Back on December 31, 2015, I said yes when the man of my dreams asked me to marry him. 473 days later and we are 6 months away from our wedding. EEEK! I'm not nervous, I'm excited! I'm excited to throw a big party for family and friends to celebrate with us. But I am more excited to be saying yes to the person I want to spend the rest of my days with.
To be honest, as excited as I am to be getting married, I was kind of happy with the long engagement. It meant that we have not stressed over any part of this wedding planning. We have taken it one step at a time and have not let it overwhelm us. What is basically a destination wedding for about 3/4ths of our guests has been relatively easy to plan. What would make it easier would be vendors who understand that brides and grooms might have full time jobs and can't just take time off in the middle of the day. Fortunately, it seems the only thing we are going to have to juggle our schedules to fit in is the menu tasting for the reception.
We have managed to check almost everything off the list:
Wedding dress - check
Venue - check
Save the Dates - mailed
Engagement Photos - check
Photographer - check
DJ - check
Wedding Coordinator for the day of - check
Favors - picked out
Invitations - picked out
Bridesmaids dresses - check
Flower Girls - picked but not finalized
Tuxedos - check
Officiant - check
Venue - check
Flowers - check
Rehearsal Dinner - booked
Honeymoon - booked except for flights
We are really in great shape with six months to go. We are going to schedule our tasting soon. I need to decide on hair and makeup. We need to finalize flower girl dresses. I have ideas in mind for welcome bags for guests at the hotel. There is not much left to decide on. And I feel really good about where we are at with what is left to do.
Let me just take a moment to gush about two things. First - my wedding dress. Oh how I love my dress. It fits perfectly. I am 18 pounds away from my goal weight, so I might need to have it taken in in a few months. We'll see. It may not. Either way though, I had a moment when I went for my fitting a couple of weeks ago where I almost burst into tears in the alterations area. Standing there in my dress and seeing myself in the mirror, if you had asked me four years ago if I would have been standing where I was, I would never have imagined it. Four years ago I was 100 pounds heavier and just not very comfortable in my own skin. Four years later and I was standing in front of a mirror, in a wedding dress that fit perfectly and I almost didn't recognize myself.
Second, I'm going to gush about this guy. This perfect man for me. If I could have written down on paper everything I wanted in the man I would marry, I would be describing Phillip to a T. He makes me want to be a better version of myself. To keep pushing for my goals. He is my biggest cheerleader. I fall in love with him a little more every day. I cannot wait to be his wife.
192 days from now.
xoxoxoxo
Holy cow you guys, April is right around the corner! Wasn't it just Halloween? Ay ay ay. And Spring weather has definitely arrived in Texas #allthestorms #tornadowatch #crazyhail
Since April is about to enter the picture, that means it's time for What's Up Wednesday! This is one of my favorite posts to write.
Monday: One of our favorites - pesto pasta salad
Tuesday - fish with roasted broccoli
Wednesday - pork tenderloin with roasted broccoli (there's a lot of broccoli in the veggie drawer)
Thursday - Southwest turkey burgers
Friday - dinner out at Abuelo's
Saturday - not sure yet but we might go to the movies
We made Quinoa King Ranch Casserole on Sunday and it was DELICIOUS. Phillip has taken leftovers for lunch twice this week. So yummy.
Two years ago over Spring Break, we went to Fredricksburg/Enchanted Rock for a long weekend and we loved it. I would love to go back and hike there again.
This Dalilah necklace from Stella & Dot is my new favorite necklace. I wear it to work, I wear it on weekends, I love it.
A little of this, a little of that. Some things I can't share yet, but will be able to hopefully by the next time What's Up Wednesday rolls around...other things we've been up to?
Let's Go Mavs! Last Saturday we hit up the Mavericks game. We try to go every season. This was probably the last time we saw Dirk play. I get the feeling he might retire after this season #insertsadface
I had a paper due Sunday night and an online trunk show that I was running so Phillip made dinner Sunday night. He made that Quinoa King Ranch casserole I raved about earlier.
On Monday, I hit my 100 class milestone with Pure Barre Las Colinas. 100 classes! Y'all know how I feel about barre, so it felt good to get to this achievement. I great big puffy heart my studio, it's amazing instructors, and the super lovely owner. I love my time there.
And then this diva. #sigh. Her left eye was watering and she was keeping it closed. After the craziness with her right eye last winter, I wanted to nip this in the bud if possible. And yes, she has a corneal ulcer on her left eye. It's still super small though and we caught it way earlier than the last one, so just ointment this time. #sheyowledthewholetime #alsorudetothevet #suchadiva
Several weeks of putting ointment in the diva cat's eye. #truth
School work, homework, some Stella & Dot stuff. Like this promotion:
For the month of April, all proceeds from these two bracelets (they're $19 each) go to the HollyRod Foundation. I love working for a company that gives back. I'm also working on some trunk shows for April. If you'd like to host, let me know! We can set it up online through Facebook. Easy peasy lemon squeezy.
It's this guy's birthday in a few weeks and we have a fun night planned including a stay at The Highland and dinner at Knife.
I got through 2 books and have started a third since we last checked in.
Hillbilly Elegy was excellent. Thought provoking and sad at times, I could not put it down.
To be honest, I was only meh on All the Missing Girls. I had a hard time staying with it. The plot was twisty, which I usually love, however none of the characters were likable. It's hard to be invested when you don't care what happens to ANY of the characters.
I'm currently reading The End of Dieting which I am really enjoying. And there are a ton of recipes at the back. I love things that encourage me to be mindful about my health and my eating.
Oh this podcast! It has sucked me in. I would have been interested in it based on the premise alone. Each season they will look at crime history in a particular city. And then they had to start with my city of Providence, Rhode Island. It is so so interesting. And who doesn't love learning about the mob? There is some adult language, so I'd refrain from listening with little ones in the car, unless you want them talking like a mobster.
sweater | top | skirt (similar) | shoes | essential fringe necklace | watch
dress | clutch | stellar pave ring | chandelier (similar)
tee | pants | rebel pendant | watch | wrap bracelet | knot hoops | shoes
We have the Fort Worth Zoo Run on Saturday morning and I have a baby shower Saturday afternoon. We might hit up the movies Saturday night to see Logan. Sunday - rest! And barre #ofcourse
It's this guy's birthday, so we'll celebrate that. I am also looking forward to celebrating Beej's birthday! And maybe a couple of quiet weekends? One can hope, right?
Not much, but stay tuned! Oh and we booked the rehearsal dinner venue - woohoo!
I know it's a special occasion dress, but I love love love this maxi dress from Banana Republic. As soon as I saw that pop of green, I was sold.
That's what's up with us! What's up with you? Sound off in the comments! I'll see you back here for Friday Favorites.
xoxoxoxo
Hello all and Happy Monday! Are we ready to survive another week? We have lots going on, some of which I am sitting on my hands waiting to tell you all about. I'll be able to let that particular cat out of the bag soon, I hope.
I'm going to push Life Lately to another post this week and maybe combine it with What's Up Wednesday or Friday Favorites. The reason for the switch? I want to share a movie with you.
The movie is called "Messy Hair Don't Care" and it was a submission to the Keller Children's Movie Festival. It stars my cousin Lila and it is her Alopecia Story.
Lila is at heart, the sweetest, loveliest little girl. She is such a lovebug. I just saw her this past weekend when we were all at the Color Run 5K at Fair Park in Dallas. Despite the chill in the air she was all smiles and excited to participate. Which is how she always is. Excited and smiling and wanting to participate in LIFE. And all with such heart. She and her twin brother Jackson are constantly doing things to melt my heart and I love that I get to be here in Texas with them. You can see in the movie exactly what I'm talking about.
I am so proud of her for putting together this movie and sharing her story with the world.
For more information on Alopecia, please checkout the Children's Alopecia Project.
xoxoxoxo
Hello! And we're already at Wednesday. Is this week flying by for you? It sure is for me. We are halfway to the weekend folks! It is time for Workin' It Wednesday! This month's topic is work/life balance. I don't know about you all, but I struggle in this area sometimes. I have multiple balls in the air and sometimes it's hard to stay present in the moment when so much is going on. I know you're question already - how do you do it?
1. I work out in the morning. If I happen to have extra time at the end of the day, I'll take a walk, but my full on work out happens at 5am. There are too many opportunities for it not to happen if I don't do it then. I also like working out in the morning because it gets it done and it's a good way for me to start the day with a clear mind.
2. I try to leave home stuff at home and work stuff at work. It's hard. Sometimes there is cross over. Especially when planning a wedding. Do these vendors not understand that brides can have full time jobs? If I had a nickel for every time someone said they were available from 2-4 M, W, and F I'd have the wedding all paid for. So yes, there are times when I have to do personal things at work and there are times when I have to do work things at home. I try to keep them as separate as possible though.
3. Spend time with family. I met up with my cousin and her kids over Spring Break to see Beauty and the Beast (go see it!!!). I try to spend time with them as often as I can, but it never seems often enough. Having lived all over, it is a luxury to have family this close. Making time for them keeps me grounded.
With all of the technology available it would be very easy to work from home on the weekends. I do that rarely. Weekends are time for me to recharge. I still facetime with this little miss almost every Sunday. I could just as easily spend that time catching up on emails or paperwork. I don't.
4. Put in 100% while you are there. I get to work a little before 8 and leave at 5. I cram as much as I can into that timeframe and be as productive as possible. And then there are days that require 150%, such as Commencement. Loving what you do helps in this area. I give it my all and then some when it's called for. Doing that means I don't feel guilty for not working from home. And don't get me wrong, it's never been an expectation from my boss that I do, but I could easily get swept up in a culture of busy-ness and I refuse to do it.
5. Quality time with Phillip. If we're watching something random on tv, yes I will scroll through Instagram or Facebook. However, if we are out on date night, at a Mavericks game, or just eating dinner at home, we stay off the phone and concentrate on each other. There are times on the weekend when he has work to do and I take that opportunity to blog, do homework, or bake, so that when we're sitting down to dinner to watch Game of Thrones, we are 100% in the moment.
6. End the day with a clear mind. This was a goal of mine for 2017 to read more. And it's working. I think I've read more books so far in 2017 than I did in all of 2016. Yay! And I do it at night. I take 20-30 minutes before bed and read. It helps clear my mind and I am chipping away at my goal of 50 books this year. This allows me to not go to bed with all of the work things running through my head.
That's how I try to manage work/life balance. What works for you? Sound off in the comments!
Come back Friday for Friday Favorites!
xoxoxoxo
Oh Wednesday, are we only at the middle of the week? This has been a crazy, packed week so far, so it feels like it should at least be Thursday, right??? Okay, I'll settle for Wednesday. Since this is a busy week, I figured today would be a good day to capture a day in my life. I do these a few times a year. Here is my day on Tuesday!
My alarm was supposed to go off at 4:40, but I guess it never synced on my fitbit (I recently adjusted it) and so 5:13 is when I got out of bed on Tuesday morning. I like the alarm on my fitbit. It vibrates which is a little gentler of a wake up than a blaring alarm.
The first thing I do when I get out of bed is turn on the morning news. I've always been an NBC watcher so we start the morning with Deborah Ferguson and Marc Fein on nbcdfw.
And then this one. The second you are out of bed she is hovering and whining for her breakfast, even if there is still food in her bowl. #sigh #spoiled
Ah, come to mama. Coffee time. I drink a cup at home in the morning while I'm getting ready.
And then this one wanted a snack. He got a handful of treats and I got back to the Keurig.
Phillip takes his coffee to go. He loves putting it in this RTIC cup. It keeps it hot all morning. I got the Cowboys decal on etsy. I generally make his coffee the mornings I don't have barre.
And then I made the bed. I make the bed every morning. I hate climbing into an unmade bed at night. I would like a proper headboard but we're waiting until we move into a house and we get a king size bed.
What to wear, what to wear. I needed to pick an outfit and get ready for the day.
It was a quick shower morning since I didn't have to do my hair. I had straightened it the day before, so today I went with the dry shampoo. I am loving this Not Your Mother's dry shampoo.
top | skirt | shoes | necklace | watch | earrings
This is an oldie but a favorite outfit. It was going to be 80 on Tuesday so I needed something weather appropriate but not too summery. I love this top and skirt. Both are no longer available but I've linked to similar items.
I LOVE my Stella & Dot Blessed bracelet. I wear it all the time.
It was 6:27 and I was in the car! I love getting to work early. In the car by 6:30 means I was going to walk in the door at work a little after 7. I love that quiet time before every one else gets in.
I started the work day with a little light reading. #sigh #notreally
Politics aside, I have some concerned international students who are wondering what might come next. I've been reading about this for the last 5 days.
After working for a couple of hours I took a break and made a reservation for dinner Saturday night. We're heading downtown to Pyramid for what looks to be a delicious dinner. Can't wait to try this place!
It was a 2 cup of coffee kind of morning. And yes, I'm a Gemini.
A little more work. I had to set up a demo presentation with a group about student health insurance. One more thing checked off the to-do list. Then it was off to a lunch meeting.
I captured this on my way back from the meeting. How blue is that sky? It was such a beautiful day today in Fort Worth.
Afternoon snack!
And then off to another meeting. The good kind. This was an awards ceremony for staff being recognized for excellence and two of my team were recognized. Yay! I have such a great team to work with. They are so dedicated. It was nice to see two of them be formally recognized.
I got back to the office and popped a couple of Motrin. Due to the dental procedure I had last Thursday, my mouth/jaw is a little sore as I head toward the later portion of the day. The Motrin really helps.
Usually I leave at 5, but I was working on something I had to get finished today. 5:19 and I was still plugging away at it.
5:45 and I was ready to go! Time to head out.
It was a nice ride home. I listened to a podcast, called my mama for a chat, and got to decompress a bit before pulling into the garage at 6:35.
Yes, please.
7:00pm, time for dinner. It was a quick and easy kind of dinner tonight. Phillip had roasted some chicken on Sunday to make chicken Caesar wraps for lunches and we had some leftover chicken. Salad for dinner it is!
8pm on Tuesday night means Fixer Upper. I made myself some hot chocolate and got to relax for a bit.
I was in bed a 9pm and read for about 20 minutes before calling it a night!
And that was my day y'all! I hope you enjoyed a peek into the craziness, ha! Enjoy the rest of your week and I'll see you back here on Friday for Friday Favorites I've got some great Valentine's Day gift ideas.
xoxoxoxo
