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.

Soft

*Image via .v

Doesn't this look like fun? This reminds me of dress-up when I was little. I have days when I still feel like I'm playing dress-up today. When I started wearing fancier earrings, I felt like I was playing dress-up. Wearing fancy dresses sometimes feels like dress-up. When my shoes have heels, or I'm wearing sequins it is so opposite from my sneakers and jeans personality. This is the kind of energy I want to project on my wedding day: excited, giddy, joyful.

Lipstick

*Image via abc & fffound by way of Design Crush

I'm not a huge fan of lipstick on a regular basis, but it does help me feel dressed-up and fancy. I'm also a fan of glossy lips. I like the idea of a straw photo, especially because we're having the fun bottled Cokes at our reception (Trevor wouldn't have it any other way - Coke is his vice). I think that lipstick paired with a fancy straw and glass bottle, would make a lovely photo. I can also imagine a silhouette of a soda fountain couple, two straws and a coke bottle.

Spring grey

*Image via fffound by way of Design Crush

When I first decided that I didn't want look-alike attendants at my wedding, I was excited by the idea. All winter, the grey dresses were really dark and dramatic-looking. I wasn't too into the idea of charcoal because I saw it being a really formal look. I was also trying to be as hands-off with the dresses as I could. I love the new spring dresses, how fun, light, and happy they look. I don't think I ever considered grey as a happy spring color.