Croatian Vacation

We're booked! The day after the wedding the Hermit Crabs will be heading off for nearly two weeks in Croatia!

This is the moment when I'm telling people about our honeymoon that they start looking confused. But why Croatia, they ask. Why not? we say in return.

When picking a honeymoon destination, we had a few criteria.

• Neither of us had been there
• Safe for tourism
• Affordable (excluding airfare)
• Not a resort, tour, cruise, etc.
• Preferably cities and histories, though beaches wouldn't bother us
• Good weather in June
• Not too far (24 hours of traveling was out)

The first criteria knocked a lot of places off the list for us since we have both done a lot of world traveling, both separately and together. Some of our original considerations: South of France driving tour, Morocco, Argentina and Chile, Croatia, Greece, driving tour of Germany.

When we first started dating years ago, I talked about my desire to visit Croatia. While Mr. Hermit Crab wasn't originally totally sold, we started looking it up, and over the last few years, we've gotten really excited about visiting. When it came time to book, we knew that's where we wanted to be. Let me take you on a little tour of our proposed itinerary of Croatia - Zagreb to Dubrovnik and back: There and back again, a Newlyweds Tale (sorry for the Lord of the Rings reference!)

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We will be flying into Zagreb, and working our way down to Dubrovnik and back again in about 10 or 11 days. It is 11 hours from Zagreb to Dubrovnik in one trip, to give you an idea of the size of the country. We can travel through most of the country by land and water.

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We'll start in the city of Zagreb - exploring 17th century architecture and museums from art to natural history and everything in between

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In Pula, we'll see Roman architecture and eat in seaside cafes

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Described by a friend of mine as "the most beautiful place she has ever seen," we'll take in the Plitvice Lakes State Park

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We'll stop in Split and explore the Diocletian Palace and from what I hear, lots of lively nightlife and great food, all with splendid views

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We'll weave in and out of the islands on the Dalmation coast, visiting small islands and beautiful architecture

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At the south most end of the country, we'll spend a few days in Dubrovnik. Another friend of mine claims it to be his favorite place in the world - unparalleled beauty, delicious food, interesting history and museums and so much more.

We'll travel down and then back up again, hitting different cities and islands in each direction.

How did Croatia meet our criteria?

• Neither of us had been there easy - check
  
• Safe for tourism as far as I know, and I haven't heard otherwise
  
• Affordable (excluding airfare) not on the Euro yet, the dollar is still strong
  
• Not a resort, tour, cruise, etc. we're planning our own way, check
  
• Preferably cities and histories, though beaches wouldn't bother us hey, a little of both!
  
• Good weather in June should be beautiful!
  
• Not too far (24 hours of traveling was out) 10 hours, not too shabby
  

I am so looking forward to getting away and spending our first few weeks as Mr. and Mrs. Hermit Crab in Croatia!

What criteria did you use to determine your honeymoon destination? Where are you going? Have you ever been to Croatia - have any tips for us?

Roadblock

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I've hit a road block. There is something that I just have to take care of for the wedding weekend that I can't seem to bring myself to do, and I've been skirting the issue for months now. Why? I'm not sure. I'm sure I'm making it more confusing, complicated and scary than it will really be, maybe I'm worried it is going to be a logistical nightmare. Whatever it is that is precluding me, it's doing a great job! I will find an excuse to do almost anything else - from something for work to cleaning the litterbox, you name it, I'm on it, as long as I don't have to do this. Want to meet the culprit of my anxiety?

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This seemingly innocent vehicle has been the source of sleepless nights and well, lots of productivity. I know I need to arrange the transportation for the wedding weekend events, but for some reason, I just can't! I feel like I have truly hit a psychological road block on this one. Thank goodness it has not stopped me from doing other projects that I've left for the last two months of my 20-month engagement, like the table numbers and the out of town bags (more to come soon, you'll love them!), but it's draining none the less!

Anyone else have to take care of transportation for several hundred people? Anyone else hit a roadblock - any advice for getting around it (preferably other than "just do it already" - I already know that!)?

Being a Bridesmaid: Shower time

As a bridemaid in Friend Y's wedding coming up in July, I have gotten to enjoy wedding planning from a totally different perspective. Recently, we went down to Philly for a bridal shower thrown by Y's family. It was a gorgeous shower, complete with all the guests filling out a page in a scrapbook for Y, tons of presents, and of course, more delicious food than we could possibly eat! It was also a great opportunity for all of us bridesmaids to get together since we all live far apart (from Israel to Atlanta and everywhere in between).

Mr. Hermit Crab and Mr. Y-to-be were the lucky men at the event. They were great sports about it!

The room was set up in Y's colors, blue and white, and the flower arrangements were beautiful.

There was, of course, a champagne toast



And since Y had no yet gotten her dress, one was made for her!

Y and all the bridesmaids!

It is so much fun planning a wedding with a close friend! We get to enjoy planning our own, and then being part of the planning for another. I am looking forward to her wedding in Israel in July, and sharing all the details with you! (All pictures are personal photos)

Are you able to enjoy wedding planning from more than one perspective? Have you ever been bridesmaid? I'd love to hear your advice!

NOLA Bachelorette Weekend

Recently, I had my bachelorette weekend in New Orleans, Louisianna, and it was one of the most fun, most ridiculous weekends of my entire life. I can't wait to tell you all about it, so here's

Part 1 or, What I Expected:

After a short delay in the airports, I finally arrived in NOLA, greeted by my three amazing ladies, and three of my lifetime closest friends:

Friend M, a friend from life here in Syracuse

Friend B, from day 1 of sleepaway camp when we were 11 and all these years later!

Friend A, since Kindergarten, and the spearhead of all our activities while in NOLA

We headed out for dinner at celebrity chef John Besh's restaurant for dinner. After dinner, I got a text from another high school friend who was flying down for the weekend that we should meet him at a certain bar.

We arrived at said bar way before we expected BL to arrive. In the meantime, we were descended on by the party-goers of a bachelor party who had chosen the same bar. However, they were heavily into their evening, and I'll share this shot with you that accurately sums up how we felt about their company:

Luckily for us, they seemed to lose interest pretty quickly!

Friend BL finally arrives (on the left). On the right is a friend of mine that I met when we were on a teen tour of Europe nine years ago! We were great friends, but kind of lost touch. I saw that he was living in New Orleans and I went out on a limb and told him I was coming down. We reconnected for the first time in nine years, and it was amazing to see him!

Also, another friend of mine and his girlfriend showed up that night to surprise me. They had gone to Tulane, and met us out that night. It was a great surprise. However, it was only the first, and most mild, of many surprises. So here comes

Part 2 or What I Had NO Idea Was Coming...

We went to brunch the next morning and returned to the hotel room to wait while our other friend and his girlfriend got ready. Quick disclaimer: THIS POST IS NOT FOR THE FAINT OF HEART (OR MY PARENTS) and the accessories and beverages that you will see here are not my usual - I was living on the edge ;).

Anyway, this is when the "bachelorette" party started. I was given some pretty new accessories:

There is a straw, necklace and light up headband in this picture that are not what they might seem at first glance...

And what happened next caused Friend A and I to react like this:

Yes, that is us barely able to breathe from laughing so hard!

I wish I could share pictures with you of what was happening, but I have been threatened with end-of-friendship if the pictures appear on the internet! In short, there was music, there was dancing, there were tear away pants, there were, shall we say, ladies undies, and there were three surprise guests bringing them all together!

I caught a thrown accessory during the show

The surprise of these three friends - three of my oldest guy friends (since kindergarten!) would have been enough, but the routine really put it over the edge. It was absolutely the most hilarious surprise ever!

After the show, everyone cleaned up and headed out on the town together for live music and sunshine. Aren't we a good looking group? My mom joked with me that I would have more guys than girls at my bachorlette party! I can't help it - these are like brothers!

Of course, we came back to the hotel to get ready to go out for the evening, and I needed my new accessories.

I was dared to wear the headband out for at least a little while. I had absolutely no idea that they would attract so much attention! This woman actually passed us and then came running back to tell me how much she loved it! Priceless.

The next day included more music and for Friend BL, a NOLA classic: crawfish

All the ladies went to grab margaritas at, where else? Margaritaville!

We were sitting by the edge of the mighty Mississippi, enjoying the sunshine and music, when the silliest thing happened. Friend X is all the way on the left in the green shirt. We were sitting as were are in this photo when a tiny dog came up and started to pee on X! He jumped up and the dog ran back to its owner (he was on a leash!) When X said, "Hey, your dog peed on me!" The owner simply said, "Oh, well, you must have looked like a tree." And he walked away! None of us could believe that actually happened.

Three days later, I arrived back home, elated, exhausted and so excited for the wedding! This was the first wedding event in the months close to the wedding, and it made it really seem real. I also came home so grateful for such amazing friends. We had absolutely the best weekend, just being away together and enjoying life. I needed this break and I love my friends - I couldn't have asked for a better weekend! (All photos in this post by amazing Friend M).

What is your favorite bachelorette party that you've ever been to? If you're having a bachelorette party, will it be co-ed? Share your favorite stories!

St. Baldricks

One thing I haven't talked about enough yet is the Hermit Crabs' commitment to community service. Giving back is a huge part of both of our lives, and we always do what we can. Recently, Mr. Hermit Crab had an opportunity to participate in St. Baldericks. Along with a team of men ranging in age from 4 (ok, so he's not quite a man yet) to 50, Mr. Hermit Crab spent the last few months raising money for Children's Cancer Research as people sponsored him to shave his head. After raising nearly $10,000, the team came together with the rest of the participants in the Syracuse area for the great shave. It was an incredibly powerful day, transformative for Mr. Hermit Crab in more than one way! (All pictures are personal photos)

The team before the shave (how cute is the little guy third in from the right! Oh, and also the guy all the way on the left ;) )

Mr. Hermit Crab before

The shave begins

He looks like he enjoys it! I asked if she would just leave him like this for a little while...he wasn't feeling it!

Almost done - what a trooper!

And the after!

The whole team after

People kept asking me how I felt about the shave, so close to the wedding. I assured them that I was totally on board with this cause, and bald or not, Mr. Hermit Crab and I would still be married! (Of course, more than two months out from the wedding when he shaved, I knew he probably need another haircut before the wedding anyway - it's hair!).

Have you or your partner made any risky styling changes in the months before the wedding? Do you share our love for community service? Share the ways you give back!

Mr. Hermit Crab all smiles after the final shave

Back to reality

There is a teeny tiny detail that goes along with the invitations that I have to take a moment to mention...

I hate to admit it, but I totally had one of those "bride" moments when something seemed way more important than it really was. And what prompted this?

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Yes, the stamp.

I was totally set on these lovelies:

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I felt they are adorable, appropriate and would add just the right splash of color and whimsy. I am sure you can see where this is going, folks. In order those delicious stamps, I would need a 20 cents more. The closest stamp would be a postcard stamp ($.28). I would have to add one of these next to my little couple:

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Well, I was not having it (though admittedly, the polar bear is adorable).

Then they offered me two wedding stamps: $.61 and $.44 which would be exactly the right amount. But did I like these stamps? No sir, that would be too easy.

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(Side note: I didn't notice right away, but the stamps in these pictures are totally outdated!)

I stood at the counter, staring at these two sets of stamps, wistfully at my king and queen, glaringly at my cake and rings, with the postman standing there watching me, I'm sure thinking that I was completely batty.

Finally, after a moment, I came to the realization that though I loved my envelopes, not too many people were actually going to even notice the stamp, and fewer still would remember it after they threw it away (gasp, the horror! They are going to save it forever, I know). Also, I could not believe the amount of time that I was spending simply thinking about a silly stamp! So, I bit the bullet, bought the wedding stamps, and left my little friends waving good bye on the counter. I keep reminding myself that I save 8 whole cents an envelope! And I'm over it now...pretty much ;).

It's ok though, I always have my faithful standby, the one that adorned our save the dates and our RSVP envelopes, and will eventually be on all our thank you cards:

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So pretty and helps a good cause, too!

But now, all our little invites have flown the coup, wedding stamps and all!

Did you get caught up in a little detail and have to do a reality check? Did you get to use those adorable king and queens? Actually, don't tell me!

Invitations: Part 1

It is the moment I have been waiting for for SO long! I absolutely love our invitations and could not wait to share them with you! These were a true collaboration between so many wonderful artists - our letterpress printer Kristin of Twin Ravens Press, our incredible map maker Crystal Kluge, our calligrapher Fran of Little Flower Calligraphy (for wording in the invitation and also our envelopes), and our Hebrew calligrapher Jerise. I found each of these artists (with the exception of Crystal) on Etsy, and I cannot begin to recommend this site enough. You can literally find someone for everything, and I have been incredibly happy working with each person - and anything that I haven't found, I have been able to find here on the 'Bee!

So you're like, enough already, give us the goods...and without further adieu:

You've seen our envelopes already - lined with petal Lotka paper - here's what's going in them!

Each of our guests will receive this beautiful booklet. The outside paper is blue lotka paper

A closer look at the booklet - each has a pressed pink flower adhered to the cover

In each booklet, there were four pages, bound together.

The first page is a traditional Hebrew poem, often used during weddings. The words in English are:

Again may these be heard in the cities of Judah
And in the streets of Jerusalem
The voices of gladness and voices of happiness
The voice of bridegroom and bride

The next page featured our actual invitation. We chose to go with three colors on this page only, just to make it pop and stand out more. The text on this page were a combination of Silverstein font (consequently by Crystal Kluge, but one that Kristin already had), English calligraphy by Fran of Little Flower, and Hebrew calligraphy by Jerise.

The next page featured our map - a little glimpse into our lives and who we are

The final page is actually not that exciting. It featured information about our hotel blocks and transportation to and from the hotel for our guests. This page too featured Fran's calligraphy and Silverstein font.

All pictures sent to me from Kristin at Twin Ravens Press

So that is our little booklet of pure happiness! I could not be happier with these invitations - Mr. Hermit Crab and I worked very hard together, with all of these amazing artists, to create something that is so us, and that we will be able to cherish for a long time!

Who was included in the creation of your invitations? Were they DIY, or DI-everyone else, like mine? Let's hear about your inviations!