UW photos with the new camera

Last week I set out with my new Nikon D5100 to snap some campus photos. It seemed only natural to capture the now-blooming cherry blossoms. Unfortunately I was underwhelmed by how those turned out, but I think I got some other great shots.

Breaking in Wedding Shoes

I started breaking in my wedding shoes today. I'm a little late as the wedding is in 9 days, but better late than never. I did a little research before starting this (because I research everything). It's best to wear your shoes to 3 hours at a time - and I lasted about that long. One cool tip I read was using rubbing alcohol. You rub it on the spots where you need the shoe to stretch a little and it helps with that - pretty cool. I haven't tried it yet, but I might because there was some pinching on the outside of my foot above my pinky toe. They hurt, but man are they cute! Pics to come!

New Pre-Wedding Workout

Tomorrow my friend and neighbor Jaime and I are trying a new workout... it's a week until my wedding and for some reason I'm feeling brave. That's why we are going Pole Dancing. When I bring this up with others I think they instantly imagine sparkly pasties and platform shoes. It's not that kind of pole dancing!

I'll update after we've done the workshop!

Adorable Favor Idea

I'm a sucker for sweets... I don't really pick and choose. If it's dessert then most likely I'll love it. However, every so often something comes along that is so perfect, so delicious and so loveable that it requires special attention. Last week I experienced it!

Last week I got together with my sorority advisory board and at the end of our "meeting" (over wine and chinese food) my friend Crystal pops these little mason jars out of her purse. She's starting her own business and asked each of us to sample her "cupcake in a jar." Yes - I'm in!

I resisted temptation and left the cute little jar untouched until I got home to share it with Taylor. We each had a few bites (we're eating healthy!) and just fell in love. The rest went into the fridge for another sweet moment (which I had the next day). The jar held a perfect balance of cake and fluffy, sweet frosting. Personally, most traditional cupcakes leave me wanting for frosting. I want more... I want frosting in every bite and that is seldom possible. The layers of cake and frosting in the jar were perfection. I'm in love...

I think these little jars would be amazing wedding favors, bachelorette/shower favors or even any occasion (holiday party, baby shower, birthday present!). Taylor and I have been coming up with ideas just so we have an excuse to get them for people (and ourselves).

You can check out Crystal's creations here: http://crystalcakes.weebly.com/

Rattlesnake Lake

Taylor and I took a break from everything that we have going on right now (wedding planning, painting, hardwood floors) to take Fenway to Rattlesnake Lake on a very rare sunny day in the Northwest. In case you haven't heard summer arrived a little late this year.

Wine and BBQ

Taylor and I decided to serve barbeque at our wedding... we tried some sample proteins back in May and it is de-lish. The menu was the easy part - it's the wine to pair with it that is stumping me.

We have a delightful meal of beef BBQ ribs, beef brisket and BBQ chicken. Sides are corn o'brian, grilled asparagus, salad, grilled red potatoes and some lovely rolls (mmm, carbs). The beer is taken care of: pale ale, IPA, amber, IPA (are you sensing a pattern?). My big hurdle now? What wine to serve?

Champagne is a given because it is a wedding. I am just not sure what wines will match up to this amazing, but very bold, flavorful food. Websites offer some advice, but then they say to basically just choose wine you like. We aren't regular BBQ eaters so I haven't been able to explore my options and see what strong whites and bold reds match up the best.

StarChefs.com recommends Zinfandel, Syrah and Cabernet. For whites they say Sauvingnon Blanc and dry Rose.

Does anyone have any recommendations? I would love some examples of good labels for BBQ.

Brew Ha Ha

After multiple discussions, many opinions and some taste-testing Taylor and I decided on beer for the wedding. I realize that my opinion is not as important as others only because I am not a beer drinker; however I am the planner, the action-taker. Plus, I am really enjoying checking things off my to-do list. So in one day I lined up our kegs at 2 different breweries.

The Winners:

Black Raven Totem Northwest Pal
Black Raven Trickster IPA
Redhook ESB (this is an Amber ale for those who are not familiar)
Redhook Longhammer IPA

The folks at Black Raven are pretty laid back and while this might freak out the type-A side of me ("You're absolutely positive that the keg with my name on it is the large one, right?") it totally worked in our favor. Because it is our wedding they totally hooked us up. In many cases mentioning the W-word to a vendor jacks up your price in this case it was like waiving a magic wand or something. They are SO nice. So helpful. The best part? The guy helping me goes by "Shiny."

Next: wine