Rachelle E.

that turned out great!!! I LOVE the cute shoe w/ the title on it!! And you took some beautiful pics! I love those sassy "housewife" ones too...great idea! :-) He's going to LOVE it!

Obviously the best gifts are the things you don’t have yet!  In our case, we were still working with our college/just moved out stuff for the most part. So really we needed everything. Your situation may be different. But really just take stock of what you have and what you don’t. That’s a really good place to start. Also, don’t be afraid to register for some expensive items. We noticed we had a sense of guilt about registering for expensive stuff…we didn’t want to come across as greedy. But don’t worry about that…as long as you have a good variety of price points for people to choose from. I found that work people all tended to chip in on the bigger items…and we got some of our more spendy items from the people we least expected it from. So yeah, variety is a key word for sure. Some of my fave gifts were: Rice Cooker Crock Pot REALLY good knife set (I HIGHLY recommend this if you don’t already have kitchen knives that you’re in love with.) Nice serving dishes – platters, bowls etc. Great for parties and get-togethers. We entertain a lot. Good baking stuff – cookie sheets, cake pans etc. SO worth it! Nice pots and pans Barware – cool glasses (depending on how much space you have you can get a variety – but if you’re short on cabinet space find some glasses that work for multiple things. Like glasses that work for both red AND white wines, highballs that could double as beer glasses etc.) , shaker, nice corkscrew etc. “upscale†home décor stuff – vases, candlesticks etc. For example, we got a really pretty Vera Wang vase. We adore it but it’s something that we would have hesitated on buying for ourselves…seems frivolous or something – but made a great gift to give/receive. And it’s cool that we didn’t just grab it at Macy’s one day…we know it’s from our good friends and we totally think of them when we use it. We got tons of other stuff, linens, towels, “every day†dishes, misc kitchen tools/untensils etc. And we really do use all of it. But your need for that may be more or less based on what you already have. The one “controversial†thing on our registry was our china and crystal. Not everyone does this anymore. I think it’s considered to be uber traditional or old fashioned now. But we really wanted to collect this stuff as a family heirloom and have our memories with it…first dinner in the new house, holidays, special occasions etc. We’re kinda cheesy like that and wanted our kids to grow up with those memories of Christmas dinner on the family china etc. If you don’t think you want this or would use it, then don’t worry about it! And don’t let people pressure you into it either. If you’re not going to use it, it’s a waste of their money. Ok, that was a LOT of random info! Lol! Hope that helps a little though. Oh yeah, and we registered at two stores; Linens N Things and Macy’s. I personally think two places was plenty. I definitely wouldn’t register at more than three. Then everything is just too spread out and people get to one store only to find that you have like 10 items on the whole list there. Frustrating! Ooh! And one more thing…if you want to “abuse the system†so to speak, you can register for stuff that you totally want but don’t expect people to buy – then you’ll just be able to go back and get it later w/ gift cards (which you will get a TON of!) at a discount…since most places offer a discount of some kind on all remaining registry items after the wedding date. Our friends did that w/ the Dyson vacuum they really wanted.

Get the fans!! :-) I was MOH in my friends wedding in PV last year and it was SOOOOO hot and humid, we were all LOVING those fans! I think the fans she had were white w/ ribbons on them...and nobody cared what color they were etc...we were just happy to have them! I think they're one of the items that are truly useful as far as favors and such go. As far as ordering extras or having some guests share....I'd say if you're expecting really hot weather, get each guest their own. If the weather is supposed to be mild, then sharing is probably fine. Just my opinion!

Those are SO pretty!!! I really really like them!!! And I have to confess, I had SUCH a dumb moment...I was looking at those thinking, "I had NO idea her name was Stephanie!! I totally thought it was Laura!" LOL! I guess I thought it was a pic of the proofs or something and just assumed it had your info on it. Then I was rationalizing, like, "Oh, maybe it's their parents names...maybe they're hosting..." LOL! omg...It honestly took me a couple minutes to connect the dots on that one!!

I'm so sorry about all the stress and everything you've got right now. Being sick and stressed together is not a good combination. I know you'll work it out and you'll do just fine! It sounds like you've got a good plan in place for finishing school...now if we can just get you feeling better!!! Hugs to you hon...I know this is probably SOOOOOO frustrating!

Those are SO cute!!!! LOVE them!!! And you got a great deal!

Mmmmmm! Hot fudge sundae! I'm totally w/ Karen on that one! :-) I am SO sorry about your terrible morning. I would be in tears too and I'm not even pregnant! That's just a crappy way to start a day. Big hugs to you!!!

You have so much cute stuff!! And your dress is beautiful!!! Can't wait to hear all about it...and see pics of course! :-)

Gorgeous pics Leigh and Nic!!! That wedding looked like a blast! :-) Katie, You are such a beautiful bride!! LOVED your hair btw! Congrats!!

Great stuff!! I agree...great colors too! Very festive and tropical...I love that!

That's a gorgeous dress!! And it really looks like it's perfect for you - the fit is amazing right off the rack!! That's so great. And I agree...a PERFECT dw dress! :-)

Those pics are gorgeous!!! Seriously beautiful wedding, absolutely gorgeous dress...just perfect!! And I love that story about your DH gettin' naked at the reception! LOL!!!! Too funny!!! That's a classic story people will be telling for years!!

Dude! That's a pretty seriously tattoo...no wonder it took a while! Gorgeous colors..and I love the whole idea behind it!! :-)

That's so great!! You guys will have a blast! I've only been to one cooking class but I remember having a good time. It was fun learning a lot and trying all the different foods....and they did have wine pairings with each item. Yum! Can't wait to hear about it!!

Oh wow...I am SO sorry about all this! I can only imagine how stressed and worried you must be! I really hope your mother is able to see that this is not a healthy situation for her and she stands her ground. I'm so glad you guys were there to check on her...even if she wouldn't let you. You guys are in muy thoughts and I truly hope this guy gets out of her life for good!!!

That's SO great Sarah!!! And so perfect for you - you're so stinkin' good at that stuff! :-) I'm excited for you and I hope it really takes off!!

totally cute! I might shop around a little before I order them though...I found some super cute lt blue undies at VS for my wedding...and didn't have to fork out quite that much. If you just simply have to have them - get them! I agree something like that is totally splurge-worthy!

Those are both really pretty! If I was a BM in your wedding...I would be so glad you picked those - 'cause they're cute! :-) I like the idea of using light pink for the dresses...I think it would look amazing w/ your theme!

super cute!! I love those place card holders!

I think Rebecca even referred someone to that site one time. I've looked around on there and think it's a great resource. I totally plan on using it someday. :-)

Quote: Isn't someone supposed to say "can't wait to see pics!" Just wouldn't be a BDW thread without that. LOL! haven't had time to read the whole thread...sneaking on at work!! But wanted to wish you a VERY HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!!

I know you're already gone...but I had to say, I think all your stuff looks amazing!!! I love your colors...and I don't remember seeing your dress until now. It is GORGEOUS!!!! What a beautiful bride you'll be!! Hope you're having a blast!!!!

that's so pretty!!!!

1. How's your heart lately? happy 2. Do you find these surveys silly but take them anyway? yes, but they’re kinda fun too 3. What was the last movie you saw? The Last King of Scotland – on HBO 4. The last place you went? besides work? My mom’s house 5. Miss someone? yes 6. What made you laugh today? my co-workers 7. Are you scared to fall in love? no 8. You get in the car and drive 2 hours in any direction you want - where did you go? Nothing good is within 2hrs of me!! Well..maybe I’d hole up at Hotel Zaza…assuming someone else is footing the bill! Lol! 9. Have you ever peed in a pool? yes 10. Ever have someone bring you breakfast in bed? Yes! 11. Did you dream last night? yep 12. What were you doing yesterday at 7 am? Sleeping! 13. What were you doing yesterday at 10 am? working 14. What were you doing yesterday at 12 p.m.? working…blah 15. Name a country you want to visit: Chile 16. How many piercings do you have? 5 In my ears…but I don’t wear all of them anymore 17. Are all of your piercings visible? yes 18. Do you have a tatoo? no 19. What was the last thing you drank? Water 20. Favorite author? Not sure… 21. Do you have a nick name? Chelle, Chellesie, Rocky, George… 22. Which do you prefer - a sunny day and popcorn at the zoo or a rainy day and movies on the couch? rainy day and movies on the couch!! 23. Are you a type of person who easily gets hurt? only occasionally 24. The last person who called you? client 25. What beauty product could you not live without? Philosophy – Hope In a Jar! 26. Anything exciting happen yesterday? My hubby brought home the biggest, yummiest shrimp and grilled them for dinner! 27. What color is your underwear right now? orange and turquoise…sounds weird…looks cute! ;-) 28. Do you ever lie about your age? No, I’m tempted sometimes though 29. How many things in your past do you regret? none that I can think of…which I guess means none! Lol! 30. Do you have a best friend? Yes! 31. What do you want to be when you grow up? A super fantastic wife and mom 32. Who was the last person you hugged? David 33. Have you ever had your heart broken? yes 34. Whos the last person you called? David 35. Do you like your life? Yes! 36. White or wheat? Wheat 37. Has one of your friends ever stabbed you in the back? yes 38. Did you forgive them? yes, and then I moved on 39. Would you ever join the military? nope 40. Do you regret the last person you kissed? no 41. Have you ever slapped a girl in the face? No 42. Has anyone ever thrown you a surprise party? yes! 43. You just won a cruise for 4....who do you bring? husband, Monica and Caleb 44. Are you supposed to be doing something else right now? absolutely! Lol!

here is the first article I had read on foods to eat/avoid while pregnant that mentioned soy...it's a pretty comprehensive list...and partway down is the part where it mentions soy. If you click on the word "soy" in that part of the list, it will lead you to additional info on soy research etc. Pregnant?* Congratulations!* Now what to eat and what to avoid -