Reception Inspiration: Lighting

Ben and I started delving a little more into planning last week (ie, ceremony locations and preliminary guest list) and talked more about our reception, which we're having in a park outside of town. I LOVE this picture -- the lights are just amazing! I have to go check out our location, to see if we can do something like this with the trees on site.

The Chubby Bunny

After pimping my 'mallow making in class, I decided to bite the bullet and set up my Etsy shop. So, The Chubby Bunny officially exists! I also set up a fan page on Facebook, just to try and get the name out there. 13 fans and counting!

I'm planning on making some samples to hand out at random, and hopefully can recruit some friends to help me out. I really, really hope something (anything!) comes of this!

Will Work for Student Loan Payments

So, in light of my moving to Ridgecrest in less than four months and my inability as of yet to secure a concrete job, I've been kicking around possible ways to generate revenue. While selling my kidney did cross my mind, another (less medical) idea popped up its adorable head.

For Christmas this past year, I made marshmallows for people. Yes, homemade marshmallows. Making candy has always been a thing in my family. Oompa made fudge, Mom makes caramels, and apparently I make marshmallows. Can't bake, but can make candy. Yeah, I don't get it either. Anyway, after the success of my refined marshmallow making, and realizing that even after spending a whole week doing nothing but beating, setting, cutting, and tossing little marshmallows, I came up with the idea of trying to sell them on Etsy.

So now, with my class schedule at only 4 classes (yay! Time to breathe!) I thought I might revive this temporarily back burnered idea. I already have the name on Etsy -- The Chubby Bunny -- and am thinking about giving candy sales a shot! Might as well, right? Not like I'll get rich off of it (or will likely even make a profit) but it could be fun!

Location Hunting

So, Ben and I are starting to kick around possible locations for the ceremony. Since we aren't particularly religious people, and a friend's father is doing the ceremony for us, we are pretty much free to find any nifty place. The only thing is, finding cool places in Bureau County is a little difficult, since nothing seems to be advertised. I did, however, find these two gorgeous mansions while trolling the web last night! The top is the Reddick Mansion, in Ottawa, and the bottom is the Hegeler Carus Mansion, in La Salle. I had no idea they even existed!

PS: How great would it be coming down the steps of the Reddick Mansion post ceremony? So classic!

New She & Him Single

She & Him have released their first video from the upcoming "Volume 2"!! "In The Sun" is just adorable! And I'm loving Zooey's new bangs (and not just because it will be even easier for me to mimic her look.)

PS: Did I mention I would just die of happiness if Ben dressed as '50s fab as M.Ward? Love it!

Big Love

Tonight I'm watching the 4th season finale of Big Love, one of my favorite shows on TV! HBO just amazes me. But this season has been so incredible, I can't believe it's already over. Build with Bill Henrickson!

PS: I always forget what a hottie Chloe Sevigny is, but last episode she knocked me off my feet! So gorgeous!

Mad Men

Lately, I've been craving a Mad Men fix like no one's business! I'm so excited that when the 4th season premieres, Ben and I will be living together! (Yup, I got him hooked the first summer we were dating.) Can't wait to see what happens with Sterling-Cooper-Draper-Pryce!

"I Never"

I am SO excited to start planning the music for our wedding! Since both Ben and I are music lovers, I think it will be really fun to put the playlists together. Today, I stumbled on this gem by Rilo Kiley, a band I adore. Jenny Lewis has such an amazing voice, and this song is so sweet!