Sponsored Post: Bedsider Has Your Family Planning Questions Covered (Plus a Personal Story)

Note: This is a sponsored post. The company who sponsored it compensated me via a cash payment, gift, or something else of value to write this.  I only recommend products or services I use personally and/or believe will be good fit for my readers.

{Photo credit: Jessiey Ranck}

Let's talk about something a little different today.  Something that ladies don't discuss too often.  Something that I'm a little shy about (even though I'm a grown woman in my 30s).  That something is ... birth control.

Okay, let's just get this out of the way real quick.  I'm a married lady and I have sex.  Okay, mom?

I recently was approached by this really cool website called Bedsider, who asked if I'd be willing to talk about birth control.  It just so happens that I've been going through some, um, changes, and I'm more than happy to share my experiences if it means I'm a) getting a dialogue started on this important topic, and b) helping other women take control of their own family planning in the process.

Bedsider is a non-profit website that helps you take control of your birth ... er, control.  Besider's ultimate goal is to help women feel empowered and unashamed of their sex life and their planning methods.  If practicing safe sex is important to you, Bedsider has a lot of cool tools to help you, including a rundown of birth control methods to help you find the method that's right for you, and a reminder feature which will send text message reminders to your phone to let you know when it's time to change your patch or even take your pill every day.  And I love that Bedsider speaks to you like you're BFFs, not the clinical mumbo-jumbo that you see on other medical websites.

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Here's the deal about me and Mr. BFT.  We are, like, the BUSIEST couple you have ever met.  We both have a million and one things going on at any given time.  We are both busting our rears to get our careers going - him with writing and me with blogging - and we can hardly focus on anything else.  Honestly, we can barely take care of ourselves, let alone take care of another human life.  Kids just aren't on the horizon for us right now, or maybe ever.

{Screenshot from Bedsider}

A few months after I met Mr. BFT (and realized our connection was the real deal), I decided to look into birth control methods for the first time.  I did a lot of research and really liked the convenience of The Shot (Depo Provera).  It's a prescription shot that you have to inject every three months.  It works by preventing ovulation in the first place - if there are no eggs being released, there are no babies!  A couple friends of mine who tried The Shot had warned me about some unpleasant side effects (weight gain and an "odor" [SORRY]) but I didn't experience any negative side effects with The Shot.  In fact, the one side effect I had was it eliminated my period completely .... which is AWESOME.  Talk about feeling free and empowered!  I was living like DUDES do - no monthly visitor to worry about.  (And, bonus - Mr. BFT hates needles so he considers me a superhero for willingly going to get a shot 4 times a year.)

About a year ago I started seeing a new doctor and he told me that, if we ever decided to try for children, I should switch to The Pill for a while to help regulate my system.  I was curious about this so I did a little internet research and - oh goodness - I read distressing stories about women who had been on The Shot who didn't get their cycle back for one or two years after they stopped.  So let's do the math ... I'm 33 now, having kids after 35 is risky ... 33 + 2 = 35 .... oh my.  So after much discussion with Mr. BFT, and even though kids aren't on our immediate wish list, I decided to take Doc's advice and switch to The Pill just in case I'm one of those women who take two years to get their cycle back on track.

{Screenshot from Bedsider}

I am almost finished with week two on The Pill, and lemme tell ya ... this SUCKS.  I am experiencing all kinds of side effects - nausea, swollen feet, bloating, exhaustion - it's kind of like being pregnant.  Which, by the way, I'm trying to AVOID.  My doc says my side effects will even out as I go along but, man, it's not fun right now.  But I know the choices I make today will put me in a better position for the choices we will want to make one year, two years, etc, from now.  So Present Mindy is toughing it out for Future Mindy (and she better appreciate it).

So that's my story.  I hope it helps someone.  And if you're feeling brave, you can share your family planning story in the comments, and maybe you will also help someone.  The most important thing to take away from this post is that you are in control, and if you have any questions or concerns about family planning and can't get to your doctor right away, Bedsider is here to help you.

One final thing - Follow Bedsider on Facebook and enter their awesome Pinterest giveaway, but hurry because the contest ends on May 29, 2013!

Every girl has that bedside drawer that holds the bedroom essentials: their Kindle, a pair of reading glasses, sexy lingerie. – whatever fits their personality. No matter what your drawer says about you, there’s birth control that will fit right in. Find the best method for your routine and style at Bedsider.org. 

 This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Bedsider.org.  Opinions are my own.

Celebrate Your Inner Princess with International Tiara Day

Did you know that today, May 24, is International Tiara Day?  According to the website of American Rose Bridal, International Tiara Day was started in 2005 by Seasons of Success, then was adopted by American Rose Bridal shop in Washington State.  The movement behind International Tiara Day is that everyone should be free to wear a tiara, a statement I totally stand behind.

Image Credit: Root Photography

So if you have a tiara, even if it's a cheesy party-store plastic one (and I own several, thank you), dust it off and wear it proudly today, for you are a PRINCESS.


Need some tiara inspiration?  Here's a round-up of some of my favorite Disneyland Brides wearing their sparkly finest.

Melanie - White Rabbit Photo Boutique

Britni - Beverly Hills Photography (Source: Magical Day Weddings)

Ilona - Sarina Love Photography

Julie - Cali Creative Studios

Renee - Personal Photo

Kristin - Bella Pictures

Capturing Moments

Jenifer - Brittany Pinzon-Clinton

Samantha - White Rabbit Photo Boutique

Krista - Jessica Frey Photography

The Sixth Floor Balcony Sweetheart Dinner at Disney's Grand Californian Hotel

Just a few weeks before our first anniversary, I learned about a new dining opportunity being offered by Disney's Grand Californian Hotel and Spa.  It's called the Sixth Floor Balcony Sweetheart Dinner, and it's a private dinner offered to only guests staying at a Disneyland Resort hotel celebrating a special event.

Mr. BFT and I talked it over and decided this would be a great treat for our first wedding anniversary!  Once I had the reservation secured, I called 714-300-7526 to speak to Guest Services.  They pulled up my hotel reservation and checked to make sure our preferred date was available (only one per night so limited availability!). Luckily our evening was available, and I say "luckily" because the night before and after were booked!

We had to order our meal ahead of time. We were given a few options. To start we were asked to chose either a bottle of Fairy Tale Cuvée, Rose Regale, or cider. We chose the Cuvée.  We then were asked to chose a starter, either scallops or mushroom bisque.  For our entree we could chose between the Angus beef tenderloin or the fish of the day.   The dessert was "chef's special."

We made our reservation for 8pm to time with the fireworks at 9:25pm, around when dessert would be served.  Right at 8pm we walked over to the Grand and went up the lobby elevators to floor 6.  I was advised I would see our "private party" sign right away and they weren't kidding. When you step out of the elevator, the balcony is right there.

Our server for the night, Julie, saw us right away and identified us by name.  Julie was attentive and accommodating all evening.  She sat us at our table and made some small talk while she opened the champagne bottle (Rose Regale even though I requested the Cuvée, but no big deal).

After pouring the champagne she left and returned right away with the yummy Napa Rose bread basket.  After about 20 minutes she returned with our bisque, which is always super delicious.  Then after about another 20 minutes she returned with our entree. We both got the tenderloin and it was so soft you could cut it with a butter knife. Delicious.

Just a quick note about the "private" balcony.  The balcony overlooks the Brisa Courtyard and looks out towards Disneyland. You can see Space Mountain clearly and the very tippy-top of Matterhorn (Mr BFT asked me if it was the top of the castle, he is too adorable).  It is private in the sense you are the only table on the balcony. But the balcony is adjacent to the concierge lounge and there were lots of people mingling on their balcony, and you can see them and they can see you.  Also, at one point a couple women sat on their hotel room balcony very close to us.  So it's not, like, PRIVATE private. Perhaps a better word would be secluded.

We finished up our entree just as the fireworks were starting (and they pipe in the music, which is cool).  I was a little disappointed with the timing because Julie brought our dessert out (some kind of thick chocolate mousse cake that I'm pretty sure I've had at Napa Rose before, along side cream stuffed strawberries) just as the fireworks started and was talking to us.  It was distracting, but she offered to take a picture of us, so all is forgiven.

She was also asking me about the "special cake" I had ordered as a surprise to Mr. BFT.  She kept saying it - "DO YOU WANT ME TO BRING THE SPECIAL CAKE NOW?"  I said yes, and then I turned to Mr. BFT and said, "Guess what your surprise is?" And he said, "Is it cake?"

When I made the reservation I also requested a re-creation of the top tier of our wedding cake, sans overpriced white chocolate castle.  The Cast Member assisting me on the phone asked me to email some pictures of the cake to her, so she could pass them on to the bakery.  They did a great job!  And our flavor - chocolate cake with Chambord soak and dark chocolate mousse and raspberry filling - was just as delicious as a year prior.

Wedding cake (Photo by Root Photography):

When the fireworks were over we enjoyed our cake and Julie told us we could stay on the balcony "all night if we wanted to."  But, I was having a major allergy reaction to the meal and was anxious to get back to our hotel room.  Unfortunately we were stalled a little bit by me wanting to use a gift card to pay for part of the meal, and then my credit card was declined so we had to give a different card ... there was a lot of waiting for Julie to go back and forth to the Room Service offices.  Speaking paying, you're probably wondering how much all this costs.  The cost of this experience was quoted as $300.24, all inclusive (which means tax and tip is included).  BUT our receipt showed the bargain price of $299.45.  SWEET.  Here is the breakdown, according to our receipt:

Dinner: $230
Delivery Charge: $3
Service Charge (tip): $44.27
Tax: $22.18
TOTAL: $299.45

The anniversary cake was $85.  The base cake is $39, decorations were an extra $26, then delivery charge, service charge, and tax.

If that is all just a little too painful, they also offer a dessert-only option for $92.11 inclusive.  (Remember that prices and food options are always subject to change at any time.)

Was it worth it?  In my opinion, yes and no.  My allergy reaction clouded my enjoyment of the experience, which is my own fault.  The service was wonderful and the food was incredible, as meals at Napa Rose are known to be. It was neat to be in our own secluded area and the view of the fireworks was great but I'm not sure we need to do it ever again.  In fact, we ate at Carthay Circle Restaurant inside Disney's California Adventure the following day, and agreed the food and atmosphere was just as great as our private experience, but it cost $200 less.  But if you are looking for something unique and special to do at The Disneyland Resort, the Balcony Sweetheart Dinner certainly qualifies.

Our One Year Wedding Anniversary!

It's Sunday evening and I'm exhausted, but I wanted to do a quick blog update about our one year wedding anniversary.

This past year really flew by and I can't believe it has been a whole year since our magical wedding day.  It has been an amazing year - for me personally, and for us as a couple.

We spent a great weekend at The Disneyland Resort and I have tons to share, once I get my pictures sorted (story of my life).  Until then, I just have a couple quick updates:

1) We celebrated our anniversary on Saturday night with the Sixth Floor Balcony Experience at Disney's Grand Californian Hotel, and it was wonderful!  I highly recommend this private dining experience for any romantic occasion.   I also learned I no longer fit into this dress I wore during our Day After shoot but didn't bring anything else fancy to wear.  I put on a jacket and unzipped the dress halfway through dinner.  Our secret.

2) Year old wedding cake is GOOD.  I have heard a lot of tales about year old wedding cake gone wrong, but apparently the way we stored and defrosted it worked, so I'll be doing a whole post dedicated to that later.

We both received a bunch of text messages, Facebook posts, and tweets with congratulations - thank you, friends, for thinking of us today!  Today was nearly as magical and wonderful as a year ago.

Life List Item Complete - Learn Calligraphy

Okay - Let me start off this post by saying I'm cheating a little.  Before yesterday, learning calligraphy was not on my official Life List.  But not because I don't think it's a totally awesome skill, but I simply assumed the skill was way beyond me.  Like, waaaaaaaaaaaaay beyond.  My handwriting leaves a lot to be desired, and calligraphy takes patience, precision, and lots and lots of practice.

When I found out last minute about a calligraphy class being taught by my online pal Alexandra from Alexandrawrote.com and Type A Calligraphy, and put together by another online pal Morgan from the818.com, AND sponsored by my liquor cabinet pal Smirnoff, it was an opportunity I couldn't pass up.  Alex has printing that's to die for, and at the very least I hoped being in the same room with her for two hours would at least transfer an inkling (calligraphy joke - get it?) of that talent onto me.

Well, I don't know about that, but I at least learned a new skill and I had fun doing it.

The class took place in this cool art space in Hollywood on Larchmont Blvd (which, ironically I talk about in this guest post I wrote yesterday for The Road to the Good Life).

I was a same-day addition to this workshop, so I was shocked and touched when I found I had my own place card.  And in Alex's pretty writing.  I'm sure I'll be writing just like that when this class is over.

The event was sponsored by Smirnoff Sorbet - new tropical flavored light vodkas.  I tried the Mango Passion Fruit Smirnoff Sorbet with some pineapple juice and I must say it was very yummy.  I think it also helped the ink flow a little more freely as the class went on.

We were provided with all the supplies we would need to get ourselves up and running with this new hobby - a nib, a nib holder (there's probably a better name for that - sorry, Alex!), ink, an ink well, and paper.

After helping us all fill up our ink wells, we started with practice strokes to get used to the pen and the nib.  It's VERY different from using a standard pen, and it felt kind of like being in grade school and learning to write all over again.

After getting a feel for the pen, we were encouraged to try some letters or simple words.

I'm not very creative so I mostly stuck to the alphabet and my name.  After an hour or so, I realized that writing in cursive had become so foreign to me, and I did much better when printing which is how I normally write!

I learned that, much as I suspected, I am not a natural when it comes to calligraphy.  But I'm so stoked that I now have all the tools I need to practice and get better!  Alex encouraged us all to practice and find our own style of writing, and I totally intend to do just that.  My goal is to create a new logo for Budget Fairy Tale in my own calligraphy - how cool would that be!

{Working on it!}

Thanks for Morgan for inviting me to this wonderful class, thanks to Alex for being a great teacher, and thanks to Smirnoff for sponsoring!

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Have you ever tried calligraphy?  Is it on your Life List?  Or, like me before, do you find it too intimidating?