Putting a little Wine into my Wedding

As you all may know by now I'm a big fan of wine. Any kind - except White Zifandel - is that even a real wine??

Anyway - I wanted to reflect our love for it somewhere in the wedding aside from the actual bar. So, I remembered that my friend Kathleen had a wine theme at her wedding and she came to my rescue.

Dozens of wine cork place card holders! She used them as place card holders at her wedding since it was sit-down.

So, she's letting me borrow them for the rehearsal dinner. Her Dad dropped them off to me here in town as he was passing through Charlotte.

Check it out! Come to find out my MIL knows calligraphy! She's writing the names on the cards as we speak. Well, maybe not at this hour but they came by on Sunday and I gave them to her.

I just love them! Thanks Kathleen! Another friend to the rescue! 22-days until the big day!

Tribute to NOLA...The Saints

I am still so excited that the New Orleans Saints are going to the SuperBowl. I have seen some awesome stories done on the networks news channels this week about the journey of NOLA and where they are today.

The Dome was severly damaged during Katrina and the Saints played in another state for a year and even played games at LSU Tiger Stadium, which some people were weird about. There was even talk that Tom Benson would take the Saints and leave New Orleans.

Anyway - today they are still in New Orleans and they are NFC champs and how inspirational the entire story is. My cousin just sent me this link to another video that you must..must...must check out. Put a tear in my eye.

Again, I live in Charlotte but grew up in South Louisiana(Baton Rouge). While I've never been a die-hard Saints fan I've done my share of cheering for them.

Check out this picture of the first year I moved to Charlotte. My friend Jodee came to visit me for the Saints vs. Panthers game. Jodee is a DIE-HARD Saints fan.

It was this year -- I sported black and gold.

Then -- 6-years later. I sported Panthers Blue in the Dome. (one of the first games after the Dome opened after Katrina).
Yes..yes.. after moving to Charlotte and seeing the Panthers go to the SuperBowl I became partial to them.

I'll never forget what Jodee said before we went the Saints vs. Panthers game this New Years Eve.
'Are you really going to wear blue???!!'

All in all -- I love both teams. Panthers and the Saints! And.. when it comes to the SuperBowl I will have black and gold on!

Thank You Notes and Bride Fun!

Don't you just love these notes? Simple and sweet. We are RUNNING through some thank you notes these days so I had to order some more. We are down to 3!
Fo reelz!

We are writing them as the gifts roll in. I think the UPS people know something is up since they're at our house 3x's a day. Seriously.

The best part is?? Brad is helping! I know some of my other friends had challenges with their soon to be hubbies writing thank you notes but not Brad!

He's writing the notes to all his people and I'm writing mine! Isn't that great? I've encouraged him to write them now instead of waiting until after the wedding so it's not so overwhelming.

I'm BIG on thank you notes. They are a must. I don't think enough people encourage their kids to write thanks you's but I tell you what -- when I have children I will make them write thank you's to relatives for gifts they receive for Christmas, birthdays, etc.

What do you Moms do?

Switching topics. My friend Beth has continued the wedding day countdown for me and I have recieved some super fun stuff in the mail!

Yesterday it was this... The Bridessentials kit. Full of stuff you need for the big day. Sewing kit, blue straws, comb, etc. 26 things.. You get the idea.

Then last week. It was a pair of these! I know CoCo is jealous. Don't you just LOVE Hanky Pankies? I do! I will totally be strolling down the aisle in these!

Well, gotta run but Happy Humpday!

Wedding Colors..

Check out our invitations! As some of you already know.. the main color scheme of my wedding is red.
I chose red not only because I look good in it but because we're getting married in February and it's a winter color and a Valentine's Day color!

Woot-Woot!

So saying that - here's the email exchange I just had with my fiancee.

Brad: Thinking that I may rock a color for my tie and vest......maybe a like a baby blue pattern or something, what do you think?

Dee: Seriously? where do you get baby blue? Our wedding color is red and there is no baby blue in sight because that is a Spring color. Maybe white?

Brad: Definitely not rocking white, guess I will just rock black or silver, bummer , I love blue : (

Another funny story to go down in the wedding book.
Happy Tuesday!

Stock The Bar Party Wrap-Up

Thanks to our friends Ashley and Heather for throwing us a FABULOUS party! It was at one of my favorite restaurants here in Charlotte - Red Rocks Cafe.

Around 20 or so people showed and we racked up with wine, vodka, wine tags, drink/app books, and more!

One of my favorite parts of the shower? This book. The girls got me this leather bound where people could write notes, love and marriage advice. It also has inserts to put pictures from the party!

It was so nice to read the next day.

Beer and wine..

TONS of food! I just love Reds Rock food!

Centerpieces..

\

Cute party favors...

Back to the food.. love me some shrimp!

Potato cakes! My personal favorite!

Us...

Me and the two hosts. Ashley and Heather. Ashley (the blonde hair)and I used to work at FOX together. She was one of the hosts of my show. Heather has been my hair and makeup artist since I moved here.

Here Brad and I are with Ashley and the other host of the show I used to produce. The Edge..

Those were the days....

Me, Ashley and Mark..

Sorry - but in my opinion - that show has never been the same since the three of us left.

Friends - Dana and Bill..

Brad with Ashley's hubby Scott.

Usual suspects.. haha! Seriously, my SIL,BIL, and some of Brad's college buddies.

Me and Heather and her hottie Baywatch looking hubs Todd.

Former producers at FOX with me. Tamera and Alexis.

Amanda and her boyfriend Adam. Met Amanda through the Jr. League of Charlotte.

Heather and my bud Dana..

Such fun! Thanks again ladies. So great to have such great friends!

And.. a great fiancee'.

Thanks to all who came!

The rest of our weekend consisted of cleaning and going over to a friend's house for lunch and the Colts game.

Then home to watch my boys whip up on ole' Brett Farve!

Can you say WHO DAT?!

Drew Breejesus! So stoked they're going to the SUPERBOWL!

Pizza Night

We stayed in last night and cooked dinner and enjoyed some wine. Earlier in the day Brad mentioned we should try and make our own homemade pizzas.

YAY! Then he got skeptical and said no because he thought they would turn out bad. Well, I talked him out of that.

Instead of making our own dough we picked up 2 dough balls from our local pizzeria. We came home and went to work.

Brad had the job of rolling out the dough..
I caught some funny pictures of him doing this.

This one is of him catching it after throwing it the air!

Kneading it... I guess?

Buddy was a little freaked by the whole thing especially when the dough was thrown into the air.

No meat on our pizzas..just veggies and cheese. I sauted them before putting them on there.

One thing we did that I didn't take a picture of is put the crust in the oven for 4-minutes BEFORE adding any of the toppings This makes it crispier and it did!

Then we added the toppings and let them cook for 15minutes.

Then WA-LAH! Let me tell you what kidz...These were A-W-E-S-O-M-E!!!

Aside from that I made some spinach/ricotta cakes from a recipe I found on some blog but can't locate it now.

These were FABULOUS! I had a ton of fresh spinach that was about to go bad so this is how I used it.

Well, that's it for now! Bar party tonight!!

Feedback and Funny Foto Friday

Let me just say. LOVED the feedback on the shower thing. Glad others feel the same way. The invite I got is actually for a friend who has twin girls and is now getting ready to have a boy. Still said.. no showers for second babies.. sorry.
Friends of ours are hosting us a Stock the Bar Party tomorrow night. They and others wanted to throw me a bridal shower but I turned them down because as I've said before I DON'T like them.
Sure didn't want to put my friends through the pain of watching me open gifts and the fake 'ooohss and awwss'. Gross.. haha
Now to funny foto Friday.
Proof that I did really work at Disney World in Orlando during college.

I was a guide on the BackStage Tour. It was part of the Disney College Internship. Best Times Ever! TGIF!

Baby Showers

This post may offend some of you but oh..well.. so be it..

Baby showers -- I know they're a part of life but I'm going to admit it I don't like them. Maybe it's because I don't have children and have been single for a long time but they drive me crazy.

The last one I was invited to I went, took my gift and left before all the saga of gift opening. Terrible.. but true..

I know I'm not the only one who thinks this way because my co-worker told me that when she gets an invitation these days she sends a gift but declines the shower. You GEAUX girl! haha!

I'm posting about this because I got an invitation to a shower for a friend this week. A friend who already has 2 other children. Seriously... a baby shower for a 3rd child? I totally understand for the first but give it a rest.

Why not pass on the shower and do a Sip and See for babies born after the first? Those I don't mind..
What is your stance on baby showers? Love them..hate them...deal with them?? What about showers for 2nd, 3rd even 4th children?

A Few Questions

Nothing big going on today except more wedding 'to do's'

Two questions for you guys today.

#1. Mother/Son Wedding Dance songs. Suggestions? Brad doesn't want anything song that makes it feel like he should make out with his Mom AND he wants something short and sweet.

His Mom suggested It's a Wonderful World -- but that's what she danced to at his brother's wedding and I would like to change it up.
Please send my way..PLEASE!

#2. What is the time frame on when people should take down their Christmas decorations???

Seriously.......................................it is January 20th and some of our neighbors still have lights, wreaths and even freaking trees up.

Maybe I'm just anal but this DRIVES ME NUTZ!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Lazy a-holes! Get off your butt and take them down!

Sorry for the rant..

AND.. notice the background change?? Nice.. finally figured out how to do it all by myself. I would like one of those cute banners like some of you have but still can't figure out scrapblog. Yes, I've tried..oh well..

Happy Humpday!

Trip down Memory Lane..and some other stuff..

Had a fabulous weekend in Atlanta and got a ton of wedding stuff done. While there I helped my parents go through some old boxes in their garage.

I proceeded to find some funny stuff.
Ready.. set..

#1. A shirt that my high school boyfriend made for me when I moved from Louisiana up to Arkansas my 10th grade year of high school.

Too funny! Louisiana Rules! I think he spray painted it! He put a orange heart on there too!

I had a big going away party before I moved and you can see everyone signed it.

Including my best friend, who will be Maid of Honor, in just one month! So freaking funny. We did NOT go Tri-Delt but Dee Gee instead!

#2. A pair of my baby shoes and a pair of shoes for one of my dolls.

A Hummell jewelry box that I can remember just loving as a kid.

#3. And.. for all you former bowheads! Here's one of my most treasured bows back in the day! My Mom didn't make this one. Instead this one was bought and I remember it wasn't cheap!

In other news - during our wedding planning this weekend my Mom and I got these..
Yes, just call me Britney Spears!

And.. My Mom has herself a Mother of the Bride hat!

Happy Tuesday!

Marriage

Did I tell you I'm marrying my best friend? Oh.. that's right I did.

Seriously...

I could not be any happier that I waited for the RIGHT GUY for me. Perfect match... We are both:
adventurous
happy about life
energetic
family oriented
out-going(even though I might be a little more over the top on this than him..haha!)
and the list could go on..

We are going to get our marriage license today and I am excited! Not only will it be another thing I can mark off my list but it is just one step closer to becoming Mrs. Stephens! I have thought a lot about changing the name of my blog after the wedding but I don't think I will. I am an indepedent woman and I think it's just fine? What do you think?

Back to the marriage thing.
When we met with the Chaplain the other night he asked if it was the first marriage for both and we said YES! I told him that this was super, duper important to me because....

My parents are still married and have been for over 40-years. I would like to do the same. I WILL do the same.

and guess what? Brad's parents are still married too! First and only marriage for them as well! How cool are we?

I think I might have mentioned it before -- but - I am so happy about this that I will have both of the parents wedding pictures displayed at our wedding. Cool or what?
Well, enough on the marriage thing.

On to another topic..

Guess what I can't quit thinking about? ASIDE from the wedding!
This............................

I so very badly want to go skiing out West this year. boohoo.. I see commercials and people's pictures on FBook and it makes me downright JEALOUS..

The West thing won't happen this year but I am happy to say that the day after the wedding we will head up to the Blue Ridge Mountains to a ski-in and ski-out chalet for a few days. Mole-hills in comparison to the Rockies or the Sierras but oh.. well. At least I'll be able to get my ski on!

Well, love you all! TGIF! To the ATL I go tonight! CIAO!