Wednesday, October 8, 2008

not like grama's

Last night, I discovered a jar of applesauce The Fiancé had in the refrigerator. I decided to sample it as a new dessert option, in my effort to be healthy (read: effort not to eat ice cream). Gleeful in my discovery of something that was both wholesome and sweet in my own kitchen, imagine my disappointment upon the discovery that Motts is absolutely nothing - I mean nothing - like what Grama used to make.

This led to my declaration to The Fiancé that we need to add items to our registry that will enable me to make homemade applesauce. I don't know what those items might be, but I seem to recall some sort of grinder-contraption being needed to mash the apples (upon my explanation of this, The Fiancé looked at me like I was coo-coo; I could almost see his mind reeling at the vision of me, in a kitchen, with fancy grinding tools, trying to make something edible). I ignored his incredulous stares and continued with my illustration of why Motts is deficient and why I need to learn to make yummy, not watery, delicious homemade applesauce.

To which he responded (after decrying the irony of a woman who at lunch was learning about how to improve and reform the civil justice system in Chicago now wanting to learn how to mash fruit), "You know there are store-bought options out there other than Motts, that are made to taste more like homemade, right?"

Me: "What...?!"

Why didn't he just say so? Screw the grinder. What, did he think I wanted to be domesticated or something? As if.

Tuesday, October 7, 2008

i wish We wore hats

...because what is more darling than these beautiful pics from my increasingly-beloved-photography-site, Lillian and Leonard, of wedding attendees in hats?! These are from across the Pond, so they look natural. Put our American guests in hats, and suddenly it looks ridiculous. So sad. Because I LOVE hats [I will endeavor to dig up a little ditty from my childhood wherein I attempted to wear mutliple hats...at once... and not much else...]

For instance, there's Happy Hat:


Hats in church!



Little happy curly-que-almost-a-hat


and last but not least, Big hat + little person



*sigh* I wish hats were as prized over Here as they are in Lillian and Leonard's world... I for, one, would be all for it!

as good as a piece of string around my finger...

I've been feeling a bit overwhelmed by this planning process [to those who know me outside this blog, this is a shocking revelation, I know...]. My type A personality is struggling to relinquish control of any detail whatsoever, yet it's the details that are driving me mad (what color green for the paper... crest or no crest... black ribbon or green... necklace or brooch...ahahaha it goes on and on... into my dreams, I swear...!) I chanced upon this little pendant on Etsy, and am thinking I would do well by sewing it onto my bouquet. Because, frankly, if I'm this stressed with six months to go, I can only imagine what will befall me on April 18, 2009. A not-so-subtle reminder to myself might be well taken...

Monday, October 6, 2008

hooray for the nineteenth amendment

Just a reminder that there was a time, not so long ago, where some of Us didn't enjoy the right to vote. Lucky for Us, times have changed. All that is moot, however, if you neglect to register. [In that case, you might as well live in Brunei.]

Please note: in some states, the deadline for registering to vote is soon. As in, the next couple of days. If you don't register, you can't vote.
There are plenty of ways to register online, and look! You're already online!
Learn about your state HERE.
Register HERE or HERE.

Friday, October 3, 2008

the things we do for friends

This weekend I'm off to visit two of my dearest friends from law school. And in between reminiscing, enjoying wine, going to a dog blessing [don't ask, because I couldn't explain it if I wanted to], vetting one's new boyfriend [we'll be nice, I promise...], we shall also be going bridesmaid dress shopping. Oh, You lucky lucky girls! I can hardly wait! Cross Your fingers we find some lovely options, lest we have to dig out numbers like those above...

At least I'll look pretty.

Thursday, October 2, 2008

uhuru! this could be us!


Uhuru!
Originally uploaded by acastellano
...it started as a joke. I don't remember the details, but it had something to do with me talking about hiking Mt. Kilimanjaro, followed by The Fiancé disbelieving me [...not surprising, given my aversion to camping...], followed closely by my public castration of him over Facebook for "Not believing in my DREAM(!) to hike to the top of Mt. Kilimanjaro!"

Anyway, following a recent begging-pleading-crying-for-mercy attempt on my part to ditch this whole wedding fiasco and elope instead [...it happens regularly, don't You all have the same desire now and then...?], The Fiancé declared that not only could we NOT elope [...something about the whole declaring-our-love-in-front-of-everyone is really important to some people, apparently (read: The Fiancé)...], but in fact, he wouldn't even contemplate the idea UNLESS said elopment were to occur in someplace terribly exotic [to us], say, like Mt. Kilimanjaro...

...which led me to thinking [a dangerous endeavor, I tell You]: COULD we get married on Mt. Kilimanjaro?!?

I am hating planning my wedding right now. I just want to fast forward, be married, and skip all this nonsense. A lot of this stems from my general impatience (it's a character flaw). I just don't understand why everything - takes - so - long. Time seems to be at once crawling (will April 2009 EVER get here?), and yet I don't have any time with which to be carefree and fancy free (where have all my weekends gone this fall?!). The road to The Wedding just seems to stretch interminably long right now.

At times [yesterday] when I realize that I just don't care what the Save the Dates look like [well, I do, but not really... No, I don't... Yes, okay, I do... Whatever...], I need to remind myself that being engaged and the planning of The Wedding should be as enjoyable as the day itself...

After all, “Too often we are so preoccupied with the destination, we forget the journey.” (source: unknown)

...Then again, instead of Save the Dates, we could always just send out After-the-Fact Announcements like this picture, that simply say, "We're Hitched!"

Mmmm.... tempting.

somewhere over the rainbow


According to Project Wedding, "the colors you choose for your big day reflect your personality and style." Here's what my colors say about me:

Black: A conservative choice, black complements almost any color, especially lighter hues. Dignified and mysterious, black denotes sexiness and sophistication with a modern twist. Black is classic, never trendy, alluding to a modern bride. As an opulent choice, black is timelessly elegant. [Commentary: after reading this, I thought about maybe scraping all my other colors and making everything black. I mean, seriously, I hope to be all these things!]

White: Symbolic of purity and innocence, white has strong connotations of youth and perfection. White aficionados seek excellence and enlightenment, as simplicity and recognition are constant ventures. White is a glorious hue (or lack thereof) that denotes a clean palette or fresh start for those who seek serenity and peace. [Commentary: hmmmm... this basically bears zero resemblance to me whatsoever...note to self: minimize "white" elements of weddding...]

Pink: A softer, girlish choice, pink is the sweeter side of red. A delicate hue, pink represents a sensitive heart that is affectionate and nurturing. The bride surrounded with pink has a maternal grace and compassion and a desire for protection or shelter. The rosy hue fan may also have a strong personality, but one that is willing to share. [Commentary: insomuch as pink will be a very small part of my overall motif (think: a few choice pink flowers through-out, but not like pepto-bismolly or anything, egads!), I think it will be a nice compliment to the stark black and green - just like these attributes are not the defining aspects of who I consider myself to be, but certainly they are important and present...I think. I hope. I'm nurturing and stuff, aren't I, Honey????]

Green: Green shades symbolize life, freshness, nature and fertility. A common choice for eco-friendly brides, green shows that you value your health and the environment. A harmonized and balanced color, green is a mixture of warm yellow and cool blue, just like its admirers. A calming and tranquil hue, brides who select green are affectionate, frank and responsible. You seek stability and balance, yet remain fiercely principled and refined. [Commentary: and Irish. What about Irish? Stupid website forgot IRISH!]

Wednesday, October 1, 2008

score!


Dear Fiancé,

You may think I don't listen to you, but, turns out, I do [usually.]

[ok, sometimes.]

I know you were scandalized by the thought of a $700+ pair of shoes in our home. And, truth be told, so was I (this is just one of the reasons I'm marrying you...we really are on the same page, see... except when you ask me to go camping). So, even before I saw the look of mortification on your face last night when I told you I'd bid on the Christian Louboutins, I had already discovered...[no peeking if Your name is The Fiancé!]... these ...at a mere fraction of the cost (literally)... and half-off. Half-off!! That just screams "buy me!" So clearly, I'd already ordered them (I mean, I didn't really think I'd luck into Louboutins for $300, and if I did, well, we'd find room for them. Somewhere. On my head if need be].

Anyway, the magical little much-less-expensive green shoes arrived today.

...AND I LOVE THEM! We have a winner! I do believe the green-wedding-shoe-quest has ceased! I actually can't adequately express on a blog how comfortable they are. And how they actually look far better in person than they did on the webpage. [And even if I hate them when I put them on with my dress - who cares! because they are returnable for 365 days at endless shoes - Gawd, I love online shoe shopping...]

This is not to say I won't be tempted to purchase a pair of designer adornments for the rehearsal dinner, but for now, I'm feeling pretty darn smug with the comfort and right-ness of these for the wedding day.

french kiss

Yum... Hostess with the Mostess is a site after my own heart. Check out this delicious little cocktail recipe... looks so easy I think even an attorney [read: me] could make it:

Ingredients:
1 part vodka
1 part Chambord
1 part dark cream de cacao
1 1/2 parts half and half

Directions:
Shake ingredients with ice and strain. and proceed to devour.

the price of flour has gone up

Yesterday over at sparkliatti, Sasha Souza posted the following stats:

I must confess they gave me pause. I mean really, $4.52 for a slice of cake? Maybe we don't need cake.

Ironically, 50 years ago today, the American Express charge card made its official debut. Seriously. I couldn't make this stuff up.