Starting us out on our “Mawwage. Mawwage.” series (it’s a Princess Bride reference and if you don’t know it, you should) is Connie of Sogni y Sorrisi. Connie has always been so kind and so generous to me, and I am pretty sure those are good marraige skills, so I would listen to what she says. Thanks so much for participating, Connie!
xoxo

Bailey

Favorite Wedding Memory

All the fun we had. Honestly, when I look back, what I remember most is the laughter and the dancing and the smiles–and, yes, a few bittersweet tears. Our wedding was a sacred event, but it was also a party that stretched into wee hours. And we enjoyed every minute of it.

Favorite Marriage Memory

Oh, jeez, hard one. It’s easy to point to the trips we’ve taken as the best memories, because they are definitely vivid ones, but I’d have to say–at the risk of venturing into complete cheese territory–it’s the little moments I really treasure. Looking back the happy memories look like: Laughter. Lots of it. Watching bad TV together. Food experiments and dancing in the kitchen–even that one time he dropped me mid-dip. A perfect espresso macchiato waiting for me every morning and every night (the hubs has skills, I didn’t marry the guy for nothing!) and the roadtrips that were destination nowhere and anywhere.

Best Piece of Wedding Advice

Whenever someone asks me for wedding advice I can only say: Don’t sweat the small stuff. You want to remember you day as joyful, not one ruined by obsessing over the fact that the florist used the wrong shade of peony in the centerpieces. You plan as best you can and then you’ve got to let it go or risk ruining your day over mistakes that no one will notice.

And while your wedding will hopefully be one of the happiest days of your life, I would never aim for it to be the happiest. There is a whole long life after the “I dos” just waiting to be made into whatever you want it to be and while it may take a bit of elbow grease–to say the least–it’s almost certainly worth it.

Thanks so much Bailey for asking me to participate in this series. I wish you and Pete all the best as you embark on your married life together and continued happiness for all the other wonderful bloggers participating and reading this series. xo Connie

via Once Wed

Sho ’nuff is.

Pete and I are officially out of here! 9 days until The Wedding, we are going to partake in a little R&R at Lake Austin Spa for a few days before we head off to Colorado! I have some fun guest posts lined up for y’all while I am away, and I will be checking in from time to time as well. I will be back in 3 weeks, Mrs. Bailey McCarthy!

Doesn’t that just sound like a lady who likes a cocktail?

As always, thank you all so much for reading and commenting and supporting this little bloggyblog that has become a real extension of who I am. All of you readers out there make Pete think I am super cool and almost like BritneyFamous which, let’s face it, is pretty important in a relationship. I love you all and can’t wait to tell you all about the wedding!

See you in 3 weeks!

Some of you have asked me when you get to see our engagement photos I mentioned. And the answer is…

Right now, my loves!

But, as always, I am going to keep it real with you. That means showing you the good, bad, and very very ugly.

First of all, we LOVE our photographer, Aaron Delesie, so if the purpose of the Engagement Shoot is to get you more comfortable with your photog before the big day, well then mission accomplished. Secondly, Pete and I were just as awkward as we thought we would be. Third, I for some inexplicable reason, decided to not really shower/fluff myself up before and it kinnnddd of showed. And, please remember, I was also seriously ill.

First, the good:Cheesed but still cute.

More cute cheese.

Pete looking really sexy.

…And me going, “Pete! You so sexy! Peas dont leave me!!!”

But then…

The BadThere were a few where Pete looked like a pedophile, which made me feel better about my general un-photogenicness.

And now…The really ugly.

Let me just say that this series was my idea. Let me also just say that if I were a myspace blogger who put “Current Mood” at the top of each post, my “Current Mood” for the past 2 months would be HONGRAY. So perhaps going to a cupcake shop was not the best place to take lovely engagement photos. Observe.

Me: No time to pose or smile or look at the camera or WORRY ABOUT THIGH SIZED ARM, must get cupcake in mouthpiece immediately.

Pete: (Mood: Concerned) Maybe this wasn’t the best idea.Pete: Did you just take half that thing down in one bite? Did you chew?

Bailey: Huh? What? Stop distracting me.Bailey: All done. Hey Pete, are you gonna finish that?Pete: You seriously want my cookie now?

Bailey: I mean, I don’t know. I just thought you weren’t going to eat it. I am just going to stare at it though, you eat it.Pete: I am going to slow torture you and eat my cookie in appropriate, photo friendly, little bites.

Bailey: I am going to cry.
Pete: I’m not even mad. I am impressed.

Bailey: Oh shit, this is an engagement shoot. I should probably try to look like a lady. O hay!!

Annnnd Scene.

Here are our favorites though:BERNIE!!!!Look at our cute little family!Which only lasted like five seconds…

Twue Luv.

]]> http://www.peppermintbliss.com/2010/09/when-do-we-get-to-see-your-engagement-shoot/feed/ 20 http://www.peppermintbliss.com/2010/09/when-do-we-get-to-see-your-engagement-shoot/ http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/PeppermintBliss/~3/qzFFJJjvfoE/ http://www.peppermintbliss.com/2010/09/september-1st-freaking-out/#comments Wed, 01 Sep 2010 13:00:37 +0000 Bailey http://www.peppermintbliss.com/?p=4697

Oh.My.God.

It is September 1. How is that possible?

I am also in New York right now to have my final dress fitting. How is THAT possible?? Where did the last 20 months go? I am not even trying to cocktail-party chat with y’all right now, “Oh my GOODness, where has the time gone!? Our little babies are all grown up!”.

I am serious. I feel like I fell through a rabbit hole. Not only because of how fast our once-never-ending engagement has gone, but also because of the emotions. SO many emotions. I am a MESS. I have become the Queen of the Misty Eye and the Lingering Hug, which is not really the most desirable kingdom to reign over, but I’ll take it.

I head back to Chicago tonight for a week, and then Pete and I leave for a little pre-wedding-honeymoon for a few days before heading to Colorado for the big day! But before that is the dreaded packing. Which would be a lot less dreadful if I had these:

Lugano Leather Garment BagJCrew Lugano Leather Valise

I mean, so pure, so bridal, right? I feel like they are Mary Poppins bags, and no matter what ridiculous ensembs I lose my mind and pack for the honeymoon, every time I reach in for an outfit- a perfect Rachel Bilson Goes Sailing-esque number will come out. (Yep, just like this!)She’s on a boat! But I don’t think I even have to begin to tell you that this look is NOT an option for me.Ok, this is more like it. Simple classic/neutral pieces. I was advised by the ever-wise Mallory to just pack basics in neutral colors and jazz things up with accessories. This packing-game-plan worked well for me during my post-college euro-trip so I think I am going to try it again. In other words, this is not a time for fashiony-fashion. Classic, fail proof, you have such good taste I am so glad I made you my wife stuff.Although I think a little nautical stripe is entirely appropriate considering my surroundings.Lovely, neutral. But I think proportions/tailoring are super important when dressing in neutrals, this look could go from cute to dumpy RILL fast.A little belt action makes a boring cotton day dress adorbs. The person in it probably doesn’t hurt either.I think my one big packing purchase needs to be a coat like this. Kind of like this, but warmer and less obviously military. Anyone know where I can find it?
Anyway, I believe the J.Crew White Lugano will make me look like this in jorts.

Such is the power of good luggage, I think.

I have also become enamoured of Ms. Fannings sunshades……and think I will be picking up a pair of those for our time on the high seas.Ray Ban Catty Clubmaster…rawr.

I really like these paintings by artist Heiko Muller.He is a German born artist, and he paints all kinds of trippy stuff…But these woodland creatures are my fave.

According to his bio: “My art comes from an urge to explore. I like the countryside. I like a good view. And once I’m face to face with a lovely scenery, I feel immediately tempted to find out what it’s concealing. The dark goings-on behind the façade of nature, you might say, or the hidden machinations of the animal kingdom.”

They remind me of the magical forrest vibe we are going for at our wedding (which is in, ahem, 19 days) and I like that.

Doesn’t this stag look like SUCH a stout gentleman? So manly even with pink fairy bubbles floating around him. Kind of like Mr. Pete surrounded by my ultra-girl decorating.

You like?

Just in case some of you don’t follow me on twitter…and why wouldn’t you?

Do it.

I would like to fill you in on some choice nuggets, this time administered by my mother, that you are missing out on.

I am home for our last shower/bachelorette party, and had dinner with Pete and my mom and step-dad last night. On the way home, here is a taste of the conversation:

“You guys should have your first dance to that gaga pogo-stick song”-my mother

“‘You know what they say about her [Gaga]? She’s, like, a unicorn!’

‘Do you mean hermaphrodite?’ -Pete”

Yes, in fact, she did.

This woman also think “Beyonce” is actually named “Bouncy”, like not to be funny. For rill.

Happy Weekend. Hope it is filled with loons like mine!

I seriously cannot believe it is back-to-school time. I got this from Serena & Lily this morning in my inbox and kind of had that “naked in class” unprepared feeling until I realized, Thank the High Heavens, I am no longer in school.I actually quite like these. They remind me of the LLBean backpacks that were (maybe still are?) a must-have in middle school. But they also kind of remind me of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, and might get your child beaten mercilessly, so I would take my endorsement with a grain of salt.

FYI: I keep a file on my desktop titled “Rainbow” that I plop rainbow stuff into (like the above puffy backpack joy) to cheer me up on sad days. On the off chance that you are having a sad day, here is a little peak into the technicolor smiles:

via Cup of Jovia My Favorite and My Best

via Cup of Jovia Made By Girl

Top o’ The Mornin’ to Ya!

…with bated breath.

“Give me one good reason why I should stay. Give me one non-analytical, off-the-top-of-your-head reason why I should stay.”

It was a big line for me. One I am pretty sure I tweaked and reused in many arguements from then on.

“Give me one non-analytical, off-the-top-of-your-head reason why I should go to P.E.”

“Give me one non-analytical, off-the-top-of-your-head reason why braces are cute”

It was in the first season finale. The one where Dawson takes Joey to go see her felon father (with the strangly kind eyes) in prison?

Joey has been offered a semester in France, which is just HUGE for a girl from the wrong side of the creek, but she wants to stay and run her paws through Dawsons lucious locks…but he has to say he loves her first. And let me just say, all of you adult-Twihards? Who love that junk 1. Cause of RPatz but 2. Because of the angsty teen loonnggg drawn out build up before the kiss action? I would take a trip back to the Creek. Because this show invented that, in my opinion.Manyway, it is a fantastic episode. Lots of great tunes (Edwin McCain: I’ll be, God Bless the Broken Road, Sarah MacLachlan sad puppy song) and lots of great angry Joey faces. I loved how feisty she was. Before she got zombie face.

Speaking of face transformations.How in the hell did this happen?

I mean…

Well, well, well. Look what came for me from Furbish today:Sprinkled with Jamies magic pixie dust and sent here on the wings of love. I have big plans for these guys, but they are going to have to wait until Monday. Because my special manfriend has selfishly abandoned me for his brothers bachelor party this weekend, so I am left home alllll alone, with no muscles and no one to man the power tools.

What in the world am I going to do with myself? Besides maybe catch up on some episodes of Dawson’s Creek.

Yes, you heard that correctly.

I thought that this highly emotionally charged month before our wedding was the perfect time to revisit what was, perhaps, the defining cultural moment of my life. Pete was concerned when he walked in on me doing a quote along to a show that aired 12 years ago, and that I have *supposedly* not seen since. I told him as long as I don’t start talking out of the side of my mouth and climbing through our window, he should just chilllll out.

Since starting this blog I have had a lot of really incredible, “NO WAY!! YOU TOO??” moments with my beloved internet besties aka perfect strangers. But this is the true test. If any of you know what Joey is saying to Dawson in this moment. Well besides wanting to mate with you and fly away like an Avatar, I will personally send you on an American Eagle Outfitters shopping spree.

And I will be doing all of this emo-TVing while eating Rabbit Food provided by this Fats Annonymous service that sends minimally fun/maximally nutritious food to your house. It sucks, but its been working. There is the suggestion of an abdominal muscle where the very real existence of a beer belly used to be, so I am going to keep at it.

If only I was as excited about the food as the dogs seems to be.

Listen guys, if you want to eat “crackers” that taste like modg-podged packing peanuts. I won’t hold you back. But I promise you it is about as exciting as kibble.

I wish for all of you a weekend full of margaritas, and hamburgers, and milkshakes. And will hold out hope that my internet soul mate is reading this and can narrate the screen cap. You have no idea how happy that would make me. No cheating though. You are all on *Grams-honor*

Let me tell you something, our new kitchen is one saucy minx. I have been working hard trying to get the house somewhat finished (but who are we kidding- I will be messing with this place until I die/move out) and I just can’t seem to make any progress in the kitchen! As Robert Pattinson would say:
“I’m Bothered”

The problem is this little bump out in the wall that we have. I can’t stand for it to be assymetrical, just sitting there like Tara Reid with her boob out on the red carpet, oblivious to it’s own lop-sided horror. Like, it’s fine if it is there, but it at least has to seem like it has a purpose and is aware of itself.(This is the only picture I have that really shows the bump out, on the left there)

I thought about doing a banquet in the corner that would extend up to the notch, but I was afraid the space was too narrow as it also serves as our walkway through the house.

(As you can see, main walkway. Those dining chairs/table I have had since college and have a new home in my office an a new future in paint awaiting them- so pay them no mind. Instead focus on that corner which is were the corner of the banquet would go, extending along that wall until the notch which is just being cut off in this picture to the right)

But then I was reminded of Tory Burch’s fab kitchen.(I toyed with the idea of painting our floors, but for now they are staying)

And her equally lovely adjoining dining nook/banquetWhich, as you can see from this picture if you squint towards the back, also inhabit a rather narrow walk-through space.(That room through the hallway in the back is the same dining nook as the previous picture, just pre fab blue fabric)

And I thought to myself, “Self, that is a fantastic solution for the pickle you find yourself in……And you KNOW how much you enjoy yourself a saarinen table!”

So I think I’m gonna do it. I think that is just the ticket. Now I just have to figure out how to build a banquet, and decide what in the world kind of fabric/color situation I am going to bring into my pure gray and white space. (Two of these pendants may or may not have worked their way into the space)

Which is going to be tricky because the rest of my house is somewhat “Spring-y”. I figured that in the dead of a Chicago winter I would want my home at least to be fresh and bright. But fall is a bewitching time for me.

(One of my Top 5 all-time fave kitchens…definitely more of a “fall” feel)

It makes me want to snuggle and cozy up and start storing up for winter. So basically, plaid flannel banquet: Here I come!(Maybe something kind of like this guy from Lonny)

Like all good Goop-ers I obviously worship at the kitchen of Gwyneth.

But this guy is my all-time favorite:Rawr.

So here are my concerns:

1. The saarinen table, might the marble make the kitchen feel even colder?

2. Fabrics: So far I have none in my kitchen. And it does feel cold. But these guys have no fabric either so I am thinking maybe it just needs more STUFF, not necessarily fabric. Thoughts?

3. Color. So far it is a pretty pure gray and white palette. With the dark floors grounding it, and a hint of powder blue in the pendants. And I am pretty proud of myself for creating a neutral space, because I never have and fighting the urge to vom color all over everything is RILL hard for me. So now, I am getting to a point where all I can see is color in this unfinished area, but something inside of me is doing the Braveheart:
HOOOLD. HOOOOLD.

I think deep down I want it to stay neutral. So, help me Rhondas. What are your thoughts?

(Images via Elle Decor, Lonny, Hab Chic, and La Dolce Vita)