One Year Older

It's my birthday!

It's my birthday!

IT'S MY BIRTHDAY!

That is all.

:)

photo : worshipoetry

I'm a Big Girl Now!

For the past couple of weekends, Mr. GrapeJuice and I have been couch shopping.
It's been kind of hard to please each other. He wants one thing, and I want another.

Luckily, this past weekend we found something we both liked!

 We found it at American Signature Furniture.
Isn't it darling?
I think it'll look wonderful in our new living room.
I think the sectional is a great way to add a lot of seating without taking up too much room.

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

Musical Monday - Orianthi

I love, love, love jamming out to this song when it comes on the radio.
It's fabulous! Such a mood booster. :)

According to you
I'm stupid,
I'm useless,
I can't do anything right.
According to you
I'm difficult,
hard to please,
forever changing my mind.
I'm a mess in a dress,
can't show up on time,
even if it would save my life.
According to you. According to you.

But according to him
I'm beautiful,
incredible,
he can't get me out of his head.
According to him
I'm funny,
irresistible,
everything he ever wanted.
Everything is opposite,
I don't feel like stopping it,
so baby tell me what I got to lose.
He's into me for everything I'm not,
according to you.

According to you
I'm boring,
I'm moody,
you can't take me any place.
According to you
I suck at telling jokes cause I always give it away.
I'm the girl with the worst attention span;
you're the boy who puts up with that.
According to you. According to you.

But according to him
I'm beautiful,
incredible,
he can't get me out of his head.
According to him
I'm funny,
irresistible,
everything he ever wanted.
Everything is opposite,
I don't feel like stopping it,
so baby tell me what I got to lose.
He's into me for everything I'm not,
according to you.

I need to feel appreciated,
like I'm not hated. oh... no...
Why can't you see me through his eyes?
It's too bad you're making me decide.

According to me
you're stupid,
you're useless,
you can't do anything right.
But according to him
I'm beautiful,
incredible,
he can't get me out of his head.
According to him
I'm funny,
irresistible,
everything he ever wanted.
Everything is opposite,
I don't feel like stopping it,
baby tell me what I got to lose.
He's into me for everything I'm not,
according to you. (you, you)
According to you. (you, you)

According to you
I'm stupid,
I'm useless,
I can't do anything right.

lyircs : azlyrics

Wishful Wednesday

I wish...

that my birthday would get here faster!

...only one more week to go...

{I'm anxiously awaiting my gifts.}

photo : chicago now

Wedding Flowers

I know most people prefer real flowers for their wedding bouquets. And, I know most people in the wedding business tend to look down on silk florals. I, on the other hand, am all for them...especially when one is a budget bride. I am a budget bride. Ergo, I will be using silk bouquets. I debated whether or not to splurge for real flowers for myself, but I think it would be rude if only I had them. Do you agree?

So...after my trip to Hobby Lobby a few weeks ago, I decided to have my lovely ladies carry white tulips. I know they are a spring flower and that my wedding is in the winter, but they look snowy white. If I'm making a faux pas, please do not tell me. I'll be self-conscious about it! :)

photo : soda head

I am, however, having an issue deciding what color and type flowers I should carry. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. I'm seriously at a loss. I thought about cream peonies, but I figured the white tulips and cream peonies might clash. Plus, my color scheme doesn't really give way to many other flower color choices. Blech. Dilemma. Dilemma. Why me?

Musical Monday - Ne-Yo

So...I have a HUGE guilty pleasure. Like, MAJOR guilty pleasure! It's called Disney Princess movies. I love, love, love them. They are entirely entertaining and uplifting. Plus, I simply adore the music. My favorite part of Disney movies is being able to sing along.

Well, Disney's The Princess and the Frog came out on DVD this past Tuesday.

I saw it when it came out in theaters back in December.

I rented the movie Friday afternoon and watched it three times before returning it on Saturday afternoon.

Sad? Maybe.

But, thoroughly enjoyable!

The music is thrilling, and I love the time period in which the movie is set.

So, I picked a song from the movie to share with you today.

It's a lovely modern song sung by Ne-Yo.

For the way you changed my plans
For being the perfect distraction

For the way you took the idea that I had
of everything that I wanted to have
and made me see there was something missing...

For the ending of my first begin
(And) For the rare and unexpected friend

For the way you're something that I'd never choose
but at the same time something I don't wanna lose
and never wanna be without ever again...

You're the best thing I never knew I needed
when you appear I had no idea...

You're the best thing I never knew I needed
so now it's so clear I need you here, always...

My accidental happily (ever after)
The way you smile and how you comfort me (with your laughter)

I must admit you were not a part of my book
but now if you open it up and take a look
you're the beginning and the end of every chapter...

You're the best thing I never knew I needed
when you appear I had no idea...

You're the best thing I never knew I needed (that I needed)
so now it's so clear I need you here, always...

Who knew knew that I could be...
So unexpectedly...
Undeniably happy (yeah)
With you right here, right here next to me...

You're the best thing I never knew I needed
when you appear I had no idea...

You're the best thing I never knew I needed (that I needed)
so now it's so clear I need you here, always...

...Now it's so clear, I need you here always

lyrics : sing365

In His Finest

Instead of using words to describe Mr. GrapeJuice, I will use this video.

Because, the moment I saw this I laughed; it captures him perfectly!

Thank you, Sears Blue Appliance Crew. :)

Wedding Fact Friday

I love the chivalry of this!

 "The bride stands to the groom's left during a Christian ceremony because, in bygone days, the groom needed his right have free to fight off other suitors." (source) 

photo : metro mix - hudson valley

A Version of my Dress on Platinum Weddings

I like to find inspiration in lots of places. Sometimes, when I really want to torture myself, I watch Platinum Weddings on WeTV. There are some good ideas on there, but it usually baffles me how much money they spend! At any rate, I was watching the show one day and saw a version of my wedding dress! It's not exactly my dress though. {AHEM, Mr. GrapeJuice!} I was just so thrilled by it that I just had to share. :)

photo : visionari via yvonne design

FREE Photography

I am here to interrupt your regularly scheduled {and dreary, rainy} day to tell you about a great opportunity for Tennessee brides-to-be!

Would you like to win free wedding photography?

{I seriously hope your answer is yes!}

Well, then have I got a treat for you.

A few moments ago, I was contacted by Melissa of Melissa Hayes Photography.

She is a phenomenal documentary and lifestyle photographer located in Chicago, IL.

 Currently, she is hosting a contest for free wedding photography for one lucky Tennessee bride.

The rules are quite simple, and so is entering.

The RULES are...

~ Your wedding must be taking place in 2010.

~ You cannot have a photographer booked already.

{See? Simple!}

To ENTER...

Go to Twitter

Follow @melissahfoto

Then, post this message, "@melissahfoto Tennessee Bride To Be!"

{Even simpler!}

There's no catch, but the contest does end March 20th!

That's this Saturday.

Hurry! Hurry! Hurry! 

Wishful Wednesday

I wish...

I knew what to wear for out photography shoot on Sunday.

We are having our free photo shoot downtown around sunset.

I'm not sure what to wear though.

Any recommendations?

I'm trying desperately hard NOT to buy something new.

Please help.

p.s. Happy St. Patrick's Day!

p.p.s. This is my 200th post! [yay me!]

 
photos : anne ruthmann photography, squidoo, blogged down at the moment

Hair Inspiration

Here is my hair inspiration. My thought is to wear my hair down for the ceremony and, somehow, put it up for the reception. I want to wear a cathedral or chapel length veil for the ceremony. Then, I plan on putting up my hair and wearing a feather/flower fascinator for the reception. Does that sound unreasonable?

I Dropped the Ball

As my father would say, I dropped the ball. I failed. I totally let you down. I'm the missing Wallenda. I started out the month so strong, posting something every day of the week. Then, this past week, I gave you nothing... Shame on me!
Well, I'm on Spring Break this week. Hopefully, I'll be able to keep on top of myself AND get some wedding things done.
To get things back on track, let's start this week with the good music perfect for a New Years Eve wedding. I'm seriously considering having this song played on our big day.

When the bells all ring and the horns all blow
And the couples we know are fondly kissing.
Will I be with you or will I be among the missing?

Maybe it's much too early in the game
Ooh, but I thought I'd ask you just the same
What are you doing New Year's
New Year's eve?

Wonder whose arms will hold you good and tight
When it's exactly twelve o'clock that night
Welcoming in the New Year
New Year's eve

Maybe I'm crazy to suppose
I'd ever be the one you chose
Out of a thousand invitations
You received

Ooh, but in case I stand one little chance
Here comes the jackpot question in advance:
What are you doing New Year's
New Year's Eve? 

lyrics : azlyrics

Wedding Fact Friday

It's been awhile since I've posted one of these.

My fact today will shock and awe you!

First, you need to recall My Big, Fat Greek Wedding.

{oh, yes. my fact involves the awesome movie!}

The dad in the movie says that Windex will fix anything.

Guess what!

It's true.

:)

While Mr. GrapeJuice and I were vacationing a couple weeks ago, we decided to check out wedding bands.

We thought we'd be able to find some for a decent price.

{didn't really happen}

But, while we were trying some on, one got stuck on Mr. GrapeJuice's finger.

The sales associate didn't even flinch.

She got some Windex, squirted on his finger, and presto!

The ring came off.

Such a cool trick!

photo : reflections of a mirror

Thematic Wedding Centerpiece

As you know, Mr. GrapeJuice and I are getting married on New Years Eve. We are very excited about this! However, I've been kind of lackadaisical with my planning efforts. It's not that I don't want to plan because I really, really do. I just feel soooooooooooooooooooooo overwhelmed by everything that is going on in my life. My mom, trooper that she is and ever motivating her young, dragged me out to Hobby Lobby over the weekend. And now, thanks to her, I have a NEW centerpiece!

The recipe for said centerpiece is...

 two pieces blue ostrich feathers,

two pieces white ostrich feathers,

one cylindrical clear vase

one silver decorative item {which I do not have a picture of}

 and a million mylar shreds.

Put it all together, and what do you get?!

A phone photo of my mock-up!

photos : shuttershock, fredaldous, brilliant event planning, hobby lobby

Wishful Wednesday

I wish that my marriage will be like this!

I saw this video on America's Funniest Home Videos last night.

I was watching it with my family, and we voted that it was one of the best videos we'd ever seen.

And, don't worry, guys, he makes her dance too!

It's mutual.

Happy Hump Day!!

Best Monday Ever

Yesterday was perhaps the best Monday I've had in a long time. :) Two wonderful things happened! Around 10 o'clock in the morning, I got an email from our realtor. The sellers accepted our offer! We will be closing on the house in April. I'm so excited. :D Below are some pictures of the inside of our house and the backyard.

The other fabulous thing that happened yesterday is that I won a contest. It wasn't just any contest either. I won a free photography shoot! Can anyone say engagement session?? Because, that sure was my first thought when I saw that I won.

The photographer is planning on hosting another contest of this nature. Definitely check them out - Framed by Fletcher!

Wedding Progress

Over the weekend, my mother asked me if I had made any wedding progress. I looked at her and laughed. I just got back from a cruise and was not even ready to think about those things. She gave me the mom talk though. You know, the one that says you need to get on that sooner rather then later; the one that makes you feel like a disappointing child again. =]
Well, she got bored on Saturday and wanted to head over to Hobby Lobby because she had a coupon. She made a copy for me so that I could use one too. 25% goes a long way when you're on a budget and trying to buy a house. (more on the house later) While at Hobby Lobby, I had a planning break through. I picked a centerpiece style, which is perfect for our wedding, and I decided on flowers for the bridesmaids to carry. Later on this week, I will break it down and show you what I am thinking. Plus, I will attempt to show you the DIY step-by-steps that go along with the project. =]