Carded for Christmas

I'm starting to think about our Christmas cards for this year. Kev and I don't really have an up-to-date photo of the two of us together (where I like the way I look). My most favorite is the one you see to the right, and that was taken...oh...almost THREE years ago. Yikes!

I started sending out Christmas cards when I lived by myself about four years ago. This is a picture that I used for the first cards I sent out. I can't find that card now, but it turned out pretty cute.



The next year was when Kevin and I moved in together and I was so exhausted from the adjustment of the move and a new job (and living with a boy!) that I didn't have the energy or time to put into a creative card. So I just bought a pack of cards from Target and wrote something nice and sent them out from the both of us (and Kahlua; can't forget about her!).

The following year I thought I'd really go all-out and do something creative. I was so pleased with how they turned out! I actually found these little cards of the Chihuahua at a specialty home store the year prior and thought they'd make great Christmas Cards; they were just plain white though. So I held on to them for all that time, then decided to just use the front of the cards, put it on a black card, paint the red hat with some glitter stuff, and glue (very carefully) some red crystals on each corner. I also embossed a stamp on the inside that said "Happy Holidays." Those things TOOK. ME. FOREVER! Sorry, but I will never do that again. Haha!!!! But they're a good keepsake, and people have told me they still have them hanging on their fridge, so I guess it was worth it. Ha!



Oh and, think we're obsessed with our dog much??? ;)

This year, since we're engaged, I thought it's time that we have a family picture taken (i.e. Kevin, Kahlua and me) and send out a photo Christmas card of us for once. So my plan is to put up all of our Christmas decorations and tree the day after Thanksgiving, and take a TON of pictures in front of our tree in the hopes that at least one turns out to my liking. I know a lot of people who've used Costco and Wal-Mart for their cards, but I've just discovered that Shutterfly does cards too (thanks to Lauren - thanks girl!)! So I'm pretty sure I'll be picking one from there for this year's card choice.

By the way, I must really be behind the times because I've only just discovered Shutterfly two days ago, when I needed a way to keep track of all the photos from dress shopping. Ya...but it is quite amazing and so much easier to send photos to people!

What are your ideas for Christmas cards this year?

PS: The reason we're not using actual engagement photos for the cards is because we're not getting those done until March.

Thanksgiving Turkey Cake...Your Thoughts?

I came across a recipe for this Thanksgiving Turkey Cake that someone posted on FB. I can't quite make up my mind about it. At first it seems kind of gross and gluttonous; but on second thought it sounds more wonderful as time goes by. Just imagine all that Thanksgiving-food-goodness mixed into one beautiful cake!

Would you do it?

27 Dresses...

That's the number of dresses I think I tried on on Saturday. But I enjoyed every minute of it! :)

On Saturday Maygan (my MOH), my mom, Margie (a close family friend), Debbie (MIL), Courtney (SIL) and I all met up and went shopping for my dress! It was such a fun day. We had lunch beforehand as well as some champagne and then headed to the dress shop. My bridal consultant's name was Daniel and he was a hoot! We were all feeling a little bubbly from the champagne and wine we downed during lunch, so I think he was excited that we were a fun group.

All of us at lunch: Debbie, Margie, Maygan, Me, Courtney and Mom

Daniel instructing Courtney and me about how the process works.

The many dresses waiting to be tried on. I didn't really know what I was looking for so Daniel pulled a lot!

Debbie, Mom and Maygan waiting patiently for me to try on my first dress!

This is the first dress I tried on. I really liked it, but it wasn't the one.

Daniel pulling yet another dress for me to try on.

Another one. I liked this one too, but it made me look a little too bust-y, and I have a friend who just got married in a dress that was similar to this, so I wanted something a little different.

Daniel helping me into another one.

This dress was very cool, but wasn't really right for a summer wedding. It would've been perfect for a December wedding though. It was very fashion-forward.

A halter dress with a dropped waste. I think if I was taller it would've worked.

The last one I tried on. Looking at this picture now, I'm glad I didn't choose this one. Ha!

After all of that, I did find THE dress. I won't be showing it to you though. Sorry! It has to be a surprise. Plus, the fiance reads this sometimes and I don't want him seeing. ;) But I love my dress. It's got a little sparkle, a little modern twist, and a little romance. Plus, it was on sale! Woot woot!

Maygan and Courtney trying on bridesmaid dresses. We ended up finding their dress so that was perfect! I'm keeping their dress a surprise too. ;)

I had to get a picture with Daniel before we left!

Afterwards, we all went and had some appetizers and drinks -- because shopping is hard work! Then Debbie and Courtney headed back home, and Margie, Mom, Maygan and I went and checked into our hotel. We spent the rest of the day/night drinking wine, eating junk food and just talking, talking, talking!!!

Talking...talking...

...and talking!

So, I sleep with an eye cover thing at night, and Margie bought me a new one that was hilarious! I had to document it :)

I had such a great weekend with all these ladies and feel so lucky that they were able to experience that with me.

Eight more months, three weeks and six days until the big day! I can't wait for it to be here :)

Happy Baby

I absolutely love this commercial! Every time it comes on I just crack up laughing because the baby is too cute (I love me some babies!) and I like the song. If Kevin happens across it while he's flipping through channels, he'll always stop and let me watch it before he moves on because he knows how much I like it. Ha!

Enjoy!

Too much cuteness!

Kevin and I always talk about how we wish we could get a second dog for Kahlua so she wouldn't be so lonely during the day. Poor little thing.

Every day the SPCA of Monterey County posts a new animal on FB that is up for adoption and I came across this adorable little dude!


Is he not adorable!?!?!?!?

He would be so perfect for Kahlua! I want him so bad. Only thing is, we kind of both need new tires on our cars, and when you have to weigh the options of being able to drive safely in the rain with a new set of tires, or a new playmate for Kahlua, unfortunately I think new tires are more of a priority for us right now.

HOWEVER, if he stays available for adoption until next month, then that might be a possibility. So no one adopt him! He's mine! Ha! ;)

Happy Friday!

Capricious

It's been a few since I've posted. Just don't have much going on right now, but I'll still fill you in on some ramblings just because I can ;)

Kevin's been out of town the past couple days for work so I've been able to catch up on my shows! Hallelujah!

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If you haven't already heard (which I'm sure you have), the Giants won the World Series and San Francisco has been NUTS with the celebrations! I'm not really a baseball fan, so while I think it's good and all, I can't relate so much. But I appreciate the enthusiasm. I will admit though, that I'm glad to have my normal commute back and not have to deal with all the peeps who aren't familiar with riding the train. Oy!

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My BFF is flying in to visit me for the weekend! I. Am. So. Excited! We only get to see each other about twice a year, so the time we're able to get together is nothing less than great fun! I had to get the guest room ready for her arrival, and because I like to use it as my own personal closet, it took some time to get it spruced up. But whenever we have guests, I always like to put some fresh flowers in their room. Well, I should rephrase that: whenever we have female guests, I always like putting fresh flowers in their room, because really? Guys don't appreciate fresh flowers like we do!



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Today is one of those days where every single co-worker of mine is getting on my last nerve! I feel bad, but these are the days when I'm better off having my own office so I can shut my door and just get my work done and leave. Ha! Good thing today is my Friday so I can get back to tolerating the co-workers.

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I haven't shared much about the wedding planning because there isn't much to share! We have our location, the photographer is picked out, we know what we're doing for flowers and decorations, the food is included with the location, the wedding party has been chosen and the DJ is in place. The only other things that have to be done are choosing an invitation and a cake.

However, I'm also a little reluctant to share because I get some comments from fellow soon-to-be-brides (not from any of you readers - other people, so don't worry ;)) like "You've already done this!?" or "I can't believe you've already done that!?" like they're trying to make me feel bad for being so on top of everything. Here's the thing: I'm Type A. I plan everything way in advance. I like things organized. I keep lists for almost everything in my life and I like to cross these things off with a red pen. I like to know plans RIGHT NOW! And I'm pretty impatient. The impatience is something I try to work on - trust me - but I very much like to know what's going on well in advance. I'm getting kind of tired about feeling like I have to justify the way I'm doing things to other people or giving them a reason for why I already have everything taken care of. I'm trying not to let it bother me, but I just feel like venting, because what are blogs for, right? ;)

With that said, on Saturday I am going dress shopping! I am very excited. I realize our wedding is nine months away, but what does it hurt if I start looking now? The holidays are fast approaching so any chance of getting this underway within the next two months is slim-to-none. I'm also helping with the planning of our 10 year high school reunion which will be near the time of the wedding, so I have to make sure I plan things right so I don't stress myself out too much. See? Here I am justifying myself again. Haha!

But, thanks to a fellow blog reader who recently posted about her wedding, I feel much better that I'm not the only bride who is on top of things. *big sigh of relief*

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I've gained a few pounds. Ack! Know how I can tell? All the pants that used to be big on me fit just right now. My ring is also a tad snug. But yesterday I ate really well, and honestly? It's amazing what just one day of eating right and drinking lots of water will do for you. Of course one day of staying on track means nothing in the long run, but it makes me happy all the same.

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K recently posted about how she often thinks about the people she reads blogs about, and I'd have to completely, 100% agree with her. During the day at random times I'll be thinking about what Rachel and her family are up to. I wonder how Patty's photography is going. I wonder what Hillary is going to have (she finds out today!). I wonder how Angie is doing because she hasn't blogged in a while (but she did yesterday! yay!). I wonder how Sarah is doing since she lost her precious son, Conner, to CF. I wonder how Kelly is doing with her pregnancy. I wonder how Jennifer is handling having two kids now. I wonder how Cori is doing with her daycare business. I wonder how Blogging Blondie is doing while her boyfriend is so far away. And there are a lot more I think about on a daily basis. Quite random, yes. And some of these people don't even know me and probably am not aware that I think about them and pray for them. But I do. And I don't think I'm the only one out there that thinks about fellow bloggers. :)

Weekend Wrap Up

Well, the weekend was pretty quite for us. Here's the run-down:

Friday: I had to leave work early and head to the dermatologist to get some moles checked out. I had to get one removed and they're in the process of doing a biopsy on it now. Hopefully, it's nothing. I'm just trying to be proactive; especially since my mom has had skin cancer.

That night Kevin and I went to the movies and saw Paranormal Activity 2. It was scary! However, we didn't get to enjoy it as much as we would've liked because there was a huge group of teenagers that came in (late) and sat behind us. They were so loud and obnoxious! Their cell phones were going off during the movie, they must've switched seats no less than 50 times and got up to leave and come back another 30. Kevin told them to shut-it a couple time - using some colorful language (a little embarrassed when he did that), and a security guy even came in to tell them to be quiet and they just kept on with the noisiness! We were so angry when we left. I even complained to management. Ha! Not that it would make a difference, but I felt like we should've gotten our money back or something.

Saturday: Kevin had to get up at 6:45 for traffic school. Poor thing. I, on the other hand, slept in until 9:30. Woo hoo! It felt so good to sleep in; and it was rainy outside too, so I was all snuggly in bed with my puppy. I then decided I should be somewhat productive and went to Target to stock up on some beauty products and Halloween candy. I may or may not have started consuming said Halloween candy as soon as I got into the car after buying it from the store. Ooops!

After the inhaling of sugar, I headed to the grocery store and got some stuff for dinner. We had an early dinner that night of lasagna, salad, garlic bread and some really good red wine. It was nice. We watched the Giants game and then watched another scary movie, The Fourth Kind. That was a freaky movie!

And because I couldn't stop eating the candy once I got home, I took matters into my own hands and put the bowl of candy way up high on our wine stand so it wouldn't be in my direct line of sight and it caused me some effort to reach up there for some. Ha ha!


Sunday: We slept in some and I made French toast for breakfast. Since the weather was so nice Kevin took Kahlua for a long walk and I cleaned the house. Our TV is fairly new and we're able to stream Pandora from it, so I love to clean to the Glee station on Pandora. Sing my little heart out! After some of the football games were over, and the Giants looked like they were going to win, we watched yet another scary movie called The Crazies. It was crazy scary! Then we had leftovers for dinner, got ready for Trick or Treaters and settled in to watch the last scary movie of the weekend called Fire in the Sky. I think I've had my fill of demons, zombies and aliens for one year. Ha!

Here's Kahlua sporting her Halloween scarf. :)

This was our first time staying home for Halloween and we were pretty disappointed with the outcome of the Trick or Treaters. I bought a lot of candy and we probably had 10 kids come by. I don't know if we missed something, but apparently our neighbors aren't too keen on Halloween. Everyone had their lights off. It was kind of sad. We're definitely looking forward to moving into a more kid-friendly neighborhood in the future.

And because I could not get over this cuteness, I had to share with you all my friends' daughter, Jordyn, in her poodle skirt for Halloween. Is this not the cutest thing you've ever seen!? She's itty bitty and just looks perfect in this costume! Melts my heart :)





Hope you all had a great weekend. I've loved seeing all the pictures of the costumes!