Oh yes, it was a Panera kind of day

Today I had ambitions of finally getting my name changed and officially taking on my married name. However, that did not go as planned. Upon arriving at the local DMV and entering the building I took one look at the winding Saturday morning line and decided that maaaaybe another day would be better. I decided to go apartment shopping with my best friend, Bridget, who is in town from Nashville, instead. She just moved down there last weekend and needed some decorating help to dress up her new city two-bedroom apartment.

We visited one of my favorite places the Christmas Tree Shop! What a great place for bargains! I always find something great there. Today I was able to snag a new waste basket, magazine basket, loofa, Oregano, parchment paper, and adorable patterned scissors all for $15. Some days I find more than others. They had an adorable free-standing lamp that I loved for $30, but I really had no place to put it so sadly I passed it up.

After we left there we headed to Panera for some lunch. I had my usual Pick Two with the Asiago Turkey sandwich, macaroni, and side baguette. I also decided to try their Bear Claw pastry and was pleasantly surprised! It was delicious! It had a bit of almond flavoring that I wasn't expecting.

Our next destination was the mall where I wanted to run in the MAX Rave there and pic up a few new camis since our washer decided to ruin all of mine at once! Sadly, they were out of my size and said they'd give me a call when they came in. However, the trip wasn't a total waste! I was able to pick up a few new additions to my wardrobe, including a cute fall jacket for $10.00 that would be perfect with some skinnies, a bright scarf, and boots, or even some bright tights and boots. I also got a blue rosette top that I could layer or wear out some night for only $5.00. I picked up a cute purple cami that will look great under some of my fall cardigans! It was a fun day out with a great friend.

Tonight should be even better! My husband's band, Bernoulli, is playing at a local venue with another great band MONA. I can't wait to spend the evening with friends listening to some enjoyable music!

"Decorganizing"

Since a week or so before the wedding I began the never-ending process of cleaning, moving, unpacking, organizing, and decorating. Although cleaning really never ends, I've gotten the majority of the initial cleaning done. I've worked hard to convert the house from bachelor pad to cozy and comfortable, not to mention home-y. I still have some organizing to take care of, but, for the most part, the house is coming together nicely. Last night my mom came over and helped me finish a few decorating dilemmas. She helped me hang my ledger shelves in the kitchen [pictured at the end of this post along with a few other kitchen photos]. I love them! I still need to find some affordable kitchen chairs at a thrift store. I really want a vintage/ shabby chic style buffet table for my kitchen. I would prefer a teal/ turquoise color. Then my kitchen would be complete. As for the living room, I still need to complete my gallery picture wall. I just need to choose an evening with nothing going on to go through some family photographs to put on my wall.

This is the color of buffet table I would prefer:

While searching for a buffet table, I found this helpful site which tells how to paint furniture to look shabby chic!

How to Create Shabby Chic Painted Furniture | eHow.com

I think I like this style of table, only in turquoise

Here are a few photos of my kitchen: The pot rack has been a lifesaver to my cabinet space! There are many cabinets, however each has 3 shorter shelves opposed to two taller ones so it is difficult to fit taller items in them.

The retro linoleum floor is a nice touch, don't you think?

We still need some chairs for our table... the corner and wall to the right of the table is the one I want a buffet table for.

You cannot see my curtains or runner very well, but if you could you would be

able to see that there is a lot of turquoise in it. Therefore, the turquoise buffet would fit in nicely.

New Happenings

Lately I've had a lot on my plate. Wedding overload, house "renovations", school requirements, job (or lack thereof) stress, relationship quirks, and financial frustrations.

Wedding planning seems to be flowing pretty well aside from temporary stressors. It is crazy to think that it is 3 months from the 19th of March! It will go so quickly. Wow. However, the bridesmaid dresses are coming along (2 are almost finished). We figured out (for the most part) the decorations we will need for the ceremony. I'm starting to piece together my

accessories. The excitement is starting to build!

Saturday, Travis and I had to attend an 8 hour premarital/ marital seminar called RINGS as a part of a requirement made by our officiant. Although very skeptical we left with gratitude. It was not bad at all. They provided breakfast and lunch as well as snacks throughout. I enjoyed the lax atmosphere and the exercises we were able to do with our partners. Travis even admitted he was really glad we went, and he learned a lot of awesome things to apply to our relationship. I particularly learned from the discussion on confrontation. They went over healthy ways to disagree and confront one another without being disrespectful or belittling. I really think the techniques have helped Travis and I get on the same page already. All in all I'm really thankful that I attended and would totally recommend it to any couple (committed daters to married or remarried adults)

My mom and I went over to Travis' house (my future residence) to measure and comprise a game plan for our renovations. As of now it is a smelly, tacky bachelor pad in much need of some TLC! We will be renting it from his grandparents and although it is not too bad for a first place, there are a few things I could really do without. For instance, the old, musky, damp basement with the scary laundry room, the brown paneled wall in the bedroom and along the hall, and especially the teal-colored carpet in the guest room that makes decorating impossible. However, I guess these minor details should be overlooked considering what a steal we'll be renting it for. It's a great size and with a little paint and decorating, it should look pretty nice. It will definitely be interesting though, to say the least. Here is my color palette for the house so far.

I'm leaning towards "Crumb Cookie" for the kitchen and for 2 of the 3 paintable walls in the bedroom and "Rendezvous" for the accent wall of the bedroom (the 4th wall is brown panelling, which his grandparents won't allow us to paint over). I'm still a bit up in the air for the bathroom. I'm thinking possibly the "Footpath", "Sea Sprite", "Parakeet Pete", or "Limelight" for the bathroom. However, no final decisions have been made until I can take the sample in the room and test it with the lighting. This has just been my most recent project. Since Travis is on spring break next week, I'm thinking we will begin our painting adventure!

Saturday night we went and saw a band called "MONA" (pictured above) at the Canal Street Tavern in downtown Dayton. It was a great show. The lead singer, Nick, broke his hand punching their former lead guitar player and played the entire 3 hour show with a broken hand. They put on an amazing show. His voice is really unique and each member brings a great energy. And talk about the best cover of "Zombie" (by the Cranberries) I have ever heard. I would love to have a copy of their rendition... very impressive. I feel like they are on the up and up. Speaking of MONA, Travis' band, Bernoulli, might be opening for them in a couple of weeks. It would be a great opportunity for them! They just recently won the Wright State University's Battle of the Bands contest and get to open for Boys Like Girls at the Nutter Center on May 8th, which I am so excited for! More so to see them than to watch Boys Like Girls.

I found some cute things on ETSY tonight. I purchased vintage-looking lucite rose beads to add to necklaces along with monograms for part of my bridesmaid gifts from Beadsupplies. They match my wedding color (pink) and have that vintage style to them that I love so much. My mom and I also found an adorable knitted beanie-style hat for my one year old cousin from the Cupcakecardcompany. It includes 5 interchangeable flowers (of your color choice) for only $15. Great deal and super cute! Here are some photos:

I guess that is all of the updates I have for now... more later :) God Bless!

Sun-less Sunday

[Check out these beautiful pictures by Elle Moss]

I've been in quite a mellow mood this weekend, which could be attributed to the weather, or possibly because I'm just utterly exhausted from my week of classes, especially since I am still healing from this cold that I can't seem to get rid of! Either way, I've had no desire to go out with a group or do anything moderately strenuous. So I've lounged around and watched movies. It's been glorious! With less than one week left until spring break I am more than ready to get off campus and make the five hour drive north to Ohio! Not to mention I'll get to spend some quality time with the boy :) It's been almost three weeks since I've gotten to see him so this break will give us 10 days together! On a side note, this will be my last spring break as a student. Since I will be finishing up in December I won't be here next spring semester. Oh, how I can't wait! I discovered Polyvore a few months ago and must say that I am already addicted. Here are a few sets that I randomly created this weekend...

I Love these shoes from Ruche. They are

so vintage and just adorable.

I just recently bought this shirt and love it!

I managed to get the last one of this style on

the rack. I was very happy. They had other colors,

but this one was my favorite. So far I've only worn it

once with my tangerine colored cardigan, skinny jeans,

and a pair of brown flats (due to the cold Ohio

weather). I'd like to try it out with sandals next time,

when its warmer!

I also recently purchased these olive colored flats

from Payless. I haven't had a chance to wear them

yet. I think I'm waiting for the perfect opportunity

to come along..

.

Speaking of Payless, these heels are from

the Lela Rose collection for Payless. I think

they are super cute!

This is a dress I found on SarahSeven's Etsy.

It is gorgeous!

How cute is this? Although I am not a coffee

lover myself, I do appreciate a good cup of tea.

However, I thought this might be a good gift for

my younger sister. She IS a coffee addict and also

a college student. What do you think? It's kind of

expensive (for a student's budget), but it's definitely

unique and creative! I found this at KnitStorm's Etsy

shop. They also have a variety of colors!

Remodeling Ideas I found from random blogs:

So my boyfriend, Travis, and I have been dating off and on

since the fall of our senior year of high school ( almost four years).

He is in school in Ohio and I am here in Tennessee. The distance

is difficult, but we are surviving. Anyway, I guess you could say

we are finally in the pre-engagement stage of our relationship.

We went ring shopping the last time I was home, and I know that

he has been saving since last year. As of right now he lives in his

grandparents' old house that they rent out with his friend and his

brother. However, once we get married next year they will be gone

and it will just be him and I. The bad part is, the house is a little old

(not too horrible), but could definitely use some remodeling. I've been

collecting random ideas here and there and just can't wait to get started

on the remodeling (which probably won't be for awhile). So far I'm

thinking about doing navy, eggshell white, and a cornflower blue in the

bedroom, seeing as it already has a grayish blue carpet and one brown

paneled wall that his grandparents are set on keeping. I really like the

picture of the fireplace with all of the candles on top. I think it sets a

really cozy mood.

The house has three bedrooms, one bath, a living room,

a kitchen/dining room, and an unfinished basement. We

have already decided to turn one of the bedrooms into a

guest bedroom/art room for me and another bedroom

into a music room for him. I thought these pencil cups

would be perfect for his music room!

Well, those are my random thoughts so far today. I might

be back with more as the evening progresses!