Ringing in the New Year

(photo from StudioThisIs)

Happy New Year, everyone! New Year's Eve is a special day for us because it was five years ago that I met my fiance! My old roommate and I had a New Year's Eve party and she had invited some of her friends from school which one of them happened to be my future fiance! I would love to say we met that night and immediately clicked. BUT my roommate actually had another friend in mind that she wanted to set him up with, so I met him and then pretty much left him alone. When we did talk, I do remember him making me laugh a lot. He did eventually go out with our friend but only on one date. (They realized they had nothing in common!) We all started hanging out and several weeks later he asked me out...I guess you would say the rest is history!

Martha's Winter Issue

This is when you know you are marrying the right person. We actually head to his family's festivities on x-mas eve and then get up really early to go to Ohio to spend x-mas day with my family. This year, we flew because the last time it seemed like no one was flying on x-mas day. Well, I think half of Chicago was at the airport. We both woke up late and rushed to the airport. It took forever to get checked in, but we did make our flight. Before we boarded, he ran to get some gum but then also picked up Martha's Wedding issue for me. It made me laugh, because he must have noticed me lingering over all the bridal magazines. I swore them off a long time ago, because I think you can find everything now on blogs. But I love Martha!

One article that I really enjoyed was the Regional Favors. Martha broke down by region all the edible favors you can do for each area. They, of course had for Ohio - Buckeyes!!

I'm Back

I am back! Unfortunately, my parents were in the dark ages and only had dial-up. Thank goodness we got them high-speed internet access and a wireless router as my dad's x-mas gift. Now we are speeding along to catch up on all our blogs. (WHAT? Sean Penn and Robin Wright are divorcing?!). Good news, I hired my string trio and might have transportation. I was talking to my soon-to-be father-in-law over x-mas and he talked about their longtime neighbors who own a limo service. Aha! So I asked if he could get some contact information and tada - we are right now negotiating on a very reasonable price.

Something I am realizing very quickly with all of this...negotiate, negotiate, negotiate!! I hate doing it, but take note - it is so much easier to do via email. I was not the best at this at the beginning and then realized what the heck and honestly - folks have been very good with lowering their price after you ask.

Also big news today - we went over to the bridal shop today and my bridesmaids tried on their dresses (three of them had not even seen them). They ohhed and ahhed. However, they easily could have just been doing this to make me feel good.

Another Reality Show

Another reality show is in the works...my friend emailed me this information. Mark Burnett (aka...the man behind Survivor, etc.) is developing a new reality show, basically a couple would win the wedding of their dreams. They are casting couples with a 2008 wedding date and right now they are specifically looking for a Chicago couple. Anyone interested should email their story and recent photos as well as contact information to Sunny Willebrand, Casting Producer, at swillebrand@markburnettprod.com.

DIY Courses

I am expecting a cold winter in January, which means a ton of time to work on wedding stuff. So I am contemplating taking some of the workshops offered at Paper Source next month. Maybe the beginners calligraphy class or the Favors to Savor course?

Dream Come True...

I came across this on Brooklyn Bride. My two faves have come together! I love Real Simple magazine and I love wedding planning right now. Put them together and you have Real Simple Magazines! I love it. They are also having a bridal event at Crate and Barrel in Chicago. I totally RSVPed!

Snow, Snow and More Snow

So we got hit with a ton of snow last night and I have to say - I love it. Everything looks so pretty. It really is a winter wonderland. However, in a couple days it will be looking a little yucky and ugly when it becomes mush.

Things are busy today, because I found out on Friday that I am heading to New Orleans for the BCS National Championship game! It is great because being an OSU grad - I get to see my Buckeyes. The bad news is they are playing LSU practically in their backyard! I also have visions of last year's game as well (yikes!). I am going for work, but in all honesty - all my family is going as well - so it is sort of a vacation too! I am so psyched but have been spending the last couple days searching for somewhat reasonable airfare, which has not really given me much time to do any wedding planning or x-mas shopping.

More Beauty Shots...

It is cold here in lovely Chicago, so what better than to sit inside and surf the net all night! I am constantly cheating on my photographer, but I can't help it - I am a sucker for photographers that not only shoot beautiful shots of the couples but also get the beauty of this city as well. I came across imaginative studio website and have fallen in love with Gina.

Oh Austin!

I can't believe I am even confessing that I watch this show - The Real Housewives of Orange County. I know, I know. But it is so damn addicting because you really don't have to think or focus while watching it. Just fun smut. Last night Austin Scarlett, who was on Project Runway, is a designer for Kenneth Pool and helped Lauri pick out a wedding dress. Even though I find her so annoying (my favorite episode ever was watching her cry but because of all the botox she has had done, I didn't even realize she was upset until I saw the mascara running down her face), she did try on all these gorgeous dresses. Plus Austin was such a doll!

UPDATE: Not that I see Abby from Style Me Pretty watching this horrible show, but I just noticed that she did a whole blog on Austin's designs today!

The Gigmaster

As I mentioned earlier, my mother has been very persistent on one matter- the live music at the ceremony. She double majored in music and education, so there is a reason why she really wants a string quartet. So I have started looking everywhere to find good musicians. My wedding planner offered up a couple names, but really not for a great price. Yesterday after spending the day surfing on the web, I did come across this website. It is free to anyone that uses it and I have to say that it was pretty easy - basically I put in what I wanted, the date, etc, and then the musicians email their bid. I already have had about six offers on some really good folks too. Has anyone tried this before? They also have live band listings as well for receptions...

Bridezilla

Today I made it over to Brooklyn Bride and for a second I thought she was highlighting me (it looks like the same photo as my profile)...instead I just realized it was actually a casting call for the lovely WE show Bridezilla.

More on the To-Do List...

The To-Do list is getting a little shorter these days. I would like to get the majority of this vendor stuff done before x-mas, but the other stuff (like welcome baskets?, etc.) I think I can get done during the long winter weekends that we love here in Chicago.

Before x-mas...
1. Invitations (pretty much done design-wise, but have changed a couple things to delay this process even more. Remember the bridesmaids dress fiasco - lets just say it is starting down that path. I just need to stand by my decision)
2. Transportation
3. Hair and make-up (I think I have this one set. I have wooed my long-time hairstylist to do my hair along with my bridesmaids)
4. Live music for the ceremony (This is coming from my mother. Being a music major in college, she about fell over when I jokingly said that I was just going to have my IPod playing in the background. She is willing to fork over some moolah to pay for a quartet. Damn...why didn't I think of this sooner? Maybe then she would have coughed up even more if I told her I was going naked instead of wearing a dress...).

Good news...I lost four pounds this week. Not because I was exercising or eating right. Because I was so swamped at work that I never ate!

Bad news - I went to the Illinois-Arizona game at the United Center today and ate a hot dog and a pretzel and shared nachos with a friend. Yeah...I think I gained it all back.

SATC Trailer

I just peed my pants! Click here to see the Sex and the City trailer! And the have an official blog.

Macy's Sample Sale

I know, I know. I hate that it is Macy's and not Marshall Fields anymore. However, I saw this advertisement and had to pass it along to the Chicagoans who do not have their wedding dress yet.

Calling all bargain-hunting brides, make your way to Macy's on State Street Saturday, Dec. 8, when select bridal gown samples will be 50 to 70 percent off retail price. An inside source told us you might be able to find a $7,350 Vera Wang lace-and-silk gown for under $2,000, a $5,200 Reem Acra beaded-bodice ball gown for $1,300 and a $4,700 Romona Keveza strapless silk organza gown for $1,175. If that wasn't enough incentive, you'll receive 10 percent off any accessories or bridesmaid items with a gown purchase. It shouldn't be as frenzied as those crazy Filene's Basement sales, but quantities are limited and all sales are final. Appointments are mandatory; walk-ins are not accepted. Hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Call the 4th floor bridal salon at 312-781-3545.

Cheating on my Photog

I love my photographer...but I am constantly looking at others! Here is Orange Squared photography - based here in Chicago. They do a wonderful job of getting some great shots while also showing off this great city. I love that they also have named their packages after Chicago neighborhoods.

My Chicago

I fret every year over x-mas and finding the perfect gifts. I feel like it is ten times worse this year, because I am planning a wedding and trying to also stay on budget. So I can't go too crazy with gifts. However - a great thing about this blog world - I saw this on Pearls Events and checked it out myself. It is Ork Posters and this is perfect for a friend of mine. She just moved into a new condo in the West Loop. I love it! Thanks Aletha!

Check it off

Today is a great day. I have been hesitant to announce it because it seems like we have had a ton of issues over the bridesmaids dresses. BUT I am pleased to announce that they have been ordered. I had the worst time figuring out what I wanted for my wedding. (Word of advice - go with your instinct and if that is the dress - GO with it!)

I had one bridesmaid that started a coup with the others, saying that they wanted full-length instead of the tea-length. So I spent months looking for the perfect dress. Well, several weeks ago, Elizabeth wrote this on my comments. It was funny, and SO true. You do look like a tootsie roll! Above and to the left is the dress (but ours will be in mocha). It is very much something they could wear again - I swear. Now on to my invitations - those will be ordered tomorrow!

For My Girls...

For my Chicago bloggers - I have always walked past 1154 Lill Studio and thought how neat it would be to either host my shower/bachelorette party there OR design purses for my bridesmaids. How excited was I that they actually have a blog! Even if you do not live in Chicago (they also have stores in Boston and Kansas City), you still can design the purses online! I think these "Anne" purses would be perfect gifts for my bridesmaids.

I'm it!

Oops - I hadn't checked my comments until now and realized - I have been tagged by several folks out there - Elizabeth, Darci and my new favorite Chicagoan- Tara! So here it goes...

The rules of tagging are as follows:
1. Link to the person that tagged you and post the rules on your blog.
2. Share 7 random and or weird things about yourself.
3. Tag 7 random people at the end of your post and include links to their blogs.
4. Let each person know that they have been tagged by leaving a comment on their blog.

1. Even after taking years of ballet, I am unfortunately very clumsy and have a tendency to trip very easily. On a business trip to Australia, I tripped and smacked my face (cheek area) so badly that it bruised. So every photo of me from that trip - I look like someone out of a bad Lifetime movie.

2. I can eat regular tomatoes but hate cherry tomatoes.

3. When I was five-years-old in my church choir, I became so nervous that I lifted up the front of my dress and hid behind it as we sang, exposing my undies to the whole church. Unfortunately, my pastor who witnessed this many years ago, will be our officant for our ceremony. I know he will be telling this story at our reception...

4. I am addicted to Weight Watchers English Toffee Crunch Ice Cream Bars...actually I am eating one right now! They are only two points and oh so good.

5. I met my fiance on New Years Eve and I was attracted to him but nothing happened until a month later. Only because he kissed me, my roommate, one of my other friends and another friend of a friend all on NYE. He blames alcohol and mistle toe for his "player" ways that night.

6. I always fall in love with an actor and begin watching all their movies on netflix. Right now it is Clive Owen. Last month it was Luke Wilson.

7. I work in sports marketing and my fiance would actually confess that I know more about sports than he does.

Sorry- that was all I could think of off the top of my head!

So now I am tagging - Pearls Events, I heart Peonies...crap I think everyone on my blogroll has been tagged! Does this mean I am cursed?

Busy Day

Despite the fact that there was a Winter Storm Watch in effect on Saturday afternoon, I made the treck to my venue and met with my wedding planner, florist and wedding cake baker (I guess this is what you would call her?). We spent three hours going through EVERYTHING. But it was great! I was so psyched that after I left I didn't mind that I was driving in horrible, horrible weather to get home. I first met with my planner (who I hate saying it - is not you Aletha, from Pearls Event!, but I do like her). She came with a ton of ideas. Then I met one of the florists I could work with and I loved her even more! She definitely was happy to hear that all the flowers that I like - we can get in May (Tulips, Gerber Daisies and Peonies, etc.). Then my cake maker came with a ton of books of her work and I couldn't decide. My homework for the weekend was to find out exactly what I wanted as the centerpieces and any ceremony decor. I am passing these along to my florist... (I will apologize now - I found all of these on the knot - and some community knot websites. I right now cannot log on to find out from whom? So if they are yours - please tell me and I will credit you!)

I am in love with these pomanders...I am totally doing these for my ceremony decor...

I love these - very simple which is what I want.

Then these because I love bringing in the green of the stems.

And if I had a million dollars left in my budget, I would do these!