Thursday, September 30, 2010

To a Fantastic 26th Year of Life

In 27 days I will be turning 26. And...its my Golden Birthday. I remember being a little kiddo and thinking that I would be so old on my Golden Birthday...but here I am and I don't feel old. I feel the same as I did when I was in high school - just with much more worldly views and experiences.

What makes me feel old is to say "Golden" Birthday. Which makes me think of the Golden Girls or Golden years. A quick Google search provided a few different terms of which I selected Champagne Birthday!

I think my Champagne Birthday is going to be a great 26th year of life. One major reason - I am getting married! Another reason - I feel like a lot of good things will be coming our way this year. Just an inkling but I am going for it.

So - in honor of my Champagne Birthday, I give to you my Champagne Birthday wish list!

(OK, OK - so I had a little time on my hands to create a very self indulged post...the end.)

1. Bobbi Brown "Bath" Eau de Toilette
2.Bobbie Brown Face Powder Bruch
3. Longchamp "Planetes Tonl" Tote
4. Chi Flatiron
5. Tori Burch Shades
6. Instamax Camera (for our wedding)

Wednesday, September 22, 2010

In My White House

It is no secret that I love white. I love getting into an all white bed, I love my crisp white shower curtain, I love admiring fresh food on my white dishes or plates…I also am obsessed with my white dining room chairs which I will post later.

I don’t really love to wear white unless I have a tan, but overall I love to live in white.

Below are a few photos of my dream home. One day, I will have a white kitchen...and I won’t want to leave it.
 
 
I love pedestal tables - so classic.

My dream - Love, Love, Love.
  
I would have a color on the wall but otherwise perfect.

Monday, September 20, 2010

Wedding Update #1

So far, all of our wedding planning has been moving along very well. We are about 60% of the way done. The remaining 40% is work that can’t be taken care of until closer to the wedding.

Secured items:
-Church
-Officiate
-Venue
-Photographer
-Catering
-Ceremony music
-Hotel blocks
-DJ
-Invitation designer
-Website
(There are tons of other misc. items that I won’t list.)

That being said, we are in our “coasting” stage. I love the coasting stage. I feel so great about where we are with things. I can’t believe that we are 10 months out. Before we know it, it will be spring and we will be back in serious detail planning mode and a few steps closer to being Mr. & Mrs!

Also, please find the link to our official wedding blog! I have been working on this for a while and will be adding more pages for engagement photos, info about our wedding party and whatever else comes up that we need to share. It is an ongoing process so be sure to check back for updates closer to the wedding!(If the link doesn't open, please visit http://joeyandalegetmarried.blogspot.com/)

Thursday, September 16, 2010

A Marathon of Sorts

Lately I feel like the thing to do in your 20’s is to train for a marathon. It’s very trendy and very admirable. Running 26.2 miles at once is an amazing accomplishment. I would consider a half marathon. Not sure I have them mental capacity to run a full.

Anyhow – I am writing today about a marathon Joey and I embarked on this summer. It was a marathon of weddings. This summer was definitely our half marathon as far as weddings go. I mean we were gone nearly every other weekend for weddings, bachelor parties, showers or our own wedding planning. (Please note – I am not complaining, just commenting.)

Here is the big thing – next summer is going to be twice as crazy - the full marathon. I remember people a few years older than us saying, “Just wait until you’re in your mid twenties; you’ll be going to weddings all the time.” They were right.

There are weddings almost every weekend before ours, and several immediately following. We need to invest in a small commuter plane. Chicago traffic doesn’t care who’s wedding it is.

This weekend is our second to last wedding of the year. After this, a wedding in December and then we will have wedding cake withdraw.

Lucky for us, the withdraw will only last until May. Then right back in action.

Monday, September 13, 2010

What happens in Vegas...

Well friends – I would have to say a virtual wedding is a major first for me. Today, I attended a wedding from my office. Yep – it’s true, in the age of video cams and live streams, you don’t have to go to a wedding to attend a wedding. You can do it from the comfort of your office chair during the work day.

A good family friend of ours decided to bypass the wedding hustle and bustle for a laid back approach in Vegas. It was just her, her further husband, the photographer and the officient. And – whoever decided to tune in via the internet.

It was very cute and I am very thrilled for the happy couple!

It just goes to show that what happens in Vegas, is probably on web cam ;-)

Wednesday, September 8, 2010

Ale’s Delish Low-Fat Potato Soup

Yesterday, there were 47 mile per hour winds in downtown Milwaukee and it definitely felt like fall. The air was crisp and the temps were cool and if any leaves on the trees were about to fall - they are definitely gone now because it was like a hurricane with no water (ok that’s a little dramatic, but you get the point).

The drastic change in weather made me think – I need soup for dinner! So I went out Googling for a good recipe.

I found one and I’m telling you – the soup I found is a keeper – for life.

Below for your tasting pleasure, you will find a fantastic and easy recipe for a low-fat potato soup that is to die for. Even Joey ate it….and he like it enough for two bowls (only if you know Joey do you know what this means because he is the pickiest person I know). For all the ladies out there who get tired of eating low-fat food while their significant other chow’s down on a pizza, spaghetti and tacos, make this soup and enjoy a meal together.

Feel free to garnish with sour cream, scallions or bacon. I was happy with just the soup!

Ale’s Delish Low-Fat Potato Soup

Ingredients
• 1 3/4 cups diced peeled potatoes
• 1 medium onion, chopped (I only used a half)
• 1 leek sliced (optional – added for extra nutrition and flavor)
• 1/4 cup chopped celery
• 1 (14.5 ounce) can reduced-sodium chicken broth
• 1/8 teaspoon pepper
• 3 tablespoons cornstarch
• 1 (12 fluid ounce) can evaporated fat-free milk, divided
• 1 cup shredded reduced-fat Cheddar cheese

Directions

1. In a large saucepan, combine the potatoes, onion, celery, broth and pepper.
2. Bring to a boil.
3. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 15-18 minutes or until vegetables are tender.
4. Combine cornstarch and 1/4 cup milk until smooth; stir into potato mixture.
5. Add the remaining milk. Bring to a boil; cook and stir for 2 minutes or until thickened.
6. Remove from the heat. Stir in cheese until melted.

Nutritional Analysis: One serving equals 178 calories, 2 g fat (0 saturated fat), 9 mg cholesterol, 274 mg sodium, 26 g carbohydrate, 0 fiber, 14 g protein.

Wednesday, September 1, 2010

What I did when Joey wasn't home....

I decorated for FALL!! I also cleaned the house but Joey didn't seem to notice that. He was just mad that I put out a few fall decorations. He kept talking about how he isn't ready for fall and that I should enjoy the summer.

And to that I said  - It's September...bring on the fall....

For your viewing pleasure, below are a few fall inspirations that I like and may try to replicate at my house: