Discoveries.

The past four days have flown by, and before I knew it, Thursday just about smacked me right in the face, and I hadn't visited this space in over a week.  Blogger fail.  But I've been reading yours, I promise. What else would I do while eating breakfast in the morning.
Blogs > Newspaper.

Since I've been gone I am have made some life changing discoveries.

First, wedding photo booths are better with lobsters, duh.

A dogs paw works on a touch screen. And yes I actually made my dog use my iPhone yesterday, and you should have seen the joy radiating off me while making her do it. What, you don't try things with this with your dog? I swear I'm normal.  She's great at checking email, texting not so much.

Frozen pineapple, Kale, OJ smoothies are Ah-maz-ing. Seriously try it. It's like a tropical party, that's healthy too.

Nothing will prepare you for trying on wedding dresses. It feels as foreign as it sounds,  dueling with the feeling of being a life size barbie, and event that doesn't describe it.  I've tried on many a-dresses. I swear nothing had me ready for this feeling, nothing.

Nine o'clock bed times aren't just for Grandparents, they are for me too. And I am not even ashamed by it.  I just. can't. hang.

Extended warranty's may just save you thousands. I've got my girl back (that's my car) and I love it even more than the day I bought it.  Eight days was simply too long to be apart. Never again lady, or at least I hope not.

Cyber Monday was not over rated. I scored this, some flights, and some accessories for over half off, and while I still know I'm getting ripped off, I feel a lot better about it.

And last, there is simple not enough Christmas this year.  With Thanksgiving falling so late, we don't have enough days of Christmas lights, music, trees, or stockings. Let alone enough days to shop.  Holy all hot dogs, hold on to your buns. We're 20 days out.

Advice to for the Days Post Engagement

First and foremost. Thank you to all your love and support. I still can't believe it's real (both my life and engagement), and I've been rockin' the ring for nearly a week.  Please note this picture was taken on the day of my engagement, just before it happened, hence no ring.

A week already. Holy Blazin' Saddles. I need to get things rollin', but seriously.

So here are some words from the wise. Except I'm not 'the wise', so here are some tips on days post engagement from me.

Go ahead and call your office and let them know you won't be in for a day or two; you'll be on the phone. Those venue calls and emails may make you crazy, but are so damn necessary. Take good notes ladies. They (the venues) mean business. Also if I haven't emailed you back (that's all of you, lets be honest), it's because I've been emailing venues.  But I'm coming up for air and will be returning them shortly ;).

Remind yourself that you are not dreaming, and that the ring too is real. And then remind yourself that yes, you are in fact some one's fiance.  Because it's just plain awesome.

Your family. Don't forget about them. They all want to know and share your exciting news. Embrace the love and support they extend to you.  Then meet with them to give them your venue information (ASAP) and start making decisions; the earlier the better.

Look cute, because everyone who knows you is going to want to see the ring talk to you about the engagement, but let's not lie probably see the ring. You DON'T want to be looking a mess. I'm just sayin'.

Just smile and embrace it.  This time if never going to come again.

Also, yes catch yourself looking down at your finger for a few too many seconds, because your ring catches the light and your eye so perfectly.  There ain't nothing wrong with loving it.

Is this Real LIfe?

So I teased you yesterday about exciting news.

Here is my news.

As for the story,  that's something that is ours to keep forever.

Rest assured it was perfection in every, single, way.

Still not believing life is real.

But trying to enjoy each second.

My Weekend Party

This weekend I hosted a bridal shower, a sure fire sign that we're not in Kansas college anymore.  It was a small gathering, but as I mentioned before, I was quite nervous about having people over.  Something about the first 'formal' gathering that you host can really get to you, or so I've learned.

Maybe it's my type A personality or my unhealthy obsession with Pinterest, but I wanted the every last detail to be perfect.  So I cleaned for days, arranged flowers, bought what felt like half of the super market, and made my boyfriend hang my other DIY curtains in preparation.  (Please note this is the cleanest our house has been in 2013, see what hosting a party can do for you?)  All in hopes of attaining perfection.

Well the event was far from perfect, you probably noticed the crossed out food label above due to a last minute menu change, but it was heartfelt to say the least. The out pour of love and support that was given to me as the host, and my good friend as the bride (isn't she stunning with that pixie?) was really amazing.  Especially considering how poorly the bachelorette party went? Remember this story?

Among my favorite moments was when she was opening presents, and got a book that has advice from couples that have been married over fifty years, and tears came to her eyes. It wasn't the grandest or most expensive present there, but it was the idea behind it that really got the bride to be everyone choked up.

There's just something so special about sharing moments with friends who are getting married that you can't ever recreate.  I'll probably never parade around the house in my bridemaids dress, next to a best friend in her veil and wedding shoes in front of our co-workers just for fun ever again. Nor will there be that much excitement stirring in my home for a while, but I was honored we could all be together to share and celebrate the last few weeks of her 'single' life.

I can't wait to stand up at the alter with her in six short weeks, and I really can't wait to break it down on the dance floor.  But really I can't wait to share the future with her and her husband. It's going to be be so amazingly special.

P.S. I got my camera back, but I didn't take these, a guest did. Didn't she do a GREAT job?

Shots Cause She's Married

As if you haven't heard enough about my best friend getting married, I'm here to share more.

This picture is among my favorites from her 'big day' while it's a family tradition (on the brides side) to take a shot of Patron during the party.  Seeing as how this was a huge party, the Mother of the Bride requested one before we drove over the the venue. To that I have one word, awesome.

It was also awesome that later in the night we took another shot, and my Mom threw hers back on the dance floor...man I love that lady. I love her even more when we slow dance together trying to figure out who is leading because my Dad and boyfriend are too caught up in conversation to join us.

Also a thank you for being in her wedding, got us there beautiful robes. This might be put to some good use to avoid instances like your boyfriends Mom walking stopping by to drop something off while you are baking in your underwear at 4pm on a Sunday. More to come on this later.

And speaking of boyfriend, this is also among my favorite pictures of us at wedding, mostly because I'm not passed out, my dress isn't ripped, and I'm not dancing with children I don't know.

All in all, this might have been my personal 'best performance' at a wedding, also because I nailed my speech. I'm not sayin' I'm awesome I'm just saying that unsolicited, a guest I did not know told me it was the best MOH speech they had ever heard.  I thanked them politely, as my internal happiness meter jumped off the charts and did two back flips.

So after nine weddings, I've finally got it down.

I guess some us just have a slower learning curve.

Me, A Wedding, and a Speech (We All Need Help)

From her Chicago Bachelorette Party

On Saturday my best friend little sister best friend is getting MARRIED.

And I can't even believe it, she's going to be a wife.

Seriously though, I've know here since the day she was brought home from the hospital, and now she's getting married, but I think you probably got that part.

On to the next. I'm giving a speech at her wedding, and I SUCK at public speaking.  Give me a group of sorority girls, a team at work, or a small crowd at a party and I am fine, but a group of people, many of whom I've never met and I stumble, stammer, stutter, and slur (especially after a few glasses of wine).

I've started writing it yesterday and I have 

three

measly

lines

Anyone have any good tips on how to write a good maid of honor speech?

I'll take all the help I can get.

P.S. Let's hope for a good showing at this wedding, remember what happened at the last one?

My Life in Numbers

I had grand plans of writing a post about how I want to work when I am a Mom, but how I also reserve the right to change my opinion of that in the coming years.  I even have one all written up sitting in my drafts, but then it just seemed all too serious a post for a beautiful summer Friday, so I decided not to. #bigwhimp

So instead I find myself eating breakfast (fried egg on toast with salsa, of course), trying to come up with something to write about. And then it came to me, take a page from the bestie.  

My life in numbers.

8 days until I have to give a speech at my best friend's wedding.

 I still haven't written it, I better get on that.

13 days until Nadine is here...gosh that isn't quite soon enough.

41days until I am officially a quarter century, gosh that sounds old.

2 loads of laundry down (I did them yesterday)

4 to go #ithinkicanithinkican #goshihatelaundry

130 calories in skinny cows chocolate Carmel bites, admittedly worth every single one.

7 miles run this week, down from the usual 12-15, and not feeling good about it.

1 more day of the Nordstrom Anniversary sale. I can resist the urge, I can resist the urge, I can resist the urge playing in repeat in my head.

3 trips the grocery store this week, and I forgot something every.single.trip. I need to start making better lists, or just go back to making lists in general.

90 cents off the gallon this week with Safeway Gas Rewards, when I can fill up for under fifty bucks, it's a BIG win ladies, but seriously I felt like I had just won the jackpot.

14 bucks for these cute shoes at Target, I didn't believe it was real at first either.

53 times I listened to this song yesterday without getting sick of it. Not joking.

3 measly blog posts this week, you can't win 'em all.

6 hours between me and the weekend, leggo.

Hotter Than a Witches Tit and Wedding Season

This weekend we (my boyfriends family, my.boyfriend, and I) went to a wedding, in Arizona.

And it was HOT. 

Like record highs hot.

119 degrees on the day of the wedding hot.

The brides Mom described the heat as, "Hotter than a witches tit," Hot.

Which pretty much sums it up.

 Gotta love iPhone wedding pics, and the shoes (remember them???)

We jumped from A/C to A/C like the frog in frogger jumped from one leaf to another.

More than thirty seconds out side was actually painful. It felt like you were burning.

But we had a great time, despite it all.  My only comment, I'm not sure I'll be going back 

to Arizona any time soon. 

I'm even more excited to announce that it's supposed to be 105+ all week long at home.

Good news is, we'll be escaping the heat, and heading the mountains Tuesday night,

to be spend the fourth by the lake (and this little guy will be there)

Apologies to all instagram followers who have already seen this, if you haven't follow along here.

 

My plan is to come back tan, relaxed, and ready for the next four marathon weekends.

That will be full of bachelorette parties, bridal showers, and weddings.

Yup, it's officially wedding season.

Naked in the Castle

Remember when I wrote about the things not to do at a wedding, most of which I have done, here.

Yeah, well I forgot one.

A MAJOR one.

Like I seriously can't even imagine how I forgot this one actually happened to me.

Okay so lets just jump right in.

I was at a wedding.

In Edinburgh, Scottland.

At the Castle, you know this one.

via

aka where princess Zara got married.

No, it was not here wedding.

All the men are in skirts  kilts, and I have a fascinator on, just to be fun and in the spirit.

 See, I wasn't kidding.

The ceremony was finished, and I was at the reception. 

Seriously the prettiest and most intimate (read there were only 30 people at the wedding) reception I have ever been been invited to.

Anyways we had just finished eating, and the cutting of the cake was happening.

One of the boys (the bride has one boy, and the groom has two) was walking by with a strand of decorative cake pearls in his mouth, and he was trying to eat them.

I bent down, to say, "Oh, honey those aren't for eating."

And just as I finished delivering those words, I felt and heard a rip in the back of my dress.

Panic stricken and wine influenced, I freak out.

I never took a course titled "What to do when your dress tears at the seam at the fanciest wedding you've ever attended".

So I stay bending down and feel my back side, and to my relief the lining of the dress  was still intact.  So I scadoodle (aka waddle awkwardly to the corner of the room) where another guest is seated.  She was invited very last minute, but was also the seamstress of the brides gown.

 The seamstress in beige, and brides gown that she sewed.

 I tell her what has happened, and take a seat next to her.

She summons a waiter and asks for a sewing kit, he fetches one, and she escorts my scadoodeling self to the kitchen.  She has me with my butt facing her, face down on a table in the kitchen.

(you are welcome for the visual)

And shes attempting to stitch back the seam of my dress.

 As a back ground on my dress, it was from Nordstrom.

The fancy department, aka it was not form BP, and was $200, and my size.

It wasn't distastefully tight or anything, I even got it bride approved before I bought it. 

Anyways the seamstress, Nina, is struggling to get the seam back together, and tell me she, "...I need it off," I hear charming Scottish accent.  So without any hesitation or second thought, I rip of my dress and hand it to her, leaving me in my heels, bra, underwear, and fascinator, in the kitchen of the Edinburgh Castle.

Everything was all good until a waiter walked in, and about dropped all the dessert plates he had just cleared. I'm thinking it was because I looked so darn good, but it was probably because he didn't expect to see a naked girl in his kitchen.

He proceeded to politely clear the dishes, and bring me a table cloth to wrap myself in.

What a gentleman.

Nina finished sewing my dress, I put it back on, and proceeded to rock out on the dance floor.

And there you have it ladies.

Single most embarrassing thing that has happened to me, EVER. 

Happy Monday.

Once One Falls, They All Fall

In the past month-four of my friends and family have popped up on my facebook news feed with pictures of their hands, newly adorned with a sparkly diamond(s).

one of the many from my news feed...

That being said, people should warn you that your middle twenties (especially as a female) will be spent watching your friends 'fall' one by one.  And no I don't mean fall in a bad way.  I believe in one true love, soul mates, marriage, etc. and I know I have found mine...remember the other day when he made me breakfast in bed, yup I love him.
He's a keeper.

Anyways I was warned by my brother when I was younger (aka just graduated college) he said, "...once the first one comes, it's like non-stop for a year."  I didn't believe him at the time, because nothing seems real when you're fresh out of college.

Now that I'm where he was a couple years back (he's four years older), I realize what he meant.  I am starting to think that Facebook should have a warning on all your friends between the ages of twenty four and thirty that goes a little something like this: WARNING x% of your friends are between the ages of 24 and 30, this means you should expect to see ___ of engagements this year, and you will attend ___ weddings this year, on average.  I think it'd be pretty damn helpful, besides facebook can basically do everything else.

It would  have been really be helpful to know in advance, so when you're like me, and just entering these years, you know what to expect. And by expect I mean spend all spare money on wedding related activities, bridal showers, bachelorette parties, dresses, gifts, and flights.

I'm currently planning a bachelorette party, and have five weddings (that I know of) weddings to attend this year, two of which I am in.  (If you read this post, you'd know I have some funny wedding stories).  I am so excited about all of this funness. Plus I get to attend them with this charming man...

But what I will say is he (my brother) was right.

Once one falls, they all fall.

And it's true.

Wedding Lists...

Top 3 Things Not to Do at a Wedding.
As told and experienced by me.

1. Drink TOO much:

Note to self- drinking too much at the wedding of the family you plan on having as in laws someday is probably NOT the way to win them over, just in case you were wondering. Don't know of you remember the wedding from this post, but I have never come 'clean' as to what really happened...

The cocktail hour, the champagne toast, the wine toast, the bridal party and groomsmen shots, and dancing cocktails really snuck up on me. And looking at that list- boy WHAT was I thinking???  Well the answer is I wasn't, I was breaking it down hard core making a fool of myself on the dance floor.

Somewhere after that and before I thought the front door the the hotel room was the bathroom, my boyfriend had escorted me to the room- shut the door and instructed me to 'stay in here'. But when nature calls when the toilet is calling sometimes you get disoriented and lock yourself out of the room, in your towel. Yeah that happened. Good news his neighbor got a show found me, called my boyfriend, who came to let me in the room for a second time.

Good Kaylin, way to make a lasting impression...NOT.

If you do this, which I do NOT advise doing, just rock it out.
That's all the advice I have on this one.

2. Wear a Dress the Same Color as the Bridesmaids (or Bride, but that's a given)

Check that one off the list, because yup, I've done that too.
Just look at me (far left) and bridesmaid (dead center).

I was at a wedding of my brother best friend (I've known him for years), and so I wasn't really in touch with the colors of the wedding, etc.  So I ordered a dress from Nordstrom thinking it'd be perfect. Perfect it was, perfectly the exact same shape, color, and almost cut as the bridesmaids.

Oh my bad, I'll be sure to never do that again.

I'd be one thing if I were clearly 'too old' to be in the wedding party, but I wasn't, so I looked like a wannabe, add on, and that was just embarrassing for me.  And for that matter, so is this photo.

3. Accidentally Say the Wrong Name During your Speech

Nope, I'm not guilty of this one (yet), leave it to me to do all of these in my lifetime.

But I have heard it done.  I was at the super fancy spancy wedding in Scotland.

(Kilts are so darned good lookin' on men, it's true). 

 It was a second wedding for both the Bride and the Groom, and during the 'congratulatory' speech the Bride's cousin called the Groom by the Bride's ex-husbands name.  It was brief, and I am sure no one noticed everyone noticed, but understood, and just saw past it.  We went on to have an AWESOME celebration, and we soon forgot about that craziness. 

I can't say it wasn't thoroughly awkward, because it was.  I am just thankful the groom was so gracious, and did not allow this experience to ruin the wedding reception, or his night

What I am also thankful for, is the fact that I was not guilty of all three items on my list.
So this is my list so far of things no to do at a wedding.
I know there are more, tons more.
As I live through and find myself guilty of others (as I am sure I will), I'll let you know.

Any good wedding stories to share?

An iPhone's View of a Wedding

This was a wedding if I have ever seen one.

Every. Single. Last. Detail. Was. Perfect.

 

And here is what my iPhone has to show about it, not much but I wanted to share.

 

Cutest little princess ever

 

 Ever seen a guy this little look this dapper?

Wish I could do this myself :(

 

Bridesmaid and Flower Girl

 

Brothers ready for trouble

 Yeah, I was his date :)

 

Strain my neck much?

 Mom and Dad Love

 

Cousins

Bridesmaid and Eli

Make a silly face

Sorry I've been MIA.

Busy weekend,

and I wasn't even in the wedding.

Also we've had 5 days of 100+ heat, someone please make it go away.

Hope your weekend was Just Amazing!

oh and one last thing: CONGRATS to the New Mr. & Mrs. have fun in Tahiti!!!