Use a squirt of lemon oil (click for link) on a cotton cloth (click for link) or a diaper and wipe away minor scratches and blemishes. It adds a beautiful healthy shine to all you hardwood furniture! So simple, natural, and it smells fantastic.
Wednesday, April 15, 2015
Spring Cleaning - Cleaning wood furniture
For everyone looking for a low cost and EASY way to keep your wood furniture looking beautiful; look no further than Lemon Oil!
Use a squirt of lemon oil (click for link) on a cotton cloth (click for link) or a diaper and wipe away minor scratches and blemishes. It adds a beautiful healthy shine to all you hardwood furniture! So simple, natural, and it smells fantastic.
Use a squirt of lemon oil (click for link) on a cotton cloth (click for link) or a diaper and wipe away minor scratches and blemishes. It adds a beautiful healthy shine to all you hardwood furniture! So simple, natural, and it smells fantastic.
Thursday, October 30, 2014
Almost Homemade Shepherd's Pie
Almost Homemade Shepherd's Pie
The recipe is almost all homemade because I cheat and use a seasoning mix, frozen pie crust, and I use steam and mash potatoes. It's such a time and dishes saver.
1 frozen pie crust
1 lb ground beef (or ground turkey/chicken)
2-3 large carrots
1/2 medium white onion
1 small can of peas (early/young peas)
1 packet of beef stew seasoning
1/2 cup of water
4 medium to large potatoes
(or 1 bag of steam fresh potatoes)
3 tablespoons butter
1/4 cup to 1/2 cup of milk (we use 1%)
1 tsp parsley
Preheat oven to 400 degrees
*Slice carrots into 1/4 inch thick disks, and chop the onion. (as large or small as you like - remember they cook down - my family likes a small chop (about an eraser tip size)
*In a large pan brown the meat with the carrots and onion. Drain the fat.
*Add the 1/2 cup of water, the beef stew mix, and the peas and simmer until thickened. (you may need to add a splash of water here and there) approx 10 minutes
Potatoes:
*peel dice and boil for approx 10/15 minutes (until they are fork tender)
OR
*microwave the steam and mash potatoes - add butter, 1/4 cup milk, and parsley while mashing
*taste test potatoes, if they are dry add more milk and/or butter
*put the meat in the pie crust, then use a rubber spatula to add (smear) the mashed potatoes on the top.
Bake for 30 minutes and enjoy!
Also: I make two at a time and freeze one!
The recipe is almost all homemade because I cheat and use a seasoning mix, frozen pie crust, and I use steam and mash potatoes. It's such a time and dishes saver.
(this is a default image - we ate ours before I could take a picture)
1 lb ground beef (or ground turkey/chicken)
2-3 large carrots
1/2 medium white onion
1 small can of peas (early/young peas)
1 packet of beef stew seasoning
1/2 cup of water
4 medium to large potatoes
(or 1 bag of steam fresh potatoes)
3 tablespoons butter
1/4 cup to 1/2 cup of milk (we use 1%)
1 tsp parsley
Preheat oven to 400 degrees
*Slice carrots into 1/4 inch thick disks, and chop the onion. (as large or small as you like - remember they cook down - my family likes a small chop (about an eraser tip size)
*In a large pan brown the meat with the carrots and onion. Drain the fat.
*Add the 1/2 cup of water, the beef stew mix, and the peas and simmer until thickened. (you may need to add a splash of water here and there) approx 10 minutes
Potatoes:
*peel dice and boil for approx 10/15 minutes (until they are fork tender)
OR
*microwave the steam and mash potatoes - add butter, 1/4 cup milk, and parsley while mashing
*taste test potatoes, if they are dry add more milk and/or butter
*put the meat in the pie crust, then use a rubber spatula to add (smear) the mashed potatoes on the top.
Bake for 30 minutes and enjoy!
Also: I make two at a time and freeze one!
Thursday, August 28, 2014
Fall and Halloween ideas
Because Fall/Autumn is my FAVORITE season, it comes early in my home. ;-) Yesterday I started decorating for fall/halloween. Then it got me thinking about halloween costumes. Normally my husband and I go with a couples costume. (We throw a big halloween party every year and our friends and I take costumes seriously! We love it!) I already have some ideas for next year, but I thought I would share some homemade costumes from years past. :-) Thank God I can use a sewing machine or else it would be so $$$$$
Loofah and Soap couples costume
(Just to clarify that is my friend's son who is now 2! OMG!)
I made an elastic band topped tube dress out of the least expensive red fabric at Joann's and hand sewed tulle loops onto it until it was loofah like. I had some rope/chord at home i used for the loofah's string. For Chris' soap I used a box and spray painted it white. I cut holes for head and arms and opened the sides so it went on like a sandwich board with flaps to cover his sides. I even glued on styrofoam balls as soap suds!
Chiquita Banana couples costume (repurposed the tulle from the loofah.... it was too expensive not to!)
i reused last year's dress and made it a skirt about calf length and added the layers of tulle loops. For the top i made a very crude tube top that I tied around the front and sewed on some straps, then tulle puffs on the straps. (and wore a nude tank top underneath) For the hat I had a sombrero at home and got walmart and dollar tree plastic fruit, and used the handy dandy glue gun! I bought Chris' banana from walmart but made the chiquita sign out of craft foam that comes in 8x11 sheets and precut letters. (it's like foam paper)
Loofah and Soap couples costume
I made an elastic band topped tube dress out of the least expensive red fabric at Joann's and hand sewed tulle loops onto it until it was loofah like. I had some rope/chord at home i used for the loofah's string. For Chris' soap I used a box and spray painted it white. I cut holes for head and arms and opened the sides so it went on like a sandwich board with flaps to cover his sides. I even glued on styrofoam balls as soap suds!
Chiquita Banana couples costume (repurposed the tulle from the loofah.... it was too expensive not to!)
i reused last year's dress and made it a skirt about calf length and added the layers of tulle loops. For the top i made a very crude tube top that I tied around the front and sewed on some straps, then tulle puffs on the straps. (and wore a nude tank top underneath) For the hat I had a sombrero at home and got walmart and dollar tree plastic fruit, and used the handy dandy glue gun! I bought Chris' banana from walmart but made the chiquita sign out of craft foam that comes in 8x11 sheets and precut letters. (it's like foam paper)
Wednesday, June 11, 2014
Turkey Quinoa Chili
Turkey Quinoa Chili
I recommend this recipe for crock pots or low cooking on the stove but you can rush it in about 45min/1 hour if needed.
Also, I don't really have a chili recipe, I just add relatively the same ingredients each time. So all measurements are "good guesses"
Also, this recipe is beanless, but only because I ran out of beans! So add them if you like them.
Ingredients :
1 package of ground turkey (16 oz)
1 28 or 29 oz can of tomato puree
6 oz tomato paste
2-3 cups of beef stock (or chicken or veggie)
1 cup quinoa
1 very finely diced carrot (my need to sneak veggies into dinner - omit for picky eaters)
1/2 white onion- chopped
approx 3 tbs chili powder
approx 1 tsp cumin
approx 1 tsp garlic powder (or add fresh minced garlic when browning the meat)
1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
1 tablespoon corn starch
salt and pepper to taste
Directions:
My family enjoys this with corn bread or biscuits, sour cream and cheddar cheese.
Enjoy!
I recommend this recipe for crock pots or low cooking on the stove but you can rush it in about 45min/1 hour if needed.
Also, I don't really have a chili recipe, I just add relatively the same ingredients each time. So all measurements are "good guesses"
Also, this recipe is beanless, but only because I ran out of beans! So add them if you like them.
Ingredients :
1 package of ground turkey (16 oz)
1 28 or 29 oz can of tomato puree
6 oz tomato paste
2-3 cups of beef stock (or chicken or veggie)
1 cup quinoa
1 very finely diced carrot (my need to sneak veggies into dinner - omit for picky eaters)
1/2 white onion- chopped
approx 3 tbs chili powder
approx 1 tsp cumin
approx 1 tsp garlic powder (or add fresh minced garlic when browning the meat)
1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
1 tablespoon corn starch
salt and pepper to taste
Directions:
- in your big pot brown the turkey and chopped onion. When the turkey has browned drain the fat
- add you tomato paste and blend into turkey meat
- when the tomato paste smells 'woken up' and smells ,well, tomatoier add the tomato puree
- after turkey and tomato puree are combined add spices
- add quinoa and 1 cup of stock
- in a separate bowl add your corn starch and a small bit of stock or water to make a corn starch slurry. Corn starch should all be dissolved into the liquid
- add corn starch mix
- quinoa takes approx 20 minutes to cook so simmer for at least 20 minutes
- add 1 cup of stock at a time as chili thickens
My family enjoys this with corn bread or biscuits, sour cream and cheddar cheese.
Enjoy!
Monday, June 9, 2014
wedding photos
Here are some of my favorite pictures from my "victorian peacock" wedding. Hunter green, babies breath, vintage, Oh my!
a corset and ring shot, and my awesome victorian inspired shoes. (I thought the collar arond the booties looked so victotian/vintage with a modern twist)
all my girls wore the same designer, length, and color, but picked their own style bridesmaids dress. Every looked and felt great! (Bill Levkoff dresses in "euro holly" a hunter green color)
My adorable flower girl! She has a babies breath halo/crown and a babies breath and spray rose kissing ball to carry.
The groomsmen had peacock feathers and a denro orchid boutonniere (peacock feather instead of greens) And wore tails! So vintage and handsome!
Rainy wedding day photos. These came out so sweet.
Signs I made. Please pick a seat not a side and in loving memory sign.
Some funny groomsmen pics:
Three generations. My maternal grandmother, my mother, and me!
Here's all those family photos I blogged about. We had the table
displayed at cocktail hour and in the back of the reception room.
DIY Mr and Mrs sign with craft store letters, paint, and some eye hooks.
our reception room . Ivory linens, hunter green table runners, black chiavari chairs, white floral arrangements
a close up of the centerpieces. A ball of "party time" babies breath, white spray roses, and peacock feathers in a large hurricane vase with a white dendro orchid in the vase
handcuff shot - police wedding photo (for the police officer)
Some tea set shots! (with my family's heirloom tea set)
you can't see it but my something borrowed was a family ring from my mother-in-law, attached to my bouquet)
My gown :-) Maggie Sottero "Monterey" sorry ladies, it's discontinued. But she makes some similar gown.
I wore my mom's veil to the church. We cut off the daisy chain trim and tea stained it to match my alabaster gown. (see earlier post on how to tea stain a veil)
I wore my mom's veil to the church. We cut off the daisy chain trim and tea stained it to match my alabaster gown. (see earlier post on how to tea stain a veil)
Some funny groomsmen pics:
our reception room . Ivory linens, hunter green table runners, black chiavari chairs, white floral arrangements
a close up of the centerpieces. A ball of "party time" babies breath, white spray roses, and peacock feathers in a large hurricane vase with a white dendro orchid in the vase
Some tea set shots! (with my family's heirloom tea set)
This ring was my something old (above) - my great-great-grandmother's engagement ring!
Something blue was my ring
Something new was my dress/shoes
Thursday, May 29, 2014
From MISS to MRS! Changing my last name
Hello there! So much has happened since my last blog post!
1. We bought a house!!!
2. We got married!!!
3. We got a dog!!!
4. Aren't 1-3 enough?! lol
More on all of that later though. For now: here is my journey through changing my name. Which IS GREAAAT because right now I sigh everything Michelle DiFalco-Velthuizen. Yeah. It's a blast...
First things first!
STEP 1 Marriage License
Get a certified copy of your marriage license from your town clerk's office. There may be a small fee ($20ish) The certified copy has a raised seal on it.
STEP 2 Social Security Card
Bring your marriage license and this form to your local social security office. (just print page #5) Along with your valid drivers license (I brought my passport too, just in case)
GO THERE IN PERSON. Find your local office here. Do not mail the forms as you will get them back. They need to see your actual driver's license (not a photocopy that I tried to send) And unless you feel comfortable mailing your license, in person it is!
I have to say I got there at opening time and it took about 20 minutes including a 10 minute wait. They check your stuff and give it all right back. They mail your new card to you in about 2 weeks. Easy as pie! FYI it is a new card with your new name but you keep your original S.S. number (thank goodness!)
Here is a link for more details: click here
STEP 3 New License
The dreaded DMV. I am still in this process as I moved and changed my name... so I have postponed doing this task. But this is what you need to do:
Bring you current license or ID card, a change of name request form, and your marriage license with you. And a check because it costs $30. I got lucky and my license expires this year so I think I only have to pay the $75 renewal and not the $30 on top of that... but I will let you all know.
*Update: I only had to pay $70 to renew my license! I changed my name and address and renewed it in only about 30 minutes! If you bring your passport or birth certificate you can get a verified license for (i believe) $30 more. Apparently in the next few years you will need either a verified license or a passport to fly EVEN domestically. So if i had know I would have brought my passport with me and bit the bullet.
I was in and out in 30 minutes. I went at 11:30 and beat the lunch rush!!! :-) Easy and pain free - who would have thought?!
STEP 4 Passport
First you will need a new photo. GO TO AAA. It only costs $12 (even if you are NOT a member) and they will retake it a few times if the first try comes out horribly! And they are so so nice there!
The new passport: It will cost $110 to change your passport (because you are essentially renewing it) UNLESS you got year passport within one year of changing your name. Then it is free. If you didn't have one before this, it might be a little more. You need to fill out a DS-82 and provide a certified copy of your marriage license, a photo, your most recent passport, and a check. It takes about 4-6 weeks to get your new passport. Call your town clerk's office to see how/where to submit your passport stuff or look it up here.
To fill out your DS-82 try this link
STEP 5 The rest of your life... lol
Change everything else! lol.
Suggestions:
Bank Accounts (you have to go in for that one- bring your ID, Marriage License
and new Social Security Card *note: I only needed my marriage license
for my bank)
Credit Cards (i just called mine and verified myself, and they sent me new ones)
Pay role at work
Maybe a new email address (mine had my maiden name in it)
Life insurance policies (update your name and the beneficiary)
Investments
Best of luck to anyone changing their name and congratulations on getting married!
1. We bought a house!!!
2. We got married!!!
3. We got a dog!!!
4. Aren't 1-3 enough?! lol
More on all of that later though. For now: here is my journey through changing my name. Which IS GREAAAT because right now I sigh everything Michelle DiFalco-Velthuizen. Yeah. It's a blast...
STEP 1 Marriage License
Get a certified copy of your marriage license from your town clerk's office. There may be a small fee ($20ish) The certified copy has a raised seal on it.
STEP 2 Social Security Card
Bring your marriage license and this form to your local social security office. (just print page #5) Along with your valid drivers license (I brought my passport too, just in case)
GO THERE IN PERSON. Find your local office here. Do not mail the forms as you will get them back. They need to see your actual driver's license (not a photocopy that I tried to send) And unless you feel comfortable mailing your license, in person it is!
I have to say I got there at opening time and it took about 20 minutes including a 10 minute wait. They check your stuff and give it all right back. They mail your new card to you in about 2 weeks. Easy as pie! FYI it is a new card with your new name but you keep your original S.S. number (thank goodness!)
Here is a link for more details: click here
STEP 3 New License
The dreaded DMV. I am still in this process as I moved and changed my name... so I have postponed doing this task. But this is what you need to do:
Bring you current license or ID card, a change of name request form, and your marriage license with you. And a check because it costs $30. I got lucky and my license expires this year so I think I only have to pay the $75 renewal and not the $30 on top of that... but I will let you all know.
*Update: I only had to pay $70 to renew my license! I changed my name and address and renewed it in only about 30 minutes! If you bring your passport or birth certificate you can get a verified license for (i believe) $30 more. Apparently in the next few years you will need either a verified license or a passport to fly EVEN domestically. So if i had know I would have brought my passport with me and bit the bullet.
I was in and out in 30 minutes. I went at 11:30 and beat the lunch rush!!! :-) Easy and pain free - who would have thought?!
STEP 4 Passport
First you will need a new photo. GO TO AAA. It only costs $12 (even if you are NOT a member) and they will retake it a few times if the first try comes out horribly! And they are so so nice there!
The new passport: It will cost $110 to change your passport (because you are essentially renewing it) UNLESS you got year passport within one year of changing your name. Then it is free. If you didn't have one before this, it might be a little more. You need to fill out a DS-82 and provide a certified copy of your marriage license, a photo, your most recent passport, and a check. It takes about 4-6 weeks to get your new passport. Call your town clerk's office to see how/where to submit your passport stuff or look it up here.
To fill out your DS-82 try this link
STEP 5 The rest of your life... lol
Change everything else! lol.
Suggestions:
Bank Accounts (you have to go in for that one- bring your ID, Marriage License
and new Social Security Card *note: I only needed my marriage license
for my bank)
Credit Cards (i just called mine and verified myself, and they sent me new ones)
Pay role at work
Maybe a new email address (mine had my maiden name in it)
Life insurance policies (update your name and the beneficiary)
Investments
Best of luck to anyone changing their name and congratulations on getting married!
Sunday, November 10, 2013
bridesmaids hair clips
So I made these cute peacock hair clips for my bridesmaids to wear. Even though some of them aren't crazy about the idea... lol... I told them they have to wear them for the ceremony and pictures. ;-)
Wednesday, September 11, 2013
Family Photo Display: a cocktail hour surprise
I decided since the wedding is 'Victorian peacock" themed, I wanted a cool vintage inspired way of celebrating my family and my fiancé's family. So I came up with the idea of framing all of our parent's and grandparent's wedding photos to be displayed at the cocktail hour. I also decided to include a picture of Chris and a picture of myself in our 'first wedding' as flower girl and ring bearer, and an engagement photo of Chris and I in the middle. I also had my friend (who is fantastic with photoshop) scan the images and type who is who on the image. Ex: The bride's maternal grandparents, etc
I stuck with the vintage feel for my frames by mixing and matching frames sizes and metallic colors; silver, copper, gold. I feel like it kept the vintage feel and looks a lot more interesting than fifteen of the same frame.
I got really lucky when I went shopping because 90% of the framed were under $5 at Christmas Tree Shop! (don't you just love a bargain? lol) And I got the remaining few from Michael's craft store and Home Goods.
Here is a picture of the pictures in frames: (I ran out of frames at first, but ran out that night to buy more to finish my project)
I stuck with the vintage feel for my frames by mixing and matching frames sizes and metallic colors; silver, copper, gold. I feel like it kept the vintage feel and looks a lot more interesting than fifteen of the same frame.
I got really lucky when I went shopping because 90% of the framed were under $5 at Christmas Tree Shop! (don't you just love a bargain? lol) And I got the remaining few from Michael's craft store and Home Goods.
Here is a picture of the pictures in frames: (I ran out of frames at first, but ran out that night to buy more to finish my project)
Tuesday, September 10, 2013
Tea Staining a Veil
I know, I know! I wanted to wear a birdcage veil or nothing... But when the ladies at the bridal store put a cathedral length veil on just to see, I had a moment. A suck-up-your-tears-or-lose-it moment. So I decided to cut the daisy chain off my mom's veil and tea stain it from stark white to ivory, to match my alabaster dress. So if it matches my dress, I will wear my mom's veil at the church then change into a birdcage veil for the reception; best of both worlds.
(side note: my future mother in law so nicely offered to buy my the bridal store veil, but I wanted to give my mom's a try first, because I am actually incredibly sentimental)
So here is how I did it:
Here is a pick of the veil being stained in the tub
I hope my mom's veil is long enough for my dress, but I will keep you all posted.
(side note: my future mother in law so nicely offered to buy my the bridal store veil, but I wanted to give my mom's a try first, because I am actually incredibly sentimental)
So here is how I did it:
- I filled the bathtub with hot-hot-hot! water and about 10 teabags. (helpful hint: I took the papery end off the tea bags so it didn't pill up the tub water)
- I filled the tub about 3 inches with water, and let the tea bags steep for a few minutes to get the water nice and dark.
- I used a wooded spoon to stir my piping hot tub tea.
- After the tea bags seemed to be done steeping I added the veil in the tub using the spoon to make sure all parts were submerged.
- I let the veil soak about 20 minutes**, and voila! mom's white veil became ivory.
- If it still isn't dark enough just do it again!
- Clean the tub right away, you want to stain the veil and not the tub!
Here is a pick of the veil being stained in the tub
I hope my mom's veil is long enough for my dress, but I will keep you all posted.
Monday, September 9, 2013
Wedding flowers - babys breath roses and orchids, oh my!
Well here is a MUCH needed update about the wedding which is 201 days away! It is getting so close!
The theme is victorian peacock. Sounds crazy, I know, but bear with me. So while searching pinterest high and low to find pics of my dream wedding, i found myself drawn o baby's breath heavy floral. It looks like lace, and lends a vintage air, but having worked for a florist since high school i needed other flowers too. So I picked baby's breath, roses, and orchids.
For the centerpieces we are renting tall hurricane vases and we are putting an orchis in the vase and then a centerpiece of 'party time' baby's breath (which is a bigger version of baby's breath) with white spray roses in it. This way our guests can take the baby's breath and spray rose centerpiece off the top of the vase and take it home. :-)
The theme is victorian peacock. Sounds crazy, I know, but bear with me. So while searching pinterest high and low to find pics of my dream wedding, i found myself drawn o baby's breath heavy floral. It looks like lace, and lends a vintage air, but having worked for a florist since high school i needed other flowers too. So I picked baby's breath, roses, and orchids.
So if these two had a baby: and there were peacock feathers sticking out a little
Thursday, March 14, 2013
Wednesday, March 13, 2013
Bridesmaids dresses = done
Well, the bridesmaids weekend has come and gone. It was a lot of fun! All of my 5 girls found their dresses, and we did it in 45 minutes. (I am pretty sure that must be some kind of record) Lisa (my 6th and MOH) had picked her dress already.
The girls were all in one big room changing, so I have to tell you, it was an awesome hot mess. There were discarded dresses everywhere! It was really humorous helping all the girls pull down their dresses, and holding up the backs to keep "the girls" in. Everyone found a dress they love and everyone looked awesome.
We all went back to my house after to start crafting projects that need to get done for the wedding. That was also a blast. I have to admit, I was a tad worried. Usually with a group of 5 girls that barely know each other there is some kind of drama or catty remark, but everyone really got along! A few girls were meeting for the first time (or close to it) as per my usual way. I have always had good friends in life, but usually they are from different circles of friends, etc and don't know each other. Again, everything went really well and I was so glad that everyone had time to get comfortable with each other. Now I just have to plan a meeting with all 6 girls to finish the slave labor.... I mean crafts... I definitely mean crafts. lol.
Here are the links of the dresses. (I cant post the pics bc they are protected, and I wont post a pic of my actual girls in them until the real dresses come in) Keep in mind the dresses are all going to be in the color 'euro holly' which is a beautiful hunter green :-D Lisa miiight get a black sash to make her stand out as Maid of Honor, but I will decide that when the actual dresses come in.
Lisa's (MOH) http://www.billlevkoff.com/style/bridesmaid-dress/178
Samantha's http://www.billlevkoff.com/style/bridesmaid-dress/339
Nikki's http://www.billlevkoff.com/style/bridesmaid-dress/786
Colleen's http://www.billlevkoff.com/style/bridesmaid-dress/787
Emily's http://www.billlevkoff.com/style/bridesmaid-dress/526
Sarah's http://www.billlevkoff.com/style/bridesmaid-dress/377
The girls were all in one big room changing, so I have to tell you, it was an awesome hot mess. There were discarded dresses everywhere! It was really humorous helping all the girls pull down their dresses, and holding up the backs to keep "the girls" in. Everyone found a dress they love and everyone looked awesome.
We all went back to my house after to start crafting projects that need to get done for the wedding. That was also a blast. I have to admit, I was a tad worried. Usually with a group of 5 girls that barely know each other there is some kind of drama or catty remark, but everyone really got along! A few girls were meeting for the first time (or close to it) as per my usual way. I have always had good friends in life, but usually they are from different circles of friends, etc and don't know each other. Again, everything went really well and I was so glad that everyone had time to get comfortable with each other. Now I just have to plan a meeting with all 6 girls to finish the slave labor.... I mean crafts... I definitely mean crafts. lol.
Here are the links of the dresses. (I cant post the pics bc they are protected, and I wont post a pic of my actual girls in them until the real dresses come in) Keep in mind the dresses are all going to be in the color 'euro holly' which is a beautiful hunter green :-D Lisa miiight get a black sash to make her stand out as Maid of Honor, but I will decide that when the actual dresses come in.
Lisa's (MOH) http://www.billlevkoff.com/style/bridesmaid-dress/178
Samantha's http://www.billlevkoff.com/style/bridesmaid-dress/339
Nikki's http://www.billlevkoff.com/style/bridesmaid-dress/786
Colleen's http://www.billlevkoff.com/style/bridesmaid-dress/787
Emily's http://www.billlevkoff.com/style/bridesmaid-dress/526
Sarah's http://www.billlevkoff.com/style/bridesmaid-dress/377
Thursday, March 7, 2013
Bridesmaids' Weekend
Well, the wedding is almost 1 yr away! AHH! how time flies! This weekend all of my bridesmaid (minus Lisa, my MOH) are going to pick out their dresses. I have decided on: color Euro Holly, (a hunter green) long, European satin, Bill Levkoff dresses. The girls each get to pick which style they want to wear.
I love this idea because everyone gets to feel beautiful, but with everyone wearing a long dress in the same color and fabric it will look cohesive. A few of my girls were ... hesitant ... about the fact I chose satin, but it is a nice thick satin that actually sucks you in as apposed to the slinky stain that shows every little imperfection.
Here is a website link if you want to spy ;-) http://www.billlevkoff.com/bridesmaid-dresses/fabric-european-satin/silhouette-floor-length/
So I am super giddy. After the dress appointment the girls are coming back to my house to work on some of the crafts/DIY elements for the wedding. So I am making everyone a nice lunch and then forcing manual labor. haha. It will be a great way to show all my girls everything that I have been gathering for the past 8 months. Yes, we have been engaged for 8 months already. (again, time is flying)
Even though Lisa has to work, she and I went in January to look at bridesmaids dresses and she picked hers out already, (MOH gets first pick) and 99% of the time she is with me when I buy things for the wedding, so she isn't missing much. Also, I had to miss going with her other bridesmaids to get measured for her dress, so we are teasing each other that we are even now. lol.
I will post picks later :-)
I love this idea because everyone gets to feel beautiful, but with everyone wearing a long dress in the same color and fabric it will look cohesive. A few of my girls were ... hesitant ... about the fact I chose satin, but it is a nice thick satin that actually sucks you in as apposed to the slinky stain that shows every little imperfection.
Here is a website link if you want to spy ;-) http://www.billlevkoff.com/bridesmaid-dresses/fabric-european-satin/silhouette-floor-length/
So I am super giddy. After the dress appointment the girls are coming back to my house to work on some of the crafts/DIY elements for the wedding. So I am making everyone a nice lunch and then forcing manual labor. haha. It will be a great way to show all my girls everything that I have been gathering for the past 8 months. Yes, we have been engaged for 8 months already. (again, time is flying)
Even though Lisa has to work, she and I went in January to look at bridesmaids dresses and she picked hers out already, (MOH gets first pick) and 99% of the time she is with me when I buy things for the wedding, so she isn't missing much. Also, I had to miss going with her other bridesmaids to get measured for her dress, so we are teasing each other that we are even now. lol.
I will post picks later :-)
Friday, December 14, 2012
12-14-12 Tragedy
I live in Newtown, Connecticut (Sandy Hook is a sub division) And today, the day of the Sandy Hook Elementary School massacre I was subbing at the Middle School. We were put into lockdown at about 10 a.m. and stayed in lockdown until about 12. My class was perfect. They stayed calm and quiet during the excruciatingly long time. I had thankfully brought my phone today so I was able to look on Newtown's patch site to be somewhat clued in to why we were in lockdown.
I can say that I am truly thankful to be able to go home today to my loved ones. The tragedy that has occurred absolutely breaks my heart. I am so proud of how amazingly well the faculty dealt with the lockdown and i am praying for all of the faculty, students, and families of anyone at Sandy Hook Elementary.
I wish that mental health care were more ready available so that horrid events like this would never happen again. Obviously the shooter was not of sound mind and this saddens me. These dramatic measures he took could have been 100% preventable had this boy gotten the care he needed. The word tragedy is not big enough to describe what has happened today. For so many reasons. . .
I can say that I am truly thankful to be able to go home today to my loved ones. The tragedy that has occurred absolutely breaks my heart. I am so proud of how amazingly well the faculty dealt with the lockdown and i am praying for all of the faculty, students, and families of anyone at Sandy Hook Elementary.
I wish that mental health care were more ready available so that horrid events like this would never happen again. Obviously the shooter was not of sound mind and this saddens me. These dramatic measures he took could have been 100% preventable had this boy gotten the care he needed. The word tragedy is not big enough to describe what has happened today. For so many reasons. . .
Wednesday, November 7, 2012
Post Election Thoughts
My facebook status today: Waking up this morning I was hopeful. I was
hopeful that this country (regardless of last night's outcome) would
come together and try to remember that America is ONE UNIFIED COUNTRY
not a place built on, 'well i didn't vote so so-and-so.' Whomever you
voted for is your business. It is your right to vote for the candidate
you thought was best/better for the incredible job of president. But
really, complaining and whining wont solve a thing, or improve this
country. Can't we all just take one minute and be thankful that we all
have the rights and privileges that we do instead of complaining about
what we don't have or didn't get?
Wednesday, October 3, 2012
Bermuda Photos
I realized I never posted Bermuda vacation photos. So here they are:
our first day on the cruise
every day they would fold an animal towel
our room
outside the aquarium
outside the aquarium
local brews
local brews
how do you not love a country with pink public transportation
snorkel
snorkel
feeding the fish on the snorkel boat
turtle-looking ship wreck
the beach :-)
crystal caves
crystal caves
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