Last year for my bridal shower, my mom planted a bunch of flowers that I was particularly in love with but couldn't get for my bouquet because they were out of season and therefore way out of my budget. Here's a (slightly) blurry picture of the cutest little white anemones that she planted for me. What a sweetheart.

In other news, 5 days until school is done. Phew. Don't get me wrong, I love my job. I'm just... ready for a break.

Shoes and I have been married now for 6 months and no one has killed anyone! Ha ha, joking.

I'm not one for keeping track of small details, like 6 months, but someone asked yesterday and I realized that it was exactly 6 months. Neat fact.

Also, something hilarious. We were at a 7-11 last night purchasing a drink after a long, prim dinner for Shoes' work. When we came back out, there was a police car parked behind our car horizontally. Not so much that we were completely blocked, but such that it would be tricky to get out, especially if the person driving is me. The policemen were talking to a couple when one of them spotted us getting into our car. He was like, "Oh, want me to move for you?" I was going to say he didn't need to but then Shoes said, "You probably should. She's a terrible driver." The policeman laughed, even more so when he noticed my shocked and outraged face.

Ta-da. Married life.

Today, we went out to read at a Starbucks, exactly how we spent the Monday after the wedding. It was nice.

I'm out of sorts today. I have a lot of work that I haven't done (because I'm terrible), the weather is turning awful again (yet more snow), and I'm tired. So I decided to post something short, sweet, and that would make me smile.

I was walking through the house the other day and this scene made me chuckle. I just had to take a picture of it. I don't know why I was so amused. Maybe I thought it was indicative of how much time Shoes and I have been together such that our footwear preferences have synced. Or maybe I realized how much we were both creatures of habit since both his shoes are the same make and brand as are mine. Who knows. I thought it was cute.

This picture did the trick. I'm smiling again.

Baked Expectations is celebrating 30 years. They have these little signs (obviously a little beat up) but it made me think of Shoes. Shoes and I went out on our first outing (date?) almost 8 years ago to Baked Expectations. He got the Chicken Thai Wrap, I got a salad (pffft). We then shared a cheesecake. We chatted. Then we went to a movie. It was a great time, and obviously led to something special.

So here's to thirty years of firsts!

Tomorrow there's an open house at my school. That means I get to hang out at the school from 8 in the morning until 9 in the evening.

Good times.

I am wishing you all Happy Valentine's Day now. Enjoy! I will update on what I "gave" Matt tomorrow or Friday. :D

Hope you all have a wonderful day!

Photos c/o Courtney

I had posted these before but I thought I would post them again. I love these photos, they are just lovely. I especially love the one on the bottom. Kate looks like she's having fun and is happy. Some of my favourites of the day.

Photos c/o Courtney

I thought that there was a lack of the guys on this blog, especially with the other post on the gals getting ready. These are my favourite photos of two very important guys in my life: Shoes and his younger brother Mark.

Photos c/o Courtney

From Top, L-R
1. The ceremony, right after our first kiss
2. Probably one of my favourite shots of the day. It's so sweet.
3. My uncle Andy (who acted as driver for the day for the ladies) found these balloons in the studio we were in. They added a fun aspect to our pictures. I forgot a lot of the props I had wanted to use (i.e. books, Starbucks mugs) but oh well! These were fun (as you can clearly see).
4. Courtney lugged this frame from her apartment. As you can see: totally worth it.
5. Shoes and me, just outside the school
6. Shoes and me. There are a few shots where he has a real, actual smile. This is one of them. I love it.

A features that will be coming up in the next few weeks: Favourite Things Fridays, Bridevice, and more wedding details!

Photos c/o Courtney

We also had a photobooth, for which I bought these fun props from Etsy. I technically also made that backdrop but I realized a little too late that I should have used a full sheet.... oh well! Old too soon, smart too late, as my dear family would always say. Anyways, these are only a small (small!) sampler of the photobooth pictures. Everyone seemed to have a lot of fun and enjoyed the experience quite a bit!

Soon I will start posting up some pics from this past vacation (particularly the Christmas baking).

Photos c/o Courtney

From Top

1. This has to be one of my favourite photos of the day. Again, my red shoes, and Shoes's shoes (ha). He saw them at Kohl's one big shopping trip to the states and he just fell in love with them. His mom was like, "Are you sure? Maybe just get some black shoes, just in case." She was just horrified by the thought of brown shoes. In the end, he looked fabulous.

2. Our rings. His ring is actually his grandfather's ring, which means a lot to Shoes.

3. Us sitting on what was this kind of gross couch. It was also really deep and really squishy so it was hard to sit on. Of course, Courtney got a great shot.

4. Shoes

5. We got married at my old school's chapel. It was gorgeous.

6. Vows.

It's New Year's Eve! That means tomorrow we'll take a break from the wedding and do a Currently!

It's been a busy couple of days! The other day I had to go to a work function for Matt and some of his family was there, particularly his mother, his brother and his brother's girlfriend. She asked me the other day if my ring meant anything special. Thrown off-guard, I said, "Oh, nothing particularly special," and we just laughed.

Driving home, I realized I did myself and Shoes a huge disservice with that terrible answer. The ring does mean a lot, but not quite what people think. People are often like, "Oh, is that a love knot?" and I'm like, "Sure?" Because I guess it is. But it's really more than that.

I saw a ring like this in a magazine years ago. It took my breath away. It was rose gold (just like mine) and just so delicate and beautiful. The moment I saw it, I was like, "This is my ring." I showed the magazine to Shoes and he kept the magazine. When he was ready to pop the question, he went and had the ring made.

The ring may not be the love knot or whatever, but I feel like it signifies so much more. It reminds me how long Shoes and I have been together, how long we were thinking about sharing our lives together. It reminds me of how he, no matter what, always tries to make me happy. It reminds me of how much he cares. And really, isn't that what your ring should mean?

So, that's that. Thought I'd mention it.

PS - tomorrow - gingerbread house decorating party!