-21T09:58:39.891-06:00The Kiddie-PoosI know a lot of other brides struggle with whether or not to invite children to <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">the wedding</span>. We did too. At first I was like, "Absolutely not! No <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">rugrats</span> allowed!" Then I thought about having a flower girl and how can you have a flower girl and no other children? Well, that seemed ridiculous to me. But what we finally decided (after<span style="font-style: italic;"> much</span> debate and struggle) was this: the whole reason we were even having a wedding was because we wanted our closest friends and family to witness our union. We believe that the people we invited to our wedding will be those people who stand up for us through thick and thin. We think that when the going gets rough, these folks will be around. Many of these people we love and adore have children, especially since The <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Candyman</span> and I are thirty-something. Lots of our friends got a running head-start on the procreation thing. In some cases, if we <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">didn't</span> invite the kids, the parents probably couldn't come. All that just seemed to negate what The <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Candyman</span> and I were trying to achieve with our wedding in regards to the importance of family.<br /><br />We were quite lucky that our venue offered the <span style="font-style: italic;">perfect</span> solution. Since we had a whole house buy out at <a href="http://merebulles.com/">Mere <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">Bulles</span></a> yet we did not need all the space, we were able to sequester the kids away upstairs. It turned out AWESOMELY! One of the rooms upstairs had a drop down movie screen. So we hooked the ankle-biters up with a few <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">DVD's</span>, a kid-friendly menu and a few babysitters. Have I mentioned the babysitters? No? They are none other than fellow local brides <a href="http://miss-kriss.blogspot.com/">Miss <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">Kriss</span> </a>and <a href="http://planningsarahelizabeth.blogspot.com/">Sarah Elizabeth</a>!<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ez6rtDS54Yk/Sy-PVFsKCmI/AAAAAAAAB_E/rNZ32NfnPdQ/s1600-h/jcp5.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 187px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ez6rtDS54Yk/Sy-PVFsKCmI/AAAAAAAAB_E/rNZ32NfnPdQ/s320/jcp5.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5417706469217405538" border="0" /></a>Look how <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">effin</span>' cute they are!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">These wonderful ladies came to my rescue in my hunt for babysitters! I was trying to go through a service to get some reliable sitters, but that was a dead-end. I did not want to sign up and pay for some lame service since I only needed babysitters for ONE NIGHT! And guess what folks? When you don't have kids, sitters can be hard to come by. I definitely wanted someone over the age of 18 so some of my friend's high school kids were not in the running. I was stumped as to how to find anyone. I was complaining to Miss <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">Kriss</span> one night at the gym (she was such a wonderful sounding board!) and she totally offered to help me! She enlisted Sarah Elizabeth and I was all set! You guys (meaning Miss <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">Kriss</span> and Miss SE) totally rocked my world with your willingness to help out a fellow bride-in-need! Many thanks to you both.<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;">As I mentioned <a href="http://thethirty-somethingbride.blogspot.com/search/label/Kid%20Stuff">before the wedding </a>I had a kid's table all planned out. Their favors were old <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">skool</span> Cracker Jacks and I had a massive centerpiece filled with candy. From what I hear, the kids were totally jacked up on candy all night long. Sweet!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ez6rtDS54Yk/Sy-PUSiYHAI/AAAAAAAAB-k/22l_BnAO5lo/s1600-h/jcp1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 229px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ez6rtDS54Yk/Sy-PUSiYHAI/AAAAAAAAB-k/22l_BnAO5lo/s320/jcp1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5417706455486176258" border="0" /></a>It looks like this had already been raided.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ez6rtDS54Yk/Sy-PUn4qjRI/AAAAAAAAB-s/pMQGo3qOyys/s1600-h/jcp2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ez6rtDS54Yk/Sy-PUn4qjRI/AAAAAAAAB-s/pMQGo3qOyys/s320/jcp2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5417706461216804114" border="0" /></a>Look at this little puffin face! How cute, right? I love how Mere <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_12">Bulles</span> hooked them up with kids cups too!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ez6rtDS54Yk/Sy-PUruBRRI/AAAAAAAAB-0/F-NZd3yoz6Q/s1600-h/jcp3.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 266px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ez6rtDS54Yk/Sy-PUruBRRI/AAAAAAAAB-0/F-NZd3yoz6Q/s320/jcp3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5417706462245897490" border="0" /></a>The Flower Girl and her brother reach for a well-deserved treat.<br /><br />After the adults had finished eating and toasts were made, we invited the kids down for cake and dancing. A few of the older kids wandered down, but most of them stayed upstairs for the most part. Here are the Flower Girl and her brother again, totally zoned out on a movie.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ez6rtDS54Yk/Sy-PUyx6NdI/AAAAAAAAB-8/G4QRE2OM7Uo/s1600-h/jcp4.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 229px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ez6rtDS54Yk/Sy-PUyx6NdI/AAAAAAAAB-8/G4QRE2OM7Uo/s320/jcp4.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5417706464141260242" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: left;">Although, some kids definitely wanted to get their boogie on. I couldn't resist this one as a dance partner.<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ez6rtDS54Yk/Sy-WCViWIYI/AAAAAAAAB_M/0yBE443m_q8/s1600-h/jcp6.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 229px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ez6rtDS54Yk/Sy-WCViWIYI/AAAAAAAAB_M/0yBE443m_q8/s320/jcp6.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5417713843635102082" border="0" /></a>I find a few things odd about this shot. First, I'm clearly <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_13">gettin</span>' <span style="font-style: italic;">down</span> with my girl. Second, the parents watching? Not her parents. Third, is my mom standing <span style="font-style: italic;">barefoot</span>? I think this was at the end of the night anyway, but it sure was fun. I do remember I was dancing to a song that I LOVE to dance to, <span style="font-style: italic;">Blame It On the Boogie</span> by The Jackson 5. It's back when Michael still had black skin, a real nose and Tito was <span style="font-style: italic;"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_14">stylin</span></span>'.<br /><br /><object width="445" height="364"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/vjW1iq4IO2k&hl=en_US&fs=1&color1=0x5d1719&color2=0xcd311b&border=1"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/vjW1iq4IO2k&hl=en_US&fs=1&color1=0x5d1719&color2=0xcd311b&border=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="445" height="364"></embed></object><br /></div></div></div></div></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Craving Michael's sweater vest and belt. Hot.<br /></div>Louisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07715082960831035952noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8063967144458611537.post-35622212477209829962009-12-18T09:19:00.008-06:002009-12-18T10:49:38.411-06:00Yuck it Up<div style="text-align: center; font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-size:180%;"><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);"><span style="text-decoration: underline;">STOP!</span></span><br /></span></div><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:180%;" ><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);"><span style="font-size:180%;"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">WARNING!</span><br /><br /></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0);font-size:180%;" >MOM AND/OR DAD - DO NOT READ THIS POST OR I WILL KILL YOU! I LOVE YOU BOTH DEARLY, BUT I <span style="font-style: italic;">WILL</span> KILL YOU IF YOU SO MUCH AS GLANCE AT THIS POST. YOU WILL RUIN CHRISTMAS FOR EVERYONE IF YOU DO. DO YOU WANT TO BE RESPONSIBLE FOR RUINING CHRISTMAS FOR <span style="font-style: italic;">EVERYONE</span>? I THINK NOT. AND WHILE I'M AT IT, AUSTIN AND/OR CHRISTINA - YOU SHOULDN'T READ THIS EITHER. I CAN THREATEN YOU TWO WITH DEATH AS WELL, BUT YOU ARE BOTH CRAFTY, INSANE PEOPLE WHO WOULD GIVE ME A RUN FOR MY MONEY IN A DEATH MATCH. SO, I'M JUST GOING TO TRY TO GUILT YOU INTO NOT READING THIS POST. DO NOT RUIN CHRISTMAS!!!!!!</span><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">And back to the recaps.......<br /><br />The great thing about a First Look scenario is that you get all the pictures out of the way (for the most part) prior to the ceremony <span style="font-style: italic;">and</span> the reception. I am <span style="font-style: italic;">so glad</span> we did this. Any of you with an ounce of Type A coursing through your veins - I highly suggest the First Look. Why? Because I was SO impatient! I was ready to get my reception <span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">on</span>.<br /><br />So after the first look, we had some more formal shots taken as well as some fun ones. <a href="http://jonathoncampbellphotography.com/">Jonathon Campbell,</a> photographer extraordinaire, has a photo-journalistic style, but managed to capture some really great formal portrait styles as well - all with just a hint of flair and personality. And when I say personality, I mean <span style="font-style: italic;">ours, </span>not his. His photography shows off the personality of the people in front of the camera, not behind it.<br /><br />The <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Candyman</span> and I crack each other up <span style="font-style: italic;">all the time</span>. We talk <span style="font-style: italic;">all the time</span>. We make faces at each other <span style="font-style: italic;">all the time</span>. We are cheesy and goofy and <span style="font-style: italic;">we don't care</span>. We are so not cool, but I think we do a good job at faking it when we need to. Jonathon was able to capture that in ways that were endearing and charming and just plain romantic. What's great is that our families are the same way! Both are goofy and cheesy and fun and I am so glad we got that vibe captured on film! Below are some of the images that capture this spirit. While they aren't the ones that I will have matted and mounted and hanging in the living room, they are the ones I think I love the very most.<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ez6rtDS54Yk/SyujVQPLvDI/AAAAAAAAB9M/Utj-kBO96JU/s1600-h/jcp1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 229px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ez6rtDS54Yk/SyujVQPLvDI/AAAAAAAAB9M/Utj-kBO96JU/s320/jcp1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5416602562374384690" border="0" /></a>Typical. A shit-eating grin on The <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Candyman's</span> face and me cracking up!<br /><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ez6rtDS54Yk/SyujqeUG0-I/AAAAAAAAB-c/8dmqZ2_Xo0o/s1600-h/jcp11.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 229px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ez6rtDS54Yk/SyujqeUG0-I/AAAAAAAAB-c/8dmqZ2_Xo0o/s320/jcp11.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5416602926930383842" border="0" /></a>I absolutely adore this photo. Joshua, The <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Candyman's</span> brother and Best Man is the wittiest creature I know. He can be so dead-pan. It's awesome. Joshua also has what The <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Candyman</span> refers to as "The People's Eyebrow." I think this has something to do with the wrestler/actor The Rock, but I have to admit, my knowledge of the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">WWF</span> is limited. Both The <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">Candyman</span> and his brother have the same eyebrow thing and Joshua is showing it here. I'm sure the look followed a <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">snarky</span> comment that set The <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">Candyman</span> into hysterics.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ez6rtDS54Yk/SyujnPYymGI/AAAAAAAAB-U/xw56S6WkI5o/s1600-h/jcp10.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 249px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ez6rtDS54Yk/SyujnPYymGI/AAAAAAAAB-U/xw56S6WkI5o/s320/jcp10.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5416602871383890018" border="0" /></a>This is The <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">Candyman</span> and one of his other brothers, Preston. Preston was paralyzed when he was 18 years old (he's 40-something now) and has just the most incredible spirit. Wheelchair or no, those two behave like any other siblings.<br /><br />OK, I've got to preface these next couple of shots. My <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">MOH</span> is not one who laughs or smiles a whole lot. She never really has been. It's not that she's grumpy or unhappy, it's just got to be something really funny for her to laugh. Her children are very similar. They are not unhappy children, just somewhat serious, like their mother.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ez6rtDS54Yk/SyujVh_CV2I/AAAAAAAAB9U/iRoBzKOwwyk/s1600-h/jcp2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 229px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ez6rtDS54Yk/SyujVh_CV2I/AAAAAAAAB9U/iRoBzKOwwyk/s320/jcp2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5416602567138498402" border="0" /></a>Here we are about to get some shots of the The Flower Girl and the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">MOH</span> and me. As you can see, the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">FG</span> is taking this very seriously.<br /><br />Jonathon took a couple of shots with the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_12">FG</span> just sort of standing there looking at the camera. She wasn't smiling and looked a little scared. Sharon, Jonathon's partner in crime, gingerly asked her, "Do you think you can give us a little smile, honey?" And right on cue:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ez6rtDS54Yk/SyujV5RuGyI/AAAAAAAAB9c/NruQ5Xw4ngo/s1600-h/jcp3.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ez6rtDS54Yk/SyujV5RuGyI/AAAAAAAAB9c/NruQ5Xw4ngo/s320/jcp3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5416602573390879522" border="0" /></a>Stunner!<br /><br />Jonathon (or maybe the second shooter?) immediately got this shot right after:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ez6rtDS54Yk/SyujWNcRM9I/AAAAAAAAB9k/yOvaz49j_TU/s1600-h/jcp4.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 256px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ez6rtDS54Yk/SyujWNcRM9I/AAAAAAAAB9k/yOvaz49j_TU/s320/jcp4.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5416602578803831762" border="0" /></a>Me and the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_13">MOH</span> cracking up at the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_14">FG</span>. She went from this sad-looking little girl right into happy mode at the gentlest of prompting. It was too funny!<br /><br />As I've mentioned several times before, I had to have some "help" in filling out my dress. Not familiar? You can read about it<a href="http://thethirty-somethingbride.blogspot.com/2009/09/bubbies.html"> here</a>. Here's my <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_15">MOH</span> in a moment of jocularity over the new wedding day cleavage!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ez6rtDS54Yk/SyujWPsyL_I/AAAAAAAAB9s/s6euQ0CAICM/s1600-h/jcp5.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ez6rtDS54Yk/SyujWPsyL_I/AAAAAAAAB9s/s6euQ0CAICM/s320/jcp5.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5416602579409973234" border="0" /></a><br />And then me, checking out the girls myself:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ez6rtDS54Yk/Syujl9q_zrI/AAAAAAAAB90/MbrFQ-tezjw/s1600-h/jcp6.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ez6rtDS54Yk/Syujl9q_zrI/AAAAAAAAB90/MbrFQ-tezjw/s320/jcp6.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5416602849448545970" border="0" /></a><br />My mother will totally hate this picture of herself, but I love it. She's totally laughing at me for some reason and clearly I'm enjoying myself too!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ez6rtDS54Yk/Syujmb-lLJI/AAAAAAAAB98/wSFIoxletrI/s1600-h/jcp7.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ez6rtDS54Yk/Syujmb-lLJI/AAAAAAAAB98/wSFIoxletrI/s320/jcp7.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5416602857583750290" border="0" /></a><br />From the smug look on my brother's face, I know he's probably said something disgusting and/or completely inappropriate. However, since we're family and we all have a totally twisted sense of humor, we think it's funny too.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ez6rtDS54Yk/SyujmZOOm4I/AAAAAAAAB-E/E_N0dbvngR0/s1600-h/jcp8.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ez6rtDS54Yk/SyujmZOOm4I/AAAAAAAAB-E/E_N0dbvngR0/s320/jcp8.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5416602856844073858" border="0" /></a><br />Now, this last shot might be my most favorite picture of all time. For <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_16">reals</span>. I'm not exactly sure h<span style="font-style: italic;"></span>ow this started, but my brother and I have been doing this for <span style="font-style: italic;">decades</span>. If I'm remembering it correctly, he and I were young and were acting up (Southern for misbehaving) one day. Someone (I want to say my dad, but it could have been my mom) told us to knock it off and to stop acting like little cretins. The adults left the room and I asked Austin what a cretin was. He made this weird face at me and made a strange sort of snorting noise and said, "That's a cretin." I <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_17">mimicked</span> him the best I could and said, "Like this?" And he said, "Yeah, like that!" And thus, The Cretin Face was born. It lives on to this day. Behold, The Cretins.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ez6rtDS54Yk/Syujm9NSc6I/AAAAAAAAB-M/xQozjGlNSCQ/s1600-h/jcp9.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ez6rtDS54Yk/Syujm9NSc6I/AAAAAAAAB-M/xQozjGlNSCQ/s320/jcp9.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5416602866503807906" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;">So it's Friday and this is the last weekend before the holidays. If y'all are as behind as I am then it will be a crazy-insane weekend, no? The beginning of next week is going to be so off-the-hook for me that I'm not sure how much posting time I can get in! Besides, The <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_18">Candyman</span> and I are heading out to The <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_19">Carolinas</span> to visit families so will be on the road quite a bit. If I can't get in any good posting time I want to say the following:<br /><br />Merry Christmas to you. Happy <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_20">Hanukkah</span> to my Jewish peeps. Happy <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_21">Kwanza</span> to those who celebrate it. But to all, regardless of how or where you celebrate this time of year, I wish you peace, love and all the happiness and health that The <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_22">Candyman</span> and I are blessed to have. Please be safe in your travels - look out for the other guy as he might not see you. Please don't drink and drive. Lastly, thank you to all of you who have followed and who continue to follow me in my writing and rants. You have made my wedding journey unforgettable in so many ways. Happy Holidays everyone! More recaps to come!<br /></div></div>Louisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07715082960831035952noreply@blogger.com20tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8063967144458611537.post-11032823602034827802009-12-17T09:35:00.005-06:002009-12-17T10:08:30.428-06:00How YOU Doin'? The First Look!Thank goodness Jonathon didn't get any pictures of me trying to get into my Dad's car in the wedding dress! It was too funny! I was thinking that I'd shimmy across the back seat and sort of lounge to keep my dress from getting wrinkled. However, the back door didn't open up wide enough for me to back in without the dress potentially getting all up in the door jam and stuff, so I quickly abandoned that idea. My dad moved the front seat back all the way and I climbed in, arranged my dress just so in order to avoid it touching<span style="font-style: italic;"> anything</span> and we were off to Owen Chapel!<br /><br />We got there just as The <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Candyman</span> was climbing out of his car and I started screaming, "He can't see me yet! He can't see me yet! <span style="font-style: italic;"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">DAAAAA</span>-AD</span>! Drive around the other way! Drive around the other way!" Tabitha (my fab planer) was in front of the church and I rolled down the window and yelled at her, "Keep him away! Keep him away!" I have no idea why I was so frantic as we we going to officially see each other about a <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">nano</span>-second later. But anyway, Tabs went running <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">across</span> the parking lot and kept The <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Candyman</span> at bay so that I could climb out and sequester myself away in the back of the chapel!<br /><br />We got all that taken care of and arranged for The First Look. There are two definite camps when it comes to The First Look. Some vehemently oppose the idea. Others just don't give a damn. I was vehemently opposed to the idea from the very start. Bad luck, you know. However, as time went on, I realized that I wasn't as opposed as I thought. In fact, I totally switched camps. Why? I feared I would be so nervous that experiencing walking down the aisle and the ceremony would be consumed by my whirling brain activity versus paying attention to what was going on right in front of me. The one thing that calms my nerves? The <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">Candyman</span>. I knew that if I saw him before The Big Show, that all my fears would disappear, if I had any. It turns out I was amazingly calm, but getting all the pictures out of the way was a huge time saver and I'm totally psyched we did it!<br /><br />The <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">Candyman</span> was set up inside the chapel and I entered through the doors behind the pulpit area.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ez6rtDS54Yk/SypUBpuIZJI/AAAAAAAAB8Y/pcNYs4EC7B4/s1600-h/JCp1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ez6rtDS54Yk/SypUBpuIZJI/AAAAAAAAB8Y/pcNYs4EC7B4/s320/JCp1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5416233889222386834" border="0" /></a>I wonder what The <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">Candyman</span> is thinking! He looks quite devious here.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ez6rtDS54Yk/SypUB2n8B-I/AAAAAAAAB8g/n08xlGeCl78/s1600-h/jcp2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ez6rtDS54Yk/SypUB2n8B-I/AAAAAAAAB8g/n08xlGeCl78/s320/jcp2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5416233892686071778" border="0" /></a>Hey, baby! You clean up good!<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ez6rtDS54Yk/SypUB2J_0AI/AAAAAAAAB8o/WrXViV_6HQI/s1600-h/jcp3.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ez6rtDS54Yk/SypUB2J_0AI/AAAAAAAAB8o/WrXViV_6HQI/s320/jcp3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5416233892560490498" border="0" /></a>I just love this shot. The beautiful simplicity of Owen Chapel makes me so happy. <span style="font-style: italic;">So</span> happy.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ez6rtDS54Yk/SypUCFeoswI/AAAAAAAAB8w/6f6a1eUKqGE/s1600-h/jcp4.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ez6rtDS54Yk/SypUCFeoswI/AAAAAAAAB8w/6f6a1eUKqGE/s320/jcp4.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5416233896673587970" border="0" /></a>Just practicing!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ez6rtDS54Yk/SypUCZm7qeI/AAAAAAAAB84/fI-p3J6nrjs/s1600-h/jcp5.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ez6rtDS54Yk/SypUCZm7qeI/AAAAAAAAB84/fI-p3J6nrjs/s320/jcp5.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5416233902077094370" border="0" /></a>You know, it's kinda hot in here. Oh, and please look at my sew in bra-cup and teeny boob. I wonder how many people I flashed that night? Hm..... That's what happens when you lose weight right before your wedding. Things start moving around.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ez6rtDS54Yk/SypUF0uhtZI/AAAAAAAAB9A/d3ujLF82SGg/s1600-h/jcp6.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ez6rtDS54Yk/SypUF0uhtZI/AAAAAAAAB9A/d3ujLF82SGg/s320/jcp6.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5416233960896312722" border="0" /></a>Practicing my exit solo. Just kidding. I was just going outside for more pictures.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">I want to let y'all know something important. I am NOT posting my most favorite pictures or the best of the best of the all the best that I got from <a href="http://jonathoncampbellphotography.com/">Jonathon Campbell Photography</a>. Why? Because Christmas is in 8 days people! There needs to be SOME element of surprise. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">Sheesh</span>!<br /><br />So until December 25<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">th</span>, y'all will have to make do with what I consider my second favorites! Don't worry though - I'll share all in due time. Patience is a virtue, right? RIGHT????<br /><br /></div></div>Louisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07715082960831035952noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8063967144458611537.post-30262342993814752392009-12-16T10:01:00.008-06:002009-12-16T10:31:35.948-06:00Let's Get it On<div style="text-align: center;">The dress, that is.<br /><br />After I chilled out with my BFF and had something to eat, it was already time to get dressed. WHERE WAS THE TIME GOING? So fast, so fast. It all goes by <span style="font-style: italic;">so fast</span>.<br /><br />I was worried about getting into my dress as it was going to have to go on <span style="font-style: italic;">over my head</span>. Compared to my hips, my waist is small, so there was no way I was going to be able to shimmy my ass into the dress by stepping in. Trust me, I'd tried several times at my fittings! However, I decided to give it a go anyway since I could <span style="font-style: italic;">not</span> see how my little 5'2" MOH was going to put the dress over my 5'10" head without a comedy of errors ensuing.<br /><br />My effort was proof positive that I'd lost weight that week. I was actually afraid as I'd put weight <span style="font-style: italic;">on </span>the week before that! I think my nerves and all the craziness just melted a few pounds off. My dress was just a teeny bit big. This wasn't an issue until later (the chicken cutlets were involved).<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ez6rtDS54Yk/SykFx1cy3LI/AAAAAAAAB7o/sSqFiC9a4G8/s1600-h/JCP1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ez6rtDS54Yk/SykFx1cy3LI/AAAAAAAAB7o/sSqFiC9a4G8/s320/JCP1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5415866380609313970" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Here's my MOH locking me in!</span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;">One of the detail shots that <a href="http://jonathoncampbellphotography.com/">JCP</a> got really surprised me. I was using a jewelry bag that my MOH gave me as a gift when I was her MOH. They had it hand-embroidered with my initials. How lovely, no?<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ez6rtDS54Yk/SykGVCGQAdI/AAAAAAAAB7w/MMHD_Gy9mJE/s1600-h/JCP11.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ez6rtDS54Yk/SykGVCGQAdI/AAAAAAAAB7w/MMHD_Gy9mJE/s320/JCP11.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5415866985299837394" border="0" /></a><br />Once I had my dress on and<a href="http://blog.jonathoncampbell.com/?p=1273"> my dad showed up</a>, we got the veil on and I was ready to go! I had already done my MOH's make-up and fluffed her hair so were we all set!<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ez6rtDS54Yk/SykIy_J6wyI/AAAAAAAAB74/6ncLpesQW7s/s1600-h/JCP3.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ez6rtDS54Yk/SykIy_J6wyI/AAAAAAAAB74/6ncLpesQW7s/s320/JCP3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5415869698929247010" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ez6rtDS54Yk/SykIzvTIkvI/AAAAAAAAB8A/JnvsvkSe_bI/s1600-h/JCP4.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 256px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ez6rtDS54Yk/SykIzvTIkvI/AAAAAAAAB8A/JnvsvkSe_bI/s320/JCP4.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5415869711852802802" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:100%;">I'd like it to be known that the look on my face at this very moment is one I am glad not to have on film. I think I was <span style="font-style: italic;">freaking out</span> looking at myself in the mirror with the dress and veil and all. I know it sounds weird, but as long as I wasn't looking at myself, I was doing A-OK in terms of my nerves. I started avoiding mirrors whenever possible.<br /></span><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ez6rtDS54Yk/SykJi37QVbI/AAAAAAAAB8Q/SMdvtCuWIUw/s1600-h/JCP5.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ez6rtDS54Yk/SykJi37QVbI/AAAAAAAAB8Q/SMdvtCuWIUw/s320/JCP5.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5415870521622418866" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:100%;">I love that Pops is carrying my shrug!</span><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ez6rtDS54Yk/SykJiuNWx_I/AAAAAAAAB8I/Sx7JHzWK_XE/s1600-h/JCP6.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ez6rtDS54Yk/SykJiuNWx_I/AAAAAAAAB8I/Sx7JHzWK_XE/s320/JCP6.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5415870519013984242" border="0" /></a>"Goin' to the chapel and we're gonna get ma-aa-aa-aried."<br /></div><br /></div></div>Louisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07715082960831035952noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8063967144458611537.post-32001128155083669312009-12-14T22:50:00.006-06:002009-12-15T08:36:04.759-06:00Something BorrowedOnce me and the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">MOH</span> got back from <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">gettin</span>' our hair did, I was able to breath in and out for a few minutes, eat my <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">sammy</span> and enjoy a little <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Prosecco</span>. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Aaaaaah</span>....<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">Prosecco</span>.<br /><br />I have to back up just a small, teeny bit in order to go forward- like about 10 or 11 years ago.... Y'all know Charlotte <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">Russe</span>, right? Well, back in the day there were only 20-something stores and all of them in California. Well, I lived in LA and was an assistant manager and a store manager for them. I have to be honest, it was SO much better then. It was kind of like a less expensive <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">BeBe's</span> - not the crappy junk it is now (<span style="font-style: italic;">so depressing when I go by it in the mall). </span>Anyway, I met this chick Barbara, another assistant manager there and we did not get along. She was kind of snooty. I think she thought I was kinda pushy (Who? Me?). I'm not exactly sure what changed about that between us, all I know is that we were suddenly friends. It might have been the fact that we caught each other <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">rockin</span>' out to Rick Springfield's "Jessie's Girl" one day at work. I think that kind of broke the ice, if anything. We weren't just co-workers, we were <span style="font-style: italic;">friends</span>. I consider her mother and father to be my surrogate parents. They hosted me on holidays when I couldn't go home to see my parents because of our stupid jobs and having to work bullshit retail hours. They were my second family.<br /><br />Years after I had left California (Barb and I are still in the same field and saw each other at trade shows every few months - so cool!), Barb fell over a filing cabinet at work. To date, she's had several knee surgeries and a <span style="font-style: italic;">major </span>back surgery to try and fix the on-going, never-ending saga of workman's comp and horrible pain that really and truly wasn't her fault. She's dealt with countless lawyers and doctor's and it just sucks. It sucks that I can't make it all better for my wonderful friend.<br /><br />The up-side to this depressing tale is that she was able to get on a plane for the first time in many, many years and make it here for the wedding! Right before I started getting dressed for The Big Show, Barb stopped by the room. She brought with her my "something borrowed."<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ez6rtDS54Yk/Syea6xD8w1I/AAAAAAAAB7g/2ILYkLFQnZE/s1600-h/Big+Ring.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 229px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ez6rtDS54Yk/Syea6xD8w1I/AAAAAAAAB7g/2ILYkLFQnZE/s320/Big+Ring.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5415467411329303378" border="0" /></a>If you can't tell, that's a QUARTER sitting in the middle of that wedding band. The ring belonged to one of Barb's father's Norwegian ancestors - clearly a<span style="font-style: italic;"> giant </span>man. The ring is very old and has been to<span style="font-style: italic;"> hundreds </span>of weddings. It is considered a good luck charm and has been in the pockets of grooms and groomsmen. It has been tied into the bouquets of brides. It has been present in the purses and pockets of wedding guests - all to bring the happy couple good luck.<br /><br />I too, tied this giant ring into my bouquet. It seemed appropriate to have a part of my second family, the people who care for me and love me as much as my own, join me on my wedding day. The most important thing of all was having my dear friend Barbara as a witness to our ceremony. It would not have felt right without her. I am so blessed to have her in my life.Louisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07715082960831035952noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8063967144458611537.post-42257498436060719002009-12-14T06:30:00.004-06:002009-12-14T09:59:21.568-06:00Once Upon A Time.........there was a Thirty-Something Bride. This is the story of her wedding day.<br /><br />I woke up early that day, but not too early as I had dosed myself the night before with two (count 'em TWO) Tylenol <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">PM's</span> (for those of you not in the know, The Thirty-Something Bride has serious sleep issues). The house was quiet as The <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Candyman</span> was staying with his brothers. I got out of bed and walked over to the window. For the last 2 months Nashville had been plagued with torrential downpours, much to my planning chagrin as October is historically the driest month in Nashville. Keeping this in mind, crossing my fingers and squeezing my eyes tight, I grabbed the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">turny</span>-thing on my blinds and opened them. I opened my eyes. I started to bawl - from sheer happiness! There wasn't a cloud in the sky and the sun was shining. I prayed to myself, "Dear God, I <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">freakin</span>' owe you one. BIG TIME."<br /><br />I had planned for my mom, dad, brother and sister-in-law to come over for coffee prior to the start of the wedding day madness. I just wanted to spend a few minutes with the people who know me best. I wanted to be free to freak the fuck out, if need be. Happily though, I was calm. I was in need of some waterproof mascara though (what if I cry!) so made an early a.m. run to Kroger. I also swung by the drive-<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">thru</span> Starbucks and ordered the usual: <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">Grande</span> Skinny Hazelnut Latte, extra hot, no foam (it took me a about a year to figure out how to order it). I proceeded to tell the drive-<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">thru</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">barista</span> of my pending nuptials. Um, duh. Like, I'm not going to <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">freakin</span>' tell every single person who doesn't already know?<br /><br />As I was driving back to the house, a car flashed it lights at me for some reason. It was early in the morning, we were on a nearly deserted road - what the hell? I slowed and saw why: to my far right was a large group of deer. They decided to cross and were coming around the bend to do so (which is why I didn't see them and why the other driver "flashed" me). About 9 of them picked their way across the road while we waited. The last, a doe, paused right in front of my car and turned and stared right at me for about 3 seconds, then followed her team into the forest. It was like she was saying, "Yeah, I know it's <span style="font-style: italic;">your </span>day, but you still have to wait for me. Have a good time." Seriously folks, I'm not making this shit up.<br /><br />I had a lovely, but brief time having (more) coffee with my family. They calmed me, in their own weird way. I knew I had to be at the hotel to pick up my <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">MOH</span> at a particular time. For some reason, I equated the time I needed to be there, with the time I left the house. Um, duh! Already late! Happily, it was Sunday morning <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">pre</span>-church time in Nashville (trust me folks, you do NOT want to get caught in post-church traffic - it blows!) and I hauled ass to the hotel in no-time flat. My <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">MOH</span> was waiting outside (God love her!) and she hopped in and we were off - right on schedule!<br /><br />We arrived at <a href="http://jbangssalon.com/">J. Bangs Salon</a> and Julie arrived a few minutes later (yes, I was slightly worried for about a nanosecond) and we got to <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_12">doin</span>' the 'do! <a href="http://jonathoncampbellphotography.com/">Jonathon, Sharon</a> and Tabitha arrived shortly thereafter and we were off and running!<br /><br />I had a slight amendment to the up-do from the trial and was just slightly nervous. No worries, Julie knocked it out of the park!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ez6rtDS54Yk/SyWNF-0-DtI/AAAAAAAAB6Q/cRmjcnegE6Q/s1600-h/image.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ez6rtDS54Yk/SyWNF-0-DtI/AAAAAAAAB6Q/cRmjcnegE6Q/s320/image.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5414889260886920914" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Hair done, sans make-up.</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ez6rtDS54Yk/SyWNGizuxLI/AAAAAAAAB6g/dJxeaTnOb70/s1600-h/image%283%29.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ez6rtDS54Yk/SyWNGizuxLI/AAAAAAAAB6g/dJxeaTnOb70/s320/image%283%29.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5414889270545401010" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">I just LOVE Julie's expression here! </span><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ez6rtDS54Yk/SyWNGGY9WBI/AAAAAAAAB6Y/ycvulz1bnz4/s1600-h/image%282%29.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 229px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ez6rtDS54Yk/SyWNGGY9WBI/AAAAAAAAB6Y/ycvulz1bnz4/s320/image%282%29.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5414889262916917266" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">The <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_13">MOH</span> in her active role as Social Historian. </span><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ez6rtDS54Yk/SyWOdYc66AI/AAAAAAAAB64/Mir4eQcosZw/s1600-h/image.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ez6rtDS54Yk/SyWOdYc66AI/AAAAAAAAB64/Mir4eQcosZw/s320/image.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5414890762413991938" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_14">DIY</span> hair toys? Check!</span><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ez6rtDS54Yk/SyWNG9M4vlI/AAAAAAAAB6o/xW7eNT6_hPs/s1600-h/image%284%29.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ez6rtDS54Yk/SyWNG9M4vlI/AAAAAAAAB6o/xW7eNT6_hPs/s320/image%284%29.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5414889277630234194" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_15">Sooooooooooooo</span> relaxing!</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ez6rtDS54Yk/SyWSRHIaOAI/AAAAAAAAB7Q/rZEM4aXtu2E/s1600-h/image%282%29.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ez6rtDS54Yk/SyWSRHIaOAI/AAAAAAAAB7Q/rZEM4aXtu2E/s320/image%282%29.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5414894949652641794" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Julie's palette.</span><br /><br />Once we had our hair and make-up done, we sent <a href="http://lifealamode.com/">Tabitha</a> (my planner) on a quick run across the street to Bread & Co. to grab us some grub! Seriously ladies, you MUST eat. If Tabitha had not insisted, I probably would have passed out from hunger later during the day! With to-go <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_16">sammies</span> in hand, we jumped in the car and headed back to the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_17">Hilton</span> to finish getting ready!<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ez6rtDS54Yk/SyWO5V6F7mI/AAAAAAAAB7A/BOZnzFH3Uj4/s1600-h/image%285%29.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ez6rtDS54Yk/SyWO5V6F7mI/AAAAAAAAB7A/BOZnzFH3Uj4/s320/image%285%29.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5414891242767380066" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Jonathon rode with us!</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ez6rtDS54Yk/SyWPpZ9vm0I/AAAAAAAAB7I/o0vt58ufgfM/s1600-h/image%286%29.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ez6rtDS54Yk/SyWPpZ9vm0I/AAAAAAAAB7I/o0vt58ufgfM/s320/image%286%29.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5414892068490156866" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">We look like a couple of hippies! Love it!</span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">I know I mentioned this once before, but I felt<span style="font-style: italic;"> so pretty</span> the day of my wedding. I highly recommend a make-up artist if it's in your budget. As y'all know, I blew my budget in the beauty area. I. Don't. Care. I didn't care then and I don't care now. I was just soaring I felt so pretty.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:100%;" >I feel pretty, </span><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span><span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:100%;" > Oh, so pretty, </span><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span><span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:100%;" > I feel pretty and witty and bright! </span><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span><span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:100%;" > And I pity </span><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span><span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:100%;" > Any girl who isn't me tonight. </span><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /><br /></span><div style="text-align: left;">Sorry. Channeling my inner West Side Story fantasy. <span style="font-size:100%;">Stay tuned for more!<br /><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:100%;"> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_18">Sportin</span>' my Wedding Chicks t-shirt!</span><br /></div><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ez6rtDS54Yk/SyWSRXTSjFI/AAAAAAAAB7Y/XwTPTGTJ5A4/s1600-h/image%284%29.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ez6rtDS54Yk/SyWSRXTSjFI/AAAAAAAAB7Y/XwTPTGTJ5A4/s320/image%284%29.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5414894953993243730" border="0" /></a>I will say this and I will keep saying it. I LOVE MY PHOTOGRAPHER.<br /></div></div></div></div></div>Louisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07715082960831035952noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8063967144458611537.post-81123370795771504452009-12-11T09:37:00.005-06:002009-12-11T10:23:17.560-06:00Baby, It's Effin' C O L D Outside!Seriously? SERIOUSLY? It was 19 degrees out this morning. Nashville is NOT supposed to be this cold. This is like bullshit Chicago cold, and my dear bloggo-buddies, I DID NOT leave Chicago because of it's balmy fucking weather.<br /><br />I left Chicago in January of 2005. I had my kitties tucked in the back seat along with as many plants as I could haul in my car (they all died, by the way). I left on January 25th and had already dug my car out of 12+ inches of snow four times. As I was heading out on I-94, it started to snow. I rolled my window down and flipped Chicago the finger. You can take your lake-effect freezing temperatures and shove them up your ice-cold butt, Illinois.<br /><br />This rant comes on the heels of some new information: that I will be heading overseas in January. Oh, the joy that is my life. I HATE going to China in the winter. It's even more depressing than it already is. Dirty and cold is less tolerable than dirty and hot, in my opinion. Some might argue this point with me, but I'd tell them to go spend 8 hours in an unheated factory and <span style="font-style: italic;">then</span> decide.<br /><br />I have been able to avoid this scenario for the last couple of years. I've been able to travel in March and April when the weather is more predictable. Perhaps wet, but not cold. Not this year, oh-budget-conscious-friends. I gotta go when they tell me to go and January it is. Mother-effer. I am NOT looking forward to the weirdness that is the Chinese (and perhaps other cultures, I'm not sure) way of dealing with the cold. I don't think they believe in heat. I know that many areas lack the resources to heat their establishments and I get that. In some cultures, they believe that multiple people in a room with heat will make everyone sick as hell. There is some merit to this theory, but germs live in the cold <span style="font-style: italic;">and</span> heat, folks. I was in a meeting in a high-rise building in Hong Kong in January several years ago. The room was small and the window was WIDE open. It was below freezing outside. I closed the window (I'm the customer, I can do that). I left the room, came back and the window was open again. I closed it. This little back and forth went on a few more times before I closed the window, turned around and said, "I'm freezing my ass off. If any of you open that window one more time, I'm outta here." It stayed shut. However, a small room in Hong Kong does not compare to a 50,000 square foot factory showroom that doesn't even HAVE heat. Standing on a concrete floor for 8 hours does not a happy Thirty-Something Bride make. <br /><br />It is SO hard to pack and know what to wear. I have to look somewhat "professional" so it's not like I can wear some ski pants and call it a day (I have contemplated this). Lots of times I go directly from an airport to a factory and back to an airport all in one day so it's not like dressing for the tundra can be easily accomplished. Also note that winter gear is bulky and heavy and I have to pack for about a month and be able to transport all my own luggage (including laptop roller/paperwork) solo.<br /><br />On top of all this bullshit, I have what's called Raynaud's Syndrome. Basically, it's a response to extreme cold. Blood vessels in the hands and feet appear to overreact to cold temperatures or stress. With Raynaud's, arteries to your fingers and toes go into what's called vasospasm. This narrows your vessels dramatically and temporarily limits blood supply. Over time, these same small arteries may also thicken slightly, further limiting blood flow. The result is that affected skin turns a pale and dusky blue color due to the lack of blood flow to the area. Once the spasms go away and blood returns to the area, the tissue turns bright red before returning to a normal color. When all this lovely stuff happens - it HURTS. The tips of my fingers/toes start to feel like they've fallen asleep. Then they go completely numb. Where the vessels have clamped shut and the blood stops flowing is where the pain is as the blood start to pool and cause pressure. When the vessels finally open up (gotta get them WARM!) the blood rushes in and that hurts too. It sucks.<br /><br />So instead of investing in what I would like to buy the lovely holiday season:<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ez6rtDS54Yk/SyJsL1-7FbI/AAAAAAAAB5o/Dw0Ak_Eb3UQ/s1600-h/983492-p-DETAILED.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ez6rtDS54Yk/SyJsL1-7FbI/AAAAAAAAB5o/Dw0Ak_Eb3UQ/s320/983492-p-DETAILED.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5414008652778116530" border="0" /></a><br />Hello over-the-knee Stuart Weitzman. *le swoon*<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">I'm trying to figure out a decent pair of WARM boots that won't weigh a ton and look somewhat cute and can be yanked on and off at airports without have to completely undress myself.<br /></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ez6rtDS54Yk/SyJsM-BAO2I/AAAAAAAAB6I/5wXUS_jxnRc/s1600-h/6219-440995-d.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ez6rtDS54Yk/SyJsM-BAO2I/AAAAAAAAB6I/5wXUS_jxnRc/s320/6219-440995-d.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5414008672114195298" border="0" /></a>These are kinda cute and have an elastic stretchy thing on the back. I think these would be an easy on-off boot.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ez6rtDS54Yk/SyJsMilKeHI/AAAAAAAAB6A/IyXGxikvMxg/s1600-h/985-185370-d.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ez6rtDS54Yk/SyJsMilKeHI/AAAAAAAAB6A/IyXGxikvMxg/s320/985-185370-d.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5414008664749668466" border="0" /></a>These have a bit of a groovy factor to them, but not sure how warm they would really be. I like the stacked heel though - puddles.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ez6rtDS54Yk/SyJsMfc0aBI/AAAAAAAAB54/KALVlk6hq14/s1600-h/985-175556-d.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ez6rtDS54Yk/SyJsMfc0aBI/AAAAAAAAB54/KALVlk6hq14/s320/985-175556-d.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5414008663909361682" border="0" /></a>These Sketchers look delish and zip on the side.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ez6rtDS54Yk/SyJsMJTNuxI/AAAAAAAAB5w/YPbOYuXfOO4/s1600-h/827-173179-d.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ez6rtDS54Yk/SyJsMJTNuxI/AAAAAAAAB5w/YPbOYuXfOO4/s320/827-173179-d.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5414008657963498258" border="0" /></a>These are on the cheaper side and still cute and potentially warm.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">Anyone got any suggestions for warm boots? UGG Boots are out, just so ya know. I refuse to pay $200 for giant slippers. Warm, yes. Practical in any sense of the word - no.<br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">P.S. All the boot pics are from </span><a style="font-style: italic;" href="http://zappos.com">Zappos</a><span style="font-style: italic;">. I'm a VIP member. LOVE them. </span></span><br /></div></div>Louisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07715082960831035952noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8063967144458611537.post-54102077539209762032009-12-10T11:21:00.004-06:002009-12-10T11:33:13.034-06:00"Kick-Ass!" or "A Merry Little Christmas to Me!"<div style="text-align: center;">Are you familiar with <a href="http://www.brightboldbeautiful.blogspot.com/">Bright, Bold and Beautiful</a>? No? You should be! Laura offers up some fantastic design ideas. She's <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">aslo</span> an amazing artist in her own right. She paints pretty watercolors. See:<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ez6rtDS54Yk/SyEu8hA7CAI/AAAAAAAAB5Y/sODjxhdAoqw/s1600-h/il_430xN.103065142.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 237px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ez6rtDS54Yk/SyEu8hA7CAI/AAAAAAAAB5Y/sODjxhdAoqw/s320/il_430xN.103065142.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5413659844265314306" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/lauratrevey">Go look at her <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Etsy</span> Shop too. </a></span><br /><br />Anyway, she had a <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">coolio</span> contest a few weeks back and I won! God, I love contests. I mean, I love having them (I get <span style="font-style: italic;">so excited</span>, it's sick) and I love winning them. It's always such a great surprise because I don't ever think I'm going to win.<br /><br />Laura's contest was for <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Etsy</span> shop (you know I loves me some <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Etsy</span>) <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/sahmom2threegirls">Carla's Custom Creations</a>. I get to choose something off her <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">Etsy</span> shop or have a custom item made. I'm loving this thingy:<br /></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ez6rtDS54Yk/SyEwbJm1HDI/AAAAAAAAB5g/m4ONYLr3bKI/s1600-h/a.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ez6rtDS54Yk/SyEwbJm1HDI/AAAAAAAAB5g/m4ONYLr3bKI/s320/a.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5413661470069431346" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Cute, right?<br /></div>Louisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07715082960831035952noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8063967144458611537.post-91894478178790092002009-12-08T10:19:00.005-06:002009-12-08T10:52:46.658-06:00Randomness<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ez6rtDS54Yk/Sx6DonWG2hI/AAAAAAAAB5Q/cwVLtsphyqg/s1600-h/1569161050535037361_rs.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 212px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ez6rtDS54Yk/Sx6DonWG2hI/AAAAAAAAB5Q/cwVLtsphyqg/s320/1569161050535037361_rs.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5412908535925627410" border="0" /></a><a href="http://blog.oregonlive.com/madaboutmovies/2007/02/odd_statues_randomness_1.html"><span style="font-size:78%;">Source</span></a><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I've got a few things on my mind that maintain no cohesiveness whatsoever.<br /><br />1. I realize that I have not finished the budgeting recaps. I'm waiting to get my pictures to recap all the other <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">ooey</span>-gooey love stuff and how the day went. I should have those pretty darn soon.<br /><br />2. Christmas is a mere 18 days away. Holy <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">effin</span>' hell. I am SO behind. One of our neighbors has this electronic Christmas Countdown thing in their front yard. They put it up the day after Thanksgiving and it counts down the days, hours, minutes and seconds until Christmas in big red lights. I have to drive by it every day. That sign mocks me.<br /><br />3. Why aren't the red Serrano peppers I need available anywhere? I have been to 4 grocery stores (including the K&S Mercado Internationale) and cannot find red ones, only green. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">WTF</span>? Is there a "season" for the red ones?<br /><br />4. I have a severe case of Blog Envy. It's true. There is a bridal blogger out there who I love. Everyone loves her. She's new on the scene and I'm super happy for her blogging success. However, the bitch <span style="font-style: italic;">refuses</span> to follow me. I stalk her blog. I leave comments. I do all the things a fellow blogger should do and nothing. NOTHING. Why does this bother me? Because I want really cool people to like me. It's true. I'll admit it. We all do, right? The whole, "I don't care what other people think" is bunch of bullshit because if that were true, we'd all be getting married in sweats after The Top Chef finale. OK, well maybe that's a bit of an exaggeration, but you get my drift.<br /><br />But seriously, why won't she follow me? Why doesn't she comment? I feel we are slightly similar in our styles and approaches, yet I get no love. None at all. I follow 80 bazillion blogs. I don't comment half as much as I should, especially to those who are regular Thirty-Something Bride readers (shout outs to<a href="http://www.alosangeleslove.com/"> A Los Angeles Love</a>, <a href="http://planningsarahelizabeth.blogspot.com/">Sarah Elizabeth</a>, <a href="http://abrideinboots.blogspot.com/">A Bride in Boots</a> and <a href="http://bigspoon-littlespoon.blogspot.com/">Big Spoon, Little Spoon</a> who always give me comment love). However, when I get into Google Reader, I get lost in the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">DIY</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">blogosphere</span> and the next thing I know, it's midnight and The <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">Candyman</span> gets pissed if I stay up too late and leave the lights on, etc. I can't help it - I get distracted by the likes of <a href="http://www.designspongeonline.com/">Design*Sponge</a>, <a href="http://www.poppytalk.blogspot.com/"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">Poppytalk</span></a> and <a href="http://www.i-do-it-yourself.com/"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">iDIY</span></a>.<br /><br />It makes me sad (and slightly irritated) that I have this evil blog envy. Why cannot I just love what I have (like all you loverly followers!) and not what I don't have? Hm. Perhaps that was just an "aha" moment.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></div><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><br /></span>Louisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07715082960831035952noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8063967144458611537.post-73803816460383091192009-12-07T07:30:00.000-06:002009-12-07T07:30:00.725-06:00The Winner!Oh, I have to say that I am SO freakin' excited to announce the big winner of the <a href="ttp://www.etsy.com/shop/florriemitton">Florrie Mitton Couture</a> wedding garter! I have to say that I am super excited for her because she was one of my very first followers! We had many-a-offline conversation about lace (she made her veil too!). She planned her NYC wedding in four months (!) and now lives in London, planning her <span style="font-style: italic;">second</span> wedding in Taiwan! Amazing! Congratulations to Miss <a href="http://chicncheapliving.blogspot.com/">Chic 'n Cheap Living</a>!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ez6rtDS54Yk/Sxw58AhjypI/AAAAAAAAB5I/cxPWVtoOhWo/s1600-h/Random.org.bmp"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 249px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ez6rtDS54Yk/Sxw58AhjypI/AAAAAAAAB5I/cxPWVtoOhWo/s320/Random.org.bmp" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5412264555288185490" border="0" /></a><br />Girl, email me stat so I can give you the super-secret code to share with Claire so you can claim your custom garter! And how appropriate that you won, considering she's in Lancashire!<br /><br />Thanks to ALL of you who made this contest such a rousing success! I really appreciate the tweets, blogs and comments! I *heart* my readers. It's true.Louisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07715082960831035952noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8063967144458611537.post-3668793086773816852009-12-02T20:31:00.005-06:002009-12-02T21:47:12.228-06:00The Ceremony , Part II<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ez6rtDS54Yk/SxczkLBYiLI/AAAAAAAAB5A/YnTw4Cra8lQ/s1600-h/11537_186813721114_500161114_3799125_3760840_n.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ez6rtDS54Yk/SxczkLBYiLI/AAAAAAAAB5A/YnTw4Cra8lQ/s320/11537_186813721114_500161114_3799125_3760840_n.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5410850173835839666" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">I know it's a blurry one (my friend claims she was bawling when she took it), but I just love how The <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Candyman</span> planted one on me!</span>
<br />
<br /></div>As I mentioned before, The <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Candyman</span> and I totally lifted several parts of our ceremony from fellow <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Bloggers</span> as well as from traditional wedding ceremonies. I have no shame in admitting this because what we found from others was incorporated into how The <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Candyman</span> and I chose to commit ourselves to one another. How you do that is completely up to you and your fiance.
<br />
<br />We found a part of our ceremony through one of my favorite budget brides at <a href="http://2000dollarwedding.com/search/label/Ceremony">2000 Dollar Budget Wedding</a>. She had created a list of favorite ceremonies. We stole part of our ceremony from <a href="http://www.peoniesandpolaroids.com/2008/11/wedding-ceremony-part-1.html">Peonies and Polaroids</a>.
<br />
<br />Here's how it started:
<br />
<br />Officiant:
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<br /><meta equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8"><meta name="ProgId" content="Word.Document"><meta name="Generator" content="Microsoft Word 11"><meta name="Originator" content="Microsoft Word 11"><link rel="File-List" href="file:///C:%5CDOCUME%7E1%5Cfitlou%5CLOCALS%7E1%5CTemp%5Cmsohtml1%5C01%5Cclip_filelist.xml"><o:smarttagtype namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" name="State"></o:smarttagtype><o:smarttagtype namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" name="City"></o:smarttagtype><o:smarttagtype namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" name="place"></o:smarttagtype><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:worddocument> <w:view>Normal</w:View> <w:zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:punctuationkerning/> <w:validateagainstschemas/> <w:saveifxmlinvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:ignoremixedcontent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:alwaysshowplaceholdertext>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:compatibility> <w:breakwrappedtables/> <w:snaptogridincell/> <w:wraptextwithpunct/> <w:useasianbreakrules/> <w:dontgrowautofit/> </w:Compatibility> <w:browserlevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:latentstyles deflockedstate="false" latentstylecount="156"> </w:LatentStyles> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if !mso]><object classid="clsid:38481807-CA0E-42D2-BF39-B33AF135CC4D" id="ieooui"></object> <style> st1\:*{behavior:url(#ieooui) } </style> <![endif]--><style> <!-- /* Font Definitions */ @font-face {font-family:Georgia; panose-1:2 4 5 2 5 4 5 2 3 3; mso-font-charset:0; mso-generic-font-family:roman; mso-font-pitch:variable; mso-font-signature:647 0 0 0 159 0;} /* Style Definitions */ p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal {mso-style-parent:""; margin:0in; margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";} a:link, span.MsoHyperlink {color:blue; text-decoration:underline; text-underline:single;} a:visited, span.MsoHyperlinkFollowed {color:purple; text-decoration:underline; text-underline:single;} @page Section1 {size:8.5in 11.0in; margin:1.0in 1.25in 1.0in 1.25in; mso-header-margin:.5in; mso-footer-margin:.5in; mso-paper-source:0;} div.Section1 {page:Section1;} --> </style><!--[if gte mso 10]> <style> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language:#0400; mso-fareast-language:#0400; mso-bidi-language:#0400;} </style> <![endif]--> <p class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style="font-size:100%;"><i><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:Georgia;" >The <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Candyman</span> and Louise want to thank each of you for coming today to share in this very special time in their lives. Those of you who have been invited here to witness Louise and The <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">Candyman's</span> wedding ceremony and to celebrate with them today will play your part in their marriage too. There are only two official witnesses at a wedding but each and every person here today will witness the words that they will speak to one another and the vows that they will make. You should take good care to remember these words; for a marriage needs the help of a community, of friends and family who will be there when needed and will do all that they can during hard times to stand by Louise and The <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">Candyman</span> and offer their support to them and the new family that they will create. May you always do all within your power to support the union that will be made here today and to nurture the bond between these two people whom you love.</span></i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style="font-size:100%;">
<br /><i><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:Georgia;" ></span></i><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:Georgia;" ><o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style="font-size:100%;"><i><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:Georgia;" >Throughout time countless millions of people from many cultures, religions and societies have gathered among friends and families to celebrate their love for one and other and their commitment to each other. Each culture has symbols and rituals to celebrate marriage from the Japanese tea ceremony to the Jewish tradition of breaking the glass, a rich tapestry of traditions from around the world combine to symbolize the meaning of marriage. And today we should try to remember that a wedding is a symbol, a beautiful, heartfelt and meaningful symbol but a symbol nonetheless. This ceremony is not magic, it will not create a relationship that does not already exist and has not already been celebrated in all the commitments The <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">Candyman</span> and Louise have made to each other, both large and small, in the days since they first met and recognized their connection to one another. It is a symbol of how far they have come together and a symbol of the promise that they will make to each other to continue to live their lives together and to love each other solely and above all others. And it is in the spirit of these symbols that The <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">Candyman</span> has prepared a poem titles The Great Concatenation and has asked his friend James Monroe to read for us.</span></i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:Georgia;" >
<br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;" align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:Georgia;" >The Great Concatenation
<br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;" align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;">
<br /></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:Georgia;" ></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:Georgia;" ><o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;" align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:Georgia;" ><o:p> </o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;" align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:Georgia;" >At dawn, the morning fog crowds</span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:Georgia;" ><o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;" align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:Georgia;" >About church steeples as if pausing in meditation</span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:Georgia;" ><o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;" align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:Georgia;" >Before beginning the day</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;" align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;">
<br /></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:Georgia;" ></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:Georgia;" ><o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;" align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:Georgia;" ><o:p> </o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;" align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:Georgia;" >And in that quiet stillness</span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:Georgia;" ><o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;" align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:Georgia;" >I belong to you</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;" align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;">
<br /></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:Georgia;" ></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:Georgia;" ><o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;" align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:Georgia;" ><o:p> </o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;" align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:Georgia;" >The light of the setting sun</span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:Georgia;" ><o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;" align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:Georgia;" >Glinting off grain silos makes me pine for you</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;" align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;">
<br /></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:Georgia;" ></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:Georgia;" ><o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;" align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:Georgia;" ><o:p> </o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;" align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:Georgia;" >I can't explain why</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;" align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;">
<br /></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:Georgia;" ></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:Georgia;" ><o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;" align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:Georgia;" ><o:p> </o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;" align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:Georgia;" >In your eyes, there lies</span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:Georgia;" ><o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;" align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:Georgia;" >The pulsing flirtation of fireflies</span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:Georgia;" ><o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;" align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:Georgia;" >Hovering about paper lanterns</span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:Georgia;" ><o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;" align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:Georgia;" >Suspended effortlessly in the summer night</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;" align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;">
<br /></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:Georgia;" ></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:Georgia;" ><o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;" align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:Georgia;" ><o:p> </o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;" align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:Georgia;" >The space between us aches me, </span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:Georgia;" ><o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;" align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:Georgia;" >As seas of mist converge above my head in cloudscapes</span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:Georgia;" ><o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;" align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:Georgia;" >Like weightless gray elephants in some distant caravan across the sky
<br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;" align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;">
<br /></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:Georgia;" ></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:Georgia;" ><o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;" align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:Georgia;" ><o:p> </o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;" align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:Georgia;" >There lies a part of you to delight me in all the beauty that I behold,</span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:Georgia;" ><o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;" align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:Georgia;" >From the eerie astral eye of the Hourglass Nebula</span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:Georgia;" ><o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;" align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:Georgia;" >To the gooey center of a perfect grilled cheese sandwich</span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:Georgia;" ><o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;" align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:Georgia;" >The thread of you is woven through the firmament</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;" align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;">
<br /></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:Georgia;" ></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:Georgia;" ><o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;" align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:Georgia;" ><o:p> </o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;" align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:Georgia;" >Even our very atoms were once the embers of ancient stars</span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:Georgia;" ><o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;" align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:Georgia;" >But through some great concatenation</span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:Georgia;" ><o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;" align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:Georgia;" >We have arrived here in this moment finally whole</span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:Georgia;" ><o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;" align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:Georgia;" >To revel on the miracle that is us.</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;" align="center">
<br /><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:Georgia;" ></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:Georgia;" ><o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;" align="center"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:Georgia;" ><o:p> </o:p></span></span></p>
<br /><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:Georgia;"><o:p> </o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:Georgia;">Yeah, my man wrote a poem for me on our wedding day. How bad ass is that? I'll write about our vows later in the week. <st1:city st="on"><st1:place st="on">Dallas</st1:place></st1:city> is kinda sucking. They call it <st1:place st="on"><st1:city st="on">Dall-ASS</st1:city>, <st1:state st="on">Tex</st1:state></st1:place>-ASS for a reason, folks.
<br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
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<br /><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:Georgia;"></span></span><o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;" align="center"><span style="font-size:180%;"><b style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0);"><span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">DON'T FORGET TO ENTER THE FABULOUS FLORRIE <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">MITTON</span> COUTURE CONTEST!</span></b><b style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">
<br /><span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">ENTER</span> <a href="http://thethirty-somethingbride.blogspot.com/2009/11/contest-time-contest-time.html">HERE</a> <span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">TO WIN A CUSTOM MADE WEDDING GARTER!</span></b><o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<br /><meta equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8"><meta name="ProgId" content="Word.Document"><meta name="Generator" content="Microsoft Word 11"><meta name="Originator" content="Microsoft Word 11"><link rel="File-List" href="file:///C:%5CDOCUME%7E1%5Cfitlou%5CLOCALS%7E1%5CTemp%5Cmsohtml1%5C01%5Cclip_filelist.xml"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:worddocument> <w:view>Normal</w:View> <w:zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:punctuationkerning/> <w:validateagainstschemas/> <w:saveifxmlinvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:ignoremixedcontent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:alwaysshowplaceholdertext>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:compatibility> <w:breakwrappedtables/> <w:snaptogridincell/> <w:wraptextwithpunct/> <w:useasianbreakrules/> <w:dontgrowautofit/> </w:Compatibility> <w:browserlevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:latentstyles deflockedstate="false" latentstylecount="156"> </w:LatentStyles> </xml><![endif]--><style> <!-- /* Font Definitions */ @font-face {font-family:Tahoma; panose-1:2 11 6 4 3 5 4 4 2 4; mso-font-charset:0; mso-generic-font-family:swiss; mso-font-pitch:variable; mso-font-signature:1627421319 -2147483648 8 0 66047 0;} /* Style Definitions */ p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal {mso-style-parent:""; margin:0in; margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";} @page Section1 {size:8.5in 11.0in; margin:1.0in 1.25in 1.0in 1.25in; mso-header-margin:.5in; mso-footer-margin:.5in; mso-paper-source:0;} div.Section1 {page:Section1;} --> </style><!--[if gte mso 10]> <style> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language:#0400; mso-fareast-language:#0400; mso-bidi-language:#0400;} </style> <![endif]-->Louisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07715082960831035952noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8063967144458611537.post-2188722134808464262009-12-01T07:14:00.004-06:002009-12-01T07:14:00.543-06:00The Ceremony, Part IThis is an auto-post. Just so you know. When you read this, I will educating others on the beauty and splendor that is my January 2010 release (home decor is like, <span style="font-style: italic;">so</span> much later than RTW fashion). We can only hope that it's a smashing success.<br /><br />In the meantime, there are things I have yet to share about the wedding. Big, beautiful, lovely things that you simply must know.<br /><br />Our ceremony, if anything, was totally lifted from a host a resources. The Candyman, being the wordsmith in the house, had final say over the vows and I completely trusted him in this endeavor, even though I did fight with him on some things. With time, I saw he was right.<br /><br />Th template we used came from our wonderful officiant, <a href="http://www.tennesseeminister.com/">Minister Ralph Griggs</a>. Minister Griggs is a wonderful, non-denominational minister. Since The Candyman and I don't belong to a church here but wanted to marry in a House of God, the combination of Minister Griggs with Owen Chapel was personally, the best for us. We could not have asked for more or better.<br /><br />Minister Griggs has a wonderful (and easy) <a href="http://www.tennesseeminister.com/yourceremonyplanner.html">Ceremony Planner</a> that covers the basics of any Christian ceremony. If he performs the ceremony, the guide is free. You can edit the guide at will to meet your religious and commitment needs (that sounds like a commercial, "to meet your commitment needs, call us!").<br /><br />He also has at <a href="http://www.onlinemarriagepreparation.blogspot.com/">At-Home Marriage Preparation Course</a> that comes free with his services. The Candyman and I found this course very interesting! If you take the course, you save $60 on your TN marriage license. Since The Candyman and I believe in counseling, we didn't have to complete the course, but we got through most of it anyway because it was so interesting. It asks really interesting questions that you don't normally think of. For instance, there was a question that asked us what we would each do if we won a million dollars. Like, for real. Don't be all, "Dude, I'd totally go to Vegas, and then Prada and then buy a phat crib." If you both say that, then um, you might have some issues later in life - I'm just sayin'. What was cool is that we both had the same answers - just allotted differently. My plan was to save most of it, pay off law school loans and help family members with the rest. The Candyman had pay off law school loans, help family members and then save the rest.<br /><br />For some reason that small activity gave me a huge feeling of being bonded to The Candyman in a new way. It gave me such a comfort to know that while we may not have agreed on <span style="font-style: italic;">percentages</span>, our priorities of what was important to us was similarly sound. The entire course was laid out in much the same way. Simple activities that gave you pause to think and compare. As I have mentioned before, I think counseling either by a priest, minister or counselor is always a good idea.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">WEDDING TIP #9 - If you do decide to go to a counselor, therapist, shrink, guru, minister, priest or shaman - know this: if either of you are unhappy or uncomfortable with the individual chosen to assist you in your couple's training, you should choose another. </span><br /><br />The Candyman and I had started counseling with an individual who was <span style="font-style: italic;">horrid</span>. HORRID. I cannot and will not tell you the things this woman said to us. "Bu-bye" was what we said to her. Do not feel you have to stick with someone who makes you unhappy, simply because they are a professional in their field. Properly trained people in the field of therapy should make you feel positive after a session. They should encourage you to look inward, seek resolution, practice new behaviors and to be open and honest without being hurtful or unkind. Sometimes these practices are painful and difficult to work through. However, the person who is trained and who <span style="font-style: italic;">you pay</span> to give you sound advice should prove trustworthy to <span style="font-style: italic;">you and your partner</span>. I'm just sayin'....<br /><br />Anyway, I can't gush enough about Minister Griggs. He performed our ceremony with feeling and with intent. Several people commented on the ceremony and how they liked how we incorporated certain elements. We are just so thankful that we were able to find a minister who was willing to give us the ceremony that The Candyman and I dreamed of having. We both had a little concern about that, living in what can sometimes feel like the buckle of the Bible Belt. The Candyman and I were raised with Christian backgrounds, but neither of us has ever found "home" in a particular church, so we don't go. The churches in Tennessee can often be a little conservatively aggressive to our more liberal thinking. Knowing that we could honor our God as well as ourselves and our beliefs was such a wonderful relief to us, a very natural and obvious choice.<br /><br />Thank you, Minister Griggs for a wonderful service. We thank you from the bottom of our hearts for your role in our wedding celebration!<br /><br />Coming soon - The Ceremony, Part II or <span style="font-style: italic;">How The Thirty-Something Bride and The Candyman Lifted Their Wedding Ceremony from Fellow Bloggers. </span>It could go either way. Stay tuned!<br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">P.S. I had some pictures planned to post with this, but Blogger is uploading black squares at this very moment. My apologies for lack of visual stimulus. </span></span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:180%;" ><span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">DON'T FORGET TO ENTER THE FABULOUS</span> <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/florriemitton">FLORRIE MITTON COUTURE</a> <span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">CONTEST!</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">ENTER</span> <a href="http://thethirty-somethingbride.blogspot.com/2009/11/contest-time-contest-time.html">HERE</a> <span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">TO WIN A CUSTOM MADE WEDDING GARTER!</span></span><br /></div>Louisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07715082960831035952noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8063967144458611537.post-21644544599507578462009-11-30T07:39:00.000-06:002009-11-30T07:39:00.262-06:00Contest Time! Contest Time!Oh, you guys are <span style="font-style: italic;">so lucky</span>. I totally want to back up two months and wear a garter like this! Well, I can live vicariously through other brides quite well, so I hope you all enter this fabulous new contest!<br /><br />Remember a couple weeks ago when I showed all those pretty garters from <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/florriemitton">Florrie Minton Couture</a>? No? Well, go <a href="http://thethirty-somethingbride.blogspot.com/2009/11/inspired-by-inspired-bride.html">here</a> and read about it.<br /><br />I just love the look and style of these beautiful garters so much that I had to offer them as a contest! Had to! Good thing Claire, the brains, brawn and beauty behind <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/florriemitton">Florrie Mitton</a>, was game.<br /><br />Alright, alright. I'm getting to the contest already. Claire has most graciously agreed to offer one of her available styles (your choice) to one incredibly lucky reader. Don't see the perfect garter? That's OK. She'll just go ahead and <span style="font-style: italic;">create a custom-made garter just for you</span>. Yes, ladies. You read that correctly. Custom-made. All for you. For free.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ez6rtDS54Yk/SxJ9WYX-LPI/AAAAAAAAB4A/xCzhZAOB_Vc/s1600/il_430xN.101069539.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 198px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ez6rtDS54Yk/SxJ9WYX-LPI/AAAAAAAAB4A/xCzhZAOB_Vc/s320/il_430xN.101069539.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5409523925878975730" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ez6rtDS54Yk/SxJ9WIIFjBI/AAAAAAAAB34/s5q9WfI9JdY/s1600/il_430xN.105265274.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 245px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ez6rtDS54Yk/SxJ9WIIFjBI/AAAAAAAAB34/s5q9WfI9JdY/s320/il_430xN.105265274.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5409523921517382674" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ez6rtDS54Yk/SxJ9V6ui7BI/AAAAAAAAB3w/8rOmAyoVPIk/s1600/il_430xN.101896978.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 222px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ez6rtDS54Yk/SxJ9V6ui7BI/AAAAAAAAB3w/8rOmAyoVPIk/s320/il_430xN.101896978.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5409523917920594962" border="0" /></a>So here's what ya gotta do. And of course, the more you do, the more entries you get!<br /><br />1. Go to <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/florriemitton">Florrie Mitton Couture</a> and pick out your fave style. Since Claire doesn't have a blog yet, go ahead and add her to your favorites on Etsy if you are lovin' her stuff like I do.<br />2. Come back here and leave me a comment. (1 entry)<br />3. Become a follower if you aren't already or tell me that you're a current follower. (2 entries)<br />4. Tweet! Tweet! Tweet! Ya gotta follow me on Twitter so I can read it! Don't forget to tell me you did! (3 entries)<br />5. Re-post this contest on <span style="font-style: italic;">your</span> blog and let me know you did! (4 entries)<br />6. Get the word <span style="font-style: italic;">out there</span> about these beautiful garters! If you post the info on another wedding board or chat room, please include the link in your comment! (5 entries)<br /><br />This contest will run all week long while I'm slaving away at a conference in Dallas. The contest will close at midnight on Friday, December 4th! Get your entries in! Have fun!Louisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07715082960831035952noreply@blogger.com63tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8063967144458611537.post-29962333125425448452009-11-29T19:12:00.001-06:002009-11-29T19:13:33.399-06:00It's Coming......<div style="text-align: center;">The new contest, that is........<br /><br />Bright and early, tomorrow morning! Make sure you check it out! :)<br /><br />I CAN'T WAIT!<br /></div>Louisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07715082960831035952noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8063967144458611537.post-47538493774994861132009-11-27T19:31:00.003-06:002009-11-27T19:54:24.761-06:00Holiday Stats - Thus Far!Just a quick check-in on what's happening thus far in the Thanksgiving Holiday festivities of The Thirty-Something Bride and The Candyman. .<br /><br /><ul><li>The Potato-Off was a bust. The Candyman's mashed potatoes where too loose to be tasty. I went with my own personal concoction of Twice-Baked Potato Casserole (layer mashed potatoes caramelized onions, chopped bacon and sharp cheddar cheese and repeat and bake) was too salty.<br /></li><li>I braved Black Friday and went to Green Hills Mall (for you non-locals, it's the fancy-schmancy mall in Nashville). I'm about $150 lighter in the wallet (thank you, Sephora and Express) but got a lot of stuff. Disappointed in the J. Crew selection.<br /></li><li>I also went to the reader-suggested pedicure place. The service was better, but the atmosphere wasn't quite as pleasant. Hm, conflicting nail spa quandaries to ponder at a future date.<br /></li><li>In my shopping absence, The Candyman brought down Christmas stuff from the attic. WITHOUT BEING ASKED TO. How fabulous is that?<br /></li><li>I have my first new hair brush after like <span style="font-style: italic;">years</span> with my other brush. Isn't it like, <span style="font-style: italic;">unsanitary </span>not get a new brush or clean your current one. I am <span style="font-style: italic;">so</span> gross. </li><li>I am seriously considering taking the last piece of pie. I have already had a giant piece today WITH Cool Whip (that shit is so effin' good). The Cadyman has already had WAY more than his share. I need to covet the last piece.<br /></li><li>New Moon was a total bust. Even the C6PA (Crazy 6-Pack Abs) of Jacob could not lull me into the level of stupidity needed to get past Bella's bad breathing/acting. And that's saying <span style="font-style: italic;">a lot</span>. I am easily swayed to stupidity. Particularly when it involves C6PA.</li><li>I ran into my college freshman roommate at Green Hills Mall. I haven't seen her since 1989. How. Weird. Is. That. I'll tell you: very. I just couldn't get over the fact that she looked <span style="font-style: italic;">exactly the same</span>. Has everyone in the world stopped aging, but <span style="font-style: italic;">me</span>? </li></ul>So, THE CONTEST.... Are you ready for it? I am so excited. I think you guys are really going to like it. I'll have it all ready to go on <span style="font-weight: bold;">MONDAY</span>! Don't miss it!!!Louisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07715082960831035952noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8063967144458611537.post-8574825074411276842009-11-25T09:49:00.006-06:002009-11-25T10:29:50.130-06:00Cookin' Up A Contest! (and "I Wish" Wednesday!)<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ez6rtDS54Yk/Sw1SzFVeSoI/AAAAAAAAB3o/EBU2Zjldewo/s1600/whats_cookin.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 305px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ez6rtDS54Yk/Sw1SzFVeSoI/AAAAAAAAB3o/EBU2Zjldewo/s320/whats_cookin.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5408069765100882562" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;"><a href="http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://blog.art21.org/wp-content/uploads/2009/07/whats_cookin.jpg&imgrefurl=http://blog.art21.org/category/columns/the-art21ndex/page/2/&usg=__m3uJa-In-Rc_fjzf5_HX1gVN8Xk=&h=353&w=337&sz=50&hl=en&start=12&tbnid=u2HDEhKYvpPVeM:&tbnh=121&tbnw=116&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dwhat%2527s%2Bcookin%2527%26gbv%3D2%26hl%3Den">Source</a></span><br /><br />What's cookin' over here at The Thirty-Something Bride headquarters? Well, it ain't just a deep fried turkey, my friends. A contest, that's what! I am so, <span style="font-style: italic;">so</span> <span style="font-style: italic;">excited</span>, you have no idea. Here's just a little hint for what's in store....<br /><br />1. De-vine. De-Gorgeous. De-Lovely. De-Lish.<br />2. There's <span style="font-style: italic;">customization</span> involved.<br />3. <a href="http://etsy.com">Etsy</a>, so you know it's groovy.<br /><br />All will be revealed soon enough. Until then, you're going to have to make do with the hints!<br /><br />Besides, everyone will be so stuffed with turkey tomorrow, it'll be tough to rouse anyone into any sort of excitement. Unless you're going to see New Moon, that is (like me). It's OK to admit it. Here, I'll go first: I am physically attracted to a 17 year-old boy named Taylor Lautner. In some states, that's perfectly legal (for instance, North Carolina). Surprisingly here in Tennessee, it's not legal. But come February when he turns 18, he's as legal as they come. So technically I <span style="font-style: italic;">am </span>considered a perv, but only for 3 more months.<br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0);font-size:180%;" >GOBBLE! GOBBLE! GOBBLE!</span><br /><br />I'd like to give thanks to all of our Armed Forces both domestic and overseas and to their families at home who will be without their soldiers tomorrow.<br />I want to give thanks to my friends and family who I hope are blessed with happiness and good health.<br />And<span style="font-style: italic;"> my wish</span> is that (now and for always) when there is a person in need, someone will reach out a helping hand.<br />I want to give thanks to The Candyman, because he effing rocks! Love you, Baby! <br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0);font-size:180%;" >Happy Thanksgiving, y'all!</span><br /></div>Louisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07715082960831035952noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8063967144458611537.post-84078949319228685032009-11-24T10:27:00.004-06:002009-11-24T10:54:47.895-06:00The Worst of 2010I was thumbing through the 2010 bridal collections and looking for divine inspiration for....something. I'm not sure what. Maybe I was just <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">ogling</span> the best of <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Zac</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Posen</span> and Vera.<br /><br />*<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">le</span> sigh*<br /><br />At any rate, I found myself aghast at all that is hideous in the bridal world. Now, I get <span style="font-style: italic;">couture</span>, I really do. I am a huge fan of the detail and workmanship that goes into and and I understand why it's so expensive. What I don't understand is why designers would choose to adorn the human body in a way that is so <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">unattractive</span> is beyond me. Beauty may be in the eye of the holder, but this is my blog and I say what's ugly around here.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ez6rtDS54Yk/SwwKH82jS5I/AAAAAAAAB3Y/DcR2hhjKP1w/s1600/jas_ls10_001dr.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ez6rtDS54Yk/SwwKH82jS5I/AAAAAAAAB3Y/DcR2hhjKP1w/s320/jas_ls10_001dr.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5407708384275418002" border="0" /></a>Hi, Slut! Is that a whip in her hand? Just curious.<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ez6rtDS54Yk/SwwKHKy9I-I/AAAAAAAAB3I/3ME4mP_Ae68/s1600/ish_ls10_075.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ez6rtDS54Yk/SwwKHKy9I-I/AAAAAAAAB3I/3ME4mP_Ae68/s320/ish_ls10_075.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5407708370838561762" border="0" /></a>Lady <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">GaGa</span> meets <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">Maddona</span> circa <span style="font-style: italic;">Like A Virgin</span> meets a small bag of sheer material.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ez6rtDS54Yk/SwwJyx22AjI/AAAAAAAAB3A/M-Nyc3dn-Ss/s1600/hogg_ls10_102.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ez6rtDS54Yk/SwwJyx22AjI/AAAAAAAAB3A/M-Nyc3dn-Ss/s320/hogg_ls10_102.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5407708020546601522" border="0" /></a>Clearly, she pissed about something.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ez6rtDS54Yk/SwwKHXHUP7I/AAAAAAAAB3Q/ajboDnwegoM/s1600/ish_ls10_085.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ez6rtDS54Yk/SwwKHXHUP7I/AAAAAAAAB3Q/ajboDnwegoM/s320/ish_ls10_085.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5407708374145187762" border="0" /></a>"This is ground control to Major Tom..."<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ez6rtDS54Yk/SwwJyOW2msI/AAAAAAAAB2o/nWRWri5DA9c/s1600/hogg_ls10_097ew.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ez6rtDS54Yk/SwwJyOW2msI/AAAAAAAAB2o/nWRWri5DA9c/s320/hogg_ls10_097ew.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5407708011017181890" border="0" /></a>*****<br />I'm speechless. I can't even come up with a <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">snarky</span> remark. It's <span style="font-style: italic;">that</span> bad.<br /><br />But what about the bridesmaids? Oh, we've got those too.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ez6rtDS54Yk/SwwJx5DvQgI/AAAAAAAAB2g/DZ4LGfpneUk/s1600/aas_ls10_045.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ez6rtDS54Yk/SwwJx5DvQgI/AAAAAAAAB2g/DZ4LGfpneUk/s320/aas_ls10_045.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5407708005299864066" border="0" /></a>She's the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">MOH</span>. The maids are hiding in her skirt.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ez6rtDS54Yk/SwwJyr8FLyI/AAAAAAAAB24/Yq-TLeWdVIc/s1600/ila_ps10_069ew.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ez6rtDS54Yk/SwwJyr8FLyI/AAAAAAAAB24/Yq-TLeWdVIc/s320/ila_ps10_069ew.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5407708018957954850" border="0" /></a>Merry Christmas!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ez6rtDS54Yk/SwwKH5PbdrI/AAAAAAAAB3g/wAl_CiA4znI/s1600/jns_ls10_012.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ez6rtDS54Yk/SwwKH5PbdrI/AAAAAAAAB3g/wAl_CiA4znI/s320/jns_ls10_012.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5407708383306020530" border="0" /></a>Any bride who makes another woman wear a dress like this needs to have the ever-loving crap beat out of her.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">So you know, I just thought I share some fashion <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">faux</span> pas with you. I'm not going to share the designers names with you simply because I would hate to promote The Ugly in any way, shape or form. However, all the pics are from <a href="http://stylesight.com">here</a>. It's not the photographers fault they had to shoot dresses that look like a bag of assholes*.<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;font-size:78%;" >*Slang cred to <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">Marizzle</span>. Word. </span><br /></div></div>Louisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07715082960831035952noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8063967144458611537.post-23240502931261495682009-11-23T12:39:00.008-06:002009-11-23T13:38:41.320-06:00Back to Budgets<div style="text-align: center;">Seeing that it's Monday (<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">blech</span>) and I have a cold (sniff/cough/wheeze), I thought I'd get back to the nasty task of budgets. So far we've determined this:<br /><br />1. I was on/under-budget on the venue because I am an idiot.<br />2. I was over-budget on my dress because gown preservation is effing <span style="font-style: italic;">expensive</span>.<br />3. I was under budget on flowers. Hooray!<br />4. I was over-budget on beauty because I am a vain, vain woman.<br />5. We were over-budget on transportation, but there were LOTS of factors that screwed that up.<br /><br />Here are some quickies:<br /><br />We were slightly under budget on the ceremony. Why? Because we saved $60 on our marriage license that we got by going to <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">pre</span>-marital counseling, which cost us $35 a visit. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Hmmmm</span>, wait a minute.....<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">WEDDING TIP #8: GO TO <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">PRE</span>-MARITAL COUNSELING! There is no shame in it. There is no admission of guilt that your relationship sucks. It means that you are a caring, thinking, committed individual who wants to have a successful relationship. Period. </span><br /><br />I'm going to touch on this further. The <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Candyman</span> and I are still going to counseling. Why? Because we care for each other. And because we totally don't know how to fight. I come from a non-confrontational, southern, white, Anglo-Saxon Episcopalian approach to arguing: never in public, never in private and only behind <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">some one's</span> back. The <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">Candyman</span> has a dad and <span style="font-style: italic;">four</span> brothers: fight it out until <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">some one's</span> bleeding, then call a truce. You can see how our arguing styles differ. Neither is right, but it's what we know so we have to learn <span style="font-style: italic;">our</span> way of fighting. That can be super-duper hard and it clearly takes lots of practice. Our therapist is our coach. She listens, tells us where we made mistakes and we practice again. Even Tiger Woods has a coach and needs to practice.<br /><br />Groom's attire was on budget - that one was easy. Sadly, because our wedding party was not large, we did not get the groom's tuxedo for free. <span style="font-style: italic;">Whatever</span>.<br /><br />I <span style="font-style: italic;">guess</span> were over on gifts. Sigh. Over budget <span style="font-style: italic;">again</span>. I knew I would be getting presents for people who played a part in the ceremony, like our friend who read a poem (I'll talk about the ceremony soon, I promise!) and for our "ushers." I also got a gift for our planner. I intended to get her some token something or other while I was overseas. However, I saw an oil painting that I loved and bought that instead! It was the right thing to do simply because it felt like more of a heartfelt gift than some lame earrings or something. <a href="http://lifealamode.com/">Tabitha</a> ended up being such an amazing addition to the planning process and to our celebration, I couldn't have done it without her! I also spent a little more money on The <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">Candyman's</span> gift than I intended, but it was SO worth it!<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ez6rtDS54Yk/SwrdmSNLL8I/AAAAAAAAB2Q/sExnAxp23OU/s1600/41yaUs4tqQL._SL500_AA280_.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 280px; height: 280px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ez6rtDS54Yk/SwrdmSNLL8I/AAAAAAAAB2Q/sExnAxp23OU/s320/41yaUs4tqQL._SL500_AA280_.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5407377952403566530" border="0" /></a>The <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">Candyman</span> doesn't wear a watch (I have no idea how he does this) and I decided to get him a nice one, for when he goes to court to do his attorney-<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">ing</span>. I was looking all around and found nothing that really was <span style="font-style: italic;">him</span>. Around that time, I was off having coffee with Tabitha and we were walking back to our cars and we noticed that something had moved into the abandoned gas station on 12<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">th</span> avenue. It was <a href="http://imogeneandwillie.com/index.html"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_12">imogene</span> & willie</a>. If you are local, you must go here. Must. Cool stuff galore, including the 1974 <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_13">Bulova</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_14">Accutron</span> watch. The <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_15">Candyman</span> was born in '74! Perfect! The version above is just slightly different than what I got him. It doesn't have the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_16">swoopy</span> face frame - it's just plain. It does have the original leather band though and it was in perfect condition. It took me all of about 5 seconds to buy it.<br /><br />What did The <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_17">Candyman</span> get me? Oddly, he bought my present right next door at <a href="http://modanashville.com/"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_18">Moda</span></a>! He bought me an original <a href="http://julia-martin.com/">Julia Martin</a> painting. She is my most favorite local artist. The painting The <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_19">Candyman</span> got me is the second one from the left on the bottom row.<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ez6rtDS54Yk/SwrhFEAiUWI/AAAAAAAAB2Y/hUupZCBo98c/s1600/Clip_13.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 243px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ez6rtDS54Yk/SwrhFEAiUWI/AAAAAAAAB2Y/hUupZCBo98c/s320/Clip_13.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5407381779703288162" border="0" /></a>It was the most perfect present ever! Thanks <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_20">hunny</span>-bunny-puffin-face-<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_21">schmoopy</span>-pie! He thinks I knew what my present was. How? Because I just happened to run into Julia at my Girl's Night Out soiree. I was pretty sure I had convinced her to <span style="font-style: italic;">give me</span> the last of her paintings in her Grey Garden series as a wedding gift. She was a little tipsy, as was I, so I think that makes the arrangement null and void. However, I mentioned it to The <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_22">Candyman</span> and he thought I was baiting him! How ironical.<br /><br />What <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_23">di</span>d you get for your <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_24">hunny</span>-bunny-puffin-face-<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_25">schmoopy</span>-pie? Are you giving gifts? No one say ya gotta, just so you know.<br /></div>Louisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07715082960831035952noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8063967144458611537.post-19612434385481541272009-11-22T13:01:00.005-06:002009-11-22T13:30:34.708-06:00CALLING ALL POTATOES!!!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ez6rtDS54Yk/SwmQxZ1sPdI/AAAAAAAAB2I/RNSR2kEfRAM/s1600/Potato-Head.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 250px; height: 250px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ez6rtDS54Yk/SwmQxZ1sPdI/AAAAAAAAB2I/RNSR2kEfRAM/s320/Potato-Head.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5407012006059064786" border="0" /></a><br />All right folks, here's the deal. I need some help. Today, The Candyman and I started discussing out Thanksgiving Day menu. We have decided that we are going to have The Newlywed Thanksgiving Feast and invite ourselves, naturally.<br /><br />We are going to test out our new baby deep fryer and deep fry a small breast. The Candyman will make ham. We agreed on grilled broccoli with bleu cheese as the "veggie." Hardly a fibrous dish with all the cheese, but who cares. It's effing Thanksgiving!<br /><br />I'll make a cranberry mousse and we might have dressing and biscuits. We still haven't figured out dessert, but we have decided to have a potato-off. We are going to see who can make the <span style="font-style: italic;">dankest</span> potato dish. He makes some really dank mashed potatoes that totally beat mine so I'm going to have bring out the big guns. I know there are things I want to have in my potatoes:<br /><ul style="text-align: center;"><li>Bacon (um, duh.)</li><li>Cheese</li></ul>I think I have a running chance at the title of Potato Master if I also involve heavy cream, another pork, sour cream and maybe some bread crumbs of some sort. I want to make potatoes au gratin on crack. I've got my mom's recipe that is pretty darn nasty. There are cheese and bacon involved in that recipe, but I think he's had it before. I think he's<span style="font-style: italic;"> expecting </span>it.<br /><br />I need a recipe. I need a deep, dark, dank potato dish that will bring The Candyman to his knees. I want it to be so good it'll make you wanna slap your momma. I've got one I'm thinking about, but want options. If you have a nasty-naughty-dirty potato recipe, please send it my way. Know a good recipe link, tell me that too. You can post as a comment or send to my email at thethirtysomethingbride@gmail.com. You want me to win, right? You know I'll for sure feature the recipe here! :)Louisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07715082960831035952noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8063967144458611537.post-86438686579623194572009-11-22T12:30:00.005-06:002009-11-22T12:40:40.702-06:00Wedding HarmonyIf You're not familiar with Vicki Grafton and <a href="http://www.mysimpledetails.com/">My Simple Details</a>, you should be. Vicki planned her own <a href="http://www.mysimpledetails.com/index2.php">Bali wedding</a> and it's been plastered all over the place. I'm sure you've seen in on <a href="http://stylemepretty.com/">Style Me Pretty</a> or even recently on <a href="http://thebudgetsavvybride.com/2009/11/11/budget-savvy-wedding-of-the-week-veronica-and-daniel/">The Budget Savvy Bride's Wedding of the Week. </a>Anyway, Vicki was the planner for the event in the below video. The camera work leaves a little to be desired, but it wasn't like it was being filmed by a real <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">videographer</span> (at least I HOPE not). Still, you get the gist. Really clever and those guys can SING!<br /><br />Enjoy.<br /><br /><object width="400" height="296"><param name="allowfullscreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><param name="movie" value="http://vimeo.com/moogaloop.swf?clip_id=7742446&server=vimeo.com&show_title=1&show_byline=1&show_portrait=0&color=&fullscreen=1"><embed src="http://vimeo.com/moogaloop.swf?clip_id=7742446&server=vimeo.com&show_title=1&show_byline=1&show_portrait=0&color=&fullscreen=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" allowscriptaccess="always" width="400" height="296"></embed></object><p><a href="http://vimeo.com/7742446">Best Groomsmen Medley</a> from <a href="http://vimeo.com/user2672898">Vicki Grafton</a> on <a href="http://vimeo.com/"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Vimeo</span></a>.</p>Louisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07715082960831035952noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8063967144458611537.post-88062448778083658222009-11-19T11:46:00.004-06:002009-11-19T13:10:17.203-06:00The Piggy Bank Effect<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ez6rtDS54Yk/SwWWXvby0HI/AAAAAAAAB2A/kCPiDOQyMo4/s1600/banner.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 182px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ez6rtDS54Yk/SwWWXvby0HI/AAAAAAAAB2A/kCPiDOQyMo4/s320/banner.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5405892262342348914" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;"><a href="http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://features.cgsociety.org/stories/2006_05/piggybank/banner.jpg&imgrefurl=http://features.cgsociety.org/cgfilms/cgfilm.php%3Fstory_id%3D3582&usg=__wSxJl21-eOaPXxSycVNd0iNQDKs=&h=300&w=528&sz=33&hl=en&start=18&tbnid=t4a_0uM9TyqlQM:&tbnh=75&tbnw=132&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dpiggy%2Bbanks%26gbv%3D2%26hl%3Den">Source</a></span><br /><br /></div>OK, before I totally get back into the budget recaps, I'm going to share with you a little Saving Secret. Now, The <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Candyman</span> wasn't quite on-board with this process until the week before the wedding when I showed him all the cold, hard cash. '<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Nuff</span> said after that. As unconventional (or perhaps old school) as this may seem in today's world of <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">ATM's</span> and on-line banking, it really did work. Here's what I'm talking about. I'm going to call it The Piggy Bank Effect.<br /><br />As I'm sure a lot of you who are paying for your wedding yourselves know, ya gotta save a lot of money. That's hard, especially in today's bullshit economy, right? To save the big dollars, I set up two automatic transfers with my bank that happened once at the beginning of each month and once in the middle. The first transfer was a large one and went along with my mortgage and such. That's always a sparse time of month anyway, so I just made it worse - on purpose. Money is a mind game - make sure you play with yourself. *OK, just typed that, realized what I typed and am totally not changing it. I totally advocate play-dates with yourself.*<br /><br />The second transfer wasn't as big, so when that payday came around, I felt sorta rich and not so poor. That was nice.<br /><br />Now here's where The Piggy Bank Effect took place. In <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">addition</span> to the above savings, I played another little game with myself. I took out about the same amount of money I did every week prior to financial lock down (anywhere from $40-$100). I took HALF of that money every time I did and distributed it into envelopes that were going to be the CASH payments that were due the day of the wedding. I had envelopes for the officiant, the DJ, our Packard driver Reggie, the chapel, the ceremony guitarist and Julie at<a href="http://jbangssalon.com/"> J Bangs Salon</a>.<br />By not having as much cash in my wallet, I spent less. I gave up Starbucks, pedicures and recreational shopping (this was some what replaced by wedding shopping so I didn't feel deprived<span style="font-style: italic;"> at all</span>).<br /><br />The other thing I did was steal money from The <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Candyman</span>. Yes, ladies - it's true. Whenever I did his laundry, I'd check all the pockets for loose change and bills. The bills went into the envelopes and the change into a big glass jar on top of the fridge. The <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">Candyman</span> caught me doing this and started sneaking in money himself! It was awesome! Team effort! The weekend before the wedding, we took all the change down to <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">Publix</span> and put it in that change machine thing. The <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">Candyman</span> and I made a pretty serious bet on the total. He won. I have yet to make due, but I never back out on a bet. I can't remember the total, but it was around $80 or $90! Sweet!<br /><br />By doing this over the course of 10 months, we saved over $1000 in those stupid envelopes! And, all my payments were ready to go, labeled to the appropriate vendor! I think that made <a href="http://lifealamode.com/">Tabitha</a>, my planner, happy.<br /><br />Don't trust yourself not to tap the envelopes of the change jar? Appoint a trusted source to hide the money from you, if you can. Or count the money together as a team and promise not to touch it, week to week. That way, you are both accountable. If you need to tap it for an emergency (this does <span style="font-style: italic;">not</span> include the new Jimmy <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">Choo</span> collection at H&M), make sure you talk about it first.<br /><br />I'm going to guess that most financial analysts would not condone my savings methods, suggesting I transfer that money into an account on a weekly basis. But seriously, I had a lot more fun this way. I could see the dollars adding up and it gave me GREAT pleasure and satisfaction to seal up each completed envelope one by one. Even The <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">Candyman</span> was surprised at how much we had saved by pilfering from ourselves!<br /><br />The great thing about this now is that we can continue to do it. I'm allowing pedicures back in the mix, but it doesn't have to be bi-weekly, as was my prior addiction. The <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">Candyman</span> and I go out to eat again, versus tuna casserole and my "pasta bake specials" that we seemed to live on during our engagement. We allow ourselves trips to <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">Publix</span> instead of <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_12">Wal</span>-Mart, because <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_13">Wal</span>-Mart sucks (but damn it, it's cheaper!), we like the produce better <span style="font-style: italic;">and</span> we can dance in aisles to the music. It's fun.Louisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07715082960831035952noreply@blogger.com9