Happy Birthday To Me

Yesterday I celebrated my 30th birthday :-) the FI and went to The Alvin Aliey Dance Theater which was great. We are planning on moving our wedding from Westbury Manor to another vendor our date has been sold so we will get a refund of our money. As for lil mama she is moving around all the time especially when she hears her dady's voice. Other than that I'm greatful to see another year and pray that this coming year is as good as last.

Party over Here!!!!

Last Saturday was my cousin's wedding or should I say celebration. Which meant lots of family from out of state and country came to celebrate the occasion. This was the first wedding that I've gone to and just about everyone was on the dance floor and dancing for the whole night. It is by far one of the best weddings that I've been to in a long, long time.

The ceremony took place at St. Joseph Roman Catholic Church in Babylon, NY and the reception was held at the beautiful Lands End in Sayville, NY. Enough talk here are some pics I jacked from my sis Kim and cousin Nikki's Facebook pages.

My cousin the groom with his mother & father and younger sister

Brother & Sister

They partied all night long

The bride & groom, my tired auntie and the grooms son

The happy couple thunder clapped into their reception...too cute

My cousin Greg and one of the bridesmaid doing the robot

No one even realized when the bride & groom cut the cake because they were to busy partying

My brother caught the garter and got low, low, low

And as for me I couldn't do much partying cuz the lil Miss kept moving around so I had to sit this one out...peace out!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The Ultrasound Never Lies

Last week was my first ultrasound my original appointment was for Tuesday morning but I was late and had to reschedule the appointment so I finally was seen Thursday afternoon. What a day I was so anxious to see the baby and find out everything that is going on.

The FI and I were called into the room and we were able to see the baby. At first it was like hide and seek but finally the movement stopped and I noticed how big the baby is. So I said the baby looks kind of big for 13 weeks and the doctor measured the baby and let us know that I'm 16 not 13 weeks. The doctor then said she could tell us the sex of the baby if we wanted to know we said yes and she told us its a girl. I was in shock by how farther along I am and the fact that were having a girl. To make a long story short FI was too excited to know that he's going to have a baby girl and I'm already thinking of names and cute lil outfits for her.

So this week I'm 17 weeks (still taken aback by that) and I've been told that the "gas" that I've been feeling is actually the baby. Can't wait until I feel the first kick in a few weeks.

Seize of baby this week (5 ounces and 5 inches), BTW I'm starting to show a lil

Welcome Back!!!!

Let me first start off by apologizing (again) for my lack of blogging but so much has been going on in my world. First let me announce that the FI and I have moved our wedding date from May 16, 2010 to sometime in the fall because...were expecting our baby June 2, 2010.

Yup were 3 months pregnant. We first found out in late September around the time of FI's uncle's passing. And have kept it under wraps for a while but recently I decided that I want to share my good news with you all. So you might ask how I've been feeling? I'm doing well no morning sickness or anything like that for me, just sleepy all the time and my clothes that used to be roomy getting sung. You might also ask why move the date? Well my due date is two weeks after the wedding date and I decided that I didn't want to be uncomfortable at my wedding so we agreed to move the date to the fall (which is my fav season) and have a smaller wedding.

Let me just say that I had so many emotions once I found out that we were pregnant; happy, sad, upset, depressed, unsure. Happy that we were having our family that we always talk about but sad that I would be pregnant during the time of our wedding which we have invested so much into. Upset that we let this happen I mean of all the times, depressed because I had some ppl around me telling me to forget the big wedding and just go to the court house and get married which we don't want to do and unsure because I was just couldn't make up my mind on what to do about the wedding (I already ordered my dress and am more than half way through paying it off and yall know the boutique is not giving me a refund). It was a little stressful for me but my mother and FI let me know that the decision is ours to make and no one else and we have to do what's best for baby and us.

So we went to our vendor and cancelled our date so they can re-book it and give us a refund...I'll keep you posted on that one cuz all I know is Westbury Manor gonna be messing with the right one if they don't run my money. We love this venue and would only want to have our wedding their so we'll see if they come correct.

Then we told close family members and I was surprised that everyone was/is happy and excited for us. I say this because my family is a some what strict Jamaican family and very much into the church (my uncle is my home church pastor) so you understand my concern. All of you family members who I'll see next weekend don't say anything were going to tell everyone then.

On to baby news, I'm now 11 weeks (but I'm saying 12 cuz idk when I had my last period) so this means that baby is the seize of a lime, weighs 1/2 ounce and is 2 inches long :-)

Next Tuesday is my ultra sound and I can't wait to see what my lil swimmer is up to.

I Apologize

I know it's been a while since my last post and so much has happened since then. I have decided to take a hiatus from my wedding planning and help my aunt with her son's up coming wedding next month. I'm so excited for my cuz and his bride and can't wait for their big day which happens to be November 21st right before Thanksgiving, my favorite holiday. I can't wait to see everyone and celebrate my cousins wedding.

PS - the FI and I are planning on moving the wedding date more info on that to come later.

I Pitty the Fool

I am proud to announce that I finally made my way to Level 2 of Jillian Michael's "30 Day Shred". Let me just say this is a tough workout but the results are worth it I've noticed that my arms are stronger and toning up nicely. I can do much more pushs up than before and my booty is lifting and firm (oh yeah), some clothes are getting bigger and fitting better so that's what's up. But I'm mostly excited about my body getting stronger. I love that I can keep up with the strength and cardio exercises. I can't lie I'm slacking with my Dr. Ian "Fat Smash Diet" I'm just really bored with it right now and I already know how to eat healthy so I'm just doing that in the mean time. I guess as I get closer to the wedding I'll commit to the diet, in the mean time pardon me while I get my sexy on.

8 months = 242 days

This morning I woke up to my BB buzzing with a message from The Knot that I'm 8 months (242 days) away from our wedding day. Again I can't wait for the day to come I want to have fun with family, friends and of course my babe.

My weekend starts early bc I have Friday off so the FI and I will be taking our e-pics and maybe doing our registry after. I have a busy weekend and Sunday is the FI's bday :-)
I'm always more excited for his bday than he is and he gets more excited for my bday idk. Since were at the 8th month mark I have to make reservations for us to do our food tasting and meet with my MOH & BM's about their dresses. And I must get started on my DIY projects.

Wedding Favors

A few months back I asked my FI what he thought would be good wedding favors. He shrugged his shoulders and said "anything edible". Me knowing him as well as I do I knew he wasn't going to give specifics so I thought of different things.

-Bottles of liqueur; nice but nnaahh
-Bottles of honey; I like but he probably wouldn't
-A candy table at the reception; he didn't like it but I loved the idea his exact words "no I don't want anyone to get cavities or rotten teeth and try to blame it on us" hahaha I thought that was hilarious bc if our candy table could do all of that those teeth were jacked up way before us
-Bottles of hot sauce; cute but we don't really eat hot sauce
-Chocolate truffles; he loved the idea and so did I :-)

I found a few chocolate shops near to my job and bought some truffles for us to sample. The first place we sampled was 5th Avenue Chocolatiere...we sampled other places but I really don't remember them that's how good this place is. So were going to use them for our truffles they have so many yummy flavors; Grand Marnier (his fav), Raspberry, Peanut butter, Champagne,etc. The shop is cute and small, it's located on 3rd Ave and the ppl that I meet were very nice and helpful. They will deliver the chocolates in individual boxes of two with our choice of ribbon color. I'm too excited about this :-)

(Photos courtesy of http://www.1800chocolate.net/)

Bouquets, boutonnieres and more

Recently I spoke with my florist friend about some ideas for the wedding initially we planned on hydrangeas, orchids and peonies. Lately I've been falling in love with carnations and babys breath both are very affordable (YIPPEE) and to my surprise beautiful. Here are some more bouquets, boutonnieres and other stuff I'm considering.

Since the wedding is in May I like the idea of having baby's breath included in the floral scheme, it reminds me of buds

(Photo's from http://www.deartheresa.com/ , kugab.blogspot.com)

My work out plan

Before I proceed let me just say that I'm crackin up over this pic hahahha. I know I posted it but isnt it funny I used work out to this song when Kanye first came out with the College Dropout CD, this was my motivation song when I used to run...well that and Jay Z's "Encore".

In honor of my up coming wedding and 30th bday (Durty 30 is what I'm calling it) I decided to get back into shape. Not just for the wedding but for a lifetime I'm getting older and I want to take better care of myself. So I recently purchased Dr. Ian "Extreme Fat Smash Diet" and Jillian Michael "30 Day Shred", people let me tell you the work out is no joke. It's 20 min of non-stop exercising combining strength, cardio and abs. Some serious stuff by the time the work out is over your body will feel like spaghetti. It has three levels so when your body get comfortable you have to move on to the next level. I hate it when I'm doing it but I love how I feel at the end. I'm on day 4 please pray for me.

Most of us know Dr. Ian from VH1's "Celebrity Fit Club" (shout out to my sis at MTV can I get a check for promoting this) and "The 50 Million Pound Challenge" so we know he reputable. His book is great, I have the "Fat Smash" book but wanted to see what else he had. This book is broken down into three "levels", gives you meal plans from day to day and has tons of yummy recipes. I got this book the same day as the DVD so it's day 4 on this too. I'm good on the eating part but I could use the support.

As for my durty 30 I'm looking forward to taking on this new stage of my life and sharing it with you.

Steel Band

A while back my aunt gave me a great idea of having a steel band play during our cocktail hour. I like the idea of having something from my culture included into our wedding and it will be nice for my FI's family and friends to experience a taste of my Carri bean culture. So when I told him about the idea he absolutely loved it, I picture our family mingling at the out door cocktail hour with drinks in their hand while the sweet sounds of "Stir It Up" floating through the air. Someone pass me a Mojito and jerk chicken :)

8th month mark...almost

Yes, yes yall were almost at the 8th month mark and I'm to excited that this wedding is almost here (actually I just can't wait to be married to my sweetie). I have so much to do, first off I can't wait to hang out with my MOH & BM's and start discussing their dresses and what not. Two of them already told me they can't wait to start doing stuff for the wedding :) they are too sweet. My MOH is my sister Kimmy the DIVA my BM's are my cuzzin's Chenille,Krissy, my adopted lil sis Natini (Tini) and my row dog Monique (Mo Mo). These ladies have my back they already let me know that if someone upsets me they will be opening up cans of whop ass...hahaha

Here's a list of some of the things we need to do for September:
-Create our registry
-Food tasting
-Take e-pics
-Meet with dress maker
-Start looking at invitations
-Start my DIY projects
-Cake tasting
-Send out save the dates to family & friends who live out of state & country
-Start looking into blocks of hotel rooms

I'll be having my ladies help me with as much as possible :)

Veil's & bags

I'm gonna keep it real with you ladies I am not a traditional bride and my wedding will not be traditional my e-ring is proof. So I decided that I don't want a long flowing chapel length veil, no no not for me. They are beautiful and all but it's just not my style I want to wear something small & cute, and if I want to rock it for the entire wedding it's not in the way. So I'm thinking about birdcage veils and a nice clutch. Something like this

Sunday's mean Sex & The City

This is one of my fav shows and since I'm watching the movie and forgot about the beautiful couture gowns featured in the movie I wanted to give them some shine. These dresses are BAD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Can't wait for the second Sex & The City movie :)

I'm diggin the bird :)

And in the end the bride wore a dress from no one, I love this suite.

Forever thine

Forever mine

Forever ours

Our colors

Our wedding colors are turquoise or light turquoise & gold (FI chose them), I was told by a close friend of the family that "the gold would be to strong and over power the turquoise, you should choose another color." Needles to say I was pissed that someone had the nerve to tell me what I should do for my wedding. However, since that event I have been told what I should and shouldn't do for my wedding. But in the end he & I have the final say and our colors will remain turquoise & gold and WE will decide what will and will not be done for our wedding.

PS - Thanks for letting me vent I needed that, back to the colors

Wedding gowns

I know I posted that my gown is ordered but that doesn't stop me from looking :)

These are some of my fav dresses some I tried on while others...ahh I can only dream about. My fav designer is Jim Helm, next in line would be Lazaro, Casablanca and Jasmine (in no particular order)

I wanted this dress so bad, then I found out the price and woke up

I was in love with this one too and came very close to choosing it until "The One" stole my heart :)

Wedding Gowns

My search for my gown is over but I wanted to post some pics of some dresses that I tried on when I was searching. My first stop was RK Bridal in NYC I actually liked my experience at this boutique. The sales associate Emily was very nice and helpful, she even let me sneak some pics of me in the dresses. Most of the dresses I tried on were Casablanca, take a look

The pics do these dresses no justice, these dresses are absolutely BEAUTIFUL but I knew none of them were "The One". So I thanked Emily and headed off to David's Bridal.

Now let me just say that I have nothing against anyone who has or is thinking of getting their gown from David's Bridal but their dresses are not for me. Maybe it's just the store that I went to and the sales associate that I had but it turned me off from DB all together. They did let me take pics of myself so here they are

I saw this dress on line and was convinced that this was "The One" but when I put it on it was too heavy for me.

I saw "The One" in a bridal magazine sometime after trying on these dresses I found out what stores had the gown I made my appointment and went to try it on. The boutique that has my "One" is Bridal Reflections in Massapequa. When I first got their the sales associate wanted me to try on a dozen of dresses and I kept asking her for my "One". Finally I try it on and didn't want to take it off and that's when I knew I found the right one. Oh yeah I couldn't take any pics at this boutique :-( to share.

Centerpieces, Centerpieces

For the past few months I've been thinking about what flowers were going to use as centerpieces. Originally I wanted blue hydrangeas with orchids but lately I've been thinking about the price tag that will carry. So I've been looking into more affordable flowers (they are a must for me, I love flowers) like carnations and roses. I plan to have a few hydrangeas here and there in the centerpieces but not as much as originally planned.

I always associated carnations with funerals and would never think of using them for a wedding but I keep seeing these beautiful pics of bunches of carnations that are stunning. And roses are not my favorite, maybe because they are so common and I try not to follow the crowd. I found this pic and absolutely love how full it is. It's made up of carnations, white roses and babys breath this one is in the lead as of now.

Natural Hair

I know I'm a little early but I'm thinking about how I'm going to wear my hair for the big day. So you must know by the title that I have natural hair. I have a few styles in mind but I'm very unsure, in the mean time check out what I've been looking at

I'm feeling all of these do's, what yall think?