It's The MOB's Day ...

Specifically, on Sunday.  Even though she deserves more than just one day.  My mom (who, by the way, is a mother of 4, even though you would never guess it) has always been beyond supportive of all of us.  I still remember the time when she called the Dean of Radford University (who gets to talk to the dean?!!) when I was having roommate issues as a freshman in my dorm ...  by the end of that day, I was moved into another room, even though I had previously been told that was "against university policy."  In fact, I must confess that the majority of the obstacles I have had to overcome throughout my 27 years, big or small, she has had a part in the solution. 

Obviously, this year has been no exception.  In this wedding, the MOB has certainly been integral in the planning process.  Actually, she is the planning process.  While I wish I could take credit for our invitations, "creative" catering ideas, or decor at the wedding ... all of it has to go to her.  I should have known it would be this way - she did come up with the theme for every fashion show I have produced thus far. 

Thank you to my mom ... this is your weekend ... even though we both know it will begin with Wedding Friday tomorrow.  And even after the wedding, I know we will stay have our Fridays, we will just have to come up with another word to precede it.  I love you.

My Mom & I ... on one of our many Wedding Meetings!

Making Memories ...

As those closest to me already know, my engagement to Mr. BB was long-awaited.  (And I don't know that I could say I was always particularly patient throughout the process ... )  We had been dating for quite a while, had been living together, and had attended many weddings of friends/family our age.  And I will be the first to admit - there is no doubt he was feeling the pressure.  But when he finally got on stage at my high school fashion show to ask me to marry him ... he certainly made up for any time lost & I couldn't ask for a better time or place to begin our life together.

While going through the engagement process with some of my closest friends prior to my own proposal, I realized why planning a wedding really does lay the foundation for your life as married couple.  At times, it certainly may seem like all of the meetings, payments, & overall hours (upon hours) spent planning is all going towards one day ... but ultimately, all of the hard work is for your marriage whether than that one wedding date.

Our relationship has obviously grown throughout the past 18 months ... simply by being able to work together to create our special day.  But it is the opportunity for our "support system" - family, co-workers, and friends from different stages of our life - to get to know each other that I really appreciate most.  And it was my bridal shower this past weekend, that made me realize how fortunate I really am.  I have such an amazing group of people in my life and am so appreciative that throughout this process, they have gotten the chance to know each other and have really become a strong support system to us ... not only for our wedding day, but life ahead.

Thank you, all of you, for being part of this memorable experience, and more importantly, for being a part of my life to stay.  That is truly a comforting feeling.

Classic Catherine ...

It was obviously an eventful weekend in the news world ... as I am sure (unless you have been living under a rock!), you already know.  And for me, the weekend was quite busy, special, & memorable all in its own.  So much so, that it was extended to Monday as I just returned to work today.  On a side note, I could really get used to this 4-day week deal - the fact that tomorrow is already Wednesday makes me deliriously happy.

So obviously, there is lots to blog about, but it would be wrong (and completely unexpected of me) to not pay tribute to the newlyweds, who I'm told, are now officially referred to as the Dutch & Duchess of Cambridge.  Yes, I admit it, I am among those who woke up at 4 AM to watch the live coverage on each major news channel.  And I loved every minute of it ... so much so that I have now watched it 3 times. 

The verdict is ... she looked stunning, classic, and timeless.  And as I told my students today (whether they liked it or not, as I am convinced they think I am officially "mad" for talking about these people we don't know each & every day), the look of her dress will create fashion trends for years to come.  And I know that William liked her dress as well - one of my favorite parts of the ceremony was when he told her how beautiful she looked when she got down the aisle. (Mr. BB already took note!).

Now that the royal wedding is over - what is there to look forward to?  My own June wedding of course, although I don't know if it will make the news coverage quite like theirs did.  Something tells me no ...

That's What Friends Are For ...

I have always thought of myself as a true "girl's girl."  My FI might even say I was extra feminine - someone who loves to shop, chat with the girls over wine, & I admit it ... I often crave an afternoon complete with a manicure, pedicure (and maybe a little more shopping).   So there is is no doubt in my mind that even after I am an official Mrs. come June, my girlfriends will remain an integral part of my life.

Since Mr. BB & I got engaged 16 months ago, I have found myself feeling even more fortunate about the special people who surround me.  My friends have been just as much a part of this process as I have been - and it is their constant support that has made this experience that much more memorable.

This weekend marks my first official bridal shower, which will take place at one of my best friends/bridesmaids childhood home.  I am delighted to be able to celebrate with my girls ... 9 of who will be standing beside me on one of the biggest days of my life.  Thank you each for being you - and here is to many more life moments (and glasses of wine) to come.

A Plane Ticket, Passport, & A Prince

OK ... I realize it is not exactly accurate to describe Mr. BB (My FI) as a Prince, but with the Royal Wedding, Prince William and Princess-To-Be Kate have been on my mind ... and Mr. BB is my own Prince.  So it works, right?!

Today, "My Prince & I" were able to check off a major item from that always expanding Wedding To-Do List.  And it's a really good thing we did - since our Bahamas honeymoon is quite dependent upon it.  We each got our passports, and as a result, our first vacation as husband & wife certainly feels more real.

  The truth is ... even though we first started dating in the 10th grade ... the two of us have never even been on a plane together!  So, at the very least, this vacation is long-awaited & well-deserved.  After 18 months of planning and what is sure to be an eventful week of wedding excitement - somehow I already know it will be just what the doctor ordered.  We are both beyond thankful for this opportunity ... perhaps Mr. BB even more than myself, as he has never even been out of the country! 

PS - A special thank you to our Post Office Passport Extraordinare, who (as an early wedding present), did not charge us the usual $15 each to have our pictures taken ... even after she had to use white-out twice for the mistakes on my application (not my future husband's, his was entirely correct). 

2 Months ... Umm, Yesterday.

Most likely, it does not come as a surprise to anyone that I am a loyal wedding blog/website follower.  In fact, over the past 6 months, few days have gone by without a little time devoted to browsing through some of my favorites.  (I have several bloggers to thank for much of the decor that will surround my June wedding!). In other words ... websites that I previously didn't even know existed have become integral to our wedding planning process.  And on a side note:  I really should try to thank those former brides for their creative ideas that I have adapted as my own, although it's hard since none of them even know who I am. :)

The one website that I did know about was TheKnot.com, and it is most likely the "go to" for the majority of brides today.  It is for that exact reason, and the fact that we are striving for a different, innovative wedding, that I rarely type in it's address into my browser.  But today, its email was more informative than ever, as it updated me that my wedding is exactly 2 months away!

I don't know what surprised me more ... the fact that my wedding that once was 18 months/FOREVER away will be here in only 2, or that I am now so busy that the whole day went by without me noticing the importance of it.  It is seriously crunch time - an exciting time & certainly a busy one.

So here's to 2 months away ... and finally noticing it!  There sure is lots of updating to do in the weeks to come.

Back to Reality ...

It is definitely tough getting back to work after 5 days off, especially when the majority of those days provided us with clear, sunny blue skies & warm temperatures.  As I blogged prior to my week of vacation, this spring break was not going to be as relaxing as in years past, mainly because I was going to use my extra time to get some much-needed checks off our infamous Wedding To-Do List, and luckily, we were able to accomplish just that.  As a result, there are lots of updates that I could write about today, but one certainly sticks out in my mind ...

I've said it before - I am "that girl" who is constantly taking pictures and loves a good photo to commemorate a fun event or even just a standard dinner on a Saturday night.  I admit it, those few times that I have forgetten my bright orange Canon camera at home, my FI has to deal with my constant complaints and somehow, we just don't have as much fun. 

So it is no surprise that my bridal portaits were one of the pre-wedding events that I was looking forward to most.  Mostly, I was delighted to have the opportunity to put on the dress! ... the veil(s), shoes, and accesories, have my hair & make-up done, and obviously, to see the pictures afterwards.  It was a "trial run" before the big June 25th day!

How did it go?  The first part (the look) far exceeded my expectations ... I felt just like I a bride should and now, I am that much more anxious for Mr. BB to see me walk down the aisle.  The second part (the pictures) are still a work in progress, meaning that I have only seen one sneak peek from my photographer & the ones taken in that orange Canon camera.  But even if I did have them, they would have to stay a secret!  (Come on, Kate Middleton hasn't even released the name of the designer of her dress!). 

Here a few of what you can see ...

Picking up THE DRESS the day before ...
with my favorite wedding shop owner, Helen!

Getting my makeup done by my faithful bridesmaid, Sara!

A SNEAK PEEK ...


PS - I do realize that it is a bit of a stretch to compare the secret of my dress to the one that will be worn by the future Queen of England ... but we are both getting married in Spring 2011.  So I had to do it.