Christmas Vacation Recap

I really took advantage of my time in San Diego to get a lot of wedding tasks taken care of. I can now say that I have a dress, bridesmaid dresses, photographer, florist, and planner. Some of the decisions I made actually surprised me. I either did not stick to my original plan or I sort of stretched my budget.

For instance...

Because I kept hearing, "you know navy can be different shades depending on the fabric, designer, etc...", I decided to get all my bridesmaids the same dress instead of them picking their own. I found this dress at Macy's that I liked and hope it will work for all the girls.

Bar III

Just a few hours later I also found my dress! I think the bridesmaids dresses will really compliment the lace in my dress. The best part, assuming I stay exactly the same size (which I hope I do), I will not have to have any alterations on this dress! Since it was a little above budget, that will be a huge help.

Mikaelle Bridal

I also met with our florist and wedding planner and got to run some of my ideas by them and got lots of great advice! I still have a lot of work to do to figure out the exact look I want for my wedding, but meeting with them certainly gave me a good start.

Style Me Pretty

My mom and I met with 3 photographers while I was home and when I got back to Dallas B and I discussed our options. To my surprise, we were on the exact same page. While we loved the portfolio of one photographer in particular due to their unique style, we ended up going with the cost effective option because we know that we will love our pictures, but also won't be so stressed out about the budget.

Meuer Image Photography

Because we had some extra time one day, my mom and I ran around to a couple cake shops in town and got some pricing and ideas. Two of the places that I thought were cool and a little different were Cupcakes Squared and Babycakes.

Cupcakes Squared

One of my bridesmaids came to Dallas this past Saturday to go wedding dress shopping. Since I already have a dress, we decided to go wedding shoe shopping instead. We had fun just looking at and trying on shoes that were probably a little out of our price range. I did love a pair of Jimmy Choo's, and B laughed at me when I said they were only $500. Yes, I understand how ridiculous that sounds.

Nordstroms

I feel like after this trip this wedding is becoming a reality! Place - check! Date - check! Officiant - check! Dress - check! Photographer - check! Now all I need is a DJ, some invitations, some food a cake and we are set!! It sounds so easy, but I know it's still a long road ahead.

Happy New Year!!

High Five for Friday

I have spent this week at home in San Diego. One would think that an extended stay in beautiful city would be relaxing. This week was the opposite. I don't think I slept in once. I haven't been able to work out since Christmas Eve. I have basically been running around seeing family or going to wedding related appointments.

It paid off though. I accomplished a lot this week, wedding wise. Bought my dress and the bridesmaid dresses. Met with the flourist and wedding planner. Interviewed 3 photographers and will be making a decision on one soon. I also ran around and got some pricing for cakes and cupcakes.

It seems strange, though, that I can't wait to get back to Dallas just so I can sleep in...and maybe take a break from wedding stuff for a while.

Other things that went on this week...

1. I went on a run down to the Ft. Rosecrans National Cemetary on Point Loma. It is such a beautiful place - once side looks over the bay, the other the ocean. They have veterans burried there from almost every U.S. war - from the Civil War all the way up to the Korean War.

2. One of my favorite places in San Diego is Sunset Cliffs, so I had to go down and take sunset pictures!

3. My job on Christmas was to make bacon, monkey bread, and scones. I made white chocolate chip and cranberry scones, and they were wonderful!

4. My mom and I hit up some of the sales after Christmas. Everything I bought was over 50%! I couldn't pass it up!

5. I wore two of the things that I bought to the Holiday Bowl on Thursday. Baylor kicked UCLA's butt and I was sooo proud!! So glad I moved my flight around so that I could stay for the game!

How was your week?

Engagement Pictures

Today is my second to last day in San Diego, so besides heading to the Holiday Bowl later today, I am meeting with two photographers today and hopefully will be able to make a decision on one soon! So, I thought it would be fitting to share with your some of my engagement pictures that we got back not too long ago. B and I printed out a couple of our favorites and framed them to give as gifts for our parents and grandparents. Let me tell you, it was so hard to find just a couple to print. I loved them all!!

You guys want to see??

I love this old garage door we found in Downtown Waco.

My favorite picture of B.

Who knew Waco had so much charm? Love this brick wall!

I think I'm telling B through my teeth to close his eyes or else he will look creepy.

Love this just because its so us. B being silly and me laughing at him.

My favorite of me. I can tell B is concentrating on his thumb placement.

My favorite of both of us.

Just cool!

Obligatory shot of the ring.

If you live in the Austin area and need a photographer for whatever - babies, senior portraits, family pictures, engagements - you definitely have to check out Josh Patten Photography! You can see more of our pictures there!

Oh How Pinteresting

Does anyone else have a Christmas hangover, or is it just me? I feel like I have eaten enough to sustain myself until 2013. Hopefully as you read this I am out running 20 miles.

Maybe instead of "pinning", I should be working out.

Pshhhhh....

Mason Jar Crafts Blog via Pinterest

Foolish Fire via Pinterest

Ruffled Blog via Pinterest

Breakfast at Yurman's via Pinterest

Scrapbook.com via Pinterest

Pinterest

You and Your Wedding via Pinterest

I hope you are coping with your Christmas hangover better than me!!

Merry Christmas to All

I'll be Home for Christmas

I hit the ground running once I got to San Diego.

1) I found bridesmaid dresses for my girls! I got their approval and bought all 3!
2) More importantly, I found MY dress. I absolutely love it! Don't want to share just yet, though.
3) I kept running into these Baylor billboards all along the freeway in San Diego. Thats a first.
4) I got to hang out with my little brother, Liam. We went to feed the ducks, although you might assume from this pic that they were attacking him.
5) My dad and I tried the famous El Toro sandwich from Phil's BBQ in San Diego. Supposidely the best in the West per Man vs. Food sandwich challenge.
6) (Unpictured) On our way home from Church I spotted Mitt and Ann Romney leaving an LDS church in La Jolla. It was definitely them! My mom pulled over becuase she didn't believe me, but I didn't snap a picture because I didn't want to be that girl.

Now I am just getting ready for Christmas! Lots of baking and cleaning to be done!!

Hope you had a great weekend!!

H54F - The Difference A Week Makes

It's amazing the difference a week makes. A week ago I was giving my notice at work due to our upcoming move to Charlotte. The entire weekend I was a ball of stress, trying to figure out what to do for a job, insurance, the move, etc. B found an apartment he loved, but if I was going to be unemployed for a while, we need to be conservative with our money, so it was out of the question.

(1)I went into work on Monday a little depressed and totally unmotivated. Well, the good Lord was shining on me. Due to a new situation in our department, I got the opportunity to propose to my boss the idea of me working remotely (just for a while) from Charlotte. She loved it. Turns out she loved it so much that the plan is for me to continue working remotely indefinitely! Immediately, that stress just disintegrated. I don't have to worry about a job, money, insurance, vacation time (very important when you are planning a wedding), etc.

Now I can officially be excited to move!! Not that I wasn't before, but there were other concerns clouding that excitement. All we need now is to find someone to rent our apartment. So, if you know anyone in Dallas looking for an apartment, we are offering an iPad mini for a finders fee!!

So, what else happened this week? (2) I made some amazing cookies and buckeye balls.

(3)I got quite a few packages in the mail this week, including my May Books!! I am so excited to start using them!

 
(4) I posted my recipe for gingerbread pancakes. I might have to make those again while I'm at home! I bet my little brother would love them!

(5) I packed up and headed out for my 8 day trip home to San Diego for the Holidays!

How was your week?

Christmas Outfits

Maybe you are like me and put a little extra thought into your Christmas outfits. I like to dress up a little more on Christmas eve since we go to Christmas eve church service after a family dinner. Christmas day is pretty casual in my family. I spend the morning with my mom and her side of the family then for dinner I head over to my dad's and his side of the family.

Christmas by lbralla featuring a cream shirt

Moral of the story: I need to go shopping!

Have you planned your Christmas outfit?

OHP - Pinned It, Did It

This weeks OHP is a little different. I tried out two ideas I saw on Pinterest and I decided to share my results with you guys this week.

 

 The minute I saw these red velvet white chocolate chip cookies, I knew I had to make them. I changed up the recipe quite a bit, but I think they turned out just as good! I can't wait to take them into work and share with every one.

Pinterest version:

My version:

Ingredients

1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour

1 cup whole wheat flour
 2 1/2 Tbsp cocoa powder
3/4 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
1 cup butter
1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
1 large egg
1 tsp apple cider vinegar
1 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
1/2 tsp red gel food coloring
1 cup white chocolate chips, divided

Directions - see Cooking Classy for her directions

The other thing I made were buckeye balls. These were one of my favorite Christmas treats as a kid. Earlier this year I made "buckeye bark", but I wanted to make the ball version after seeing this pin. I used my recipe though, which is quite a bit healthier than the original. No butter and little-to-no white sugar (I use sugar substitute).

Pinterest version:

My version:

Ingredients

2 cups of creamy natural peanut butter
1/4 -1/2 cup roughly chopped dried fruit (apricots, raisins, prunes, figs, dates...or a mix)
1-1 1/2 cup of Stevia
1/2 tsp vanilla
20 oz (2 reg. size bags) of dark chocolate chips
2 tsp of coconut oil

Directions
1. In a food processor, combine peanut butter, dried fruit, Stevia, and vanilla. Pulse until smooth.
2. Spoon about 1 tbsp of the mixture and form into a ball using your hands. Place on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or foil. Place in fridge or freezer to harden, about 10 minutes.
3. Meanwhile, over a double boiler, or in the microwave, melt dark chocolate chips. Once melted, stir in the coconut oil.
4. Dip peanut butter balls in chocolate, cover partially or fully, then place back on the baking sheet. Place baking sheet back into fridge or freezer until chocolate is set, about 10 to 15 minutes.