Lite Bright

I have a new frivolous obsession -- LIGHTING. Unbride's post on lighting last week gave me the bright idea (waa, waaa) and now I've got a bug in my a*s about it. I contacted my caterer for her opinion and she was all about it too. Andy thinks that candlelight is fine, but he has no vision. (Ha, Ha.)

We're having our cocktail hour and dancing in the same area, so people will be standing around in the same space for 4.5 hours. I've been trying to think of a way to distinguish the different phases of the evening. I'm thinking that lighting might help transition the "set changes." Also, given that we're essentially getting married in a room with four brick walls and hardwood floors, I think that some uplighting would form an faux "altar" for us. Here's what the lighting vendor that I contacted suggested that we do on the dance floor -- my mom would love the fall leaves.

Image: Courtesy of Frost Lighting

Our caterer is doing a wedding with lighting at ANL on April 5th. I'm going to pop in beforehand to check it out. Part of me hopes that I don't love it too much, as lighting isn't cheap. And while I might have the bug up my a*s, it ain't* up there lounging on a bed of cash.


*I think of my 8th grade teacher, Miss** Klomes, every time I hear the word "ain't." She had a definition that filled two sides of a little sheet note paper and people had to write it out a 100 times if busted saying it. I wish that she, like, had like, a similar policy, for like, the use of the word "like." That's, like, the one that I needed, like, help on.

**Isn't it funny that she was young enough to be a "Miss" and we thought that she was old? I remember thinking that it was so crazy that she was going to the Led Zeppelin concert. I told my mom and my mom was all, "Why is that weird? Led Zeppelin is cool." And I was all, "Oh! I am so sure that YOU AND DAD would like Led Zeppelin!" And now I realize that my mom was 32/33 at the time.

I Dream of Jeanne('s Wedding)

So, my brains works OT. I mean, 24X7, it's going. I know that a lot of people say this about themselves, but people that spend a lot of time around me -- family, roommates, Andy, previous boy toys, travel partners -- agree that my noggin is worst than most. And it has caused issues on occasion. Who am I kidding? It causes issues for me every single day. Anyway...

The problem with being engaged is that I am completely overstimulated ALL OF THE TIME. There is constantly something pretty to catch my eye. And reading all of these blogs has opened up a whole new world of distractions to me. In other words, I am now thinking about other people's weddings 24X7.

I first noticed this last month when, after reading this post on With This Ring, I had a dream that I had found the perfect kate spade polka dot sash for Darci's flower girl. In the dream, the item was on clearance. I debated whether it would be weird to buy it for her and then I grabbed it "just in case" rationalizing that I could just return if it she didn't want it. But now I find myself doing this all of the time.

On Sunday, I sat down with my copy of the new In Style Weddings and, seeing this cake, thought that a darker variation would look great with A Bride in the Making's new color palette, marigold and pewter.

Image: In Style Weddings Magazine, Spring 2008

And yesterday, I stumbled upon these programs on the knot and thought, "These would look great with Hasel's Save the Dates."

Image: The Knot

Is that weird? Does anyone else so this or am I the dork on the blog block? And do I tell people when I find cool stuff for them or is that just too odd?

Dear Stranger,

You don't know me, but look this cool thing that I found for the most important party that you'll ever plan. Hope you like it!

-tina

Ha, Ha.

A Baker with Balls

My friend Tracey is eagerly awaiting our cake update.

I was telling her the scoop on chat the other day, but she wanted to wait for the post! :)

We had a cake tasting with The Sugar Syndicate (TSS) on Saturday. TSS is the independent baker with the cute logo that I mentioned in last week's cake post.

Oh. My. God. The cakes were delicious. We tried:

• Chocolate cake with chocolate buttercream.
• White cake with coconut buttercream.
• Red velvet with cream cheese filling.

I thought that Andy was going to cry when he tried the white cake.

I am 99% sure that it we're going with her. Her cakes were tasty AND $affordable$. Also, she gives you a gift certificate to use on your first anniversary that is good for a copy of the top tier of your cake. How nice is that?

So, we've decided on the design below, with three tiers and ivory fondant. A few of the smaller balls will be colored to match the circles on the invitations. I think that it's going to be great!

Image: Brides.com

I would like to just sign on the dotted line, but I am worried that I should do at least another comparison. As I typed that, I realized that it sounds like I am looking for an excuse to eat more cake! But seriously, with the exception of caterers, I haven't done any comparison shopping with my vendors. I am kind of a lazy bride.

Who's the (em)BOSS(er)?

I have an update on the embosser that I mentioned last week. I called the company, Expressionery, and they're exchanging the embosser for a stamp in the same design:

Image: Expressionery.com

The customer service rep was incredibly nice and very understanding. I would still recommend them for non-embossing items! I am disappointed that the embosser didn't work out, as now I'm stuck paying for printing AND the embosser, but at least they worked with me. Being engaged has made nothing if not incredibly observant of and grateful for polite, courteous service from retailers and vendors.

Get Skinny Update, Week 1: Slow and Steady Wins the Race

So, per last week's post, I am planning on losing 30-40 pounds before the wedding. Here is the target workout goal that I am working towards.

Unfortunately, I have to ramp up slower than most people because of my stress fractures and knee problems. For now, I am trying to workout four days a week. I'm also trying to get back in the habit of waking up early. My ultimate goal is be up and at 'em by 4:30 a.m. everyday. So far, I've been able to wake up at 5:15 without too much pain. Here's how I did last week. The bright red squares are the goals that I didn't meet:


I was feeling great going into the weekend. I had done a mid-week weigh-in and a pre-Weight Watchers weigh-in on Saturday and was down almost four pounds! I woke up on Sunday and had gained weight. Overnight. After swimming for an hour. I ended up being down -0.8 for my official weigh-in. I was so frustrated, but was able to turn my anger into motivation. I watched what I ate and was back at the gym on Monday!

I am hoping that my unexplained weight gain is water weight. Either way, I promised Andy that I wouldn't weigh myself until Sunday. (Apparently, I am getting a bit unbearable.) We also have a wager. If I workout four times a week, he can't eat the Burrito House. I am trying to convince him to clean the bathroom if I workout six days a week.

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Photo: Margaret Smyth Photography

How cool is that bride?

I can't believe that I didn't go out this weekend! Usually St. Patrick's Day weekend is what keeps me ramped up during the lame post-holiday months. I had plans to go out, but forgot to go out. Seriously. My workout wore me out so much that I showered and went into the bedroom to watch TV. Two hours later, Andy said, "So I take it we're not meeting Piehole?" Oops. How do you forget to go out?

But here's what I did do this weekend:

• Found a baker! (Hooray! More on that later.)
• Printed the Save the Date labels and addressed half of the envelopes. (More on that too. What a pain. Any of my guests who save this stuff, please humor me and tell me that you saved the envelope.)
• Finalized the cover page of the Save the Dates and prepared the printer files.
• Went to the pool for an hour. (More on that later too.)

Always the Last Kid in the Pool

I finally had time to set up a Google Reader last night. Oh. My. God! I should have done this three years ago. This is going to be so, so much better for my Internet Explorer History and Temporary Internet Files directory at work. (Just kidding, coworkers!) This is the best thing since sliced bread.

And I am adding to my Friday Favorites Post from yesterday. I have a:

Favorite Wedding

Julie and Kaori featured on Snippet & Ink

Their venue, their couture, their flowers, their personalized invitations, their bold colors, their minimalist bridesmaids...everything was perfect. What a great combination of rustic* and elegance.

Image: Leah McCormick via Snippet and Ink

*Isn't it odd how a rusty old truck sitting in a lot is sometimes trashy and sometimes charming? Talk about your fine lines.