This-week-has-been-insane. And, you know how I know that? Gossip Girl is still waiting for me on my DVR from Monday… really, I haven’t had a spare moment the entire week.

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This week was incredibly busy for a really good reason though. Next weekend kicks off wedding season for City Bride! I am thrilled to be back to doing the nerdy things I love- organizing bride binders, looking over contracts, creating schedules, and of course chatting with vendors. So, this week’s busy was a good busy.

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I have to give a shout out to Stylist this week. I’m realizing how hard it can be to balance being a wife, sister, daughter, business owner [etc.] and I definitely don’t thank him enough for continuing to motivate and support me, no matter what. So, thank you Kyle for  being such a wonderful husband!

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Well, I’m back from vacation and am almost fully recovered from being away for a week. Isn’t it funny how you often need a vacation after a vacation?

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My “Spring Break” was absolutely awesome! We spent most of our days on the beach soaking up the 80 degree weather and sun and simply relaxing. It was a perfect way to recharge. If you have never been to Destin, I seriously recommend it!

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With my new vegetarian diet I’ve been experimenting a lot with new recipes. This week I found a new favorite, a replica of Panera’s black bean soup. I love to cook but have actually never made soup before. This recipe was really easy and it definitely tasted just like Panera’s. YUM!

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Half-marathon training is still going well. I’ve been lucky enough to stay injury free (knock on wood!) and am excited in these next couple weeks to run distances I’ve never run before. Wish me luck!

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I discovered this adorable tshirt and tote bag from J.Crew that I just had to share. The entire proceeds go to the Japan Red Cross Society and you get free shipping too! It’s a great way to give a little to help out their disaster relief efforts.

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This is random and maybe far-fetched but I must try. So, while on vacation I read an email from a bride that read a post on The Milwaukee Wedding Boutique that I wrote about Milwaukee themed welcome baskets and after I read it I deleted it on accident. No big deal, I thought I could easily retrieve it when I got home. Nope, not the case, the email is gone! So, if the sender of that email is reading this can you please email me again? I have some ideas for you but cannot get in touch!

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Happy Weekend!

Does anyone else feel like this week flew by? Seriously, I can’t believe it’s already Friday. I wish I could say that I was looking forward to the weekend but the weather forecast is absolutely depressing, especially after being spoiled with an 85 degree day this week. Ah the joys of living in Wisconsin.

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If anyone in Milwaukee is looking to get into the wedding industry, Miss Ruby Boutique is hiring a bridal consultant to work 2 Saturdays and 1 Sunday a month. I can say first-hand (I helped out last winter!) that it is a really fun place to work and it’s a great way to learn about the industry and spend some time with brides. If you are interested in applying send your resume to info@missrubyboutique.com.

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Just when I think that Kate Spade can’t get any better, they go ahead and partner with adeline adeline to create the most adorable bicycle ever. I’m sure that it exceeds my “bicycle budget” but I still think it’s darling.

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So, I’ve recently stopped eating meat. It’s a long story as to why… basically it’s more so for health reasons than environmental. Anyway, the transition has actually been easier than I thought but I could definitely use some recipe ideas. Any vegetarian recipe or cookbook suggestions?

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Stylist kicks off his baseball coaching season tomorrow and besides the really cold forecast, I can’t wait. I’m pretty much a super fan. I hang out in the dugout, cheer on the 14 year old players, and keep the book. So, this summer when I’m not managing a wedding day, I’ll be at a baseball diamond. Sounds pretty perfect to me.

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Enjoy your weekend!

It’s been a little while since a Casual Friday update, but truthfully, I haven’t had much to share. My life is rather uneventful these days.

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For all of the Wisconsinites reading, seriously, aren’t you ready for spring? I’ve been trying really hard not to complain about the weather, but I’m allowing myself this one little rant. I’ve grown up in Wisconsin my entire life but for some reason this winter has been a real downer and I feel like it’s never going to end. I’m ready for green grass and wedding season.

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I have to give a shout out to the Ale House. Stylist and I went there last  night, and while I have been there before, I was really impressed this time. Their staff is friendly, the food is good and of course, their beer is pretty tasty. Has anyone been there during the summer months? I hear their patio is awesome.

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I’m a huge NBA fan. There are a lot of people who really dislike the NBA and prefer college basketball but I’m definitely not one of them. If the Bucks aren’t playing I am a Heat fan all the way and would jump in front of a bus for Lebron James. Anyway, I’m ecstatic that they beat the Lakers last night!

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In other exciting news, Stylist and I booked our “spring break” trip to Destin, Florida this week. It will be our first real relaxing vacation as husband and wife and it can’t come soon enough.

Wishing for spring!

Well, I wouldn’t be a true Wisconsinite if I didn’t mention the Super Bowl. Yep, the Packers are playing in it, that’s all.

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I may have mentioned in previous posts that one of my big 2011 goals is to de-clutter my life. This week I went out through all my clothes and got rid of everything that didn’t excite me (thanks to the recommendation from a friend!) and even that little step feels so awesome! Anyway, this week I found this awesome article with tips to simplify your life. Very easy and doable stuff. I’ll let you know when I’ve checked a few off the list.

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Milwaukee was hit with quite the blizzard this week. And, when I say blizzard I am not kidding. I don’t think that I’ve ever seen that much snow fall during my entire life. Schools (of course), the mall, and even Starbucks was closed. I, too, decided to take a snow day, even though I don’t even need to go outside to get to my office. It was fun.

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I am a really big fan (read: obsessed) with the Biggest Loser. It’s one of those shows that Stylist and I have to DVR and watch together, we don’t ever miss it. So, this week my obsession went a little farther and I started the 30-Day Shred with Jillian Michaels herself.  I consider myself to be in pretty good shape already and really started doing it of curiosity. Well, that in-shape thing, Jill thinks differently. HOLY COW I can hardly walk, after 4 days. If you’re looking for a new routine try it!

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I’ve preached time and time again how important a budget is for your wedding. No matter what your budget is, it is still possible to have what you want the most, as long as you prioritize. This post, courtesy of Aletha of Pearls Events, provides a budget breakdown for a wedding with a budget of $20,000 where the brides spent $6,200 on her dress, because that was her number one priority. I love this bride, and I don’t even know her.

Go Pack!

This week has been a really busy one for me! I have lots of new things in the works and will be sharing them with you (slowly) in the next couple weeks. And, no, that isn’t meant to be some big teaser, I’m not up to anything crazy!

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One of the most important things I learned from Making Things Happen is to make goals, to-do lists, etc. all manageable. I have been trying to only make daily to-do lists that are 5 items long, since my really long list can be overwhelming. Well, this week the sweet Emily Ley shared a free download of a beautiful to-do list she designed. I’ve been using them all week and think they are perfect for brides to use, too!

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Matchbook magazine wrote an awesome article, “50 Classics for  your Closet.” and it was so much fun to look at. It includes so many awesome items: a straw hat, faux pearls, a trench coat and 47 others! Check it out online, page 38. By the way, this magazine is brand new and I am totally in love!

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While perusing the blog of downtown’s Miss Ruby boutique, I discovered they have just gotten in an absolutely adorable Steven Birnbaum gown. Curious? Check it out on their blog and let me know what you think… I promise it’s like nothing you’ve seen before!

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One of my biggest projects recently is finding some fun and unique Milwaukee weddings to feature on The Milwaukee Wedding Boutique. If you got married recently and want to share your wedding with other Brew City brides, send an email to info@thewedboutique.com and we can fill you in on the details.

Enjoy your weekend!

Can you believe it, the first week of 2011 is almost over. I find myself still writing the old year and feeling a little thrown off from the holiday catch up, but overall, it was a great week.

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Stylist and I have once again taken up the sport of rock climbing. We have a gym near us that we have belonged to in the past but with the busy spring and summer months, we didn’t have much time to get there. But, we’ve renewed our membership and it feels awesome. We are only 2 days in and my forearms and fingertips are already killing me. If you’re a climber too, I’m only climbing 5.6 – 5.7 routes but I’ll keep you posted on my progress.

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My younger sister celebrated her 18th birthday this week. I would have loved to dedicate an entire post to her but I have a feeling it would have greatly resembled last year’s.

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A new friend of mine, Amber, introduced me to Nan Lawson, an incredible artist and illustrator. Her etsy shop is really fun and filled with some cute and quirky art.

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I really thought that Style Me Pretty couldn’t get, well, anymore stylish, but this week they went and launched an online magazine and totally proved me wrong. The E-Glossy showcases the top weddings of 2010 and is a whole lot of lovely eye candy.

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If you are in the Milwaukee area and looking for something fun to do this weekend, Rummage-A-Rama! is being held at State Fair Park. Find out all of the important information here.

Enjoy your weekend!