Do you believe in signs?

Today is a big day -- today marks exactly ONE YEAR until our wedding day!

I woke up this morning excited at the thought that at the same time in 365 days, I'll be waking up as a single woman for the very last time. It seems like a sort of long time away, but when I think about the fact that we've already been engaged for 7 months, it doesn't seem that far away after all. Time really does fly, and I want to savor this next year and enjoy it as much as possible.

When I got into work today (still at my "old" job for another week), I settled in, and then put on my headphones so I could concentrate and get down to business. As I do just about every other day, I opened my iTunes and pressed "play" -- I have it set to shuffle my music, so I'm never sure what tune in my library of 3,909 songs will play. Wouldn't you know it that the first song that came on is the very song that Mr. Blushing and I plan to dance to for our first dance at our wedding. It's a lovely song by Billy Joel called "You're My Home." There is both a studio and a live version, and the live version is the one I like best; that is the version we will be dancing to, and the same version that delighted my ears this morning. Here are the lyrics:

When you look into my eyes
and you see the crazy gypsy in my soul
it always comes as a surprise
when I feel my withered roots begin to grow.

Well I never had a place
that I could call my very own
but that's alright my love
'cause you're my home.

When you touch my weary head
and you tell me everything will be all right.
You say use my body for your bed
and my love will keep you warm throughout the night.

Well I'll never be a stranger
and I'll never be alone
wherever we're together
that's my home.

Home could be the Pennsylvania turnpike*
Indiana's early morning dew
high up in the hills of California
home is just another word for you.

Well I never had a place that I could call my very own
but that's all right my love
'cause you're my home.

If I travel all my life
and I never get stop and settle down
long as I have you by my side
there's a roof above and good walls all around.
You're my castle, you're my cabin
and my instant pleasure dome.
I need you in my house
'cause you're my home...
you're my home.

Now, I'm not sure that I believe in signs, but I believe that if ever there were one, hearing this song today would be it. :-)

* The first two years of our relationship were long distance, and just about every single weekend (I think we missed a total of two), one of us would drive two long, boring hours on the Pennsylvania Turnpike to see the other. That's not the reason we chose the song, but it sure makes it seem all that much more personal!

Button up!

I had a "case of the Mondays" yesterday, so on my way home from work I stopped at the grocery store and got two things sure to lift my spirits: a roll of Pillsbury chocolate chip cookie dough, and the new issue of InStyle Weddings. (You can feel my day getting better already, can't you?)

While chowing down on some raw cookie dough (I know, Mom, I shouldn't do that!) and reading my magazine, I came across this adorable table number idea using buttons:

photo via Brooklyn Bride, via InStyle Weddings

I started thinking about my new vintage theme that is slowly falling into place, and I realized that incorporating vintage-looking buttons would be the perfect flair that I am looking for!

With the help of a Weddingbee member who pointed me in the direction of these cute napkin rings from Martha, I searched a little further and found this cake that made my heart literally skip a beat:

photo via Martha Stewart Weddings

Is that not the. cutest. thing. you've ever seen????? I must have it!!!!!

It's so exciting when things actually start to come together.... Between this and my cut glass/eclectic candle holder idea for the centerpieces, I feel like I'm well on my way to a cohesive look and feel for our wedding, after a while of wandering aimlessly through this overwhelming (and sometimes frightening) wedding world.

Was there a moment or idea that suddenly pulled everything together for you?

A pretty big week for Miss Blushing

The last week has been pretty big/exciting for me, for two reasons:

1.) I got the job! I received an offer on Monday evening, and handed in my resignation at my current job on Tuesday. I was a nervous wreck before doing so, because it's just such a difficult thing to do, but once it was over I felt liberated and nothing but excited for the next chapter in my career. I will wrap things up in two weeks, have a few days off to get myself situated, and then begin my new adventure on October 3!

2.) I got "the" dress! Last Saturday Mama Blushing, MIL Blushing, and my MatOH came along when I went to try on the Casablanca dress one more time at The Wedding Touch. As MatOH said, it was a "no brainer" and the troops were unanimous -- I HAD to get this dress! I kept it on for maybe 15 or 20 minutes, loving every second of it and loving the dress more and more the longer I kept it on. So, I got measured, and wonderful Mama Blushing (who does so much for me and is doing so much for our wedding that I could never thank her enough) put down the deposit. DONE! Such a great feeling!

Without further ado, here is the dress, once again, but with yours truly wearing it! (Mr. Blushing, I know you are really not into this blog thing, but if for some reason you are reading this.... STOP NOW!!!!!!! Thankyouverymuch :-) )

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That's me! In MY wedding dress! Teehee.

The back.... we didn't take a lot of time to lay out the train all pretty, but you get the gist.



Aside from the few clips, the sample was very close to my normal size, so this is the size we ordered. For an extra $85, we will also have it custom cut to my height (which will probably save us a few hundred dollars in the alterations that would have otherwise been needed removing and re-stitching all of the detailed lace along the bottom hem). It is hard to tell, but the sample is champagne and that is the same color I ended up ordering. It's basically a more pink ivory that is flattering to my Italian skin tone (where as regular ivory has more yellow, which brings out the olive tone of my skin, which I am not a fan of!).

Also, you can't see in pictures, but each button on the back is beaded with the same detail as the rest of the dress. Truly spectacular!!!

I really like the veil that I am wearing, too. I didn't see the need to order that right away, but I might end up buying this one. I like how the subtle scalloped edge picks up the detail of the dropped waist, and the beading along the edge frames my face while picking up the beading on the dress. I'm also not a fan of "poof" so I like that this veil is a single layer -- no blusher for me (just not my thing and I swear I feel claustrophobic when I wear a blusher.... yes, I'm weird like that!). I would get it a bit longer (I honestly forget the length I want.... 50-something inches? They wrote it down!) because I liked the way another longer veil looked with the dress.

I am so ecstatic about this purchase; I feel like I really found the dress that suits my body, style, and personality to a T. I also like that it will help to set the tone for a somewhat vintage-meets-modern/eclectic style wedding, in terms of decor, flowers, and stationery.

Now I can start diving into the world of shoes, jewelry, and bridesmaid dresses!!!! :-)

Gocco, I love you so

The time has come.... I finally own my very own Gocco!


My wonderful brother and new sister-in-law got me this most fabulous device as a (belated) birthday present. With all of the chaos that this time of year brings to my life, I have not yet been able to break in my cute new screen-printing friend, but I am chomping at the bit to start! I used to L-O-V-E spending hours on end in the screen printing studio during my senior year at the University of Delaware, but continuing the art of printmaking beyond college became difficult with a lack of a studio space to get messy. I can't wait to (sort of) experience that again.... it may be on a smaller scale, but I have a feeling that I will love it just as much!

Wedding DIY projects: here I COME!

ch-ch-ch-changes...

What a hectic time the last several weeks have been! I realize I haven't written much, but I have good reason -- there is a good possibility that tomorrow, I will be getting a job offer with a company that I have been pursuing for a year now. Yes -- a YEAR! It's all a little overwhelming, and a little scary with the big change of becoming a wife also on the horizon (we are almost at the one-year mark!), but I think it's a change that I need.

Mr. Blushing is 100% supportive of the change, as he has witnessed first-hand how miserable I have been at my job for a little while now... this new job will be a challenge, but I think it will ultimately make me much happier, and that means I will be able to focus my free time on planning for our big day and enjoying Mr. Blushing's company, instead of complaining about work all the time.

Has anyone out there had a career change greatly impact their personal relationships in a positive way?

Or, has starting a new job while planning a wedding been overwhelming for anyone? In the end, was it worth it?