On planning a wedding

Source (Photo by Nick Scott for British Cosmo Bride)

Darryl & I got engaged a year and three months ago.  I'll give you that whole story at a later date, but we pretty much immediately started planning for a Fall 2013 wedding.  We went to venue open houses, met officiants, and picked out invitations.  I was obsessed with The Knot, and at least a dozen wedding blogs.  My pinterest boards were out of control.

Anyway, so about a year ago, literally the night before we were going to put down a deposit for a venue....I kind of panicked.

First let me get one thing clear: I have no doubts about wanting to marry Darryl.  I want to be with that man for-evah, no question.

But...planning a wedding?  The average cost of a wedding is something like $27,000.  (That's excluding the honeymoon).  I would never spend $800 on any single item of clothing, ever, but that's how much the wedding dresses I was trying on cost.  On any other day I would never pay to take a huge group of my friends out to dinner at $50 / plate but that's how much the caterers we looked at were charging.

I just have a hard time justifying it all.  I mean, Darryl isn't buying me from my father for two goats and some silver - all of the traditions just seem a little silly to me to still be doing in 2013.  I don't feel a need to feel like a princess for a day either.

So...we stopped planning for a whole year.  No rush anyway, right?  Unfortunately, Arizona isn't a common law state (trust me, I checked), so we have to do something.  And we've definitely considered eloping, but that didn't feel quite right either.

The more that time passes though, I think I'm actually starting to figure out what it is I really want out of this whole wedding thing.

1. To sign whatever piece of paper that gets me married 
2. To have all my friends and family there to watch
3. To have a big party afterwards (dancing, drinking, etc)

(I'd also like to wear a pretty dress, while I'm at it.)

I guess I say all of this to say...we started up the planning again.  Save the date...for Fall 2014 (tentatively).  Crossing my fingers for as little money (and stress) as possible.  And I'm inviting you on this adventure too!

Long sleeves

 j.crew cardigan, tank, & jeans; target wedges; ily couture necklace.

In case you were wondering, yes it is way too hot in Phoenix to still be wearing cardigans.  My closet is in desperate need of short-sleeve tops.  I have no idea how I've managed to live here for almost two years with a closet 80% full of long-sleeve shirts.

Any suggestions on what to wear to work when it's too hot to layer?

Also in case you were wondering, yes I have three of the exact same necklace.  They were on sale....please tell me I'm not the only one who's done this.

Black on black

express top, ily couture necklace, thrifted belt, express pants, sam edelman flats.

I know these bubble necklaces are a bit overdone but I love how they spice up an otherwise plain outfit.  I love a classic black on black look, but I just can't help adding a few pops of color.

In other news, three day weekends go by way too fast.  Darryl & I have been doing a (mostly) paleo diet this past month so we made some new recipes this weekend, watched a lot of The Walking Dead, and I got a new tattoo because I'm hardcore (obviously).

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Only Wednesday

Today I tried to convince JD to take pictures with me but he was not having it.

h&m top, target skirt, report heels.

I know it's only Wednesday but my brain is absolutely fried.  At work we have this amazing program starting this week through Labor Day where we can leave at 3 pm on Fridays.  Thank goodness because I think I'm going to need a nap before starting my weekend.

In other news, today was a pretty good hair day so let's celebrate that, yes?

Two years

Happy Anniversary to my favorite person in the world.  And many, many, many more.

Seeing Red

[target t-shirt, ily couture necklace, j.crew skirt, payless heels]

Welcome to my first outfit post!  Also, my patio.

Today was my first day back at work after a whole week off.  Whenever I come back to work after a break (or let's face it, the weekend), I don't want to think too hard about what I'm wearing.  A pencil skirt and a t-shirt is so easy, and the big necklace makes it look like I put in some effort.