Wedding Dress Shopping!

When my Mom and sister were in town last May, we did a marathon weekend of venue and dress shopping for the wedding. Venue: check! Dress: let's find out.
We ended up at Yes! I Do! Bridal in Chandler that carried the Casablanca line.
There were some really great gowns, but none that I could fit into to try on.

My sister Cassie was kind enough to sport some looks for me and at the end of the day, we decided on this dress, but in a slightly different lace.

I was still apprehensive though, I wasn't sure what the dress felt like on or would look like on me. So I decided to keep my options open and keep looking.

This is how I feel after wedding dress shopping today.

AMAZING!
My friend Kari came with me to try on dresses at this great store called Strut Bridal in Phoenix. First, Strut rocks. Owner Ann only carries dresses in size 12+. Second, they have an amazing selection. I worked with Pam Meeks to find 4 final contenders.

But first, the rejects: cafe mocha and ivory lace and tulle tea length dress. I totally loved this! But it's not quite right for our event.

Next, an ivory confection. I just fell in love with this neckline and 3D skirt detail.

A beautiful lace dress, but just not for me:

Now for the winners: Number 4, taffeta v neck gown with a chapel train

Pros: What I was looking for

Cons: Shorter train, no sparkle, no lace, not sure about the chest fit.

Number 3: Va va voom Jessica Rabbit Taffeta with lace applique

Pros: So what I wanted but strapless! Who am I? Felt amazing on.

Cons: Shorter train, no sparkle

Number 2 (but really tied with #1): Taffeta off the shoulder ball gown

Pros: Hello. Fabulous. Different. Channeling Julia Roberts in Runaway Bride. Great for the venue

Cons: Shorter train, no sparkle, doesn't photograph great. WAY better in person.

Number 1 (and breaking the budget!)

Silk organza and chiffon ball gown. All 35 pounds of it.

And with veil:

Here are some detail shots!

Runaway Bride:

3D:

Jessica Rabbit Detail:

V Neck Detail:

So...What do you think?

Must Read: Bossypants by Tina Fey

Bossypants by Tina Fey.
I adored this book.
Tina kills it, but this is my favorite passage, a prayer for her daughter.
Happy Mother's Day!

First, Lord: No tattoos. May neither Chinese symbol for truth nor Winnie-the-Pooh holding the FSU logo stain her tender haunches.

May she be Beautiful but not Damaged, for it’s the Damage that draws the creepy soccer coach’s eye, not the Bea......uty.

When the Crystal Meth is offered, May she remember the parents who cut her grapes in half And stick with Beer.

Guide her, protect her

When crossing the street, stepping onto boats, swimming in the ocean, swimming in pools, walking near pools, standing on the subway platform, crossing 86th Street, stepping off of boats, using mall restrooms, getting on and off escalators, driving on country roads while arguing, leaning on large windows, walking in parking lots, riding Ferris wheels, roller-coasters, log flumes, or anything called “Hell Drop,” “Tower of Torture,” or “The Death Spiral Rock ‘N Zero G Roll featuring Aerosmith,” and standing on any kind of balcony ever, anywhere, at any age.

Lead her away from Acting but not all the way to Finance. Something where she can make her own hours but still feel intellectually fulfilled and get outside sometimes And not have to wear high heels.

What would that be, Lord? Architecture? Midwifery? Golf course design? I’m asking You, because if I knew, I’d be doing it, Youdammit.

May she play the Drums to the fiery rhythm of her Own Heart with the sinewy strength of her Own Arms, so she need Not Lie With Drummers.

Grant her a Rough Patch from twelve to seventeen. Let her draw horses and be interested in Barbies for much too long, For childhood is short – a Tiger Flower blooming Magenta for one day – And adulthood is long and dry-humping in cars will wait.

O Lord, break the Internet forever, That she may be spared the misspelled invective of her peers And the online marketing campaign for Rape Hostel V: Girls Just Wanna Get Stabbed.

And when she one day turns on me and calls me a Bitch in front of Hollister, Give me the strength, Lord, to yank her directly into a cab in front of her friends, For I will not have that Shit. I will not have it.

And should she choose to be a Mother one day, be my eyes, Lord, that I may see her, lying on a blanket on the floor at 4:50 A.M., all-at-once exhausted, bored, and in love with the little creature whose poop is leaking up its back.

“My mother did this for me once,” she will realize as she cleans feces off her baby’s neck. “My mother did this for me.” And the delayed gratitude will wash over her as it does each generation and she will make a Mental Note to call me. And she will forget. But I’ll know, because I peeped it with Your God eyes.

Stats Class Survey! Help us get great data and take the survey!

I am currently in s statistics class that requires the development, launch and analysis of a survey! Help us out!
Wellness Survey! https://spreadsheets.google.com/viewform?formkey=dDhTbUFVRG1oTGgtaHVzZElXaFBFNlE6MQ
Thanks!

It's Official! New Job!

The official email went out today, I am happy to announce that I will be the new Environmental Sustainability Analyst with PetSmart. I will be responsible for creating business cases for green initiatives and engaging our associates in sustainable thinking in their roles. I am so excited to finally so something I am passionate about and be able to make a difference both environmentally and socially.

The Book Thief and Other Reading Adventures

I am remiss in not discussing this book right away.

It is quite simply on of those books that just take your breath away. I enjoy the macabre of the grim reaper narration, the German perspective of WWII and the heartbreak of the human condition.

This book is a treasure.

Do your self a favor and enjoy it.

I am also dabbling further into my food knowledge with the following books:

The Omnivore's Dilemma by Michael Pollan

In Defense of Food by Michael Pollan

Animal, Vegetable, Miracle by Barbara Kingsolver

I am learning so much about agriculture, where our food comes from and better ways to eat.

I won't bore you with the politics, but I will say this. It is astounding what little we know about what we eat.

I am curious and ready to learn more.

I am also profoundly fascinated by The Battle Hymn of the Tiger Mother by Amy Chua. 

This autobiographical book discusses a Chinese-American mother's journey of raising two daughters under strict Chinese culture parenting. At times shocking and funny. It definitely opens up a discussion about our permissive culture today.

This book generated a ton of press last week and got me thinking about my own upbringing and my parent's and friend's ever evolving parenting styles. I am not embarrassed to say that I come form a line of pseudo-Tiger Mothers. College is not an option!

And of course: I pre-ordered the Pioneer Woman's love story, Black Heels to Tractor Wheels. Which she started on her blog and now is a book describing her hilarious and touching city girl transformation to a ranch wife.

Why? Because we love the Pioneer Woman. Amen.

What books are you reading?

Food

I have been on a bit of a food journey lately and one of my new years resolutions if to eat smarter.
I found this great blog called Fooducate that breaks down some of the modern food issues, especially our relationship to packaged foods.

I especially liked this article on baby's first food, rice cereal, and how most children don't get any whole grains in their diet, setting them up for unhealthy flavor profiles as they grow.
Fooducate also took on my mom's beloved Activia.

Plus, can you guess what this is?

It's chicken. 

Here are some great food sites I love:
Tastespotting: Gorgeous photos, amazing food (photo above)
Love & Olive Oil
Slashfood
Check them out!

Lee + Bolton ChristmasNewYearBonanza

First off, let's gaze at my tree.

I know right!
Thank you, thank you.
Here's what you need to know. 
All tree decorations are from Tai Pan Trading that Mom, Pone and David helped CJ and I pick out. Ribbon is from Target.




As for the rest of the house, 
CJ's mom Pam has a metric ton of Christmas decor.
I am not kidding. 
She invited me over early December to take stock of the situation.
We left with a small fraction of items including a tree, star and skirt. As well as a ton of side table items I will show you below. Bottom line. 


We are so lucky to have hoarders in our life.


Bask in the glittery goodness. You see those pokey fan things? All Ponie. Genius.
Also, Wendy hunted those flowers down for me. And when we went back post-Christmas, she HUNTED more of those flowers down for me. Much love Mom. Much love.

Mom also found these. Which pretty much made my life.

Okay on to the rest of the room.
Santa and flying reindeer. YES.

Nativity snow globe paired up with our globe collection and smelly pine cones. Yep, we got 'em!

My attempt at decor (aka sticks in a vase with balls, keeping it classy) with a vintage santa with a gold hat. Hello.

More balls in vases.

And my favorite item of decor! DAN BOLTON!

Dan is modeling our office wall and window decor, I call Tuscan teal vomit.(Sorry CJ).


After Christmas with the Bolton-Zerelka-Kucera families, we headed up to St. G for some post-Christmas revelry with the Joneses.


BUT I didn't take any photos. And you missed out on things like Mom, CJ and Pone playing Wii Fit and trying to virtually bat soccer balls with their heads. My apologies.


New Years's Eve was spent at Chris and Charlyn's with Charlyn's family. CJ proclaimed Charlyn's pulled pork as wondrous. But the best part was seeing the first photos of baby Lee on the fridge!


Then we headed down to the strip. Coldplay and Jay Z were playing at the Cosmopolitan, and they broadcasted the concert out to the strip, so CJ and I waited out the last minutes of 2010 dancing to Coldplay and kissed in 2011 to "Viva la Vida." Pretty perfect, I gotta say.


New Year's Day we dragged Chris down to the Bellagio Gardens and I finally took out my camera.

Notes: The Bellagio ripped off my Christmas Tree design and that penguin is CREEPY.


So there it is. I still need to post Thanksgiving, New York and our go kart adventure where I almost killed DAN BOLTON. So stay tuned!


I am Tiffany Lee and I am 28 today.