Hello, Hello, Hello!

Hello everyone! Like so many posts before this one on this blog, I am apologizing for disappearing. Again. I'll fill you in on what I've been doing...

Basically, from the moment we stepped off the plane home from Italy to now, I have been in a show. Not one, but four separate ones. Next to Normal with Patrick in August, Evil Dead: The Musical in October, A Christmas Carol reprising my role from last year (!), and The Tragical History of Doctor Faustus in January/February (for which I was acting and producing). So ridiculously busy!

Now that it's March, I think things are finally calming down a bit for me to return (triumphantly) to the blogosphere, keep up with some recaps and move forward! Good thing too, because Patrick and I have a big announcement to make...

We're going to have a baby!

Not kidding. Completely thrilled. Almost no words to express the joy and love. We found out a little before Christmas that we'll be expecting the Little One in August! (Woo hoo!). Patrick and I had decided not to wait too long before having kids. We feel incredibly blessed, overwhelmed with joy and excitedment and content.

Lucky me too, it just so happens that one of my best friends (and bridesmaids) Abbie is also expecting (she's a full trimester ahead of me, so it's been wonderful to ask questions and discuss things with her!). 

Facts:

I am, this week, four months and a week pregnant.

We are having a little boy!

We're moving to a bigger apartment!

So, you can see, our lives have been even more of a love-roller coaster. We've been lucky, again, to have quickly found an apartment we really love (a little further out from where we were before) and we've slowly been packing and moving into the new place. It already feels like home! I can't wait to share with you our decorating (especially Baby's room!) adventures and life as a married (and soon to be parenting) couple! Don't worry -- there are plenty of crafts, wedding re-caps, and other typical Roses are Blue posts! So stay tuned!

:) :) :)

My very (preggies) best,

Micah



Pomanders

Hello friends! I know I have promised to show off this DIY project, I had been working on for what seems like DECADES, but I wanted to have it completely finished before revealing it to the world:

My Blue Rosette Ribbon Flower Pomanders!

Ta-Dah!

Now, how/why did I do this? Well, you know when you think "Flower Girl," you tend to think of this...

Sweet little petal tosses

But then I saw this picture:

And I needed to make them. Somehow, some way.

But, I knew what with all my other crazy planning/numerous DIY projects I wanted to make, that I didn't want them to serve as decor really. So BAM! The idea of having my flower girls carry them down the aisle instead of tossing petals was born! (Also, this would be a plus - not having to sweep up the petals after I slip and fall from stepping on them after the ceremony (since our venue is the same for ceremony/reception)).

Anyway here's the how to:

You will need: Lengths of ribbon, Felt squares, Hot Glue/Gun, a Styrofoam sphere, thin ribbon, beads (optional).

First, I decided on the size of each flower and used a circle template (mine was the outer rim of an old jam jar), and traced the circle into the felt squares. After cutting the squares out, take your ribbon, fold it in half, then put a hot glue bead in the center of the felt circle. Place the tip of the folded ribbon on the glue bead to secure it to the felt circle (careful - SUPER HOT!). Next, you will wrap/twist the ribbon around itself, securing with hot glue as you twist it out to the size of your liking (I did about a bead of hot glue per inch). When you've reached the outside of the circle, snip the ribbon and glue it to the underside of the felt circle. My apologies, I totally forgot to take pictures of this whole process, BAD BLOGGER! Next time I make them, (and I will --- you'll see ::sneaky wink::), I'll try to document the process better.

After adding some center beads, it will look a little something like this:

Blue Ribbon Rosette!

Lastly, if you are making the pomander, you simple squeeze a TON of hot glue on the back of the rosette and stick them to the Styrofoam ball.

 

Remember to add the hanging device (small string/thin ribbon) BEFORE you finish glueing all the rosettes to the Styrofoam. That way, there will be a clean loop to hang them from or for your cute little flower girls to tote them down the aisle!

It was a lot of work. I must have made about 150 rosettes before both pomanders were done. Needless to say, my fingers were quite happy when I finished the last pomander the other day. What do you think guys? This is the second GIANT DIY I decided to take on. Are there any projects of yours that you knew would be time consuming but went ahead anyway?

All this for one inspiration picture. Jeeze. Haha!

-Micah

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

Fireworks forever!

Three years ago, on July 4th, Patrick gave me a beautiful blue rose, a hand-written piece of music he wrote that I love, and a joker card with the words "Will You Be My Girlfriend" written on it. I excitedly accepted. From there, we grew together and fell more in love with each passing day. He is my best friend in the entire world, and I cannot wait to marry him.

On Monday, to celebrate our anniversary, we had a relaxing breakfast and spent some time together and then headed over for a day at the Museum of Science! It was such an amazing day spent in each other's company. With my apprenticeship taking over most of my time and his job during the days, it was really nice to spend all day together. Especially since there was a DINOSAUR exhibit!

Watching "Waking the T-Rex" in 3D!

We traditionally exchange gifts for our anniversary, and this year we did GOOOOD! I got Patrick a print of one of his favorite paintings by Francisco Goya:

"The Dog" Francisco Goya circa 1819-1823

Patrick got me an Amazon Kindle, which I am LOVING! He also had the most gorgeous bouquet delivered (from the place he had gotten the blue rose bouquet that we had on the night of the proposal) to me of blue roses....with Peacock feathers!

Swoon!

I'm not sure if I mentioned this before, but we are going to have a Peacock colored wedding! Patrick tells me that he didn't have them add the peacock feathers specifically, it was a glorious coincidence!

We had a wonderful day to celebrate us, not to mention a happy 4th of July! Patrick later told me that he wanted to ask me on July 4th so that we would always have fireworks on our special day. (I'm the luckiest person ever!) Although our wedding will be on the 14th of July next year, I know that we will have always fireworks everyday. Happy anniversary, honey!

Best,

Micah

My E-Ring!

So, you've got the love story. Now...for the shiny part...

My Engagement Ring! He did a good job!

Nestled amongst...blue roses!

A Princess-cut Leo Diamond in a white gold, art deco setting. LOVE!

I am so happy with it. I think that he really gave me a one of a kind ring that speaks of who I really am. I couldn't have asked for a more beautiful symbol of our love.

-Micah

Blue Roses: We meet!

You must be thinking..."Silly girl, roses are red, or white, or yellow, or pink even, I don't know. But it is a scientific FACT that they are definitely not blue." And I am going to have to agree with you...to a point. They can be blue, artificially. And a little wikibird tells me that they have recently created genetically engineered blue roses! What's the POINT? The point is...blue roses, whether they be genetic monsters or simply dyed white roses, are my favorite flowers! This is where Patrick (heroically) steps in.


Over two and a half years ago, I was called one night by a director looking to cast me in a summer musical. Realistically, I should not have said yes. I was scheduled for a semester abroad in England the following school year and I needed all the work hours I could get that summer. I whined a little, but something in my gut told me that I needed to participate in this show, and as an aspiring actress, I should always take work. So I said, "Sure, I'm in."


Patrick on the other hand, (way on the other hand), had just spent some time with one of his friends and his family in NEPAL! (No big deal!) He had just come home, literally two days before and was severely jet lagged and kind of sick. The same director, who happened to be a professor at Patrick's Alma Mater, Trinity College in Hartford, CT, gave him a call roping him into this same project. (Which was being done in RI, and did I mention Patrick was at the time living with his parents in CT over an hour away?).


Needless to say, both of us had absolutely no reason to accept roles in this random show (Birds of Paradise) that summer. Neither of us knew the show, or how it was going to play but for some strange reason, we agreed. He was playing Andy the mechanic and volunteer fireman, unhappy and bored with his life, while I played Julia, the starstruck, lovesick waitress/actress who fell in love with her best friend's estranged father (ew). Want to know something else? Our characters never spoke to one another. Not once. But for us, we were simply drawn to each other.

Patrick started up conversation by asking me about my theatre program at school, and from there, it became a ridiculous game of tag with both of us trying different tactics to get the other to stay late and chat, or message each other on Facebook. Our first date was to Applebees, where the waitress had to come back to us four times before taking our order (we hadn't looked at the menus because we were talking). And from there, we kept falling.

On July 4th, in 2008, it was raining. Patrick had made up his mind, and he asked me to be his girlfriend by giving me a beautiful bright blue rose, along with a framed piece of music I loved that he wrote. He took a joker card (I'm obsessed with Batman) and taped a single question: Will you be my girlfriend? As the rain fell, I said yes.


So now you know. Our humble beginnings and the legend of the blue rose!

Best,

Micah