Happy Halloween!

Closeted Dancing Queen

I must be getting old and this is how I know.

I LOVE the show Dancing with the Stars. Don't ask me why, but I've always been hooked. Perhaps it stems from my obsession with 'Dirty Dancing' the movie when I was growing up. Anyway, last night the viewing public eliminated Sabrina and her partner when they were consistently two of the best dancers week after week. Their scores proved this as well. So it leads me to believe that I'm currently watching the show with a bunch of old people who would like to keep seeing people like Jane Seymour and Marie Osmond continue on, despite the fact that watching them perform is laughable at best.

I'll continue to vote for Max and Mel C (the Spice Girl) in hopes of keeping the show entertaining.

Halloween Comes Early

We had a really fun time on Friday night at my cousin Carolyn's Halloween party. I have never been much for dressing up but it's worth it when you join others doing the same thing!

Here is a pic of me as Pocahontas and John as the County Coroner. He was going to dress up as John Smith but we couldn't get him a costume for that in time.


My other cousins Lauren and Livy got in on the fun. Lauren came as a Runaway Bride and Liv as a Nurse.


On Saturday we went to see the movie Michael Clayton which was really good and cleaned the house (finally!).
Sunday it was our tasting up at Peddler's Village for our wedding menu options but we were sure to stop off at None Such Farms afterward for our annual pumpkin picking.
Here John is loading our choices into the car...


And me creeped out by gords...ewe!


Then of course it was also our annual who can carve a better pumpkin contest. We tried to use one of those kits this year but it wasn't going as planned. We'll let you judge who was the best...psst- mine's the bat ;)

It's Finally Friday

Woah is it gloomy as all get out today. Actually it's been that way all week. It's tough going from breezy, warm and sunny AZ weather to this! Ah, pluses and minuses...

My sweet brother Danny is back safely to Hawaii after his 7 mos. tour in Iraq. We are all so happy to have him back in the U.S. I really hope to make it home at Christmas just to be able to see him at least.

While at home last night watching E! News, I saw Matt again on TV. I see him on TV so much now but always get excited. He looks very handsome and Hollywood-esque. In case some of you missed it, Matt was featured (very prominently) in Guiliani and Bill Rancic's wedding special called "Marry Me in Capri" that aired on Tuesday night. Try to catch it on the Style network in re-runs. It's hilarious!

Insane in the Membrane

Monday will officially mark 5 months out to the wedding. I sometimes have so much to process that I feel my brain might overload and I'll wind up curled in the fetal position under my desk at work. I have to finalize the invite wording and looks, get all addresses together (why is it so hard for people to give these to you!) decide on the flowers to use (specifically) and try to nail down the florist for a quote, do our food tasting and work on my ribbon board project, all within the next couple of weeks. Did I mention we start pre-cana in two weeks? This on top of working a busy sales job and trying to plan on holiday travel. I realize I'm complaining so I apologize.

At least the honeymoon is officially booked. We are set to vacation in Hawaii April 1-9! It should be a blast and is definitely giving me something to look forward to. Here is a pic of our first hotel spot, the Sheraton in Kauai. We are there for the first 4 days before wrapping up the last 5 in Maui.

Shower Recap

We had such a great time in Arizona over the weekend. My bridal shower was TONS of fun and I was truly touched by all the amazing and kind things my family and friends had to say, on top of the wonderful gifts! It truly was a day I'll never forget.
Here are some pics...

Special menu for the event. I had the BEST crabcakes ever there along with a few tasty Mimosas.

A group shot of all my family members that were there. My Aunt Beth is the second one in on the right. She is my #1 blog reader!

Me with bridesmaid Nicole and matron of honor Erin. They came up with the best games to play. Erin even bought me thank you cards and addressed and stamped them all! Both gals flew in for the day. Nicole from Vegas and Erin from ABQ.

My sister Amy, brother Matt, and Mom. Amy and Mom made a scrapbook for me of the day that everyone wrote in. I thought it was a beautiful and thoughtful keepsake. Matt made us all LA party style gift bags to take home.

Opening gifts.

Leaving On a Jet Plane...

Today will be a packed day of finishing up projects at work and trying to prep for our weekend visit to Phoenix. My family and bridesmaids have lovingly planned an AZ bridal shower for me so that's why we are headed out West. John is coming along for the trip to help lug the loot home! HA!

I promise lots of pics and stories upon our return :)

Crazy Indeed

Last night we watched the most bizarre but fascinating documentary about a twisted love story in New York that spanned several decades. Definitely worth a watching. Kind of slow in the beginning but it still sucks you in.

To Do List Mastered

I got so much done this weekend that I feel like Wonder Woman. Of course John helped too but that's neither here nor there.

Anyway, Saturday night we went to eat at an awesome place called Great Burger in Southampton, not too far from the house. We found it in Philadelphia Magazine's 50 Great Meals Under $50 issue. They were delicious! Now I know where to take visitors next time they are in town and craving something In & Out like ;)

Then it was off to the movies to see the new Wes Andersen film "The Darjeeling Limited". I liked it a lot but I like all his movies. Definitely something special and unique about each one. My favorite aspect about TDL was the wonderful cast of characters and the soundtrack. All of Wes Andersen films have great songs to accompany the story. I'm totally loving "Strangers" by the Kinks which was featured. Sadly I won't be able to buy the song on I-Tunes without purchasing the whole album. As you all know I'm on a tight budget these days so that might have to wait.
Check out "The Royal Tennenbaums" and "Rushmore" two of my other favorites by Wes.

Sunday we put all the summer stuff away and rotated in the winter wear (one of my least favorite tasks of living out East). Then we got crackin' on painting our master bedroom, which we have been dying to do for 2 years now. It felt great.
I'm in pain but can lay down amidst the pretty Antique White walls and smile.

Fall Wear

John and I wandered into Old Navy last night which we tend to do from time to time, as I believe they have some of the least expensive outfit 'staples' of any store. Needless to say we walked out with arm fulls of sale items, including a light fall jacket for myself which totaled $12.95!

Here is a pic of my other favorite find, a totally soft, oversized hoodie, perfect for a night at the movies or running errands.

Say Cheese

We found our photographer! Both John and I feel really good about him and his work. He shoots with another partner so we get tons of images and does some really fun things at the reception so that all guests get to have their picture taken.

Take a look on his website...

http://www.johnbaronephotography.com/wedding/

Family and Friends

On Saturday Adrienne and Sam came up for the day so she could help me with my ribbon board/place card project and we could all visit for a bit. We had a really fun time. We went up to Doylestown, None Such Farm for pumpkins and bread, the pretzel factory in Hatboro, a drive downtown to visit the Rocky statue and for the best cheese steaks in the area at Steve's Prince of Steaks in NE Philadelphia. We were stuffed to the gills and so sad to see them go.

Here is a photo of Adrienne and I at the top of the Art Museum steps in Philly...(by the way, it was 85 degrees yesterday!)



Then Sunday we woke up early and headed up to Reading where John's mom lives, to see Andrew, Sue and Victoria who were also in town for a brief visit. Vicki is such a little angel and I think you would agree, one of the cutest babies of all time. I'm not saying that just because she is John's neice, the proof is below!

Tired of Wedding Posts Yet?

Yesterday's florist appointment went really well. I'm pleased with the fact that the lady seemed to get what I was hoping for and dished it to me straight on things that wouldn't work season wise, etc.



Tonight is the first of three photographer meetings which I'm eager to get out of the way.

I also came across a neat idea for a guest book where each couple or person fills out their own page of the book. See below...

Thoughts?

Flower Power

I'm happy to report that tomorrow I'll be meeting with the florist to discuss the wedding arrangements and bouquets. I have been so excited about this for a long time as I think flowers can totally add to the whole day.

Here are a few options I have recently found that I love!