New Year's Eve

Mr. GrapeJuice and I will be spending our night at home. Originally, I had hoped we could go out and have fun, but with our New Year's resolution being to save money, I was turned down. That's all right though. Drinks with the parents and football and Dexter should make for an interesting night!

 I hope you all have a wonderful night doing fabulous things!

photo : Nashville Scene

Wishful Wednesday

I wish I could look like Ivanka Trump on my wedding day.

photos : star magazine

Not only does she look absolutely stunning, but she also looks incredibly happy and at peace.

I can only hope that I look as perfect on my wedding day.

I Simply MUST Have a Ring Bearer & a Flower Girl

I always knew that I wanted to have cute little kids in my wedding.

I love kids.

They are so cute and honest.

This is why I became a teacher.

Here are a few more reasons why I want little ones at my wedding!

photo : elizabeth anne designs

photo : jenifer sander via life & adventures of the jenkins revealed

photo : skywater images

photo : manolo brides

photo : theresa choi

Musical Monday - NSYNC

Since New Year's Eve is coming up in just a matter of days, I've decided to post a little song that I used to listen to when I was younger. And, yes, it still is a little guilty pleasure of mine at times...like this coming week. =] {By the way, have you made your New Year's resolution(s) yet? Mr. GrapeJuice and I sure have - save money!!}

Kiss Me at Midnight

Kiss me at midnight
(5...)
hey yeah...
(4...)
oh...
(3, 2, 1!)
Kiss me at midnight
Dance until the morning light
Party into the New Year
All of my friends are here
And when the timing's right
Kiss me at midnight


Kiss...

I've been waiting for the special night
To be with you
The colors of Christmas are still shining bright
And I know what we're gonna do
Anticipating, music is playing
The magic is in the air
All through the season
You've been the reason
I have so much love to share

Kiss me at midnight
Dance until the morning light
Party into the New Year
All of my friends are here
And when the timing's right
Kiss me at midnight

Kiss...
Kiss me at midnight
Kiss...

We've been making promises in the dark
Our resolutions
As a brand new year is about to start
And we're together.
Celebrating, no more waiting
Our time has arrived
The beat in my heart
As the countdown starts
Just look into my eyes
Kiss me at midnight
Dance until the morning light
Party into the New Year
All of my friends are here
And when the timing's right
Kiss me at midnight

Baby, it's New Year's Eve
Time we can believe
In making wishes
Dreams come true
Just for me and you

[break]
Kiss me at midnight
Dance until the morning light
Party into the New Year
All of my friends are here
And when the timing's right
Kiss me at midnight

Kiss me at midnight
Dance until the morning light
Party into the New Year
All of my friends are here
And when the timing's right
Kiss me at midnight

[to fade]
Kiss me at midnight
Dance until the morning light
Party into the New Year
All of my friends....

lyrics : AZLyrics

p.s. Happy Birthday, little brother!
{he's 9 today}

Christmas Recap

Hope you guys had a magical Christmas and enjoyed the time spent with your family. 

Plus, I hope you got all the presents you wished for!

I, personally, was wishing for a Cricut Expression. I'd been drooling over them since I first saw the commercial. I definitely think it is something that is beneficial for both teaching and crafting {especially wedding things}! I got it in black.

photo : ebay

 

That was my big gift, and I was so incredibly grateful for it. I've played with it a little all ready and can't wait to create many wedding things on it! I also can't wait to use the four cartridges that I got as well.

Mr. GrapeJuice did a pretty impressive job as well. I was quite impressed. He had a little help from me, but not a lot. He's getting better and better all the time.Below are some of my favorite gifts that he gave me this year.

Lands' End Wool Moccasin Slippers in Navy

The Love Dare {which I am starting on Monday}

photo : lifeway stores

 

Escada Into the Blue

photo : parfumy.eu

Merry Christmas

photo : dryicons

I hope everyone has had a magical day so far. And, I also hope that you continue to have one. This is most definitely a day that it is important to celebrate the love and family that surrounds you all year round. I will be spending mine in TN with my family! :)

And, as a good wedding blog, I will now share some gorgeous winter wedding inspiration with you a la The Perfect Palette. {If you have not visited her site, then you are seriously missing out on some wonderfully unique color scheme ideas!}

Here are some of her inspiration boards.

{For image credits, please visit her site!}

Sleigh Bells Ring, Are You Listening?

Please Have Snow and Mistletoe

Dashing Through the Snow

All I Want For Christmas is You

Have a Holly, Jolly Christmas

Let It Snow, Let It Snow, Let It Snow

Visions of Sugar Plums

Baby, It's Cold Outside

Possible Date Change...again

Originally, Mr. GrapeJuice and I had picked the all-typical Saturday night wedding.

photo : southwest airlines spirit

Our original plan was to have our wedding on a three day weekend so that all our OOT family and friends would be able to make it and have an extra day of travel. We are still highly considering this, and it will most likely be part of date picking. [See? Trying to be considerate of the guests! No bridezilla yet.]

 photo : gretchen b photography

The first weekend that was spat out was Memorial Day weekend. While I thought it would be a good idea and good timing, it won't be possible. I'm a teacher, and that's the end of the school year. Talk about stress!

 

photo : naomi win

The next 3-day weekend suggestion was 4th of July. I jumped on that bandwagon quickly. It was the perfect time because the 4th will fall on a Monday in 2011, which will give people an extra day to travel home.

photo : barrie downle photography

Now, here's where the possible date change comes in. Mr. GrapeJuice and I had originally chosen July 2, 2011 as our wedding date. It hadn't been set in stone because - obviously - we still have time to make that decision. But, we've seriously been struggling with where to hold our ceremony and reception. We're both Catholic so it's a no brainer that we'll be getting married in the church. But...which church? That's been our struggle all along. Don't get me wrong. I love the church that I'm a parishoner of, but, the new church is horribly designed. Hello! No center aisle = epic fail! [for me at least] Below are some pictures of the new church I found on our facebook group.

Picture One: A view of the whole church from the side

Picture Two: A view of the altar from the center aisle

Picture Three: A view of the baptismal font and door I would enter through

It's a beautiful church, but I always pictured my self walking down a long center aisle to my one true love. Could I suck it up and get married in this church? Absolutely! My grandmother is the wedding coordinator at the facility. My grandfather is a deacon at the church. Definitely some bonus points and freebies heading my way. But...the reception facility leaves a LOT to be desired as well...if you have your wedding on a Saturday that is.

On Friday, Mr. GrapeJuice, my parents, my grandparents, and myself all went to the church Christmas party. The party was held in the old church. And, let me tell you, it's gorgeous! It was originally a barn that was remodeled into a church. It has stunningly stained wood for the ceiling, and the lighting can be adjusted from bright, bright, bright to a sultry, romantic feel. Plus, it easily and comfortably fits 200+ people with a more than adequate dance floor, as we discovered on Friday.

photo : facebook

The only downside is that if we want to use this gorgeous space for our reception, we'd have to have the wedding on a Friday. There are pews and other knickknacks that have to be moved out and moved back in before Sunday mass. Totally doable though!

So...here's a recap:

1. we still don't have a for sure date

2. i could compromise and settle for my church even though i hate the logistics of the design and it cost millions of dollars to make it look like that

3. a friday night wedding gives us a prettier more spacious reception venue

4. i hate being indecisive

5. this would be VERY easy on our budget
6. but, now i'd have to rent tables, chairs, linens; find a caterer; etc.

p.s.

Merry Christmas Eve!

Wishful Wednesday

I'll keep this short and sweet.

I'm going to wish that you all have a wonderful holiday weekend!

photo : send happy

And, I'm also wishing for 5 more followers!
I have something great in the works for a giveaway, but I can't do anything until you guys become followers.

Happy Holidays!

Free Monogram!

I absolutely adore monograms and think they are positively essential for any wedding. They are so chic and are a great detail for every aspect of your big day.

You could...

 make them into a stamp for your wedding envelopes

or use it as wedding favor tags

or have it put into your cake design.

See?

Endless uses!

If you are looking for a monogram design, you need to friend Custom Printable on Twitter.

If you become a follower and comment on a post on her blog, you can get a free monogram.

Oh, yes.

That's right.

FREE!

Hurry.

Go now.

This deal ends tomorrow!

If you need more convincing, check out the monogram I got on Saturday.

It's so perfect. She made me two actually. One with our married last name and one without.

{I just didn't feel comfortable putting that up on the blog.}

I love that I got this free.

It's beautiful!

Thanks, Valerie.

[as a note:: this is not a sponsored/compensated post. no money/product was given in exchange for advertisement.]

Music Monday - Neptune's Daughter

I don't think this song needs much of an introduction. No matter where you were this past weekend, I'm sure you either experienced or heard about the snow that fell on the states. And, because it was cold and wet where I am, I decided that this was a great song to put a smile on your faces this Monday morning.

From Neptune's Daughter...

Baby, It's Cold Outside

Baby It's Cold Outside

Christine | MySpace Video

I really can't stay - Baby it's cold outside
I've got to go away - Baby it's cold outside
This evening has been - Been hoping that you'd drop in
So very nice - I'll hold your hands, they're just like ice
My mother will start to worry - Beautiful, what's your hurry
My father will be pacing the floor - Listen to the fireplace roar
So really I'd better scurry - Beautiful, please don't hurry
Well maybe just a half a drink more - Put some music on while I pour

The neighbors might think - Baby, it's bad out there
Say, what's in this drink - No cabs to be had out there
I wish I knew how - Your eyes are like starlight
To break the spell - I'll take your hat, your hair looks swell
I ought to say no, no, no, sir - Mind if I move closer
At least I'm gonna say that I tried - What's the sense in hurting my pride?
I really can't stay - Baby don't hold out
Ahh, but it's cold outside

C'mon baby

I simply must go - Baby, it's cold outside
The answer is no - Ooh darling, it's cold outside
This welcome has been - I'm lucky that you dropped in
So nice and warm - Look out the window at that storm
My sister will be suspicious - Man, your lips look delicious
My brother will be there at the door - Waves upon a tropical shore
My maiden aunt's mind is vicious - Gosh your lips are delicious
Well maybe just a half a drink more - Never such a blizzard before

I've got to go home - Oh, baby, you'll freeze out there
Say, lend me your coat - It's up to your knees out there
You've really been grand - I thrill when you touch my hand
But don't you see - How can you do this thing to me?
There's bound to be talk tomorrow - Think of my life long sorrow
At least there will be plenty implied - If you caught pneumonia and died
I really can't stay - Get over that hold out
Ahh, but it's cold outside
Baby it's cold outside

lyrics : STLyrics

Wedding Fact Friday

All About the Dress

"Traditionally, brides did not wear white wedding gowns. Through the 18th century, most brides just wore their Sunday best to their wedding. Red was a favorite during the Middle Ages in Europe. Other colors were worn for symbolic reasons: blue meant constancy and green meant youth. As years passed, white was worn as a symbol of purity. Today, white merely symbolizes the wedding and is worn by any bride, no matter if it is their second marriage." (source)

photo : weddingnet.org

A Bridal Luncheon

So...

I totally promised Mr. GrapeJuice that I wouldn't spend any unnecessary money as we are attempting to buy a house soon.

But...

I think it would be super cool to attend the bridal brunch hosted by Her Nashville and the NFocus magazine on January 31, 2010.

Are any fellow Nashville brides planning on attending?

Let me know.

Maybe we can meet up!

photo : flickr [kylie lambert]

Wishful Wednesday

This Wishful Wednesday will be short and simple.

I seriously wish GLEE was not on hiatus!!

WHY?!?!?!

Stupid American Idol.

I was never a fan of you, and I really do not like you anymore.

period.

You have stolen GLEE from me until April.

how rude!

photo : last.fm

p.s. I'm only 6 followers away from hosting a giveaway!

Holiday Detail

With only two days left at my current job, observing my new students at my new job, and only ten days left until Christmas, I'm totally wondering where all my time is going. Luckily, today, my second graders are going on a field trip so I don't need to be at school today - which saved me from getting up at 5 am today. [yay]

But, unfortunately, because of all this wonderfulness surrounding me, I haven't really had a moment to sit down and be inspired by any wedding details. The only thing burning in my mind right now is a photo wreath that I saw on Project Wedding.

I think this idea would be a wonderful addition to any winter wedding. It is simple and would look divine in a number of places. You could make multiples too if you wanted and place them on doors or around the reception area. I, personally, think it would look spectacular by the cake table! Wherever, or however, you use it, it is a great detail and totally reusable.

And, if you're not getting married, maybe use the holiday cards you're getting and make a wreath out of them as a holiday decoration for those parties you're throwing!