Friday, March 30, 2012

Redecorating

I'm not sure who decides to redecorate 2 months before moving, but I am in the process of re-doing our bedroom.  It all started when we got a fabulous new down comforter as a wedding gift.  We also received several gift cards which had been burning a hole in my pocket.  So here we are, 8 weeks before moving 2500 miles across the country, redecorating...

If it were completly up to me, I would have all white bedding.  I think it's so simple and elegant...however not realistic since we plan on having kids at some point in the next couple of years.  I found a gray duvet cover and decided on a teal and gray cover scheme. 







At this point, I am only purchasing new bedding.  I found these pillows at Pier One and fell in love with them (they actually are less blue/darker teal in person).  They are satin and SO fluffy and plush.  



We bought this DKNY duvet from Bed Bath and Beyond



I also would like to get a ruffled bed skirt at some point because I think they are girly and adorable.  Not sure how the husband will feel about this, we may need to do some convincing on that end!




Not sure how it's all going to come together yet, but I like the challenge and I can't wait to see how it turns out

Monday, March 26, 2012

Newlywed Game!

Megan over at Mackey Madness started this fun little link up for newlyweds.  Being married for 2 months clearly means we need to participate in such activities :)



HIS:


1) What do you think my best quality is?
Your motivation to be the best at whatever you do.

2) What would be your ideal date with me?
To go someplace relaxing for the evening.  Some type of place where we can have a drink and to chat and not be bothered.  We don't get a lot of time to spend alone, so it'd be nice to do that.

3) What was your first impression of me?
She's pretty cute ya know.... haha.   

4) What is your favorite memory of us?
Our first real "date" at Nodding Head in Philadelphia.

5) What do you see for us in the future?
Working hard, raising a family together, and doing our best to do right in the world with the gifts we've been given.
HERS



1) What do you think my best quality is?
You have such a kind heart.  You are the type of person who always does the right thing, even when no one is watching.  You are strong in your convictions and not easily swayed by others. I love that you are a rule follower :)

2) What would be your ideal date with me?
I would go back to Hawaii and re-live our honeymoon.  Even just for one day!  But if that weren't an option, I would want to get all dressed up and go to one of our favorite fancy restaurants, followed by a show.  Because we do live in Vegas after all.

3) What was your first impression of me?
I thought you were quiet and kind.  You seemed very serious about school and your career, which I appreciated and could relate to.

4) What is your favorite memory of us?
My favorite recent memory is our wedding night.  (He had a Rolls Royce pick us up and take us to the Mandarin Oriental where we spent the night.  Our room was on the 22nd floor and overlooked the Strip.  It was beautiful).


The bathroom was HUGE


And J had breakfast delivered the next morning and was was SO GOOD


My favorite old memory is when we spent the weekend in NYC after being apart for 3 months over summer break. 


It was our first weekend away together and we had only been together maybe 6 months.  We look SO YOUNG in these pictures...this was 2007!


5) What do you see for us in the future?
Lots of exciting things.  Advancing in our careers and hopefully having babies someday (soon?)

Wednesday, March 21, 2012

Post Wedding Chop

I did it! I chopped my hair off! While maybe it doesnt look SUPER short, it is the shortest it's been since like Middle School and I love it. I am a little nervous to see how it holds up in the Philly humidity (we are going back to visit in 2 weeks) but for the time being I am happy with it :)



Saturday, March 17, 2012

Wedding: The Ceremony

Our wedding was held at a large Catholic parish in Las Vegas.  This church is particularly special to us because it is the church that we have attended since we moved to Nevada.  It really has become our home over the last 4 years.  We particularly love Fr. Mike and immediately after getting engaged, we set a date with the church and requested that he be the priest to marry us.

Fr. Mike

After a year of marriage preparation, meetings with Fr. Mike, completing the FOCUS exam and Engaged Encounter, it was time to get married!!

Our Flower Girl and Ring Bearer got the party started with a tantrum about 1/4 of the way down the aisle (which was hilarious).  I think my sister was horrified!


Jonathon waited patiently as everyone processed into the church


I was a nervous wreck at the rehearsal, worrying about the long walk down the aisle in 3 1/2 inch heels.  As I walked with my Dad into the church on the day of our wedding, all I could think of was seeing Jonathon looking so happy at the end of the aisle.  It really was such a special moment.


Our Best Man, Hal, said the first reading.  Coincidentally, he is also a priest, which is always a good trait to have in a Best Man!


Tobit 8:4b-8


On their wedding night Tobiah arose from bed and said to his wife,
“Sister, get up. Let us pray and beg our Lord
to have mercy on us and to grant us deliverance.”
Sarah got up, and they started to pray
and beg that deliverance might be theirs.
They began with these words:
“Blessed are you, O God of our fathers;
praised be your name forever and ever.
Let the heavens and all your creation
praise you forever.
You made Adam and you gave him his wife Eve
to be his help and support;
and from these two the human race descended.
You said, ‘It is not good for the man to be alone;
let us make him a partner like himself.’
Now, Lord, you know that I take this wife of mine
not because of lust,
but for a noble purpose.
Call down your mercy on me and on her,
and allow us to live together to a happy old age.”
They said together, “Amen, amen.”

My sister and Matron of Honor, did the second reading.


Hebrews 13:1-4a, 5-6b

Brothers and sisters:
Let mutual love continue.
Do not neglect hospitality,
for through it some have unknowingly entertained angels.
Be mindful of prisoners as if sharing their imprisonment,
and of the ill-treated as of yourselves,
for you also are in the body. Let marriage be honored among all
and the marriage bed be kept undefiled,
Let your life be free from love of money
but be content with what you have,
for he has said, "I will never forsake you or abandon you."
Thus we may say with confidence:
"The Lord is my helper,
(and) I will not be afraid."


Next came the gospel
John 15:9-12

As the Father has loved me, so I have loved you; abide in my love.
If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his love.
I have said these things to you so that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be complete.
‘This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.'

And then he put a ring on it :)


...And I cried my way through my vows


The priest then said something to the effect of "well that's it, you're married" and Jonathon took this to mean "you may now kiss your bride".  There was a little confusion as we both started to lean in and then I realized it wasn't time yet so I hissed "NO!!  NOT YET!!" 


And then we laughed and were announced husband and wife and were given the cue to kiss :)




And then it was over just as quickly as it had started!




Thursday, March 15, 2012

Oh hey! We're famous!

http://thechive.com/2012/03/15/daily-afternoon-randomness-48-photos-64/dar-thursday-19-7/

My coworkers are ridiculous.

...and I love them :)

Wedding: First Look

Pretty early on in the planning process, J and I decided we wanted to do a first look.  I had seen other first look photos and loved the idea of capturing both the bride and grooms faces the first time they see each other on their wedding day.  I also wanted to have a minute to spend together before the hustle and bustle of the wedding.  These photos turned out to be our favorite of all of the wedding photos.



















Saturday, March 10, 2012

Wedding: Getting Ready

The me and the bridesmaids (minus the one who got stuck in a snow storm in Seattle) stayed at the M Resort the night before the wedding. The M is one of our favorite places in Vegas and is also where we hosted our rehearsal dinner. 



View from our room at the M

The morning of the wedding the girls and I went to the hotel gym for a little bit.  I wore my Bachelorette sash and Hottie Whistle (thanks Lindsay :)

Please excuse the crappy iPhone pic :)

I was super upset about J's ENTIRE FAMILY still being stuck at the airport in Seattle and the good possibility that they would be missing our wedding. After working out for a little bit I just wanted to leave and get some fresh air. I drove to Einstein's Bagels to get breakfast/lunch for everyone and before I knew it, it was time to start getting ready.  Around this time I got word that J's family were en route to Vegas.  THANK YOU GOD!!

Hair and makeup was underway and our photographer arrived shortly thereafter to take some fabulous photos of me and my favorite ladies :)





My sweet grandmother


hey girrrrl



my lovely sister gettting beautified by the very talented Jamie from MAC :)



It literally took a village to get me into this dress.  It was obscene and almost wrecked my hair!

Oh heyyy Mom!



Remember when I said getting into my dress nearly wrecked my hair?  Was. Not. Kidding.
Before I knew it, we were being loaded into the limo and heading to the church!

BFFS!  (this just happens to be one of my favorite photos of the day :)