Refreshed

So clearly, I was in a major, major funk on Friday.

It's ok, it happens.

The good news is that things are in repair and Ben and I are recovering nicely. No more secrets - just working together for a common purpose. We had it out Friday night and are now moving on.

More good news- my revelation to the blogging masses ( I say that tongue in cheek because very few actually read this blog regularly- and if you do- thankyou!) has renewed my interest in writing regularaly.
I don't think that I try to pretend that I'm someone that I'm not while I write - but sometimes in the midst of all the "perfect" blogs where everyone has the best weekend ever, with the best husband ever, wearing the best dress ever - I kind of get a little bogged down - like I can't really share myself honestly because my life is so - well - normal - compared to the lives that so many bloggers share. That's not to say that I don't think that they have their own share of issues- I'm sure that they do - its just hard sometimes to air my dirty laundry when it seems I'm the only one who has any. ( ;

So, I'm out of my funk and pressing forward.

You may also notice that I gave A Blonde Bride & Her Boo a little face lift today and purposefully themed it around our wedding. It truly was a beautiful day and I am so happy to be married to my best friend- even if it sounded like I was completely ready to throw in the towel on Friday. So I dedicated my look to my husband and our brand new marriage. I can't pretend like the start of our marriage hasn't been way more difficult than I ever imagined- but this is only the beginning for us- God willing we have decades left to go together!

Thanks to those who commented on Friday its nice to feel supported.

As I mentioned, I feel truly refreshed and am looking forward to writing here again more. I do want to share some pictures and stories of the wedding-the ones that I have yet to tell -so expect that to come- but also expect for my story to move forward- looking back is nice but I'm ready for what's next, and believe it or not - I'm ready for fall!

I love summer but when the days start to get shorter and there's the hint of a crispness to the air (swear on my life its almost chilly today- even in late August!) and you start to see the fall decor and the giant fashion tomes such as the fall InStyle and Vogue- I start itching for everything that is fall! Could it please just be summer or fall all year long?

Well I've taken a small time out from work to stop by for an update but now I've got to return to my job and finish the evening's activities. Hope you all have had a happy Monday- I can't complain about mine too much - and it was definitely better than my Friday!

Much Love Always

Miss Amber Lane

Wedding Wednesday: Before & After Bridal Edition

Once upon a time a blonde bride-to-be wrote this post about the day that I found my wedding gown. I loved this dress the moment I slipped it on and the very best part about it (other than it made me feel like a princess) was that it was sold to me at a sample sale and was an additional 50% of the already 50% off price making the dress literally a steal.

Only problem is- the dress was at least one full size too small- if not more and there was only the one of them . I was still convinced that I should purchase the dress and that any seamstress worth her salt could rip out the zipper and corset me into the thing. So I bought it, brought it home and planned on having it altered to fit me.

The thing is- somewhere down the road and NOT just for the wedding, I decided to make some lifestyle choices that resulted in my loss of 48 lbs. in about 6 months time- it just so happens that it pleasantly coincided with my nuptials. By the time I was in fittings mode the dress went from needing to be let out 1/2 an inch in the bust, to fitting perfect, to needing to be taken in, to needing to be taken in AGAIN. It was frustrating- but also delightful!

Since I've never really done a weight loss before and after I thought what's a better way to share my weight loss successes than to show you pictures from the first time I tried my dress on and on my wedding day!

The Bodice Before:

And After

The Full Front Before:

And After (x3)

From The Side Before:

And After (x2)

From The Back Before:

(notice how it was clamped "shut")

And After (x2)

Gotta tell ya girls... I feel smug - just because it was a lot of hard work and these pictures are just validation that it all paid off!

But I'm not done yet- I have physical goals that don't necessarily mean taking off more lbs (although I do think 10 more would be perfectly welcome in my book) that I plan to meet in the future. I'll share those with you soon- I'm easing my way back into being a good blogger- I'll get there soon!

In the meantime!

Much Love Always!

Miss Amber Lane

The Return of Wedding Wednesday

So now that its all said and done- I should have plenty of details and pictures to share with you a;; -especially since now I don't have a hobby (planning this wedding has been my hobby for the past 18 months!).

Its way too nice a day to go into details today- I've got a pool float with my name on it - but since my photographer posted a preview of our wedding pics on Facebook this morning I thought I would make my grand re-entrance to Wedding Wednesday but sharing a few with you!

Just Me

The Boys Toasting

The Girls Sneaking A Sip

Ma Mere & Sisters

Just Sisters

Mr & Mrs. Smith

Uh Oh

Smash!

Rub It In!

One More For Good Measure!

Oh Crap.

And On That Note!

Ciao Bellas!

Enjoy The Beautimus Day!

Much Love Always!

Miss Amber Lane

A Blonde Wife & Her Wedding

Hey Guys!

Just stopping by to tell you all that the wedding was WONDERFUL!

We couldn't be happier with the way everything turned out! The colors, the food, the people - all fantastic!

Here is just a little taste of what the day was like- believe me there is much, much, much more to come. These pictures were taken either by my Mom. or my friends Megan and Jessica.

Ben and I unfortunately had to cancel our plans for a honeymoon because Ben couldn't get the time off from his brand new job. So I'll be around more this week to catch up on all the picture updating as more and more role in.

And yes, I'm sort of bummed but I have a special surprise up my sleeve for late in the week and we've also made a promise to each other to take several weekend trips together until this time next year when we can plan to have our dream get away at last!

Well anyway- enjoy!

Setting up before the rehearsal

Centerpiece Close Up

Candy Buffet (still missing a few signs at this point)

My sisters and Matrons of Honor Getting Me Into the Dress

Here Comes The Bride

First Kiss

Closer

Mr. & Mrs. Smith

During Our Wedding Party Pics

First Dance

More First Dance

Cutting The Cake

Smashing The Cake

Aftermath!


Garter

Together, We Sparkle

Much Love Always!

Miss Amber Lane