c'mon now, pull it together

1: Summer was good to us. It was my last summer as an unmarried woman, and I can't say I am sad about it. This summer will undoubtedly be the best summer of my life thus far. Bring it.

2: Kate leaves on her mission tomorrow. It will be weird not having the option to see her whenever I want. She will be a splendid missionary though. And, by the time she gets home I will be a wife {maybe even a mommy}. Kari is waiting patiently for her call right now. I am betting Europe. And if so, I may be planning a trip across the pond.

3: I am marrying such a handsome man. this could be a centerfold out of GQ. And, is it just me or are suits the best way too make a woman swoon? because believe me I am swooning.

4: Rachel and I went to the ATM last week and my truck didn't fit.  Note to self: I am too small for a truck. And a truck is too big for me. I still love my Stevie though. She's a keeper.

5: Wedding planning is in full swing. My nerves have each taken a shot of caffeine and it is keeping me from being productive. So I thought I would share a bit of the wedding jitters with you.

6: The colors and the flowers have been chosen and I am torn between two photographers. Bridesmaids dresses will be purchased in mint, and the wedding dress will soon undergo surgery. The invites have been chosen and the guest list is growing. The more it comes together the more I lose my mind. April 26th could not come fast enough.

I cant wait to be his mrs.

lets plan this wedding.

First, to all you married ladies out there...

I NEED HELP.

I have never planned a wedding before. and Neither has the mom. 

And we have no idea where to start. 

Here is what i am asking for. Advice. Advice. Advice.

What is something you wish you would have done?

What are the things you can leave out?

What are things you wish you would have done differently?

There are the questions. 

Now answer away. Seriously. 

Answer questions that i didn't ask.

I need all the advice i can get my hands on.

Please.

I am now done begging.

Here are the things that we do have planned.

The Date{which has now changed to the 26th from the 27th}

The Temple

The Venue

       &

The Colors.

This is as far as we have gotten. 

please share if.. 

you know an awesome photographer.

you know a caterer.

you know a florist.

you know anything.

Ready

Set

GO.

PS. Due to the marital status about to change. so will the blog.

2012

Goodbye 2012 and good riddance. I mean you were good to me and all, but it was time for you to go. Let me give you the break down on the hardest year of my adult life. that may have been an exaggeration. But thats fine. 

2012:
Got that New Years kiss from my one and only.
Moved down to cougar city.
Worked at forever 21.
Worked at Costco.
Started planning a wedding.
Found a ring.
Bought a wedding dress.
Stopped planning a wedding.
Moved home from Provo.
Started at FFG.
Got engaged.
Got promoted.
Turned nineteen.
Moved into our teeny tiny house.
Had a merry christmas.
Burned a tree, kissed a hottie, and brought in the new year.

This year brought lots of heartache. But with all the tears shed, many more smiles were had.

 It was a good year in all and a fast one as well.

 A year later and I am still falling in love with this gentleman mine, just a couple kisses and a few laughs at a time.

Now lets talk about this new year. 

Its already January 10th. awww yeeaa

 January was and still is the dreaded month for me. Why? Because it is the only month since getting engaged that does not have had a holiday or a birthday to look forward to.

But, I can say that January has been good for something. January means that i am actually getting married this year. No more "im getting married next year"and a lot more "im getting married this year".

Guys. This is exciting stuff. 

2012 brought a lot of lasts 

but 2013 will bring a lot of firsts.

and i don't know about you but i'd rather have firsts.

I swear I am not girly.

I'm scaring myself. I have never liked pink. now I am pretty sure I love it. I like wearing bows in my hair. and I craft. something is terribly wrong {yet so right} with me. I have always been proud to not be girly. and now thats just what I am. girly. the word practically shatters my entire universe. its like waking up and finding out who you thought you were these past nineteen years was all a lie. but its okay. I am just going to keep carrying on wearing my bright lipstick,  bows and painting my nails with glitter.

here's to being girly. I think I kinda like it.

if you like to shop {and buy cute things}

Here is the scoop. because of this girl. MEG. {we love her}. I found out about this lovely night. and you can count me in. this is what you do. you post this picture on your blog {to spread the word} and put a link to either BRITT. or CLAIRE. or both if you'd like. whatever makes you happy. then head on over to their blog(s) and leave a comment on their post so that they can see you've posted. after you've done this you are now eligible for 15% off at their pop-up shop Friday December 14th. make sure you go and stock up on as many cute bows and cards as you can. they are one of a kind. I know I'll be there.

lets make some china.

I have a new hobby, as you may know. its crafting. i cant get enough. i finish one and need to do another. its crack. you can bet i will do a new craft every saturday. but thats okay. because i craft on a budget. this craft all together cost me ten dollars. and believe me. it is very worth it. what is it you ask? let me tell you.

personalized dishes. 

here is what you are going to need. 

the dishes. 

I liked the square plates. but you may select whatever rustles your feathers. 

I wanted a cup to go with my plate. so i got one. 

 sharpie pens. in any color you fancy. i went with the simple black and silver.

before you start the craft hold your horses and preheat the oven to 350 degrees. now you can draw {or stencil} your heart out. do what ever you please. be you. and be creative. or dont. just do what you want with it. because this is the good thing. if your hand slips and you are afraid you cant fix it. yes, yes you can. take dish soap hot water and a scrubber and scrub away. it scrubs right off and you can start anew. when you have finished your masterpiece and are joyed with your creation. pop it into the oven for 30 minutes. tap your fingers on the table and stare at the clock until its time take them out { with a hot pad } and admire. you have just created your favorite dishes. { and will most likely make many more }

the end result.

these are my lovely things. 

you can bet i will use them on a daily basis.

happy crafting to all.

you're a mean one mr. grinch.

snow brings good things. like hot cocoa,  snow angels,  baked goods, boots...everyday, oversized sweaters., never shaving my legs, snowball fights, fireplaces, flannel, layers, beanies, cuddling, christmas music and i could go on and on. but i will stop there.

i am one of those people that wait till 12:01am on november 1st to listen to christmas music. then i play it and play it and play it. this years favorites? let me tell you. 

first: the grinch. the whole soundtrack and the movie. i could listen to it all day. 

second: baby, its cold outside by haley reinhart and casey abrams.

third: conventry carol by sonos.

so far these are my favorites. i am always looking for more. please tell me your favorites for this year so i can add them to my wonderful playlist.

today was a good day. it snowed all day and brightened my spirits. i am not fond of the traffic and the horrible sight that it brings while on the freeway. but its lovely to watch when your all cozy inside.

I am going to do a christmas giveaway.

stay tuned for lots of holiday decorations. gift cards. festive nail polish. holiday music. and {cough}boots. if you have any fun suggestions to add to the giveaway let me know.i'll post it this week. keep your eyes open and let everyone know.

heres to mistletoe and snowmen.

the walking dead.

let me just say. what just happened? WALKING DEAD SPOILER ALERT. this episode was horribly good. it was amazingly horrible. i would rather have a zombie baby then have a dead lori. "goodnight love" that last line from her made my heart ache. literally. it is definitely not healthy for me to invest so much emotion into a tv show. and tdawg. i love tdawg. and i am sad to see him go. but he did die a martyr so he went in the best way. at least the walkers ate him enough that he isnt gonna turn. can i just say go hershel. you have one leg and crutches and you still kill walkers.and you have an awesome ponytail. carl is a mother-killer and rick is not in his right mind.  let the next episode begin. 

and where did carol go?

the six month remodel.

we have six months to go. and i am already crazy. to tell you the truth. i was already crazy six months before we even got engaged. if i pintrest i have to stay away from the wedding category. i told tyson the other day (in a really excited voice) we only have six more months! and this was his response: we still have half a year to go. its dragging. really dragging. we have two months down. and i thought those were hard. i have decided in the next six months im not allowed to have down time. because the more down time i have the more i think about how long six months is and the crazier i get. my room got the six month remodel. and for each month i will do a project to keep me busy while i am not at work. but here is my new room. give me your opinions. and some crafts that will be fun to do in the next six months. i could use some help.

 {the birthday vanity. i love it with all my heart}

 {my new enjoy pillow. a great hobby lobby find}

 {the first project. the canvas.  and a sharpie. from the new age bible. if you are confused. but i liked it}

 {my second project. twine bottles. three rootbeer bottles hot glue twine and whala. you have these beauties. they took longer to make then expected}

 {the third project. framed roses. a hobby lobby ten dollar frame. three dried roses. twine. and hot glue. fun fact. one rose is from mine and Tyson's year anniversary. one from the engagement. and one that my papa left on my door. a meaningful craft. im quite proud of myself}

{my new closet door handle. such a great steal}

im quite pleased with how my room turned out. i think i will leave it like this for awhile. but we will see i am always changing things up. but again. dont be shy. tell me what you think. please give me crafts. crafts that will come in useful when i am a wifey. 

happy six months.

military girlfriend.

this is adam. he is in the USMC. he is also my sisters boyfriend. i give them props for being able to do what they do and stay so strong being apart so much. she is happy. and that makes me happy. she deserves it.

this is the best kodak moment i have ever seen.

its perfect. and shows how much they love.

being an USMC girlfriend is hard to watch. 

so i am guessing even harder to do.

props to her. 

follow their story here.

www.racheltharmon.blogspot.com