Saturday, December 8, 2007
Only by 5 months!
I was just looking on msn.com and they had a story about the Hottest Cougars in Hollywood. Now I have never dated anyone young enough to be able to classify myself as a "cougar" but, I am younger the Mr Butterscotch. Ever since April Mr Butterscotch has been teasing me to "enjoying my last year in my 20's". I am older than him only by 5 months! Age has never really bothered me that much, but his constant teasing does get under my skin once and a while. Since we are so close in age I can say we have a lot of common memories of growing up. And while the rumor is that men are less mature than women I can say Mr Butterscotch and I are just about at the same level when it comes to maturity But I wondered how some couples who do have a big gap in age make it work? And how do you ladies that are older feel about being the older one in the relationship?
Thursday, November 29, 2007
My new name
So about two weeks after we got married I changed my last name. I was happy to do so. Choosing to change or not to change your name is totally personal. Mr butterscotch didn't care one way or the other so it was all my choice. When I made the change officially at work it was a big to do. All my co-workers were confused by my email and who was this new person or my nickname (which was based on a combination of my first and last name) didn't flow as nicely anymore. So now I have been Mrs X for a little over 3 months. About a month ago I started a new job. Nobody at my new job knows my maiden name so there was no confusion for them. I was introduced to everyone as Leah X. In fact the first few days I was sick of hearing my name being said over and over again as I met everyone. And today my new business cards arrived. And there it was in black ink, I was Mrs X. Oh. Wow. I am officially Mrs X to everyone. The name that I have been known by for 29 years is gone.
Sure I still accidentally sign my maiden name on occasion but I just giggle and cross it out and write my married name. I love my new name but it is such a funny thing to have a name one day and a new one the next.
Are you or did you change your name? How long did it take for you to get totally use to it?
Sure I still accidentally sign my maiden name on occasion but I just giggle and cross it out and write my married name. I love my new name but it is such a funny thing to have a name one day and a new one the next.
Are you or did you change your name? How long did it take for you to get totally use to it?
Tuesday, November 27, 2007
Macy's Friends and Family
I just love it when I can save a little money! With so many gift exchanges right around the corner this coupon from Macy's will come in handy! It is good starting tomorrow! Let me know what great deals you find! I plan on getting a few gifts from there and maybe even my holiday party outfit!
Wednesday, November 21, 2007
Thankful
Thanksgiving is tomorrow and I'm taking a moment to reflect on how much everything has changed since last year and all that I am thankful for. This time last year we were newly engaged, not living together and we barely had started to plan our wedding. Now we are happily married, living together in our first house we bought :), and the wedding is all but a memory. Sure we did have a few bumps in our road this year but, I am so thankfully for everything we have. we have wonderful family and friends that are all in good health, I have a new fabulous job that I am loving. Best of all each night I get to curl up next to Mr Butterscotch and wake up next to him each morning. How about you what are you thankful for this Thanksgiving eve?
Saturday, November 3, 2007
Can I get a re-do
Last week I talked about what I would not change. But there were a few thing that I would have loved to have a do-over on.
1. Guest pictures. I really wish I would have had our photographer take photos of each table at the reception. I can remember most people that were there but, a handful of people I cannot for sure remember.
2. People in my dressing suite. I really wish I would have set better boundaries for who I had coming into my bridal room. It was chaos at some points. Finally I had one of my bridesmaids ask everyone to leave. If I could do it over again it would have been just me and my bridal party.
3. Make up touch up. I don’t know how this slipped past me but I wish I would have remembered to reapply my lipstick before I started my formal pictures. I was wearing a long lasting lip color but the color was much more vibrant in pre-ceremony pictures. Have one of your BM carry your lipstick with them. Trust me you will be too excited and you will forget to reapply.
4. Rethink inviting “crazy” relatives. While I am not saying I wouldn’t invite them. What I am saying is that I would have had better “just in case” plans set up. If you have a family member or a friend that you really want to be included in your special day have a plan for anything that may come up with them.
5. Plan for the gifts. I knew we want to take the gifts home with us, I just didn't plan for so many or for the larger packages. If I would have thought about it we would have either cleared out the car better or had my family take them home and we would have just gotten them the next day.
6. OK this one isn't really a wedding day lesson learned but a pre-wedding redo. Go dress shopping the first time alone. WHAT?!?! I know this sounds crazy! But I took friends the first 2 times. Then after that I went alone. It allowed me to really figure out what I liked. Friends and family will ohhhh and ahhhh at many of the dress you try on or they may just tell you how much that dress sucks. Either way you cannot listen to your inner voice with everyone else putting in their two cents. Now all that said, I still wouldn't change getting my "most
important" family and friends to help me narrow down my choices to my final pick.
7. Practice dancing. Sure I jumped up and down, twirl led and swayed in my dress. But I didn't practice dancing in it. So before the big day just try a few of your moves out in your dress just to be sure you can move the way you want on your dance floor.
8. The night before I think I got 4 or 5 hours of sleep. Luckily I was so excited on the wedding day that I wasn't dragging around the next day. But I know it can really put some brides in a bad mood. I didn't sleep in my normal bed that night so between the excitement and unfamiliar surroundings I was wide awake. Figure out what you should do just in case you cannot sleep the night before. I wouldn't suggest sleep pills but maybe some soothing tea, a warm bath or bring a book. DON'T DO MORE WEDDING PROJECTS. The idea is to get some sleep not keep going.
9. Have a place for the kids. The kids in my bridal party were next door to my dressing room. Overall it was fine. Until they reached the 1 hour mark. I think I would have had a few other locations (away from me) for them to run wild and free.
10. Don't sweat the small stuff. Overall I didn't worry about anything all day. But when I did it was normally silly. Please relax, enjoy the day and enjoy the moments. You can fully relax on your honeymoon!
What suggestions would some of you offer to brides to be.
1. Guest pictures. I really wish I would have had our photographer take photos of each table at the reception. I can remember most people that were there but, a handful of people I cannot for sure remember.
2. People in my dressing suite. I really wish I would have set better boundaries for who I had coming into my bridal room. It was chaos at some points. Finally I had one of my bridesmaids ask everyone to leave. If I could do it over again it would have been just me and my bridal party.
3. Make up touch up. I don’t know how this slipped past me but I wish I would have remembered to reapply my lipstick before I started my formal pictures. I was wearing a long lasting lip color but the color was much more vibrant in pre-ceremony pictures. Have one of your BM carry your lipstick with them. Trust me you will be too excited and you will forget to reapply.
4. Rethink inviting “crazy” relatives. While I am not saying I wouldn’t invite them. What I am saying is that I would have had better “just in case” plans set up. If you have a family member or a friend that you really want to be included in your special day have a plan for anything that may come up with them.
5. Plan for the gifts. I knew we want to take the gifts home with us, I just didn't plan for so many or for the larger packages. If I would have thought about it we would have either cleared out the car better or had my family take them home and we would have just gotten them the next day.
6. OK this one isn't really a wedding day lesson learned but a pre-wedding redo. Go dress shopping the first time alone. WHAT?!?! I know this sounds crazy! But I took friends the first 2 times. Then after that I went alone. It allowed me to really figure out what I liked. Friends and family will ohhhh and ahhhh at many of the dress you try on or they may just tell you how much that dress sucks. Either way you cannot listen to your inner voice with everyone else putting in their two cents. Now all that said, I still wouldn't change getting my "most
important" family and friends to help me narrow down my choices to my final pick.
7. Practice dancing. Sure I jumped up and down, twirl led and swayed in my dress. But I didn't practice dancing in it. So before the big day just try a few of your moves out in your dress just to be sure you can move the way you want on your dance floor.
8. The night before I think I got 4 or 5 hours of sleep. Luckily I was so excited on the wedding day that I wasn't dragging around the next day. But I know it can really put some brides in a bad mood. I didn't sleep in my normal bed that night so between the excitement and unfamiliar surroundings I was wide awake. Figure out what you should do just in case you cannot sleep the night before. I wouldn't suggest sleep pills but maybe some soothing tea, a warm bath or bring a book. DON'T DO MORE WEDDING PROJECTS. The idea is to get some sleep not keep going.
9. Have a place for the kids. The kids in my bridal party were next door to my dressing room. Overall it was fine. Until they reached the 1 hour mark. I think I would have had a few other locations (away from me) for them to run wild and free.
10. Don't sweat the small stuff. Overall I didn't worry about anything all day. But when I did it was normally silly. Please relax, enjoy the day and enjoy the moments. You can fully relax on your honeymoon!
What suggestions would some of you offer to brides to be.
Monday, October 22, 2007
What I would do again
The longer we have been married the more I have had a chance to look back on the day. It all really happened so fast, but I think we really made the most of it. If I had to do it again here is what I would not change and I would recommend for other brides. What would you recommoned to a bride to be?
1. Take a moment after the ceremony and before the reception to talk with your new husband. Mr Butterscotch and I actually had two moments. First as we exited we waited for our guest to go outside we were in a stairwell waiting. We had this short time of about 3 minutes all alone to just take in each other and the amazing thing we had just experience. Then we took a few pictures and we walked to our reception venue. Again we were alone together and we talked about the day so far and what we had each done the night before and that morning. As we walked passing cars honked and yelled congratulations. We both couldn’t stop smiling at each other. I think all couples should take a few moments together to just reflect about the ceremony and enjoy a quite moment before the reception.
Us right before we hid away in the stairwell.
2. Day of coordinator. When my friend got married last year she had Amanda as her wedding coordinator, after the wedding I heard the bride say many times that Amanda was irreplaceable. I was so lucky that Amanda was available to be my day of wedding coordinator. She was amazing! She went to our reception venue and supervised as the vendors arrived. She is an interior designer by day, but is available for day of coordinator or she can help plan from start to finish. Amanda has a refreshing passion for weddings. With her at the venue it really kept my mind at easy while I was at the church getting ready to walk down the aisle. When Amanda was done she made it to the church to give me the thumbs up, so I knew the guests would be walking into a room that was perfect!
This was one of the best thing that I did because it kept me calm and my mind off of what was going on down at the club. Unfortunately she doesn’t have a web site yet (she is working on it) amandatrinb@yahoo.com
3. Plan early. I was made fun of for planning right after we set a date but for me that was so helpful. Everything was done well in advance and I never felt rushed.
4. Eat breakfast. I like most brides was so excited I was up an hour before I needed to be. So I sat down with my dad and ate breakfast. Thank goodness I did because I didn’t eat again for hours.
5. Give yourself a deadline on projects. I set a date for myself and if it wasn’t done by the week before the wedding well then it wasn’t getting done. I had the whole weekend before the wedding to relax and really enjoy what was to come.
6. Realize it’s about a marriage not a wedding. Sometimes it is hard to remember that as the day gets closer. Weddings are exciting and it really easy to have moments that you and your family forget what the day is really about. Really keep reminding yourself that this is just a moment and the really important thing is a good foundation for a happy marriage.
7. Let it go. About two weeks before the wedding I started to let go of things. If the questions that were being asked were not going to have a lasting effect on our marriage (notice it wasn’t about the wedding at that point) my response was “I don’t care”. We just had so much going on with buying our house, getting married going on a honeymoon I just didn’t care about what color nail polish was going on people toes.
8. Video tape the ceremony. We didn’t have a budget for a professional video, instead we had our friend tape our ceremony and other key parts of the day. I was so happy he did! The next morning we watched the video and I cried all over again! Sure it may not be fancy but it is well worth it if you know someone with a camera.
9. Savor each moment! From the moment you get up to the time you drive away with your new husband. Savor the all moments that occur that day.
10. Thank the key people personally. Although I thanked my dad throughout the planning, the first thing I did as we came into the reception was thank him. Last week I gave him his birthday gift it was a http://www.weddingbee.com/2007/10/11/wedding-picture-gifts/ picture of us at the wedding. He loved it! He is currently thinking of where to hang it in the living room for it. Whether you plan on giving your family or bridesmaids and groomsmen a gift or not be sure to just thank them for taking time to be with you during the day. They really do appreciate it.
1. Take a moment after the ceremony and before the reception to talk with your new husband. Mr Butterscotch and I actually had two moments. First as we exited we waited for our guest to go outside we were in a stairwell waiting. We had this short time of about 3 minutes all alone to just take in each other and the amazing thing we had just experience. Then we took a few pictures and we walked to our reception venue. Again we were alone together and we talked about the day so far and what we had each done the night before and that morning. As we walked passing cars honked and yelled congratulations. We both couldn’t stop smiling at each other. I think all couples should take a few moments together to just reflect about the ceremony and enjoy a quite moment before the reception.
Us right before we hid away in the stairwell.
2. Day of coordinator. When my friend got married last year she had Amanda as her wedding coordinator, after the wedding I heard the bride say many times that Amanda was irreplaceable. I was so lucky that Amanda was available to be my day of wedding coordinator. She was amazing! She went to our reception venue and supervised as the vendors arrived. She is an interior designer by day, but is available for day of coordinator or she can help plan from start to finish. Amanda has a refreshing passion for weddings. With her at the venue it really kept my mind at easy while I was at the church getting ready to walk down the aisle. When Amanda was done she made it to the church to give me the thumbs up, so I knew the guests would be walking into a room that was perfect!
This was one of the best thing that I did because it kept me calm and my mind off of what was going on down at the club. Unfortunately she doesn’t have a web site yet (she is working on it) amandatrinb@yahoo.com
3. Plan early. I was made fun of for planning right after we set a date but for me that was so helpful. Everything was done well in advance and I never felt rushed.
4. Eat breakfast. I like most brides was so excited I was up an hour before I needed to be. So I sat down with my dad and ate breakfast. Thank goodness I did because I didn’t eat again for hours.
5. Give yourself a deadline on projects. I set a date for myself and if it wasn’t done by the week before the wedding well then it wasn’t getting done. I had the whole weekend before the wedding to relax and really enjoy what was to come.
6. Realize it’s about a marriage not a wedding. Sometimes it is hard to remember that as the day gets closer. Weddings are exciting and it really easy to have moments that you and your family forget what the day is really about. Really keep reminding yourself that this is just a moment and the really important thing is a good foundation for a happy marriage.
7. Let it go. About two weeks before the wedding I started to let go of things. If the questions that were being asked were not going to have a lasting effect on our marriage (notice it wasn’t about the wedding at that point) my response was “I don’t care”. We just had so much going on with buying our house, getting married going on a honeymoon I just didn’t care about what color nail polish was going on people toes.
8. Video tape the ceremony. We didn’t have a budget for a professional video, instead we had our friend tape our ceremony and other key parts of the day. I was so happy he did! The next morning we watched the video and I cried all over again! Sure it may not be fancy but it is well worth it if you know someone with a camera.
9. Savor each moment! From the moment you get up to the time you drive away with your new husband. Savor the all moments that occur that day.
10. Thank the key people personally. Although I thanked my dad throughout the planning, the first thing I did as we came into the reception was thank him. Last week I gave him his birthday gift it was a http://www.weddingbee.com/2007/10/11/wedding-picture-gifts/ picture of us at the wedding. He loved it! He is currently thinking of where to hang it in the living room for it. Whether you plan on giving your family or bridesmaids and groomsmen a gift or not be sure to just thank them for taking time to be with you during the day. They really do appreciate it.
Thursday, October 11, 2007
Spoiled little brat
That is what Mr Butterscotch will say to me, in a loving way of course. You see I am somewhat spoiled. I blame my dad. HA I am kidding! My dad raised with the help of my grandma, I was the only child in the house growing up. The person I am today is because of them. My dad is so supportive in every way, he was more than happy to make sure we had the wedding that we really wanted.
So here is my dilemma. My dad birthday is coming up. I asked myself this question, what do I get the man that never asks for more than new socks? Originally I didn't want to give our wedding pictures as gifts. I know you can do a million things photos these day! You can put them on cards, blankets, purses or even a puzzle!
But I think I have the perfect gift.
I have blown this photo up to 8x10 in metallic printing process. I was going to do a nice frame with it also. This was taken at right after we came into our reception and I was thanking my dad for well...Everything! So far I have managed to give my dad the run around on my pictures, thank goodness his birthday is next week, I don't think I can keep coming up with excuses! The gift is simple but I know he will love it. What do you think, good gift?
Are you planning on doing something unique with your pictures after your wedding?
So here is my dilemma. My dad birthday is coming up. I asked myself this question, what do I get the man that never asks for more than new socks? Originally I didn't want to give our wedding pictures as gifts. I know you can do a million things photos these day! You can put them on cards, blankets, purses or even a puzzle!
But I think I have the perfect gift.
I have blown this photo up to 8x10 in metallic printing process. I was going to do a nice frame with it also. This was taken at right after we came into our reception and I was thanking my dad for well...Everything! So far I have managed to give my dad the run around on my pictures, thank goodness his birthday is next week, I don't think I can keep coming up with excuses! The gift is simple but I know he will love it. What do you think, good gift?
Are you planning on doing something unique with your pictures after your wedding?
Friday, October 5, 2007
Today Throws a Martha Stewart Wedding
Yesterday Miss Jasmine asked us the question "Would you ever let your parents choose your wedding gown for you?" http://www.weddingbee.com/2007/10/04/father-and-mother-know-best/
I don't know some of you were apprehensive about that. So would any of you be up for letting complete strangers plan you wedding if the total cost of the wedding to you were free?
Today was the day on Today :)! If any of you have been watching the Today show this summer you may have been following the story of Martha Stewart throwing a wedding for one lucky couple. This morning Jessica and Cody finally got to have have their dream wedding! It was amazing! For those of you who haven't been following, the audience gets to help plan the wedding by voting on key aspects of the wedding. Here are some highlights for today. Images from nbc.com
I don't know some of you were apprehensive about that. So would any of you be up for letting complete strangers plan you wedding if the total cost of the wedding to you were free?
Today was the day on Today :)! If any of you have been watching the Today show this summer you may have been following the story of Martha Stewart throwing a wedding for one lucky couple. This morning Jessica and Cody finally got to have have their dream wedding! It was amazing! For those of you who haven't been following, the audience gets to help plan the wedding by voting on key aspects of the wedding. Here are some highlights for today. Images from nbc.com
Thursday, October 4, 2007
My vendor cliff notes
Photography- Tor Clausen Grade= A+
Tor was wonderful! My pictures are so pretty!
http://www.torstudios.com/
Bridal Dress- La Belle Elaine Grade= A+ by Private Label by G
My dress came on time and the staff was very nice. I also had my alteration done there and they customized the back of my dress. They did an excellent job!
http://www.labelleelaines.com/
Bridesmaids- Moms Maids and More Grade= A
All of our bridesmaids dress came in early and the staff was great. They do not do alterations so that is why they didn't get an A+
http://www.momsmaidsandmore.com/
Tuxes- Mens Wearhouse-Tukwila Grade= C-
I know mistakes can occur but rudeness just isn't what I wanted to deal with. This is the only vendor I would not recommend.
Flowers- Loves Me Flowers by Kendra Yaple Grade= A+
She gave me ideas that I wouldn't have even thought of!
http://www.lovesmeflowers.com/
Church- Mount Baker Park Presbyterian Grade= A+
They were the best! Our pastor, church coordinator and organist made our whole day superb!
http://www.mtbakerchurch.org/
Reception- Mount Baker Club Grade= A
Great location and well kept.
http://www.mountbaker.org/index.php
DJ-Emerald City Productions Grade= A+
Kept the party going and had online requests for us and our guests.
http://emeraldcityproductions.net
Catering- Seasoned in Seattle Grade= A+
The food was so great and the staff was wonderful.
Cake- Despi Delite Bakery Grade= A
Our cake turned our not only pretty to look at but it was so good!
Hair- Gene Juarez in Bellevue Grade= A+
Bridal hair by Tim
Tim is the updo king! He did an amazing job!
I have better pictures in my trial post.
http://www.weddingbee.com/2007/07/24/butterscotch-hair-trial/
Tor was wonderful! My pictures are so pretty!
http://www.torstudios.com/
Bridal Dress- La Belle Elaine Grade= A+ by Private Label by G
My dress came on time and the staff was very nice. I also had my alteration done there and they customized the back of my dress. They did an excellent job!
http://www.labelleelaines.com/
Bridesmaids- Moms Maids and More Grade= A
All of our bridesmaids dress came in early and the staff was great. They do not do alterations so that is why they didn't get an A+
http://www.momsmaidsandmore.com/
Tuxes- Mens Wearhouse-Tukwila Grade= C-
I know mistakes can occur but rudeness just isn't what I wanted to deal with. This is the only vendor I would not recommend.
Flowers- Loves Me Flowers by Kendra Yaple Grade= A+
She gave me ideas that I wouldn't have even thought of!
http://www.lovesmeflowers.com/
Church- Mount Baker Park Presbyterian Grade= A+
They were the best! Our pastor, church coordinator and organist made our whole day superb!
http://www.mtbakerchurch.org/
Reception- Mount Baker Club Grade= A
Great location and well kept.
http://www.mountbaker.org/index.php
DJ-Emerald City Productions Grade= A+
Kept the party going and had online requests for us and our guests.
http://emeraldcityproductions.net
Catering- Seasoned in Seattle Grade= A+
The food was so great and the staff was wonderful.
Cake- Despi Delite Bakery Grade= A
Our cake turned our not only pretty to look at but it was so good!
Hair- Gene Juarez in Bellevue Grade= A+
Bridal hair by Tim
Tim is the updo king! He did an amazing job!
I have better pictures in my trial post.
http://www.weddingbee.com/2007/07/24/butterscotch-hair-trial/
Monday, October 1, 2007
Cold hard cash
In some cultures it is a tradition to have a money dance. I love the money dance, and it is culturally expected in Mr Butterscotch family. But we decided early on were not planning on doing a money dance. Personally I felt our guests had "spent" more than enough on us. Just having them at the wedding was really the best gift we could have asked for. But we ended up having one, and I am so glad we did!
As we finished up our first dance one of our groomsmen and his wife (who happens to be from the same culture as Mr Butterscotch) made an announcement that the money dance was next. At that point we were up for anything so it sounded like fun!
Check out the money in my dress!
I started to fun out of place to put the money so I got my sister to hold it while I danced some more.
Whoa!!! One at a time please!
I loved having a money dance because of a few reasons.
1. I got to chat with some guests that I may not have gotten a chance to.
2. Mr B is totally shy so it was so funny seeing him dance with everyone.
3. We both laughed so hard because it was so unexpected.
4. Okay I cannot lie the extra cash was nice to have!
So this is one of those things that I was originally opposed too but ended up doing and I was so happy we did. What is/was there you are/were opposed to doing that is tradition for your culture or family?
As we finished up our first dance one of our groomsmen and his wife (who happens to be from the same culture as Mr Butterscotch) made an announcement that the money dance was next. At that point we were up for anything so it sounded like fun!
Check out the money in my dress!
I started to fun out of place to put the money so I got my sister to hold it while I danced some more.
Whoa!!! One at a time please!
I loved having a money dance because of a few reasons.
1. I got to chat with some guests that I may not have gotten a chance to.
2. Mr B is totally shy so it was so funny seeing him dance with everyone.
3. We both laughed so hard because it was so unexpected.
4. Okay I cannot lie the extra cash was nice to have!
So this is one of those things that I was originally opposed too but ended up doing and I was so happy we did. What is/was there you are/were opposed to doing that is tradition for your culture or family?
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