Last Night's Dinner

So the Husband's co-worker went on a big fishing trip and brought back a bunch of awesome Alaskan halibut - he very generously shared it with us so we were all set for Sunday night dinner.

I decided to use a variation of this recipe from Kalyn'sKitchen - it reminded me of something I think my mom used to make for us (mom, please let me know if you made this) and I have to say when it was finished it really tasted like what I remember. 

I mixed together: 3-4 tablespoons light sour cream, 1 tablespoon lemon juice, 1 tsp+ garlic powder, fresh grated parmesan cheese, fresh dill, salt & pepper. Spread that over your fish and bake in a baking dish at 375* for 30mins or until it reaches 145F. We also baked asparagus at the same time and took that out about half-way through. It was spectacular and easy and I'll totally make it again. *success*

Wedding Wedding Wedding it don't stop

MORE DEETS...

Here was my view from the meeting room us girls got ready in - fun, right? Ok so I am not going to bore you by giving you the history of all the drama that surrounded the freakin' chairs for our wedding, but just believe me when I say that I was OVER them. But when I got to peek at the gallery and see how it was all coming together I was so happy! It was my vision! YAY! It was really fun to get to "spy" on the progress being made down there, seeing it all get set up. I was excited.

Oh and guess what I got to have a sneak peek at my cake! I was going to get my boquet and there was the cake! I have to be honest, I am not a cake person and was never all that excited about the cake. I was more worried it would be cheesy than obsessing about making it look a certain way. Which is why I asked for a simple design - gradated "pearl" dots on each tier and a ring of dotted frosting around each one with 3 peonies on top. When I saw the cake though I was PUMPED! It was much bigger than I thought it would be and really tall and precise-looking. I only had one bite of it so I hope it was good. We had three different flavors: pink champagne, cookies & cream, and white chocolate raspberry. Thanks Kingsley's Dimensional Desserts!

You guys these crosswords never would have existed without Josiane! She dreamed up both (that's right, there were TWO versions!) puzzles and helped me scallop edge them which took a long time. They turned out great though and I think people were entertained by them. I had loved other weddings we'd been to that had something to do while you're waiting for dinner, and it also helps break the ice if you don't know everyone at your table.

I also made sure we had these campaign buttons - had to have! They matched the theme of our Save-the-Dates and I liked how people were wearing them at the end of the night. I was pretty adamant about not wanting a favor that was too wasteful. I would've been sad picturing our lovingly-crafted favors languishing in a landfill somewhere or -even worse- being kept by someone who felt too guilty to throw it out. These were small enough that I felt like people would feel like taking them home or whatever. Also I didn't have to hand make them! One of the lovely ladies from the "BS Ladies" (if you know me at all, you know them by now!), Kris, helped connect me with a great company that makes buttons. I had to design them but after I sent the file off that was it. EASY PEASY. Actually, one of the easiest tasks for our wedding. Thanks Kris!!!

More cake (and a big little detail in the background there). I like the cake sunlit :)

The ceremony space. You can see my lanterns flanking the aisle - thanks to my Aunt Terri who helped me find all those! And my MIL Viki helped me get all the tall candles and the runner. Our florist put the rose pedals down the aisles. My pink programs are chillin' there on the seats. I hope I didn't miss any typos in that thing! (if so, don't tell me)

The Morning-of...

WOAH morning of our wedding day was crazy! And stressful. And exciting. And fun :)

Let me just give all you future brides out there a little tip: make sure you have a super awesome friend with you the day of your wedding to assist with all emergencies! So I didn't even think about food for that morning (too busy packing and finishing crafts and trying to sleep) and what do you know but all us gals were HUNGRY! We didn't even realize it until Shannon saw a need and seriously just solved all our breakfast woes. Fairy GodHelper! She went to the store and got us all kinds of goodies, and toasted bagels for everyone and made me a lovely plate that I am positive is solely responsible for putting me on the right track that morning.

Bridal Breakfast courtesy: Shannon.

So I wanted to get something special for my sis and my SIL. I saw these fun robes from Plum Pretty Sugar and ordered them well in advance. They arrived with plenty of time for me to have them wrapped and ready for my girls on the day-of. I think it was a fun surprise and we got to all feel a little special while we were gettin' purdy.

Another bridal tip: see about having a full-length mirror in your venue's "getting-ready" room - I didn't even think of this until I had my dress on, and by then it was too late to go get one (we were getting ready in a meeting room at the museum and I had to hide out from my groom because he didn't want to see my dress). But for my personality it was actually for the best because then I didn't have the opportunity to get (more) neurotic and obsess about how I looked but really it was kinda weird walking down the aisle without knowing how it all came together. Oh well, that's why there's pictures!

More Deets

Oh you didn't think we were done with wedding posts, did you? NAWH, DAWG. Here are some more "good things" (as Martha would say) from the day-of...

So both of these really special pieces are from my Grandma Phyllis. She gave me the beautiful beaded bag for Christmas a few years ago and I knew I would use it on my wedding day. It was perfect for my pressed powder and chapstick. It also held one (I am a lucky girl and had TWO!) of my two "borrowed" items, this handkercheif. The "R" is for my Grandmother's last name. Isn't it pretty? I'm happy to say I didn't need to get mascara all over it! (I'm not a crier in public if I can help it).

This is composed of trim from my mother's veil (which has a subtle heart/shamrock shape that was also a part of our invitations) and I tied a little "something blue" to it - it's an Irish tradition to carry a horseshoe. I wrapped this around my boquet :)

And look at this beautiful piece of serendipity! I didn't have a necklace to wear even up until 2 days before. Keene's aunt Jennifer sweetly offered to lend my this "something borrowed and blue" to wear that was her Grandmother's (Keene's Great Grandmother's). It has a little blue stone set above the diamond. Jennifer wore it on her wedding day and she lent it to me! Isn't it perfect? I loved wearing it because it was special and had family history and it was the perfect accent.

Some Wedding Details

Here are a few details from the wedding...I had to document them QUICKLY since it was all happening so fast! Most of this was pulled together in the week before the big day (do not recommend this method. Although maybe it's unavoidable?).

Our table assignment board. This sat on a matching easel. I printed out all the names on cards and punched a lace edge (thank you, hard-working Martha punch!) and added a ribbon edge to the tops of all of them so they stood out a bit. Placed them into the board with tiny gold pins from the fabric store. Megan acquired and painted the frame for me and made the back (she's a rockstar!!!). 

The programs. Ok they turned out real cute (IMO), but let me just tell you that stapling and tying a black satin bow to the spine of your programs is VERY time consuming. I might've made Josiane help me put these together and watch a 3-hour episode of Dancing with the Stars and they still weren't done (sorry about making you watch DWTS, J)! She saved the day though and finished them for me - my hero :) 

The table numbers. I had these in my head from day one. Megan cut all the hearts out for me out of glitter cardstock and glued them back-to-back. I printed out the hearts with the table names which were restaurants that were special to us. Each one had a little caption telling a nice memory from that spot. 

So people told me that I would work on all these little details and not really get to enjoy any of them. That was SO TRUE. I don't remember being able to see any of them on the actual day. But when they were all put together beforehand I was pretty satisfied with how they turned out. I hope our guests noticed them!

Mini Rehearsal Dinner Re-Cap...

This feels like it happend FOREVER ago now but I still wanted to keep posting re-caps if only for my own "online scrapbook" sake. These pics were taken before taking off for our rehearsal dinner. I can't believe I pulled it together enough to be "normal" that night, my head was overflowing with to-do items and nerves!

I look creepy in this pic...I blame the fake lashes. My husband-to-be looked very handsome in his cashmere sportcoat!

I was pretty proud of this outfit. Breaking in the wedding shoes that night and got my hair REAL big - triumph. Also honeymoon packing and laying my dress out (no wrinkles!) in progress in the background...

Rehearsal dinner was awesome! It was great to be able to have our families all in one room to thank for all their support. Not to mention the food was amazing - thank you to my in-laws!

Bachelorette Party: EPIC.

Here are some pics from my bachelorette party, which my friends expertly put together and lovingly attended. 

PHASE I: Fabulous cocktail party by hostess with the mostess, Paula. There were delish appetizers and martinis. I was adorned with pink plastic accoutrements and blingy tiara and veil. I was also gifted a delightful array of ridonkulous and awesome panties!

PHASE II: Le Faux. Queens. Cher Queens. Might've lost my voice from "woo"-ing ;)

PHASE III: Nieghbors. The final phase. Dancing. Dancing. Fog machine? Or was it just getting foggy at that point...? Either way, THANK YOU FRIENDS who hosted and attended and did all kinds of sweet things for me (like driving me home way past bedtime!). 

PS. I realized looking at these pictures that three of my attendees were pregnant at the time. MAD PROPS! Most props go to Amy of course, who was just 3 weeks or so from her due date!

*Classy*Sisters*

Me n' Carrie (aka the funniest lady ever!!!)

Here this Queen is asking me a very personal question. 

Valiant effort.

Do you believe? 

Ally and Paula and photobomb courtesy Noah

My MOH striking a party pose 

Look Mom, no tonsils!

Friends circa Gamma Stack 9!

Love my seeester!

Whoops almost time to go home...

Making people pose for lots of photos. HA!

Neighbors is ridiculous! Loving it.

You guys I think it's safe to say I had an AWESOME time at my bachelorette party. THANK YOU!!! *And thank you gatorade. 

First Few Photos...

Breaking my blog silence...to bring you some photos from our session with the totally fabulous Jenny Jimenez - she is amazing! These are just the first few but I had to share, it's our first "forealsies" photos together. Pearl was quite a ham, very photogenic, I'm sure you'll agree :)

Blog Vacation

I'm going to be taking a blog break for a while. I'm sad that I haven't had much time to devote to it this year, and I haven't felt much joy associated with blogging lately. And I think the content I've been putting up here has been suffering from my lack of enthusiasm. I remember declaring before that "I'll NEVER get rid of my blog" - that's still true. I like sharing my life and what inspires me. But it's time to re-energize, get through to the finish line of this whole wedding-planning thing, and focus on our home and my (still) new job. When I have new fun things to share I'll get back at it, and hopefully some of you will still be reading!

For now, enjoy some photos of Kauai:

I am very excited about the sugar plantation tubing.

and snorkeling...

and awesome scenery...

Stone Cold Sobuary: Done-sies.

CONGRATULATIONS!!!
YOU GET A GOLD STAR!

Hey Party People! May I be the first to say, "Congratulations, you did it!" if you made it through all of January aka "Mocktail Madness" without a drink. I applaud you! And guess what? Your body, your wallet, and your mind do too.

What exactly did you do? Well, assuming you are like me and enjoy and average of 1 beer, 1 cocktail, and 3 glasses of wine per week...
* You did not consume 4000 calories, which also equates to at least 1 lb of fat {facts here and here}
* $150 cash, in YO WALLET (if you are in a household of 2 people, double that, multiply by 12 months and you have $3600 a year. YIKES)
* ~30 hours of better REM sleep, you're welcome {info here}

Now, how about that? It's always nice to start fresh and challenge yourself to do something healthy. I personally found it to be much more difficult this year than it was for me last year. I think because last year I basically made myself allergic after my birthday shenanigans, and also the dark January weather really got me down this month. I still like to do this little experiment to prove to myself that I can do it and to better understand the compromise I'm making when I decide to drink. It can have a big impact on my body, budget and well-being.

So for those of you who made it the entire month: I have a surprise congratulatory gift for you! If you completed Stone Cold Sobuary, let me know and I will send you a gift!

Crafty Things

Why can't I live in the friggin' MOMENT?! Ugh. I was listening to one of my podcasts this morning and a guest of the show was chatting about her life now as an empty nester since her triplets have all recently left for college. She said she sleeps in, goes to the gym, goes out to ladies lunch, is remodeling the house, and overall is pretty "lazy". Omg that sounded so great! I found myself thinking: "wow, after my kids leave for college I can't wait for that time!" What? That's crazy.*

Anyway, if I was an empty nester right now I would spend my week making these crafts for my friend Megan's upcoming birthday:

Heart-pattern Friendship Bracelet via The Purl Bee.

A Handmade Giant Flower via Green Wedding Shoes.

This adorable sprinkle cake via KissMyCakes...

And I'd make some super cute bunting to mark the occasion...{via ohcrafts}

*I've sortof already had my "empty nest" time: aka "funemployment" but that was riddled with guilt and no money so obvs not a very desirable lifestyle.

Fun, Affordable Art

All from another one of those cool, fun, affordable art websites: www.society6.com

"STRIPES" by Brandon Neher.

"Seafoam bokeh" by Laura Ruth

"Bokeh-ful" by Bethany Helzer

"le snack" by Paris vs New York