Tuesday, March 11, 2014

Creative Date Ideas for Lovebirds, on a Budget

As Dean and I approach our wedding day (13 months!!! Aaaahhhhh) I've been thinking a lot about ways to keep things fresh and how to keep "dating" your spouse. I've done some research and have come up with several date ideas for ALL couples, but especially those on a budget. Making memories and enjoying time with the one you love shouldn't have to burn a hole in the ole pocket book. The most special thing you can give someone is your heart, your devotion and your time. So, with that being said...let's get creative and let's get down with some QT (quality time)!  

1. 
Can of Dates can be purchased on etsy OR you can make it yourself. Fill a jar or a can full of lots of creative date ideas (like maybe the ones you read on this blog) then pull out a random selection! Ooh la la, what could it be? A romantic dinner or a bowling bonanza? It's a win win because no matter what, the two of you will be together! 

2. A Fun couple's photoshoot! Go to the dollar store and pick up some funny props like silly hats, mustaches, glitter masks and boas! Set the timer and start having a blast with your homemade photo booth. Of course if you're a couple with a wild side...grrrr...then maybe some role playing and a sexy budoir photo sesh is in order! 

3. Visit local flea markets and find cool treasures together! Try on vintage outfits, admire beautiful pieces of furniture or pick a unique item to buy together. Maybe you two could buy something that needs some TLC or refurbishing and make that a project to do together. The options are endless!

4. Have some friendly competition at a local coffee shop! Grab a game board, a deck of cards, some dominos (I personally love Mexican Train) or Yahtzee and go at it! Nothing like some friendly competition to get some flirtation going! Ready, set...Go!

5. Outdoor movie screening. What's better than snuggling up with your sweetheart on a blanket under the stars watching a fantastic flick?! 

6. Spend a day volunteering together! Do some good for your community with your special someone by helping at your local animal shelter, homeless shelter, boys&girls club, etc. Helping others is one of the most fulfilling things you can do on your own but doing good with the one you love is priceless. Now THAT'S a real "power couple!"

7. Have a picnic in the park! Pack up a basket of goodies and enjoy a beautiful day!

8. Do something active like:
Hiking
Bowling 
Pool
Darts 
Fishing
Roller skating
Biking
Swimming 
Playtime with your furry babies

9. For creative and artsy types:
Pottery class
Cooking class
Local concerts
Art gallery

10. Bathroom spa! Candles, bubbles, soothing scents, soft music...you get the drift ;-)

11. Themed movie night! Pick a movie and make a dinner together to match! For example, let's say you two want to watch "Casino." Make an italian feast together and enjoy the film. Capeesh?!

12. Take a dance class or a fitness class together. Get sweaty. Get close. Get sexy!

13. "Sweetest Memories" is what I like to call lucky #13. First, grab a jar and sit it where you'll both see it daily. At the end of every day, each of you write down a favorite moment. At the end of the month, put on some dapper duds, brush your sassy face on, make a delicious desert together and read all of the things you placed in the jar. Hence, the name "sweetest memories." 

14. A couples massage is great way to relax and recharge together. If that is out of your budget, then grab some oil, set the tone and play masseuse for each other!

15. Go get a pedicure together! It feels great and it doesn't cost a lot of money.

16. Hit up a casino! You can usually catch some free live music and people watching is always free! lol of course if pulling a slot machine or throwing some craps is up your alley and in your budget, may Lady Luck be on your side!

17. The "Malt Shop date," is a fun option for couples with a sweet tooth! Grab some ice cream, make some brownies and assemble your own sundaes! If milkshakes or smoothies are more your style, you can do that too!

18. Cooking together is always fun! Make a homemade pizza or get fancy with some more complicated dishes.

19. Get creative and write a short story, a poem or a song together. Painting, drawing and crafting are all hands on activities that are great to do as a pair as well.

20. Have a jam sesh! Dean and I love to sing song songs together in the car or acoustically at home. Music is the perfect way to bond!

21. Last but certainly not least is one that doesn't cost a dime and it's something that is a necessity for a healthy marriage. It's pretty simple...have sex, make love, just do it! Never underestimate the impact of human touch, especially when it's coming from your soulmate. 

Now, get to planning your next date with your babe and enjoy every moment because every minute you spend with your love is one to be treasured! 

::Here's some of our recent dates::

Having some delicious shaved ice! It's perfect for a hot day!




Relaxing poolside is always a good time!



Bowling at a casino! We also caught some live music, played one slot machine & grabbed a snack! 



Playing with our pups & taking them for walks and to the park!



We were working on a home project when found some wigs and got silly!



Dean loves photography so he has become my personal photog! We can work on projects together for fun or for work and it's always a great way to connect with the things we are passionate about. Our favorite things involve music either with a jam session or recording a song in our home studio.



Going OUT for dinner! I know it's not on the list, but it's still a classic date idea!



Who says dates have to be at night? We love to grab lunch at our favorite sandwich place, Capriotti's. You can dine in or have a picnic like I suggested earlier.



We went to Las Vegas' famous Freemont Street and played around! Man, there is some goooood people watching down there! Haha



Listening to our friends play at the Golden Nugget. Fun & FREE!



Catching more live, local music in Vegas! I think this evening probably cost us less than $10! No cover charge at the door and all we bought was a Red Bull and a couple of lollipops from the bathroom attendant! (It sounds weirder than it was. Lol)



Thrifting!!!!! 



When we were in Denver, a friend got us free tickets to the aquarium. After that we checked out an outdoor shopping area, grabbed some food and called it a night! It was a fun date day!



Put the "kids" to bed, popped open some sparkling cider, got out the key lime pie and watched the series finale to our favorite show, "Breaking Bad!"



We played a fun game at a bridal show! It was a great way to showcase creativity while working on our communication skills.



A date can be as simple as swinging in a hammock together...like there's no one else in the world but the two of you...



Don't forget about double dates! 



A day at the lake is one of our favorite things to do together!



Working on house projects...




Fishing! This was another double date activity.



Dean produced a show called "Jailhouse Rock" and I was part of it. We got to do what we love together and that's always a blessing! 



Backyard projects! We got a new umbrella because he always wanted a red one, but never bought one. We planted flowers and cleaned the place up! It was an ongoing activity for us.



Making meals together....



We spent the day in Eureka Springs, AR
looking at shops, having dinner and visiting a haunted hotel!


I hope this gives all you Love Birds some great date ideas! Oh, #13 is actually one we are doing right now! We started it at the end of February so we will be going through our memories very soon! It's been a fun way to really focus on special moments, no matter how small they may be. 

Enjoy your QT together!!!! XOXO



Wednesday, December 11, 2013

I Said YES!!!

Welcome to my Fairy Tale...
~Dean Aron Zeligman & Stephanie Brooke Richardson~
est. Nov.1, 2011
engaged Nov.1, 2013


On November 1st, 2013 the man of my dreams took me by complete surprise, got down on one knee and asked me to be his wife! This is the moment I had been dreaming of since the very first time he kissed me. It was absolutely perfect, magical in fact. Out of all the days I've walked this earth, this day has been my favorite and I'd like to share it with you. Welcome to our love story, my fairy tale, my happily ever after...the day I said YES! 


Dean Zeligman, Dean Z, Dean Z as Elvis, Stephanie Richardson, Stephi Shoog Richardson, engagement,

As Dean and I approached our two year anniversary (November 1st), we were crazy busy with rehearsal for the Legends in Concert Christmas show, a Halloween gig for one of his bands (The Kraken), not to mention all of our daily responsibilities. I thought there was no way Dean would be proposing to me on this hectic day. We barely had enough time to celebrate our anniversary, let alone an engagement! I knew it was the furthest thing from his mind plus, when would he have had the time to get a ring? I am nearly impossible to surprise, by the way. 

On the morning of our anniversary we took care of our furry babies, Dean opened the presents I had made for him and we enjoyed a delicious breakfast. Dean gifted me the most gorgeous red roses and a card, which I saved like all the others! He told me I would have to wait to receive my present at dinner and promised that even though our day was very busy, he would make our anniversary special. Boy did he deliver! :) 

Rehearsals went by as did our opening Christmas show. It was finally time to celebrate two wonderful years of love, happiness and growth together. I took off my "show paint," slipped into a black and green dress, put on my favorite leopard pumps and my proudly sported my TLC necklace that Dean gave me during Elvis week this year ("tender loving care", not the 90's girl band lol). I hear a knock on my dressing room door and in walks my Prince Charming fully decked out in a suit and tie looking so incredibly handsome. How can I be so lucky? 

As we arrived to our special place, Level 2 Steakhouse, we see my mom at a table in the corner with her girlfriends. Now, some have said "You had to know that something was going on when you saw your mother there!" Well, here's the thing: the night before my mom and I were texting and she asked what our anniversary plans were. I said that we were going to try to squeeze in a romantic dinner in between shows at Level II. And she replied, "Really? I have dinner plans with my girlfriends and we are going there as well!" Suspicions officially squashed. You see? Okay, back to our love story...



THIS is the beautiful display I was greeted with! Rose petals, *sparkling* champagne flutes, personalized knives and perfection! 
(One of my favorite drinks is sparkling cider so it was so nice to have that there! Delish!)




We enjoyed each others company, the amazing cuisine and the romantic atmosphere. It truly was special, just like Dean had promised. Once we finished our meal, it was time to open my gift....



Dean Zeligman, Stephanie Richardson, Dean Z, Dean Z as Elvis, Stephi Shoog Richardson, engagement,
As Dean was showing me what he made for me, Sheri Holloway (the secret photographer and friend of my mother) was snapping photos of the whole thing! So sneaky! I am so grateful that she captured these memories for us! I get to relive this happy and magical day over and over again!





Here are some photos of "the best present in the whole world!" 

Stephi Shoog Richardson, Stephanie Richardson, Dean Zeligman, Dean Z, Dean Z as Elvis, engagement book,
This is the front cover of our memory book...our love story....























By this time I am already crying tears of joy all over this spectacular book. Lol. It truly is the most thoughtful gift I have ever gotten and he completely blew me away. The overwhelming feeling of love flowed through my body like a tidal wave. I have never felt more cherished than I did at this moment.









"Let it Be Me" by the Everly Brothers is our love song...





You will forever be my always.





Dean has taken me all over the world!






Me too!!!! :)






You are my magnet. You are the one for me. 






It says "your love and dedication to family is one of the many things I love about you."






Reasons we're better together :)

























Dean's 30th Birthday Bash on Table Rock Lake with friends and family!






This melts my heart...





All the "firsts" we've shared...so far!





By the time I got to this page I was laughing & crying simultaneously! Butterflies filled my stomach as I felt Dean begin to squirm in his chair. He came around to the other side of me as I turned the page....





Stephanie Richardson, Stephi Shoog Richardson, Dean Z, Dean Z as Elvis, Dean Zeligman, proposal, engagement
I shouted "YES!" at the top of my lungs before I even gave him the chance to say a word or see that he was down on one knee! From there I just remember being so flooded with happiness, love, excitement and anticipation. I was on cloud 9! We locked eyes, he told me that I was the love of his life and that he wanted to spend the rest of his days with me by his side. Then, he asked me those four beautiful words: will you marry me? YES! YES! YES! :) It was perfect from start to finish, heartfelt, creative, genuine and most of all, a dream come true. The love of my life wants ME to take his name and be the mother of his children. To build a life together. To endure through good times and bad. To be his partner in this adventure called life. There is no better feeling in the whole world.



Here are some photos of the proposal taking place...
Dean Z, Dean Zeligman, Dean Z as Elvis, Stephi Shoog Richardson, Stephanie Richardson, proposal, engagement,




Dean Z, Dean Zeligman, Dean Z as Elvis, Stephi Shoog Richardson, Stephanie Richardson, proposal, engagement,




Dean Zeligman, Dean Z, Dean Z as Elvis, Stephanie Richardson, Stephi Shoog Richardson, proposal, engagement,




Dean Zeligman, Dean Z, Dean Z as Elvis, Stephanie Richardson, Stephi Shoog Richardson, proposal, engagement,




Dean Zeligman, Dean Z as Elvis, Dean Z, Stephi Shoog Richardson, Stephanie Richardson, engagement, proposal,
I guess he liked...'cause he put a ring on it! haha



Dean Z, Dean Z as Elvis, Dean Zeligman, Stephi Shoog Richardson, Stephanie Richardson, proposal, engagement,




Dean Zeligman, Dean Z, Dean Z as Elvis, Stephi Shoog Richardson, Stephanie Richardson, love story, proposal, engagement,




Dean Z, Dean Zeligman, Dean Z as Elvis, Stephi Shoog Richardson, Stephanie Richardson, engagement, proposal,




round cut diamond, cushion halo, zales, engagement, proposal, dean zeligman, dean z, dean z as elvis, stephi shoog richardson, stephanie richardson
The most beautiful ring in the world. Absolutely perfect! I feel like a princess!



mother in law, janet richardson, engagement, proposal, dean zeligman, dean z, dean z as elvis, stephi shoog richardson, stephanie richardson,
Sharing the book with his soon-to-be mother-in-LOVE!



will you marry me, stephi shoog richardson, stephanie richardson, dean z, dean zeligman, dean z as elvis, engagement, proposal, i said yes
YES!



dean z, dean z as elvis, dean zeligman, stephi shoog richardson, stephanie richardson, engaged, proposal, 2013
He pulled off a massive surprise for the girl who literally cannot be surprised. Well done, Dean. Well done. 



dean zeligman, dean z, dean z as elvis, stephi shoog richardson, stephanie richardson, engaged, yes, sheri holloway photography,
SHERIHOLLOWAYPHOTOGRAPHY@GMAIL.COM




engaged, dean and stephi, dean zeligman, dean z, dean z as elvis, stephi shoog richardson, stephanie richardson, proposal, 2013, she said yes, diamond, ring, round cut center diamond, cushion halo setting, zales,
This says: I love you Steph
engaged 11-1-13
that is if you say yes ; )




After the proposal comes planning but most importantly just enjoying being engaged! Here are some of the highlights:

Engagement announcement in the local paper!




Oh yeah baby! Soon to be Mrs.Z all the way! (Hoodie from Robin Capton Etsy)




Our engagement ornament! (ordered from AngelaOwen1 on Etsy)




A beautiful wedding planner to help me stay organized while I become Mrs.Zeligman. This was a gift from my friend and "sister," Harriet. I am so happy that I'll have her by my side when I say "I Do."



dean z, dean z as elvis, dean zeligman, stephi shoog richardson, stephanie richardson, engaged, level 2, proposal,
Right now Dean and I are just enjoying our engagement! I've been told that each stage of a relationship has it's perks and that this one is no exception. We have decided to take our time during this very busy upcoming 2014 and set our nuptials for May of 2015. The exact date and location are to be determined. The next chapter of our love story is waiting to be written...


True Love Conquers All.


Like two sparrows in a hurricane
Trying to find their way
With a head full of dreams
and faith that can move anything
They've heard it's all uphill
but all they know is how they feel
The world says they'll never make it
but LOVE says they will.