paper goodness

I haven't been blogging very much, since I'm neck deep into wedding plans. I can't believe that it's ONLY 70 days until our wedding!! It's so exciting.. and super stressful.

I've been having tons of fun with the bouquets, and I even opened up an Etsy shop. Suzy just opened her shop, and since several people had suggested it to me... well, Suzy was the last straw! I just had to do it. I mean, why not? I have nothing to lose-- plus, I think they're super cute. ;)

I wrote a poem a couple of years ago about why I don't really like most flowers. I love tulips, but other than that... I'm not the biggest fan of flowers. Plus, they cost a TON of money. Unless you dry the flowers, they die... forever! And even then, the dried flowers crumble if you bump them. Trust me, I know. I save everything.

Thanks for the flowers, dear,

but tulips are the only ones for me.

I like the orange ones, and I’ll

take them on the dinner table.

I can’t smell them, but that’s

the best part. Please don’t take

offense if I don’t bury my face

in these that you’ve carefully

selected. Daffodils and daisies

curl up and die, their scents

dissolving into wheelchairs and

bandages. So if it’s okay with you,

my dear, I’m going to throw

these ones away. My home is not

a graveyard; my table will not

be a symbol of the dead.

But should you want to flatter me

again, I’d take some tulips, please.

So... I tried to think of bouquet ideas that would allow me to preserve something from the wedding AND not be fragrant.

I came across a few ideas on Pinterest and Etsy, but I still wasn't in love with any of them-- plus, they were ridiculously expensive. There's no way I could pay $75-$100 per bouquet. I mean, I have 4 bridesmaids and 3 junior bridesmaids... plus myself! Not to mention, using real flowers would quite possibly be even more than that.

Okay, so here's what I did. I don't have a fancy camera, so all of these photos were taken with my iPhone.

Each bouquet (boutonniere) is made out of something unique for the bridesmaid (groomsman). I used a vintage cookbook, Harry Potter, vintage dictionary, antique hymnal, Game of Thrones (for the boutonnieres), etc. I'm so pleased.

Anyway, versions of these bouquets are now for sale on Etsy! Maybe there are more people like me who need a reasonable alternative to flower bouquets. :)

I'm making my bouquet out of each of the wedding party's bouquets... so that'll be interesting. I'm so, so excited, and I'll share after the wedding! Or before, if I can't contain myself. Ha.

rocket summer

So there's this artist... Bryce Avary. He writes and produces and plays every song on his albums. It's like Reliant K, Ben Folds, Michael Jackson, and Bradley Hathaway had a weird encounter and they had a peculiar but awesome baby.

My favorite band is Mumford & Sons. Muse and Keane are my longest loves, and I really love music along the lines of Band of Horses, Radical Face, Vampire Weekend... Fleet Foxes, The Killers, The Kooks, Maroon 5, Modest Mouse, The Beatles, The Beach Boys, OK Go!, Temper Trap, etc. I could go on FOREVER, because I have music for every emotion.

I'm usually pretty picky with the voices of the singers I listen to. I don't really like the whiny voices... but I also am not a huge fan of the really drawn out voices. (knowwhatimean?) But the most important thing to me are is the LYRICS. I'm a musician, so of course the mechanics of the music is essential-- I mean, I have to feel it... BUT, the lyrics play a huge, huge role in my affections.

So back to the Rocket Summer. His voice is a little strange... And his lyrics jump from super random to taking a poky stick to my heart and playing STABSTABSTAB with it.... and then back to an odd variation of simplicity.

I don't know what he does, but I've loved this music since I was 15 and it has continued to be my go-to playlist. It doesn't matter what mood I'm in... this will give me my fix of anything.

He's optimistic, he's authentic, he's blunt.... he's just amazing. I wish that I could meet him.



 I wouldn't know,

Just how sweet this tastes now,
No, if at first I did not go,
Through bitter times, Through bitter places,
I stay alert for new battles
But for now, we're here.

Say you're with me,
There's gold ahead, there's golden dreams
In life's hills and valleys,
Yeah will you hold on with me.

The rest is right, the rest is wrong.
The rest will come when it comes along.
The rest will find us, we belong here.

So, hey, be nice to the Japanese exchange students,
Cause' people wouldn't know them, right when they show up,
And they have found yourself in a similar place
Where you found you looked around and just saw loads of empty space.
And you were thinking how you don't know them,
like they don't know you.
It's a lonely feeling after all that you do.
Got a good heart, got a good soul, what must I do to prove it anymore?
I got friends in high and low places,
and it's all the same to me.

I love the Japanese, I love the Japanese,
those from Japan and overseas.
I love the Japanese, do you love the Japanese?
Those from Japan and overseas,
Those from Japan and overseas, like me.

It's desert dry, but I will-
Wait a second I see words that you promised me.
Seeking diligently, bring the rain, bring the rain.
I will wait, wait, I will wait for you.
This is a refuge, this is hope.
This is a refuge, this is love.
Forget lies that lead you away from home, because this is a refuge, this is love

 I don't wanna look back on all my years
Recollecting the mistakes that then will be clear
About how I ran and chased a place my whole life
Then come aware that I was there
I was there.




"Hey, How's it going?"
"Good, and how are you?"
"Good."
Do you ever wonder how much that isn't true?
Will you help me out if you can?
I'll take you as you are,
Please just take me as I am.

Stop fearing death,
I want something to live for.
I've been holding my breath,
I want something to live for.
Because when the deaf feel the sound,
I want something to live for.
I want to make you proud,
I want something to live for.

keepin' calm

Hello there.

I made it to San Antonio! I am now working and hanging out with my family, constantly. I'm in the middle of wedding preparations... all the while missing Anthony and everyone else I've left in Missouri.

I keep thinking that I'll blog this or that, but for some reason.. it never makes it here.

But today, I thought these things were sort of awesome:

13 steps to get you through a rough day

Oh yeah, and these cookies are AMAZING.

Joy the Baker is incredible, I must say. I've baked a TON of her recipes, and they're all superb.

Okay, well... that's all I've got goin' on for now. I can't wait for the wedding. Not only am I marrying Anthony, but I'll be reunited with my Missouri loves.