(Not so) Quick Recap

I haven't been blogging lately, but the fault is hardly mine. In the past month I have packed up my belongings, rented out my apartment, moved 3 hours away to live with my mom, started a new job, bought my first house (condo), begun some serious renovations, attended Hannah and Jessica's amazing wedding in Philly and had time to make jewelry...WHAT?

I believe the most stressful part of the last month was closing on the property I purchased, because who really ever knows what they're getting themselves into? And of course, as usual, I just HAD to get the place as soon as possible, only adding to the stress level. Patience is a virtue...well that may be so, but it's one I claim to hold. Now that the place is officially mine, I am thoroughly content with my decision, although a little overwhelmed by the renovations that need to occur. I keep telling myself that there is no rush and to commit to one project at a time, but we will see how it all goes.

Home Sweet Home

Now for the wedding! I arrived in Philly shortly after 2pm EST, but had to wait until Christie and Olivia's flights came in, so that we could all take a taxi together to the church for the rehearsal. Thank goodness for technology and internet on my phone to keep me occupied for 2 hours. :) The rehearsal was intense, but we got through it and went to Hannah and Jessica's apartment for the rehearsal dinner party. I believe some fire codes were being violated that night, but we all had such a great time squeezing around each other in the beautiful apartment that the new Jones-Lewis ladies share. Once everyone left the party, Hannah's bridesmaids and coordinators (Matt and Emma) started making bouquets for the following day. What a great idea! None of us had any experience arranging flowers, but they were all so beautiful that each arrangement was just gorgeous! To keep us happy, Hannah brewed up some yummy apple cider. It was a great end to the day.

The next morning (the wedding day!) was very relaxed...until we all had to cram into Jessica's car (Christie, Hannah, Olivia, Emma, Matt and me), with the flowers (8 bouquets) and dresses! We managed to laugh about the situation and dropped off Matt and Emma at the church to start setting up while the rest of us went to the Aveda school to get our hair and makeup done. I still can't believe it took 4 HOURS, and almost all of us redid our makeup once we got to the church, but it was nice not having to worry about the hair. The lady doing my hair told me after she had finished that it was her very first updo and proceeded to take about 75 pictures of my hair at all angles. Another 30 were taken after she did my makeup. Approximately. I am really glad she waited to provide me with this little tidbit after she had finished because she really did a great job and I would have worried for no reason.

My hair for the Jones-Lewis Wedding

Once we got to the church and into our dresses, it was getting serious. Hannah's dress was amazing, she looked so beautiful. Matt came to get us at 5:25 to go stand outside the church. I was the first bridesmaid on Hannah's side to go down the aisle, followed by Olivia and then Christie. We all stood at the front of the church as Hannah started walking down the aisle. And wouldn't you know it, I started to cry. In a room full of people, mostly strangers, my face was scrunched up in a feeble attempt at maintaining my perfect makeup. All eyes were on the bride as I let one tear escape, and the memory of the moment is bringing tears to my eyes right now. I guess I hadn't really thought about what was happening until that very moment, when I saw my friend of more than 10 years walking down the aisle to get married. MARRIED. (fights back tears)

Jessica walked down the aisle next, and joined Hannah at the front of the church. They each wrote their own vows and again I found myself struggling to hold back tears as I heard them making promises to love one another...why do I keep crying in public these days?! Hannah and Jessica had a unity sand ceremony, two vessels of different colored sand are poured into a third, larger vessel to represent the coming together of two lives. It was such a wonderful addition to the wedding and if I ever get married, it's def going to be a part of my wedding. The wedding actually only lasted maybe 15 minutes, and then we were off to the reception! It was at World Cafe Live and they had a nice buffet and a DJ playing only all the greatest songs ever! I kept waiting for a bad song, so I could take a break from dancing, but it NEVER happened. :) At some point in the night, I ran to the car to get the flip flops. It was necessary and I am not in the least embarrassed.

Getting ready for the wedding; Starbucks coffee a necessity.

Overall, the wedding was a huge success, and I was sad to leave Philly. Hopefully, once things settle down here, I can go visit again. In the meantime, I need to get this condo whipped into shape!