Happy New Year Hive!

Good morning Hive.  It's still dark outside, I'm curled up in our recliner with my robe, and my sister is upstairs sleeping.  It's my wedding day!!

After 15 months of planning, the day has finally arrived.  We had a wonderful time at our rehearsal dinner last night and emotions started bubbling over.  Even now, just thinking about seeing Mr. Ball Cap for the first today causes tears to run down my face.

I'm nervous but so excited to begin this day.  I want to soak in every minute and enjoy it to the fullest. 

Hive, it has been such an honor to be a part of this community and share my journey with you.  You have offered amazing support and advice and were always there to lend an ear.  You have made this experience all the more special and memorable.

So this is it!  My last moments as a single gal.  I'm ready to put on my beautiful dress and wear the incredible cape MOB made for me.  I will also carry a piece of the hive with me today.

I wish all of you a very Happy New Year!

Signing off, for the last time as a Miss, Sunhat.

A Moment to Myself

Last week, my wonderful mom (MOB) surprised me with a gift certificate for a facial and massage at a spa in downtown Chicago.  She wanted me to take some time for myself to de-stress and relax before the wedding.

The Spa on Oak offers an Oak Street Refresher package which includes a 45 minute facial and a 30 minute massage.  I have never had a facial before so I was looking forward to that experience.

I made an appointment for 3:15 on Thursday.  Unfortunately it was raining like crazy, but I caught a cab and made my way to the River North area of the city.  I had never spent any time in this area and I was definitely taken back at how beautiful and high-end the neighborhood was!  The spa was surrounded by boutiques such as Jimmy Choo, Hermes and Harry Winston.  I couldn't afford to even look in the windows!

Getting Paper

Look what we got on Wednesday!

Well, you can't see it all that well, but we went to the Daley Center in downtown Chicago and picked up our marriage license!

Mr. Ball Cap's family and my parents all met downtown, and after we received our license, the group walked through the Christkindlmarket and checked out the tree inside of Macy's. 

All I Want For Christmas . .

and the wedding is SNOW!!!

I'm a winter bride and yes, we chose to have a winter wedding on purpose!  People still seem to be so puzzled that we would want to get married during the time of year where, in the Midwest part of the country, it can plummet to unbelievably cold temperatures and mother nature can drop 5 feet of snow on your butt overnight. 

While we don't wish to contend with this on the wedding day,

Image via csc.cs.colorado.edu / Photo by Ken Woitaszek

I ache to have gorgeous pictures like these:

Image via weddings-place.com

Off to the Races!

Last Saturday, December 3rd, bridesmaids, family and friends helped to throw me the coolest bachelorette party.

How cool you ask?  Take a look at this!

This is NOT a photoshopped picture!  I will get to the details behind this in a minute.

Airbrushed Makeup Trial

In between my first dress fitting and bachelorette party, (which I'll post about next!), this past Saturday, I was able to squeeze in my makeup trial.

I wear makeup everyday so I'm not afraid of going for a more dramatic look for the wedding.  Bare Minerals is my current choice for foundation and concealer, but thanks to you smart and informed peoples here on the Hive, I learned that this type of makeup does not photograph well.  Apparently it reflects the light and can make you look like a grease face.  Yeah - that doesn't sound very bridal to me!

After learning this tid bit of info, I knew airbrush was the direction I wanted to go.  I've never worn airbrush makeup, but my FSIL did for her wedding and she looked radiant. 

My makeup artist, Anjelica, asked that I bring pictures of makeup looks that I liked.  Pinterest to the rescue again!

Image via ProjectWedding.com / Photo by AllMadeUpTeam.com

Weight Loss and the Dress

Hi Hive!  Sorry I haven't been around as much lately.  With less than a month to go, things are getting pretty crazy.  I have a lot to share with you, especially since I was able to cram a dress fitting, makeup trial and my bachelorette party all in this past Saturday.  Today, I wanted to update you on my weight loss journey and show you the results of my first dress fitting!

I shared my weight history with you here and how I came to start the Ideal Protein program.  It has now been a little over 9 weeks and I am proud to say I have lost 31 pounds and 18.75 inches!  I still can't believe how well the program has worked for me and how much success I've had.  I had hoped going into this that I could maybe lose 30 pounds before the wedding.  Looks like I could have set a higher goal for myself!

With this weight loss came the all important question - how will my dress fit now?  If you recall, I ordered a size down in my dress not knowing there was a 3 inch difference in the dress maker's sizing.  When my dress first came in - it didn't fit - not by a long shot.  My first appointment was on Saturday and I am not sure it could have gone any better!!

DRESS PICTURES AHEAD!!  NO LOOKING IF YOU ARE MR. BALL CAP OR MY DAD!!