Instructions

*Image by Chelsea via Once Wed

There are several posts recently about how people have successfully created their own wedding bouquets and centerpieces. These posts make me feel more confident in my coming flower ventures. Knowing that it is possible is good. I helped with the practice run of my girlfriend's wedding flowers last year. Now, I need to practice trusting. I'm bad at letting other people take over projects. This is an area I can concentrate on for the next month so that I am not a raging monster around wedding time.

April

*Image via Petali Teas

Today is April Fool's day and apparently the weather too is playing a joke on us. Snow? In Seattle? Again? A steady snowfall of small white flakes is coating the roofs, sidewalks and cars outside. I thought one of my co-workers was playing a prank on me when they mentioned snow. It wasn't a joke, not their joke at least.

Fooled you!

*Images via Martha Stewart

Oh, what a little blue food coloring can do! I love little April fool's pranks. Nothing quite strikes my fancy yet, but I may become more mischievous as the day goes on... When I was younger, my favorite prank had to be a rubber band around the spray nozzle in the sink. Classic.

Job description

*Image via Type Theory

If this was part of your job description would you accept the position? I love working with teenagers, it brightens my day and yet they can be like these alien creatures sometimes. Maybe I didn't have enough drama during my teenage years, maybe I didn't rebel enough to understand it all, maybe I'm old.

Spring treat

*Image via sfgrilbybay

There are two distinct markers for me that indicate the arrival of spring. When I see my first crocus blossoms pushing through the ground I know spring is on the way. When I eat my first sweet tender strawberries my suspicions are confirmed. We had strawberries, whipped cream and angel food cake for a refreshing dessert last night. I wouldn't have minded a repeat for breakfast. Now, if it would only warm up a bit and quit threatening to snow again!

Focused

*Image by Our Labor of Love

I love reading wedding blogs that are affirming and grounded. I created this blog as a way to keep track of all of my daily inspiration and to be better about small daily inspirational writings. Beautiful things abound on the internet and throughout my life. I spent the weekend with girlfriends playing and on Sunday we printed wedding stationary. I am so excited to stuff envelopes! Reminders that planning a wedding should make you feel good and not stressed keep me focused on how fun and exciting this process should be. Also, how my wedding is not in competition with any other wedding in existence and should not be. Team practical is a team I want to be a part of.

Familiar

*Image by Cheryl Jones

This is the first image available from our engagement session this past Friday. I feel self-conscious looking at pictures of myself, but I think it turned out nicely. I would like to have seen the photo shoot from Odin's perspective, or from the standpoint of a passer by. We were supposed to look serious in this picture, but it was hard because the dog was so wiggly.

Who cares?

*Image via Snippet & Ink

Why people go on and on about table centerpieces is beyond me. How many people will judge an event by the centerpiece? Hopefully not many of them will be at my wedding. At first I thought that the folding chairs at my venue were kind of ugly, but they are chairs! I am doing my best to avoid brainwashing by wedding magazines and realize that simplicity is beautiful and that the only person who might really care is me. If I can let it go, there will be so much more time in my life to read and play with my dog. Flowers are beautiful by themselves, they only need a container. That combination sound awesome to me: pretty flowers in a container. Done.

Feelings

*Image via Kate Spade

Sometimes, a little validation is all we need. I like hearing compliments. Knowing that I do a good job or that I made someone feel better can make my day. I wanted to pass on that positive vibe, something that teaching makes easier.

Sandals

*Image via Nordstrom and snippet & ink

The more I think about it, the more I know that flat shoes are my best option for a pain-free unforgettable wedding day. The last thing I want is to be sore or to trip. I'm comfortable in flats. Having seen some wonderful options I'm looking to the internet for more inspiration. Changing into a dress won't change who I really am, not even for a day. I can be a fancier version of myself in flat shoes too.