MONEY MONEY MONEY MONEY! MONEEEEEY!

Today I decided that I would sit down and make an actual BUDGET!!! Well, I'm not sure if it's a budget, but I'm writing down how much I think I want to spend on everything. Hmm, I guess technically that would be a budget. I think I'll put a little more than I want to spend on paper so when I come under budget, I'll feel super accomplished! lol. We shall see how this goes.

Just a Test

Last week, My Publisher had a sale on their photo books. 20 page photo books that are usually $30 were only $5!!! They are on my list of people to use for our guest book at the reception. So, I decided to order one. I made it with various pictures of Babe and me, and I gave it to him as a "surprise". I must say that I love their product! They did an amazing job! The quality is great! They definitely have earned further business from us! Way to go, My Publisher!

My Day of Birth

So, July 3rd was my 21st birthday! We went to New Orleans for my b-day/Essence Festival. We had a great time. I never want to go back, but I did enjoy that 1st and last trip to The N.O.

ANYWHO, just wanted to post because it's been FOREVER! I do have a post coming up for you guys, though!

Mini Vacay

Saturday, I had a HORRIBLE day at work! So, Babe decided that we would go to South Padre Island! It was a 5 1/2- 6 hour drive there. When we got there, nearly ALL the hotels were booked, but we finally found a room. Sunday, we had a BLAST!!! We ate, walked the beach, rode the Banana Boat, and went on the dolphin watch and sunset cruise! We even met some new friends. {One of our new friends took pix of us on the cruise. She still has to email them to us. But they are beautiful!} Altogether, we had an amazing time! We do plan to go back! I drove back yesterday morning. It was my first "big girl drive." lol. Here are a few pix. {Excuse my hair looking a HOT MESS, but the humidity was the cause!!!}

Hidden Jewel

After my depressing Wednesday, I just really didn't care about a wedding anymore! But once you've been looking at wedding stuff for so long, it becomes habit. WELL, I was searching the web and I found a place in Spring, TX, and the place is only about 5 miles from my house!!! Yesterday, I called and scheduled and appointment for this morning. I was very excited because the website said that they were pretty much all inclusive! And I just felt like it would be priced right.

At 10:00am, we headed to Shady Oaks. OMG, this place is PERFECT!!! First of all, the lady that works there is so nice and pleasant! Her presentation was on point. And she is VERY professional.

The venue is on 6 acres. It's very tucked away. Their packages include nearly everything. The do the linens, have several centerpieces to choose from, the refreshments, the wedding cake, the food, the DJ {they have four to choose from}... you name it, they pretty much supply it. The only thing we'd have to worry about is the groom's cake, photographer/videographer, and florist.


This is the outdoor cathedral. It was built a year ago and holds up to 300 people. It has lights and ceiling fans. For Houston heat, I must admit that it felt pleasant under there even without the fans on. {But it WAS morning.} It has a beautiful high ceiling and I guess that's where all the heat was. They high pressure wash it and set it up the day of the wedding, so it's clean!


In the event that it's raining AND windy, we can switch it up and use the indoor cathedral. It's very nice, as well.


This is the inside of the reception hall. Sorry the pic is dark. I'm too excited to try to edit it! lol


This is the sweet heart table in the middle of the bridesmaids table and groomsmen table.


The cake tables.


This is the buffet hall. You can be served on both sides and they have someone directing all of the traffic. They don't have a liquor license, so we can bring our own liquor, we'd just have to pay for a bartender.

THE PRICE IS SO ON POINT for all that it includes! We are in love with this place and it's THE ONE! I plan to go tomorrow to show my mom. We're even in the calendar for a date next year. The date will be revealed a little later. As for now, I'm THRILLED!!! This day can't get any better! But if it does, I'll be sure to let you all know!

One More Thing

Thanks for all the comments, guys! I don't think I'm notified when I get them. So, sorry for not replying to them! Maybe I should actually check the email for this account. lol.

The Venue... But NOT!

Sorry I haven't been posting! But straight to the point....

Today, Babe and I had an appointment at The Venue, a club in downtown Houston. I was SO hype about it because the pictures online looked great. The price is only $3500 for the full 11,000 square foot building AND the DJ. So, we got there. We had to pay to park since it is a weekday, and it was during business hours. I like the place on the inside. It has 2 bars, lounge seating, and the option to move some of the furniture out and put up tables and chairs. They have 9 flat screen TVs, and a HUGE projection screen that we can use for whatever. AND since it's a club, they have all the lighting anyone would want!

Problem 1: I would either have to have my ceremony somewhere else {like Discovery Green} or have my ceremony and reception in the same room. I DON'T want the all in one room thing.

Problem 2: PARKING! Ok, I want a Sunday wedding, so metered parking is FREE! But, there is a parking garage that is pricey and there's a parking lot that might be $5. Or we could pay $10/car for valet. That's NOT gonna work for me! So, Babe said the parking is an issue. You know {Black} people are not gonna wanna pay to park, even if we ARE feeding them. Dude, it's DOWNTOWN HOUSTON, get over it! UGH!

So, this evening we went to The House of Blues, which is also in downtown Houston. The place just had bad vibes. It was like evil spirits in there. I felt so out of place. We were in the members only part and it just felt like the cops would come in at any minute and raid the place for some type of illegal activity! If the place didn't have those spirits, it would have been a very nice venue, though.

OH, and THEN I found out today that The Admiral on Clear Lake is booked on my day. UGH!

Needless to say, today was a pretty stressful day! I'm back at square one! Maybe I can change the date and do The Admiral. IDK.

Well, time to lay it down.