More craftiness!

I can't show too much here, but here is a sneakpeek of what I worked on this evening. After printing another 60 or so pieces of paper, I think I can safely say that I am now ready to gocco our invitations.


Ralph has finally broken his silence and expressed his displeasure with the state of our home from my craft weekend (of course, in a kind, gentle sort of way).

Having fun being crafty!

Following an extended trip to JoAnn's Fabrics (we had to stop at Mervyns), Emily and I came to my place and started some wedding fun-ness. She made a gorgeous veil for her cousin, complete with silver satin trim.


All is needs is a little pressing on the trim. She made it really quickly too.

As for me, not so much. I goccoed our favor bags - all 125 of them. They are all over our place!

What they will somewhat look like (when I get the correct color riboon):

My momma's attire

This has been a bit harder than finding my dress. We have been to countless stores... many Macy's, several trips to Neiman Marcus (not our typical store!), Off Fifth (Sak's Fifth Ave. Outlet), Neiman's Outlet, and even a bridal store.

After trying on countless dresses, my mom loosely determined that she likes:
(1) a long dress
(2) a empire waist
(3) a flowy fabric
(4) nothing ornate
(5) nothing dowdy

It seems that blue was the color she likes best as well. She actually did find a dress that she loved. The original problem is that was pretty expensive, and then when we went back to get it they didn't have it and couldn't get it. I looked everywhere for this dress and nada.

I have a pretty good handle on what my mom likes and what looks good on her. So when I was out Christmas shopping at the outlet mall and popped into BCBG, I was floored to find a perfect dress for her. She likes BCBG dresses and they fit her quite well. I decided to try on the dress to see the fit, which it was very true to size. I thought I would then buy it in two sizes for her to try on. The problem - all their sales are final. The dress was a good deal for sure, but not that great a deal if my mom does like it or it doesn't fit. And I definitely don't want to guilt my mom into a dress. So here is what the dress somewhat looks like:

BUT... In this color and fabric...

It satisfies all the criteria that seems to be important to her. And the price is pretty darn good. My mom gets here in 6 days - I just hope they still have it. If not, it certainly wasn't supposed to be her dress. If not, I found another pretty cool dress at Macy's, while shopping with Emily...

With 2 out of 4 moms with their dress already - I hope we can finally find her one on her trip out here. And no Miss Meyers, in case you were thinking about it, you absolutely do not have to wear a dress ;-)

Being Thankful

There is so much to be thankful for, namely for our wonderful family and friends. Although we are just having a relaxed intimate Thanksgiving day (complete with watching the Macy's parade and football, and maybe fitting a bike ride in there), we still wish we could be with our families. In a few short weeks we will be there! I can't wait.

In the meantime, this will be a craft weekend. Some of the ladies will be coming over to finish up some various crafts (it is gocco time for me) - and maybe we will have some mimosas. Pics to follow!!!

Happy Thanksgiving.
xoxox

My crowning glory

I never thought I would wear a veil. Never! Ralph and I even talked about it. He really hoped I wouldn't. Then I tried on this Pronovias dress.

And then they put it on me.

And I knew I had to wear a veil.

For the record, I love this dress, but it just didn't feel like the dress I would marry Ralph in. I know that sounds weird - but it works in my silly head. It would definitely be the dress I would wear if I was having a frilly, vintage-insipred, garden party wedding. And that sort of wedding wouldn't work for Ralph - therefore it wasn't meant to be the dress I would marry him in.

When I did find THAT dress, I put on this simple veil.

But in the end I decided to go for a longer veil. Why? Well, because of this...

Credit - the wonderful Zlatko Batisticho

Aren't they beautiful? You are a gorgeous bride J!

I like the drama from the back. I can't help it! So when I stumbled upon a bride selling her long simple veil for a fraction of the price (for reference that veil I am wearing in my dress cost a whopping $125), I jumped on it. In addition to saving lots of $, I couldn't be happier that I am re-using a perfectly good piece of tulle. We may not be throwing the most green wedding ever - I am trying to do my part when I can.

And so here it is, on the pretty bride I bought it from (wearing a dress I did try on)...

(credit)

I received it today in perfect condition. I can't wait to try it on with my dress (which is coming up very soon). I promise to post pics!!!

Sharing some of my attempted craftiness

Poor Ralph, he thinks I am crazy. I have about 10 different DIY projects going on at the same time. Why? Well, I want to have as much done as possible before I leave in December (which would be December 9th!!!).

Some stuff just has to wait to be revealed until the big day. But in the meantime, I will share my latest somewhat finished project. The other day, we were shopping at Target and I was perusing the $1+ section in the front of the store, and found these:



I decided that for $2.50, I could make some nice signs to direct people to our ceremony. I just needed some materials that I had laying around my house. I sanded them down and painted them with some latex paint that I found in our utility closet.




Then it rained on them and they looked pink. I tried another coat - still pink. So, Ralph stepped in and got some flat spray enamel in white. He said he would take care of it - but in the end it was largely all me...




Next I needed to paint on the letters - not an easy feat. So I printed up a design in word. Using a ballpoint pen, I traced over the letters using alot of pressure. This left an imprint that I then followed with the craft paint I used for the escort frames.




The result wasn't perfect, but good enough. I am glad I didn't bother with stencils. I like the imperfect look.

I made two signs for a total cost of $8. Sure it was cheaper than buying them on etsy, but it was a little more time consuming than I would have liked. The only thing I am missing is the correct ribbon.

Oh and I have no idea what I will do with these after the wedding. Maybe flip them over and paint something else on them???

So excited!

My mom is coming to visit us and to come to my first dress fitting. I couldn't be more happier that she will be here with me!

Tiiiime AIN"T on my side...

no it ain't!!!!

Yep, my workload has finally crashed in on me, which means no posts. I have also been doing a fair share of wedding stuff, with a heavy dose of help from Ralph and family, but some of it just has to stay a surprise.

Anyway, I just had to share this.

This is a slideshow from a wonderful South Florida photographer Stephan Maloman (yeah we couldn't get close to affording him). He shot this reception at Jungle Island. Not many couples have their reception outside, preferring to stay in the climate controlled ballrooms, so this was a pleasant surprise.

Enjoy the pics!