Black Friday.

Every year I'm so excited about shopping on Black Friday. I'm not actually sure why because I'm not usually looking for latest and greatest toy or electronic item... so there's no reason to camp out for 2 days in line. And, this is Massachusetts... it's pretty cold and those people who do that are a little on the crazy side in my opinion. But I like a good crowd (call me crazy), I don't mind lines, and I like the hustle & bustle of the whole day middle of the night excursion in which I clip far too many coupons that I usually can't use because of all the fine print, listen to people complain and complain about said long lines, hear Christmas music for typically the first time of the season and start my holiday shopping. I can't think of anything better. Honestly.

I'd love to show you what I purchased on Friday (I was out from 4AM-noon and then went back to a different mall at 6PM -- I know, crazy), but since Sean looks at the blog I cannot ruin Christmas for him!

Instead I will show you what I'm asking for :)

via.

via. via.

via.

Now back to watching Home Alone. :)

Wish! [out loud!]: Link up

I'm linking up with Robin at fly far. fly free. and participating in Wish! [out loud!] even though it's not Sunday! whoops... I'm a day late.

From Robin's blog:

How it Works:

Start with a simple post introducing your wish. Whether you want to give a back story explaining it or simply put it out into the universe, it's completely up to you! Getting up your post that features your wish is only the beginning of this link-up though! The real magic comes from visiting the other bloggers participating... We're taking this a step beyond leaving a comment to let someone know you stopped by.

Let's say you come across a post where the writer says they've always wished they could open an Etsy shop. If this is a venture you've already conquered- reach out! Let them know how you got it started and offer to be a mentor of sorts as they make their wish come true! The possibilities are endless. 
Our hope is that we all step up and use our talents as well as our networking connections to grant these wishes. Whether it's posting a series of "learn to play guitar" videos for the blogger that's always wanted to learn or sending someone a board game because they want to spend more quality time with their family- no wish or answer is too big or too small. We encourage you all to get creative and to think outside the box! After all, wishes have always seemed a little magical. Let's help each other redefine "wish.” 

Ready to play along? ..here's what you need to know:
1. Write your blog post including your Wish! {out loud}.
2. Grab and display the Wish! {out loud} button in your post.
3. Link up through one of the hosts' blogs because it will show up on all three.
4. Start visiting other blogs, making friends, and make a Wish! come true.

- - - - - - - -

So, today (again a day late) I wish to become better at this whole blogging thing -- including posting more often, having interesting things to say, using fancy fonts, designing a cool header, knowing how to post pictures in more advance ways (like photoshop-ish), etc.

What do you wish?!

Show me Christmas: week 1

I decided to participate in: 

 

Some of these things I actually asked for and some are things that I should have asked for :)

1. Toms

2. Jeans

3. Boots

4. Book

5. Jacket

6. iPad

7. Socks

8. Sweater

What's on your Christmas list?!

Happy Fall!

It's the first day of Fall!

I love fall clothes! Not that I like cold weather, but sometimes it's nice to wear a scarf and it's especially nice when you're wearing warm clothes because it's in the 50's compared to winter's negative digits.
These are some things I'm loving right now! (Some of which I already own...)

1. Jacket: Forever 21
2. Pants: New York & Company
3. Same jacket: Forever 21
4. & 5. Scarves: Forever 21
6. Hobo wallet: Lauren
7. Flats: Kohls
8. Sweater: Victoria's Secret
9. Boots: Uggs
10. Shirt: Forever 21
11. Jacket: Nordstrom

September is flying by! I'm happy (& slightly overwhelmed) to report that my DVR is filling up with new shows, I've officially applied to grad school, the classroom and children are in full swing, Sean's band is filming their new music video as I type, I'm twenty-five, I'm still using my planner as if I just bought it yesterday, our room is a complete disaster but I much prefer watching Friends and reading my google reader than cleaning, the laundry is piled high, our wedding bands arrived from Ireland TODAY (more on that later!), and I'm getting better and better at playing guitar each day. 

:)

If the shoe fits... put it back in the box for the wedding day!

You may or may not remember that one of the things pretty high up on someone's wedding wish list is the ability to wear these shoes sneakers during the ceremony & reception.

Now, I have to admit these shoes have a special place in my heart as well. I don't remember Sean ever wearing another shoe -- in the winter I beg him to wear boots & on special occasions I remind him to wear his dress shoes [which he refers to as his pilgrim shoes]... but by choice & routine these shoes are on his feet from morning to night, weekday to weekend, work to play. He wears them so often that he's gone through four pairs of these very shoes since we've been together.

Because of his attachment to these shoes -- we knew they had to make an appearance in the engagement pictures as well. But on Saturday morning we looked down at his feet and saw seven-month old, ratty, torn, dirty sneakers and realized -- that will not do.

We ran to the store to buy a new pair and decided that rather than continue to wear these brand new spiffy-sneaks... they should be put back in the box only to be taken out again on the day of the wedding. The upside: we're saving money, we already have his shoes & he loves them. Three positive things out of one purchase makes everything a little brighter.

Along with his kicks, he sported jeans, a black shirt and a black Redsox hat.

I ended up wearing extremely casual clothes. While I'd love to say that dresses and stilettos are what I feel most comfortable in -- it'd be a lie. I always feel like my dress is too short even if it's below my knees and my shoes always feel too high even if they're flats. I'm just not a fancy-clothes-type girl. And when I try, I feel as though pictures can always capture exactly how uncomfortable I am.

So, I opted for metallic ballet flats, dark jeans, a gray short-sleeved shirt with a black tank top underneath. OBVIOUSLY, I wore my ring but my other jewelry included sapphire earring studs and a silver bracelet.

I, not only, enjoyed my outfit -- but I felt completely comfortable and satisfied that in five years I won't regret my clothing choice because its' since gone out of style.

Successful? I think so...

My DIY wishlist!

I've decided I need to compile a list of must-have DIY projects for the ceremony & reception. The more I look at things, though -- the more confused and ambitious I become.

These are things I know I want:

1. Ceremony programs - I've seen such cute ones on sites like Wedding Wire & Wedding Bee. I've seen large ones and teeny-tiny ones. One was shaped like an accordion! It was adorable! I've also seen ones that include a little tissue packet inside for all the tears the guests will [inevitably] shed during the ceremony!

2. Fans for each seat - Because the ceremony will outside, in July -- maybe this will help? Well, probably not... but they're so cute! A cute engagement picture and a nice love quote with some elegant design in the corner! I can picture it now...

3. Celtic Rope: [for the "tying the knot" ceremony] - I'd continue to explain, but it would just take away from the cuteness of the actual ceremony. So look it up if you'd like -- or be surprised =)

4. Wine box: [for the "wine box" ceremony] - Same as #3... it's so cute =)

5. Menu cards - I really like the idea of letting guests know what they'll be eating. I like when the menu cards are circles but I also like when they are rectangular and placed inside the cloth napkins. I can't decide which I'll do yet...

6. Card box - I really like the idea of having the card box look like the wedding cake. I've seen some on Martha's site and I just LOVE them!

7. Creative table names - I already know what I'm going to do here. But for the element of surprise I'd rather not disclose the info on the blog. It's really cute though! And it's still something that will take a while to complete!

8. Fancy escort cards - I really have no idea what I want to do here! I'm opened to suggestions. I think I might be confused though... do I need escort cards?!

9. "I spy" game - I love the idea of giving the few younger guests at the wedding a camera and an "I spy" list of things to take pictures of! It will keep them occupied and will allow us to have even more pictures of the reception!

10. Place settings - I LOVE the idea of small name tags attached to each champagne glass at the table settings of each of the guests. And if I do this... I feel like I'll need escort cards even less.... Right?!

This is my wish-list so far... but I'm sure I'll continue to add to it!

Daisies and Wish lists!

I think this is super cute! I wonder if it'd be possible to copy and put on our tables =) We saw this when we went to the Danversport Yacht Club.

...Also, Sean has (somewhat painfully) updated his wish list:

1. Chocolate Fountain at reception
2. Samba sneakers
3. A chocolate FROSTED wedding cake (say, whhhattt?!)
4. Old-school polaroid cameras on each guest table
5. A king and queen throne (again... say, whhhattt?!)
6. Guitar picks as guest favors
7. Guitar tabs of one of our favorite songs included on some type of stationery (maybe the programs at the ceremony)
8. CD mix for guests

We'll see, we'll see.

New Venues!

On Wednesday, my mom and I, saw Tewksbury Country Club. It's absolutely beautiful! Definitely a place that I want Sean to see. The inside is gorgeous and the outside space is just what I'm looking for. The only thing I see as a problem is the distance between the venue and hotels. I really want people to stay over, and feel like the best way to make that happen is to pick a venue that has hotel rooms on the property. But we'll see!

Today, Sean and I saw Publick House! It's very cute. It has the hotel space I'm looking for and has an old time charm we haven't seen in a venue yet. It's very "New England" and I'm sure in the summer the grounds are absolutely beautiful. Even though, some people think I won't enjoy an outdoor/tent wedding (heat, bugs, bees, etc.) that's what I would want at this place. So, in May (once the tent is set-up) we are going to go back.

They have really good prices and lots of different things are included in their package - which is a plus. It's definitely a possibility.

Also, got my dress! It takes up a lot of space... let's just say the back seats had to fold down in order for it to fit in the trunk...

Tomorrow - we see even MORE venues!




These shoes are on Sean's wish list. Along with a mohawk, and a Sean John suit. Oh, dear lord.