30 and dirty?

So I had the bestest birthday ever! Threw an 80's theme party and had about 30 of my closest and dearest there. It was such a good feeling, to celebrate and rekindle some friendships that have been fading, well, not fading but kinda lost. Which seem imminent not that we're all older and busier lives.

Nevertheless I felt so loved, and am forever thankful to have people who care so much about me. My friends are my family and sometimes even closer than my family.

I love you all and I will always remember this special moment.

Bridesmaids Dresses

One big tick!

Saturday (28 April) was a momentous occasion. We found THE bridesmaids dresses at the second store we went to. The day started simple enough, took my gown over to my girl friend's and then tried it there. Then we went looking at a few stores and got her to try of a few dresses. Let's just call her SweetPea. Sweetpea is a bridesmaid at our wedding and she has been a pillar of support. She has been my pillar of strength over the past few years and truly one in a million.

It was fun, dressing up Sweetpea like a life-size doll! Anyway, we found the dress at the second store we were at, which coincidently is a couple of blocks again from home! And they were having a sale!

The dress, called "Mia" was on sale and after a fair bit of negotiation - had to play hardball to get the costs down - I decided to go for it! It's still slightly above my intended budget but I think its worth the little extra. Sweetpea looked amazing and the dress complimented her tiny frame!

Well there you go. Bridesmaids dresses - DONE!

Meltdown over

The day started well enough. Yesterday, I mean....We went to the cliffs, a scenic landscape, to contemplate, to see something new... Which was nice enough...

Then afternoon came, and I started to feel restless. Ate a packet of chips, then when even that failed, I went out to get this

And this...

And then went straight to bed. The End of a crappy day.

Never forget

5 years ago, on this very same day (Wednesday) daddy passed away.

The day my heart broke for the second time. Things have never been the same since.

I miss you dad. What I'd give to have you around, to talk to.
To walk down the aisle and have our dance

Wedding Cakes...part 2

My awesome weekend started with a wedding cake consultation. After a one-hour discussion on our ideal cake, we were finally given a quote of $850 for a two-tier cake.

The cake designer was an absolute delight. He was so outrageous, we hit it off immediately. Ahhh i wouldn't hesitate to work with them if they weren't so pricey! But check out what we were given to take home!!!

Of being size 8

I don't think I've mentioned my weight loss win, I have reached my "true weight" a few weeks ago.  What an enormous achievement!

Since then I've been on a short trip overseas, (where Dukan is virtually impossible in an Asian country) and indulged in Easter chocolates. One week back into the diet routine and here I am, at my "true weight" once again. 

I have decided to aim for an additional loss of 3kg, I predict that this would be quite a challenge. Nevertheless, I hope to reach this goal within the next 3 weeks!

I'm also now a size 8! 

I can't remember the last time I wear size 8 clothes. *teary eye*

I'm very proud of myself. And rightfully so.

Wedding Cakes...part 1

Had a shitty week but I'm currently doing something to balance out the unhappiness. 

Who would have thought that shopping for wedding cakes would have been so therapeutic?

If I weren't pushing to loose more kgs (minus 12 and counting) I would have loved to holler...

"Get In Muh Belly!"

True Weight

As of this morning, I have reached my "True Weight*"! I have lost 13kgs since Christmas!!!

Wowser!

I feel incredible, what a huge achievement. I've always maintained that I'd climb back on top. Be at the top of my game before i ever have kids. This is it!

What next? I'm going on a mini holiday this weekend (5 days!) and will aim to loose the holiday weight and an addition of 2+kg. Wish me luck!

*True Weight is a realistic, healthy weight that can help attain and maintain for the rest of your life. It takes into consideration a multitude of elements, such as family history, age, gender, how easily you put on weight, your height, your history of dieting, and so on.

Do your own homework!

Bridezilla rant *on*

Dear girl,

Love you to bits but can you, for f&ck sake get your act together and do your own homework? I'm really happy you've found Mr Right, even more that he propose. God knows how happy I am that we are able to share such happy moments in our life....but...

It's bad enough you decided to go with my photographer, even though you knew she is my photographer. Seriously? Who does that? Can you be a little bit more original?

Then you got us to meet up for breakfast, under false pretences. Felt as though you were trying to squeeze us for our supplier list. You put us in such uncomfortable situation, I felt paranoid that you were just there to gather "intelligence".

I hate that I have to get up to the point where I can't reveal who my suppliers are, or fake ignorance.

Well, I can't wait till we can actually kick back and enjoy each others company again, because frankly, at this rate, I don't want to see you until you get your shit sorted.

Love,
The more organised bride.

Bridezilla rant *off*

...Yes, I'm calling this a bridezilla post. It seems so trivial, to be upset over such little things in the grand scheme of life. But I can't help being upset! I can't help but feel as though my ideas are being stolen, right from under my nose. All the hard work, all the contacts....

....that never happened

After all the fanfare, the engagement shoot was called off due to poor weather.

I was gutted!

Yes, it was raining the entire day, but we thought it'd clear come sunset.

There were lots of umm'ing and ahh'ing with the photographer and makeup artist during midday, but after looking at the rain radar, Mr Other Half and I decided to go ahead, figuring that a little rain might actually be...romantic!

Unfortunately by 3pm, the photographer decided against the shoot, perhaps she didn't want to take any chances.  But by then, we'd bought our props (flowers and cupcakes), and I was already getting my hair and makeup done!

Mr Other Half event spent a couple of hours picking up cupcakes and playing florist while I was away!

4pm, and the weather was clearing up.

Just as Mr Other Half and I thought, grey skies would clear up! See the ray of light? It was all clear throughout sunset. which would have been perfect for a shoot!

How disappointing...

I'm trying to be positive, but I'm always irked when I can't kill two birds with one stone - get my makeup and hair done AND a photo shoot. Coulda, Woulda, SHOULDA!!!

...but on a positive note, my makeup and hair was perfect! The artist was not only professional, but also very nice! I felt like a princess, and can't wait for everyone to see them at the wedding. We even had time to try 4 hairstyles, take pictures of them and I can now take my time to decide which one I'd like on the BIG DAY.

We've rescheduled for a 7am shoot next month. Will be doing the sun dance until then.

Engagement shoot

I can't remember the last time I took a day off work, for something that's not holiday related. Today's a big day for me, it's a milestone!

I'm getting my hair and makeup trial done today to coincide with our engagement shoot. Me! I don't even know what veil i'd be wearing or if i'd like my hair up or down on that day.

Getting a hair and makeup done is so...final! Eeeep!

Also, been spending the past month stressing out over the engagement shoot - who would have thought props for a one/two hour shoot would cause so much stress?

Wish me luck!

Insomniac

Nobody ever tells you the hidden perils of wedding planning. The panic and anxiety of wanting THE wedding, of wanting a wedding that is absolutely unique to you and him.

And defining what makes you, you!

I'm want a wedding that's special, not only to me and him, but to all our guests.

Am I asking for too much?

I've been having many sleepless nights, worrying of crap like that. I don't know if it's entirely attributed to wedding planning - apparently being on diet does that to you.

....ok again

And just like that I'm ok again.

I have faith in the boy and myself, nobody can replicate our relationship and who we are.

And certainly not gonna sweat over the small stuff.

You don't have to stand out to be special.... and that's really us, in essence.

We're us :)

Why!?

One of my bridesmaids, who is getting married a month after me will be booking with the same photographer. MY PHOTOGRAPHER.

I am so dismayed. Why would anyone do that, especially with the circumstances? Our weddings are so close, and the photographer already doing mine?

:(

Fretting at 2am

The first few weeks when we got engaged, I was constantly awake in the wee hours of the morning, stressing over the venue, photographers, videographers and stylist. It was all about having choices, and making the right decision.

...I've been really lucky, being able to lock in my favourite (at a costly prize). 

I've had a good sleep for the past month, so why am I stressing out now? I'm a little disturbed that my suppliers haven't engaged me since. It's that lack of communication that's bothering me. Yes I need to be assured that they would engage us as a couple - how else can they capture us in action, getting married?

Maybe I am bridezilla. After all, the wedding's 7 months away...

RIP Whitney

I've made many remarks in the past, about how we all see it coming, how she publicly struggled with drugs.

But the saddest thing is to know is that she didn't die of it after all. And just when life was getting a little better from the many volatile years ago.

Found the dress, now what?

I'd like to say I'm a fairly chilled out bride. It's 7 months out and I've got most of the important stuff sorted. 

1. Wedding reception venue(s) - check
2. Photographer(s) - check
3. Videographer - check
4. Church - check
5. Gown - check
6. Church - check
7. Makeup and hair - check!

I pretty much spent the last month losing weight. (9kgs gone, 4 to go - wooooo hoooo!)

My next big project is THE engagement shoot. Wish me luck!

7 down, 5 to go

Miss Piggy was my breaking point. After waking up in sweat at the thought of being a fat bride with massive back cleavage, I vowed to get into shape, to be in the best shape of my life. After all, if I don't do something about this now, at this time in my life, when will I ever have the chance?

Today I am 7 kgs lighter than I was 5 weeks ago. Went on a 4-week Dukan diet, with one week break (being on holidays). I feel like one of those "after" models, holding up my fat pants. I never thought I'd ever get here! I've never felt this healthy my entire life.

I'm feeling really good, it's so tempting to shout this great achievement of mine from the rooftop. But I guess modesty is key, isn't it? 5 more kgs and I shall indulge and celebrate.

Loving it!

First wedding gown trial

Last Saturday, I did something I've been dreading.

I went to try wedding gowns.  No biggie there, didn't feel "emotional" at all. Instead, i tried ball gowns, princess cuts, mermaid cuts, one shoulder, straps, strapless, sleeves and no sleeve. In fact, I had so much fun I thought that perhaps I'm one of those lucky ones who do not succumb to emotions.

..I spoke too soon. Turned into an emotional wreck at night. I could think about is how much I'm missing my brother and dad. 

:(

Sigh.

Set the date, set the date!

What an immense relief.  After weeks of stressing and looking, we've finally decided on the wedding venues. Most importantly, the date! We've set the date!

The countdown begins!