Pin Up

I have been really digging Gil Elvgren pinups lately. They are so endearing and innocently sexy at the same time. Plus their body types are usually a little closer to a natural body type than some of the Vic Secret & Sport Illustrated models today.

I saw this picture today, as a cross-stich pattern (how in the world you would have the patience to cross-stich that is beyond me) and I couldn't help but notice the similarities between this girl in her swim cap and me in mine.
Hope that ellicited at least a tiny chuckle for you on a Friday.

Two days until the TRI part of tri.the.knot is under way!

Daydreaming

Here's a convo I had with my brain a few days ago.

Brain:
So you are telling me the day after you marry your super-handsome best friend and have a huge party where you are the ultimate princess for a day, you get to go on a dream vacation to Spain with said best friend?!?!

Me:
Correctamente *

Brain:
I'm sorry that is giving me an unacceptable amount of squealishly giddy overload. You must not think about it anymore. Otherwise, I will explode with elation.

Me:
Too bad.... Let's start planning outfits!

Sigh. The Honeymoon is probably the greatest invention of all time.

So last night I wasted valuable invite adressing time by dreaming up a little ensemble for a late-night tapas crawl (with Penny Cruz, of course).

Madrid by mllepeanut featuring La Perla intimates

The shoes I already own.

Sadly though, I don't think the Phillip Lim dress is in my future... nor the La Perlas... or anything else really. Unless Forever 21 has some good knockoffs.

Also, if any delicate sensibilities are offended by my imagined underoos, I'm sorry.**

* I am practicing my Spanish.

**But. It's my honeymoon. The panties are important.

Welcome to the World!

There is nothing like a newborn baby to renew your spirit - and to buttress your resolve to make the world a better place. - Virginia Kelley

Ava Patricia Axelson

This was my favorite picture of the afternoon. Today reminded me that July 18, 2009 probably won't be THE most important day of my life. Hopefully one day I'll be blessed enough to see a little angel looking up at Greg like Ava is looking at her daddy here.

I Heart Etsy.

Woo hoo. I about to recieve my Etsy purchase. I hope it is the first of many (especially as I start trying to decorate our love nest... apt. #456). I am trying to think of what other things I can buy for the wedding to support craftonistas. Thank you notes? A Unity Candle?

Anyways, I give you: the garter.

I got this along with the ring pillow from Tina's Etsy shop Sweet B Papers. Bookmark it! Her shop is closing for two months (I am glad I am such a "planner" and got my order in 4 months before I needed it), but I know whatever she is coming up with will be suh-weet. She has the cutest stuff and she will work with you to get things exactly the way you want it.

Now I just need to decide how the whole garter-toss thing will go down. I don't want to wear two-for sure. And also, given the humidity factor going on underneath my wedding dress, I don't want anyone to have to touch something that has my thigh-sweat allover it (yep, I tell it like it IS). I am thinking the best option is to wear the big one and keep it as a keepsake. Greg can take this one off my leg, and switch it out with the smaller "decoy" he'll have in his pocket.

Done. Cross that off the list. Thanks for letting me talk through
that.

xoxoxo

M'liss

p.s. Sorry for not posting in a while. I promise more frequent updates. There is much news to share.

Swoon

Due to work locations on opposite sides of metroplex, we are going to rent for one more year and split the difference by living in Dallas. However, I am for something a little less apartment-ish and a little more homey.



And today I ran across this...

• M-street locale


• Hardwood Floors


• One-car garage


• Vaulted Ceilings


• And in our rent range??

I called the number, got voicemail, then looked up the company. I think there is a catch. It is some sort of "caretaker" company for people trying to sell their house, so the place must be showable at all times. And you are out on your ass once the house sells. And you must have fabulous furniture.

My furniture ain't crappy, but it definitely isn't fabulous (yet). But maybe they would be swayed if I showed them how well the duvet set on my registry would match the house.

via Crate & Barrel

See.... it's like I was meant to be. They'll prbably just give us the house.

To Wetsuit or Not to Wetsuit?

The word on the street (you know, the street where all the triathletes hang out... yeah, that street) is that if you your race is wetsuit legal you ABSOLUTELY should wear one. Apparently they provide more buoancy. In our part of Texas in May water temps average 71-74 degrees. Making it legal for wetsuitting but not necessary for warmth by any means. Last year when we did a tri in May we were definitely in the minority without wetsuits.

As many people know. I am what you call a "gear whore."* I think the reason I love triathloning is because it requires so much of it. You should see my race-day checklist! However, I think going for the wetsuit may be getting me in a little above my head. First, they are pricey. And though I have loved the tris I have done so far I, don't know if my knees are going to let me make this a lifestyle. I found a solution to the problem. http://www.wetsuitrental.com/ Here you can rent a wetsuit for $40 plus return shipping. If you really like the suit, you can buy it!

Even with the cost factor taken care of, I still don't know. It seems like just "something else to worry about" and believe me with a tri there is plenty. The suits seem like a whole lotta trouble to get off (I refuse to writhe on the ground as someone strips me of my suit) and the water temp will definitely not be too cold to handle, espcially once I get cranking.

The competitive part of me doesn't want to lose that "edge" that the other racers may have. OK, let's face it....

I just don't want to look like an uncool amateur.

* I thought this picture of Samantha and Smith's wetsuit romp was a literal representation of the figurative term "gear whore."

The most important thing...

I hope everyone had a wonderul Easter. I just finished up nice day spent with Greg's and my family. As we were leaving my grandparents' house Greg told me that when I am around my family that is when I seem the happiest.



I love this picture I took with my beloved Paw-Paw and his two "cutest" grand-daughters (he has 16). Here's to big families. If you aren't from a big family, you are always welcome on any holiday with my family.

Running on Grace

Today I had a really rough run. I wasn't feeling well and I wanted to quit several times, but I didn't. I'm glad I didn't, as I always am when things get tough, because as I was about two-thirds of the way done I had that amazing feeling that I get often when I run. I don't know if I can call this a "runner's high" because after 3 years of running, for some reason, I still don't consider myself a runner. However, the best way I can describe this feeling is an all-consuming gratefulness. I realize how small I am in the world and how different my life could be. In that moment I am so lucky to be outside, filling my lungs with air, and running on strong legs back to a comfortable home. All of the small petty things are pushed away and I just say...

Thank. You. Lord.

I looooove listening to music when I run. I use my running time to test out new music and form opinions.

Here are some songs I like to run to:

• Diablo Rojo - Rodrigo y Gabriela
• Easy Silence - The Dixie Chicks -These ladies need to do a new album stat!
• Jolene - Dolly Parton
• Saegloplur - Sigur Ros
• Jungle Drum - Emiliana Torrini
• Ain't No Grave - Crooked Still
• Keep the Car Running - Arcade Fire
• Bamboo Banger - M.I.A.
• Blue Ridge Mountains - Fleet Foxes

Anyone can run. All you need is pair of shoes and a front door. You don't have to run long or fast. Just pretend like you are a kid and run until you are tired... run like someone is chasing you (in a good way). I guarantee you will not regret it.

Hair Woes

I didn't want to admit it to myself. I've been saying "Well I haven't really fixed it myself yet." But after 3 years I finally got a haircut I didn't like from my stylist. It's not that it's bad. It is just waaaaayy too layered and piecey for my taste in general... and definitely for the demure sophisticated look I want in the months leading up to my wedding. It normally would not be a big deal at all, but the next time, I get it cut I am going to need to take some length off to get it all evened out.

The lesson: even if you go to a person for a long time and they always do a good job make sure you tell them exactly what you have in mind instead of saying "just trim it up."

My choppy locks and I are going for a run.

Thanks for listening.

Shoes

The other day I was looking through my closet (let's face it..most likely I was frantically searching for something I had lost) and I realized I have become the kind of girl who has more athletic shoes than high heels. At first I panicked, then I checked to see if I still like men, then I started to reflect on the different shoes we wear and what they say about us. So here's a little run-down of my shoe lovelife right now.

First are my new Asics. This is a love/hate relationship. Right now running shoes are a major source of contention for me because my knees are bothering me. Why can't they just make the new ones the same as the old ones???? This is the third pair I've gotten from Luke's this month (I returned the other two). I think they are the ones. Hopefully.

The other shoe relationship I am having is with Wedding Shoes. Really, I am wedding shoe dating right now. I went ALL over the Galleria on Saturday trying on many many pairs of shoes that I can't afford and a few that I can. My idea was to buy a fab pair of shoes that are different and don't look like "bridal shoes" (ie. no ivory satin). This is a lot harder to come by than I thought. Most formal shoes that aren't bridal shoes are really really shiny. Cute. But shiny!

These are the ones the girl at Gregory's had me try on. I love the flower. And would love the entire shoe in a more muted gold.

Right now the shoes I have found that I like the most are these (Don't click the link, Greg!). They are only sold at the J. Crew in NY so I will have to order them to see if they fit. I don't know if I have the energy or the cash for that. I'll probably swing by a Bridal store and order a pair of something in Ivory Satin. :)

Funny shopping story:

I was in Saks talking to the salesman about what kind of shoes I was looking for. He looked down at my feet. And said "Are those Chloe flats? They're nice." I giggled shamefully and replied "No, they're Jessica Simpson."

He stopped helping me after that. I understood. He has standards. The sad part is...t hose are some of my nicer shoes. Good thing I wasn't wearing my Exhilaration flats from Target.

These shoes, however, make me very happy. Utter infatuation...

I got them last week during a fit of PMS hysteria. And I don't regret it. Not one tiny bit. They make remember that I am still a fun and whimsical gal even though I am a nerdy tech writer, homely grad student, and grisly triathlete.

So far they have made only one appearance, but I think they will be great paired with a tan, a fitted tank, a statement necklace, and a cute skirt on a sultry Meditteranean evening. No?

More info to follow on THAT subject. Very. Excited.

So think about your shoes. They reveal alot about you.

The DIY Bug

So now that all the major details are squared away. It is time to start thinking about decorations and details. I don't want to get carried away with a million mindless details but it is important to show people I can throw a nice party (with my Dad's money). I am sort of having these crafty urges, which I can only compare possibly to the "nesting" instinct a pregnant lady gets. I really want some homemade touches, but don't want to be unrealistic about what I can accompish.

I know, you are saying "But Melissa, you can accomplish anything!"
Stop it, you're making me blush...

SO. I think it is important that the DIY list does not get out of hand, and it is important that I have good people to help out. Here the things I want to do and the people I think will

be good resources.

1. Flowers for the tables.

I love this (via The Knot), but with hydrangeas.

I could make the little vases ahead of time and have my Mom's girlfriends, who have graciously volunteered to set some thing up, plop in the hydrangeas (bought en bulque at Sam's) the day-of.

2. Favors.

I KNOW!! I said in the last post favors weren't for me. I think they are kind of an insult to guests. But I'd like the idea of favors more for their decorative ability. Since we aren't having a sit-down dinner, I want to have something at each place to fill up the tables a little. I am thinking of these...

filled with homemade sweet-spicy pecans. Kind of a Southern take on Jordan almonds (blech). And I have no doubt Lana Monkhouse will be a great MOH and allow me to boss her around while making said pecans and filling said boxes.

3. Table runners...

This one is definitely up in the air. I may try and sweet-talk my Granny and/or my future mother in law into "whipping up" some table-runners to add a little sumpin' sumpin' to the white linens provided by the country club.

4. MUST HAVE THIS!!! (via Martha Stewart... the photo wall, not the seating cards)

And I have already sent my wonderful friend and BM, Kristin Meyer a "please-help-me-make-this-happen" e-mail.

5. Programs

I will probably design and print my own.

Shouldn't be too hard...

I bet the wedding mischief fairies and computer-virus elves are laughing hysterically about that assumption.

Anyways, thanks for letting me get my ideas out. I'll let you know how thngs progress.

Have a great weekend!

Engaged Encounter

Greg and I just spent the weekend at an "Engaged Encounter." This is a retreat which the Catholic church mandates you go to before you can get married. I was kind of not looking forward to going, b/c I just wasn't in the koom-bay-ah kinda mood. BUT this wasn't that kind of retreat. There was very little group exercises or sharing, it wasn't preachy, and the "talks" weren't very long. Mostly the facilitators presented a topic (such as finances, children, conflict resolution), gave us some worksheets with questions, then gave us time to answer the questions individually and talk about the answers with each other. We got a chance to talk about some things that we hadn't thought of. Like how we are going to handle our money... and how our family of origin affected our views of marriage. The best part, was that I seriously think I got more one-on-one time with Greg than I've had in the last two months combined. It was really wonderful to just be around each other with no distractions.

Funny story. At the very end of the weekend, I was getting a little weary of "communicating" and was anxious to get back to work on my mid-term project. For the last activity they have you write a letter to each other that answers this question: After going through this weekend are you ready to spend the rest of your life with your partner and love them unconditionally?

They give you time to go off on your own and write, then you are supposed to join back up with your fiancee and trade letters. So I hurriedly wrote my letter to Greg and went to find him so we could exchange and get back to business. We plopped ourselves down on a curb outside of the meeting room and exchanged letters. I looked at his and barely got past the "Dear Peanut" before I jumped up and grabbed the seat of my jeans b/c something was stinging my butt. I looked down and there was a huge swarming ant pile right where I was sitting! I started to reach down my pants to get the ants out and realized there were ummm... people watching me. So I sprinted inside to the bathroom and had to shake out my jeans. There were ants all over the floor. Now I have about 15-20 ant bites on my rear and every few mintues I get this "feeling" that something is crawling on me.

Greg couldn't help but notice the irony, that I literally got "ants in my pants" when I was ready to go. God has a funny way of pointing things out. Maybe I should be more patient.

I am a bad blogger

I started a new job this week. I am now working at for Tyler Technologies as a Technical Writer. I was sad to leave Real World Training, because all of the people there were awesome, but I feel like this was the right step for my career.

So between the new job, tons of school work, and tri training I have barely had time to sleep or eat. Hopefully things will slow down in the following weeks.

I have some good things to share with you all (including a HOT picture of Greg).

Day One

Today was Day One of Tri Training. According to our schedule we had to run for 40 minutes and swim for 35 minutes. We did both. My swim was on par. But I had a really good run thanks to the Kings of Leon and plenty of caloric fuel from the enchiladas Greg made for Valentine's day. Here's a pic.

They were delicious... but be warned: Enchiladas are not an aphrodisiac. After eating them, I didn't feel like doing anything but laying lethargically on the couch under many layers of clothing and watching tivoed episodes of the office. Am I hot date or what?

**********

Also on Saturday we met with wonderful Deacon Pete for the second, and last, FOCCUS meetings. After going over the results of the compatibility questionnare we took a few weeks aog, he told ust that our main goal in marriage was to get eachother into heaven (and drag as many of our kids with us as we can). How cool is that?

I asked him if I could take a picture of him for my blog. He graciously obliged, as did JC on the wall above, and if I am not mistaken I think we got the Virgin de Guadalupe behind his head. Pretty much, I scored a holy-picture hat trick.

And he said "damn" and "ass" in the course of our conversation.

Why I Am Pouting & A Recipe

I have foot injury. The arch of my foot is super sore and it hurts if I stand for more than 2 minutes. This MADNESS had been going on all week. How did I obtain this injury? Not sure. My guesses are (a) walking a long way very fast to the Killers concert last week in really high-heeled boots that are a tiny bit too big OR (b) going for a quick 30-minute run on Saturday.

This injury is especially annoying, because our official start-date for triathlon training is Sunday and I want to be at the top of my game. I am going to the doctor today. Hopefully he will give me some magical pills to cure this. Though I suspect he will tell me to stay off of it and ice it.

On the brighter side of things.... I was watching some backlogged episodes of Top Chef this evening (while drinking wine to drown my footy sorrows). And one of the dishes that one of the chefs created was a Guacamole Coleslaw (in addition to some steak or something). And I couldn't believe it!!! I thought up that dish a few months ago and made it for Greg and my family and it was a huge hit.

'Course she didn't think of the ingenious name for this dish that I did.

Ladies and gents, I give you....Guacamol-slaw.

Here's my recipe if you want to try it.

Ingredients:
1 or 2 avocados
1/4 cup of light mayo
Juice of 1 or 2 limes
Cilantro
1 big garlic clove finely minced
Salt & Pepper
1 head of cabbage thinly sliced (or 1 bag of coleslaw mix)

Mash up the avocado. Mix with mayo, lime juice, cilantro, garlic, S&P. Toss this mixture with the cabbage.

Don't worry about the avocado turning brown if you take it to a summer picnic. The lime juice keeps it green!

Goes good with: Fish Tacos or Turkey Burgers

*****Also, please excuse my gnarly foot in the above photo. I am too busy to paint my toenails and I can't get a pedicure because we are in a recession. (I love that I can blame the economy now for my laziness in grooming. It is also the reason I give for only blowdrying my hair and shaving my legs once a week.... hello, electricity and water cost money.)

Updates

I hate to say it... because I know I'll jinx myself. But I think we've made most of the big decisions about the wedding/reception. Now all the little fun DIY stuff is what is left over. So I need ideas for centerpieces, flowers and things of that nature.

Honestly, there are other things more imporatant than the wedding right now. So it I need to use this "down time" and concentrate on some other things in my life. Namely, school... and triathlon training.

I am currently enrolled working on my Master's in Instructional Technology. I am taking two classes this semester and they are going pretty well. It is tough to make myself sit down at night and do my reading and take time out of my weekends to work on assignments, but I know I am making an good investment in my future. It is also a LOT more motivating for me to do my work because I am writing my own tuition checks.

As for the triathlon training... that starts officially next week on Sunday February 16th. Greg and I are using a training plan in the book he has. I think it is called Triathloning for Mortals. It is a 13-week program which has us doing 6 workouts a week on 5 days. I also have a goal to weight train 3 days a week, but that may go down the toilet about week 8 when the workouts are really long. I am hoping by going with a little bit shorter, but more intense program this time around I will reduce the amount of training "burnout" I have experienced in the past.

So that's it for now. This weekend I'll find something more interesting to write about.

The Bridal Show

On Saturday my mom and I went to the Dallas Bridal Show. I had very mixed feelings when going, because the whole "Wedding Industry" really annoys me. Even though I am willing participant at this point, I don't really like to wallow in it. However, I have to admit, Mom and I did end up having a really good time.

So the good:

1. We found a DJ. This was something I have seriously been fretting about for a while. I met with a DJ a few weeks ago and left the meeting feeling... meh. My requirements for a DJ are not to crazy. The wedding is during the day, so I don't need dance-floor lighting. My family is not shy (at all) so I am not too worried about people getting up and dancing. But I feel like the DJ kinda runs your event so I really wanted to find someone I felt comfortable with. The guys I met seemed really professional and I felt like the cheese-factor was low.


2. I picked up a bunch of cards for florists and got a bunch of ideas for flowers. We also found a glass vase wholesaler that has a studio very close to my parents house.


3. I came face-to-face with a few of the makeup artists I've been looking at. The impressions you get in-person are much different than what their websites portray. Hopefully some of the meetings I have scheduled this week will be more comforting.


4. I got to listen to the string quartet we are having at the ceremony and get a few last questions answered.


5. I got to taste a bunch of different cakes from every different cake company. This is awesome because when you make an appointment to do a cake tasting all you are tasting is ONE bakery's cakes. We also got to eat other stuff from different caterers. We don't need a caterer, but who doesn't love a sample.

And the bad.

1. It was hot.


2. I was forced to admit that I was not the only bride-to-be in the universe because there were about 1,000 other bride-to-bes in the same building as me. This is especially hard for me... because I truly enjoy my delusions.

Thoughts before bed...

#1. Check out Michelle's guns!












#2. I really don't want to get up and swim in the morning. With work, school, and planning my wedding, I have decided to switch to AM workouts. This hard for me because it is sooo easy to stay in my oh-so-cozy bed that has a comforter AND great-grandmas quilt. (I seriously think goose-down and nostalgia are the main ingredients in World Peace.)

In order to get to work by 8:00, I need to wake up and either get to the gym, or get outside.

#3. I wonder if Michelle is a yoga or a pilates kinda gal?

Don't forget to have fun!

Ladies and gents, I am sorry to disappoint you but there will be no birdcage veil at my wedding. I absolutely love the birdcage look (combined with ruby red lipstick) for a more non-traditional wedding... possibly something outdoors. But given the traditonal setting of our cermony, I am going to keep it simple. Plus, Aunt Joyce told me that I looked like I was "trying to escape from a bag of fruit in the produce section."

She and Catherine and Audrey joined Mom, Aunt Val, and me for trying on dresses weekend before last. It was so fun. I remember going with Aunt Joyce when she tried on dresses. Hopefully I will look as beautiful as she did at her wedding.

Later that same day I ordered my dress!! I amy very excited to see what it will look like when it comes in my size. I also fell in love with a veil but I am trying to rationalize paying the price I saw on the tag for a piece of tulle with a few crystals and comb.

Commence Extemporaneous Venting:

I am getting fed up with the wedding industry already. When looking at the bottom line of my budget worksheet I feel major guilt. I can't believe the parentals are spending such an exorbitant amount of money on me... for one day. However when I contact vendors and mention the pricepoints in the aforementioned budget, I find out that I am in the "budget" category. This makes me sad... not about my "budget" wedding, but about the misaligned values of our society.

Oh well. Speaking of misaligned values, I'm off to order fabric-covered buttons, b/c I simply HAVE TO have buttons on my dress!!!

An important lesson I've learned thus far: Ask for what you want at the price you want it. It has worked for me with a few vendors so far.