Black Friday my heart!

Hive, please tell me you like Black Friday as much as I do!

As usual, I started my day around 5am to make sure I'd get to mall before the crazy traffic began. I couldn't do my pre-sales plans where I map out my day in order of priority last night due to wedding planning keeping me busy.

But(!)

here's what I snatched: Express slacks, Express lounge pants, Remington shaver, Down-alternative comforter, Duvet set, Double sheet set, VS unmentionables, and more!

Yeah... it's a little different than my annual spree. My priority this year was home furnishings, but I'm quite pleased with this round. I hope my Mr. likes the bedding or else it would have been for nothing. And I discovered at the beginning of college that I like to match my own beddings instead of spending so much on a Bed-in-a-bag. The mix-and match allows me to get creative with different colors/shades, patterns, and fabrics.

Here's the bedding I put together:


By the way, I did not pay the price on the sticker.

Have you noticed any changes (or lack there of) in your shoppings since your engagement?

Tabula rasa

Hi hive!

Our wedding is in the church that we met at and continue to serve at. It's not a mega-church with room for thousands of people, nor is it a cathedral with beautiful architecture. It represents me quite well in that it's simple with clean lines and cozy. I also like that it holds special meaning to my Mr. and I.

Ours will be the third wedding here (I didn't attend the other two), so I've got a challenge up my sleeves in what to do for reception decor in the fellowship hall upstairs. Round tables make more space for people to walk around (or just be able to push their chair back without hitting the person at the next table). Windows in awkward placings of the wall also make it difficult to place things like the head table or the cake. We also have metal chairs, which are cold in the winter. Don't get me wrong, I'm very thankful for all that we have to hold worship service, dine with the church family, and even host events or programs. The heart of service that people have here could never compare to something like a chair.

But the more I think about my situation, the more excited I get in creating the "blank slate" I have into some different and gorgeous. It'd be fun for our family and friends to go up there and see it transformed into what I call a Winter Wonderland. Let's do this!

What's your works-for-any-room decor item that you use?

Why does he not quit his job?

I'd like to introduce to you our ever-so talented (and humble as he is always willing to serve without banners and streamers) friend, BSLee.

His photography has become quite the sensation here at EBCB. So when we needed someone to take our engagement pictures, it was a no-brainer to go to this brother. Knowing all this, we were still blown away by the images he was able to capture during a couple of hours at the park behind the Safeway on Bayfarm in Alameda.

Here's our favorite:

BSLee: "Cyrus, what shampoo did Jane use? Did she even shower?"

It was so much fun getting paparazzi'd and enjoying the scenery and nice weather. Oh, and good company is always a plus. :) I "heart" you, Fiance!

In the end, we was very impressed by the length that our wonderful photographer would go to get the shots that he did, and for that we are so thankful. Which brings me back to the question: Does he not know how good he is?

Attention IKEA shoppers!

For IKEA shoppers in the Bay Area:

Tax-free sale Nov. 1&2
both Emeryville and Palo Alto locations

Purchase anything in the store and they pay the sales tax for us! It may not be much, but think about the tax that builds up when you make large quantity purchases or home decor. I'll be putting the cash that I save toward other non-essential goodies, thankya very much.

PLUS free breakfast from 9:30-10:30am. :)

I'm a little late in hearing the word, but for those you can make it, I'll see you there!