Kashmir104's Couture PJ (p.1) & TR (p.28): WP/CR~1/3/09* 5/6: Highlights Video p.30

[acourtwdw]

Have fun at WDW and enjoy the time there with your FH

 

[MariaLovesJon<3]

Oh Courtney, your wedding is going to be GORGEOUS! I just finished reading your entire PJ (I'm a newbie ) and I am just STUNNED at how beautiful your wedding is going to be!

I hope your FILs turn around and realize how ridiculous they are being. You and your FH don't deserve this at all.

Take care hun!

 

[Kashmir104]

In all honesty, I don't think I'd last a LDR . . . but KUDOS to you!!!

I'm a DVC member too! Totally got suckered in. . . I mean - hey, Disney without worrying for accomodations???? WHY NOT! Its def worth it. I booked reservations last minute and they still welcomed me . . . and the "Welcome Home" Packets you get when ever you check in is a bonus too!

I'm glad that everything's working out for you and it's very apparent that Eric's got your back, no mattter what. How lucky of you or should I say How lucky of him! Take this vacation and enjoy it !! Can't wait to see the pictures!!

Thanks sooo much!!! I'm so glad you came on this board! I'm really excited to hear about your plans in the next coming months! LDR are really hard, but we make it work. I'm getting pretty tired of it since we're going on almost 1.5 years, but with all the holidays coming up we should be able to find plenty of time to see each other! Hopefully by then I'll know where I'll be located!

Isn't it funny how you just get suckered right into DVC? Eric and I were walking by the stand in the California Adventure Park and he thought it would be a great way for me to actually want to leave the country (I love Disney vacations that the thought of going somewhere that wasn't as magical and perfect as Disney was unappealing.) We'll see how well that works, but I'm so excited to check out the digs for the first time on this trip! I don't know what this "welcome home" package is, but I'm psyched to find out Friday!!! I'm also excited to try out one of the EPCOT Resorts. EPCOT is one of my favorite parks.

I'll definitely be sharing my photos when I get back!! Thanks for reading!

On the other hand, you look beautiful in that dress. THe color and style are really flattering on you. Blondes often get washed out and you don't look that way, so that's awesome. I couldn't even try on the sample size, so I'm really glad for you. I don't know what you're doing, but I wish I could do it with you! If you feel like sharing any secrets, let me know, I want to be as in shape as you are on my big day, too! Well, what I wanted to say is that you look absolutely great in that dress!~

Aww thanks LuluLovesDisney!!!! Despite how "white" the dress looks, it's actually "off-white." Who would've guessed there are so many shades! I'm sorry to hear that you didn't have a great experience trying on the dresses. I thought I was going to be in the same boat and was not thinking the hunt for a dress was going to be fun at all. I could actually only try on the A-line shapes because I couldn't get the dropped waist gowns or mermaid style over my hips at all! I mean seriously how can anyone try on those gowns unless you are a 10 or smaller? And most people aren't at all! And believe me... the dress might look like it fits well, but it's definitely binder-clipped to my spanx and bra in the back to stay on I didn't realize the binder clips I used at work had a dual purpose!

As for the weight loss, I'm totally here for you if you want to become weight loss buddies! My biggest problems are eating at night and not exercising, so I've tried really really really hard not to eat late (that's when I pig out on snack food and esp. ice cream (my fav and major weakness!!!) and other crap) and I try to go to the gym for at least 20-30 minutes a day (5 days a week.) I was on a roll from the beginning of March-the end of May, but then slowed down significantly because of the weather and a lot of traveling. I used to run cross country in high school, so I recently started running again, but I think the hot, humid, oppressive Connecticut summer air has turned me off from that more recently. I can't wait for when it cools off in the Fall (my favorite season) to get going again! I've also tried to make better choices with my food (fruit as snacks, higher protein diet, smaller portion size, less ice cream (or non-fat frozen yogurt or skinny cows for those PMS or bad days), more salads, etc.) Whenever I want to snack at work, I put a piece of gum in my mouth and I usually forget about it for another hour or two. Also, I started watching my calorie intake on http://www.calorie-count.com

Anyways, if you need inspiration or have any questions, feel free to ask! I need to get serious again myself (after the Disney trip, of course!)

Just wanted to say that I love your dress. The top is similar to my dress that I have ordered with the same style straps. Here's a link to the pic of my top http://i181.photobucket.com/albums/x62/vcf81/Dress/Wedding006.jpg I definitely wanted some type of sleeve on it.

Have fun on your trip this weekend. Kris and I are meeting up next week for our menu tasting and engagement pictures. He'll be flying down from Ohio and I'm coming from Michigan. We haven't seen each other in around a month, so I'm super excited. Have a great time!

Hi Vanessa! I'm sooo glad that you are doing ok after your accident! I was thinking of you!! Rest up!

How exciting that you will be down in Disney World too next week- basically just as we are leaving! I hope you have a blast (you definitely deserve it!), especially with the menu tasting... yum! I can't wait to see how your engagement photos turn out. I've loved reading your planning journal- EPCOT is my favorite park too. You're wedding is going to be gorgeous! How funny our dresses are so similar! It's I figured it's the sophisticated Disney Princess look without all the large foo foo frilly stuff

i've just found your journal, firstly congratulations to you both. Don't worry about anyone else, it's you and your partners day so do what makes you happy! We did, and I'm so glad we decided to get married away from home.
Happy planning!
PS Love your dress - can't wait to read more!

Thanks so much, Ticky Toria 78!!! I hope that you will continue to read!

Courtney!
I am glad to see you writing in your PJ! Like you, I have had a crazy summer and have not been on much. I am sorry about all the drama, but it seems as though things are looking up for everyone! I love your dress, and you are going to be so beautiful in it! Congrats!

aww thanks Courtney! I had to catch-up on your PJ as well. Have your rings come in yet? I can't wait to see pictures! I have no idea what i'm going to do- probably the matching band to my engagement ring, but we'll see. I love the look of the one you picked out. and sooo many carats!! AHHH AWESOME!

Have fun at WDW and enjoy the time there with your FH

Thanks acourtwdw!! We definitely will and I'll be sure to share some pictures from our trip!

Oh Courtney, your wedding is going to be GORGEOUS! I just finished reading your entire PJ (I'm a newbie ) and I am just STUNNED at how beautiful your wedding is going to be!

I hope your FILs turn around and realize how ridiculous they are being. You and your FH don't deserve this at all.

Take care hun!

Thanks for reading and your support, Maria! Welcome to the boards!!! I hope you will stay tuned for more in the coming months!

 

[Glorydaz]

hey Courtney! just caught up on the last couple of pages - your dress is absolutely beautiful and you will look amazing in it!

I just wanted to wish you and Eric a wonderful time in Disney for your planning session. can't wait to see all your photos!! you must be so incredibly excited to see Eric after all this time! lol....

we are DVC members also and I just have to say it was one of the BEST investments for us!! especially if you love Disney, as we all do!

have an AWESOME trip!!

Michelle

 

[Eeyore's Tailfinder]

Hugs to you Courtney - I'm sorry I missed the whole drama! I can't believe how ridiculous his parents are being! I hope it all works out for you!

Anyway - you're in Disney World right now! I'm so jealous! We just missed each other, I got back on Tuesday! Can't wait for your site visit trip report when you get back!

 

[LuluLovesDisney]

Hey, Courtney! Thanks for the well wishes. I would love to be weight loss buddies. I am inspired by your hard work! Are you following a specific plan?

Nighttime is my weakness too. I don't get home from class/work (I'm a grad student and teacher) until 9"30 and I like to eat then.

Just keep your head held high. You're living the dream. Even if your inlaws aren't helping it along like you'd like.

Have a fabulous trip!! I just did (I got engaged, of course I had a great trip!)

I know what you mean about exercise. I wish I had the time to workout like in high school!

Anyway, have a great trip!!!

 

[DisneySweetie]

Hi Everyone,

I went to visit Maring Lifestyle Photographers in their Connecticut office. [...] My favorite part was the photos they made into art. All their pictures are digital, which allows them to be edited and enhanced later on (for example colors and shading enhanced as well as shadowing to help get rid of blemishes or double chins in pictures- exactly what I will need!!) [...] What I liked most about the Marings is that they realize the importance of both artistic/journalistic photos as well as posed group/family ones. That balance was exactly what I was thinking of.

Now the only hard part is the price... Eric and I have not said yes or no just yet, but we are more or less determined to make it work! I actually came home a bit discouraged after realizing they were a few thousand higher than our original budget (but their quote includes engagement shots, consultation, full day coverage, post event consultation, unlimited photographs, full set of previews bound in a book, internet proofing, album design consultation, expert planning for the day, and of course the wedding album as well as any other extras they can add in here and there.)

I completely understand this. We are spending a FORTUNE on our photographer for our AZ wedding. We won't even admit to anyone how much she costs. But, she is amazing. Initially we thought we would spend the money and just buy the negatives from her in order to make our own album. Even this option added up to quite a bit more than we expected. But then we met with her and the albums she does are gorgeous too! In the end, the photos are the only tangible things you have after your wedding is over (besides your hubby of course). That's how I justify spending such a huge amount of the budget on the photographer and the album. Also, it seems like you are like me - quite self conscious. I wanted a photographer I could trust to make me love photographs of myself. Hahaha! It also serves as quite the motivator to keep me working out everyday. If I'm paying that much for photos - don't I want to make sure I look my absolute best in them?

I hope you're enjoying your time in WDW. We will be there in 101 days for our Disneymoon!

 

[MeeshKapeesh]

Courtney!! Glad to see you back - Hoping you had a nice reunion w/ eric! Anything new w/ wedding planning???

 

[DisneyLaura]

Courtney

I just read your whole PJ. I don't even know where to start. First, congrats on your engagement, nice engagement story. Second, the pictures so far of your dress and invites are just grand. Lastly, I am sorry to hear that you had some problems with your FFIL. Maybe your FSIL thought if she showed them it would make them realize that what they were doing to their son. To see it in writing. It's good to hear that things are on the mend though. You would not want him to be there for his son when you guys do get married. I live in CT too, Shelton. I am so excited that I found your PJ. DH and I will be married for 11 years this October and I would have loved a DFTW but I didn't know they exsisted. I am planning a vow renewal though, not until we hit 25 years though and it most likely just be us and the kids. I love reading about the weddings though, I do have a daughter (she's only 21 months but she already loves Mickey, she squeals when she sees him). Can't wait for more. Here's a hug for you .

Laura

 

[Kashmir104]

hey Courtney! just caught up on the last couple of pages - your dress is absolutely beautiful and you will look amazing in it!

I just wanted to wish you and Eric a wonderful time in Disney for your planning session. can't wait to see all your photos!! you must be so incredibly excited to see Eric after all this time! lol....

we are DVC members also and I just have to say it was one of the BEST investments for us!! especially if you love Disney, as we all do!

have an AWESOME trip!!

Michelle

Thanks, Michelle!!! Eric and I had a BLAST in Disney World!!! I didn't want to leave. The hardest part now is what I miss the most... Eric or Mickey!!!

The DVC accomodations were great. I was a bit bummed to come back to the room at night and see no turn-down or anything, but when you're rushing in the morning to get to the park it was nice to know you could leave your room a bit messy and not have to worry about it until you returned later on!! I'll post a little trip report in a little bit!

Hugs to you Courtney - I'm sorry I missed the whole drama! I can't believe how ridiculous his parents are being! I hope it all works out for you!

Anyway - you're in Disney World right now! I'm so jealous! We just missed each other, I got back on Tuesday! Can't wait for your site visit trip report when you get back!

Aww you're so sweet!!! I definitely missed you while you were away! I hope you had a blast on your trip!

Hey, Courtney! Thanks for the well wishes. I would love to be weight loss buddies. I am inspired by your hard work! Are you following a specific plan?

Nighttime is my weakness too. I don't get home from class/work (I'm a grad student and teacher) until 9"30 and I like to eat then.

Just keep your head held high. You're living the dream. Even if your inlaws aren't helping it along like you'd like.

Have a fabulous trip!! I just did (I got engaged, of course I had a great trip!)

I know what you mean about exercise. I wish I had the time to workout like in high school!

Anyway, have a great trip!!!

No specific plan here... just trying to make better choices. At the same time, I'm pretty young and go out to eat a lot. It's a big of a downfall, but now I plan ahead and look up menus or know what is ok to splurge on (dessert instead of ultra creamy pasta or something.) I also watch my alcohol intake because I find it really slows my metabolism. When my family cooks I eat the same thing as everyone else (in other words, when my 11 year-old sister wants chicken nuggets, I eat them too- I just have like 6 instead of 10!) I've slowed significantly and had my cousin's bachelorette party last weekend, so when I stepped on the scale it wasn't a pretty site. I'm starting to go to the gym at work in the morning. Not only do I have less traffic, but it also wakes me up and I feel like I did something already. Plus, I don't have to worry about scheduling in a work out in the afternoon when I'm tired. We're starting another weight loss competition at work on Monday, so that should help as well! Whatever you do, if you have a bad night or day, don't punish yourself or convince yourself you ruined one day and therefore the next and the entire week. Take it 1 day at a time. If you fall off the weight wagon, just climb back on!!

I completely understand this. We are spending a FORTUNE on our photographer for our AZ wedding. We won't even admit to anyone how much she costs. But, she is amazing. Initially we thought we would spend the money and just buy the negatives from her in order to make our own album. Even this option added up to quite a bit more than we expected. But then we met with her and the albums she does are gorgeous too! In the end, the photos are the only tangible things you have after your wedding is over (besides your hubby of course). That's how I justify spending such a huge amount of the budget on the photographer and the album. Also, it seems like you are like me - quite self conscious. I wanted a photographer I could trust to make me love photographs of myself. Hahaha! It also serves as quite the motivator to keep me working out everyday. If I'm paying that much for photos - don't I want to make sure I look my absolute best in them?

I hope you're enjoying your time in WDW. We will be there in 101 days for our Disneymoon!

That's EXACTLY how I feel!!!!!! I will never say how much the Marings are soaking us for, but I know our photos will be amazing. Once I saw their work, there was really no turning back!!!! It was amazing... I was blown away!!!

Anyone can check out their work at http://www.maringphoto.com/ It's really beautiful!

Like you guessed, I am also extremely self conscious. I hate most photos of me for one reason or another and I am excited to think that they could bring out the best parts of me. I'm looking forward to feeling pretty for a change. I'm not fishing for compliments by any means, but like a lot of women it's hard to be comfortable in a larger body and so you tend to criticize yourself a lot, especially when you look at others. I also LOVE pictures as wonderful memories, so other than the wedding day itself with Eric, my pictures come next! I'm so glad I'm not alone with my crazy photography choice!

Courtney!! Glad to see you back - Hoping you had a nice reunion w/ eric! Anything new w/ wedding planning???

Eric and I had a wonderful reunion!! It really is such a romantic place! I'll do a little TR soon!

Courtney

I just read your whole PJ. I don't even know where to start. First, congrats on your engagement, nice engagement story. Second, the pictures so far of your dress and invites are just grand. Lastly, I am sorry to hear that you had some problems with your FFIL. Maybe your FSIL thought if she showed them it would make them realize that what they were doing to their son. To see it in writing. It's good to hear that things are on the mend though. You would not want him to be there for his son when you guys do get married. I live in CT too, Shelton. I am so excited that I found your PJ. DH and I will be married for 11 years this October and I would have loved a DFTW but I didn't know they exsisted. I am planning a vow renewal though, not until we hit 25 years though and it most likely just be us and the kids. I love reading about the weddings though, I do have a daughter (she's only 21 months but she already loves Mickey, she squeals when she sees him). Can't wait for more. Here's a hug for you .

Laura

Hi Laura! I'm so excited you decided to follow my Planning Journal! It's been a crazy last few months, but I'm a firm believer that everything happens for a reason, so I just have to wait for everything to fall into place as it should. How cool that you are from Shelton! Not too far from Wallingford I think a 25th anniversary renewal in Disney World would be awesome, especially since your family seems to love Disney (who could ever not like the mouse? (other than DF's family of course hehehe)) I hope you will stay tuned for more!!

 

[acourtwdw]

Congrats on the weight loss. I know how hard it can be.

Did you visit Franks (or is that where you have your appts?) and did you do the accent? Every time we walk past there its hard not to talk like Frank. (The Chipper Chicken )

Hope you had a great trip and look forward to reading more.

 

[duchess_tisha]

I just read your TR and I am loving it! I can't wait to hear and see more of the planning. Your dress it absolutely beautiful! And I love the colors.

Can't wait to hear more!

 

[Eeyore's Tailfinder]

Hey Courtney! Did you get back yet?! Looking forward to hearing what you got done in your planning TR

 

[Kashmir104]

Hi Everyone!

I'm sorry I've been sort of MIA lately. Big changes are happening right now, so my time has been very limited! I ended up getting a promotion within my company (one of the two jobs I interviewed for back in August... actually the more prestigious of the two.) Therefore, I'll be moving back to San Francisco by the end of October.

I am going to miss my family so much. That's going to be particularly difficult... I have only 4 weeks left, so I've been maximizing my time with my family as much as possible and haven't been online a whole lot. Luckily, I won't miss fall either (it's my favorite season in New England.) Plus, I'll be able to come back here for my dress fitting, meet up with my family in Disney World in July, come back for our engagement photo shoot, and then enjoy the holidays and our wedding next year together. Hopefully it will all fly by quickly.

On the upside, I got a raise as well, so I actually bought my first new car! It's a 2007 Dodge Nitro R/T in... You’ve guessed it... a gorgeous shade of bright burnt orange!!! hehehe

It's a lot of change very quickly, but hopefully it will just make me a better person and Eric and I a stronger couple.

I'm going to be flying out to the Bay Area to go apartment hunting with Eric this weekend, but when I get a chance before I leave I will finally do my trip report from Labor Day weekend!!

Thinking of you all and I'm sorry for being missing for so long!

 

[MeeshKapeesh]

Courtney!

Glad to hear back from you. I was wondering what happend, and if everything was all well with you.

Sure sounds like it does! Congrats on the promotion! I too was a bit weary accepting promotion, but like you said, God does have a plan - and take it step by step everyday. Change is always a good thing - it might not be the easiest - but it's always a good thing. You'll gain experience and grow confidence. Looking back a year from now, I'm sure you'd just smile and say that you're such a strong person.

I can't imagine how hard it would be to be far from family, but with technology right now, I'm sure you'd be able to come up with something - hey, at least we're not paying HUGE long distance bills no more! If you ever need shoulder all the gals here at DIS are here to support you (electronically) and our thoughts are always with you.

San Bruno?!? I frequent there. Good food I must say. I work out in Daly City and always go out there for lunch. I'm sure you'd find a good place to stay - there's a bunch of open houses lately, and craigslist would be a good bet too. South City (SSF) is also a nice little place yet near the city.

I love dodge DF has a Ram (HEMI) in Orange. I love Hemi Orange! Dodge is probably the only American Car I can trust - I'm a honda girl lol.

Good luck with everything! and can't wait for your TR!

-meeSha

 

[DisneyLaura]

Courtney - Alls I have to say is Phew, did a lot of things happen to you since your last post. I know it will be hard to leave your family, I actually had a friend from TN that only lasted a year in CT because she missed her mom and dad way too much (they even saw each other every 4 months). She moved back to TN in June. Her youngest DS was also very close with my DS and they became very best friends so that was hard to have DS who is only 8 lose such a friend but we are going to TN in June. You will do fine and just keeping remembering you're coming back. And it seems you have a lot of trips planned already to visit so you'll be good . Also just think you got a raise so if your expenses for the wedding were troubling you it will be a little easier. Glad to hear everything is well though. Oh and btw I love fall here too (I'm in CT too)

Laura

 

[Ticky Toria 78]

Congratulations on your promotion!

 

[mla1977]

aww yay!!!! A layer of my cake will be dedicated as "Hayley's Early Birthday Cake"!!

We are thinking we'll have our "planning session" sometime in July 2008. So we have a while to wait. We will be going down to have our site visit the first weekend in Sept and I'm really excited about that! I've seen the Contemporary before, but not the WP or the actually Contemporary Convention Center. The best part about getting the contract is just knowing that the date is secured!!

Can you make another layer for my early b-day cake? I would like the almond...

That is the day before my b-day too!

 

[figmentfan814]

Congratulations on your promotion! I know that has to be really hard having to move away from your family. My DF has been down in Ohio for 1 1/2 years and he will be making the move back to Michigan by the beginning of next year. He was able to plan a lot of trips home too which made it easier for him too.

The move was for his job and he was able to gain some new skills and will be bringing them back home with him. I'm sure you will be able to do the same. It will be a great learning experience and at least you and Eric will finally be back in the same place.

 

[hmgolden]

Congratulations on your promotion! I wish you and Eric the best of luck as you start on this newest adventure. You're right, if you really don't like it, you can always move back - but who knows, you may end up loving the Bay Area.