I’m hosting my wedding reception at a local McDonald’s…

Just kidding.

But for real, maybe I should.

I’m in the beginning stages of wedding planning (like, very beginning stages) and have come to find very quickly, that it is expensive as feces to get married. Everywhere I look it’s $2,000+ just to rent a venue, $6,000+ food and beverage minimums, another couple thousand to rent tables and chairs, and that doesn’t even include the cost of a dress, tux, photographer, DJ, decorations, etc. Before you know it, you’re looking at a $15,000-$20,000 price tag for the typical, traditional wedding. Thinking about the cost of a traditional wedding compared to what you can afford can be extremely overwhelming. I’m stubborn and refuse to spend that much (well, and I can’t afford it), so I plan to take advantage of DIY decoration ideas I find on Pinterest, up-and-coming photographers, and any connections that my fiancé and I have, in order to save wherever we’re able to.

Otherwise, there’s always McDonald’s. Hope all my guests like Chicken McNuggets and sitting in the bathroom after a nutritious meal!

My dream wedding.

#WWJBD

Such a cutie! (Image credit: Miami Police Dept.)

Happy Friday, love Zac.

Great “speech”, Jacqueline Bisset.

Did you guys watch the Golden Globes on Sunday?  I sure did.  Here’s what I thought:

1) I love Andy Samberg, I do, but how did Brooklyn Nine-Nine win any awards?  Great for the underdog, I guess I was just shocked since I’ve seen the show.

2) Bono and his sunglasses…

3) Jacqueline Bisset’s speech.  Way to make even viewers at home feel uncomfortable.

4) Why were Usher and P. Diddy there?!

5) Hell yeah, Jared Leto.

6) Two thumbs up to Bryan Cranston’s win for Best Actor in a TV Series, Drama.

7) Two thumbs down to Aaron Paul not winning Best Supporting Actor in a TV Series, Drama.

8) Taylor Swift didn’t win.  Who cares.

9) I want to have Diane Keaton’s hair when I go grey.

10) I love you, Jennifer Lawrence, but that dress was terrible.

Photo credit: E! online

2 words: Golden Globes.

That’s right, people, the 71st Golden Globe Awards are on in 2 days.  Although I haven’t seen very many of the films that are nominated, I’ll still be sprawled out on the couch (in sweats) watching.  One thing I like to do during award shows is to print off the nominee list and circle my guesses as to who will win.  You can print off your own nominee list here.  It makes watching the show a tad more enjoyable.  Or maybe that’s just me…

And just like I did (um, tried to do) last year, I am going to try again this year to see as many Oscar-nominated films as I can before the Oscars air on Sunday, March 2nd.  Once the list of nominees is out, I will make sure to post it on my blog for you fine, generous people.

If you’re on the Twitter, follow me @SturkAlert, as I will be live tweeting (OMFG) Sunday during the Golden Globes.

Have a glorious Friday.

Photo credit: Golden Globes

I got engaged!

…3 weeks ago.

I’m so terrible at keeping up with my blog.  Oops!  Anyways…

I’ve been dating my boyfriend (well, fiancé) for almost 8 years, and we’ve been living together for 2 1/2 years now.  On December 17th, he asked me if I wanted to go check out the Christmas lights downtown.  This wasn’t anything out of the ordinary as we’ve done this every year.  We got to the Christmas lights downtown and I started snapping selfies of us and of the Christmas lights surrounding us (no big surprise there).  As we circled the lights and got to the big tree in the middle, I turned around and my man friend had his hand in his coat pocket and started getting down on one knee.  After being in shock for a good 10 minutes, I finally gave him my answer…

I said no.

Ha, just kidding.  I said yes, we hugged, and started calling our family and friends.  My mom was the first on my list and was the first person to find out.  My dad, both my brothers, two of my cousins, and my fiancé’s parents followed.  Long story short, my older brother posted a Facebook status not too long after talking to him so I had to call up my best friend and a few others before they found out via social media (love ya, brother).  ‘Twas a great night celebrating, indeed.

Now if only someone would donate $10,000 to my wedding fund…hashtag fun times.

Happy Hump Day, folks.

Right before my roommate popped the question!

BREAKING NEWS.

My past weekend…

Friday night I just stayed in and chillaxed (that’s a cool word, right?) with my roommate (roommate=boyfriend).  I’m becoming very accustomed to staying in on the weekends. Welcome to 26.

Saturday I needed to pick up the skirt and neck piece my mom made me for my Elf on the Shelf costume, so I met my mom and her friend halfway for lunch at Applebee’s (do not get their chicken tortilla soup).  Later that evening I dressed as an Elf on the Shelf for a Christmas party, which was a very merry time indeed.  My friend and I eventually left the party to meet up with some friends downtown. While downtown, a girl asked to take a picture with me (because I was dressed as an Elf on the Shelf), and I found out a couple I know got engaged.  Since I rarely wear heels and was wearing them Saturday night, the night ended early as I desperately needed to go home and take them off.  Go, me.

Sunday I trekked through the snow and went to brunch downtown with my roommate and his brother.  I had a gift card for the place and since gift card=free, and I=broke, gift card=amazing.  After brunch, I discovered the Yule Log channel on Time Warner (NEVER LEAVING MY APARTMENT AGAIN).  I relaxed by my fake fireplace for a bit before heading to a couple local art fairs with my friend.  Local art fairs make me feel super overwhelmed, because I want to buy everything. Instead of buying everything, I purchased a few sweet things instead (see above).  After the art fairs, I made my friend try eggnog for the first time (she loved it) and we watched Law & Order: SVU.

Yupp.

Elf on the Shelf, all day er’day.

HAPPY FRIDAY.

For those of you who have cared to follow my blog (specifically, since December of 2012), you’ll remember that I received an Elf on the Shelf as a gift from a friend last Christmas. After brainstorming with names, I decided to name him Harry. Harry and I have been getting along just swimmingly, and after introducing my mom to Elf on the Shelf just this summer, she came to the conclusion that I needed a female elf to join Harry in sinful bliss…

…And that’s When Harry Met Sally…

Elf on the Shelf keeps me entertained all December long; I even caught Harry and Sally sucking face on my Christmas tree just this morning.  I suggest purchasing one if you aren’t already the owner of an Elf on the Shelf.  They’re fun for kids, parents, and unmarried/childless 26-year-olds like myself.  Check their website (under the Elf Adoption tab) to see what stores they’re sold in.  And be sure to check back on my blog in a few days, because I’m going as an Elf on the Shelf for a Christmas party this weekend.  I will make a post – including pictures – to follow.

Have a very merry weekend!

Harry and Sally kissing in a tree, K-I-S-S-I-N-G.

Vote for me, pretty please with crystal meth on top.

A couple weeks ago I entered this contest (via Red Carpet Refs) to win the entire series of Breaking Bad on DVD.

Out of the 90+ comments they received, mine was chosen as one of their top 10!  Do me a solid and vote for me (#9) by clicking on the link below 🙂  Thank you, thank you!

http://redcarpetrefs.com/2013/12/what-would-you-do-to-break-bad-top-10-comments/

Image credit: AMC

I’m not made for Black Friday’ing.

For some reason I thought Black Friday would be less chaotic by the afternoon of.  I was wrong.

On Friday afternoon my boyfriend, his brother, and I ventured over to Kohl’s so I could use my 15% off coupon and two $10 off $10 or more cards (since the $10 cards expired that day).  One of my boyfriend’s favorite things to do in this world is go shopping with me, especially when I have no idea what I’m looking for (just kidding).  After reassuring him that I knew exactly what it was I wanted and that we’d “be in and out in 15 minutes,” the three of us were on our way.

It was around 11:40 by the time we got to Kohl’s.  After finding out they didn’t have what I was looking for, I decided I couldn’t let a free $20 go to waste, so I picked up a Tek Gear Space-Dye 1/4-zip jacket and a Chaps Reindeer Games Mockneck men’s sweater (don’t judge).  While standing in line for what seemed like forever, I made a few friends with some of the women in line next to me (my boyfriend and his brother ditched me to go walk around the mall).  Two of the women commented on how cute the sweater was that I was holding, so they held my stuff for me so I could go grab them both a sweater.   “This will go perfect with leggings,” said one of the women.   “I know, right?” I responded.

Image credit: Kohl’s

As I inched closer and closer to the front of the line, I realized my trip to Kohl’s was pretty much pointless.  I didn’t get what I was hoping for, and when I was three people away from the cashier I noticed I couldn’t use both $10 off $10 or more cards together.  Two hours and $38 later, I came to the conclusion that I will never participate in Black Friday ever again.   At least I didn’t get tasered?!