Yeah yeah yeah, it's been a while

Happy new year! I know I've been slack on posting, but my boss went psycho one day when she caught me shoe shopping online so I've tried to keep the work wedding planning to a minimum, which is really the only time I have to plan...so...

Many exciting developments to report. Things are officially in "countdown" mode. Basically my whole year is planned already, at least through the end of October.

On the wedding side, I now have shoes, a dress, a hairpiece, and a pearl necklace. My dress is a short, strapless patterned dress with white and yellow details (subtle yellow--kind of deep ivory) that people either absolutely love or absolutely hate. All I can say is I had the dress on for like 30 minutes in the store trying accessories because I felt so pretty and bridal in it. I bought an ostrich feather clip to go in my hair...it's so outrageously fabulous--and Mrs. Zwart is going to make me one of those old-fashioned side swept netted veils like Kenley used on her bride. I bought some leather peep-toe pumps in white from amazon.com for a steal and then got some ivory bead and crystal brooches to add a fancy touch that were also a steal. They came out looking as nice or better than $300 shoes I saw online. My mom and sister bought me this neat rough-pearl drop necklace (meaning the pearls aren't rounded they are in their original shape). It's totally unique looking.

While I was home I met with my tent vendor. I think my dad got fed up with him because he kept adding random $25 fees for every little thing. I still think we can get the back yard done up for around $3000--oh yeah, I guess I should say my mom caved on the wedding at the house! I've been auditioning a jazz band for the reception. They are pretty good, but I don't like the vocalist much. I guess I'm pretty picky though. My friend Bailey is going to sing at my wedding and she knows a violinist and a cellist that will do the music. I met with the florist and we'll be having white casablanca lilies, green button mums, green and white spider mums, green roses, black magic roses, and purple flowers with hypericum berry and queen anne's lace accents. My dad is planning to do some lighting on the dock and we may exit the reception that way and do sparklers as we leave (maybe on a boat??!!). We have the cake picked out to do a white three-tier job with fondant purple colored ribbon at the bottom of each tier with a little ivory pearl detail along the edges with some fresh flowers on top. We aren't firm on the food yet, but my mom's cousins are catering, and I've heard wonderful things about them. I'm working on a plan to have a bus shuttle guests between my house and the hotel so everyone can enjoy our beer, wine and champagne with no worries!

We are trying to decide on the rehearsal dinner. We're hoping to do an informal affair with beaufort stew and oysters, but we're stumped on the place.

I'm having an engagement party in Dallas in February. We're going to do fajitas and margaritas at Cantina Laredo. John and my family will finally meet! Much stress and excitement is felt leading up to this swoiree. Invitations! Booking! Figuring out what to do with our families for a whole weekend!

Nikki and I are discussing a nice little bacholorette party over Labor day weekend at an Edisto rental. I'm going home in May for bridal portraits.

What else? I'm trying to get in shape and look good. I went to the dermatologist and found out that I had skin bacteria and have been on antibiotics for a month. My face is better now. He also told me that I had keratosis on my arms and I've been putting this crazy foam on my arms and that's better now too. I started using dove bar soap because the technician recommended it, and now my skin is smooth as a baby's. I went to the dentist and he filed down the edge of my two front teeth where I had chipped them. I gave up diet coke this week in an effort to be less gassy, have whiter teeth, and possibly to kick my caffeine addiction and start feeling better and lose weight. John and I are exercising. I am going on a "diet" for a couple weeks before my parents arrive and start snapping pictures of me.