One Girl's Journey to Live Like a Queen
Last week during my trip to the National Zoo I witnessed a spectacular animal event. We made it to the Big Cats exhibit in time for enrichment. The seven lion “cubs” are a little over a year, but still play like kittens.
attempting to scoop their “toy” out of the water
success!
Stunning young animals, huh?
Um, do you do see what I see?
Do you see this new & improved, shiny, WordPress blog?!?!?
I made the jump to WordPress!
But you’ll have to excuse me while I tinker with settings and get things just right.
In the meantime, huge thanks to my girl, Ali.
She did this jump and did all that confusing html/hosting/computer mumbojumbo.
I am so lucky she is my friend!
YAY!
(and happy Friday!)
For someone who feared the big 3-0 months ago, I have nothing but happiness in my heart today! From my husband’s treat of a trip to NYC complete with the most fabulous present ever, to my friends & family showering me with love and presents, this kick ass blog post by a bestie, and my class of twenty-two 7 year-olds singing me the birthday song (along with counting “Are you 1? Are you 2?” …all the way to 30!), I am complete.
Birthdays are a huge deal to me, if you didn’t know already. They are your own personal holiday. You deserve nothing but attention and awesomeness to the max. I might be guilty of searching that out, at times, to cope with the fear of turning older. But this year, aside from planning my party (what?), I just let things happen.
And happen they did!
We nicknamed the time spent our “Baller Weekend” because we did not hold back.
At. all.
Did someone say Louboutin’s?
I’ll get into that later.
And it was nothing short of amazing.
[edit: This is technically from a Friday, not a Saturday... So we'll call it Steppin' out Saturday on a Friday]
Quick story: I purchased these button earrings from Uptown Avenue. They quickly became a fav, and then lost one! I went back to their Etsy store, requesting to buy a single earring. Theresa said no, she would instead send it to me free of charge with free shipping! And surprise, she sent a whole new pair!! Love great customer service!
About 2 weeks ago, Mike & I decided our wedding gifts needed a better storage place than stacked on the floor. See, our 700 sq ft condo seemed like plenty of space when we first moved. Then we went and got married and received wonderful grown-up gifts. Crystal goblets need displaying, the cupcake carrier needed storage itself, and deep-down I worried the cats’ exploration might ruin a few pieces.
We set off to find a china cabinet/hutch/anything decent to hold our things. It needed to be no taller than 7 foot, no wider than 41 inches, and no deeper than 20 inches. These stringent specifications almost lead us to design a piece for $2600 at a very fancy, yet wonderful quality wood, furniture store. We found no justification in spending that much money on something we might not use when/if we move, no matter how solid and great the wood.
(yes, many jokes can be inserted here)
So why not take things into our own hands? (Sidenote: I consider myself mildly crafty. I can’t use a sewing machine but I can scrapbook and paint. Mike is good at reading directions and following them. This will come in handy later.)
Enter “Rough and Ready” a jam packed, flea-market style, everything goes second-hand furniture store. Our neighbors referred us, as they purchased and refinished a piece themselves. I striped/sanded/refinished a coffee table before. I was all about tackling another restoration project. Because a giant china cabinet is just like a small coffee table, right?
(warning: photo heavy post ahead)
See Betsy:
But next time? I’m spending $2600 on that brand new piece that I don’t need to touch.
Today.
Today is my wedding day.
As a little girl I dreamed about this day. I idealized, I pretended, I dressed up. I fantasized about what sort of man might complete me, stand next to me, say “I do.”
Today I wear a white (ok, ivory) beautiful gown, the most expensive gown ever purchased for myself. Makeup artists and hair stylists will dote on me. My friends & family will all come to see and celebrate me, us.
Beneath all the anxiety of details falling in place, fear of the weather holding out, and desire for everything to be just right, there is one major focal point that brings me peace: Mike.
He makes water bottle labels and rain clouds disappear. Knowing that starting today I get to have him to hold in sickness and health, richer or poorer, better or worse, makes my heart swell with joy. I don’t call it luck. I call it meant to be. It just makes sense.
And that makes today more than a dream come true.
Today is my reality.
And it looks pretty good to me.
Any bride who tells you she’s not dieting is lying.
Just throwing that out there.
So for myself?
Sure, I cut back on my food intake. Nothing drastic, or anything. I like food. Food and me? We have a great relationship. It tastes goooood. Case-in-point.
But who doesn’t want to look even better? With the proper motivation, like ahem, your wedding, you can go far, right?
Wrrrrrong.
I mean you can, and sure I’ve come far, but comfort food is so darn yuuuummmmy.
So here’s how it goes for me:
About 6 months out from my wedding I gave more money than I care to admit to hired a personal trainer. I know me. I will purchase a gym membership, plan on going religiously, do that for about a week, and then taper off and still end up paying for it when not going at all. That money lost is now body image gained with my personal trainer. And bonus: she’s someone I enjoy working with, centers me emotionally during my rants, and will continue to work with post-nuptials. Super bonus: my biceps rock.
The hypoallergenic, doctor prescribed diet back in October taught me a lot about food: quality, quantity and preservatives. While there’s no way in hell I still eat what or how I did on that diet, I know how certain foods affect me and try to make concerted effort to eat better. Now consistency is my problem. I’ll eat whole, good foods for about 2 days, then fall off the wagon at a bbq and gorge on those hotdogs I try to deprive myself of otherwise. But a few hotdogs/bruchetta/macaroni salad here and there is not bad! I try to be realistic. Reality is harsh when you want a flat belly, though.
Last week I asked a thin friend of mine how he does it. He asked if I wanted the truth. Um, yes. (Hindsight: no no no.) Enemas and not eating. Ok so that first part is out the window. Nothing too extreme for me, please. But not eating?! We’ve established my love affair with food. Sure you eat less you should weigh less. You eat right you should also weigh less. For the record, this friend does eat.
Moving on, I asked another friend who happens to be a nutritionist at a certain government run health organization that same question. Disclaimer, this was at her birthday party and she was definitely enjoying herself. Her response: Don’t eat. What?! Wait, wasn’t that the skinny friend’s advice?! Now things are wonky. She went on to explain that smaller meals are better, not totally restricting calories. Oh, and she also advised that if I plan on drinking any alcohol, then I should really not eat. Like, at all.
Last stop on the bad-advice train, with a happy twist, my personal trainer. I recounted the pointers given above and she nodded and agreed. If you don’t eat you will loose weight. But of course you shouldn’t do that. Whew. Finally, someone who sees the reality to this bad guidance. Then she shared how she prepared for a body building contest by basically not eating for the remaining days leading up to the show. ARG! She supports eating.
For the love of all things tasty, people must eat!
I’m going to write a book called “You have to eat to loose weight!”
Not that I have any credentials on the topic.
Just random advice from others.
And no worries, I’m eating. And I’m working out. And Mike and I are running a 5K together tomorrow. And we eat really well.
Food is meant to be enjoyed.
But the jellybeans & candy cane oreos are hidden from sight.
Sidenote: I fear the google searches that will land people on this post!
Holy Calendar, Batman.
One month?!?! Hold the presses, stop the clocks, and let’s just press the pause button for awhile, mmmkay? I’ve been told this last month will fly. I’d prefer to crawl at a snail’s pace.
I/We accomplished a lot this past month:
-Bachelorette parties in DC & AC fully celebrated my single status and prepared me for marriage (I think)!
-I perfected my appearance with high-lights, a spray tan (yes really), and my hair & makeup trial!
-We celebrated our 7 year anniversary (holy guacamole).
-I conquered my dreams (literally).
-We managed to get almost all our RSVP’s mailed in, but not without good effort.
-Our photographer, planner, venue point of contact, and caterer point of contact all met at the venue to discuss stuffs and things.
-Meanwhile Mike and I ordered the kipot, our ketuba (it’s so purdy), & had our final meeting with the Rabbi.
-We took a sneak-peak of our venue set up for someone else’s wedding. It got me all a-flutter.
To do in 30 days or less:
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-buy wedding ring (yes still, Ebay here I come!)
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-buy garter
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-dress for synagogue
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-cake topper?
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-decide on cake style
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-buy under dress lingerie
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-order benchers (after-meals grace)
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-write vows
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-order welcome bags
-buy contents of welcome bags
-get maps of metro/dc for welcome bags
And if it doesn’t get done? No one will know the difference…
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To wrap things up, I share with you my favorite song of the moment, Lady Gaga’s latest single The Edge of Glory. While, sure, this song is about getting together with some guy, to me it speaks of “hanging [by] a moment” and being on the edge of something truly awesometastic. Plusalso? It has a crazy awesome sax solo that reminds me of the Full-House theme song. Keepin’ it real…
Round 2 of bachelorette party fun ensued this past weekend in Atlantic City. (Don’t forget to check out the DC shenanigans, too!)
I almost want to keep the invitations a secret for just a while longer, because I love them so, So, SO much. They are by far my favorite part of the wedding so far.
Seriously.
They are the most decadent non-edible item I ever laid eyes on.
I luff them so.
And so what if people just throw them away before or after the wedding? I will always remember how absolutely gorgeous and stunning they are.
So, you can see I’m a bit obsessed with them.
One more thing, if you didn’t catch my guest post yesterday about how we almost had to reprint all the invites, please go check that out now.
Then you can fully appreciate the depth of my love for these pieces of fancy cardstock.
Ok one last thing, promise, before the photo montage.
Huge, deep appreciation goes out to Sugar of DIYva Designs (& Nar, her partner, too!).
Sugar worked with my needy self, made countless changes to the proof(s), and is the genius artist extraordinaire behind the design.
So here they are.
(Be still my heart)
Needless to say, I’m more than happy with how they turned out.
And coupled with gold ink calligraphy on the purple envelopes?
Simply gorgeous.
The only thing better will be marrying Mike!
What do you think of them??
Dear Vicki,
Hi, Darling. I hear the wedding planning is coming along. You and Mike work together as a great team, when you remember to tell him things and not try to take on everything by yourself. I know we’re really excited about the sessions with personal trainers and getting those arms in shape. Things are really starting to shape up and honestly you are starting to loose it, and not pounds. Enough of the small talk. I staged an intervention. I brought along myself (you) and all your readers and lurkers (the non-commenting readers) and we’re here today to tell you to breathe.
See, I noticed recently that you’re doing that thing you do, ya know – get all worked up when you can’t control a situation. In trying to defy gravity you forget anxiety will come knocking down your walls if you continue to establish huge expectations. Do you really think that on June 19th everything will smoothly play out? While I can tell you are desperately trying now to do everything in your power to make sure it will, you are building up those expectations to the point where no one can avoid dashing them. The planning is all well and good. The over planning and perfection seeking is not.
If you allow yourself to rev-up 5 months out, what will your status be in June?
Listen to Kathryn, who recognizes this behavior creeping in has no place in your heart. Take a breath. Your yoga practice goes far beyond the studio practice space.
If you must be such a damn realist who tries to prepare for the worst, remember your wedding day will still happen regardless of the weather, the decor layout, or even family feuds. Listen to Joey, she told you about her ice sculpture with the wrong monogram on her wedding day. She still had fun and others had fun.
Some things are inevitable and they don’t shut down the show.
If you continue to persist like this, well shut. the. front. door. I’m not having it anymore.
Listen to Shana, who said the time passes so quickly, to savor every moment. A negative attitude with a Nervous-Nelly clouds all possibility of enjoying this time.
You are a strong, beautiful woman who will shine no matter what your hair, nails, or arm flab look like on your wedding day.
You are creative, smart, and capable of accepting. Everything will look lovely because weddings are like that, and everyone will have a good time celebrating.
You are young, in love, and excited. Remember the point of all this and remember Mike’s love for you.
Now, listen to yourself and not to any nonsensical fears. Don’t allow nonproductive thoughts (including David Tuttera and his seemingly perfect wedding show) get to you. Dust yourself off, put on your big-girl panties, and blast the Glee Soundtrack, or whatever bad music you’re currently listening to, and repeat after me:
I. Am. Enough.
Yours (literally),
Victoria Ann Elizabeth
PS: Stop faking. Start believing yourself.
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