efficiency for effectiveness

Efficiency is the key to effective wedding planning. For months I have known that I was had this Friday to dedicate towards planning activities up in New Jersey. As a result, Mom and I have a very full weekend ahead!

Our Friday itinerary includes:

• {Florist and Designer} This is our first consultation with the preferred florist of our wedding venue. I'm looking forward to talking to him about the options that are available! I absolutely adore flowers and wish that I could learn how to design bouquets and arrangements. 
• {Limousines} The limo company we scouted out requested that we stop by to take a look at their fleet. Fingers crossed we can book the vintage Rolls Royce! Two benefits of having an RR at the wedding: the sheet joy of riding in the Rolls with my Dad as I get transported from my childhood home to the place where I become a wife and a Mrs. Secondly, it will make for some really fantastic pictures!
• {Mother of the Bride Dresses} My Mom seems to have made more headway in her dress shopping than me, but that's okay! She found a great dress that she wants me opinion on. I have no doubt it will look great, she has the keenest sense of fashion.
• {Lunch} Need lots of energy for a full itinerary like this one.
• {Invitations, Printing, and Calligraphy} I haven't even purchased save the dates yet because I am waiting to see what this lady has in store. I will admit, I am a stationery snob. Every time I receive an invitation I will run my fingers over the paper to see if the ink is raised or if the paper is pressed. I'm willing to splurge on invitations because it is important to me - such a shame most people will throw them away the next day.
• {Eyebrows at Anastasia} I have heard wonderful tales about the ladies at Anastasia and their eyebrow-taming-mastery. I rarely get my eyebrows professionally done, so I figured that taking a few trips to Anastasia while I'm in NJ between now and the wedding couldn't hurt to give some real shape to what has been referred to as the "monsters" and "furry caterpillars" on my face ;-)
• {Century 21} It is an absolutely necessity to take advantage of the tax-free, reduced-priced shopping that is available in NJ. While at Century I plan to thoroughly expand my collection of mismatched, brightly colored socks. (That will make sense to my fellow flyers out there!)

Phew, I'm exhausted just thinking about what's in store for us tomorrow! OH, who am I kidding? I can't wait!! I'm like a kid on Christmas Eve. This is going to be a very productive weekend and I can't wait to get it started...

living the busy life

Not only has work work been outrageously busy lately, but wedding planning is going into full swing! I'm headed home this weekend for a FULL itinerary of to-do's but since I'm taking the train right from the office tomorrow evening, I have to do all my preparation today and this evening. I'm headed to trapeze class tonight after work and hopefully I'll catch the return bar. Last week, as you can see in the video below, I tapped the bar for the first time! It was a very exciting milestone and I'm thoroughly enjoying the recent growths I've experienced on the rig.

When I get home around 8:30 tonight I'll throw some dinner together and get to packing my weekend bag. I've had a hard time trying to decide what I should wear. I want something simple that won't take up too much room in my suitcase. Especially on Saturday, when I am dress shopping in New York City, I want to look polished and presentable. The ensemble needs to be easy to put on and take off because I'll be visiting three bridal salons and trying on TONS of dresses. Plus, this outfit has to transition to a steak dinner that night! Not that I'm complaining, for I have been looking forward to wedding dress shopping in New York City since I was 15 when I went into NYC with my Mom during her fittings!

After packing my bag, I'll be painting my fingers and toes. On my fingers I'm planning to use a neutral nail polish, I've got a Deborah Lipmann pink-beige that will work great. I'm going to add a glitter accent on my ring finger as well! No harm in calling attention to my favorite finger and favorite accessory (my engagement ring!) while wedding planning :) Since my toenails haven't completely healed from my running regiment, I'm leaning towards Wicked by Essie.

Something tells me I won't be getting to sleep until after 11 o'clock tonight... Better put some eye cream on. No bride wants circles under her eyes!

packing for a/c not the forecast

Last week I had the pleasure of flying to Dallas, TX to coach 400 of the newest practitioners at my firm. Most of these Analysts are recent college grads, others have previous work experience, and a few already have Masters degrees. The diversity of backgrounds and experiences ultimately leads to a successful and engaging learning experience but it also reminded me that their exposure to office cultures was limited, at best.

As a coach at this week-long training I knew to expect cold temperatures because I had been fooled too many times. Rather than packing for the forecast outside, I planned for the blasting air-conditioning inside. This turned out to be a successful method as I usually didn't step outside until I was enjoying dinner on the patio or while en route to the bar after the sun had set. This is a common trap for women to be conscious of when traveling for business, so I've included some tips to keep in mind when packing for your next conference!

• Mix and Match!
• Multiple layers take up more space in your suitcase and chances are that space is precious because you have a carry on. Choose 2-3 jackets or cardigans that coordinate with multiple outfits to save space.
• It's okay to wear the same pair of pants or the same skirt twice. Change up the top you are pairing it with and nobody will ever notice!
• Prepare for the A/C not the Forecast
• I suggest wearing pants! Not only is it cold in the rooms but I am usually worked to the bone and so tired that I have minimal interest and time to commit to shaving. Yes, I know that's not something y'all want to hear but it's true. If I can skip a day of shaving my legs after getting only 4 hours of sleep, I am grateful! 
• Pack pantyhose or stockings. This can go against your mindset for summer months - but remember that you're not outside in the heat, you are inside in a cold conference room! If you don't feel comfortable in pantyhose, please refer to the bullet above :)
• Fashion or Function?
• Shoes take up precious space in your suitcase as well. Pack some pairs that are versatile enough to wear day and night. You'll also want to think about an overall color scheme so that you can wear your shoes with multiple work outfits throughout the week.
• Don't forget that most conference centers are big... you'll cover a lot of distance between your room, the ballroom, the restaurant, and more! If you are wearing heels consider a thicker heel or a strap around your ankle. And don't forget those band-aids.
• Consider your Audience
• If you will be socializing with your colleagues, peers, and supervisors outside of the sessions, put a little thought into what is and what is not appropriate to wear. The shirt that slips off your shoulders may not be a great idea. 

Do you have any other suggestions for packing for a work trip??

wedding planning 101

The guide to wedding planning is the actual "planning". Having an idea of how you want your day to look and feel is an important part of getting started. Luckily I had been thinking a lot about my wedding before Ross popped the question, so I had a list of venues to consider and a pinterest board to consult!

I adore this centerpiece and would love to have something like this in the foyer of my venue.

Having support is also a big help, this is where my Mom stepped in. Before Ross and I left for Cabo, my Mom and I sat down to talk through the places for consideration. While we were on vacation she called our list and got the important details:

1. Available dates
2. Cost per head (including open bar, service charges, and tip!)
3. What options does the menu include? (For example, if the cocktail hour only includes tables and no passed around hors d'ouevres, I would expect to see a significantly cheaper cost.)
4. Are linens included? Are the gold chiavari chairs extra? (The ones that look like bamboo.)
5. Do you have extra fees for valet service?

These are all really important pieces of information to collect in the beginning so that you are aware of all the costs and none come out of the woodwork to surprise you down the road. It helps to write these questions down and track the answers for each venue you talk to. It will make the selection process much easier! So, thanks to my Mom we were able to narrow our list down pretty quickly!

A classic and simple twist that got QUITE the reaction on pinterest!!

By the end of that week we had picked our venue and started choosing menu items!! We also reserved the band (including a harp for the ceremony!). And later booked our photographer from our engagement session - more to come on our engagement session soon!

I hope to recreate a photo similar to this on our wedding day!

At this point my one "walking down the aisle" pinterest board expanded into quite a collection. This is helping me keep things organized, especially as I start approaching all of the details. For example, I know for sure that I want to get peach and gray striped paper straws, have childhood pictures of us on the doors to girls and boys room, and put together welcome bags that represent us and New Jersey!

I am totally swooning over this bridesmaid dress!

For your browsing pleasure, here are links to my pinterest boards:

• Walking Down the Aisle
• Wedding Flowers
• Wedding Hairstyles
• Wedding Shower Inspiration
• Bridal Fashion

bling bling

As soon as Ross proposed that engagement ring hardly ever left my finger! Keep in mind, three days later we were leaving for vacation in Cabo, Mexico and I made the executive decision to bring it along. It was just too pretty to leave behind :)

The ring survived Mexico (crashing waves and rip tides included) but it was time to visit a jeweler. You see, the ring was 60 years old and Ross' grandmother was an OB-GYN, so she was constantly taking her rings on and off to deliver little babies into this word. :) This lead to a slow wearing-down of the setting over time. We knew we had to get it re-set and Ross wanted me to be actively involved in that process.

We planned to take two weeks off for vacation, which meant we had the entire second week to dedicate to wedding planning in New Jersey! Two of these days were slotted for trips into New York City for ring shopping and consultations. It was SO much fun - each time we went over the George Washington Bridge I was reminded how much I love and miss New York City.

After meeting with our jeweler, we quickly realized a custom setting would have to be created. So we left the ring with him to get the whole profile (4 C's... Color, Cut, Clarity, Carat... come on girls, you know what I'm talking about). I knew almost immediately I wanted pear-shaped side stones to go with the circular center stone. I usually feel that three stone rings look like anniversary rings, rather than engagement rings so I wanted to stay away from three circles. With the tapered end of a pear, it kept the setting really clean and classic. I was also excited about have a unique setting, rather than a trendy setting or a typical ring! Two days later we hopped back into NYC to pick out the side stones. He brought two sizes with him, guess which ones I picked? Okay, in all honesty, the bigger ones just suited the center stone better. I promise!

The next week and a half without my ring was torture. And of course the day that it showed up, I get an email at 9:15 am alerting me a FedEx had arrived at my front desk. Naturally, I metro'd back home to pick it up and then ventured back to the office. (Not that I accomplished anything that day... I had a sparkly diamond flashing in my eyes every time I typed!)

"BEFORE" -- Engagement ring, pre-reset, with my Shellac manicure for Cabo!

Spec sent to me from jeweler... sans the "fangs"!

"AFTER" -- About twenty seconds after I took it out of the box!!  

Side-view of the setting.

I absolutely LOVE my ring!! It's exciting to have a piece of Ross' family passed on and to be able to tailor it and make it unique. Every day that I look at my ring, I'm reminded how lucky I am to have the most wonderful man in the world as my fiance. Knowing I get to spend the rest of my life with my best friend is SO exciting.

So now the big question is, what should I get for my wedding band? At first I thought a plain platinum band. But now that I have this beautiful diamond ring, I have an urging feeling inside to make it even more sparkly. However, the responsible and pragmatic side reminds me that I can't wear a diamond ring while I'm taking part in any physical or dirty activity (such as tubing down a river or gardening - both of which I have done this summer). I also want to wear my wedding ring when we travel - diamonds are attractive to pick pockets and thieves... another thing to consider. What do you think would work well as a wedding band?

A potential contender I made up on a Post-It note! Two pears, three round stones.

channel your inner bartender

I put my guests to work at my birthday party and that does not make me a bad hostess!! It was a great idea that led to mingling between various groups of friends.

Most guests actually tried both drink variations available... which is what I was hoping for! One mistake on my part... I did not previously QC (quality check) my instructions... so we had to remind folks to halve the Blueberry Lemonade recipe :) Also - I didn't anticipate the amount of lemon juice needed in a French 75 so Ross made a quick run to the supermarket at 7:30 for a couple extra bottles!!

For the instructions I created the designs in PowerPoint, printed it out, and put into a 4x6 picture frame!! Such an easy DIY :)

a quarter-century affair

Keep It Classy, Part Deux  was so much fun and a "very Caitlin affair".

 Ross (my favorite sous chef) and I spent all day Saturday shopping for last minute supplies, cooking the tasty treats, and preparing our place for the party!! I was so busy that I did not pick out my dress until 7:45... Guests were invited to show up at 8:00... Eek!! I also painted my nails between 8:15 and 8:30. I went with Over the Top by essie, a frosted charcoal, and my ring fingers were silver with silver glitter... accent nails!

 Here are some photos taken during prep and the final set-up!

DIY Candle Votives!

 The candles came in small plastic cups, I took them out and drew on the rim with a Sharpie. Then I pressed the rim of the cup down onto the top of the apple. I was able to easily trace this with my pumpkin carving knife then scoop out some apple with a spoon. Pop in the tealight candles and, voila!!

Melting caramels on the stove for some caramel apples!! 

 Puff pastry with raspberry jam and brie cheese. Use egg wash to seal the edges of the triangle shape, don't forget to top with an egg wash to ensure a nice brown crust when they come out of the oven!!

 My favorite sous chef cutting up the Extra Sharp Cheddar Cheese for my favorite snack ever... Cheese, Apples, and Pretzels. More specifically; extra sharp cheddar cheese, granny smith apples, and everything pretzel crisps. This combination is sweet and savory, smooth and crunchy. Everybody that tries it is immediately addicted and I am on a mission to share this snack with all of my friends!

 Mini pizzas and bite-sized caramel apples with peanuts in the background!

All four snacks shown on the table with the candle apple votives and hurricane lamps with tall candles and dried beans!!

I was actually taking these pictures when guests were arriving so they're kind of rushed and I didn't get as many as I was hoping to... but it's still a good visual of what the food looked like. Up next I'll post about the bar with signature drinks and everybody's outfits per the invite's dress code!!

host with the most

Saturday was the wedding shower for my dear friend and college roommate, Rebecca and her fiance, Michael. We all went to Penn State together and they're incorporating the blue and white color scheme into their wedding!

To launch the activities of their wedding we had a Jack & Jill shower at Rebecca's parents home! This was hosted by the bridal party (myself and six other lovely ladies; college friends and the bride's sisters) and her parents. The day's events really represented the couple well. We had yummy snacks like cheese and crackers and fruit salad. As well as some beer and vino... and of course some apple cider to welcome in the fall weather!

 As I mentioned earlier, the color scheme is blue and white which we incorporated into a number of different aspects such as tableware, favors, and gifts for the couple! For party favors the bridesmaids rounded up two dozen mason jars with the dry ingredients for chocolate chip cookies and chewy brownies!! Each jar was topped with a piece of fabric, either blue or white, and a recipe with the additional wet ingredients, time and temperature was tied to the necks. This was a really great favor that all the bridesmaids were able to partake in.

As a gift from the bridal party, I painted a wooden sign with the married couple's new last name and "established 2011". It came out really great!! The background is painted a navy blue (though it looks a bit lighter in this picture) and the font was an off-white. I also lightly brushed some off-white on the edges and sanded and wiped these parts for a distressed look.

I didn't use a stencil! This was done free-hand while
Hurricane Irene stormed right outside the window :)

For activities we printed out The Good Wife's Guide from Housekeeping Monthly in 1955! Michael read a number of these "expectations" out loud which was really funny for the whole party. If you have not seen or read this article, check it out here! After this we started the newlyweds game... who knows each other better?! The bridesmaids had previously collected the answers to a number of questions. When Rebecca and Michael were asked to guess their partner's response it was really rather comical! Rebecca won with 11 out of 18, but Michael wasn't far behind with 8. The prize options were a bag of baby carrots (because what bride isn't on a wedding diet!) and a bag of M&M's. Rebecca chose the baby carrots and then also got the Penn State koozie!!

We got back into town yesterday and I haven't had a chance to upload my pictures yet... so I'll share more photographs of the party later tonight or tomorrow!!