Thankful Thursday #3

This week I am thankful for big families and good examples.

This picture is from my shower and with the exception of one Grandma represents just one side of my family.  In the front row we've got paternal gma and maternal gma.  Then we've got sister and MOH K, Aunt K, Aunt P, me, Aunt R, my mom, Aunt F, Aunt S, Aunt C, and another Aunt S.  And we are even missing one - Aunt J.  Yep, my mom is one of nine and I think that is awesome.  Big families rock.

The list of adjectives that can describe these awesome women includes but is not limited to: wise, kind, strong, fun, crafty, sincere, witty, loyal, caring, faithful, protective, understanding, and generous.  I am so lucky to have these women in my life and I thank God this Thursday for the great examples he has given me to learn from.  Their support has also been invaluable to me during all of this wedding stress.

2nd vendor review: Looks by JLW

Let me just start by saying I love Jenn of Looks by JLW.  Now that we've got that out of the way, I can tell you why.  First of all, she put up with me rescheduling my makeup trial about 5 million times and was so nice about it every time.  It actually worked out very well because she was available the morning of my shower and it was so nice to not have to worry about my makeup.  I also asked her if she could help me with my hair and she happily obliged.  Second, I think we could have chatted for hours, she is so personable and sweet.  And most importantly, I loved my makeup and hair!

I basically gave her no guidance whatsoever and it was like she read my mind!  I have never received more compliments about my hair and makeup in one day and I have to thank Jenn 100% for that.

I obviously already had Jenn booked for both my and my girls' makeup for wedding day but now I am also going to be scheduling my bridal pics around her availability as well.  I will certainly be recommending Jenn to other brides!  Rating: A+

Tuesday Shoesday Fail, a.k.a. life with cats

This week I wanted to do a Tuesday Shoesday à la Brit with my wedding shoes.  And so I set out to photograph them.  Apparently fuschia heels by Chinese Laundry are very interesting to cats.

Photo attempt #1: one cat laying behind the shoes and one cat getting blinded by my camera's flash

Photo attempt #2:  Still a cat napping behind them, but somewhat better

Photo attempt #3: Yep, still a cat but check out those 4 inch heels!  I know, what was I thinking?  Don't worry I ordered an extra pair of the flip flops I bought my girls for myself!

I guess professional pics will have to wait until we are in a cat free zone, so look for those after May 22.  I at least get credit for trying right?

Invitations are on their way!

After several frustrating weekends, our invitations went in the mail this morning!  One thing after another seemed to get in our way such as the printer refusing to print the right color, my custom made map looking bad when shrunk to the size it needed to be, and my adhesive choice being a miserable fail.  I am so thankful that my mom didn't give up on me and my very specific vision sometime in the last few weeks!

All the details are to come after we give the USPS some time to deliver these to their (hopefully) excited recipients.

Thankful Thursday #2

Oh my, we can officially say we are getting married NEXT month!  That is so exciting while simultaneously being terrifying that I can't even begin to explain it.  But that's not what this post is about, it's Thankful Thursday #2!

This Thursday I am thankful for a boy.  A boy that can make me laugh in about 3.5 seconds even when I'm really upset.  A boy who supports me through everything.  A boy who indulges my requests even when he thinks they are silly.  A boy who my parents love and who loves my parents.  A boy whose spontaneity drives me crazy (but makes me smile at the same time).  A boy who will be my husband 50 days from today.

The last few weeks of wedding planning have been increasingly difficult for reasons best left unsaid here, but it has left me all the more thankful for the strong relationship we have that has and will enable us to weather the storms.  It is a comfort to know that even through the challenges we have been facing we are still as committed (and excited!) as we have always been about getting married.

Photo by Clary

And to piggyback on my picture here, this is something we will be including in our ceremony that is very special to us.  I originally was introduced to the idea by Megan, but have since somewhat crafted my own version from various internet sources.

Blessing of the Hands

Jamie and Doug, as an expression that your hearts are joined together in love will you please face each other and hold hands, so you may feel the gift that you are to one another. These are the hands of your best friend, young and strong and full of love for you, that are holding yours on your wedding day, as you promise to love each other today, tomorrow, and forever. These are the hands that will work alongside yours, as together you build your future. These are the hands that will passionately love you and cherish you through the years, and with the slightest touch, will comfort you like no other. These are the hands that will hold you when fear or grief fills your mind. These are the hands that will countless times wipe the tears from your eyes; tears of sorrow, and tears of joy. These are the hands that will tenderly hold your children. These are the hands that will help you to hold your family as one. These are the hands that will give you strength when you need it. And lastly, these are the hands that even when wrinkled and aged, will still be reaching for yours.

Dear Father, bless the hands that you see before you this day. May they always be held by one another.  Give them the strength to hold on during the storms of stress and the dark of disillusionment. Keep them tender and gentle as they nurture each other in their love. Help these hands to continue building a relationship founded in your grace, rich in caring, and devoted to reaching for your perfection. May Jamie and Doug see their four hands as healer, protector, shelter, and guide.  We ask this in the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you now and forever. Amen.

First Vendor Review: Necklets Jewelry

So, when I posted about the gifts I bought my girls here, I mentioned a little white box.  Now that my girls' necklaces are safely in their hands, I can give my first vendor review!

Christie from Necklets Jewelry is sooooo awesome! I first ordered the below necklace for all three of my girls as well as a necklace for myself that you'll have to wait for our wedding pictures to see.  The ordering process was great and delivery was even sooner than she quoted (and with a hand written thank you note which is always a major plus in my book!)  My picture below doesn't even do these justice- they are beautiful and just perfect to go with the bridesmaid dresses.  Then when I had my first dress fitting my seamstress suggested that I needed a bracelet.  Even though Christie didn't already have a bracelet designed to go with my necklace, she was happy to custom design something for me and she did so the same day!  It is the perfect blend of the girls' necklace design and mine and I love it as well.  I will definitely be recommending her to everyone for her jewelry and she also has some other adorable items she makes.  You can see some of her items here in her Etsy store.  Definitely check her out!  Rating: A+

Thankful Thursday

I'm borrowing this idea from Blair who I believe borrowed it from Neisha.  For now, I'm not sure whether this will be a short lived thing but I've been feeling so very thankful lately that when I saw this on Blair's blog last week I knew I had to join in for at least a bit.  I think everyone can use more gratitude in their life,don't you?

From the fullness of his grace we have all received one blessing after another.  - John 1:16 (NIV)

And so, on this first Thursday I am thankful for the three beautiful women who will stand next to me on our wedding day just under 60 days from today.

First, I'm thankful for my sisters Kristi and Audra.  We may not always get along but in the end we will always love and support each other.

And then, I'm thankful for my best friend Alyssa.  More to come about her soon in another post.

I've got a really long mental list of items I'm thankful for so look for this to continue at least for a few weeks! :)

(And I've currently got at least 6 half written posts waiting to be finished, so look for my first vendor review and other wedding related details soon!)

Gifts for my girls

Now that these items are safely in the hands of my girls, I can reveal what I got them.  Clearly nothing is enough to compensate them for being there to support me on the biggest day of my life so far (or for that matter, for the daily support they provide) but I did my best to give them some cute and useful items.

Yesterday was my shower and at its conclusion there was a pink bag with our monogram as a tag waiting for each of them.  They each had already received their wedding shoes from me when they got their dress.

Each bag had within it 4 items and one IOU for a Coach wristlet that will match their dresses perfectly but didn't arrive in time.

First, there was a bag of wedding day essentials: Shout wipe, Kleenex, bobby pins, cotton swabs, blotting papers, deodorant, a pocket mirror, and Burt's Bees lip shimmer.

One bridesmaid got a cd (of the artist whose awesome concert she and I will be seeing) and the other two received iTunes gift cards. 

And each girl got a nice little white box whose contents you will have to check back in the next few days to see when I post my first vendor review! :)

Finally, each girl got a pair of flip flops that match their dress!  This was one of the most important items to my Maid of Honor and sister Kristi who absolutely hates heels and doesn't ever wear them.  Mom has required that she wear the heels for the ceremony but I have a feeling that these will be meeting her feet asap after the ceremony.

I love my girls so much and could never thank them enough for the daily and wedding sanity they bring to my life.  They threw me an awesome shower so look for a post about that soon to come!

A little color for this cloudy day

We had such awesome weather here in St. Louis last week.  Unfortunately we haven't been as lucky the last few days.  I hate rain, but would rather it rain now than in May of course! ;)

Here's a little gorgeous fall color from our engagement pics to help with this cloudy day.

Photos by Clary

Happy (albeit a bit cloudy) Monday everyone!!!  Hopefully this post will help in getting Mr. Sun back out in STL!