Seriously, Cannot Wait

I have expressed my love for Britney Jean Spears on this blog more than once, but seriously I cannot frickin' wait for her new album! Words cannot express how happy I am that she is slowly coming out of her crazy phase and making new music....and not forced music like the Circus album (even though I LOVED it).

I absolutely LOVE LOVE LOVE her new single Hold It Against Me and CANNOT wait for the new video to premier on the 17th!!!! She is once again working with Brian Friedman (LOVE) who choreographed the Toxic, I'm a Slave 4 U and Boys videos as well as her entire Dream Within A Dream Tour (anyone else see that show? Still to this date the best concert I've ever been to!) And, in case you haven't heard the video is premiering on MTV and Vevo on FEB 17th at 9:56pm!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! She has been leaking super short teasers every day on her website and seriously......I can't take the anticipation.

Here's the teaser from yesterday!

Check out www.britneyspears.com if you are as spastic about this upcoming video as I am!

Perez Hilton posted on Wednesday that Brit's new album Femme Fatale which was supposed to be released on March 15th has been pushed back to March 29th. It breaks my heart a little, but what's two more weeks? Right?

Am I alone on this or is anyone peeing themselves with excitement?! Do you have February 17th and March 29th in BOLD on your calendar like me?

Have a great weekend everybody!

Thoughts on Thursday

It's that time of week again, time for my BB's.....THOUGHTS ON THURSDAY!

*I saw this AMAZING dress on one of the wedding blogs I follow "Lasting Impressions Weddings" and just had to show you! Seriously, how fab is this?! It's a Christian Dior Haute Couture....and I'm in love.


*I am so in love with this little thing it seriously hurts my soul.

She's soooooo sleepy!

*I feel really silly for having such a hard time walking/running 1,000 miles in 2 years when this guy

Stefaan Engels ran a marathon every day for a year. Yup, that's right, this man ran 365 consecutive marathons. In one year he ran a total of 9,569 miles! He ran in 7 different countries and had an average time of 4 hours! That is soooo bananas!

*I finally saw The Social Network and was super disappointed. It was a good movie, it was NOT an Academy Award winning movie. How Inception and The Social Network can even be in the same category blows my mind. I thought Jesse Eisenberg did a fabulous job but he most definitely is NOT more deserving of a nomination than Ryan Gosling. WHAT A SNUB! Ugh, the Academy is pissing me off more and more each year.

*My wedding is in less than 9 months! HOLY SH*&%*%^*%*&%!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

*I'm really excited for this weekend, it's super busy but it's going to be super fun.

*I want to give my little brother a shout out! He plays college basketball and his team has won their last 6 games! This most likely means they will be making the playoffs for the first time in my brother's college career!

I also want to express how proud I am of my brother Nate. I highly doubt he reads this blog, but nonetheless....I mentioned a while back that he tore his meniscus before the season started. He had surgery and was out for the first half of the season. As a senior captain, he very easily could have thrown in the towel and spent his last semester just chillin' on the bench. But, he worked hard and made sure he was able to enjoy his final season. I am so proud of hard he has worked not just to overcome injury but to get to the point where he is as a college basketball player and as a great man overall. I love you Natie Pie and I am one proud Sissy.

And I had to share this, this is Nate's page from this year's team program....it just has his career stats and a getting to know you section....you probably can't read it but after Role Models is says "My parents and older sister." AWWWWWWWW! Made me feel so good! :)

Alright everyone.....share a post with all your random thoughts on this lovely Thursday morning and then be sure to head over to Life, Love & Puppy Prints and link up!

Wedding Wednesday: REGISTERING!

I cannot wait for this Saturday. J and I took the day off of work so that we can get some wedding stuff accomplished and celebrate our Valentine's Day! A day with no work, my fiance to myself, doing wedding related stuff?! Sounds like a dream V-day to me! Anyways, one of the "To-Do's" we are going to attempt to tackle is registering!

I personally cannot wait to register! I get to go shopping without spending any money! But, I'm weary because I'd say 95% of the brides I have talked to describe registering as "exhausting, overwhelming and really difficult." I really want to avoid being exhausted and overwhelmed and enjoy the process. A lot of friends have told me it gets easier as you go, the first store is tricky and then you get it down. Others have said they needed to stop mid-way through to make a "game plan" so they weren't just registering willy nilly and ending up with a monstrous collection of random stuff.

So, I'm trying to plan ahead (which works well for me since I'm a plan ahead spaz). I have been looking online for various "Wedding Registry Checklists." I know the stores provide these for you but I figure it'd be smart to have a list before we go. I have found a ton of them but I personally found Bed, Bath & Beyond's list to be the most comprehensive. It's a little excessive and repetitive, but I'd rather have more on the list than have something not included. I figure this list is a great starting point....J and I can look at it and figure out what from this list we really need and what we really want.

I've included the Bed, Bath & Beyond list for your reading pleasure!

One place setting equals one person. Get enough for each of your friends, family and
guests for your biggest dinner party or holiday dinner. That's at least 12 place settings.

12 each:
__5-Piece Place Settings
__Accent Plates
__Soup/Cereal/Pasta Bowls

plus:
__Medium/Large Platters
__Covered Casseroles
__Gravy Boat and Stand
__Salt and Pepper Shakers
__Sugar Bowl and Creamer
__Teapot/Coffeepot
__Storage Protector Sets

__Serving Platters
__Serving Trays
__Serving Bowls
__Pitchers
__Cake Plate
__Serving Utensils
__Ice Bucket and Tongs

__Napkins (12)
__Napkins Rings (12)
__Placemats (12)
__Tablecloths
__Table Runners

12 each:
__5-Piece Place Settings
plus:
__Serving Set
__Hostess Set
__Entertainment Set
__Storage Chest

12 each:
__Goblets
__Iced Beverage Glasses
__Red Wine Glasses
__White Wine Glasses

__Decorative Bowls
__Decorative Vases
__Candle Holders
__Ring Dish
__Picture Frames
__Photo Albums

__Toasting Flutes
__Cake Knife
__Cake Server
__Cake Topper
__Ring Pillow
__Guest Book
__Unity Candle

Do the math. Boxed sets contain 4 place settings. Two people eat two meals and, presto,
you're out of clean dishes. Add two or three sets to your list and wash dishes less often.

__Dinner Plates
__Salad Plates
__Cereal Bowls
__Mug/Cup & Saucer
plus:
__Completer Sets are available
for many patterns. Ask your
consultant or check online.

two to three boxed sets or 8-12 each:
__Juice Glasses
__Double Old-Fashioned Glasses
__High Balls
__Goblets
__Red Wine Glasses
__White Wine Glasses
__Pilsner Glasses
__Ice Bucket and Tongs

__Flatware (Service for 8 or 12)
__Hostess Set
__Serving Set

__Napkins (8-12)
__Napkins Rings (8-12)
__Placemats (8-12)
__Tablecloths
__Table Runners

A well-equipped kitchen usually starts with a 10 to 14-piece cookware set.
Then add all the specialized items for the way you like to eat, cook and bake.

__Cookware Set
plus:
__Fry or Omelet Pan
__Sauce Pans
__Dutch Oven
__Sauté Pan
__Roasting Pan
__Wok/Stir Fry Pan

__Knife Block Set
plus:
__Bread Knife
__Chef's Knife
__Paring Knife
__Carving Knife
__Santoku Knife
__Steak Knives (8-12)

__Nonstick Bakeware Set
__Ceramic Bakeware Set
__Glass Bakeware Set

plus:
__Cookie Sheets
__Muffin Pan
__Jelly Roll Pan
__Loaf Pan
__Baking Pan
__Cooling Rack

__Measuring Spoons
__Measuring Cups
__Utensil Set
__Can Opener
__Vegetable Peeler
__Garlic Press
__Graters
__Egg Slicer
__Whisk
__Ice Cream Scoop
__Corkscrew
__Chopping Boards
__Storage/Canister Sets
__Salt and Pepper Mill Set
__Spice Rack
__Salad Spinner

__Stand Mixer
__Hand Mixer
__Food Processor
__Blender
__Coffeemaker
__Coffee Grinder
__Expresso Machine
__Toaster Oven
__Toaster
__Waffle Maker
__Juice Extractor
__Ice Cream Maker
__Slow Cooker
__Rice Cooker
__Grilling Machine
__Deep Fryer

Why three sets of bed linens? One set on your bed. One set in the laundry.
And one in the linen closet. The same arithmetic applies to guest and children's rooms too.

3 each:
__Flat Sheets
__Fitted Sheets
__Pillowcases (Pairs)
plus:
__Comforters (Down & Other)
__Duvet Covers
__Pillows
__Pillow Shams
__Bedskirts
__Blankets (Summer & Winter)
__Mattress Pads

3 each:
__Flat Sheets
__Fitted Sheets
__Pillowcases (Pairs)
plus:
__Comforters (Down & Other)
__Duvet Covers
__Pillows
__Pillow Shams
__Bedskirts
__Blankets (Summer & Winter)
__Mattress Pads

You'll need three towels for each of you. There's the one you used this morning. One on the shelf.
And, one in the laundry. That's six towels. Four for your guest room should handle the job.

__Bath Sheets (6)
__Bath Towels (6)
__Hand Towels (6)
__Washcloths (6)
__Bath Rug (2)
__Tub Mats (2)
__Shower Curtain
__Shower Curtain Rings
__Lotion Dispenser
__Soap Dish
__Tissue Holder
__Toothbrush Holder
__Tumbler
__Wastebasket

__Bath Sheets (2)
__Bath Towels (4)
__Hand Towels (2)
__Washcloths (2)
__Bath Rug
__Tub Mats (2)
__Shower Curtain
__Shower Curtain Rings
__Lotion Dispenser
__Soap Dish
__Tissue Holder
__Toothbrush Holder
__Tumbler
__Wastebasket
__Decorative Towels (2 of Each Size)

__Magnifying Mirror
__Electric Toothbrushes
__Electric Razors
__Bath Scale
__Hair Dryer
__Massaging Cushion
__Pedicure Spa
__Bathrobe and Slippers (Hers and His)

There are scores of cleaning, convenience and décor items to register for, too.
Sure, they're not as glamorous as your fine china, but there're things every household needs.

__Candles and Holders
__Wall Clocks
__Wall Mirrors
__Framed Art
__Alarm Clocks
__Window Treatment
__Drapery Hardware
__Picture Frames
__Wall Frames

__Hand Vacuum
__Vacuum
__Mop & Broom
__Trash Cans
__Steam Cleaner
__Garment Cleaner
__Iron
__Ironing Board

__Air Purifier
__Humidifier
__Outdoor Entertaining

__Rolling Suitcases (3 Sizes)
__Garment Bag
__Carry-On/Backpack
__Duffel Bag (Rolling)
__Toiletry Kit


I know for a fact there are a lot of things on this list that we don't need or we already have. The tricky part of this is going to be making sure our guests have a variety of choices at a variety of price points but that we don't have such a huge list that our guests are overwhelmed. How do you find a good balance? Any tricks or tips from you pros who have done this before?

Also, what about China? J and I have been disagreeing on this. I think we should register for China because someday we are going to want it (well, I am going to want it) so this is a perfect time to get some nice dishes we will have for a lifetime. But, J thinks that because we won't have a need for China for several years that we should use our registry for items we want and need now, but he also thinks China is unnecessary in general. I agree with him to some extent, I would just hate to pass up the opportunity for China only to regret it down the road. Did you register for China? Are you glad you did? Are you going to use it? Is it a waste of registry space?

What was your registering experience like? What do you regret or what would you do different? Any tips or ideas or words of wisdom?

Help me out here guys! I want to enjoy this!