wedding update...and a handmade gift!

I'd like to say I'm not one of those brides that feels overwhelmed - that everything seems to be falling in place with practically no stress or effort on my part...but that would be a big lie. I am for sure enjoying the planning process, however, it does sometimes feel like a full time job- on top of a full time job. Squeezing in meetings on lunch breaks and weekends really takes a toll on your "social life" and everyday normal routines. I am beginning to understand why brides only talk about their upcoming nuptials! It's because that's all they have been doing! With that said, I haven't been blogging because it just seemed like something else I had to add to the to-do list and no one wants me to blog like it's my job, right?!

 In any event- on the topic of weddings, I would like to post about my dear friend, Diane. She was in town after the holidays visiting her in-laws and me, of course! As an upholstery apprentice in South Carolina for the last 6 months, Diane offered to reupholster one of my "side of the road" lazy-boy finds as a gift for our wedding. She came into the house with all her power tools and took over for 3 half days until the chair was complete. I'll tell ya, I am still overwhelmed when I look at the finished product and I'm in awe at the wealth of knowledge she has collected in her new position; and on top of that, the fact that she has chosen to share her time and talent with me is really the ultimate gift. Diane- I applaud you and your bad-assery :)

This improved 1978 lazy boy is now a point of contention between Tison and I as we now argue over who gets the recliner! :) Thank you again for all your hard work! We love it.

"I just can't deal..."

"I just can't deal" is the phrase Katie K. and I have been saying non-stop for the last month at the work place. So much change has been happening to our little island of happiness. Lauren moving to Kinston, North Carolina with her fiance, Justin, really rocked my boat. For two and a half years we greeted each other every morning in our office we like to call "the hole." For two and a half years we sat next to each other sharing life's trials and tribulations, comforting one another and trying to keep each other positive. I can't even express to you how much I miss having her around. I have realized just how precious it is to find someone in life that completely gets you. Like they say in Bride Wars,

"Sometimes in life there really are bonds formed that can never be broken. Sometimes you really can find that one person who will stand by you no matter what. Maybe you will find it in a spouse and celebrate it with your dream wedding. But there's also the chance that the one person you can count on for a lifetime, the one person who knows you sometimes better than you know yourself is the same person who's been standing beside you all along."

Here's our Adios Luncheon for Lauren at Superior Steakhouse:

Just when I'm figuring out the new routine of my daily work life, Diane's husband, David, is accepted into the family medicine residency in Columbia, South Carolina. Her last day at work was Friday. Even though I knew it was coming, (she gave a 60 day notice for pete's sake) I denied the reality of change. See, the thing is, I'm not only coworkers with these lovely ladies, but real, honest-to-goodness friends. I am so thrilled for their opportunities to begin anew in a different city, but sad knowing that I won't get to spend as much time with each of them as I would like. Change is hard, man. Go ahead, call me melodramatic, but I've been in a real funk as of late.
 
Our farewell dinner for Diane at Wine Country:

Best of luck my lovelies! I'm planning my trip to the Carolinas soon!

at my third Christmas party...

First of all, I can't believe it's Christmas time. Second of all, I can't believe I have now attended my third Christmas party at my boss's house! {Remember last year?} I have been working at LSU for a long time now! Crazy. Most of my coworkers and I started around the same time. We have grown close to one another because of our jobs. This Christmas party was bitter sweet because I know, for a number of them, it will be their last. I get so sentimental about these things... I almost started crying at the party when I thought about it. I have said it before, and I'll probably say it again... I know that some days at work are the most grueling, exhausting and frustrating that we just want to scream, but we are all so lucky to work with each other. I have been truly blessed to be surrounded by such supportive people. Without everyone's optimism and encouragement I doubt any of us would have lasted this long. Most of us spend more time at work than we do at home...kindness and thoughtfulness go a long way.

So, I'm walking around snapping pictures of the party when I get a tap-tap-tap on my shoulder. I was asked by an older gentleman, "Are you taking pictures professionally?" I answer "Well, I work for the department..." He says, "Did you know there is a Princess here? Princess ______ of _____." For the life of me I cannot remember what he said because I was so dumbfounded. The man proceeds by getting her attention and inform her that I want to take her picture. She politely asks where I would like her to stand and I suggest a location were their wouldn't be people behind her. Then the most odd thing happens. She picks up that nutcracker and poses with it. It was so bizarre.

Of course I shared the "Princess Story" with everyone. Now we know how to pose like a princess!

"how old are you?"

"How old are you?" was a question I got from Tison when I told him I had joined a book club. I am never quick on my feet with immediate replies so I am pretty sure I said something resembling, " Oh yeah, well how old are you?!" I'm working on my ability have quick and clever rebuttals, I promise. So when I join a bridge club I will have something really snazzy to say...

Our most recent read was Pioneer Woman: From Black Heels to Tractor Wheels. If any of you read this and loved it, I do apologize for admitting I couldn't even finish the book. I am sure this woman is precious and her Marlboro Man is the definition of "Knight in Shining Armour," but I just couldn't get into it. However, the book club nights are always fun. I had no idea when we started this thing how much I would enjoy talking about the book (or part of the book) that I read. These girls have their opinions honey and I love getting to agree, disagree, or agree to disagree with them.

We all agreed that the recipes by Pioneer Woman were delicious! My mouth salivates every time I think about the sweet marinated tomatoes Diane made; the fig-prosciutto pizza with arugula by our host Laura was such an unusual coupling that I can't wait to make it at home.

I heart you book club!

Our next book is Pride & Prejudice. This will be my third time reading this Jane Austen masterpiece. I am ready to fall in love with Mr. Darcy all over again.

The Great Gatsby

My book club friends and I read The Great Gatsby by F.Scott Fitzgerald this month. We are attempting to alternate a new book with a classic book. I remember reading or at least flipping through the pages in high school. I admittedly was more excited about dressing like a 1920s flapper than actually reading the book. Time after time when I picked up The Great Gatsby and read a few pages I would be out like a light! I found that Fitzgerald has a beautiful writing style, but it is just so different than what I am used to reading. That is to say I found the plot moved sloooowly- until the last 3 chapters (which I read the night before book club). Did anyone else find Daisy to be extremely annoying? Have you ever fallen in love with the idea of a person just to find out it isn't reality? Poor Gatsby... I plan to head to the library this week to pick up the movie version because, let's be honest, Robert Redford is HOT!



Have you heard the buzz about a new version of The Great Gatsby coming out next year? It's a pretty strong cast if there is any truth to it!

Also, here's a link to the 1920s style bob I attempted from a YouTube tutorial. I found my dress at the Greenwood Flea Market a few years ago. I just love the drop waist.

You can find our last book club meet up here. Next month we will be reading Black Heels to Tractor Wheels. What are you reading? Any book club suggestions?

Which Wich...

Lunch break lends itself to exploring new restaurants every now and again. Katie, Diane and I went to the Louisiana Boardwalk to check out Which Wich. I love the concept. You grab a paper bag indicating the particular sandwich you want. Then on that bag you x the x-tras. You can mark anything and everything listed on the bag for no additional charge! It is nuts! I went with the Vegetarian Wich and Katie got the Classic Gyro. Both were tasty.

weekend photos...

Thursday Night

Tison and I went to my parents for supper with M & D and Les. Steak and potatoes do a body good.

Friday

We experienced a snowday - took pictures, had a snow fight, watched old movies, ate sloppy joes, and sat by a bonfire with friends. Yep, pretty perfect!

Saturday

Sister Leslie left for New Orleans on Saturday morning to catch her flight back to Zimbabwe. She will be staying for 2 months and working there this time. I hope to update you on her experience there. It was a bitter sweet send off- I am going to miss her mucho, but know she is going to have such an amazing time. After saying my goodbyes to Leslie - Diane, Shelley, and I went to River City Antique Mall. When I tell you this place has so much stuff it gives you a headache- I am NOT KIDDING! We spent 2 hours getting lost in this place and I definitely didn't even see everything. We all left due to exhaustion and hunger!

Things I will bring next time: 1-gloves (it was cold in there) 2-water bottle 3-a snack 4-more cash!

Saturday Night

Shelley, Cory, Tison, and I went to the new restaurant Anvil {next to Superior Grill.} I really enjoyed the ambiance. The lights are dim, the walls are a splash of terracotta, the musician plays all the right fun and romantic songs. The menu has a lot to offer in the fried category... We split the firecracker shrimp, an appetizer that came with a sauce that much resembles ketchup and hot sauce, and also tried the burger. We both really enjoyed this $10 burger! I can't wait to go back.

Super Bowl Sunday

We picked up wings from Wing Stop and headed over to the Brownlee's to watch the Super Bowl. None of us really cared about either of the teams. In fact, it was quite hard to find an interest in the game at all, considering how exciting it was last year when the SAINTS played!!! I pretty much sat on the couch and played on my phone the whole time. However, we did celebrate the Green Bay victory with a champagne toast!

What would I do without my weekends?!?!?

handmade gifts are the best!

CLUTCH GIVEAWAY!

Leave comment on the blog & WIN a clutch!!

Because I love these clutches that are handmade

by my extremely talented and crafty friend Diane

&

Because I love my fellow daydreamers i.e. blog readers

I want to give you a Christmas present!!!

To enter to win a Coventry Lane clutch all you have to do is tell me

about your favorite Christmas memory in the comments below.

One lucky reader will receive a clutch from Coventry Lane :)

I will announce the winner on Thursday, December 23, at 6pm Central Time,

so be sure to leave a comment before then!

ATTENTION all of you Christmas shopcrastinators (like me...) there is a deal for you at Coventry Lane as well! If you order a clutch on Etsy, starting now until Thursday at 6pm it will be wrapped and hand delivered to you 
before Christmas*

*if you live within the Shreveport/Bossier area.