Finalizing the guest list

Oh boy. I sat down the other night and entered in all our guest addresses. It took almost 4 hours!! I couldn't believe it.

Drum roll please...




Grand total: 288

I have HUGE family. Just my side alone equals about 175. The rest is Mike's side and our friends.

Back when we first got engaged...My Dad offered to host my wedding. He told me to invite whoever I want. And I asked him "Are you sure?" a few times-knowing that each guest plate would equal around $50. He had no problem with it. But now I can't help but feel bad. He still says he doesn't care. And even if I wanted to downsize the guest list-it's almost impossible. We truly only picked the friends most dear to us. The majority of the list is family..and family friends.

Our family are really excited for our wedding because we haven't had one in quite some time. And my Dad is happy that we will all be together for a happy occasion rather than a sad one...we have had far too many funerals in the last few years. We will be happy to see a lot of family and friends we haven't seen in a while. And my Grandparents will see their 1st grandchild get married. I see the twinkle in my Grandpa's eye every time we talk about the wedding. And my Dad says that is worth every penny of the wedding..

5 more months!!!

Secured in a safe place

Dropped my dress off today in a safe smoke-free and pet free zone. My wonderful Aunt took it for safe keeping. She is so sweet and so generous. I am so lucky!

Today was another eventful day..another Turkey day on my Mom's side. I think I'm done with turkey for a LONG time.

Tomorrow is my last say of vacation. I'm hoping to put up some Christmas stuff and just relax. We both need some down time.

Here is a sneak peak at my dress! Isn't she lovely?!

I fell in love all over again

I picked up my dress today! And I swear I love it more than the day I ordered it. It's such a beautiful dress. I love it even more that it's ivory. And it's too big! Yay! I could have probably fit my arm down the corset. Thank God for alterations! I'm hoping that it will be even bigger by March for my 1st fitting. I have a few more pounds to loose...

I wish I could show you all pictures...but I can't. Mike reads this daily. And I don't want to ruin the surprise! If you want to see it-comment me and I will send you pix!

My MOH Bella and my other bestie Devon came with me... along with Devon's daughter (my flower girl), Mahala came with. She was a little hellion while we were there. But she was good once we put some flower girl dresses on her! I didn't like any that they had...so I let her pick whatever she wanted.

Does anyone have ideas for flower girl dresses? Please send me some links!

Here is the little beauty!

Check out that runway pose!

Even though I didn't like the dress.. I really do like the vintage lace shown above.

Practicing to be a housewife

For the last few years, I've been in charge of bringing food to family holidays and get-togethers. It's fun for me because I love to cook. And I hear that once you are married-it's your obligation to make something for every party.. So, here is what I am making for Thanksgiving.

Appetizer

Taco dip
Ingredients:
2 pkg. (8 oz. each) cream cheese, softened
1 cup sour cream
8 oz. taco sauce or salsa
2 tsp. ground cumin
1 can (15 oz.) refried beans
1 cup shredded lettuce
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
1 md. tomato, diced
1/4 cup ripe olives, chopped
1/4 cup canned green chilies, chopped
Tortilla chips or Pita chips

In a mixing bowl, beat cream cheese and sour cream until smooth. Stir in taco sauce and cumin; set aside. Spread the refried beans over the bottom of a serving platter or 13x9x2-inch dish. Spread cream cheese mixture over the beans, leaving about 1 inch uncovered around the edges. Top with layers of lettuce, cheese, tomato, olives and chilies. Serve with tortilla chips or pita chips.

Dessert

My wonder Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies
Ingredients:
3/4 cup butter, softened
1 cup packed brown sugar
1/2 cup sugar
1 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp baking soda
1/2 cinnamon
2 eggs
1 tsp vanilla
1-1/2 cups flour
1/4 tsp salt
2 cups rolled oats (I used Quaker Oats-Old fashion oatmeal)
1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.

Beat butter w/ electric mixer on medium-high for 30 sec. Add brown sugar, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt. Beat until combined...scraping sides of bowl. Beat in eggs and vanilla. Beat as much flour as you can...then stir in remaining flour. Stir in rolled oats and chocolate chips.

Drop dough by rounded teaspoons 2inches apart onto ungreased baking sheet. Bake for 8-10 minutes or till the edges are light brown.

And I will also be making a tossed salad and the mashed potatoes to serve with dinner.

Happy Turkey Day!!

Happy Thanksgiving!

What are you thankful for?

This year I am thankful of so many things. My family for supporting me through this engagement and planning process. My friends for always being there by listening to my vent (or freak out), giving support and helping so much with planning. Most of all I'm thankful to have Mike. We have been through so much in the last 4-1/2 years. Some bad...but so many good things. He is my best friend. And he is there for me unconditionally. (Even if he's laughing at me for crying at a animal adoption commercial..) I'm truly grateful to have him..and to be marring him in just 5 short months. And I know if I asked him what he was thankful for, I know he would say the same thing. He has had some rough times lately, and I have been by his side every step of the way. We are going to make such a great team.

Tomorrow is Turkey day! Yippee! But it's also what I am calling the "Meet the Parents" day. Mike's parents are going to join my family for Thanksgiving. I'm really excited for everyone to meet. They are such great people. I think my Grams is a little stressed out though.. She has cleaned the whole house-top to bottom. I'm serious..she dry cleaned the chairs in the dining room and took down our chandelier and cleaned it to perfection. I think she went a little overboard! She even asked if I think they will like her-she is so funny!!

My uncle (Fr. Bart-our officiant) will also be interviewing Mike's parents under oath. And that will be the final factor in all our wedding paperwork! When it's completed he will take downtown and get the stamp of approval! Woo hoo!

Happy Thanksgiving!

I'm a Wishpot Wedding Expert!

I was recently notified by Wishpot to be a featured Wedding Expert. How exciting is that?! I am a huge fan of Wishpot. Wishpot is a free social shopping service that makes it easy to save and share interesting things you find iun stores or online. In all of a touch of a button- You can create wishlists and catagozing them, saving you the hassle of bookmarking everything. I don't know about you but I have several different bookmark folders. And they are a mess. I can never find what I have saved. And when I do I'm too tired to browse. Wishpot definintely makes it easy for you to bookmark and save things easily. You can also send lists to friends and family. I recommend everyone should try it. Once you start you can't stop.

Go NOW.

I'll wait.



Amazing, right?!

I'll be guest blogging at Wishpot soon so make sure to check it out!

Isn't she lovely?!

Katie (another bridesmaid) and I had the honor of making Bella's rehearsal bouquet. Isn't it cute! And isn't Bella glowing!?? She is gonna make a gorgeous bride.

There was a great crowd at her shower. Such lovely people from both sides of their family.

Her Grandma is so cute!

Bella is so lucky to have such wonderful family and friends. I'm glad she had a great shower...and I'm glad I was able to help plan it!

My dress is ready for pick up!!!

Whhhaaaaattt???

It is so early!!

But yes that's right. My dress is IN! It was the best phone call EVER!!!

I am so darn excited. I think I might have texted everyone I know... (sorry about that peeps!)

I have 2 weeks to pick it up. And I can't pick it up on weekends because they tend to get busy-and they don't want anyone stepping on it. (ME NEITHER!)

I didn't think about where I'm going to store it... hmm.. I can't keep it here. And I don't want it anywhere that has animals... No shredding of the dress please. I might have to ask my aunt. But it will be hard not to visit the dress weekly!

How should I store it? Should I get a special breathable garment bag? And then air it out frequently?

Any suggestions?

PS. If any of you would like to see my dress-comment me and I will send you the link. I can't post it because Mikey reads this daily!

Happy Birthday Mama B!

Friday, November 21st was Mama B's birthday! We decided to do something special for her on Sunday for her birthday.

We made her our famous yummy spaghetti..


Bought her a cake and I decorated it..

Got her some purty flowers..

And a gift card from Dunkin Donuts!


Happy Birthday Mama B!

We love you!

Change of plans..

We originally decided that we were going to go to New Orleans for our honeymoon. But after thinking about it...I wasn't really excited about going there. I have never really been out of the midwest. (yes I was sheltered..) So, I was envisioning something a little more exciting. And we knew we wanted to stay in the states to make our trip a little less expensive since we are trying to save for a house. But our decision was hard since Mike has been to every state in the US. He was a Military brat...so it was kinda hard compromising on which state we were going to honeymoon at..


Well last night we decided to go to California for our honeymoon! I've always wanted to go to Cali...ever since I was little. I want to see palm trees, and mountains, and the ocean, and Hollywood! Ha!

I was thinking of renting a car while we are there and driving some where different each day...and soak up everything I possibly can. But also having some romantic alone time...

I need your help! Where should we center our stay around? What city? And what other cities do you suggest us driving to?