Countdown

Just one month left to go!

Down with Target!

I have to tell you all that I have spent years loving everything Target. I thought it was the greatest all around store. I have received and purchased so many awesome items. However, today I have to tell you that they have lost me as a customer and I HATE them.

Both John and I have had nothing short of a horrendous experience in dealing with them for our wedding registry. When we have gone into a store or called the online helpdesk for assistance in issues that have had NOTHING to do with us they have treated us with not only disrespect but ignorance. They often don't update the registry which has resulted in duplicated items (I once got three pots and pans sets at the same shower), told us the only receipt that came in a shipment wasn't a receipt, decided not to ship items that went through as purchased and flat out lied. They also keep saying there is nothing they can do to help us which I translate to, 'we don't really care and have just decided not to assist you'. I actually feel terrible that I asked people to shop there when they too have had difficulty or had to feel bad when they saw me open the same gift.

I have worked in sales for many years and know that in order to keep a person as a customer you should treat them with respect and do YOUR BEST to accommodate them. I've spent a year dealing with their nonsense and am now finished. My only solace is that I have put the gifts I received to very good use in my home.

Poo-poo on you Target Corporation!

Practice Run

Today I had my hair and make-up trial for the wedding. I love the hair and hope you do to. I wanted something loosely pulled back that incorporates my curly hair and I think that was what we accomplished. And yes Mom, I do have bangs...sideswept in the front like I normally wear.




The make-up kinda makes me feel like a transvestite. I'm not a make-up person so this is do be expected. I think the foundation was great and the eyes are different. Just too much eyeliner and lipstick. I wiped it off the second I got in the car because I could feel it forming a line on my teeth. Picture me applying lipstick blindfolded and that's what it looked like. Here I am on the phone with my pal Terry talking to him about my experience.



The great thing about this is it was a trial and the day of I'll have my Mom and bridesmaids with me to say yeah or nay to certain choices. I'm not exactly a pro in the beauty department.

Hangin' Tough

Word is the New Kids on the Block are going to be announcing a reunion tour! Ah yeah! I feel I''ll be dragging one of my girlfriends to this show. It's not like you could miss it :)

I had all the dolls, sheets, posters, you name it. The t-shirts were apart of my 5th grade wardrobe. My favorite was Donnie. Who was yours?

We Are All Winners

Oscar Night is one of my favorite evenings of the year. Since I was little I've always watched the entire awards show, including red carpet arrivals. My brother Matt works for the E! Channel so he gets to be on the red carpet and a part of all the festivities. I always try to catch a glimpse of him as well. Lucky bastard.

To make things interesting, John and I like to do an Oscar pool. We both see all the same movies, though I definitely admit to reading more pre-show press and gossip beforehand.
Somewhere around the last part of the arrivals and after we both had finished buffalo wings and pizza from local restaurant, Tonelli's, I turn around and find John like this...

You can see how into it he really is. I ended up waking him by my laughter during Jon Stewart's monologue (isn't he a great host!) and we could get the game under way. John led the pool through most of the broadcast by pulling out winning picks for Best Song and Best Actress but I came from behind to tie. Hey, at least I didn't lose!

Some of my favorites from the evening were the beautiful Jennifer Garner and Keri Russell. Two women who give true meaning to the words class and elegance.

I also can't get enough of James McAvoy. He is a fox in my book. Rent the 'Last King of Scotland' or 'Becoming Jane' and see what I mean.

I was glad to see Diablo Cody win for Best Original Screenplay for the hilarious and clever 'Juno' (go see this movie!) and Daniel Day Lewis for Best Actor in what was one of the best performances I've seen in years in 'There Will Be Blood'.

Can't wait for next year!

You Complete Me

Yesterday I finished painting the wedding card box brown and John cut a hole in the top. I think it turned out pretty nice. I wanted something more round but after months of looking I decided to give up on that (see I'm not that anal). Thanks to Adrienne's help cutting mounds of ribbon with me a few months back, I had so much left over from my initial place card holder project


that I used it to trim out the top and bottom of the card box


AND made this pen holder for the guest book


Because I'm not much of a hot glue gun person (I'm way too uncoordinated to make that an easy project) I fell in love with these Glue Dots.

They are super strong so you have to place them down right after peeling one off the paper, but were very inexpensive, can be found at your craft store and incredibly easy to use. Plus they come in a roll with hundreds, so chances are I'll be finding more uses for the dots and ribbon before the wedding day arrives.

Birthday Burritos

Yesterday my wonderful Mom and her twin, my hilarious Aunt Beth, celebrated their birthday with a dinner out for Mexican food. I of course wish I could have joined them. Looks like they had fun with my sister, grandmother, Dad and cousin Connor.

Happy Birthday guys! Love you!

EASY Button Not Needed

I would like to personally thank Chris at Staples for his help today with my annoying programs. I first tried Kinko's but as usual the people in there were not only out of it but looked at me like they have never heard of a wedding program before! Luckily, Staples is two doors down in this particular shopping plaza so I went in there and was met with total professionalism. Chris even suggested a pretty ivory pearlized paper to jazz them up while still keeping me under budget.

Hooray for customer service!

Welcome to the Family

Meet Peanut, my new 'nephew' :)

My sister Amy got him for Valentine's Day from her boyfriend Michael. He's definitely a cutie.
Congrats Amy! Can't wait to meet him in person.

First Time for Everything

On Saturday we had the very special honor of attending John's niece, Victoria's, 1st birthday party. We could not believe that a year has already gone by since she was born! As usual Vicky was in great spirits but there is nothing like a little birthday cake to assist in that...

Everyone was there, which was really nice since Andrew and Sue live in Virginia and don't get to see us all too often. I always enjoy seeing my little pals Amanda and Christine of course.


Amanda did me a huge favor and took a lot of the pictures herself. Including this very artistic one of me.
John's mom did a great job putting the party together. Vicky is her first grandchild and I think it might be awhile until another one comes along.

Happy Anniversary!

On Friday John and I celebrated our 3 year anniversary (for the last time on that day). We started out the night with a drive down memory lane which included some of the memorable locations of our dating life including the bar we spent part of New Years at just 5 days after I moved to PA, John's old apartment and of course Geno's where we had our first date (and my first real cheesesteak!)

We topped that off with one of the best meals I've ever had downtown at the Capital Grille. Everything from the cocktails to the secluded table and service was awesome. We shared lobster/crab cakes and I had a tomato and mozzarella salad and Filet Oscar. John devoured a very large Porterhouse steak. The food was so good and I was so full that I fell asleep within ten minutes of getting home!

It was a very special evening and a great way to look back on all the good times we had while preparing for the next stage in our life together.

Happy Valentine's Day!

I know I talk a lot on my blog about getting married and being madly in love with my fiance', but I'd like you all to know that I spent MANY years alone or in cruddy/lack-luster relationships. My love dues were paid! This is why I feel so lucky and happy to have someone as sweet as John as my husband to be.

Anyway, several years ago someone gave me this book...

It's called "To Hell with Love: Poems to Mend a Broken Heart". In it features what I believe to be one of the greatest anti-love poems ever. Check it out below.

SOMEWHERE A SEED

Somewhere a seed falls to the ground That will become a tree That will some day be felled From which thin shafts will be extracted To be made into arrows To be fitted with warheads One of which, some day when you least expect it, While a winter sun is shining On a river of ice And you feel farthest from self-pity, Will pierce your shit-filled heart.

-Michael Fried

Every time I read it I laugh! Hope you do too :)

Warm Thoughts

Yesterday it was snowing outside and today it's raining so I've been browsing the Victoria's Secret online store in hopes of buying resort wear for Hawaii. It's very easy to drift off to thoughts of your honeymoon when freezing in a down jacket.

I actually didn't know V.S. had such cute clothes online until my sister and Erin mentioned it over the weekend. There was a ton to choose from but I managed to opt for this black eyelet dress for the luau night in Maui and bathing suit cover-up for the loungy Kauai days...

I Survived!

I'm back from Vegas and had such a great time! I can't tell you how fun it was to have girl time with some of my favorite ladies. Each one of them made the trip special in their own way.
We stayed at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino for free thanks to an awesome hook up from my bridesmaid Nicole. Here is the view of the Vegas strip from our balcony...



Friday night we all got settled in. Alaska Airlines lost poor Vanessa's luggage which she didn't get back until the next day. She was a great sport about it though. We had dinner and drinks at Ago in the Hard Rock and rested up for Saturday where we spent the afternoon shopping and walking around in the warm Vegas sun. Here's Erin, Vanessa, Amy and I at lunch...



Unfortunately, Nicole got sick Friday night and wasn't able to join us. She was definitely missed. Before we got ready to go out Saturday, Vanessa, Amy and I hit up the slots and came back to the room where Erin had decorated for party time, complete with champagne and cosmopolitans which we took full advantage of! She gave us each goodie bags and I opened fun gifts from her and Vanessa. I'd say I did my fair share of drinking before leaving the hotel room for dinner at the Cathouse in the Luxor Hotel. Case in point...





And yes, that is a temporary tattoo on my arm that reads "Last Night Out".

Dinner was awesome but the drinks were even better! I swear I haven't had that great a tasting cocktail in a long time...



And yes, that is a giant tower of cotton candy.

We ended the night dancing for hours at the club Body English back at the Hard Rock. So many random people came up to me and said congratulations. I'm not sure if I thought that was great or weird because frankly I can't fully remember.
No super wild stories unfortunately, just an all around great girl's weekend. I was sad to say bye but know I will see everyone again next month and happy to get home to my adorable fiance' (who also had his share of fun at his bachelor party in A.C).

Viva Las Vegas!

One Woman Reading Factory

I just got done reading two books in two weeks. One was eh, and the other was really good. It's called 'Her Last Death' by Susanna Sonnenberg. I admired the honesty in her writing and found it highly entertaining/provacative. Check it out.

I want everyone to know, however, that I am now working on a fiction novel which I am enjoying. It will be coming with me on my 4 hour flight this weekend to Vegas! Woo-hoo! Look for details Monday :)

Cars and Commentary

I'm somewhat of a political junkie and so it was exciting to hear how the events of Super Tuesday unfolded. I say 'hear' because I was at the Philadelphia Auto Show. Yes, it was VERY hard to not be in front of my television as I am any time there is a debate, primary, caucus, what have you. But, I love my fiance' and he loves cars and looks forward to this show every year. So we hopped on the train and headed downtown for several hours of car gazing. Thankfully my adorable parents called from their polling stations in Arizona with updates. I was so proud of them as they voted in their first EVER democratic primary!
There were a few TV screens in the lobby area of the convention center so I caught a few updates there also, then counted the minutes on the train home until I could turn on CNN. I stayed up until 1 AM trying to view all results.

John wholeheartedly enjoyed the car show (duh). We sat in luxury automobiles and he explained details of the classic cars to me. I even got in on the excitment this year as I checked out the Hybrid cars (my next purchase).

Here I am in the SmartCar...it's so tiny on the outside but surprisingly roomy on the inside (I am 5' so you might not want to take my word for it, though).



I liked the Prius but am surprised by how futuristic the inside looks. Kinda throws one off.
John tested out the passenger room for me...



All in all I'd say it was a fun night. We each got to do a little something that the other enjoys so in my book that's a win.

Seven Weird Things

I've been tagged by my friend Adrienne, fellow blogger and grad student extraordinaire, to reveal 7 weird things about myself so here it goes...

1. I have a slight obsession with crossword puzzles and word searches. I do them in those cheesy books you buy at the grocery store. I however, NEVER attempt the New York Times one as I'm not that kind of smart.

2. I pay someone who is also named Jackie to wax my eyebrows at least twice a month. I can't pluck one hair myself without my eyes starting to water. I feel it's worth every penny to allow someone else to take this grooming task off my hands.

3. I love Paul Newman. Have you ever seen 'Cat on a Hot Tin Roof'? I rest my case.

4. I hate deer and lizards. The sight of them makes me ill. In fact, I love dogs and am OK with cats but for the most part I don't like a lot of animals. Sorry.

5. I met my fiance' in Pella, Iowa when we were both there for a week of sales training for the same company. I actually wasn't supposed to go on the trip but got in at the last minute. I lived in Phoenix at the time and he here in Philadelphia. I pretty much knew from day one that I hearted him.

6. When I lived in Seattle, I shared a single bathroom with 6 people including, a drunk wrestling loving musician, two rock climbing artists, a 40ish mumbling Moroccan, wine obsessed fisherman and a beautiful cancer survivor.

7. I could eat Wheat Chex every day of the week for the rest of my life. It is my favorite cereal hands down.

Super Bowl Sunday

Despite the fact that as an Eagles fan I dislike the Giants, I must congratulate them on an awesome win yesterday. I happen to hate the Patriots more so I think it was an exciting turnout. John and I settled in to watch the game with our traditional beer and wings package. We opted for Stella, a tasty (but potent) Belgium beer. Needless to say midway through the second quarter I was more than tipsy and filled to the brim with chicken. Not sure how great an idea that was as I woke up this morning not wanting to move from bed (Monday's are hard enough, right?) but we still had a fun time.

What did you guys think of the commercials? I thought they were funnier than last year. My favorite was the Bridgestone tire one with the screaming squirrel. You can view it here http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BaQI-nWgKwQ

It's Raining Outside So I'm Down

Wednesday I went to a 'southern living' demonstration party that my future sister-in-law hosted. Not that I'm against these kinds of gatherings but after two bridal showers, I have no other place for additional items in my home. So while I scoured the pages to try to find something (anything) to put on the order form, a woman in her early fifties struck up a conversation with me about being from Arizona. She lived most of her life there, still has a home there and many family members. Once she heard someone mention that I grew up there, she jumped at the chance to talk to me about the state she clearly still loves. I could see it in her face the way she still longs for it, but her husband's job brought her here to PA ten years ago and here she stays. I bring this up because I could tell that this might be me some day. Kinda scares me. At what point will I let go of the need to be near my family and focus on the new one I have with John?

The funniest part of these feelings I have is I was so tired of Arizona when I moved here. Just wanted to get going on something DIFFERENT. I swear it's this wedding damnet! Makes me miss my Mom and sister, makes me want to run over to my grandmother's house for breakfast. I've been planning the biggest day of my life to date virtually alone. I'll be so glad when it's here, everyone is together and I can go back to doing something else with my time here in PA so hopefully I can grow from it.