Bling Bling

We went ring shopping today and found Sean's wedding band =)  Now that we have both our sets, it feels closer somehow~ which once again makes me freak out that I don't have enough time!!  Before I get to that, though~ Another project I've had on my mind had to do with the jewelry store as well; but this one kindof a different purpose.  If you haven't seen my "right hand" ring- here it is:

This was my dad's pinkie ring and I love it but as I get older and have a beautiful ring on my left hand, I've been wanting to take the blue stone and put it in a more girly, grown up type setting.  Basically a setting that isn't a man's pinky ring setting =)  So I asked the jeweler about it today (and Busch is totally amazing by the way~ they have been SO nice to us!)  And Sean had a great idea, which totally surprised me but I love it: Our plan is to take the stones out and reset them in whichever setting I choose, which apparently can be done pretty inexpensive, then (this is where Sean's idea came in) they can melt down the gold (the band is white gold) and form it into whatever type of band Sean picks and it can be a "right hand" ring for him.  If it works out, I have another ring of my dads~ you gotta see this cause words can't describe it:

We can take out some of the diamonds and put them into both of our new rings.  Sean said something sweet about it being like out gift from him for the wedding and like his blessing even though he won't be there.  Regardless of the fact we didn't get along before he passed, I still like to think he would be happy for us and it means a lot that Sean thinks about that too even though they'd never met.  So thats the plan and I'm pretty excited about it and hope we can get it done before the wedding!

As for Sean's wedding band, it gave me an excuse to try some ring shots.  This was much harder to do than I thought, especially cause of the shape of my ring and since there is a band on either side, it doesn't really want to sit properly...

Yes my photography skills are sadly lacking...but these showed Sean's ring the best I could.  And I got another look at my full set which I totally love and can't wait to wear it all together!  Don't mind the ugly ring guard piece on my ring either~ apparently my finger shrank some over the winter so I got that put in so I don't lose it or anything.  I'm super paranoid at work since I am constantly washing my hands and taking gloves on and off.  After I have the full set together and in the summer I'll have to see if I am going to resize or if it will work better. 

I have absolutely no further progress on any wedding projects whatsoever...productive aren't I?...but I did make a wedding related decision this week.  Wedding and sanity related I suppose~ I'm meeting with a personal trainer this thursday to discuss a bridal bootcamp style training session.  It will be 12 weeks of 3 days/wk workouts to help me feel better and look better by the wedding.  I'm hoping this works like it is supposed to and is a stress reliever instead of causing more stress for the 3 hours it will take away from school/wedding.  I am looking forward to it though, and Sean laughed because it is basically me paying to be held accountable and have someone make me schedule my workout in.  Otherwise I just won't do it; if I've learned anything at all, its that I won't follow any sort of workout program on my own.  And its one on one training so I can work specifically on the areas I need/want to, so I am excited however also scared out of my mind that I'm going to get my butt handed to me on a platter!!

Hopefully by the next blog entry I will have some progress on at least one wedding project...

Deep breath...

This is me:

What am I doing, you ask?  Beating the crap out of my computer.  Long story short- I had to restart my Pharm exam over halfway through because of my POS computer.  Not a happy camper right now, but I am taking my deep breaths and trying not to have a full blown breakdown right now.  I just want someone to tell me what the hell I was thinking when I thought I could take all this on this year.  ?? Anyone?  No?  Yeah- I don't know either...

In other news, March is full of appointments and checking with vendors to finalize, so it will hopefully pull everything together.  We meet with the DJ next week, ceremony musician and the priest the 2nd week of March, I have my second dress fitting, my first makeup trial, and I still have to schedule something with the florist, cake baker, and Giovanni's for our food tasting.  But projects are coming along- The table runners are here:

I'm still obsessed with these runners~ they are much heavier fabric and better quality than the previous ones and I think they look nicer.  I have to figure out what I'm doing with the square glass cubes- I have around 35 of them or so, so not enough for 3 on each table like this has....These were the original hydrangea vases, and I'm still doing those for the head table but I'm not sure what to do with the tables that will have the candy.  Or should I just take them away and only have the candy and candles on these tables??  And ideas are appreciated~ I am having a hard time picturing what will work..

My candy collection is growing (and hopefully I can keep away so my waist doesn't grow along with it!):

So far we have oreos, purple chocolates, grape licorice, airheads that were supposed to be white packaged but are tinted blue, purple laffy taffy, riesen candies, truffles, kisses, m&ms, life saver mints, pop rocks, purple peeps and blow pops.  Still need more but definetly coming along.  Here is one idea I had for the candy containers:

And here are the cards I am working on to label the candy jars:
 

What do you think?  The stamp/embossing is the same as on the cake letters  =)  

Another project almost done are the bathroom baskets.  These are pretty much just an extra thing for me to worry about, certainly not necessary and definitely are just an extra added touch.  But its those little things that I love and that I notice, so I really wanted to do these.   "what are bathroom baskets" you might be asking?  Well let me explain by a picture: 

  

Basically there is one basket in each the mens and the women's restroom and they are filled with a bunch of "might possibly need at some point if I have an emergency" junk.  I love stuff like this and I am partially famous for my overpacking just in case style.  So there is everything from bandaids and mouthwash to spray deodorant and tylenol.  I'm not even going to list everything as it would be a long list and I still have some items to get!  But check out the boxes:
Oh yeah- love it =)  And the napkins with the P in front will be in there too.  I still have to make signs for these but they  are close to complete.  

Sean helped me finish the candy bags (for leftover candy so people can take some home.  I bought purple and black bags and printed some thank you labels and here we go:  

 

The label says "thank you", our names and the date.  Simple and kinda cheap but I think it will work ok for the purpose.  I did buy a border stamp if I feel the need to jazz up the bags a little, but we'll see...

Another project in progress are the sleeves for the photo booth pictures- I'm printing out the wording on scrapbook paper with a damask design in either purple or black and then we'll slide that into the plastic sleeves I bought (bookmark sleeves to be exact) and then some ribbon at the top and that should be done.  Here is what we have so far:

You can see the purple printed paper in the back and all the sleeves are tucked in the basket for now.  Only a few in the back have the ribbon attached~ that will be a process having to cut all that ribbon and tie them onto these~ anyone up for fun ribbon projects? =)

And I did finish the memory poem I wanted to have at the ceremony and reception~ I can't remember if I showed you the frame I bought for it:

Not really a good pic, but you get the idea.  I found this baby at Hobby Lobby for only $6.  The poem is just a standard "in loving memory" specific to a wedding day, so I thought it would work fine.  I don't feel it's about the message, for me it's more the symbolism that those we have lost are still there with us for the wedding.  

I guess that's all for now~ hopefully I will have some "finished" stamps to put on projects soon!

well...

I am out next weekend because it is MOVING WEEKEND!!! So excited. Painting Friday, then boxes moved Saturday, and furniture Sunday. Anywho I just got on here 2 days ago and poof all of a sudden 3 new posts! haha. I think Candice may need an intervention with the internet and buying stuff. I dono how many more projects can be fit in and finished! Poor Sean haha. The letters look good, and the candy idea is nice for those w/o a cake center piece. V-day candy on clearance most places check those out first before custom M&M's or something those are about 10 bucks per 6oz bag or something ridiculous like that. I'll keep my eyes peeled for candy wrappers of the correct colors. Dove had some purple heart choloclates I know so those would be good to have. I'm good on future weekends for the most part, just let me know!!



Addition: I found www.candywarehouse.com you can pick purple candy or black and it gives you options and -lb bags that they come in. hope it helps...

help?

Anyone up for another project night?? I have next weekend off and lots to do, so anyone up for stamping, taping, or general labor, please apply for date/times....=)

Never ending projects...

I've been trying to fit in time to work on more projects, but my free time is basically non existent this week with school and an exam next week.  I have a bad feeling this will be pretty consistent until my finals week in May!  I'm not sure what I got myself into this spring, but its definetly not fun!  What is fun though are finished projects!  Check out my "i do" letters for the cake table:

The close up one shows the pattern a little better.  My original idea was to paint them, but they were already white, so it turned out much easier to just work with that!  The "i" is the only one I couldn't replace, so the stamp/embossing didn't work as well on that one.  You get the idea though~ I love them and I think they turned out pretty good =)  A cheap table decoration for some $2 wooden letters!

Another "project" or really a purchase of the week were these super cute purses I got for myself and Katelyn.  I told Katie I am using Katelyn as my substitute daughter as these were "mommy and me" purses but they work awesome for bride/flower girl I think~

Sorry I forgot to flip the picture...

Aren't they so perfect?  And Katelyn's is all tiny and cute- I love it =)

Another box that came in the mail this week (lots of packages coming recently...) were these photo storage boxes I bought to use instead of baskets for things like the bathroom baskets and possibly for some other things at the reception.  Here is one without the lid on-

I also was working on a mockup of the table linens- here is the beginning set up:

This has a splash of purple from the runner.  And actually, I found new table squares (Baby- if you actually read this- I'm sorry and don't be mad they were really inexpensive and totally worth it!)  so these squares will be replaced with this:

(source)

The reason for the square change?  Check this out:

Check out that table runner....Yep its the same print, and check out that AWESOME purple liner on the sides!!!  Totally fell in love with these and bought them from a bride whose mom made them for her so they are one of a kind.  Did I tell you how much I LOVE these?!?  So yes I had to get table squares to match them.  The inspiration for why I was looking at runners in the first place? :

I love the look of a damask swag instead of tulle.  I'm learning I'm not a big tulle person (except for poof under my dress apparently!)  and this just looks so unique.  And with the purple trim- ooh la la I LOVE it =)  It is fun to get excited about this stuff- way more fun than schoolwork which is part of the problem!

And last but certainly not least, I had some great news to share and am SUPER excited about this..I came across an ad on a wedding board (which I am completely addicted to by the way!) for a day of coordinator.  I haven't really thought much about one because it just wasn't in the budget and I thought only people with super lavious affairs got a helper besides family...Not so, as this day of coordinator (hereby referred to as DOC) is starting up and is offering free services to a few lucky brides. 

Well guess who gets to be one those lucky brides?!?  Little ol me thats who =)  And all I have to do is pay for travel fees and give a testimonial and pics and things after the wedding.  Her name is Sam and she actually lives in Chicago (so much closer to Niki and Sara if anything comes up where you guys can help...!)  We met up last weekend to talk and kindof get the ball rolling~ now I don't know how I ever thought I could do this without a DOC!!  Seriously though, Sam is awesome and will be there to help set up all my crazy projects and basically keep me sane, which is priceless.  Between a bottle of wine and her, I will be all set to go the day of! =) 

Needless to say, this will be SO helpful for the wedding and I'm already starting a log of sorts to be able to give the best testimonial ever!!  I figure I won't remember this far away by the wedding, and its only fair for all the work she will be doing and helping me with!  I gave her the link to the blog too so she can get an idea of what the heck I'm doing.  And no this is not for her benefit- I've been talking to Sean about how awesome this is for days~ =)

OK- I really have to go work on something for school; I guess thats enough wedding distraction for tonight...

Candy, candy, candy, candy....

I love candy...most everyone is well aware of that right?  And I entertained the idea of a candy buffet but quickly lost the idea as we had already agreed on a chocolate fountain (YUM!).  But get this- I was tossing around ideas for centerpieces; for the tables that will not have cake on them, of course.  As I realized that the hydrangeas would most likely be dwarfed unless I did a bigger arrangement which was going to cost closer to $20 per table.  Not a big deal, but as our budget has gone completely out of control, I wanted something with more purpose than sitting there and looking pretty.  Thats what I'm fot that day, right? =)

So, to make a long story short, I decided (and Sean agreed!) to do candy centerpieces.  I'm still working out details, but I went to Marshalls and TJ maxx and cleaned up~ they had a TON of huge glass containers starting at like $4.  How awesome is that?  So here is my new collection~

Think I got enough??  I didn't take pics of the sample ones I made up, but I bought a few bags of the kisses that come in the dark purple foil and filled one of these bad boys up~ it looked awesome if I do say so myself!  So if anyone comes across any candy (with either itself or the wrapper) in purple, black, or white, please let me know or pick up a few pounds of it....=)  Now I get to collect the candy part, which will be even more fun (although more expensive!)   My thought is to have a sign somewhere with all the tables that have candy and what they have and then each jar will have some kind of sign as to what it is.  Hopefully, this will serve as out snack throughout the night too so I don't have to worry about getting a late night snack sort of thing...I do feel kindof bad for all the parents that will have to deal with kids on a sugar crash, but such is life =)

More post coming later, just wanted to get started before I leave for work!

progress!

I felt like we did get a lot done, seeing it listed makes it seem more accomplished! Much more to finish...notice how a break was taken from flowers? haha tackling those again next time but kudos to heather for the progress she made on them at home!! we are almost there isn't it a great feeling? I was at a shower today and found games that will be fun haha i know you love games candice! jennie you were missed! see you next time!

Why is it that for everything I check off my list I add about 5 more??

I'm supposed to be listening to my online lectures right now, but get this: the one section where they tell us to focus on the narrated powerpoint is the one part (3 lectures total) that doesn't open!  Its almost like it was on purpose just to make us sweat.  There are about 20 people freaking out on the class discussion board about it and all the instructor is saying is it must be our own computer because she can open the file just fine ~ that's right folks; I guess when you have a doctorate everyone is wrong and you are right cause thats the only reason I can come up with...

Anyways~ since I can't seem to get that to work and I'm not motivated enough to do any actual textbook reading right now, here I am with another update!  Heather, Nina, and Caurie were all over last night to help with projects, and between the wedding brains and the baby brains we were quite the group!  We did get a lot done though, and here are some updated pics:
Kids coloring books are done:

Also, I found these goodies at the dollar store to put in the kids bags:  Yes these are glow sticks, hearts (or stars/butterfly) for girls and swords for boys, all purple glow fun~  =)


Also, I found some black/silver damask lunch size bags that I think everything will fit in so I don't have to worry about sewing kids bags; hope they work out!  And I got some clear cello bags for treats for the kids (of course not just clear, they have the black damask type print on them as well) =)  I have boxes of 8 crayons and labels with a cute wedding print and our names to put on those and then the kids bags are good until closer then we can get the cameras and snacks and what not. 




We also finished the tape on the votives, so here is the finished product:

I think they turned out pretty awesome and so much cheaper than buying "damask candles" at like $2 a pop.  These ended up being somewhere around 75cents each.  And I can completely sell these after~ yes I'm completely a dork but if I can recoup any of these costs, all the better~ and the more I can save the more money towards the bar bill...

Another package I rec'd this week (almost an every other day thing, these packages!) :

For pictures on the wedding day that we can use for thank you cards!

Totally love this- premade and cheap since it was just used by a bride for her wedding this winter.  Much easier than tackling another DIY project!!

Another project checked off the list was my "i do" letters in blue on the bottom of my wedding shoes~ Caurie was awesome enough to tackle this one:

LOVE, LOVE, LOVE this =)  Makes for a cute picture, don't you think?? 

We also got some ribbon cut (purple of course!) to wrap around the cube vases on the tables~ that project will probably have to wait to get finished as its not nearly as fun as bedazzling things...Which Heather helped with, and now all the invites are dazzling with bling (or at least just a touch!)  I have to decide whether I want to add a little sparkle to the monogram seal or just leave it be; it may end up being decided for me if I don't have time!! 

In other news, I got my jewelry in the mail and I LOVE it~ kinda ordered it blind from an etsy seller (pookafan) she is totally awesome and made everything just the way I wanted it and was completely affordable!  I already emailed her to get a matching necklace too, so I don't have pics of that, but here is the bracelet (my Fav piece!):

And the earrings:

I don't know if the pics do these justice, but they are incredible and look like I should have paid WAY more than I did!  =)  I also got Katelyn a set: 
This was kinda hard to get a good pic for some reason, but she has the ivory pearls just like mine but then purple crystals throughout.  Its a bracelet/necklace set and she is working on stud earrings for me (all hers are dangly right now and I was a little scared to give a 5 yo dangly earrings!)






Katie- make sure you hide this from Katelyn if shes looking!  Also this next part too; as this is so cute I can't help but show it:

Once again, no justice served by my horrible photography skills, but you get the idea!

It also has her initials at the top and the same decor on the other side.  Then I have some pieces of jewelry to "fill" it with =)  Hope she likes it!!!

This post is long enough already so I'll save the best news for next time, but I'll just say that I had a meeting today and am so excited that I finally feel I have someone in charge for the wedding day besides me!  A weight has been lifted and I don't have to worry~ YAY =) 

The plan

Ok so I'm a list girl and I'm doing this post basically as a list for me on some projects we can work on tonight~ is it that obvious I'm trying to get out of listening to my online lectures?~
I've saved a few things for tonight hoping someone is more artistic than myself-
1-stickers for jewelry box (sorry if you're reading this Katie but the surprise is now gone~ I found this cute white jewelry box for katelyn and these awesome black decal stickers to put on it but I'm not sure how best to do it, so thats where my creative ladies come into play, right?!? 
2-putting together the coloring books for the kids~ I've got cardstock to be cut to size for the covers, most of them hole punched, and the new word search ready to be switched in as the old one I messed up a letter when I threw mine and seans name in it- all fixed and ready to be made (I do have 1 sample one done to see what the heck I'm talking about!)
3-tape on votive holders~ I'm about half done with this, goes pretty quick actually; all I did was buy damask print tape and put a strip on either side of the glass vertically~ I will try to get pictures of all this up at some point (probably later today when I am still trying to avoid schoolwork!)
4-folding/gluing flower ball~ Heather took a bunch home and we'll have to start putting some together to see where we're at with numbers~ should be good with church ones and have to decide if I want to do them for the tables or what!
5-put together more invites!
6-attach ribbon to cube vases
7- attach ribbon bow/knot to photo sleeves (for photobooth favors)~ also need to print out inserts...
8-saved just for Heather! rhinestones glued onto 2nd batch of invites and on monogram seal for bellyband, so lots of bling to work on!
9-Finish card box- paint P and attach, use damask sticker letters to put "cards" inside black frame and put on top of box, also "thank you" sign!

Yeah- this is only the start too, but thats alright, we have a list to work from and we'll go from there!! I'm not a slave driver or anything... Look forward to seeing my girls tonight =)

Moment of silence, Please!

Sad news today, of sorts, but mixed in with a big healthy dose of happiness so I'm trying to just be happy and no bad feelings!  Huge change to the wedding, which was somewhat expected to be honest as theres no way I could have done it: We've lost a bridesmaid! 
Heather will officially be on bedrest before the wedding, so in order to take care of all those babies (3!!!) she will need some much needed R&R and will not be able to walk, be wheeled, or in any way make it down the aisle for the wedding.  As I said, sad, but so much happiness for her soon to be family, I'll get over it! Sucks to not have her there and not spend that day with her, but Heather~ you now are going to be in charge of so many projects I'll get to do now =)  You have all kinds of time on bed rest to work on things, so you'll still be super involved and a bridesmaid in spirit!!

trying to catch up! bad MOH!

Hey,

ok, trying to catch up. First, if you love the purple shoes, wear them all day! Mom will not be upset, if she says something, just tell her firmly its what you are doing, and that is it. she really just wants you to be happy and your shoes, in the grand scheme of things are not that big of a deal.

Second - are you going to make a T too? Or are you just making a P? Love it!
 
Third - I have all of the invites that i had left done. I will send them to you - i just keep forgetting to bring them to work!
 
Third - and what is really on my mind - do most of the bridesmaids have their dresses and can I see pictures?
I haven;t scrolled through the 2010 posts (that is how far behind i am) but I do't want to get the same one. I am going to a shop tonight (I had a terrible dream on saturday that it was 2 hours before the wedding, iw as in woodfield and there were no black dresses, any where!) Also, so, are they supposed to be plain? can they have sparkles what not? Are people doing full or straight? Ladies - help!!!!!
 
OH - and I have my summer schedule planned for school. I have to miss the bocce tournament if Iwant to go to the wedding, so Can, not even a choice. I will be out of town the last 2 weeks of may (16-28). BUT, i don't have to start school until early june, and I have all my weekends "free" until late june. So...let's find a date for the bachlorette party! I will send an email to sara and candice with a list of weekends and then we can go from there. but ladies, can you post/send me the best weekends for you?

I'm such a slacker...

I've been slacking in all areas recently....I haven't been able to really put 100% into anything, just kinda coasting at work, just doing what I have to do for school, not keeping up with my wedding projects like I mean to, and most certainly not keeping up with this wedding blog!  Alas, I have failed miserably at this multitasking, but such is life.  As I am once again slacking from schoolwork and avoiding studying for my exam later today, I figured it would be a good time for an update!

Shoes:  I am 99% sure I've found my wedding day shoes, and of course in true Candice style I have 2 pairs to wear:

And yes, these are the awesome bling shoes from a previous post!  For some reason, my camera turns these shoes a funny color but one pair is a true purple and the other is ivory.  SO in love with these and very excited to wear them for the wedding!  At this point, I don't even care if they match, they'll just have to work or I'm going with flip flops. 

Rehearsal night:

I've been looking into cute things for the kids for the rehearsal and ended up finding some awesome etsy dress for Katelyn:

The ribbon is purple, but for some reason my camera doesn't like to show purple very well... When I ordered this, I thought there would be a strip of purple along the bottom too, but its still cute I think~ I hope its not too busy of a print...And then (yes I am this much of a dork!) I got these adorable ties coming for the boys:

Yep thats the same print.  One for Connor, Nico, Zack, and Sean.  How adorable will they be? =) I don't know if I can get everyone to actually wear them, but oh well, at least they'll have it for another time...  And I found this dress for super cheap on a wedding board, so I thought I would get it for me for the rehearsal, but its a little big:

I'm much shorter, so it comes way too long on me, but I'm debating having it altered...I got the name/number of a little old lady who does alterations here in town for Super cheap, so I may look into that.  Worth a shot, I just love this dress for some reason (and at $30 I loved it even more!)  And of course, I will wear one of the many purple shoes I have purchased in my wedding shoe search.  I feel like it is really early to be worrying about the rehearsal, but I have a sinking feeling this is all going to creep up on me and I have WAY too much to do before them!!  Do you feel its too early, or should I be thinking of all these details?

Project updates:

We had a crazy busy friday get together with a ton of folding going on (thanks ladies!) and Dave and his crafty...I mean Manly self...helped me cut and put together the card box.  Building, not crafting.  =)  I don't have any ribbon or anything attached, but here is the box so far:

And the P is a work in progress, it needs more paint!  And my glue gun didn't hold the boxes together, so I ended up using duct tape on the inside and its working so far!  =)  I figured its on the inside of the box so no one will see that!  Thanks Dave~ its perfect!

Sean's projects:

Sean has been helping with some various projects as well...mainly cutting the squares to be folded.  Also helping me put labels on the back of our picture sharing cards :

These are cards I got free from vistaprint, on the front have directions for people to upload their digital pics from the wedding to a shutterfly account so all pics that people take are in one community and everyone can see/get prints/whatever from shutterfly.  He did a good job putting the labels on right? =)  As for the tissue packs for the church, that was a struggle...

Me: "Here is a length of (black ribbon), can you cut pieces this size for me?"

Sean: (while watching TV and cutting ribbon) "what do you mean they're too short- its the same as this (purple) piece you gave me..." 

Me: (holding 2 pieces, 1 about 3-4 inches shorter than the other)

Sean (throwing away pieces that won't work cause they are too short)

Yep- Sean 1 (labels on cards), DIY projects 3 (pinwheels, ribbon cutting, paper folding)

Table numbers:

My mom picked up these pretty glass frames at bergners on clearance (from $20 down to like $2.99 and then she had extra coupon too!) to use for table numbers:

 

I hope I can make it work with the Italian table numbers, but if not, I guess it'll just be the numbers themselves.  I thought it would be cool to put black paper in the framed area and have the number cut out of the middle so it shows up in white...But I will have to get handy with an exacto knife for this idea to work, so if anyone can help with this~ please do!  The frames are actually 3 or 4 different sizes and patterns but are all black and white glass, so they should look nice. 

I guess thats about it for now...At least there are a few things checked off the list:

Elvis: in the house, no worries

Card box: built, just need to decorate!

Invites:  Envelopes almost all addressed, and around 115 done, only about 30 to go and the bands to wrap around all of them

Tissue packs: almost done, just need more labels for the front

Pinwheels: done but need to work on what they will be placed in (thanks Jennie for those containers, I'm going to spray paint them someday and then try to find that floral foam or something!)

Kids activity books: printed and wordsearch fixed, just need to put together!

Crinoline: dyed and ready to be tried on with my dress!!

"i do" letters for cake table- have 1 coat of paint, need at least 1 or 2 more!

Origami flower balls- we are trucking through them!  And thanks to Heather taking a bunch home, we'll knock these out in no time =)  Thanks for all the help with those everyone~ I never would have finished them on my own!!

So plans for the next friday/weekend crafting night:  fold/glue more flowers =); finish decorating card box; bellybands for invites.  Anyone interested?