Days 10-15

i really wanted to post more last week, but the week just got out of control. i mentioned that i had a catering interview last wed - well i think it got it assuming that the background check goes ok :)  i did get an email back from the manager at wolfgang puck catering and i since i didn't include my entire address history on the application, i had to email him back with that info. it's really not my fault that my 8 addresses in the last 10 yrs didn't fit in the 4 lines on the form...anyway, $17/hr and it's work as much or as little as you want and you're not tied to a set schedule, i think i'm into it.

i also spent time responding to more studies and have updated the other page with details. oh and i did a focus group on eye care on thursday and made a fun and easy $150!

what else? i think a lot of stuff happened during the last 5 days... the most exciting part -- we went to j.crew wedding yesterday for an appointment. i was a bit nervous and wasn't sure what to expect since it was our 1st time trying on dresses. but since we were in the j.crew store, it wasn't too overwhelming and was actually kind of fun once you got into it.

and the crazy part?! we ordered these 2 dresses! liana is going for a different color instead of the brown (see the blue dress below). i think the blue and aluminum will work well together. i'm still not sure if i love my dress or if it's too plain, but once i spend some time looking at funky shoes, perhaps a blue sash, or fun hair piece, it could work out...

the best part is that they weren't that much and we can return them if they don't work out. i still can't believe that we just ordered dresses, but it's exciting. we're still planning to look around more, but you never know.  we were also on the fence whether we should go shopping together for dresses. i'm so glad we decided to -- i didn't think about the importance in the fabrics as well as the colors and styles needing to complement each other. who knew?! screw 'tradition' - we need to look good!

Day 9

Not much movement on the planning today. though i did get a call that I won a $300 gift certificate for some beauty treatment (laser hair removal or facial rejuvenation or something) and scheduled a consultation for this thurs. after reading the yelp reviews of this seemingly sketchy establishment, i think i may cancel the appointment. apparently everyone 'wins' this prize and this was nothing special...so sad.

Other than that, i've been making lots of progress on research studies! and they are all single or 2-visit studies and so it's ethically ok to be in enrolled more than one at one time. read more on my funding the fun page for details.

and we suck and still haven't signed the contract with the photographer (no links to post ---don't want to jinx it yet). oh, i emailed this guy from cali who posted on craigslist that he's going to be in boston soon and wants to shoot engaged couples. i need to let him know we are probably not interested in buying much (or anything at all), but i think he wants experience, so that should be cool.

Days 7 & 8

Ok so i made it almost a straight week posting daily. yesterday was kind of tiring. for starters, we spent the morning scrubbing the carpenters trunk /  future coffee table that we recently purchased. then we headed to the great bridal expo, which was quite the experience. liana was feeling ill and high on allergy meds, i was ready to tackle the expo tables, and we got slightly lost walking from the train to the westin hotel. the supposedly 8 minute walk took us 45 mins and yes, once we got to the hotel, you could actually SEE the T stop...it was really probably a 3 minute walk. it was crazy inside, tons of people and not as many vendors or free stuff as i had anticipated. i was hoping to see lots of DJs and maybe some local flower shops. they also sold perforated cut outs with your name and contact info for your to quickly enter contests ($6) instead of writing your name at each booth. that was a pretty smart move. a smarter move was the chick we saw with her mom with sheets of those stickers you use on envelopes with your address. brilliant. i also nearly fell over when liana pointed out the couple sitting in front of us with matching bride and groom hats. oh yes, i am not kidding, they wore them and wore them proud.
we did love the westin  westin on the waterfrontand realized it is super close to AFH. i plan to call this week and talk to them about reserving a block of rooms. there are also 2 bars and we had a much needed glass of wine after at city bar and thought it'd be a great place for drinks at some point before or after the wedding.

 i also started playing with the stamp kit  we bought at staples - the one we got has 7 lines and 2 ink pads, but i couldn't find the link. we're planning to use this on the save the date postcards, invites, and other future stuff we send. there is enough space for our full address as well as space for our wedding website -cool huh?!
Once we figure out how to use  'gwash' then for real DIY here we come. it was a rather embarrassing trip to the art store when i asked if they had something called gwash (didn't see the huge signage in the aisle next to where i was standing) and then when at the register with 2 paint brushes we didn't realize we had $26 brushes in hand. nothing like looking like most non-artsty-cool people in the store on a busy night.

Day 6

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Day 5

friday, friday, friday---tonight we rushed home from work to head right back out the door to the friday night date night macy's registry party. overall it was a good time, but had a slightly rocky start. it was supposed to be a 'sip and scan'. who would have thought that 'sip' meant bottled water and soda water with a splash of cran? not us! once we got over the food and beverage selections and annoying couples, the evening progressed. we actually had a good time looking at everything and made pretty thoughtful decisions on what to register for. the whole concept of registering for gifts is a little strange to both of us and it was a bizarre experience picking out things we'd want people to buy for us. as an aside, we are hoping to skip the shower thing as neither of us feel that celebrating our marriage means that others should shower us with gifts. we have plenty and are thankful for what we have. but, back to the registry process-- everything we picked out we can actually see ourselves using on a very regular basis. we are currently using one steel sautee pan that was my grandmothers (I think) and not level. we also do not have toaster (no jokes, please) and currently toast bread by placing it on another non-level pan which never actually toasts anything.
as lame as it is, one exciting thing was the message on the top of the registry print-out that the nervous suburban woman gave us, which was a cute message celebrating the wedding of jessica and liana. it felt so official and exciting to see it on paper for us, even in silly macy's.  the saleswoman was either just nervous and awkward in general, or was totally freaked out to meet (cute) lesbians in person. oh and the bonus gift -- free high quality wine glasses! not a bad deal after all...

Day 4

well it's thursday and i'm so ready for the weekend. we do have some wedding-y events which will keep us busy though. tomorrow we're going to macy's for a registry party --not sure what to expect exactly, but i'm ready for free wine and snacks! on saturday, we may start the save the date project. i don't think i've mentioned it, but we bought some HAM radio post cards from the 1930's on ebay that we're going to paint and stamp with the save the date message/image. check out the before pic. we've even framed a few and they are now hanging in the living room (next to the brimfield fair empty frames).  on sunday it's the bridal expo. i'm pretty nervous for this and am not sure if i'm ready for all of the crazy brides out there, but again, it's all about the free stuff i hope to attain :)
i'd also like to officially sign the contract for the photographer this weekend, then we'll have most of the major things booked.
ok maybe i'm not ready for the nutty weekend ahead...

Day 3

well not too much movement on the wedding planning today. i did spend time again entering contests. our good buddy martha has more contests posted today, so of course i entered them all...


what else? on monday i went to a tailor that came to town for the day (i know totally random) and was fitted for some pants and shirts. while i was browsing through their stuff, i looked at some beautiful dresses and skirts in their books so i had them take my measurements just in case. we're going to the j.crew wedding store next weekend for an appointment, but since i have no idea what style dress i'm looking for, i figure it can't hurt to keep my options open. and besides, that'd be a good story -- where'd you get your dress? oh, it's just a dress my tailor from thailand whipped up for me.