Perspective - and a farewell!

Last week, I got quite the dose of reality. On Tuesday night, my middle sister, Hannah, called me to tell me that she was sitting in the Emergency Room with my cousin Amanda, waiting for my parents and sister to get into the city at the hospital she was at.


She hadn't been feeling well for a few days, and after finding blood in her vomit, coupled with serious back/organ pain, she decided she couldn't wait any longer.



They admitted her into the hospital after a blood test that revealed her kidney levels were way too high.  From there we endured the long and daunting process of waiting for doctors to give us answers.

 
Long story short, Hannah finally got out of the hospital on Thursday night. Her levels came down, her kidney looked and responded perfectly to treatment, and the doctors are confident we are in the clear. There are a few theories as to why this happened but it's hard to pinpoint exactly which one is the culprit.


It was a very long three days, and I was paralyzed in fear as my family all sat in the hospital room for three days. Three long days, with too much wait time and WAY too many miles between me and my sister, and my family.



It was those three days that reminded me that while my wedding this weekend is going to be amazing, memorable, and quite possibly the best day of my life....it's not the most important thing in my world. Every little wedding stress that had been haunting me last week, meant nothing. My sister was sick, and her recovery was the only thing that mattered to me.



In a way, I needed that reminder. NOT in the way it was served to me, not at all, but a little perspective never hurt anyone.

 

So, now, wedding week is here. 

 
My family is healthy, my friends will be by my side, my bags are packed, my fiance and I are in love, my house is in order, and I'm ready to ENJOY every little bit of this week. We will be surrounded by great love, and I cannot wait to soak it all in.
 
I leave tomorrow for Chicago, so it will be quiet around here for a while. I have some amazing blog friends popping in to say hello....but when I return, I'll be

MRS. TEA TIME WITH TESS 

 

Until then, keep up with me on instagram (@teatimewithtess) and follow #joelandtess for some wedding pics!!

xo

Wedding Wednesday: Popping In

Hi!

I miss you! I miss having lots of fun things to blog about, but, you may not be surprised that right now, my life is ALL things wedding.



Besides planning the wedding, I have to organize my job, house, and dog to all work well without me for 3 solid weeks. We have a sitter staying at our house with Roscoe, which is amazing, but also requires some cleaning, shopping, and note making.

Plus, I'm having to pack for 1 week in Chicago and 2 in Hawaii - which is making my head spin a little bit too.

All in all, I'm trying to get into SoulCycle classes every other day - and, I'm drinking my fair share of wine too - because I'm a strong believer in balance.

At night I've been watching EVERY bridal chick flick I can get my hands on: 27 Dresses, The Wedding Date, Something Borrowed, Father of the Bride......I'm really just trying to cash in my excuses while I still have them - and pass the time as quickly as I can so that next weekend can hurry up and GET HERE!!!!

 

 

Friday Five

1. Our table assignments are due on Monday, which means we have to get our seating chart done this weekend. I'm not going to lie, this is a task I've been dreading as everyone tells me it can be a major headache. PLEASE offer up your tricks of the trade if you have them.

I'm thinking about buying a big poster board, and labeling names (ALL 219 of them) on little flags, and just doing it that way. Unless you have a much more genius and efficient way!! I'm all ears ladies.

2. And, seeing as I leave to head home for all things wedding one week from Tuesday, I am knee deep in this

3. And keeping this bad boy STOCKED. I thought I was going to give up wine in the month of June. Ha.

4.  But, the silver lining is that in 15 days, my hand will look like this and I'll be married to my best friend.

5. Have a great weekend ladies!

 

Random Brain Dump

• Joel's wedding ring came yesterday and it doesn't fit. We didn't think it would be a big deal, just take it to the jeweler, pay another $60 bucks, and call it a day. Well, no. Joel's ring can't be re sized by a jeweler, so now we have to overnight it back to Chicago to see what they can do. I'm hoping there is a quick fix and the boy will have a freaking ring to wear at the wedding and on the honeymoon

• June is the gloomiest month in California and it's really screwing with my desire to be naturally sun-kissed by June 22nd

• One of my least favorite things is having to wait to get by eyebrows waxed. The last two weeks before my appointment drive me crazy - which is happening now.

• I really need to take a picture of all the spare closets in the house. Mainly, because, they are jammed full. We get packages every single day, and have decided to not go through them until after the wedding. Someone could literally die if the boxes were to randomly fall on them. I have a feeling cleaning everything out - replacing the old with the new - will be our first joint task as newlyweds.

• It's been very nice to have the weekends not jam packed full of trips and big activities - and I think it's really help me relax. When I was back and forth to Chicago every 3 weeks, it was so exhausting that I literally almost lost my shit. 

• I've started to listen to talk radio - on the AM station in my car, or the classical station. Currently, they are the only two stations that relax me. 

• You can commit me whenever you see fit

• I've been so focused on the wedding and wedding weekend, the fact that I have to start packing for my honeymoon doesn't even seem like a reality. I think I may actually just sit there and cry tears of serious joy when we are there, settled, with not a care in the world.

• So many celeb babies this week, but I really only care about Kim Zoliack - whom I like and am excited for - and Jennifer Love, who I've always liked too. 

• Does the thought pregnancy scare anyone else the way is freaks me out? I know it's worth it, of course, and it will likely click for me when I have to go through it, but it seems like a very long, daunting TEN months! 

• Joel, I know you are reading, that doesn't mean I'm waiting ten more years. Sorry ;)

My Verison: Chicken Roll Ups

You know when days just work. I love days like that, and I had one on yesterday. Joel brought me coffee in bed, I had a decent workout, my clients were enjoyable, I managed to run all of my errands, run a few loads of laundry, listen to good music, and make an amazing dinner. I even caught up with a few long distance friends. It was just a good day. I crawled into bed happy. I'm getting married in 19 days, I have a very blissful life, and I'm going to make one really good wife.

And that was just the preface to this really bomb recipe! 

Skinnytaste.com is my #1 go-to for low carb, healthy recipe's and this one is no different. It's a relativley new post on her site, but I wanted to recreate it and see if it lived up to her seriously delectable pictures.

Ingredients:

All of my groceries c/o Trader Joes

• 8 thin chicken cutlets, 3 oz each Mine were much bigger, and hard to roll!
• 4 slices thin lean prosciutto, sliced in half
• 4 slices reduced fat provolone or mozzarella, sliced in half (Sargento)
• 8 slices roasted peppers
• 24 fresh baby spinach leaves I used less
• 1/2 cup Italian seasoned breadcrumbs Mine were just regular breadcrumbs
• 1 lemon, juice of Didn't have one, didn't use one
• 1 tbsp olive oil Tripled this
• salt and fresh pepper
• olive oil non-stick spray 
• Oregano seasoning

Steps:

1.Preheat oven to 450 degrees and grease an 8x11 baking pan
2. Lay out your eight chicken breasts and layer proscuitto, cheese, roasted red pepper and spinach

 

 3. Roll your chicken. SkinnyTaste.com said that no toothpicks were necessary, but for me, they were. My breasts were bigger and would not stay wrapped for the life of me.

4. In one bowl, mix olive oil and black pepper, and in another bowl have breadcrumbs ready to roll. Dip the chicken in olive oil and then coat with breadcrumbs

6. Place in oven for 35/40 minutes
7. Go enjoy a glass of wine and some Pintrest

8. Devour!

I'm not a food photographer!! ;)

3-Day Juice Cleanse Diary

If you are new around here, I'm getting married in 22 days. Since January, I've cut simple carbs out of my diet - had about 15 pounds of weight loss - and since May 1st, I've been stuck. I tried giving up wine, working out everyday, saying no to my chocolate chip dessert....and nothing was moving the scale. It has been 8 weeks, and nothing has gotten me to a "new low".

Last week, after another frustrating weigh in, I decided to do a juice cleanse. I thought that it would maybe get me past this plateau that I've been stuck at for 8 weeks, and help catapult successful results over the next 3 weeks.

Juicing is really trendy here in Los Angeles so I was able to have the pick of the liter when it came to finding a juicing store that worked best for me. Pressed Juicery is the most popular - and the most celeb heavy - but it's about $50 more than all of the my other options, so I quickly put it to the bottom of the list.

I ended up choosing Juice Crafters in Brentwood. Their 3-Day Master Cleanse is $145 dollars, contains 7 juices a day, plus they include 1 free Aloe Vera water as well.

Day 1: Looking back, this was the hardest day. The first juice of the day "Greenset" is not my favorite. It's very ginger-y, and thick, and I had to take a sip of water after every gulp. The first day, it was hard to come up with my schedule of "juicing", but I found that I was drinking about every 2/2.5 hours, which did, admittedly, keep true starvation at bay. I tried to stay close to home and not do a whole heck of a lot. I didn't have enough energy to workout, and even a short walk with Roscoe made me feel a little tired.

The last drink of the day - the Almond Nut Milk, tastes very good. It's almost like a chai tea latte. I'm really sensitive to milk, and apparently almond milk is no different, but I was hungry and desperate. True to form, I was up the entire night with the worst stomach ever.

Day 2: I stepped on the scale and didn't even lose an OUNCE that first day. That really pissed me off, I'm not going to lie. I had a work breakfast that I had to attend, and while everyone was eating eggs and bacon around me, I stuck with tea. Shockingly it wasn't that hard. The juices started to become a little bit easier to get down, but I still took a nap at my lunch hour. I was really, really hungry at dinner time on this day, so I made chicken broth. Since I wasn't able to drink the Almond Nut Milk - which is the most filling juice - I figured it was ok.

Best damn chicken broth I ever did taste

Day 3: Down 1.5 pounds, but, nothing I've never seen before. I was pretty used to the juicing at this point, and I was just ready for this damn thing to be done with. I did have the chicken broth for "dinner" again.

Pros: 

• The biggest pro for me of this whole experience was that I did it. I set a goal, and I accomplished it. It was a great practice in self-control and self-discipline, and I need a little practice in both areas. I am really proud of myself for doing this - it was an easy feat. 
• It's a good break on your body. I wasn't drinking alcohol or coffee for 3 days, no junk food, chemicals, or processed food entered my body for 3 days. My entire digestive system got a break, hopefully cleaned itself out, and will be working extra hard these next few days 
• It made me crave really, really healthy foods. The entire time, the only thing I wanted was a large salad and some salmon. I'm hoping the cleanse helps me make really smart decisions for the next few weeks.
• It made me redefine hunger.

Cons:

• You don't get to eat. 
• It's expensive. It was $145 for three days ($48/day). Here is the way I justified it. Soul Cycle is $30/day, and I didn't do it this week, so really, it was only $85 for me ;)
• I thought for not eating for 3 days I would lose 6 pounds...but, when I got on the scale this morning, I'm still only 1.5lbs down. Which, honestly, blows my mind.
• It's really hard. I think it was easier to do because I work from home, and so I was able to manage my pace, stay close to the bathroom (I literally peed like 3-4 times an hour), and not have to commute.

Overall: I am really, really glad that I did it once. Like I said, I'm mainly just proud that I set out the goal to do it, and I did it. I didn't cheat, I didn't cry, I just did it.

However, I will not do it again. I do think, though, that I will do another cleanse closer to the wedding, it just won't be juices. I now know, that I could easily do a 3 day fruit and veggie cleanse, so maybe I'll give that a whirl.

In the meantime, I'm really, really looking forward to eating today.

Wedding Wednesday: To-Do List check up

Set a date

Book venue

Book photographer

Book videographer

Book DJ for reception

Ask bridal party to be in wedding

Book caterer & bar

Create wedding website

       Register     

Book florist

Buy wedding dress 

Book ceremony & cocktail hour musicians

Book rentals

Take engagement pictures 

Select bridesmaid dresses

Have bridesmaids order dresses
Select and order groom & groomsmen attire

Have groomsmen order suits
Purchase veil and accessories for dress

Book cake baker
Hire coordinator 

Buy cake knife & server

Order save the dates   
Finalize guest list    

Send save the dates

Book officiant  

Pre-marital counseling

Order guest book 

Hotel room blocks
Hire a calligrapher

MOB dress shopping 

Find wedding shoes

Find wedding jewelry

                Find garter   Not wearing one

Book makeup artist & hair stylist 

Menu tasting 

Take bridal portraits / hair & make up trial Not doing it. I know, I know, but I'm not

1st dress fitting
2^nd dress fitting Tuesday before the wedding

Order ceremony programs  Working on it

Order place cards Working on it

Order invitations 

Mail invitations

Book rehearsal dinner venue 

  Rehearsal Dinner music/activities

Buy Rehearsal Dinner dress

Transportation for Rehearsal Dinner

Buy bridal party gifts

Bachelorette party 

Bachelor party

Bridal showers

Purchase wedding bands

Put together picture list for photographer

Get marriage license Will do this the day before the wedding.

Order wedding favors Working on it

Order welcome goodie-bags Working on it

Book transportation from reception to hotel

Book honeymoon 

Honeymoon shopping Constantly working on it

Gift for Groom

Rehearsal Dinner  invitations 

Gifts to parents 

Seating chart Dreading!

Create itinerary for the day

Organize bridal luncheon

Music selections to band and ceremony artist Working on it

Book wedding night hotel room

Order thank you notes

 Walk down the aisle & say I do!

Wow! Looking at this list actually relieves me because we have a lot of everything is done.

But, a quick glance at my real to do list brings me quickly back to reality. 

Now, it's just the little stuff - Eyebrow appointments, juice cleanses, tracking down the non-RSVPers, paying vendors, teeth whitening, wrapping presents - you know, all the stuff that doesn't get put on the list but takes a lot of time.

I will say, I'm thankfully getting to a relaxing place and starting to get really excited for the entire weekend to take place! It's going to be one for the books!

Weekend Report

I had one of the more relaxing weekends that I've had in a while. I cheated on my diet (big time), put away most of the wedding to-do lists, and just tried to stay in the moment.

The one wedding activity we did work on was dancing. Joel and I don't know how to dance, and with 250 people watching us, we figured it wouldn't hurt to consult an expert. We had a 6pm private lesson, and we were told to wear our wedding shoes and dress clothes - which made it feel like an official date.

 

The first 30 minutes of the lesson, we discussed our entrance, how big the dance floor is, and some of the dancing basics. Then, we were learned "lead and follow" and a few fun twirls that will work in our song.

 

We are only doing 3 total classes, so we will still look like beginner dancers, but it will be better than nothing. The dance class was a really fun date night, and afterwards we rewarded ourselves with beer and tacos :)

Sunday morning we got up early  to head into Santa Barbara for the day. It's only a 90 minute drive - so it's the perfect day trip from LA. Our first activity of the day was a long walk along the beach - and introducing Roscoe to the ocean!

 

He actually liked the water - so we are going to take him to the dog beach net weekend so that he can have some real fun. 

 

My mom used to live in a house boat, when she was my age, in Santa Barbara, so I always have to go say hi to her old stomping grounds when I'm in town.

Our first wine stop of the day was to our favorite spot - Corks'N'Crowns. They have the sweetest staff ever, beer and wine tastings, and tons of comfy area to just sit and relax.

 

We were there early so we were able to snag a spot outside and have a few glasses of wine. Santa Barbara is super dog friendly, so Roscoe was able to go with us everywhere.

 

Both Joel and I are in love with Santa Barbara. The city is small enough that you can walk everywhere, so after our first round of drinks we walked and had lunch on State Street. 

 

Plus, it's just a charming city with things like a public book exchange

 

and a city filled with people who love to drink wine. 

 

After lunch, we found a tasting room that had a live cover band so we  sat outside again and just enjoyed the afternoon.

 

We picked up a few bottles of wine at Corks N' Crowns, had one more on our patio before watching a movie, and then  got to bed early. It was a perfect day.

 

On Sunday, we had friends come over for an early BBQ. I am slowly, but surely, starting to use some of our new wedding gifts - and it makes hosting dinners all the more fun.

 

After a fun - and indulgent weekend - I'm starting my 3-day Juice Cleanse. I'm keeping notes, so I'll give you a full recap when and IF I make it to the other end.

Friday Thoughts

 

I did the hair mayonnaise "treatment" - and it actually worked. I put a heaping tablespoon in my hair, let it sit under a towel for 25 minutes and then, washed it out.

 

Who knows how long it will last but I can totally feel a difference in the way my hair is shining and feeling. Give it a whirl.

Some of the honeymoon goodies that I ordered made their way and I'm in love. The top and skirt are both Loft and will make for a perfect evening honeymoon outfit. Next time I wear these goodies I'll be sipping Mai Tai's at the beach.....
I ordered a medium in the skirt - and it fit perfectly (although I'm 5'7, so I feel like it could be really long on some people).

You can't tell, but the skirt has pockets and really fun slit

The tank is a little tight around the bust but since it's all cotton it should stretch out. I can see myself getting a ton of wear out of this skirt this summer - and it was $35 bucks.

I woke up this morning, after 7 days of working out hard, not drinking wine, no carbs, and no dessert and was anxious to jump on the scale. I was hoping for some major magic - and I got nothing. I didn't even lose an ounce over the week.
 
So naturally, like the insane bride I'm turning into, I burst into tears and couldn't leave my bed for almost two hours. I know, I know, but the pressure is getting to me. I'm taking this weekend off, doing a 3-day Pressed Juicery cleanse next week, and revisiting the scale next Friday. Friggen scales.

Even though the day started off suck, I am SO happy that it's a long weekend. The weekends are the only time I get to really spend with Joel and we are soaking in together time all weekend; Hangover 3 on Friday, dance lessons Saturday, a trip to Santa Barbara on Sunday, and a BBQ Monday.

Happy Memorial Day Weekend!!