Project Tighten

March 9th, 2010 · Being pretty, Crazy wedding lady

“We don’t want you to lose weight. We just want you to be healthy … by eating less.”

A part of me died when I tried on my wedding dress with my new pair of Spanx and realized, oh crap, these underpants that were supposed to hold in my muffins totally show. I’m so dumb. The back of my dress is low. I should have known.

I guess the only thing left to do is diet and exercise. Boo. Hiss. Snarl.

Nah, I’ve been pretty good, getting personal training sessions with my fit sis and running on the treadmill. I also gave up soda for Lent (I’m not Catholic but I get bored in life and like little challenges) and have been incorporating more veggies in my diet. I’m really digging this article in Glamour called “10 Lazy Ways To Lose Weight” (best headline ever), which has some good tips like plan your meals before you begin your day, do cardio intervals, lift heavier weights, eat a fiber-rich breakfast, and so on. (See, I’m so lazy, I can’t even get out the magazine for ya.) I’m feeling pretty motivated right now (I even passed up Kogi BBQ when the truck was right next to my office — 800 awesome points for that one) but I know that I have to keep it up. “Put your mind to it, go for it, get down and break a sweat …” (Any Saved By The Bell fans here?)

I suppose this is my official Wedding Slim Down! post, which is kind of cliche and obnoxious, but you know … so am I.

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A Juno-inspired wedding

March 4th, 2010 · Crazy wedding lady

This wonderful wedding blog I read, Green Wedding Shoes, is all about movie inspiration this week, in celebration of the Oscars. So far, they’ve featured wedding details drawn from “Up,” “(500) Days of Summer” and “I Love You, Man.” Lots of creative ideas.

The wheels in my brain started spinning (squeakily) and I thought, you know what would be cool? A wedding inspired by “Juno,” one of my favorite movies ever. It would be quirky, memorable and fun. And no, the bride doesn’t have to be a knocked-up teen.

So I decided to make an inspiration board—my first one ever! Here, I present to you, a “Juno”-inspired wedding:


My polyvore set

The wedding would include:

- Mini sliders as appetizers, inspired by Juno’s awesome hamburger phone. (I have one.)
- SunnyD cocktails.
- Orange Tic Tacs as favors. I even found a site that sells personalized Tic Tac boxes.
- Chucks, striped socks and pipes for the groom and groomsmen.
- Hanging polaroids. I don’t think polaroids were in the film, but they just seem “Juno”-ish, dontcha think?
- Custom illustrations by Etsy seller Nan Lawson, to be printed on invitations or programs or napkins. Inspired by the film’s illustrated opening credits.
- Green grass, inspired by the high school field.
- “Makers Mark up!”
- Songs from the “Juno” soundtrack. The music is so sweet and charming. I’m hoping to incorporate a song or two into our own wedding somehow.

What do you think?

P.S. Shut up. I was bored today.

P.P.S. Have I gone over the edge?

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Vintage Idol

March 3rd, 2010 · TV

Is it just me or is “American Idol” such a snore this season? No one is really doing it for me, not even straggly man Casey James. (He’s not that hot, ladies. Don’t be fooled by the chest hair.)

Let’s take a trip back to brighter “Idol” days.

I feel like such a grandma. “When I was your age, ‘American Idol’ actually meant something …”

Team Kelly!

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Meat Eaters

March 2nd, 2010 · Boyfriend of the Year, General

Matt and Michelle’s veggie adventure:




P.S. Follow me on Twitter!

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I’m a sorority girl. In a sorority world.

March 1st, 2010 · General

The Pi Beta Phi badge! Holla.

So I learned via Twitter that today is International Badge Day, an “annual event during which sorority women everywhere honor their Greek affiliations by wearing their badge or letters.” I thought I’d take this opportunity to reveal a little something about myself.

I was in a sorority. Well, the proper verbiage is, “I am in a sorority” because SISTERHOOD IS FOREVER! but the latter just sounds like I’m trying to be 21 again, which is totally true, but not something I like to openly admit. I rarely bring up the fact that I’m a sista not because I’m ashamed or anything but just because people might look me up and down and say, “Uhhh … you?” Shut up. So my socks never match and my nail polish is always chipped and I have permanent food stains on my shirts — SO WHAT?

I joined because there was nothing else to do at my school. And ultimately, I loved it. I have to admit, I do have mixed feelings about the whole rush process (I think it makes a lot of girls feel bad about themselves, sadly), but the sorority experience itself enabled me to meet so many amazing people I wouldn’t have met otherwise, a handful of which are my besties today.

More reasons why being in a sorority was/is awesome:

- The songs! Which are even more awesome to sing when you’re drunk at a bar five seven years after graduation.

- Themed parties ALL THE TIME. Kamana Wana Lei Ya (a Hawaiian theme), Mardi Gras and my fave, Playboy (sort of not safe for work?).

- Philanthropic events.

- Naked pillow fights. Just kidding.

To all my fellow Greeks, happy International Badge Day! Pi Beta Phi headquarters, if you are reading this, please don’t disown me!

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Please, please, please, please!

February 26th, 2010 · General


Sometimes, all there’s left to do is pray.

P.S. Congrats to figure skating gold medalist Kim Yu-Na!

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Where’s Carissa?

February 25th, 2010 · Family

Me and my sister, Carissa. She’s the littler one.

I sometimes tell Matt that all I ever hear in my house is, “Where’s Carissa? Have you talked to her? How is she?” even if she just called an hour ago. (She lives five minutes away.) She gets all the attention.

Still, she is cute and I love her.

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Dress Envy

February 16th, 2010 · Crazy wedding lady

As you may remember, I bought my dress — ahem, The Dress — a few months ago and I do adore it, but of course, being a girl who falls easily in love (with stuff, not humans), it was bound to happen at some point or another.

I have dress envy.

Yes, I know, the moment I purchased my dress, people advised me to STOP LOOKING. And I have. I do not actively look for dresses. But sometimes you just stumble upon the loveliest of lovelies and you’re like, WANTWANTWANT!

Sigh.

Brides, since I can’t buy any of these gorgeous, affordable gowns, you should! Let me live through you.

So whimsical and romantic. Saja Wedding, $910. (via Audrey Magazine)


This flowy confection would fit my happy theme so perfectly. J.Crew, $895.


Dude. Dude. DUDE. This gown looks couture but it’s $298 (!!!!!) at BCBG. Ladies, go. Just go.

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Where shall we honeymoon?

February 12th, 2010 · Crazy wedding lady

We’ve brought up a handful of locales but haven’t given any of them much serious thought. Care to weigh in?


Pristine beaches, vibrant street life and authentic pad thai & pho!


Romance and culture. Ooh la la.


Sensory overload. And lots of cute trinkets to bring back home.


Jazz and spicy crayfish—what more do you need? This one also won’t break the bank.


My most well-traveled friend asked what I wanted to do on my honeymoon. I said “eat and drink.” She said “Buenos Aires.”

Any places to add to the list?

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Wedding To-Dos

February 9th, 2010 · Crazy wedding lady

Cue panic attack.


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