Warnings

Found this unpublished draft from who knows how long ago. I'll post it now since it's still relevant.

I have been reading blogs from other American expats living in the UK as research. I have already been warned about many things and hope I can avoid repeating the same information in my own blog posts.

1. You have to pay for a shopping cart (trolley) at the grocery store and are expected to bag your own groceries.
2. Brits use the phrase "You alright?" instead of "How are you?" and it seems to send every American and Australian expat into a tailspin of self doubt.
3. There are many, many vocabulary differences between the US and the UK. (jumper instead of sweater, trousers instead of pants, pants instead of panties, etc.)
4. Mexican food in London is a total bust.
5. Bring your own peanut butter.
6. It will take a lifetime to get a UK bank account.
7. The Royal Mail sucks.
8. London flats are exceedingly small and expensive. Just deal with it.
9. Making the trek to the London IKEA takes all day and is a journey into hell. I'm still excited by the prospect of this, though.
10. Groceries are expensive. Everything is expensive.
11. Fruits and veggies are limited and super expensive.
12. It will take about 6 weeks for any shipped stuff to get to England. Probably longer since we're from California, not the East Coast.
13. There are no outlets in the bathrooms. It's illegal.
14. The washing machine, if we have one, will be in the kitchen. It will be tiny. It will most likely be a combo washer-dryer that takes 3 hours to wash and dry one tiny load. This will be interesting and will probably mean that we are doing laundry every day.
15. I will probably miss Target and Costco more than is healthy to admit. If I can control myself, I will not dedicate an entire blogpost to the this topic like some people have.

Pink Ombre Bridal Shower

So, needless to say, I'm severely behind on blogging again. The last few months have been eventful to say the least and I need to make a concerted effort to catch up since Joe and I leave for Europe in just less than 4 weeks. (YIKES!)

First up is a fluffy, fun one. I knew from before we were officially engaged that I wanted a pink ombre bridal shower. I had originally wanted exclusively dark pink flowers throughout our wedding but with Joe that just didn't seem like it was going to work out, so my vision shifted a bit toward a girly girly covered-in-pink bridal shower.

As usual, the planning of this event carried my mom and I nearly over the edge. In fact, we got glittery pink ombre manicures (that were promptly removed) which we both described as seeing the cliff, running straight toward it and jumping off... and then realizing that we'd completely lost our minds. The results, however, were completely worth the temporary insanity of the weeks before. Do you agree?

Ombre Invitation by Modern Ink Studio on Etsy.

The entrance table. Complete with individually labeled stemless wine glasses.

Even the cake pops were ombre! (By Elaine's Cake Pops - a friend since elementary school)

Perfection. (Straws here.)

My mom and I - the party planners in our element - and the main sweets table.

Pink Treats - hand labeled. Happy Girls sign from Etsy. 

Pink chocolate popcorn by my new Mother in Law and Rice Krispies Treats with pink candy coating - make EVERYTHING pink!

Even the cake pops were ombre! (By Elaine's Cake Pops - a friend since elementary school)

Drink Station with Pink Ombre drinks - clear water, sparkling white wine,
rose sangria, pink lemonade, and "dark pink" wine.

A different view that catches the ombre heart paper chain we made as a background.

3 nights work and about 100 pieces of pink cardstock = pure pink awesomeness. 

Loving the details!

One very happy bride-to-be!

Happy girls are the prettiest. - Audrey Hepburn

Even the gifts were pink!

Cate making the most amazing rehearsal bouquet I've
ever seen almost entirely out of tissue paper.

I am so grateful for my mom, bridesmaids, MIL, aunts, and cousin, who all participated in some way (big or small) to make my vision a reality. The event was beautiful. Take a look at a bit of the prep work that went into it:

making paper chains

Teamwork!

My Aunts Elaine and Mary, who spent 2 hours arranging flowers.

Covered in pink - just the way I wanted it!