The Best Of

For those of you who weren't aware, I registered at Bed, Bath and Beyond (like every other bride on the planet) for my wedding. Well I am here to tell you, after countless hours of shopping and spending all my free money and trying all of my new gadgets (which I might add was so, so fun, I would highly recommend it), which products are worth trying. Most of these things I've had for about 2 weeks and have already used with much success. Probably it's pretty nerdy of me to compile a list like this, but lately I have been just oh-so-enthusiastic about anything and everything to do with my new married life, including these fun little "toys", that I wanted to share!

The Incredible Ice Cream Scoop by Wilton - $7.99

They aren't lying- this ice cream scoop is truly incredible. And trust me, coming from an ice cream connoisseur like me, that's saying a lot :D For a whole review on this product, check out the consumer report here.

Wilton Indulgence 100-piece Cookie Cutter Set - $9.99

10 dollars. 10 dollars for all 26 letters of the alphabet. numbers 0-9. shapes for every occasion, sport, holiday, and animal. 100 color-coded cookie cutters, all in a convenient portable storage bucket. At 10 cents a cookie cutter, that's a steal.

The Original Extra-Large Dish Drying Mat - $7.99
So sad that I would find something like this so exciting, but I guess that's what happens when you get married and become all wife-y...you get super excited about home-y things that make your chores and daily living easier. The Bed, Bath and Beyond summary says it all:

"The Original™ Dish Drying Mat is the new solution to the age old tradition of placing dish towels on the counter when hand washing pots, pans, dishes, and glassware. The unique, laminated design combines a thin layer of foam between two layers of high quality, super absorbent microfiber that holds four times its weight in water. It cushions delicate dishes and stemware, and can also be used under a dish drying rack or under counter top appliances to protect from scratches and scuffs. Drying mat folds for easy storage and is machine washable."

Really the only step up from this would be a dishwasher. We'll get there someday.

Fuzzy Wuzzy Microfiber Duster- $5.99ish

With a name like Fuzzy Wuzzy, how could it NOT be awesome? Really this thing is amazing- it picks up dust like no other, AND it's machine washable. They come in all sizes, on extension poles for fans and bookshelves, and in a weird little thingy for cleaning blinds. You can buy these anywhere really, BB and B just happens to carry them.

Zyliss Interlocking Corn Holders (4 pair) - $4.99

I personally think the most annoying thing about the corn holders we had growing up was that they were kind of smallish and thus, got lost easily/fell down the disposal, and then you always ended up with a corn holder who didn't have a buddy. These corn holders are AWESOME. They are quite a bit bigger than your typical corn holders so they are easier to use, and then after washing you can interlock them with their buddy to make storing easier, and no one gets lost! What a concept.

Well what are you waiting for?? Happy shopping :D

10 days and counting.

Ok- being married is awesome.

Not only do I no longer have a curfew when I have to leave and drive back home, but I just get to be with Mitch ALL the time. Minus school and work of course. But still, it's a much better arrangement than being engaged/dating. No limits!!

Also, it's just a really good feeling to be on your own. Kinda scary at first, but let's be honest, I thrive on independence. I've been waiting for this my whole life. I love cleaning and organizing and decorating our new apartment. It's not the nicest apartment ever, but it is OURS. And I love it.

We also just have so much to be grateful for:

• for being sealed for time and all eternity to each other! The blessings of the temple are so wonderful. I couldn't pick a more perfect husband to be with forever- he is my everything :)
  
• for my grandparents letting me stay in their house for a couple months before the wedding. Not paying rent was so, so nice.
• for all the help in wedding planning/bridals showers/and other support I received from family and friends.
• for the greatest in-laws I could ask for- I love them like I love my own family and I feel so welcome around them :)
• for the wonderful flexible jobs we've been blessed with that allowed us to take time off for the wedding
  
• for safety in traveling to our various wedding destinations (we were almost run off the road by a semi in california. luckily Mitch made a good split-second judgment that saved us from certain death. I was asleep during the whole ordeal...hahah)
• for our front porch thief not being interested in the one wedding present delivered and left on our porch while we were out of town...it is my favorite cookbook I have ever received, and I'm so glad he didn't want it!!
  
• and last but not least, for the generosity of all our friends and family- some of whom traveled quite a distance to come support us - thanks so much for coming to our wedding and reception and showering us with wonderful gifts! We love you!

Houston, we have a dress.

It is the second 'backup' dress, but it is nonetheless beautiful and most importantly, it actually fits me! The seamstress did a great job, for which I was very grateful. So grateful, in fact, that I brought her day-old cinnamon rolls from work as a thank you. That may not sound like much of a thank you, but trust me, they were still yummy! (I would know...it's a miracle that I haven't gained any weight working at this bakery for the past month.)

In the end, they didn't make me pay the difference, or for the alterations. It was just the seamstress at the store when we met yesterday, and I don't know if she just didn't care, or if she was specifically told to just give me this more expensive dress and alterations free of charge...either way, money was not discussed and she bagged the dress up and told me I was good to go! Smart move on her part, I'm sure she was just glad to get me out of there, and didn't want to sit through another hour of price negotiation.

So now that THAT fiasco is over with, I've still got a lot on my plate. Bridals tonight, Mitch's family AND my family get here tonight, 3rd of July work and festivities, stake president interviews, food, flowers, cake, ties, temple...the list goes on. And of course amidst all of that, find time to play with the fam and inlaws :)

We did get our marriage license today at the county clerk's office!! How exciting. We are officially and legally able to get married now! Yay :)

To sum up the past few weeks, they have been tortuously long and stressful, but I am now just grateful to finally have the dress in my possession! Click here for a sneak preview of it...just know that I will not be wearing that long of a veil with it, haha :D