Just Because I Can't Stay Away

I finally finished putting things away and can see the floor of our house again!  This post wasn't planned at all so it's not going to involve wedding anything but trust me...there will be PLENTY of that soon!

I wasn't tagged by anyone; I stole this from someone else's blog.  I don't have enough followers to actually get tagged but maybe someday!

What is your occupation?  Workforce Management Lead
What color are your socks right now?  Dark green wool socks
What are you listening to right now?  Remember When by Alan Jackson
What was the last thing that you ate?  Mexican food with Mom
Can you drive a stick shift?  Nope.  And I have no ambition to learn either so I hope I never am stuck in an unfortunate situation.  At least without a book.
If you were a crayon, what color would you be?  Yellow or orange
Last person you spoke to on the phone?  Chelsey
Do you like the person who sent this to you?  As mentioned before, I stole it from someone and yes, I'm a fan of her!
Favorite drink?  Lately Raspberry Vanilla Bean Frappucino or White Chocolate Mocha.  I'm at Starbucks almost every other day so that needs to stop ASAP now that the wedding is over!
What is your favorite sport to watch?  Fooooooooooootball!!!  Sad it's over already!
Have you ever dyed your hair?  Yes...I'm actually planning on dying it tomorrow morning dark brown before I head out for the honeymoon!
Pets?  Never but in a few weeks we'll have four feet pitter pattering all over our hardwood floors!  I can't wait!
Favorite food?  Crab legs or anything deep fried (I'm from WI)
Last movie you watched?  The first 10 minutes of Despicable Me, fell asleep, then woke up to watch the last 5 minutes.
Favorite Day of the Year?  Friday.  Of every week.
What do you do to vent anger?  Sing to anything by Pink
What was your favorite toy as a child?  My bicycle or slinkies
Which is your favorite, fall or spring?  Hands down fall.  The changing leaves are beautiful and one of my favorite thing is layering without the jacket!
Hugs or kisses?  Hugs AND kisses
What kind of pie?  I'll pass on the pie.  Sprecher Root Beer Float ice cream from Kopp's please.
Living arrangements?  Own my own house since May of 2010.  I live in it too.
When was the last time you cried?  Not full on cry but I teared up when I saw my dad come to get me to walk down the aisle.
What is on the floor of your closet?  Bags of stuffffff for Goodwill
Favorite smell?  Fresh cut grass.  Clean laundry.  Paint.
What inspires you?  Interior decorator blogs.  Jillian Michaels body.  Good photography.
What are you afraid of?  Dying before making my mark.
Plain, cheese or spicy hamburgers?  Cheeeeeeeeseburgers, extra cheese, with cheese on the side.
Favorite Car?  Jeep Wrangler, 4 door, with removable sides and top in black and lime green
Favorite cat breed?  Ones that live outside.  I have 4 that live in the neighborhood and just hang out in everyone's yard.  They're terrific but they'd never come inside my house.
Number of keys on your key ring?  TWO!  Keep it simple silly =)
How many years at your current job?  Tooooooooo long!  Two years two months
Favorite day of the week?  Saturday
How many states have you lived in? One but that may be changing soon if all goes well in the work field
How many countries have you been to? United States, Bahamas, Canada, Mexico
I’m tagging:  Anyone who is as bored as I am and wants to take this!

Feel Good Friday

Well it's here.  We've been planning this day for 13 months and tomorrow I'll be in a white dress and blue heels.  Hope you all have a wonderful weekend and smiling faces on.  I know I'm all smiles starting this morning when I peeked out the window and saw a TON of snow!  I knew Mother Nature wouldn't let me down!

I know I've posted this picture before but I LOVE it!!

I'm going to take some time off after the wedding while we're on our honeymoon and to get adjusted to my new title and new last name...paperwork, here I come!  I'll be popping in on Facebook (if you don't follow my page, here's the link) here and there but otherwise, I will be back March 12 with lots of things to tell you and, of course, pictures!  Have a good rest of February and beginning of March everyone!  I'll miss you!

xoxo

T'was the day before the wedding

Hiiiiiii!!  This morning I looked out the window and saw snow!!!  Like, not a few flakes...six INCHES of snow.  We decided on a February wedding for multiple reasons but one of my main reasons was to get these amazingly gorgeous pictures taken outside in the snow.  Winter in WI has been anything short of snow with 40 degree days and more sun then freakin Florida.  So you can only imagine my excitement when I pulled back the curtains this morning. 

I just got back home from the church where I went to drop off the bows for the pews and the ceremony programs.  It's coming together beautifully!  A few last minute details and I'll be off to get my ring cleaned and then a pedicure and manicure with some of my beautiful bridemaids. 

I'm seriously so antsy today and everything anyone says or does puts this huge smile on my face.  I can't tell if it's because of the snow or because I'm getting married but whatever it is, it's working like a charm. 

Here's a sneak peak at what's in store for the wedding party tonight...

And what my roommate will be getting from me tomorrow ;)

Because it's cold outside with the snow.  Obviously!

Crazy for Chevron

I love chevron.  LOVE it.  I've been trying to find new ways to incorporate chevron into our home since I am redoing the living room and dining room and adding a gallery wall on the stairs going up in spring.  These are some ideas that I've come across and I seriously can't get enough of this pattern.

There is a LOT going on in this room but I think it could totally work with minimal and simple things on the wall.

After looking through these pictures, it's apparent that I'm the biggest fan of yello chevron and black chevron.  Go figure...

Images from:  Houzz, Houzz, Design Sponge, Twice Lovely, Sweet C's Design, Tatertots & Jello, My Sweet & Saucy, Wallpaper, A Little Lovely,

That's Pinteresting

In case you haven't figured it out, I'm on Pinterest!

Feel free to stop by and repin!  Happy Wednesday!

Apparently I Wear Skinnies

I'm not going to bore you with another "Tone Up Tuesdays" post where I confess my failures at working out.  Didn't do it this past week.  I'm sure you're all as shocked as I am.  Cooler things than working out are going on.  Like stuffing vases with pebbles and putting together ceremony programs.  I'm also not going to bore you with wedding fun.  We can do that tomorrow.  Get EXCITED.

This should keep you more than entertained though...

I used to be that girl who made fun of girls for wearing skinny jeans.  I spent my entire high school years trying to find pants long enough for me because my legs were unusually long but my waist was unusually small.  FYI...apparently you can only have long legs if you have a thick waist.  They didn't make size 0 tall back then.  Anyway, why would I want to voluntarily wear the jeans I used to despise? 

Fashion got the best of me.  I finally bought a few pair after this big huge hype about how they're the new thing.  But I didn't just get the regular skinny jeans in normal wash blue jean denim.  I figured if I was going to do this, I was going to do it right.  I opted for the bright color skinny jeans.  That's right I look completely out of place in Wisconsin but I'll fit in with NYC just fine should I ever move there. 

I was super nervous to wear them to work though.  You see, I'm one who has a rather boring wardrobe when it comes to work because a) I have to leave the house at 6:15 every morning to get there at 6:45am and b) I'm lucky if I can find two shoes that are the same color that early.  I gave the skinny bright blue jeans a shot today though.  On a none-jean-day.  I figured they're not technically jeans because the pockets are fake (making it not a pair of 5 pocket jeans) plus leggings are acceptable and I'll jazz it up with a really nice blouse and some heels. 

I've never had a reaction quite like this one to my outfit at work in my life.  I had probably about 20 people (including the VP of the building) commenting about my outfit...all good comments amazingly enough.  And bonus...no one sent me home (YAY!!) for wearing skinny jeans/leggings (jeggings?  weird word) because I don't think they could wrap their head around the brightness of the jeans.  I even had two of the managers stop and tell me that they learned all about the bright skinny jeans and how they're the "it" thing this season and that I should have worn animal print with it because that's apparently a good combination.  Not going to lie, that was a SUPER AWKWARD conversation.

I'll probably never wear these pants again to work because I'm pretty satisfied with the reactions I got my first go round...wouldn't want to beat a dead horse.  But here's a peak at all the fuss.

And just in case you didn't believe me about the pants...

They're sexy and you know it...or not ;)

If I Could Write a Letter To Me

Dear 17 year old Erin,

It's your 25 year old self.  First off, this isn't an easy letter to write but it's something that I've wanted to send you for a long time and I'm finally doing to it.  Things in this letter you won't want to hear; other things you won't listen to because you'll probably think they're unrealistic but be patient and keep them in mind as you journey through life. 

You think you know it all being a teenager.  Just like every other teenager.  But you don't.  You don't even know the half of it.  So, change your attitude and treat mom and dad with a little more respect.  They deserve it and have put up with a LOT from you.  You'll also start smoking at 17.  Quit while your ahead.  Or better yet, don't start.  It's not cool looking, even if your friends do it.  And when you quit, don't start it up again because you broke up with an old boyfriend in your college years.  It's so not worth it. 

Enjoy being single.  Don't think that just because you don't have a plus one doesn't mean you can't have a great time.  It's hard not having a boyfriend when everyone else seems to have one, but let me tell you, the single years are some of the best years.  So while you're single, enjoy spending time with your friends and family.  Take long trips that are planned last minute.  Go on a shopping excursion and not worry about the money.  Because you'll have plenty of years ahead of you to be tied down to that special someone so while you wait for him, enjoy the freedom of single life. 

Speaking of that special someone, you'll meet someone on Valentines Day of 2009 from your past.  You will have just graduated college and you won't have a job yet so you'll probably just think it's a fling but don't shut it out.  Yes, he's from your past and yes, you'd never think you'd date him but this story turns out kind of cool. 

Find a passion in life early on.  If you enjoy something (like interior design...you're going to love this one), don't let people tell you that it's an unrealistic goal.  Go to school for what you love and don't follow the beaten path of working in an office if it's not a passion of yours.  You'll appreciate the office job but you won't love it.  Do something you love.  It will make life so much more enjoyable. 

Drink more water.  You have health issues in the future because you don't drink enough water and trust me, it's NOT worth it.  Start loving your body.  You may not be the skinniest or have the 4 pack abs you've always dreamed of but you're healthy and that's what counts.  There's no need to apologize for your height, your skin and there's REALLY no reason to hide behind it.  Trust me, people would kill for your long legs.  Flaunt em!

Travel, travel, travel.  You won't have the money to do it.  Do it anyway.  The debt is worth it to see the world.  Enjoy the moment and stop looking to the next thing.  Life doesn't have a checklist so go at your own pace and live in the moment.  Don't wish those moments away because you're looking for the next big thing.

Try not to buy so much.  Ask yourself if you really need it or if it's just a want.  You'll save yourself so much money and have extra spending money for traveling!  Keep your family and true friends close to you.  They will be there through all the guy crap you go through and all the friendships that are broken.  And PS. choose your friends wisely.  You'll understand this one once you get to senior year of high school and later in college.  Stick up for yourself and don't let people walk over you.

Lastly, don't worry so much.  Things WILL fall into place.  Hug Grandpa Kuells more often.  Appreciate Grandma Klatt's treat bags that she send you home with.  Don't take a summer world geography class in college.  You flunk because you thought you could skate by but it's not the end of the world.  Use lotion everyday.  It makes your skin softer beyond belief.  Create your own fashion style.  I wish you'd learn sign language and French.  I wish you'd study abroad for a semester in college.

And when you walk down the aisle with dad on your wedding day, hold his arm tight and realize God has blessed you with so much more than you deserve and don't take anything or anyone for granted.  The people in that church are some of the most important people in your life.  You'll wonder where the time went as you take your first step and you'll hopefully look back with appreciation.

Love,
Me

National Chocolate Mint Day

SUNDAY

marks National Chocolate Mint Day...YUM!  This day is right up there with Christmas for me!  Don't forget to indulge in some chocolate mint yummy-ness!

Happy weekend dolls!

Holy crap...I Won't be a "Klatt" Next Week!

I never thought I would be writing this post.  Over a year ago, the bling went on the finger and the planning began, and now it's coming to an end and I'm getting just a little more bling added (as if any girl EVER had a problem with that!).  It's a bitter sweet ending.  The centerpieces are packed up and ready to go, the ceremony programs are in a box soon to be distributed, and the shoes are worn in (or they should be at least). 

One week from today, we will be in a church practicing walking down an aisle.  I will be complaining that I know how to walk down an aisle but I'm 99.9% convinced that I will trip on the day that we're practicing for.  I'll grab onto my dad; he'll go down with me.  It'll be a mess but it'll happen right in the beginning so every other stupid thing I do that day/night won't be remembered because I'll be the bride who tripped going down the aisle.  It will be a shining moment for me.

In all honesty though, I never thought this would come.  The week before a new chapter of my life begins.  Holy crap it's scary!  Ever since we've been engaged, I've turned into this other person...this person that I've never met who either doesn't care at all one moment and then cares whether the roommate is going to wear blue or black underwear the next.  Poor guy.  It's scaaaary.  I'm like a freaking light switch.  Don't accidentally bump it or it could go off!  I should have gotten that on a t-shirt.  I've tried so hard to keep my cool but really I cry about everything, I want things to go right, and when I think about my Grandpa (who died over 4 years ago), I look like Niagara Falls. 

So yes, I'm ready for this wedding to be here.  I'm ready for the planning to be over and, most of all, I'm ready to be married to my roommate.  Things will go wrong a week from tomorrow.  The dessert won't turn out the right way or every pair of nylons I have will have runs in them or the right songs won't play at the right times.  It's bound to happen because it's the story of my life.  But a week from tomorrow, there won't be anything that can be done about it.  Except for throwing back another shot.  So here's to the wedding planning, the scary bi-polar Erin, and the new ride I'm taking on the back of a motorcycle.  It's going to be scary, fulfilling, and different but I'm ready.  

Feel Good Friday (on Thursday)

I've got two pretty awesome posts to share tomorrow so I figured I'd post my Feel Good Friday post today so that we woudn't miss out on this fun one!  Happy {almost} Friday!!

I LOVE stripes in the home.  Especially ones that run across your floor.

Black accent wall with killer art.  This home office is a beauty...

Love this!  Always need to keep this in mind!

Cute for an errand kind of day!

Haha!  I'll be working from yesterday to next week Tuesday straight.  Seven 10 hour days?  I'll need that swivel chair!

true.

Tone Up Tuesdays

Are you ready to hear this?  Are you?  Are you realllllly ready to hear this?  I worked out!!!  I know...freaking MIRACLE.  I'm so proud of myself and even though it was only three days last week that I did it, it was better than my not-working-out-because-I'm-cooler-than-that routine I had going for a while.

I found a new DVD.  I used to belong to the YMCA but I absolutely hated getting all bundled up to go to the gym in the winter to have to change into workout clothes (or at least strip down from the 10 layers I have ne) to not even enjoy the work out to bundle back up to drive all the way home and then finally shower.  So goodbye Y, hello Jillian.  I have a zillion DVD's from the Shape workouts, to P90X to Slim in 6, but thusfar, Jillian is my fave (did I say that about P90X way back when?  Hmmmm...). 

The 30 Day Shred is a series of three levels, each level lasting 20-25 minutes.  She works you in circuits with no break since it's such a short amount of time anyway.  There's three circuits per level and each circuit has strength training, cardio, and an ab routine.  Once you don't feel the first level is challenging you as much as you'd like, you move on to two, then three.  Here's my mini tracker I'll trhow up there for laughs.

Hey...it's a work in progress!

Wednesday 2/8 - Level One 30 Day Shred
Saturday 2/11 - Level One 30 Day Shred
Sunday 2/12 - Level One 30 Day Shred

How was your workout week?  Anyone rock it like {not} me?

Jumping the Gun

I'll be the first to admit it...I'm completely jumping the gun.  I'm so over the wedding that I'm bypassing it and headed straight for the honeymoon.  I bought {a few} new purchases for the honeymoon (how could I resist?) and am so ready to jump on that plane and leave the rest behind! 

I guess we have to do this whole marriage thing first but I'm finally realizing how overrated it is.  While working on the timeline for that day, I'm staring at the computer thinking to myself, There's not enough hours in this day for all the stress this has caused.  Yes, it's an important day but it's only one day.  The wedding is the first day of the rest of both of your lives.  So if everything goes wrong on the day of your wedding, you're still married and that ws the goal in the end anyway...right?  Right.  So I'm spending time putting together my wardrobe for my eight day vacation rather than focusing all my energy on this 11 hour day. 

I finally get it after 13 months of being engaged.  To bad this reality check didn't come 12.5 months ago. 

Oh well.

1.  Francesca's Striped Short Sleeve Top

2.  Guess Ruffled Bikini

3. Victoria's Secret V-neck Tunic

4.  Francesca's Blue Skirt

5.  Francesca's Brown Crossbody Bag

6.  Target Printed Scarf

7.  Francesca's Tan Hobo Bag

8.  American Eagle Off-the-Shoulder Sweater

9.  Victoria's Secret White Sequins Bikini

10. Francesca's Striped Sweater

11.  American Eagle Dark Denim Shorts

Feel Good Friday

Thank goodness it's Friday!  I'm so grateful it's the weekend!  Have a great weekend everyone and for those of you in the Midwest...horray for snow finally!!!

Girl Crush: Erin Wasson

Totally found my new girl crush.  This woman is the epitome of womanhood.  She's got her own style, she does her own thing, and she doesn't let anyone stand in her way.

via

via

via

via

via

via

Kegs, Cake, and Black Balloons

It was my roommate's birthday yesterday!  I surprised him with a little balloon action and the ugliest cake you've ever seen in your life hand crafted by me (is it that obvious?).  We walked to our local bar for greasy hot wings and bad beer.  And yes, those are kegs with bows on them from yours truly.  It was all he could have ever dreamed of.

Happy 26 to my roommate and the guy who's going to meet me at the end of the aisle in a few weeks!