Friday, June 27, 2008

MY DRESS!

What did you think I was going to POST A PICTURE OF IT?!? No way!! PB reads this, guys!!

But, I FOUND MY DRESS!

Went shopping with my aunt (my mom's sister), my nonna, and my aunt who is in town and leaving today. We had two appointments to try on dress, and we went to the nicer place first. I took three dresses into the room, and the first one I tired on was the perfect one. I never thought I would be sappy or girly and be giggly about my dress, but seriously, I am!!! I love it so much!!! It is so so so so beautiful!

AND we found the bridesmaids dresses too! And since we are buying everything there we are getting a 15% discount on them!

I can't wait to marry PB in that dress, party all night, and then live happily ever after!

Thursday, June 26, 2008

Contractor Communication

Is there any point to talking to our contractor every day if I can't understand what he is saying? It has been a hard few weeks trying to design PB's bathrooms(one day mine too) for the big renovation project. Anyway, we are now almost at the finish line for the guest bathroom (all that's left is tiling, grouting, adding light fixtures and other fixtures) and so the contractor and I have become bff's.

It's 8:44 AM and he just called me to tell me the grout color I picked (online, without seeing it or comparing it to the tile in person) is not only a teeny bit yellow but is a special order so he will buy a different one if that's ok? That's all I understood. The conversation lasted a solid 5-7 minutes and that was all I could deduce!

Why is it then that I insist on trying to be assertive and in control? I could tell he was asking my opinion on something so I clearly and strongly said "Sounds great. Why don't you do that" but in reality I have no idea what he said!

Anyway, this is the project so far...

before:


midway through the project:



you really can't tell what's going on but I can haha! the before pic is the inside of the shower (ewwwwwwwwwwwww) and the second pic is the new tiling before grout and before painting the wall beside it. Monday I am going to post the final before and after pics for your pleasure!

and a pic of Miami, just for fun. I like to call this picture "windy hair"

Monday, June 23, 2008

Sabrina's in Philly

Well, I just got back from another weekend with PB in Philly, and boy did we have a blast! We had another fabulous weekend together, but that story is for another day!!

Today I ask... Have you ever had such a delicious meal that you can't stop thinking about it afterwards?!?!

On Saturday PB and I got up super early and he took me to Sabrina's in South Philly. This place serves breakfast, lunch and dinner, but is most well known for its breakfast! We got there right before the morning rush (which is the reason we woke up early!). I ordered whole wheat pancakes (yep, you read that right!) with strawberries and bananas and a small fruit cup on the side. The pancakes were AMAZING. Seriously the BEST pancakes I have ever had! I begged PB to take me again on Sunday but he told me too much of a good thing will ruin it for us. waaaa! Therefore, we made a deal to go back THIS Saturday! I can't wait!!

Yummmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm.

Friday, June 20, 2008

Weird-o

So, I work for my family. It's my dad's business, and all but 2 employees are family. Our office is an old bank that my dad bought years ago, and it is not some huge space. It is about the size of a pharmacy store (but 2 floors so twice the size). We all work as a team sort of, and we kind of just ask questions out loud as we chug along since we work in an open space.

That being said, why is it that I always have to bring my cell phone with me when I go down to the restroom? If I ever forget it I get this sick feeling in my stomach like something bad is going to happen. Am I scared of the lower floor monsters? Am I scared I might pass out in the bathroom? WHAT IS WRONG WITH ME?

Am I the only one that has such weird, unbreakable habits?

Wednesday, June 18, 2008

Engagement Party plans updated

church hall- booked
caterer- booked
app + dessert menu- still to be finalized
dinner- finalized
music- booked dj
centerpieces- lemons + limes in Anne's vases
tablecloths- borrowing
margarita machine- BOOKEd!
invitations- mailed out
dress- BOUGHT! yay!
shoes- still need
flight down and back- booked
disposables- ordered
alcohol- still to be bought and finalized
waiters/bartenders- lined up
transport for my family from hotel- arranged

it's going to be so fun! we have pretty much done everything we can do up to this point!

bathroom renovations started yesterday at PB's condo.
doing our registry this sat. fun stuff.
other wedding stuff- waiting for response from westin for contract!

Tuesday, June 17, 2008

When I knew PB was *The One*

Last summer I went to Greece with my girlfriends... it was only a month after PB and I met, and he sent me off with a nice bag full of snacks, books, and a journal. I wrote all about my trip in that journal and when I am in the mood to write I still use it....

On that trip on July 23, 3007 I wrote this:

"I can't get (PB) out of my head. I really like him and I know it might be crazy to say this but I think he might be the One. I can seriously see a future with him, and my heart smiles just thinking about him."

And now I spend my days thinking about our wedding and our future together....

Crazzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzy!

Monday, June 16, 2008

We met one year ago today...

Happy Anniversary Nadine + Dave! Thank you for inviting both PB and I to your wedding so we could meet!!! Best day of my life. I will never forget your anniversary!

Today marks exactly one year that PB and I have known one another! Yay! I am so happy!

Wednesday, June 11, 2008

What a difference a year makes

July 2007, in Greece



June 2008, in Providence


More exercise, better food choices, love, and sleep have helped me lose > 10 lbs!

Tuesday, June 10, 2008

Donations!

Want to make a donation to a worthy cause but are tight on money? (and therefore want to get something else out of it besides the good feeling of helping someone?) There are lots of charities that help you do that!

My favorite is for the Special Olympics of Rhode Island, to which I make a donation every year. I LOVE magazines but I always feel guilty subscribing to them. The Special Olympics of R.I. sells magazine subscriptions at a very low rate, and 12.5% of the cost goes to helping them train! Last year alone they raised $7,000!

Anyway, I just signed up for Cooking Light and National Geographic. I would have spent that $79.90 on something else anyway, so might as well let part of that go to helping my fellow Rhode Islanders!

I encourage all you magazine subscribers to do something similar! You get a great rate, PLUS some of your money helps some organization (google your local area for groups that are involved in this.. I googled "donation + magazine + subscription" and got lots of hits for different charities!)

Monday, June 9, 2008

Follow up to Monday, May 19th.

On May 19th I wrote about my goals... here they were:

1. only eat when hungry
2. choose the healthy stuff
3. no mindless snacking (which started up after my injury- annoying)
4. Plan ahead!
5. Get enough rest
6. Listen to PB and actually take care of my ankle i.e. ice it, elevate it etc..

How am I doing following them? Not bad actually! I am choosing the healthy stuff but not being afraid to have the junk when I know it is all that will satisfy me. The mindless snacking has completely stopped (thank goodness). I am still having a tough time resting enough and planning ahead- I think after this last crazy week I will begin to do better though!

It has been almost 5 weeks since I fell and hurt my ankle, and I haven't gained a pound. Boy, does that feel good! I have also stopped counting calories for a bit to see how I do listening to my body in a normal, natural way. So far, so good! I felt a little yucky last week but that was just because I had too much fun in Miami!

Other stuff..
1. My dance studio is doing a company show in March, and I want PB to do a salsa number with me!! What can I do to convince him to do it?!?! (he is an AMAZING dancer!!)

2. My air conditioning in my condo is working again. A lot of cities in RI are canceling school tomorrow because the temps are supposed to reach 108 degrees!

3. Work is super busy and I have to leave early all week for dance recitals and I feel really bad.

4. I haven't been to the grocery store in about 3.5 weeks besides to run in for one or two ingredients. NEED TO SHOP!

5. I picked a date to go wedding dress shopping!!!! PB's mom and sister and my aunt and moh are going to take me in july!!! (everyone but my aunt lives out of state). I am really excited!

6. I am feeling really positive about my body now that my ankle is starting to feel a bit better. I can't wait for it to fully heal!

7. All of the food/exercise/healthy living blogs inspire me every single day, and for that I thank you all!

8. I have nothing else to say. time for beddddd!!!!!!!

The Saga of the Ankle

I think that the sadness I was feeling over my injured ankle has finally passed. It is still too soon to run or dance (wa, wa), but at LEAST I can (mostly) wear high heels, and I can do the elliptical without wanting to scream.

It is still pretty swollen and is not going down at all, but again, I am lucky to be able to walk and do the elliptical and wear cute shoes!

That's the latest update. I can't wait til I can run and swim again, hopefully soon...

and Wedding Season begins...

Friday was my cousin's wedding! We all had an AMAZING time! Here are a few pics:

my maid of honor (cousin) and I!!!


the bride and groom!!!


PB and I!


PB and I being silly :)


The cousins!!!


The weddings to come are:
6/14 Bri's wedding in upstate NY
6/28 Kristine's wedding in PHL
7/26 Jim's wedding in NY
7/27 Garen's wedding in PHL
8/16: OUR ENGAGEMENT PARTY IN PHL!!!
8/30: Amir's wedding in ?

That plus all the bridal showers, bachelorette parties, beach parties, wedding planning, PB + RG family meetings (our dads have met but now it is time for everyone else to meet!!!), bathroom renovations, life planning, etc etc etc is going to = a busy summer!! I am SO EXCITED THOUGH!

Then this fall is KC's wedding and Julie's too!! I can't wait!

Did I mention I am seriously in love with PB?!? We had such a fun weekend!!!!

Monday, June 2, 2008

Does $13 water really taste better?

I just got back from Miami!!!!! What a fun week Mzoof (best girlfriend) and I had!!

I am too busy to post a long blog about it, but a few things to note:

1. water by the pool cost $13 a bottle- did it taste better? I think not.
2. Miami looks much cooler in the movies than in person. It was a little dirty!
3. Famous people can be really stuck up/feel entitled (i.e. the old folks that took our table!!!!!)
4. Dinner at Opa (the Greek restaurant) might have been the most entertaining and fun dinner I have ever had- all due to the environment! Dancing on tables? Belly dancers? a DJ while you eat? pitchers of sangria? it was a GREAT time!
5. "Luxury Suite" in Miami does not = the same thing it does elsewhere in the world. Read: tiny
6. Our hotel was hopping! We stayed at the Shore Club, and it was a party every day and night!

A few health things to note:
I wore spf 30 on my body and 55 on my face at all times, and yet still am noticeably bronze and golden! We even took before and after pics to prove it haha! Sunshine really does a body good. I feel refreshed and relaxed.
I am currently reading Animal, Vegetable, Miracle by Barbara Kingsolver. It is really informative and inspiring. It has pretty much changed my life. Where can I find local, organic, produce + meat around here?!?! Whole Foods has a few options, but I wonder where the best Saturday morning farmer's market is?! Going to have to start searching! It is so true that we have forgotten about seasons- it is really strange to be able to have fresh asparagus all year round and strawberries etc etc etc- those veggies and fruits waste a lotttt of fuel and contain a lot more chemicals to keep them "fresh" than we think. More on all this later, I am only on page 80 in the book haha!

Last:
Absence really makes the heart grow fonder. I miss my PhillyBoy so much that my heart aches. We officially met on June 16th last year... so we've known each other for almost a year! I can't wait to see him. It has been 2.5 weeks. WAY. TOO. LONG. I miss him!!!! T-4 days til he arrives for my cousin's wedding! yay!