Wedding Wednesday: It's Official

To contact us Click HERE

As of last week, Mr. RH and I officially have a wedding date.

September 21, 2013.

 I have booked exactly 1 thing: the church.

In my defense, I had plans to book a reception site and set up meetings with photographers yesterday... but then I got the bombshell of all bombshells at work and I spent most of the day on the couch whining.

Which was a really productive use of my time.

So, I know it's been a bit of a bust around here with regards to wedding-planning... but let's hope I get that straightened out soon. 

Excellent. Only 353 days until my wedding!

 Happy Wedding Wednesdays!

Wedding Wednesday: I Can't Even

To contact us Click HERE

So, it's been feet-on-the-ground wedding planning over here.  I am up at all hours "researching" and thinking and panicking... so really, fun times.

I've also been schooling my dad in the art of wedding planning - he thinks it's ABSURD that a venue or photographer or anything, really, would be done more than a year in advance.  His head just about popped off his body when a lady told him she was booked entirely for 2013.

Just so you know what I'm dealing with over here.

Couple all that with some big stress at work... and I'm a bucket of fun all. the. time.

So, this week I was attempting to book a reception venue. Photographer is super high on my list, but there are maybe 5 acceptable locations to book a reception that are close by.... and I knew 1 of them was already booked (from the bridal gala on Sunday!).

There were 2 places in the running.

Location 1:  blank canvas.  Completely blank.  Needs a dropped ceiling, uplighting to give the room some character, and probably needs to be partitioned off lest it feel like a cave.

Location 2: ready-to-go.  Has character, a fireplace, beautiful chandeliers, and the restroom is amazing.  I know that's a weird thing... but it's seriously huge and amazing.  The only negative here is that the space is long and narrow, so it can feel a bit odd depending on how it's set up.

After a lot of soul-searching, I have to have location 2.  I had met with the lady on Monday and she told me my date was available and it was ready-to-book.

Tuesday, 11 am.  Drag my dad from work to write the deposit check.  As he's writing it out... the lady says there is already an event on that date. 

It was moved once, maybe cancelled... but she thinks the event is still on.  My dad and I sit there shell-shocked - since I had been reassured it was available and ready to book...

She promised to call within the day yesterday and let me know... no word yet.  And of course, my heart is set on this location now.  The other doesn't even seem like an option, and there is literally 1 other option in town.

So, yeah.  Happy Wedding Wednesday.  Or not so much.

I Forever 21'd.

To contact us Click HERE

Soo, I've been a little bad at Forever 21 lately.  Actually, I've been filling up my cart for months and finally pulled the trigger on a few items when they were having their anniversary sale a while back.  It was equal parts good and bad, I think....

First up, a couple of boring work shirts.  I wear solid white and sometimes black at work... I just hate how boring it is.

I do like this Rosette Longline Top though.  Just enough interest to keep it from being SOOOO boring.  

 
 I ordered a cute ruched-side top... but they accidentally sent this instead.  Nice.  Hmm.  It's going back for sure.


I think I'm reeeally into these Curvy Fit Jeans... unfortunately, I think the ankles are doing something weird.  Should I get them taken in at the ankles or something?  Or maybe if I wash them they'll just shrink up and look better.  Hm.  I reeeally liked them when I was wearing them and had no clue the ankles got all bunchy.  Wah.

On the upside, they aren't even THAT low rise, which is quite a feat for F21.  Will be ordering another pair if I can figure out the ankle issues.  Also, I sized down from my last order (even though I haven't lost a pound) and they actually look good.  Muffin topping is minimal.


Now... the next 3 dresses are all sold out by now.  This lace bodycon dress is SO not my thing... but there's something strangely hot about it.  I was really sold because it's actually long enough - as opposed to most F21 dresses that are shirt-length.
 

This one is not really befitting of my lifestyle... but I just love black and white.  Classic, classy, black and white.  Unfortunately it's probably too tight in the hips.  When am I going to learn I can't wear a structured shift dress?


And then there is this Love 21 wrap dress.  I really wanted to like it... but it was kinda boxy, even though it was prettily lined and quite comfy.  Maybe it's just too big??


Soo, confession.  I bought something called Scuba Leggings.  Not only did I live to tell about it... but I kinda liked it.  

They are very shiny and stretchy... and shiny.  They remind me of superhero leggings, and they are a deep charcoal gray color.  So... I wonder if I could wear these in public?  At the very least they might make a good Halloween costume.  Considering I haven't dressed up in, eh, 5 years?

I need to know... can I wear shiny leggings??

The Sparkling Bow Hair Clips are rather amazing.  And sparkly.  I only wish they were in red. 


These faux-emerald Faux Stone Teardrop Earrings are SO pretty and cute... I just need to find some hair accessories that work with them.


The Polka Dot Bow Hair Clips are not as cute as I wanted them to be.... but I think I can still make them cute with sparkly pink earrings.


And the Glittered Bow Hair Clips are just about the tiniest hair bows I've seen.  Maybe my nieces will wear them?


 I can't find these sparkly bow earrings anywhere on the website... but they are large and fabulous.



I ordered a Draped Chain Necklace but it arrived broken so I didn't take a picture. 

So, most of the accessories are a win.  The dresses are pretty fab but I'm just not seeing the opportunity to wear them, so they might have to go.

Right now, I'm loving the bottoms at F21.  And I'm going to HAVE to wear shiny leggings just to prove I can.  I feel bad about keeping them otherwise. 

Thoughts?  Can I wear shiny scuba leggings as pants?  Cause we both know I'm going to try it.  

Only 4 days till Black Friday.  Barf.

College Babies

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So, my college friends have apparently established themselves into real life.  Myself... well, I don't know what the heck I'm doing.  However, some of my friends must because I have three sets of pregnant college friends.

Scratch that, make it two sets.

On Wednesday, December 26th, after a MONTH of waiting to find out of my friends were welcoming a baby boy or girl into the world (longest month EVER)...

Ruth Margaret entered the world at a perfect 7 pounds, 1 ounce.

I'm devastated that it will probably be at least a couple of months before I can make it out to Pennsylvania to see her... but I'm thrilled she's here and I can't wait to meet her.

I must say... how is it possible that I have friends that have babies and it's not even 16-and-pregnant style?!  Are we seriously that old?

Apparently so.

Welcome to the world, baby Ruth!!

2012 Year in Review

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It was a bit of a slower year here at Classy & Fabulous.  114 total posts (115 if you count this one!), down from 2011’s grand total of 144 posts.

I would like to promise to be a better blogger in 2013 but I know that it’s going to be a whirlwind, roller coaster of a year. Thinking to the year ahead, I can only imagine how busy I’m going to be and how much effort it’s going to take to just keep it going… so we’ll see. I have missed blogging these past couple of months and I’m definitely planning on starting out the year right.

We’ll just see if I can write about anything besides wedding planning. I make zero promises. Plus, built-in material is just easy, know what I’m saying?

January – 8 posts

• In January, I posted my all-time favorite two posts. Q&A with Mr. RH and then Part 2. It was fun watching him blog and to answer funny and embarrassing questions about me.  Until you do it - I think it's hard to understand how much effort goes into blogging.

February – 9 posts

• I joined the library this month, which was apparently a big thing.  It's still my favorite way to get Kindle books!
• I went to see all the Superbowl festivities in Indy and it was amazing. Also, I was 10 feet from Adam Levine. !!!!!!!!
• Mr. RH and I celebrated our first Valentine’s Day together. 
• And I flooded my bathroom while I was showering.  This is still one thing that really stands out in my mind for this year.  Which is sad.  

March – 5 posts

• I rejected Mr. RH’s Valentine’s Day gift… which actually turned out to be kinda awesome. I WAS WRONG, OK?
• It was 80 degrees in Chicago, in March. Mr. RH’s and I’s favorite weekend trip so far.

April – 13 posts

• I painted some canvases for Mr. RH’s new apartment. Which is hilarious because I just hung them in December. Hilarious and sad.
• I blogged about the high-low trend, which I still don’t understand 9 months later, so that’s good.
• My BFF’s dragged me to the Vera Bradley outlet sale and I lived to tell about it. And I got my photo re-posted on the Vera Bradley blog!
• My credit card got stolen/compromised for the second time – and this one was by a credit bureau. I call bullshiz.

May – 11 posts

• We took Mr. RH’s nieces to the zoo and then I tortured one of them. Hilarious photo alert!
• One of my college BFF’s got engaged. Wedding is in June 2013. TIME FLIES.
• We debated button-up and button-down shirts. It was a lively internet debate.

June – 13 posts

• I reminisced about The Post That Changed Everything from 2010.
• Blogged about a super-cute bridal shower.
• Mr. RH celebrated a birthday.
• Mr. RH and I celebrated our first anniversary.

July – 12 posts

• I blogged about a guy peeing in a parking lot right next to me in broad daylight. I mean, how can I even top that this month?
• Met Bill Rancic in Chicago and then ran into him again on Michigan Avenue. Felt pretty famous.

August - 11 posts

• Mr. RH wrote a post about his 5 favorite things about me…
• I went to IKEA with my BFFs and I’ve been dying to go back ever since.
• I wrote about being a wild college Resident Advisor….
• And last but not least, I kept a big secret from the blog for a long time. I got engaged!

September - 11 posts

• Blogged about getting organized for the wedding. Spoiler alert: not at all organized.
• Wrote about how hard it is to plan a wedding without your mom.

October - 10 posts

• Blogged about a friend’s spectacular wedding that I “wedding coordinated.” I pretty much blow at wedding coordinating – but it was fun and definitely kicked me into wedding-planning mode. God, how spectacular was their venue?!
• Got a Wedding Date. Officially.
• Learned how to make Creamy Tomato Soup. LIFE CHANGING.
• One of my BFF’s passed the bar, which was HUGE. She just got a dream job and starts next week. To new beginnings!
• I picked my wedding color. Sorta. Then waffled on it for 2 months. Spoiler alert: I’m mostly all waffled out.

November – 8 posts

• Threw a baby shower for my future SIL. Was all stressed about it but it ended up being one of the best things I did all year. Stress be damned, you only live once.
• Renovated some IKEA furniture for Mr. RH’s apartment. Still love those things.
• Met my new niece, Savannah. She is perfect. And I’m bummed I didn’t see her at all this Christmas. Pout.

December – 3 posts

• Wrote a post about how much I love Mr. RH and included a lot of texts from early in our relationship.  This was really fun to look back on because so much has changed since we were those young, carefree kids.   
• Welcomed baby Ruth into the world.  I can't believe my college classmates are old enough to have babies.  

---------------------

So that was 2012 in a nutshell. In 2013, I’m looking forward to meeting my new nephews (TWINS!!), 2 more babies born by my college best friends, going to one of my best friend’s wedding, my own wedding… and all the stuff I haven’t even planned for yet?

I can’t even imagine.

It’s easy to look at my life day-to-day and feel really, shockingly ordinary. I haven’t won any awards and I’m certainly not a trailblazing career-girl. I shop too much and criticize my fiancé more than I should (which was a surprising theme in the comments this year, usually on a gift-giving occasion).

I suck at staying in-the-moment and I’m obsessed with getting the picture-perfect moment.

But when you add it all up and look at a year-long snapshop of the highlights and lowlights… you know, there’s really something spectacular about that everyday extraordinary.

I had been giving some serious thought to giving up this blog these past few months. It takes up a lot of time and effort and opens me up to criticism that sometimes really hurts. But then I realized – this community means SO much to me. A place where I can vent about real-life and get perspective that my problems are so small and the gifts I’ve been given are so great… that’s really priceless.

I hope to be here and more present in 2013. I know it’s going to be a challenge – but I’m hoping it’s one that I’m up for.

Whether this is your first time or whether you’ve been hear the whole time… thank you. The encouragement, the criticism, the voice of reason – it is all appreciated and enjoyed and I believe it’s truly made my life that much richer.

2013…. Bring it on. I can’t wait to get to know you.

Wedding Wednesday: It's Official

To contact us Click HERE

As of last week, Mr. RH and I officially have a wedding date.

September 21, 2013.

 I have booked exactly 1 thing: the church.

In my defense, I had plans to book a reception site and set up meetings with photographers yesterday... but then I got the bombshell of all bombshells at work and I spent most of the day on the couch whining.

Which was a really productive use of my time.

So, I know it's been a bit of a bust around here with regards to wedding-planning... but let's hope I get that straightened out soon. 

Excellent. Only 353 days until my wedding!

 Happy Wedding Wednesdays!

Wedding Wednesday: I Can't Even

To contact us Click HERE

So, it's been feet-on-the-ground wedding planning over here.  I am up at all hours "researching" and thinking and panicking... so really, fun times.

I've also been schooling my dad in the art of wedding planning - he thinks it's ABSURD that a venue or photographer or anything, really, would be done more than a year in advance.  His head just about popped off his body when a lady told him she was booked entirely for 2013.

Just so you know what I'm dealing with over here.

Couple all that with some big stress at work... and I'm a bucket of fun all. the. time.

So, this week I was attempting to book a reception venue. Photographer is super high on my list, but there are maybe 5 acceptable locations to book a reception that are close by.... and I knew 1 of them was already booked (from the bridal gala on Sunday!).

There were 2 places in the running.

Location 1:  blank canvas.  Completely blank.  Needs a dropped ceiling, uplighting to give the room some character, and probably needs to be partitioned off lest it feel like a cave.

Location 2: ready-to-go.  Has character, a fireplace, beautiful chandeliers, and the restroom is amazing.  I know that's a weird thing... but it's seriously huge and amazing.  The only negative here is that the space is long and narrow, so it can feel a bit odd depending on how it's set up.

After a lot of soul-searching, I have to have location 2.  I had met with the lady on Monday and she told me my date was available and it was ready-to-book.

Tuesday, 11 am.  Drag my dad from work to write the deposit check.  As he's writing it out... the lady says there is already an event on that date. 

It was moved once, maybe cancelled... but she thinks the event is still on.  My dad and I sit there shell-shocked - since I had been reassured it was available and ready to book...

She promised to call within the day yesterday and let me know... no word yet.  And of course, my heart is set on this location now.  The other doesn't even seem like an option, and there is literally 1 other option in town.

So, yeah.  Happy Wedding Wednesday.  Or not so much.

I Forever 21'd.

To contact us Click HERE

Soo, I've been a little bad at Forever 21 lately.  Actually, I've been filling up my cart for months and finally pulled the trigger on a few items when they were having their anniversary sale a while back.  It was equal parts good and bad, I think....

First up, a couple of boring work shirts.  I wear solid white and sometimes black at work... I just hate how boring it is.

I do like this Rosette Longline Top though.  Just enough interest to keep it from being SOOOO boring.  

 
 I ordered a cute ruched-side top... but they accidentally sent this instead.  Nice.  Hmm.  It's going back for sure.


I think I'm reeeally into these Curvy Fit Jeans... unfortunately, I think the ankles are doing something weird.  Should I get them taken in at the ankles or something?  Or maybe if I wash them they'll just shrink up and look better.  Hm.  I reeeally liked them when I was wearing them and had no clue the ankles got all bunchy.  Wah.

On the upside, they aren't even THAT low rise, which is quite a feat for F21.  Will be ordering another pair if I can figure out the ankle issues.  Also, I sized down from my last order (even though I haven't lost a pound) and they actually look good.  Muffin topping is minimal.


Now... the next 3 dresses are all sold out by now.  This lace bodycon dress is SO not my thing... but there's something strangely hot about it.  I was really sold because it's actually long enough - as opposed to most F21 dresses that are shirt-length.
 

This one is not really befitting of my lifestyle... but I just love black and white.  Classic, classy, black and white.  Unfortunately it's probably too tight in the hips.  When am I going to learn I can't wear a structured shift dress?


And then there is this Love 21 wrap dress.  I really wanted to like it... but it was kinda boxy, even though it was prettily lined and quite comfy.  Maybe it's just too big??


Soo, confession.  I bought something called Scuba Leggings.  Not only did I live to tell about it... but I kinda liked it.  

They are very shiny and stretchy... and shiny.  They remind me of superhero leggings, and they are a deep charcoal gray color.  So... I wonder if I could wear these in public?  At the very least they might make a good Halloween costume.  Considering I haven't dressed up in, eh, 5 years?

I need to know... can I wear shiny leggings??

The Sparkling Bow Hair Clips are rather amazing.  And sparkly.  I only wish they were in red. 


These faux-emerald Faux Stone Teardrop Earrings are SO pretty and cute... I just need to find some hair accessories that work with them.


The Polka Dot Bow Hair Clips are not as cute as I wanted them to be.... but I think I can still make them cute with sparkly pink earrings.


And the Glittered Bow Hair Clips are just about the tiniest hair bows I've seen.  Maybe my nieces will wear them?


 I can't find these sparkly bow earrings anywhere on the website... but they are large and fabulous.



I ordered a Draped Chain Necklace but it arrived broken so I didn't take a picture. 

So, most of the accessories are a win.  The dresses are pretty fab but I'm just not seeing the opportunity to wear them, so they might have to go.

Right now, I'm loving the bottoms at F21.  And I'm going to HAVE to wear shiny leggings just to prove I can.  I feel bad about keeping them otherwise. 

Thoughts?  Can I wear shiny scuba leggings as pants?  Cause we both know I'm going to try it.  

Only 4 days till Black Friday.  Barf.

Merry Merry!!

To contact us Click HERE

Almost a month since my last post, but I couldn't let the day pass without wishing everyone out there on the big, wide internet a very, very Merry Christmas. 

It's been a hectic holiday season around here and I would be lying if I said I wasn't ready for the whole season to be over.... however, I know I'm going to be missing the jolly carols and twinkling lights just as soon as I have a minute away from work to breathe.

Merry Christmas!!

Coda of the Steve Jobs autobiography by Walter Isaacson

To contact us Click HERE
One sunny afternoon, when he wasn't feeling well, Jobs sat in the garden behind his house and reflected on death. He talked about his experiences in India almost four decades earlier, his study of Buddhism, and his views on reincarnation and spiritual transcendence.
"I'm about fifty-fifty on believing in God," he said. "For the most of my life, I've felt that there must be more to our existence than meets the eye."
He admitted that, as he faced death, he might be overestimating the odds out of a desire to believe in an afterlife. "I like to think that something survives after you die," he said. "It's strange to think that you accumulate all this experience, and maybe a little wisdom, and it just goes away. So I really want to believe that something survives, that maybe your consciousness endures."
He fell silent for a very long time. "But on the other hand, perhaps it's like an on-off switch," he said. "Click! And you're gone."
Then he paused again and smiled slightly. "Maybe that's why I never liked to put on-off switches on Apple devices."

Wedding Wednesday: It's Official

To contact us Click HERE

As of last week, Mr. RH and I officially have a wedding date.

September 21, 2013.

 I have booked exactly 1 thing: the church.

In my defense, I had plans to book a reception site and set up meetings with photographers yesterday... but then I got the bombshell of all bombshells at work and I spent most of the day on the couch whining.

Which was a really productive use of my time.

So, I know it's been a bit of a bust around here with regards to wedding-planning... but let's hope I get that straightened out soon. 

Excellent. Only 353 days until my wedding!

 Happy Wedding Wednesdays!

Wedding Wednesday: I Can't Even

To contact us Click HERE

So, it's been feet-on-the-ground wedding planning over here.  I am up at all hours "researching" and thinking and panicking... so really, fun times.

I've also been schooling my dad in the art of wedding planning - he thinks it's ABSURD that a venue or photographer or anything, really, would be done more than a year in advance.  His head just about popped off his body when a lady told him she was booked entirely for 2013.

Just so you know what I'm dealing with over here.

Couple all that with some big stress at work... and I'm a bucket of fun all. the. time.

So, this week I was attempting to book a reception venue. Photographer is super high on my list, but there are maybe 5 acceptable locations to book a reception that are close by.... and I knew 1 of them was already booked (from the bridal gala on Sunday!).

There were 2 places in the running.

Location 1:  blank canvas.  Completely blank.  Needs a dropped ceiling, uplighting to give the room some character, and probably needs to be partitioned off lest it feel like a cave.

Location 2: ready-to-go.  Has character, a fireplace, beautiful chandeliers, and the restroom is amazing.  I know that's a weird thing... but it's seriously huge and amazing.  The only negative here is that the space is long and narrow, so it can feel a bit odd depending on how it's set up.

After a lot of soul-searching, I have to have location 2.  I had met with the lady on Monday and she told me my date was available and it was ready-to-book.

Tuesday, 11 am.  Drag my dad from work to write the deposit check.  As he's writing it out... the lady says there is already an event on that date. 

It was moved once, maybe cancelled... but she thinks the event is still on.  My dad and I sit there shell-shocked - since I had been reassured it was available and ready to book...

She promised to call within the day yesterday and let me know... no word yet.  And of course, my heart is set on this location now.  The other doesn't even seem like an option, and there is literally 1 other option in town.

So, yeah.  Happy Wedding Wednesday.  Or not so much.

I Forever 21'd.

To contact us Click HERE

Soo, I've been a little bad at Forever 21 lately.  Actually, I've been filling up my cart for months and finally pulled the trigger on a few items when they were having their anniversary sale a while back.  It was equal parts good and bad, I think....

First up, a couple of boring work shirts.  I wear solid white and sometimes black at work... I just hate how boring it is.

I do like this Rosette Longline Top though.  Just enough interest to keep it from being SOOOO boring.  

 
 I ordered a cute ruched-side top... but they accidentally sent this instead.  Nice.  Hmm.  It's going back for sure.


I think I'm reeeally into these Curvy Fit Jeans... unfortunately, I think the ankles are doing something weird.  Should I get them taken in at the ankles or something?  Or maybe if I wash them they'll just shrink up and look better.  Hm.  I reeeally liked them when I was wearing them and had no clue the ankles got all bunchy.  Wah.

On the upside, they aren't even THAT low rise, which is quite a feat for F21.  Will be ordering another pair if I can figure out the ankle issues.  Also, I sized down from my last order (even though I haven't lost a pound) and they actually look good.  Muffin topping is minimal.


Now... the next 3 dresses are all sold out by now.  This lace bodycon dress is SO not my thing... but there's something strangely hot about it.  I was really sold because it's actually long enough - as opposed to most F21 dresses that are shirt-length.
 

This one is not really befitting of my lifestyle... but I just love black and white.  Classic, classy, black and white.  Unfortunately it's probably too tight in the hips.  When am I going to learn I can't wear a structured shift dress?


And then there is this Love 21 wrap dress.  I really wanted to like it... but it was kinda boxy, even though it was prettily lined and quite comfy.  Maybe it's just too big??


Soo, confession.  I bought something called Scuba Leggings.  Not only did I live to tell about it... but I kinda liked it.  

They are very shiny and stretchy... and shiny.  They remind me of superhero leggings, and they are a deep charcoal gray color.  So... I wonder if I could wear these in public?  At the very least they might make a good Halloween costume.  Considering I haven't dressed up in, eh, 5 years?

I need to know... can I wear shiny leggings??

The Sparkling Bow Hair Clips are rather amazing.  And sparkly.  I only wish they were in red. 


These faux-emerald Faux Stone Teardrop Earrings are SO pretty and cute... I just need to find some hair accessories that work with them.


The Polka Dot Bow Hair Clips are not as cute as I wanted them to be.... but I think I can still make them cute with sparkly pink earrings.


And the Glittered Bow Hair Clips are just about the tiniest hair bows I've seen.  Maybe my nieces will wear them?


 I can't find these sparkly bow earrings anywhere on the website... but they are large and fabulous.



I ordered a Draped Chain Necklace but it arrived broken so I didn't take a picture. 

So, most of the accessories are a win.  The dresses are pretty fab but I'm just not seeing the opportunity to wear them, so they might have to go.

Right now, I'm loving the bottoms at F21.  And I'm going to HAVE to wear shiny leggings just to prove I can.  I feel bad about keeping them otherwise. 

Thoughts?  Can I wear shiny scuba leggings as pants?  Cause we both know I'm going to try it.  

Only 4 days till Black Friday.  Barf.

Williams earns second league Performer of the Week

To contact us Click HERE
For the second time this month Monmouth College’s Zipporah Williams (Chicago, Ill./Orr) has earned the Midwest Conference Performer of the Week honor in women’s basketball.
Williams recorded her fifth double-double of the season and nearly set the Monmouth single game scoring record as the Scots stayed unbeaten through nine games with a 107-85 win over Knox. The senior poured in a career-high 31 points, just six shy of the school record, on 12-of-15 shooting. She also made 7-of-9 free throws and pulled down 17 boards, 10 of which came on the offensive end.
A physical education major, Williams is the daughter of Detrice Williams. She was also named the league’s POW on Dec. 3. 

Movie Quote: HappyThankYouMorePlease

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Hey, can we stop running I'm almost 30.
- Sam

Charlie: What are you so afraid of?
Mary Catherine: I'm afraid my brain is going to melt.

What good is paying up to nose to live here
if we never take the advantage of it?
We might as well live somewhere else 
and just visit every once in a while
and actually do things.
- Charlie

You don't need to know every thing in advance.
- Mary Catherine

Sam: Oh, wait, Where's your accent?
Mississippi: Oh, it's here.. when I need it.

Sam: One night stands are the worst.
Mississippi: So you wanna have a three night stand?

He's a f*cking 29 year old 12 year old.
That's what he is. That's all he meets.
- Annie

Annie: I'm so sick of optimism, it's fucking exhausting.
Sam: Listen.. why do you give a shit what people like Ira think of you? 
Ira, phew! 
You should give a shit what like people like me think of you, 
and I think you are one of the greats. I always have. 
Everyone who loves you thinks that. Okay? Okay.

Annie: About a year ago I was in this cab 
and the cab driver, this Indian guy started telling me.
He started telling me all sorts of stuff.
He, he was just looking at me in the rear view mirror
and he said bliss, bliss is your birth rite. 
And I was like.. uh, 45th in Madison?
And he said you have great potential in this lifetime.
The key to your life is gratitude and you do not given up things.
And I say woe, how do I do that.
and he said simple, say thank you, and I said when?
He said, all the time, right now.
And he said after I say thank you, he say, more please.
Sam # 2: Wait, thank you more please?
Annie: Yeah, that with gratitude the universe is eternally abundant.
So.. I've been.. giving gratitude a shot.
Thank you more please. Thank you more please.
Thank you more please. How crazy am I sounding here.
Sam # 2: Oh, no, no, no, no, no, no, not at all.
Have, have you notice the difference?
Annie: No, I mean, yes, but whatever.

I realize the problem
You write short stories and I think you like living in short stories.
Now I kinda ready for the novel you know.
- Mississippi

So here is what I have to say before the damn beep cuts me off.
Sadness be gone, let's be people who deserved to be loved, 
who are worthy, 'cause we are worthy. 
We really are. You've been telling me that for years 
and now I get to spend it back at you.
You're a good man Sam Wexler. 
Go get yourself loved. That's all I got.
- Annie

Wedding Wednesday: It's Official

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As of last week, Mr. RH and I officially have a wedding date.

September 21, 2013.

 I have booked exactly 1 thing: the church.

In my defense, I had plans to book a reception site and set up meetings with photographers yesterday... but then I got the bombshell of all bombshells at work and I spent most of the day on the couch whining.

Which was a really productive use of my time.

So, I know it's been a bit of a bust around here with regards to wedding-planning... but let's hope I get that straightened out soon. 

Excellent. Only 353 days until my wedding!

 Happy Wedding Wednesdays!

Wedding Wednesday: I Can't Even

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So, it's been feet-on-the-ground wedding planning over here.  I am up at all hours "researching" and thinking and panicking... so really, fun times.

I've also been schooling my dad in the art of wedding planning - he thinks it's ABSURD that a venue or photographer or anything, really, would be done more than a year in advance.  His head just about popped off his body when a lady told him she was booked entirely for 2013.

Just so you know what I'm dealing with over here.

Couple all that with some big stress at work... and I'm a bucket of fun all. the. time.

So, this week I was attempting to book a reception venue. Photographer is super high on my list, but there are maybe 5 acceptable locations to book a reception that are close by.... and I knew 1 of them was already booked (from the bridal gala on Sunday!).

There were 2 places in the running.

Location 1:  blank canvas.  Completely blank.  Needs a dropped ceiling, uplighting to give the room some character, and probably needs to be partitioned off lest it feel like a cave.

Location 2: ready-to-go.  Has character, a fireplace, beautiful chandeliers, and the restroom is amazing.  I know that's a weird thing... but it's seriously huge and amazing.  The only negative here is that the space is long and narrow, so it can feel a bit odd depending on how it's set up.

After a lot of soul-searching, I have to have location 2.  I had met with the lady on Monday and she told me my date was available and it was ready-to-book.

Tuesday, 11 am.  Drag my dad from work to write the deposit check.  As he's writing it out... the lady says there is already an event on that date. 

It was moved once, maybe cancelled... but she thinks the event is still on.  My dad and I sit there shell-shocked - since I had been reassured it was available and ready to book...

She promised to call within the day yesterday and let me know... no word yet.  And of course, my heart is set on this location now.  The other doesn't even seem like an option, and there is literally 1 other option in town.

So, yeah.  Happy Wedding Wednesday.  Or not so much.

I Forever 21'd.

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Soo, I've been a little bad at Forever 21 lately.  Actually, I've been filling up my cart for months and finally pulled the trigger on a few items when they were having their anniversary sale a while back.  It was equal parts good and bad, I think....

First up, a couple of boring work shirts.  I wear solid white and sometimes black at work... I just hate how boring it is.

I do like this Rosette Longline Top though.  Just enough interest to keep it from being SOOOO boring.  

 
 I ordered a cute ruched-side top... but they accidentally sent this instead.  Nice.  Hmm.  It's going back for sure.


I think I'm reeeally into these Curvy Fit Jeans... unfortunately, I think the ankles are doing something weird.  Should I get them taken in at the ankles or something?  Or maybe if I wash them they'll just shrink up and look better.  Hm.  I reeeally liked them when I was wearing them and had no clue the ankles got all bunchy.  Wah.

On the upside, they aren't even THAT low rise, which is quite a feat for F21.  Will be ordering another pair if I can figure out the ankle issues.  Also, I sized down from my last order (even though I haven't lost a pound) and they actually look good.  Muffin topping is minimal.


Now... the next 3 dresses are all sold out by now.  This lace bodycon dress is SO not my thing... but there's something strangely hot about it.  I was really sold because it's actually long enough - as opposed to most F21 dresses that are shirt-length.
 

This one is not really befitting of my lifestyle... but I just love black and white.  Classic, classy, black and white.  Unfortunately it's probably too tight in the hips.  When am I going to learn I can't wear a structured shift dress?


And then there is this Love 21 wrap dress.  I really wanted to like it... but it was kinda boxy, even though it was prettily lined and quite comfy.  Maybe it's just too big??


Soo, confession.  I bought something called Scuba Leggings.  Not only did I live to tell about it... but I kinda liked it.  

They are very shiny and stretchy... and shiny.  They remind me of superhero leggings, and they are a deep charcoal gray color.  So... I wonder if I could wear these in public?  At the very least they might make a good Halloween costume.  Considering I haven't dressed up in, eh, 5 years?

I need to know... can I wear shiny leggings??

The Sparkling Bow Hair Clips are rather amazing.  And sparkly.  I only wish they were in red. 


These faux-emerald Faux Stone Teardrop Earrings are SO pretty and cute... I just need to find some hair accessories that work with them.


The Polka Dot Bow Hair Clips are not as cute as I wanted them to be.... but I think I can still make them cute with sparkly pink earrings.


And the Glittered Bow Hair Clips are just about the tiniest hair bows I've seen.  Maybe my nieces will wear them?


 I can't find these sparkly bow earrings anywhere on the website... but they are large and fabulous.



I ordered a Draped Chain Necklace but it arrived broken so I didn't take a picture. 

So, most of the accessories are a win.  The dresses are pretty fab but I'm just not seeing the opportunity to wear them, so they might have to go.

Right now, I'm loving the bottoms at F21.  And I'm going to HAVE to wear shiny leggings just to prove I can.  I feel bad about keeping them otherwise. 

Thoughts?  Can I wear shiny scuba leggings as pants?  Cause we both know I'm going to try it.  

Only 4 days till Black Friday.  Barf.