Say Yes to the Dress Day

Yesterday was the filming day for Say Yes to the Dress Atlanta.  What.a.day. 

My mom, grandma and I drove to Atlanta Monday evening after work.  We ended up getting there pretty late because there was an awful storm we had to drive through the whole way there.  Adam's mom, Donna, was already at the hotel when we got there (she flew down from MI), so we picked her up and grabbed dinner at the Cheesecake Factory.  After much debate, I finally decided to wear a light purple dress with a darker purple cardigan.  There were so many colors they didn't want you to wear it was pretty hard to pick something (no PINK, red, black).  

It was up bright and early Tuesday to get ready for our (possible) TV debut.  We got to Bridals by Lori a few minutes before our appointment time (9am) and filled out a bunch of paperwork while we waited to get started (background consent, waivers, general information, etc).  I was the first one for the "pre-interview."  They hooked a microphone to my dress and ushered me to a tiny room that's staged for the interviews.  I answered a million questions about what I'm looking for, why I think I haven't found my dress, how we met, how Adam proposed, who came with me, their personalities, theme of the wedding, where/when the wedding will be, and so on and on and on..!  After my interview, it was mom's turn.  They didn't ask her quite as much but it still took a while. 

It's funny because all week I've said "watch me get the consultant who's brand new..."  That's what happens to me with everything ... car shopping.. new salesguy... house shopping.. new realtor... never fails!  Of course, I was hoping for Robin, the store manager.  Once the pre interviews were complete, they arranged us on the couch and brought out my consultant - Kelly - who was filming her first episode ... ever.  Naturally.  Overall, she did a great job and was also trying to get use to the cameras being eveywhere and all of the interruptions you def. wouldn't have with a normal appointment.  We headed up to the bridal floor and over to the dresses that were within my "budget."  I had a feeling right away that they weren't going to have my dress (white, organza, ruffles, embellishments, sweetheart neckline) and that became pretty evident after a few more minutes.  Kelly kept pulling satin dresses which I really don't want because it's a summer wedding in the south!  We decided to start trying on a few of our "picks" and off to the dressing room we went. 

The dressing room was kind of awkward because I was still mic'd and everyone could hear everything we were saying, even if they weren't filming.  There was a female camera person in the fitting room with me and the consultant who would film once I was in the dress.  We'd have a chat about the dress and then I'd go out on the "walk way" to show the moms.  The first time out on the runway, Lori was there waiting for me.  It's weird because my back was to the moms and I was supposed to stay facing the mirror and make all the comments.  I ended up showing 3 dresses on the "runway" but none of them were my dress.  At one point, Lori said I sounded like someone who wasn't afraid to make a commitment but afraid to make a mistake, which is true.  She also said I'm someone that's always very "together" and "fashion forward" - I don't think I've ever heard fashion forward used?? 

The last dress was more than double the budget I wanted to stay with; it was beautiful, I couldn't find anything I didn't like, I just knew it wasn't THE dress.  It's very overwhelming standing there with all eyes/cameras/lights on you and everyone's waiting for a reaction and your comments for EVERYTHING.  So, I walked away without my dress.  We still had to do post-interviews and that wasn't very fun.... I'm sure if I make it on the season I'll be made out to look like I'm very hard to please and don't know what I want.  I had brought 3 dresses from a magazine and kept asking if they wanted to see what I was looking for, but there really wasn't any interest in that.  Lori was adamant that if I didn't find my dress there it probably didn't exist.. I know better.

Leaving there I felt pretty discouraged but also like the first dress I put on with mom a few months ago was more and more likely to be my dress.  Mom asked if I wanted to stop by Prado on the way home to show Donna the dress there that I liked. 

So, we stopped at the store.  There wasn't anyone there except the owner (who happens to be from WV) and the sales girl that actually helped us the very first time.  It was nice to not have to be surrounded by people once again!!  I walked over to the rack where the Maggie Sottero dresses were and saw a new dress that was the exact dress from one of the ads I had torn out of the magazine.  I knew I HAD to try it on.  So we grabbed it and the original 1 that I liked.  I put on the "new" dress and it was a-maz-ing! We all liked it.  Then, I tried on the original Maggie and had the same thoughts/likes/dislikes.  It just really needs more "bling".  The owner came over and asked me to try on the "new" dress again.  Seeing it again just firmed it up.. it was MY DRESS!  It is so beautiful and I can't even believe it's the exact dress that I had torn out of the magazine and had with me!  What are the odds?  My amazing parent's surprised me by buying the dress for me.  We ordered it last night and it should be in no later than March. 

When I got home last night, I looked the dress up online... and lo and behold.. the description says..."This fashion-forward, bead-encrusted lace..."  HOW CRAZY IS THAT?!?

   

I said YES.. to Say Yes to the Dress!!!!

Yes... you read that right... I was contacted to be on the show!!!  About a month ago I filled out an application online and pretty much forgot about it.  Well, a producer emailed me last week that they wanted to interview me to be on Season 5!!  She called me earlier today and asked a few questions about what I'm looking for, the personality of those shopping with me, and then asked if I was available to film.. NEXT WEEK!!  So next Tuesday <<one week from today!!!>> I will be heading down the road to Atlanta to film my dress shopping experience!  This is so not something that happens to me!  There's not a guarantee that I'll be selected for the season but it's still awesome to get to shop with professionals and hopefully I'll even find THE dress!  Now, how many pounds can one lose in a week?! AH! 

Birthday Card

I'm going to a birthday party this weekend and needed a card.  I was feeling pretty lazy and uninspired and really thinking about just buying the card... but I mustered up some energy (and creativity) and whipped up this cute little creation.  I used my Cricut, Cuttlebug, My Pink Stamper Stamp Set and Storybook Cricut cartridge.  Enjoy!

My little buddies

Here's some sweet pictures I captured of my furbabies over the weekend.  My cats LOVE to be in my scrapbook room with me because there's so much they can get into, I love when they wear themselves out and nap in empty baskets.  I buy them so many blankets and cat beds but no, they prefer boxes and baskets!  I especially love the picture of Mason and Henderson - Henderson gets covered up every night by his duck blanket and I caught Mason snuggling up to him, he's even started making this a habit!

Trixie started out in Henderson's bed...

THEN she really got comfy...

Then... Mason kicked her out because she looked so comfy

Weekend Recap & Organization Tip #2

I had a nice low key weekend at home.  I've been scrapbooking more lately than I have in months and I'm loving it!  Adam and I were looking through one of the books I completed and it dawned on me that one day our kids will get to look back through the pictures and see how mom and dad fell in love :)

Here's some pictures of the pages I completed this weekend, I've been in the 2-page layout mode of late:

I don't know why when I uploaded these pics it turned them sideways!  I can't figure out how to make them go back the right way.. frustrating because the pages are super cute! 

For today's organization tip.. this is how I store my 8.5"x 11" paper.  I got these paper racks when a scrapbook store in Baton Rouge went out of business.  I love them because they stack and take up a lot less room that way, plus, they make a very colorful statement in my room. 

Organization Tip

The last few weeks I've been in a "get everything super organized" mood and I'm not sure why.  My scrapbook room is a place where I try really hard to keep everything organized and somewhat in order because it can quickly get out of hand!! I thought I would devote a few posts to how I stay organized in one of my FAVORITE places in the world. 

As an avid scrapbooker I feel like every scrap of paper should be saved in the small chance that it could be needed/used at a later point.  A few months ago I realized that I was going to be drowning in tiny scraps of paper with that mentality.  For my Cricut cuts I usually just need a smaller piece of paper so I decided to sort my scraps by size/color.  My scraps that are 5.5" x 7.5" or smaller are organized in clear stacking drawer containers like this:

 I added the dots on the outside to make it even more festive... :)

 What inside of the drawer looks like... this one obviously has all shades of red.  Plus, I decided it's worth it to spend the extra time cleaning up the edges before putting them away to keep them from sticking to each other, catching on other pieces, etc - just keeps the drawer neater.  I'll do another post on how I organize scraps that are bigger. 

Newly Discovered Dinner Course

On a good day, I get home from work around 5:15.  I'm usually starving and ready for dinner but have the task of making something first.  We don't eat out a lot and I do like to cook, just get tired of always having the same things.  Adam and I neither one like really fancy/different foods and are very basic meat and potato type of eatters... so, that being said, I always like to see exactly how many different ways one can make chicken!  

My latest discovery are the packs of McCormick chicken seasoning.  It comes with a bag and all you do is lay the bag in a pan, lay chicken across the bottom of the bag, add the seasoning on top of the chicken, chop up about 4-5 cups of veggies (I add potatoes, red potatoes, onion and carrots), add the rest of the seasoning on top of the veggies, close the bag up, cup some holes for steam, throw it in the oven for an hour and VOILA dinner is served!  It is sooo good and perfect for those days when you don't want to put a lot of effort into dinner and have to wash a million pots and pans afterwards.

I made it last night with a tray of croissants and fresh baked brownies for dessert.  Yum!