And Pup Makes Four

Last week, the hubbers and I welcomed a new furry fellow into our home. Meet Knox, our rescue Weimaraner. He's two years old, shy, and ridiculously sweet. Despite adding a big dog to a tiny condo that already includes me, the husband and our blonde cocker spaniel, Sadie, Knox fits right in. The fella had been researching weims in the area for a few months, and we got the call over our honeymoon that this guy was available. We took Sadie to meet him, and they became insta-friends. We brought him home on Wednesday, and we've been filling our evenings with lots of canine cuddling.

Girl Meets Gown

The fella and I got engaged on a Friday evening. The following Friday morning my mom, the lovely Little, and I ventured to J. Major's Bridal Salon to try on dresses. Yes, I was anxious and excited to slip on my first bridal frocks, but I also knew that with a short engagement, we would need time to find the dress, order it, get it in and fit in. In fact, we were fitting my gown all the way until 2 days before I wore it down the aisle. Before I started shopping I knew a few things. I knew that my dress would have to have lace on it, and I knew that I absolutely did not want a strapless gown, and I absolutely did not, under any circumstances want a satin dress.

As soon as we walked into J. Major's we were completely pampered and taken care of. We were given a quick tour of the salon and given instructions to mark the hanger of every dress I wanted to try on with a simple paper circle, and my truly, incredibly, wonderful consultant Kate would follow behind and whisk them to a fitting room. 

As we were ooh'ing and aah'ing and gushing over all the gowns on our way around the shop (or "shoppe," because it just looks prettier, am I right, Shabby Princess?), Kate and Little were asking what I envisioned for myself. I hadn't torn out any pictures of dresses (although I'd pinned several) and other than the 3 criteria listed above didn't have a specific look in mind. What I did tell them, however, was that several years ago there was a TV Program called "Girl Meets Gown," featuring a Dallas bridal salon, that was on for about 8 episodes, and I remembered one girl named Liesl (of course I latched on to her because of her Sound of Music namesake. And crud, now I just want to start belting "Edelweiss") chose a drop dead gorgeously stunning gown, and I loved it. That was it. I remembered nothing about what it looked like or who designed. Liesl + Girl Meets Gown were the only things I recalled. As Kate showed us each designer that J. Major's carried, she waved toward the Alvina Valenta rack. I mentioned to my mom that perhaps Liesl's gown had been an Alvina, but really, who knew?

In all, I had about 12 dresses awaiting me after my pass through the racks. I grabbed nearly every dress that was adorned with lace and planned to have samples of straps put on the strapless gowns and have them added after we purchased it. I couldn't believe how beautiful each and every dress was (note: I was also completely floored by what a difference a beaded belt could make). By dress 4 I had no idea how I would decide. Slowly I plodded my way through eliminating gowns one by one compared to two that I really loved (some didn't feel enough like me, some didn't feel bridal enough, some just weren't quite as pretty as the others, others not quite as flattering). 

The ninth dress I tried on was absolutely gorgeous but nothing that I wanted. It was satin and strapless, and not the kind of strapless that would work to have straps added to. It was a full, heavy satin, beautifully hued Alvina Valenta ballgown with a deeply sweetheart neckline, drop waist, an intricately lace-embroidered bodice with a ribbon and broach around the waist, lace around the bottom and chapel train with buttons all the way up and down the back. Little, sweet Kate and I all loved it. She was sold, but I wasn't. After trying on several more I had narrowed it down to the ballgown and a white lace mermaid style outfitted with a beaded belt (I sincerely couldn't believe how flattering the mermaid was. I'm a curvy girl and never thought that was a cut my body could, um, sustain, so maybe that was the appeal of it, although it was beautiful). We decided to try veils with both, and as soon as I slipped into the ballgown the second time, with the veil, I knew that was the one. I knew that I'd be wearing my mom's veil with my gown, and everything about the look of it with this oddly-colored dress was perfect. Even satin. Even strapless. 

We left the store that Friday without buying it, although we both knew we were finished shopping. That night I looked up the style number and learned that Alvina Valenta masterpiece was a shade the designer deemed "Rum Pink," which odd since it didn't seem pink, just a lush champagne). I went to sleep dreaming about that perfect frock and woke up with the words "rum pink" echoing around and around my head. I suddenly (and quite literally) sat straight up in bed early on Saturday morning wide awake and thought to myself, "I think that's Liesl's dress. I am nearly positive that Liesl's dress was rum pink." 

I rushed downstairs and tried to Google the old episodes of Girl Meets Gown and finally found the archived episode on iTunes. I fast forwarded to Liesl's segment and nearly went numb in my extremities while I watched and saw her sashaying in the exact same Alvina that I knew I would wear down the aisle. I called Little and frantically told her that the only dress I really had in my mind as I dress shopped, that I actually didn't have any recollection of at all, was the dress we had decided on the day before. Not more than an hour later we had placed our deposit on the gown, and never once did I doubt my decision. I have never felt prettier than I did in that dress. I even felt prettier than Liesl.

The Power of a Pin

I've mentioned before that when I began wedding planning I honestly wasn't sure what all I wanted for our day. I didn't have an "insert groom here" type of binder with my wedding all planned out. That said, with my personality and a relatively short engaged (6.5 months), when I discovered what we loved, that was it. I was pleasantly surprised to find that I didn't waffle on decisions - venues, dresses, readings, they were all set in stone once they were chosen. There was only one thing that I pulled a switcheroo on, though, and that was the flowers for me and my lovely maids.

It's hard to fathom what all the bride of the future will be able to utilize when planning her wedding. Already, we have SO much information at our fingertips between blogs and Pinterest, it was nearly overwhelming. Southern Weddings Blog, Style Me Pretty and Pinterest were, in fact, wonderful tools along the way as we selected and planned our day. Early on in the process I decided that all of the ladies would carry fresh, pink peonies. I ooh'd, aah'd and pinned bouquet after bouquet of the lush floral, until, one day, about 2 months out from my own trip down the aisle that, frankly, I was sick of the dang things. I had known YEARS ago that I wouldn't allow a single rose to adorn our venues, but other than that, I thought I was set on peonies. 

Funny how the power of the interwebs became a deterrent to my once-beloved petals. Instead, our WONDERFUL florist (Lynette from The Bloom Room, for you lovely ladies in and around Asheville and Charlotte) and I opted to have my maids carry bouquets of lambs ear, tulips, and a few peonies wrapped in burlap, while I carried a behemoth of a bouquet comprised entirely of bright, fresh, gorgeous pink tulips wrapped in champagne ribbon and bedecked with a broach of my own. I was stunned by the beauty and vibrancy of my bouquet. I was also entirely impressed by the sheer size and weight of it. At a certain point in our ceremony, the hubbers even leaned over and quietly and sweetly said, "You're trembling." I looked right back at home and whispered serenely, "This bouquet is so freakin' heavy." I'm so glad that Pinterest's over abundance of all things peonies swayed me to carry tulips down the aisle. Their drooping and multi-petaled sweetness was just what my dress needed. And speaking of the dress, that post is up next...

Ceremonial Details

I fully intended to recap our wedding in a more timely manner than I clearly am, but we've spent this week learning to be cohabitating spouses. We didn't live together prior to getting married, which I'm so glad about. This week while the hubbers works late, I've spent time preparing our condo to be a home - organizing, sorting and decorating. As much as I loved the honeymoon, I've loved this week even more.

So, back to the recap... the most important part of our wedding to us was our ceremony. We wanted to begin our lives as husband and wife in an incredibly worshipful setting. We got married at a gorgeous old church and filled our ceremony with scripture and worship music. After my bridesmaids walked down the aisle to a strings trio playing "All  Creatures of Our God and King," I followed to "Hymne Vangelis." I couldn't take my eyes off my groom at the end of the aisle. He looked amazing in his gray suit and pink bow tie.

We had two of our lovely resident worship leaders from our church sing "Hosanna" and "Jesus at the Center" (both by Israel Houghton) during our ceremony and had loved ones read from carefully chosen scripture selections that we wanted to use to define and set the tone of our marriage.

Ephesians 3:14-18

For this reason I kneel before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name. I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ.

Ephesians 1:17-19a

I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people,  and his incomparably great power for us who believe. 

Philippians 4:8-9

Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.

Philippians 2:1-4

Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any

common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others. 

Proverbs 24:3-4

By wisdom a house is built, and through understanding it is established; through knowledge its rooms are filled

with rare and beautiful treasures. 

Pre-Preppin'

The Luncheon:

The Rehearsal:

The Rehearsal Dinner:

Date Night!

A Missus

We are fully and completely honeymooned. We are fully and completely wed. And we are fully and completely joyful, happy and overflowing with blessings.

I can't wait to recap the past two weeks in the coming days!

The Night Before

It's the night before our wedding. In so many ways it feels like it's taken an eternity to get here, and in so many other ways it feels like it would never get here. It felt almost like a dream during tonight's rehearsal... like we were playing pretend wedding. I have never been so sure of anything as I am that D is the man for me to spend forever with, and I can't possibly put into words the emotions that I'm feeling tonight. Thankfully, the emotions I'm not feeling are stress, anxiety or worry. I know beyond a shadow of a doubt that things will go poorly tomorrow. I know there will be things that I wish I could change, but I also know that tomorrow will be utterly perfect, because, after all, we will drive away as husband and wife.

On Sunday morning we depart for a week in Costa Rica, something that my soul is itching for. Not just the opportunity to bathe in the sun, explore the beach and rain forest, and, um, you know... but for us, it will be the first time traveling alone together and the first real time that we've ever had to completely disconnect from the rest of the world and just... be. What a gift it will be to spend those days together as a married couple without the interruptions of the daily world. Tonight we slipped away together after the rehearsal dinner for a few precious moments over a glass of wine reflecting on the week and discussing what tomorrow may hold. I so cherish this man that understands me, cherishes me, and values the life that we will have together. So, dear friends, the soon-to-be Mrs. Polka Dots & Protein Bars, bids you adieu for the next week.

Blood, Sweat and Tears

Well, you know how I think I'm a yogi? Friday night I tried to show my mom and baby sis (HAPPY BIRTHDAY, TINY SISTER) how well I could crow. I was wearing a dress and chunky jewelry and got too much forward thrust going into the pose. I fell forward as my necklace was flying up and got a resulting bloody cut on my forehead. 8 days before the wedding. The only upside was that I happened to have a box of sequin Cynthia Rowley Bandaids on hand (thanks, couponing!) to close up the wound. I've spent the past few days marinating my injury in Neosporin, and now, 4 days out, I'm nearly healed. But. Still. Le sigh.

A Ring-Lift

Yesterday was a great day. I had a little breather in the eye of the Easter hurricane, so I had the opportunity to spend the evening with the fella running some errands, purchasing our toasting glasses (Waterford Colleen Essence champagne flutes) and cake cutting knife (Kate Spade Bow Dessert Set), completing a hot yoga class together (his first... and he swears he loves it... and I finally purchased my own mat, so I didn't have to continue battling the elbow-herpes-rashes I got from borrowing the Y's mats) and polishing off some open-face-egg-vocado-cheese goodness. Perhaps the most exciting part of the day was getting my engagement ring back! We decided several weeks ago that we'd like to have the ring reset. It's his mom's, which we love, but it was a set that included an engagement ring, wedding band, and anniversary band. So we took the top and bottom band off, rest the center stones and purchased an actual wedding band. I'm so thrilled with the results. It looks fresh and delicate, and now the fella can slip a band on my finger at the alter. Single digit countdown now, people!

Ring Before:

Ring Now:

A Beautiful Mess

I've been craving hot yoga. So weird. I don't know that I've ever enjoyed a workout more than I do those sweaty sessions. I've been going once or twice a week with cardio and strength training in between, and I feel tight and toned and pleasantly sore.

This week we're in final countdown mode to Easter. Working for a church, Christmas and Easter are our craziest time of year, and this year is no different. Add in the fact that I get married in 10 days, and I'm feeling more than a little overwhelmed. Not in a bad way at all, even though it's probably showing up in the form of tension and general irritation. In fact, I'm happier and more excited than I've ever been. Still, stress is stress, and maybe that's why I'm loving the hot yoga so much.

After last night's class I was craving something hearty, warm, delicious and healthy, so I swung by my friendly, neighborhood Harris Teeter and picked up eggs, asparagus, Muenster cheese, avocados. Oh, and sugar free pudding. Seriously, I was in the grocery aisles complete overcome with a craving for pudding. I don't know either. A few cracks and crackles later, and I ended up with a concoction that included mashed avocados atop an open-faced English muffin, coated with cheese and then topped with an egg-over-easy and accompanied by some sauteed asparagus spears. Y'all. It was every bit as delicious as I hoped.

After devouring that goodness, I spent the rest of the night printing labels and using them to secure bags of pink and gold sequins - what we'll have our guests shower us with as we leave our reception (one of my favorite details of the night). I learned some important lessons about sitting on a bed and transferring sequins into small, clear plastic bags. And I spent much of my time cleaning up the beautiful mess that was created.

This morning I decided to recreate the open-face-egg-wich for breakfast and put it on whole wheat naan instead of the English muffin in lieu of my typical naan with natural peanut and fig butter. As I started eating it on the way to work I realized three bites too late that eggs-over-easy are not very car-without-utensils-friendly. So. That happened. At least it was scrumptious.