Zoot Suit Riot
He got his suit yesterday and now he thinks he's all hot and stuff.
Don't tell him I said this, but I kinda agree.
It's Been A Whole Month, Huh?
My sweet friend (hi Stacy!) told me that she was going to come over and punch me in the throat if I didn't update my blog...so I thought I'd better do that. I don't like being punched.
So yeah. HI!
Hey, guess what? I'm getting married. Have I mentioned that yet?? I haven't? Oh...WELL!...let me tell you all about it. I'm getting married in 7 weeks. SEVEN FREAKING WEEKS. I know I shouldn't yell, but come on, I have to! Because, ya know, the words "7 weeks" kinda make me want to throw up. In the good way, of course.
We still have SO much to do, it seems. And the day is QUICKLY approaching. Quick. Unlike my brain lately.
But...uh...on to the good stuff. (Like that segue, did ya? Good. Shut up.)
SO. Do you wanna see my dress? OK!
(And did you see those shoes? I want to lick them they're so yummy.)
What else can I tell ya? The cake is ordered. The caterer is ready. The DJ is hired (and he's not crap! He's awesome! Hi, Zach, you blog stalker, you!!). The photographer is paid off. The linens are rented. The centerpieces are done. The invitations are OUT! As of today! The bouquet is ordered!
Sounds like a lot, I know, but my GOD, there's still a lot to do. For instance, we haven't even STARTED looking for something for Mr.Tango to wear. And we haven't met with our minister yet. That's probably a good idea, too, since he's, ya know, marrying us and all. Shit, dude.
Aaaand that's about all I have for ya. I have to sleep before my brain leaks out of my ears. I'll update again soon because I have to tell you all about my new camera and my photography classes! OMG! I got my Canon! (Thank you, Bubba!)
Laters, taters.
Wrappers, How I Love Thee
Looky at my cupcake wrappers! They make me very happy. So do my cupcake towers.
I'm totally rockin' the wedding cupcakes, yo.
Red velvet w/ Italian buttercream. Oh. My. Gah.
Of Things I Wanna Make Out With
I have a long, sloppy list of things I want to make out with. The menu at Cheesecake Factory is one of those. So is the Kitchenaid mixer I got for my bday last year. My fiance is on that list somewhere, too, of course, though his exact position on the list fluctuates because, HELLO, Cheesecake Factory!
My newest addition to the list is everyone involved with Hotwire.com. I'm so freaking in love.
We are doing our big fat honeymoon for our one-year anniversary in Dominican Republic. We've already discussed that, though. So we were trying to decide on what we were going to do for a small, spend-as-little-money-as-we-can-because-this-wedding-shit-is-EXPENSIVE trip after the actual wedding.
After much whining and hair-pulling (and not in the good way), we decided to take a quick, 4-night trip to San Diego. We were told to try Hotwire.com to find our hotels because they have awesome deals as long as you trust them because, uh, you don't know what hotel you're booking until you book it with no refunds available.
Scary, no? Yeah.
But we tried it anyway, and the results made me wet my pants a little.
For the first 3 nights, we're staying at the Loews Resort on Coronado Island. Seriously. And for only $136 a night (the cheapest room there regularly is over $300 a night).
For the last night, we're staying at W San Diego. Oh. My. God! And for only $166 (regularly over $200 for the cheapest room).
So yeah. Make-out. Big time.
So tell me about San Diego. Know of any restaurants we have to hit up? What about special beaches in the area? Cool local attractions not on the visitor's guide?
Well, We HAVE To Get Married Now
Because, um, we have registries.
We kinda forgot about the whole registering thing at first - until everyone was all "dude, you're getting married in a few months and you haven't registered?!" Whoops.
So we went to the bestest store in the whole world. Target. And then we went to the other bestest store in the world. Bed, Bath & Beyond. (By the way, I can't count THE bestest store in the world, Williams-Sonoma because most of our friends are poor and would laugh in our faces and just give us a jar of dirt if we registered there.)
Keep in mind that I am marrying a man who doesn't own a toaster because he hasn't had enough time (ahem, 30 years) to do in-depth research as to which one is best...so you can imagine how calm and peaceful and not at all a strangle-inducing event making two registries was for me. Needless to say, it took us over a month to complete.
And we didn't even register for a toaster.
But there IS an Xbox 360 on there. I'll give you one guess who fought to put it on there. I'll also give you a guess on who rolled their eyes and said "OH MY GOD PUT IT ON THE REGISTRY ALREADY BECAUSE I'M TIRED OF HEARING ABOUT IT AND NO I DON'T THINK ANYONE IS GOING TO GET YOU THAT BUT WHATEVERRRRRRRR."
Anyway. Did you know you're supposed to register for at least 2 items per guest invited? That would mean we were supposed to register for about 240 items. With BOTH our registries combined, we have about 60 items, I think. And that's counting each plate separately.
So yeah. Good times.
I wanted to put the registry info on the blog, but I think I'll decline. I know there's at least one stalker out there reading this and you don't need to know my address, Mr.Fabulous sicko stalker person whoever you are.
But, uh, if you do want to buy us a spoonula (aren't those AWESOME?!) or a full set of pots and pans, I won't complain. F'reals. You can email me and I'll give you the info on how to find us. (Aren't I freaking nice?)
Only a little over four months, people. In four months and I'm gonna be a wife.
A wife without a toaster, of course...but still.
Our Photobooth...Let Me Show You It
Our photographer was at the bridal show we went to this weekend. And he brought his photobooth with him. And he told us we had to play in it before we left. (And he wouldn't let me take my shirt off. D'oh!)
So here's what the pictures our guests get will look like (but not quite as HOT as us, of course):
Where this one says "Tulsa Wedding Show", ours will have our names and wedding date. And it'll be black/white/red.
I can't freaking wait, yo.
By the way, did you notice in picture #3 that he's doing the Ninja Warrior pose again?
God help me.
More pictures. Much excitement.
DIY invitations:
DIY flower pots (matching the invites, of course!):
Table linens (which I'm DYING over! LOVE THEM!):
(in the dining area)
(in the dancing area)
(also in the dancing area)
This is getting WAY too fun.
Today I'm finishing the cupcake holders (that I also made all by myself)! Pictures to follow.
Wedding Shoos. I Has Dem.
Zappos, how I love thee!
I think I may love these even more than I love my dress. F'reals.
More Things To Bore You With
You wanna see how boring my blog would be to you all if I updated it regularly right now?
Ok, fine...watch this.
All day today I did wedding stuff. I finalized my invitation design (and it looks nothing like what I showed you before!). I visited 3 floral shops...only to realize WHAT A FREAKING WASTE OF MONEY. I'm doing my own bouquet, thankyouverymuch.
Then! Get this! I went to my rental place to decide on the color, texture, and length of my table linens. That's right. I spent an hour choosing between lap-length, calf-length, or floor length linens...cherry, burgundy, or raspberry linens...polyester, satin stripe, or crushed satin linens.
Exciting, no?
Of course, for me, this was BRILLIANT time spent! I had a blast, sadly. And I got to mark something off my list of things to do.
My very, very, very, very long list of things to do.
And these are my table linens, if you're interested to know the outcome of my venture:
Burgundy. Calf-length. Crushed satin. In case you were wondering.
There. Don't ever say I didn't teach you nothin'.
Ahem...Uh....Hi.
So....um. Yeah. I know I've abandoned this place, but I have a question. And you guys know everything.
So.
If someone was wanting to hire someone to do, say, a lightsaber duel at one's wedding as a surprise to one's groom....how would one go about doing that?
Curious.
Also?
I need more ideas to surprise the man at the wedding. He likes Star Wars and Superman and Smallville and all things like that which make him so much of an uber geek that it stifles me he even knows what a female IS, let alone is marrying one as awesome as me.
Anyway. Bring it on.
Ya Know...You're Right.
I didn't even consider the wedding pictures and stuff. I'll want to show that off! :)
So maybe instead of taking it ALL down, I'll just not blog for awhile and see if anything comes up. (I hate to say you're right...whoever all said I wouldn't leave for good.)
I still have nothing to say because my life right now is work and laundry and trying to get my dog to stop peeing on the floor. But at least here are some pictures I took today of where we're getting married. I'm SO freaking excited!
(By the way, we just found out today that Tango's parents have decided to pay for the place. WOOOT! That's $2000 saved, baby!)
And....the hot guy standing in the tent. I kinda want to make out with him:
Bridesmaids SUCK
So. I fired my bridesmaids today. And the groomsmen.
And I'm SO thrilled about it!
From the beginning of this wedding planning thing, the question I've had most on my mind was, "what is the POINT of having bridesmaids/groomsmen?!" I chose my two closest friends for the position anyway, though I was clueless as to what they would wear or what they would be doing other than standing up front all awkward-like.
Lately, it was just eating at me that I had no idea the WHY behind the whole thing...other than it being a tradition. If I'm doing something, I want some meaning behind it for US...not just because it's tradition. We're doing a lot of things in an untraditional manner because, well, we CAN. This is just another.
So tonight, after a long talk, Mr.Tango and I figured it out. And it's PERFECT for us.
Before the ceremony starts, people will be milling around, having the provided drinks and cookies. (We want it to be a gathering...nothing overly formal, even in the ceremony). When the time comes to start having everyone take their seats, we will have 6 of our closest friends/family up front already, standing around Mr.Tango. No one is walking down the aisle. Everyone will be holding a single flower.
When my music is cued (NOT 'here comes the bride'), Mr.Tango will walk back up the aisle and come meet me at the entrance. He will present his flower to me, give me a little smooch, and will then hold my arm and escort me down the aisle.
(I didn't want my dad to 'give me away'...I hated that idea because I'm SOOOOO not my dad's to give. Tango and I are going into the marriage together...we wanted to walk into the ceremony together like this.)
SO. When we get up to the front, we will turn and face the crowd (which is how we'll have the whole ceremony...us facing outward) and each person up front will give me their flower and then go have a seat in the front row. Their flowers will become my bouquet. My best friend will tie the flowers together for me.
That way, the important people in my life will be part of the wedding, but it will MEAN something. And they dont' have to wear stupid dresses that all match. And they can actually sit down and enjoy the ceremony with everyone else.
Just thought I'd share.
Two Hundred and Sixty-Six days, people!!!!! WOOOOOOOOO!
I'm getting a tad bit excited about this. Can you tell?!
Top 7 Cake Toppers I Will NOT Be Using
7. The "my husband is a pussy" topper:
6. The "I love my prenup" topper
5. The "we dig kiddie porn" topper:
4. The "keeping seperate bank accounts" topper:
3. The "making out, even when we're dead" topper:
2. The "can you tell I'm from Oklahoma?" topper:
1. The 'we met on a street corner' topper:
A Few More Gorey Details
Things we WILL be doing at the wedding
Having a huge chips/salsa bar
Having 2 kinds of mojitos (mint & pineapple)
DANCING DANCING DANCING
Having a kids room with games, toys & movies
Free photobooth
First dance - choreographed Argentine Tango
Cheesecake wedding cake
Things we will NOT be doing at the wedding
Bouquet toss / garter flip
Anyone wearing anything poofy
Anyone wearing a tuxedo
Best man, maid of honor, flower girl, ring bearer
"Here comes the bride" type music
Me wearing a veil
A receiving line (seriously...whose idea was that crap?)
Things we're actually considering doing at the wedding
Playing peknuckle at the altar
Having someone yell "FREE BIRD!"
Something with a lightsaber (NOT my idea, obviously)
Printing up t-shirts to toss to the audience
Having bridesmaids/groomsmen do a West Side Story type entrance
SO Much Better Than BlogHer!
So, while we've been planning our wedding, I still never had my ring (I picked it out and it was being custom made) nor did I get a real proposal (he had to wait until we got the riiiing).
Guess what I came home to last night?
Well, I'll just let the pictures speak for themselves.
(my favorite flowers)
(my favorite wine)
(sooooo many sweets! boston cream pie! fruit tarts! tiramisu!)
(homemade fudge! chocolates! turtles!)
(that's a ring box...in the dessert tray!)
(i can't stop looking at it!)
The proposal:
Him : [on one knee] Cindy, will you do me the honor of making me the happiest man in the world?
Me : *sobbing* I don't know. It depends on what I have to do.
Him : Um. I'm getting to that.
[he opens the ring box]
Him : Will you marry me?
Me : *sobbing more* Of course I will.
Destination : Dominican Republic
Well, we've finally decided. It was tough work, I tell ya. SO....
Dominican Republic, it is! Though, heh, it's not even one of the hotels I posted down there. It's this one instead:
Paradisus Punta Cana
We started looking at all-inclusive resorts and fell in love with this one. My favorite aspect was the abundance of beds on the beach. Comfy beds, people. ON THE BEACH. Tango's favorite aspect was the swim-up bar. Because, apparently, rum + swimming= GOOD TIMES.
Thanks to all for your input. And especially thanks to everyone who sent me emails with pictures and to those who allowed me to stalk their flickr sets (ahemJennsterahem).
Not jealous enough? Want more pictures?
Of course, my pessimistic and semi-racist father seems to think we'll get kidnapped and tortured by locals because they don't like white people there.
But the way we see it? That's fine with us, as long as they keep us somewhere near this powdery white sand beach. And rum. We'll demand plenty of rum.
Please don't attempt to rescue us.
The Honeymooners
We've narrowed down the choices for the honeymoon to FOUR. Four different beaches - four different hotels. No worries - each one has a bar nearby. I made sure of it.
When Mr.Tango gets back from his business trip, we're going to go over each of them vrrry carefully and attempt to decide on just one. I have no idea how this is even possible.
So check it out. Give me feedback. Then get really, really jealous because it's on the in-laws' tab.
Option #1
Option #2
Barbados :
The Crane : 3 Stars (though I can't figure out why)
Option #3
Option #4
Which would YOU prefer, dear bloggies?
And don't say "ALL OF THEM!!!!!" because, um, I already tried that and the request was politely declined.
Do-It-Myself
Mr.Tango is out of town for 2 weeks. *sniffle*
So what's a girl to do but to design her wedding invitations? So that's what I've been doing pretty much everyday. I think I'm DIY'd out. Thank Jesus I still have 10 months to actually put together everything. Heh.
Anyway! Here is the basic design of the invitations. There are a few changes that will happen...but the majority is a done deal.
Enjoy.
The back of the invite holder. It's laced with satin ribbon, which you really can't tell from the pic. And I made this one a couple of inches too short - the bow will be much prettier on the final ones.
This is the insert. I have NO clue how to do this. Right now it's a messy stencil that I can't get the hang of. See my fingerprints? That's with me being super careful. Heh. Any ideas for this one?
A close-up to the wax seal. And my fingerprints. Heh.
The layout. I love the inserts. And, oh yeah. Hi, I'm Cindy and he's Jeremy. Who knew?
The inserts. I marked out the "where" because you're all stalkers. Not that I don't like stalkers.
A close-up of my quote. I lurve it. It made my future mother-in-law cry.
So that's it. Anyone want to come over and cut paper or punch holes or lace up ribbon or fold folders or glue pockets or stamp stamps or seal wax?
Just asking.
I Would Expect Nothing Else
This is how the announcement to my father went:
-----
Me : Mr.Tango asked me to marry him!
Dad : Why did he do that? Did he climb up a really tall ladder and then fall off and land on his head?
-----
Of course, they were nice and pretended like they didn't already know so I could do my announcing and squee'ing and talktalktalking. And it took him all of 3 minutes to ask if we'd discussed children because he's READY FOR MORE GRANDKIDS NOW.
Uhm. Gonna have to wait a bit on that one, Dad. Heh.
Of course, I guess my dad's initial response was better thought out than my brother's. All he said when I told him, and all he's said since is, "huh." A man of many words, he is.
7-7-07
Happy Lucky 7 Day, blogosphere!
It started out as a plain ol' day with naps on the couch and no cable, but now I'm all jumping around like a freak because I'm so happy. Listen to this!
So, I found a wedding dress that I liked online. There aren't any of those stores in Oklahoma though, so I had to wait until I was in Dallas to try one on to see how it looked on me. I had to go to Dallas this Tuesday anyway to see a play with my brother, so while there, I stopped in at the store.
Go figure. They didn't offer the bridal section in store...it was online only. WHAT?!
WELL, in cruising eBay when I got back, I found the dress I wanted for $89. EIGHTY-NINE FLIPPIN' DOLLARS! So I just said what the hell, did 'buy it now', and paypal'd the money right away.
I just got the dress today (3 days before I expected it!). And it looks GREAT!!! My boobs even look good in it - and that's saying something!
LOOK! Looky what I bought!!!
Holy crap. I have a freaking wedding dress.
The Awesome Photog
I will try not to bore you people with every single tiny detail of our wedding planning. For instance, I won't tell you things such as : the most exciting part of our weekend was finding freaking awesome candle holders on sale at Garden Ridge for 10¢ each. Yeah, stuff like that (we bought 40 of the suckers!!!!) we won't talk about. At all.
However, I did want to share something we're insanely excited about.
Early on we knew that we wanted to find an amazing photographer...someone who has a creative eye and an unusual style. For instance, we want the opposite of whoever took this photo:
Errrrr. No with the bouquets on the train. Just...no.
(I apologize if you have this very photo hanging above your fireplace. Ahem.)
Anyway. So we found the perfect guy. And guess what? He's a blogger, too! Whodathunk?
Everyone, meet
Jesse Reich. He's edgy, he's fun, he's awesome. (And he reads my blog now, so I guess I have to say nice things or he'll make me pose for stupid shots like that one up there.) Isn't his work drool-worthy? I think so. I'm drooling as we speak.
Jesse also owns
this company. This is going to be one of my favorite things about the reception. We're renting a photobooth for a few hours and letting the guests go wild. They can take as many pictures as they want and take them home with them as favors (the pics will have our name and wedding date on them!) And the coolest thing is, WE get a copy of all their pictures, too!
Can you imagine? Free mojitos paired with a free photobooth? That should cause for YEARS of family embarassment. Woot!
Anyway. I'll shut up now. I'm getting all drooly again.
I think I may have a problem.
