Is That Your Final Answer?

Posted on January 23, 2011 by tomorrowstodos

Nifty Gifty Update: What a jam-packed weekend! On Saturday we celebrated both Marcus’ birth and my niece Sidney’s baptism. After the Mass, we all convened at my parents house for some good food and delicious wine. Here are a few shots from the events:

The Gal of Honor and her mother. She is wearing the same baptismal gown that we all did.

Sid hanging out with her bestie Sofia (Marcus' niece)

The birthday boy (and godfather) with his special dessert - tiramisu from Marino's

Delicious desserts made by my mom.

Markie and me with the little bean.

Tomorrow is the day that I finally review our wedding guest list and make the final cuts. We originally put it together shortly after we got engaged, which was last Groundhog’s Day, so it’s about time that we revisit and make it final. Then the tedious part starts – gathering everyone’s mailing addresses. WOOF! Good thing I have a good chunk of them in my address book, and the rest I will rely on the matriarchs for.

I really should take this time to get a brand spankin’ new address book and get it all up-to-date. I am old school in that I like to have both a hard and electronic copy of my addresses. The electronic copy can be helpful when creating labels to send out our Christmas cards, but for most thank you’s and follow-ups I just turn to my address book that I keep in the drawer next to the mail basket.

Here are a couple of addy books that are super cute!

Paper Source, Saffian Robin's Egg Address Book, $30.95

Neiman Marcus, Pocket Address Book, $45

Vera Bradley, Address Book in Versailles, $16

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Nifty Gifty

Posted on January 21, 2011 by tomorrowstodos

Up-Do for the ‘I do’ Update: I left a message with the gal that did our hair last week for the Inaugural Ball and I think we are going to work out a deal to do all of our hair with her and a few other stylists the morning of our wedding at their salon, Salon Classique in Urbandale. More updates on hair later once it’s finalized. Can’t wait to go in for my “test run”.

Tomorrow Marcus takes another step closer to the big 3-0 as he officially turns 27. Now, being the older and much wiser woman that I am, I can tell you that nothing changes. I have already gotten him his birthday gift, and we have decided to do the joint Haastad (Haas & Branstad) celebratory dinner next week, so I guess all that’s left for me to do is shower him with love on his day-o-birth. Pretty sure he’d rather be out ice fishing than being “showered”.

There is nothing that I love more than giving the perfect gift to someone I love. So here are some nifty gift ideas for the man/men in your life:

Jack Spade, Mill Leather Davis Brief, $375

J.Crew, Tipped Microstripe Socks, $12.50

Pottery Barn, Saddle Leather iPad Cover, $59

Brooks Brothers, Regular Fit Washed Gingham Sport Shirt, $69.50

Williams-Sonoma, Monogrammed Grill Tools Set, $99.95

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Up-Do for the ‘I do’

Posted on January 20, 2011 by tomorrowstodos

Haberdashery Update: We hit up a few stores tonight on a hunt to find the perfect black suit. Marcus settled on this black windowpane number from Jos A. Bank. STUD!

Tomorrow I hope to start and end my search for a salon to handle the wedding party hair for our big day. Originally, I thought I was going to do half up, half down curled, but the more and more I think about it I am pretty sure I’m going to go with an up-do. Here is a little inspiration board to show you what I’m thinking…thoughts?

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What a Bunch of Haberdashery

Posted on January 19, 2011 by tomorrowstodos

Birthday Suit Update: Just finished up printing the voucher for a new birthday suit, what do you think?

One free suit, comin' up.

Tomorrow Marcus and I are going suit shopping. I just love how polished guys look when they wear suits instead of sloppy jeans and t-shirts. There really is something to be said for a man who chooses to dress sharply. It does not go unnoticed by the ladies.

If you are one of those guys (or one of those ladies who shops for one of those guys), here are two of the best places in Des Moines to hit up for snazzy menswear:

Badowers, 2817 Ingersoll Avenue

Mr. B, 1995 NW 86th Street

Special mention for an out-of-town joint, if you are ever in St.Paul, that Marcus just loved – Heimie’s Haberdashery. Come for fine men’s clothing and a great “old school” experience, and if you have time get a straight-razor shave in the back of the store. Talk about full service!

Heimie's Haberdashery, 400 St. Peter Street, Saint Paul, MN

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Birthday Suit

Posted on January 18, 2011 by tomorrowstodos

Table Label Update: Just L-O-V-I-N-G how these are turning out. Got a lot more to go though!

Two down, thirty-three to go!

Marcus’ birthday is this weekend, and I have decided to purchase a new suit for him as his gift. I didn’t just want to pick it out for him or have nothing to give him, so I have decided to create a gift voucher that I can slip inside a mushy, lovey-dovey card.

I think vouchers are a great way to create something personal to give someone. Whether it be a massage, a free hour of babysitting or a bathroom deep clean. You don’t have to spend any money to make them, you’ve just got to create, cut and give.

Coupons to download and print from crafyjenny.com

If you don't have the creative juices to make your own, here are some pre-made LOVER vouchers from Paper Source, $8.95

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Table Label

Posted on January 17, 2011 by tomorrowstodos

Too Tight Update: I took care of exchanging my ‘spensive tights tonight for a new pair sans snags. While I was at the store I noticed these gems, but couldn’t quite pull the trigger to purchase…

Bright Tights at Target, $5/each

Don’t know if any of you watched the Golden Globes last night, but I always find the pre-shows more fascinating than the actual award part. Mostly because during those hours you get to see the stars arrive in their gowns. Here are my top 5 best dressed from last night:

1. Emma Stone in Calvin Klein

2. Mila Kunis in Vera Wang

3. Angelina Jolie in Atelier Versace

4. Eva Longoria in Zac Posen

5. Julianne Hough in Marchesa

Tomorrow I am setting aside some time in the evening to get to work on my wedding reception table tents. Since the theme of our wedding is Iowa, each table at our reception is going to be labeled as a different Iowa county.  There are 99 total counties in this great state, but we will only need about 35-40 of them to use for the tables. Which do you think should definitely make the final cut and reach a table?

I will share some pics of my progress tomorrow in the update, but for now here are some great table labeling ideas.

Pick out postcards from places you've visited or lived over the years.

Label your tables with your favorite herbs.

Your hometown hot spots.

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Too Tight

Posted on January 16, 2011 by tomorrowstodos

Belle of the Ball Update: What can I say? Everything was just perfect. Here is a picture montage from the Inaugural events. Aren’t my future nieces just the cutest?!

All of the kids and grandkids stayed the night at Terrace Hill on Friday after the ball. Marcus and I got stuck with the bedroom on the 2nd floor which they refer to as the Pineapple Room. Well, there are many stories of this room being haunted and of course I heard them all right before we made our way down there to get some shut eye. After finally falling asleep my phone started ringing at 2:45am from a ‘PRIVATE NUMBER’. After being startled awake by the noise I couldn’t fall back asleep and started to hear the old home’s eery sounds. I started to freak out and woke Marcus up so that we could move upstairs to sleep for the rest of the night because I was sure that the Hubbels (the home’s original owners) were the callers from the Private Number and they were pissed because we were sleeping in their bed. I felt really embarrassed in the morning when everyone woke up to find us sleeping on the couches, but at the time, I knew I couldn’t get back to sleep while I was still in that room.

While the room may not actually be haunted, it is very beautiful. Here are some insider pics of the “Pineapple Room”.

As I was getting ready last Thursday morning I busted out a new pair of black opaque tights that I had spent some money on. In order to get a nice pair of tights I feel like you sometimes have to spend more. I stuck my first foot in and noticed that my brand new tights already had a run in them. Such a bummer! And tomorrow I am going to return them.

During Iowa’s cold winter months tights are a must – but I don’t think I utilize tights to their fullest potential. I usually just sport a black pair, but I think I’m going to work on finding more colorful tights to spice up a few of my ‘fits during the remainder of these frigid times.

Here are a few inspirational pairs to get the juices flowin’:

Nordstrom, Hue 'Love' Sweater Tights, $28

Forever21, Navy Ribbed Knit Tights, $6.80

Modcloth, Jukebox Tights in the Twist, $34.99

J.Crew, Black Carbon Herringbone Tights, $22.50

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Belle of the Branstad Ball

Posted on January 13, 2011 by tomorrowstodos

The ‘Stache is Back Update: What a great “opening ceremony” to kick off the Inauguration.

Check out the spread at the reception. After seeing this, so excited that Christiani's is doing our wedding catering!!

Now that things are underway I look toward tomorrow’s events, including the actual swearing in ceremony in the morning and the ball in the evening. Here is the full list of the day’s happenings:

Commissioning Ceremony of the Iowa Colonels of the Militia
Hy-Vee Hall, 730 3rd St.
8 a.m.

Inaugural/Swearing In Ceremony
Hy-Vee Hall, 730 3rd St.
9 a.m.
DRESS: Business Attire

Terrace Hill Open House
2300 Grand Avenue
Noon to 2 p.m.

Iowa State Capitol Open House
State Capitol Rotunda
2 p.m. to 4 p.m.

Salute to the Iowa National Guard
State Capitol Rotunda
4 p.m.

Inaugural Ball
Hy-Vee Hall, 730 3rd St.
7:30 p.m.
DRESS: Black Tie Optional

Although all the parts of the Inauguration are important, I think I am looking forward to the ball the most. Once you get older there aren’t many ‘balls’ to attend, so I will take any excuse to get all dressed up and don a proper gown. If you are attending but still not sure what to wear, here is a great article from the Des Moines Register to give you a little more insight about what is appropriate.

I can vividly recall all of the hubbub a couple of years ago made over who would be designing Michelle Obama’s inaugural ball gown. Much like who will be chosen to create Kate Middleton’s wedding gown as she walks down the aisle with Prince William this April. This inauguration is on a little smaller scale, but is still just as exciting to pick out a gown for. I’m very proud to say that I found my gown at Dillard’s on sale for just $56. Bargain alert!!

These women know how to pick out the perfect ball attire – first ladies and their gown choices:

Michelle Obama, 2009 Inauguration, Jason Wu

Laura Bush, 2001 Inauguration, Michael Faircloth, 2005 Inauguration, Oscar de la Renta

Hillary Clinton, 1993 Inauguration, Sarah Phillips, 1997 Inauguration, Oscar de la Renta

Barbara Bush, 1989 Inauguration, Arnold Scaasi

Nancy Reagan, 1981 Inauguration, James Galanos

Rosalynn Carter, 1977 Inauguration, Mary Matise for Jimmae

Jacqueline Kennedy, 1961 Inauguration, designed by herself with help from Bergdorf Goodman's Ethel Frankau


Check back later to view insider pictures of the Branstad Inauguration ceremony, Inaugural Ball and much more…

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The ‘Stache is Back

Posted on January 12, 2011 by tomorrowstodos

Nailed It Update: Here they are- my purdy nails! I went with Rimmel London’s Gold Silk for the color. Not too shabby of a job too! They’ll look perfect with my gown for the ball.

The digits are looking good!

After much anticipation, the Inaugural events kick off tomorrow evening with a Service of Dedication at St. Ambrose Cathedral here in downtown Des Moines. The inter-faith service will feature Bishop Richard Pates of the Catholic Diocese of Des Moines, Jewish Cantor Linda Shivers, and Lt. Gov.-elect Kim Reynolds’ pastor from Osceola, Chuck DeVoss.

Along with the ceremony will be some beautiful music. Debbie Rohrer (small wedding plug: our wedding vocalist)  will lead the ceremony with her golden voice. Followed by a few songs by the Drake University(Terry’s a law school alum – so are my dad and brother-in-law) choir – “I Thank You God” by Gwyneth Walker and “The Promise of Living” by Aaron Copland.

The dedication is open to the public and is sure to be the perfect way to kick off the Inauguration of our state’s 41st (and once again) governor and my future father-in-law, Terry Branstad.

Saint Ambrose Cathedral, 607 High Street

And in honor of this blog post title, and his dad’s return to the Governor’s office, my fiance Marcus has shaved his beard but left the mustache. Long live the ‘stache!

Lil 'Stache

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Nailed It

Posted on January 11, 2011 by tomorrowstodos

Find Your Seat Update: I put my DIY skills to work tonight and created fifteen cork place card holders to grace our Valentine’s Dinner table. I just love how these turned out, and even better, they are reusable.

No corkage fee here folks!

In my past posts I have mentioned the Inauguration that I will be attending. Well, the week is upon us and there are a few last minute things that I am taking care of in order to prepare myself for all the events. I have laid out my various outfits for each event. Tweed skirt and black turtleneck for the dedication service, and a black crepe dress with a tan cardi and pearls for the swearing in ceremony. Followed by a champagne floor length tiered ball gown.

Now that the ‘fits are taken care of, on to a little self maintenance in the form of a manicure. There are a million nail polish colors in the world, but I only need one. Thinking about going with a classic pale pink for the Inaugural events. Keep it simple.

Here are a few winter shades that I love:

L'oreal, Goldy Lucks, $4.99 at most drugstores

OPI, Midnight in Moscow, $8

Chanel, Paradoxal, $23

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