Amanda Alvarado

Today, we're talking all about wedding planning. You either love it or you hate it.

David and I are getting married early next year, so wedding planning is happening at full speed right now. I've pretty much got a solid idea of what vendors we're using and we're starting to book them. Engagement pictures are finally happening in a couple of weeks. My sister is even working on my bachelorette party already.

You can say that I'm knee-deep in wedding planning and honestly, I love it. I know some people dread the planning process, but I have an amazing coordinator (shout out to Margaret!!) helping me AND we're having a pretty small wedding, so I'm sure that makes the whole process a little easier.

There are so many awesome resources available to all of us who are planning a wedding that help make the process a little easier. Here are my top five recommendations!

The Knot

I can’t say enough amazing things about The Knot. Not only do they have a website, but also an app that you can use when you’re on-the-go and need to do some planning. I think my favorite feature is their checklist. You put in your wedding date and it creates an entire checklist of everything you need to do leading up to the wedding. This has been so helpful. Also - you can create a free wedding website on The Knot. It’s so easy and has all the information your guests will need from registry information to the venue’s address. You can also a collect RSVPs on your website and yes, we’re totally doing this!

Google Drive

I use Google Drive so much! Our wedding budget is in Google Drive to help us track expenses and due dates. I also created a document that has all the information my bridesmaids need from where to get their dress to all the important dates they’ll need to know. You can share any document with someone just by sending a link or inviting them with an email. So easy!

AllSeated

I am so grateful that our venue uses this! AllSeated allows you to create your wedding’s seating chart and it has the measurements of your venue, so you know exactly how everything will fit. Even though we’re having a small wedding, our venue is small, so it is good to have a visual of exactly how things will look.

Brides

This website has helped me with ideas, inspiration, and etiquette when it comes to all things wedding-related. Brides honestly has the answer to any question you may have.. and I still have so many!

The BACH

In the middle of my own wedding planning, I am the maid of honor for one of my best friends. That comes with some responsibility, including planning the bachelorette party! The BACH is the app that you need! You invite all your bachelorette guests and everyone can see the itinerary, get an idea of the cost, accommodation and travel information, and even chat and vote on things. It is a dream for any maid of honor planning a bachelorette party!

Wedding planning is more fun than I thought it would be and honestly, I'm having the best time. These resources also help so much! I know that they'll be helpful to you, too.

Also, if you're looking for a super cute bride sweatshirt, check out my Etsy shop! I made a couple of these for friends and they encouraged me to make these for you, too.

Happy planning!

xx,

Amanda

No comments

Moving into an office can bring up a lot of emotions, especially if it is our first time moving away from family or taking a risk in a new city.

Of course, you do want to bring all of the items that you cherish in your new office to make it personalized, comfortable, and inviting. However, sometimes a move can also leave you feeling extremely overwhelmed, especially if it is your very first time.

There are several big boxes full of fragile items, heavy furniture that needs to get moved from the top of the stairs to a truck and then back out to the office as well as consuming your energy and time to do all of this. Another thing to consider is how moving these large bulky items can affect your joints and back. The worst might is you might break or damage them if you are going to attempt to do this by yourself.

Check out the tips below to give you some assistance!

Push And Pull

When it comes to moving heavy items, there is always a push or pull method. However, it is easier to actually push heavy items out rather than pull them. Experts suggest that pushing is also safer for your back as well. To help you, you can use a sheet and place it under the items to slide it smoothly. If you are having a hard time with pushing or pulling, there are a few tools you could rent that can be used as a glider or a trolly to assist you in moving your furniture around and out the door. These can be rented out through your local Home Depot or you can also ask friends for help.

Disassemble

If you are having a difficult time moving some of your large items, it would be wise to begin dismantling them if you can. One example is your desk or large sofa’s that you had in a waiting area. You can take a few parts to fit through your doorway and this is also able to transport them as well. For items that are a bit bulky, make sure to secure blankets or bubble wrap around them so it doesn’t cause any harm to anyone.

Image: Gameday Moving Services

Ask For Help From Friends Or Professionals

There is nothing wrong with asking for help, especially when it comes to moving some large pieces in your office. It also can help save you much more time and make you more productive in the long run. Call up any family members, friends, or neighbors to assist you in moving your couch, or moving your large bulky desk. If you can’t get anyone to help you, it might be wise to call in the professionals. If you live in Georgia, you’ll want to call Gameday Moving Services. These are a skilled team of experts who know the proper ways to lift, pull, and push items and have months of training to do so the right way. These Athens Commercial Movers requires a team of skilled people who can provide efficient disassembly and reassembly of the office furniture and industrial equipment. They also can handle and pack all your important files and documents as part of their many services for either large corporations or smaller ones to ensure cost-effectiveness.

Take Your Time

While moving can be extremely stressful one of the biggest pieces of advice I can give new movers is to take it easy. Value your patience and don’t rush your items without thinking about the overall process. Grab old boxes, take your time room by room to box important items, throw out old ones, or donate the rest. Understand the space and value of what you are backing and if you want it to travel with you. Also, make sure that the items you are bringing with you can fit in your new space. Measure out where your new furniture will go, map out items on a wall of where you want to hang your pictures, and try to picture and place things before you go to all the trouble to pack and move them, and they don’t fit. It might be exhausting in the beginning, but it also can save you a lot of time when the big moving day comes to think about this in advance.

Moving comes with many challenges and tribulations but it also comes with excitement and the joy of the unknown. Whether you are moving to a new city or work, or just moving down the street where all your best friends live, the process of moving is daunting but it is all worth it once you’ve finally settled in your new office. Perhaps this is a fresh start where you want to add your personalized touches, starting over, or just needing a change of scenery.

Do your best to remain calm and of course, ask for help from friends or the professionals to help with your bulky items so they can continue to create new and life long-lasting memories!

xx,

Amanda

No comments

This time next year, I'll be married. It doesn't seem real just yet.

Honestly, I don't think it will hit me until I'm walking down the aisle if I'm being honest. Or maybe even the day after? Haha

David and I have been dating for over 9 years, so as you can imagine, I've had plenty of time to think about our wedding. So much of my research happened prior to getting engaged. I knew that the proposal was coming sometime last year, so I started just researching venues and other wedding vendors to get a good idea of what things cost, what dates were available, and so on.

David and I decided on a small, intimate wedding in Dahlonega, Georgia. We're keeping the guest list under to our immediate families and our closest friends. A couple factors came into play when deciding on keeping it small - price and COVID-19 were the two main factors. Weddings are expensive and the cost of having a 300-person guest list truthfully was not something that I could justify paying for or asking our families to pay for. Also, I don't know what the pandemic will look like next year and we do want to keep our loved ones safe.

With all that said, here is what David and I have done so far with our wedding a year away.

Book the venue & date

This was the very first thing we booked and we actually only toured one. I had been eyeing this venue for a while and it was the one that I kept feeling drawn to and the one that David really liked when I showed it. The price also fit the budget. My dad went with us to tour it a couple weeks after we got engaged and we booked it that very day.

As far as the wedding date goes, I knew that a winter wedding sounded magical and I had a few dates in mind, but our favorite date happened to be open, so we got it!

Talk to our families about finances

I'm so grateful that our families are helping with expenses, but I also wanted to be really reasonable when we had the money conversation. Keeping things easy was the most important thing for me, so David and I came prepared with a budget that worked for everyone.

Research and decide on the budget

If I'm being honest, this was done before David even proposed. Again, David and I had been seriously talking about getting engaged because we were finally getting to a place where we could get married. I had absolutely zero idea on anything wedding-related and its costs, so I spent a couple months researching.

Choose wedding colors

This was also really easy to decide. We talked about colors that we liked and I also looked at some decor ideas to get an idea of what would I liked. I also recommend ordering color swatches from wherever you're wanting your bridesmaids to get their dresses (we're using Azazie!) from because it helps you narrow down colors and also gives you an example to take if you need to match fabrics.

Estimate the guest count

I kind of talked about this earlier, but this is really, really important. I suggest doing this before you look at venues because you need to have a good idea on how many people you will invite. Not every venue can accommodate all guest counts.

Buy wedding dress

Yes, I already have my wedding dress! If you want to know where I got it from, just ask! I'm trying to keep it a secret from David. I'll take it to get alterations in a few months.

Book a wedding planner

Having a wedding planner is really important and something that I feel was really worth the money. Our planner, Margaret, is acting more of a day-of-coordinator, but we've already started working with her and knowing that there will be someone else there to handle things on the day of so that my mom, David's mom, my sister, David and I can just enjoy the day.

Book the officiant

One of my best friend is ordained and she is actually a bridesmaid and our officiant! We'll be working together on a script and timeline for the ceremony.

Book hair and makeup artists

I did not plan to book either of these so far in advance, but they continued being recommended to me and their calendars were open to book, so I went ahead and got this taken care of!

Book the photographer

I was really excited about this! I found Audrey a few months before I got engaged and just fell in love with her work. I showed David and he really liked her style, so as soon as we got engaged, I introduced myself and once she started booking for next year, we talked and officially booked her!

Create all save-the-dates, invites, and other stationery

I'm not a professional graphic designer, but I know enough that I actually created all of our save-the-dates, invitations, thank-yous and other stationery for our wedding. I'm really proud of how it all looks.

I think I covered just about everything. If you have any questions about vendors that I like in the Atlanta and north Georgia area, just let me know! I'd be happy to help you start your research by giving a few recommendations!

What other wedding-related things do you want me to talk about here? Let me know!

xx,
Amanda

No comments

Ready for this year?

2020 had a lot in store for us... Much more than any of us bargained for, honestly. I have big plans for this year. I want to spend more time enjoying my life in 2021. I think this is an easy enough resolution to stick to!

Back to the basics

I think one of the easiest ways to devote more time to things I enjoy would be to get back to the basics of life. Let’s all set down the phones, turn off the TVs, and do things we haven’t done in a while! Pull out the old board games. Dust off the book you never finished. Grab the pool sticks. Try out a new recipe. There are a ton of things you can do without worrying about being in large crowds of people.

If you’re having trouble finding things to do that don’t involve technology, then I have a few ideas to share. I think we can all use a break from the constant bad news at our fingertips. At least I know I sure can!

Keep yourself busy

I’m sure there is a growing list of things you need to do around your house. The dishes can wait just a little longer! 2021 needs to be about having more fun. When I spend more time enjoying my life I find that my anxiety is much better. Being around my family is also something that brings me a lot of happiness and settles my anxiety. If you’re close to your family life I am, then pull them into your New Year’s Resolution!

Play a board game together. You can find games for parties of all sizes! Read a book. It might be something new to you, or it could be something you read a long time ago. Turn on some music and dance. Forget about everything going on and just jam out. Make a fun meal out of random things you have in the pantry- no trips to the store allowed! Play a game of pool! You can play with other people, or just challenge yourself.

Pool table fun

Speaking of pool tables, Absolute Billiard Services is my recommendation for anyone who has pool table needs. They’ve been in business for over 17 years, so you know you’re using a reputable company.

They offer pool table accessories in Atlanta as well as moving and restoring tables of all kinds. You can buy pool sticks, balls, cues, chalk, and anything else you could need for your pool table. They offer more than ten choices for pool balls alone! It is obvious that they’re dedicated to having supplies for any of their customer’s needs.

Focus on relationships

One thing that got pushed to the side this past year was relationships. This goes for a lot of people! We were told to social distance and not to see family members and close friends even. This resulted in depression, anxiety, and isolation for a lot of people. This year, gain friendships back and focus as much as you can on building up your relationships again. This goes for couples, family members, and friends alike.

Learn something new

A dog is never too old to learn new tricks, in my opinion, and this goes for people, as well. Take the time to do something that you have always wanted to learn and learn something new! Learn a new language, try a new skill, or take a tumbling class. The world is your oyster!

What is on your list this year for fun? Are you going to try out an at-home yoga class or maybe start fostering a kitten? I know my list for unwinding in 2021 is long, but I think we all deserve it.

No comments

Want to turn your house into a home?

The odds of finding a home that is exactly what you dreamed of are pretty slim. Well, unless you’re able to build one! That's actually what David and I want to do when we're ready to buy a home, but that's a conversation for another day.

You can easily turn a house into YOUR home without the expense of building it from the ground up. One thing that I am looking forward to is turning my space into my home. I spend a lot of my free time finding inspiration.

Here are a few things to consider when turning a house into a home!

Returns on your investment

Don’t feel guilty about customizing a house that isn’t your forever home. There are a number of ways to make a space ideal for you without breaking the bank. You might be wondering why in the world you’d spend money if it isn’t your forever home, but investing in your house has so many benefits!

The proper investments can increase your home’s value, so you’ll see a return on your investments if you choose to sell later. If you want to keep the property and rent it out, then you will still benefit. Renters (like me!) are always looking for well-maintained homes!

Making your home dreams into a reality
One way to customize your home that can substantially impact your space is to change out your flooring. Skip over the cheap hardwoods that scratch easily. Forget the carpet that clings to dirt and allergens. What your home needs is high-quality hardwood floors!

TriArt Hardwoods Floors - Atlanta is a fantastic hardwood company. They’re so dedicated to making sure you love the floor you choose that they put your selection straight on your floors. They will fix up a small space with the flooring you choose so you can live with it and be positive that you love it before they come back to do all of your floors!

They give you so many choices to make sure your floor is perfect for your family. They have a huge selection of textures, colors, and finishes. If you feel a little overwhelmed making those choices yourself, you can always make your decision with the help of the expert design team.

Love what you have already
If you already have hardwood floors in your home that you’d like to bring back to life, they can handle that as well! They offer wood floor refinishing in Atlanta that makes your current floors look brand new. You can see the before and after pictures on their website with multiple 5-star reviews.

Their professionals are ready to refinish whatever damage was done to your floors. Did your floors get flooded? They can handle it. Are your stairs cracked and worn? They can fix them. Did your floors get scratched while moving around furniture? They know how to make them look brand new again.

The best part is the fact that they leave your home clean and dust-free! They have a special machine that picks up almost all of the dust particles that are created during the sanding process. They come in, refinish your floors, and leave you with a clean home that you can immediately start enjoying.

Do you have a plan for your house? I can’t wait to move into a house one day, so I have more control over how I can customize it! What would you do to your home first?

xx,

Amanda

No comments

Thanksgiving is tomorrow, so we're going to talk a little about gratitude today.

If you didn't know, I work in news and news never stops! That means I'm working my normal schedule, including an overnight shift on Thursday and Friday.

I'm also working on every single holiday that is coming up because honestly... I didn't think to ask for the days off and it would kind of be a hassle, so I decided to just work and take that holiday pay! We love that.

With that, here's my quick little Thanksgiving schedule. I'll be watching the Thanksgiving parade in the morning and after that's over, I'll take a little nap. I'll start making my delicious macaroni and cheese! I'll enjoy a little Thanksgiving dinner before taking another nap and starting work at 10:30.

Side note here, I've been watching A LOT of TikToks, but I've made a few little videos, so totally come join me over there!

Alright, let's get to what this little post is actually about... gratitude.

I'm always honest here and the past few years have been tough for me. I don't know if there has been one day where anxiety doesn't creep into my life. It is a constant battle and it has honestly caused me to look a little deeper.

Dealing with anxiety that has been debilitating at times has resulted in real and raw conversations with God. I've asked why, what's the purpose, what am I supposed to learn, how does this make any sense, how will I get through this, when will this end...

One thing that I'm really grateful for is that as a result of my anxiety, I've found ways to focus on gratitude every day. For me, focusing on all the good in my life helps keep my anxiety in check.

When I wake up every morning, I say this little prayer that I actually got from Robin Roberts. I absolutely adore her and saying this little prayer every morning just kind of sets the tone for my day.

The light of God surrounds me.

The love of God enfolds me.

The power of God protects me.

The presence of God watches over me.

Wherever I am, God is.

After that, I just thank God for waking me up and when I go to the bathroom to do the usual morning routine things, while I'm looking in the mirror, I say some positive things. I say things like...

I am beautiful.

I am healthy.

I am blessed.

I am safe.

These little affirmations are just reminders to me of the good in my life. They remind me that I am okay.

Before bed, I do my devotions and prayer. This is usually the time that I'm able to really be still. I also write down at least five things that I am grateful for. If I'm having a particularly tough day, I make myself list 10 things.

Sometimes, the list comes easily, but other times, it takes me some time. These are some things that I've put on my gratitude list...

I am grateful for David.

I am grateful for work.

I am grateful for my heated blanket.

I am grateful for payday.

I am grateful for my health.

Anxiety is so different for everyone. Sometimes, maybe a mindset shift can help. Other times, it takes the help of loved ones and professionals to get to a safe place. I'm here to say that getting the help you need if you are struggling is brave and you should never feel ashamed for that. I've been in really dark places and needed more help that just a mindset shift to get to a safe place.

With that being said, it has taken work to get to a place where I feel safe and on days where I'm struggling, I have the tools I need to get back to that safe place. Practicing gratitude is one of those tools.

With all that being said, as we go into a holiday where gratitude is the primary focus, I challenge you to try writing down at least five things every day that you are thankful for. That simple practice has changed my life.

I wish you the happiest Thanksgiving spent with good food and also those you love most. Remember to stay safe by getting tested if you may have been exposed to the coronavirus or will be around loved ones. Wear a mask. Practice social distancing.

I am so grateful for you for being here.

xx,

Amanda

No comments

If you know someone who is getting married and want to get them a fun gift, I really recommend a bridal box subscription. My favorite? The Ring Boxes!

If you haven't heard yet, I'm getting married! I got engaged back in October and I've already gone full wedding-planning mode. It has been fun and I've had a pretty clear idea about wedding details for a while. David and I have been dating for almost 9 years, so you know I've had plenty of time to really think about it.

I learned about bridal subscription boxes when an ad popped up on my Instagram account. I subscribed to a couple different ones and so far, this box has been my favorite. I completely recommend getting one from The Ring Boxes.

Here's more details on this amazing bridal subscription box.

Choose a subscription that works for you! You can choose a monthly plan or even prepay for 3, 6, 9, or 12 months.

Each box is handpicked for you! Each box is different and you really never know what you're going to get. Each box is perfectly curated and filled with the most popular must-have bridal products.

Unwrap sweet gifts! The boxes ship between the 4th and 8th of each month and you even get a tracking number, so you'll know when to expect your box each other. Everything is put together so beautifully and unwrapping is so fun!

There's actually a pretty sweet deal happening right now, so it is a great time to start your subscription!

Okay, are you ready to learn a little more about what came in my first box? Here we go!

Wifey Beanie

I might seriously wear this at somepoint during my wedding reception because I'm having a winter wedding and it can get pretty chilly in North Georgia during the winter! It is so adorable and I may not be a wife just yet, but I'll definitely be wearing this around.

"Happily Ever After" Cosmetic Bag

This is great because it is clear, so you can see inside! No digging around.

"We're Engaged" Ornament

David bought me a sweet personalized ornament after we got engaged and you know that is already up on my tree, but this was such a cute addition!

Gray Infinity Scarf

This scarf is so soft you would think that your grandma made it for you! And I mean, it looks great paired with the "Wifey" beanie!

Christmas Tree Candle

We love holiday-themed gifts! This box included a candle that smells just like a Christmas tree!

"Mrs." Keychain

This keychain is absolutely adorable! It's lightweight, cute, and perfect for your keys.

I've got the 6 month subscription and just might be extending it because I'm so thrilled with my first box already. If you're looking for a gift for a bride-to-be or to treat yourself, a subscription box from The Ring Boxes is the way to go!

I'll be unboxing each box right here each month, so there's plenty more to come!

What other wedding-related posts do you want to see? Comment below!

xx,

Amanda

No comments

Yes, I'm celebrating and enjoying every single second of being engaged. I kicked off my engagement by treating myself to a Miss to Mrs Box.

Whether you are newly engaged like me or just a few months from your big day, Miss to Mrs. will actually tailor your subscription plan according to your wedding date. I'm getting married in February 2022, so if I opted for the full, nine box subscription, I could actually get them delivered about every two months. Here are some quick deets on the boxes:

Each box featured 7 to 8 fully-sized items from fun bridal goodies to wedding planning necessities!

At just $35 per box, this subscription is super affordable. The boxes are actually valued at over $100, so it's a great deal.

Miss to Mrs. is highly rated and you know I did my research before subscribing! The service has a rating of 4.6 stars!

Let's talk about the individual boxes!

I just received the first box. The full subscription includes 9 unique themes to cover all stages of the wedding planning process! Here are the themes:

Let's Plan This

Ultimate Bridal Swag

Sweating For The Wedding

Wedding Day Essentials

Keep Calm and Plan On

It's Party Time

Classy & Fabulous

Maximum Romance

Honeymooners

Interested yet? Their website makes it totally easy to subscribe! You can check it all out here.
Okay, let's get into what was in my first box, Let's Plan This.

Wedding Planner

This perfectly-sized, pink wedding planner is amazing! I'm already using it and it is simple and easy to use. It has helped me stay on track and really enjoy the wedding planning process. I have to have things written down, so this is just perfect.

Diamond Pens

These pens might have just been my favorite thing. I use them when I'm writing out wedding-related things. I am such a pen snob if I'm being honest and the pens write so well! I approve.

Wedding Day Countdown

It has been exciting to wake up and realize that I'm getting closer to our wedding day. It may be over 400 days away, but this countdown is absolutely adorable.

"I Said Yes" Travel Mug

I love how basic this is! I've been drinking my coffee out of it lately. So basic, so girly, so cute.

Jewelry Wipes

I haven't used these yet, but I actually put a few in my purse for times I'm on-the-go and will need to clean my ring. I know that these will come in handy!

Diamond-Shaped Necklace

If you know me, you know that I love jewelry. This necklace comes in the cutest little case and is so simple and dainty.

I really loved this first Miss To Mrs box and I think if you are looking for a cool gift for a bride-to-be that you know or to treat yourself to something fun, this subscription will be perfect!

Who else is planning a wedding with me? Drop one thing you've learned so far in a comment below!
And please share any wedding-related posts you want to see here!

xx,
Amanda

Popping back in to let you know that I also subscribed to The Ring Boxes and I received my first one. I'll also be unboxing it right here for you! I actually loved The Ring Boxes box more and opted to get the full subscription, so be on the lookout for that coming here soon!

No comments

Follow Me

Topics

Get My Planner

Popular Posts

A Note To You