Music Makes the People Come Together!

I haven't even begun looking for a DJ but one of Matt's friends/co-workers has great taste in music and I thought I would ask her for her opinion on a playlist! Some of them are artists I have heard of but as I was hoping she came up with a fresh perspective and turned me on to some new music! Follow her blog for other great inspiration.

Her list below:

Eye Alaska - Roll Right Over

Eels - Fresh Feeling

Robin Thicke - Sweetest Love

Marc Broussard - The Beauty Of Who You Are

Jamie Lidell - She Needs Me

Mayer Hawthorne - Love is Alright

Otis Redding - These Arms Of Mine/That's How Strong My Love Is

John Butler Trio - I'd Do Anything

UB40 - Can't Help Falling In Love

Stevie Wonder - Signed, Sealed, Delivered

Jamie Cullum - I think, I love

Bob Carlisle - Butterfly Kisses

Frank Sinatra - The Way You Look Tonight

Jason Mraz - I'm Yours

Dru Hill - Wedding Song

Robert Randolph - Love Is The Only Way

Paolo Nutini - Loving You

Ryan Leslie - Addiction

We still haven't even considered a "first dance" song. The thought of us dancing in front of all those people makes me want to die. I know how emotional I am going to be at this moment as well as my first dance with my father. I am going to force the DJ to play Jack Johnson's "Upside down" for my niece and I to dance to because we have done it so many times before and something tells me I will get emotional with that too. Anyway, thanks again Allison for coming through! Appreciate it mucho!

Practical vs. Romantic

I am not looking forward to going back to work tomorrow. I've had an entire week off and I can say that it passed by way too fast. Christmas was good, spent it in New Jersey with Matt's family. Before we headed up there I was preoccupied with Christmas shopping, family time and holiday festivities like parties and dinners. I didn't specifically ask for anything this year because I don't feel like I need anything (other than money) so Matt was at a total loss as to what to get me. He had a wonderful idea all on his own though and it is so much more purposeful than any romantic super over priced gift from a jewelry store: a new light fixture for our bathroom! Yes, to those of you not living in a fairly old house that still needs a lot of work that sounds boring and doesn't make you swoon. He was being thoughtful though and knows that I love things for the house and love making it look better and better.

Old light fixture

New light fixture

What was the best gift you received?

First Snow Of the Year!

I don't know if an exclamation mark is appropriate for this title because I am pretty indifferent about the snow.

We did get our first snow of the year in Northern VA (and possibly other parts of VA, but they don't really exists in my eyes) but I figured since my Facebook was littered with status's about snow I might as well mention it in my blog.

 Last year we were hammered with snow! Snowmagedon, Snowpocalypse... whatever you called it, it wasn't fun.

 Today we did close the salon down early and then I invited a co worker over for a glass of wine (really just a ruse to get her to drive me home) so I guess it was a good day!

 I am fortunate to have neighbors who shovel and salt my walk-way in the winter as they did today and also mow my lawn in the summer. I love where we live!

Snow 2010 Snowmagedon 2010 (Matt's car)

If Jared Can Do It, So Can I!

Every January people open gym memberships with a pep in their step and the ambition of getting in shape...and two weeks later it's collecting dust in their wallet. I unfortunately can't put off pretending to lose weight until January and have taken my first steps now. If I didn't despise exercise and love food/drinking so much then this wouldn't be an issue. A recent study found that people who keep a food diary lose twice the weight compared to those who do not track their foods. In July I got motivated to get in shape and signed up for MyFoodDiary.com and lost about seven to nine lbs. Unfortunately, I have since gained it back. MyFoodDiary is an online community and food database that offers a journal of what you eat, all the nutritional information including calories needed to maintain weight and lose the healthy amount of weight for your body type, an exercise log, body log, additional notes and a forum for support. With 11 weeks before I get my dress, I need to be wedding day ready by February 28th because then I have to have a fitting with the seamstress and after the alterations there is no room for any weight gain or loss! I know there are certainly more drastic measures for losing weight (Michelle's raw fruit diet), but this is a challenge enough! There are so many inspiring stories out there and I know if people can lose hundreds of pounds by diet and exercise (and Subway sandwiches) then my lazy ass can lose ten pounds for my wedding.

As Good As it Gets

It is my hope and assumption that with each Christmas our tree will get better and better. Last year our former roommate came home with a real tree he bought on impulse after waiting for a tow truck because he locked himself out of the car. We borrowed decorations from Matts mom and I was cleaning up pine needles well into the new year. I wasn't even planning on a tree this year but the descion came spontaneously as well after I saw it for ten dollars (including decorations) at CVS. I was hoping it came pre-decorated but alas I had to put forth some effort. Anyway, I don't think it's too shabby. When we have kids is when I will go all out and get more into the spirit. Til then this is what's in store!

2010 tree

2009 tree