Quesadilla Love

Quesadillas have little to do with wedding planning. But as I sat down to lunch today, I realized that they have implications for my future with Adam.

You see, for the past three days, I have eaten these little guys.

It's not like I'm in college. I have a full pantry at my disposal; fruits and veggies are in my fridge. I even consider my cooking skills to be above average.

But yet, I have eaten The Pioneer Woman's quesadillas for three days in a row, and I'd probably continue fixing them if I hadn't just used my last jalepeno and tortilla.

Therein lies the difference between me and Adam.

Adam doesn't like leftovers.

He hardly owns tupperware (note to self: register for tupperware).

He most certainly wouldn't consider eating the same thing for an entire week.

And that's fine. I will negotiate three quesadillas for an entire husband.

But I'm wondering, how do you learn to cook not only for yourself, but for the tastes and preferences of some else? Not just for date night or a dinner party - but for (like) ever?

Thoughts?

BTB

In the woods: the mission statement

As you know, Kate and I are right in the hot middle of our wedding planning process. We're still in the woods. The process is super exciting and very encouraging, but we've a long way to go before the finish.

Here, dear reader, I will try my hand at metaphor. See, Kate and I like to hike.

Pretend that this point in the wedding planning process we are only 2.4 miles from getting to the trailhead.

Though we are a still in the woods in terms of wedding planning, we both realize that we don't want to rush the process. Things do need to get done and do need to be taken care of quickly, but they need to be done deliberately. We may have gotten a million things done in such a short time (at least to me it seems so) but each step has been carefully thought out.

In the beginning, before any of the wedding planning began we both agreed to take a multi-day hiatus from getting things done. The urge to get a running start was too great and we realized that we needed to enjoy our brief moment of engagement bliss. Though Kate (BTB) went out and got her a red binder and we kind of already started talking about wedding plans we made a point to sit down and write out our "Mission Statement" for the wedding.

That's right, I said "Mission Statement." Kate and I sat down and wrote lists of why we want to get married, what we want to happen at our wedding and why. After comparing notes, we compiled a list and prayed about it. Whenever Kate and I get in a tight spot over the cheese tray, guests, music, or how hot it may be, I reference the mission statement.

The biggest thing for us to remember is that it is a celebration of God's work in our lives.

That list brings us back to our roots and back to our senses.

Every day we hang out we realize how much easier this whole process would be if we just lived together! But alas, that is part of the process. I guess I can wait a few more agonizing months.

HTB

BHLDN

This just in:

Anthropologie is to release a bridal line.

!!!

My heavens. The one thing that would make me second guess ALL my decisions...

Known as BHLDN, the collection will be unveiled February 14. (How cute, right?)

I did some minor research and confirmed that BHLDN is a registered trademark owned by Urban Outfitters, Inc., which also owns five retail brands: Urban Outfitters, Anthropologie, Free People, Terrain (my new favorite), Free People, and Leifsdottir (a (mysterious) luxury brand of Anthropologie).

Interestingly enough, the paperwork for the trademark was filed August 25, 2010. The review was complete and confirmed on January 11, 2011. (How trendy, right?)

Sign-up for the newsletter here!

Holding my breath until Valentine's Day,

BTB

Pages

Check out the two new blog pages: About Us and Vendors. Follow the arrows!

Enjoy!

BTB

Heirloom

As I scout china patterns, I am keeping in mind what I will one day inherit from my mother: Lenox Autumn.


It's the perfect combination of simplicity and grandeur. Gold-rimmed with jeweled-tones and over 400 enamel "dots" on the fruit baskets and flowers, this fine china is as popular as it was when it was first introduced in 1918.

I am my mother's daughter.

-BTB

China

Now that some major wedding to-dos have been crossed off the list, Adam and I have begun to talk about registries. Honestly, the idea of registering overwhelms me- from considering all the "essentials" to agreeing on items with Adam, it seems like a process that I will make more complicated than it's worth.

For now, I'll take it one subset at a time- and right now I'm focusing on china.

CHINA! Ooooh, china. My infatuation with china has taken me by complete surprise! But I can't help but feel so womanly, so legit, sooo "I'm getting married" when I think about owning china.

Before getting engaged, I had gone back and forth on the china topic. To some "young" brides, china seems impractical, too stately and far less fun than the new line of Pottery Barn throw pillows or the dinnerware Ikea offers. Moreover, it ends up being low on the registry totem pole when you're in need of more everyday items.

Fortunately, Adam (the baker) and I (the cook) are blessed to already have some major kitchen items within our possession- everyday dishes, food processor, crockpot, hand mixer, hand blender, etc.

I would love to put these kitchen appliances to use and serve others... (occasionally) on fine china.

Tell me, will you/did you register for china? The poll is located to the right! And leave any comments below.

Thanks,
BTB

Faves

As promised, below are more photos taken for our save the dates. We will take formal engagement pictures with Texture Photographics in the Spring- but for now, these will do!

I had originally hoped to take engagement pictures in the fall with a camping-inspired theme, but the timing of the proposal left no leaves on the trees. We're thankful for these fall-ish photos - any chance to wear plaid flannel and mustard-colored corduroys is OK in our book.

Happy MLK day,

BTB

House Hunting

Last weekend Adam and I received word that there was a cute house for rent in North Knoxville.

Our quick drive-by was interrupted when I started yelling, "Slow down! Slow down! I need to write down the number."

Adam and I toured the house at different times last week. I left smitten with the butler's pantry and inset bookshelves beside the fireplace. Adam left grinning over the backyard and Power T's on the front columns. Imagine that!

This gem of a starter home is available months before either of our current leases are up, but we are drawn to its location, size, and affordability.

We are dizzy and excited and praying that if this is to be our future home, all the missing pieces will shuffle into place:

1. We will find someone to sublet Adam's apartment February - April
2. Our rentor's application will be approved
3. A short-term roommate will join Adam and Lily in the new home until July

Just for the heck of it I spent time sketching the furniture Adam and I each own. I'm not exactly sure how this whole moving in together thing is going to work...

-BTB

Proofs

I think it's safe to say that I can reveal our save the dates.

Besides the fact that it appears as though I'm missing a thumb, I adore them.

I was flattered when my mom called to tell me her girlfriend mistook it as a magazine promotional, setting it aside for hours.

A fun sartorial fact: Colin Meloy of The Decemberists and Adam own the same shirt! Scroll to the bottom of this page to check it out.

Our original plan was to be budget-conscious and save on postage by sending postcard save the dates. Those 16-cents really add up, ya know...

I must admit that I was so excited to buy postage and get this train rolling, that it wasn't until I was in the post office parking lot that I realized I had bought 44-cent stamps.

Hmph.

The post office does not offer cash back. Therefore, while I was able to exchange most of the booklets for smiley-faced polar bear postcard stamps, I still came home having spent the same amount of money.

Fail.

Oh well,
BTB

P.S. - Again, kudos to Wedding Paper Divas. I highly recommend them.

Outtakes

I've decided to share a few outtakes from our impromptu save the date session with my bestie Sara-- only because it's Monday AND a snow day AND the best day ever.

This all came about while visiting Virginia over Thanksgiving. After running around D.C. eating giant pizza and ogling over Anthropologie jewelry (sorry, Adam), we decided to take a few photos in Sara's neighborhood.

I stepped in dog poop 5 minutes later. Of course.

Here's my initial reaction. Sara was laughing so hard she couldn't focus the camera.

I tried to brush it off (literally & figuratively) and still look charming. However, Adam had a harder time masking his disgust.

Adam got me back for dragging him around Anthropologie and swinging my poo-covered feet in his face.

Whether it be the smell or my bashfulness, I couldn't keep a straight face during the serious photos. Luckily, Adam had his Blue Steel down!

Once the save the dates hit doorsteps, I'll post some more of our favorite photos!

-BTB

Snow Day!

It's a winter wonderland outside! I don't have to go into work today which is probably the case for all the mailmen about town. My save the dates will just have to stay one more night in the cold, rusty mailbox. As for me, I'll be having another Mad Men marathon with Adam.

For now, look at this creative wedding invitation.

Bundled up,

BTB

You've Got Mail

Hi. It's been a while, I know.

I'm disappointed in how little I blogged over the holidays. It was a restful time with more than enough space to jot down a few happenings/feelings, however, I felt as though it would still interrupt my (last single) Christmas.

Luckily, I have something that will hold me accountable to writing in the new year!

Pictured above are our sweet little save the dates. Pictured behind the save the dates is an all important mailbox.

It's true, Adam and I mailed our save the dates yesterday! The implications are huge:

1. We're getting married
2. We finalized the guest list (!!!!)
3. We have faith in the United States Postal Service

With plenty of blood, sweat and tears poured into those little guys, I was about to hand deliver every single one of them. I was sad and jittery to see them disappear into a cold, rusty mailbox. But I must trust that they will arrive safely at your cozy homes in the coming days.

And when they do, they will direct our guests to this very blog.

So, friends, I must keep writing. For you, for me and for the sake of July 16, 2011.

Type, type, type,

BTB

P.S. - In the moment, it was Adam's idea to take a picture as we mailed the save the dates. How cute is that? As a news photographer, Adam's great at spotting the defining moments while I tend to roll right through them. I'm thankful for his perspective!