Tomorrow's To Dos

Baby you’re a firework

Posted on June 26, 2011 by tomorrowstodos

Growing pains update: It still surprises me how fast the weekend goes by. Two days just isn’t enough time to fully relax and recuperate from the previous week.

This past week some things got done, and others didn’t. I did attend the two DSM events that I wanted to – the I-Cubs game and the Des Moines Art Festival. Both were a success. I also made a quick trip over to Omaha with my dad yesterday to check out a few different Volvos at the dealership. After the trip it is decided that I am looking for a used S80 instead of an S60, so the jaunt was a success as well.

Success was NOT had today in our hopes to go fishing. Since there has been flooding it was virtually impossible to put the boat in on the river. It was a bummer because I was really looking forward to some one on one time with the hubby since he’s been traveling for work so much lately. But we did get to enjoy a stroll through the sculpture park to check out some art this morning as well as lunch at Mullet’s. If you go, try the sweet potato tots! De-lish.

With the upcoming three-day weekend at the end of the tunnel, I am really looking forward to the long weekend that is on the horizon. We plan on attending Yankee Doodle Pops on Friday to kick off the festivities, followed by the Urbandale 4th of July parade and more fireworks!

I’m also hoping to try out something for the first time – hot yoga! I got a great deal on a 10-class card for Breathe Studio out in Waukee. My co-worker has been raving about it and I finally bit the bullet and decided to give it a try. I’ve got to remember to drink more water this week in preparation!

Oh, and I reeallllllyyy need to get going on those thank you notes this week.

Posted in Holidays, Local Spots | Tagged Weekend update | Leave a comment

Growing pains

Posted on June 19, 2011 by tomorrowstodos

To the max update: The dress was an absolute hit. Guess it looks like I will be in floor length get-ups more often with those kind of reviews. The backyard wedding reception was a delight and we lucked out with perfect weather to sip champagne and toast the two of them. Here are a few pictorials from the festivities on the lawn:

I’m really looking forward to this week. I can’t wait to have a dog and a brew followed by some fireworks on Thursday night at the ballpark with my dad, and this upcoming weekend is going to be art-filled at the Arts Festival. Another thing that happened while we were away honeymooning – my dad sold my Ford Explorer, so it looks like I need to find myself a new car.

This will be my first car purchase ever, so I’m having to do a lot of research and test drives. After doing some searching over the weekend and driving a Honda, Volkswagen and a Volvo, it looks as though I’m going to have to take a little trip over to Omaha to try out a few there as well. We also need to power wash the deck and stain it. Is this what being an adult is all about? WOOF!

Posted in Fashion, Wedding | Tagged backyard reception, summer fun | Leave a comment

To the max

Posted on June 17, 2011 by tomorrowstodos

The honeymoon is over…literally update: As you may have already figured out my posting hasn’t been regular lately. To be honest, I am having a hard time adjusting to my post-wedding lack of daily activities, which can only mean one thing – I need some new hobbies and self-goals. And what better time to find new things to try out than in the summer.

This city is teeming with festivals and events throughout the dog days of summer, so my goal is to try to make it out to at least one of them a week. Who knows what I will find on these excursions, but anything is better than sitting on my rump. Well, I guess anything is better than spending every free moment writing thank you’s.

First up this week, an Iowa Cubs game and a trip to the Des Moines Arts Festival. More on that in the upcoming posts…

Tomorrow we are heading to a backyard reception for our friends who eloped to Vegas last year. They are finally settled into their new home and are having us all over to officially celebrate their marriage. Of course it’s supposed to be about a thousand degrees out tomorrow and all I can think about is how much I’m going to be sweating.

In attempts to stay cool (and hide my healing bug bites – the one minus from our Antigua honeymoon) I am on the hunt for the perfect maxi dress. This shouldn’t be that big of a task because they seem to be everywhere I look these days.

Here are a few super cute options that are out on the racks:

Gap, Strapless print maxi dress, $89.99

Old Navy, Jersey knit maxi dress, $37.50

Forever 21, Floral maxi dress w/ belt, $24.90

Jessica Simpson, One Shoulder Flutter Sleeve Floral Grecian Maxi, $148

Posted in Fashion, Friends | Tagged maxi dress | Leave a comment

The honeymoon is over…literally

Posted on June 12, 2011 by tomorrowstodos

Wedded bliss update: We made it through a week alone on an island together and it is still complete bliss! Fresh off the plane from the Caribbean island of Antigua we are settling back in to our daily routine, but the true test is going to start tomorrow with a full work week ahead of us. Our stay at Sugar Ridge was truly relaxing and the locals were all a delight.

Here are a few favorite pictures from our week in paradise:

A photo from the infinity pool at the top of our hotel complex. HEAVEN!

He's such a cheeser, isn't he? On Gibson's Beach in Antigua.

Fresh coconut compliments of our driver Vorn.

We conquered Hell's Gate. Marcus and I climbed and walked across this coral formation on our Eco Tour excursion.

Final sunset in Antigua shot from our hotel balcony.

Tomorrow I officially start the process of changing my last name from Haas to Branstad. Let the games begin! While on our honeymoon we met a lovely couple from Virginia and she told me all about this website that helps newlywed ladies (like myself) with the grueling process. Miss Now Mrs. saves over 13 hours of naming stress for us damsels in distress and for a little under $30, it might not be such a bad idea…

Posted in Travel, Wedding | Tagged Antigua, Sugar Ridge | 2 Comments

Wedded bliss

Posted on June 3, 2011 by tomorrowstodos

Signing off…I think update: I’m a married woman!!! Everything turned out even better than I could’ve ever imagined. We are so lucky to have such wonderful family and friends in our lives to support us in this journey. I can not even begin to thank my parents for all of their hard work this past weekend. They stayed late after everyone left, and were up at 6 AM the morning after to go clean up the grounds. We are forever in debt to them for everything they did for us this past weekend.

Here are a few early pics that my photographer, Mark Kegans (HIGHLY RECOMMEND), to wet your appetite.

LOVE THEM – I can’t wait to see the rest!

Tomorrow morning we board our flight at 5:50 a.m. for the sunny, sandy beaches of Antigua. And wouldn’t you know it, Marcus was able to score us upgrades for the first leg of our flight from Des Moines to Atlanta. Mimosas in First Class? Don’t mind if I do.

Plenty of stories and a lot more photos to come!

Posted in Wedding | Tagged Honeymoon, wedding, wedding photographer | 2 Comments

Signing off…I think

Posted on May 22, 2011 by tomorrowstodos

My best for brunch update: Missed the ‘ol Friday post…sorry about that. It’s not like I am planning a wedding or anything…

I ended up going with this skirt I already own, but have yet to wear, for the day-after brunch. Should be perfect!

This weekend was all about tying up loose ends and just making sure things are lined up and ready to rock for this upcoming week. I’m feelin’ pretty good about everything right now. We moved all of the wedding decor that I’ve spent the past year of my life compiling over to Terrace Hill this afternoon.

I also took a little time to enjoy my future niece Mackenzie’s dance recital today. She did such a great job and looked oh-so-cute while doing her little dance. I can’t wait to see her and Bridget in their flower girl dresses next weekend. Cutest ever!

Well, I’m not going to make any promises that I will post this week. I’m sure you can understand why. As the timeline stands, things get underway on Tuesday as the tent goes up on the grounds (which I got to peek at today, and they are BEAUTIFUL!) I’m picking up my dress on Wednesday, and the dance floor goes down on Thursday.

It’s hard to believe that it’s finally here…WEDDING WEEK! If I have time, I will take and post some set-up pictures…but we’ll see.

Posted in Wedding | Tagged dance, wedding week | 1 Comment

My best for brunch

Posted on May 19, 2011 by tomorrowstodos

75 and sunny update: Well folks, here is the 10-day forecast as it stands right now – keep those prayers a-comin’:

I am LOVIN' it!

Today my fabulous coworkers celebrating my upcoming wedding by celebrating it with me at Dos Rios. Unbelievably, this was my first time there. I know?! And I absolutely loved their margs with the hot and spicy salted rims. YUM!

Only $4 on Thursday nights! Gotta love that!

After margs and gifts I headed over to the future in-laws to observe the unloading of the wedding reception alcohol. Do you think we have enough???

The alco-HAUL. And this is only half of it...

Oh, and I forgot to show you pics of this the other day. What I accomplished Tuesday night…

Finally got those tigerhawk logos on!

Tomorrow my post-work plan includes figuring out what to wear to my post-wedding brunch. I am planning checking out a few stores with my mom and sisters to find the perfect outfit. I have a few ideas, but we’ll see how it goes.

In the meantime, here is what Kate Middleton wore as she stepped out the day after her wedding to Prince William.

Posted in Fashion, Wedding | Tagged Dos Rios, margaritas, wedding gifts | 1 Comment

75 and sunny?

Posted on May 18, 2011 by tomorrowstodos

Get your hair did update: Mom had her hair trial this morning and LOVED IT (whew!). All of us gals met her at Palmer’s Deli for lunch and to check out her ‘do. I actually really love this look and hope she tries it on her own sometime just to change things up every once and awhile. Sidenote: I had the pulled pork sammie for lunch as it was the special today, and it did not disappoint!

After I got home tonight I was treated to a luxury around these parts – fresh morel mushrooms. Marcus picked them the other day and tonight he fried them up for us. What a great little mid-week treat!

I have to fit into what dress next week?

Ok, folks – tomorrow is the big day. What day is that you might ask? Well it’s the day the 10-day forecast comes out that finally includes Saturday, May 28th – our wedding day! I know, I know, it can’t really be trusted, but I will of course do about 20 cartwheels and jump for joy if it says 75 and SUNNY. Here’s to hoping for the best!

Posted in Beauty, Local Spots, Wedding | Tagged Hair Do, morel mushrooms, Palmer's Deli, weather | Leave a comment

Get your hair did

Posted on May 17, 2011 by tomorrowstodos

Let’s hear it for the boys update: Gosh I hope we have weather like today for our wedding day! Light breeze with temps in the 60s. Well, I guess it could be tinge bit warmer, but I wouldn’t complain.

Another update – the stye did disappear and all is back to normal in the eyeball/eyelid region, thank God!

Check out the t-shirts we picked out for the boys from Raygun today over the lunch break:

Each t-shirt is $19

The bride doesn’t get all the glamour, and rightfully so. Tomorrow my mom is heading to the salon to have her wedding hair trial. She wears her hair the same everyday so I am really excited to see what the stylist does for her. I’ll probably have to twist her arm in order for her to let me take a picture of it…but I will try my best!

Posted in Gifts, Wedding | Tagged Local Shops, Raygun | Leave a comment

Let’s hear it for the boys

Posted on May 16, 2011 by tomorrowstodos

Line by line update: By the time this is all over my brain will most definitely need that honeymoon vacation. Tonight we went over the timeline and I still have stuff to add and change. It’s crazy how many small details go into making a wedding run smoothly. But I’m pretty sure we have all of our bases covered (or at least that’s what I’m going to tell myself) for now. I’m positive there will be something that gets overlooked that we’ll have to fix on the fly, but that’s all part of the fun, right? Rioght….

I have a hot lunch date tomorrow afternoon with my future hubby and we are meeting up at our fave East Village restaurant (and our soon to be rehearsal dinner locale), Lucca. After we chow down, we are heading over to another local spot, Raygun, to snag some tees for Marcus’ groomsmen. Our theme is Iowa, so what better gift to give than homegrown gear.

Raygun, 400 E. Locust, Des Moines

Posted in Gifts, Wedding | Tagged Local Eats, Local Shops, Lucca, Raygun | Leave a comment