Tuesday, April 23, 2013

5 Things.



The fabulous Blair's Head Band tagged me in Five Things, I have seen this circulate around the blog world, and love to learn fun facts about people, so I figured I would share five things as well.

Five Things:

1. I cannot lift my pinky straight up, it only lifts up about half way.  My dad can't lift his pinky straight up either.  Weird genetics.

2. I know I am in the super minority here, but I love grape flavored foods and drinks. I love grape soda, grape skittles, grape ice pops.  I would choose grape over any other flavor. 

3. It is crazy to me that I used to think designer jeans were a necessary item in my budget (  I was so wise in my early twenties haha. ), now I know I can get such great jeans at Old Navy, Gap, Loft, Target for 1/10 of the price of designer jeans, and they are just as nice and I don't feel guilty if they go out of style and I no longer wear them.  I can't  even stomach spending what I used to spend on jeans anymore.  Now I have drawers full of designer jeans that I refuse to throw away....do we think flair jeans will come back in style?? haha.

4.  For our wedding reception, the caterer makes the bride and groom their favorite meal, you can choose anything.  I know it is boring, but I am seriously considering chicken pot pie, It is the ultimate comfort food and a childhood favorite, but at the same time I feel like I should choose something a little more "adult" or fancy, I mean I can choose anything.  Decisions. Decisions.

 


5. Growing up I was not an animal lover ( I know *GASP*) I had a love/hate relationship with our cat growing up.  My sister recently got a a kitten that I love, and now I want one haha.  I never thought I would see the day. 

 
How ridiculously cute is she in her fur trimmed winter coat.



 



Wednesday, April 17, 2013

Wedding Wednesday: Surprise Shower


  Two weeks ago I had one of the best weekends ever.  I keep smiling just thinking about it.  My bridesmaids and my mom  threw me a Surprise Bridal Shower.  I can honestly say I was 100% totally shocked.  I didn't see it coming at all.  I wouldn't say I am necessarily nosy, but let's just say I am usually pretty aware of my surroundings, so I am shocked this was pulled off without me suspecting anything.  I need to give kudos to my mom and bridesmaids for going WAY out of their way to make sure it was a successful surprise. 


  So here is how it happened:

*Sorry for the picture overload*

Two weeks ago I was planning on going home to NJ for the weekend to celebrate Easter with my family.  DFH had to work on Good Friday so he stayed home in Pittsburgh.  About two weeks before Easter my sister had called me and asked if two of my bridesmaids in Pittsburgh that she knows could come with me for Easter so she could meet with them to discuss "bridesmaid stuff" over the weekend in person.    This did not throw me off AT ALL since the two bridesmaids were suppose to come home to NJ with me in February to meet with my sister, but we ended up having to cancel our trip due to snow.  Also both of their parents were supposedly "out of town" for Easter so it wasn't weird that they would spend Easter with my family. 

 I actually almost ruined everything because I told my sister I might just come home alone without my bridesmaids so I could celebrate Easter with just family hahah, but I changed  my mind and the three of us travelled from Pittsburgh to NJ the Thursday before Easter. 

Anyways, Saturday my grandparents arrived at my parents house for the weekend for Easter, and weeks ago they had asked if they could take me out to lunch on Saturday for a belated birthday celebration for me and my grandfather ( our birthday's are one day apart).  The plan was while I went out to lunch with my grandparents my sister was supposedly going out to lunch with my two bridesmaids to discuss wedding things. 

So my grandparents and I go out to lunch, do some shopping and return to my parents house.   I opened up the door and there are about 40 people standing in my kitchen saying SURPRISE!!


 
 
It took me a few minutes to register what was going on.  First I saw my cousin RPS and then I saw DFH's family, and was trying to figure out if all of these people were here for Easter?? haha.  Then my cousin RPS, said to me, "This is For You."  hahah.  And then it hit me.  Of course my first concern was that I had nothing to wear.
 

 
My mom had also previously told me that my neighbor across the street was hosting a bridal shower for her future daughter-in-law who is getting married this summer, so when I saw all of the cars going up the street I didn't think anything of it.  (Sneaky Sneaky)

I went around the kitchen saying hi to everyone.  I was shocked to see so many family members and friends had come into town to shower me.  I was shaking.





After I had said  hi to everyone, my sister said there were a few special "guest bartenders" for the party.  My mind searched to think of who it could be, the only person I could think of was DFH. I was wrong.

All of a sudden my three bridesmaids from New York, Charlotte, and Chicago appeared in the kitchen and I lost it. 

 
I hadn't seen my best friends in months, and I was shocked to see them in my house.

 
I cried and cried. haha ( happy tears)



 
Posing with the ladies of the Plate side of the family

 
Me with the Plate cousins.  I had brought this dress home to wear for Easter dinner haha.

 
Completely Spoiled.
 
 
My special Bride chair, designed by my cousin RPS.
 
 
Posing with my new last name.
 
 
 
At my shower I received an extremely special gift from my mom.  She had made a bag and garter for me out of her wedding dress. 
 
 
Again I lost it.  It was such a special special gift.
 
 
The bag with my new monogram made from my Mom's wedding dress.
 
 

 
The inside of the bag.
 
 
The Garter made from my mom's wedding dress, with a little blue ball that says L + D and our wedding date.
 
 
My bridesmaids made me a special scrapbook of old pictures and memories.
 
 
When my sister sent out the invitations she provided a  Lilly Pulitzer recipe card  for each guest and asked that they write down their favorite recipe on the card.   I love that I now I have each guest's favorite recipes.  This is a keepsake I will have forever.
 
 
 
Obviously I also love the Lilly Pulitzer recipe cards with my new monogram. 
 
And I love that the shower theme was pink and green.
 
 
 
Three Generations of Women.


 
The details were gorgeous.
 
 
Old pictures of DFH and I
 
 
Tulips everywhere.
 
 
The Bloody Mary Bar was fabulous, and so me!
  YUM!
 
 
Guests were given heart shaped measuring cups as favors and a card with my favorite recipe.
 
 
It was so incredible to have so many of my favorite people in one place.
 
 
 
 
 
 
My Grammy is also a Sigma Sigma Sigma like myself and my three bridesmaids, so a sorority Sigma picture was necessary. 
 
Look at my bouquet!  FNN did quite the fantastic job.
 
 
MOB and friends.
 
 
Posing with my mom and future m-i-l.
 
 
Mom, me, and JLP
 
 
All of the bridesmaids and me.
 
 
I am so so lucky to be surrounded by so many amazing women in my life, who showered me with so much love.  Every last detail was amazing.  So many women, especially my mom and bridesmaids went so far out of their way to make the surprise and shower a success.  There are no words to describe how perfect that day was to me.
 
 
 
 
 






 

Wednesday, April 10, 2013

Wedding Wednesday: Six Months.


SIX MONTHS!   HOLY COW!  The months are flying by...I just got butterflies the wedding will be here before I know it!

Here is where I am in terms of my list accomplishments and near future "To Do's" with six months to go!

1. Pick a Date -----------------CHECK

2. Reception Venue ------------ CHECK

3. Church --------------------------CHECK
* So excited to be getting married in the church I grew up in.

4..Band ------------------------------CHECK

5..Photographer----------------CHECK

6. . Wedding Dress and Veil--CHECK
* So. Excited. This makes everything feel so real

7.Engagement Party-------------CHECK
* This was not on my check list, but my parents hosted a fabulous engagement party for DFH and I over Christmas so I had to add it to my check list

8. Announce Engagement in the paper---------CHECK

9. Ask Bridal Party To Be In Wedding ---------------CHECK

10. Take Engagement Pictures
* Hopefully we will take our Pittsburgh Engagement pictures in the next few weeks

11. Hire Organist for Ceremony ----------------------CHECK

12. Reserve Hotel Rooms ----------------------------CHECK

13. Choose Bridesmaid Dresses--------------------CHECK

14. Book a Florist---------------------------------------CHECK

15.Pick and Book a Rehearsal Dinner Location------CHECK
 

16. Register--------------------------------------CHECK



17. Choose Save The Dates--------------------------------CHECK

18. Rent Chairs---------------------------------------------CHECK

19. Order Groom and groomsmen attire

20. Research / Book Videographer

21. Research/ Book Transportation

22. Book Hairstylist--------------------------------CHECK

23. Book Makeup

24. Attend Caterer Food Tasting--------------------CHECK
  

25. Meet with our minister-----------------------------CHECK

26. Ask KLS to sing at our ceremony -----------------CHECK
* So excited for her to sing at our wedding!

27.Complete Guest list ------------------------------------CHECK

28. Research Invitations --------------------------------CHECK

29. Order Invitations

30. Set up wedding website--------------------------CHECK

31. Book day after wedding photographer

32. Research Honeymoon -------------------------CHECK
* Not quite done with this one.

33. Book Honeymoon

34. Decide on Ceremony Music

35. Find/Order reception decor items

36. Finalize Welcome Bag ideas

37. Decide on Table Number design

38.  Decide on Place Card design

39. Order Thank You Cards ---------------------CHECK

40. Pick out Bridal Shoes/ accessories

41. Take NJ Engagement pictures

42.  Surprise Bridal Shower!! --------------------CHECK
* This was not on my to do list, but I had to share: My mom and bridal party hosted the best bridal shower ever for me last weekend!  I was shocked! I think I was shaking the whole time.  I can't imagine a better shower!







And the list goes on.....

Monday, April 8, 2013

3 Things.




1. Lilly Pulitzer
 
 
  It was so sad to hear about the passing of one of my favorite fashion designers.  In celebration of Lilly's life yesterday I wore hot pink and my favorite Murfee Scarf!

2. SURPRISE!
 

 
Last weekend I thought I was going home to NJ just to celebrate Easter with my family, little did I know I would be attending my surprise bridal shower.
 
 
All my bridesmaids came into town for the surprise.  There were instant tears when I saw my bridesmaids from NY, Charlotte, and Chicago had flown in. 
 
Post to follow!
 
3. Paleo
 
 

DFH and I are attempting to try the Paleo diet.  We are at the 6 month mark for our wedding, so it is time to get fit!   I am doing a modified version, because lets face it I cannot live without any carbs!  Last week we tried a Paleo turkey and mushroom meatloaf that was quite tasty!  Have you tried the Paleo diet or anything similar?  Any tips??