Tuesday, June 23

Alice In Wonderland

Tim Burton, one of my favorite directors is set to release a “burtonish” version of “Alice In Wonderland.” New photos have surfaced of some of the over-the-top settings and characters that Burton likes to create. Another one of my favs, Johnny Depp plays the “Mad Hatter” in this film. I cannot wait for it’s release!

Check out some photos from around the web, just released.




(did I mention that it’s in 3D?)

Comments (2) • Posted in Movies, Random

Tuesday, May 19

Savannah here we come!

So, in case you haven’t read my blog...my one year anniversary is this coming Monday, May 25th. We always love to go places that we have not been before. I love the south, and he loves southern food...so where else would be go but Savannah, Georgia?

We are so excited to head down to this historic and beautiful city we always hear so much about. We do not have too much planned because we want to keep it spontaneous. The few things we do have planned are:

1. Eating a good southern meal at The Lady and Sons restaurant (Paula Deen ya’ll)
2. Visiting Tybee Island. We hear it’s a must.
3. Touring some ghostly areas and old cemeteries (romantic huh? - this of course was my idea) and then
4. Tory has a surprise dinner planned at a restaurant in Savannah on the night of our anniversary!

I am so excited to find out what it is. He’s pretty good at surprising me and I’m pretty good at letting him keep it that way.

I will be sharing photos from our trip when I return. If anyone has anymore advice on where to go, and what to do...please share!

Comments (2) • Posted in Personal, Random, Travel

Sunday, May 10

A Star Wars Wedding

Ok, so really, really do not like Star Wars...at all. I can also never imagine someone actually wanting a Start Wars wedding. Well, this couple did, and they pulled it off in a really cool way. Check out the rest of the photos and story here.

Comments (2) • Posted in Random, Weddings

Sunday, April 19

S.L.A.M.

On May 3, 2009, all of these ladies (including me) will be running the Frederick Maryland Marathon Relay. We have come up with the name “SLAM”...it’s simple - Sue, Lisa, Ami and Megan. And basically, because we’re awesome, and we’re going to SLAM the competition, or just slam our knees into surgery. Either way, it’s going to be fun, and if you happen to be in Frederick on May 3...come by to root your favorite girls on! Or you can simply leave us some words of encouragement...we need it!

Pictured Above: Top Left - Megan (that’s me...), Top Right - Sue, Bottom Left - Ami, Bottom Right - Lisa

Comments (11) • Posted in Events, Personal, Random

Thursday, March 19

Tips on Being the Perfect Guest

The Emily Post Institute has some great ways to be a good wedding guest…

1. RSVP. Immediately.
RSVP is French for “please respond”. Your most important obligation as a guest is to respond to the invitation immediately, especially if you are unable to attend. At the very least, it allows your host and hostess enough time to give an accurate count to the caterer. There is usually a card to return with your reply. If not, you may write a formal reply or a note indicating your intention.

2. Respect your invitation.
Do not ask your host or hostess if you can bring a date or your children. The invitation will be addressed to the people invited. If you may bring a guest, your invitation will read “Mr. John Phelps and guest.” If your children are invited, they will either receive their own personal invitations or their names will be listed under yours on the envelope. This is not the time to question your host’s decision, to argue or to beg for an exception. And, please, do not add their names to a reply card or show up with them anyway!

3. Send a gift.
If you are invited to the ceremony and/or reception, you should send a gift, whether you are attending or not. Generally, gifts are sent to the bride in advance of the wedding. In some localities, gifts are brought to the reception and placed on a special table. If you hear from family that the couple would prefer a charitable donation-as in the case of an older couple or an encore wedding -please respect their wishes. If you receive an announcement after the wedding has taken place, you may send a gift if you wish, but you have no obligation to do so. It is nice to acknowledge the announcement with a card or a note expressing your best wishes.

4. Be on your BEST behavior.
Be on time, wear appropriate clothing and be respectful during the marriage ceremony. Pay your respects to the hosts, the wedding party and other guests at the reception. And remember…

“The good guest is almost invisible, enjoying him- or herself, communing with fellow guests, and, most of all, enjoying the generous hospitality of the hosts.”
- E. Post

Comments (3) • Posted in Random, Weddings

Sunday, March 15

It’s Tradition: Story behind your wedding ring

Have you ever wondered why you where that ring on your left finger? And who came up with that idea any way? The Knot has some great resources on this tradition as well as hundreds more.

Here is how the wedding ring came to be…

Ring Romance
It is believed the Pharaohs of Egypt first used the circle, a shape with no beginning or end, as a symbol of eternity, but wearing a ring as a public pledge to honor the marriage contract did not become customary until Roman times. The earliest rings were made of simple iron, but gold rings set with gems were fashionable by medieval days. The most popular gems were symbolic—a red ruby was the color of the heart, a blue sapphire reflected the heavens—but the most coveted and powerful gem was the indestructible diamond.

Diamond Daze
The word “diamond” is derived from the Greek word adamas, which means “the unconquerable.” As Mother Nature’s hardest substance, diamonds represented invincible strength, a fitting gem for the marriage covenant. But the real pull of these sparkly stones—which ancient Greeks believed were delicate splinters of fallen stars—came from the powers and protection they offered the wearer. In India, where diamonds were first discovered, they were thought to be a shield from the combined forces of evil (which at that time included snakes, poison, and theft). Ancient astrologers believed diamonds promoted lasting love and warded off witchcraft and nightmares. Associated with everything from innocence to sexual power to all-encompassing protection, you can see why the diamond became the betrothal gift of choice for lads and ladies.

Wedding bands for men and women didn’t catch on in the United States until the 1940s.

The Engagement Rage
Blame it on Archduke Maximilian of Austria, who started the diamond ring trend in 1477 when he presented one to his beloved, Mary of Burgundy. The tradition of wearing the engagement ring and wedding band on the fourth finger of the left hand can be traced to the Egyptians, who believed the vena amoris (vein of love) ran directly from the heart to the top of this finger.

Manly Bands
Dual-ring ceremonies, in which both bride and groom wear a ring, were introduced by the Greek Orthodox Church in the 1300s. The custom didn’t catch on in America until the beginning of World War II, when young men were forced to leave their beloveds behind, not knowing when and if they would return. Many couples married in anticipation of separation, and wedding bands—one for each partner—were considered critical to the war effort, as a solace to lonely soldiers and as a reminder for brides that their faraway soldier thought of them always. By the height of the war, 85% of marriages were dual-ring ceremonies. And of course, they continue to be today—and we’re more attached to our wedding bling than ever before.

-- The Knot

Comments (4) • Posted in Random, Weddings