Bridal Bling

Posted on March 15, 2011 by tomorrowstodos

Regulation Size Update: I already have my fave bottles that I snagged from The James Hotel in Chicago over a year ago. The Kiehl’s bottles are just so dang cute that I refill them with my every day shampoo and conditioner when I run out instead of buying new minis. I think it’s the strictly typographic style that gets me?

Love my little minis!

My second dress fitting is tomorrow so the bodice should be fitted to where I’m at and now we’ll work on the length. At my first fitting I tried on a few different earring options because I have no clue what I want to wear for the big day. I am having a hard time deciding between bling and class – diamonds or pearls. And then there’s the issue of whether I should go with studs or danglers. Decisions, decisions…

Ear candy that would be perfect for your wedding day:

BHLDN, Chime Earrings, $88

Nordstrom, CaraAccessories Crystal Earrings, $48

Kate Spade, Tuxedo Pearls Lever-Back Earrings, $47 On Sale @ katespade.com

J.Crew, Pearl jewel box earrings, $68

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Regulation Size

Posted on March 14, 2011 by tomorrowstodos

Tickets to the Gun Show Update: The workout was a little rough to say the least! I sent the Wellness Center coordinator an email this morning to ask for an arm workout plan and she is putting it together for me. I am meeting with her tomorrow to go over the routine. I will be sure to share it with you!

On a little sidenote, I recently picked up some beautiful flowers for around the home. I love when I can get a deal on fresh arrangements.

I picked these up over a week ago at Hy-Vee during their 2 stems for $1 sale and they are still lookin' good!

Trader Joe's, Ranunculus bunch, $5.99

Trader Joe's, Daffodils, $1.69 a bunch

I’ve got an early morning ahead of me because I have agreed to take Marcus to the airport to catch his 7am flight – yipee! But that got me thinking about our honeymoon and traveling in general. Since 9/11 security and rules have made traveling a little bit more of a hassle, especially for us ladies. Instead of being able to bring your regular size bottles of shampoo and lotion, we now have to downsize and make them fit into a Ziploc baggie. BOO!

Ulta and Sephora are two of my go-to stores for all things travel-sized. Here are my faves:

Sephora, Bliss Sinkside Six-Pack, $25

Ulta, Fekkai Sheer Hold Hairspray - 1.5oz., $10

Sephora, Supergoop! SPF 30+ Weekend Away Essentials Set, $39.50

Ulta, BareMinerals On-The-Spot Makeup Remover, $5

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Tickets to the Gun Show

Posted on March 13, 2011 by tomorrowstodos

Any Way You Stack It Update: I’m glad we are over half way done with the invitations. It’s a time-consuming and stressful process, just ask my mom. We worked for a good three hours yesterday making sure each invitation was perfectly stacked and stuffed into each corresponding envelope. Placed all the stamps on the outside of both the outer and RSVP envelopes, and also embossed the return address on each back flap.

A little under 50 to go and they're outta here!

With my new job I am entitled to some sweet benefits. One of which is a free membership to the school’s wellness center for myself and for Marcus. I was given the grand tour this past week and my to do for tomorrow is to break in one of those treadmills. They are pretty high-tech with the video screens on each machine. Since I’ve already started my dress fittings I need to make sure I just maintain for the next couple of months, but I would like to work a little bit more on my arms to get them in tip-top shape for the big day. Here is a great little arm routine from Fit Sugar that is perfect for just this – Wedding Countdown: Arm Plan.

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Any Way You Stack It

Posted on March 11, 2011 by tomorrowstodos

Ted’s Talking Update: So, I guess I can say I’m through one week of my new TEDtalks goal. The TEDtalk for this week was filmed in 2007 and is about a software that could transform the way we look at digital images. Enjoy!

Tomorrow I am heading over to my parents’ house (again) to continue the wedding tasks. This is a big one folks. The invites are in hand, as are the addressed envelopes and the time has come for them to be stuffed and mailed. Eek!

I came across some assembly tips when looking around the internet gathering information about how to stack the various parts of your invitation to put into the envelope. This is what I found:

1. Reception Card right on top of the tissue paper (if you have it) and invitation with its wording facing you.

2. Response Card is tucked underneath the flap of the response envelope with the printing facing you making it one enclosure. Place on top of Reception Card. The top of the envelope should be in the fold of the invitation (if applicable).

3. Direction or Map Card (if included) should be placed on top of the Response Card with any church directions being on top of any reception directions.

4. Place all items in the inner envelope (if you have one) with the print facing the back of the envelope so it’s immediately visible when opened by the guest and with all folded edges inserted first. This envelope will remain unsealed…with even the flap left untucked.

5. Finally, place the inner envelope inside the outer envelope with the guests’ names facing the back of the envelope and seal. Don’t forget to place a return address on the outside of the envelope.

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TED’s Talking

Posted on March 10, 2011 by tomorrowstodos

Showered with Love Update: I can’t tell you enough how much I love Williams-Sonoma. The aromas that welcome you once inside their door are overpowering, but in a good way. Sometimes I do just go in to see what’s cooking, but then I end up picking something up that I contest that I can’t live without. Tonight’s trip was to find some hostess gifts, and here is what I took home with me:

Starting a new job is kind of like starting a new you – or at least that is what it feels like for me. Since my first day at Des Moines University on Monday I have set two new personal goals for myself.

1. Train for and run a 5k by the end of the year, and

2. Watch a TEDtalk each week.

Some of you might be asking “what is a TEDtalk?” Well, I will tell you. They are actually something that I was introduced to by a past flame. TED is a small nonprofit devoted to spreading ideas. They believe passionately in the power of ideas to change attitudes, lives and ultimately, the world.

Below you will find the very first TEDtalk that I ever watched. Keep in mind that this was filmed in 2006 before the iPhone and iPad. When I saw this, it blew my mind.

Tomorrow’s to do: Find a new TEDtalk to watch and think about.

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Showered with Love

Posted on March 9, 2011 by tomorrowstodos

Wedded Bliss? Being Organized Update: The wedding week timeline is coming along nicely. Here is how our week is shaping up – The Week of I DO

Organization is the key to wedding bliss!

With only 80 days left on the paper chain countdown, things are heating up and the showers are starting. We are having two couples showers and one bridal shower before our wedding and I am starting to think about host/hostess gifts. I am going to hit the stores yesterday to find a few that I think will fit the bill. The first shower is a ‘Stock the Cellar’ shower where the guests bring us a bottle of champagne or wine for our wine cellar. The second is a couples shower for Marcus’ side of the family and his parents’ friends. And the third is for my side of the family and my gal pals.

Three showers, so I’ll need gifts for each of the hosts. Here are some great ideas that would be perfect:

 

Pottery Barn, Vino Wine Decanter, $29

Sur La Table, Le Creuset Rectangular Serving Platter, $49.95

Jessiesteele.com, Hostess Apron, $32.95

Williams-Sonoma, Meyer Lemon Dish Soap, Hand Soap & Lotion Set, $39.95

 

 

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Wedded Bliss? Being Organized

Posted on March 8, 2011 by tomorrowstodos

Accessorize Your Cube Update: Well, it wouldn’t quite make the Paper-Source Office catalog, but it’s a work in progress. I love having pictures up of the Bean at work. Looking at her cute little face never gets old.

Coolest cube on the 4th Floor! Well, not quite...

Since taking on the planning of the entire wedding and all the details, I’ve come across a few things that have allowed me to keep my sanity during the process. One of which is the site Russell+Hazel. Take on planning your wedding and do it in style with their chic organizing binder. The site has free downloadable PDF templates that you can still use even if you don’t purchase the binder. Speaking from experience, it pays to be organized.

My to do for tomorrow is to get my wedding week timeline in order. I’m sure things will change around from now until then, but it’s good to get it started now and make changes as I go.

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Accessorize Your Cube

Posted on March 7, 2011 by tomorrowstodos

First Day Jitters Update: First things first, here are few more pics from this past weekends’ festivities.

The gifts for the hostesses - the best sisters a gal could have!

The whole group in black and yellow at the sculpture garden.

Now onto the first day recap. They loved the treats, I got taken out to lunch and I spent 3 hours with HR. Pretty typical. Here was what I walked into when I got to my seat this morning – I loved it!

Welcome to the ZOO!

Now that I’m getting settled in, I’ve noticed my cube is a little bare. On tomorrow’s to do list – jazz the place up a bit.

Here are some uber cute office items from Paper Source that could do the trick:

2011 Wall Art Calendar, $13.98 On Sale

Vinea Paper Tray, $15.95

Desk Daisy Paper Clip Holder, $12.95

Butterfly Magnet Set, $13.95

Tweets Memo Cube, $15.95

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First Day Jitters

Posted on March 6, 2011 by tomorrowstodos

Pretty Little Things Update: Whew! What a weekend. So glad I got to spend my bachelorette party with my nearest and dearest friends. My sisters (and mom) did such a great job hosting us ladies. Everywhere you turned there was black and yellow!

Here is a list of the stops we made about town…

B: Brunch & Bellinis

R: Royal Mile

A: Art Park (group photo at the Pappajohn Sculpture Garden)

N: Nick’s (“our restaurant”)

S: A shot (Was supposed to be Shorty’s Bar, but they aren’t open during daylight hours)

T: Toast to Terrace Hill

A: Alpine Tap for Moscow Mules

D: Toast with Natty Light to our alma mater, Dowling High School

I feel like I need another weekend after this one, but I can’t rest because I start my new job tomorrow. I haven’t mentioned it yet, but I accepted a job with Des Moines University as their Online Marketing-Enrollment Coordinator and my first day is tomorrow. I am so excited to take on this new role and can’t wait to see what the future holds.

So like anyone with a first day with new co-workers, I have decided to whip up some treats to win them over. This time I’ve gone with a recipe I received from a co-worker at my previous position. They are called Almond Bars and taste just like dutch letters. YUM!

Here is the recipe for those who are interested:

Combine 2 eggs with 2 cups of sugar in a bowl. Mix until you have a fluffy paste. Add 2 cups of flour and mix again. In a separate bowl combine 1 bar of butter, 1 bar of margarine, and 1 can of almond paste. Melt together and mix. Combine both bowls and mix thoroughly. The mixture will become very thick. Put the mixture into a greased deep cake pan and in the over at 350 degrees for 20 minutes. After 20 minutes, add sugar crystals to the top and bake for another 10 minutes. Let cool, then cut to serve.

Wish me luck…

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Pretty Little Things

Posted on March 5, 2011 by tomorrowstodos

Meet and Greet Update: What a great start to my bachelorette weekend! Tonight we met up at Sbrocco to imbibe on a few bevies and nosh on some small plates while the wedding party was getting to know each other better. The food was ah-mazing! Kudos to chef for the delicious and innovative eats. I especially loved the frites with truffle oil and parmesan cheese, as well as the whipped feta, cucumber and mint smear.

Clockwise: Cheese plates, wine flights, the hostesses/sisters and what happens when you shop together.

In correlation to the bachelorette festivities this weekend, I thought it would be fun to feature some fun, frilly and fancy undergarments that would be perfect for the next bachelorette party that you attend. Any bride would love to add these to her collection:

Anthropologie, Tulip Rush, $78 Cami and $48 Bottoms

Kohl's, Simply Vera Vera Wang Poppies & Posies Floral Chemise, $26.60

Target, Gilligan by Gilligan & O'Malley Floral Tapset, $19.99

Betsey Johnson, Rose Chiffon Babydoll, $75

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