commitment

Monday, June 16, 2014

I'm back! And it feels so, so good to be here. That was a very long, unplanned break from writing, picture-taking, and documenting.

But I'm back and I'm ready to recommit to this old blog like I committed to the guy who sweeps me off my feet everyday. Maybe not quite like that, but I'm at least going to contribute regularly not only here, but over at the {something} project too.

Soooo. The last 7 months. Where to begin. I'm going to begin at the end. I'm married!!! I moved in with my husband!! We've already had dinner parties! I'm doing my best to fake my way through being a highly domestic wife.  We've only needed to open all the doors and windows to let out the smoke from my cooking attempts once, and we've gone through at least 10 bottles of wine. It's one non-stop celebration over here these days.



Being married is the most fun. The actual wedding planning (that I thought I would thrive at) ended up being not so much fun. A very anti-destination wedding family made things really difficult, which is the main reason behind my blog silence. "If you can't say something nice, don't say anything at all" and all that. Without getting into too many details, here are a few things I learned along the way. I hope this helps at least one bride-to-be keep her sanity.

1. You will receive a lot of advice. Some is helpful. Most is unsolicited. At least 75% isn't going to be pertinent to your wedding, it will be about the advisee's wedding.
2. People will get their panties in a bunch no matter what decision is made, no matter how large or insignificant. So do what you've dreamed, be respectful, and don't get your feelings hurt over others' opinions. In the end, it's all about you and your future husband and the marriage. Not the wedding.
3. Having a graphic designer friend is heaven-sent.
4. Keep a spreadsheet of all gifts received, from your engagement until after the wedding. Stores with registry systems will tell you they'll keep track for you, but having a backup file is a necessity.
5. Find a workout that you love. Every bride wants toned arms, and it's the best way to clear your mind and let out some steam after a particularly stressful day.
6. Your bridesmaids have one hell of a job. Make sure you take the time to thank them and let them know how much they mean to you whether that be with notes, emails, or little surprise gifts.
7. It will all work out in the end. You get to marry your best friend. So cliché but so true!

oh hey

Tuesday, July 9, 2013



I did it. I became “that girl”. You know the one.  She writes semi-regularly and then gets engaged and completely ignores her blog for weeks upon weeks. I’ve seen it happen so many times, and I always swore I would never become her.

Hi. I’m her.


So now it’s that awkward stage where I figure out what to write. Do you want to hear the engagement story? Do you never want to read a thing about the wedding? (Foreshadowing: this is going to be near impossible.) Do I just go about my business telling you about whatever is on my mind like normal? (Mind has become overtaken by wedding.)

I guess I'll just talk wedding.

I hinted at it back here. And I'm finally ready to announce it. We are getting married in Mexico!

Mexico... here we come May 2014!
Save the Dates are ordered. Wedding party has been asked. Next up - dress shopping!

yes.

Monday, June 3, 2013


That's what I said!
  
Here's to us.
Our future. Our past. Our travels. Our obsession with football. Our love.
Now, let the planning begin!

fiesta fiesta

Monday, December 3, 2012



A month ago, a bunch of friends embarked on a trip to celebrate one of our favorite couples. 
We knew there would be sand, sun, and fun.
We didn't know there would be icebergs, a glowing dance floor, and 24/7 room service.

Our first days consisted of celebrating everyone's safe arrival and scoping out all the resort had to offer.
The favorite drink of the trip had to be icebergs, which are 3/4 beer topped with frozen margarita.
So delicious; so dangerous.

Friday, November 9th was the wedding day. Salud!

The dress was stunning and perfect for Kindal. 
Blue Eyes was thrilled to hang out with George Brett during the reception.
I was thrilled to have a new luggage tag and dance to Gangnam Style all night.
The day after was spent goofing off on the beach and watching the Wildcats beat TCU.


Blue Eyes & I at our last dinner of the trip // The newlyweds!

photo courtesy of Danielle Kelley
Seriously, can you get enough of this couple? I definitely cannot. 
Thank you Kindal and Matt for sharing your special day with us. 
And thank you for choosing Mexico. 
Oh how I love destination weddings.

PS: There's a reason this post has 2 fiestas in the title: K-State is going bowling!

accidental twinsies

Monday, October 1, 2012



The fall wedding season is upon us, and while organizing a packing list for last weekend's wedding, I found myself with zero cool-weather dresses. In previous years, I would repurpose a summer dress with a shawl and closed-toe shoes, but this year I wanted to invest in a new, sleeved garment for the Wyoming wedding, and a St. Louis wedding in November. I headed to Nordstrom and went home with a beautiful navy lace Adrianna Papell dress

About a week earlier, someone else went to nordstrom.com and bought a pretty purple lace Adrianna Papell dress for a wedding in Wyoming.

accidental twinsies

entertaining our family with twins pics
that's the face of a thrilled daughter

That "someone else" was my mom. As previously mentioned, she's pretty fabulous and has killer style. I was taught (by her) at an early age not to buy a dress right before a special occasion, because there's a good chance someone else will be wearing it too. And then there we were, in the Rock City Holiday Inn with the same dress and no other options. Breaking our own rule really caught up with us this time. Luckily I styled mine with a pair of boots and gold jewelry while she wore pumps and hose. It was a source of much laughter at the family wedding as you can imagine. 

Moral of the story, shop weeks before a special event if you're wanting a new outfit. Or else you might be twinsies with your mom.

obsessed with the weekend

Monday, September 24, 2012



I'll provide more deets once I'm fully recovered, but I just had to share the amazingness that was this past weekend.

1. witnessed my cousin marry his beautiful bride in green river, wyoming
brunching the morning of the wedding

2. my alma mater k-state wildcats beat the oklahoma sooners (HUGE.)
k-state wildcats
K-S-U WILDCATS!

3. visited a new state, adding one to the bucket list
park city, UT
bro and I in the new state. can you guess which one it is? hint: it's not wyoming :)

4. attended a cocktails & canvas class with my high school friends
finished product: kansas city skyline

What did you get in to this weekend? 

a dress for every wedding occasion

Tuesday, June 19, 2012

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Over the weekend I went to my first wedding of the season. The bride is from a quaint little Kansas town called Strong City. Population: 485. To get there from Kansas City, you drive 2 1/2 hours southwest through the rolling Flint Hills. The wedding was small, personal and full of cute country accents from the mason jar and burlap centerpieces to the presence of cowboy boots and blue jeans. Check out my instagram (@monicarosekc) for pics from the wedding.

Whether its a small country wedding, a black tie affair, or a ceremony on the beach, there's something so fun (albeit stressful at times) about shopping for the perfect dress for the occasion. I've rounded up some of my favorites, all under $160!



Obviously I'm loving some bright colors and maxis this year!

3. Ella Moss maxi $129.99

ombre weddings

Friday, June 1, 2012

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I just love the idea of ombre weddings. Whether it's a recurring theme throughout the entire day or pops up in unexpected places (inside of a cake - what?!) it is so pretty. What do you think? Is this something you'd ever do (or did!) at your wedding?

wedding season: dresses

Friday, April 27, 2012

Dunnn dun dun-dun..... It's wedding season! Who's attending one this weekend? I can't believe it, but I am actually wedding free until August. When did the fall become the popular season to get married? I love fall weddings, but it really cuts in to my K-State football game attendance. And since 2010, I've seen a major trend shift towards autumn weddings instead of being the coveted June bride.

If you are lucky enough to be going to a few weddings early in the season, what are you wearing? I've found some beautiful dresses in fresh hues I would just love to see on a reception dance floor....

Budget friendly: (under $100)


ASOS midi

Wallis floral dress

Miss Selfridge teal maxi dress

Not as budget friendly: (but really fabulous)


Diane von Furstenberg Edna dress

Tibi pleated silk-chiffon dress

Young, Fabulous & Broke Jeremiah ombre maxi
TGIF times a million and have a happy weekend!!

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