9.24.2011

The Ever Epic E-pics!

Finally. The wait is over! I will post our Engagement Pictures! I have been teasing you for far too long! :)

Here's the story: In January, I was in a little musical called "Into the Woods,"by Mr. Stephen Sondheim. This was before we were engaged (actually the week before he proposed the show went up). Anywho---I got to perform alongside this amazingly talented lady: Kate Harper.

The Baker's Wife and Cinderella (personal shot)

Those were almost always our expressions in this play (personal shot)
Turns out that she, being amazingly talented, also is an excellent professional photographer and co-owns a prominent studio in Boston with her good friend Lara Woolfson. This is The Studio Nouveau. They are "two cheeky girls with one chic vision" and they are so wonderful! (Look them up!!!!!)

After we got engaged, I was thinking about researching them for our photographers. While it didn't quite work out and we are going with another photographer, Patrick and I did have the amazing opportunity to participate in an Engagement session shot by Lara from the Studio Nouveau. We shot in a beautiful house/mansion with Lara and what a blast we had! Here are some of our favorites:











All of these pictures are copyright Studio Nouveau unless otherwise noted
I cannot recommend The Studio Nouveau enough for photography. As you can see, not only are they great photographers, but they truly care and want to get to know the couple while having a good time. They made us feel very comfortable, and I loved being able to be a part of the session! Bottom line, if you are looking for a fun-loving duo for your wedding/engagement/maternity/boudoir (seriously, they do everything!) I would really look them up! http://studionouveau.blogspot.com/http://www.thestudionouveau.com/

Thanks Kate and Lara, you gals are fierce, fun artists and we are so appreciative for the beautiful photos!

Best, 

Micah 

9.17.2011

Accessorize me!!!!

I mentioned that I recently had a birthday, right? Right. Well, lucky for me, it kind of kick-started my obtaining of accessories for the wedding!

I know what you're thinking; "OMG, she didn't share the dress? WHAT?" Well, I actually don't have a dress yet...in my possession. I have, however, found one that I simply CANNOT stop thinking about. It's gotten to the point where when I picture my wedding day, I picture this dress. I think it's safe to say that it's the one. (More on that later/I can't really share pictures because a certain someone who is NOT allowed to see my dress until a certain day reads this blog). But yeah, I fully intend on purchasing this dress, as soon as possible. Like, no later than October! (::squeal::) Anyway, I am one of those crazies who bought accessories before actually owning the dress. Stupid? Maybe. But am I excited? You better believe it.

Here's how it went down. Firstly, before my birthday I was filling in for a receptionist as one of the temporary assignments I am working on for a personnel group. That entails me sitting at a desk waiting to answer the phones and pick up the mail while reading Weddingbee and Style-Me-Pretty posts from 9-5. Also Etsy-ing. It is so dangerous to do these things because then BB takes over and I found myself obsessing over garters! Well, I found one! And it is being made by a wonderful shop on Etsy called "Rosebud Lips" that makes all different wedding/beauty items and I CAN'T WAIT to get it! (Here's a link to my garter, I just didn't want P to see it because he's most likely to read this post).

 For my birthday Patrick, being adorable and all, set up a lovely weekend for me. First, we took a mini vacation to Vermont just me, him and Peanut. Simply to relax and de-stress. And I have to say it was wonderful. Two days of relaxing in the quiet woods; me working on wedding details and him composing. (I narrowed down the list of caterers we saw at the "Taste of the Towers" to five we actually like!)
Lovely little chalet in VT
When we came back that Sunday, he with my friends planned a great backyard BBQ where there were CUPCAKES and other delicious foods, games and good times with friends. Then on Monday (long weekend) we visited my parents. It was such a wonderful birthday, I had such a great time! What great friends and a wonderful fiance I have. As for prezzies (presents), I got some things that I would decide to use as part of my wedding day attire. Along with the amazing weekend he planned for me, Patrick bought me a beautiful necklace and...

BLUE ROSE EARRINGS!
I love them!
I plan on wearing them the day we wed, because they represent something that is very dear to me and they symbolize us. They are beautiful, and I am so thrilled! Also, Claire, Patrick's sister, got me a beautiful purse to wear. It is gorgeous and quite fancy and I think it would be wonderful to put tissues, chapstick, small mirrors, and other essentials in on the day of the wedding.
I am so grateful. It's absolutely stunning and inspired me to go out and find...my wedding shoes. Now, as you know, I had been looking at different kinds of blue shoes. I really love the color, and I don't think my clumsy self could keep ivory shoes in pristine condition through our wedding day. So, I decided on the Jeannettes, I took my debit card out and got ready to buy them online. But! But, but, but they were OUT of the royal blues! I confess, I did get a little upset. And then, I got mad. I started googling blue shoes all over the place but nothing seemed right. I found some I liked, but I never really loved them. I just knew they weren't it. I then kept remembering the brand that my friend Abbie had worn on her day. There was something about the pink shoe tote bag, the graceful brand name that just drew me to their website.


I proceeded through all shoes, all colors until I found one pair that I fell in love with and that I knew were the right ones for me. (Funnily enough, I found out afterward that they are the same exact shoes, except for color that Abbie wore in her wedding!) They are perfect:

1. They have a small heel.
2. They are blue.
3. They fit perfectly
4. They're BLUE!

So, guys...I have them! My wedding shoes came in last week and I couldn't be happier! I love how comfortable/stylish/beautiful they are and I can definitely tell that I could wear them all night! I am so excited! It just means to me that we are getting closer and closer to our wedding day! (I'm going to hold off on pictures just because again a certain someone reads this, and I am trying to keep my wedding day look a secret until the big day!)

If you made it this far, congratulations. You've survived my gushing over accessories. Thank you! If you couldn't tell, I am excited. :) So, I got earrings, shoes, a garter, and a purse to begin creating my own Bridal look! Did anyone else get their wedding accessories before actually purchasing a dress?

Best,

Micah

9.14.2011

Time to Take Inventory!

Nope, I'm not talking about a job in retail, I'm talking about my wedding inventory that my dorky self decided to take this lazy Sunday. I had snuck out to my favorite craft store; Michael's and grabbed some stuff for my DIY projects and realized I have no idea what I actually have to work with. I pulled out the step stool and began organizing all of my mason jars by size, and counted up our saved wine bottles. This is what I came up with for my wedding supplies:

Wedding bells------------46 (33 colorful, 13 crystal)
Mason jars (small)--------13
Mason jars (medium)-----51
Mason jars (large)--------4
Small bottles--------------10
Wine bottles--------------29
Artsy bottles--------------9
Vases---------------------6
Antique keys--------------10
Fans----------------------1

Why am I telling you this? Because there are about to be a whole bunch of posts about DIY projects I have been working on! (And I am glad I did, 29 bottles is so many!) And now (some) of the goods!

I've got mason jars...


...Lots of mason jars...

My kitty is exploring my stocks
Look forward to some DIY stuff and my ideas to use all of the stuff I listed above! Did any of you have to actually look and take note of what you had been collecting for your wedding?

Best,

Micah

9.06.2011

Bride Brain

Last week was my birthday, with family time on Monday, Patrick being the sweetest, most giving person that I know gave me such a wonderful homemade dinner on Wednesday and planned a backyard BBQ with all of our friends on Sunday. Not to mention a surprise mini vacation to VERMONT this weekend. But all this is meant for a completely separate post. I have to write this post because I have been having some serious BB lately. BB, you ask? Bride Brain.
Image via Miss Kettle on the Bee!

I have been so focused all this summer on my gig with Commonwealth Shakespeare Company, and then right after, a few of us from the apprenticeship began our own theater company (which I will also talk about later)!! We ended the apprenticeship and I have since been temp-ing everyday and interviewing for a full time job at least twice a week. Not only that but I began to get stressed about all the wedding planning that I had slacked off on during the summer. Unfortunately, I didn't see that my stress/BB took over and I think I got a little naggy. I wanted to book the photographer, I wanted to book the caterer, I wanted my dress, and I needed it done yesterday. I was so anxious about not being able to book the right vendors that I made three separate checklists to complete to achieve this. This post is basically a reckoning for me. Remember when I heard that unhappy newlywed on the bus? It took Patrick telling me to realize I was headed in that awful direction. I think my swift kick in the tush to myself may have been too much. 

This is not me complaining about how stressed I felt or how overbooked I am at the moment. It's a realization, and a submission of gratitude. An apology. And a sigh of relief.

Patrick pointed out that I had started to lose some of the romance in our wedding plans these past few weeks. I had become too militant in our discussions and plans. And guys, I shut him out. I realized he was absolutely right. I had allowed myself to become too nervous that things would not get done that I failed to take my own advice I gave in that post. This is why Patrick is my best and greatest friend. This is why he is my soul mate and why he is my partner. He is always able to see me. He always, always understands. And he is more than busy, lately. He is working a full time job as the Global HR Coordinator while devoting the remainder his time to his passion: composing music. 

Our conversation last night was in no way confrontational. He just brought me back again to what this is all about: Us. Our love. And I am so glad we are able to talk about things together, and remain strong. We are a team.

I could not be more grateful to have someone who is always there for me, even when I have Bride Brain. Even when I have tunnel vision toward one thing. Even when I seem ungrateful for the wonderful things that I have. I feel like I am awake again, and the BB is under control. I am again not nervous about planning, and looking forward to our Marriage, which is what this is about. Patrick and I are so excited that now we are starting to move forward in the planning process and are getting closer to being husband and wife. I couldn't be more grateful, happy and in love with the man who sees me for who I am, who can be strong for me even though he too is burning the candle at both ends, and can bring me back from Bride Brain/disconnected zombie oblivion. I feel like myself again. 

Thank you, and I am sorry for not realizing sooner.*

Best,

Micah

P.S. Sorry (I'm not sorry) this was kind of a mushy post. :)