Remember when.......

Remember when I was going to blog about our wedding

EPIC FAIL.....I suck.....

Here is us in a nutshell bought a house..bought another dog.....got married November 5, 2011.....Honeymooned in Hawaii and had a blast. PS I love paddle boarding!!!

Now on to the real blogging and then pictures......SO I have always had a love for antique thrifting.....I see potential and want to re-do it but I have never had time!!! Until now ladies and gentlemen Who am I kidding men don't read this I have time!!! I am loving this new hobby of mine 

Meet THE vanity I found at a local antique thrift store 

I know what you are thinking?!?!?!? She got screwed....but I SO didn't 

It had the mirror attached too but I took it off Another project another time 

So first step....Strip it baby 

This stuff is the best....for wood.....not so great on particle board :|

Goes on like a gel set for 15 minutes and scrape off 

Can you see that wonderfulness????

Solid Walnut....score 

Yes that is herringbone.....I will break your heart now and tell you that I couldn't save this fabulous-ness it was too trashed and I just couldn't sand it all the way.....tear tear 

I will say I gave it my best shot

Sand sand sand......clean with shop vac....prepare to paint 

Paint yourself.....I searched and searched tips for painting on pinterest and blogs and found this beauty at 

http://www.amandacarolathome.com/2011/04/dresser-makeover.html

I wanted that stain like I wanted my last meal to be pancakes.....I went to Lowe's just like the blog instructed I bought it 

AND 

I didn't like it :( Fail.....

now what?!?!?!?!

Well I love turquoise and I have this cool spray paint and this stain that I HAD to have.....experimentation started and resulted in this beauty!!! 

I am so in love with my new vanity turned desk :) 

knobs bought here

So a little turquoise paint brushed on lightly 

then 

spray with some gold spray paint found here

then 

brush some stain on and wash and rough it up with rag

YES I made it all in my head and did not find a tutorial but I love it and I hope you do too 

xoxo.....next up THE dresser

Accomplishments....

Wedding accomplishments for the week......garter finished and I am in love with it! Thank you Shannon for helping me :) I also finished all the bridesmaids gifts! I am on a roll right now..(pictures to come) my parents took the camera to Jamaica....rough life right?!?!

I also talked down the florist for centerpieces now I do not have to worry about assembling them :) YAHOO! I bought all the vases and she is assembling and providing the manzanita and curly willow. 

Now I need to figure out my wedding band.....such a huge frustration for me. 

Personal accomplishment....I PASSED my NCLEX! Registered Nurse yes, I am!!! SO EXCITED 

Cake Toppers!

I bought these 

BUT they are going to say Mr. and Mrs. and with my dress (yes she is customizing it) and no bow tie on the Mr. one!

I can't wait to see them! 

Boots......are...ORDERED!

Boots have been ordered and invitation sample is currently  in process being sent to me. FInal decisions

Boys boots 

girls boots
\
AND....my boots.....


NO, I am not going to show you the Mr. has access too and I have to be a good secret keeper!

I wish I could though no lie.

Bridesmaid gifts I have done all but 3 including my mother and soon to be mother-in-law so I am doing great on those.

Now the wine is my next step.


Oh, I almost forgot the invitation!

this is the picture we were debating on the color of wreath....I went with the one on our left 

Isn't it so cute! I love it! 

That is the actual barn we are getting married in too! 

xoxo

Wedding Plans and Prayers Needed

We put a bid in on another house....PRAY PRAY PRAY 

Made the ring bearer pillow...it is so cute! Take a look! 

 And here is the "reserved" signs for seating! Thank you Erin for the tips 

Ok remember to PRAY for our maybe house! 

I am on a roll...crafting

I have made a reserved sign for seating, ring bear pillow, and bridesmaids gifts! Go me pictures to come later. This not working thing is fun :) I finished my last day at work 5/12 so it will be a week tomorrow. I have accomplished so much including cleaning out my closet, and my mothers and we donated 7 black trash bags of stuff to Neighborhood Thrift. Some times I can't believe how much "stuff" I have and yes, it is all just STUFF. The Mr. is pitching fabulous and I am missing him so much. Tomorrow is our pinning ceremony and I can't believe I am graduated! It has been a long road and I am thankful for loving family and friends for all their support throughout this journey. 

Here are just some fun pictures from the rodeo and Stagecoach with the girls :) 

The girls at the Clovis Rodeo, we will always have an injury 

from here on out for the rodeo we were SO close for the

concert of Mr. Easton Corbin

He was very good! 

Sam loves Jellybean

One of my bridesmaids and I at Stagecoach 

yes, that is an air mattress back drop.

Photobooth!

I am so excited! I booked the photobooth! I have been debating on having one.....I am so glad I waited because I found the perfect one! BlueBird Photobooth in SLO 

Don't you love it?!?!? I am not having blue but more of a brown color.  EEkkkk so excited......I am also in the process of invitations! Such an exciting time, and I am graduating in 9 days no big deal! I also bought the victorian couch! I need to take a picture but I haven't yet :| now I need one more so keep your eyes open please! 

PS...I am going to see the Mr. at the end of the month! SO FUN! 

Remember those killer shoes....

Those shoes are way too tight! I have such a fat foot! ugh! BUMMER 

Return they go 

A Week in Bliss......I mean Indy

Indy Indians!! The Mr. got placed in Triple A I am so excited for him. I went down there for opening day on Wednesday and I got back last night. The trip was full of wine, laughter, and baseball. He lives right downtown so I walked everywhere! 

My favorite places and things I did 

I did a lot of baseball watching. Justin had a game every night. His parents came for his first start and we had so much fun. So very thankful for soon to be in-laws. 

the BEST little wine bar across the street from the apartment. I went there practically everyday for linner before the game by myself or after with the Mr. 

AMAZING movie....yes, I was there opening day on Friday by myself :) 

So, this is a legend here in Indy. We were treated to a fabulous dinner. I heard raves about the shrimp cocktails, I myself am not a shrimp eater but lets say the horseradish made them all cry. I had a pasta with artichoke hearts and sun dried tomatoes YUM and of course a bite of the Mr. steak Izzy style. 

That was about all my adventure included. I have one picture the Mr and I took but I haven't downloaded it yet. 

Now wedding planning....I got my shoes!! Remember all those baseball games? Well, I have an ipad and I put it to work when the game is out of hand. I love baseball and I intently watch whether or not the Mr is playing. However, some days I am just not in the mood hence the ipad in my purse at times. 

SO introducing the Shoes...I will be wearing boots at reception 

EEEKKKK love them! I am going to keep walking around the house because they need to stretch a bit in that large right foot of mine ugh. But, overall love them and the cut is so pretty, heel just high enough and that bow is way more fabulous in person. 

Next ipad purchase the Mr. ring 

isn't it cool? Considering I ordered it last night and it says it has been shipped I will say WOW and update how I like it when I get it. 

My vision: I am envisioning couches in the front aisles at the wedding. I don't want people to sit bride and groom side either. I would have way less people and I think that always looks funky. So, my dilemma if I have two rows of couches who sits in the second one? Both parents want to be in front and they both should be hmmmm....need to keep thinking 

but in the meantime I am going to pick up a couch today and I will say it is not a o so swank couch that I will be in love with.....It needs to be re-upholstered. My mother and I are going to do that and I WILL LOVE IT....I have a thing about re-do furniture that is better after. I love it and if I had a house it would be full of it. It will be full of it when we get one :) 

Here is the second one that I am going to look at today it is a little more than I wanted to spend so we will see if she will haggle?

picture from cl but you get the point. 

My bff Chelsey got here last night so we are on an adventure today! Couch hunting, bridesmaid dress fitting, necklace fitting with my wedding dress, and looking at a house WHEW that is a lot for one day. 

bye for now 

-miss him like crazy

-always sucks going home we have both decided 

I need to look at invitations.....reminder to myself 

Boys Boots.....

I am thinking these (personal favorite)......we shall see what the Mr. says 

BR 301 Chocolate Burnished Calf: Mens 

I like these for the guys in their chocolate suits

or do you think the more rustic look like this...

2680 tan distressed vintage goat: Mens 

My brother Josh will be marrying us and he needs black so....

BR303 Black Burnished Calf: Mens

I also found one more possibly for the girls 

British Tan Cowhide 

Boots....we are all going to be wearing Boots

I am going to wear heels and boots :) heels at wedding and for some photos and change into boots. I am thinking for the wedding party girls I like this 

or this

 

I like the first ones best I think. What do you think?

I want it to look something like this

Isn't is cute?!?!?! Now for the men....I have to look but dark brown for groomsmen and black for my brother who will be marrying us. 

Another offer on a house today cross our fingers and give it all to God I worry too much. 

xoxo

House Hunting

Sucks!!!!! I swear when they know we want to make an offer 10 other people do even though it has been on the market for almost 2 months. I am growing frustrated and burnt out.

I need to sew

So remember that awesome ring bear pillow? Well I am making one. I got all the supplies and I need to cut it out and get going. I am also going to be making this make-up brush case. 

 

You can find tutorial here 

I got all the burlap for the outside and fabric for the inside and I plan to add some ruffles on the outside. I love ruffles! 

So....this past weekend I went to the Bridal store to try on my dress again with the jewelry I had gotten. Well....the necklace didn't work :| so..........I bought a fresh water pearl bracelet cuff

the one at the bottom It looks stunning with the dress 

 AND then I went on a search for a necklace like this

 

something chunky......

Guess what......found a chunky fresh water pearl necklace at TJ Maxx $69.99 we will see if it matches right.....those pearls can all be a little color off so I need to go try it on again. 

I am off to do some cutting and sewing hopefully it turns out just like the one I want or maybe a little better because it has my personal love built in it :) 

We shall see. I will let you all know soon 

 

Booked....

The Twist Studio Spa for hair and make-up and possibly a photobooth. Look how cute this photobooth is! 

Don't you love it? They have different color curtains but no purple or brown. Maybe by November they will or I will go with mustard yellow I think 

I am thinking about making a part of the patio at the ranch into a lounge. People can go out there to get aways from the dancing and have a drink and take pictures! 

I am debating on if I like the four photos in a square. I wish it was a strip like at the fair. 

We will see.....on a lighter note, well not really but it just isn't wedding related. 

I had the most amazing day at work Labor/Delivery yesterday. I had a 23 year old woman give birth using the Bradley Method. You can read more about it here 

They had kept the gender a mystery the past 9 months and were elated to find out they had a little baby boy. I can not tell you how blessed I felt to be in the room helping hold a leg. She and her Mr. were amazing and their little boy SO cute! I will say, she might have changed my mind about an epidural one day. She was THE WOMAN and her Mr. was a fabulous coach, I have never seen anything more amazing. 

I am done for now...hopefully my Mr. will find out where he is going for baseball so I can buy a ticket for opening day. 

Yes, I know that is less than 2 weeks away and tickets are getting more expensive by the minute but hey, we like to live life on the edge. 

Have I mentioned I got an ipad? OMGarsh I love it! 

Last note: I am working on our slideshow and I cried watching it....haha Better have some darn good waterproof mascara for that wedding! 

Bad News and Good Finds

So....today I got an email from Twist Studio Spa I told you about....well the loft is booked :( So, now I am debating on either having someone come do our hair/make-up or still going there. My mom is looking into renting a bigger house if we can find one we will have the hair/make-up team come to the house. We shall see.....BUMMER!

Amazing finds on etsy! I am in love and want these. I think it would be cool for the bridal showers if people brought a recipe card with their favorite recipe written on it. The Mr. and I both love to cook. I like baking and appetizers he likes grilling and main dishes. We are a perfect team! 

Love this recipe box 

And the list keeps going for etsy! 

This for my dress 

and ring bear pillow? Do we need one of those? I am not sure??

hmmmmm but I am loving this one 

too cute right?!?!

Well that is it for now I am going to go look at a house :) cross our fingers and toes and pray the Lord find a house for us to make our home! 

xoxo JA 

Trip to the Coast

My mom and I set out on a journey over to the coast to get some wedding planning done. On our agenda: flowers, rentals, cake, and going to the Ranch. 

Ranch got scratched due to rain 

Flowers booked with Jenny McNiece. Our meeting with her was absolutely perfect she totally got the image I was going for. 

Floral Cuffs for the Grandma's 

Sunflower Wands with burlap for Stella and Liv 

My vintage bouquet 

No boutonnières for the men (I don't like them :|) 

Pomander balls in Sunflowers and kermit mums to hang from the chairs of the aisle

Bouquet of sunflowers for bridesmaids with burlap wrapping 

like the ones on the side here but WAY better burlap wrapping 

NEXT we were on to the cake tasting....

Laurie and I quite enjoyed ourselves. Mom on the other hand is going "thru" celiac disease testing so she could not taste. WE made up for her. 

I decided on carrot cake for Justin and I's small cake and we will have cupcake tower 

like the top tier here with honeysuckle vine wrapped around the base 

kind of like this....but not haha 

cupcake flavors: white with raspberry frosting, carrot, and devil's food 

let me tell you the cake and cupcakes are going to be AMAZING! 

I am so excited and more excited to eat them :) 

Yes, we all know I am a dessert whore and all but YUM YUM! 

Rentals: ugh first let me start by saying my caterer is fabulous she met me there to make sure we have it all. She recommended we went to Taylor Rentals in Paso Robles. 

I had met another rental place at the Bridal Show Got You Cover'd and I don't know why but I liked them. I had a good feeling 

But, by the recommendation I went to the Taylor Rental appointment we had set up after I took a peak at the inventory at Got You Cover'd haha

So, we get to Taylor and we go over everything now remind you just by naked eye Got You Cover'd had nicer rentals. However, I was open. Almost two hours later we had our quote in hand and I was going over it questioning items that were a lot and being told, "well ya you are requesting special order colors." Ummm.....since when was champagne a special order color?? and why didn't you tell me before I wasted 2 hours here???

FRUSTRATING! 

they were not budging on price/negotiation.....SO I pulled out my quote from Got You Cover'd and low and behold they wanted to match their pricing plus 10% more off. 

hmmm...don't know about you all but I HATE that 10 seconds ago you said, "no way we are practically giving it to you at cost."

So, I decided to leave with the revised quote and matched pricing and think it over for a few days. 

I got in contact with Got You Cover'd asked them to match the 10% off  Taylor Rentals was giving me. Email and phone calls back and forth they could not match the 10%. They are a family owned business and just couldn't do it in these economic times. 

Decision time: I decided to go with Got You Cover'd yes, it was a tad but more expensive BUT they have better reviews, the lady didn't piss me off with "special order" crap, they tried to work with me , and I like the family owner aspect of their business. 

We are having champagne table cloths with purple napkins for guests. Sweetheart table for J and I purple linen with handmade napkins by yours truly (will post pictures later). Cocktail tables in purple with burlap ribbon to wrap around base. Mason Jars as water glasses and all the typical other stuff. 

AKA: utensils, wine glass, champagne glass, plates etc.  

We also spur of the moment went to the salon where I am planning to get ready 

Twist Studio Salon and Spa 

Walking in......totally in awe how beautiful the salon is. My mom, Laurie and I were all in shock we were not expecting this. 

They also have a loft and a bistro connected to salon. We are planning on renting the apartment loft for the night before the wedding for myself and any bridesmaid who wants to join. I am thinking glass of wine and a relaxing night before I become Mrs. Wilson! 

Ps....downtown Paso is beyond cute! We ate at a fabulous little cafe for lunch and went antique shopping the rest of the day. I found the perfect little wood wagon for the girls if they can't walk, Little G can pull them in it down the aisle. 

I wanted everything in every antique store....BUT we need a house first then I can decorate. I do not need to load up on decor before I have the house I remind myself of that daily.

just like the one on the right but more antique looking 

Now.....should I or shouldn't I have a photobooth? hmmmmm