OMG...

Let me start this post off by saying that yes, I know that I'm a dork. I revel in it and fully embrace my dorkiness...

I interrupt regularly scheduled posts to admit that I just clicked onto my Google Analytics account for this little blog this morning. I know, I know, I should look at this stuff more often than once a month...but I’ve been a little preoccupied!

Anywho...so I check my stats out today, and guess what I found? Are you ready? Are you sitting down for this? I was SO excited, that I’m totally being a little cheesy about all of this, but still...I found that there are quite a few sites that are hitting my blog by way of referral. If you don’t know what I’m talking about, then I’ll explain (to the best of my knowledge) – there are two kinds of internet traffic: direct traffic that meant to type in your website and visit there and indirect traffic that clicked over to your blog through another link on a different website.

I know that this works because last month, I linked to Mrs. Sea Breeze’s blog in one of my posts on my baby blog and low and behold she commented back on my blog! Yes, I might have jumped up and down at work for just a minute...you would think that a celebrity personally contacted me. But let’s face it, there are a few Bees that I would LOVE to meet in real life who are kind of like celebrities on a wedding scale, and she’s one of mine...and she must have found me through her Google Analytics. I know that she uses it, because she’s posted about it before...so that got me thinking – who might (or might not) be reading my little blog?

Anyway, back to my story. So I click over to my account and pull up A Bride...Again blog stats. I notice that there is quite a bit of referring traffic, so I delve deeper into those Referring sites. And guess what I found? A little website called Best Bridal Blogs has MY blog listed under Texas wedding blogs to follow!!!

Are you jumping up and down for me too? Aww...how sweet! Thanks!

I was SO excited! And what makes it even better to me is that when I look through the other blogs that were chosen for this site, there are some pretty good ones out there...like Broke-Ass Bride (aka Mrs. Meatball)! Do you mean to tell me that my blog is on a list for best bridal blogs AND that also on that list are some of my all-time favorite blogs, including BAB?!?! Not to leave out the others on there that I love...The Encore Bride, just to name another one.

And that’s when the jumping continued...which 6 and a half month pregnant women should probably not be doing! At least, not without planning for a little side trip to the bathroom, people...

Anyway, maybe you care and maybe you don’t. That’s ok with me. I vaguely recall submitting my blog for consideration in the months leading up to my wedding, possibly after getting a rejection from my weddingbee application...and never hearing back from Best Bridal Blogs if anything had been decided. So I guess that I was selected! I’ve put a link to their website there on the right side of my blog if you’re looking for other great bridal blogs to read...check them out.

And yes, you can do a little happy dance for me too, if you click over there and scroll down to Texas and notice that of the two blogs listed...this little blog is one of them! It kind of makes me want to say – “take THAT weddingbee!”

Let me hear an “Amen!”

The Joke's on Me...

Haha - I put in the post that I pre-scheduled to run over the holidays that I was posting a new picture of my tattoo...and then I forgot to post it!

Silly me!

So here you go. This is the best picture that I could take of it myself...

It's not that great...and I promise when I get home to have B take a better picture for you all to see!

Getting Back to Reality...

Well, taking your honeymoon right before the holidays is kind of nice...but at the same time, it's just exhausting! Right when I got back "in the swing of things" at work, it's time for a five-day weekend away from work visiting family and eating WAY too much food. I sure am glad that the wedding was BEFORE the holiday eating! LOL.

I hope that you all had a fabulous Thanksgiving holiday, and I'll be back to posting regularly soon. Sorry for the delay, but I've been called out of town for work this week, so posting will more than likely be lighter than normal. But since I'm still waiting on the sneak peeks from our photographer...I don't have that much more to share.

Maybe I'll have those sneak peeks at some point this week...then I can start my recaps for real. I can't wait! Believe me, I really cannot wait...

Sugar Doll Award!

Oh my goodness! I’ve been blessed with this award FOUR times now! I’m touched beyond measure that these wonderful women think that my blog is worthy of an award! Many, many thanks go out to these ladies: Morgan of Handcrafted Hitching Post, Stacy of You Can’t Take it With You, Ali of Joy is the Best Make-up, and The Encore Bride. Thank you, thank you, and thank you.

So, since it’s taken me SO long to get around to answering this to you all...you are all familiar with the drill by now. I post the award on my blog, list 10 interesting things about myself (I don’t know if I can come up with 10!) and then pass it along.

Here’s my 10 things:
1. I love being creative. This wedding has opened up all sorts of creative outlets for me, and I love it! Take that – directed to my 7th grade art teacher who said I couldn’t draw a straight line! You don’t have to draw to be creative.
2. I sing while I drive. Always. Can’t stop, and don’t really care who sees.
3. I’m a married woman now! Maybe that doesn’t really qualify as being interesting, but it’s interesting to me!
4. So far, I’ve been able to change my name via Social Security, but not the DMV and not yet on my work information. They require not only a copy of the marriage license, but of my new SS card before they’ll change my work email...bummer!
5. My daughter wants a puppy for Xmas, and I think that B has nearly talked me into it...what am I thinking?!?!?
6. When we got married, I became a step-mom. I’m nervous about being a new “mom” to a nearly teenage boy...I don’t know anything about boys...even though we’ve been together 2 and a half years, and T and I get along great, this is still nerve-wracking to me.
7. My favorite liquor is Malibu Rum. I know, it’s SO college...but it tastes SO good!
8. I badly need a PWC (post wedding chop)...I needed the hair cut before the wedding, but wanted the length for my updo...now I’m not sure how much to cut.
9. I think that my feet are shrinking...I used to be able to wear a size 8 in shoes...now a 7.5 fits great. Is that normal?
10. And last but not least...I am scarfing all kinds of sweets now that the wedding is over! I must be catching up after all that deprivation of sweets that I went through the weeks before the wedding! I’ll have to start working out again after we get back from Mexico...

So that’s it. I don’t know if they qualify as interesting, but they’re on my mind today as I write this post. I know that I’m supposed to pass this award on now...but I’m pressed for time before I leave...trying to pack right now...so you’ll forgive me, right? Thanks!

I’m SOOO Touched...

I mean, literally. My readership and followers has grown SO much in the past few weeks...B laughs at me when I tell him that I’ve gotten another follower, and since it’s like one follower at a time that I tell him it’s sort of like a play-by-play.

He laughs because he’s jealous. That’s my story anyway! He’s actually really proud that I get such a kick out of the comments and interaction with other brides and people in general reading my blog. My friends usually just read it and email me with comments, so their not posted, but you readers are just the BEST!

I think what I love the best is how willing you are to help a fellow bride out. I write a post and you all comment so well on them, and when I ask for help finding something you send me all kinds of links to the answers – or suggestions at least. And when I need your opinion, you give it to me. It’s so great, so thank you. And I’m doing my best to follow along with all of YOU too, and comment on your blogs as well, since I know what it’s like to get that comment love!

A reader of mine this last week even went so far as to do research for me! I posted here about some concerns about using fresh vs. silk rose petals, and Teale (her blog is found here go check it out!) not only commented once with the place that I had already decided had the best pricing available online for fresh petals, but she took it one step further and started thinking outside of the box. Who says that the petals have to be roses, anyway? She did a search (knowing my colors) and found these great carnations on their site that I could simply de-petal with my Maids the days before the wedding. And her point is valid. Mixed in with the cream and lavender rose petals, who would notice? I think that it’s a great idea! Here’s a picture of what she found...

Once I was there through the link that she sent me, I stumbled upon this mix of carnations... That one might work too. Fiftyflowers.com is a great source for wedding flowers, but they only sell in bulk. I don’t know that I need 140 stems of those carnations. But then again, maybe I do. Who knows how many petals one carnation would generate...so I’d probably rather be safe than sorry.

Fiftyflowers.com has both a mixed package of lavender/cream petals... And a pack of just cream petals...

source for ALL photos

I could go either direction, getting 6,000 petals either way for the same price. And FedEx delivery is standard and FREE – Score! You know I like to feel like I’m getting a bargain – what bride doesn’t?

So I think that I’ve settled the debate about fresh flowers vs. freeze dried petals, and I’ve even managed to brainstorm an idea for how to get those packages ready since the fresh petals have to be delivered so close to the actual day...but you don't think that I'm gonna tell you that idea now, do you? No way!

Thank you once again, ladies, for ALL of your help - and a BIG shout out to Teale for thinking outside of the box! You're all SO great!

A "Little" Surprise in My Inbox...

I don't know about other bloggers out there, but blogging for me has been one of the most rewarding experiences that I've ever chosen to do. Honestly. But starting to blog was sort of awkward at first. Really, it was. Maybe you've been reading along since the beginning, and if you have, let me send out a big THANK YOU for hanging with me through the growth spurts.

You see, for those of you who don't blog, it's a little weird - this whole blogging thing. It's a creative outlet for your voice, and to be quite frank, it becomes a bit addicting. You don't just read blogs, you write blogs, then you review blogs, and before you know it you're commenting on blogs and stalking people that you don't know left and right, and you actually think that the two of you are friends! Yes, I know. It's kind of like an illness...but one that you're TOTALLY happy to have! LOL.

For me, what was most odd was writing for the unknown audience. No, maybe that's the wrong terminology. Your audience isn't unknown, I'm writing to brides out there, so I know who I'm directing my posts towards. But even if you know the genre of your audience, you don't KNOW your audience, if that makes any sense at all. So you write a post as if you are 100% confident that your blog is read for literally thousands of people each and every day.

And let's be honest, you think that you're fabulous, why wouldn't the rest of cyberspace, right? Right.

But you don't really know who reads it. Not really. At first, you just tell your closest friends and family members. Maybe your sister or your mom. Your bridesmaids probably know about it, and some of them email you back and forth about things that you've posted about, so you know that they read your blog.

Then one day, out of the blue, your inbox mesage indicator goes off, and you open the email expecting to see something from Joan in Accounting about your latest expense report and low and behold - it's a comment notification from your blog. And it's from someone that you don't personally know. Better yet, it says "Anonymous" and things get REALLY exciting. You're over the top ecstatic that someone out there is reading what you're writing and actually liking it. They say they'll come back. You jump up and down for joy and run around like a little school-girl until your fiance tells you to calm down. So you do, but inside, you're still turning cartwheels and doing the happy dance.

Before long, you start to receive more and more comments from internet pals. And you gather some followers to your blog...people that you know are faithfully following you along your mind's wanderings. And that's really cool. After that, you might put a link on your blog for readers to email you with questions or comments - that's what I did. When you do that, you might just get a little surprise in your inbox.

Imagine my enthusiasm a few weeks back when a vendor of men's wedding supplies contacted me saying that he thought their retail line would be a good fit with my blog. He offered me a link to check them out and wanted to know about me doing a post for them. I immediately responded that I liked his line and would email him when I did the post...of course, I haven't done it yet, but it's coming - I promise.

But there might not be many things that tops the email that I got this past weekend. I saw a new message blinking at me, and saw the name Amanda on it...thinking that this was from a friend of mine also named Amanda, I opened it expecting something totally different than what I got. No, this wasn't from my friend Amanda (I do still love you though!) this was an email from an Amanda that worked at Alfred Angelo. She told me that she had seen my post on my blog telling my readers about their sales/contests and wanted to thank me. Then she asked if I would happen to be in New York in October...Alfred Angelo was doing their Runway show and I was welcome to attend.

Wait. Rewind. I was what? Little old me? At a Runway show?

I quickly scrolled down to the end of her email, and can you just imagine my surprise when I read that this was her title - Director of Public Relations and Special Events, Alfred Angelo. O.M.G. Seriously? Alfred Angelo's Director of PR found a post about them on MY blog...I had to sit down and put my head between my knees for a minute. Then that passed, and the excitement hit me like a TON of bricks. It was a good thing that MOH was around to peel me off of the ceiling.

I'm flattered. And honored. You write a blog, sometimes it's not your best effort, sometimes it's a tutorial on how to do something, sometimes it's pouring out your heart and soul to the vast internet...and you just don't know who reads it. Really you don't. Look at me - just another bride, planning her wedding, and the Director of PR for Alfred Angelo stumbled upon my blog. Wow. That's really all I can say. Oh, and Thank You, of course.

Thank you from the bottom of my heart.

So keep the comments and emails coming. And comment on the other blogs that you might be reading. It really does do a world of good for the writer!

Honest Scrap Award

Chelsea from The Perfect Catch passed along the Honest Scrap Award to me so here goes! Thanks!

The rules are:
1. List 10 honest things about yourself that your blogging friends do not know about you.
2. Give the award away to 7 bloggers.
3. Let them know they've received the award.

Enjoy!

1. I love my naturally curly hair, but don’t normally take the time to dry it. Most of the time, I hop out of the shower and pull it into a low ponytail/bun thing and go – SO lazy!

2. I am left-handed. But only for brushing my teeth and writing. Everything else I do with my right hand – like use my mouse, cut with scissors, bat…


3. I drive a 2-door Honda Accord that I love, but it’s on its last leg and I don’t know WHAT I’ll get next. I like the Nissan Murano the best, but I’m not sure that it’s big enough for our soon-to-be family.


4. I cry VERY easily. Even at those infamous Kleenex commercials. I cry when I’m happy, and I cry when I’m sad. And I HATE the ugly cry face…crossing fingers and toes that I don’t have ugly cry face on my wedding day. But I’m trying to come to terms with the fact of life that I probably will…


5. I believe in angels/demons and ghosts. I believe in God and the Devil. And I do think that a battle exists between Good and Evil.


6. My child fears me…just a little bit. And I’m really ok with that. (There’s still a kid inside of me that is still scared of my Mom too!) It’s part of being a parent. Most of the time we have fun, but there’s a tone and a look that I have that can stop most things that she’s doing in an instant. B responds well to it also…


7. I love Vanilla Coke…from Sonic – it’s the best and my biggest weakness on my “getting ready to wed” body.


8. I laugh HARD at least once a day. What’s the point of life if there is no joy or laughter? None for me. So I make sure to either laugh at myself, or with someone else, once a day…which sometimes makes me cry since I get SO tickled…see #4 above.


9. I respect myself and my own opinions. Having been in a relationship where I was told what to think, what to say, what to feel, and what to wear…I have vowed to never go back to that again. I want to teach my child that it’s ok to be different, as long as you like who you are and what you do, and you’re not causing harm to anyone (including yourself). I want her to be strong and independent and willing/able to stand on her own. That’s how my Mom raised me and there’s not a thing wrong with it.


10. I want the storybook ending…I never really thought that I would have it at the end of my last marriage…didn’t even believe that it existed, to be truthful…but God proved me wrong and brought B into my life. I am blessed to have my sweet little girl (who is getting bigger everyday) and a man in my life who loves me for me. I could not ask for more…but secretly hope for the baby one day too! I want to grow old with this man, I want to hold his hand through thick and thin, and I want to sit on our front porch in rocking chairs one day with our hair grey and our hands all wrinkly, but still holding on to one another…

So that’s it for me! Now, to whom should I pass this award on to? I honestly don’t know that I know seven bloggers…I’ll do some research and see what I can come up with.

Thanks Chelsea for including me in this fun game!

What's in a Name?

Well, for those of you who have followed my blog from before, you know that I named my blog, Miss Cotton Candy. There really was no rhyme or reason behind the name that I chose, it was just a moniker in order to keep a little bit of anonymity to my blog.

source

It was something that my fiance preferred, and since I was new to this whole side of the internet, I have to admit that I preferred it too. But as I've fallen in love with the world of blogging, my inhibitions have loosened a bit. I've shared pictures of myself, talked about our children, and invited strangers into our lives. I've gotten comfortable with this world that I've immersed myself in.

So when I started this new blog, I just assumed that from here on out, I would just use my own name. When I mentioned this the other night to my fiance, he wasn't really keen on the idea, if you know what I mean. Now I don't know what to do...what do I call him when I write posts and refer to him. He was Mr. CC before, and that worked for us. I could call him Mister, or Mr. or the Dude...but none of those really appeal to him. Or to me, for that matter.


I guess that maybe it's just easier to use our initials. I'll be S, he'll be B, and our kids will be T and J. I wonder if that's still secretive enough...I mean, the S could stand for any one of these names: Susie, Sharon, Sandy, Stephanie, or Scarlett. And the B could be anything from Brandon, Bob, Billy, Brent or something a little more "traditional" or biblical like Bartholomew. The same can be said for the kids' names. I guess it's good that we don't have any repeating letters, huh?


So, here's our family for you:


Husband-to-be/Dad: B
Wife-to-be/Mom: S
Son: T
Daughter: J


I hope this works for you guys, because it's the best I have right now that will present the compromise that my fiance would like to have. If you have better suggestions for me, I'd LOVE to hear it. If you write a blog, do you use your own name or keep some level of anonymity to it all?