Rawwwwr.

I’ve been sort of bummed lately and I hate to transfer that here.   We’ve just both been pretty stressed about the wedding.  Just recently found out that we’re down two groomsmen and I have an awful feeling that we’re actually down three, we just haven’t heard about it yet.  Because I have no final count for the wedding party (seriously?  I expected not to have a final guest count yet but I always thought that it would be easier with the wedding party — and it has been, on MY side) I can’t finalize and print the programs or finish making place cards or even work on the order of the processional.  I can’t figure out who’s walking down with who and in what order.  Not knowing the total guest count means I also can’t finalize programs or place cards or order favour boxes.  I know none of this stuff SOUNDS like a big deal but it is really a little irritating. 

Maybe we’re just feeling a little bit ignored.  Neither of us expected showers, bachelor or bachelorette parties… but it’s sort of weird to know that no one even wants to, like, take Jesse out for a movie and dinner or go grab coffee with me.  Obviously I know that no one’s owed a fuss prior to the wedding… but, at least in our circles, it seems sort of culturally expected.  Ah well, once we get to Oregon it’ll all be so exciting that I’m sure we’ll forget all about it.  And I have decided that we’ll do “one last date” before we’re married, on the weekend before we leave for Newport.  I got concert tickets to the Silversun Pickups show and I think we’ll go out for Indian food, maybe Samosa Factory.  Yummy! 

Anyway, other things.  I’m really enjoying my new job.  It’s fast-paced and very busy, there’s lots to learn and I feel like I’m doing pretty well so far.  I think the experience and being in my current department will be invaluable to me when we do decide to try to relocate near Portland. 

I’ve been trying to do more yoga lately in an attempt to NOT have to go to more doctors.  I’ve noticed my stupid back locking up more… waking up a bit earlier in the morning seems worth it for less pain and I really am enjoying it.  HOWEVER.  Doing yoga in a house with a cat is harder than it may sound, particularly when you have a cat who wants to be with you All. The. Time. 

Sebastian graduated from his training class!  We’ll be starting an intermediate course in the fall, working towards passing his Canine Good Citizenship test hopefully by the beginning of 2011.  He looked absolutely adorable in his little mortarboard cap although he knocked it off his head about 30 seconds after this photo was taken. 

Anyway, that’s all folks.

60.

We have 60 days left until the wedding.  I think this might be the point where, no matter how much I rationally am aware of the fact that we’ve got everything covered, I become a bit of a ball of nerves.  60 days is not a lot of time!  Now there is really only the music left to pick out but that’s a big part of it!

We had an awesome weekend, a great combination of needs and wants.  The house is incredibly clean and organized, we actually rode our bikes (Sebastian hates bikes, by the way, he seems to associate them with Jesse’s brother who he is not fond of unfortunately) and went for a long hike.  We grilled, played some Red Dead Redemption (which I am absolutely terrible at), watched Star Trek TNG and I found my engagement picture outfit!  I scored an adorable Theory dress (it’s a really pretty almost vintage-looking cotton print — florals in dusky purples, greens and blues on a creamy background, tiny little ruffled cap sleeves) and a mossy-green Milly short-sleeved cardigan with chunky brown buttons.  Retail value?  Nearly $500.  Reason I love the Saks outlet?  $85.  I am GOOD.

Also, I got the job!  It’s at my current company in a different department and I will be transitioning to it over the next couple of weeks.  I’m really going to miss my current job, co-workers, supervisors, etc. but I think this is going to be a really good change for me.

Exciting things are happening, apparently.

<3 philosophy

While I realize this probably doesn’t make for an interesting blog post, I do feel the need to brag about my new skin care routine.

Most of you have probably heard me bitch about my skin lately.  Seriously, it’s been dreadful and my old routine of Lush was just not cutting it (sorry, Lush, I do love you but this is the desert and my skin is cranky — you’re still my back-up, I promise!)… it was dry, cracking, sore to the touch, flaking and the skin around my lips was splitting.  Lovely image, yes?  I’ve been HOT lately… NOT.  How on earth am I actually getting married again?  ;)

Anyway, Sephora is doing their skincare challenge where you get credit for skincare purchases and after you’ve bought four you earn a free, full-size product.  Not such a great deal if you don’t need new stuff already but since I did, the allure of a free product is definitely working!  Even better, I got a ton of samples before I actually bought anything so I could figure out if they were actually going to be worth the money for me.  Here’s what I got:

Purity!  God, I love this stuff.  It’s creamy and, unlike a lot of gentle cleansers, actually gets your face clean with no extra steps needed.  I’m almost tempted to pick up the largest bottle of this since I don’t see myself switching to anything else for a long time.

When Hope Is Not Enough replenishing cream.  The associates at Sephora have kept trying to sell me on just their regular Hope In A Jar moisturizer but it’s just not quite thick enough.  I use this stuff in the morning and at night and it’s just amazing — thirst-quenching without being greasy.

When Hope Is Not Enough hylauronic acid capsules.  I don’t actually use these every day like the jar indicates.  For one, they’re expensive.  Actually, that’s the only reason!  But I do usually get two uses out of them as I mainly use them around my eyes and lips.  I mix the liquid in with my moisturizer and serum, it makes my skin feel like silk and does seem to plump up the skin a bit.  If I ever win the lottery or start making more money I’ll use them twice a day.  ;)

Hope In A Tube eye and lip cream.  I’m constantly paranoid about wrinkles around these areas and normal moisturizer just doesn’t seem to be enough.  This cream, while rather thick and a bit sticky, is actually moisturizing enough to make me think I’m not doomed to be wrinkly at 30.

When Hope Is Not Enough firming serum.  I only use this one during the day, mixed into my moisturizer.  I use less than indicated, probably just about three drops, but the vitamin C really does seem to be doing the trick.  It broke me out pretty dreadfully for about a week but settled down after that.  All in all, it’s worth it.

Last but not least, this is probably my favourite of all my new products.  I love this oil!  I only use it at night before my cream and… bye bye forehead lines!