Weekly Wedding Update

Someone once told me that wedding plan was going to be much fun. And I replied, doubtful.

Wedding planning is not for me. Thank goodness I have my mom and sister. Cathy made me wait for months to announce that I could be her maid of honor...and I was planning on her long before I even got a ring. Why? Well Cathy waited so long to ask because she knew I would be a terrible assistant and I so intently chose her because I knew she would be an excellent helper.

Anyway, now that I completed that long and windy rant, to the point. A Classy Southern Wife once had a Wedding Wednesday...and I think I am going to copy her in attempt to get better at this wedding planning thing. But mine will be a Weekly Wedding Update (I am not good at posting on specific days)!

I have approximately 28 weeks (I couldn't waste my time actually counting) to whittle this extremely list down to nothing and probably add so much more it seems impossible and then whittle it down again. Until...it's completely gone and I get to start a list of post-wedding to do lists.

Have I ever told you I really enjoy to-do-lists? Crossing things off are always more fun that actually doing them. So drumroll please...the list.

• Get a florist.
• Decide on flowers.
• Get a bakery.
• Decide on what kind of desserts.
• Pick out wedding music.
• Finalize wedding ceremony.
• Get a bus to transport wedding party.
• Find locations for pictures.
• Decide if I am doing Save The Dates and order them.
• Call the Cannon Winery about rehearsal dinners.
• Ask my personal attendants.
• Order a veil.
• Find Avery May a flower girl dress.
• Finish our wedding website.
• Decide on food for wedding.
• Finalize alcohol, drinks, ect.
• Order wine from Mark Nordstrom.
• Decide on & order invitations.
• Get all my addresses together.
• Pick out music for ceremony.
• Find purple shoes.
• Pick out attendants gifts.
• Make a decision on guest book/photos.
• Book hotel room for wedding night.
• Finish wedding registry at Macy's & Target.
• Schedule and go to wedding retreat.
• Meet with Father Stan to finalize details.
• Decide reception decor.
• Find hairstylist.
• Decide on wedding hair.
• Get dress fitted.

AHHHHH! It's so long it makes me feel like I have nothing done, but I swear I do!

Nonetheless, I clearly have some work to do. This week it starts with a florist, save-the-dates and a cake; slowly but surely I will get this done.

Find of The Week: The Blue Door Boutique

I am in love, I am in love and I don't care who knows it!

Well, that might be a bit over the top, but not to far off. The Blue Door Boutique is a shop that offers gorgeous clothes for a not too ridiculous price that I currently love.

A Classy, Southern Wife introduced me to this little piece of goodness and I can't imagine that my first order will be too far off.

Here are my favorites so far: 

Mint Chocolate Chip Top

Lipstick Layers Tank

Fringe-back Blush Dress
How can you not love this back?!?

And if your not in love with anything yet, don't worry, they constantly get new things...which is good and bad.

Oh and kuddos to the gorgeous stylist from Blue Door who is rocking all these outfits, she not only makes me want to go workout ASAP but she makes me want to spend my money even faster. If I didn't have a really big purchase coming up, I just might have.

Oh and the eve of my birthday month is approaching, so feel free to keep The Blue Door Boutique in mind. They ship. :)

Wordless Wednesday | Pretty Pretty Princess

I would give anything to be two-year-old princess again.

If I waved her magic wand and yelled bippity-boppity-boo...do you think it would happen?!?

A Really Big Purchase

You might not know this about me, but I like to shop.

I once had the store layout of the Mall of America memorized, I have scored more good deals at Albertville that most people could dream of, I know when winter clothes are on sale at Gap and I don't ever feel bad getting pants for $10 and sweaters for $2 and don't ever underestimate my online shopping skills. I mean why would you ever press submit without first searching the web for a free shipping coupon?!?

My shopping "skills" have improved drastically since my new job. Just combine my extremely short drive to MOA with my expanded budget...and it doesn't make sense not head on over during my lunch break to see if I find any really good deals.

Truth: Mark doesn't think "really good deals" are ever necessary, my mom stopped saying, "You went shopping again?" because it was starting to get old and I now put my Gap bags into my purse before I walk into the house so no one has to see them.

Nonetheless, I am on the eve of a purchase that might be a little over my head and not as fun as normal...I am car shopping.

Cue the scary music now.

Don't get me wrong, I hate my Alero. Eww. Gross. I feel like a poor college student when I drive it. It has a rusted our hood and it's windows don't roll down and it might not have air conditioning and it gets terrible gas mileage...do you want me to keep going?

BUT, a savvy shopper like me can only think of all the good deals I could get for the price of a brand new car. AND, Mark and I are terrible decision makers and unfortunately a car is a bit of a big decision.

So, I want your vote. What cute, affordable, good-gas mileage mid-size vehicle do you suggest? Here are your options.

A: Ford Fusion SEL













 
B. Chevy Malibu LT2

C. Toyota Camry LE

So cast your vote! A, B, C or D (which would be other, in which you need to leave your other!) and maybe I will pick one lucky voter to take my 2000 Alero with 170,000 miles off my hands. However, you would only be lucky if you lived in a cold state where you wouldn't need to roll down your windows or AC (but not too cold because the rear-defrost doesn't work) and you didn't ever want to listen to a CD. )

Is there anything else I NEED TO KNOW? Have any advice? Feel free to share, I am like a sponge when it comes to car advice! Hopefully, I will be driving a flashy new white car soon!

Dear Glamour

Please get your facts straight before you publish your magazine.

About a month ago, I subscribed to Glamour through one of those deals too good to pass up. I guess I should have known that it was too good to be true.

Today, I received my first issue and I was super excited to page through and get some new fashion and workout tips. Instead, I got tips on going vegan and saving the world...by not eating meat.

Not only did I have to read a biased article about veganism ("The Shocking Way Celebs Lose 20 Pounds Fast") that suggested animal products are unhealthy and unsustainable, but then in their "16 Ways to Save the Earth" they falsely claim that livestock production is responsible for 18 percent of the world's greenhouse gas.

Dear Glamour, here are the real facts:

• According to the Environmental Protection Agency, studies show that U.S. livestock production accounts for less than 2.4% of total GHG emissions. 
• A global estimate of livestock production found worldwide, livestock and manure contribute 5.1% to world GHG emissions (World Resources Institute).

I don't know about you but neither of those figures from beefboard.org are anywhere near close to 18% in my world. Glamour clearly didn't fact check. Or if they did, they chose to ignore anything that downplayed their story. As a journalist myself, I am completely disappointed in their writers, editors and production staff. Beef production is a sustainable practice. In fact, grazing animals on land not suitable for producing crops more than doubles the land area that can be used to produce food. If 1955 technology were used to produce the amount of beef raised today, 165 million more acres of land would be needed – that’s about the size of Texas!

As most of you know, this week we celebrate Earth Day. For American farmers and ranchers it's our opportunity to show how we are everyday enviromentalists. We don't just boost up our game this week; every week we strive to take care of our workplace and produce a safe and sustainable product.

I have said this before and I will say it again. If you chose to be a vegan, you chose to be a vegan. But for the sake of an industry that is striving to feed the world, don't falsely spread messages that beef is unhealthy and unsustainable. Lean beef is a extremely beneficial source of protein, zinc and vitamins and our modern technology practices allow us to today produce more meat using less energy, land and water.

I know and trust American agriculture and without their efforts, we would have an awful hungry world...I think that Glamour needs to realize that is a story worth sharing.

For more facts and information on sustainable beef production, visit the Earth Day section on  beefmagazine.com.

Find of the Week: Fancy Pants

Yes, the name is ridiculous.

I would much rather say, "Can I please get a small order of the truffle mac cheese with portebella mushrooms please?"

But when the mac and cheese is this good, it's okay to lose a little dignity.



I don't know how I just discovered Noodles & Company. I am sure you all have been going here for years and I am clearly a little behind, but I am a big fan.

It's not only that the food is good, but it's also the atmosphere. I get to leave work, sit by a window and soak up some sun, people watch and catch up with some work online. It's relaxing and totally worth the 10 minute drive.

Anyone else a fan of Noodle & Company? If so, what is your favorite dish? Fancy Pants is a limited edition grown-up Mac & Cheese and I am going to have to try something else new the next time I sneak away!

Happy Monday! Let's hope for more sun, less snow and rain in Texas. :)

101 in 1001 Update

I am in a blogging rut, so I am going to stick to something basic today.

But no less important. It is time for a 101 in 1001 in update, and while the progress may seem slow...why finish everything in the first 101 days? I have a long time to go!

However, I have successfully completed a few things.

Sushi Date: Complete 

Three weeks ago I went out for a sushi date with Mark, his sister, and her boyfriend. Yum. We went to a nice place called Wasabi Fusion in the Twin Cities and it was delicious. Marko...not to much of a fan, but he choked it down. I however may become a regular consumer. :)

Join a Gym: Complete
I am officially a member of Snap Fitness, who is dutifully taking a monthly membership fee from me so I am guilted into going to the gym a least a few times a week. About a month into it, I am still a fan, but have kind stunk at going this last week, but lucky for me I usually get to hang out with Jillian Micheal when I skip my lunch workout. It's a win-win...or a lose-lose.

Go to Church 2X a Month: Complete
Well, it's complete so far. It's not done yet. I have a lot of months left, but I am really happy with the pattern I have going. I have been to Church every weekend since Lent started and I really enjoy it, I usually split the time between my Church and Mark's. I am hoping my good streak continues, except I know this weekend will be just too busy to make it with MJSC, but I will be attending the Cowboy Church service so I am thinking that counts.

Plus, I have been keeping to my goals of catching up with a friend once a week (Megan Gibbs (I know you have a new last name) you are next on my list of catch ups), wrote an email to my France family, sent a dear friend a "you can make it through this stupid college crap" care package and of course, I have been working at planning a wedding.
So far so good right?!?

Have a good week! I am glad we all survived Monday! :)

Before One More

A year ago at this time, my life was consumed around three words. Before One More.

Before One More was an advertising campaign my class designed for North Dakota State University. It was an exhausting amount of work. It was an excellent reminder of group work and team work. And it created just a wee bit of stress.

We completely orchestrated the campaign. I was in charge of the media and was also a member of the pitch team, meaning almost every night was spent in the IACC or the library arguing which exact words would better sell our product. And then, I memorized every word we wrote & pitched it with my teammates to an audience of NDSU officials, advertising professions and family and friends. Basically I said goodbye to my April and hello to stress. Back then I probably complained about it, but it was a great project and I can proudly say it was an overwhelming success. Why?

The other day when I logged on to the NDSU website I saw this staring back at me.



And when I drove down 12th Avenue last month, I saw it there too.

And last fall, when I was walking around campus, I saw it on t-shirts too.

It's real, it's ours and I am pretty proud of it.

It's just another one of those "all that hard work was worth it" lessons. But, let it be known that I am glad that this April I will not be dreaming about Before One More....instead I am dreaming about weddings and I will take that stress over group work any day. :)

April = Productivity

I have to kick April in the butt. And it needs to start today.

So I am going to utilize a helpful tool that has been quickly spreading across the blogger world...3 in 30.

Set 3 goals for yourself & accomplish them in the next 30 days or else.

No, I am kidding there is no or else...but I think it will help me with me 101 in 1001 (which I need to update you on soon) so I am giving it a try.
Goal 1: Use my Snap Fitness membership 3x each week. I got to kick this slacking fitness routine. I have been doing so much better, but I need to get much more consistent. So Snap...me and you better get to be good friends! Plus, I have an awesome workout video to do the other days. But, for some reason I don't think Jillian and I are ever going to be friends.

Goal 2: Make my Kate Ries bags. I have some long overdue Christmas gifts to make. And I need to get crafty. I am missing it. I am thinking this week I will make one. Can't wait to show you the final product!

Goal 3: Attack my wedding list. It is depressingly long and it needs to get much much shorter. Ahh...who knew this was so much fun?!?!? This week I am going to knock a lot of thing out hopefully. Watch for a blog about it soon!

I will make sure to give you an update at the month. Hope you have a productive April as well & enjoy the beautiful weather! Happy Monday! :)

Bad Blogger

I have been stinking it up at blogging this week.

Sorry.

This week was just slow & hard to get motivated...today especially. My list has not gotten any shorter. I do not have save the dates made & I don't have a wedding website created.

Ahhh.

Can someone motivate me? I need to get my act together this week. I need to blog more. I need to write more. I need to basically accomplish more.

And it starts now. I am going to do some Minnesota Junior Spring Classic stuff (less than 15 days away!), wedding stuff, workout & then spend some time with my fabulous fiance...who is the probably the reason I have accomplished so little this week.

I promise I will be better this week. More posts will come soon! Thanks for being such loyal readers!

Jamie