Thankful 30

I caught onto that whole "write one thing I'm thankful for every day in the month of November" trend a bit too late. So in a last ditch effort, I decided to scribble mine down whenever I had a free moment in the past week and now that it's the 30th, I'm making it just in the nick of time! I already gave you all of my serious thankfuls, so these are just a few fun ones.

Wishing you a wonderful weekend!

TAG and AEG got the 411

What a hoot! (Thanks to AEG for the post title!)

I along with AEG and our gentlemen were audience members at the good ol' Bravo Clubhouse last night for Watch What Happens Live. Here's what: it's not actually live! This post will go up before our episode even airs (tonight at 11).

I have to say that I didn't personally know anyone on the set but every single person was so welcoming and lovely. I was never without a fresh drink or a laugh.

The studio is so small. The audience section holds about twenty people. It was a pretty interactive show that required a lot of yelling on our part. Andy is a riot. He sure has some good one-liners.

The MAZEL bar is kind of a hoax. There is indeed a "bartender" but there were no actual drinks served from it.

Erin Andrews is so hot. But she is also full of it! Every single guy Andy mentioned... "Did you date him? Did you bang him?" She said "Negative!" Maksim Chrmerkovskiy? Child please. I read the interview with you two in People Magazine all those years back. So lovely to find love on Dancing with the Stars, wah wah wah. Scary that I remember that!

When the cameras stopped rolling, she said, "Thank you for having me! I wish I could be honest!" and then she made some comment about her publicist. I guess that's what happens when you're the golden girl of sports. If you watch the show you'll see what I mean. She was incredibly modest. But I get it.  

Shortly after this photo was taken, I said "PATTI STANGER IS MY COUSIN!" to which Andy said, "Well, that really must be something!" and ran away. He did not want to listen to my awesome concept for what I'm sure would be the next Bravo hit. Welp, can't win 'em all!

Such a fun night! Thank you BF, AV and BV for joining me!

P.S. Our show was taped right before the episode with the girls from Jersey Shore, which aired last night. I saw JWoww in a bra on my way out and almost fell over. Too much!

Teddi Trot

Yesterday, my G-chat status was, "I want to be a runner so badly." My cousin Julie IMed me and said, "You ran a 5K. You're a runner."

Okay... more like a jog/power walk combo. But I did it. I completed a 5K!

Julie has spent the past few months training for the Rock 'n' Roll half marathon in Las Vegas. It's this weekend! I'm so proud of her. We spent Thanksgiving in Florida together and she mentioned awhile back that we should do some sort of a run workout that morning. So when she found out about the Sarasota Turkey Trot and suggested we do it together, I was in.

I want to note that I'm not a runner. Nowhere close. I ran a total of one mile over the summer. One. (I clocked in at 10:22.) I spin, I do yoga, but I don't run. I run like Pheobe Buffay.

But I aspire to be a runner. I read Runner's World. I have RunKeeper on my phone. I scrutinize every piece of running gear at lululemon. I imagine what it would be like to pound the pavement, to move swiftly and with purpose.

So I'm working on it.

This race wasn't about speed or PRs. It was about the two of us spending some time together, working toward a common goal: the finish line. We talked, we walked, we jogged, and we took our time. We stopped to take photos of the gorgeous view from the Ringling Bridge.

I went into this race completely blind. I read running blogs and I studied up on race etiquette, but I was pretty clueless. The weather in Florida was gorgeous and slightly chilly. I forgot to pack my armband and sport headphones but didn't want to run without my phone. I was too cold to start the race without my jacket so I left it on and kept my phone in the pocket. This was highly inconvenient and that's a mistake I will only make once. Live and learn!

My family had promised they'd come towards the end of the race and wait for me by the finish line. We were just before the last stretch when Julie spotted her mom and my mom, dad, and Perri from afar. They saw us too and started waving. My plan all along was to sprint to the finish, and when I saw my family I took off. Having them there and cheering for me was just the best. I was so psyched.

I took away the following lessons from this experience:

1. Don't leave your armband and headphones at home.
2. Running in a long sleeve tech shirt would have been much more comfortable than running in a zip-up jacket.
3. I need new sneakers.
4. Rocking a braid while running is a good move.
5. Next time I do a 5K, I'm actually going to train for it.

Thank you to Julie for suggesting and doing this with me and to my amazing family for supporting me. I can't wait until the next one!

P.S. We did have the professional photographer snap some pictures of us doing the "Phoebe Buffay". I'm still waiting to see them!

Being thankful

On Thanksgiving, my parents, Perri and I usually like to go around the table on Thanksgiving and say what we're thankful for. We forgot to do it at the meal, so we ended up doing it in the car on the way to the outlet mall late Thursday evening. It was informal and candid and I think we were all a bit teary-eyed.

I am first and foremost thankful for the three of them and for all that we have.

I am thankful that my parents always made sure Perri and I know how lucky we are not and never to take any of it for granted.

I am thankful that I met a wonderful man this year. I've never been so happy.

I am thankful for my girlfriends, extended family, and for the support system I have outside the confines of this car.

I am thankful to be employed.

I am thankful for JGIWC and all that comes with it.

I am thankful for my health.

I am thankful for SoulCycle.

Last but certainly not least, I am thankful to be able to spend Thanksgiving with Nana this year, and for Nana in general. She's the best.

(Last but not least redux, I am thankful for 2012. It's been the best year yet!)

Ending Teddi Twelve on a high note

There are officially six weeks left in 2012. How will you spend them?

TAG's top ten tips for being a killer MOH/B-maid

Come on. You knew it was coming.

I had a number of girls ask me in the past year for tips on how to be a good bridal party member. Looking back on the past few weddings I've been in, there are definitely some things I would have done differently, and there are some things I am really proud of. Here are my suggestions to be a kick-ass maid.

Don't complain. Just don't do it. About anything. Keep a smile on your face. I was absolutely guilty of this at times and I know now that it's best to keep your mouth shut. It's THEIR day, not yours. Go with the flow and stay positive.

When I am anxious, I get sick to my stomach. My nerves literally attack my body and there's no quick fix. I was actually physically ill for a portion of AEG's wedding weekend but I think anyone who was around me (other than my parents and Perri, because I told them) would be surprised to hear that. I pushed it aside and I was fine.

Don't send the bride suggestions. On dresses, on invitations, on flowers. If she wants your opinion, I promise she will ask you for it.

Even an email link and a "this SO reminds me of you!" can annoy a future bride. I've seen it happen. You mean well, but it doesn't always come off right. 

Make the best of it. It's called a bridesmaids dress for a reason. They're not made to be sexy or super-flattering. I find that these days most brides are pretty laid back about shoes and accessories. I was very concerned about wearing comfortable shoes for AEG's wedding, but I also wanted them to be cute! I ended up finding the perfect hybrid of form and function and have already worn them to another wedding (and I've owned them for all of two weeks)! (If you're in the market for a strappy, dressy pair of heels - I can't recommend these enough. The built in platform makes it easy to wear them for hours at a time, and they're pretty and well-priced. Win win win.)

Ask what you can do. Again and again and again. Sometimes even the smallest tasks can be more helpful than you realize. If you think of something that no one else has mentioned yet, bring it up. Does the bride have all of the underpinnings she needs for her dress? Has someone arranged to bring mimosas and snacks to the bridal suite/salon? Can you be the gopher who handles the gift exchange between the bride and groom? (I was. I loved bringing AEG's gift for BCV to his suite and carrying back his gift to her.) There are SO many details that go into planning a wedding. It's easy for things to fall through the cracks at the last minute. Do what you can to keep everything on the up and up.

If you're the Maid of Honor, enlist the bridesmaids for help. If you're a bridesmaid, reach out to the Maid of Honor to ask what you can do. I've found that the best effort is a team effort. I don't have one group; all of my girlfriends are spread out. I've met new people in each bridal party I've been in. Even if you don't know everyone or if everyone else knows one another and you're the odd man out, keep smiling and make yourself a part of the group. If there isn't a Maid of Honor and no one else is taking the reins, you should.

Expect mishaps. Step in when you're needed - don't wait to be asked. I'm not going to name names, but the company we used for our bridesmaid dresses screwed up. They made the dresses in the wrong material. Imagine my panic when I opened the box to find a cotton sateen dress that should have been silk. I didn't want to freak Alyson out but I also knew that we had to figure this out ASAP - as it was, we were behind schedule. When I told her I received the dress, I noted that the color was beautiful (ALWAYS pair a positive with a negative). I then confirmed with her that the fabric was in fact wrong and she contacted the company. They said they'd redo them. Then Hurricane Sandy happened, and they were set back even more. Time was of the essence. From then on out, I told Alyson I would handle it. I CC'd her on every email so she wasn't out of the loop, but I wanted her to know that I was taking this off her plate so she didn't have to worry (as much) about it anymore. I made it clear to the dress company that they needed to fix this and quickly. They said they would. Knowing we were short on time, I started to quietly research elsewhere in case we needed to make other arrangements. I was ready to put four new dresses on my credit card... there was NO way I was letting anyone wear cotton sateen to a black tie optional wedding. Not happening.

In the end, the dresses were delivered to my apartment a few days before I left. They were beautiful and worth the trouble. Mine fit like a glove and we all got tons of compliments. Listen, you live and learn. But... I think my bridesmaids will be in J. Crew. Those people know what they're doing. Next!

Do as much as you can. I was very fortunate in that my family attended both of the weddings I was in this year. My parents graciously paid for my plane tickets and hotel room both times, which was a huge help. Listen, it adds up. Dresses, shower gifts, bachelorette parties... I highly recommend starting to set aside money as soon as you're asked to be in a bridal party. It's very expensive to be an adult. My mom and dad were hugely helpful in both instances but I still wish I hadn't shopped so much at the beginning of the year when I knew I had other financial obligations. I wish I'd been more careful with my personal spending, but like I said, you live and learn.

The bride (most likely) understands that while it's an honor for you, it's also a lot to ask. Do the best you can. If the bridal shower and bachelorette party are not held on the same weekend and both require travel, tell the bride you can only afford to attend one and ask which is more important to her. Be gracious. (Go back to the first rule - do NOT complain about expensive airfare or accommodations but if you have to vent to someone, call your mom or someone who is likely to be sympathetic.) Remember, you have a whole year after the wedding to give a gift. If you're spent by the time the big day arrives, wait six months and send them something really great when you have a bit more cash at hand.

Listen and pay attention. I'm clueless. I had no idea how to bustle a dress or take a veil out of an updo. Introduce yourself to the wedding planner/coordinator and don't be afraid to ask questions. I've learned a lot about weddings this year. Know where you're supposed to be and when - for the rehearsal, for the ceremony, for pivotal moments at the reception. Don't be clueless. Be a know-it-all.

Have fun! It's a happy occasion. It's easy to let a milestone such as this highlight your current romantic situation... Are you single? Waiting for your guy to pop the question? Don't. It's about her. Don't make it about you, no matter how tempting. Comparing is far too easy and it rarely ends well.

I once sat through a meal and literally didn't open my mouth once (other than to eat) because the conversation revolved around rings, flower arrangements, and future baby names. And you know what? It sucks. I was single and going through a really rough time and it was a dagger to my heart to sit with engaged friends and feel like such a loser. But you can't expect people to keep quiet about their own happiness because they're afraid of rubbing it in your face. As unfair as it feels to be the odd one out, it's not fair to ask others to tone down their excitement, either. Keep smiling. Get up and dance. Your day will come.

Take it seriously. It's kind of a big deal to stand beside someone on the most important day of their life. No matter how or why they asked you to be up there with them, it is an honor and you should treat it as such. Looking back, I wish I'd been more expressive of how touched I was that each bride asked me to be a part of her day. 

I was so concerned with being the "perfect" Maid of Honor for AEG that I literally made myself sick! I was a nervous wreck but everything turned out spectacularly and was completely worth every worry.

(I would put STAY CALM as one of these suggestions, but the truth is that I didn't do it, so I'm not going to tell you to.)

What are YOUR best Maid of Honor/bridesmaid tips? Let's add to the list.

...yes I'm goin' to Carolina in my Mind.

Weeeee! More wedding fun!

This is the only picture I have from the ceremony. (Photo credit goes to CAL - you're the BEST!) Standing with the best man (the groom's father, wah) and watching the bride walk down the aisle.

With my BBFF (Best Bridesmaid Friend Forever) shortly after the ceremony. We did it! We took a trolley to the reception site. It was a chilly evening and the trolley had open windows. We were cooooold! 

The bride with her formerly second - now third! - family. After we got off the trolley, we hightailed it to a private room so that I could fix her bustle, take her veil out and put her hair pin in. I was nervous as hell about doing everything right but succeeded at all three tasks! When we finished up and opened the door to head to the end of the cocktail hour, the very first people we saw was my family. Which made me so very happy.

My photos don't do her dress justice - it was phenomenal. Two words: cascading tulle. The bride and groom danced their first dance to one of my ALL TIME favorite songs, "You Make My Dreams (Come True)" by Hall and Oates. AEV didn't divulge all of the details of the reception... So many fun surprises! When this song started, my heart leaped. Her and I crazy-danced to that song before BCV came in the picture. Have loved it for so long and was just so happy they chose it - it fits them to a tee!

And then I was up! You've likely already read it, but I do want to note that this speech was four years in the making and I tweaked it within an inch of its life up to 10 minutes before I actually stood up to read it. (I literally borrowed a pen from the gentleman seated next to me.) And I could not be happier with how it turned out. It was everything I wanted it to be and more. Best of all, a bizarre calm came over me as I walked to the mic. I didn't shake, I didn't read too fast, and perhaps most importantly, I DID NOT CRY.

Daddy!

Mommy and Perri!

My beautiful best friend and the love of her life. On our way to the after party. The perfect end to the perfect night. I wish I had many more photos and anecdotes, but I think the story ends here. For now. (There are still professional photos to be had.)

One more thing. The groom and his mother danced to James Taylor's "Carolina in my Mind" in case you were curious about the title posts from today and yesterday. It was one of the few moments of the weekend that I actually got a little misty-eyed. Monday morning, I listened to it on my iPhone and realized that tears were streaming down my face. For the first time I let everything sink in, and out came all of the emotions I'd pushed aside for so long. This past weekend was the first time I've ever really felt like an ADULT. Someone who isn't related to me by blood loved me enough to entrust me with the huge responsibility of standing beside her on the most important day of her life. My best friend is married. I am in love. We're in our late twenties. We work. We volunteer. We're responsible. We exercise more than we drink.

We're grown ups. I never thought I'd live to see the day.

So congratulations to my AEV and BCV. No blog post could ever do justice to how much I love you both, but I think you know.

In my mind I'm goin' to Carolina...

Best. Weekend. EVER.

I am champing at the bit to see the professional photos, but in the meantime, I wanted to share some of mine. 

The church was absolutely gorgeous. This was taken right after we finished rehearsing and I found out that I would have to walk the perimeter of the altar mid-ceremony. I was seated with the best man on a bench stage left that you can't see in this photo. When it was time to stand, he simply took the few steps to be standing next to the groom. I had to exit stage left, walk past the groomsmen, stop to awkwardly bend over and fluff AEG's dress(/flash the church?), walk past the bridesmaids, and come back around the other side so that I was standing next to the bride. I should draw you an action map but I'm too tired. This was far too many opportunities to trip and only added to my building anxiety.

I have to take a minute to thank my sponsors... Mom and Dad, thank you so much for accompanying me to this beautiful weekend, and thank you for loving my best friend as much as I do. You really are the best. (Perri, I love you too!)

If you follow me on Instagram you've already seen this one, but I love it so much that I'm sharing it again. This was taken at the cocktail hour at the rehearsal dinner. We were actually both wearing glitter kate spade heels, but I forgot to take a feet picture. My dad made the most beautiful toast and AEG's MIL made the most fabulous (and funny!) video montage. Every guest was grinning ear to ear and simply thrilled to be there. It was a happy, lovey-dovey evening.

After dinner was over, we left the private party room and headed downstairs to the bar. It was at this point that I had to play bad cop, giving AEG time warnings and eventually dragging her into a cab and back to the hotel. Luckily I had some help from the groom and a fellow bridesmaid. I felt terrible tearing her away from family and friends she doesn't get to see often, but there was no way I was allowing her to be tired or hungover on her wedding day. We shared the bridal suite that night, just the two of us. I arrived to see these treats waiting for me! She fell asleep pretty quickly, but I was lying in bed awake for a long time. I had the Father of the Bride soundtrack playing on a loop in my head and I was literally shaking. Everything before I DO felt incredibly surreal to me and I just kept thinking, 'How did we get here? When did we grow up?'

The next day was spent in the bridal suite getting ready. I sent my parents and Perri to Husk, and surprised them by calling ahead to give the restaurant my credit card number so that lunch was taken care of. I figured it was the least I could do. Despite the fact that I was an absolute wreck, racked with nerves about being the "perfect" Maid of Honor, Saturday was incredibly relaxing. We woke up, walked to Starbucks (see coffee cups above), dined alfresco on the hotel's patio (the weather was spectacular), and headed back to the room for hair, makeup, and dressing, which all went incredibly smoothly. It was just the most zen, pleasant bridal suite. AEG's "Something Borrowed" was my Kappa Kappa Gamma badge. Here I am pinning it to the inside of her dress.

We simply couldn't let this momentous occasion pass without taking a few "jumping on the bed" pics. We initially wanted to do these in our dresses but decided at the last minute that it was smarter to take them in our monogrammed shirts. My versions are all cute but blurry. I'm really looking forward to seeing if the photographer got any good ones.

Another one for good measure.

Stay tuned for ceremony and reception shots... Why yes, I AM in wedding withdrawal and stretching this out for as long as humanly possible.

The honor is all mine

I have so much to say, but I'm going to take a day or so to collect my thoughts (and sleep)! We have some dear friends who were unable to make it to the wedding, and I still want them to be able to "hear" what I stood up and said. Many of you who have been following JGIWC from the beginning may remember when AEG first moved to NYC and we were just a couple of drunkards at Dorrian's. Even if you've never met me or her or either of us, I'm sure some of us feel as though you know us, and that's the beauty of a blog.

So while you sit on the edge of your seat, champing at the bit for photos of the beautiful bride, I leave you with my Maid of Honor speech... My favorite toast I've ever made.

Believe it or not, it wasn't love at first sight. I'm not talking about Brian and Alyson - I'm talking about Alyson and me!

Alyson joined my sorority a year after I did. I knew her as the yappy yellow-haired girl in the back of the chapter room. Always with her hand in the air. Always had something to say. I was rather shy back in those days and she sassed me left, right, and center before she actually agreed to be my pal. We spent our college years over coffee, cocktails, and endless giggles, more often than not wearing matching outfits. I sobbed as I hugged her goodbye after graduation and headed off to New York… But when she came to visit me in the months following and decided to move to the city as well, I was elated. In the past eight years there has been no one that I have laughed harder or cried harder with.

I do believe, however, that is WAS love at first sight for these two. And while I can't say that I was responsible for introducing Alyson and Brian, or for setting them up, I will absolutely take credit for their chance meeting. Alyson and I ended up at our favorite watering hole following a charity ball late one fall evening back in 2008. After one too many drinks, I decided to head home… and forgot to take Alyson with me! I realized my mistake not too long after and headed back to the bar to fetch her. When I arrived, I found her waiting for me and deep in conversation with Brian. I had stepped out, and fate had intervened. Alyson, you always said you wanted to meet your husband at Dorrian’s!

I feel like I have been writing and preparing this speech for years, as I knew early on that Brian would be Alyson’s happily ever after. Among my contemporaries, I have never known such a well-matched couple. For two people, so perfect for one another, to meet and fall in love, on purpose… is an incredibly rare thing, and I feel lucky to have been on the sidelines the past four years as I have watched all of my best friend’s dreams become her reality.

Brian, you are a gem. The true definition of a Southern gentleman, one of the most thoughtful, noble people I have ever had the fortune of knowing.  Thank you for treating Alyson like the princess she is.

Alyson, the honor is all mine. While it was our mutual affinity for polos, pearls and Lilly Pulitzer that brought us together all those years ago, we know that what’s kept us together is something much stronger. You have brought so much sunshine into my life. You are my favorite blonde, my partner in crime, my sorority sister, my soul sister. A very wise Little Rascal once said, “You only make a once in a lifetime friend ONCE in a lifetime” and YOU, Alyson [her new last name], are mine.

Congratulations to you both on proving to us all that fairytales do come true AND that you can find true love at Dorrian’s. I love you both so much. Cheers. 

And now they say I Do

The time has come...

Make sure you follow me so you can come along for the ride. 

JGIWC does SNL

I had an incredible weekend, largely in part to the fact that one of my New York City dreams finally came true - I attended a taping of Saturday Night Live!

I first started watching SNL when I was 13. I was in 7th grade and when I'd get home from Bar and Bat Mitzvahs around midnight on Saturday/Sunday, my parents would be watching and I'd sit and watch with them. (I wasn't cool and didn't do the whole "let's have a huge sleepover" thing that I'm sure all the other girls were doing... I liked sleeping in my own bed and waking up in my own home. Loser.)

Perri and I on our way up to Studio 8H.

I've loved the show ever since and have wanted to see the show live for years but was never sure how to go about it. My dad happens to have some great connections and was able to secure VIP tickets for a us a few weeks ago. There are only a few weekends left in 2012 that we're all actually in town, and we were fortunate enough to see the show before the next flurry of travel begins. (In the following weekends I have a wedding, another wedding, Thanksgiving in Florida, a Bar Mitzvah, a dear friend visiting from Florida, a romantic getaway, and another trip to Florida. Literally.)

When I found out the host was Louis CK and the musical guest was fun., I was indifferent. Certainly wouldn't have been my first choice, but I knew the experience would be incredible no matter what. Well, color me surprised. He was wonderful! There is something about Louis CK I actually find so likable, and I really didn't see that coming. I'd love to go out to dinner with him... just a non-date meal to see what it was like. Though I have to say... the best skit may have been the ONLY one he wasn't in... Bloomberg's Hurricane Sandy Address Cold Open. I was falling out of my chair. Classic. If you have not watched it yet you must must must. NOW.

Snapped this right before I stepped into the studio.

(They have a very strict No Photography rule inside of the studio which explains why I have so few.)

Suffice it to say. it was an amazing experience! The studio is not that big and watching them assemble sets during the commercial breaks was like witnessing a large jigsaw puzzle being put together. Some highlights included Jason Sudekis coming out first to talk to the audience (I've had a crush on him since Horrible Bosses)... watching Lorne Michaels waddle around in his suit like a cute little Jewish penguin... a few of the cast members performing a song and dance before the show began. It's all so quick and real and I will never watch SNL the same away ever again. I feel like I know all the secrets now!

Definitely crossing this off of my bucket list. Such a fun experience, and I'm so happy to be able to say that I did it and never even had to camp out in the cold for tickets! +1 for Teddi.

November goals

Already accomplished one! Yay!

What do you want to do this month?

I love you guys.

Just wanted to a take a quick moment to profess my profound affection and appreciation for all of you. Your outpouring of love and support has made my heart so full. Thank you for cheering me on and for being on my team. I really do love you.

I also want to take this chance to wish my baby sister Perri a VERY happy birthday. She is 20 today, but forever and always a five-year-old in my heart.

Friday Five

So, I'm still working on my November goals and filling up my calendar for the rest of the year. From here on out, I don't have one free weekend until December 28/29/30. At which point I intend to sleep. A lot.

In the meantime, five revelations I had this week...

I am thankful that I have power and while living alone rocks, I am really loving having a roommate!

I started using my coffee maker again last month. I got it at the beginning of the year and kinda forgot about it until a few weeks ago. I buy Sarabeth's French Vanilla grinds and Nestlé French Vanilla coffee creamer. It is divine. I ran out two days ago and this morning I got Starbucks and you know what? I like mine better.

Sometimes I make things way more difficult than they need to be. Learning to loosen my grip a bit and just let go.

My best friend is getting married in eight days.

2012 is wrapping up like nothing I expected but like everything I hoped.

Happy weekend! Make it a good one. Only nine left!

Only one bunny left

This year, I...

...learned to love to talk on the phone, thanks to a best bud in California who is constantly surprising me with calls.

...laughed more than I cried.

...clipped in and pedaled my little heart out. Again and again and again. SoulCycle has helped me to become someone I never thought possible.

...learned to be confident, and that on the rough days I just need to fake it 'til I make it.

...wrote more than ever. Found new communities and happened upon new opportunities.

...took chances.

...fell in love despite my every best effort not to. I was so scared and I fought it so hard. But in the end, I gave in. Because you can't fight fate.

...said it was going to be the best year ever. And I'm right.

So rabbit rabbit my dear friends. Two months left of Teddi Twelve... Can't wait to see what else I can do.