Friday Letters

Dear Spring, As impatient as I was for your arrival, I must say I am now grateful for your delay. Everyone has been saying the late arrival will make for beautiful blooms come our wedding time. Thank you for your blessing in disguise. 

Dear Sisters, Thank you so much for everything y'all have done and continue to do for me. I feel overwhelmed by the love and support y'all relentlessly offer to me. I am looking forward to the shower y'all have planned with Aunt Ilene. I don't know what I have done to deserve any of this!

Dear Cleaning & Organizing, I know it is an inevitable task, but I really enjoy procrastinating and putting you off for another day. The day has finally come though, and Calen and I are going to be full-on cleaning machines. I'm looking forward to changing over my closet to my spring wardrobe. 

Dear Pure Barre, The obsession continues. Since my days of ballet, never have I been so in love with a workout. Nothing else can quite compare to the way you tone and shape my body. I have added some weight training on my off days, but there is no need to get jealous- you're still my number one. 

Dear Bombshell Spell, Karena and Katrina (of Tone It Up) really know how start the day off right. I was hesitant to give you a try because I am so picky, but I am sure glad I did. I look forward to your refreshing pineapple kickstart to each morning. 

Playing Catch Up

Where do I even begin? So much has happened since I last blogged!

Let's start with the obvious: Gilder & Grace got a makeover! I'd been wanting to spruce the blog up for a while and I finally took the plunge! I had the pleasure of working with the beautiful and ever-talented Aubrey of The Kinch Life Design. I stumbled across her work one day and ooh-ed and ahh-ed over all her designs. Even though we only communicated through email, she was so sincerely sweet and I truly enjoyed working with her. (She also blogs here.) To say I'm happy with my blog makeover would be an understatement- I absolutely adore my new look! So, here's to Aubrey and her amazing creative talents! 

In other news, I finished my last quarter as an unmarried woman! On March 13th, I took my last classes with my maiden name! I am taking Spring quarter off for the wedding. Originally I thought about taking classes anyway, but Calen and Dorothea convinced to take the time to step back and enjoy everything. After all, I only get to do this once! I am already so relieved by my decision because we have had so many odds and ends on our agenda now that the wedding is just over a month away. I think I would be in a panic if school were on my plate, too. 

Two days after I finished Winter quarter, my mom and I headed out to Los Angeles for my dress fitting. Ah, one of the moments I'd been waiting for so patiently! Except, this time, Calen came to LA with us! Talk about a happy surprise! Don't worry, he did not come to the dress fitting with us- the dress is staying top secret until the moment I walk down the aisle. (He went sight-seeing while we were at the fitting.) 

I'll say two things about the dress: 

1) I cried instantly when I saw it for the very first time. They were happy happy tears. 

2) It fit like a dream. No alterations necessary- Rani created this dress to fit me perfectly. 

For now, the rest of the details will remain a secret, but our trip to Los Angeles was wonderful. We went for the dress, but we got to enjoy some of California while we were there. We saw the Rose Bowl stadium, went to the Norton Simon Museum, tried Sprinkles Cupcakes, window-shopped on Rodeo Drive, indulged in The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf, saw the Hollywood Walk of Fame, and so much more. It was a trip for our history books, folks. 

Once we got back from LA, it was back to my workout grind. I couldn't go to Pure Barre during the last two weeks of school, and boy did I miss my "Lift! Tone! Burn!" sessions. In addition to Pure Barre, I've been going to the gym with my sisters for cardio and strength training. Calen and I have been taking advantage of the finally warmer weather to walk our neighborhood, too. 

The bridal to-do list I'd been worrying about is finally getting accomplished as well. I've written bundles of thank-you notes and picked our ceremony reading, hymns, and music. I've been putting together my bridesmaid gifts, getting passport stuff taken care of, meeting with our amazing florist, and trying to prep for the honeymoon.

In about a week, Tarah will be arriving from South Dakota, and she will be staying through the wedding. I could not be more excited to have four or five weeks with my best friend during this life-changing time. I am also looking forward to my bridal shower, which is lovingly being hosted by my sisters and my mom's best friend. 

Whew! I think that about catches y'all up with all that has been happening! Happy Wednesday!

Friday Letters

Dear Weather, I think it is time for a change. Warmer, more sunny days perhaps? It would be greatly appreciated, especially since Mr. Groundhog didn't see his shadow. 

Dear Wedding Dress, Oh how I cannot wait to see you. I dream about you all the time, and I'm filled to the brim with excitement for the moment I'll see you for the very first time. We've got a big future together, wedding dress. Together we're marrying the love of my life.

Dear Finals, I am so nervous and excited about your arrival. Sure, there may be times of stress with you around, but this time it is very different. This time I feel bittersweet- these are the last finals I'll take with my maiden name. These are the last finals I'll take as an unmarried woman. It feels so crazy to think about! I am so excited for the things to come, but I'm also trying to savor and enjoy every last drop of this chapter in my life. 

What's In My Bag

It's been a while since I've shared what's in my bag! 

When it comes to school, I generally cycle through the same few totes again and again, but I've been trying to change it up more frequently. Here's what came out for rotation this time! I got this bag a few years ago, and I love it because it is a more "traditional" bag than I'd usually use. I think it's a classic yet an unexpected choice for me since I usually go for bright pinks and patterns! 

Inside, I have my class staples: kraft paper sketch pad, ruled spiral-bound, sketchbook, pens, pencils, markers, lip balm, lip gloss, hair brush, tissues, and my trusty apron. 

I've started collecting aprons since they are a printmaker's best friend, but this one is definitely my current favorite. Hmm... I wonder why? ;)

Honeymoon

When we first started talking honeymoon destinations, I told Calen I wanted to be surprised. He planned and kept things under wraps for quite a few months after we got engaged, but towards the middle of autumn he started rethinking some things. He had a lot of exciting ideas but he wanted my input on some of them, so we decided to forgo the element of my surprise. After lots of talks and so many possibilities from which to choose, I'm now happy to say it's been decided; Calen and I are going on a cruise!

We'll be heading off on a 12 day cruise and stopping in some pretty spectacular places. Until the honeymoon draws closer I'll be keeping it a secret on here, but I will divulge a couple of details that have me pretty excited:

1) One of our land excursions includes riding elephants. 

2) Our return flight is 16 or 17 hours long. 

It still hasn't quite hit me that after the most magical weekend of our lives, we will get to further celebrate with an amazing honeymoon...  our first trip as husband and wife! As much as I wanted to be in suspense, I must say planning this with Calen has been beyond exciting. Now I just have to get my passport renewed and start thinking about what to pack! 

Happy Tuesday, y'all!