Loving the pallette, obviously. And that the flowers are made out of fabric!

Tables and chairs.

Is the name of an Andrew Bird song I am listening to right now.
A chair is also the subject of a very cool tattoo Andrew and I saw yesterday in Brooklyn. We went to a street fair on Smith Street, and there was a tattoo booth for a parlor on that street. We popped in to check it out, and I really liked some of the receptionist's tattoos (would you call her a receptionist? Not sure what to call her...but I think that title applies). Really nothing more to that story. Dead ender.
I really love the violin playing in this song. Mark and Josh, how I wish you still played. I wish I would have played. Damn.
Josh, I would so make you play at the wedding if you still played violin. Lucky you that you don't, but not so lucky for me.

The beginning of this song reminds me of Andy and his feelings on friendship. It goes:
"If we can call them friends then we can call them on their telephones, and they won't pretend that they're too busy or they're not alone. And if we can call them friends then we can call them. Holler at them down these hallowed halls. Just don't let the human factor fail to be a factor at all." Andy has very close friends, and really that's all he cares to keep. Of course he has acquaintances, but in general - he has a handful of close friends, and I can attest to the fact that these are wonderful men and women. I truly love every single one of Andrew's friends, and consider them my own.
I think that as we get older our social circles tend to get smaller. But I like that. I thoroughly enjoy spending time with Andrew, his family, my family and our collective friends. I love this life we are building - this tree of family and friendships.

This part of the song reminds me of Andy too - it paints a picture of his socialist utopia (and the end of the capitalistic/ consumerist world as we know it, post the financial meltdown and economic apocolaypse). Maybe. To me.
"I know we're gonna meet some day in the crumbled financial institutions of this land. There will be tables and chairs, there'll be pony rides and dancing bears (ode to my father), there'll even be a band (Andy would love that!!), cause listen after the fall there will be no more countries, no currencies at all, we're gonna live on our wits, we're gonna throw away survival kits, trade butterfly knives for adderal, and that's not all, ooh ooh, there will be snacks there will, there will be snacks, there will be snacks." (I'm suddenly getting hungry...)

Are you confused?? I am.
Just lovin' my music. I love music. And I promise not to play this song at the wedding. HOWEVER it may just show up at the rehearsal dinner...

I'm ready for HOMEEEE.
I just had my teeth cleaned a little bit ago. They feel pretty good, but I'm skeptical because it only took the hygienist 7 minutes. Hmmm. I have trouble believing she did a good job in 7 minutes. But I'm trying to tell myself that I am just an expert brusher, and take such great care of my teeth that she didn't need to do too much. Maybe?
Okay signing off, before this post bores you all to death.

la la la. Andy. Love you. (And I mean Winkler, not Bird).

This is the idea I was going for with mixing solid and patterned fabrics...

I like this one too.

I like this flower. Boutonniere inspiration. Simple. Clean.

Thursday, June 25

It is a completely hot day in the apartment as I am diligently searching for work. I have decided to take a slight break and write, as it is good for my soul.
As I have been checking my e-mail back and forth, I get a link from a shelter in South Carolina with this kitten: http://www.noahs-arks.net/RESCUE/MINX.html
I would tell you not to look, but the kitten, 8 weeks old, was viciously attacked by a dog and lost his eye. He also has lost his ability to put his tongue back in his mouth. While finally not a victim of human on animal violence, it kills me to see things like this.
The fact of the matter is, unfortunately, things like this happen. It may be crazy, but why can’t we all as humans strive to be better. In the case of the kitten, he was neglected by the person taking care of him. While I don’t know the full story, maybe if this person was a bit more mindful, this would not have happened.
As the owner of two small animals, I know what it is like to love them. They are sweet animals who really just want our love and affection. They may have different personalities, but that makes them amazing.
I want to congratulate our friends, Nicole A. and Brian on their purchase of a new home. They work very hard, and I love to see people accomplish the Dream of home ownership. Cheers to you both.
Last night I re-read Donald Trump’s “How To Get Rich” book. It really does not give advice on how specifically to get rich, but gives a load of advice on making yourself stand out and stay great, which he feels will automatically bring you your dreams. Keeping a positive attitude and just working hard he says. I believe him.

Kenny Kensington.

I'm sitting here with my buddy, Kennedy (Kenny Kensington, as Andy just called her), enjoying a glass of my favorite white zinfandel...ala Trader Joes $3.99.
Kennedy is such a pretty girl. She is a cuddle bunny, and definitely mommy's girl. We are having a nice, relaxing evening.

Today was a great day. It was supposed to be Andy appreciation day, including a little shopping trip for Andrew since he needs new clothes. It sort of turned into Mandy appreciation day...
Eeek!
I'm spoiled. I can't help it. I really did try to find clothes for Andrew, but he is damn picky! He has impeccable taste, so I can't really complain. BUT, I really wish he would have liked something, because I wanted to treat him. Instead I walked away from the day with a new cardigan, lotion, a ton of Dermalogica products, and some underwear. Hmmm...Mandy day. I feel bad. Andrew buys me gifts and surprises me all the time. I wanted to do the same for him. I think I need to just buy him things on my own..so he can't refuse them. That seems to be the only way he gets new clothes! Anyways. I love him. He is the best. I am going to surprise him real soon...just wait.

Oh Kennedy, my beauty.
Cleo the b. Where are you? Hiding as per usual I bet.

As for wedding updates...
So many good things. I have been working on the invitations a lot, and really love how they are coming out. I need to start working on many other things - including all of the other paper products, the boutonnieres, maybe ties, etc etc etc.
On that note, I'm out. Time to start working on wedding.

When It Comes Down To It...

I absolutely adore Amanda. Our Love, and the human experience is something that I truly cherish. If you saw the most amazing rainbow, wouldn't you love it even more if you could point it out to your best friend in the universe and you can both have that moment together? That is what I have every single day. I wake up and see the most beautiful girl in the universe and I go to bed (9.9/10 nights) holding her. (I passed out last night, I could have been holding a box for all I know, I was that tired). It brings me the greatest joy in the world to just be there for her and with her. If it makes her smile, it makes me smile.

I love you Amanda.

Surprises from my love.

I heart Andrew Bird. Not as much as I heart Andrew Winkler, but I think he probably plays the guitar a little better than my Andrew. (sorry babe...one day I will get you lessons and you will be a rock star - if even just in the living room!)

Tonight Andrew and I are going to see Andrew Bird play at Radio City. I am thrilled!! Not only am I a huge fan, but this was a complete surprise.
I knew about the concert, and had even been invited to go by Ivy, but I declined because I didn't want to spend the money with the wedding coming up. Secretly I really wanted to go though. I didn't really mention it to Andy because I didn't want him to feel compelled to go, or buy tickets. I didn't want to force him to see a concert he wasn't interested in.
Lo and behold I was wrong - (a) he is interested in the concert, and (b) he does anything and everything to make me happy...even when it's not his first choice activity.
He surprised me with the tickets last night - he had found them on craigslist and bought them and they arrived yesterday. What an amazing fiance I have!! One of the most awesome parts is that we are thinking of having one of Bird's songs play during the ceremony, so it will be amazing to see him in concert and be inspired by his live music.

The other wonderful surpise Andrew had for me last night was a new dress!!
He had showed me this new line of clothing for the Gap on a blog a few months back - it is very deco inspired, and awesome. Yesterday was the first day that the line was in stores, and Andy bought me a really great dress that is khaki, and has the black deco print on it. I absolutely love it, and am so grateful for my wonderful fiance and his thoughtfulness. Thank you again Andy!!

Since I have the most wonderful, thoughtful fiance in the world - I am planning an Andy day/ weekend for this upcoming one. I want to bring his tux to the tailor, stop at Cotsco to look at the wedding band he is eyeing (perhaps we will even buy it!), go shopping and get him some new summer clothes (because he is in dire need), and stop at the tattoo parlor to look into what he wants to do for his half sleeve. And if I'm forgetting anything else at the moment I apologize Andy...but yes, Andy day. I am going to spoil him!!

I love you Andy and can't wait to see Andrew Bird with you tonight! xoxo.

Great inspiration for the fabric boutonnieres!

Good ideas for the shower favors!

I love you because.

This morning I woke up and was putting on my running shoes when I noticed a piece of paper on our coffee table that had this title on it, followed by a list.
My darling Andrew had seen the blog post of the sign I like, and decided to make an actual list of the reasons he loves me. It was such a wonderful surprise, and prompted me to want to do the same. So here's my list Andy.
I love you because:

1. You are the most intelligent person I know.
2. You excite me.
3. You teach me new things every single day.
4. You make me laugh.
5. You run your fingers through my hair.
6. You are the handsomest man in the world.
7. You have impeccable style.
8. You have a creative soul.
9. You are the best dad to Cleo and Kennedy, even when they annoy you. You always make sure they have a vast selection of food (speaking of - we need to pick them up some tonight).
10. You often say you don't want to watch movies, but once I put them on you always love them...including Barbara Streisand and Lifetime movies.
11. You are hands down the most thoughtful person on this earth.
12. You make our home our home. Without you it would just be an apartment to me. You are my home.
13. You are the only other person who would run 5 miles with me in the morning, and then walk around for 10 hours straight just wandering without complaining. You are my fellow explorer!
14. You run with me, and bike with me.
15. You always support and encourage me.
16. You work so hard, and with a positive attitude. You never give up on things.
17. You are the most loyal person I know.
18. You love my family, and treat them as your own.

And I could go on and on and on and on. But I must work.

I love you Andy.

Good article!

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/06/17/dining/17wedd.html?_r=1&ref=dining

I think I am officially taking over this blog, and making it mine.
Come on Andy!

I want one of these!

Another photo of cakes Betsy did for a wedding.

I think I'm hungry...

A little sneak peek at Besty's cakes (she is doing our wedding cupcakes and cakes)

I love her style so much!!

You can print small text with the gocco!

I was looking at various dyi projects on a new blog I found today, and found a really fantastic one that involved sugar packets as favors. The best part about the project is that they used a gocco machine to print the text on the bags they bought from my new favorite paper store. I was a little worried about printing small print on our invitations, but this made me see that it can be done. Woohoo!

Great idea for programs!

Cute idea for the bar since we are doing a specialty cocktail.

And more...

More flowers...

October flowers - some pics from the florist we love!!

Wedding things - woohoo!!

The countdown is on. T minus 4 months and 8 days!! Wow, how exciting!! So many things are under way, and I am loving it. Quite recently we have crossed a few more things off of our list:

1. We booked the bus for transporting our guests between the ceremony and reception.


2. We booked our hotel room.


3. We met with the florist whose work we love, and are waiting for a proposal - hopefully we will be able to afford her, and Andy & Mandy will be happy campers!


4. I bought some new beads, and am working on my clutch for the wedding.


5. Andy & I went to the paper store on Saturday and bought a bunch of different patterned pieces of paper for the invitations, and table numbers, and possibly programs. Not sure exactly what we are doing with all of the papers yet, but we want a sort of mismatched wallpaper look with our things.


6. We bought a few more tea cups from Anthropologie on clearance, and we found some really pretty small glass containers that we may buy to put the flowers in for the reception centerpieces. At $4 & $6 a pop we didn't think it was too shabby!


7. The illustration is mostly done for the invitations, and I just need to tweak it a little and play with it some more in Illustrator. Then we need to finalize invitation wording and pick a font, and size everything up. Hopefully we will get to the paper store again this weekend and buy the paper for the inviations.


8. Andy ordered his wedding band yesterday!! We both are excited to see it in person.

So many exciting things going on, like I said.

I am going to include some photos of wedding ideas and things (to make this blog more weddingy!)

Also - found an amazing wedding blog for inspiration. It's http://www.bklynbrideonline.com/ I love the real weddings section - so many great ideas!

Things I love today.

1. Andy (obviously)
2. My family (also quite obvious)
3. The Gucci belt I borrowed from Andy
4. The coffee that I made a little too strong
5. Cinnamon gum
6. Crest Whitestrips
7. Perusing the blog of the florist I am obsessing over
8. Cleopatra & Kennedy (even though they tipped over the flowers Andy surprised me with, and spilled water all over the floor and in my purse)
9. The 7 train - for running regularly today (it always seems to have problems on Thursdays)
10. Kate's Paperie
11. Adobe Illustrator
12. The long conversation I shared with my bff Nikki last night
13. Whole Foods peanut butter that you grind yourself
14. The salad I made this morning for lunch (consists of orange, tomato, red onion, feta, corn, and chicken)

Happy Thursday!

And to all of you out there who think you are having a tough day/ rough morning - embrace it, and enjoy it. Enjoy the struggle - it's what differentiates each day from the next. It keeps life interesting, it keeps life moving.

The music our parents wanted us to like (and now we do)

Like most children, I spent plenty of time in the back seat of my parents' cars. Mark, Josh, and I were carted around from school event to extra curricular activity, soccer practice, friend's houses, you name it. As you can imagine (and probably relate to) I found myself listening to my parent's music quite often. Actually, that is only partially true. The truth is my mom was a softy, and often times she let us change the station on the radio to something we liked. Or she would compromise, and we would listen to a station that played a mix of music we all would enjoy. Dad's car. Let's just say that wasn't the case.
My dad is what I like to refer to as a music nazi. He likes what he likes, and nothing you like could possibly be better. Perhaps he felt he had earned the rite to listen to his choice music, considering he payed the bills, drove us kids around, and it was his car after all. At the time I thought it unfair, but as an adult I completely understand. In fact, looking back, I am appreciative that I was exposed to so much classic rock. There is a reason it is called classic. I rest my case.
This morning I decided to put the good ol' ipod on shuffle. Andy had recently deleted all of my music, and replaced it with new music (upon my request). To my pleasant surprise the first song that popped up was a Crosby, Stills and Nash song from the Crosby, Stills & Nash 3 Box Set. Didn't even know that was in my ipod, but I was excited to find out it was.
I started listening to some of the songs, and realized I knew a bunch (thanks to my father and his car tunes). The highlight was Judy Blue Eyes. I love the L alliteration towards the end of this song. Lacy lilting something, losing love lamenting. Good stuff. And the best part (at the very end of the song, common to many of my favorite 70's tunes. think clapton - leila), is the "do do do do do, do do do do do", followed by singing in Spanish. Makes me want so salsa. I have no idea how this part of the song fits in with the rest, but it does. Or maybe it doesn't. Maybe it doesn't go at all...but the fact that this part makes me want to jump out of my desk chair at work and burst out in song and dance, well that makes it the most integral part of this song.
Judy Blue Eyes. Check it out. If you don't know it, if you've forgotten about it, or if you simply just haven't heard it in a while.
Happy Wednesday Judy. Blue eyes.