One

This weekend, we celebrated our first wedding anniversary.  It's hard to believe that a year has already passed!  We had attempted to plan a last-minute weekend getaway, but it never really panned out, so we celebrated at home for two nights instead of one! 

On Saturday night, we went to a local golf club for a delicious seafood dinner.  I got the scallops, and Kris got the biggest crab cake I have ever seen!  After dinner, we played a round of mini golf, where Kris BARELY beat me by two strokes.  (It wasn't until the 17th hole where I lost my lead - he was shaking in his boots big time.)

On Sunday night, the day of our actual anniversary, we celebrated by having dinner in Baltimore's Inner Harbor at Morton's Steakhouse.  Besides the delicious, succulent steaks, it was such a great way to celebrate!  When I made the reservations, I told them that it was our anniversary, so they did all kinds of special stuff for us!  We sat in a secluded booth, they made up special menus for us, took our picture (which turned out fabulous!), and treated us to one of their signature souffles for dessert.  You basically had to roll us out of the restaurant by the time we were finished!

Do not fear - even though we were filled to the brim after dinner, we still managed to eat our thawed out wedding cake!  Can I please tell you that it tasted AMAZING?!!?  I was expecting it to be really crappy, but it tastes as good as new!  Which is a good thing because we have so much, I can have a piece every single night this week  :-)  Here is what we did to keep it "fresh":

Step 1:  Wrap tightly in saran wrap, several layers deep, and stick the pieces into one of those vacuum Ziploc bags.

Step 2:  Unwrap, and thaw in the refrigerator for 48 hours.

Step 3:  Serve and enjoy!

And in case you were wondering, NO, we did not smash this time... 

 

The Boy Is Mine

I wasn't really interested in Monica's wedding to former L.A. Lakers Shannon Brown earlier this month UNTIL I saw her wedding gown!  So of course, I researched all of the details, and here they are: 

Apparently Monica and Shannon had a secret wedding in November at Monica's home in L.A., and they decided to have a second, more extravagant wedding on July 9.  There were 340 guests, a 40-piece gospel choir, and a few celebrity bridal party members - Kobe Bryant and Ciara. 

And the gown?  Feast your eyes on this custom, haute couture gown by Stephane Rolland:

This fitted and corseted Ivory mermaid gazar dress is draped with twisting satin organza.  The best part?  A 12-foot long graphic waves train embroidered with crystal falls!

I'm not sure how she did it, but she managed to change into another dress for the reception - also by Stephane Rolland, but this one was blue to match her color scheme.  I would never want to take this gown off!  Then again, when you have this enormous engagement ring on your left hand, I guess you don't really need to be wearing anything to feel amazing and fabulous...

 

Save the Date!

It may not have been the best weekend for Marc and J-Lo, but it was a weekend of celebration for Nick and Vanessa!  They tied the knot Friday night at a private island in the British Virgin Islands in front of 35 guests.  When I saw this headline today, I got so excited because it means that the TLC episode is going to air soon!  Mark your calendars and set your DVR - Nick & Vanessa's Dream Wedding premieres on July 30th from 9-11pm.  I cannot wait!

In case you need a little preview, People describes Vanessa's wedding gown as "a two-piece Monique Lhuillier ensemble featuring an intricately embellished lace corset with rose and crystal detail, paired with a signature hand tufted skirt made of silk faille.  The look was completed with a tailored bow belt at her waist and chapel length tulle veil." 

Us Weekly couldn't wait either, as they posted some serious stalker paparazzi shots from the big day:

From what I can see, I am loving the chapel length veil and the huge hot pink bouquet (I carried one on my wedding day!).  I'm also anxiously awaiting a view of this bow belt, mainly because I love bows, but also because Vanessa is so skinny-minny, I anticipate the bow belt looking phenominal on her.  I'm usually not a fan of wearing your hair down on your wedding day, but I'll wait til the 30th to make my final judgements! 

Wedding Fever

This weekend, I kicked off my year of weddings (I have 6 total) with Kaleen's bridal shower!  Kaleen was totally surprised and really enjoyed her special day - but how could you not with champagne, Georgetown cupcakes, and so many fun presents!?

Speaking of weddings...

Nick Lachey and Vanessa Minnillo's wedding will be on TV!  That's right - TLC will air a special episode several weeks after the couple's wedding, the date of which is secret.  Apparently the episode is going to feature the couple's wedding shower, wedding gown shopping, and the actual wedding day.  To be honest, I could care less about this couple; however, they are both BEAUTIFUL people, so why not get obessed with their wedding!  (Side note - Nick, maybe weddings on TV aren't a great idea for you.)

Royal Wedding Intervention

After being completely immersed in the Royal Wedding since waking up on Friday, I think that I have finally composed myself enough to discuss it in great detail.  However, there is one word that sums it up:  PERFECTION.

Princess Catherine's Wedding Day Look:

Kate's gorgeous Alexander McQueen gown had elegant lace sleeves that were hand-made by the Royal School of Needlework and served as Kate's "something old."

I have to admit that I was shocked at the small bouquet Kate carried down the aisle.  Her bouquet contained the flower Sweet William, lily-of-the-valley for happiness, hyacinth for love, and ivy for fidelity, marriage, and affection.  Also symbolic - the bouquet contained stems from plants grown from sprigs of the bridal bouquets of Queen Victoria and Queen Elizabeth.  

Kate's finger-tip length veil was made from ivory silk tulle and had embroidered trim. 

Kate's "something new" was this pair of diamond earrings designed for her to compliment the tiara and to showcase the Middleton family's new coat of arms.  Each earring was composed of an oak-leaf stud and diamond drops, which encompassed a diamond acorn.

Kate's new wedding band (which Wills had a little trouble getting on her delicate finger) was made from a piece of Welsh gold that was given to Wills by the Queen.
PS - When did the future King get this bald?!

What kind of princess doesn't wear a tiara?!  Kate's "something borrowed" was the Cartier Halo tiara loaned to her by Queen Elizabeth, who originally received the tiara as a gift from her mother on her 18th birthday. 

Kate's ivory silk skirt, which flowed out from the fitted corset and padded hips of her gown, was adorned with hand-cut English and French chantilly lace.  The dress was fastened by a blue ribbon (her "something blue") and 58 buttons down the back. 

Kate's train was considered "modest," measuring just over 8-feet long.

The Princess' Second Look:

After the formal post-wedding luncheon hosted by the Queen, the Princess changed into another Alexander McQueen design, this time more fit for a party.  At the disco hosted by Prince Charles, Kate wore a white satin strapless evening gown with a circle skirt and diamante detailing around the waist, topped with a simple white shrug.  I haven't been able to locate a picture of the Princess without the shrug, but I only can assume that she looked stunning.  I have to say that I would have kept the tiara on, though, throughout the night  :-)  

Pippa - Kate's Lady in Waiting

The Princess must be a nicer person than I am in order to let her sister look this HOT on her wedding day...

Also dressed in an ivory Alexander McQueen gown for her maid of honor duties.  I love the cowl neck, button-down back to match Kate's gown, and trumpet skirt.  So elegant and timeless.

Pippa stopped the show in this emerald green gown with some sparkling accents at the bust by Temperly London.  No wonder she was seen leaving the after-party with Harry!  I predict (or hope for) Harry & Pippa, Royal Wedding Part II, Summer 2013.

Mad Hatters

It isn't a special occasion in British society without a hat, and the Royal Wedding was no exception.  In fact, the Queen required all female attendants to wear a hat - it was listed on the invitation!  There were so many fabulous sights, but one thing I wonder - how terrible it must be to be seated directly behind some of these hats!  I would not be happy if someone's hat was blocking my view of Kate's dress (as I obviously am assuming that if I were to attend the ceremony in the first place, I clearly would be seated up front with the Royal Family).  Here are my favorite toppers of the day:

Posh - I mean, Victoria Beckham - basically royally!

Princess Marie-Chantal of Greece

Miriam Gonzalez - wife of Britain's Deputy Prime Minister

Princess Michael of Kent - married to Prince Michael of Kent, cousin of the Queen and grandson of King George V

Zara Phillips - the next member of the Royal Family to get married - only daughter of Princess Anne, Prince Charles' younger sister.

Sisters Santa Montefiore and Tara Parker-Tomkinson - British socialites and long-time friends of the Royal Family

The Spencer sisters - Amelia, Eliza, and Kitty - Prince William's cousins on Princess Diana's side - now we know where the good looks come from!

Lady Frederick Windsor - the wife of Lord "Freddie" Windsor, a cousin of the Queen

Sophie, Countess of Wessex - the wife of Prince Edward, the Queen's youngest son

Violator

Off with her head!  Samantha Cameron, the wife of British Prime Minister, did not wear a hat to the wedding!  I don't know about you, but when the Queen tells me to do something, I would do it!

Worst Dressed

Even on such a glorious day, there are those who show up in horrid attire.  What were they thinking?!

Chelsy Davy, how are you supposed to steal back Prince Harry's heart (and compete with hottie Pippa) in that suit?!  First question - is the skirt supposed to be a different shade of teal than the jacket?  Second question - why does it appear as if her bosoms are about to bust open the jacket?  Side note - FIX THE SPACE IN YOUR TEETH.  Thanks.

Princess Anne, Prince Charles' younger sister - floral print overload.  I would much prefer a floral patten dress with a purple jacket instead of the other way around. 

And the winner goes to... Princess Eugenie!  This ensemble is TERRIBLE.  Her sister, Princess Beatrice, would look awesome with a less terrible hat.  I guess you either love it or hate it, and I happened to gag when I saw them arrive at Westminster Abbey. 



Presenting the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge

I'm too excited for words!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Kate was perfect.  In every single way.

Pippa's dress was amazing.

I teared up on several occasions - when Kate got out with her dad at Westminster Abbey, when William whispered "You look beautiful" at the altar, when the carriage pulled away.

This is the best day ever.