Whirlwind of a weekend

I figured I'd be recovered by now, but when you get sick the first day back in your house, it makes the recovery even harder.

The bridal shower was on Saturday and just about went off without a hitch. There was some family feuding before and after (only 1 of which related to the shower), but I ignored it as best as I could. It was a little awkward because I didn't know a lot of the people and didn't know where to look to thank the person whose present I had just opened. I was also a little nervous to make sure Mr. P's mom, grandmother, and cousin felt at ease. They all had driven a substantial distance and I was (am) really honored.

We had our engagement session Sunday with my bridal portraits taken after Mr. P left. I had my makeup done at Mac (they only hire makeup artists btw--as opposed to anyone off the street) and was worried it was too much, but I think it worked. I can't wait to get the proofs! We had so much fun doing them...we got some in front of the pond, on the dock, in the barn, and I got some in my dress in the hay field and in the creek. It was such a let down too when we were done, and the only thing I had to show for it was stinky armpits and running makeup. I wanted to see the pictures right away!

On Monday I went with my mom to the wedding venue and I think I nailed down where the ceremony will take place. Woo! We also went by the rental place to look at linens. We narrowed it down to two and then we were told one was $39 per linen and the other was $40. I think we'll go with the $16 polyester, thank you.

I got home Monday afternoon and quickly realized there's little space left in this house for the bridal shower presents. Where do you put an 18qt roaster when you're already storing crockpots on top of your refrigerator?? It's a sad day when 960 sq ft is too small for two people.

I can't wait to move.

I got sick this morning and it pretty much ruined my mood for the entire day. That's expected I guess. Despite this, I still managed to reserve our hotel room for our wedding night and reserve the room in which we'll have the day after wedding brunch (lunch?) for select guests. The lady was so cute...she was really excited to put it under my new married name. She even added the "Mrs." which she normally doesn't do apparently. We got a pretty good deal on the room too!

I also still managed to go into the lab and run a gel that I wasn't able to do on Friday. Now I'm at work waiting for my other half to bring dinner. I only have 2 hours left to go!

Job interview tomorrow! I've never wanted a job so badly.

My lilies

My lilies have finally bloomed! I've been waiting months! I had no idea it would take them this long.

Homemade laundry detergent

Made my own laundry detergent the other day! Washed a load with it too. Seems fine...the only difference I noticed was that the clothes didn't have that overwhelming fresh laundry smell. Which some like, some don't. You can add essential oils to it to get a scent, but I didn't have any to use. Didn't have a container for it either...had to use a fish bowl I had laying around.

I followed this recipe.

Two tips:
I'd probably double the recipe--the original recipe doesn't make much and it's a hassle to grind up the soap. I'd rather make a bunch than have to drag the food processor out every 2 weeks.

DO NOT hover over the food processor after you grind the soap up. I inhaled a bunch of soap particles and I about keeled over. Blech!

Recycled Napkin Rings

These are awesome! I can't wait to try it. And no sewing!

This is just awesome

Design Sponge Blog

I'm totally enthralled by this blog and I can't even remember how I came across it. It always has the most amazing pictures.

The rooms always look so well put together, but not--like the designer wasn't trying (a good thing). If I was to try anything like this, it'd just look like a room full of crap.

Maybe it's the photographer. Perhaps if I have a professional come in and snap pictures of my house it'd look like this blog. Nah, probably not.

One of my goals in life is to have my house look amazing and still feel welcoming and cozy. Wonder if I'll ever achieve that.