So let's just pretend it hasn't been ages since I've written and get on with it. Everything is still on. The ball continues to roll. If there were a speed, it'd be full and ahead. The gosh honest truth is that most of the big stuff seems to be done and stress levels (at least wedding-related stress levels) are fairly low. Aren't I supposed to be freaking out and screaming at people and getting my nails done every other day? Not so far! Let's do this. Let's get "her" done. Let's get married, people.
I am in Portland after flying cross-country for the second time in as many weeks. This should be the last big trip for a while--maybe until the honeymoon (Hawaii, we hope!). I have to do a radio interview tomorrow morning. I get to phone it in from my hotel room, which is awesome and hopefully less fear-inducing than speaking into a microphone covered by a giant foam disk. I wish everything could be phoned in.
I will try to keep the blog rolling on a more regular basis, peeps, but there isn't much to talk or freak out about, which is saying a lot from my Libra self.
So I ask you, dear readers--that is if you're still reading at this point--do you have any questions for me?
Top 5 (non-wedding) material things that are making me happy at this very moment:
1. The rerun of the Office that's on my giant hotel tv (the one where Michael & Dwight go clubbing in NYC with d.b. Ryan)
2. My awesome hotel and the supernice people who work here (Hotel Monaco in Portland)
3. Do you know Kelly from the Office? Well, I found her blog and it turns out we're meant to be BFFs: http://thingsiboughtthatilove.com/
4. Knowing that at least if I have to travel tons, 95% of it is to supercool places.
5. The pizza and Oreos I had for dinner. I think Weight Watchers gets the finger when you've had this long of a day.
5.5. The impending arrival of my new iphone once the Man releases the new editions in a few weeks. Hurry up, iphone.
What's your current Top 5?
Thursday, May 29, 2008
Thursday, February 14, 2008
Sorry for the delay. I always have good intentions...promise! I am sitting solo in the Orlando airport post-work conference. A 2.5 hour delay on Valentine's Day is not fun, but a little sweet talk and a sly smile later, and I've been bumped to first class. Sweet. I am flying to Memphis (instead of B'ham) to meet Russ for the weekend. He has a gig there, and we're going to Elvis and rib it up in his down time.
I wrote the following almost a month ago but didn't finish and post. I am a traveling machine over the next few months, but it will hopefully provide the Delta and Hilton points to rock the honeymoon. Here is my latest dress drama (not really even that dramatic, but alliteration is my friend):
After two short trips out of town to quaint country dress shops (Jasper and Hartselle [Hart-sul, if you're nasty]), I came across this dress that consistently stayed my favorite on two separate occasions. This is hard to do, folks. The one pictured is "champagne," (was more yellow-y in person) but mine will be "ivory." You can't really tell the detail from the picture. My mom also swears it was more flattering in person, but that's the kind of thing cool moms are supposed to say. Anyway, I really love it. It's a little on the different side. Not the awesome, fun, vintage-y different I initially thought I would settle on, but the different that hopefully means every other bride won't be wearing it.
Two more cruel facts about dress shopping:
1) Wedding dresses are two sizes up from your normal clothes. Thanks, wedding mafia.
2) If you are 29 and in the non-"urban" part of Alabama, you will lap 98% of other brides in the store on the age race by a good 7-10 years.
Today [ed note: ok, a month ago] was the tasting at our wedding/reception site. It ruled way more than I thought it would, though it effectively used all of my WW points for the next year. The only gross thing: A station entitled "Utterly Delicious." It was a metal cage with pastry bags full of flavored cream cheeses hanging from chains. Folks, you don't taint cheese with visions of S&M. Utterly Delicious will not be invited to our wedding.
I wrote the following almost a month ago but didn't finish and post. I am a traveling machine over the next few months, but it will hopefully provide the Delta and Hilton points to rock the honeymoon. Here is my latest dress drama (not really even that dramatic, but alliteration is my friend):
After two short trips out of town to quaint country dress shops (Jasper and Hartselle [Hart-sul, if you're nasty]), I came across this dress that consistently stayed my favorite on two separate occasions. This is hard to do, folks. The one pictured is "champagne," (was more yellow-y in person) but mine will be "ivory." You can't really tell the detail from the picture. My mom also swears it was more flattering in person, but that's the kind of thing cool moms are supposed to say. Anyway, I really love it. It's a little on the different side. Not the awesome, fun, vintage-y different I initially thought I would settle on, but the different that hopefully means every other bride won't be wearing it.
Two more cruel facts about dress shopping:
1) Wedding dresses are two sizes up from your normal clothes. Thanks, wedding mafia.
2) If you are 29 and in the non-"urban" part of Alabama, you will lap 98% of other brides in the store on the age race by a good 7-10 years.
Today [ed note: ok, a month ago] was the tasting at our wedding/reception site. It ruled way more than I thought it would, though it effectively used all of my WW points for the next year. The only gross thing: A station entitled "Utterly Delicious." It was a metal cage with pastry bags full of flavored cream cheeses hanging from chains. Folks, you don't taint cheese with visions of S&M. Utterly Delicious will not be invited to our wedding.
Thursday, November 22, 2007
Change of a Dress (with apologies to SAtC)
Progress continues to slowly trickle in. My mom and I drove to Atlanta last week to check out a few dress places. We really liked this little spot, as it was cute, cozy, and full of (relatively--a word that has changed meaning during this process) affordable options. After doing the ill-fated David's Bridal thing here in town, this was a much better, less tiara-pimping experience. I will give it up to DB's though; we used them like a one night stand to figure out what kind of silhouettes work best on my crazy figure. Turns out the awesome kooky, vintage-y styles I covet are either way outta my price league (oh, how I covet thee!) or made for those with more waifish figures. So, anyway, it looks like structured a-lines are my friend.
After a brief dalliance into the bridal dress realm, I would like to warn you, dear readers, about an alarming trend: the flaming vagina factor. Look in any bridal shop, catalogue, magazine, what have you. What you may see is a flourish of sequins and beaded flowers either erupting over or pointing toward your privates. You'll also occasionally notice some butt embellishment.
Witness dress #1:
Dress #2 (horribly unflattering, complete with cotton candy butt fluff):
Dress #3 (makes me feel like I should be working at the saloon in Deadwood):
Dress #4 (I kinda like, though it is getting a little too close to fairy princess land for my taste):
Dress #5 (a close second favorite, but not worth the extra $600):
Dress #6 (the current lead contender):
After a few more stops closer to the 'Ham, I'll hopefully have the dress crossed off my list. I'll most likely choose #6 unless I find something cheaper and/or more delicious. Can't wait too long, though, as that bad boy is going to need altering like no one's business.
Since I am getting further away from my dream of being an offbeat bride wearing a casual, more wacky dress, I am deterined to have fun with my shoes. Here are my current thoughts:
Many of you with more traditional taste--hi, mom!--are probably looking (virtually) at me with the same look of horror that crossed my gynocologist's face last month when I told her I wasn't yet sure if I was going to change my last name ("Oh, Cindy!!"), but I must have at least a small touch of 'tude.
After a brief dalliance into the bridal dress realm, I would like to warn you, dear readers, about an alarming trend: the flaming vagina factor. Look in any bridal shop, catalogue, magazine, what have you. What you may see is a flourish of sequins and beaded flowers either erupting over or pointing toward your privates. You'll also occasionally notice some butt embellishment.
Witness dress #1:
Dress #2 (horribly unflattering, complete with cotton candy butt fluff):
Dress #3 (makes me feel like I should be working at the saloon in Deadwood):
Dress #4 (I kinda like, though it is getting a little too close to fairy princess land for my taste):
Dress #5 (a close second favorite, but not worth the extra $600):
Dress #6 (the current lead contender):
After a few more stops closer to the 'Ham, I'll hopefully have the dress crossed off my list. I'll most likely choose #6 unless I find something cheaper and/or more delicious. Can't wait too long, though, as that bad boy is going to need altering like no one's business.
Since I am getting further away from my dream of being an offbeat bride wearing a casual, more wacky dress, I am deterined to have fun with my shoes. Here are my current thoughts:
Many of you with more traditional taste--hi, mom!--are probably looking (virtually) at me with the same look of horror that crossed my gynocologist's face last month when I told her I wasn't yet sure if I was going to change my last name ("Oh, Cindy!!"), but I must have at least a small touch of 'tude.
Thursday, September 27, 2007
Hallelujah: We have a date!
Because we're obviously not in a rush here, Friday, October 17th, 2008 it is. Two days before I hit 30. I was amazed at how much better I felt once it was declared. I know there's tons to be done, but now I have a goal to word toward. Yay!
Tuesday, September 11, 2007
Man, I've already become a cliche by quickly abandoning this thing. I had all the best intentions...I promise. But multiple trips, work, general indecision, and a food poisoned, five hour flight from (hell) Portland to Birmingham happened (salmon over greens from room service at the airport Embassy Suites).
Anyway, where we now stand is back where we started: dear old Birmingham. That's right. Don't kill me! My freshly-retired mother has poured her energy into an impressive Excel sheet that revealed a nearly $10,000 price difference for the beach. There was also the guilty realization that I would be forcing most guests to shell out a few hundred bucks for the privilege of seeing us getting hitched. That ain't right.
So where I am now is about 75% sure of having it at B&A. We went and talked with them and they make everything fairly easy, do a great job, and are most in line with our wacky, picky aesthetic versus other Birmingham places. The next decision (they never end!) is when. The only Saturday before it gets hot is the day before Easter, which is surprisingly not a problem for the Ehrett family pastor. Since that's kind of soon and may be difficult for the out-of-towners and/or those with Catholic guilt, our next option is...a FRIDAY night in late September or early October. This would solve both the football conflict and the time of year issue (and also save $500). Now I've just gotta get moving on that whole decision making thing. We know how well that works.
Dudes. Did I tell you about my horrible--yet thankfully brief--dress shopping experience? Meg and I went to a sample sale at a certain fancy pants bridal shop on the outskirts of town. I could fit in some of the samples except when it got to my chest, of course. I made one sarcastic, self-deprecating comment when we first started looking with the saleslady to acknowledge that yes, I can give Dolly a run for her money in the jugs department. Apparently this was license for her to continually comment on them and then give up and declare that they don't have anything that will fit me and I'll need to have a dress specially made. That was a total "I sunk your battleship!" to my self esteem, so we went and had drinks in the middle of the day and I tried not to cry. We'll talk more about dresses down the road, that's enough for now.
[Pretend that I was able to find a picture of Carrie trying on her wedding dress and getting that rash, posted it here, and did not just spend a good 30 min looking for it.]
Retail therapy continues in the form of my new ipod Nano which is red, scheduled to arrive tomorrow, and will be called Little Fatty. Happy engagement/early birthday to me!
Anyway, where we now stand is back where we started: dear old Birmingham. That's right. Don't kill me! My freshly-retired mother has poured her energy into an impressive Excel sheet that revealed a nearly $10,000 price difference for the beach. There was also the guilty realization that I would be forcing most guests to shell out a few hundred bucks for the privilege of seeing us getting hitched. That ain't right.
So where I am now is about 75% sure of having it at B&A. We went and talked with them and they make everything fairly easy, do a great job, and are most in line with our wacky, picky aesthetic versus other Birmingham places. The next decision (they never end!) is when. The only Saturday before it gets hot is the day before Easter, which is surprisingly not a problem for the Ehrett family pastor. Since that's kind of soon and may be difficult for the out-of-towners and/or those with Catholic guilt, our next option is...a FRIDAY night in late September or early October. This would solve both the football conflict and the time of year issue (and also save $500). Now I've just gotta get moving on that whole decision making thing. We know how well that works.
Dudes. Did I tell you about my horrible--yet thankfully brief--dress shopping experience? Meg and I went to a sample sale at a certain fancy pants bridal shop on the outskirts of town. I could fit in some of the samples except when it got to my chest, of course. I made one sarcastic, self-deprecating comment when we first started looking with the saleslady to acknowledge that yes, I can give Dolly a run for her money in the jugs department. Apparently this was license for her to continually comment on them and then give up and declare that they don't have anything that will fit me and I'll need to have a dress specially made. That was a total "I sunk your battleship!" to my self esteem, so we went and had drinks in the middle of the day and I tried not to cry. We'll talk more about dresses down the road, that's enough for now.
[Pretend that I was able to find a picture of Carrie trying on her wedding dress and getting that rash, posted it here, and did not just spend a good 30 min looking for it.]
Retail therapy continues in the form of my new ipod Nano which is red, scheduled to arrive tomorrow, and will be called Little Fatty. Happy engagement/early birthday to me!
Tuesday, August 21, 2007
Viva Las Vegas!
Ok, today is a day where heading to Vegas and having Elvis just get everything over with sounds good. The mister would like that, it is to be sure. I spent my lunch hour calling beach people, and it's even more expensive than I thought. The place I loved the most is redonkulous. Trying to find a plan B down there now, but that is redonkulous, jr. I am still about 65-70% leaning toward the beach, but trying to find a cheaper, non Jimmy Buffet way to do it (sorry, mom).
What I want to know now is--since you'll all been full of such great advice--what were the things that were worth the money to you and what was totally not worth the money/stress? If you're unhitched (which is a great thing to be when you put it like that), what was it about the weddings you've been to that made them great?
What I want to know now is--since you'll all been full of such great advice--what were the things that were worth the money to you and what was totally not worth the money/stress? If you're unhitched (which is a great thing to be when you put it like that), what was it about the weddings you've been to that made them great?
Friday, August 17, 2007
Where, oh where...?
Thanks for the positive feedback, lovely ladies. Now I need your help with the first big decision: Where does all of this go down? This is our big goal this weekend: to decide between the beach, the "mountains," or here in the 'ham. In my head, I imagine everything else will start coming together as soon as we make this decision, but so far both Russell and I cannot make up our minds. I know some of you already heard me go on about this last Wednesday, but I'm opening it up to a bigger discussion in hopes that someone helps me unbalance my pro/con list. Yes, there's a pro/con list. And it's literally on a pad of paper that comes preprinted with "pro" and "con" that my boss regifted to me. This notepad is a physical manifestation of what is constantly going on in my head.
A little background before we get to the pros and cons: I know some of you think I am crazy, but we would like for the wedding to happen in the spring. Next spring. Like six months from now. It can't happen in the fall (my favorite time of year) because I'm not going to compete with screams of "touchdown!" in the middle of the ceremony. And it can't happen in winter because that's too soon. And it can't happen in the summer because we would all melt. So that's why I am thinking early/mid-March to mid-April (or maybe June), a tiny window of time where I shouldn't have to be travelling across the country for work. Let's hope not.
"Mountains"
There are quotes around that because it's not really hardcore mountain-y. It's a place my sweet mom found in Southern Living last week, Gorham's Bluff.
Pros
- It's really pretty, or at least looks that way from the Web site.
- It's something different that none of my friends have done before.
- Should be nice up there in the spring (though that's 'nado season in 'Bama).
Cons
- I don't know how much it costs because they won't answer their phone (first major pet peeve of the planning process: places that don't list prices on the Internet so that I cannot keep with my plan of minimizing interaction with strangers).
- It's a two hour drive to the middle of nowhere for everyone.
- It somehow feels a little 80s to me (not like Madonna, more like fluffy-sleeved bride's dress), but I have no idea why.
Birmingham
I am currently considering B&A or Gabrella Manor...any other suggestions (have already looked into Vulcan and The Club)?
Pros
- I love Birmingham.
- More peeps could come. (see cons)
- Easier to get to.
- More day-to-day control over planning.
Cons
- Probably a little more expensive.
- Everyone's already gotten married in these places, and while I loved these weddings, I worry it will be just another wedding or won't be "us" enough.
- More peeps would come. (see pros)
Beach
I am thinking near the 30-A/Seaside area. This is slightly ahead of the other options right now.
Pros
- Low(er)-key?
- Should be very pretty, natural setting
- Not hurricane season then
- A destination peeps (hopefully) don't mind driving to (tell me if I am wrong!)
- Would be more guests who actually want to be there vs bored/obligated in town
- A little less expensive?
- Could do a package deal from one of many places that decides everything for you
- Not many people I know have done this, surprisingly.
Cons
- Less control over day-to-day stuff
- Would have to go down there a few times to taste stuff (though, really? hasn't all cake everywhere tasted the same since the beginning of time?) and make decisions
- At the mercy of the weather
- Guests have a five hour drive and have to pay for place to stay
- Don't want to get trapped into overly beachy/slightly cheesy theme
I am at home waiting for the alarm guy to come and switch something out. Maybe he will have an opinion...
A little background before we get to the pros and cons: I know some of you think I am crazy, but we would like for the wedding to happen in the spring. Next spring. Like six months from now. It can't happen in the fall (my favorite time of year) because I'm not going to compete with screams of "touchdown!" in the middle of the ceremony. And it can't happen in winter because that's too soon. And it can't happen in the summer because we would all melt. So that's why I am thinking early/mid-March to mid-April (or maybe June), a tiny window of time where I shouldn't have to be travelling across the country for work. Let's hope not.
"Mountains"
There are quotes around that because it's not really hardcore mountain-y. It's a place my sweet mom found in Southern Living last week, Gorham's Bluff.
Pros
- It's really pretty, or at least looks that way from the Web site.
- It's something different that none of my friends have done before.
- Should be nice up there in the spring (though that's 'nado season in 'Bama).
Cons
- I don't know how much it costs because they won't answer their phone (first major pet peeve of the planning process: places that don't list prices on the Internet so that I cannot keep with my plan of minimizing interaction with strangers).
- It's a two hour drive to the middle of nowhere for everyone.
- It somehow feels a little 80s to me (not like Madonna, more like fluffy-sleeved bride's dress), but I have no idea why.
Birmingham
I am currently considering B&A or Gabrella Manor...any other suggestions (have already looked into Vulcan and The Club)?
Pros
- I love Birmingham.
- More peeps could come. (see cons)
- Easier to get to.
- More day-to-day control over planning.
Cons
- Probably a little more expensive.
- Everyone's already gotten married in these places, and while I loved these weddings, I worry it will be just another wedding or won't be "us" enough.
- More peeps would come. (see pros)
Beach
I am thinking near the 30-A/Seaside area. This is slightly ahead of the other options right now.
Pros
- Low(er)-key?
- Should be very pretty, natural setting
- Not hurricane season then
- A destination peeps (hopefully) don't mind driving to (tell me if I am wrong!)
- Would be more guests who actually want to be there vs bored/obligated in town
- A little less expensive?
- Could do a package deal from one of many places that decides everything for you
- Not many people I know have done this, surprisingly.
Cons
- Less control over day-to-day stuff
- Would have to go down there a few times to taste stuff (though, really? hasn't all cake everywhere tasted the same since the beginning of time?) and make decisions
- At the mercy of the weather
- Guests have a five hour drive and have to pay for place to stay
- Don't want to get trapped into overly beachy/slightly cheesy theme
I am at home waiting for the alarm guy to come and switch something out. Maybe he will have an opinion...
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