Ordered.

a new stamp for bills....and wedding invites!
I got it at paperwink. check out all of their cute stamps and invites

Takin' it back a few years...

When it's rainy outside like it is today, I can't help but think about the time I spent in Boston being couped up on cold rainy (snowy) days and nights! And then I think about the music Jenny and I listened to obsessively in our little cold apartment. This was one of my favorite albums from that winter, and I've been listening to it a lot recently.

He's gonna hate me....

...but I had to post this pic of Paul when he was a young child model. Yes, he modeled when he was a kid. This ad is for Tavist D cold medicine. Man, I can't wait to have little cuties that look just like him!



...allright, here's an embarrassing one of me as well. Thanks Barbara, for sending it along!

A possibility...

I'm constantly searching every website I can think of for the "perfect" dress for my bridesmaids. As I've posted before, I want something short, something that goes with my vintage-western chic theme, and something they can wear boots with. I've found this one at Urban that fits all 3 requirements. Oh yeah, and it's cute as well!

Wedding photos

The one thing that I'm willing to spend lots of $$ on for the wedding is a photographer. Sure, the memories will last a lifetime, but the night itself won't. I'm really picky about it, since hey, I'll be looking at them for the rest of my life, along with all of my family and friends. Thank goodness my favorite photographer in Tuolumne County is available for our wedding. Rich has done our family pics, my senior pics, dances (back in the day!), and other friend's weddings (Dawnelle's pics turned out great!) So yeah, needless to say I'm already looking for photo inspiration online, as I don't want our pictures to be "traditional" - since we are not, by any stretch of the imagination!

(yup, those are my parents!)

Card making

When I was younger, I was really into rubber stamps. I'd stamp everything and anything I could get my hands on (I'm sure to my mom's dismay). I haven't stamped in a while, but ever since I began my wedding planning, I've seen so many creative and cute (cheap!) ways to use stamps. Right now I'm working on creating our escort cards, but in the meantime, I've been making some b-day cards for some very important people....

Busy weekend!

Paul and I got SO much stuff done this weekend. Here's a recap of the highlights:

1) Got to explore the new CA Academy of Sciences. It was definitley apparent that they spent a lot of time and energy when planning the new building. It was pretty cool - I especially loved the penguins and the sand dollars. I did not, however, enjoy the millions of kids running under my feet, and getting run over by strollers. You know I love kids, but it was a bit much. We're thinking about going to the "nightlife" (i.e. adults only) session next time.


2) I finished addressing our Save the Dates. Yeah! I'm SO ready to get these out.


3)Yeah, V-day is an incredibly overrated "holiday", but any excuse to cuddle up on a rainy evening, eating yummy food with my honey is cool with me....

Kind of my new favorite...

Invitation, courtesy of chewing the cud. I'm kinda going back and forth between getting some made, making them myself, or having a friend make us a poster like this one. I was at papersource this weekend and was completely inspired by all of their beautiful paper and accessories. What do you think?

Early Valentines Date

I took today off, after working hard for the last 11 days straight. Yippeee! As our (early) Valentine's Day present, we're going on a "date" to the new CA Academy of Sciences in SF. I'm so excited to see it! I remember going there when I was very young (and I'm sure I didn't appreciate it as much!) I'm really looking forward to the aquarium and the penguins. And the indoor rainforest. I think Paul just wants to go for the planetarium. Anyway, it's going to be a great treat! I'll post pics soon...

Happy Friday the 13th to all :)

Happy (almost) Valentines Day!

....from Apartment 307. Just a little paper thing I made after I was inspired by Angi's wedding invites....

My ULTIMATE bridal party

I found this picture on afarmhousewedding.blogspot.com (a blog I'm in LOVE with!) She and I both agree that this would be the perfect bridal party. And whoever this bride is, I want to be her friend. She's pretty rad!



[image via matthew morgan photography]

2 Jazzy's and Malcolm

I always tell my friends when they come to visit that they better like cats. And by like cats, I mean let them lay in their lap. And pet them constantly. And not mind if they sniff your head or roll on your purse.

Jaz, Nate, and little MC came for a short visit and instantly fell in love with Jazzy (#2). As you can see here, I think the feeling was mutual :)

Wedding tunes

If it were up to me, I would be very content with a rockin' bluegrass band and my ipod to provide the music for our wedding. However, Paul being the musical connoisseur that he is, the bluegrass band, at least, is outta the question. I can live with that. However, one thing I KNOW we will struggle to agree on, at some point, is our "first dance." Because our wedding is already going to be somewhat "untraditional", I'm a little reluctant to choose just 1 song. But, then again, I guess some traditions are there for a reason.

Anyway, I've always imagined my "first dance" song to be Norah Jones' "The Nearness of You." Now in a perfect world, I'd be the one singing the song on the dancefloor to Paul. Yeah, right. I don't wanna scare anyone away! I guess playing it through the speakers will have to do...

In case you've never heard this song, you can hear it here. And yes, this is a weird "Pride and Prejudice" video. Don't pay attention to the video montage, just pay attention to the words :)

Another dress

What do you think about this dress? Apparently you can wrap it in many different ways (i.e. keep it with or without sleeves) - and the best part is, it's only $349!
I'm not sure if the silk will be flattering on me, but I love the shape. Check it out here.

Celebration of Life

This is a first loss for me
The loss of a peer, a coworker
A friend.
Since it’s a first, it’s hard to know what I should be feeling
Or when these feelings will go away.
Like, will I ever stop thinking about her?
About the life she lived, the way she died?
The short, sudden burst of tears blur my eyes.
I thought that clichés would help me right now…
The “at least she died doing what she loved”, or
“everyone has to go at some point”.
But those aren’t enough. They don’t work for me.
Nothing, really, is enough right now.

Brooke's Celebration of Life is scheduled for this Thursday. As my mom says, "it's gonna be heavy"...

Counting the homeless

Many of you may remember that at my previous job, I did a lot of work with (and in) the homeless population. The organization I worked for helped communities count the number of homeless for HUD (Dept. of Housing and Urban Development) funding requirements. The count happens every 2 years, and well...it's happening in 2009. So my old colleagues called me up to help out - it takes a lot to wake up at 4am to organize people (sometimes without coffee!)

So it went surprisingly smoothly this morning...Kelly and I woke up bright and early and were greeted by many homeless and volunteers alike at the Palo Alto shelter. It took about an hour, but we paired everyone up, got everyone maps, and sent them on their way! All teams reported back successfully, and most importantly, felt like they did something good and made a contribution.

What a good way to start a brand new week, considering that last week was one of the worsts I've ever had....

Silence....

I woke up this morning, already feeling like a 5 pound brick was lodged in my throat (I guess my trip to Atlanta has finally caught up wth me)...only to snooze my alarm and wonder if I could make it to work without coughing up a lung. I checked my email and my facebook and was shocked to see that an old friend, an adventurous, spirited, athletic, beautiful 31 year old woman had passed away doing what she loved most - climbing with her husband. The details are still fuzzy, but ice struck her and she fell 400 feet off of Mt. Hood. Her husband skiied to her, adminstered CPR, but it was of no use. I mourn for her, her family, Thad (her husband), and the countless others who were touched by her warm spirit and enthusiasm. You never realize how much someone touches your life until they are gone....

To my adventurous, spirited friends: I love you. Keep on doin' what you're doing.

I want this!

Instead of an invitation, isn't this poster idea ADORABLE???

Proud to be an American....

Finally! It's been 8 loooong years. I'm finally proud to be an American. Yes we can. Yes we did!

Bridesmaid dresses

Everyone has been asking me, "what are your colors?" I have to admit that I haven't quite gotten that far in the wedding planning, but I have found some bridesmaids dresses that I love!