The Countdown Continues!

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Couldn't be more excited about this!

Two honies go a moonin'!

Matt and I had our first meeting with a travel agent today. Although there was an overwhelming amount of information, I could NOT be more excited about our departure on Monday, November 8th!

The final plans haven't been booked yet, but I'm pretty sure we'll be going with Secrets Silversands Riviera Cancun. Originally we were thinking of Jamaica, but after we got to the specifics, it just didn't seem like our best value (nor the best experience that we have in mind!).

Check out the website here: http://www.secretsresorts.com/silversands/photo.asp

We had flipped through the various tourism magazines that we'd picked up at the few bridal shows we've been to. We've found out that the travel agent way may be the cheapest way to go. I'll keep you updated on this one!

Have you all started planning your honeymoon yet? Are you using a travel agent?

The little things are all coming together!

As promised, I've finally gotten around to sharing photos of our monogramamed cake topper and unity candle. BOTH TURNED OUT PERFECTLY!

My friend Stacy found this Etsy item and passed it along to me. With a few minor changes to the vendor's original design, the final product turned out better than I could have ever imagined!


Thank you Kim at Glitzy Events! I couldn't be happier with your services and products! The tapers that go along with the main candle both have a ring of chocolate ribbon around them as well--without monograms on the candles. So simple, and so US!







Now, for the cake topper, I didn't attempt to find anything awesome on Etsy, however just did a random google search for a retailer. I am all about keeping the mBm monogram theme throughout, so the cake topper I found is perfect for us. The acrylic sleek design is really crisp and elegant. This will look great on the four tiered square cake on a bold silver stand.


Thoughts? I love LOVE how they both go together so well. I know it's silly, but these two tiny details were something I had really the only say in (well Matt threw in his two cents too--luckily for me, he really liked both.). Aside from my dress, these are my two favorite details so far!

Is there one little detail about wedding you're in love with?

A wrench in the works.

Well something I've failed (or chosen not to) blog about is the surprise turn in the wedding planning circle of death. As it's well known now, during the very beginning of our engagement, we've had little issues arise from both the MIL and the MOB. After two months of stress and disagreements, it appeared that everything was settled (more to the delight of the parents as opposed to the Bride & Groom. Who ever said passiveness didn't please?).

Unfortunately, much to my dismay, it appears that the dreaded wrench has been thrown into the plan. It's now the MOB who has turned the tables sour.

A month or so ago, the day I ordered my wedding dress became a day I will never forget. Not because I was so delighted to find the dress of my dreams AND it is being completely paid for (although that did happen) and it was so magical of a moment that birds sang, the sun shined brighter and the whole world stopped to celebrate this glorious purchase. The day will be remembered for the hellacious argument that my mother and I had. Not really what I had pictured...much like this entire engagement process thus far.

Without getting into any specifics, the issue between my Mom and I boil down to control. As identically stubborn, independent women, we often butt heads. There were things said that I will never be able to get out of my mind. It's hard for me to grasp the hot/cold change that the Mom went through being so happy and "we'll do our best to make this day everything you and Matt wanted" to "we'll do our best to get everything that we want."

I have already released the reception site of my choosing for my least wanted choice---a local American Legion Hall. My mother has chosen the menu, most details about the cake (luckily, I did get to pick the design. That was before the "Big Switch" was thrown), she has manhandled the flowers, and has chosen a decorator that I do not really agree with. In short, my dream dress, groom and I will just show up when instructed.

It's gotten to the point to where my "if he were any more laid back he'd be in a coma" groom has given my Mom one to turn her strange treatment around before he's going to have a FSIL to FMIL chat about this issue. Out of the blue this weekend, he flat out told me that my misery over the past few months has been terrible. He cannot sit back any longer and let this battle of the independent ladies go on any farther. AND, he will no longer let me constantly be miserable.

I really did not realize that I did, in fact, usually come home in a state of minor misery after having my evening phone call with Mom. It doesn't matter what we talk about, our talks just aren't the same. There's always that undertone of "I'm not going to go back to normal until you apologize" in her voice. She's the one that said hurtful things. I'm the one that isn't going to deal with the petty fighting. When all is said and done at the end of the day: Matt and I have the final say on one thing. The guest list. If we choose to pay for the overflow they don't want, then so be it.

Now isn't that a stupid reason to fight with your only daughter? It's all about control. I realize that, and I know she realizes that. And to be completely honest, and in a completely non 'I’m going to win this fight' frame of mind, I'm done with this. I just continue each day knowing that the wedding is pretty much polar opposite of the vision I had. I can say all day long that it doesn't matter anymore, but I know that deep down, it surely does.

But what do I have through all of this? My Matt. AND my promise of an awesome everything-we-could-have-dreamed-of-and-more honeymoon in Jamaica. During that trip, I plan on having an intimate, renewal of vows that only the two of us attend. It will be everything we imagined and then some. Much like our marriage will be.

So to the readers...am I handling this in the wrong way? It's not a headstrong thing for me at this point, I've just thrown up the white flag of defeat. Have you had unexpected issues with your own family during your engagement/wedding planning process?

P.S. A deeply heartfelt thank you goes out to my wonderful Matt. Without him, I would have lost it long ago. <3

So many things!

Sorry for this tease, but I don't have much time---but have a LOT to update you on!

Once I get my camera back, I can share pictures of our Unity Candle (LOVE IT!), Cake topper and ring bearer pillow. The Pillow will be my next project.

Off to bed early tonight--lots going on. I will hopefully get an update in tomorrow morning!

"The Under-Appreciated, Un-Qualified Age of the Texter Generation."

During a work-related meeting today, I sat in a room full of working adults from various businesses throughout the community. I would say the overall age range in the room was from early 20s to late 60s. After the presentation we were given, a short question and answer session began about the current economic development issues, benefits, strengths and weaknesses of the geographical area we were in. Before I knew it, I was sitting in the midst of one of those "young kids these days have no respect and no work ethic" conversations.

Now, my own age is often guessed to be higher than it actually is. Iv'e been told that I carry myself and act in a more mature way. I don't really know how true this is---it may just be because I have dark circles under my eyes from stress and a few grey hairs. Being fresh out of college and hitting the work force, I came to realize right away, that my generation of new workforce is greatly looked down upon by our professional elders. While sitting in a college classroom over a year ago, that was never discussed. At that time, we were the most well-equipped individuals in the PR world, AND on top of that, we also apparently held all of the tools necessary to change and improve the above stated world. Professors Lie.

So back to my meeting---I proceeded to sit through the semi-rant of a well respected individual in the room. His comment included that the more knowing/experienced workers, managers and business owners who entered the workforce almost need to set aside funding to learn how to "deal" with and "handle working with" Generation XYZ, AKA, the young idiots that expect the world to be handed to them.

Maybe it's just because he directed these comments to the "23 year olds who think they know it all and wouldn't know a hard day of work if it kicked them in the shins," and I happen to be rolling up on my 23rd birthday that I took this so offensively. Maybe it was the other comment someone added that was to the tune of "all they know how to do is text and goof off." During his whole discussion, eyes were scanning the room, and several eyes fell on me. Now I (being the strong willed outspoken soul that I am) tried my best to keep a straight face. I'm new to this organization and I'm more interested in making positive networking contacts to help myself along, then enemies.

During a volunteer conference I attended last fall, one of the main sessions was on generation barriers in the workforce. Older generations (pre-baby boom-to boom) generally have the strong iron horse work ethic and go in early, stay late and do their work as they are told. The generations after that started becoming more independent, but still apparently stuck to that work ethic. Now for the rest of us under the age of 30, we are now the selfish generation. That really makes me snarle.

I am not discrediting that there are plenty of people my age in the current workforce that expect things to be handed to them on a silver platter without them so much as breaking a sweat. These individuals were raised by the "me" generation. Their parents were under that impression therefore they took on the same outlook.

I on the other hand, was raised by pre/baby boomers. In other words, I am a 23 year old, with the mindset of a 48 year old. I do admit that the "images" that my generation are given in the classroom setting are not nearly accurate to the current working environment. However, I thin it is rediculous that I have to be displaced with the rest of the "texting idiots" that don't know the difference between work and play. There is a difference between being a text-a-holic and being an individual who is up to date in the current media age, and embraces forms of technology that are higher that Windows 95 and cell phones the sized of a mini-cooper. In this day in age, if you do NOT know the most current things that are available in the Universe, you are under equipped to even get a job that's worth mentioning or even remotly gratifying.

Maybe my generation is selfish, but that older management generation is selfish too. Don't sit there and openly bash 23 year olds, when there is obviously a 20ish something person in the room. That's just a life lesson for anyone: Do not make negative comments that could even remotely offend anyone in the room. You never know who is listening or how it will affect them.

Give me a break. Sorry about the minor rant, but sometimes I feel like I need training to figure out how I'm allowed to break my way into the business world. Until then, I'll just train myself to keep up with the rest of the texting idiots so I can work my way up in the food chain where my 48 year old mindset would like put in the extra hours, time and energy to comfortably sit-----and DESERVE to sit there.

Have any of you faced generational barriers in your workplace?

DIY: Recipe Book Project

As I mentioned in my last post, one of the few DIY projects I have going for my November wedding is a super-awesome Recipe Book. After an awesome discovery of this craft in my local Archivers store, my mind was made up that this loves-to-cook Bride needs this in her kitchen! Hense, the idea of having a Recipe themed shower was born.

First, let me show a few examples of my inspiration. (Yes, ladies and gents, I whipped out my camera and had a photo shoot with this item right in the middle of the store. I'm not proud)

So since this project was started about a month ago, I've had to leave it dangling during most of that period. This past Sunday, however, while my honey was super-involved with watching NASCAR on the 60 (as he says), I decided to take some "me" time and work on my recipe book. I do have to say, that the project is over halfway done!

Below are a few more photos of my own progress.

(The front cover, and one of my "example" recipes. I made the recipe cards myself on Microsoft Publisher and printed them out on ecru cardstock.)

(A few of my finished division cards)

And finally, one of my favorite division cards, the back page.

(The Bednarz Family---that's going to be us in eight months and four days! Crazy, isn't it?)

Well what do you think so far? I was very pleased to see that this vintage-look project matches an antique metal recipe box I've had for years. I couldn't be happier with the results thus far---and I cannot wait to see the finished project displayed at my recipe shower...and in the kitchen of the newly established Bednarz Family.

I may not get to continue working on it for a few weeks, but I look forward to my next visit to my "Craft Corner." (That's what Matt calls it whenever I overwhelm our small kitchen table with this project!).