the bride guide: how to change your last name

Joy of joys! The wedding is over and it was the best day of your life. Everything went off without a hitch and now you are husband and wife. What do you do now? Well, there are many answers to that question... but one thing to do is change your last name! (If you are the kind of girl who chooses to do so) This was one of the hardest decisions I ever had to make. But, once I decided how I wanted the government to recognize my name, I had to figure out what all needed to be changed and how to do it. Here is the order of what you have to do and how to go about doing it. Good luck, brides!

1. Find that little piece of paper at the bottom of your marriage license. Carry this around with you as you go from place to place changing your name.

2. Go to your area social security office and change your social. You will need this first before going out and changing everything else. It is simple to do. Go in, take a number, fill out the form, show them your marriage license slip, and swear you are telling the truth. 

3. The next step is your drivers license. Either wait to get your new social, or bring the receipt with you to the DMV (along with your handy marriage license slip). 

4. You have a year to change your name on your passport for free. All you need to do is mail: this form, your old passport, 2 new passport photos, the fee, and that handy marriage license slip. You do this last because they keep the slip.
***A year from issue, not a year after getting married. 
But you still don't have to pay full price to update it. 

Now the US government recognizes your new name! Congrats! 

Other things to change:

Your W2 info at work

Insurance info
Credit Cards

Bank Account Info

Good luck!

oscar month

Hello lovely,
To celebrate Oscar month the husband and I've been watching as many Oscar winning films as we can. Tonight it was Amadeus. Our criteria is the film has to be nominated or have a nominated actor or actress in it. It's been really fun. I'm also taking the opportunity to check off a few more films from my top 100 list. Here are the films we've watched so far. Hopefully we will be able to squeeze Benjamin Button and All About Eve in before the awards.
Hope your Valentine's Day was full of love. I took some photos of Niles' Valentine. I was pretty proud of the wrapping. I'll post soon.
love,
alyssa renee

Schindler's List

Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid

Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close

The Talented Mr. Ripley

Amadeus

Gangs of New York

favorite things: blue heaven

pinch me.

i've died and gone to blue heaven! 

husband, feel free to buy me any and all of these things for valentine's day. 

cabin nasty is...

whenever i mention cabin nasty i'm often asked this question, "what the hell is cabin nasty?" i know, it sounds like a weird porno. but it is so much more. cabin nasty is...

memories

nasty booths

candy bags

snow days

more than just slippers

duh doo

never enough beer

impromptu dance circles

jenga

bffs

unexplainable

mancala

beavers

undies

love.

did i miss anything?

stitching

hello lovely,
i've been stitching a bit lately and i quite fancy it! i'm enjoying coming up with little things to stitch for my friends and family. i've asked my mom to draw a few things i can try to stich as well. it is a fun little hobby to pick up in the winter. here are a few of the things i've made so far.
love,
alyssa renee

my trends for spring summer 2012

hello lovely,

i can't wait for  this spring/summer. there are just so many special events to look forward to. a bridal shower for my best friend rachel, a baby shower for a lovely new addition to my friendship family, my sister's graduation, our trip to europe and much more. i'm also looking forward to wearing some of my favorite clothes. i feel happier in the warmer weather. it makes me want to be more adveturous in my style choices too. there is just so much more to work with. here are some of the looks i can't wait to rock in the sunshine.

xoxo,

alyssa renee

pinup class

natural

nautical

pastels

waves

well, paris isn't exactly a trend... but i can't wait to be here.

bring on the sunshine.

happy birthday, bubbie!

happy birthday, bubbie!

hello lovely,

my baby sister is 18 and i can't believe it. i am so looking forward to this year with her. senior prom, graduating high school, our backpacking trip to europe, sending her off to college, and becoming even closer. you grow and change so much from 18-21. i am so excited to see her grow even more intelligent, confident, and fun. right now is a time to be selfish. find out what you like, learn about other cultures, and become the person you want to be. i hope you live in the moment and love every minute of it. just make sure you get good grades too... can't forget to do the whole school thing.

xoxo,

your bubbie

ps

enjoy a few photos from our super fun family/friends birthday bubbie bash :D

and now a series of silly photos...

i'll eat you up i love you so.