Plays and such.

So wedding planning is really time consuming and on top of that I have started both of my jobs so I don't have days just sitting around at my apartment much anymore. Today is an exception though. I didn't have to nanny, so it's 10:30 and I'm still laying in my warm bed looking at wedding dresses thinking that the moment I start trying them on things will get real.....whoa!!

Derek and I still explore and create a lot, but I don't always have time to blog. Sad.day. Some things that we have done: took engagement pictures, went to a Marquette bball game for free and sat court side (crazy story), toured various venues for our wedding, went to a ping pong bar, went to a Penn St/Wisconsin football game, decorated a Christmas tree with our own made ornaments, and various other things. I also got to explore a fun coffee shop in the tour of coffee shops I'm doing! A lot has happened even in a month, maybe I'll work backwards and just catch up?! We shall see

This last weekend I was looking forward to working on my to do list and to start a simple knitting project that I've been wanting to do, well Derek had access to free tickets for a play from his boss which he decided to take and then tell me about. (It was snowy and cold, the boss didn't want to get out). At first, I will admit I was upset it interrupted my plans that I had made, but it all worked out in the end.

The show was called Noises Off and was shown at The Rep which is a pretty small and cozy venue. The description of the show was that it was pretty much about doors and sardines....interesting?! I hadn't been to a play in a long time and didn't know what to wear, but really who cares?! It's a matinee showing and because of that the average age of the attendees was about 65 years old. That made us stick out just a little bit!

The first act was all about setting up the characters of course, but it took a little bit to understand who was who because it was a play about an acting troupe putting on a play. That part we could understand the minute "the director" started yelling directions from the aisles in the audience. The second act was probably my favorite because it to me was the most funny. It was when the dysfunctional relationships started to fall apart. Seriously, I was laughing most of the second and third act. Derek's favorite was the third act because those same dysfunctional relationships then carried over to "the play" they were putting on and how it affected the show. So so funny! I'm glad we went and because it was a matinee we got out around 6:30 and still had the rest of the night to knit and relax! I would definitely be interested in going to another show either at the same theater or somewhere else.

Fun fact: One of the women in the play was Glenda the good witch in this commercial with Jordy Nelson (who went and played at KSU and is from KS), which Derek absolutely thinks is great (mainly probably because it talks about how great Wisconsin is)! See it here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6OEKr3OIAj8

We finished the weekend out by enjoying perks of living in Wisconsin in the winter even. Free ice skating! Some people froze over a pond in the park across from Derek's apartment, so we both wanted to skate on it. Of course he took his hockey sticks to play around with. There was a kid there who already had found a puck in the snow, but didn't have a stick, so I let Derek hit the puck around with him while I skated around. We didn't stay long because it was so cold, but it was fun so we definitely want to utilize it again this winter. Who knew WI in the winter could be fun?! (Don't tell anyone I said that)!

A week from today we will be leaving to go to my home for Christmas!!! That means seeing my family whom I have seen since moving, eating delicious food, going wedding dress shopping, and seeing many, many friends as I wind my way back up to Wisconsin!!! Can.not.wait.

He liked it so he put a ring on it!!!!!!

This weekend...oh boy....where to begin!!!! We had plans to go out to dinner on Friday night to Buca di Beppo to spend a gift card Derek had (I like to think I'm a cheap date?!) So I thought it would only be dinner and then go back to his place to hang out, but I usually make him dress up if I know we get to go out to dinner! I'm glad this was no exception!

What a great date!

Always got to be ourselves, right?! Typical. 

Dinner was great!! Such good food, Sangria, and lots of laughter! Near the end of dinner, Derek suggested going down to the lake front for a short walk since we were already downtown and don't go often. I was tired and really just wanted to go back to his place to relax. Plus it was cold and rainy outside. Not a good combination for me!! It didn't really take much convincing though since he was driving. After parking near where we usually walk, on a puddle, and drenching a boot we started walking towards the Summer Fest grounds where you have a great view of the city. I thought it started looking sketch and was cold so of course I wanted to turn around, yet Derek was adamant we keep going. I stopped to take pictures of the city-scape knowing that I would be blogging about the night later (meanwhile Derek is behind me thinking about getting on a knee). We walked just a bit longer, talked about being best friends, and then decided to turn around....

"Before we head back, I do have one question for you."

Pulls out a ring box.

Gets on one knee.

Asks if I would marry him.

Puts the ring on and I'm pretty sure I can't stop smiling, looking at the ring, and asking "Oh gosh. Is this real life?! Are we really engaged?!"

Pretty sure I squealed a lot. Smiled a lot. And couldn't let go of him!

The entire car ride back (he did pull around so I didn't have to step in water again, thanks) I called my parents and a few of my best friends. Most of which greeted me with lots of squeals and joy and excitement as well!!! The hardest part of the night was not being able to hug or flander with my friends!!!! I did have Derek to hug though!!! :)

Then we went back and watched Harry Potter. Perfect.night.

A bit blurry, but so pretty!

He did so good!! I love it!!! So sparkly!!

The rest of the weekend consisted of calling and texting our friends and researching venues, looking at dates, and starting on our planning. We both like lists and Derek likes Excel...so our wedding is already starting out pretty organized.

I'm going to make a Knot website soon with our whole story on it so keep an eye out for it. But in the mean time, who knew that "airplane boy" would become my husband?! :)

NeedToBreathe

Earlier this fall Derek "suffered" through a Parachute (one of my favorite bands) concert with me. I use suffer loosely because I think he actually enjoyed it. So it was only fair that when his favorite band came an hour away, I would go with him to see them. We left right after work and drove the hour to Madison. I was excited just to explore a new part of town. The area of town the theatre was in looked more like a college area with a great view of the capitol building! There were at least two coffee shops in the same block, and I do love my coffee shops! There was also a lot of amazing buildings in the area, so of course I had to take a picture of some art deco detailing!

Wisconsin Capitol

While we were waiting for the concert to start my design side kicked in as the place became fuller and fuller for the sold out concert. One of the first things I did was look for the nearest exit just in case. I tend to get claustrophobic in large crowds but was able to keep cool the whole concert, mainly because I focused on being with Derek and not the whole crowd. Also, while waiting the kids in front of us decided it was a good idea to pull out a lighter to play with. Really?! Do you know how fires start?! All I could think of was learning about all the fires in Interior Design classes and why codes are the way they are. I didn't want to start picturing what could happen if a fire had started....hence why I looked for the exits!

Waiting for the show to start!

Bear, the lead

Bo, his brother, rocking the Banjo

Several times during the show I could feel the floor moving with the crowd. Again, my design senses were asking myself how old is this building, when was the last time they were inspected, how far of a drop could it be? Yes, maybe my design side makes me more paranoid about public spaces, but I just want to be safe, right?! The actual show though blew my mind! They.were.so.good!!!!! I would rank it in the top three concerts I've ever been to and I've been to a lot! Definitely worth the drive, late night, and facing my claustrophobic fears! Here is our look after the show:

So good live!!!!

Also, late night McDonald's runs are questionable......

Fall, Flannel, Friends.

This post is a week late, but oh well! Last weekend was a pretty good chill weekend in Milwaukee. A friend of ours was hosting a Fall Flannel Bonfire at her place on Friday night so I decided to try my hand at making Chex Mix to take with us. While buying supplies, I decided it would be cheaper and quicker to just buy the prepackaged stuff, but where's the fun in that?! The recipe I used made a lot, but it was a hit at the party so we didn't have much leftovers (minus the rest of the supplies)!

The bonfire was actually supposed to include an outdoor movie night as well, but it was just too darn cold away from the fire. Welcome to Wisconsin! We did get to watch some New Girl and hang out playing Catch Phrase around the fire. The night was full of meeting new people, fun times, and lots of laughter!

The lovely ladies!

I put this one on here simply because if you know me, you know I'm a picture ruiner. Location doesn't change that!

I also had a chance to explore a new place after church with some friends. I had been wanting to try a place called Melthouse Bistro for awhile now, so this seemed like a good time to suggest it. They serve specialty grilled cheese sandwiches and the design firm I would love to work for designed the place. It was so good!! Everyone who was with us got something different, which I feel doesn't happen in large groups at restaurants. The restaurant was located downtown Milwaukee a few blocks from UWM and a few blocks from the lake, so after lunch we decided to try to beat the rain and walk to the lake. It was cold. It was starting to sprinkle. But it was an adventure that included a large hill and my hands being frozen! It was still a beautiful walk that included seeing some of the fall colors here!

Another thing I liked about the restaurant: It offered healthy side options!

Beautiful leaves changing!

 Down by the lake front.

 And the shortcut hill that was our finale!

There is so much to explore and do here! 

I love lamp.

No, seriously, I love my new lamps!! I found some awesome vintage lamp bases at an antique store in OK (which is a whole different story) for pretty cheap and knew that they would be a great first restoration project to try my hand at. I cleaned them before I moved here and had reapplied gold spray paint to hide some of the bits that wouldn't come off when I cleaned. Then they just sat for the perfect lampshade. And sat some more. They had the tall shade holders on them, and I was trying to find something to fit those, but I either couldn't find a good pattern or they were too big for the lamp. So I finally decided to paint my own after being inspired by a post of this blog I follow (A Beautiful Mess). On a whim I decided to just buy some shades at my local Target (for once I left with only the thing I went for) and found out while there that I should be able to take off the shade holders. I didn't know I could, so please don't judge me! :) Anyways, the shades worked and the pattern matches well the geometric glass of the base, and fits the color scheme I love!! Here is the process in pictures:

They are awesome!! Also, I finally got permission to paint my room so my ugly wall color will hopefully disappear soon!!

Let Him Shine.

This weekend was pretty uneventful and I'm okay with that! Derek, his roommate, and I had another one of their coworkers over for a pumpkin spice pancake breakfast/games and it was fun! Then the boys started watching football so it was my cue to go be productive! However, I did make it back in time to watch the ending of the Penn State game, which I would have to say was one of the best football games I've probably watched. I mean four overtimes?! Really?! Derek was pretty excited, which in turn made me excited. Side note: I've probably watched more football games since moving here then I have....probably ever.

We have found a church, which I may have said before, but the church has awesome worship bands that they rotate every week. These people are not only talented, but have great taste in music to play. Church and especially the worship is usually where I get the most inspiration for being creative. This week was no exception and may be one of my favs so far.

After making this I was thinking about what does the "it" refer to. His glory? God himself? Why don't we put that in there: Let Him Shine!!

Colectivo Coffee

A friend and I have started what is turning out to be a tour of coffee shops around the area. Yesterday we got together for a cup of coffee at a downtown location of Colectivo Coffee near the UWM campus which meant the area had a great college town feel to it! This particular location had a strictly interior part and an exterior part which could be closed off by a garage door. What also made this particular location fun was the atmosphere (as a design major, I kinda like spaces and the atmosphere they provide, surprised)? They had large skylight windows in the ceiling and rafters full of plants that hang down. The exterior part had levels of seating which made more of a view to the outside! The time was a bit rushed only because of some crazy scheduling conflicts that arose the day before, but it was still a fun time! I am definitely enjoying exploring various places, and the place being a coffeeshop doesn't hurt!

This is the view from my table in the exterior part with the garage door to the right of the  picture.

The front entrance. Everything was so colorful!