Happy Thanksgiving!

So, today is the golden turkey day. Which I will have none of. I will eat a simple green salad with 4 oz of sirloin steak. Joey's parents and brother, Dennis drove up from LA earlier today. They are all staying until Sunday so we will have a full house. I took about a 2 hr nap earlier since we are driving to the outlets for Black Friday starting at midnight. I'm hoping to be back in town to be one of the 100 ppl in line to get in to H&M which opens at 5am. Perhaps I'll just get a non fat vanilla latte this one time so I can stay awake all night hahah

I found some more bikinis that I really like. These are now my top two contenders, what do you think?

 

I think they are about $80/each so now I just need to save up! HA! :) We'll see how much cash I have left after tonight. Alright, time for me to go make and eat my steak because I'm starving!!!

Don't eat and drive

Xoxo

Bikini Competition

Hi y'all!

I haven't been on here for a while! I've been busy with my bikini training. Today is the start of my third week. The first week was pure hell with the sugar withdrawals etc. Here's what every day of eating looks like for me:

Breakfast:
One cup non fat plain greek yogurt
1/8 cup of oats
as much cinnamon as I want

Mid am snack
4 oz protein
15 almonds

Lunch
4 oz protein
green lettuce
little bit of green bell pepper and cucumber
1/2 tablespoon olive oil (little bit of balsamic vinegar)

Pre workout
4oz protein
1 cup rice

Post workout
4 oz protein
1 cup rice

I have to eat this for 124 days.... I've finished eating for today so now I have 109 days left!!!

I work out every day. Weights 3 times/week and cardio 4 times/week. So far I've only missed one day of working out and that was b/c on an injury to my hamstring. I've already lost about 4 (1.8 kg) pounds and by New Year's Eve my trainer B said I should be about 116 pounds (52.6 kg). Some days are easier than others but it's definitely getting easier with cravings.

My arms have gotten super toned already and my stomach is flat which is very exciting. I can't believe that I'm finally going down this road. It has been a very long thought process... I would say about 4 years in the making.

It should be very interesting to see how I look at the end. I am going to try to keep it up somewhat for the bachelorette party in Las Vegas and then the wedding in May. After that it's a free for all! Sorry Joey! hahahah

I initially had a plan to go to this meat restaurant in Korea Town in LA but... after thinking about it I don't think I could eat that much and plus - it would probably just hurt my stomach since I wouldn't be used to eating that stuff and those amounts... BUT I'm definitely getting chocolate :)

Now that I've gotten past the first two weeks of being a total bitch (I promise I'll make it up to you Joey!) I can actually focus on the competition itself and the excitement of it! I really want to get that super fit body with lots of muscles. The only thing I will miss with me dropping weight and losing body fat are my boobies... Sigh... Oh well... nothing a little chocolate can't cure after hehehe hopefully the sugar will NOT go to my stomach! LOL

Ok, time for me to prep my food for tomorrow and then go to sleep. I'm dead tired (yes, it's 8:43PM and I'm ready for bed haha)

Xoxo,
Jess

Amazing news!

Aaahhh!!! I found out some AMAZING news yesterday but I can't share with the world yet. Hahaha I just wanted to put good vibes out there :)

Xoxo

Save the date cards

Alright, looks like we will be able to pick up a sample of the save the date post card either tomorrow or Monday. :) 

I started going to The Bar Method this week. I bought a one month unlimited membership and let me tell you - I regret it!!! It is sooo difficult and I feel like I have no muscle at all! hahaha It's a combination of yoga, pilates and ballet. You do everything like 30 times so no wonder my muscles are screaming in protest. Ugh... just typing right now is difficult. I can't wait to see after a couple of weeks how I'm doing :)

When I'm done with The Bar Method it's time for some serious training for the bikini competition. Slightly intimidating but I am doing it for Twila, my coworker who passed away. I do miss her so much :(

Time to go to sleep and dream about happier times.

Xoxo

Bikini Competition

So, I have decided to finally compete in a bikini competition. I want to see if I can do it. I better :) No way am I getting on stage with out a 4-pack hahah I doubt I could ever get a six pack so if I can get the 4 I'm happy.

I won't start the actual training until late November and then the competition is down in LA in February. I have started to prep myself a little with eating and working out more. I got in 5 days of cardio and one sessh of personal training this week. Once I start to really train I will work out 7 days/week for three months.

I bought this deal that give me unlimited access to Barre Classes for one month and I will also be doing that up until I start to train. Christmas will be tough this year *sob* hahaha It's my fave holiday!!! AND the day Joey and I got engaged BUT I will do this.

Turns out our wedding photog, Joni is also doing it!!! Although she's training with someone else and her show is in Dec but she said she would keep going and do my show with me as well so I don't have to do it by myself. All the girls at work have already told me they would go down to LA to see me compete - with signs and all!!! LOLOLOL

Here are some pics of girls I know that have already done it

This should be interesting. If they can do it - so can I!!! And I talked to my photog and she said she has no willpower and has THE biggest sweet tooth! hahaha She's on her third week I believe and if she can do it - I can! :)

I will post before pics as well as weekly pictures so you can all follow in my quest for a nice tummy!

Wish me luck!

Xoxo

Lots of news...

So, I've lost a bridesmaid b/c of pregnancy. Heart breaking for me but I'm beyond words happy for her. I will keep her name private for now until I know I can share. Actually, now I have 2 bridesmaids who are pregnant! hahahah Crazy. Although one is due in early Feb so she can still be at the wedding.

Friday I found out that a co-worker had collapsed and she passed away about an hr later. Very upsetting and I'm still very confused by the whole situation. It just feels so crazy. She was here and laughing one moment and the next she's just gone. In an instant. She was one of the few people that I have met thru my lifetime that I can honestly say has a huge pure heart. She didn't even get the chance to have kids yet and that was something we talked about and I know she wanted them...

Life is short and you never never never know what might happen. Please take care of each other and do something kind for someone else every day.

Back to babyboom! It's crazy! :) 2 bridesmaids preggo and I just found out via this blog that another girl is pregnant too!!! Hahahah

Joey and I have been talking about having kids as well but that won't happen until after we're married. So... after May of 2012 all bets are on ;)

I had another makeup trial yesterday. I really liked the blush and the foundation but wasn't happy with the eyes. *sigh* why is it so damn difficult to find a good makeup artist that won't charge out of my wahoo for a trial? Day of pricing doesn't bother me as long as it's under $200 but I don't want to pay a ton for the trial - makes no sense. So annoying...

I was hoping to skype with my little sister in Sweden today but I can't get a hold of her. :(

Xoxo

We have the rehearsal site!

Today Joey went to reserve Leadbetter Beach Picnic Area for our rehearsal BBQ! It's all starting to feel so real right now...

We will haven't finalized details on how to decorate the space but just something simple will do. This allows us to have all of Joey's family, mine plus our whole wedding party along with kids etc there since we don't want kids at the reception. 

This weekend I'm taking Joey to the big bridal expo at Earl Warren Showgrounds. My coworker Morgan is also bringing her fiancee. I want to check out food, flowers, makeup, hair etc etc. They also have free dance lessons. I'll try to remember to take pictures so I can post here for you to see. :)

Ok, need to get back to making dinner - boring as usual... Brown rice and chicken *sigh*

Xoxo

Save the Date cards

Oh, and I forgot to tell you that Joey and I went over to my photographer today and we designed the Save The Date card that we are going to send out :) So exciting!!! Can't wait to show you - it's so pretty :)

Xoxo

Ooohh La La

I'm so excited I signed the contract today for my promotion. Good things to come I hope :)

I'm also so excited because I'm driving down to see my sister and mom this weekend. Trine, mom and I are all going to go pick up my dress on Saturday and then on Sunday I'm taking Trine with me to a Bridal Show in Huntington Beach. I guess it's supposed to be huge. I hope we can get there early enough because the first 50 brides gets swag bags (bags with free nice gifts)!!! If I can get my sis up early enough we miiiight make it. Takes about 30 minutes to get there too so we'll have to haul ass and I know how she likes her sleep (well I do as well but if there are nice free gifts involved then I'm DOWN!)

Hmm... I just started thinking... Joey was complaining about what he's supposed to be doing while we are doing all the wedding stuff. Weeeelll... perhaps I'll buy him a ticket too! hahaha He totally missed out on the last bridal expo I went to. There was tons of food, cupcakes, dessert etc etc. And this place is supposed to be huge so I'm sure he'll be fine. Plus - they are doing a special "Groom's only drawing" Perhaps he will win? I"m waiting for my sis to call so I can talk it over with her first. Joey can't say anything if I have already bought the ticket muahahahahahahah I'm so evil :)

Xoxo

Getting my dress!

Hello blog lovers,

I'm so excited I get to go pick up my dress this Saturday - and as an extra added treat my sister, Trine, will come with my mom and I. She is flying in from TX although she lives in NYC. She has business to take care of in TX and so she figured she might as well swing by CA and it so happens to be that I got a call a couple of weeks ago from the bridal store telling me they got my dress in. :) How perfect is this timing.

I have to say - I'm super nervous... What if it's too long? What if I'm too big for it? What if? What it? *sigh* I haven't seen or tried it on since freakin April!

My friend facebooked me to tell me she's running a deal on lash extensions and at first I thought "nah" but then the more I thought about it I thought it could be fun. Also, good to see what it would look like in case I want to have it done by the wedding.

The girl that was supposed to be doing my makeup has totally fallen off the earth so I set up another makeup trial with Blush and Lashes in Montecito. Morgan, my coworker, will also come with for a trial since she's getting married in August of next year and she's trying to finalize everything as well

Oh, I forgot to tell ya'll that Morgan and I went by the house where Kim Kardashian got married this past weekend - Congrats to her :) I have some bad pics of the area that I can post later. You couldn't really see anything and there were security posted at the three entrances to the estate. I have to say though - I didn't really care for the headband or what it was that she was wearing. Thought it looked very 1970s - ish... Not for me.

Oh, well I have to be at work at 6:30 tomorrow so I have to get up at 5:45 am - eeek I hate early Wednesdays! Lame ass...

Nighty night...

Xoxo,
Jess

Cake Truffle Tasting, gifts from Sweden and an amazing niece

So, again - sorry for lagging with the blogging but not much has changed in Wedding Planning world. Well, Joey and I went to try these cake truffles that I personally thought had more cake batter rather than truffles to them... Joey kinda liked them but I don't think we will choose them as favors :( I so wish I had liked them more!

While there her friend who makes cupcakes dropped of some for us to taste

They were SO cute and beautiful! My fave was the bottom right one :) I'm not too fond of cupcakes so those were a no go as well. Plus, we already have a wedding cake so no cupcakes needed

Last last Sunday Ann from Sweden came to SB with her two kids, Stephanie and Philip. They brought me gifts! :)

Lots of goodies, books and magazines! I'm so grateful :) I do miss Sweden dearly but I don't think I would fit in to live there permanently again... I've become too Americanized hahahah 

So, I got a phone call on Thursday, July 4th from Viktor. Viktor is my little brother (well... he's 25 haha). He called me from the hospital to let me know that him and his fiance Emilia just had a tiny beautiful little baby GIRL!!! After we hung up I called Joey and totally started crying hahaha I am so excited and the pictures I've seen of her - she's the cutest baby ever!!! Once i get my hands on some I'll post here for y'all to see. This is my first niece and I'm so excited to go buy clothes for her! I need to go down to the outlet in LA so that I can shop. They have a baby store there where their sales are huge! I think they will bring her with them to the wedding - she'll be about 9 months by the time she comes to visit. I feel that sometimes it's so hard being so far away with no means to go visit. :( I'm hoping after we are done saving for the wedding we can go visit Sweden. :)

Ok, I woke up at 2am and had to be at work at 6:30 this morning so I'm about to crash...

Xoxo

Engagement pictures!

So, we took our engagement pictures this past weekend and some of my favorites. Let me know what you think! :)

Xoxo

Yikes!

So, sorry - I've been so lazy with blogging! hahaha What's new about the wedding - we paid for our wedding cake :) We are doing a 4 tiered cake. Here are the flavors:

Top two layers are coconut cake with pecans

Next layer down is a chocolate cake with milk chocolate mocha filling

The bottom layer of which we will cut a slice (and my absolute fave) white cake with a passion fruit filling. It's not to sweet and it's really refreshing!

Terese brought us 7 different slices of cake to try - she came to our home to do the tasting which was really comfortable for us. 

All very yummie!

For the 4th of July weekend Joey and I went to Sunday Session at Tonic. This was my second drink - well I wouldn't call this a drink - it's a whole pitcher!!! Watermelon mojito. Very good and refreshing hahaha

Our friends Connie and Teddy

My big sis Trine got me a Kindle for my birthday!!! I'm so excited. I've already put a bunch of free books on there and now I need to get a cover to protect it. Right now I'm carrying it around in a dish towel haha

THEN - the day after I get the kindle I got this gift card to LuLuLemon (they sell amazing work out clothes). I can't WAIT to go shopping!

This was part of the beach on 4th of July. Way too many peeps for me to deal with - I just got annoyed so we left after about an hr 

This is our friend Jimmy at Joey's softball game. It was his birthday and he got creamed in the face with a huge cupcake! Awesome!!!

This is my work wife Stef. She's the best and hilarious :) Here she's with 2 drinks of Sangria - ALL for her :)

I got home to ANOTHER present in the mail! My mamma sent me this. A cocktail ring that goes well with my engagement ring and a beautiful bracelet with turquoise on it

Ok, I think that updated a lot in pictures. I made meatballs yesterday and of course I put the tip of my ring finger in the pan! OUCH!!! It hurt like hell but actually was all healed and good today... Strange

This coming weekend we are going up to San Francisco to celebrate Joey's grandma's birthday. We'll probably go to a chinese restaurant. This is REAL chinese food and it's amazing. I'll try to remember to take pics so I can show you. They do several courses and it's family style - meaning that they bring out a big plate and everyone grabs some and puts on their own plate. Totally fine if you're not scared of other ppls germs which I am not :)

Alright, I've got stuff to take care of before bed. 

Xoxo,

Jess

My amazing Birthday!

So, there's been issues with the blog - not sure why it won't let me post... Anyway - Joey and I both took my birthday off. It's June 24th which also this year in Sweden was on Midsommar Afton. Awesome!!! I walked into work last Thursday and there was flowers from my work wife and a gift card to GAP from her! Thanks Stef! :) I also got Strawberry shortake - it was absolutely amazing :)

After work four of us went to happy hr at Coast at the Canary to also celebrate our co-worker Liz who's b-day it is the day after mine :)

On my birthday Joey woke me up with breakfast in bed just as I had wished for. I had also asked him to get me macaroons from a local french bakery and he got me a whole box!!!

After this Joey and I went to Wayne Kjar bakery to try wedding cake

There's lemon cake with a bavarian cream

Chocolate cake with chocolate mousse

Raspberry bavarian cream white cake

Joey actually liked the chocolate cake best while I liked the raspberry cake the best which is surprising b/c you would have thought it to be the other way around!!! hahaha

Very excited to try wedding cake on my birthday!

After this Joey and went to the outlets in Camarillo because I had received birthday money and I could not for the life of me find ANYTHING!!! I was getting so bummed and Joey got sad because I was sad hahaha We decided to drive back to SB and go to H&M which just opened. At H&M I found two dresses and 2 skirts all for $40!!! And it's all for work. Perfect! But then I was also looking for an outfit to wear Saturday night when I was going to celebrate my day with all my girls. We went to another store and this is what I found

I LOVE IT!

I'll do other blog entries for the girl party and Solstice parade :)

Xoxo

Wedding website

Joey and I have been working on our wedding website. Go to:
www.theknot.com

and then scroll down a bit and on the right hand side you can search for couples. Just enter my name Jessica Ackelman and then you'll be taken to another page where it should say "1 match" click on my name and you'll be taken there.

Let me know what you guys think. I know we need to add more info but this is all we got so far :)

xoxo

It's almost my Birthday!

I'm so excited! 11 more days until my birthday! AND it's summer solstice that weekend as well!

This is solstice last year in SB - a bunch of crazy people having a good time :) But even more importantly - It's Midsommar Afton in Sweden! Oh, how I wish I was there for this!

There is no country that is as beautiful as Sweden on Midsommar Afton. *sigh*

For my birthday (Can't remember if I told you guys already?) here's what Joey and I will be doing (we both took the day off. I have never nor will ever work on my birthday! HA):

Wake up and Joey has to make me breakfast in bed haha Along with that I always have a glas of champagne with strawberries

11AM Wedding Cake tasting with Wayne Kjar bakery

After the tasting we're going to the Camarillo Outlet because I want to shop for my birthday :)

After this Joey and I will have a romantic dinner at Seagrass in Santa Barbara

Then on Saturday we will probably spend some time watching the Solstice parade and have some beers in the beer garden. That night I'm doing a girls only pre party at my house then we'll meet the boys down town. :) I'm so excited! 

Oh, I have been sick since last Monday with a stupid cold - no bueno. Today was the first day I felt a little better so I managed to get 30 minutes of interval cardio in. Tomorrow is training day with Amy and Brian and on Wednesday Joey and I are going to ride our bikes - I bought another one! hahaha THis one is red and I call her Cinnamon. She's got 18 gears and is a LOT easier to ride :)

Ok, time to snuggle with my love

Xoxo