I've been holding out on you...

Well, only for a few days.

Last Sunday, Boy and I went out for our first registry adventure! There were yummy and supposedly non-alcoholic margaritas, scanner guns which only kind of worked, disgusting quesadillas, and cheesy heart shaped bowls. There were stand mixers, people.

It was glorious.

Like many blogging brides before me, my first registry mecca was the fantastic Crate and Barrel. Since we live close to King of Prussia and its fantastic mall, Boy and I were lucky enough to be able to attend one of their registry events.

It was mega fun. Well, at least for me. Boy survived.

Why so early? Boy and I aren't getting officially stapled together until July of 2010, but wedding presents have already started coming in. We have loved each thoughtful gift we've received so far, each has been a complete surprise! But since we've decided to have an Engagement Lunch (more on that later) we wanted to provide people with a easy way to see what we need. We're planning to also register at least at Target to help everyone find something in their price range

Remember, Boy and I live in sin, so we have many things like basic dishes and a fantastic set of cookware. So while we still need some of the classic things (Stand Mixer!!!!), there are some things that we definitely do not need.

But enough of the background. Let's get to the goods!

If you're a friend or family member, you can find our full registry on Crate and Barrel.com by search for either Boy or I's full name. Here are some of the highlights:

I was very proud of team Us. Even though C&B was only our first stop, we knocked out our two big discussion items: flatware and china!


We chose porcelain dinnerware instead of china for a couple of reasons, but mostly because we're not very formal people. The Maison set is simple, durable, and a C&B classic, so it's not likely to be discontinued. I love the clean lines!


For the flatware, I took the saleslady's advice and went around holding all of the forks to see which felt the most comfortable. Boy immediately zeroed in on the brushed, matte finish of the Stanton line, and I eventually agreed. They are so sleek!

We had a great time, and look forward to continuing our adventures as we plan!

Chapter 72: Confessions of a Control Freak

Those of you who know me in real life know that my job situation is a bit tenuous right now. Suffice to say that my employment for the next school year is out of my hands. And even though I don't have to worry about money until September, I worry anyway.

I hate money.

I am not good at managing it.

You know how in high school there was that one kid that was really smart but could never seem to get his or her projects done on time?

That was me.

I procrastinate on just about everything possible. Laundry? Down to my last pair of underpants. Dishes? Piled precariously in the sink. Dentist? What dentist? Bills?

I, the control freak, handed them over to Boy.

I consider myself to be a responsible person. Heck. I look after children for seven hours a day. I like to think that I'm fairly trustworthy and reliable person.

Except when it comes to paying bills. And because marriage is about choosing to be with a Real Person for the rest of his/her life, I had to be honest with Boy about that.

And in turn, be honest with you. Honesty was not always a part of my life. Years ago, when I first met Boy, I wasn't so honest. When I would back myself into a tight corner, especially if it dealt with money, I would lie.

In the Shopaholic series of books the protagonist, an otherwise successful girl, would max out her credit cards and then hide her bills. And as I read those books, my pulse would race. I would glance at the drawer in my room where I had hidden bills of my own. Shh.... if you can't see them, you don't have to pay them. Right?

Wrong, of course. So inevitably it would all catch up with me, and I would spin some story to get out of it. I was constantly on edge, but everything always seemed to work out.

Until Boy: one of the very few people in my life who saw right through me. And called me on it.

So I don't lie anymore. Really. Almost never, not even little white lies. I don't back myself into corners because I'm honest with Boy about who I am- who he's really marrying. I try to own my mistakes when I make them. I'm working hard to take on bill paying responsibilities (a personal quest!).

What's bugging me now is that I feel like if I have everything under control and I'm still being honest, things should be working out better. Maybe that's foolish. I'm a very lucky person, and I know that.

But this part of my life that is out of my control, the job part, the part that I love but isn't falling neatly into place... it's making me nervous again. And I can't even hide it away in a drawer.

Lust

It's a dangerous thing. It tempts you, lures you, bates you with its undeniable awesomitude. Also, it sparkles more than vampires.

Etsy, I need you.

I purchased the awesome first part of my bridesmaids' asking gift from a great seller on Etsy. I've found a great many sweet little birthday presents for some of my geekier friends. And now...

I'm obsessed.

Who knew there could be so many cute lovlies to be found for weddings?


These adorable bouquet charms aren't even something I had thought about before, and now I must have them. They're custom made by seller cherrycreekcharms who has much more cuteness in her shop.


These lego cufflinks tie nicely back to an early event we will be having for our groomsmen and are adorable! They come from seller qacreate who speacializes in steampunk, but also has these epic D&D cufflinks, which I may have to force one of the boys to wear!


You already know about my love for the fragile Gardenia, so this beautiful clay hair flower is a great option. Check out the other things that the very talented midoridesigns can do with clay flowers!



I'm not a feather girl, but portobello does beautiful work. Her designs are one of a kind, and she's currently taking custom orders!

Sigh... If I had a million dollars... (continues on singing the Barenaked Ladies)

It's not you, it's me.

I'm a baaad blogger. (Side note: It weird that I just said "baaaaad" like a sheep in my head?)

The end of the marking period brings crazy time for teachers.

Please forgive my posting lameness. I'll be back soon.

Prince Charming

Yes, I'm a slacker. I'd love to say that I have a good excuse... but I don't.

Moving on, then.

I can't truly tackle fairy tale weddings without hitting Cinderella, the queen of all ball gown wearers. Somewhere inside every bride is a little girl wishing for her fairy godmother to make her the perfect dress out of magic, and a carriage out of a pumpkin. Right?

Whatever. That little girl part of me would love to force my bridesmaids to wear ball gowns and throw a white tie wedding. With waltzing. And fireworks. At a castle.

See, I'm not a roleplayer... but I can see why people do it.

It would be uncomfortable, but beautiful.

And what about our deconstructed Cinderella, Ever After? More to come...

Yes, it's embarrasing.

When I was in second grade, I sang my very favorite song all the time. That included getting up during an assembly in front of my whole school and belting it out as loud as my little lungs could manage.

I was of course, made fun of mercilessly. But that didn't matter, because I was (of course) a mermaid trapped in a human's body by Ursula, the evil sea witch/octopus.

I was obsessed.

The second grade me would squee with delight if I had a Little Mermaid wedding. She would imagine fish in vases on every table, maybe even the venue at the fantastic Adventure Aquarium ballroom (in front of a gi-hugic fish tank, no less), and a steel drum band.

The grown up me came up with this:

Orchids, orchids everywhere for what is clearly a destination wedding! Bright colors, smiles, tans, and a kicky short wedding dress (oh how I want one...) keep this affair light and fun, without the need for any steel drums.

The question is, where to have it? What do you guys think?

Fairy Tale Inspiration

I thought that this week, in honor of... well... nothing really, I'd do inspiration boards from some of my favorite fairy tales.

For the first, I've chosen Jo's favorite: The 12 Dancing Princesses


A German fairy tale found in the collection of The Brother's Grimm, the 12 Dancing Princesses has taken on many forms and translations, including a version starring Barbie.

God help us all.

Here is my take:

I love the sparkle branches and think that this would make a very pretty winter wedding. I think that if I was a millionaire, this would be my wedding theme, complete with diamond and ruby forests :).

Any suggestions for other fairy tale themes this week? Which is your favorite?

There is a nice breeze in my classroom

... and I am trying to focus on that and not the fact that I really am quite sick.

Hence:

pretty pretty, right?

I don't know why I keep doing this to myself with the peonies! They're not in season for my wedding, they don't fit the color scheme, and they don't go with the overall style...

but they are pretty. And I'm sick. So you have to let me have this one :)