She's gonna be Famous!

For those of you that know me, you also know that my sister is a actor out in LA trying to get her big break. A while back, she decided that she was going to do game shows and try to win some money. Last week, she happened to get called to audition for Wheel of Fortune. And after going and making it through several rounds of cuts they told her they would contact her within the next week to let her know if she would be on.
Well, luck be with her, because they called Wedneday and informed her that she would be an alternate that was taping next thursday and if she did get on that show, she would be a true contestant on another episode. You heard me right people, she is going to be on Wheel of Fortune!!!! So great, and soooo hysterical. I mean, who gets on a game show, really?! I am super pumped for her and hopes she wins BIG! (I am expecting a GREAT Xmas gift if she does). I'll let you know when it is to air.
So hilarious.(Maybe she can get my Vanna's autograph!)

Halloweeeeeeen

Halloween, my favorite holiday ever (even though my mother says I used to not like it because of the people in masks scared me) is just 2 days away!! I am soo excited. I have already told you how crazy our street gets on halloween night, and I am definitely looking forward to it. The problem at this point, is that I have not a clue about a costume. The original idea was to be a dead bride and groom with G, and we were going to decorate our yard to match. Well, that has kind of flown out the window. I dont think G really likes to be "dead" things and I on the other hand LOVE IT. I would much rather be something gory than something slutty. BTW, I do NOT get this whole "dress up as a tramp" on halloween thing. People that do this look rediculous (and your butt is hangin' out!). Anyway, now that that idea is not happening, I havent a clue for a better costume. And costumes are expensive if you go to those Halloween stores. I want to do something cheap and that I can find the majority of it at my house. I may just be a witch (classic). I would just need a hat ( and maybe a black wig, cause that'd be perfect). And then I have black tights, dress, shoes, etc. I even have fake eye lashes that I had bought for the wedding but never used. I dunno. I always seem to wait till the last minute to find something to wear. UGH. Suggestions welcome!

Oh, and I did not carve the pumpkin you see. Although, I might take the idea and do it on the last pumpkin we have to carve, I am still looking for ideas for that one too! So much to do, so little time.

Invitations, annoucements, menus, etc

I know I have probably mentioned this before (if not a million times), but now that things have settled a little bit I think I want to be back in the business of wedding creations. Not that I am wanting to plan a whole other wedding (H*LL NO!). But I do think that I love the design of invitations and annoucements, and any other printed piece you may need for the big day! For instance, for my personal wedding, I designed and assembled my own invitations (including the reply card and information sheet), the programs, drink menus (we created our own signature drinks), reserved table signs, and we even printed our own thank you cards! I love that everything matched and really followed the theme of the wedding.
I wish I had pictures of all this stuff.. hopefully I will get all that soon and post some. Just to give an idea of how it all fit together.
But I think I want to create invitations and any other printed pieces for other people's weddings (or birth annoucements, parties, etc). I think this will go great with my paper/stationary studio that I want to open as well. And as you may know, I just LOVE letterpress and hope to get into that business too.
There is just so much I want to do... where does a girl find the time?!

quick help

how do you change the blog template without losing your gadgets?

can anyone help? I am semi-new to this whole blog world.

Wedding panic all over again.

Since its been almost a month (can't believe it!) since the big day, I have been going back over things that happened that day, and things that I would change if I could do it all over again. For instance, not talking to everyone at the reception. Do you know how hard that is to do?! I have been trying to write my thank you cards and I keep finding myself going "were they at the wedding?!" I totally missed a lot of people, but thankfully G made up for the ones I missed. Speaking of thank you cards, I would have started a lot earlier on them (like when I received gifts BEFORE the wedding). It is a long process to write an individual note to everyone, but it's in the works. And today, while walking my dog this morning, I had a panic on whether or not I took a photo with just my parents. I do NOT remember doing this. And if I didnt get one I am going to be very disappointed. It was such a rush after the ceremony, I have no idea what pictures got taken. I hope there is one with my parents. And I hope there is one with G's parents (and siblings). I am freaking out that there is not.
I sort of thought that after the big day was over all this stress would go away!! I have even had several wedding dreams (aka nightmares!), WTF? Maybe once I finally see my professional pictures, finish my thank you cards, and see the wonderful guest book my sister is making I'll finally have some conclusion. But as of right now, it's not over!

Officially a Mrs!

Man that title makes me sound O-L-D!!

Went down to the social security office to day to legally change my name. What a pain in the butt! Had to sit for an hour and wait for them to talk to me for 5 seconds. Then, now I have to wait 7-10 days to get my new SS card. After that, off to the DMV to change my drivers license. Then the process begins of changing my name on everything else. Guys have it so easy. Get married, sign a piece of paper, boom done finished! I have decided to keep my last name as my middle name, even though I love my middle name. It was is my mom's maiden name. But I had to drop something. I dont think I could get away with 4 initials! And my new last name hyphenated with my old would have been terrible. So I have succumbed and changed it completely. I am now LCR! No longer living in the LBC :(

Another work out

I have been intrigued with the idea of the work out program P90X for a long time. I have heard of several people doing and really liking it. And I keep asking those that have tried it what they think. I finally saw pics of one of my friends that has done it for the last two months and she looks AMAZING! I am completely jealous. So I think I have decided to buy the program and try it out. I am always looking for new ideas to keep up my momentum on exercise (although I have taken about the last month off). My plan is to wake up at 6 am and do the P90X and then get ready for work. And since I am planning on running some races starting in January, I will then do short runs after work for 1-3 miles. I think I can do this, at least at this point I have the will power. And you can get P90X on Amazon for like half the price! Maybe I am crazy, but my friends pictures really inspired me to do it. If she will allow me to, I want to post pics. I cant allow my self to not do anything in the winter, I'll blow up like a ballon!! And I am also planning on doing another mini marathon next spring, so I want to be in top shape for that , so I can increase my time from last year.
The only thing that I am a little fearful of is the nutrition. I find it so hard to "diet" when I have a husband that likes to eat! I dont eat terrible, but I know I dont eat great.
I do want to keep track of my progress through here though so I can stay motivated. So stay tuned for updates!!

Fall Season

There are 2 things I love about fall: 1. My birthday :) and 2. Halloween!!!! Halloween has always been, by far, my favorite holiday. I love getting dressed up and seeing other people's costumes as well. When G bought his (now our) house a few years back, he happened to buy one on THE Halloween street of our city. This street goes nuts on Halloween, even to the point of digging holes in their yards in order for a motorcycle riding skeleton to come out of. It's insane. So moving to the street, you have some standards to live up to. 1 simple jack-o-lantern will not do. You have to go all out. And its not only the decorations that make this street so fun. We get over 2000 kids on halloween night for Trick-or-Treating. Needless to say, it gets expensive. This year, we have bought 6 of the BIG bags of candy, and I know we will run out. Also this year, we have to decided to have an Open House for our friends and family. It will be fun for people to come over, enjoy the many sites of our street, and hang out with us for an evening. I am really looking forward to it.
But here is a pic of our house (mostly) decorated. It looks really cool at night with our tiki torches lit (you have to get creative!) And we are still going to add some lights in the front. Enjoy!(I realize it's not the greatest pic, but you get the idea. And check out the BIG DOG in the door, haha)

Paper paper paper

Ever since I decided to create my own wedding invitations, I have been completely in awe of all things paper. I had gone on many websites that create custom invitations and they were phenomenal!! I am completely inspired, to the point that I think I need to change my career path. I am in love with letterpress and unique designs that change with every couple, or event. I would love to open up a paperie and also do design work along with it. Combing two things that I can be passionate about.
Just so you know what I am talking about, check out these sites:

mika78.com
www.boxcarpress.com
www.parklifepress.com
beautifulpaper.typepad.com

to just name a few.

LOVE!

The Ring Saga Continues

I think I posted a while back that I had lost a diamond out of my engagement ring about a month before my wedding. It was the 3rd time it had happened. I thought at the time, they were going to send me a brand new setting since it had happened 3 times in one year, but alas, they just replaced the stone and sent it back. Even guaranteeing me it would never happen again..

well...

so much for the guarantee. While on our honeymoon, they day we went snorkeling actually, I discovered another diamond had fallen out. Now, the stone that falls out is never the same one as before. The crazy thing, I hadnt even worn my ring that day because they told us "no jewelry" for the excursion. I waited patiently till we got home to worry about the matter. I emailed the guy on Monday, he said they would take care of it and not to worry (same thing I have heard the past 3 times!) but by wednesday I had lost ANOTHER diamond! This is just getting ridiculous! I am so angry. I just want a new setting. I dont need an upgrade. Just something that will hold all of my stones in place. And be able to wear my ring EVERY day.

Here is the current situation:
The missing diamonds are on the back of the band, so you cant tell.. but still!!
And here is a pic of my two rings together... I love them!

(oops, a little crooked on my hand!)

Beautiful Antigua

So, as I may or may not have mentioned, G and I went to the all inclusive Sandals resort in beautiful Antigua for our honeymoon. And I must say, if you have never done an all inclusive, I suggest you try it. It was awesome. Not having to worry about money for an entire week was awesome. And the food and drinks were flowing. Plus it was nice to not do anything for a whole week either. No chores, no lists, no dog, nada! Fantastic.
Here are a few pics from the wonderful trip we had.
The scariest plane ride ever. Just to get to Antigua
Our room.
Japanese night.
We took an excursion to go snorkeling. And this is the best picture EVER. The pool... with a swim up bar.. G's requirement for our honeymoon.And the awesome beach.

There are 200 more, but I thought that might be a little too many to post.

I'm back!

After a wonderful wedding and relaxing honeymoon, I am finally back to the reality of Lauren. It has been over a year that my life has been upside down and totally stressed out. I am glad to have all the planning and coordination over with. It take a LOT to put a wedding together, especially when you have no wedding planner (and you feel that you have to create all elements yourself!!). But it all worked out in the end. There were no flaws that I can think of at all!! I am amazed at myself and everyone that helped to put the most fabulous wedding together on the planet!! I cannot say enough how truely thankful and blessed I am to have such wonderful friends and family. :)

I hope to post honeymoon photos soon. Today I am a zombie, just trying to keep my eyes open. (didnt get in till 1:00am! last night)