I love when the first falls on a Monday
It’s just nice. I love resetting my goals and the calendar. And I had today off work (Easter), and I got so much done. I consolidated a couple of storage bins. I dropped off a pair of shoes I sold on Poshmark. I made major progress on the wedding master spreadsheet. I am donating a pair of shoes I bought in 2014 and haven’t worn since. I threw away the podcast mic stand I will never use. I’m on a roll.
I have been the queen of timers today. I really can complete any task if I tell myself I am going to work for 20 minutes on it. Even if it takes longer, all I need is the freedom to stop if I get started.
And I hope you are rolling well too, whatever that looks like for you.
I took this photo of my aunts a few months ago at a shower. There’s something sacred about sisters laughing together. I just love it.
Number One: Random wedding planning tips no one asked for
It is so much cheaper to buy velum paper for invitations on Amazon than on Minted. It even comes pre-folded. I learned this one too late, learn from my mistakes, all of you on the market for velum paper. One of the most annoying things about wedding planning for me is that you can probably find cheaper of everything if you take the time to look. But it’s like, how much time am I really going to spend looking?
TikTok told me to create a wedding email address, which we did, and it’s been helpful. TikTok also told me to put our venue and wedding date in the signature, and our caterer told me last week that that has been the most helpful thing and she wishes everyone did that. So there you go.
I got off Instagram around the new year, hopped back on for a week or so, and then bailed again for Lent. I’m back on now. But I’m so glad I had the last few months far, far from this comparison machine. Social media is a wealth of ideas (see TikTok email tip), but also a wealth of feedback/comparison/not reality, and I just needed a fat break. And I think more than saving a little money here or there, or adding in some detail that shines, protecting my peace has been the most helpful “wedding tip.”
Number Two: Dinner with Friends
I am really enjoying Kacey’s new album. “Dinner with Friends” is my fave. The line, “the cute way he mispronounces certain words” gets me. Chris says “Houston” “Yooston” and I love that about him with my whole heart.
Number Three: Spring Dress
One thing about my job is that I have little conversations with probably 100 people over the course of 4 hours on Sunday mornings. So I end up telling the same story over and over. Yesterday’s story was that I’ve worn a new blue dress 3 years in a row on Easter, and now that’s my Easter tradition. Yesterday I wore this dress that has a wonderful SEO friendly name and I got a lot of compliments on it. I feel iffy about Amazon clothing. I would say it’s ethically gray, but it certainly leans strongly unethical. But then I get in that thought cycle of, should the burden of responsibility fall to the consumer or the company? Am I just trying to abdicate responsibility? What’s a girl to do?
Number Four: Scratch in PV
Locals: if you are looking for a date night spot with easy parking, may I suggest Scratch in Prairie Village? Yummy food. Drinks were good, not wowee zowee, I would maybe mocktail or Diet Coke it next time. My drink was perhaps too rosemary forward. Desserts were phenom, once I saw espresso crème brûlée on the menu, I had exactly one objective in mind. Here’s the detail that made me a believer: the patio seating came with little blankets. Which I did get a little chilly toward the end of the night, and it was such a nice touch.
Number Five: Native Plants updates
Last week I planted False Indigo. I also scattered some wildflower seeds in the side garden. Wildflower seeds might be a scam like Minted velum paper. But that has not stopped me from spending a little money the last two years in hopes that something fun pops up.