Wedding Wednesday

Not your typical Wedding Wednesday.


As this week we celebrated 3 years of dating (and in May when we get married we will be celebrating 10 years of friendship!) I wanted to go with Marriage advice -


So give me your best marriage advice (or if you are not married - advice you have heard through your friends etc.)


From my parents -  "Love deeply and say I'm sorry."  "Laugh every single day."

From my best friend "When fighting, be careful what your words are as what you feel about him and say about him are the most important words to him - make sure you are aware of this, even if it is the 500th time he forgot to take out the trash."

From my grandfather "Mama Connie (my grandmother) was always right. Even when I didn't want her to be."

3 amazing incredible years

Tpyically I post a pinterest post on Monday...but not this Monday.

This Monday is different. 3 years ago today, B and I started dating..for real this time. In the past we had gone on a few dates here and there, but we never actually had a relationship. We were friends.

Everything changed on October 29, 2009. We had been hanging out, going on a few dates and just genuinely enjoying each others company - little did we know we were starting a relationship.

We traveled, went to weddings, hung out with friends, partied, got to know each of other's families:

This time we were both in it, for real. 2 and half years later, on April 5, 2012  this happened:

And now, on October 29, 2012 - 3 years from the date we started dating - I cannot believe we are getting married in a few months.

I don't normally do this, but here goes:

B,

From the moment we became friends in college, I knew you were different. I did NOT know you would one day become my fiance and my soon to be husband. I knew you were kind, generous, always down for some fun, and that you smiled constantly. I knew you were passionate about life, cars and having a cold beer. I did not know you were also passionate about me. I knew you were a wonderful friend and I knew we could talk for hours - our bank statements probably agree since we drank so much starbucks in college together. I did not know we would be sharing those long talks and endless starbucks together years later. I knew we were friends, I never thought we would one day be husband and wife.

 

I cannot tell you how amazing it is to see us grow - grow up, become adults, see each other through rough times and great times - but mostly to have you by my side. I am lucky, I am blessed.

Thank you for the countless times we met at the starbucks on Far West, the many rides home in college after a great night at Cain and Abels, fun poker nights, going to the shooting range, long talks about love and life, telling me I shouldn't do something (only to still do it and you be right!),  all of the adventure, the camping, the trips, making me try things out of my comfort zone but mostly...

 thank you for taking the bold move of getting in contact with me after a few years had gone by with no communication between us. Without that - we wouldn't have built this amazing life together. 

I never thought in a million years that long ago from our very first date back in 2003, to becoming friends for years, to losing touch and meeting up again in 2009 that we would be here in our life together.  I cannot wait for us to be married.

I love you with all of my heart,

A



500

This is my 500th post.

This blog has been around since February 20, 2008.

A LOT has happened since 2/20/2008.


I love that I can look back and see where I was, who I was, what I thought about, what I dreamed for and what I was doing over 4 years ago.

Some posts make me sad for myself - for where I was, what I was going through. Some are hard to read.

Most just show me that the road in life is a road that goes up and down, left and right. This is my life. I choose to share it and I choose to love it.

Thank you for being on the journey with me. For watching the ups and the downs and the ups again.


Some of you have been amazing cheerleaders for me, beacons of hope, providing laughter and light hearted comments. Thank you for your friendship!

Mostly - I am just glad I have a place to write.  Here is to another 500, may there be more laughter and less tears.  May there be love. A lot of Love.

Wedding Wednesday

Our tasting is coming up in a few weeks and I am excited - I mean we get to eat! (Ok and figure out what our guests will be eating!

On the menu as some things to taste for our Cocktail hour:

Mini beef wellington

 

 

Grilled Colorado Lamb Chop

 

 

Crab Cakes

Mini Lobster Rolls

 

Salmon Tartare

 

 

 

This is making me hungry!!!

 

 

Jet Skiing

So B bought 2 jet skis this summer. 1 from his cousin and the other needed some work.

I confess that I wasn't exactly thrilled about these jet skis. I hated the first one he bought - It wasn't stable and it is more of a "racing" type  - perfect for him...not for me. Which then got him thinking about buying another one for me - "so we can jet ski together"

This past weekend we went jet skiing - IN OCTOBER - because it is still in the 80s here.

I confess that I had a lot of fun. I love "my" jet ski.

So now they are winterized and after we are married we will take them out on the lake - because after our honeymoon that is pretty much the only thing we will be able to afford to do - and I cannot wait!

That special someone

 

This is so true. So incredibly true.

Friday Favorite Five - food edition

1. COFFEE-MATE Pumpkin Spice Sugar Free Creamer.

When I cannot afford or choose not to afford a Starbucks pumpkin spice latte - this does the trick in my regular coffee.


2.  Mini Babybel Light Cheese

I love opening the wax covering and eating them. These were a "treat" in our lunch box at times as kids and I loved them!


3. Butternut Squash and Crab bisque soup

Whole Foods carries this in the Winter time here and I love it. It is an indulgence - but I partake in it every once in a while. SO GOOD!!!

4. Celery

I love celery - crunchy and watery. I LOVE IT!

5. Tzatziki Sauce

Use with celery and pita. MMMM MMMM MMMM

Fill in the Blank Friday

Join Lauren and link up here for Fill in the Blank Friday!

1. One thing I plan on doing to relax this weekend is  watch the UT Football game - although if it is anything like the last TWO games...it isn't really relaxing...


2. A big pet peeve of mine is people who talk to hear themselves talk AND people who are CONSTANTLY negative. I GET SO ANNOYED AT NEGATIVE PEOPLE!

3. I am really loving  that when I woke up this morning the air was crisp - I know it will be 80 degrees by noon - but it is SLOWLY feeling like Fall!

4. The rain is very soothing for me. I love to curl up and read a book when it rains.

5. My favorite girly indulgence is any kid of makeup product or skin care. My Vanity is overflowing - hence my spend freeze until at least the wedding on makeup and skin care products (unless I need it FOR the wedding!)

6. A song I always get stuck in my head is "Call Me Maybe" whenever it is on the radio and ANY Adele song.

7. The best cure for stress is SLEEP! :)

Engagement sneak peek

I came home and looked into my inbox and there was one photo from last night...the last picture of the evening...and I love it.  I will get all of the pictures in a few weeks.

For now, this one is my favorite.

Wedding Wednesday

Today we take out Engagement pictures...I'm nervous - I am also VERY excited!

It has been rainy all week and today the blue skies are out - fingers crossed it stays that way!

Festival des métiers

What is this a picture of?  It is a picture of an Hermes scarf in the making.

Hermes' Festival des métiers came to Houston and they showed us how their scarves, jewelry, purses and glassware are made.

It was amazing it watch the process.

Now I want another scarf!

Our love...

 

Being in the midst of planning our wedding, I sometimes just look over at B and say

"we are getting married"

He smiles. I smile.

I am thankful for the love God has brought to me in my life.

I am surrounded by it in many forms and I cannot believe that I get to one day soon be a wife.

 

That rhymed. That's awkward.

Fill in the Blank Friday

Link up here and join in the fun....


1. My favorite flower is the peony. I just love them.

2. You should never talk about politics or religion IF you cannot handle not agreeing with everyone. If you love a healthy discussion to understand other ways of thinking - go for it.

3. My favorite discovery as of late is Dole's endless salad. The salad bag is amazing. I bring it to work and it is 2 days of lunches. DELISH!

4. In the fall you will probably find me wearing  Burnt Orange.

5. I wish I were  - stealing from Lauren...SLEEPING. I AM EXHAUSTED.

6. My favorite TV show currently is NEW GIRL.

7. This weekend I want to watch Football and figure out what the heck I am going to wear for our Engagement photos!

Moroccan Chicken Stew

Makes: 4 servings

Prep: 30 mins               

Cook: 6 hrs 30 mins(low) or 3-1/2 hours (high) - I have only used the LOW setting.

  -Ingredients

• 4 carrots, peeled and sliced
• 2 large onions, halved and thinly sliced
• 3 pounds of chicken (I used 2 or 3 thighs and the rest breasts) skinned
• 1/2 cup raisins
• 1/2 cup dried apricots, coarsely chopped
• 1  14 ounce can chicken broth
• 1/4 cup tomato paste
• 2 tablespoons lemon juice
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cumin
• 1 1/2 teaspoons ground ginger (I use fresh)
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

 

Directions

1. In a slow cooker place carrots and onions.

2. Sprinkle chicken with 1/2 teaspoon salt. Add to cooker;

3. top chicken with raisins and apricots.

4.  In bowl whisk broth, tomato paste, lemon juice, garlic, cumin, ginger, cinnamon, and 3/4 teaspoon ground black pepper. Add to cooker.

5. Cover; cook on low-heat setting for 6-1/2 to 7 hours or on high-heat setting for 3-1/2 to 4 hours.

 

I usually make the couscous out of the box that is Toasted pine nut flavor and put the stew over it.

 

 

 

Friday Favorites

I have a lot of favorite things...today the THEME is websites:

1. ZAPPOS VIP - I have NO idea how I am an VIP of Zappos...but just the fact that I can get something the EXACT next day after ordering it - that is amazing.

2. Soap.com  - Their prices are great AND their customer service is top notch. I ordered 2 things of clorox (don't judge!)  One leaked. I called them and explained they sent me 2 more plus an additional 20% off coupon for my time.   I also was given a coupon code for 20% off to share with friends:
This is what the email said:
 Refer-a-Friend Code is ANGE740504 . Any new customers who enter your code (or your email address) will get 20% off their first Soap.com order. As a thank you, we'll donate up to $25 to the FEED foundation.   I don't benefit from you using the code - just wanted to pass it along!

3. Lands End.  I love that they pretty much have a coupon code going every other week or so. I love their cardigans! I love their coats. I love their Starfish collection - easy to wear separates to run around in.

4. Amazon. We have Amazon prime. I love Amazon. They have practically everything. We registered with Amazon. (And a few other places!)

5.  Lastly - Sephora.  I love makeup. I cannot help it. I haven't been to a sephora in ages - for that reason. I cannot walk out without having spent at least $50. So I haven't gone. I have WAY too much makeup and therefore I am on a hiatus. I don't need Blush, eyeliner, mascara (until December 1), foundation, moisturizers etc.  I have a huge bag of things to use up. So I think it will be a long time until I see a Sephora. My bathroom thanks me - as it is about to explode from products!

Zappos VIP

So I ordered from Zappos yesterday morning. I clicked buy at 10AM Central time.
My order is on the truck for delivery this afternoon.

It was FREE shipping.

You cannot beat that.

Let's just hope that the burnt orange dress I ordered is perfect as I need a burnt orange dress by next Wednesday.


Did I mention our engagement photos are next Wednesday?

Do you sense a theme for the photos?

A dear friend's wedding

I had the honor of being a bridesmaid this weekend in one of my dear friends wedding.  The wedding was held in Horseshoe Bay, Texas.

That is the view from the Church - they got married overlooking the lake. IT WAS GORGEOUS.


I am awaiting some pictures.


On the way back, B, V and I went to the Shiner brewery in Shiner, Texas.  It has been on my list of things I want to do for as long as I remember, and I am so glad we went!

Dogs

 

I cannot imagine my life without Roxy pup. I love coming home and seeing her and how overly excited she is to see myself or B. She goes nuts. Whenever we return from leaving her at our parents houses, she goes absolutely insane she is so happy to us.

 

I love her.

 

 

Fill in the Blank Friday

Join Lauren over here and play along....

1. The last thing I ate was a Fuddruckers burger. Yes apparently it is 1993 and I just finished a season of soccer and the team went out to dinner. Seriously - good times!

2. The last time I went to the beach was when we went to a friend's beach house and relaxed all weekend. It was GLORIOUS.

3. My last vacation was London. Can we go back there again? I call it my engagement trip - we got engaged and then a few months later we went on a trip. I THOUGHT we were going to get engaged on the trip...but he totally surprised me!

4. The last place I drove was  here. Work.

5. The last song I listed to was Flo rida's whistle. DO NOT JUDGE ME!

6. The last thing I watched on TV was the Office.

7. The last time I said "I love you" was I just finished talking to my mom. We always say I love you at the end of the convo!

Coming from A Piece of Toast via JGIWC

JGIWC did a questionnaire that she got from A Piece of Toast.

It looked fun, so I wanted to join in!

 

 

 

Describe your personal style in 5 words of less:  classic, feminine, traditional with whimsy

Who/What inspires your personal style, influencing what you're drawn to and what you end up wearing?  I would say a lot of things, mostly I just feel drawn to items, bring them home and figure out what to wear them with. I like to mix prints, styles etc. I like the classic look with a statement piece or just a little something to make people think "hmm".

What is an item you cannot live without or what are some of your wardrobe essentials?
Dresses - I like to feel feminine, plus I live in Texas- it is hot as heck out most of the year. I also have a special ring I was given this year and EVERYTHING goes with it ;)

What is your most recent purchase? I just bought a wedding dress. I know this does not go with the theme here, but I haven't been shopping in a while, so the most recent item of clothing I purchased was a wedding dress.

Where have you found some of your most treasured style items? My grandmother's jewelry box and her scarf collection.

What is your jewelry routine? I wear lever back earrings (Kate Spade's are my favorite), my engagement ring, a watch and a necklace almost daily - I change it up a lot. I wear mostly solid colors and have fun with jewelry.

What are some of your make up must haves?  My daily wear is Chanel Mascara, bobbi brown concealer, Dr. Jart BB cream, Urban Decay eye liner, Nars orgasm blush. I switch up my lipstick a lot!

If you could meet any designer who would it be and why? I would say Chanel. I find her life fascinating!

What is the best style advice you have ever given or received?  Smile - it is the best accessory.  I truly believe that!

 

Wedding Wednesday

The florist is booked!

 My mom and I met with a few florists and there was one that really understood me. I said I wanted an "English Garden look" - as I love an "organic" feeling to my flower arrangements and she just got it.

I cannot wait to work with them throughout this wedding process as I know they will do amazing things!


While not all of them are in my color scheme, this is what I mean by "organic" - not too structured or organized.

Good advice

 

I don't think there is any explanation needed.