Could it be now? A Man-gagement Proposal

A few weeks after choosing my e-ring [backstory here], Mr. PS and I vacationed in Cabo. My bestie speculated that a proposal might be in the works, but I knew it was probably too soon.

Nevertheless, we had the best vacation ever! Surfing, sunning, and relaxing were the only activities on the agenda...

Land's End at El Arco

Reading my Kindle at Zippers beach

and I get to practice my surf photography!

yet there's still plenty of time to 'get wet'

Mission accomplished. I'll admit only ONE mistake than thankfully ended happily. Suckered into a timeshare presentation, we spent precious surfing time at non-existent hotel property so we could get the freebies - a jet ski excursion, glass bottom boat ride...you know the drill.

Seriously, hard hats required!

This was the first and only time I think Mr. PS wanted to shake sense into my head, haha! Four hours later we cried "never again!" and with vouchers in hand made haste to the nearest beach.

One coupon claimed $100 credit at Diamonds International jewelry store. If you're a skeptic like me, you'll appreciate the need to adventure in to see what you can buy for a benjamin. And just as I suspected, there was nothing. But....

As luck would have it, Mr. PS fell in LOVE with a watch in the case. I lapped all the displays twice as he OOHHed and AAHHed over this timepiece. It had all the features he wanted and was unlike any in his collection. He couldn't take it off and wouldn't stop gazing at its beauty. Alas, he sighed that he couldn't buy it because he was saving for my ring.

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Aha! Are you thinking what I'm thinking? Exactly. I offered to buy the watch for Mr. PS with the condition that he could wear it once we were properly engaged. If I get to wear a sparkly ring, what's to say that Mr. PS can't sport an engagement watch?! In fact, the more I thought about it, it only seemed fair that he should have some bling to show off as well. Plus, the devil on my shoulder couldn't help but think it could be incentive. A little bribery never hurt, right?

Apparently and unbeknownst to me, man-gagement presents are all the rage. There's a post from Mrs. Nachos about the man-gagement watch she gifted her DH here. And, Mrs. Hot Cocoa raises the bar with a man-gagement ring. Very cool.

So we left Cabo with sun-kissed skin, lots of rest, and a gorgeous watch that Mr. PS would have to wait four months to wear. Which really only meant that I had to continue to wait (sometimes not so patiently) for my Tiffany treasure.

Doesn't he look happy and handsome?

What do you think about gifting your beloved to commemorate the engagement? What did or would you choose to present?


ps. In a special Saturday installment, I'll post the final part of our engagement story. Mr. PS gets down on one knee, yay!

Bridal Breakdown # ?? - I've lost count.

Hello dear friends, happy Monday! I hope your weekend was full of fun and happiness. Mine certainly was, although it didn't start out that way...

Remember last week I was all insightful and inspired? I even had the nerve to use 'om' in one of those posts. Well, it only took a mysteriously missing bridesmaid's dress to derail the zen-like approach to wedding planning in one quick instant. My FB status update says it all.

WTH is right, Miss Rachel. It's a bit of a story that I'll save for later this week. Here's a preview of that super fun day with my girls 3 months ago. 

For now, suffice it to say that I ordered and paid for all the dresses at that same time in one transaction. The dresses finally came in - YAY! and I picked them up last Friday before rushing off to the airport to visit my Maid of Honor in SoCal. Imagine my surprise turned frustration when the consultant said "she hasn't ordered hers yet" after I asked about the one that didn't come in. 

I now fully understand why couples elope, and those who don't wish they had. Here's a glimpse of our dream wedding heaven if I could have only let go of marriage in the church. Ahhhhh, Cabo.

But I digress. After a mildly tearful meltdown alone in the car, I laughed at myself for thinking that "nothing is ever easy." Thankfully, I was on my way to visit my dear Maid of Honor. If anyone could make this process fun again, it would be her. 

We even managed to squeeze in some computer time devoted to wedding planning. She came through in a big way and I'm back from the brink of another bridal breakdown - thanks, friend!

Now you know how I regain sanity when the going gets rough...I jet off to somewhere fun with friends! Who keeps you grounded on this roller-coaster journey to matrimony? What are your favorite escapes or de-stressing tips? I could definitely use them for a rainy day, so please take a moment and comment below!

** all personal photos **

Meet the Sequins

Hello internet, I’d first like to introduce you to my amazing fiancé. A self-proclaimed surf junkie, Mr. PS feels most at home in the water. While on vacay, locals and tourists alike are impressed with his ability. Check him out at his favorite surf spot, Cabo:

He’s been surfing for almost 25 years and has at least 50 more in him! That would put him over 90 years old, and I know he'll get there because longevity runs in his family.  When he’s not on a surfboard or planning his next warm water trip, Mr. PS loves Cowboys football, poker with the boys and a good round of golf. Fun facts: 1) he’s never made the pilgrimage to Hawaii and 2) although he’s never owned a dog, he has a strange affinity for all things beagle.  He says it’s because a beagle won ‘Best in Show’ and I say it’s a little weird. We all have our quirks, I guess.

This one’s for Mr. PS:

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The next member of our family is our fuzzy feline friend Ollie the Cat. He loves to sleep, eat breakfast at 6am, and snuggle. We have thousands of photos of this looker, and it goes without saying that he is VERY spoiled. He also is a very terrible at hiding...

Last but not least, there’s me, pink sequins. I’m learning to embrace my true spirit as girly girl after previous careers in the Navy and consulting for the federal government. 

My favorite hobby is sleep, which makes me an obvious choice as Ollie’s snuggle buddy.  I grew up an introvert in extrovert clothing and now allow myself to prefer a good read on the Kindle over a social night out. I’m over-analytical, which is great for researching and compiling information but less so for decision making -- hence the reason wedding planning is such an overwhelming task for me. Thank goodness for Mr. S! He makes decisions when I cannot and takes wedding tasks off my list with a cheerful heart.  I’m a lucky girl! He also has the patience of a saint...teaching me to surf is no picnic, but at least I look the part :)

Now that you’ve gotten to know us a little better, let’s get to know you. Who do you regard as your “family” and what makes them especially dear to you? 


* all photos personal unless otherwise attributed *