My Oprah Experience

First, I had to decide on my outfit. After spending 3 hours shopping Wednesday night I decided on a turquoise DKNY cardigan. {This cardigan, only bright turquoise.} I wore it with a white tank, grey trousers, and grey flats.

I drove up to Chicago on Thursday. After getting to Natalie's apartment, we only had about 45 minutes to get ready before we had to head out to the movie screening of "Just Go With It". Since we couldn't take our cameras into the movie theater we took some photos of ourselves in her apartment before going to the screening because we're super cool like that.

The movie screening was really fun {sans the extremely whiny girl next to me}. I was elated when we didn't have to sit through any previews--the movie just started playing! Another cool thing was that Natalie sat next to the lady whose company created the inflatables {the cruise ship and snow globes} for "Oprah's Ultimate Favorite Things".

"Just Go With It" was very funny. Adam and Jen had great chemistry. Jen looked gorgeous, like always. Adam was looking pretty darn good. One of my favorites, the handsome, Dave Matthews makes a cameo in the movie too. I plan on seeing the movie again with Brad when it comes out on Feb. 11th.

After the movie, it was back to Natalie's apartment to get some sleep. I set 4 alarms on my cell phone, as well as a regular alarm clock. My mind was racing so I don't think I fell asleep until midnight. I was up at 4:00 AM to get ready. Yeah, 4:00 AM. For Oprah.

We were out the door by 6:00 AM and in line at the studio by 6:30 AM. My friend, Brittney, met up with us because Kait couldn't get off work to come to the taping. We were numbers 71, 72, and 73 in line.

{We took this after the show. It was not light outside at 6:30 AM.}

I don't have any pictures of us inside the studio because cameras were not permitted. We only have our mental pictures. :) I'll make an Oprah plug right now-- you can see what I saw by watching "Season 25: Oprah Behind the Scenes" on OWN. We might be on an episode of "Season 25" because they were doing filming for it when we there. A camera crew came into the waiting area and told us to cheer and clap, but to not look at the cameras. It was kind of awkward to be yelling, cheering, and clapping but avoid looking directly at the cameras.

We were called into the studio around 8:15 AM. We sat in the upper section right by where Oprah enters. We weren't 10 feet from the stage like what I would have wanted, but the studio is very small {it looks much larger on TV} and we got to see everything that was going on from where we were sitting. PLUS, with the way the guests' chairs were positioned they were looking right at us {and vice versa}.

Oprah's staff amped us for about 15-20 minutes. They asked the audience members questions. They asked us if we had any questions for them. We danced a little. Her staff is very nice, and they all seem to love their jobs.

When Oprah came out it was surreal. It was like watching her on TV but I was there. She looked beautiful. I loved her glittery purple skirt. Her hair and make-up looked perfect. May I borrow her "people" for my wedding day? ;) She complimented us {the audience} on our attire and thanked us for taking off work and being there. She was pretty funny too. I was surprised when she said sh*t a few times too. It's like hearing your teacher cuss. Made me laugh.

She started by talking with the American Idol judges via satellite. I'm not an AI fan, so I'm not going to expand.

Then, Jen came out. I don't think this will be a surprise to anyone, but she's gorgeous in real life. She looks just like she does in film and print. She's so tiny. I love how down-to-earth she is. She seems like such a genuine, grounded person.

Next, Adam joined them on stage. He wore a suit, which I thought was cute. Dressing up for the Oprah! :) I love him. He was funny and charming. He seems like such a normal person too. I'd have a beer with him.

It was honor being able to see both Jen and Adam in person. Oprah, too.

Piers Morgan was Oprah's next guest. He was pretty funny and an interesting guest. Plus, you gotta love a British accent.

When the taping was finished, Oprah thanked the audience again for coming to the show. She said she knows that many of us go through a lot to come to the show-- take off work, buy new outfits {Natalie & me}, get manicures {Natalie}, get our hair done {me}.... Haha!

The episode will air on Wednesday, Feb. 2nd. Look for my turquoise cardigan. Natalie is sitting to my left wearing a green cardigan. There's a man in a pink shirt sitting to Natalie's left.

Now, "Attend The Oprah Winfrey Show" can be crossed off my bucket list.

Going to Oprah!

I've been trying to get tickets to the Oprah show lately. Especially since it's her last season, and I live only a couple hours from Chicago.

Last week I applied for last minute tickets for a taping featuring Jennifer Aniston and Adam Sandler. Today my cell phone rang, but the caller ID said "unavailable" so I let it go to voicemail. A minute later I get an email from the Oprah show asking if I'm available this Friday for the taping featuring Jennifer Aniston and for the screening of her new movie, Just Go With It, the evening before.

{After screaming and calling Natalie} I replied as fast as I could.

When I got home from work I got an email that began, "Thanks for the information. You and your guests are now confirmed for the 1/28 A taping of the Oprah Winfrey Show with Jennifer Aniston."

I called Natalie, screaming. She could barely understand what I was saying. After a while she told me to slow down and talk in "human speech".

Then I called Kait, screaming.

So, on Thursday Natalie, Kait, and I will be going to a private screening of Just Go With It {popcorn and drinks provided!}. Then, on Friday morning we'll be up bright and early to go to the morning taping of the Oprah show.

I'm SUPER excited! OMG, I'm going to be seeing Oprah AND Jennifer Aniston in the FLESH!

Now I just have to decide on my outfit!

Registering- Macy's

Brad and I went to Macy's on Sunday to register. We had fun, but I had to rationalize with Brad at times. Thank goodness I was in charge of the scanner!

We had to stop and talk when he wanted me to scan the $100 Sharper Image table top wine chiller {our fridge does a fine job chilling my wine}.

Then, I had to explain why I thought asking for a $240 Keurig coffee maker was a little crazy and the coffee is expensive, thus making it expensive for us after the wedding {we've been using a $25 Hamilton Beach for 3 years and Brad complains about how Dunkin Donuts coffee is so expensive--$7.49 a bag}. We compromised on a Cuisinart for a fraction of the price of the Keurig.

I decided on the "metallic chrome" KitchenAid 5-quart artisan stand mixer. I'll proudly be displaying it on our counter-top {if we receive it} so I wanted it to go with our kitchen no matter the decor. We also registered for extra KitchenAid bowls. I heard from other brides that this is a must.

Brad really wanted the ice cream maker attachment for the KitchenAid.

I said OK.

I love Martha Stewart blue, so I went a little crazy and scanned pretty much everything in the glorious color-- measuring cups, measuring spoons, spatulas, a batter bowl, colander, spoons, biscuit cutters...

I love this cake stand and dome.

Nice down pillows. :)

Down comforter.

We won't be registering for formal china. It will barely be used, and I don't have anywhere to put all of it.

I'm debating as to whether to register for casual dinnerware or not. I really like Martha Stewart's Lisbon Collection, especially because I could mix it in with regular white dinnerware. Hmmm...

Registry Dilemma

We're finally getting around to registering. {On my January to-do list.} One of my "big ticket items" is a 5 quart KitchenAid stand mixer. So last night I went online to do my research and choose a color.

I LOVE the color "ice". It's so fun and different! {That, and turquoise is one of my favorite colors.} However, it won't really go with our green kitchen.

Brad thinks we should be more neutral and go with "metallic chrome". But I feel like that's too boring, although it does look pretty sleek and sexy. Yeah, I just called a kitchen appliance sexy.

What do you think?

Hmmm, maybe I can redo the kitchen around the "ice" KitchenAid mixer... We are going to paint the ugly honey oak cabinetry white this fall... and I was thinking about painting the kitchen again anyway...

FYI, this is what {part of} our kitchen looks like.

26.

Sunday was my birthday. My Maid of Honor, Natalie, came to town to celebrate with me... and look for bridesmaid dresses. {Remember, that was on my January to-do list.} We were successful!

Here's the winner!

It's a cotton sateen dress so the girls can easily wear it again. The color is kelly green.

I have to admit that while bridesmaid dress shopping I went rogue and browse the wedding dresses. {We went into this bridal salon that I never went to when looking for my wedding dress and I always regretted not going there. I told Natalie to not let me "go rogue" while in the store.} While Natalie was saying, "Uh, Chels, I don't think that's a good idea..." I drifted into the bridal gowns. But I ended up critiquing all the gowns and came to the conclusion that mine is the best. :)

After our bridesmaid dress success we went we out for sushi and drinks with a group of friends. My other bridesmaid, Kait, and her husband couldn't make it out because she was sick with a fever and bad cough. I told her that that's what she gets for smoking. :P

{I need to go tanning. Blah!}

{I love how most boys refuse to smile in photos. Except for our friend Matt. He's clearly excited that it's my birthday! Ha!}

$10 for a One-Year Subscription to "O, The Oprah Magazine"

Ah, I love Groupon!

Until the 18th, they are offering $10 for a one-year subscription to "O, the Oprah Magazine" (up to a $28 value).

The Groupon can be found here.

Be Mine Frame

In the middle of my wedding planning madness I took, literally, a couple minutes to put together this Valentine frame.

All you need is:

• a frame
• scrapbook paper
• Scrabble tiles
• glue dots

I cut the scrapbook paper to size and inserted it into the frame. Then I used the glue dots to secure the Scrabble tiles on top of the glass.

Crepe Paper Streamer Distress

I went to W*lmart the other day to restock my crepe paper streamer supply for my crepe paper rose pomanders. To my disbelief, my color has been discontinued and there was only one "classic pink" roll on the shelf. It was over-crowded by the new color-- "rose petal". Blah!

I called over 8 W*lmarts (in 5 different cities/towns). No dice. I had to explain what crepe paper was to many of the associates I spoke to. No, it's not like construction paper. No, it's not like tissue paper. Oy.

I ended up going to a W*lmart and finding 8 rolls. My mom went to a W*lmart near my hometown and found 4 rolls. But I still want more just in case. I still have 4 more pomanders to make and 20+ miniature pomanders for our tall centerpieces.

So if you're at W*lmart and see some B*st Occasions "classic pink" crepe paper streamers let me know!

January Wedding To-Do List

We are getting married in 167 days. Most brides would be so excited. I'm not. I need more time. I feel like there is so much more that I need to do. This is my January to-do list.

• Order invitation mock-ups
• Design invitation inserts and call around for printing and paper cutting prices
• Order paper lanterns
  
• Get Brad's finger sized and order his ring
• Place order for table and linen table rentals
• Meet with officiant
• DJ contract
• Pick out and order bridesmaid dresses
• Pick out and order flower girl dress
• Start looking for suits
• Reserve hotel room
• Make first alteration appointment
• Decide on and make hair and make-up appointments
• Work on pomanders
• Work on moss covered letters
• Work on flower girl basket
• Work on veil
• Finish table name cards
• Finish photo booth props
• Register

It's going to be a busy month and there are only 22 days left in January.

Happy Birthday, Jack!

Today is our little man's 3rd birthday!

Brad and I got Jack on March 22, 2008 from a pet rescue adoption event. I didn't really want a male dog because I had never had one before, but Brad talked me into it. I'm glad that he did.

I've never met a dog with so much personality.

Jack will respond to the following words and phrases: Do you want to eat? Do you need to go outside? Walk? Go? Go to bed? Where's your toy? Where's daddy? Where's momma? {Yes, we are those people that refer to ourselves as daddy and momma/mommy to our dog.} Go for a ride? Treat. Sit. Stay. Lay. Down. Roll over. Spin. Off. Up. Enough. Wait. Kennel. Peyton. {His best friend}

When Brad has class and doesn't get home until 8 or 9 at night Jack is on edge the whole evening-- every little sound makes him bark. It drives me nuts. When Brad finally gets home and settles in on the couch with me to watch some TV before bed Jack will immediately jump up and lay length-wise on both of our laps and fall asleep. It's like all is right in his world when Brad and I are together.

We love Jack to pieces and couldn't imagine not having him in our lives.


One of the most enduring friendships in history — dogs and their people, people and their dogs.

Terry Kay

Happy New Year!

Wishing you health and happiness in 2011!