Friday5

It's the end of the year, so I've made my end of the year bucket list. 

1. Yoga - commonly one of my goals, this time it's a big one. With a wedding coming up, I want to be in the best shape, I believe in yoga and everything about it.

2. Finish Christmas shopping - I always leave a few things for the last minute. It's the only way to truly enjoy the season.

3. Read a good book - I have a series to finish and I'm hoping to do it before the year ends.

4. Clean out my closet - getting rid of the old to bring in the new!

 

5. Plan a cozy night in with the love of my life - we have a lot of nights out and I love them all. But a night in with the fireplace roaring, during a cold winter night sounds kind of perfect right about now.

Those are just 5 of the things I want to do before the clock strikes midnight on December 31st. What do you want to finish up, start, accomplish before 2013 rolls in?

I'm Back!

It's been awhile. 

I'm sorry about that. 

Wedding stuff isn't easy, people don't tell you how difficult it really is. But I'll tell you - honestly - it's one of the more difficult times in this relationship. I'll go into it more in later posts but for now I'll just tell you - we needed a break, a mini getaway from life. 

St. Pete Beach, FL

Also, known as Florida. 

Time to reconnect and get back to basics. Our first stop was the Salvador Dali museum, it was fantastic. The Wishing Tree was one of the neatest (yes, I use the word neat, I also use the word neat-o) things I've see. So many wishes tied to to the branches of a beautiful Willow tree. It was quite a site. We tied ours wishes together - don't worry we didn't tell each other what we wished for. Some secrets are ok to keep from each other.

The Dragon ties his wish to the Wishing Tree.
St. Pete, FL

We spent the rest of the weekend heading to local breweries, a winery and other fun foodie places. We left Florida feeling overwhelmingly full, happy and relaxed. 

This is one happy, relaxed girl.

The wedding planning might not be the easiest thing to do, but we're managing to learn more about each other and what we want for our future together. In the end, that's what's really important - our future. 

I'm sure they'll be plenty more fights about the photographer, food, DJ, invitations and everything.single.other thing we have to pay for but in the end it'll all be worth it, I'll get to marry my best friend and the love of my life. 

Until next time!

B&BL

#Shoesday Who are you?

I don't know where to find these but I think I NEED them!

I Left My Heart in San Francisco

It all started two years ago, in a small town, at a little park on the river.

See that man in the grey shirt -- he stole my heart.

Who would have guessed that moment would turn in to a great love story (great according to me, of course).
As we celebrate a month of engagement, I thought it appropriate to finally share how it all happened.

July 19, 2012 --
San Francisco, what a beautiful place. We've been there 3 times now.  By far this was my favorite trip, I'm sure you can guess why. Our first morning there we took a walk to one of my favorite places - Peet's Coffee & Tea!



Why does Chicago not have Peet's?

It was just day two of our trip when the dragon decided to take me on a hike. We headed out to a trail called Lands End, tucked away in the northwest corner of San Francisco.

I can't explain enough how beautiful this trail is. I don't think I could ever do it enough justice, I don't even think the photos show the potential of this trail.
We hiked about a half hour before we hit a fork, one side led to a cliff lookout, the other led further to a place called the Cliff House. Our plan was to make it to the Cliff House for a drink, head back to home base and take off for Sonoma, of course not all of that happened.

We took the road less taken...toward the cliff. It was the most amazing view and below was a stone labyrinth. We headed toward the labyrinth and walked through it following the twists and turns, avoiding the dead ends.

At the end of it you are supposed to leave an offering, so we did - a pretty pink flower I picked along the way.
We stood there for awhile enjoying the beauty of this spot.

Then my Dragon kissed me and said, "my last kiss with my girlfriend." Soon after he said some sweet, personal things (that I'll leave between us) and got down on one knee. In that moment there were just the two of us, he asked if I would marry him and of course I said YES! I think I may have actually started saying yes before he managed to ask the question.

Lots of happy tears later, we headed back to home base and out to Sonoma for a weekend of celebration and wine!

Step 1

So many conflicting reports. So, I want to know from you - what was the first thing you did after he popped the question?? (Besides say yes and tell the world!)

I've heard every thing from planning a guest list, setting the date to looking at venues and picking your bridesmaids. Yikes!

Share your firsts with me, I'm dying to hear!

Happy Wedding Wednesday!
Love,
B&BLove


P.S. I have big news to share soon...so stay tuned!

Alexander McQueen #Shoesday

These amazing lace-covered satin pumps stole my heart.


Classic/vintage style with beautiful details.



The best part is they're on sale! At 40% off theses precious pumps are a steal at just $597!
Guess I'll have to keep dreamin'!

Happy #Shoesday!

A Big Day Survival Guide

Taming a bridezilla just got a little easier with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) wedding day survival guide. Yep, the organization made a handy dandy guide to help survive the long-winded speeches, nagging brides and drunken guests.

The CDC's Wedding Day Survival Guide is a little over the top, kinda like the agency's Zombie Preparedness Guide. Suggesting to plan for the Big day as you would a natural disaster, "Being in the throes of wedding season, many of us here at CDC realized that planning for a wedding isn’t that much different from planning for a disaster. Just remember: Get a Kit, Make a Plan, and Be Informed."


There is some great advice to take away from the guide, like packing a survival kit and prepare for anything. I've heard of emergency kits which include, pins, band aids (for klutzy girls like myself), chocolate and important documents. Maybe comparing it to a tornado is a little extreme but the guide makes definitely made me think of how to be better prepared for that big day.

What do you think of the CDC's Wedding Day Survival Guide?