Coffee Mugs

We got a start on our registry this weekend and it made me really excited about this whole wedding thing again. I have so many weddings to go to be a part of and they are all so special and unique and its super fun. So with our scanning gun in hand we racked up some fun stuff. It was actually much harder than I thought. How did i know I was making the right decision- I want to keep these things for a long time and make sure they are useful and aesthetic at the same time. Not to mention, i have about 10 different suggested checklists to use and none of them are helpful with respect to the flow of the store. For one thing, why make a specific store check list for these engaged couples if the stuff down the list isn't next to each other. That really threw me off and it made it difficult to stay focused on the list. The super fun part, however, was in fact choosing things that I know Cal and I will enjoy for a long time. That's exciting stuff. The current thing I'm most excited about are these coffee mugs. How homey and comfy are they? I just want to curl up with this mug of steaming hot coffee and snuggle on our comfy couch. I love them.

Congrats to my bestie Lauren and Her Man Jeff!!

On Saturday I learned that one of my wonderful best friends and her boyfriend got engaged. Jeff proposed in a wonderful and thoughtful way. Lauren and Jeff are one of those constant couples who have such a wonderful partnership that its no suprise they are tying the knot. They are also like Cal and I and totally long time daters. So after 7 wonderful years --I'm so excited for them and that i have a bestie to be engaged with. Let the planning begin!!!

This is so fun! Love you both!

The New House - Sorry the order of the pictures suck

Part of the Masterbath.

Shower curtain in the MasterBath.

Cal's dresser...we still need nightstands. ( and stuff on the walls)

Ellen's Dresser

Cal's Mancave- not unpacked, don't judge.

The Guest Bathroom.

The Guest Room- This room needs some work, obviously.

The Kitchen, our little table and view of sink.

Other side of Kitchen.

The wood room, called this for obvious reasons...

I believe this is where I will spend my time working...

Our living area.

More living area, different view.

Our tree.

We love our new little House. Come visit- just give me a few weeks to buy a new comforter and spruce up the guest bedroom!

Pictures from Cal's Swearing In Ceremony

On November 16th Cal was sworn into the Texas Bar. It was a neat experience to see all the lawyers in his family come together. So touching that there are three generations of Lawyers. Man those Estee's really know their stuff huh.

I have amazing friends...

I mean truly amazing friends. Planning a wedding has been wonderful thus far for many reasons, but what is really neat i think about all these shenanigans is that its really made me reach out and stay connected to my true friends and i have some good ones. And I'm not talking about one person, i have a lot. Now, Cal always teases me that I have more best friends than anyone else in the world but I don't care. I have so many amazing friends that I could tell all of them my darkest thoughts to and they wouldn't bat an eye lash. Who love me for me, even we if don't necessarily believe all the same things. The ones who love to talk about the deep stuff because we do believe the same things. They are just so wonderful. I'm excited because all the people i love are around me either in spirit or literally near me. Its wonderful. I'm so glad I have them in my life. They are the best....

P.S. I spelled Shenanigans right on the first try- that has to count for something right?

Blogging Break Officially Over

As I sit here in the quiet library, trying to do some work because my house (or current office) does not currently have Internet, I realize I'm in serious need of a good blog post. Frankly I haven't wanted to. Every time I check my blog I'm reminded of how happy I was about Cal and I's new adventure. Cal had passed the bar, we had the cutest little puppy, and we were moving into a new house. Unfortunately, as in many cases, it didn't work out as we had planned and Clunkers is no longer with us and looking at this video of him breaks my heart. Because it was one of the few times and memories i have when he was healthy. He was such a good dog, and its so sad to think hislife went by so fast. So there is the reason for the hiatus. I couldn't bring myself to write that he was gone.

We still do have a lot of things to be excited about. We recently just moved into a new house, which is beautiful and cozy and I'm so excited about making it our home. Right now its snowing in Houston and I suppose i should be thankful for the ability to snuggle with the big guy in our new house. Hopefully once we put a bigger dent into the unpacking I can post pics of the house.

In other great news!!!

CAL PASSED THE BAR!!!!!!!!!! I am so proud of cal for working hard and achieving his goal! No more tests for this couple!!!

This has turned out to be a great day! Clunkers and a barred attorney!! WAHOOOOOO!

Can't wait to hug Mr. Clunkers tonight!!!

Tonight after work I get go pick up Mr. Clunkers. I am so freaking excited! I just have this feeling that today is going to a great day! I can't wait to shower him with kisses and I cna't want to introduce him to his pack leader, The Big Guy!

B-Town

So Belgium was amazing. It was so neat to introduce Cal to all my family and to the town I've spent so many summers. Its such a beautiful city and when I go back it makes me realize how unique and special it is to know and understand a totally different culture. It was a little rough getting back into speaking Flemish but I think I did ok!!

We ate lots of good food of course- but I think my favorite meal was when we ate frites from cart smothered in mayonnaise and afterwards we stuffed a waffle smothered in homemade ice cream, chocolate sauce and whipped cream!

I love you more than Mayonnaise...

I thought these were fun. I don't have much to post- things are busy around here. We have a wedding in Dallas this weekend, and then next Wednesday we fly away to Belgium.

I don't get all of the hearts, but I love the friends and 30 rock references and I couldn't resist. This obviously means I watch too much tv.

Happy

Its hard not to be happy when...

*you get to choose where everything goes in an apartment.
*you finally get to regularly see the one person you've been wanting to see for the past 3 years and 2 months.
*you get to plan a fun wedding.
*your left hand sparkles and reminds you of your awesome fiance.
*your biggest problem in life is remembering that you have a fiance not a boyfriend.
*you get to work in your pjs.
*you have the most wonderful friends and family around you.
*you get to eat all the belgian frites you want in 14 days.
*you don't have to say good bye all the time.

Life is good.

All my bags are packed I'm ready to go.

So I can finally say that tomorrow I will officially live in Houston.

Cal and I have been waiting for a long time for this transition and we can barely contain ourselves. I'm so excited for a weekend, to turn Cal's bachelor pad into a comfy place for me to not only live but work. I will still be traveling to Dallas once a week for two days to be in the office. This will be our plan until I find a job in Houston.

So come visit us in Houston!! I can't believe after three years its finally time to be together again.

A little procrastination

Its suppossed to be me...but I'm not so sure. I do want a v-neck dress and flowers in my hair though!! :)

09.18.2010

I have a wedding date!!

I'm so excited!! That's a year away which feels perfect!

Now that I have chosen a place- http://www.barrmansion.com/, I just need a photographer.

and a dj, and just about everything....but I have a place! And a person to Marry!

Nesting

After my Mom told my Grandpa (Opa) that Cal and I are engaged- his first question was if I was nesting.

Nesting! At first I thought that was silly and then I thought---other than the wedding the only other thing I think about is making a home! Feminists must hate me! Oh well!

I love these mirrors and I desperately want this tray to put on our over-sized ottoman!!!

Thank Goodness for Registries!!! Pottery Barn here I Come!

Pets & Weddings

DON'T MIX

I love my pet more than the next gal, but my little pico is definitely not going to be part of the wedding festivities. It kind of weirds me out when people having their pets in their ceremony. And who gets the sucky job of taking care of that animal during the party.

Its just not going to happen at this gal's wedding. If you do it- I'll probably judge you but I won't say it during your wedding... well at least not to your face.

I have the best friends...

So this weekend was the first time I really sat down and thought about my wedding (this is an official thinking, not a premature engagement thought which we all know happened). So I created a guest list, determined who I wanted to be in the bridal party and made appointments to look at venues in two weeks.

First of all with the guest list, that was really hard. I just love too many people! I'm trying to narrow it down but its not easy! Not to mention- it is amazing how fast people add up. Who knew that I ALONE would want to invite 84 people. Luckily, I think I've trimmed to about 66 so I'm pretty impressed with myself. However, the big kicker is that I keep forgetting to add Cal and I as guests. I mean we will be eating and definitely be drinking ;) so we should probably be in the final count. That is messing things up for sure! A long time ago, I told my brother that I wanted a wedding of 150 - he said "yeah right" well that is still my goal but it might be rough.

But the most exciting part of the weekend (other than Cal as a surprise guest for the entire evening) was deciding and ordering a little something special for my bridesmaids! They won't be ready until September 15, and I hope I can wait that long. So excited to let my besties know how special they are to me. I feel so lucky to have the friends I do and I am so excited for them to be standing next to me next year!

Hooray!

Now for today's wedding thought:

So one of the venues we like is the Barr Mansion. But its everywhere. All the wedding blogs I visit- I find it! It makes me love it more. Check out the link:
A Barr Mansion

-The Future Mrs. Estee (aahhh)

Shoes...

Feeling inspired by these fun colored shoes! A neat idea...I think I might steal...

Best. Weekend. Ever.

Well this was a pretty eventful weekend to say the least. It started with going to Mama Mia with my moms. It was a birthday present for her and we had a wonderful dinner! Looking back now, I'm sure the conversation was pretty interesting as I talked about how much I wanted to marry cal and how I'm excited for that part of my life.

AND NOW I CAN"T BELIEVE THAT NIGHT CAME....two days later.

This Saturday, my most wonderful boyfriend became my fiance! It's amazing, I was looking forward to this moment for so long, one would have thought it wouldn't feel strange calling him my fiance...but its a little strange. however, very wonderful!

I had the best proposal! It was meaningful, romantic and heartfelt! Plus, I got a shiny ring and I get to plan a fun wedding to an amazing guy! Please forgive me if all of a sudden this blog turns into a wedding blog ;).

Here are some pics! I was blown away by the love and support cal and i received from his and my family and our friends. He had a little surprise engagement party for me and it was so amazing. He even emailed KC and Eric to see if they wanted to join (on short notice). It was amazing to have them there. It felt so special to hug KC and Sarah! Cal knew it was short notice and kept the party small (and he was afraid of the word getting around) but there were many people not present but I quickly got on the phone to let them know!! I had to talk to my besties!!! and I have the best friends--they drive hours to be there, they give me wonderful blog shout outs :), they scream with excitement, and they help calm Cal's nerves. I'm so lucky!

Sarah, KC and ME!


Father of the bride

I can't wait for this next adventure! So fun! I'm one lucky gal!!!

Brugge Bound

Yummy waffles!!


Oh the french fries!!!



The beautiful canals...

The peaceful convent with the cutest nuns ever

It's official - the entire Darii clan will be making the trek over to Belgium!!! I'm so excited to show Cal the places where my parents got married and I know he will love all the history that Belgium holds. I can't wait to walk through the streets sampling chocolate and going in to big beautiful churches. Plus, I'm excited to show off my wonderful man to all my cousins, aunts, uncles, and grandparents.

We are going in October and that is going to be one crammed month. 2 weddings and a trip to Belgium! So much fun!

Zack Morris Time Out

I don't know how to post a video, but you have to go to this link!! I laughed and laughed! Definitely took away my case of the Mondays.

Zack Attack!!

dreamin...

Can't wait to put mason jars filled with peonies and hyrdangas in my future home. So fun so new so old. Perfect.

Wanting and Wishing...

Me thinks this necklace is tres chic...

The City

Here are some pictures highlights:


On the cable car (surly drivers though)

Under the Golden Gate Bridge

Hear no evil, See no evil, Speak no evil and ELLEN

Poplar Beach at Half Moon Bay

Beautiful Ritz Carlton at Half Moon Bay

As those crazy Californians call it- The City was amazing. Cal and I had such a wonderful time looking at all the sights, eating at wonderful, romantic restaurants and enjoying our first vacation. We had such a nice time it made me very exciting about traveling together in our future. He's a wonderful traveling companion.