A Day of Dress Shopping

Well, it was a day full of trying on dresses and I found one. NOO.. this is not it!

My dress is for me and my Mom to see and no one else until the day of the wedding.

This dress I just adored though except for the price tag. It was over 4K! I think that's a lot of money to spend on a dress that you're only going to wear for one day.

Trying on was fun and I'm so glad I was able to find what I wanted in one day. I figured I would since I wanted simple Jackie 'O' style.

Now -- me and Mom are getting ready for our big 5-course dinner tonight!

More to come tomorrow on that!

CIAO!

My Stomach Can't Wait!

As I mentioned earlier this week my Mom is coming in town tonight and we're having a girl's weekend which mainly includes looking for a wedding dress but also talking with vendors, etc.

One of the highlights of the weekend though? Eating at a restaurant called Savannah Red here in town.

The restaurant has been recognized with the James Beard award, which from what I’m told is sort of like the Oscars for the culinary world!

Due to this honor they’re recreating the same menu that they will serve at the James Beard house in NYC here in Charlotte tomorrow night and my Mom and I are going! That’s right – we are being treated to a five course meal with wine pairings at each course! Yes, we’ll be taking a cab there and back to my house(LOL)!

Anyhoo – one of the things they’ll be making is a black-eyed pea ravioli. Check out this recipe. Simply to die for!

Filling for Black Eyed Pea Ravioli:

1 lb Fresh Black Eyed Peas (may substitute dried, see notes)
As needed Goat Cheese (type can effect consistency, see notes)
1 Tbl Paprika
1.5 tea Cayenne Pepper
1 Tbl Fresh Marjoram (chopped, may substitute 2 tea. Dried Thyme)
1 Tbl Fresh Sage (may substitute 2 tea. Dried if needed)
2 Tbl Dry White Wine
As needed Panko Bread Crumbs (we use brioche but panko is more available)
To taste Kosher Salt
To taste Freshly Ground Black Pepper


Heat black-eyed peas in salted water until tender.

Process half of the peas in a food mill to form a paste.

Place the remaining whole peas in a mixing bowl.

Add the black-eyed pea paste to the whole peas.

Add paprika, cayenne, marjoram, sage, and white wine to the pea mixture.

Mix in the goat cheese 2 ounces at a time until desired consistency is achieved.

Taste and season as needed with salt and black pepper.

This will make more filling than needed, you make tightly wrap the remaining mixture in plastic wrap and freeze it for later use. Or you may also use it to stuff chicken breasts, make spring rolls, or roll into balls and bread them and fry them for some exciting fritters.

Happy Thursday! My last day of work for the week!

Two Peas in a Pod?

So I spent last night scanning old pictures of Brad and I as kids. One of the big things that I do want at my rehearsal dinner/wedding reception is a fun slide show with all sorts of pictures.

Anyone who knows me -- knows that I LOVE pictures and scrapbooking. My entire life is pretty much documented! What I figured out this past weekend is that Brad's mother has kept a pretty good documentation too! Good for me!

Anyhoo -- I thought these two pictures really capture our personalities. Brad being a true boy and his goofy self and me.. well, just being Dee. Just thought I would share!

Happy Humpday!

Facebook Question??

Ok -- I have a question when it comes to Facebook...

What's the big deal about people tagging you in college photos? I mean, seriously, it's fun right? I can understand if you're wasted in the photo passed out or something stupid but why untag yourself from a photo like the one above?

One of my friends said -- because I was fat there. Please......so was I but my goodness it was over 10-years ago and most of us were heavier in college because we ate Taco Bell at 2am on the way home from a bar.

Another one of my friends said -- I don't want people seeing my with curly, long hair. Get over it peeps.

The way I feel about it? I was who I was back then and I am who I am now. If people want to judge me that's pretty sad.

What do you think?

Jackie O' Style

I just love Jackie O's style and I hope emulate that classic, vintage style at my wedding.

My Mom is coming to Charlotte this weekend and I've got us booked both Friday and Saturday to shop for a dress! Again, I hope to find something that's a classic, vintage look.
No offense to anyone on here but here's what I don't want in a wedding dress:

#1. No strapless gowns -- my tata's are WAY to big to be pulling that off!
#2. No ball gowns -- I'm so tired of every bride looking like the next one. I want to be different. Let's just hope I can pull it off.
#3. Nothing with sequins - let's face it -- it went out with the 80's and 90's..

I do know that I want to wear long gloves and I'm getting married in the winter so I would be open to having a fur to wear for outside pictures.

I guess it all comes down to what looks good on me? Let's hope it's Jackie O'esque!

Purse Holder

Ok - I'm generally not much for trendy little things such as bejeweled cell phone holders and what not -- but check this out.

My Mom picked this up for me a few months ago and I have to admit that I LOVE it!!
It's a purse holder that when you're out -- keeps you from putting your purse on the ground or on the back of your chair.

I carry a lot of junk around in my purses and it still holds it. Little boutiques and what not generally carry them. If you see one I highly recommend you get it.

Well, off to bed I go. Ready to take on another week!

Funny Foto Friday

I haven't done funny foto Friday is quite some time but I'm actually around this Friday so decided to get back on the bus.

Me in 1989 getting my braces off after wearing them for nearly 3 years!!!!!

Only my Mom and Dad would take pictures of such an event! Anyhoo.. we're headed to the lake this weekend to relax. Hope you have a fabulous weekend as well!

TGIF!

Wedding Planning - Is it just me?

So, I’ve started wedding planning and I have to say I’m not as into as I thought I ‘might’ be. Maybe it’s because I’m older? I will be 34 next month….

The only thing I’m being particular about is keeping it simple! To be honest I would be have chosen to run to Hawaii and get married with our immediate family and close friends there. That wasn’t an option though. Before we ever got engaged Brad and I came to an agreement that we would have a wedding with all our friends there and it would be here in town or somewhere nearby.

I mean seriously though – I’m really not into looking at the wedding magazines – I think all the hoopla is kinda of dumb. I just want it to be pretty, and fun! Forget the 60 vendors and drama! That’s why I’m choosing to do everything in one place to keep the vendor list down….

So, is it just me? Why am I not giddy like some 20-something about all this wedding stuff?

RIP Uncle David

I know blogs are generally about happy and fun things but in my opinion they're about real life more than anything.

This post isn't the most uplifting of all posts but I hope it inspires one to hug their family and tell them that you love them.

I've told you about my Uncle David in previous posts. Giving that all of my grandfathers were deceased before I was born he's really the only 'grandfather type' I've ever know. His wife, my Aunt Jane, is 16 years older than my Mom and she more or less raised my Mom because their Mom(my grandmother) died when my Mom was only 3-years old.

To make a long story short -- we grew spending holidays, etc up at my Aunt Jane and Uncle David's.

He succumbed to cancer though this past Saturday morning at 8:55am(CST). It was a long battle with prostate cancer that went into his bones but he was a fighter and much of it was for my Aunt Jane, who was his beloved wife for more than 56-years.

I am sitting in the Memphis airport now on my way to Charlotte from the funeral, etc.. and am reflecting on just how important family is.

The picture above is from October of 2007. Again, go now and kiss your family and tell them you love them.

I know I have and will continue to do so.

My cousins and I at the funeral.

They are all 'actual' grandchildren of Uncle David -- I of course am a niece but was treated as part of the group by them and my Aunt and Uncle.

My Aunt Jane. She has a long road ahead of her as she and my Uncle lived together for 56-years.

Please keep her in your prayers.

Sorry for the absence

As I posted earlier on in the week we've been at the Outer Banks area of North Carolina 'beaching' it.

There were four other couples that we traveled with(one which isn't in this picture), and it was fun.

As you can see in the pictures below -- we played games, drank, ate and even hit a few tourist spots in the area.

The big bummer -- my Uncle David finally passed on Saturday and tomorrow morning I get on a plane to travel to Hot Springs, Arkansas to be with my family.

More to come..

Low-Country boil

Jockey's Ridge State Park

Wright Brother's Memorial and Museum

Wright Brother's Memorial and Museum

cornhole!

Ladder ball

Beach

We are here in Kill Devil Hills -- the OuterBanks area here in NC.

Fun times -- we're here with 4 other couples and we've been hanging out on the beach, drinking, eating, playing Bocci ball, cornhole, and a plethra of board games.

Pictures to come. We're here until Sunday.

Wedding Galore..

Boy.. my life has changed. Check this out!

Last night I was on my way to get a spray-on tan for the beach (since I'm still pale and don't want to scare people when I get there)when I started talking to my friend Kathleen on the phone.

She told me I needed to get a wedding binder/organizer ASAP in order to be organized from the get-go.

So.. what did I do? Opted out of the tan(bummer) and headed to the bookstore. I purchased a wedding binder as she told me to, and a bridal magazine. I figured I can take all of this to the beach with me and get to work.

GREAT!

Actually what's even greater is when I got home I started talking to my neighbor and she told me she had tons of wedding planners/organizers/books, etc. that she never even used because she hired a wedding planner. So, what did she do? She gave them all to me which is what you see above.

I'm now going to take the one I purchased back to the store to get a refund of $30!

Happy Tuesday!

Weekend Fun

Well, we had another great weekend. Tiring but fun. My parents came to town and we all spent the weekend looking at different venues to have our wedding.

WOW! I had all kinds of emotions during the search. Each venue we would visit I would get excited thinking it was 'the one' but when it came down to it we want to do what is easiest for our guests giving that most of them will be traveling from out of town.

We don't have a contract signed yet so I won't reveal where we are going to do it yet. Aside from just looking at venues my parents also took us to dinner in celebration of our engagement.

Two days of work this week and then we're headed to the beach! That's right -- we're driving to the Outerbanks tomorrow evening where we will spend the rest of the week with friends.

Me and my Dad

I'm a Cheezball...

Ok -- okay.. I know I'm not getting married for some 7-months but I've already started thinking about wedding music that MUST be played at the reception. I've decided to keep a list and when one comes to me -- write it down!

Above -- is one of those songs. My favorite of all time -- Journey, Lights. Just makes me feel good when I hear it. I love San Francisco and if it wasn't so far away from family I would live there. In fact, I was interviewing for jobs there when I lived in Vegas but then 9/11 happened and my life changed forever. I wanted to be near family and that's how I ended up here in Charlotte.

Other wedding song musts? The LSU fight song and the Hokie fight song(Brad's alma mater).

Wedding Reception Possibility?

I'm excited to say it looks like we're going to get married in the month of February! While we're not going to get married on Valentine's Day weekend I think you can associate February with love, and romance.

I would sort of like a V-day theme and am leaning towards the colors of red, pink and white. Then, while researching photographers I ran across this idea. A candy buffet at the wedding reception! how fun! look at what this couple did in this card. I could use the same gummies and I just love the candy bar idea!

What do you guys think? Any other ideas for a February wedding? I know it's going to be cold but I secretly like cold weather. :)

picture courtesy of Cheyenne Schultz photography

The Proposal -- Dee's Review

One of my friends was so kind to treat me to this movie last night. Cocktails and a movie in celebration on my engagement! YAY!

Gosh, what a perfect movie to see too! It may not have gotten good reviews from the critics but I loved it. Sandra Bullock was her normal, awesome self and Ryan Reynolds is a hottie! Also, much of the movie is set in Alaska and the scenery is beautiful!

If you want to see a feel good movie go for this one. I would consider going to see it a second time.

Well, Happy Humpday!

3 Things I Know For Sure

After advice from a whole lot of people I am going full force ahead with this wedding planning in hopes that we can do it in either February or March. My rents’ are coming to Charlotte this weekend from Atlanta and we will proceed to check out possible wedding venues.

My Mom is an event planner for a living and has her own business so she’s pretty savvy when it comes to all this. The one good thing she keeps telling me over and over is that she wants to do what I want to do. GREAT! Who could ask for more– right?

I’m sure there will be tons of bumps along the way but my goal is to make the whole process as EASY as possible and NO we’re not spending any 50K on a wedding.. that’s just dumb.

So – the three things that I know right now are:

I'm having the wedding in Charlotte - hopefully somewhere Uptown.

Rebekah will be my Matron of Honor. I'm not doing any other attendants. I have too many friends and have been in too many weddings. PLUS.. at the age I'm at most of my friends have kiddos or are trying to have kiddos.. and do they really want to spend the $$ to be in a wedding? NO!
Brad's best man will be his brother Jeff.

Since I'm not having bridesmaids I will be sure to do a cake pull which is NOLA tradition. Your single friends stand around the cake and pull out a ribbon. They all have different charms on them and mean something different. Whoever gets the ring is the next to get married.
See the ribbons at the bottom of this cake?
so fun!

Well, Happy Tuesday!

July 4th Celebration Weekend

Our celebration continued throughout the July 4th weekend with us going up to Brad's parents house on High Rock Lake -- an hour outside of Charlotte.

We hung out, enjoyed cocktails, took boat rides and Brad and I took an hour long jet ski on the 4th which was so special. It was our time to reflect and enjoy the water.

Here are few pictures from our weekend together celebrating.

More to come..

The Stephens house

Buddy with his patriotic get up

boat rides

We had a champagne toast in honor of our engagement.

Reeders with his Papa..

Me with baby Paige. Soon to be crawling Paige!

Engagement, Cont..

We are home from the lake and all of my friends are just dying to see pictures so here's the beginning and I'll post more tomorrow.

As you can imagine we had a fabulous weekend telling all of our friends and family.

Now the planning will begin. I do not want to do a year engagement so we're thinking February if that's possible.

More on that in future posts but for now here are the pictures starting with the ring at the top. It's white gold with a Tiffany cut diamond with two diamonds on the side. I LOVE it ;)

Then below -- us right after, me calling my Mom, our special bottle of wine and me with The Buddy.

More to come blogging friends! YAY! I've waited for nearly 34 years for this day(no, I've never been married before). I am SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO glad that I waited for the right guy.

Me telling my Mom! She was getting a pedicure when I called. All of the people in the nail salon were so excited!

Me with The Buddy. He was excited ;) He now will have an official 'Daddy'.

Our 1997 Mount Veeder cab! yummy!

I'm ENGAGED!

More details to come............but I'm the happiest girl on this earth right now ;)

Nothing fancy but I was TOTALLY caught off guard.

After 10-days on the road Brad came home and decided to cook us dinner last night before we head to the lake house today.

He told me he had a gift and it was so sweet. It was a box of premium chocolates from Vermont along with a sweet card saying he had missed me. We were drinking a bottle of wine that we had gotten in Napa and I mentioned that the SUPER expensive bottle that we bought and had arrived yesterday as well would be saved for when we got engaged. Had no clue we would be drinking it in less than an hour.

THEN.. he told me he had one more gift. I seriously thought it was going to be a bottle of Vermont syrup but it wasn't. It was a ring............

No talks of wedding plans until after this fabulous weekend.

Talk about another July 4th weekend memory!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

ciao!

Neverland..the new Graceland?

I've been watching The Today Show's broadcast from Neverland this morning. What an unbelievable house!

Again, MJ was a freak but his music I really liked and I've always found him interesting because he was a weirdo.

Anyhoo -- there is talk about turning the now barren Neverland Ranch into a museum kind of like Graceland is today. I've heard the big issue is that it's down a country road so getting people in and out would be a problem.

But what do you think? Should they turn the ranch is a museum? I personally think so. Out of pure curiousity I would probably even visit. I really enjoyed Graceland.

Countdown to the Fourth is on! We're staying in town but heading to the lake. Should be fun!

Awesome Bike!

Wouldn't you just love this bike? You could put the kiddos in there or haul flowers or groceries or whatever it might be.

You can win it by going to their website. Just click on the picture above. Just another tidbit for today!

CIAO!

One Year Ago...

It was one year ago earlier this week that I met my wonderful, fun loving boyfriend Brad. Yes, after a morning of hiking and just wanting to stay in and scrapbook a few friends came over and talked me into walking up to the bar near my house. That is of course where I met Bradley. The rest is history.

I can honestly say he’s my best friend, which is what I’ve always wanted in a significant other, and I can honestly say I would be happy as a clam to spend the rest of my life with him.

Here are some of his greatest traits: makes me laugh, treats me like a lady, he’s handy around the house, he can cook!, he likes going and doing things, he adores my dog and most of all he loves me and puts up with my shenanigans.

That’s enough for now – here’s a few pictures from this past year…in no particular order..

Lake Tahoe - Feb. 2009

Chimney Rock - Feb. 2009

August 2008 - VA Tech vs. ECU

New Year's Eve 2008

October 2008 - LSU vs. University of SC

November 2008 - VA Tech vs. Duke --can you say freezing in Blacksburg?

May 2009 - Uptown Charlotte - OAR concert

August 2008 - Holden Beach, NC

June 2008 - one of our first dates - Maroon Five concert

August 2008 - Holden Beach, NC