I love how customize-able the American Girl collection is becoming, but it in no way makes up for them “retiring” Felicity, Samantha, and Kirsten. Not cool, America(n Girl Dolls), not cool.

But in German, obviously.

Instead, this is all that keeps running through my brain:

But at least I’m not as bad as these guys:

Please, God, tell me that I have not inspired something burgundy.

And on that note, if you’ve not seen Kinky Boots, get thee to a Netflix/Blockbuster (do we still have those?)/library/or Germany (I’ll lend you my copy).

Jean jacket: Gap (sooo old) | Skirt: Gap (not so old) | Scarf and Hat (matching!): S. Oliver  | Tights: Manguun | Shoes: Hush Puppies

[An ode to German strumpfhosen is forthcoming. I never owned any tights, and now I own 8 pair. The Germans have created miracles in tights-form.]

Every other week or so, The Rocket Scientist and I try to take a day trip somewhere. This time it was to Breisach, a beautiful but apparently forgettable city. Forgettable because I asked T.R.S. at least seven times while we were there, “where are we again?”

But we saw a Munster (cathedral), a witches’ tower, some snobbish French swans that wouldn’t come and visit the German side of the Rhine, and I took far too many pictures of beautiful doors and one picture of T.R.S.’s cute backside (clothed) next to a statue’s cute backside (unclothed). He’s not letting me post that one online, but the man can’t control what I make my laptop’s background!

France (and its snobby swans) are over there.

Both the cute bums are there, trust me.

Heading home on the train.

Happy birthday, m’love! Let the adventure continue.

The Rocket Scientist and I honeymooned our way through Canada, with stops in Toronto, Quebec City, and Montreal. Here’s what I discovered at a rest stop in Quebec:

1) Dinosaurs!

2) Humidity + short, curly hair doesn’t always work

3) T.R.S. Would Lose a Dinosaur Wrestling Match

4) Canada’s mis-guided belief that “dill pickle” is an acceptable flavor for ANYTHING continues.

5) That T.R.S. LIKES dill pickle as a flavor. I don’t know who I married…

6) That it’s a good thing to marry someone who wears roughly the same shirt size you do, because then you can steal their shirts and double both your wardrobes. I think this is an excellent plan, but I haven’t been able to convince T.R.S. to wear any of my shirts yet…

• Shirt – The Rocket Scientists, via JCrew (actually his wedding shirt!)
• Cardigan – thrifted
• Pants – Foxy
• Invisible shoes – Dansko

The Rocket Scientist and I had our big reception at an Air Force Base military museum, with collections specializing in Victorian life and the Cold War. If that doesn’t scream “wedding,” what does? All guests had to go through a serious background check to attend – just like going to a celebrity wedding, but with none of the perks.

But here it is – our reception. Highlights include Velociraptors, Rock ‘em Sock ‘em Robots, lavender, Colin Firth, milkshakes, Batman, and a surprise monkey.

99.99% of the credit for EVERYTHING goes to my mum, who planned an amazingly fun reception on a very small budget. My dad also helped with everything, and Millie was a superstar for the two days before the reception. Monkey credit goes to Sarah, Chelsie, and Chelsie’s gentleman friend.

And I wish there was a better close-up of my second (!) headpiece, but my mum made it. It’s a gorgeous, rhinestone applique sewn onto white ribbon. Basically, a sparkly, sparkly tiara.

The reception was perfect. We drank milkshakes, played boardgames, got more people to read nerdy science quotes, smashed a pinata, had all the guests compete in trivia rounds for prizes of German chocolate and United States Air Force Junior Missilier Badges, took silly pictures with dress up clothing and funny props (spot Princess Beatrice’s infamous hat) ran through a shower of lavender, and hugged, kissed, and high-fived everyone we could find.

Since a few people have asked, here’s where I found my dress and accessories:

• Wedding Dress – David’s Bridal ($99!)
• Satin sash – Allyne’s Fabric & Bridal Supplies
• Lace, rhinestone applique, and ribbons for headpieces – Allyne’s Fabric & Bridal Supplies (and both headpieces made by my mum!)
• Green hemimorphite and pearl necklaces – self-made
• Green shawl and apron – fabric from JoAnn Fabrics, made by my mother-in-law
• Shoes – Naturalizer

So on a Friday afternoon, with our families and a few close friends, we did just that, driving up to a park in a canyon in the mountains.

We walked to the ceremony site – a little clearing next to a creek at the base of a mountain.

I got distracted by a cool spider on the bridge.

To begin the ceremony, we handed out strips of paper. When The Rocket Scientist and I were trying to decide what we wanted to include in the day (ahem…last minute…ahem), all the readings we loved were only a sentence or two long. And since we had about 15 that we loved, we decided to invite anyone who wanted to participate to come up, grab a sentence, and go for it.

I had all of these in the pockets of my dress, because my dress had pockets. POCKETS!

The quote possibilities included:

The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy has this to say on the subject of love: Avoid, if at all possible. Unfortunately, Katie and [The Rocket Scientist]  have never read the Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy – The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy (sort of)

The most beautiful experience we can have is the mysterious – the fundamental emotion which stands at the cradle of true art and true science – Albert Einstien

Love makes you do the wacky – Buffy, The Vampire Slayer

The heart is a living museum. In each of its galleries, no matter how narrow or dimly lit, preserved forever like wondrous diatoms, are our moments of loving,   and being loved. – Diane Ackerman, A Natural History of Love

Somewhere, something incredible is waiting to be known – Carl Sagan

We’re all a little weird. And life is weird. And when we find someone whose weirdness is compatible with ours, we join up with them and fall into mutual weirdness and call it love – Robert Fulgam

Gravitation is not responsible for people falling in love - Albert Einstein

I’d buy you Rogaine, when you start losing all your hair. Sew on patches, to all you tear. ‘Cause I love the way you say good morning, and you take me the way I am - Ingrid Michaelson, “The Way I Am” 

I LOVE this picture of Millie, after she read the Hitchhiker’s Guide quote.

My handsome Dad, reading Carl Sagan (with over 40 years as a performer under his belt, he set the bar for wedding readings. Seriously, he should hire himself out)

Sarah, looking beautiful and slightly teary as she read her quote.

Then it was time for vows. They were super short, but I still didn’t get through the first line without choking up!

I promise to trust and respect you.

To adore and embrace you.

To encourage and celebrate you.

To support you intellectually and emotionally.

And to be your partner for all our adventures.

I love you!

(put ring on finger)

Yes, I even included action instructions.

Wedding dresses with pockets are also handy for storing Kleenex.

The flowers in my bouquet were mainly daisies, because they’re my favorite and The Rocket Scientist has always given them to me. But there was also one yellow rose, because that’s the flower my dad’s always brought me. For the first day of each school year, for new jobs, and most recently for a move across the ocean, he always gives me yellow roses. So of course I had to carry one down the aisle.

The Rocket Scientist was awesome, and didn’t get all ugly-crying snotty like I did. But then it was done, there was smooching, and we were married!

Don’t all my (unofficial) bridesmaids look absolutely gorgeous? I have some seriously stunning friends, both in looks and spirit, and it was such a honor to have them all with me. I didn’t grow up with any siblings, but I have five sisters.

And without even trying, they all coordinated to the colors of the grey mountains and green, red, gold, and plum colors of the foliage.

I also have the most beautiful family (complete with a sassy British grandma).

The Rocket Scientist’s family cleans up nicely, too.

And then shenanigans ensued.

What a sweet, fun, and lovely afternoon.

Up next: the party!

*complete with a fake goldfish

Before we went to the hotel, Chelsie, Sarah and I stopped by a florist to get flowers for the ceremony. No appointment, no reserved flowers, just three girls grabbing daisies. While I got ready, my awesome unofficial bridesmaids* made bouquets for everyone.

*They were unofficial bridesmaids because they didn’t have to do anything other than show up. No wearing matching dresses, no organizing engagement/bridal/bachelorette showers/parties, just the girls I love most in the world being with me.

You can’t tell, but I’m wearing my bustier and crinoline with a flannel shirt. Other hotel guests were out on the neighboring  balconies, and apparently I gave them quite a show.

I’ve since learned that most people have pre-ceremony schedules to keep everyone on track and on time. We just winged it.

As a result, I ended up with about 45 minutes to get ready, there was an incident with exploding eye shadow on several dresses (including mine) and we were almost an hour late. But since it wasn’t what you would call a traditional ceremony (more on that next time), no one really minded (except for everyone waiting in the hotel lobby for us, but what were they going to do, get married without me?).

In the end, we all scrubbed up quite nicely.

My gorgeous Mama, tying my sash.

The face I make when I’m trying to decide between wearing one necklace or two.

I went with two. Necklaces made by me, headpiece made by la Mama.

And my favorite picture of the afternoon: me adjusting my strapless bra.

Up next: a mountain ceremony.

The day after The Rocket Scientist arrived from Germany, we headed down to the Registrar’s Office in Boulder to get married.

Before we could leave the house, there was a last-minute emergency with the background checks for our reception (more on that later) and my car’s “Check Engine” light came on. Almost as if the universe was trying to tell me something…

But we made it, wonky engine and all.

They make it so serious…

The official time: 2:20 on September 10th, 2012

Some people frame their license. We’re framing our receipt!

After the paperwork was done, we went down to Pearl Street to take some couples photographs (largely because my mum keeps asking for pictures where we, quote, look normal, unquote).

Posing on a snail to celebrate, because that is how we do.

In front of the bar where we think we met. Maybe.

The quintessential bridal picture: words coming out of my bum.

Sorry, Mum.

The graffiti sums it all up.

Stay tuned for Part 2, where myself and some lovely ladies end up in an uber-fancy hotel.

All photographs taken by the awesome Matt Gale of Matthew Gale Photography.

• Zumba
• Shower
• Pick up prescriptions
• Lunch
• Get married
• Boulder errands
• Dinner
• Trivia

BIC ‘for Her’ pens bombarded with sarcastic reviews

Here are some clues:

1. I can see the deepest lake in North America
2. Lois Lane was born here
3. There are polar bears (in license plate-form)!*

*Much less bitey that way.

Wear the right undergarments.

When in doubt, throw on a dress.

Be bold with your accessories.

Tea cozy, oven mitts, penguins, and my feet are in a bucket. Done!

Always strike a pose.

This song is totally about accessories.

And just as everything the light touches will one day be Simba’s, these earrings, too, may one day be mine. Although by then I’ll probably have long hair again.

“SAANICH — Two university students were arrested Tuesday after a report of a burglary on Foul Bay Road.

A woman, alone in her home, heard people in her garage and immediately called police.

Investigators discovered two women in their twenties nearby. The two were intoxicated and had walked into an open garage to steal Zellers brand BBQ potato chips.

The open bag of chips was also found in the area.

Police are recommending charges of break and enter against the two women. “

Dress – eloquii | Belt – thrifted | Shoes – Dansko | Brooch – teeny tiny store

Internets! I’ve missed you! It’s been a long time. But, excuses – I have them.

It’s been a super busy summer for me. I started my own business, am sort of planning a wedding (only “sort of” because my mom’s a rockstar. Without her, the reception would be at Applebee’s) and continuing to fool myself into thinking that I might be able to manage the process of moving ‘cross an ocean without going mad. We’ll see.

Oh, and then this guy sneezed on me.

See? Busy life.

The highlight of my week definitely has to be my new lack of hair. It’s still growing on me (ba-dum-ch!), but I think I love it.

Note how the silver headband matches all the silver hair I’ve been too lazy to dye. Coordination for the win!

Seriously, she’s one talented lady.

Front:

Back:

On my computer the color looks seafoam-y green, but it prints out a beautiful turquoise. And both The Rocket Scientist and I love them – thanks, Chelsie!

Couple #1: The Originals

Found languishing in a small town pawn shop, these silver foxes were headed for a world of hurt as they languished unwanted, only to be discounted by another 50% moments before I saved them from certain doom. The original contenders, they first graced the living room before being doomed to the bedroom. If they don’t make it past this round, their future could lie in the ominous, ‘basement’.

Couple #2: The Steampunk Duo

This oil bronzed pair look like they belong in a Restoration Hardware catalogue. With their dark intentional lines stand out from the rest of the pack and give the bedroom a modern meets historical edge? Or will their light shine too bright?

Couple #3: The Grey Towers

This graceful grey duo have sleek necks and blend nicely. Will they fade into the background? Or will their drum shades bring them to the top?

Only time can tell, and in there can only be one winner (or three pairs of losers, two pairs being relegated back to their store). What do you think? Cast your vote.

P.S. I have had a couple people ask why the door is not centred over the bed. Because of the nature of it being a door, the top and bottom are not exactly the same. The placement is intentional since it must be anchored on the studs, while the bed is centred in the room, with the light. So that is why the door lacks symmetry over the bed.

You can get a general idea from these pictures. These would be really simple and cheap to DIY.

And it’s not from “I Hate You So Much Right Now,” but let’s listen anyway, shall we?

First off, our yellow front door. The front side is complete, the back… not so much. The fresh coat of yellow really brightens up the front of the house, and we scored this glass screen door for $15 at a yard sale last month. Apparently it’s worth about $300. I prefer the crisper, and less distracting look of this door over the previous wood screen door that had more ornamentation.

Of course it isn’t just the exterior doors we’ve been painting, but the interior doors as well. One down, a bunch more to go! I wanted a dark eggplant colour to give some contrast with the light walls. The house is small and doesn’t get a lot of direct sunlight, so the lighter wall colours really help reflect the light and make things appear larger and airier. We added some paneling detail to give these old hollow wood doors give them some style.

I had to show you this vintage game of Sorry! I found last week at the thrift store for $0.50. The funny thing was that this vintage game was half the price of a newer version. The box is awesome, and the cards look really cool too. It might make a nice art piece.

A friend was tossing out this old rocking chair. It’s too bad I didn’t take a before picture. It was bright purple and had been living on a cottage deck exposed to the elements for a couple years and was caked with layers of old paint that just chipped right off with the help of a putty knife. This is what it looks like right now after taking it all apart, scrapping off the old paint, a complete sanding and a couple coats of paint. It’s still in progress.

I found a place for the bright wool area rug I got during our Interrobang reunion in May. I found a steam cleaner at a yard sale, with a bunch of attachments, and it cleaned up nicely. It’s pretty much one of the first things you see when you walk into the house and I’m loving the vibrant hues. It gives this room a bit more colour. This room gets the least amount of light of all the rooms in the house (save the basement), and was previously painted dark grey. It took priming and 4 coats of paint to lighten the walls. I choose a beige colour because the room was so dark before that I wanted something that was polar opposite.  I changed up the curtains in the bedroom as well with some panels that I had in the basement. The dark raspberry really contrasts well with the beige walls and the area rug and works well for now.

I finally succeeded in getting this hook put up the bedroom. Three years later. Progress.

A couple coats of yellow paint to some old black frames adds a pop of brightness to this wall.