THE GOODS BLOG: Erika's Precious Little Life - June Edition

Wedding countdown: Less than one month. 28 days! This is going to be my last entry as an un-married woman. I'm feeling surprisingly calm these days (although there have been several freak-outs along the way), and at this point I feel like everything is on track and falling into place. I'm really glad that I was on top of things really early, because if I still had mountains of things left to do at this point, I think that I really would be having a melt-down.

I wanted to thank each of you for getting your RSVPs back to me! I am SO EXCITED to see most of you and can't wait to share this amazing day with you ladies - the people who mean the most to me. I hope that I'm able to show you all an incredible time, and that you enjoy a little foray into everything that I am/we are. Out of all of the things that happen at a wedding, I think having so many different people from all of the different corners of my life all in one place is going to be the most surreal. I know that I'm going to be very emotional about that.

For those of you who can't come, I'm sad that you won't be there with me on the biggest day of my life. But I hope that you'll still feel like you're part of the day through the various little things that I have done/am doing to help include you.

You all mean the world to me whether you are able to attend or not.

At this point, I'm almost MORE excited to be finished with the wedding part so that I can leave it all behind and go off on the honeymoon!!! I'm so beyond excited about that. I remember in 2002 when I decided that Bora Bora was my dream honeymoon location (after seeing the (bad) movie xXx), and the fact that it's coming true... I'm just overjoyed. But okay yes, here's what happened with me in May! The bi-annual Royal Bison Craft & Art Fair took place, and I was definitely all up in that every day. I just love it so much! They're my people and my style.

Kristen was in town from Vancouver twice, which was amazing.

May was a big concerty month with MGMT, Mumford and Sons and Imagine Dragons. This photo is pretty much me in my element. FanP and all.

I spent May Long weekend in Regina in order to attend Katie and Tommy's wedding! Katie is Sarah's younger sister and she's pretty much like a little sister to me. I took Tim out to Echo Valley one day, since it seemed like the right thing to do on May Long. It was fun to remember all of the memories and to show him everything.

Katie's wedding was really pretty, and Sarah was the Maid of Honour, so I got to see MY Maid of Honour in action. (She's the best. I highly recommend her.) ;)

The downtown outdoor farmers market started up again for the year - seriously one of my most favourite things about Edmonton in the summer. I was so excited to see all of my favourite vendors again, and they all seemed happy to see me too! Homemade pasta and sauce, duck eggs, morel mushrooms, fiddleheads... Happiness.

Not sure if you remember this, but I'm on the volunteer list with the Wildlife Rehabilitation Society of Edmonton. They contacted me about being a "squirrel nanny" for a night, because it's spring and they have orphaned baby squirrels in need of feedings every two hours. So I took a little 3 week old Red Squirrel home and cared for him! It was an amazing experience.

Susan had her Bridal Shower! It was a super fun night filled with cute games and yummy treats.

And THEN two days later it was Susan and Matt's wedding!! It was such a wonderful and beautiful day and Susan looked stunning. I can't believe that she's married! I was so happy to share this day with you, Susan - I would never have missed it.

My heart is so happy for all of your love and joy.

I have also now lived in Edmonton for NINE YEARS! When did this happen?!

OK, OK, OK. June. It's freakin' June. This month seemed SO FAR away not too long ago.

Mainly I am spending this month focusing on anything/everything wedding and making sure that every aspect is all set to go. You guys KNOW me. I don't understand "less is more." I understand "more is more" (not even a real thing) and I'm a "go big or go home" kinda gal. I really hope that the vision in my head gets translated into real life in just the way that I intend you to experience it! Believe me when I say that I have considered every detail. I'm getting up to a few things this month that aren't wedding-related.

First of all, Indulgence. This event has been taking place for several years now, and this is my first opportunity to go! It's "a Canadian epic of food and wine" where Edmonton’s top chefs/restaurants, distinctive Alberta food producers, and the best VQA wineries in Canada put on a tasting of food and wine. I can't wait!!

I AM going to go to Cirque du Soleil's Amaluna if it's the last thing that I do.

And one of my top 3 favourite events that happens in Edmonton, Improvaganza is happening. I can't wait to get to see my favourite team (The Sunday Service from Vancouver) and to get to laugh at all of the hilarity!

After that it's wedding go-time.

Tim and I (and the wedding party members that are leaving from Edmonton) are heading out to Jasper on Thursday the 27th. Friday in Jasper is spa day / Bachelorette Party. Saturday is the rehearsal / Rehearsal Dinner. And then Sunday is THE BIG SHOW.

I don't know if I'll be able to write at the beginning of July like I normally would (we'll see) as we're leaving on our honeymoon immediately. On the Monday after our wedding we're having a family brunch / gift opening, then heading back to Edmonton from Jasper. Then on Tuesday it's US ON A PLANE TO FRENCH POLYNESIA! We'll be there for 12 days, visiting the islands of Tahiti Nui, Moorea, Bora Bora and Taha'a. I'm sure that I will take more photos than one person should.

We have a layover in Los Angeles on the way back, so we decided to spend a day and night in LA. Tim has never been, and it will be almost exactly a year since I was there last year! I'm looking forward to showing Tim around. ;)

When you hear from me again I'll be writing on the other side of getting married!

THIS MONTH'S SHOUT OUTS!:

June 14th is Amy Bull's 5th wedding anniversary!

Five years already and now you're expecting the next little Bull!!! I absolutely LOVED being a bridesmaid in your wedding, and now I am so thankful to have you as one in mine. Wishing you and Ray an amazing 5 years! June 24th is Sarah Turnbull's 31st birthday!

Every year I gush about how fortune I am to have someone as amazing as you as my best friend. But this time is even more special because you're about to be my Maid of Honour and that means absolutely everything to me. You're someone who has been with me through thick and thin and who has truly become my sister. I know that we always say this, but we say it because it's true. You know that I am behind you forever, in everything that you do, and that I love you with every part of my heart. I'm scared to think of where I would be without you.