Friday, August 14, 2015

I Found THE Dress

Wedding dress shopping should be fun but for many brides, they find that finding that right dress is so hard and it is down right stressful. This is because this one dress holds so much expectation. All your family and friends will see you in it, it is the symbol of your old life joining your new life with your husband. With all those expectations also come opinions.

I believe the #1 reason that a bride doesn't get a dress that she wants is because she thinks that someone will disapprove of it. This past weekend I went shopping with my bridal party and my fiance's mother. She wasn't originally a fan of the fact that I loved the big tulle ball gown shapes and not the more traditional styles. At one point in the appointment, I said to her the reason why I love the tulle- it is my personality. I am a bubbly person and I love to make a splash when I can. I am in no way traditional and she changed her opinion pretty quickly. Though brides shouldn't have to explain themselves, I did because I didn't want it to be something that would come between us during this whole process.

Interestingly enough, I didn't find my dress at this store. I was actually very disappointed in their choices in dresses for women my size and the consultant I had was less than enthusiastic about serving me that day. But I did find another dress.

For months I have been eyeing it on David's Bridal. Everyone told me "do not go to David's Bridal," "I heard horror stories." But this dress was beautiful and just what I wanted. Plus is was on sale for much cheaper than those other dresses I was less than enthused about. Then it went on sale for $100 and I snatched it up. The moment I put it on at home, I knew it was going to be the one and I just can't wait to walk down the aisle in it. While there is some tulle and it is a ballgown, it is still traditional in a sense but it is so me. Even my bridal party said so and said they liked it much better than any designer dress I could have bought for tons more.

Who would have thought that I would wear a wedding dress that was cheaper than my Prom dress! :) I am so excited to get it fitted correctly (using a local seamstress, not the store) and to wear it on my big day!

Thursday, July 23, 2015

I'm Gonna Get Married

So, its been a few months since the engagement between Kevin and I actually happened, but I just felt the need to share the story of one of the most surprising and amazing nights of my life.

It was a Thursday night, March 5th, 2015 and I was sitting at home. Kevin and I work at the same place but our shifts are a little off on Thursdays so I end up getting home at around 7 while he gets home after 9. I had already gotten home and changed into my comfy clothes, cooked dinner (it was waiting on the stove) and had settled down in front of Netflix to watch some Grey's Anatomy reruns. Kevin had been fighting a cold for a few days so nothing seemed out of the ordinary to me when he said he was stopping at the store to get some cough drops.

It was around 9:45 when the dog alarm alerted me that Kevin was coming through the door, but he was hiding something. Since from the place I was perched on the couch had full visibility of the door, Kevin told me I had to close my eyes. Confused, I did as I was told, with a dramatic scene of Grey's anatomy playing in the background. He came over and behind me and placed a bouquet of flowers, later to be revealed as roses, in my right hand and kneeled on my left side before having me open my eyes.

"Will you marry me?" He asked as he held up the white ring box with the beautiful ring.

"Are you serious?" I said, not believing him as he had told me previously that he was going to fake me out.

"Yes!" He said, laughing.

"Of course," I said as I started to cry happy tears. I made him put the ring on my hand, which fit perfectly, and we kissed. It really was beautiful. I got up and into the kitchen where the light was on so I could look at the ring better and he said "We need to make it facebook official." (which, if you know anything about our relationship, that was the first thing we did after deciding to start dating. We have pictures of is making it facebook official.) I said that we need to tell a couple people first, so I snapped a picture and sent a few texts to friends and family. Then I put the needed ring picture on instagram and facebook.

I was still crying happy tears when I said, "Well dinner is done..." Kevin laughed. We dished some food out but I was so excited I could barely eat.

While we always think about some grand gesture for our engagement, I truthfully think I wouldn't want it any other way than at home. Kevin said he didn't want to do it at a restaurant because it wouldn't be a surprise and I would be crying all over the place in the middle of the place. I loved that it was at home and private to us. Much more sentimental (and I'll always be able to say that I didn't believe him when he asked me!)

By the way...I never paused Grey's Anatomy once throughout the whole time.

Tuesday, June 2, 2015

#WipeForWater Is A Great Campaign

In March, I was the lucky recipient of a Voxbox from a wonderful website I have been a member of called influenster. Influenster allows you to connect your social media and use your influence to try new and different products and then review them.

This voxbox I recieved had a full size package of Neutrogena Naturals Make Up Wipes. It also included a small card with the information about the wipe for water challenge. Did you know that we waste up to 5 gallons of water just washing our face? It doesn't seem like a lot, but as a world, we are becoming more conscious of the water that we use and we are trying to preserve our natural resources. Neutrogena is leading the charge when it comes to make up and its removal.



I didn't think these wipes would be that great since they are naturally derived and use very few chemicals but I thought I would give the challenge a try.

Day 1:  I noticed that my skin was clean, soft and refreshed. I actually didn't have any greasy residue after using the wipes and the smell was nice.

Day 2: I really thought that the feeling from the night before wouldn't last until the next day. I tend to get a lot of grease, especially on my forehead, and I didn't think this would last. I was wrong as my skin felt wonderful. I used the wipe again and washed off the days dirt and my skin still felt wonderful.

Day 3: My skin was still beautiful and starting to even glow a bit. I noticed that the dryness from being sick was clearing up as well.

Day 4-present:  I have actually used these every night since and it has become a routine (yes I have had to buy more and had a surprisingly hard time finding them as they were always out of stock- so they must be popular! 

Overall, I am very happy that I was sent this product for testing purposes. It is a wonderful face wipe and the challenge is great. I have taken out most of my face washing routine in place of the wipes and just wash in the shower when needed.

Saturday, April 25, 2015

A Bit of an Update

Well...it has been forever since I have been on here. Life has so happened but in a great and wonderful way. I think the last time I had an actually life update on here was almost a year ago. So...here goes!

I'm still working at the same lovely company. I love Diplomat and everything that we stand for. In December I was asked to head a new team in a new department for a new system that we are using to call our patients to get their refills set up. Though it was challenging and new, I have learned and settled into my new role wonderfully. I really love it actually and getting to know even more people in the company is a wonderful thing. It is always nice putting a face with the name and voice that you hear at the end of the phone.

I'm still living in the same place because I love it there. It is one of the more safer areas I have ever lived in, its quiet and we haven't had any major problems. I am happy with my roommate and feel satisfied that I could stay there for another year or few until I am able to move into something a little more permanent.

Kevin moved in just after Christmas. In December, he received his Bachelor's degree in Healthcare Administration from UM-Flint. Seeing him walk across that stage made me so proud. We are both college graduates! A couple weeks after that, he moved in with me full time. Though it has been testing at times, it has grown our relationship even more. He even accepted a position at Diplomat as well in December- it was a big month for him!

Big news for us (though I know you already know!), on 3/5/15 he asked me to marry him and of course I said yes (....after I said "are you serious?" lol). He asked me after getting home from work in our little home. I cried (of course) but they were happy tears. I am so excited to get married to him and spend the rest of our lives together. Though it took us a long time to start dating, we finally made the leap and I could not have been happier for the last 3 years. I feel so lucky.
There's my ring! He has such great taste :) I love it and look at it everyday!
Of course I know you want to know some details but we are still in the early planning. The date we have picked in 9/17/16- so keep it open people! We are looking to have the ceremony and reception in the Lapeer area but that may change, we haven't booked anything yet. So many people have come out of the woodwork to help out so far and offer things as we are doing this on as small as a budget as possible and it has been amazing. I want to thank those who have offered services, ideas and items for our big day!

Other than that, its life as usual. Tonks is a cute little stinker with an attitude. Working like crazy but loving every minute of it.

Life is wonderful...thanks for being a part of it. Here are some pics of the year :)
Edith Eger, a holocaust survivor. She was an amazing woman to meet.

Color run- thanks Sally for joining me!

Wine and brownies with the bestie

The cats loving the warmer weather we had a few weeks ago, watching the birdies.