And This is Why I Love Him...

Sometimes I think I'm Superwoman.  Sometimes I think I actually need to do every single thing I think about.  Here's a fabulous example:

This weekend My Guy and I were enjoying a lovely afternoon lunch, discussing goals and our future.  I am so comfortable around him, I felt ready to share my really aggressive goal for 2014.  I do need to disclose beforehand for those of you that may not know me in real life; I'm not really athletic.  Sure, I work out a lot, and I keep very fit, I have competed in a Triathlon, but I am no athlete.  Make no mistake.  I get bored running.  I think sweat is gross.  While I enjoy feeling good about myself, I also enjoy my two good friends, Ben and Jerry. 
So, I look My Guy square in the eye and say, "Honey, next year I want to compete in a 5k every month."  I instantly feel proud that I've shared my goal, and now will be held accountable for it- until I get a look at the expression on My Guy's face.  He has this awkward smirk, and I think it's because he doesn't think I can do it- so I immediately go on the defense- "I can absolutely do a 5k.  I walk the dog about 3 miles, what's the difference?"

In the sweetest way possible My Guy holds my hand (and this is when I know he's about to tell me something that I probably didn't consider...) "Honey, I know you could do it, but we live in New England.  What kind of 5k do you think you're going to run in the winter?" 
Point taken.  Now, I guess I need a different goal.

-Stacy

Advice from the Waiting Room

I ran into an old friend this morning while waiting an appointment and we had a few minutes to catch up; she's recently married, and expecting a little bundle of joy.  After chatting about her wedding, and what's she's been up to, she offered a few words of advice for my big day.

1.  It goes by so fast- make sure you eat.

2.  Get to your cocktail reception- make it to the party and say hello to everyone individually then- so when the music starts you can dance the night away!

4.  Keep certain traditions- there will be things that you can't change, take back, or do over.

3.  It's your day, while you want to be considerate of others and making life easy for them- make sure you enjoy it. 

While it's things every Bride To Be can find this advice in a magazine, or online hearing it from a friend made all the difference.

It's Still Important to be Polite- Even if You Are The Bride!

My parents raised me to be polite, and to always say "Please" and "Thank You."  That said, it always surprises me how may people forget these two very meaningful words.  It's not uncommon to hear parents teaching their children to say it, but I've found it is more uncommon for adults to say it to one another.
My Guy and I made sure that as each guest was leaving our engagement party we thanked them for coming- after all, it was a gorgeous afternoon, and the party overlapped the Bruin's playoff game.  Being old fashioned and traditional, I've been busy the last two nights writing out thank you cards to each guest that attended (Side note to anyone that attended the party:  I'd like you to notice that our colors are going to be yellow and blue- matching the dress and shoes I wore that day, and also matching the yellow cards, with blue ink- how's that for branding?!). 
I do this for a couple of reasons.  The first is because I am grateful that people took the time to celebrate with us, and want them to really know it.  The second is because I love to get mail, and it's a rare occasion.  Don't get me wrong, every day I come home to a pile of mail; stacks of bills, ads, coupons, and of course sweepstakes contests... but I'm talking about real mail.  I love a handwritten envelope, and the personal that the card or letter inside supplies.  If you're taught to treat other's how you would like to be treated then this concept should make sense. 
While our society is driven by technology, we sometimes forget to think of others in the traditional (or old fashioned) way.
With Evite and EventBrite we no longer feel the need to send invitations; when we can create an event online and have others RSVP through it.  Having an online guest lists allows others to see who is going, and can give an idea of what to expect. 
FaceBook is nice enough to keep track of our friend's birthdays; so you can comment on their wall or in a message, saving on postage and the price of cards.  Unfortunately, for those that who might be having a birthday, finding hundreds of notifications can be overwhelming, and annoying. 
I've had this conversation with a few people to gather their thoughts about why they dont' send cards (of any kind- birthday, Christmas, Thank You, or otherwise), here is what they offered:   "I'm too busy to write out cards,"  "People don't notice anyway," and "That's a nice idea, but it's not important where I'm from." 
People are busy, I get that.  I'm lucky enough to make my own schedule, and if I need to block out time to thank people for doing something, or making me feel great about myself, then that's what I do.  One of my very good friends has two children (8 and almost 2), she's married, and her hubby works all day.  Her 8 year old is in school, while the toddler stays home and plays all day- she's busy.  Her time off is when she gets a few minutes alone in the shower, which is usually interrupted by some kind of meltdown.  She's busy.  She's raising a family, and being the most admirable, incredible mom I've ever seen.  She was married last October, and has still managed to send out thank you cards to the 150+ people that came together to celebrate her special day.  She stayed up late, and woke up extra early to finish the cards; doing a few at a time.  That's busy.
People do in fact notice.  I can't count how many weddings, showers, engagement, or birthday parties I've been to; but I can tell you who sent a thank you cards.  Cards like that have a way of showing appreciation, and look great hung on the fridge, or on a table- to remind you that you are appreciated.
You might think sending cards is old fashioned, and no one does it where you might be from... I'd like to visit that place and teach those people some manners.  I've lived in DC, spent a few months in Chicago, some time in Colorado, and grown up in New England... I've never met anyone that didn't appreciate basic manners. 
I might be extreme with the Thank You cards- I also send them to vendors that have taken the time to meet with us; I feel like this is important especially if we aren't using that specific person for our wedding. 
There is nothing more important than being polite- especially when you're a Bride.  You're generally speaking, stressed out, overwhelmed, and very busy; but you need to keep in mind that once your big day is over, life goes on-  and if you don't appreciate people leading up to the big event, they might not want to be there afterwards. 
What do you think?  Do you value Thank You cards, or are they old fashioned?

<3 Stacy

Vendor Review: A Treat Good Enough To Eat!

I am involved in the South Shore Women's Business Network, and I like to use their members whenever I can.  Upon getting engaged the first thing I did was search the directory for people we could do business with. Of course, I couldn't wait for the shower to use my pal Kristin Foristall... So I didn't. 
My two sisters and one very dear friend and her husband worked very hard to plan and coordinate the most perfect Engagement party ever for me and My Guy.  Being a bit of a perfectionist, a control freak, and a little neurotic it was so hard to keep my nose out of their planning.  I was allowed to bring the favors for our guest list of 48.  I knew that Kristin, of Sweet K, would be the most perfect solution.
Judging by the name, maybe you guessed that Kristin makes a sweet treat.  Sweet K is responsible for "Making life sweeter, one bite at a time" creating cookies for every occasion.

While making cookies seems easy and simple enough, Kristin takes it one step further and really personalizes your experience.  I had reached out to her last Sunday (the party was scheduled for the following Saturday) to see what she could do about 55 cookies. She gave me some homework to do, and to hand it in to her via email by Tuesday afternoon. 

I wanted our cookies to be very personal, and something people would remember.  So I went through lots of old photos picking out my favorite of myself as a child, My Guy as a child, and one of the two of us together as adults.  Kristin then took the photos and sent them off to her printer. 

What on earth did my baker need photos for you might be asking...

Picture Cookies!!! She can take virtually any photo and turn it into this tasty treat!  I was so impressed by how quickly Kristin went to work with this last minute project, and how beautifully they were done.  After asking how many cookies I'd need she asked what our color scheme was going to be (Blue & Yellow).  The fact that she used the blue as the ribbon on the packaging and the piping on the treat was the icing on the cake (both figuratively and literally!). 

Everyone who walked by the basket of cookies made a comment about how unique, cute and smart the cookies were.  Judging by all the blue lips at the party, I think everyone thought they tasted just as good as they looked!

While Sweet K is based out of North Reading, MA she does offer shipping options, and the product does NOT need to be refrigerated.  I can't wait to see what she can come up with for the Shower favors!

	Sweet K LLC 28 Summer Ave Reading, MA 01867
	Phone:	617-947-7561
	Email:	info@sweetk.net www.SweetK.net

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/?ref=logo#!/pages/Sweet-K/114644181888882

Vendor Review: Senza Sole, Mobile Sunless Tanning!

When I created this blog, I envisioned it as a resource for new brides, and those looking forward to becoming brides to come and uncover some great ideas, get reviews regarding vendors, and a great place for inspiration. 
One of the first people I knew I wanted to work with was Jennifer Mitchell, of Senza Sole, Mobile Sunless Tanning.  As her name would imply, Jennifer offers an amazing option to frying up in the sun (which isn't always an option in New England,) or baking up in a tanning bed.  She's mobile- literally- which means she'll travel to you, with all the tools she needs, and give you a very natural looking spray tan in under 10 minutes. 
She and I had a meeting scheduled for Friday morning, and knowing how busy I am- she suggested that we do the spray tan in our friend's office (this is how ingenious and flexible she is!).  So I show up, bringing my bathing suit, and ready for that fresh off the beach glow. 
Jen shows up with a pop up tent (to protect the area where the spray tan is happening), and a small rolling suitcase- full of her tools of the trade.  She lays out a dark colored rug (to cover the flooring, and as a soft spot for her when she's kneeling), turns on her machine and gets to work. 

Here I am, sporting an old suit, and some very pale skin, ready to be transformed.

Beforehand, she went over all the "positions" I'd be standing in so that there wouldn't be any spots that missed the spraying.

This one, as completely unflattering as it is, is my favorite.  I promise the stress in my face is completely unrelated to my experiences.

And finally... the finished product. 

My first full body experience with spray tanning was definitely a positive one, and took about as much time as I would have spent in a tanning bed.  The added bonus; I didn't have to wear the protective winkies, or googles; so no weird facial tan lines!  I love the healthy look a tan provides, but I hate the risks involved with bed tanning, and the stickiness and ordors involved with self tanning!  Jen's products are organic, which left me feeling bronzed, not covered in chemicals!

I had gotten the tan for our Engagement Party, and received so many compliments on my "tan," someone had even asked if I'd just come back from vacation!  I would absolutely recommend Jennifer to anyone that is is looking to be a little bronzed up!

Jennifer Mitchell

"For a healthy bronze glow"

Email:  Info@SenzaSole.com

Twitter: @SunlessJfer

Facebook: www.Facebook.com/SunlessJfer

Phone: 857 939 0072

Website: www.SenzaSole.com





Date Night!

I was talking with my best friend this morning, whom is also engaged, and in the beginning phases of planning her wedding as well.  She said that last night she and her fiance had"date night," which simply consisted of the two of them cooking dinner together in their apartment, and catching up on some television.  The two of them travel an awful lot for work, and are constantly on the go, so nights at home for the two of them together are rare.  As soon as she started to describe her "date night," I automatically realized how lucky I really am. 
Since I own my own company, and My Guy works for corporate, we are fortunate enough to spend nearly every night together; and because I love to bond with my kitchen, we have home cooked meal on the regular.  When we feel like we are getting stuck in a rut, or just craving a night out, our "Date Night" usually consists of take out pizza along side a few games of Keno, or a few appetizers at My Guy's favorite restaurant.  We aren't much for extravagance, and we live pretty simply.
Planning a wedding is stressful, and much like a full time job is incredibly time consuming; but it's also really fun to gush over magazines and drool over websites.  My Guy wants to be participative, but at the same time wants me to do all the research.  I'll spend entire evenings online surfing the web for inspiration, sending emails and pinning ideas.   While I'm physically on the couch beside him, mentally I couldn't be further from our living room.  At the same time, My Guy fills a pretty stressful position at work, so it's not uncommon for him to come home and be glued to his email until he can hardly keep his eyes open anymore.  
Regardless of your lifestyle and how busy, or home bound you and your partner may be, it's so important to make time and have "Date Night."  This is the time where you can check in and make sure you're both on the same page with everything, and caught up to date on eachother's lives.  Date night is the perfect opportunity to just be in the moment together- no iPads, cell phones, or third wheels along for the ride.  Just you, and your partner.

~Stacy

Ready to Party!

Our Engagement Party is scheduled for next weekend; I'm really looking forward to it.  According to Wikipedia: "An engagement party is a party thrown to celebrate a couple's recent engagement and to help future wedding guests to get to know one another. Traditionally, the bride's parents host the engagement party, but many modern couples host their own celebration." I've also heard that this is where the couple makes the official big announcement.  Since we've already shared our blissful news with friends and family, this will be a great opportunity to celebrate with them all together. 

In keeping with tradition, my sisters, have been working hard to kick our engagement off right (thank you for the handwritten invites!)  My Guy and I wanted to keep the event intimate; we want to be able to visit with each of the guests, and in a three hour time slot, immediate family, very close friends, and the wedding party are among the 40 on the guest list.  One of my bridesmaids, and also my oldest friend, has offered to open her beautiful home and host this bash.

My Guy and I have been together for almost three years, and in that time, our families have never met- this is going to be an excellent chance for them to connect in a social, relaxed setting.  We decided that because our guest list ranges from families with 4 children, to senior citizens, to single bachelors, it would be best to have the event from 3-6p, to keep it casual, and we don't want people to feel committed to us for the entire night.  While the event may be in celebration of us, we still both feel it's important to consider those invited and making them most comfortable and welcome. 

If you're recently engaged, or have been for a while, and are considering an engagement party my (totally unsolicited) advice to you is to consider your guest list- what would work well for everyone on the list?  Make sure your invites, whether it's email, snail mail, or via social media, go out with enough time for out of town guests to make arrangements.  Also, if there is someone in your life that you know won't be able to make it, send them an invitation anyway- it's the thought that counts, and although, you might be the Bride, you don't want to hurt any feelings. 

That said, I can't wait to see all of our friends and family, get dressed up, and have a great afternoon!

~Stacy