It's easy to debate, according to tradition, that the most important part of the wedding is how I look. I agree to some extent which is why I will be professionally getting my hair and make-up done. My sister is a hair stylist so she always cuts and colors my hair. However, for my big day when she's my matron of honor, I'm not going to ask her to do that and add unnecessary stress. Instead, I've booked Estilo Salon and Day Spa in West Des Moines. A friend had her wedding look done there and recommended them.
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After talking with several bakers and meeting with two, Lucas and I finally decided on the baker(s) for our wedding. We chose Cache Bake Shoppe in Clive to do our cake and Lucas' aunt to do our cupcakes. I feel very relieved to have this figured out.
Our decision was based on taste and money. Lucas' aunt's passion is baking. She bakes for every family occasion and has years of experience in the catering/food industry. We felt that we couldn't go wrong with her tasty treats and that saving about $300 was worth it. Yes, cupcakes are that expensive. Bakers I talked to run between $15/dozen up to $5/per cupcake. That's a lot of money that we could put toward other "necessities" of the wedding. (Nothing is really necessary in a wedding, except a ring and marriage license.) I don't mess around when it comes to books on CD. Just three days after finishing the last, I started "Ladies of Liberty" by Cokie Roberts today. However, this is a 180 from listening to Chelsea Handler. I like to think of myself as well-rounded with diverse interests.
I'm a bit of a feminist, OK, a lot of a feminist. I also love social history. I don't care for the major wars and great poets of time, but the every day lives of normal people. Cokie made it very clear in the preface that this book is not about average women; it's about the ladies behind the men we all learned about as kids. I'm still intrigued though. It will be new insight into the years when America was just a baby. So far, chapter 1 is about Abigail Adams and Mary Pinckney, who was the wife of U.S. Ambassador to France Charles Pinckney during Adams' presidency. I haven't learned a whole lot in the first 30 minutes. Finding a baker for the wedding has been a top priority for me for the past two weeks. As you know, I'm a bargain shopper and picking the first baker I talk to just won't work. Well, Lucas and I met with a second baker today. It was great to meet Lindsay of Live Love Bake in Grimes. I found her in a google search and emailed her to get more information. After going back and forth a few times, I decided I wanted to meet. She brought in two little cakes for us to taste: almond with chocolate mouse filling and red velvet with a raspberry filling and both had a buttercream frosting. I thoroughly enjoyed her creations. Lucas thought her frosting was too sugary. Lindsay's prices are also very reasonable when compared to other bakers in the metro. Lucas and I are interested in having his aunt bake our cupcakes and a baker do our cake. Some in the metro will do that. Lindsay however, will not; She is all or nothing. We will be making a decision soon which will be a big relief for me.
Before Rain-X Meet Hanz. Hanz is my 2002 Honda Civic EX. I bought him in 2008 after graduating from college to begin my adventure as an adult in Joplin, Mo. He's far from perfect, but overall we get along great. After four years together, my dad recommending cleaning his headlights. I didn't even know you could do that. Hanz's lights are pretty dull. I just figured that's the way he was made. Nope, old age was taking it's toll. Lucas and I picked up a Rain-X headlight restoration kit for less than $20. Within 10 minutes, his headlights went from dull and hazy to... After Rain-X bright and clean! Over time, the headlights can get oxidized. A quick process helped Hanz's capabilities and look.
P.S. This blog post brought to you by Rain-X. Really, Jessica? You actually finished 6 CD's of the book "Lies that Chelsea Handler Told Me" in two weeks?
In my 11.12.12 post, I wasn't even sure if I'd finish so I'm very surprised I finished it in less than 14 days. I did skip some parts because some chapters got really repetitive and overly-detailed. I now know so much more about Chelsea Handler than I ever imagined or ever-needed to know. I have so much to be thankful for this year (and every year). I have family who loves me, a man who adores me, the cutest niece ever, friends I couldn't live without, a job (two jobs actually), a roof over my head, and food to eat. Sure, I complain about things, but it's about the small stuff. My needs are met by the grace of God, and I am grateful every day for that.
Today was the first Thanksgiving Lucas and I spent together. We spent the morning cooking, dancing in the kitchen, eating, watching football and napping, all before I had to go to work at 1:30pm. For the 5.5 hours we had together, it was perfect. The search for a baker for the wedding continues. I did a lot of research, got some great recommendations, and set up a tasting with Naomi of Cache Bake Shoppe in Clive. Lucas came with to discuss what we're looking for, prices, and of course to eat. The cake pictured to the left is one I found on pinterest. I think the buttercream roses are beautiful, simple and elegant.. which is the "theme" of my wedding. Naomi said she could even do it in three shades of green to play off our colors. Lucas was really into that. Her prices are reasonable compared to other bakers in the area. She also is willing just to do the cake if we wanted a relative to do cupcakes. Not all bakers are that flexible. She gave us 24 couple cakes to sample aka gorge ourselves on. They are very yummy. We've had rave reviews from all our friends we "made" try one or two. We're meeting with another baker coming up, so no decision quite yet. I'll keep you posted on the latest developments, of course. Later that night, to burn off some of the cupcakes we participated in the Tour de Lights bike ride/run through the Jolly Holiday Lights downtown Des Moines. There was a huge turnout and lots of great costumes and bike decorations. Our silver garland and tree ornaments didn't stack up. The annual ride is also a fundraiser for the Make-A-Wish Foundation. It was beautiful weather and really got us in the holiday spirit. Not going to lie, my butt was a little sore the next couple days. I haven't rode 11 miles in a couple months.
Lucas and I had a ball (OK, just me) window shopping for our wedding registry. We stopped by Dillard's, Younker's, and Bed Bath and Beyond. We don't live together so we could use some basic housewares type things. Before picking a store, I wanted to scope out his taste and style preferences. If we can't agree on china, I just don't know how this marriage will work out. After shopping, we rewarded ourselves with egg nog and cookies. This was my first time having Cloverleaf egg nog. They are an Iowa dairy that I first found out about in May during my two-week local/organic food challenge. The egg nog is very good. It isn't as rich as A&E's so some people (like Lucas) didn't have to pour milk in it to dilute it. I personally like A&E's richness, so I'll probably stick with that going forward.
So once again, I'm learning new things about the good book. I started the New Testament this afternoon, but only got a few chapters into the first book Matthew. I'm very surprised that on the first page we learn of Jesus' birth. I figured there be some warm up, some background, something to set the scene. Not so much. Unlike 90% of the Old Testament, I already knew everything I read today. I'm sure that will change eventually.
I've got 30 more days to finish up this reading assignment. I'm hopeful I can stay on track from here on out. It would be great to finish it before Christmas. |