Happy

I am sitting alone in my house about 15 minutes before I need to leave for the rehearsal and rehearsal dinner.  I am taking a few minutes to have a glass of wine, slow down, and just relax for a minute.  I had a beautiful shower this morning given by my Aunts who are wonderful. All of the family is in town and accounted for.  I have seen my flowers.  My suitcase for Jamaica is packed.  All of the ceremony stuff is at my grandparents house.  We are ready.

I did not expect to have a minute to sit down and write, but I think it's a good time to reflect while I'm waiting to go.  The rest of my family is busily working to get things ready for the rehearsal (I know, I'm a brat for not being there), but I felt like I had been running around so much that I just needed a little calm down time.  I really don't want to forget things and miss things because I am so busy.

I can't wait to see Roger tonight.  I can't wait to relax with my friends later.  I can't wait for tomorrow.

So, I am excited.  I am ready.  I'm very lucky.  I am happy. 

To be continued.

How fun...

I can't believe we are only 10 days away from the big one.  These last 7 months (and 7 years that we've been dating) have totally flown by.  My parents and I went over to my grandparents' house last night (where the wedding will be held) to go over final details and make sure we had everything hammered out.  We definitely do, and as we were going over it, I relived every decision we made to get here.  It's funny how it all just kind of came together into this big, awesome event.  At the time, I didn't think it would matter that much what kind of wedding arch we picked out, or even what color the bridesmaids' dresses were.  Which really, if we would have made different decisions it wouldn't have mattered.  I just think it's cool how everything is coming together and I can start to picture how it is going to look.  Not only that, but I will be able to see how it all looks in 10 short days!

Another funny mind game that getting married plays on your mind is that there is WAY too much excitement to even focus on things that should be crazy exciting.  For example, our honeymoon.  We are going to Jamaica.  Out of the country.  For 7 days.  Together.  I seriously haven't even THOUGHT about starting to pack, and I haven't been able to focus on this awesome vacation we are taking!  Who has too much excitement in their life that going to Jamaica is put on the excitment backburner?  A crazy lucky person, that's who!

Can't wait to post pictures of the big day on here, and can't wait to let you all know about our fun Jamaica trip.  Keep your fingers crossed for good weather on the 31st! 

Vegas!

I was lucky enough to get to take a trip with some of my best friends to Las Vegas a few weeks ago. It, of course, was an amazing time with amazing friends! We laughed a lot, ate a lot, drank a lot, swam a lot, and just had A LOT of fun! It felt good to be with my friends and laugh until my stomach hurt. We definitely made a lot of very fun memories! Here are some of my favorite pictures from the vacation!

A New Business Venture...

I am very excited to announce that I have decided to become a BeautiControl Independent Consultant!  I have recently gotten very obsessed with their products, and after careful consideration, decided it wouldn't be too bad to get a discount on the stuff I love, and maybe make an extra buck here or there!

Now, I have to give a little plug.  I would love to gain some experience and have a Spa Party for you and your friends.  I know, I know, you don't want to get roped into buying anything.  I COMPLETELY UNDERSTAND.  You're hearing from the girl that used to miss parties like this on purpose even though I thought they would be fun because I didn't want to feel guilty for not buying anything.  Right now, I am just looking for experience... and of course fun!  This is a great opportunity to get your friends together, try out some fun products, and eat, drink if you like, and be merry!  Please let me know if this is is something you would at all be interested in, and I would be happy to make it as low key as you would like!  I will pass out catalogs, but that will be the END of my buying pressure!  I PROMISE! I'm not a salesman, just really like sharing the products with people.  My business motto is, "If the products are right for the people, they will sell themselves!"  And it's true... that's what happened with me!

You can click on the BeautiControl link at the beginning of the post to check out the products, prices, and to see what BeautiControl is all about.  Then, let me know if you're up for a fun, relaxing, NO PRESSURE night with friends!

I'm back! A Mish Mosh of an Update!

I'm so sorry I've been MIA!  I feel like I have tons going on right now, and my blog has DEFINITELY been feeling it.  So, I have a lot to update you on!

1) Wedding Stuff:

Roger and I have picked our reception menu, which includes two of my favorites.... Mini Corn Dogs for an appetizer and fettuchini alfredo for one of our main dishes.  We also have some other great snacks for before hand, and chicken and ham options for the main course.

I now have Roger's wedding band in my possesion, along with all of the bridesmaids' gifts.  I'm very excited about all of them, and also very worried that I will lose something!  Jen Skalka Ream hand made the bridesmaid jewelry for me, and it is BEAUTIFUL.  If you are interested in having her make you something, I would be happy to get in contact with her for you.  She can copy just about any designer piece you find for a much lower price, or, she is VERY creative and can come up with something great for you.  I could not be happier with the jewelry!

We have been receiving such fun wedding gifts, all that I'm really excited about.  Funnily, the first things that were gone from our registry were all alchoal/wine related gifts!  I don't know if I should take that as a bad sign.... but I am very happy with all of it!

We have our apartment, and Roger is moved in (kind of) and living on an air mattress!  We are moving furniture this weekend, and I will have to document the move for my blog readers!  I am so excited to get all the furniture in and to start making it our own.  It really is a great place!

I have finalized my contract with Michaelangelos, our florist/wedding decor specialists.  I have to say, I 100% recommend them for anyone getting married in my area.  They are so efficient, and create amazing things with a not quite amazing budget!

2) Fun Events in Chicago:

Roger and I have had a couple really fun nights in Chicago recently.  The first night that the apartment was officially in our possesion, we camped out!  We had only an air mattress and a tv, no air conditioning (in 95 degree weather), and a couple bottles of champagne!  Niether of us really slept because of the heat, but we enjoyed our champagne, and knowing that we were in our first offical place together!

Also, we spent another great night in the park across from Lakeshore drive.  We cooked steak, had wine and cheese and crackers, and just talked about how excited we are that we will be able to have nights like that much more frequently.  Such a great time!

Bachelorette Party!:

I actually had 2 bachelorette parties, since I have 2 bridesmaids that are under 21.  I spent one amazing spa night with all of my bridesmaids, and one night in Chicago going out on the town with everyone that could come!  Here are some pictures from both nights:

A HUGE Thank you goes out to my amazing sisters and MOHs for planning such a fun night in Chicago, and to Ashlie for letting us do the spa bachelorette party at Serenity Springs!

Updates soon to come:

Vegas trip pictures

A new business venture for me!

Apartment!

Keep your fingers crossed that all goes through, but I believe the Tortoise and I found an apartment!  Here's a link to the website.  It's AWESOME! 

LINK

 I love everything about it, but some of my favorite features include a giant walk in closet and a fitness center included in the rent!  Also, all utilities are taken care of in the rent, so we only have to worry about paying one bill a month for the apartment.  Again I say, AWESOME!