The Calm Bride

So friends, six days to go. Surprisingly I'm feeling very calm and relaxed. I'd like to chalk it up to all my planning on the front end. Regardless, I'm one happy bride and it's smooth sailing from here on out.

My amazing, fantastic, wonderful planner has made my life a dream these last couple weeks. Honestly, do yourself a favor and get a planner. Did you hear me? GET A PLANNER! And if you are looking for one (in Nashville), I strongly recommend Kristin Kaplan from Simply Stunning. We had a meeting in mid-July and went over some last minute things, and I've felt like a weight was lifted since then....aside from the 5 pounders I've been using on my arms.

Speaking of which- I've started jogging every day and lifting weights for my arms. I've definitely noticed a difference in the way I feel and each day the hills get easier. It's also been a great way to get rid of wedding stress.

Another great way? Massage. My favorite salon just up and shut its doors several weeks ago, without informing outstanding appointments (hello- massage and nails for the wedding). They even charged my friend for a gift card on the morning of the day they closed. Jerks. So I'm normally a nice person, but it kind of made me mad so here's the salon. Essential Therapy. They closed their doors and didn't notify anyone and charged cards knowing that they were closing. And apparently they opened a new salon about a week earlier and didn't tell any of their existing employees. You can read more about that if you search on the Tenneseean.

Although I was upset about Essential Therapy closing, I snatched a Groupon for Mr. SE and I and we stumbled on a great salon downtown. It's called Corroboree, and has a great Australian influence. Its in a old house and each of the bedrooms is a treatment room. We did a 1hr hot stone couples massage, followed by a body scrub (vegan- made of rice). I loved it so much that I went back yesterday to have another hot stone massage by myself.

Here's some pictures for your viewing pleasure:
ps- They also do cooking lessons, and they'll leave out little goodies while you're waiting in the relaxation room. Eat. their. lemon. bars. I've eaten a whole plate every time I go!

Sigh of Relief

Good morning! I'm feeling really good right now- especially since I just booked a massage. FYI: I have really bad migraines and have been recommended to get a massage weekly. Luckily my mom is a teacher and we have amazing insurance! The massages have helped keep me calm and not feeling anxious, but it's been awhile since I've had one.

I'd much rather go the preventative route versus taking lots of pills and being reactive. Don't get me wrong- I head straight for a Relpax when I feel a migraine coming on, but I find myself having to do that less and less.

If you're into massages, I'd love to make a recommendation in the Nashville area. Essential Therapy (West End) is fantastic! Last summer I saw Susan every week, and I've continued to get massages every time I come visit. Their tranquility room is OUT OF CONTROL! Honestly, I would probably pay just to relax in that room.This would be a great place to head for a spa day with the girls in your bridal party. Don't forget your guys! Mr. SE had a massage there over Valentine's Day and loved it. Do you get massages? Or what helps you really relax?

First Anniversary Gift

First Anniversary: Paper

Hello friends! Mr. SE and I thoroughly enjoyed our anniversary yesterday, and he really outdid himself with my gifts. My morning started w/breakfast prepared by him: chocolate chip strawberry pancakes, bacon, and lots of fresh fruit. After breakfast, he told me we needed to leave by 1pm because we had an appointment for a couple's massage at the Relache Spa in Opryland. How awesome is that?!? I was so surprised! After working a 12 hr wedding day on Saturday, I didn't take much convincing to get me on the massage table.

Gaylord Opryland Resort

When you use the spa at Opryland, they give you full privileges of the resort -- so we lounged by their outdoor pool for a little while. On our way home we swung by Publix to pick up a mini version of our wedding cake. How thoughtful is this man? Later in the evening he cooked for me (again). This time he made filets, roasted potatoes, asparagus, and a salad with raspberries and goat cheese. Spoiled doesn't even come close!

For my gift to him, I went the traditional route and did something with "paper". I've written before about the significance of our marriage ceremony, and I wanted us to have the opportunity to remember and reflect on it daily. Amanda of Our Humble Abowed came through on this one! Here's the print below...(it's 11x14)

 What did you two do for your first anniversary? Did you go with the traditional gift of something paper, or did you think outside the box like Mr. SE?

Mile High Skincare

Last week I had the opportunity to try out a spa here in Denver, A New Spirit. I was looking for something super earthy with a location really close to downtown. They're located in Sloan's Lake near the Highlands and easy to get to. I had a facial and a massage, both 30 minutes, and left incredibly relaxed and rejuvenated.

In the last couple weeks my skin had taken a turn for the worst, dry/flaky/breakouts, and we looking less than fabulous. I was excited about this facial since I needed a jump start to get my skin back into shape. A New Spirit exclusively uses Sanitas skin care products, and I've already noticed a difference in my skin. The cool thing is that Sanitas is made right here in Boulder, CO. The ingredients are all natural and locally produced.

My recommended regimen from them is below:

Glycolic Citrus Cleanser: active cleanser

Milk & Honey Cream Cleanser: moisturizing cleanser

Moisture Mist

Vitamin Serum

Vitamin C Lotion

Have you ever heard of Sanitas? Or do you have an all natural skin care line I should try? I've heard a lot lately about oils and the benefits they can have for your skin. I'm a little nervous to try them and not sure where to start. Any tips?

Happy New Year!

It seems like everyone is all about resolutions this year. Money is sure to be on everyone's list, with the economy as it is, along with the usual adage of eating healthier and working out more. I'd like to set forth some resolutions for myself this year. It is a little late, but better late than never. By drafting my resolutions, I also started thinking about things that I'd like to do in my lifetime, not just this year. I'll start with the 2009 resolutions list (in no particular order):

1. Be more relaxed about life in general (we all know how it's going to end anyways)
2. Enjoy every day and try to live in the moment
3. Send more hand written notes and cards
4. Continue scrapbooking, but take more pictures to scrap with!
5. Read 25 books (2 down, 23 to go)
6. Let my loved ones know what they mean to me
7. GET A JOB!!!
8. Stop wasting time away on the internet
9. Continue a healthy eating plan (no sugar-low fat)
10. Work out at least 3 times a week
11. Take Duffie on more walks

That sums up my goals for the year. I overheard someone talking about a list of 101 things to do before I die. I'd love to try and finish all of them; however, if not I'll donate $5 to a charity for every task I don't complete.

1. Run a 5k
2. Speak conversational Italian
3. Travel to Africa, Asia, Australia, and South America
4. Learn to surf
5. Learn to ride a horse
6. Attend cooking school abroad
7. Get married to the love of my life
8. Teach my daughters how to dance
9. Volunteer on a regular basis
10. Compete in a triathlon
11. Learn the art of massage
12. Practice yoga
13. Read 10 classic novels
14. Attend a silent movie
15. Drink tequila in Mexico
16. Watch the sunset on the west coast
17. Make my own Christmas cards
18. Cook/Host Thanksgiving dinner for my family
19 Teach Ryan to ski
20. Donate to a charity for every class I don't complete
21. Scuba dive in the tropics
22. See all 7 wonders of the world
23. Visit the Trade Center Memorial
24. Travel to the Holy Lands
25. Take a vacation by myself
26. Take a vacation with girlfriends
27. Learn to hula
28. Reach 100 years of age
29. Go on a hot air balloon ride (again!)
30. Live in a place I love
31. Have the strength to leave a job I hate
32. Sing in public
33. Stand on the international date line
34. Skinny dip at midnight
35. Spend Christmas somewhere tropical
36. Turn my phone off for a week
37. Live with no TV in the bedroom
38. One month without dining out at restaurants
39. Bury a time capsule
40. Paint a self portrait
41. Get professional portraits of my husband and I every 5 years
42. Have a baby
43. Get professional portraits of myself while pregnant
44. Carve my name on a tree
45. Attend the symphony
46. Ice skate in Rockefeller Plaza
47. Make my own pasta
48. Share the starry sky with someone I love (bonus points for sleeping out there)
49. Go camping with a group of friends
50. Cook something I've grown
51. Catch a fish and cook it
52. Brew my own beer
53. Take belly dancing lessons
54. Give a homeless person my lunch
55. Go hiking
56. Create something that will outlast me
57. Get my fortune told
58. Become a regular helping at a food kitchen
59. Take the day off on my birthday
60. Write a letter to my grandchildren
61. Keep a diary (and really keep up!)
62. Write to an author
63. Give blood
64. Send a message in a bottle
65. Attend a wine class
66. Attend a beer class

That's all for now- I'll finish this list up later