I'm baaaaaack! Ok, well you may not have missed me but I missed this!  The major source of my hiatus is finally over- SCHOOL! I graduated in May with my Master's Degree.  Can I get a woop woop! Needless to say I'm pretty excited to spend less time doing research and more time doing, well, anything else.

As if graduation wasn't enough, we are also in the process of moving to Minot, ND for fiance's school.  Minot is my hometown so I'm excited to spend the next few years here.  Due to the oil boom housing here is insanely expensive, but we managed to find a cute little house to buy so you know what that means- PROJECTS! Here are some before pics.  The closing date isn't until August so I have some time to brain storm all of the little things I want to do.  The best part about the house is that nothing HAS to be done for us to move in.  However, we all know how that goes.  Take a look and let me know what you think.  I'm up for any and all project suggestions.

Our house!

Basement living area.

Basement living area #2.

Bathroom #1

Bathroom #2

Bedroom #1

Bedroom #2/Office
 

Bedroom #3/Master

Dining Room

Living Room

Kitchen

Laundry #1

 Cheers!

Alex

Tying the Knot- Bridesmaid Ask

It's been quite a while since my last post and there is definitely lots to talk about!

1. My FINAL semester of grad school is underway. Woop woop! I can't wait to have a break from research and paper writing.  However, I've had the weird feeling that maybe I should get my Doctorate. Alexandra Burbach, PhD.?!? Who knows!

2. I got engaged on January 4th! (See sparkly ring pic below)

Since then a majority of my conversations have consisted of: Have you set a date? Where will it be? Do you have a dress? So obviously I've been on a search to get the answers my friends and family are seeking! With the reception hall booked (Holiday Inn in Minot) and date set (November 30, 2013- yes that is Thanksgiving weekend, no we are not having a Thanksgiving theme), I'm on to the next step- Asking my girls to help me "Tie the Knot!"

I found the idea here on the "dear LC" blog:

DIY "Will you Help Me Tie the Knot" Jewelry Boxes

LC's DIY includes a link to a printable template however I made my own.  Instructions are below.

Materials:

-Colored Cardstock (I used silver and gold metallic because those are my wedding colors)
-Paper Trimmer
-Hole Punch
-Spray Adhesive
-3.5" square jewlery box (I ordered mine from Amazon.com, here's the link: Jewelry Box
-Wire Ribbon
-Bracelet or Necklace of Choice
-Tape

Top of the Box:

1.  You can use LC's template or create your own. I created mine in a simple Word document.  Silver text is the font Modern No. 20 and the gold is Cursif. Trim around text.  The smaller piece is 3.0' x 1.75". Attach  to larger 3.5" square with spray adhesive.
2.  Hole punch two holes about 1/2" apart.

4.  Cut 12" piece of ribbon.  Tie a bow.
5.  Secure square to the top of the box with spray adhesive.

Inside of the Box:

1.  Trim around text.  My square is 3.25"x3.25".

2.  Hole punch two holes to fit your braclet/necklace.
3.  Secure bracelet/necklace to card stock with tape. Tah dah!

This was a very easy (and might I say cute!) way to ask my girls to be a part of my day. As you can see I customized one for my maid of honor and did the same for my personal attendants.

More wedding posts to come!

Cheers~

Alex