What The Bleep?

What the bleep? And no, I don't mean 'What The Bleep' as in that movie starring Marlee Matlin about quantum mechanics. I mean, what the (insert preferred obscenity here) was I thinking when I recycled all of our custom-made wedding wine labels?

I accidentally recycled them weeks ago, but last night as I drifted off to sleep it finally hit me. It hit me like a glass of warm zinfandel hits my recoiling tastebuds, or a bad burrito hits your stomach a few minutes after being consumed. I grimaced and shot up in bed.

"Noooooo," I cried. "I didn't! Did I?"

Nick stirred beside me mumbling his annoyance for being woken up.

I jumped up and frantically searched all the places I might have moved them- to no avail. I did. All of my beautiful, victorian-inspired, custom wine labels were gone. Forever.

It happened a few weeks ago when my friends Lisa and Steve were over at our apartment watching movies and making mimosas. As we headed to the store to buy orange juice and champagne I decided to take out our overflowing recycling and enlisted the help of Lisa to carry the boxes.

"Why do you have a Babies-R-Us box," she asked as we lugged everything downstairs.

"Oh, it was for a baby shower," I answered, then went into detail about how I ordered tons of Uof O swag for their baby because they are huge Ducks fans... which led into a story about hating to drink beer at their house because their bottle opener plays the Ducks Theme Song every time you use it... and the next thing I knew our recycling was in the bin and we were picking out movie candy at the store.

Last night I remembered that day and it occurred to me- why did I have that box anyway? The baby shower was months ago. Why hadn't I recycled it before?

Because I was using it to store wedding stuff. Mainly, my beloved wedding wine labels. The ones that I spent hours searching for and customizing.

What the bleep indeed.

Peonies & Wine

Living in the green city of Portland, Nick and I agreed that it is important to have our wedding as eco-friendly as possible. For us this includes forgoing paper save-the-dates and the plastic water bottles printed with our names and wedding date I so dearly wanted. This also means sticking to local and organic wines for the reception (though we will have to cheat when it comes to the champagne).

The other day while I was perusing the Oregon Wines section at the grocery store I came across a gem in the form of a bright, sophisticated bottle- Cooper Hill Pinot Noir. This organic wine comes from Cooper Mountain Vineyards here in Portland, OR.

Now I have to admit, though I was drawn to it merely on appearance, after I took a bottle of it home and sampled some with Nick I found it was much more than just a pretty label. It was delicious! Tasty and aesthetically pleasing- what more could you ask for? Now we just need to get some of their organic Pinot Gris and we'll be set. Well, almost.

Photos courtesy of kybecca.blogspot.com

I think I'm in love!

(Update: we taste tested the Pinot Gris the other day. Not nearly as enjoyable as the Pinot Noir, but I'm not much of a white wine fan so I'm biased. I'm sure the Pinot Gris fans at our wedding will be rather pleased.)

What if?

Our engagement shoot is just around the corner and I'm starting to get a little antsy. It seems like lately I've been plagued with a million little worries and doubts regarding these silly pictures. What will I wear? Will it be too hot outside? What if I start to sweat? Will my makeup run? What if my outfit makes me look fat?

What if?

What if?

What if?

I have a feeling the next year will bring many a sleepless night.

I'm hoping that after this coming Saturday I can breathe a sigh of relief, get a good night's sleep, and post a ton of beautiful engagement pics for all to enjoy. Here are some clues of what's to come:


The Portland Rose Gardens. Photo courtesy of fineartfedon.com

The gorgeous earrings Nick got me for the event. Photo courtesy of Anthropologie

Amanda, posing with some roses at the Rose Gardens the other summer

Well, all except the last one... I hope.

Wish us luck!

What's In a Name?

As I was going over various potential blog names in my head (I needed something a little more imaginative than 'Amanda & Nick's Wedding Blog'), I closed my eyes and pictured how our wedding will look when next Spring finally arrives. The lapping waves of the Pacific Ocean, oversized peonies, white linens, and crystal vases danced in my mind. A smile crept across my face as my thoughts began to wander to my dress and then to our vows...

But, still no name.

I sighed and squeezed my eyelids tighter, forcing myself to focus. Blog. Name. Wedding. Nick. Peonies. Peonies and Nick.

Then it came.

I remembered the deep-pink peonies Nick got me a few weeks ago. Immense joy tingled over my skin as I carefully unwrapped them and lifted their delicate buds to my nostrils. The soft flowers smelled sweet yet deliciously tart. Once I had them neatly trimmed and stuffed into my favorite green vase I placed them in the window. The vase was passed down to me from my Great Grandmother. It's walls are rough and bright, like the skin of a dusty, fresh-picked lime. As I admired the lush petals resting on the aged glass I knew the two had finally found their match.

Peonies. The sweet aroma of Spring and the tangy flavor of the lemonade Nick and I sip when the sun spills down through our apartment windows. Amanda and Nick.

It makes perfect sense.

Welcome!

Amanda & Nick got engaged on April 9th, 2008 and will be hosting an intimate beach-side wedding in Manzanita, Oregon on May 30th, 2009. We are having the ceremony barefoot in the sand then walking up the street with our guests to have a casual reception at the Pine Grove House. Our inspirations are Spring, vintage, shabby chic, and we plan to have the event as eco-friendly as possible. Please check in for photos, ideas, and ramblings on our wedding planning!