Gone in a flash!

So I am now officially, and legally, Kristin Kelly.

I have to say a few things: I need to apologize for being the world's most terrible blogger over the last few weeks. Really, over the last few months. I think my last post was a month and a half ago. Shameful! And the sad thing is, I really don't have much of an excuse. We all just got so consumed with the wedding and those final details. Yes, I was one of those brides who, despite my best intentions, ended up working down til the final minute to make sure things were finished. Hot mess! But with a lot of help, I got through the day and was able to really enjoy that night. (Even though I was fashionably late to my own rehearsal...HAHA!)

But I wanted to drop a quick note to tell you that I plan to re-cap the day's events and the little details that made it our special day.

Despite my obvious biasness, I have to say, that the wedding (by wedding, I mean the rehearsal/dinner/ceremony/reception) was absolutely perfect. I loved every minute of that weekend! Seriously. I was sad it was over!

After the last year and a half of planning and the last five and a half years of dating, it all culminated into one sweet moment in the chapel over at Southland. Well 20 something minutes to be more exact. And every part of it was perfect. I will never forget that for the rest of my life.

Married life has been a blast so far! Jacob is so amazing. And we are having a really fun time unpacking everything in our house and getting things cleaned up. It is so great waking up next to him every morning and coming home to him every night.

Unlike the planning of the wedding, the whole planning of our life together is something that is (and will continue to be) an ongoing process. And that is what makes it fun!

Anyway, that is my update for today. Look for the re-cap (and honeymoon photos) soon!

And now, a taste of our wedding, fresh from Mary Lashbrook's blog:

Details Details Details

I have been one heck of a terrible blogger lately. I hate to place blame some where...but I have to admit, I have been working an ungodly number of hours the last several weeks. In addition to my regular 40 hour/week at minimum job, I have stepped up my game at my part-time job at Kroger. (Pushing my usual 4-8 hour/week to a 13-20 hour/week.) Needless to say, it has been an exhausting ride. Luckily, it will be winding down here at the end of August when I take a much needed leave of absence from Bellerive.

Not only that, but wedding planning has honestly taken a backseat to more exciting things going on right now (namely painting a few of the rooms in our house, unpacking boxes from my apartment and getting things straightened out for a seamless transition).

I have reached that point in our engagement where I am ready to get the show on the road. Planning a wedding is such a headache! Never realized how much drama and stress would be involved...but here we are...inching ever closer to the one month mark. It will be here before we know it!

Since I have last written, we have taken care of so many details: ordered and picked up Jacob's wedding band. My dress came in (first fitting after work today!). Finalizing our menu for the reception. Moved rehearsal dinner venues over to Malone's/chose a menu/making arrangements. Completed and sent our invitations. Received several RSVPs and wedding presents. Had my second shower (thrown by Debbie's fabulous friends). Bought an exit dress. Finalized tuxedo rentals. Working on additional crafting projects. Another IKEA run.

Despite everything going on around me, I will make better attempts at writing over the last month of our 18-month engagement. So many things to share!

One thing to share now: my latest craft project for the wedding. I have been told over and over how we need to have some sort of box to hold cards from people at the wedding reception, on the gift table. I have seen people use all sorts of things, most particularly bird cages. Not a fan of this decor item. Nothing wrong with it, just not in my taste. So, in an effort to make it more creative, I am making my own. Here are two images I have come across that I am using as my inspiration:

I bought supplies from Hobby Lobby last night to begin creating my own version...although I am only making a single layer box (not wanting to go for the wedding cake-inspired look). I bought a silky gray/silver color fabric that I am covering my box in; thick orange ribbon to wrap around it, and thin white ribbon to tie a pretty bow around it. On top of the box, I cut a slit to slide the cards in and I am placing wooden letters (painted in an emerald green) to spell out CARDS. Will hopefully get some time to work on it this weekend. Excited!

While I am at it, I really need to finish my bridesmaids' bouquet charms.

Anyway, happy Thursday!

Looking beyond "Happily Ever After"

After weeks of nagging by family and friends, Jacob and I are finally going to give in and begin our wedding registries. Yes, we are joining the bandwagon and registering at multiple stores: Macy's; Bed, Bath and Beyond; and even a Home Depot (I think they are the home improvement store with a registry...if not, we will figure a replacement out later). And I must admit, I am rather distraught that Pier One no longer offers a wedding registry, I heart that store!

Why a Home Depot, you ask? Why what kind of homeowners would we be without a proper lawn mower, yard work tools, patio furniture, etc?

Still a solid six months out, we are not going to have these complete, by any means, in the near future. But we will at least begin getting the key items on our list.

People who know me realize how much of an organized freak I am...that said, you can rest assured knowing that a detailed list has been created and added to over the last 11 months (we have been engaged 11 months today!) outlining those items we plan to add to our registry. Some of the most interesting items on our wish list include:

• Towel warmer for the master bathroom - Jacob greatly opposes this idea...does not want to get used to having a warm towel every time he gets out of the shower...if you ask me that is crazy talk. A master bath would not be complete without one of these!


• Soup crocks - A random, but very useful, dish. You can make soup and not burn your hand while holding the bowl. And they are super cute!
  
• Water purifier for kitchen sink - I am very weird about tap water. Very weird. If the pipes are more than ten years old, I am very skeptical about the quality of the water. I am a freak, I know. As Jacob's (soon to be OUR) house is over 60 years old, we are in dire need of a Brita purifier that hooks directly to the faucet.
  
• Breadbox - I realize this is not 1955, but I love the idea of a breadbox. A super cute way to store perishable bakery/bread items in the kitchen.


• Herb keepers - This Spring, Jacob and I are planting our very first garden, including an herb garden on the patio for fresh mint, basil, rosemary, etc. What better way to keep these herbs fresh than a handy herb keeper for your fridge?

Sorry for the boring update today...but there is not much going on with wedding planning front as of late. Instead, we have been basking in the joy that is being engaged. :)

"So much of life, it seems to me, is determined by pure randomness."

I realized the other day that I had yet to post pictures of my sample bouquet charms I created. Please note this is purely a sample (thus does not look spectacular)! During this trial run, I did not spread the glue out like I should have, which created unsightly bubbles under the marble. And I did not have a circle hole punch, so the circle was cut freehand (and not very well). I have since purchased one that will make the charm making a much simpler process.

I must say that this DIY project turned out pretty decently, all things considered. Now I just need to determine which photos to use for my girls and begin the creation!

The other day, I got out my box of wedding-related items and came across two things I purchased a while back for the big day:

Serving set to cut the cake: snagged this beauty up on clearance at Pier One at the end of last summer. Love the bronzy color!! And these will be fun to use post-wedding.



Baskets to hold the programs: found two of these at Michael's at 50 percent off. Will be useful after the wedding to hold extra rolls of toilet paper in the bathroom or hand towels in the guest bathroom.

Oh and speaking of programs and such, I am not sure if I mentioned it or not, but we have finally chosen what I have dubbed as our "honor attendants." You know, the program hand-outers, ushers, readers, guestbook attendant, etc. Here they are:

• Reader one: Christie - she and I have been friends since junior year in high school when we met on a CIY trip. Love her! I am not sure yet what she will be reading, but we all know she will do it with style. Oh! And Christie is also choreographing a dance for Jacob and I for our first dance. God love her for taking on this next to impossible task.
• Reader two: Jacob - Jacob is one of my cousins and I am thrilled he will be reading in the wedding. What is funny about Jacob is his name (Jacob Ryan) is the opposite of my Jacob's name (Ryan Jacob...yes, Jacob's real name is Ryan but he goes by his middle name). We have not chosen a reading for Jacob at this point either.
• Guest book attendant: Kelsey - She is one of Jacob's cousins.
• Program hand-outer (is this even a word?): Ben - He is one of my cousins; Jacob's brother actually.
• Ushers (yes, we are adding even more people to wedding party by not having the groomsmen usher guests to their seats BUT we are adding dear cousins to the wedding by doing so!): Billy (my cousin...and he was born exactly four days after me; our moms were in the hospital together); Adam (my cousin - Billy's brother); Kyle (Jacob's cousin and Kelsey's brother); and Ryan (Jacob's cousin and Kelsey and Kyle's brother).
  

As most of the major details are planned, I now need to sit down with my various lists and countdowns and get organized on that front. That is my plan for this week: re-organize myself. Time to take inventory again!