Taking on a New Name

Taking on a New Name

So there are such idiosyncratic things about getting married. Things you probably never fantasized about as a little girl when you saw yourself in a big white dress, things your mind probably couldn't even comprehend at such an age.

Take for example, the name change. Such a romantic idea right? I will be folded into the arms of my new family, my first name soon to be cozied up against the surname their family has carried for millenia, marking me as part of their clan.

Which is true. And I'm waiting with great anticipation for this name cozying to occur.

On the other hand, I'm facing a bit of an identity crisis. On paper, I will not be the person I have been for the last 25 years. No matter how you slice it, hyphenate it, middle-name-your-maiden-name it, I won't be Rachel ____ ________ anymore. And it feels a little strange.

Guys, they pop out a ring, they put it on your hand, and then they sit back to taste some wedding cake and catering samples when asked (ok I'm being a bit dramatic, the bf has been amazing in all the planning, heart you bf!).They're still comfortably propped up by the name that has known them since birth, and so they contentedly snack away. Us girls, we are expected to do something only otherwise associated with a life of crime. That is, to become an AKA.

An AKA. It sounds so mysterious and exciting. And I am mysteriously excited about my new last name and all the meaning it brings with it. I just want to point out to all the girls out there, doodling in your notebooks. Writing his name, your name, both names. Circling these names and writing his last name, forever joining you in pink ink.

When you actually reach the stage when its real, your feelings can be more complicated than any doodles in a notebook could explain. Unless that is, you are a reaallly talented doodler.

Dramatic points aside, I found something that might ease this transition a bit. A simple thing that started this whole thought process in my mind.

A cute little clay pocket totem from HandyMaiden on Etsy. An object to be an emblem of our family ancestry (apparently that's one definition of a totem is according to my good friend Webster).

What? A little pocket Ocelot all my own to carry around with me?

Peace out last name, it's been nice knowing ya'

Mixology: What to Drink & Dance-to for the Holidays

Mixology: What to Drink & Dance-to for the Holidays

Right now I'm sitting on my couch, semi-coherently listening to Brazilian Girls and downing a nice Vodka (Diet) Coke, and I love blame the internet.

Let me begin with a little cautionary tale of how I ended up here. . .

It's almost the holidays and I'm engaged.
This can mean only one thing:

I'm exhausted.

Actually being engaged is pretty comparable to celebrating a big holiday like Thanksgiving or Christmas.
For one, it's fun! It makes you inherently happier in the morning when you wake up, you find yourself smiling for no particular reason, you hum a few more tunes than usual.
You get dressed up! You have celebratory dinners, you get your engagement pictures taken, you commemorate things left and right.

You toast life more than you ever have before. You make fun decisions on things like outfits, and rentals, small-bites and the bigger ones too. Color schemes and china and

. . .

 I have absolutely no room left for the normal decisions in life. Like what to cook for Thanksgiving. Or the solutions to the varied conundrums that inevitably interfere with my Norman Rockwell holiday fantasies.

So when I saw this website on Design Crush that tells you what tasty adult beverage to serve up with specific tunes, I about died. Music = Yes. Drinking = Yes. ONE LESS DECISION TO MAKE?

Amazeballs.

P.S. Apparently Billy Joel is synonymous with Miller High Life beer. PRICELESS lol

Happy Halloween!

Happy Halloween!

Daily Frivolity, The Color Bug

Daily Frivolity, The Color Bug

Thanks Hair Romance for this Awesomeness! This is not my hair!

 When you are turning 25 and getting married, you occasionally have one of those little freak out moments. Like, OMG, I'm an adult. Almost not a "young adult". When in the capital F did that happen?! Hopefully these moments are few and far between, and properly expressed in the privacy of your home. Or else you might get a few strange side-glances from the sales girl wondering why you are tearing up over trying on a super sequined mini dress (and it's because you are thinking HOLY S**T a day will come when I cannot wear this amazingess anymore without looking like a sad has-been showgirl)

If this happens just take a deep breath. Remember how happy you are. Remember how lucky you are. Remember that age is only a number. This will make you grin at yourself in the mirror in that same sparkly dress, in that same overpriced department store. The sales girl will now think you've really lost it, but whatevs she doesn't know you. She's probably still just a young adult. What does she know?

And if you can't remember all those great things about your life, and how far you've come in your 24 years on this earth, there's still hope for a little bit of happiness. And no its not a vodka tonic. Or I should say its not only a vodka tonic.

Buy Kevin Murphy's Color Bug. Indulge in the dip dyed, ombre hair look, temporarily. Because you're still young. Because you are hot. Because you f-ing can! (and if you can't I'm sure no one will be rude enough to tell you)

Engagement Shoot Style

Engagement Shoot Style

Steve Madden pumps   (see more platform heels)

Wouldn't these be cute with a nude lace shirt, and a peach chiffon skirt?
I hope so. . .since I might wear it for our engagement photos.
Does anyone else get stressed by having their picture taken?

I am like SO awkward in pictures. 

And if one more person tells me, "they last forever" I might throw up. A little. In my mouth.

P.S. I did the nails myself! Yay for a silver glitter french manicure. And crappy Iphone pictures :)