Legal Eagle

The day has finally arrived (okay, not that one of course...four months and counting)! Andrew is on Day Two of the all terrifying Minnesota Bar Exam! We are beyond nervous as this holds our future on a bubble sheet.

Here is the severity of the situation: Andrew was honored and extremely lucky to recieve and offer from Leonard Street and Dienard - a law firm in Minneapolis that is known for among other things, Energy Law. This is the only reason he went into law as he is over the moon passionate about our environment and how to be a proactive member of society, i.e. addressing the energy crisis (thank you Obama for bringing light to this last night!). If there ever was a lawyer to love, it is my honey. He is ethical, moral, decent and fights for each and every one of us. Plus, he is beyond darling, lets be honest.

So, when it came to decide on whether we would be in New York at a big wig law firm or here in our sprawling little metropolis, he chose to be a big fish, and I love him for that. Now, it all comes down to today. If Andrew does not pass, he is out a job, we're out a mortgage, and well, just plain screwed...no pressure Andrew.

If you believe at all in God, Allah, Budha, or what have you, do a girl a favor...put a little prayer into your day for my Pooh!

And My Little Dog Too

The house hunt continues! After the disappointing news that the house we loved was sold the morning we made an offer on it, we had to keep pushing. This brought us back to what we lovingly refer to as, "The Dog". Now the old house wasn't exactly pretty either, we called that "The Duplex". A little background information is necessary. We are searching for a home in a very specific are known as Mac Groveland in St. Paul. This is app. 20 city blocks wide and 10 city blocks long. It is a bubble in the crashing realestate market - prices havent seemed to drop all that low becuase the neighborhood is idyllic - kids walk to the darling three story brick schools (complete with crossing guards!), the wide boulevards have 200 year old oak tress, every house is different and features homes from grand mansions to charming bungelows, and there is an eclectic coffee shop and stationaire on every corner. It's our little slice of heaven and we wouldn't dream of looking anywhere else. So, when a house comes on the market that we are interested in in the least, we have to look at it. In the case of "the dog", we were intrigued by its location. It sits on one of the best streets in Mac Groveland - a block off the mighty Mississippi river which features a grand boulevard of amazing homes, running paths, and just plain beautiful scenery. We looked at the house about a month ago and loved the location but the house itself is the ugliest and smallest house on the block. However, we want it...

There she is in all her puppy glory. Un-inviting, assymetrical, and post war design - and they want how much? But, I could make this baby great. It's got all of the makings of a great French Eclectic. The blueprints are drawn and its entirely possible. But with some seriously heavy petting. I am meeting the contractor there this week to find out if we can have some curb appeal added. It needs an addition on the front to address the bomb shelter facade and eventually another on the back to gain some much needed space. We're talking 1300 square feet in this place...a little tight for the newlyweds... So keep your fingers crossed...we may have a kennel...I mean love nest soon!

Naughty Blogger

Have I lost you???

Okay updates, updates...Since we last spoke, so much has transpired. First, thankyou to those of you who commented on my "Photo Freak Out". After three interviews, four phone interviews, and one loss of a down payment, I have taken your advice and booked the lovely and extremely talented Melissa Louise from Dolce! We are so excited and I am beyond relieved to know that I have nothing to worry about come the Big Day. Check out her blog: http://www.melissalouisephoto.blogspot.com/.

Our love nest...or lack therof. Well, after hoping and praying that the house we wanted would stay on the market long enough to get our approval, we spent Saturday making an offer on the house!! We finally got our approval on Friday night, marched into the real estate office, put down the pen, took pictures and left with a handshake and nerves in our stomach. An hour later we found out the house was sold that morning. A painful lesson and such a waste of time. We are dissapointed but firmly feel the house we want is out there somewhere, just not for sale yet. The market here in Minnesota is a bummer - great time to buy, but absolutely nothing on the market. So, the beat goes on...

I spent Saturday morning with our printer for our invitations which was such a fun experience! His shop is comical: papers everywhere, inspiration plastered to the walls, cans of cheese popcorn stacked in the corners. But, I loved him and his granola ways. My bridesmaid who happens to be getting married 3 weeks after us found him and he is going to save me about $300. She gets Bridesmaid of the Year!

Sauvez la Date

It's official...no turning back...Save the Dates' are in the mail! We decided to do a postcard that gives a sneak peak into the day - the reception location, the vintage theme, our design motif, colors, and the French influence. Here is the front:

On the back, we featured the details for our guests:

I was pleased as pie as how they turned out and even better - they only cost us $55 for 150 copies! We saved money on design (I did them myself) and printed them through an online source. Plus, postcards use less paper (how very "green") and therefore we saved on paper costs!

C'est magnifique!