100 days

In 100 Days, I will be waking up about right now. ON MY WEDDING DAY.

I will get up, put a cute little white dress on and head to my Bridal Brunch with some of the lively and lovely ladies that are in my bridal party. I will tell them each how much they mean to me, why I chose each one of them to be by my side. I will cry. I will drink Champagne and I will laugh.

I will then head back to the hotel where the hair and makeup team will be awaiting each of us. We will get beautiful, have pictures taken and enjoy the afternoon.

I will get into my beautiful amazing WEDDING DRESS.

My dad will then see me, his only daughter, as a bride. I will cry.

The music will start and it will all begin.

By IT - I mean this is the beginning on the newest journey - one that I am so excited for - I WILL BECOME A WIFE...and not just any WIFE...but B's WIFE.

I know things will not go exactly as planned (do they ever?!) but as long as 100 days from now, I end my day becoming his wife...all is well in the world.


We went from the very beginning:

The beginning

Happy

My life

to 100 days until we get married.

I am so blessed.

My brother's birthday - a weekend of drinking

My brother got into Houston on Friday night.

B and I had dinner with a few friends and then we all met up with him at a bar called Cottonwood. It was so much fun.  Think college bar - with bocce ball, bags, horseshoes and washers - and yet not dirty and gross.

We drank and celebrated.

A thrilled brother...

Saturday night was family dinner. We went to Coppa and it was fantastic. They even brought out cotton candy with a sparkler in it for him.  Afterwards, we all went back to Cottonwood. This included my parents and my grandfather.
We met up with more friends and just laughed.

All in all - a wonderful time.


I am still recovering.

Internet down?

 

Yeah...I am this person.

Happy 27th to my baby brother

Friday Favorite - The fact that I am an older sister to the most amazing little brother.

My baby brother is 27 years old today.

He has grown up so quickly into such a wonderful person. I am so blessed to be his sister and even more blessed that we have chosen to be friends. I feel that I have to state that because I believe that while yes we are family, lots of siblings do not get along and lots of siblings do not consider each other to be friends. I consider my brother to be one of my best friends.

This is BOTH of our favorites - us in Colorado - I am sure I have posted it a zillion times - but it makes me smile every single time I see it.  It makes me think of his nickname for me when we were little because he couldn't say my name - He would call me "Ala"

 

 

 

Life without him would be indescribable - I cannot imagine not having him around and lucky for me, for the first time in YEARS he lives in the same state as I do. I love it.

 

 

I'm truly blessed to have such an amazing family.

 

 

To my baby brother:

 

I am so incredibly proud of you. You have always been kind, caring and full of joy (and energy)!  Mom and Dad used to tell me how you missed me when I left for school, or if you were with them running errands, they let you get a piece of candy you would say, "only if Ala gets one too."

 

As the years flew by, I couldn't wait to get my license and do my own thing - only then did I find out I was allowed to drive ONLY if I also was in charge of getting you to tennis and other activities. I remember when we drove around the 610 loop TRYING to find some tennis place - I think we found after the 2nd lap. I remember all of our vacations - you were my friend, my travel buddy, and you never were that "annoying" little brother. I loved having you around. We would explore everything. I still cannot believe that at 18 and 15 years old our parents let us drive from Texas to Florida. It was FREEDOM. (You drove WAY too fast and I let you drive WAY TOO MUCH of that trip).

 

The day mom and dad dropped me off at college, I was so incredibly excited. Life was about to begin! The thing I remember as I left the house that morning was the realization that you and I would never live under the same roof again. That saddened me. I tried my hardest to be at every event that would be considered "important" to you in high school. I hope you never felt that I didn't care. I hated hearing about how great you were doing and yet not being there to see it all happen. I LOVED when your tennis team would make state because I knew that meant you would be in Austin and I would see you - even if just for a few hours. Even if it meant watching tennis - my all time favorite sport to watch ;)

 

I knew when you left for college you would understand why I hardly came home - because I was growing up, seeing the world, meeting people and trying new and exciting things (and partying) - you were the same way.  The fun rivalry between our teams, going to Lincoln and you coming to Austin - all of those memories bring joy to my heart.

 

After graduation, you came back to Texas. Albeit not Houston - but you weren't THAT far away - you were close enough for a weekend visit!

 

When you got into Law School - I was so happy for you and yet saddened because that meant you were leaving Texas once again.  I know those years were tough and terrible (and good too).  I'm so glad that afterwards you were employed in Texas. I am glad you are home - not in Houston, but close enough!

 

I am so proud of you. I am proud of your accomplishments, who you are and what you stand for. I am the luckiest person in the world to have such an incredible brother.

 

I am lucky that you and B seem to laugh together (probably at me most of the time) and seem to have a good relationship forming.  

 

I know there are more memories to be made, more adventure and more exciting times. I cannot wait.  

 

I love you.

 

Ala

 

 



Whatever Wednesday- actually about wedding things

After work today I meet with my mom. To discuss wedding cakes. Now, my mom and I have VERY different ideas about wedding cakes.

My mom's 1976 cake was over the top - it had bridges, doves, a fountain, and 6 cakes. (4 tall and two coming from the bridges.)   Now, she doesn't want that for me (THANK GOODNESS) but she does want something over the top. She thinks of the wedding cake as something everyone goes and looks at and she may be right - I just never noticed any - I'm not much of a cake person to begin with- especially ones that are not chocolate - so I always noticed the groom's cake, not the "brides".

This makes it a problem because - B's cake is OVER THE TOP AWESOME. I am so excited about it. Mine - not so much. Mine is a wedding cake - his is one of those 3-D cakes - and so very him....


So how to make a cake "more like me" - I have no idea. Here are some that I like....

 

All of them I would change up to meet what I would want...but that's a start.

Weekend Roundup

This past weekend B and I went to Austin.

We love Austin. We love the people there, we love the city. Austin is where we met. While Houston is where we fell in LOVE - Austin is where it all began so many years ago.

I was in my second year of college when B and I first met. We have no idea WHERE we first met. We suspect it was at one of his fraternity parties.  From meeting we became great friends. We would meet up for coffee and have long talks.  Then once I was of the 21 age - we would go to our corner bar.

This weekend we hit up our old places. We even tucked into our old corner bar where many a nights we spent talking. We were the oldest in that place by about 8 years, but while part of it had changed - it remained and felt a little like the old days. (Except this time I am the only girl in the bar wearing an engagement ring and we were the only ones that were not 5 drinks in.) I love that bar. I love the emotions I get from that place.  So many of my fun times in college were in that bar. So many stories, many friends and life. It was the "Cheers" of that era of my life. Of B's life as well. 

I love that our life together is preceeded by 6 years of friendship and stories of our friendship.


It was fun to go out, act like we were 21 without a care in the world (also to find out we are not 21 anymore and we cannot drink like we used to, even though we tried!) and see old friends.

I love Austin.

As I wrote the other day: 

There is no other place that makes me as happy as I am when I am in Austin. So many amazing memories- I made some of the best friendships here and met my future husband here. This is the best city!

MMMM

 

 

Me too...;) Darn Diet!

Friday Favorites

So we are headed to Austin this weekend and I am so excited.

Favorites in Austin:

1. THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS-AUSTIN.   Did you have any doubts that this is my number 1?

 

 

2.  An old standby and favorite place ever...TRUDYS - because they have Mexican Martinis. The best drink ever.

 

3.  South Congress. This is where I love to find unique items and I love the "vibe" of the area.

 

4. Climbing Mount Bonnell - DURING THE DAY. (It is a teenager hangout at night). During the day it has beautiful views of Austin. So gorgeous.

 

 

5. Driving down 2222. It is my favorite road.

 

Lastly though - My favorites in Austin are the people. Mainly my best friend and B's best friend both live there. They and their spouses were the lucky ones - they graduated from UT and got to live in Austin.

Whatever Wednesday

So it is freezing in Houston. And I hate it. I don't live in Chicago, I don't live in NYC - I live in Houston. THIS IS RIDICULOUS.

Also - my office has COLD AIR BLOWING. My fingers are almost blue.


Ok I'm done ranting.


Onto raving - Since the weather sucks my face is super dry. So I needed an intense moisturizer - I've been using YU-BE and I LOVE IT.  I am sure I couldn't use it year round due to the humidity in these parts, but for now - thank you sephora for my 3 little tubes that are getting me through this weather!

This stuff is FANTASTIC.

 

 

 

 

 

Onto other useless junk in my head:

 

On the new years plan I also wanted to lose 30lbs before the wedding. I'm at 11 lost so far. Holy amazingness. I haven't done a lot besides be REALLY conscious to what the heck I put in my mouth. So yeah... I didn't mean to lose that much so quickly - but I also feel like my body was like "get rid of this junk NOW"  - So I am on a lean and green diet along with a protein shake in the AM.  I know it will tailor off - but I would love to be down 20 total by February 16.

 

I cannot believe the wedding is less than 4 months away. WHERE HAS THE TIME GONE? Soon I will be able to say under 100 days. I remember when it was 300 days. I cannot wait to be married to such an amazing man.

 

I never knew I cared so much about how a table looks until now - ya know the whole wedding planning thing. I also never knew I cared so much about useless things like place cards, menus etc. Oh yeah.

 

My bridal shower is in a few weeks. I am very excited. It is being thrown by two of my mother's best friends. I am truly lucky and very blessed. B and I are having a couples shower in April that is being thrown by his Aunt up in Dallas.

 

Today my friend V and I are going to a Kendra Scott store opening here in Houston - I cannot wait to see all of the things and then I cannot wait to go to Happy Hour - even though I will only be able to have 1 drink and only veggies to munch on - see above about weight loss.

 

So yeah - that's what is swirling in my head.

 

 

 

 

 



Manageable tasks

 

 

The start of this year at work has been a rough one - so I have broken all of the things that need to be done into manageable tasks...Thanks Mark!

Friday Favorites

Random Five Favorites:

1. Getting e-mails from blog friends - it is fun to make friends through blogs and I love how encouraging we are of each other.

2. Almonds - raw almonds. I love them. I have to put them in baggies otherwise - I will eat all of them!

3. My rosebud salve lip balm.

4. Youtube makeup tutorials by Tanya Burr - seriously. I love her blog and her videos.

Tanya Burr's Youtube page

5.  THAT IT IS FRIDAY.

Whatever Wednesday

While I have loved my "Wedding Wednesday," I have to be honest - I just don't have that much to talk about when it comes to our wedding. I mean, maybe I am just not one of those girls that can go on and on about their wedding.

Yes I have dreamed about the day I get married. I dreamed about my life - who I would marry, how our life would be. I was not one of those girls that dreamed about the actual wedding day. I dreamed about marriage - and if our dating and engagement is anything like our married life - we will surpass any dream I could have imagined.

I mean I want to unfollow all of the wedding things I follow on pinterest, they drive me nuts, but they do give me great ideas to spring from so for now they stay on - but come May OFF THEY COME!

So - perhaps there will be more Wedding Wednesdays and perhaps not - so for now - Whatever Wednesdays work for me.   A place to write whatever I have on my mind.


Today it is the rain.  I live in Houston - we have been under "flood watch" for a day and it continues until tomorrow at Noon.  I LOVE THE RAIN - but I love the rain MORE when I am at home, in my jammies, drinking hot tea and reading a book - NOT at work in work clothes reading policies.  I read all of the time. My goal is 52 books a year - last year I read 57. I'm a very fast reader and I love reading. I do on occassion read during my lunch time at work - I shut my office door and read. Yes I know I am nerdy, yes I am ok with it.

Which leads me to two questions -
Do you have any book recommendations? (It can be chick lit, hard reads and anything in between, my list is getting dangerously low!)

Does anyone else love the rain?

A NEW YEAR...and a NEW BEGINNING

 

 

This year is wide open with possibility - jump in and make things happen!

Friday Favorites

Since this is my first Friday Favorites since Christmas - I will post my favorite Christmas Presents:


1. My future MIL bought me stationery with my married name on it. I love it. It was the first time I saw my "new" name in print and I thought it was incredibly thoughtful.

2. My parents gave me my SCUBA lesson/certification program. I cannot wait to get certified so that I can dive in Thailand!

3.  My brother got B and I both UT snuggies. It was hilarious. They are burnt orange and tacky and wonderful.

4.  My future MIL also got me a beautiful Clutch that I just love. It is so me and I never would have splurged for it myself.


5. B and I got each other our wedding rings - ok we said we were going to get them, but we have yet to actually go get them - We've tried them on, now we just need to go pay for them!


Did you get any Christmas presents that you just love?!

2012

2012 has been the most amazing year yet.  As I do every year - I will re-cap the year with the answering of a few questions:


Where did you begin 2012? In Houston with B!

What was your status by Valentine's Day?  I am happy and in love with B - not engaged yet!

Were you in school this year? nope.

Did you have any encounters with the police? nope.

Where did you go on vacation? London. Big Bend.

What did you purchase that was over $500?  Roxy's vet bill!

Did you know anyone that got married? Yes - and I was in their wedding!

Did you know anyone who passed away? Not this year. 2011 was a hard year.

Did you move anywhere? no

What sporting events did you attend? Texans, Rockets

Where do you live?  Htown

What is the one thing you thought you would never do, but did, in 2012? Get engaged. Ok I thought it would happen - but wow. What an incredible feeling!

What has been your favorite moment? The moment B asked him to marry him. I think this will always be one of the top 10 moments in my life. For now - it is number one. The moment we say our vows, I know will replace this.

What was something you learned about yourself? I learned it is ok to be vulnerable. It is ok to let others help you. I also learned that Cancer sucks.

Any new additions to your family? May of 2013 I will gain an entire 2nd half of a family!

Get a new job? nope

How old did you turn this year?  30. It is a good age.


I truly feel so blessed to have such an amazing life!!!