Nicholas Sparks & Miley Cyrus What Have You Done to Me?!

Hi blogosphere. I missed you and apologize for being terribly negligent. Much like my university email which is now overflowing and needs to sorted out. I've been in a state of pure apathy as of late. Not having a job really sucks. Hopefully, things are looking up, as I found out two places (though retail) are hiring currently! I applied for one and going to apply for the other tomorrow.

I'm so happy it's starting to become warm outside now! We have sun at least every other day and longer daylight hours! I can just wear a small hoodie and be comfortable! I can open my windows and let in fresh air. All this of course makes me eager to don on my cute spring/summer wear most notably skirts and dresses.

I'm by no means a Nicholas Sparks fan (never seen a movie or read a book by him), but for some reason I feel sucked in by the commercials for his latest movie The Last Song. I know it's a highly idealized, predictable, likely tragic, heartbreaking, summer, teenage/young adult romance (that's a lot of adjectives, but you can't have a Nicholas Sparks movie without every single one of those words); I kinda want to see it though. I don't understand. This is a NICHOLAS SPARKS MOVIE--meant to be cliche and force as many tears out of you as possible even if you DON'T have tear ducts.

I think it has something to do with the song "When I Look At You" by Miley Cyrus. I don't like Miley Cyrus either, but I am OBSESSED with this song. I really love the piano arrangement and lyrics--though really all I can remember is the chorus because Cyrus shouts it in her nasally voice over and over. I think there's a kind of earnestness in this song that conjures up the feelings of love and comfort. It's kind of shame that Miley Cyrus sings it because I think the song could be 20X better performed by someone else with better (*cough* actual) vocal talent. Nevertheless, I'm hooked on the song. To give her credit, she doesn't sound bad just not amazing; I mean, I still like the song and can get over her voice. Hey, everyone's got a guilty pleasure right?

Oh and I want her dresses in this video--specifically the dark green dress. I want it so hard it's ridiculous. I have spent and wasted countless hours on the 'net scouring for info on who made the dress and searching for knock-offs or similar style dresses in that color. Usually, I could care less about owning an exact replica of a celebrity dress, but this is one I MUST HAVE. I keep thinking in my head, I WOULD LOOK AWESOME IN THIS DRESS! It's romantic, flowy, and whimsical--it just screams me! Really tempted to place a commission on Etsy for it, but alas lack the funds. Just as soon as I get that job I'll...actually probably put a down payment on my wedding dress.

What do you guys think of Nicholas Sparks? Anyone actually eager enough to go a midnight showing? Do they even have midnight showings of Nicholas Sparks movies? It would seem like a good money maker for the theatres. Are Miley Cyrus's clothes not just gorgeous and don't you think it's grossly unfair she gets to wear them in an awesome music video in front a grand piano because she has low to mediocre talent not to mention looks?

Snow Day + Wedding Dress + Red Lobster = Perfect Day

Louisville got snow, though not as much as we were hoping and that the weather people originally predicted. The patterns changed and the southern and western parts of KY got more snow. Makes me a little disgruntled. Though I haven't been one for playing out in the snow much lately. I just think it's pretty and you know always provides a chance to miss school. Yes, I still think snow days are the most awesome thing ever when school is canceled.

Showed my future mother-in-law, Dena, and future sister-in-law, Amanda, my top three dresses today. I've got it pretty much narrowed down to two dresses. I'm 99% sure of which of the two I'll end up choosing. Pictures and other wedding talk on wedding blog.

Reading a new vampire novel by Robin McKinley called Sunshine. I'm not feeling a strong fondness of the book as of yet. I went and looked at some reviews after finishing part one. There's primarily a love it or hate it kind of feel. However, the few on the fence gave the best input--or at least comments I agree with so far; it's an interesting thing to read and see McKinley experiment with a genre she's not written before. I think it's a little tedious, but I think it's purposeful for slowly building suspense and letting the story unfold and tell itself bit by bit. I'm missing my Sookie Stackhouse with the zinger wit and sexy vamps and romance; I really enjoy them for light reading. Not enough funds to purchase a new one and they're too popular to be traded on PaperBackSwap.

Went to Red Lobster on a "double date" with Dustin's mom and stepdad. I ate so much and drank half of a Bahama Mama (which is a lot for a small, asian girl).  I ordered the pick two: grilled salmon and coconut shrimp. It came with two sides, I chose a salad and rice. Then there were biscuits to eat, and on top of that Dustin ordered crab legs which I couldn't let go by without eating a couple. I stuffed myself silly. Thank goodness we didn't get dessert. I felt sick when I got home--a mixture of overeating and alcohol. Dustin's said, "I'm going to go play a game." I promptly replied, "How about we play the game where you get me two pepto and glass of water--warm?" I was joking, but he being the most wonderful boy in the world, did exactly as I asked. Today was one of those perfect days.

Storybook Endings, Fairytales Comin' True

So I went dress shopping again this Saturday with my good friend Cassie. I am so happy I held out and didn't buy the red dress last week! I went to two shops in Louisville: Terry's Bridal (where my friend Rachel got her dress) and Regiss Bridal and Prom (which is right down the street from me). I have to see, despite having ghetto looking exteriors, these shops are beautiful on the inside! My friend Cassie posed the theory that so much money goes into the content of the stores, they probably don't have the money to make the exterior look nice.

Regiss was my favorite store and where I found two dresses I love. The best part is that the seamstress there is an expert and really goes the extra mile to do what's best for the dress and bride; that means in the case of hemming a dress with an elaborate design at the bottom for a petite bride, the design does not have to be compromised. Plus she can add extra things like a colored trim or a different colored sash. I had so much fun in the shop. The lady who was my consultant was so nice to me and Cassie. She helped me with everything and gave me a ton of info. There was no pressure to buy at all.

My favorite dress (and what I'm becoming more and more certain is "THE DRESS) ended up being something completely different than what I'd been looking at. It was a fitted, chiffon dress that looked like it came out of a Jane Austen novel. It's very reminiscent of the Regency Era. When I wore it, I felt like I was a princess stepping out of a story book.  It's all white and made of chiffon. It's strapless, fitted with an empire waistline. There's a silver sash under the bust that becomes a droopy, romantic bow in the back. Then there's silver beading at the top of the dress above the sash. The dress splits into two panels in the front. So there's the outer layer of the dress and an inner layer. I wish I could find a photo online, but I can't. The bridal shop didn't allow pictures. I tried this dress on three times! When I added a little floral tiara to it, I had a moment of "OH WOW!" The dress is $940--so it's under a $1000! It also doesn't look so blatantly weddingish that it's possible to wear it again. The dress choice influences wedding colors, so now things have changed again for bridesmaids dresses.

My wedding is set for June 2012, so  it's more like a year and a half away. I think it's important to plan everything as soon as possible because it's going to be during peak wedding season. I want to get married in the NC State Rose Garden on a Saturday afternoon.  It's a popular spot and season, so you have to book at least a year in advance. To order a wedding dress, get it altered, then pressed and steamed, I was told takes about 8-10 months. Then I've got to book a venue for the reception, back up ceremony site (in case of rain), caterer, DJ and all that other important wedding stuff. So I don't think I'm jumping on things too soon; I want as much planned out as possible, so that when it comes time to book and pay the money, there's no decision making, just do it. Also, planning on a budget really requires advance planning, I think.

I'm going to start a wedding blog, so that all my wedding stuff can go there and all my relatives and friends can go there to see it all without having to dig through all my daily life blog posts. And also for those you know actually interested in my daily life (haha) don't have to bombarded daily with wedding stuff. So here's the URL: http://anerdtasticwedding.blogspot.com/

I'm gonna double post this entry on there. But I will also be adding photos and youtube links with my wedding ideas. Anyhoo, here's couple pics to help you kind of imagine the dress; think a cross between these two pictures, substitute silver beading, make the dress all white and strapless, and add a silver sash under the bust.

The Quest for the Dress

Two of my friends are now engaged--both with a few weeks of each other. Both are getting married in 2010, one in August the other November. I went out today with my friend Rachel and the rest of the bridal party (who I all know and love). I missed going dress shopping with her Saturday. Going to Steak n' Shake for ice cream kinda made up for it. We had fun talking about wedding stuff and drama. Then she measured us for our dresses--she's making them herself. They're strapless, knee length, dark purple cocktail dresses. It's only going to cost us $20.  I'm really excited because it's purple and I can wear it again. Even though I'm getting married too, my wedding's two years down the road, so this is a fun and learning experience for me.

Saturday I went to try on dresses for a second time. I went with my future mother-in-law to Bridal Warehouse in Louisville. I unexpectedly found the possible "IT" dress. I've posted a few pics Dena took with her camera phone; we thought cameras wouldn't be allowed, but there were plenty of people taking photos. (Note: I'm posting photos of two dresses I liked most, but the one I'm considering is the red) This dress has the drama, glamor, elegance and COLOR I want in a dress. I actually decided I liked red better than dark purple. The fact is such a shock because for so long I was gunning for purple, and no one could dissuade me. I was so excited this dress had the option of dark purple accents, but when I held the purple sash up to the dress to imagine the dress in purple, I realized the red popped more and looked better. Also, what's funny about the experience is that the dress was the next to last dress I tried on. I didn't really like it on the hanger because of the "v" underneath the bust, but I tried it on and it was beautiful!

The experience at the bridal store though was less than desirable. I had little fun and felt the service was definitely lacking. Too many of the dresses were poofy princess dresses and stark white to boot. There were almost no dresses in my size or even anything remotely close to my size (I'm size 0 and petite; it's rough) My bridal consultant left me alone for way too long. I know a few times she was going to look to see if a dress came in my size or in a different color for me. Still, she left me to pick out dresses myself, not even bothering to ask what I liked. She originally left me alone to try on dresses without any help. Imagine trying to get into a dress 8 sizes too big and like 6 feet (exaggeration) too long when you're my size. I had to ask her to come help me. She also looked at me funny when I talked to her about trying on bridesmaids dresses; bridesmaids dresses have become really elaborate and come in a ton of different colors. I felt like I was being pushed to find a dress from the seller whose new dresses were being debuted in the trunk show that day. When I did find what I thought to be my dream dress, I was told there was a strong chance it could be discontinued because it was designed in 2006. The dress was $749.99--not bad for all the beautiful dress, but I didn't think it was right to drop the money yet (even though I had more than enough saved away). I don't have a job yet; it's only my second trip to the bridal shop; and I felt way too much pressure to buy.

I feel that if it's the right dress, I shouldn't feel pressured to buy it because it might not be there in the future. My wedding is 2 years away! If it's "the dress" I should have no hesitations about dropping the money. Also, with this dress there is a length/alteration problem. They can't order the dress in a custom length. When the hem the dress, they will have to cut off the beautiful beaded applique at the bottom, but they can keep the red trim. I feel shouldn't get a dress I have to compromise a design element on because of my size.

I've decided to hold out for a better dress (one I'm 100% sure of) and more importantly shop at a store where the service is better and more personal. If I still think about this dress constantly withing the next several months, I'll know it's the one. I have the designer and style number and can order off the designer website. Although my first wedding dress shopping experience was wonderful, I still couldn't find the dress of my dreams. The second experience was less exciting though I found a possible dress. My friend Cassie told me today she would go with me this weekend to some local bridal shops, one of them being the place Rachel found her dress. Also, these places carry 2s and 0s which is a plus.