Two is Better than One: Spending the Long Weekend Together

Wandering around Downtown Tallahassee, Florida

It's been almost 2 years since Matt and I have been in the same place! Yes, we spent a few weeks and weekends here and there while apart, but the fact that we never have to be apart again is starting to sink in. This was our first weekend together, on our own and it was wonderful!

It was so nice to relax and lazily decide what we wanted to do for the day, not really having any plans whatsoever. Although we watched a lot of movies (because we had so many Redbox promo codes!) and sat by the pool for hours, we also got quite a few things done for the wedding (once again, not revealing anything here just yet!), solidified our wedding registries (finally) and started our moving back to PA plan, too.

Ready, Set, Register (again)

I don't know if other engaged couples feel this way, but getting your wedding registry in order is difficult. You need to decide the (general) colors you want, items you need in multiple rooms of a house/apartment (that you may or may not have yet), random wishes in different price points, and what stores you'll build registries at. I swear, I've gone back and forth on multiple different things--including dishes, silverware, bedding, and kitchen wishes.

Here's some of my thoughts on wedding store registries:

1. Bed, Bath, and Beyond - Really easy and the staff was nice! The online registry is easy to use as well. Reasons to choose this store: guests can use a 20% off coupon when shopping for your registry and enjoy free gift wrapping. The couple receives coupons after the wedding date to purchase remaining items.

2. Target - I'm just a little--okay, a lot--obsessed with this store. So, obviously we HAD to register here. The in-store registering was really easy but managing the registry online was extremely difficult for me and I had to call the 1-800 number to get assistance deleting items (we really didn't need 4 different sets of dishes). Reasons to choose this store: Targets are virtually everywhere and guests can use Cartwheel and coupon combinations to save money on registry items. The couple receives coupons after the wedding date to purchase remaining items.

3. Pottery Barn - I signed up for our registry online and it was really easy. The difficult thing about Pottery Barn is that there may or may not be a store close by, leaving guests to shop online. However, the quality is great and I'm really excited about the bedding (and random drinkware) we chose here. It is a classic style that will withstand trends.

4. The Pampered Chef - My friend Sam helped me get this set up! I absolutely LOVE Pampered Chef and wanted the majority of our kitchen supplies to come from here. The only downfall is that you either have to have a party OR find a consultant to get you set up for this registry. Benefits: lifetime warranty on all products and quality products that withstand the test of time. Also, the couples get rewarded for purchases through this registry.

5. Kohls - We didn't register for too much for this store, but it is a good store to register at. Couples enjoy 10% back on all registry items purchased AND coupons up to 6 months after the wedding.

6. Anthropologie - My obsession with Anthro is a little excessive, but everything is SO adorable and pretty much a MUST HAVE. This is expensive, though, and doesn't technically have a "registry" (although they should!). So, I created a "wish list" filled with random wishes that I would love. I also told my Mom about the items I wanted so she could tell different shower guests about these wishes.


Most Exciting Weekend News:
Even though Matt and I had some fun times this weekend, nothing could beat the news I got Saturday night! My best friend since I was young (we "met" at the wavepool when we were 15 months old...well, our Momma's met and started our friendship) got engaged!! Cassie is my best friend and Maid of Honor in my wedding this October! I am SO thrilled for her and her fiance, Brian. I am SO looking forward to celebrating with the amazing, newly engaged couple in July when we're home!

I wish I had a picture on my computer of when we were little, but this one will do. 

Our Current Top Movie Picks:
1. Monument Men (*Matt would argue that The Hobbit tied with this, but I went thrifting while he watched it so I can't lend my opinion on this one)
2. Dallas Buyers Club 
3. American Hustle 


Current Poolside Read:
Bossypants by Tina Fey.. I'm only about 1/4 of the way through this read, but it is laugh out loud funny. If you fear laughing out loud in public settings, I suggest reading this in the privacy of your own home. If you're like me and really don't care about disturbing the silence at the pool, in a coffee shop, etc. then indulge in this fantastically funny memoir.

Shopaholic by Sophie Kinsella.. I finished this last week and loved the fact that it was set in London. I often buy novels that are set in London or England so I can think back to my own time in London. Sometimes I get so caught up in my memories of London, I stop reading for a while. Unless I'm really attached to a book, I usually think of a friend who would enjoy the book as much as I did and media mail it to them (*for those of you unfamiliar with the amazingness of Media Mail: send books or magazines via Media Mail, through USPS and save a ton!) Who would like this book as much as I did? Well, my good friend Tabitha, of course. Tabitha recently reminded me that it was 4 years ago (almost to the day!) that we met in Washington DC and embarked on our summer abroad in London. Now, 4 years later, Tabitha is one of my closest friends and a bridesmaid in my wedding.

Throwback to London, Summer 2010

Favorite New Poolside Drink:
Friday night, we decided we wanted margarita's. Since we didn't have any of the supplies, we decided to venture out to the store. On our journey, I discovered that Kenny Chesney's Blue Chair Bay Rum was 50% off. Obviously, I needed to buy it--it was such a good deal. Plus, the Coconut Spiced Rum was tasty. When we went to the pool Saturday, I was determined to make a new drink with this Rum.

Want to learn more about Kenny Chesney's Rum, find more recipes, AND watch a cool documentary about the process?
Visit: http://www.bluechairbayrum.com/

Blue Chair Bay Poolside Sipper
1 part Blue Chair Bay Spiced Coconut Rum
Splash or two of Dark Rum (*We used our Rum from our Punta Cana trip!)
1 part Paradise Blend Juice (*Dole)
Splash or two of Coconut Water

*Add ice and ingredients above to martini shaker, shake and pour over ice (*if taking outside)
*Garnish with pineapple or other tropical fruit slice and enjoy poolside

Newest Vegan Recipe Try:
I couldn't remember the last time that I made pancakes so I decided Sunday morning was the perfect time to try a new vegan, pinterest inspired recipe for banana blueberry pancakes! Besides, what goes better with a Sunday paper than yummy pancakes? We also discovered that the same recipe works well for waffles, too, because Matt wanted waffles instead of pancakes. The recipe below yielded 1 waffle and 8 small pancakes. Need to feed a lot of mouths? Simply double or triple the recipe.

Banana Blueberry Pancakes, Ingredients:
1 cup flour
Dash of baking powder
Dash of Cinnamon
Dash of Ginger (*I swear, I use ginger in just about everything...so many health benefits!)
1 1/2 Very Ripe Banana
1 cup non-dairy milk (*I used Organic Vanilla Soy)
1 tbsp Maple Syrup
Fresh Blueberries (*I used what we had remaining in the fridge, but this is up to you!)

Banana Blueberry Pancakes, Instructions:
-Mix flour, baking powder, cinnamon, and ginger
-In a separate bowl, mash banana and mix in non-dairy milk, maple syrup
-Add to flour mixture and stir until flour mixture is completely mixed in
-Add desired amount of blueberries
-Heat pan on medium (*for electric stove)
-Let cook until the middle begins to bubble and flip, cook until golden brown
-Serve with maple syrup and powdered sugar with a side of coffee and a Sunday paper