Bridesmaids, guests, and etiquette

I'm getting ready for my friend's wedding in Philadelphia this weekend.
We've been chatting about both of our weddings a lot lately.
One thing we definitely agree on is how obnoxious people are about weddings.
Bridezillas aside, sometimes we just want to scream at everyone else.
So, I decided to dedicate a post to all the things we're dealing with...
and as a FYI to all you wedding-goers or bridal parties.

1. Don't assume you're invited just because you know me.
Events have budgets and that means, Tom, Dick, Harry, and your mom aren't invited.
Wait until you get an actual Save The Date or invitation before you plan on coming.
You know what happens when you "assume..."

2. Along with #1 it is also inappropriate to invite extra guests.No I don't want my family's friends coming to our wedding.
I haven't seen them in 5+ years, so why invite them now?
If we had to cut down our friend list we obviously don't want your friends there.
Unless your invite says, "and guest" or they receive their own, Don't Bring Them.

3. Weddings are carefully planned events.
Being invited is a privilege.
Being in the bridal party is an honor.
The wedding is about the Bride & Groom, not you.

4. BridesmaidsAgain, this is not your day.
You were chosen to help the bride...
whether that is to help her remain calm, grab last minute items, or help her put on that gown.
Don't give her unnecessary stress.
These last few months have been grueling for the bride and whining about petty things is dumb.

5. Don't take it personally if it is to be a child-free event.As in NO kids, NO exceptions unless they are in the womb.
Sometimes people just want a relaxing time for their guests.
This also makes it a lot easier on the bartender.
And who wants to hear screaming during their vows anyway?

6. We will have kids when we are ready.
You will know when we are going to begin that milestone.
No need to keep asking :)

7. We have wedding websites for a reason.
All the information is there.
Registry, accommodations, travel info, etc.

8. We will not be having menus to coordinate everyone's needs.Expecting to have specific food items are each person are unreasonable.
If you have allergies or don't like something then don't take it.
Simple.

9. RSVP cards are important.We need to know who will be joining us.
Final counts are very important.
A phone call or mentioning it doesn't count.
You must return that little card & envelope.

10. Out of town weddings are like mini-vacations.Make the best of your trip.
If you have free time, go explore the city.
Seeing friends is a bonus that comes with being there for the Big Day.

So, in a nutshell those are some of the things that Sara & I have been dealing with lately.
I'm not trying to start shit or call anyone out.
I just need to vent and make these things known.
Sometimes guests forget that it isn't all about them.
Sure we want you to have a great time, but the point of this was to celebrate the nuptials.

Leave your honest comments.
I'm a big girl and can take what you have to throw at me.
XOXO,
Allie

Live.Laugh.Love

That's for Dave.

Thankful my life's journey brought me here.

 I should make this entire piece my motto.

Thankful for second chances.

LIFE IS ART <3

My current mission...create the "me" who I want to be not the one someone expects me to be.

<3 you, Dave.

This is important in *any* kind of relationship. 

Do what makes you happy.

Spread your joy and give back.

Life is so many things. Never give up.

 I need to tell myself this every morning.

You never know when you may lose someone. SSK, we love and miss you so much. 

A few tidbits for thought. 

Going to make some very positive changes.

As long as I'm determined and my hubs-to-be is beside me, I can't fail.

I'm going to become an amazing woman one day.
Cheers to the journey we call life.

XOXO,
Allie

Little Miss Productive

I felt like Wonder Woman today.
I feel like I accomplished so much!
It was a very productive day off.

First, I had a spa day.
I have a membership at Hawaiian Experience Spa and I go everything month.
Yeah, yeah, yeah I know I work at Beauty Brands and that makes me a traitor.
Anyway, I had a massage, as always, and a facial.
I'm seriously in love with their new Eminence line.
I thought Dermalogica was my fave, but this is even better.
Seriously.


Then I came home and kicked the condo's ass...
I deep cleaned the kitchen and bathroom!
Mom would be so proud.
And I multi-tasked by breaking in my heels for Sara's wedding.
WINNING.

So, I've been on this exhausting search for a house to rent.
It's more work than what I had imagined.
Is it possible to find the perfect home in Scottsdale for $1,500/month?
I'm not really thinking so.
And is it too much to have agents return my e-mails and calls?
So fucking irritating.
I found a legit agent though and that makes me happy.
Am I a jerk for prefering to pay someone else to do my dirty work?
Serious.
(I'll have to tell you the hilarious conversation John and I had about a maid sometime)
Which reminds me...
I'm kind of obsessed with Mob Wives.
They are crazy broads and I can't get enough of them.
.+=

Lately I've been thinking about writing letters.
Like actual, legit handwritten letters.
I mailed a couple of cards to my aunts the other day.
It was nice to be old school and show some extra effort.
I think they appreciated them much more than a text.
I am determined to write more often.
And to people who least expect them.



Well, this wasn't the most exciting post, but whatever.
Dave is the one who usually hears about all this stuff and he isn't around.
I think my next post will be all about us.
So, consider this a "gag me" notice if you're tired of hearing about us.
10 months, 6 days, 16 hours, and 22 minutes until our ceremony begins...

XOXO,
Allie

Eeeeeek!

Ok, so maybe I don't even have a wedding dress yet...

but I totally just ordered my SHOES!

Hi, I'm Allie and I have a Shoe Addiction.

I love heels.

I love sparkly things.

I love that the soles of my wedding shoes are baby blue like our wedding color.

I love that there are rhinestones that say, "I DO" on said soles.
I told Dave that I could wear a brown paper bag and still feel like a princess in these shoes.
Thanks, babe.
You're the best.
Also, thanks Pour La Victoire for making bomb ass heels!

Musicians

I am beyond ECSTATIC right now!
Both of the musicians we were hoping for are available...
and totally in our budget.
Happy news at the end of a loooong day :)


Here is Angelito Agcaoili.
He will be playing classical guitar during the ceremony.
BONUS: he's Filipino
Clearly, it was meant to be.


This is Ernie Halter.
He will be playing during the cocktail hour and reception.
We are forgoing the traditional DJ.
Dave has always joked that he wanted The Dan Band to play at his wedding.
Ernie has a killer rendition of Cyclone...
Perfection.


It has been a long freaking week.
(Mondays are my Fridays)
Good news to begin my "weekend."
Also, Dave has an iPhone now.
He despises Apple, but is happy to be able to communicate with me.
I'm a happy girl.


-Allie

Mother's Day

This morning some of my friends from work and I volunteered at UMOM.
We styled hair for women & children so they could take family pictures.
It was a great way to spend Mother's Day without our own moms here.

Mother's Day is always an interesting time of year for me.
I have an amazing mom and I love that she's unknowingly funny.
She will always be my "real" mom.
She was there when I cried.
There when I laughed.
There for the first day of school.
There for graduation.
There when I was in the hospital.
There when we got engaged.
I couldn't ask for a better person to call, "mom."
I wouldn't trade her for the world.

But, this day always reminds me of Ana Dimaporo...my biological mother.
I wonder if Mother's Day is as big over there as it is here.
I wonder if she thinks of me?
Wonder if she cries for me?
Wonder if she loves me?
Wonder if she hates me?
Those are questions I hate to stew upon.
Maybe someday I'll be brave enough to try to find her.
Or not.
We'll just have to see what the future holds.

-Allie

Post #2

I decided that blogging again reminds me of the days of Xanga.

Remember that?
Or when Monahan and I had that ridiculous blog...
I think it was inspired by Ivy and someone.
Whatever.

Anyway, I stumbled onto a blog from an old high school friend.
Now I know I sound like a stalker, but it's the internet.
Whatever.
I found myself reading page after page of her blog.
It was inspiring.
Seeing how much she has changed and grown as a person.
I must say that the last time we actually saw one another was years ago.
We are both so different now.
And I must admit I'm proud of her.
Sass, you have come so far and you're on top now!
I wish you the best in life.

Lately I have been doing a lot of soul searching.
Where do I see myself in 5 years?
How do I want to be perceived?
What light can I bring into someone else's life?
Spirituality?

These are just some of the questions that have been running in my head.
I get all serious and then I think...
F, I can't even decide what I'm going to wear tomorrow.
I need to lose 25 lbs.
I should be working on wedding stuff instead.
Are the dogs being quiet because they're doing something naughty?

I think I just need time to breathe.
I feel like I'm going a million miles an hour without a sign of slowing down.
(Cue Emmy Rossum song...)

I promise my next post will be better.
Promise!
Good night.

-Allie

10 months, 18 days until we get married!

I can't believe how fast this year is going. It seriously seems like yesterday that we got engaged.

Dave made it to Afghanistan...about a week before they got Osama bin Laden. He's doing well. We are lucky to be able to talk everyday :) I would probably go crazy if I didn't know how he was or what he's doing.

Wedding planning is rolling right along. Heidi and I have a great vision of what we want to create! I have already contacted several vendors and it seems that most of the people we want will be available on March 24, 2012. I'm so happy to have this huge project to keep me busy while Dave is gone.

Dave's brother, John, and I are still looking for a house to rent. We are hoping to move in June. I'm so thankful to have this condo, but I'm really ready to have more space again. The dogs need a yard to play in and I want an extra bedroom for all of my projects ;)

I have decided to put Three Birds Boutique on the back burner until after the wedding. That is a big enough undertaking on it's own. I have the website purchased, a facebook page, and a twitter feed, but that's about it. I don't even have a lot of products to put up yet.

Anyway, that's just the quick update on my life and everything that's going on. Hopefully I'll update on a regular basis. I really suck at communicating with everyone. I suppose that's just another thing for me to work on.

Much Love,
Allie