Glass Unity Candles

Today I decided to bring some of my wedding stuff from Sam's house to my mom's. Currently, I have half my of wedding things at Sam's and the other half at my mom's. So I figured I would try to get everything in one location, this way I could start getting everything organized.

One down size of having some of my wedding items at the soon-to-be in-law's house, my mom doesn't get to see things I've bought (until today). This included my glass unity candles that I ordered online.

I have a love for all things glass and candles, so this is a prefect combination of those two loves.

The first time I saw glass unity candles was at my cousin's wedding 8 years ago. When I saw her candles, I knew that someday I would have a set of my own for my wedding.

One thing I love about these candles, is that they're reusable/ refillable. I love the idea of getting to use my unity candles during our anniversaries, and other special occasions. With traditional wax candles, you don't want to burn them down to nothing because you'll never get to use them; with these, I won't have to worry about that.  Also, another great thing about these candles is that you can buy oil in our wedding color (of course I got the oil for my candles in purple). Finally, I got to pick from a few different designs and got to personalized the bottom with our names and wedding date.

Sam isn't very religious and I wanted to make our unity candle reflects both of us, so I choose a design that seemed to fit who we are as a couple. The candle reads:

This day

I will marry

My friend,

The one I

Laugh with,

Live for,

Dream with,

Love

I picked this saying because I hope to have the pastor incorporate it into of vows. This way we will always remember our vows because they're forever engraved into our unity candle.

I'm so happy with how the candles turned out. I'm always concerned when I buy something online that it won't be as nice as I hoped, but these candles turned out prefect.

Question: Would you trust buying things for your wedding online? Or do you prefer to get important items from a store?

Week Recap & Invitations

So as you may have notice, I really only post on the weekends. I'm sorry about that, but what can I say... my life is pretty boring.

Quick recap of this last week for me...

Saturday- I went to my first charity benefit. It was for a 3 year old boy with brain cancer.

My friend Cathy worked so hard to help this family put on this benefit. She worked on getting all the raffle and silent auction prizes gathered from local companies, and  then made all the prize baskets. I'm so glad I went because it was for a great cause and I got to support a great friend in the process.

 Sunday- Sam and I went to church, then had our third counseling session with the pastor. Sam isn't much of a church going guy or a morning person; so he must really love me to get up and go to a 9:30am church service.

Monday- Just work then my traditional "Monday Night, Fajitas Night" with my friend Jen.

Tuesday- Was my dad's birthday. No cake fights this weeks; just a quite dinner with my dad and I.

Wednesday- My wedding invitations came in!

Thanks for everyone who put in their vote when I had my invitation search post. Sam's input is what put me over the edge to get these ones. I think we made a good choice for us and our wedding. Now, we just need to get them sent out.

Thursday- After I got done working my two jobs- Sam, Jen, and I went out for dinner and drinks to celebrate Jen's 25th birthday (which was on Wednesday).

Sam thought it would be funny to keep bugging me during dinner; so my revenge- taking pictures of him.

The picture taking would have started bugging the other people around us before Sam, so I stopped. Sam really didn't seem to care, and I didn't want to be that crazy lady at the restaurant who just kept taking pictures.

Friday- Worked and hung with Jen. Sometimes it's nice to be around friends, even if your not doing anything. Jen and I did some running around town, then just hung out at her house all night. I watched TLC's Friday night wedding themed line up of shows, while Jen worked on planning her trip to Europe that's happening later this summer. (Like I said, I'm pretty boring)

Saturday (today)- Well... your reading it. It's raining again here in Chicago. There maybe plans to go downtown tonight, but I think the weather may put a damper on those plans. But we'll see.


Questions: What are you doing with your holiday weekend? Anything fun or exciting?

Indecisive Bride - Cake Topper

Like I've talked about in the past, I've seen a lot of weddings over the years, which means I've seen a lot of wedding cakes and cakes toppers.

To me a cake topper is a silly small detail of the wedding, but it's a detail that can cost a pretty penny depending on what you want. For myself I would like my cake topper to be personal while being cost effective. So what better way of doing that other then making it myself.

This is where you could in- I would like your opinion on what I should do.

I found these wooden S's (two S's- for Sam & Stacy) that I want to use, but I'm not sure how I want to lay them out.  Here are the four looks to pick from.

1.

2.

3.

4.

I understand 1 & 2 and 3 & 4 are pretty much the same, but in different colors. However, the color is important too. And like I said in the last post, I don't know why my camera makes the purple look blue.

What I like about option 1 & 2 is that you can see the 2 S's and them being joining together.

What I like about option 3 & 4 is that the 2 S's when facing each other form a heart (one heart).

Once I pick the design and color, I'm going to add some gems to the S's to make them sparkle and mount it on a mirror (or at least that's the plan for now.)

Question: Which option do you like best? Have you seen any really unique cake toppers that you thought were prefect for the couple getting married?

Week Recap

One of the main reasons why I started a blog is because I have a really bad memory. In the past year or so I started to realize how bad my memory really is. For example, I'm still really close to a lot of the same friends I had in high school, and when they talk events that happen in high school- I have no real memory of them. High school wasn't that long ago, so I shouldn't be missing huge chucks of these stories that my friends are telling. (I know I was there when these events happened, but I just can't remember any details of what happened- it's a little scary.)

However, my memory can stretch at least a back to last Sunday, so here's a recap of my week. (By writing this post I can always come back and read what happen once I forget.)

Sunday- I went with my soon-to-be mother in-law to a baby shower for one of Sam's cousins. I figured these people will be coming to my bridal shower in a few months, may as well start getting use to going to these events. The best part of the baby shower- NO BABY GAMES!!! I don't ever want to guess what type of melted candy bar is in a diaper. That just seems sooo gross.

Monday- Went to work, came home, hung out with my mom (where we both passed out watching tv), then got a late dinner with Sam at Red Robin.

Tuesday- I went to my first Sox game of the session. I went with Jen, Tommy, and Sam. It was a good time- it was even better because the Sox won and we got the tickets for free. It was a good night with good friends!

Wednesday- was the soon-to-be father in-law's birthday!

Dad with all his kids. If you see there is white stuff on dad's nose- that cake frosting. Yeah that's a family tradition I'm not excited about. About 5 minutes after this picture was taken there was a cake fight between Sam, his brother Jimmy, and myself. I'm not sure how I got added to the mix, but I wasn't going to lose the fight. This girl likes to hold her own against the boys. Everyone got just a little messy- no showers needed.

After the cake fight, we all went to dinner then the horse track. I had never seen horse racing in person before, and all the different ways you can place bets on the horses is very confusing. However, I gave it shot. I placed two bets. Lost on one but won on the other. My winnings- $0.80. Go me!

Thursday- I went to work and then work again. I'm currently working two part time jobs. This girls got a wedding to pay for, so every little bit helps. However, even after working a 12 hour day, I still found the energy to go out with friends and get food and drinks. It was a good time. We had a lot of laughs.

Friday (Today)- I love having 3 day weekends! Today I got to enjoy sleeping in, and spent some time with Sam before he had to go to work. Also I got to pick up some of my bridesmaid's dresses.

I went with Jen (one of  my bridesmaid) to get the dresses. She tried her's on and it fit well; but she doesn't do pictures- so I tried on my friend Alison's dress (we're close enough to the same size and I really wanted a picture to show off what they look like). I'm not sure why the dress looks blue in the picture- but trust me it's purple. Like really purple- just the way I wanted it. 

Also I was on the hunt for a dress I can wear to either my shower, rehearsal, and/or my Michigan reception. After a lot of stores and a lot of fitting rooms- I found a great deal on a nice dress I couldn't pass on.

This dress cost $17.99- just under $20 with tax- got to love it! A nice light dress which will work prefect. It's a keeper!

So that was my week. All in all- it was a good a week in the life of Stacy.

Question: Do you have any big plans for the weekend?

Cocoa Krispies Heaven

I have to say I surprised by the small but loyal group of readers I have. To all of you- Thank You! It makes me feel special that people want to read about my life.

With that said, I think my soon-to-be mother in-law heard my cry for chocolate from my post yesterday, because when I got up this morning she had a surprise for me- 4 boxes of Cocoa Krispies.

I have to say I was pretty excited, because that means the box I have hiding at her house won't get used for a while. (Yes, I have my own hidden stash- don't judge me. I love eating breakfast!) However, I don't see these boxes lasting long. Between my bowl in the morning, Sam's mid-night snacking, and a 14 year-old boy (Sam's youngest brother) living in this house.... these boxes don't stand a chance of making it more than a week (maybe a week and half- if I'm lucky). 

With that said, I made sure I took advantage of this stock pile and got my morning bowl of chocolatey goodness. "Oh Snap, Crackle, and Pop- how I missed your smiling faces yesterday. I hope we can do this again tomorrow."

Have a great Sunday everyone!

Question: Do you ever hide food so other people won't eat it first? Where are some good hiding spots?

I cheated on my cereal!

So for as long as I can remember I always loved a good bowl of cold cereal in the morning. This maybe because I grew up in Michigan with a grandpa who worked at Kellogg's and cereal was abundant in my house; however it's a tradition I still love. Don't judge me... but still to this day Cocoa Krispies is my cereal of choice. There is something about having chocolate in the morning that just starts my day out right.

So to my dismay there was no "good" cereal at my mom's this morning. Sorry Mini-Wheats, you just don't do it for me. So what is a girl to do when there is no cereal and still wants her morning chocolate fix?

Chocolate chip pancakes!  There were 3 pancakes... but didn't think about making a post till there was only 1/2 pancake left. 

I normally never eat pancakes. If I go out for breakfast, I always order eggs and potatoes- never pancakes. I hate the texture of pancakes when they get soggy when they covered in syrup.. gross. However, when I saw mini chocolate chips and pancake mix in the cabinet, something just clicked. But as you can see from the picture, I still had to have the syrup on the side- pancakes can be good "dipping" food.

Question: What is your favorite breakfast food? Any childhood favorites that you just never gave you?

Duck, Duck, Goose Dinner

So I was out at dinner tonight with my friend Jen. We have started a Monday night tradition to go to Chili's for dinner because they have a great special on their fajitas and drinks. 

While a dinner I saw a little walking around her family's table playing "Duck, Duck, Goose". In truth she was just playing by herself because she was with 3 adults who just didn't want to yell at her to sit down. However, this made me think of something Sam wrote years ago.

Sam used to write his "random thought"he would have and post them on Facebook; and one happen to be called "Duck, Duck, Goose". It was so funny that I feel like I should share it with the rest of the world. (Hope you don't mind, Sam.)

(Sam's current Facebook picture is this snowman- also very random- so it seemed fitting)

I've read many blogs where they have other people do "guest post". However I don't have enough readers for that, so tonight I bring you Sam's  "Random Thought #21- Duck, Duck, Goose". (Please excuse the language- but it's pretty funny stuff) Enjoy!

Has anyone ever really sat down to think about this game for a minute? We all know it but have we ever actually thought about it? Well at 4 in the morning I had nothing better to do so this is what I came up with.


First off what is the damn goose's problem? What, just cause a person is a goose means they're crabby bastards who are going to chase you around for taping them on the head? This game really portrays geese in a poor light and really says nothing about the temperament of ducks. Hell, I bet you ducks are worse than geese. Those bastards always waddling around looking so innocent. Of course that's what they WANT you to think. Ducks are evil conniving bastards. And what about the social implications of the game. Only the goose is supposed to get up and chase you around. What does that say about being different? Oh, you're not a duck, AHAHAHA I'm going to run away from you because you're different than everyone else. Really what kind of message does it send? This of course is on top of the fact that it is the most pointless game ever. So if you get away from the big bad goose do you get a prize or a point or anything? No, you just get fucking dropped back in the circle to be singled out again for ridicule. And what happens when you catch the person you're chasing as the goose? You go right back to the fucking spot you just left. Fuck that noise, I'll just sit here and tag the douche that knocked me on the head when he runs his slow ass around the circle. Boom I win......more like BOOM I still get to sit here.

Actually the more I think about it the more I realize that duck, duck, goose is fucking bullshit. You know what we should have our children playing as they grow up? Paintball. Thats right paintball, it teaches teamwork, strategy, self-reliance and I'll be damned if there's not a punishment for losing. Yea those things sting a little but think about how that'd feel for a 6 year old, talk about motivation to succeed. Of course there still the positive flip side to that as we introduce our children to pain early so they can build up a tolerance. Thats it, right here, right now, I am officially starting a movement to replace all games of duck, duck, goose with games of paintball. Enough with the coddling. I say we make the bastards work for it and by bastards I mean our children.

(Yeah, I know. I'm going to be marrying this guy- what am I thinking. And no I will let our children play paintball instead of Duck, Duck, Goose. Paintball is just too expensive! )

Question: Do you have really random thoughts in the middle of the night? (Or is it just Sam?)

Reflection: One Year After Graduation

Other than being Mother's Day; today marks the one year anniversary of my graduation with my master's degree. And with this first year now in the past, I just wanted to reflect on everything that has happen in this past year.

The first few months after graduation consisted of moving in with Sam's brother Joe for the summer. This allowed Sam to continue to work while I job searched.

With no job to have to worry about, I got to pick up and go where ever, whenever I wanted. So the weekend after graduation, I went with my sister on a trip to Michigan  and we visited all our extended family.

A few weeks later, for a graduation gift the soon-to-be-in-laws took me on a family vacation with them. We went on a cruise, which is something I had never done before. We had stops in Key West, FL and Cozumel, Mexico. I have to say, cruises are great for vacations and I can't wait to go on another one. Then after the cruise, we spent some time in Ft. Myers, FL and just enjoy some extra R&R.

Of course, I couldn't talk about that vacation without bring up the biggest thing that happened all summer. Sam and I got engaged!

My ring may not be big or fancy; but because it is my grandma's, it makes it the perfect ring for me. There is no other ring I would want on my finger as I get ready to marry my best friend.

Also during the summer, I got to hang out with great friends!

Over the 4th of July weekend, I went on my first float trip! Great times and great stories!

As the summer came to a close, Sam and I moved again. This time we moved into a friend's house where Sam had lived before while in college. This was just another temporary move until I could find employment.


I believe life works out the way it's meant to. Even if that means working out in a way you didn't want it to. In the end, things will fall in the right place. And come November, I had secured employment (even if it is only temporary) that allowed Sam and I to move home.

In December, my mom bought a new condo; and I was able to spend the holidays in my mom's new home. Also in December, I turned 25 and my sister turned 21!

 

Sam was nice enough to buy Karen a shot on her birthday. (It's dark in bar, especially when the camera has no flash.) Cheers!

Happy New Year- 2011!

Winter 2011 went down in Chicago history for one of greatest snow falls they city has ever seen. "Snowpocalypse" as it was named.

Karen took this a picture of the snow on my mom's balcony. The snow is taller then my Sammy cat and almost as tall as the side table next to the window. The only plus side to all the snow- SNOW DAYS!

Nothing was a better break from the Chicago weather then an extended weekend gateway to Las Vegas with my best friends!

However, I guess we brought the snow with us because we got to see the white stuff falling from the Las Vegas sky. But it still was nicer then being in Chicago.

Looking back on these last 12 months, I have done a lot of things that I may have never gotten to do if I had found full time employment right out of college. Like I said- things work out the way they were meant to. No matter what.

Which bring me to today; Mother's Day! I have to say I have two great moms in my life.

My mom, who has been there throughout my whole life to support me and let me grow up to be woman I wanted to be. (Can you tell that we're related?)

Then there is my soon-to-be mother in-law. I've been dating Sam for so many years and never once during our relationship did she make me feel like I wasn't part of the family.

I feel so lucky to have shared my life with all these great people you have seen in this post. You all have touched my life and made me the person that I am today.

I wonder what the next 12 months will have in store?

Question: Do you take the time to reflect on your life? What were some of the highlights of the last 12 months?

Blogging = Slacking

I know I've been slacking on keeping up with my blog, but my life can be pretty boring.

What been knew with me? I'm working more, which is good. Its been weird going from working job 16 hours a week to 28 hours a week. However, the increase hours/ pay will really help with my wedding budget worries.

Even with the increase in hours, my job will still end in August. So I still have to put in those job applications. In this last week I've applied for 5 jobs. I know (or more like pray) that the right job will come a long, but it just takes time.

Finally, I made decision on which wedding invitation I'm going to order. However, you'll just have to wait a little long to know what I picked! I'll let you see the final product once it gets here.