Finally, pics of my dashing groom on our big day! I could go on and on about my now-husband and his wedding day look but, instead, I'll leave you with the following: hubba hubba HUSBAND!

Cue the pics.

Swoon.

Below is an article of mine that recently published on The Huffington Post. Before graduation season ends, I thought I would share it with you here on TLM. You can also read the article {pictured below} here on HuffPost.

This post is adapted from a blog entry Lindsay Simone wrote and published on her blog,The Quote I Wrote, in May 2012.

This past week has been an interesting one. If you don't know this about me already, then let me tell you that after two years at New York University, I decided it was in my best interest to transfer to the University of Maryland. I knew I wasn't happy at NYU, and I knew that unless I took some sort of action, things weren't going to change. Whereas I thought my transferring to UMD meant that I would get to spend more time with my family (something I desperately wanted and perhaps even needed), the way things actually panned out was very different.

A few months into my Junior year (my first year at UMD), my parents moved to Florida. Now, my mother and I constantly argue about this particular subject (so mom, if you're reading this please don't take it personally. Oh, and I love you. A lot.) but my feeling is that, at the time I transferred universities, I really needed my parents. I had almost died a few years prior, recently walked in on one of my closest friends trying to commit suicide, and I was just starting to make headway in my battle with bulimia. In other words, I was a lost and utterly lonely individual. I get that my parents wanted to move on with their lives (they had just finished dealing with their own issues), but had I known that they were going to pack up and move the second I moved back to my hometown, then I probably wouldn't have transferred... at least not to UMD that is. Nonetheless, if there is something that I have learned over the years, it's that there's no point in dwelling on the past because, let's face it, dwelling on the past won't do diddily squat for your present or your future. That said, I have also learned that if I feel a certain way, regardless of its level of rationality, I have to honor the fact that that is how I feel.

In response to my transferring universities, I must admit that, to this day, I still feel as though I downgraded myself. I had gotten into NYU, was a double major, and then decided to throw all of that away so that I could move back home to be near mommy and daddy. And then, when mommy and daddy moved, it was really like I had thrown everything away because now I had nothing. I felt as though I was back where I started, only this time, instead of attending a prestigious university, I was at state school. In fact, I think this has a lot to do with why I pushed myself to graduate in three and a half years (with a sh*t ton of excess credits, mind you), because I think in some way, it was my personal way of "making up" for the fact that I had downgraded myself when I transferred. Now, with all of that said, let me back up and tell you the following: by no means do I think that the University of Maryland is a bad school. It's quite the opposite actually.

In comparing the degree of difficulty from my classes at NYU to those I took at UMD, I must tell you, the latter was harder. Then again, perhaps I feel this way because I didn't like the formality of UMD's curriculum. It was rigid, boring, heavy on "busy work," and all in all, very much what one could/would/and should expect from a state school. On the other hand, NYU's curriculum seemed -- I don't know -- more relavent. It didn't matter that I was pursuing some random double degree (a BA in journalism and a BS in food studies, should you be at all curious). At NYU, the material was predominately taught by adjunct professors who also worked in the industry that they themselves were teaching. They knew what emerging graduates would need to know in order to excel in the modern version of the field at hand. They knew how to eliminate the textbook while feeding you the facts. UMD?... not so much. But enough about college curriculum, and back to what this article was supposed to be about: this week has been an interesting one... for an array of reasons.

This past week, my friends from NYU graduated. This past weekend, my friends from UMD graduated. This past week and weekend, I have not been able to go on Facebook and look at the pictures on my newsfeed without feeling. Yes, just that: "feeling." Sometimes I feel anger -- mad at myself for transfering. Other times I feel joy -- happy that I was able to grab my life by the horns and get out of a school that, despite providing a great education, left me feeling alone and unheard. And then there are the times I log onto Facebook, I see these photos, and I think: What would have happened had I not transferred? How would my life be different? Well, for starters, I'm almost positive that I wouldn't be the happy girl that I am today. I was lost and lonely at NYU. I might not have loved my time at UMD, but I loved that I was able to find myself, re-connect with my religion ("challah" at my fellow Jews), and, most importantly, find my way to my husband (who, despite transferring from UMD to NYU -- our time at NYU overlapped -- I might have otherwise never met).

All in all, I guess you could say that everything ended up falling into place. Yes at times I am still frustrated by my decision to transfer schools, but let's face it: my transferring schools wound up transforming me. Had I stayed at NYU, sure I would have been able to wear that purple gown in Yankee Stadium and walk across the stage in Radio City Music Hall, but I wouldn't have been the "me" that I am today -- and in all seriousness, I think I turned out pretty darn well... minus the small ego trip I just sent myself on. And, while my life has not exactly been the journey my elementary school self thought it would be, the truth of the matter is, I wouldn't change a thing... the absurd level of cheesiness in that last line included.

The long awaited wedding recap is finally here! Since our photographer sent over 1,800 photos (no joke) to the now husband and me, I'm thinking that the best way to tackle the whole "wedding recap" blog posts is to make it into a series. So here it is -- part 1.

The day started with my bridesmaids and the moms all getting our hair and makeup done. As a gift to my bridesmaids, I chose to get them each turquoise silk robes embroidered with their first initial in white.

You can see from this last picture that I chose to wear my hair up and to the side, adorned by a (fake) white flower that I made myself. As for makeup, I cannot say enough good things about the makeup artist, April, that did all of the makeup for the day. Seriously, this woman is a master with a makeup brush. She did this amazing peachy/rose colored look that was freakin fierce.

After makeup and hair was done, it was time to get in my dress and get ready to see my almost-hubby at our first look. Finding THE DRESS was not an easy task. I'm pretty sure I tried on over 70 dresses before stumbling upon the one. That said, and sorry to crush every female's wedding dress dreams, but there is no amazing ball your eyes out moment when you try on THE DRESS. There just isn't. Instead there's a "I guess this is it. Okay, yeah I really like this one. Turn around, now turn the other way. Okay, this is it" moment. I actually knew that my dress could never be the one unless I added my own DIY touch to it (duhhh). Enter, the blue flower on the bottom. Perfection.

Another bridal selfie for ya...

I know you definitely have already waited long enough, but you'll have to wait just a little bit longer for pics of the groom/now husband on the big day as well as for details and pics of the ceremony and reception. Check back later this week!

Apparently Friday's "Dear TLM," post was a big hit. I don't know if it's because the tip was so great (I mean really, dryer sheets in your shoes to eliminate odor -- c'mon, that's a good one), or if it's because everyone (myself included) is sick and therefore stayed home on Friday night. Regardless, you all seemed to be really into it and when you guys like something, I try my best to deliver. So here I am, delivering (I can't decide if that sounds sexual, prenatal, or [hopefully] normal).

From now on, if you have a question, a concern, and/or a need for some wholehearted TLM advice, tweet at me including the hashtag #DearTLM.

Get it. Got it. Good!

Just realized I never showed you dudes and dudettes the HTB's and my STDs -- that would be save the date cards people. No gonorrhea here.

So, save the date peeps. Come March 18th, I'll be a "mrs" and TLM will be flooded with pics of me all in white. Perhaps I'll include a pic or two of the HTB (my then-hubbster). Side note: still working on a name for the HTB post-marriage. "Hubbster" just doesn't seem to cut it in the name-calling department. Brainstorm with me in the comments section, por favor?!

Look what came in the mail today!!! Our wedding invites!

Holy crap balls this is really happening. 52 days. And goooo.

This Friday night my awesome bridesmaids/friends/secret planners took me out for my bachelorette party.

First up, hair and makeup. I went with soft waves and a plum smokey eye.

Friends that get their hair done together, stay together.

Post hair, makeup, and wardrobe change, it was off to Lincoln for an ammmmmmazing dinner. Seriously, the food was amaze and the floor is made out of pennies (get it? "Lincoln," pennies on the floor...love it). What more could a girl ask for? Oh, that's right a little dance party time.

Check.

Oh and major props to the lovely Erin who was awesome enough to tote around my camera as a purse for the evening. Can you say #bridesmaidpoints ?!!!

All in all it was a great night that was full of practically no debauchery, great food, and bouncy hair. What more could a non-party girl as for? Nada.

Well, our wedding invitations are officially stamped and mailed. Can't wait for all our friends and family to get them so that I can finally post an invite pic here on TLM. Soon enough though, soon enough. 

In other news, the HTB is leaving tomorrow afternoon for New Orleans for his bachelor party. Eight men in the Big Easy during the first week of Mardi Gras parades/festivities... yeah, should be interesting. Nevertheless, while he's away, me and my girls will play (clean thoughts people, clean thoughts)! In other words, my bachelorette party is tomorrow night. All I know is to be ready to go by 4pm so other than that, I'm pretty much at a loss. Oh, but I do know the night will involve a little black dress, tequila, and perhaps a penis hat or two. When in Rome, right?

And so it begins... (pics to come next week).

With the HTB and I getting hitched in two months (holy crap!!!), I decided a little wedding update/rundown (get it -- UPdate and runDOWN...okay, I see that this is only entertaining to me and no one else so I'll stop) could be entertaining and helpful for both you and me. So here we go.

1. Wedding Dress: 
The dress is purchased and won't make its way to the good ole U.S. of A. until ONE WEEK before the HTB's and my mid-march nuptials. This a.) scares the bejesus out of me, and b.) scares the freakin bejesus out of me. Nevertheless, Betsy Robinson's Bridal Collection (The Kleinfeld's of Maryland) has assured me that all will be okay and my dress WILL arrive and fit like a glove -- a very expensive but oh so pretty glove. So, while I'm keeping my dress a secret till March 17th, here's a little looksie at some other wedding dresses I tried on prior to finding "the one."

2. Veil:
I didn't set out to make my own veil, but after seeing how much a circle of tulle attached to a hair comb costs (think, $200-500), I decided I was more than capable of DIYing my own veil. Don't worry, I'll be sure to document my veil making ways here on TLM.

3. Wedding Shoes:
Purchased...for less than $25! I was at the mall with one of my bridesmaids and happened to mozy on into Steve Madden which happened to be having a mega sale which happened to be featuring these awesome blue shoes which happened to be exactly what I was looking for and, happily, happened to be comfortable. I also happened to buy them. So in love and SOOOOO in love with the fact that an entire zero got knocked off what I had planned on spending for shoes. #BridalWin.

4. Hair and Makeup:
Still not fully agreed upon, but figuring it out. Either way, I want my hair up and fake eyelashes fluttering on my face. Bridal chic, what up.

5. Jewelry:
The HTB and I will be having a traditional modern orthodox wedding ceremony (HELLO my fellow chosen ones). That said, in an orthodox ceremony, the bride is not supposed to wear jewelry so ceremony jewels are out of the question. Regardless, I plan on dazzling it up post-ceremony. I'd love to wear some killer drop earrings, however I'm allergic to "fake jewelry" so unless I plan on dropping a "G" or two (ummm, no), than this is highly out of the question. Exploring other avenues (hi Grandma!!!).

Check back tomorrow for another wedding update, ceremony and reception style.