After Christmas Shopping

Also known as birthday present ideas

Mann Wedding

Sometimes I still need to pinch myself, am I really planning my wedding??  The wedding I have already planned on pinterest, blog stalking and looking through magazines.  My wonderful photographer bought me this gorgeous book from Style Me Pretty. 

Rachel Solomon, my photographer, knows my style sooo well.  After getting this amazing book, every night I would snuggle into bed and read about all the details on 2-3 weddings.  By now everyone knows how much I LOVE weddings and planning a celebration for Tommy and I.  This book had my head spinning in a good way.  

Only 139 days till we start the rest of our lives together. 

#HappilyEverMann

Swinging

There is nothing quite like getting spoiled by your Mimi and Papa at the park.  

There is nothing Cade likes more than a goofy little social game.  

There is nothing better than getting "I love you" voicemails from Cade.  

Snackie and Uncle Tommy can't wait to spoil him on Christmas Eve.

Rachel Solomon Photography

Wedding Planning has been sooo much fun.  But is anyone really surprised to see me type that, I have always loved weddings.  If I could have a part time job, it would definitely be wedding planner.  We are continuing to check things off the to do list.  The first thing we tackled was the photographer.

We fell in Love with our photographer, when she wanted to meet at Cartel.  She personalized everything to Tommy and I and made it super special.  In early December we did our engagement photos and Tommy was completely comfortable.

On the drive home that Tuesday night, Tommy actually looked at me and said "I can't wait to see those pictures".  Check success for Rachel Solomon Photography.

Last Home Game

As always another football season flew by.  Don't tell Tommy but I am ready to have our weekends back to relax and save some money for the wedding.  While I LOVE college football, the last home game is always bitter sweet.  We had a blast watching the Sun Devils take down Washington State from the sideline.  Now we are anxiously awaiting our Bowl Game Spot, hopefully we get something good.  Goooo Devils!

Cader Michael Marasigan

Too cute and he knows it

Notre Dame

Emmy Bean came to visit not too long after the big proposal.  Emmy and Mike couldn't make it to NYC due to a new job, so it was perfect that ASU played Notre Dame in one of the biggest games of the season.  

The boys enjoyed their sideline passes while Emmy and I got to spend some quality time together, screaming our heads off for the Sun Devils.  Some things never change.

The tailgate was the biggest of the season, packed with lots of old college buddies.  We had a great time catching up and things couldn't have been better when we pulled out another ASU victory.

We topped off a great weekend with a little brunch before the Slates boarded a freezing plane back to the tundra we call Minnesota.  The weekend always goes by way to fast, but with plans for a shower and a wedding I knew we would see each other soon.

See you in February Emmy Bean!  Stay warm until then.

I Said Yes to the Dress

Talk about the experience of a lifetime.  We started our Saturday off with a big breakfast.  We put on our winter boots and first headed to BHLDN to try on every dress possible.  BHLDN was gorgeous, romantic and everything Anthro is and yes that is an exact description.

While shopping at BHLDN, I was still working on wrapping my head around that I was actually engaged, yet alone dress shopping.  Luckily I had plenty of critics with me to help figure out which dress was the one.

After a small success at BHLDN, we needed a power lunch before Kleinfeld.  We had to stop over and try the well known Serendipity, and it lived up to all our fantasies.  

In true Bailey form we focused more on dessert than our meals, and as always it worked out in our favor.

My stomach was in knots with excitement as we got in a cab to head to Kleinfeld.  I couldn't believe I was actually living out a dream, I know I am so cheesy!! 

I watch Say Yes to the Dress every Friday and cry at least 70% of time, 85% if you were to ask Tommy but let's just stick to the facts.  They were taping that morning so we were excited to be matched up with Ellie (the cute Marilyn Monroe stylist).  All of the staff was so friendly, upbeat and helpful, just like the show.

After a couple of hours, we all cried and I said "Yes to the dress".  We were completely exhausted after a full day of shopping but I still couldn't relax I needed someone to pinch me.

Did I really get engaged, celebrate with friends and family, buy a wedding dress, and reach out to a venue in Phoenix all in less than 24 hours????

Never mind don't pinch me :-)

NYC

As most people know by now, Tommy and I made a trip to NYC about a month ago.  What I didn't know was that Tommy had lots of plans for our long weekend getaway.  We started with yummy food, a subway adventure and the Yankee Stadium tour.

We stayed right by Times Square, so everything was within walking distance.  Friday night we took a stroll through Central Park before heading to dinner.  Tommy took me to Ladies Pavilion right on the lake.  We walked to the shore and before I knew it we were crying, Tommy was on one knee, and our families and friends were all there to celebrate.

I spent the entire weekend in shock.  In true form for Tommy the surprises didn't stop there.  Saturday was filled with dress shopping in the two best wedding shops in the country (Kleinfelds and BHLDN)

It was great to spend time with friends and family, I wish we would've had more.  Saturday night we spent our time watching the Sun Devils play with the NY ASU Alumni chapter.  

We wrapped up our weekend with a few tourist stops and mimosas in bed from Andrew and Andra, they know us sooo well.  Our NYC trip was the best for so many reasons.  I only hope Tommy is ready for some SERIOUS wedding planning :-)

Jael Mary

I am still so behind when it comes to blogging, but I am trying to catch up.  Once a year, a group of crazy Sun Devils travel to an away game.  This year some friends and I rented a beach house on Venice Beach and enjoyed the sun, sand and football.

Some of us went a little overboard with packing for two days.  Please see Jordan's suitcase on the right and Christina's on the left.  We might need to rent another beach house at the rate that Jordan travels.

We all had a delicious seafood dinner Friday night and an even better breakfast on the beach Saturday morning.  We were all prepared and ready to go to the game when this happened...

Tommy took a hit and was completely off guard.  No one would let him clean his shirt, since getting pooped on means good luck.  Tommy rocked his poop shirt all the way to a Jael Mary and an ASU victory on the road.

We had a fabulous weekend and a large celebration with all of our friends.  We can't wait till our next away game, they are always so much fun.

Dinner in the dark

There are some people that come into our lives and blow you away.  Jessica Loomer is definitely one of those people for me.  I will try to do my best, and not cry on my keyboard for this post, but there is just no possible way to get all my thoughts into one focused blog post.

I met Jess through the Bluemedia boys, five or so years back and we instantly hit it off.  Between our shopping problems and our sickness with working out, we were friends right from the start.  In the last few years Jess has lost her eyesight due to Leber's Hereditary Optic Neuropathy, a rare genetic eye disease.  Jess reminds me each and everyday that I am capable of doing everything I dream and to never give up.  I am more than lucky to have her as a friend and I love seeing our friendship continue to grow.

Recently, when Jess isn't running half marathons, working, or speaking at national conferences, she is raising money for LHON's foundation (she really is incredible).  A few months ago, Loomie's friends and family got together to spend one night dining in the dark.  We had a small glimpse into what Jess's life is like and it only confirmed what an amazing person she is.

Not only did she raise a lot of money but she was able to witness everyone's love for her first hand.
I can't wait till next year, don't you love our blindfold selfies??

Selfies with Papa

Cade is growing up way too fast, but I am loving how he is constantly changing.

He has been coming over to visit Tommy and Snackie's man cave and each week is teaching us his latest tricks, selfies being one of them.

Heaven

The Orrs

I still can't believe we celebrated this happy couple almost two months.  Where does the time go??

As many of you know we, probably me more than Tommy, are having a blast planning our own wedding.  We are only beginning to understand how Tug and Beatriz have felt for the last year.  All their hard work and planning payed off last September.  We spent the weekend eating delicious food, guzzling Venezuelan rum, and celebrating the Orrs.  It was a fabulous weekend and is always a good sign when you're completely exhausted on Sunday.  I can't wait to see what the future holds for this amazing couple.

Cheers (with your left hand of course)