Happy Valentine's Day

It seems everyone sends out holiday or New Year cards their first married year, so I wanted to be different and send out Valentines. Okay, actually I did not have myself organized enough to send out holiday or New Year cards. But, I am actually glad.  I love the red balloons, red photobooth curtain with the bit of red for Valentines day. Perfect for Valentines. Working at the last minute, but not willing to make these Saint Patrick's Day, Easter or first day of spring cards, I had to work quick.  Even quicker I had to get them printed.  I settled on the printing.  Time was limited and I do not know where to get good printing done quickly. Kinko's offered the quickest solution. So to make up for the lack of fancy printing, I created cute wrap around address labels. Our return was wrapped to the back and written vertically.  

It was a fun project, and I am very critical of anything I create.  So while I like them, there is always room for improvement!  Happy Valentines Day 2010!

Soundtrack

Help! What songs did you pick for your wedding movie...heard any great timeless songs that really just scream "Time for a wedding montage!"???

I am horrible at making decisions which is why I decided to be very proactive and create a potential playlist for it in my itunes library.  I am just so not sure.  So here I am. Still have not made any decisions. 

 

{our rehearsal dinner ClaryPhoto}

See how indecisive I am.  AND how much my husband loves it!

Happy New Year!

What an eventful year 2009 has been.  The wedding consumed my life for the first half of the year.  I really do not know how I did anything else those first six months of 2009!  The second half has been a focus on work, school and being a newlywed!

I would love to engross myself in a project for 2010 that challenges me to venture into new things. I would love to take cooking classes.  I would love to take a digital photography class.  I took photography in college but boy has it been a while. How fun would it be to take a glass blowing class?  Of course I hope this is the year I finally figure out how to eat right and lose those newlywed pounds, moving in together pounds,  oh and the I am in a relationship and comfortable pounds. I hope this year I also figure out how to save money, like really, really, save money, especially at the Grocery. That is truly a skill that I need to learn!

2009 was fabulous! Cheers to 2010 and what the New Year will bring!

6 months!

Today marks 6 months since we got married in June.  I was looking forward to this day because we were going to the Fabulous Fox Theatre to see "A Christmas Carol".

{The Fabulous Fox}

The show was very good.  Sometimes I get disappointed if I have a preconceived notion about what the performance/story line will be like...I was definitely not disappointed!

Then we were off to Our Lady of the Snows Shrine to see the "Way of Lights".  We were too early so we went to have dinner.  Nothing worth talking about here...we went to a place in Belleville, IL and I would not go back again.  So we finally left dinner and it was dark so we went to see the lights.  It was pretty, but so chaotic with all of the vehicles that I was so caught up in vehicles not observing the 2 lane rule that I really did not enjoy the lights.  Again it was pretty but way crowded, and not organized well for the amount of traffic coming through.

So in the end, I convince my wonderful husband to treat me to something delicious!

We went to Ted Drews and checked out some holiday lights in South City.  I was hoping the ice cream would cure the headache that was caused by the "way of lights" fiasco, but no such luck! 

All in all it was a wonderful day, and I am counting down the days until winter break! {7}!

Semester is over!

I am so thankful that the fall semester is over!  I am just thaaaaaaat much closer to finishing.

I hope to FINALLY post wedding pictures, I mean it has only been about 6 months.  I miss reading blogs and staying up to date with everything on my blog lists.

So....Here is a shot from our fabulous photographer Clary Pfeiffer visit Clary's blog too!

thank you!

I have been moving at a snail's pace to get the thank you notes finished. Finally, the last one has been written and then are stamped and ready to mail. I waited to mail them all together...not sure if that is what you are supposed to do, but that is the way I did it.

I love our note cards. Slice of Lime Design created them. I chose three different colored envelopes for fun! a yellow, chartreuse, and tiffany blue.

Ahhh.....something to cross off the list!

Irony...

Want some?
So I just posted about writing blog posts and deleting....then I noticed this "draft".

Inspiration...I need some of that. life is great being a newlywed, but to be perfectly honest. It is weird.
Not weird with Chris, just weird in general. No one tells you how you will feel after the wedding. You are on such a high that it seems nothing can get you down. Then after the night is over...something changes.

There should be a support group for newlywed wives. Is it because Chris and I lived together and already made a home together that this funk exists? Would it be different if I did not have oodles of time on my hands? I am not sure, but I am sure this is part of it.

I have tried immersing myself in projects to keep me occupied, but nothing has been completed for various reasons. Frankly I am tired of feeling this way. Maybe I should be thankful for going back to work on Monday...in fact, I think that is just what I need. Back-breaking activity...Monday and Tuesday are sure to supply this.

Ironic "back breaking" activity is definitely what I got...good news, just started physical therapy!

long weekend

Thank goodness this is a long weekend. I have felt so uninspired as of late and rather "ho-hum" about the every day routine. I have written a few posts then deleted before publishing as a way to get it out without airing all my dirty laundry.

So this long weekend is going to be a turning point. Overwhelmed with the miles of tasks I need to complete, and the ones I simply want to complete piling up, the time has come to take some action. "Inches not miles" has become my mantra and a way to occupy sleepless nights {which is a whole other related/unrelated issue}.

Why is it so difficult to balance the "have to do's" and the "want to do's"?

What do you do when you have truly bitten off more than you can chew? The plate is too full?

I am not a list maker, I typically do not get excited about crossing off a task...usually I make a list and then am still working on it. yeah still working on that ole list...until I eventually throw it away and start another one.

So this weekend, I am making a list...I plan to throw it away on Monday evening and abandon what is left and not feel guilty...Happy holiday weekend to me!

middle maiden married

I changed my name. officially. I decided I could not let go of my maiden name so I added it to my middle name. Good idea? Not really sure. So I went to the DMV to get my license changed, and my maiden would not fit with my first middle names in the space on the license where it would go. The DMV lady wanted to hyphenate me, but I did not legally hyphenate, so I told her that would not work. Then she wanted to put my last name as Maiden Married. Again, I said, not legally what I did so that would not work. Finally we settled on First Middle Married. It feels weird.

I so have to get used to the idea. Especially when I was on my way home I realized that I signed my new license with my maiden name. oops.

found.

After searching and searching all day. My wonderful husband comes home {worked late} and joins in the search. Low and behold, he finds it after 20 mins. Where was it? Well, on a door knob...under a plastic shopping bag, under a paper gift bag, under 2 large handbags...I really do not know how I even fit it all on the knob.

I have a thing for door knobs. And for the record, I did check the inside of the 2 handbags, the inside of the paper gift bag, and the inside of the plastic shopping bag. I just did not take the plastic shopping bag off the knob. lol.

bridal brain

I have suffered from bridal brain {similar to baby brain} for most of the planning process. Now that I am a newlywed, I cannot seem to kick it...or rather I am still feeling the aftermath.

I make no excuse for my clutter problem, combine that with the brain issue and it is a mess. I lose things. can't find them, then they show up in some crazy place. I have one spot that I put the most important of all items that I do not want to lose, but not everything can fit there.

Chris will joke with me about it. Sometimes I laugh and other times I get really p-o'd.

So my latest items that I am trying to locate are my wedding day clutch and earrings. I know for fact I had them the morning after the wedding when we had lunch at the Westin...from there, I am not sure. I know the clutch held important items {id, camera, cash} that made it into another handbag. So it was here. in this house.

I looked everywhere...under the bed, sofa, chair. In the office, in the bigger bag I carried on the wedding day...the list goes on...I even checked the laundry room thinking maybe it made it down the shoot? I simply cannot find it.

This post is already getting too long, but I called Chris to see if he had seen it {yeah right!} and he laughed at my forgetfulness, and told me that he had not see it, but had seen the little gold coin purse in the garage that I always misplace. don't ask. or do. :o)

Hmmm....the search continues.

Have you seen me?

changing names-got my hand slapped

ok. so I have been patiently. PATIENTLY waiting to get our official copy of our marriage license so I can do the official name change...deposit the checks in my new name...etc.

I SWEAR when we got the license, we were told that we would get the official copy in the mail. so finally we are getting to the bottom of it and why it is taking SO LONG. apparently we were told that we had to wait a week after the wedding and come back for the official copy for a cost of $12. WHAT?

And the slightly rude person on the phone said we tell everyone this. AND she said "you must not have been paying attention" with a rather unfriendly tone. huh.

Was I the only one in lala land? SO I called Chris. He confirmed that we were not told this. wow. I am very irked. I pay attention.

Guess I know what I will be taking care of this week.

Thanks City Hall for setting me straight with a slap on the hand.

1 month ago

It was our wedding day. At this time we were downtown taking pictures. Time was flying by, as it normally does on wedding day.

I love my china. Even though I did not get all of it, I plan to collect it over the years.

In honor of that fabulous day, today {and every 13th} we will eat off of our china...whether the meal be filet mignon or chinese takeout. Tonight we will be having filet.

{Dinner Plate, Vera Wang Lace}

Why the china? Well...Chris claims that we will never use it. So I simply have to prove him wrong. He does not think I can keep it up more than 2 months. We shall see.

{salad plate, detail}

An no celebration would be complete without dessert...I made one. giant. cupcake.

I am not pleased with the final result. My mom is super talented when it comes to baking and decorating cakes. She is simply phenomenal. She has her own buttercream recipe that is so
heavenly.

I have learned some of her tricks over the years...but today nothing was working. I tried to fashion an icing bag from some parchment paper...ugh. It was just a disaster. I really wanted it to look pretty. oh well.

Chris will honestly be happy with the trimmings and some ice cream. As long as it tastes good, he does not care much about how a cake looks.

{giant cupcake pan}

{assembled cupcake and trimmings}

Kitchen update

I feel that I have gotten so much done in the kitchen. While, I have really only rearranged items that I already own, or received as gifts...my only expense so far remains the can of spray paint.

I have a horrible problem of getting way too excited about a DIY project and not stopping to take a "before" picture...so I am going to have to scour my iphoto library to see if I have any before pics for my corkboard turned chalkboard project...which I diy'd the corkboard 3 years ago. Ah...I love reusing!

Today I spray painted two open back ornate frames...one for the chalk board...the other to display a few detail shots from the wedding {sugar bar or cake?}. I will cut the mat for that frame so I will just need the glass cut. I may even have some in another frame??? Good thing about having so much framed art collecting dust.

I am also going to search to see if I have a before of the kitchen...before I accessorized. Cause honestly, it is looking so much better already...that I cannot wait to see it finished.

Tomorrow I am going to get some fabric for my valance. I also have the idea of using a table cloth that I planned on using for the wedding at our sugar bar, but did not. That would also help me with the budget! I am not committed to using the table cloth yet. I am going to 2 fabric stores tomorrow to check out the stock.

Chris and I are going to have a real talk about the cabinets. I am leaning towards painting them now. Or doing a patterned metal insert. These are some inspiration pictures.

Basic cabinets. The color is very similar {if not exact} to ours.
This is an after of the above shot. I like the two different colors of paint and the extras on the white section to create a faux hutch. I also really like the black behind the open upper cabinets. It we do open uppers, then I would love to do the black! Imagine yellow flowers....blue/green walls, cute ceramic birdies....hmmm...ok. I have work to do.
This is patterned steel. Very cool. I think I would like it with a black cabinet....or maybe just on lower cabinets...or maybe not? I am not sure. gah! decisions.

{all images from Better Homes and Gardens}

kitchen mini makeover

{Amy Atlas Events}

Throw in some tiffany blue and this is the color palette that I want for my kitchen. Problem is my cabinets are honey colored {icky} and the counter tops are just ehh. I am hoping to spruce up the kitchen with a valance, new light fixture over the sink and some DIY projects....were talking like $50 maybe $100, but that would be stretching it.....I think I can do it.

I bought some spray paint {creamy yellow} for a chalkboard project I plan to do this weekend...I also need a really cool piece of art...I would love to have one {black and white} of our sugar bar or our wedding cake...hmmm...

I plan to accessorize the space {have cute little white ceramic bird salt and pepper set}. Ugh. I really just want to paint the cabinets and I feel that the project would really pull together, but doing that seems really labor intensive and frankly I am way to creative to spend my time on that.

I am not sure what type of fabric to get for the valance. I was originally thinking black and white....but decided I needed yellow to add my punch of color against the honey colored cabinets and the pale blue/green wall. We also have black and white tile in the kitchen. I know, so retro. So here is what I am thinking for valance fabric. Black and white patterns are so easy to find...yellow? not so much!

{Picnic Damask Yellow, via Sew, Mama, Sew!}

{Antler Damask Tarragon, via Sew, Mama, Sew!}

{Anna's Drawing Room Sketchbook Ivory}

{Dandy Damask}

Since the walls are blue, I want to stay away from blue. I just don't know which direction I want to go! Suggestions?

Omaha Steaks

Chris and I received a gift card at a shower for Omaha Steaks. So during my wedding registry exchange adventure today {which Macy's was RUDE, Crate and Barrel was sooooo nice} I thankfully remembered the gc we had and went to Omaha Steaks across from CB. Not really sure if there are any more in STL but I digress. The point is that I found a coupon is the value saver or whatever it is called {yes, I am finally starting to use coupons!} that seemed like a really good deal!

The coupon I had was for $39.99 and came with an additional 6 free burgers! The very nice sales lady also offered me a 3 additional items {from a list} for $19.99.

The gc was for $50 so decided it was worth getting some extra stuff. So I selected:
Mediterranean Chicken Breasts
Polynesian Pork Chops
Garlic Mashed Potatoes

For lunch today I had a gourmet frank and it was quite good! We are definitely stocked in the meat department for a while....we might need to have a party and grill out.

custom folders

In an effort to declutter....and a desire for pretty things, I created my own personal file folders from paper remnants. See pretty can come from trash! lol.

This picture pretty much sucks...but the folders are super cute and have already been put to work!

Just to clarify...they are not blue folders, with added paper...they are actually made from large sheets of paper...folded...cut...trimmed...decorated. done!

inches...not miles

I had lunch today with a friend. She shared some wise wisdom.
Take each day in inches, not miles. Today I took her advice and started on a marathon of a project...the basement. I would not even post a picture out of sheer embarrassment. I will paint you a picture...boxes, packing paper, bubble wrap strewn all about the basement. Stacks of new dishes, cake plates, and cocktail glasses...crates of work stuff...shelves loaded with art supplies, Christmas decorations and much more. AND piles of laundry. hmmm.....inches

inch one-sort all laundry....keep, donate, garage sale
inch two-sort bubble wrap and cool packing paper, recycle rest
inch 3-begin sorting garage sale items
inch 4-begin sorting wedding leftovers to sell
inch 5-take pictures to post of items to sell


Lots done...tomorrow I have several more inches planned....I just might get it all done!
*p.s. I also squirted soapy water on my Japanese Beetles...grrrr, and squirted weeds with killer. My yard is a mess....another day!

I'm Ready.

to organize
to clean
to donate
to cook
to downsize
to save
to prioritize
I'm ready.

Nesting...

Trying to kick the bridal habit is hard. I received a bride magazine in the mail the day of the the wedding....and I really wanted to start looking through it immediately.

Hi, I'm Andrea and I am a brideaholic.

I am trying to get in the groove of being a newlywed and have started nesting. I feel that I need magazines...pretties to look at to help ween me off wedding and on to home.

I need suggestions...for really good magazines. help a brideaholic out won't cha!