Crafts and Countdowns

It is amazing how fast time flies when you are busy and having fun! 

I can't believe that the wedding is almost here. Only 29 days... 4 weeks!! 

It is absolutely crazy to think about. I am going to become a WIFE in a month.

 But it is oh so good. :) 

So far, we have the centerpieces and the rest of the decorations completely planned out for both the ceremony and reception, which is great, but the only thing I didn't have was flower girl baskets. I looked high and low for the perfect vintage baskets, but to no avail. So, I decided to take things into my own crafty hands. :) The pictures below show how I made them step by step.

I started with plain baskets, and created a pearl handle for it with wire. 

I spray painted the baskets ivory. 

I then used my handy dandy hot glue gun to attach two rows of lace around the baskets. 

I attached ivory ribbon around the rim, and then glued on pre strung (flat on one side) pearls. 

I took what was left over of the ribbon and tied bows on both sides,  creating the finished product!
 I love how they turned out. :) 

It was really fun to get crafty again. It has been too long since I have had the opportunity to do some fun DIY projects. 

My next project is stringing 30 (2 1/2 ft) strands of pearls for each of the reception centerpieces. It is quite time consuming, but it's relaxing too. :) 

I can't believe it is almost here. Family from out of town begins to arrive in 2 weeks. It's wild for sure. I can't wait for the day to actually arrive! 

I am so ready to become Mrs. Riley Forrest. 

Busy Times

These past few months have been crazy, yet relaxing at the same time. 

Shortly after Cinderella, Christmas Break began. I welcomed it with open arms, being completely exhausted and ready to crawl in a corner. However, Christmas break was full of celebration and wedding planning which, although being really fun,  left me feeling equally as tired.

With that said, I can tell you that my wedding planning has almost come to a close, as all I have left to do is send out invites and gather trinkets for the centerpieces!
Although a breath of fresh air would be wonderful, school is back in session and I have hit the ground running. But, instead of dwelling in the crazy times, filled with tons of homework to come, I am going to think on the fun things I have done and have planned for the biggest day of my life.

Riley and I over Christmas break got our engagement pictures blown up, from our photoshoot with Jeremy Mabe Photography, and picked which one we were going to use for the save the dates. :)

We ended up deciding on this one for the Save-the-Dates.

This one is Riley's favorite... "You look like you really want to kiss me in this one!" Ha. 

We (well mostly I) also decided on a centerpiece Idea. In the middle of the tables, I am going to put a doily with two old books stacked. On the books are going to be a small vase of pink and white roses with baby's breath, and surrounding the books are going to be candles of different sizes. :) 

It will look something like this, except with only 2, 1 inch, books stacked
with a shorter vase of flowers, and a doily too, of course. 

The bridesmaid styles were also chosen, but I have to keep the fashion a secret. :) Just know that they are all going to be shimmering goddesses. They look absolutely stunning in their dresses. 

With all the wedding planning done, I am wanting the wedding to get here really soon. I know that it is coming quickly, as we hit our 150 day mark in a week and a half, but it seems to be going by so slow! I am just trying to keep myself busy with school so I have something to do. 

I can't wait to be Mrs. Forrest!

Cinderella goes to the Ball...

I feel like a walking zombie, and I don't think I have ever craved sleep more than the past two weeks. 

Last week just happened to be the tech week/opening for my university's production of Cinderella and let me tell you it's pretty awesome. Besides being completely sleep deprived, I have been having so much fun. I love the cast, as we have become like a big, crazy, family. 

All of our shows have been sold out so far and every showing this weekend, with the exception of one which has very few seats left, is completely sold out!

What's really cool is that we are partnering with Shared Hope International, which is an organization to help those who have been, and still are, stuck within human trafficking. 

We are giving 40% of all our proceeds to them. Knowing that we are performing not only for leisure and pleasure, but also to help a cause which is so much bigger than people realize. Human trafficking is still happening all over the place, and knowing that we are taking part in the fight against it makes us as a cast work that much harder to provide the best performances we can. 

So far, it has been a success! 

Here are some pictures from this last weekend...

Cinderella and Prince Christopher 

Waltzing at the Ball

The Step Family

The King and Queen

I have been so proud of our cast so far, and I know we are going to knock it out of the park this week! All I can say is that I hope my energy lasts! We have a show tomorrow night, Friday night, Saturday morning, and Saturday night, not to mention that we have to take down the entire set Saturday night after the play, and we have the cast party... Hooray for all nighters! 

Luckily, next week is Thanksgiving break. 

Thank goodness I will have time to rest! 

Wedding planning...

My life seems like a whirlwind right now, and it seems that way because it really is. 

From being Cinderella in my University's production of "Cinderella", to wedding planning, to my school work, I feel like I am spread thin. Luckily, I have been having the time of my life... especially when it comes to the wedding planning! 

Riley and I, along with our moms, met with the Market of Choice bakery and tasted yummy cakes and planned out what we were going to have for cake. We decided on three different cupcakes which will not be shared with anyone until the wedding! :) 

This is my cupcake inspiration...

After our meeting, Riley and I completed our last registry, out of three, at Macy's. It was overwhelming, as were the other two, but it was really fun. :) 

We picked out our china and every day dinnerware, which I love!! 

This is our chosen dinnerware... :)

And china...

It was so much fun choosing these. 

Even though getting the (overly expensive!) china at our wedding is a long shot, it is still fun to dream! 

Now that we are finished with our registries, I can say that it was exhausting, but SO much fun. I love getting to plan out what my house (well, apartment. hee!) is going to look like. 

I am loving every moment of my crazy life!! 

As of now, I can say that the only big thing left for me to plan is what caterer I am going to use, the girls' dresses. I have a venue, florist, bakery, photographer, DJ, my dress, and I have picked out the guys' tuxes. My mom has been a HUGE help. I am beginning to breathe a little easier regarding wedding planning now that the bulk of the true planning is done. :)  

I just can't wait until I become Mrs. Forrest... only 271 days!

Wedding Dress Shopping!

My mommy and my soon to be mommy-in-law took me shopping for my wedding dress today at David's bridal! It was so fun!
It was a crazy experience trying on dresses.

It made everything a lot more real for sure. :)

 My mom and I before the consultation

 

 

 

 

 

 

My bestie was able to be there too!

Happy mommies!

My room!

Signing the papers for my dress!!!!

I had the time of my life today with my lovely mom, soon to be second mom, and bestie.
I am so excited to say that I found the dress of my dreams.
I can't wait to walk down the aisle in my dress to marry my perfect guy. :)

Im Engaged!!!

As of this last Saturday, I have been engaged to the most amazing guy I have ever met.
We woke up on Saturday, and Riley came over to my dorm to help me make breakfast.
After our delicious breakfast, we got in the car and drove to Waldport as Riley had planned.
He had actually asked me to date him on the beach in Waldport over a year and a half ago during a family beach house trip. :)
Once we arrived in Waldport, Riley searched and found the house that we stayed in, parked, and walked me to the beach where it all began. I was fairly oblivious to what was happening (as we like to take trips to the coast together all the time).

He found the exact log that he sate me down on when asking me to date him, had us stand on it, and began talking.
We had casually chatted for a few minutes when I looked away, down the beach a ways. When I looked back, I found Riley on one knee with an open ring box in his hand.
He popped the question, and I said "Yes!".

I am so excited to be marrying my best friend. :)

Home Sweet Home-For the Next 8 Months

The time has come at last to dust off my school supplies. It is a bittersweet feeling knowing that my classes start tomorrow. It is always sad to leave a beautiful summer behind, but exciting to see what the new year brings... :) 

On Monday, I moved in to my dorm with much help from my mom, two dads, and my wonderful guy. I have realized that I am in a hall with mostly freshman. It is a funny feeling not having my friends from last year bursting in to my room to tell me things. Ha.
My room mate this year, Rachel (my bestie Becca's sister), is lovely. We are going to have so much fun being room mates. 

Rachel and I! 

Apparently they made the Freshman this year do 

a community service project as part of their orientation weekend. 

She had just got back from washing tons of windows in this picture. 

She told me "Im SO grungy!!"

This is how our room looks thus far.

With as much stuff as we have, we probably won't be changing it really. :)

This is my desk/piano space. :)

Rachel and I have our desks back to back. 

It is pretty fun to be working on something and talking at the same time. :) 

Our lovely futon which is full of pillows. Hee! At least it will be comfy!

I am on the top bunk. 

I have had to brush off my ninja skills from last year to get up there.. :)

Well, here is to a new school year. 

Hopefully I won't be attempting to pull out my hair this year like I was last year. Ha!