It’s been awhile since I’ve updated. It’s been a crazy few weeks.

I changed jobs which has been taking up most of my time for the last month. Add a 40 minute commute each way, a fast paced position, and challenging project work- and I’m just about tapped out come 9 o’clock. And I wouldn’t have it any other way. I feel great at this new position back in my element of Interactive Project Management at one of the top ad agencies in Columbus. The constant grind has also greatly helped to keep my mind off of the grief I’m still coping with after losing our Daisy. It’s true that every day gets a little easier and I feel like I’ve made some progress. For example, I don’t cry daily anymore- I’ve managed to keep the mind numbing, body rocking sobs to maybe once per week. See…? Progress.

Bachelorette party #1 was a wild success. I had one of the greatest nights ever. My friends truly went all out. Complete with an amazing hotel room at the Downtown Columbus Hyatt- decorated to the hilt with bachelorette goodies- both dirty and not. I drank a lot of booze and yet somehow managed to stay completely conscious the whole night. I was exceedingly proud of myself. All in all it was a completely perfect night.

Here’s a few pics of the evening…

The fabulous decor at the hotel room (minus the dirty balloons on the walls)

A couple shots at Level Dining Lounge

The Pumps Drag Show Cabaret at AXIS

So I’m slowly starting my return to life after the horrible events that transpired at my bridal shower. It’s been a difficult 5 weeks and I don’t imagine the pain to go away for quite some time, but Chris and I have developed a new daily routine which is definitely helping us cope. We’re giving lots of love and attention to our remaining pets- Moose the labradoodle and George the cat, spending a lot of time talking about what we’ve been through, and finding ways to honor our Daisy while also moving forward and healing.

And this weekend I’m finally getting excited about something- bachelorette party #1. My friends are working their hardest to pull together a bash of epic proportions and doing everything they can to lift my spirits. Thus far- mission accomplished and the party hasn’t even begun. I’m stoked because the night starts with dinner at one of my favorite places in Columbus, Martini’s, followed by drinks at random bars around the Short North, and ending the night with the amazing PUMPS Cabaret Drag Show at Axis, and a hotel room downtown. All in all- the perfect evening spent with some of the most incredibly ladies I’m so grateful and blessed to call my friends. To prepare, I bought a killer dress to accentuate my 12 lb. weight loss, I found some amazing accessories and shoes, and have planned out my hair and makeup for the night. Here’s the dress-

I’ll try to post a respectable photo of all of us (if there even IS one at the end of the night) sometime next week after I recover.

It’s gonna be a helluva night. And if you’re a fellow Columbus-ite in the Short North on Saturday- I apologize ahead of time. But for once, I feel that I’ve earned this privilege to stumble from bar to bar and celebrate that I’m going to be married to the most incredible person I’ve ever known. For all the shit I’ve gone through lately, I’m still unbelievably grateful for that.

I know another month+ bloggy absence but I promise it’s for a good reason and I return with a plethora of new wedding resources for all my favorite brides out there. Now that we are almost at the 6 month mark- my life has turned into wedding madness. I have been inundated with new tasks just about every day. Before I accomplish one thing- I remember another and I fly into a frenzy of Googling and researching. Currently in my thought process…

1. Correct size of wedding shoes. I chose Martinez Valero, “Ozzie” in black satin. I’m so tall when I wear them! 4 and 1/2 inches with a 3/4 platform. LOVES it. Check out 6pm.com for awesome deals on designer shoes. They are the outlet website for Zappos- so I promise it’s legit. Just make sure you double check the right size- because they don’t have exchanges available- so you’ll have to return and reorder if they are wrong. But you can’t beat the deals.

2. Candles. I ordered about 200 candles from YummiCandles.com. I have wrapped them individually with different types of lace to go with our theme. I highly recommend the company- you can order pretty much any candle you can imagine in any color you need for a great price and they are a company out of my hometown in Buffalo, NY.

3. Rehearsal dinner/lunch. Being that our rehearsal will fall on New Year’s Eve- it is making our plans to find a restaurant difficult. It’s difficult to get anyone to accommodate such a large party on a holiday. I’m hoping we found the place finally. It’s called Bacchus and it’s associate with the catering company we are using for the actual wedding. Major score! Amazing food, amazing service, amazing everything. Another plus- it’s a wine bar!! How perfect considering we got engaged in Napa! Thank you again to Austin at Asbury Hall- the best damn wedding coordinator you could hope for. Seriously- if you want to get married in Buffalo- get married at Asbury Hall. You won’t regret it.

4. Lights for the venue. We are using Buffalo BalloonMasters to hang across the balconies on and we are sharing the cost with another bride who’s in the same venue the night before us. It will add such a fabulous ambiance to the room- especially since our ceremony and reception are in the same room. Saving cost by not having to decorate 2 separate spaces.

5. Weight loss. I’m 8 lbs. down! WOOHOO!!! This is major cause for celebration. I haven’t seen this number on the scale in quite some time. I contribute this a lot to working out and Jazzercise and also to making much better food choices, but also taking the time to relax as well and eat when I’m hungry. Who would have thought- diet and exercise are finally working! I’d like to lose 5 more by the end of the month and then work on the last 10 through the Fall. I think I can do it!!

6. Budget budget budget. Enough said. We are doing well but I’m always nervous because there are always things you forget about!

7. Our engagement shoot with Elisha Orin. I have an idea of “vintage picnic” in the downtown Elmwood area of Buffalo. It’s always been one of my favorite places and I think it would be fun to showcase some of the things Chris and I love. I’m currently searching for adorable outfits and props. I also can’t wait to meet Elisha. If you haven’t seen her work- check it out because she’s incredible.

8. Bridemaids and parents gifts! I have the BEST idea ever (which I cannot divulge here because some of my girls tune into read this little blog) but I’m on the hunt for what I need. Hint- it will make pictures completely fun.

9. Save the dates have officially been sent- very exciting news! I’m getting lots of emails and texts from people saying they love them! Now I’ve got to finalize the invitations and get those ordered. If you need an awesome designer try Shana at PoshPaperWorks.com. Custom designs at unbeatable prices. Shana has made some beautiful stuff for us and I’m so excited to see the final product.

10. Photo booth. I really want a photo booth at the wedding. I think it’s fun and quirky and the guests will love it. But the best price I’ve found is still $700 for 4 hours of time. That’s NOT cheap. Now I’m considering DIY options. I love these chalkboard speech bubbles and how much fun I’ve seen the guests having in all the pictures of weddings who had them. I think I can do it myself but it’s another project- do I really want to take something else on right now?

11. Bridal showers. Yes I said showers. There are 2 separate showers in Buffalo back to back to include all the family that wants to come. That’s a LOT of bridal madness. It’ll be really fun though and I’m looking forward to seeing everyone there. It’s nice to know how many people want to celebrate with you. I think some of my friends are also planning another shower here in Columbus because they can’t make it to Buffalo for the others. I’m a lucky girl to have such wonderful people in my life.

12. Music. I have a fabulous DJ for the reception- thanks to Signature Entertainment (who has also promised not to turn into my DJ nightmare filled with the chicken dance or We Are Family). I also have a jazz band for the ceremony which is being run by a friend of mine and I’m trying to figure out exactly what I want played and if it’s even possible with small jazz trio or quartet. More on this later…

I think that about covers it but I hope that somewhat explains my recent absence in blogging. I can’t blog when I’m out there actually planning! There are so many decisions to make. I should probably write about them more so I can work out my thoughts and not be so scattered. I’ll work on that.

6 more months and this will all be over. Would you believe me if I told you I was excited for the end to come? 2 year engagements are a LONG time. Please leave words of encouragement so I don’t have another bridal breakdown.

Show me a girl who doesn’t love shoes and I’ll show you a liar. There’s just something about a new pair of heels that make you walk taller (metaphorically and literally), with more confidence, and maybe even a hint of sass. I love shoes and I’ve been come to be known amongst my friends as a bit of a shoe whore even. All brands from Payless to Manolo are in my closet and I love each and every pair.

So when it comes to the shoes I wear for my wedding- they’ve gotta be something special. And I’m not worried about comfort. You’re talking to the girl who wore high heeled boots on walking tours of London and ballet flats hiking up muddy trails in Napa the day I got engaged. And I’m convinced that all these years of self inflicted feet torture has only been in preparation for my wedding shoes. I’m prepared to endure for a pair of 5 inch beauties. I’ve been on a major shoe hunt for about a year. Yes, an entire year I have scoured shoe sites for the perfect foot adornment. I want black to go with the rest of my accessories and also so I can wear them again. White bridal shoes are rarely able to be worn after your day and colorful wedding shoes are a new trend, not to mention incredible practical for potential use later on. Here are a few of my favorites-

Badgley Mischka “Carlton” found at Nordstrom.

Tony Bianco “Grettel” Sadly only distributed in Australia and New Zealand.

Christian Loubouin “Declic Glitter Pumps” found at Saks.

Martinez Valero “Ozzie” found at Zappos. I believe these are a Louboutin look-a-like for a budget savvy bride with style.

Stuart Weitzman “Larosa” found on StuartWeitzman.com. These are my personal favorites and current front-runner for my wedding day. They would go perfectly with my belt!!

If you’re a fellow shoe whore who shares a passion for all that is tall let me know what you think! And please post a link to your favorite shoe if you’ve got it! I’d love some opinions and always open to other options and suggestions. You can never have too many.

And because of my post title- if you haven’t seen this YouTube video… watch it! Let’s get some shoes. Betch.

So if you know me at all or follow me on twitter, you’re probably aware that I have been laid off for the better part of a year. I was let go from my job last year during this lovely economy and struggled to find something new. Finally I have landed a new gig that promises to be challenging, fun, creative, and incredibly rewarding. I am the new Web Content Producer at ThisWeek Community Media. I’m on my second week and already my head is spinning with possibilities and new information! I love what I’m learning and all the people I work with. This job is exactly what I needed and have been hoping for. I’m so excited to do the things I love everyday as a career.

I also just turned 25 on February 3rd. I’ve heard turning 25 scares a lot of people but this was a birthday I was ready to embrace. It was a quiet and contemplative day and I tried to reflect on what I learned in the last year. This has been a year of exciting events as well as complicated challenges. But overall it was a year of growth in all areas of my life and I am extremely grateful for it. I have wonderful people in my life and overall I am the happiest I’ve ever been. My mind has been opened to possibilities and opportunities that I never thought possible both personally and professionally. I’ve made some great new friends and have been overwhelmed by the community support and encouragement I’ve received from people I’ve never even met. (Twitter rocks!) I’ve gotten rid of some toxic friends and improved my other relationships with those amazing, one of a kind type friends. (Marissa and Miranda- I’m talking about you!) I also feel that my relationship with my sister has grown stronger over the last year and I’m so lucky to have her there for me. But most of all I’m so excited to marry my best friend and love of my life. Chris impresses, amazes, and infatuates me every day and I truly can’t believe I will get to spend the rest of my life with him.

Not to mention that having this new job also makes wedding planning a little easier considering I will actually be able to contribute to our budget. I feel strongly that all couples should contribute something to their wedding budget and I was worried that I might not have been able to. Planning a wedding is really stressful and this new job actually takes some of that stress off of me. (Yeah- a job that takes stress away- how cool is that?)

I wanted to take a little time as well to thank you. I have a wonderful loyal readership and the people who send me emails and ask questions and tweet me are some of the most genuine, awesome people I’ve meet over the last year. Especially you Columbus peeps and the people who helped encourage me to never give up over this tough year. I have found support in people I’ve never met (and some I have briefly) and yet you have been so kind and helpful to me. When I announced I’d finally landed this new job, the flood of congratulations and well wishes I received was overwhelming. I can’t tell you how much I appreciate it.

Seriously- thank you.