Approved!!

We met with the bank and we got approved!! Now we just have to find that perfect house :-)

If you know anyone selling a house (that you think a newly married couple could afford) let us know!!

... funny how the things that have been making me the happiest these days are things I would not have given a second thought to 3 years ago. I think this may be what you call 'getting older'.... ew.

Coming soon- Pictures from my bridal showers! Stay tuned!

Home home on the range

We have currently turned our attention on finding a home (not on a range), a little late in the ball game considering we'll be homeless in about a month, but better late than never. We are hoping to buy rather than rent so we've been scoping a few areas out first and seeing what's availible. We've just recently been looking in the Savannah Green area in Normal. A cute, safe, starter home neighborhood. Cute, safe and starter home are exactly the adjectives we've been using when discribing what we want in our first house, so we have high hopes that we can find what we're looking for. We walked through a few houses yesterday, 2 to be exact, but we're still looking for the house that fits us. However there are alot of houses for sale in that neighborhood and more are adding to the market everyday since spring is upon us, so we're still optimistic.

Here are a few of the little nuggets. Fingers crossed and prayers raised high, we'll have a home to call our own before we tie the knot :-)

PS. My bridal showers are this weekend!! I'm so excited!

Gifty Gifts

These are what I'm working on now. GIFTS. You'd think this would be easy... you'd think that the millions of other brides out there would have AMAZING ideas... you'd THINK that they wouldn't give their poor (literally poor after your wedding) bridesmaids and sweet volunteers things like this:

Bobble Heads. Yep. Some girl gave her bridesmaids their very own bobble head.... Ugh. Drawing no inspiration from these weirdos, I had to start from scratch.

These are just a few of the different gifts ideas I came across during my search. Maybe I'm partial but I kind of like... ok, love all these things.

Pearl earring studs. Classic and sophisticated... and only $9.99 on Etsy.com (Shop:Dutchpearl)

I wish I had found these earlier. Maybe it's the baker in me but I probably would have bought every single flavor I could find! I mean who doesn't like cupcakes??? Makes 12 cupcakes. $14.00 at Williams-Sonoma.com

Lasts long and comes in A TON of cool colors. My fave right now 'The one that got away'. $8.00ish per bottle Find a store near you HERE

I promise I'm not obsessed. They just make it so easy to give as gifts! ... plus I may or may not absolutely love all their new scents... :-) 1.6 oz. mini candles are 3 for $5 at Bath and Body Works

It's even the perfect gift size! (Secret Wonderland, stupid name, smells so yummy- I bought one for myself!) 3 for $10 at Bath and Body Works

Williams-Sonoma cookbooks. These may not be for everyone but if the person you're gifting likes to cook, they'll love these. They make cooking look soooo pretty. Prices vary but you can get them for less on Amazon.com

You can't really go wrong with messages. Pretty much a crowd pleaser. Unless you're Chiraptophobic.....confession: I had to look that up :-) If you're like me and need to google that, it's the fear of being touched.

Take care of them footsies. I would venture to say that this is also a crowd pleaser!

Metallic flippity flops- good for after those pedicures... or dancing shoes at the reception! $5.00 at Old Navy

One of my favorites! I just think these bandaids are so stinkin cute! Great for after that long night in heals. $8 at Urban Outfitters.

And last but certainly not least....MY TAKE on the 'personalized bridal gift':

Customized Cosmetic Bags. You can choose your own fabric and even put each girl's name on it.

I think they're so cute.

You can get them for $19.99 on Etsy.com (Shop:Juju Baju)

So there you have it folks. I hope this helps a desperate bride out there looking for inspiration.