Wedding Wednesday

Happy Wednesday! 

This weekend Andrew and I started the fun task of sorting through the ridiculous amount of photographers in the Columbus area. Wowsah. So many!

So far we are considering photographers who are obviously in our budget and have affordable packages for 10 hours/all day.

We're also looking through recommended photographers from my sorority sisters' weddings (heck yeah word of mouth!). Our process so far is to scroll through websites and the portfolios therein, asses available packages, and decide whether or not we want to contact them for further information.

...and I have to stop being a snob about the websites. Yes, I do web analytics for a living and work with incredibly talented web designers so I get particularly frustrated when I see junk on the screen trying to sell me. I need to get over it. However, web design is a good investment! Sheesh! 

[End soap box.]

But yeah, any photographer can post pretty pictures on their site. How do you know who to choose? I'm thinking I should Yelp all of these photographers and see if they're rated anywhere like The Knot or WeddingWire...which means they cost more, right? 

Do you have any tips on finding the right photographer?

I read Le Magnifique Blog's post on the subject. The author, Damaris, provided tips and I created a list of what to look for when hiring a photographer:

I also read the below tips for photographers on Pinterest, so at least I can see if the photographer will do these things:

Source: cooldailyinfographics.com via ♥ Jevel Wedding Planning | Jennifer E Wilson ♥ on Pinterest

Do you have anything to add? How did you choose yours? Since we won't meet any of them in person until we hire one do you have any questions that we should ask them over the phone?

Thanks for your input!

Little Bit of Class Tuesday

Food in your teeth. 

Not classy.

How do you handle it?

Yesterday at lunch a few co-workers talked about having people tell them when they have food stuck in their teeth. Basically, if they have food they want someone to let them know! I couldn't agree more. Sometimes you don't know and then feel like an idiot later in the day when you go to the restroom only to find remnants. Again, not classy.

...and a blog post was born.

Of course Emily Post covers this situation!

Thanks again to Emily!

All this talk about food has me hungry and dreaming of dinner parties...

Source: vi.sualize.us via Claudia on Pinterest

Source: reachli.com via Gemsie on Pinterest

Want to join me?

Curious about how to handle a sticky situation? Let me know and I'll "ask" Emily!

Enjoy your Tuesday!

Weekend Update!

Hello!! I'm so excited to link up with Sami and Leeann again!  It's been a crazy two weeks and I have a lot to share. On Valentine's Day evening Andrew and I flew to his hometown, Austin. We were greeted by his parents who immediately took us to Whataburger. YUM! The whole weekend was incredible, from the company to the food:

We went to Home Slice, Amy's, sat outside drinking at Shady Grove, and Threadgill's...and toured the capitol building! Oh and we started our registry (not pictured haha)!!

We celebrated engagements with friends over delicious brunch and insanely incredible BBQ at Freedman's! If you go to Austin you MUST go to Freedman's! AND I even met up with a fellow blogger, Kelly from Miss MP!

Kelly is such a sassy sweetheart! It was so amazing to finally meet one of my very favorite bloggers and Twitter pros in person! I can't wait to return to Austin and hang out again! Go check out her blog!!
Andrew's Mom also introduced me to her hair stylist and wowsah he is amazing! Look at what he did to my hair!

Please if you have the chance, go to Bryan at Shag in Austin. He worked wonders on my hair and made me feel pretty...no easy feat! As you can imagine, it was rather tough getting back into the swing of things. Luckily work was really fun and busy. Plus, I met up with a couple of friends Thursday night for The Everygirl's 1 year anniversary soiree!  West Elm hosted the amazing team behind The Everygirl and oh my was it a party!

It was so fantastic to chat with Danielle and congratulate she and her sweet co-editor Alaina on their impressive success. Seriously, if you haven't read The Everygirl you are missing out!
Plus, my friends and I had fun looking around West Elm and posing for the camera. I also got to catch up with Susan from A Little Ray of Sunshine!

By the time the weekend rolled around I was exhausted from all of the fun!
We hosted Andrew's aunt and cousin for a delicious meal Friday night. I documented my domesticity:

I woke up Saturday to a nice surprise: Spring Training with the best pitcher ever on the mound!  (Stephen Strasburg for the Nats, in case you were wondering. He was inured last season.)

The rest of the day was full of laundry and lounging, lounging and laundry. I finally caught up on my blog reading, too. We also started our hunt for a photographer. Ugh. 
Sunday was another fun day! Daniela and I went to see Silver Linings Playbook and then Andrew and I went to our neighbors' for an Oscar Party! I lost all bets and owe Andrew dinner...and we owe our neighbors dinner, too! Sheesh! Good thing "dinner" to all of us mean wings and beer at The Third Rail down the street. Phew. Dodged an expensive bullet!
Well! That's about it! haha sorry for the super long post, but I love to document so I can read later. Heck yeah, memories!
How have you been?

Hi!

Good morning, friends!

Just wanted to pop in and say a quick hello!

I have a lot to share but haven't had the time/energy to do it! 

I'll do a recap on Monday, but for now, here's a picture of Teddy in a bow tie. 

Why? 

Better question: why not??

Have a happy weekend!

Little Bit of Sass Thursday: Valentine's Day Edition

Hi everyone!

I got my nails done the other day and the gal painted a little heart on my thumb! I love the extra girly touch. Should have had her put glitter on the heart. Next time.

Andrew and I are off to Austin for the weekend (!!!!) so we celebrated Valentine's Day last night by watching TV, exchanging funny cards, and awesome gifts! I got him Bulls tickets and he got me this:

I have been wanting one of these fleece blankets from the Georgetown bookstore since my first year on the Hilltop so I was SO excited when I opened my gift! Andrew didn't know I wanted it, either, and just thought I might! Nice job, right?!?! Teddy likes it, too, clearly.

I got Andrew's card from Julie Ann Art on Etsy. Her cards are hilarious! Please go check out her shop!

{via}

And yes, Andrew and I are incredibly romantic. His card to me was about farts. 

Can you feel the love?

Alright, here's a little more Valentine's Day-themed sass:

Source: someecards.com via Mary on Pinterest

Source: someecards.com via Mary on Pinterest

Source: someecards.com via Mary on Pinterest

Source: someecards.com via Mary on Pinterest

Source: someecards.com via Mary on Pinterest

Source: someecards.com via Mary on Pinterest

Source: someecards.com via Mary on Pinterest

All of this sass made me think of one of my favorite Valentine's Days in college.
Sophomore year of college I met up with a large group of my sorority sisters.
We downed boxes of wine, listened to music, and laughed so hard we cried.

Another favorite was Andrew and my first Valentine's Day together. It was the first time I had a boyfriend for the holiday and he was so super sweet (as always). OK I'll stop so you don't vomit.

Awwww memories!

Do you have a favorite Valentine's Day?

Wedding Wednesday: Reception Venue Reveal!

Yay for Wedding Wednesday with Mary and Joelle!

I'm very excited to reveal our reception venue, The Athletic Club of Columbus!

Andrew and I are so thrilled!

I took these pictures when we toured the space. Lucky for us there was a wedding there later so we got to see it all dressed up and ready to go. 

Here are a few other photos I found on Pinterest:

Source: benjaminscot.com via Mary on Pinterest

Source: emandersonphotography.com via Mary on Pinterest

Source: accolumbus.com via Mary on Pinterest

Source: benjaminscot.com via Mary on Pinterest

YAY!
I think it's safe to say that this venue is quite possibly the most beautiful place we could imagine for our reception. We are just so very thankful! Obviously we can't wait to celebrate our marriage!

Is it 2014 yet?!?!

Little Bit of Class Tuesday

Well hello!

I'm going with my Emily Post theme again this Tuesday.

It's interesting to read the title of a section in the etiquette book and think, "Yeah, I know what I'm doing in that situation," only to realize that maybe there's a better way to handle it.

That's how this whole book is. It's awesome.

For example, how do you greet people you've never met?

No really, think about it. 

First impressions are a big deal as much as we pretend that they don't. 

The way we carry ourselves and treat others can make a long-lasting impact on those we meet. 

1. I don't know if I stand up every time I meet someone if I'm sitting at the time of their arrival. Emily says that if there isn't room to stand to briefly lift yourself up out of your chair, extend your hand and say, "Please excuse me for not standing. It's nice to meet you." This shows effort and sincerity and I sure hope I do this!

2. Smiling isn't a problem for me, but eye contact is. I'm so awkward! Emily, however, says that looking someone in the eye clearly shows that you're focused on them. I get it, but seriously I'm just awkward either way. 

3. "Say Your Greeting" means a simple, "Hello," or "It's a pleasure to meet you." If it's a peer I'd feel weird saying anything other than, "Hey, nice to meet you," but this is another thing to keep in mind for sure. Repeating the person's name with the greeting also helps you remember it. 

4. Finally, and/or if all else fails, shake hands. I know I can sometimes be a girly girl but I seriously hate the flaky hand shake from my fellow gal...you know, the equivalent to the half-hug, butt out, tons of space between you hug. Those are the worst. The wimpy handshake is a close second. It's simple: grab my hand, shake it a couple times, and let go! It's not that hard and chances are I'm more awkward than you are. You'll be fine and I won't think you're a dude.

Here's a little extra for those of use in colder climates (p. 13):

So there you have it! My not-so classy recap of the classy Emily Post greeting guidelines.

Curious about other ways to keep it classy in certain situations? 

Let me know because I bet Emily covers it!

Weekend Update

{Linking up with the lovely Sami and Leeann!}

Another nice weekend in the books!

Friday night I volunteered at Tickled Pink for Bright Pink at the River East Arts Center. Fantastic event in a super cool venue for an amazing cause. Nearly 900 people were there. So fun!

Saturday we saw Zero Dark Thirty. I can see why it's nominated for so many awards. Fantastic flick.

Sunday after Mass and brunch we lounged in front of the fire. It was an incredible afternoon.

Other highlights involved food, of course!

We had Pockets for dinner and the pockets were in the shape of hearts!!!

{Yes that made me excited which is sad, but hey, it's the little things in life, OK? haha}

I finally got my mitts on some Jet's Pizza on Sunday night. Wowsah, those Michiganders sure do know their pizza. Yummmm. That paired with the Grammys (and JT, of course) made for quite the enjoyable evening!

How was your weekend? What did you think of the Grammys?

Friday's Fancies: Lovely Layers

{via}

Yay!!! It's Friday!!!!!

I love my layers here in Chicago, so obviously I'm participating this week in {av}'s Friday's Fancies on long distance loving.

Friday's Fancies: Layered by mkrulia featuring fleece lined tights

OK so a dress is a bold choice in Chicago.

However, those tights are lined with fleece. The dress is a long sweater and I'd wear something under it. The coat is long and goes up to the face. The boots are high.
Hence, I'd probably sweat in this getup.

Normally I wear a scarf, but the coat doesn't look like it allows much room for one. While I love my Hunter wellies I severely want those Sorels. They just look so cozy! I've also been eyeing the Kate Spade mittens and earrings for some time. The Rag & Bone hat is calling my name, too. I have a North Face coat that looks nothing like the chic one pictured in this ensemble. Mine looks and feels like I'm walking in a sleeping bag...and I LOVE it. Seriously, investing in non-flattering outerwear was one of the smartest things I've ever done.

Anyway, I want this outfit.

Go check out more layers on long distance loving today and enjoy your weekend!