Vegas Virgins

My sis enjoying frozen hot chocolate from Serendipity.

Fire/volcano show at our hotel, the Mirage.

We didn't do too much of this!

Stagette night - had a blast!

The shopping was amazing! We all had some great finds.

I'm still exhausted, but it was 100% worth it.

For my bachelorette party, me, my sister Nat, and friends Tara and Kaitlyn went to Vegas...and we were all Vegas first-timers so it was the perfect adventure to take together.

Besides hitting up the clubs every night (Tao - so annoyingly busy but cool to see, PURE - so fun, but I paid for it on the plane the next day, and of course, Margaritaville...just plain good times!), we did a lot of walking, shopping (PREMIUM OUTLET MALL IS AMAZING!), drinking, eating and laying by the pool. We stayed at the Mirage, which was a great hotel. The fire show there was cool, er, hot, and our room was nice - modern. We even got upgraded to a room with a view!

I'm jotting down some highlights because I'm so worried that I'll forget the those little Vegas nuggets of memories that made it one of my fave holidays ever!

Jersey girl - this cougar woman tells me how wonderful it is I'm getting married, than says, "My son just got married. SILENCE. SHE'S A BITCH." She later told us she was part of the Mofia...let's just say we were nice to her.

Margaritaville bartender - fast-talker! We couldn't understand him because his words came out so fast...I imagine that must be how Edward and the Cullens talk to one another. Anyway, we still managed to chat after many polite "pardon me"s, and he discounted our bill by like 100 bucks! Needless to say he got an excellent tip ; )

Quizno's commercial - my acting debut! At 3 am we acted in a Quizno's commercial for their new, sexy torpedo sandwich. Our line was "I loooooooove my torpedo." We signed waivers and everything! Watch out for us youtube!

Celebrity stage - a seven foot black man guarding the stage grabbed Tara and I and told us we were exclusively invited to dance on the "celebrity stage." Hmmm...we didn't turn down the offer. After a few glasses of champagne and Tara whining that she couldn't dance (even though she CAN) we decided we'd had enough of being all alone up there.

Topless pool (Bare) - an experience I won't forget! Vegas is a playland, and the topless pool is Silicone land that epitomizes the city in my mind! (FYI - along with your bikini, high heels, big earrings and fake eyelashes are required.)

The scientist - we saw the nerdiest man awkwardly dancing...thick glasses, buttoned-up, the whole bit. We were wondering why he was in Vegas in the first place! And then his "date", a brunette Double-D bombshell, was right behind him, sexily coaxing him to dance.... hmmmmmmmmmmmmm. It really was hilarious at the time.

Of course, there were a few other notable events, but what stays in Vegas........... : )

Letting Go

We all have our kinda weird things, right? The things we do that we know don't make much sense but we just need to do them anyway. They're important to us, for whatever reason. Well, mine is an obsession with magazines. I buy around five or six a month, and that's with me definitely cutting back in the last year. I just can't get enough...I have no idea why. Women's, home decor, fashion, fitness, tabloid, wedding...I love them all. My absolute fave is Glamour. I also love People Style, In Style, Home & Garden decor specials, Martha Stewart Weddings, Fitness, Self, Shape, Life & Style...I could go on...

So that's all fine and dandy, but the weird thing is that I keep them. Every one. I have several big file boxes of old magazines dating back to 1994 stored in Trav's parents' barn. There's more boxes in a garage. I'd say I have an upwards of 500. And there WAS a huge stack in my bedroom. 

Yep. Was. I went on a cleaning/organizing rampage last night, and they're gone. I recycled them! (And they were heaaaaaaavy. Good thing I have my brother to help!) It was a huge leap for me, but really...I hadn't referred back to them and they were just taking up so much space. So I've decided it's time for me to live in the present. When I'm done with a magazine, out it goes to the recycling. This is new for me, and tough. But I'm ready.

Just don't expect me to give up my teen magazines from 1994. Those will be worth something someday!

Any strange things you do / collect? (Don't tell me I'm the only one!)

Crazy days...

Work certainly goes through its slow and busy times. Here, it's definitely one or the other. And today falls into the latter!  That's why I feel like I just need to get a few things out there, and quick. 

Short and sweet updates:

I got new running shoes and I LOVE EM! Travis and I shredded with Jillian last night (go buy this if you haven't yet!) and my feet felt great. They're Pearl Izumi's...which I hadn't heard of until now. 

Mine are bright orange...

A nice young fellow at the Running Room recommended shoes for me after determining I had a fairly straight gait and didn't really underpronate or overprontate...I just need slight cushioning and likely my old shoes had TOO much arch support. Ahhh...to be enlightened! I was way off! Thanks for the tip Meaghan; I'll definitely return to the Running Room next time.

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We went back home this weekend and helped Dad make 25 benches for the ceremony. They're beautiful and it was so sweet how Dad was really into the whole thing. He spent a lot of time on them and I really appreciate it...I love that it's looking like our wedding is really going to be centered around family, incorporating things that we've made by hand. Everyone is pitching in and it should really show on the big day!

Speaking of which - no dress yet! I'm about to call Denilore for the SIXTH time. They promised to call me back three times so far and I'm yet to hear a peep from them. Frustrating. And no wedding band either. Grr...I hate when things are out of my control.

I had my hair trial his past weekend as well and it was divine! I hadn't met this stylist before as she's out of Drayton, but she was great and gave me exactly what I wanted. In fact my hair ended up looking better than I thought it possibly could!!! Trav said he loved it too (which is great since he really doesn't say much about my hair) and said he was glad I showed him my wedding day hair. I'm not superstitious - just about the dress! 

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I found another cute home decor blog that had me inspired all over again. So what did I do? Went to Winner's and bought 70 bucks worth of the cutest vases, candlebras and pictures. Dang. I got good deals though!! The candlebra is beautiful (I'll post pictures soon) and exactly what I envisioned as part of decor at the wedding...can't wait to see how it looks in our home and at the reception too! Once we get a rug for the living room, that's enough buying for the house for now I think. I better get to the FREE hard labour and finish touching up paint, dap the crown moulding in the bathroom and about a zillion other mindless but necessary activities. After the wedding right? That's Trav's answer for everything : )

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And lastly, you must go see Star Trek. I'm not a fan of the series at all, but this movie is truly entertaining from start to finish (and the guys aren't bad to look at either). Go!

Looking for archtastic...

Since I've been working out regularly I'm in dire need of new running shoes. I've been putting it off, putting it off, but it's time I do the research and buy a shoe that works for me. Currently I have a pair of Asics that KILL my arch. Just after about a half hour of any type of exercise, both of my arches start to ache. I was trying to figure out why and after a bit of online searching I've come to the conclusion that I have flat feet and I'm pretty sure I overpronate (not to self-medicate, but...). I'm going to look at some of my worn down shoes and see what the soles say. Ha...the sole of my shoe speaks so much. Not funny. Anyway, I'm ready to make the purchase...whether it's online or at the Running Room. I have a very worn-out pair of Pumas that I keep slipping on instead of my Asics...they've proven to be pretty amazing over the past almost four years (gasp! I know you're supposed to get new shoes after six months...), except I'm pretty sure they don't make them anymore. Damn.

You can tell I've had an exciting day, can't you?

Spring makes me feel crafty.

I love home decor...especially on the cheap! On the weekend I had a bout of motivation for a couple of last-minute projects, despite the fact I had to finish 90 wedding invitations. I think I can credit it to some new blog inspiration...thisyounghouse.com is fabulous...and saving money is always at the forefront of their posts.

So for a quick mini-makeover (sorry, I have no before pictures...I need to start doing that so I can see the changes!) I whipped out some paint, some paper, my handy new Wal-Mart paper cutter, and...

Here's project one:

I found these frames at Good Will about four years ago for three dollars. You can tell when you flip them around that they're completely handmade, which I think is super cool. Shortly after I got them I spray painted them this colour. After a few moves they got thrown in a box and forgotten about, until now! I pulled them out on the weekend, took some 100 grit sand paper to them for antique-y worn look and gave the glass a good cleaning. I then went through my wedding decor and scrapbooking boxes and found these beautiful dollar store papers I hadn't found use for yet. A few quick slices and my hand dandy hanging skills (I don't need Trav for this! : ) ) and ta da! This is what I ended up with and I'm quite pleased with the results! And all for about six bucks. Not bad.

Project two is very simple. I've had this corner shelf since I moved out on my own five years ago. It's a Wal-Mart special. I think it was around twenty bucks. Anyway, I felt like this corner of our kitchen was looking dark and blah, and then I thought, why not paint that shelf? I didn't feel like pulling out our cans of wall paint, so I looked again in my wedding box and remembered that I have a ton of this acrylic craft paint from the dollar store. And it worked like a charm! Three quick coats and this corner is lighter and brighter. Notice I moved Hank's water to the bottom shelf - now the bottom shelf has a purpose while clearing up some floor space.

(Hank's ear[s] frequently make random appearances in my photos...)

My next project is to completely revamp my dresser in our bedroom. It's in great shape, quite large, but is made of that dreaded, outdated dark wood. Right now I'm on the hunt for some beautiful glass knobs to highlight the fresh white/light blue combo I plan to paint it, and I found some I love at anthropologie.com (great place for inspiration!) but it'll cost me $115 for seven of them with shipping!!! AHH! I don't think so. I may have to wait until the store opens in West Ed. I do have my heart set on them. So stay tuned...hopefully that project can happen sooner rather than later!

Some of the knobs from Anthropologie I love...I think the second one is my fave.

This mini makeover was the quickest! Old bedding that was taking up closet space is a perfect solution for Hank's new bed. Trav build a wood frame that sits underneath the thick, cozy comforter, and that pillow used to be my favourite...until Hank took a bite out 

of it (I flipped it around so you can't see it.)

Encore?

I made it through the weekend in one piece! Dance competition was fun, stressful, exciting...all the things it usually is for me. Gosh I miss it...I guess it means I miss being young. All the opportunity there was! To be 17 again and competing for reals - not as an adult! 

I wish I would've started dancing earlier...I feel like I missed out on a lot of opportunities because of that. But I know you need to work with what you have. I can still learn. It's not like I'm that old...plus, no one is too old to learn anything (I'm sure there are some exceptions). I think at this time I need to brush up on my ballet and jazz technique. I love choreography and feel more inspired than ever, however I'm finding I'm forgetting the names of certain steps, and as for ballet...all I remember well is the feet positions, turns, a little bit of a barre work, that's it! Eek. That's terrible. Does anyone know of an adult ballet class that would be appropriate for my age and level? I never did take much ballet, but I do have solid understanding of body placement and technique...and there is A LOT of room for improvement.

Anyway, back to competition. We were at Candance, which is huge. Five crammed days of dance...it started at 8 am most mornings and finished at 11 pm. That's a little ridiculous, for kids especially! On Saturday night I didn't get out until midnight. It annoys me that adjudication only happens three times a day...it means you have to wait around for hours just to hear what medal you got as the judges don't give comments. I got a platinum for both my solo and group. I was fairly pleased. Diamond is best - if you score 95 or higher. The judges certainly gave that to only those who were deserving... Some dancers were amazing, other were amazing too but were just so practiced - so, I don't know, blah? TRICK TRICK TRICK...oh there's an arm movement...TRICK TRICK. Ugh. It's expected and rehearsed so much that it feels almost robotic, they do it without thinking or feeling. And that's what bothers me, because that's what dance isn't. That's exactly why it will never  be considered a sport. Growing up I may have lacked the superb technique and quad pirouettes, but I sure had passion. I think I still do...why else would I be 24 and still doing it? Haha.

My soloist I taught this year, 16 year old Jena, did awesome! I'm amazed by the passion she has brought to the stage in her lyrical solo. She was more of a technical dancer, but I'm really seeing the true emotion come through after working with her for awhile. And she got a high gold at her first comp this Sunday! I was so proud...she was in a tough category (with a really good guy to boot) and she came out right on top. She dances again this Friday at Shy-Ann, a competition I looked forward to every year growing up. I'm looking forward to going back!

As for myself, I'm itching to start a jazz solo...I just want to choreograph more! I still hope to have my own studio though, despite knowing that it won't make me money and will cause headaches and frustration. But I still think I'd love it. Maybe one day.

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Awesome new blog alert!

After the wedding Travis and I will need some inspiration to get some much-needed house projects done. I've been wanting to retile the kitchen SO BAD. Just check out my 100 in 1001...there's much to do! So I'll be visiting thisyounghouse.com. It's fab - a young couple shows exactly how they turned their old, modest house into a comfortable, stylish dream home. They've become mini-celebrities in the home reno world...and have been able to dedicate themselves to that full-time now. (And they both used to work in advertising!) I love it. They also blog about saving money, their wedding, and other random things that I can totally relate to right now. Check it out if you have a sec.

AH!

I want to scream! Just a little busy...I have that feeling that this week is going to feel like constant catch up. Whew. Deep breath. We're not dealing with the end of the world here. Okaaayyy...

So I've got competition this week! EEK. My first lyrical solo in YEARS. It's about time I just go out and have fun with it! Our group is Saturday...I'm nervous but excited. It's funny how I get more nervous for these things as I get older. I think it should be the other way around!

And I must get my invites out in the next two weeks! This is going to prove to be difficult. Trav still needs to get fitted for a suit and choose a style, we need to register, and there's about a thousand little crafty things I need to be working on. It's fun, but wow. Like a full-time job!

I'll let you know how it all goes soon!!!