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!