{random} ahhh. shoes.

i am so picky when it comes to shoes...well, now that i live in a city where walking up and down steep hills is a daily thing (so heels are usually out)..and i've noticed i have traded comfort in place of style. sigh. so i usually throw on my chucks or some flip flops and carry on..searching for that perfect flat that marries style with comfort and doesn't cost a fortune..well, if some of you out there are a lot like me, then i hope you will find these shoes as perfect as i do:

behold the ecco ballet flats. they are just darling on the foot -very french i think- and the leather inside is that super soft and supple leather that gently caresses your foot as you move. i adore them..and best of all, they seem to go with everything. find them on sale here.

{random} loving julie & julia...

so you might think this post is just about a movie that i liked and i'm trying to get you all to go see it..but it's so much more than that...

if you blog. if you write. if you even read these blogs that so many people across the world get up to put their words out there as they drink their morning cup of coffee and push 'publish post' ..then i think you would like should see this movie. this movie is so inspirational on so many levels..and amy adams and meryl streep were amazing in it. i laughed, i cried, i was inspired!

oh..and..this was super cool..so we're sitting there, drinking our red wine, watching this fantastic movie admist a crowd of handsome gay men, obvious food lovers, and of course the 'older' crowd..and i notice around julie powell's (amy adams) neck..this fantastic little pendant:

only hers was on a pretty little silver chain. can you believe it?! i just posted about the cuff links i got for my husband on our wedding day..i must have it! i simply must! right?

oh. and while were doing a little pretend shopping, i might as well get this too:

to learn more about julia child (in case you didn't grow up watching her on tv) you can watch the old pbs shows here.

btw. did you know you can still read the blog that was initially the whole reason for the movie? yup...and i just added it to my fav. blog list..i think i'll start from the beginning...

{random} and then one day..

seriously. one day, you are just living your crazy single life and then all of a sudden...

love just comes along and smacks you in the face.

(pic first seen here).

peace out. i'm off to nashville..to marry.

{random} finally!

after a year of planning, speculating, dreaming, wishing, hoping...i finally feel like a bride. although there are still a few stressful details that i have to take care of today..i have finally let go of everything and am sitting here with the biggest smile on my face knowing that i am getting married in 10 DAYS!

...

i used to go to church on a regular basis, right after i was baptized in 2001. it was an amazing time in my life..i felt such peace. i revisited that place again last night in my sleep as i handed over all of my burdens to God. all of the stress, the fears..it's all in His hands now. and i'm not worried about the little things that will inevitably go wrong next saturday..whether it's the cake toppling over, the wrong color of linens, a spill of red wine on my beautiful dress, or even if my brother's crazy ex-girlfriend shows up and causes a scene...years from now..it will be memorable..no matter what happens..and it will be beautiful.

(but in case you want to add a few extra prayers in, please pray that everyone makes it there and back home safely. pray for good health. pray for long lives..and if you're feeling extra generous in your praying moments, please, for petes sake..pray for clear skies!)

thank you. thank you to all of you who have no doubt been there with me thru my heartaches, scary moments, and the good times too. i wish i could invite you all! and in spirit..you will be there too, as you also helped make this day happen.

i'm so freaking excited!! :)

{random} always up for a contest...

i am so glad this little lady posted a comment on my blog..i would have never known about hers...and she has some great inspiration ladies..so be sure to check it out.

right now she has a fun little giveaway that concerns this fun set (can you say margarita's?!):

{random} one lovely weekend coming right up!

tomorrow is supposed to be 76 and sunny in the city. we can't wait! fh is taking the day off and first thing in the morning we have an appointment with her to do a little bit of this:

and then we are going to grab a bottle of wine, pack a picnic lunch and head out to the beach or a park to do a little of this...

...write our vows..together.

sigh.

you can go puke now. :) hope your weekend is full of sunshine and romance!

{random} homemade fried ice cream

well. sort of. when the fh & i first started dating, i would whip up fantastic homemade meals (i still do!).. and even desserts. one evening was particularly fun as i told him we were having fried ice cream..later he confessed that he knew i was a keeper right then and there..although i wouldn't let him in the kitchen while i was making it, because it was a long-time family secret.

well, the secret is out my friends:

cornflakes
honey
cinnamon
vanilla ice cream

1. crush up the cornflakes on a little plate (i just use my hand)
2. scoop up some ice cream into a bowl
3. drizzle the ice cream with honey
4. add corn flakes
5. sprinkle with cinnamon

i know it sounds crazy, but it seriously is one of our all time fav. desserts.

enjoy!

{random} heading down south..

the fh & i decided to head back home to nashville for the long weekend..it will be the first & last trip we'll be making before the big day (that is less than 4 months away!!). i wish i could say it will be nice and relaxing, but with the list of things to do, i doubt we'll have enough time to sip on a cold glass of sweet iced tea!

on the agenda:

• visit the rental place and actually see the items i've put aside in person - and see if there is anything else we could add on to the already increasing bill
• visit the ceremony & receptions site - take measurements and think about how we are going to set things up
• meet with the officiant
• meet with my awesome photographer
• taste cake!
• visit the flower shop
• deliver bm dresses

i also can't forget to take with me:

• bm dresses
• cake topper
• pictures of flowers
• pictures of cake

and seriously, what's more romantic than planning your wedding day for valentines day?

i just hope i remember to breathe...

{random} surprise!

i'm going to apologize in advance for whatever i may say or misspell here...i have been sick and am all drugged up on alka-seltzer cold stuff...that they say is non-drowsy, but i really believe it knocks you out cold and makes you sleep walk and do really stupid things so your friends and family can laugh at you...

but i digress.

my coworkers rock. no seriously...how many people can say they work with some of the nicest and smartest people ever? well, i can. the other day they dooped me into going to my fav cafe (i normally like to eat at my desk so i can catch up on my favorite wedding blogs while i stuff my face..paints a cute picture, doesn't it?). when we got there i noticed the entire team i work with was there .. about 30 or so..and all sitting at a large table. i wasn't sure i was invited..or what was going on, and turned to my cubemate and asked if we should sit with them (i mean, it's not like we were invited and maybe it was some sort of secret meeting or something???)..that's when i noticed a ginormous card and presents in the middle of the table...the envelope read "amy" in curly-cues...it was a little party for little 'ol me! was it my birthday? nope. could it be a going away party (my official last day is monday - yikes)? thought this could be it...until i noticed the wrapping on the presents was from none other than the fabulous williams sonoma! sweet! it was a wedding party thing! (shower?? i dunno). so check this out...i opened the card and look:

home-freakin-made! by the same little chica who did this. i mean..how thoughtful..and oh-so-cute. you might not be able to see it in the pic, but she actually printed out pics from my blog to make it uber-personal. and everyone on the team signed the inside ..next to the big 'ol benjamin taped to the inside. w00t!

i know, i know...you want to know about the fab loot...well, it was all stuff i craved from my wedding registry at williams-sonoma:

heritage bundt pan. comes with an awesome little recipe too...thinking about trying it out on the co-workers as a little appreciation...

muffin pan...have you seen the cupcakes in the latest from martha stewart? seriously.

avocado pitter/slicer. i love me some avocados...especially now that i live in cali.

oh yea! ice cream maker!! and whole foods has strawberries on sale right now...2 cartons for $6! i cannot wait to use this baby...and my fh made fun of me for registering for this...i guess i'll make fun of him when he wants a bite of my homemade strawberry ice cream!

we also got a fluted pastry wheel (for my love of pie-baking), a simple apron for the fh, a paring knife (available in stores only), and a fabulous maple wood spreader (also only available in stores) - which i used last night to spread my garlic/parsley/butter/ black pepper butter on french bread before throwing it in the oven...and let me tell you, it will be one of my favorite tools in the kitchen.

so here's to you fab co-workers! you made my day.

{random} a little fun & a little truth

i admit it. i am one of those girls who reads her horoscope everyday. i know..i know..it's mostly a bunch of mumbo jumbo..but sometimes there is some really great advice in there...so..when i saw the housewives tarot on whorange today, i couldn't resist checking it out for myself:

sigh. it's so true! the past year and a half has been great...moving to california, doing things i would have never been able to do in tennessee if i hadn't taken this job...however, this job is about to end. i signed a contract and now my contract comes to a screeching halt on february 6th. we are in the process of trying to get me hired on full-time..but with the economy not doing so well, the company is not really hiring right now...so we just have to wait and see...

in more uplifting news...if you haven't already checked out the whorange site mentioned above, be sure to do so! it's full of inspiration & fun!

{random} no honey for our moon...unless...

i am totally aware that the title of this post is absolutely absurd and doesn't make a whole lot of sense, but i have a feeling most of you know what i'm talking about...i mean...after traveling back home, putting together a wedding, etc. we will be lucky to be able to afford ramen noodles when we get back to our little, overpriced san fran apartment...so we have decided to take our honeymoon on our 1 year anniversary...

however, when i see opportunities like this come along, i can't help but dream of the 2 of us together sippin' away a fabulous tropical cocktail while smilin' in the sunshine....(sigh). if you are in the same boat as we are, head on over to sunglass warehouse and enter for chance to win a vacay.

{random} sore cheeks & high hopes

ok. so i haven't started getting up in the morning before work and taking a quick job around the city like i had hoped...but...i have been working out...for free. well. sort of. i mean..i pay for the cable that provides it...let me just get to the point..

on demand people. exercise tv.


that's right! there are a plethora of workout videos from abs to yoga to cardio-karaoke, tae bo, and even a few by jackie warner! you can work out in the comfort of your own home...any time you want. for basically free.

i've been doing a workout every day. yesterday, i did jackie's lower body workout that lasts about 20 minutes and let me tell you...but little booty muscles are so sore.

how are you getting in shape in this year?

{random} i crack myself up...

to remind myself about my new years "to do list" (at least a few times a day)..i made this background image for my g1 phone:

photo borrow from a friend of mine here.

{random} onward & upward..

i wasn't going to post my resolutions here this year...but then i figured...why not? i like reading others list..they tend to inspire..so hopefully you will take a little something away with my little list of "things to do" for 2009:

1. pay more attention to my posture. i notice i slouch more than i used to..not sure if it's because i'm in front of a computer all day, or maybe i'm surrounded by shorter people? at any rate, i really need to keep a straight spine, my shoulders back, and my head up...i think it makes a big difference in not only how i look, but how i feel about myself as well.

2. eat more leafy greens & cut down the sugar. i'm tired of being tired all the time and hopefully this will clear away the cobwebs.

3. turn off the tv. we've gotten into such a habit of zoning away the evenings by sitting in front of the boob tube that i don't know where the time has gone...or what i've done with it. i usually watch 2 episodes of friends as soon as i get home, but i can't tell you what they were about. that's an entire hour i've wasted without making a single memory. terrible.

4. learn something new. i've really enjoyed the diy projects i've taken on my with planning my wedding..i'd like to continue to create things, so learning how to sew or knit this year would be a fun thing for me.

5. write more handwritten notes. this one is kind of cheating..i already know i will be writing several thank you notes after the wedding has come and gone..but i would like to continue to just drop a little unexpected note in the mail every once in a while...nothing like getting a handwritten message amongst a pile of bills.

6. go for a walk..or run. i'd like to think i can get up an hour earlier before i normally do to go for a quick jog up and down the san fran hills...i can visualize it...but i'm afraid i wouldn't keep this resolution. i'm going to go ahead and keep it here...let's see if i can't work it out.

that about does it. i like my list this year...most everything is completely realistic and i believe that if i can incorporate at least one of these things as a life change...then i will have succeeded.

any resolutions you are making that you are extra excited about? or are you afraid you won't be able to keep them...?

{random} nye: cheap dates and champagne chairs..

i am so excited for nye this year...particularly because 2009 is the year i am getting married!! w00t! and if you're like me, you don't want to spend the couple of hundred dollars for one night of big fun...so..if you live in the bay area, be sure to check out the 53 events under $20.

also...remember to save your champagne corks, foil, label, and cage for the dwr champagne cork contest...if you enter one, please be sure to send a picture to me so i can post it on my blog!


p.s. we are getting married exactly 5 months from today!!

{random} blog humbug...

christmas is my most favorite time of year..full of love, excitement, cookies, prayers, and pure joy. but this year .. i can't wait for the holidays to pass by! i'm ready to get back to my hardcore wedding planning...and new years will just get in the way!

haha. anyone else ready for the season to pass, the grass to grow, and the flowers to bloom so we brides can say "i do"...?

{random} trying to stay focused

holidays are stressful. we all know that. we learned that when we were young, watching our mothers and grandmothers running around, getting their hair done, cooking the goose or fish or ham or potato latkes, baking, and fussing, and wrapping and writing. it's a stressful time...

i went to the doctor the other day. i cried. i don't know why. i started talking about how i can't really stay focused on anything right now...how it's affecting my job, my wedding...my life. she asked what i did for a living. i told her..and then i told her it would soon be ending (based on a contract that comes to a close in february). how will we survive? how will we pay for this wedding? will i be able to get a job? or will i have to wait tables 12 hours a day just to pay our rent? what are we going to do? i cried some more as i told her how i wanted to be a nurse...how i was in nursing school but had to drop out 2 months before graduating because i couldn't stay focused. because i had 2 jobs and was trying to go to clinicals and was getting only 3 hours of sleep a night. she's sending me to a behaviourist. she's says i'm stressed.

ya. i'm stressed. but aren't we all?

stress test:

The picture posted here has 2 identical dolphins in it. It was used in a case study on stress levels at Loma Linda Medical Center.

Look at both dolphins jumping out of the water. The dolphins are identical. A closely monitored, scientific study of a group revealed that in spite of the fact that the dolphins are identical, a person under stress would find differences in the two dolphins. The number of differences observed matches closely to the amount of stress the observer is experiencing.

Look at the photograph and if you find more than one or two differences you may be experiencing stress.

~from here.

{diy} christmas idea..

taking a break from wedding stress, i'm trying to focus on my favorite holiday of the year. although, it's a bit tough when you don't have a tree yet, haven't dug out the cd's, or slapped the reindeer antlers on the pug ... maybe looking at last year's pics will help:


yup. that does it. and to kick of the christmas diy list...here's one that won't break the bank:


behold: snow! well, as close to it as i'll ever get. check out the how to here.

{random} another one of my almost moments...

riding home on the shuttle the other night..i got weary of looking out the window at all the traffic. so i glanced to the front. not much going on up there...and then i glanced to the right. and i was mortified! this grown man, in his business suit, was knuckle deep in his nose.


i. am. not. kidding. we locked eyes. my jaw dropped. i quickly turned to look out the window and had such a hard time from busting out laughing. i literally got a cramp in my neck from not moving my head for the rest of the hour-ride home. i was afraid at what other nasty little habits this dude had.

when the bus came to the first stop downtown..he got up to leave. and i almost had another "ally mcbeal" moment. i could feel the words in my throat, "i hope you're taking that booger with you."

thank goodness for whatever it is that stops me from saying such things.

{random} i was tagged...ages ago.

so...i'm a bad blogger. 2 of my readers tagged me forever ago with the same thing, "7 randoms" and i have not done it.

at first, it was because i was busy, and i hadn't been able to post anything, let alone come up with some crazy facts about myself. but then...it got to be that so much time had past i had started to feel guilty.

well. no longer my friends. here they are.

This first one is for erica. we are friends from waaay back and just recently got back in touch with each other. please check out her blog. she is one of the most sincerely happiest people i have ever known. and it's not the kind that make you nauseous...she is inspiring.

1. i trim my bangs every other day. i twist them like a rope and i take my cuticle scissors to jab at them.

2. i love listening to my ipod when walking. it has changed my life.

3. i once was a bridesmaid for one of the loveliest brides i have ever known:

me on the left...erica on the right (isn't she gorgeous?)

4. whenever i have mashed potatoes, i love smearing them on a roll and eating a big ole mashed potato sandwich.

5. i knew my fh was the one the moment i laid eyes on him. no joke.

6. i like the dixie chicks.

7. the first thing i do when i get home from work is put on my comfy pants.

and this one is for kelley from my island wedding. she's a hoot..and her little blog has everything from inspiration, to fabulous stories and insight. be sure to check her out!

1. i love champagne. some people ask me what the occasion is...i say "i am alive today."


2. i have had my pug, elvis for 7 years and i dread the day he is no longer in my life.


3. other people whistling hurts my ears.

4. i was in the marching band in high school. i played the clarinet.

5. i cannot wait until i walk down the aisle and see my fh standing there. i know i will cry.

6. i still get scared of the dark.

7. i hold my hands up out of the pool when swimming. pruny hands gives me the willy's.


so now...

amy jean from the relentless bride
and
heather from we met in a bar

you're it!! tell us 7 random facts about yourself...i can't wait to see what y'all have to say!