Bon Voyage

We just got back from Wegman's where we had sushi and a sub for dinner, then stocked up on some yummy snacks for the airplane tomorrow.  We are finished packing and about to enjoy a pre-honeymoon cocktail.  We are so excited to go on our trip tomorrow.  I must admit that I have an overwhelming sense of guilt over this trip and I wish that I didn't.  I haven't really told too many people that we are going on this honeymoon because if I do mention it, I feel like people are a little sassy or jealous.  I know we were fortunate to have a destination wedding -- and that could have counted as a honeymoon -- but it didn't and we are doing this fabulous trip -- but part of me does feel a little guilty.  I'm sure the guilty feeling will quickly be gone tomorrow once I board the plane, so I'm not too concerned, but it is something that I have been thinking about.  I am very grateful to be able to take time off from work and spend a romantic week in  paradise with my hubby -- and really, that is all that matters.

See you in a week blog friends! Goodbye snow and cold weather!

~Dining Diva

Scored at the Store

This sweet orange hat will be a fabulous accessory in St. Lucia.  I bought it at Francesca's -- love that store -- and when I was cashing out, the sales lady asked me if I was going to rock it at an upcoming SU game.  I hadn't even thought of that.  What a great idea and I will be sure to rock this hat at the next Orange game I attend. 

Adorable outfit for my sweet niece Brecklyn.  I'll miss seeing her this weekend, but will look forward to seeing her when we get back from our honeymoon.  I think she'll look really adorable in this new outfit.  I have to admit, I can't go shopping without buying her a little treat.  She'll be one month old on January 28.

Hope you had a great Thursday.  I am relaxing with a movie, my hubby and a big 'ol glass of wine.

~Dining Diva

Back to Blonde

Greetings! Just got back from the hair salon with my blonde hair back in check.  After the wedding, I changed to a really pretty deep brown -- but since I'm going to the tropics this week, I decided to lighten the hair again.  I also got my gel manicure and pedicure, eyebrows waxed and I've been tanning.  Keeping up to date with beauty is not my forte -- it takes a lot of time and money.  I do get my hair done about every eight weeks because otherwise the roots get crazy.  It's about $120 for a full head foil where I live.  I think that is expensive, but I've paid more and know it could me much worse.

I have nice natural nails, but did get the gel manicure in October for our wedding, and I have continued to keep up with them because I enjoy having beautiful nails, and they look good at work when I meet with clients, instead of nail polish chipping off.  As far as my pedicure went, I loved having one ... it's been like three months! I try to go without one in the winter, but with the upcoming trip, I got one, and I love it having my toe nails looking and feeling fabulous.

What beauty splurges do you make?

~Dining Diva

Magical Moments

Walking towards the Gulf for our sunset photos!

The 30 minutes of rain earlier in the day (that gave me an ulcer), helped to create this majestic sunset -- just what I was hoping for on our wedding night.

Some ladies dream of their wedding day from a young age.  That was never me.  But being a life long beach lover, I knew that I would love to one day say, "I do," on my favorite beach.  And I'm over the moon happy that that dream came true.  Clearwater Beach holds a special place in my heart because my family has been going there since I was about five.  We started off at St. Pete's beach for many years, and then moved to Clearwater Beach when my parent's purchased a fabulous beach home.  Now we celebrate Christmas there and it's always an amazing time with amazing company.  We were so overwhelmed at the amount of friends and family that traveled from across the United States to be there to celebrate with us.  I envisioned a small and intimate ceremony with 30 max -- but we had close to 100 people.  And we had so much fun beginning from the moment my mom and I headed down a week in advance -- carrying my gown through the airport.

More details to come!

~Dining Diva

Proud Aunt Alert: Meet Beautiful Brecklyn

How sweet is this little muffin of mine?!  These are her 12-days old photos that were just taken by my sister's friend Colleen.  Colleen's launching her own photography business and Brecklyn is one of her first models.  I think they look great, and Breck looks just beautiful!  I can't wait to see her this weekend!

~Dining Diva

Excuse Me? Is Your Wedding Dress for Sale?

  I loved my wedding dress so much more than I ever knew that I would.  When I bought it, I liked the fact that the material wasn't too heavy since I was getting married on the beach and I have a tendency to pass out from overheating. I also loved that it was fit and flair and the bottom was sassy, like me.  I didn't like the detachable strap and I was definitely having a beaded sash added to my waist.  That's what I thought. So then my dress arrives at the bridal gown shop and I try it on and change my mind.  The dress was really made for me -- it didn't require any alterations (with the exception of some thick chest pads) and fit me beautifully.  I then decided that I loved the shoulder strap and no longer wanted a sash for my waist.  Go figure.  I loved my dress, and I can't believe how much everyone else loved it, too! I was overwhelmed with the plethora of compliments on my dress, and I was super surprised to find out that just the other day, one of my sister's friends asked if I am interested in selling my dress. She is having a destination wedding, as well, and has not found a dress that she loves yet, except for my dress.  I'm flattered, but I don't really want to sell my dress.  But on the other hand, what the hell am I going to do with it?  My mom found her mother's wedding dress in her basement in the middle of my wedding planning -- and besides the fact that its size 0, it's not really my style.  So back in the basement it went and still sits.  Should I let my dress join my grandmother's dress and sit in the basement, or sell it so that this other bride-to-be can enjoy it on her big day, and I can make a little money -- actually, I'd probably give it back to my mom, but she wouldn't take it.  I think I'm going to let this chick try the dress on this weekend.  Maybe she won't even like it on and then I don't have to worry about it.

I'm flattered and flustered at the same time.

What would you do?

~Dining Diva

Countdown to Paradise

I'll admit it -- I've been a devoted fan of The Bachelor television series since the beginning.   It's fair to say that the show has steadily declined in quality and I regularly ask myself why I continue to waste two hours of my life every Monday night -- but I still watch.  So isn't it just fabulous that I'll be spending my honeymoon at the site of one of the show's rose ceremony locations?!   I just realized that the resort we are staying at is the same place where Jake proposed to Vienna.  Kind of cool.  Count down to our St. Lucian honeymoon at Jade Mountain is on -- two weeks to go!

A package of several gorgeous VS bathing suits arrived at home over the weekend (shop the semi-annual sale and score great bathing suit deals!), and now I just have to figure out how to fit everything into my suitcase.

My hubby did an amazing job surprising me with what looks like an amazing honeymoon.  We are both so excited to spend a week together in paradise.

Hope you had an excellent weekend!
~Dining Diva

A Year of Blessings

Quite a bit has happened since I launched this blog back in 2008, especially over the past year.  Let's rewind and see what pictures I have on this computer to help tell the story of 2011:

My love proposed in an amazing way over Christmas 2010 on the beach with a plane flying overhead pulling a banner that displayed the the question.  I was beyond surprised. 



Celebrating - Dec. 2010




Dec. 2010: I'm engaged!
Jan. 2011: Sister's engaged
February 2011: Sister's married, Blonde Bombshell Winter Gathering
March: Lasik eye surgery changed my life -- I can see without contacts and it's amazing!
April: Sister is pregnant
May: Fiance and I wedding plan in Florida - meet with vendors and soak up the sun

Fourth of July with the Blondes - prego sister on the right!

June: Work trip to San Antonio, Texas, Visit with my hometown friend who lives near SA, 26th birthday
July: Fourth of July Blonde Bombshell Annual Celebration, Sister's Summer Wedding Reception Party
August: Bridal shower #1, Wine Tour Bachelorette Party
September: Labor Day Boating Party, Bridal Shower #2, Sister-In-Law Engaged
October: Dream destination wedding in Florida
December: Sister has adorable baby, I'm an aunt!

Dad and I

Just Married!

 And here is to an amazing year ahead! I'm so excited to be a wife and an aunt this year! My sister's little muffin Brecklyn is such a sweetheart.  Today she is one week and one day old.

Here's to hoping that I keep this blog up to date!

Happy New Year!

Dining Diva

We met with vendors in May 2011, including our photographer, to prepare for the big destination wedding!