holiday epidural?

So, I have been having back/sciatic issues for about 2 1/2 year now. With the wedding less than 7 months away and my desire to have a pain free honeymoon, I decided to do something about this annoyance. So lets cut to the chase. My general doctor said that my MRI results were THE worst she has ever seen, and we really have to do something about this VERY large herniated disc. Now fast forward to today. I visit a pain management doctor and after the initial consultation received my first course of treatment. Oh yes. An epidural. Now most people that receive one eventually leave with a baby. I left with instructions NOT to work out...no power walking even, for 2 weeks. AND the potential to have another epidural in 2 weeks. hmmmm.....I did not fare that well. I am told that just the anxiety of the unknown can have cause nausea.....well I was nauseas for sure. After the fact and now three hours after the event, I am feeling ok...but I have also been told that things will get worse before they get better. yuck.

So in addition to some advil, I picked up some Ben and Jerry's. I know, not the best choice since I cannot work off the calories, but is a new flavor....cake batter. oh.my.goodness. yellow cake batter ice cream swirled with chocolate frosting...seriously. If you know me at all, you know that this is MY birthday cake every year since for ever! Love the yellow cake with chocolate icing... yum. The best pick-me-up after a little holiday epidural.

something blue.... part deux

{Something Blue Satin Pump by Manolo Blahnik via Neiman Marcus}

Sex and the City fans....and brides to be! Am I the last to know that this shoe is called "something blue"? seriously. want. these.

something blue...

I am obviously in a shoe mood. I simply love d'Orsay shoes. So how about these polka dot babies from Betsey Johnson? They could be your something blue, and they have a spicy hot pink sole too!

{Mackenzie by Betsey Johnson via 6pm.com}

Another great option for the bridesmaids! Not d'Orsay, but I did get distracted by the bold polka dots....love.

{Flash by Betsey Johnson via 6pm.com}

I am totally in a polka dot mood...obviously. Now for a spunky something blue shoe for a daring bride....the wedge looks comfy!

{Yori by Betsey Johnson via 6pm.com}

As much as I love polka dots, I also love bows! So excited to find these!

{Weston by Betsey Johnson via 6pm.com}

Ooooh. Another shoe for your something blue. How cute are these polka dot shoes! Yes, I know I have an obsession with polka dots!

{Josette by Jessica Simpson via Heels.com}

indulge...

{Very Noeud by Christian Louboutin via Foot Candy Shoes}

The perfect wedding shoe....swoon.

{Moustique by Christian Louboutin via Barneys}

How about for your something blue?

{Miss Grey Slingbacks by Christian Louboutin via Saks Fifth Avenue}

Something for the bridesmaids? I love these shoes!

cute...

I love this picture...{via

something sassy...

I love black and white shoes! How cute would it be if my bridesmaids each donned a different black and white shoe? Hmmm...this thought excites me! So here's some inspiration!

{Salma from Bakers}

This beauty is TALL...at 4 1/4 inches, this is one sassy shoe! I definitely would not be able to dance in these all night...but I am sure that someone out there could!

{Women's Love by Jessica Simpson via Famous Footware}
{Vaughn by Caparros via Zappos}

It is actually not that easy to find black and white shoes...hmmmm. I thought there would be more out there.

perfect...

Checking my fav blogs this eve, I came across this featured wedding from Style Me Pretty. If I could wrap this wedding up in a package and send it to myself I would be VERY happy. This is totally the vibe I am going for. Time for some pictures!

{photos by Love Life Images via Style Me Pretty}

See more fabulous pictures here, here, and here! Check out the Love Life Images post about this fabulous event! Ohhhh....anenome's on the cake! swoon.

spink...

{courtesy of Catering St. Louis}

The Spink Pavilion is the perfect location for the rehearsal dinner. I simply could not imagine having it at any other location. The Missouri Botanical Garden will also be celebrating its 150th anniversary in 2009, so that makes this location also special.

{courtesy of Catering St. Louis}

Can you imagine how beautiful it will be when the garden is in bloom this summer.

{courtesy of Catering St. Louis}

If only Chihuly was still there. I would so love to to have those "onions" floating in the lily ponds.

{courtesy of Catering St. Louis}

We will not have a tent at the RD, but it will be a cocktail style reception.

{courtesy of Catering St. Louis}

{courtesy of Catering St. Louis}

*Beef Tenderloin Cocktail Sandwiches
*Smoked Turkey on Sourdough Batard
*Herbed Flatbread topped with Portobello Mushrooms, Roasted Red Peppers and Mozzarella
*Smoked Shrimp on Skewers with Honey Wasabi Sauce
*Spanikopita (H)
*Assorted Imported Cheeses with Crostini and Grapes
Sounds yummy! Some menu choices...

{courtesy of Catering St. Louis}

{courtesy of Catering St. Louis}

{courtesy of Catering St. Louis}

{courtesy of Catering St. Louis}{courtesy of Catering St. Louis}
I so need a fabulous dress...and shoes!

i heart...

Saturday the girls and I went looking at bridesmaid dresses. While we were there, there was a bride deciding on a dress for a beach wedding. She wanted something more casual for her nuptials. The first dress she tried on was this beauty by Jim Hjelm.



Gasp. It was so gorgeous. My wheels have since been turning and how fabulous would this dress be for the rehearsal dinner? I know, it is rather indulgent to wear a floor length, satin-faced taffeta strapless trumpet gown with gathered empire bodice and attached sash to a rehearsal dinner, but then again why not!

Oh the sash. I am such a sucker for bows.

candy land...

Candy, Cookies and Treats! Oh my! I have been obsessed with the idea of a candy buffet. I know they are ridiculously popular with weddings, but most of my guests will have not seen one. I know that I have never been to a wedding with one before so I am sure it will be new for many of my guests.

{courtesy of Bridal Wave}

I have been collecting pictures of candy buffets for inspiration for a while and finally decided to post about it. If I have not credited you for your image, please email me and let me know!

{courtesy of Farfalla Wedding}

I love how this buffet is so full! It looks so yummy!

{Mix Mingle Glow}

Love the tiffany colored ribbons around the jars with the circle label...so perfect.

{Clary Pfeiffer Photography}

The simplicity of the white candies and sweets is so striking!

{courtesy of Melissa's Smitten}

All the glass pedestal dishes are so elegant looking.

{courtesy of Ellen}

I love the black and white accents with the blue, green, and white candies. I could not find this exact picture on Ellen's blog. But I know this is her candy buffet. It is so gorgeous!

{courtesy of Michaels Arts & Crafts}

Love the jars, ribbons on jars, etc...

Finally....
visit Aylee :: bits of who i am for all of these fabulous inspiration pictures and their sources.


Ahhh...candy. I need more inspiration pictures. If you are planning one or had a candy/sweets buffet, send me pictures and I will update this post. yum.