I made some (easy) magnets this week. I needed magnets in my classroom with a strong hold (coin magnets from Walmart work really well), and I found a way to use our extra wedding invitations!
I dipped each clear stone in Mod Podge.
Then, stuck them on pretty paper.
I had wondered what I could do with our extra wedding invitations. Magnets!
It's a great way to keep them and see them everyday on our fridge!
After the Mod Podge dried, I cut around the stones and Mod Podged them onto the coin magnets.
These are some of the magnets I kept for at home.
(The ones on the right match my old kitchen. I made them a few years ago.)
I love how they turned out! It's something simple, but it really brightens up our fridge. I can't wait to use them in my classroom; both for the strong hold and the cuteness factor!
Remember my wedding bike? It's finally finished! We had to wait for all of the new parts to arrive, and then Christopher worked with a friend to fix it all up for me.
Christopher had special love bird stickers made from our wedding invitations. There is one in the back and in the front under the basket.
We thought about removing the 1971 license, but I think it adds character.
New basket and grips
New adorable seat
New whitewall tires
Christopher also cleaned up and buffed out the old parts of the bike, as well as raised up the seat. I can't get over how pretty my new (to me) bike is! I love it!
...to my Dad. I had so much fun with him yesterday and today. I appreciate that he came to visit me on his special day. We spent last night swinging and chatting next to a bonfire and making stovetop popcorn. I made the King of Crisps (aka: Dad) strawberry-banana crisp yesterday and monkey bread this morning for breakfast. We went to church together and then he took off to celebrate with his father.
father-daughter dance ("Daddy's Little Girl") on four.thirty.eleven
one more hug on four.thirty.eleven
He might have "given me away" a month ago, but I'm still his girl. I am blessed with the father that I was given. I am fortunate to have a dad that I enjoy talking to and spending time with. He strived to fill my brother's and my life with happy memories. I wasn't spoiled it the traditional sense of the word, but my family sure spoiled me with love.
Dad - top row left; George - top row right; Gary - bottom row right
I am also fortunate to have two new Father in Laws! They are both kind and generous people. Christopher was lucky to have them both in his life, and now I am as well.
Christopher insisted we exchange wedding gifts before the wedding. He claims he couldn't bring my gift to the wedding... you'll see why!
I made him open my gift first. I got him a set of three Chicago team pictures from this etsy shop. The Bears picture was a real sacrifice for me, beause I am a Green Bay Packer fan. Christopher wants to have a Man Cave (but after seeing Perfect Couples we've decided on The Cave rather than a Man Cave) in our future basement, so that's where these are intended. I grew up a Brewers Fan, but I agreed to change my baseball allegiance to his beloved Sox:
Bears...bleh!
Blackhawks
White Sox
He brought his pictures to work for now until we have a nice basement to fix up. I also bought him a tie clip from this etsy shop. It's hammered finish on the front and our initials and wedding date are engraved on the back.
Not our initials! Christopher's says, "A&C 4-30-11"
I've been telling Christopher since we started dating how I've always wanted a big ol' granny basket for my bicycle. He remembered! My first present was the basket! Then, he led me outside and I found a bicycle! It's a vintage bike from the 1960's! He's been ordering new parts for it and he's going to fix it up for me this summer. How stinkin' CUTE is this bike?! I can't wait to pedal to the grocery store this summer.
TWO DAYS! I'm getting really nervous / excited / anxious! I'm not at all nervous to marry Christopher... just nervous to walk down the aisle and have everyone staring at me. I'm a little shy. :o)
La la la so excited...............................! I'm off to start packing for the weekend and next week. Christopher's got a mini-moon planned for us. Our "real" honeymoon will be over Thanksgiving. We're going someplace warm then!
Bridal Shower #2 (hosted by my maid of honor and my stepmom)
I've been MIA because we've been soo crazy busy with last-minute wedding things. I'm starting to create sub plans for my guest teacher for the 6(!) days I'll be off from school. Considering I've never taken a personal day in my four years of teaching (or at any other job), it seems so weird taking six! Sub plans are a pain in the bum, but it's so worth it. I can't wait!
We're making everything (decorations, flowers, programs, etc.) ourselves and I'm so excited to post pictures of it all soon. We're also doing a photobooth at the reception and I know that'll be awesome.
One thing we didn't make was our invitations. I found them in this shop on etsy.
Only 10 days..... eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee (that's me squealing while I do a double fist pump and jump). I'm SO excited!
I've been taking a little bloggy hiatus to focus on wedding plans and decorations...but I've been busy with other things as well.
I celebrated St. Patrick's Day with my love. We're both Irish, so we get into the holiday. My grandma Nonie is 100% Irish, so my family has always celebrated St. Patrick's with lots of green and cheer.
Outfit 20
Dress: Old Navy
Cardi: Forever 21
Belt: Came with a dress from Forever 21
Leggings: Kohls
Socks: Target
Boots: Steve Madden
I participated in Crazy Hair Day the day after St. Patrick's Day:
Last night, I attended my first bridal shower (for me). It was put on by my coworkers. I had a blast. We sipped wine, ate yummy food, had raspberry chocolate cake, and played a few games. I didn't take any pictures, but someone else did. I may (or may not) post some later when she sends them off...
Since we're teachers, my coworkers of course had to research the background of showers. Apparently bridal showers originated because the bride was literally showered with gifts. As in guests put presents in a parasol, closed it, and had the bride open it above her head. My coworkers had a parasol prepared - filled with undies. Ha! Embarrassing! I turn red really easily... so I was glad it was a little dim in the room. Although a bit embarrassing, it was a lot of fun.
What I wore...to the shower:
Shirt: Gap
Cardi: Kohls
Skirt: Target
Tights: Kohls
Necklace: Came with a shirt (also in my 30)
What I wore...within the last week. Two ways to style my blue Gap dress:
I am shopping for jewelry for my bridesmaids. I stumbled upon some mint colored jewelry that I love, but I'm not quite sure if it'll go with the pink dresses.
Thoughts please! The girls I'd normally ask about colors are in my wedding. Thankfully, none of them know about my blog. It's safe to ask for your advice!
The girls are wearing variations of J Crew's Shocking Pink dresses in Silk Chiffon:
Actually, two of my girls are wearing the top right one and three are wearing the bottom right one. They could have chosen the others as well.
I really like this jewelry, but is it too .... contrasting? Clashing? I don't know!
