Our Wedding: Before the Ceremony

Our second wedding was almost 8 months ago but it’s only now that I’m really sitting down to look through the beautiful photos of that day. We used Steven Michael Photo and he did a wonderful job capturing the excitement, sincerity, and fun of the day. We didn’t get our pictures back until just before Christmas and with everything going on that time of year we didn’t carve out much time to go through them; we thought we’d wait until we returned to Switzerland. Then we returned to Switzerland and immediately turned around to head back to Kansas. There never was a right time to look over them all while we were back, hence why I’m only now getting to it.

That’s all to say that these photos–and the ones I’ll be sharing over the next week or so, there are a lot–make me incredibly emotional and grateful. When I think of all Joe, Adam’s dad, has been through the past four months I feel inexplicable joy for the entire wedding weekend. Adam and I had a blast, but everyone agrees that no one had more fun than Joe.

So I hope you’ll indulge me as I share some images from this very special occasion, beginning with events that happened pre-ceremony. Courtney and I got our hair done at Parlor, a dry bar in Leawood. My ballerina bun was completed in about five minutes, with the help of about 50 bobby pins and a can of hairspray, so I got to lounge and read magazines while Courtney’s hair was fluffed and tousled. It was a very relaxing hour and I’m glad Court and I had a little time to ourselves before the rush of the afternoon.

Courtney and I then headed to Berg Event Space to get ready. They have a spacious bridal suite that was ideal for applying makeup sipping Champagne, and shaking out any last minute jitters. Unfortunately, there aren’t too many pictures of Adam getting ready because he mostly got ready at the hotel and the camera loves me ; ) Plus, the groom’s room was tiny.

A quick note: we loved working with Berg Event Space. Everyone was very professional and prompt and we felt knowledgeable about what the day would look like. Our opinions were heard and that made the whole process feel much more smooth and easy. We also just really liked the space. It has the industrial loft look that is very appealing right now and the big windows looking into downtown KC are such a perk. We would highly recommend it!

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My parents gave me those David Yurman pearl earrings as a grad school graduation gift, secretly hoping that I might wear them for my wedding someday. Little did any of us know that I would actually wear them only a few weeks later for our backyard wedding. It was a treat to wear them again. They were perfect.

Courtney and I elected to do our own makeup because a natural look was important to both of us. I basically amped up what I would do for a special night out and I felt great all night.

 

Don’t let that smile fool you. Times were tough right then because I couldn’t breathe. Like, at all. The dress was tight, though I definitely had gotten myself in shape with a little help from my friend. I was nervous that I wouldn’t last the evening in that corset, but I think it was just nerves because as soon as people started coming in and I was distracted, I forgot all about any constriction. In fact, I didn’t give it another thought through the whole evening and also didn’t have to constantly pull up my dress, as strapless dresses often force you to do.

 

That print was from a sweet Etsy shop whose name absolutely eludes me at this point. My friend Emily did the escort cards and table numbers. Isn’t her handwriting beautiful? On the card table we put up pictures of our relatives on their wedding days. I love that tradition. It’s such a nice way to honor the love and devotion in our families. I know we’ll look to all of them as sources of inspiration throughout our marriage.

Soon I’ll share pictures of the ceremony and reception, and maybe even a few photos from our private session during cocktail hour. It appears we were meant to be models.

(All photos by Steven Michael Photo)

 

Tuesday Book Club: Toting Books

On Sunday Adam and I hiked up the Gurten, Bern’s local mountain, and we each carried a backpack. His is a CamelBak with a water reservoir, but it also contained sandwiches and chips for lunch and a can of Coke. As we walked out the door I quickly ran over the contents in mine: wallet, waterproof blanket, camera, book, tissues, chapstick, sunscreen, cell phone, apartment keys, and even more tissues. “We’re just going up the Gurten,” Adam reminded me gently.

Mind you, some of those seem necessary (the sunscreen for sure) and I have a near-phobia of going anywhere without chapstick, but the book? Necessary? No, but coming along with me anyway? Yes.

I very rarely leave home without a book, even if I’m just going into town for groceries and errands. I never know if I’ll have the urge to stop in a cafe for a coffee or tea and want something with me to read. Or, I may find a sunny bench that looks perfect for a twenty minute rest. I know in that moment I’ll be glad I have a book with me.

What about you? Do you carry a book with you? I know it makes sense to take one if you have an appointment or know you’l be facing a long wait somewhere but I think I’ve transcended that. It’s almost as if the book is a talisman of sorts. Of course some books don’t make sense to tote around. The Goldfinch, Infinite Jest, and even The Luminaries were all a bit of a pain. But overall I just feel better knowing it’s there. Just in case.

 

p.s. Right now I’m reading Wolf Hall, which is entertaining if not also a little over my head at times… Apparently it’s a miniseries on PBS, running from April 5-May 10.

 

Summer TV

Spring has barely sprung around these parts and I’m already looking forward to summer. Although what I have in mind right now isn’t so much of the fun-in-the-sun persusaion, but that’s forefront on my mind as well. It figures since we didn’t really have a summer here last year, rather one long unprecedented rainy season. I truly can’t wait to get back to work on my summer tan…

No, but what I’m thinking about right now is the return of two of my favorite shows: Orange Is The New Black and True Detective. Trailers for both seasons were recently released and I thought you might be just as interested as I am.

Netflix’s wildly successful show–its handful of awards certainly prove it–is back again and I’m thrilled. I’m terrible about causally mentioning spoilers so I won’t babble for long but last season ended with a bang and I’m excited to see where this season picks up. The trailer promises loads of new cast members and the drama that they inevitably bring. Will you be watching?

You might also be interested in Kate Mulgrew’s recent memoir, Born With Teeth. She plays Red in OITNB and her book suggests that Mulgrew has some of the same chops as her tough, no-nonsense character. Among other hardships she has faced throughout her life, Mulgrew tells about giving her child up for adoption when she was only 22 and turning around days later to play a woman giving birth to her first child on the popular soap opera, Ryan’s Hope. She has gumption and guts and her memoir promises the same candor you’ve come to know and appreciate in her character Red. You can read more about it in this NPR article. I especially like this quote: “I’m not one of those who will ever say to you ‘No regrets.’ I have serious regrets. And I think most thoughtful people do, if they live a life as I have lived mine with a great deal of abandon and passion.”

 

True Detective, an HBO original, airs its second season on June 21. Replacing Woody Harrelson and Matthew McConaughey are Vince Vaughn and Colin Farrell. Rachel McAdams, who I love, joins the cast as well. It’s shaping up to look pretty mysterious and intense. Not too much is given away in the trailer which is fine with me. I love, love surprises. Did you watch last season? Will you watch this one? Admittedly the storyline was disturbing but the acting was terrific.

Just for fun, here’s a spoof of True Detective that came out about a year ago. It made me laugh out loud. Matthew McConaughey. What a character…

Happy Meetiversary, Friday!

Adam and I are celebrating our meetiversary this weekend–we met exactly five years ago. Time flies, y’all! It feels simultaneously like the longest amount of time and the shortest. We’ve covered everything and yet nothing at all. As always, I’m looking forward to the next five, and the five after that, and then those after that, and so on…

What are you up to this weekend? It’s shaping up to be lovely here so we’re having a couple friends over tomorrow to smoke ribs and pork shoulder. Can’t wait for the first barbecue of the year! And Adam and I are going to dinner tonight to celebrate our everlasting love : )

I hope you have a lovely spring weekend and here is the usual list of links for your perusal:

A song for the weekend

Does red wine give you headaches? If so, here’s why. Thankfully this is not an affliction from which I suffer, otherwise I shudder to think…

Raiding the French drugstore

“Apollo”. A short story by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, who wrote the novel Americanah. I read it in January and absolutely loved it.

Can’t wait to make this obsessively good avocado and cucumber salad

This ring. ::swoon::

The language of flowers

Would you get married at City Hall? These couples make it looks pretty special.

Mild sauce for hot people. Just what I need!

This video made me laugh.

 

(photos taken at last year on our meetiversary at the Rosengarten)

 

Wellness at Therme Vals

Wellness is taken very seriously in Switzerland. People pay good money for pharmaceuticals, wrap scarves around their throats to signal they are sick as a courtesy to others, and employers are very generous with sick days. But more than that, ritual bathing and visits to mineral-rich springs are de rigeur for promoting wellness and good health.

Throughout the country you will find a variety of wellness retreats and thermal baths. Some may include a spa for massages and treatments, others might have a fitness component, though the real focus is mostly on relaxation and refreshing the body. The Therme Vals is best known for its architecture. It was completed in 1996 by architect Peter Zumthor and was quickly named an architectural landmark. Zumthor later won the Pritzker Prize and received cult status among elite conceptualists.

His design relies on local quarzite, sensory experiences, and a harmony with the natural surroundings. The design is minimal and sleek, with sharp edges and gorgeous sight lines. Just walking around the thermal bath was inspiring and a treat in itself, especial for those with an appreciation for exceptional aesthetics.

Adam has always wanted to visit Therme Vals and this past weekend was the perfect opportunity as Monday was a national holiday and also the last day of the winter season for the bath. We booked the Kengo Kuma room at 7132, the hotel that is attached to the thermal spa, as a last-minute indulgence and decided to make a night out of it.

There are several different styles of rooms available and they are all unique and interesting. Adam loved the curved lines and cozy vibe of Kengo Kuma and it had a rustic pine smell to it that really brought the outdoors in. Plus, that shower (!!) is pretty cool.

This is always a funny season to be a tourist here because most of the winter snow has melted but it’s not late enough in the spring for the grass to really green and flowers to blossom. It’s generally pretty brown and gray, but we didn’t mind: the landscape was still beautiful.

Our night there was such a special treat. It was so lovely to just rest and relax and soak in all that beautiful wellness. The thermal waters, which are rich in calcium, magnesium, sulphates, chloride, alcalia, and fluoride, help loosen sore or stiff muscles, relieve itchy skin and eczema, boost circulation, improve sleep, and even reduce irritability. Healing indeed! There are warm, hot, cool, and cold baths for a variety of benefits and moods. I especially liked the indoor-outdoor pool because it was one of the warmest and the view of the mountains was extraordinary.

On Sunday night we were able to take part of the midnight silent swim, which is offered only to hotel guests. It was a magical night of swimming in warm water underneath the stars.

Before we left on Monday we walked around Vals, which is a sweet little town. We stopped for lunch at a tiny Alpine restaurant and just cruised the deserted streets.

Valser water is collected and bottled here. You can drink from public fountains throughout the entire country, but the water in this village was especially delicious and clear.

I loved this quick getaway. It’s no surprise that I love lounging and resting and Vals Therme and the 7132 was a supreme indulgence. I’d highly recommend it as a romantic weekend trip for any kind of special occasion.

Have you ever been to any thermal baths? We visited Leukerbad last year and really enjoyed the experience. I’ve also been to a Turkish bath in Istanbul, but that was a little crazy.

p.s. The swimsuit I wore at the bath is my new favorite thing! (I have it in the brown motif)

(images of inside the bath via Hotel 7132; all others our own)

Tuesday Book Club: Hausfrau

“Anna expects to be punished for her bad behavior, and she is, in the most terrible way. And then things get worse.”

Anna is sad. Anna is lonely. Anna is depressed. Anna is a liar. Anna is a cheat. Anna is a good wife, mostly. Despite her desire to put things in categorically order and clearly define her feelings (“What’s the difference between obsession and compulsion?” “What’s the difference between a delusion and a hallucination?”), Anna’s life is careening out of control. She has no real friends, she can’t speak the local language, she only considers herself “in a version of love” with her husband of nine years, and she’s sleeping around, rather recklessly.

The novel Hausfrau is set in Zurich, which originally drew me. My friend Nancy sent me this article and I bought it the next day. As a hausfrau in Switzerland I was intrigued to read another perspective, albeit a fictional one. The author Jill Alexander Essbaum moved to Zurich over ten years ago with her Texan husband. She felt much of the isolation and loneliness that Anna speaks of, and it’s tempting to think that some of Anna’s experiences perhaps mirror Essbaum’s own. But I’m pretty sure this is not a roman à clef we’re reading. There are, however, moments that ring true for this hausfrau: the difficulty of making friends, fitting in, communicating and battling moments of sadness and isolation.

The book is bleak, to be sure. In hindsight it’s hard to imagine any moments of lightness in the book; it all feels so weighted and charged with emotion and pain. Yet for all her self-loathing and slow-simmering anger, Anna does have a sweet maternal bond with her children that doesn’t seem to jive with who she is presented as throughout the novel. It’s perhaps the only upside to her life and suggests to the reader that perhaps Anna’s life may contain more joy than she lets on.

But, that’s not really the case. Hausfrau has been considered a modern day Anna Karenina or Madame Bovary. The tale of an unhappy housewife with little propelling her forward. There’s the modern addition of Jungian analysis (indeed, it’s highly peppered throughout the book), of course, but one could easily see similarities between this novel and the canonical works.

What doesn’t quite work for me is the intense sadness and melancholy. It’s so pervasive and so insistent that I felt smothered by it throughout the narrative. There’s no release of pressure. Though this may be a highly strategic move by Essbaum but I’m not quite sure it all pays off in the end.

I’m not sure I would wholeheartedly recommend it, but if you’ve ever lived in Switzerland then I think you’d enjoy reading about the city through a familiar lens and looking for shared experiences. You might also find it intriguing if you’ve moved abroad or trailed a spouse somewhere, as there are some enlightening points. But, overall I found it a little too dark and morose for my taste.

It’s brand new but let me know if you’ve read it!

(quote via this review)

 

It’s a Good Friday

To those celebrating I wish you a very pleasant Good Friday and a happy Easter! Normally I would love to be prancing about in a new spring dress to welcome warmer temperatures, but it was snowing this week…so I’m still in jeans and boots. Would love to see that sun sometime soon!

What are you doing this weekend? Our dear friends are moving to Portland, OR this weekend and we are having them over tonight for dinner and hugs before they go. Life without them here will be very different indeed but we are so excited for their new adventure–plus we can’t wait to visit them!

We might also take a last-minute trip to a thermal spa this weekend for some much needed concentrated relaxation, but otherwise it will probably pretty quiet. If you find yourself looking for something to read I’ve collected the usual list of links. I hope you have a lovely weekend with family and friends!

A song for you.

I’m making this french onion dip as an appetizer today. It is out of this world.

To combat that hip dip here are the three exercise moves you need to know. (I tried the first one and was worn out!)

I really want to watch this documentary. It sounds fascinating and a little spooky.

This has circulated quite a bit already, but I thought Angelina Jolie’s op-ed for why she decided to have her fallopian tubes and ovaries removed was heartfelt and very sincere. It certainly sparks an interesting debate on preventative care and what truly constitutes femininity.

In other New York Times news, this examination into a Norwegian prison, whose main mission is to help rehabilitate and reintegrate its prisoners back into society, was so insightful.

20 Career Tips from Entrepreneurial Women.

My tip to you: this cheek stain. I’m obsessed! (I use poppy paradise)

A seriously comfortable t-shirt.

Bourbon rosemary fizz cocktails. Adam made these on Sunday night and they were ::insert kissy face emoji here::

I’m listening to this book on audio and think it’s really good so far.

Made me laugh : )

 

 

 

Freehand logos

Have you seen this video of Seb Lester freehand drawing famous logos? I am mesmerized by his impeccable attention to detail and his precision is strangely soothing. Lester is a graphic designer in England and has worked for a variety of major brands and publications, but he also pursues his own independent projects. What talent!

You can check out more of his design work and art here.