starfish kate

Sorry I can't help, but enjoy your trip!

I'm not a huge Idol fan, but my parents are! We had to post-pone my birthday dinner a couple of years ago because the finals were on. If the writers strike continues the whole country will be AI fans because there will be nothing else to watch on TV.

Have an awesome birthday, Jackie!

Mike is going to order the Craftlite Cutter that is advertised all over HGTV and the Style Network.... He is too funny. It has all of the things you are looking for and is about $20 I think. I'll let you know how it works when I get it.

Wow! Amazing! Thanks Tammy. I know I mention it to everyone I know/hear of who is planning a DW.

Some of you may know that my wedding plans have changed from what I had originally planned. I will spare you the details and just update everyone with our current plans. Our first plans were to be married on St. John in the US Virgin Islands in November 2008. Now we will be getting married on Cape Cod in the spring of 2009. My birthday is May 24th which happens to fall on the Sunday of Memorial Day weekend in 2009 so I think that might be fun. We haven't chosen an exact location yet, but Mike and I will be heading down to the Cape with my parents in a couple of weeks to visit some possible sites as well as attend a wedding expo. We will probably have about 150-ish people and it will be a New England Clambake and much to my FMIL's dismay, we will not be having paper plates and napkins, it will be an elegant seaside clambake. Colors will be navy blue, light blue, red and white. I thought I'd show you what I've been thinking for decor, etc. Tell me what you think and if you have any better ideas: I have always wanted a chessecake for a wedding cake. I'd like something similar to this, but with fruit on top instead of flowers. http://i171.photobucket.com/albums/u...dding_cake.jpg Not sure about flowers yet, but here are some ideas that I like: I like these colors: http://i171.photobucket.com/albums/u...enterpiece.jpg In julep cups: http://i171.photobucket.com/albums/u.../julep_cup.jpg Maybe in a tablescape like this: http://i171.photobucket.com/albums/u...tablescape.jpg

The guys will be wearing khaki pants, white shirts and navy blazers with Vineyard Vines ties: http://i171.photobucket.com/albums/u281/lazz524/tie.jpg Or http://i171.photobucket.com/albums/u...zz524/tie2.jpg I'm not sure about BM dresses yet. Mike LOVES popcorn and I saw an idea similar to a candy bar that was a popcorn bar that I thought was cool, but Mike said that he'd just like to have a popcorn machine available instead. That's cool with me. http://i171.photobucket.com/albums/u...24/popcorn.jpg My dad has a 1967 Chevy Malibu convertible that he's had since the year I was born. It has been driven in parades and I have always LOVED this car. So, since we're doing a DW within driving distance, I thought that we could have the car there for photos. This is a similar car, but ours is nicer. http://i171.photobucket.com/albums/u...524/malibu.jpg So.... What do you think??

Quote: Originally Posted by NYJen My advice is simple - hire a cleaning person. Works for me. LOL!!! Ditto! And all of our furniture is dark wood and dust drives me crazy, but if it gets really bad, I just dust with a damp rag. We don't have any pets so that helps. I put the stove racks and drip pans right into the dishwasher a couple of times a week and I just use Fantastik on the stovetop. We also live in a loft-style condo with the exposed brick and natural beams, etc. so I've just accepted the fact that I'll always have a little dust.

I think it's totally fine. He can walk out with a bridesmaid and groomsman. I think it would be very cute.

Congratulations ladies! Thanks for all of your awesome ideas/comments/feedback. It is much appreciated.

The Creative Memories tape runner would work great.... If you know a consultant you could get it from or I'm sure you could find it on ebay. That's what I plan on using.

Quote: Originally Posted by jas&john Oh my gosh I can't imagine anyone caring about that picture. Hey it's Mexico and it is exactly what I would expect to happen in MX. It's always hit and miss. If you have a good photographer you could just ask her/him to tyr to keep it out of the pictures if you really don't like it. In years from now it will be a great conversation piece when showing your album. I'd just laugh it off, have a blaast and enjoy the people (including that artist). J I'm usually pretty picky, but I don't think anyone will really notice. If they do, I'm sure they'll just accept it as Mexican art. I didn't see it before and I didn't have my heart set on it as it was before, but I really don't think anyone will think twice about it.

The first word that comes to my mind is TACKY!!!!

I say stick with the Junior Suite, or go all the way with the Jacuzzi Suite. The Full Suite just seems like the only difference is the size. I voted for Jacuzzi Suite. Generally I would say go simple, but it is your HONEYMOON!! And with all you've been through over the past year, you DESERVE IT!!

I was doing well with my Diet Coke habit, but I sort of "fell off the wagon" over the past few weeks. I'm way better than I used to be- down to about 3 per day from 5-6, but I still need to quit. I think today is just as good a day as any! Mike and I are also joining Weight Watchers because just going to the gym and "trying" to eat better just isn't working. Way to go Jen and Jenn! You laides are my inspiration!

You can bet that as soon as that ring is on my finger, we're putting a deposit down and there's no changing it!

Oh and I will probably remove this post soon because who knows who will be reading it!

Let me preface this by saying a few things: I am the happiest I have ever been in my life, and I am so lucky to have such a wonderful family and friends. Iam finally at a point in my life where I really can't complain about too much- finally! Some may know that I am not officially engaged yet, but FF and I live together and I know that a ring is coming in the next few weeks or so. A few weeks ago, FF's brother got engaged sort of out of the blue. He and his FI have been together for about a year and a half, but we had no inclination that it would happen this soon. She's great and I am very happy for them. The thing is (I know I sound like a brat), FBIL somehow found my posts on BDW and saw that we were planning a DW and mentioned it to FF's mother. I had said all along that we were planning for November 2008. FBIL's engagement sort of caused FF and I to re-evaluate what type of wedidng we'd like to have, for many reasons. SO, FBIL now tells us that he's getting married in November 2008 in Michigan, where his FI is from. They live in Florida and all of his family (us) are in Massachusetts. I don't konw what to think about this. Even my mother said, "sounds like he's purposely trying to screw things up for you." My mother never thinks the worst so that sort of surprised me, but that's how I'm feeling. I'm to the point where when we finally get engaged we'll have to fit our wedding in somewhere.... Oh and he said if November doesn't work for them, it will be Spring of 2009- our alternative time! I know I don't have a right to complain, and I haven't to anyone other than my mother and FF, but I'm pissed! I'd like to think that it's a coincidence, but I know he's found my posts on BDW so he knows what we were planning. I really hope that this isn't the case, but it really seems to be. I'm 30 years old and I have been looking forward to this time in my life forever. Ah... I feel a little better now that I've got that all out....

I lurk on a diamond forum- I'm not registered or anything, but it is really informative. I'll bet if you posted pictures of your ring and asked for help you will get many helpful suggestions. Diamond Forums at Pricescope

Aw... Jessica, he's beautiful!! Congratulations! What a great way to welcome the new year!!

I have been terrible about welcoming newbies- I'm sorry!! to everyone- you're going to love everyone here!

Mike and I said that we weren't going to do much for Christmas this year, and we pretty much stuck to it. Here's what I got from him: PJ's beautiful Waterford wine glasses GC for mani and pedi Red Sox sweatshirt Creme brulee kit leather gloves cashmere scarf a new wine opener stocking stuff From my family/Mike's family: Pottery Barn duvet cover and shams I wanted PJ's George Foreman grill (to replace the old one that died) Blender and food processor combo a few gift cards money Vera Bradley makeup bag to match my duffel a bunch of frames What I gave Mike: clothes leather gloves and North Face gloves The Art of Shaving shaving cream Giant spotlight for his car (I have no idea why he wanted this- he is an underwriter) stocking stuff some other stuff I don't remember His B-day is January 5th and I got him a new iPod, battery for his phone, case for his Blackberry and a jeweler's loupe.

St. John is one of my most favorite places on earth- the other is Jost Van Dyke in the BVI's. Caneel Bay is beautiful and there aren't many kids, but it isn't exactly affordable.... I think the Westin might have an AI plan and it is a little more affordable, but St. John as a whole is more expensive than St. Thomas. We were originally planning on being married on St. John but our plans have changed a bit. St. Croix has more AI's and it is very much up-and-coming. I haven't been there, but I've heard all good things recently. I am definitely a Virgin Islands fan!!

I had every intention of making the starfish ornaments for my family for Christmas, but I never got around to ordering the starfish so looks like it will have to wait til next year.... It really seems doable though, and really cute!

Thanks!! I will certainly be adding to the east coast section.