Extra Grande VENTi.... or Bourbon

Ok, I obviously have much to learn about blogging. I used to be so organized and could pull it together in a matter of seconds; but I'm human. Well, that's the excuse I will give myself (for now). I will continue will my blogging; posting as often as possible! That's is the decision that I've come to now that I'm done with college. This is something that I haven't had time to do in months. Maybe I'm saying that blogging/vlogging is therapeutic. I do have to take a moment to vent (Extra Grande VENTi)...... I've become very overwhelmed. There has been many changes over the past few months that a lot of people don't know about. If you have EVER planned a wedding, you will know the stress that comes with it. I've prided myself on composure, I hate to admit that wedding planning has gotten the better of me. I think it is because I have so much going on in the meantime. I'm talking about college, exams, finals, a child + 2 that I'm about to inherit, a job that requires me to work 12 hours shifts either 6p-6a or vice versa in the middle of a shift week, and potential job opportunities that require me to take additional exams (exam anxiety here). On top of that I really try to maintain the household, which doesn't always happen because of the 12 hours shifts back to back. I'm also the caretaker of our yard and I'm sad to say that this year it hasn't gotten the full attention that it has needed. The fiance has helped, however, with me trying to juggle laundry or mowing, one or the other takes the back seat. I'm a big time fitness freak too. All of this business has taken the time from me to where I can't always make it to the gym. Sleep to regain my strength is probably the best thing I've got right now. Alas, a priority of mine is making sure my fiance is happy too. No matter how much it takes I will always do my best to keep him a happy man. So, with all of this going on, someone recently told me that Bourbon could possibly calm my nerves, I'm seriously thinking about it, lol! 

Getting Fitted

Will I find one? How many will I have to try on and when do I decide which dress I want? How much will it cost? Believe me, I'd love a fairy tale wedding now that I finally found someone to say yes too. As glamorous as I feel, I don't know how much my budget can expand.

     We all want to feel like a queen on our wedding day I suppose.  As much as I want that fantasy wedding, I'm just the average woman with an average paycheck, but that doesn't mean I can't find a way for my ladies and I to look the part. Let's see what we came up with so we can all feel the glam on my wedding day.

This Sunday all of my bridesmaids and I got together for a drink and dress fitting. . . . . . .  

We went to a local store and found a few that I really liked. My 4 bridesmaids and I were there for 3 1/2 hours!

My sissy & bridesmaid

 I found about 5 dresses that I really liked. Sadly, it was either the top half or bottom half. 

 

 I'm not much on the beaded look, but some were very elegant. 

 I definitely love the ivory compared to the pure white.

 I found that I really like lace.

 I adore the sweetheart cut.

I'm infatuated with chiffon.

 I'm definitely leaning towards something vintage.

Now since I don't have permission to post bridesmaid's pictures with the dresses they tried on, I won't. As far as their dress selection, I wasn't too thrilled. I was also dissapointed that they didn't carry but a few sizes of each dress. My lovely ladies range in their curves and I didn't get to see many dress fittings for them. The customer service was excellent but the choices were slim. 

Most of the wedding dresses were between $800-$1500. The bridesmaid dresses ranged from $100-$140.  My favorite lines were Casablanca Bridal and Allure. I'm seriously thinking about checking out David's Bridal since they have a wider size range and dress selection. As far as the wedding dress, I think I found one online and I'm contemplating on ordering it as a back up dress.

So, what did I learn in all of the chaos? I learned that I definitely have the best bridesmaids and I picked them all for a reason. I learned more about my taste in wedding dresses and that I will be spinning my wheels on how to save more $. 

Read Me A Book

Hey there! Do you like books? Do you like reviews? I'll try to keep these book reviews short and simple. Nothing like telling the writer to get to the point. On my Read Me A Book posts I will post my latest readings and just enough to give the gist of it. If we've read some of the same books before and you agree with my review, please come back and you may find something else to add to your reading collection.

 ~Nothing like a hot cup of tea and a good book~

To Have And To Hold

Are you planning your wedding or know someone that is? Well, if you'd like you can follow my journey in getting hitched and maybe take a few heads-ups with you. On these posts you will see my activities in preparing for the wedding. Everything from venues, decorations, dresses and themes. Of course there are so many things to choose from so I'll probably only post the options I know I will go with. I hope I can help someone out there through all of my trials and errors. Enjoy and congats to all you lovely brides-to-be! 

 Image from stockfreeimages.com

The Fit And Fab Wife

Come on ladies, who wants to look as good as they feel? I'm not just talking a sexy mama, MILF, or hottie tottie. When we are healthy it shows and when we are not....um, well it shows! I'm talking about healthy through and through. Mentally, physically, spiritually and emotionally. We want to be fabulous!

     Did you know that being healthy and fit boosts your morale? Women everywhere settle and accept their physical appearance and I applaud them for that! At times I struggle to do so myself. However, at times accepting the body the way it is isn't enough. Now hold on before you stop reading..... we may like the way we look, full figured or thin, but that doesn't mean we are "physically" healthy. Carrying a few extra pounds isn't a bad thing unless it affects your life. By that I mean, do you get out of breath easily? Does your heart race after one flight of stairs? Can you keep up with kids? And being thin is okay too, as long as you have energy and eat nutritional balanced food. Please ladies, stay as healthy as you can by eating right and exercising. I'm sure your loved ones love you and hey, we'd all like to stick around a few extra years right?     

     This page is dedicated to health. Not only am I passionate about being healthy, I'm diving into psychology (yes, still going to college at my age) and I see that emotionally we need to stay strong too. We are the backbone of our marriages in a sense. Lets be as good to ourselves as we can to our husbands and future hubbies (for those who aren't married yet). I want to be fit and I want to be a fabulous wife!

An Apple A Day Keeps The Doctor Away

Seriously, how many of us really try to eat healthy, as in an apple every single day? Well, this old wives' tale sheds some truth in eating healthy fruits such as apples. Researchers from Hirosaki University found that the juice from immature apples are packed with antioxidants known as polyphenols- 10 times the amount found in ripe apples (T. Craughwell, Old Wives' Tales, Fact or Folklore). 

A few benefits from eating apples are:

1. Polyphenols found in apples help grow cells in your body, natural-killer cells that target cancer cells.
2. The juice from apples interact with your gastric juices and reduce stomach intestinal disorders.
3. Apples help prevent heart disease by reducing bad cholesterol and raising the good cholesterol. 
4. The sugar from apples does not raise a body's blood sugar level.

So go ahead and grab an apple! Those old wives got this one right!

Will Birds Explode After Eating Thrown Wedding Rice?

We all know the custom of throwing rice or grains at the newlyweds. This tradition is thought to come from the Romans some 2000 years ago. It is supposed to bring luck but there is no proof that it does. However, you will find it represents prosperity and fertility to the newly married couple (T. Craughwell, Old Wives' Tales, Fact or Folklore).

So I'm getting married September 2013 and wondered if I could throw rice etc. at the venue I chose to go with. My sister then asked, "Won't the birds explode?"

So, will you throw rice at your wedding? If your answer is no because you're afraid the bird's bellies will explode then let me educate you. The birds will not expand and explode from the rice enlarging in their stomach. That too is an old wives' tale! A more current one at that, as in the 1990s.

 

Old Wives' Tales

Helloooooo my dears! Let's venture into the past and pick at the meaning and reasons why old wives' tales became known around the world. I think it's safe to say that one day, some of the things we do and say will join the the other tales that were spoken long ago. Join me as I go through a long list while giving credits to authors and....the fact that they must have had the same curiosity as I. Don't you want to know what we have to live up to?