I Can't Keep Away...

...From talking about cupcakes. It's become kind of a central theme in my life lately. (I may or may not have more than two pictures of cupcakes I have sampled in my phone). A little Bride Brain-y, maybe. A little crazy, I know.

But I have been so excited about having cupcakes at the reception, I have been thinking of different flavors, different ways to display them, etc. And over the past few months, I have decided a few things (I'm so lucky that P is supportive of this crazy idea):

1. I'm going to try for four different flavors. (What they are, I do not know yet).
2. The display will continue our vintage/lacy feel with a teacup theme.
3. I will be making the central cupcake tower

I got inspiration to make it teacup themed when I saw a BEAUTIFUL cupcake tower at anthropologie that I intend to use as the inspiration to DIY my own. Here it is, in all it's glory:

From www.anthropologie.com
GORGEOUS!

 Again, from anthro, I found and purchased these in L, O, V, E of the letters. I plan on purchasing some white plates, but I did a mock up with some plates that I have here at home. What do you think?

I think I need bigger plates, but I am pretty excited about this project. To continue with the teacup theme, I have found and purchased these from Paper Source!

I LOVE them! And I am so excited, I can have the four flavors each stuck into one of the teacups, and make a cute little sign to go next to them to say which cupcake is which! Yay! Crafting! 

Needed a E-ring pic with the cupcakes!

I can't wait to see where this cupcake dessert table ends up! I'll post a final pic once I find my plates and complete the tower. (I'll probably make cupcakes with the excuse of making up a mock up of what the dessert table may look like. (No, I'm not obsessive...I just, OK fine, I am obsessive about this! It's fine! ).

Best,

Micah

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 

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

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

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. :)

Blue Swoon

Haha, get it? Like Blue Moon?...blue swoon?...nevermind.

OK, Patrick.

Don't LOOK if you don't want to know

about what I am wearing!

(It's not the dress don't freak out)

As we move further away from the one year mark, I am becoming more and more excited about actually making some decisions. So of course, a million different things are going on in my head at any given time throughout the day. And I saw these from Miss Sunhat on the Bee and SWOOOOOOOONED!

Needs them. Remember when I freaked out about the Me Too Stellina Satin shoes? Also blue shoes. Also Me Too but they are called the Jeanettes! Looks like I will definitely be hopping on the colorful shoe bandwagon, but hey, if I am this excited about them, it's probably the right way to go. Don't you think?

Best,

Micah

Get Going Already!

Hello all! I feel like I have been gone for years, it has been far too long. Here's what I have been doing for the past summer:

As you may know from my other blog, I have been doing an apprenticeship with Commonwealth Shakespeare Company in Boston! Little did I know that besides classes from 9am-5pm everyday, 6 days a week(...for 10 weeks!) I would be cast in the mainstage "All's Well That Ends Well," the show that the professional company put on this year on the Common. It. Was. Amazing. And truly and deeply exhausting. To keep this lame excuse for not blogging very much this summer brief, let me simply say that I learned so much, gained invaluable acting experience, and a lot of strength of endurance physically, emotionally, and mentally. (If you'd like to know more about my experience this summer with CSC, please go ahead and visit my other blog!)

From this program, which ended a mere five days ago, Patrick and I are diving right into a musical production being opened next week! (Thank goodness we have each other! And we are playing lovers, so not too difficult of roles ;-) ) So, as you might have guessed wedding planning this summer has been kind of slow.



I know what I need to do...I'm just so tired!


But here's what I have been doing a lot of is a lot of thinking about things. Making little decisions with Patrick verbally and mulling over caterers and photographers. What I need to be doing is GETTING ON TOP OF THINGS! Because now there are 325 days left, (according to my Wedding Plandroid app on my new Thunderbolt phone! - I have two other Wedding apps. I need to stop) so I need to get on it. And believe me, the motivation is there, there is just one little thing that still needs to fall in place before I can go all-in wedding planning cray cray: I need a full-time job. One of those 9-5ers that can support me. So, in the midst of all my and Patrick's glorious wedding dreamings, I am interviewing like a madwoman!

Never fear! All is not lost! This post is not to say I have gotten nothing done whatsoever! I have in fact; started making paperflowers for our archway for the ceremony, gone to David's Bridal (a second time, I never got to post about the first) and I may or may or may not have decided on THE dress! I've also emailed a bunch of photographers, made a giant Excel document listing all the DIY projects I would like to do, added about 40 things to it, and we are planning a family budget dinner to discuss who is paying what for what (I know, joyous) for the wedding.

But guys, I am SO excited that now I can really start planning and getting things done. I am so looking forward to evenings of crafting with my bridesmaids, giggling about the honeymoon plans with P, and starting to really solidify our big day! From now on, there will be more frequent posts because this girl is getting her butt in gear and going forward!

Best,

Micah

P.S. Remember when I showed you a sneak peakie? All the waiting will soon be over!!!!



July 14th

One year from today is our wedding day. One day to celebrate us and our decision to commit forever and always to one another before our friends and family. I do not have the words to describe how amazingly excited, honored, and happy I am to be marrying my best friend, my equal and my greatest love.

I love you without knowing how, or when, or from where.
I love you straightforwardly, without complexities or pride;
so I love you because I know no other way
than this: where I does not exist, nor you,
so close that your hand on my chest is my hand,
so close that your eyes close as I fall asleep.


-Sonnet XVII by Pablo Neruda

I know there will be times when there will be stress and times when we will be on top of the world. But I also know that we are a team, and that no matter what, the greatest thing about our wedding day is our marriage itself. 

I love you honey! I can't wait!

**********************************************************************************

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

A Romantic-al, Theatrical Wedding!

On June 25th, two of Patrick's and my best friends, Erica and Andrew got married! It was an AMAZING wedding at the Calderwood Pavilion, one of the most beautiful and prestigious theatre houses in Boston! Erica, as I may have mentioned in talking about her Italian-themed bridal shower my friends and I put together, is an actress, and Andrew is a composer. Their wedding ceremony and celebration were held in Deanne Hall of the Calderwood, and what an amazing, glowing space it was!

Erica and Andrew were married by their good friend, and Erica's director in Light in the Piazza

Their ceremony was beautiful, honest and truly heartfelt. It included promises of love and praises of character as well as a few hearty laughs, for what is more "Andrew and Erica" then some good chuckles! Also included in the ceremony were references to Light in the Piazza, including the title phrase of (in my opinion) one of the most beautiful love songs ever written: "Love to Me".

Andrew's younger brother read a beautiful excerpt from Nietzsche, of whom the groom is an ardent fan, and the couple prepared to listen to Erica's brothers; Michael and Sean and my Patrick sing another piece Patrick composed. The text was from the poem "Love" by Billy Collins, and it was perfect for the couple. Patrick truly captured the essence of the relationship Collins was describing in the melodies of the three tenors. I was moved to (happy) tears.

Then, Andrew and Erica exchanged their promises to one another. They were perfect, each capturing themselves and each other in words and promising to love and cherish one another always. After exchanging their vows and rings, it was official! And the celebration began!

For dinner, we got to greet the bride and groom on the way to a buffet-style serving of BBQ and sides from the delicious Red Bones Barbecue! with, OMG, CUPCAKES for dessert! (Chocolate or Vanilla iced cupcakes to be precise). Yes, I was freaking out.

Then we kicked off an evening of dancing, karaoke and fun with dear friends surrounded by the glow of those two, Andrew and Erica, celebrating their love and friendship. It was an amazing night!

They are kind of a big deal!

Ladies...

And, this is happening...

Patrick and I just before the party begins!

Beautiful, happy couple!

It is amazing to see such close friends share something so special. Patrick and I are honored and blessed to have been present for two weddings like that, that truly touch the heart. We love you guys, Congratulations!

Best,

Micah