Still swamped with work/moving… But looking forward to a triumphant return to these here parts so that I can dish about wedding planning and our adventures in making over the new apartment (with pics and all!) In the meantime… Enjoy!

While I’m on this little vacay from the blogosphere (which I promise will not last much longer!), I have to leave you with a few things that I am absolutely loving lately:

• EcoNation Speakers: Thanks to Sarah, my MoH, for introducing me to the wonder that is this set of eco-friendly speakers. I adore them! And for $15 (at Chapters/Indigo), they’re very hard to pass up!

• The Wedding Dance: Forget choreographed first dances… It’s all about the big entrance! I’ve now watched this vid a few times, and it never fails to make me smile.

• Super simple baked brie: We served this at the cottage on the weekend, and it was an instant hit. Ready in about 20 minutes, delish when paired with crackers and green apple slices… And most importantly, it’s brie. How could I NOT love this? Check out the link for instructions, or follow my lead: Wrap a medium-sized round of brie in crescent roll dough (ie. a tube of Pillsbury dough) and bake according to the instructions on the tube. When the dough is golden and delicious looking, remove from the oven, transfer to a plate, and dig in!

• Buzzfeed.com: What would a lunch break be without hilarious gems from all over the web? This site is now officially my go-to for the latest viral videos and wacky new finds.

• Outtrip’s Yo…Lounge: Okay, so this album certainly isn’t new, but it’s made its way back into heavy rotation on my iPod as of late and I need to share the love. Have you heard it? If not, you’re seriously missing out. “Yo… Lounge” is the ultimate summer chill album. Check it out on MySpace and then pick it up on iTunes. You’ll thank me later.

As for what’s coming up on my little corner of the web, I’ve got plenty to share! So please stay tuned, and bear with me… MoveFest 2009 will be over soon!

Can't wait to walk up these steps!

First, can I just say… HAPPY CANADA DAY! I stumbled across a great little article this morning that made me smile, so I’m passing it along: 100 Reasons to Love Canada. (I’m surprised they could narrow it down to 100! Ha!)

Big news on this Wedding Wednesday update. The planning is chugging along, and I’m happy to report that the two biggest things on our “To Do” list have been checked off. Yes, the date is set and the venue is booked! B-rad and I will be tying the knot/taking the vows/getting hitched/entering into a lifetime commitment of awesomeness in October 2010. (Yes, I’m doing a little dance right now. I’m kinda psyched.) And the venue? Perfection. It was love at first sight.

But it was not the first venue that we checked out. Oh no. We’ve been a busy pair, scoping out venues across the GTA and trying to find the perfect one to fit our style and our budget. And we’ve learned one very important thing: Weddings are freaking expensive, friends. Holy geez. Let’s check the highlight reel…

The first venue that we toured was amazing, and we thought we’d struck gold our first time out. What a lucky break! It was unique, completely fit our personalities, and it was all kinds of awesome. Unfortunately, all that awesomeness was going to cost us about 200% of our total budget, and it didn’t even include the ceremony! Don’t get me wrong, we’re all about the party… But we’d kinda like to say “I Do” before the epic celebration begins. And not in the living room, in front of our cats and neighbour-turned-internet-minister, either. Clearly, finding our dream venue was going to be a bit trickier than we’d thought. Moving along…

Venue #2 was stunning AND budget-friendly, but unfortunately it was also located in a pretty remote spot. And we were worried that the room the coordinator suggested might be a little too small for our party once we factored in a dance floor and all our guests. Yes, our guests like to get their groove on, and we aren’t about to squash their enthusiasm, particularly on the day of our wedding. I mean, really… Who doesn’t want to celebrate the union of two nerdy people with a little two step or electric slide? (But no chicken dance, please.) Plus, an 8-hour open bar is nice and all, but when the closest hotel is half an hour away, it’s not really worth it…

The third time proved NOT to be the charm when I toured a venue in Whitby with my mum on a rainy Sunday afternoon. The coordinator booked our appointment at the same time as a wedding, so one of the ballrooms wasn’t available for viewing, and the one that WAS available was still a total mess from the night before (wine-soaked linens, tables all over the place, a ladder in the middle of the room). I was also completely mortified when I walked in the front door of the banquet hall and right into someone’s receiving line. Disaster. I was unimpressed, to say the least.

So, we took a break from looking for a while… and then our Best Man (who is also a wedding photographer) mentioned a venue that he was going to be shooting a wedding at this summer, and gave me the web address. I have to admit, I’d never heard of Hockley Valley Resort before, but I was certainly intrigued, and the photos on the site looked fantastic. B-rad and I made an appointment to check it out, and the following weekend we were on the road to Orangeville, feeling hopeful and excited.

Let me tell you, our Best Man is going to be getting a very nice thank you gift for that little gem! After touring the resort—the ballrooms, the outdoor ceremony location, the restaurant and the guest suites—we were in love. It offers everything that we wanted: a destination-type feel without the hefty price tag, a gorgeous natural backdrop, lots of privacy and plenty of convenience. We walked around for a while on our own and then asked the coordinator for a contract. We hadn’t really planned on booking the same day as the tour, but we just couldn’t imagine anywhere more perfect for the Big Day!

So, that’s it! October 2010, Hockley Valley Resort. Things are really starting to come together, which means that The Party of the Decade is one huge step closer to becoming a reality! And it just goes to show that sometimes answers show up when you least expect them. Thank goodness for that!

What about you, brides- and grooms-to-be? Any venue hunting horror stories? Has anyone out there attended a wedding at a venue that you loved/hated? I always enjoy stories about the unique places that people choose for their weddings… Share your tales in the comments!

Now if you’ll excuse me, I’ve need to go eat some poutine, feed my polar bear and drink a beer, eh? (Happy Birthday, Canada! I’m going to eat some cake on your behalf.)

I’d meant to post this on Friday, but was quite busy getting my bake-and-slideshow on for B-rad’s Dad’s 60th birthday soiree, which took place on Saturday (and I make a mean iMovie, if I do say so myself). The party was awesome and thankfully the weather held out all day so that everyone could have a great time. And a rainy Sunday just gave us all an excuse to hang out and revel in our cake-induced laziness.

But back to Friday. At 9 a.m., yours truly had an appointment with a personal trainer at the gym. Ah yes,the gym—that magical land of fitness and exercise that up until now, I have skillfully avoided like Amy Winehouse avoids rehab. Should I go? Yes. Did I want to? No, no, no.

And then, much to my own surprise, I decided it was time to get serious. So I headed to GoodLife for Women and became a member. Yes, Alicia McAuley is now a card-carrying member of a gym. (But fear not—as far as I know, this is not actually a sign of the apocalypse. However, if I spot any horsemen on the treadmill, I’ll let you all know ASAP.)

Friday morning I sat down with Magda, my trainer, and worked out my Personal Health Profile. Let me tell you, I was in for a shock. While I like to believe that I am comprised solely of “win” and “awesome,” it turns out that there is a significant amount of body fat in the mix. And when Magda held up a bright yellow hunk of something completely gross looking, I almost passed out when she told me just how much of it was lurking under my skin (and sadly, it’s not all located in my killer rack, as I have asserted in the past).

For about an hour, we talked about my goals, analyzed my fitness level (which wasn’t too bad, I’m happy to say) and worked out a long-term plan. It’s going to involve a significant amount of work, some major commitment, and a boatload of sweat… And while I know it’s definitely not going to be easy, I am certain that it’s going to be more than worth it when I try on The Dress for the first time. Weddings are a great motivator, no?

So, let’s talk actual weight vs. goal weight, shall we? Drum roll, please…

Current weight: 183 lbs (Srsly.)
Goal weight: 140 lbs
Time frame for reaching goal weight: One year.

All I need now is a major lifestyle change, and I’ll be good to go! (Heh… Just kidding. Baby steps.)

In addition to a little card with my name on it, the good people at GoodLife have gifted me with a new gym bag. But aside from water and runners, I have no idea what to put in it. And that brings me to my big Question of the Day: Gym-savvy ladies and gents, what are your gym bag “must haves”? Suggestions and comments are greatly appreciated!

(*Yes, I went there. Bonus points if you can guess the musical reference! )

Photo: Sweetretreat.ca

Having already navigated my way through one bridal show (which I doubt will be my last) here are a few words of wisdom that I think every bride-to-be should have before getting swept up in bridal show madness.

1. Bring Your Partner-to-Be
I can’t tell you how many women I overheard saying, “I wish he was here, I can’t decide on these things by myself!” as they walked around with girlfriends and moms. While wedding shows are really just for inspiration, it makes sense to have your partner come along so that you don’t have to attempt to relay a mountain of information about DJs, invitations and eleven-tiered cakes when you get home. (If it helps, tell him/her there will be cake samples to test. Food is an excellent motivator.)

2. Leave Your Credit Card At Home
Did I need to purchase a $200 flat iron at a wedding show? Probably not. But after three hours of wandering around, I was so grateful to the woman who asked me to sit down while she did a demo on my wavy locks, I decided I either had to make a purchase, or marry her. Do yourself (and your bank account) a favour and keep the Visa stashed at home in case you feel the urge to impulse buy.

3. Say “Maybe” to The Dress
Yes, there are some fantastic deals on wedding gowns at bridal shows. But if it’s your first show, don’t feel pressured to pick up a dress just because it’s a steal at $150. Look around and figure out what kind of dress you want first, then see if it’s available for a discount at a show. Dress booths are also a great opportunity to get ideas!

4. Don’t Let Yourself Be Bullied
In a building packed with vendors, it’s no secret that everyone is trying to sell you on something. Weddings are a huge moneymaking business, and everyone wants to be your first choice. But don’t let aggressive salespeople push you into anything you’re not comfortable with. If you’re not interested, politely let them know it and just keep walking.

5. Beware the Chocolate Fountain
There will likely be at least one chocolate fountain demonstration at every wedding show you attend. Ah, the chocolate fountain. Totally luxe and awesome, right? Not when there are 100 people in line to dip a marshmallow on a toothpick, friends. It’s messy, it’s chaotic, and I’m pretty sure that manning it is the most stressful gig in the whole place. So tread carefully, and remember to stash a Tide to Go in your purse, just in case.

Any bridal show pros out there? I’d love to hear your tips! For a list of upcoming bridal shows in the GTA, check out The Perfect Wedding Guide.

Post-choreography. So hot.

Fact: In my younger days, I took 5 years of jazz dance classes. We’re talking sequins, spandex, and hair with enough AquaNet to withstand a tornado. The whole nine.

Last night, yours truly was thrust into the dancing world once again, as part of The White Hot Happening at the National Ballet’s White Hot Gala. After some incredible performances by newly promoted members of the company, as well as retiring dancer Chan Hon Goh, it was time to grab a martini and bust a few moves of my own.

And how on earth did I manage that? Like most of my crazy adventures, it was sort of by accident…

My friend Jess and I both receive emails from Dance Break, a program that makes ballet tickets more accessible to dance fans aged 16-29. I was out for coffee with another friend when I got a text message from Jess, asking me if I’d gotten the latest email, and if I wanted to go. I said I wasn’t sure, as I couldn’t actually see the email on my Blackberry, but that I’d let her know. She wisely pointed out that tickets would likely sell out quickly, due to the nature of the event and the fact that there were drinks after the performance with members of the company (ie. a super awesome night that was sure to rock our faces off). So I said, sure, yes, put me down for a ticket. Then I got back to the coffee…

When I got home that night, though, I was in for a surprise. Upon opening the actual email, I realized that this super awesome event was much more than I’d bargained for. In addition to the performance and the gala, there was going to be something called a “Happening,” which required me to go to a choreography session downtown. At the National Ballet. With Melissa Williams from So You Think You Can Dance Canada. Umm… Wait a minute. I have to dance? In front of strangers? Seriously?

Hello flashback to the early 90s! (Or Frosh Week, for that matter!)

When our choreography session rolled around in May, I walked into the studio and took a good look around. Surrounded by very fit women on all sides, I had a sudden urge to proclaim “this isn’t where I parked my car!” and run quickly out of the building. But thankfully, I stayed put. After all, how many times in my life am I going to get to learn a dance from Melissa Williams? Really now.

The choreography session was great fun—despite the presence of many video cameras—and we were asked to keep a lid on the dance so that it would be a big surprise for everyone at the White Hot Gala. And let me tell you, it was a secret worth keeping. Last night was a complete blasty blast. After a month of practice here and there, I’m happy to say that I danced my very best, and managed not to trip on my heels and face plant on the hardwood. What more could a girl ask for?

For more details on the White Hot Gala and Happening, check out this article from the Globe and Mail. And if a video of The Happening surfaces somewhere, you can be sure I’ll be posting it here as well!

Update: Here’s the video!

When I woke up on St. Patrick’s Day 2008, I had no idea that by the time I went to sleep, I’d be standing at the edge of a world filled with taffeta and fondant, about to take a flying leap. But things happen when you least expect them, they say. Or, in my case, when you sort of expect them, then second guess yourself, only to be proven absolutely right anyway. Allow me to explain…

St. Patrick’s Day was almost over, and I was cranking out the last paragraphs of a review of David French’s Leaving Home.  Not exactly the wild St. Patty’s Day I’d envisioned, but with only a few weeks of journalism school left, I was moving full speed ahead and had no time for green beer or dancing on the bar at Pogue Mahone. (Okay, there may have been a green beer or two in there somewhere, but definitely no bar dancing.) Napping beside me was my boyfriend, the fabulous B-rad, who coincidentally has been one of my best friends since we met in university in 2002 (which you may remember from this post). We’d been dating for nearly two years at that point and I had a feeling that he was going to pop The Question sometime in the near future. But as the clock crept closer to midnight, it seemed highly unlikely that today would be The Day.

Then he stopped napping.

Twenty minutes and a confusing-to-anyone-who-isn’t-us conversation later, he was on one knee in front of me with a little green box in his hand, carefully reciting the sweetest speech I have ever heard. (The kind of speech that has made grown women cry upon re-telling, I kid you not.) And as I’ve always been incredibly articulate when it comes to Brad, I looked at him with a stunned expression, blinked a few times and said, “Come again?”

He: “I said, will you marry me?”

Me: “I’m sorry, I’m going to need you to run that by me one more time.”

He (laughing): “Will you marry me?”

When I finally managed to squeak out a “Yes!” between tears and hugs, he reminded me that there was a ring I hadn’t looked at yet. And let me tell you, when I finally took a peek, it was the most perfect and beautiful thing I’d ever seen. A Claddagh engagement ring (yes, that’s it in the photo… and yes, that is a heart-shaped diamond mounted on the top). Just the thing for a St. Patrick’s Day proposal. Brad had it custom designed, just for me… And it’s one of a kind, just like him. (Cue the violins, people. It doesn’t get more sappy than this.) Seriously though, I get a lot of comments about this bling, from total strangers to dear friends who swoon over it every time it catches the light. It is really and truly incredible… And he deserves full credit.

(Fun fact: The only person who knew about B-rad’s not-so-evil plan beforehand was my mum. He asked for her blessing and gave her a sneak peek at the ring before I had any idea what was going on. She still pretended to be surprised when I called to tell her the news, though… and I sure am glad she gave him the green light. Thanks, mum… You rock!)

So there you have it. And now that you know how I became a bride-to-be, come on and get sappy with me!  What’s your proposal story? Leave it in the comments!

While I’ve only tried it a few times so far (remember that knee injury I mentioned? The doc thinks it might be the beginning of a cartilage problem… which means I get to wear a brace for a few weeks, pop Tylenol Arthritis for pain and avoid stairs like the plague. In short? Bah.) it’s been a lot of fun! I started by creating my own avatar (complete with custom hairstyle and workout duds…Kinda like the one in the pic above) and completing my profile. Then it was onto the good stuff. You can either put together a custom workout or take the 30 Day Challenge. And since I’m a big fan of a good challenge, I chose the latter.

For the first session of the 30 Day Challenge, I worked out in the living room for 25 minutes and burned over 150 calories. Not too shabby, hmm? I got my sweat on, and I really had a great time doing it. In addition to boxing and inline skating, I got to jog, lunge, squat, row and do some bicep curls. Not bad for 25 minutes! It definitely doesn’t feel like work. And my favourite part? It lets you know if you’re not doing something quite right – a bonus for me, since I’m always pretty conscious about my form when it comes to squats and lunges. The instructional videos are a huge bonus, too (and feature an actual person, which helps). Another great feature is that the workout changes every day, so you’re not just doing the same exercises over and over (I’m looking forward to getting to the dancing part).

Last night, Brad and I decided to give the multi-player option a try. We had way too much fun hitting virtual tennis balls and baseballs, and competing to see who could sink the most shots in basketball. My only complaint about the sports activities is that there are no soccer-related options. Now, I know there is only so much that the EA team can squeeze into one game… But don’t you think that a little “keep up” could be good for the booty? Really now.

Bottom line? If you’re looking for an alternative to the Wii Fit, this is a fantastic option. It gives lots of positive feedback, comes with a handy resistance band, and gives really detailed instructions/demonstrations. Add to that a great website choc full of resources, and you’ve got a pretty good foundation for getting back in shape. For more on the EA Sports Active’s features, check this out.

Has anyone else tried the EA Sports Active yet? What do you think?

Before I head out, though, I have to show off my new business cards, because I think they look pretty darn snazzy. Big thanks to my friend, Jon Rennie, for the awesome design. As you can probably tell, he’s also the talented guy behind my web design. But what you may not have known is that he’ll also be starring as Best Man in our October 2010 wedding. (More on that soon. No, really. It’s coming!)

Anyhoo, back to The Hour. If you live in the GTA and want a great way to spend a few hours one afternoon, I highly recommend checking out a taping. Tickets are free, which makes for one very budget-friendly outing. George and Bradley Cooper in the same room, and I didn’t have to sell a kidney to be there? Life is good.

If you’re not familiar with Bradley Cooper, here is a sampling of his resume: Guest appearance on Sex and the City, “Will Tippin” on Alias (<3), The d-bag boyfriend in Wedding Crashers, The d-bag husband in He’s Just Not That Into You, and most recently, part of the hilarious cast of The Hangover (which opens June 5, and I can’t wait to see it.)

Highlights from the taping: Yours truly made it just in time, thanks to some stunning performances by the TTC. (Tangent: Why is it so hard to get a damn bus out here? I mean, really. Nothing comes for 20 minutes, and then? TWO buses going the exact same way show up simultaneously. I like a good surprise as much as the next girl, but not when it comes to public transit, thankyouverymuch.) So, being the last one in the studio, I got a chair right on the end of the aisle, meaning that in the intimate setting that is The Hour, Bradley Cooper (who my friend Sarah has dubbed “very lickable”) could have easily tripped over my purse on his way to the stage. Wouldn’t that have been lovely? “Random Girl Trips Will Tippin, Breaks His Handsome Leg.” Thankfully, that did not happen. Totally charming, very funny… Great interview. (And if you missed the awesome interview, you should absolutely check it out here.)

The other guest of the evening was Jeff Rubin, former top economist for CIBC, who explained his beliefs about how triple-digit oil prices are going to have a huge impact on our futures. Some really thought provoking stuff… And I especially liked his analogy about ping pong on a train.

I really can’t say enough good things about George Stroumboulopoulous (shocking: spell check does not like that one). He really seems to put his guests at ease in a very short amount of time. It’s really just a casual conversation that happens to take place in front of a bunch of people… and it’s pretty damn cool. Everything happens in one take; there are no do-overs. And I love that no question is off-limits (take that, Billy Bob Thornton), so you never really know what might happen. George even sticks around after the show to answer any and all questions that the audience throws his way. Check out some more of his great interviews from The Hour here.

And stay tuned this week while I play Catch Up On Life, with reports on Canada’s Wonderland, The Toronto Blue Jays, 101 in 1001, EA Sports Active… And, yes, wedding plans! (All in one week? That’s the plan!) But first? There is a bottle of wine that is calling my name…