{love} details...

Pinterest Challenge July 2011 | Project Results

2011-08-01T11:50:00.002-05:00

The above photo was the inspiration for my project. It originated from Addicted 2 Decorating. I repinned someone elses pin, from a blog feature on Classy Clutter. Wow, you could totally play "seven degrees of Pinterest". Back to the challenge...

The week before the challenge was issued I had begun a little dining room makeover and was contemplating repainting this cabinet.

The room was getting a new coat of paint and going from Valspar City Storm to Benjamin Moore's Gray Owl. You can see the City Storm color in the above shot and will see Gray Owl in the room in photos below. I began to think about the turquoise piano I pinned 6 weeks ago and a lightbulb went off that I did not have to have a piano to recreate the look but could do it with my red cabinet. I was not sure exactly what color was used on the piano so in the end I custom blended my own turquoise color.

After I got the color just right, I painted the outside the teal/turquoise and the inside black. I then worked on the back panel that I did a faux bois treatment on. Get more detailed information about how I custom mixed the color, what colors I used and how I did the faux bois here.

While waiting for the paint to dry I began to work on the plate part. First I laid out the plates to get an idea of what I wanted. For more detailed information about the hanging plate part, click here.

After getting the layout right, which took a few days of moving, photographing and lots of head tilting, I moved on. I then rolled out craft paper and laid the plates down again and traced around the outside to make a pattern of sorts.

I planned to hang up the pattern above the cabinet to make sure that I liked the placement.

This is probably the third pattern I made. I lived with it for a day taped to the wall above the cabinet before I began hanging plates. I am so glad I did this step because they really looked different on the wall. I used much bigger plates that the inspiration photo which is good and bad.

Next came plate hanging hooks {came with the plate hangers}. The whole plate hanger part of this is a whole other issue/story for another time. If you want to know more about it, click here for details. Anyway, I hung the hooks and then placed the plates up.

Then it was time for the paper to come down!

Back up the plates went!

I had been playing with different accessories for the top of the cabinet and decided to go with these CB2 vase/candle holders I have had for several years. I also have white Zgallerie pillar candle sticks that look good that could be a future option. I liked the lighter visual weight that the glass has since the plates are big.

Since living plants cannot survive in my home due to two furry inhabitants I just cut a few herbs and plants from the yard.

Please ignore the crazy long plate hangers! I am going to replace/snip them down. I really wanted to get the project done, so this had to do for the time being. For more information about the plate hangers I used, click here.

Now for a side by side comparison from the inspiration and my completed project!

There are a few changes I plan to make such as changing/modifying the plate hangers as I have already mentioned; adding or swapping plates; changing the wicker vase next to the cabinet; and maybe different knobs on the cabinet. I love the end result!

Pinterest Summer Challenge!

2011-07-27T15:41:00.002-05:00

I am so excited about this challenge! I have the perfect idea for a dining room project obviously inspired by Pinterest. It is probably my most loved pin. ever. So excited!!!

Not sure what I am talking about? Check out YoungHouseLove, Emily Henderson, BowerPowerBlog, or Making a House a Home.

Wedding Details {Black and White Wedding}

2011-06-30T18:20:00.004-05:00

{all above images from ClaryPhoto see our wedding blog post here}

We just celebrated our second anniversary so I thought I would finally post some of my favorite detail shots from the wedding! Many of the items in these photos are projects that I DIY'd such as ring bearer pillows, pinwheels, candy bar ribbons for jars, damask cardbox, and photobooth tickets. Several of the other projects I created and had printed elsewhere were the "sugar bar" window cling, drink stir sticks, "B" cake topper, and dinner menus.

Then we had several fabulous vendors that made other items happen such as Slice of Lime Design for all of our paper goods and Exclusive Events, Inc. for our reception lighting, paper lanterns, white lounge area and decals on the columns. I especially love our programs from Slice of Lime Design. They are tiered and have the custom damask design flowing from one page to the next...does that sound right? I do not know about how it sounds but it turned out fantastic! Slice of Lime Design also created our reception cards that included a poem that I wrote and probably had help from Emily from Slice of Lime Design...it's been so long I cannot even remember! Anyway, the poem was about the candy bar, the photo booth, and the late night snack that we were serving at 10:00pm. I will look for a photo that shows it better for another post.

A few other details were each of the bridesmaids bouquets were wrapped with a different black and white ribbon and had a vintage bow broach. We had red balloons and paper parasols for photos, and my something blue was turquoise ribbon sewn onto the crinoline of my dress. I also wore the antique wedding ring in the ring detail shots that belonged to my husband's grandma. She was unable to attend so I wore the ring so she could be there in spirit. Hmmmm.....I am trying to think of any other special details...would have probably been a good idea to have posted this 2 years ago! Oh yeah, I made my jewelry {chandelier crystal earrings and bracelet} and also made bracelets out of crystals for the bridesmaids.

Not sure if I have previously posted this, but here was our vendor line up for the day!
Photography: ClaryPhoto-Clary Pfeiffer Photography {blog}
Videography: Archway Media (I still have not selected my music so no video yet...)
Paper Goods: Slice of Lime Design
Florist: RW Designs
Wedding Coordinator: Proposing Dreams
Ceremony: St. Ambrose on the hill
Reception: Windows On Washington {8th floor}
Lighting and Decor: Exclusive Events, Inc.
Extras: Photobooth Stl
Cake: The Cakery
Rehearsal Dinner: Spink Pavillion Missouri Botanical Gardens
Transportation: A Perfect Touch
Make-up: Holly Speakes
Wedding Dress: Priscilla of Boston Vineyard Collection, Town and Country Bridal

I think that is it!

Cute and Stylish Camera Bag Part 4?

2011-02-01T12:59:00.000-06:00

Thanks to an anonymous comment on my last post about camera bags I decided to wait and check out what the new Epiphanie Bags had to offer. I was definitely excited that they would be offering a bag that could hold a laptop. What a great way to kill two birds with one stone!

{epiphanie bags}

Love the new color options for the originals and the new styles. Of the new styles, I like Clover best. But I am still in love with Lola. I am not sure if it is just the red or the style. I am definitely more of a pink fan, but again, there is just something about the red bag.

So I am still leaning towards Lola in red, but they are back ordered until April. Maybe I should go ahead and order...

cute and stylish search...still looking!

2010-10-05T17:55:00.000-05:00

Just when I think I have it all narrowed down, and maybe able to make a decision in my search for a dslr camera bag...I am back at square one!

This search has been exhausting. I like to try on and touch handbags. See how the zippers work, make sure that it seems like it will work for me. Unfortunately this is not the reality for the "cute and stylish handbag style meets dslr bag" selection that resides exclusively online.

Her name was Lola....Lola remained top in my mind since my search became less intense around March. Off and on, I would admire Lola and think about if I was ready to make a commitment.

{epiphanie bags Lola}

So the biggest reason why I did not just go ahead and purchase, was that I was hesitant about the price. I know that the bag would need to last me a long while...and I just was not sure!

The I decide...okay, time to bite the bullet and just go ahead and do it. I did one last search for "cute and stylish camera bags" and came across this post by Veralana Photography. This post opened my eyes to some new fabulous bags by Jo Totes.

{Jo Totes}

Instantly I was drawn to the Rose bag....ultimately I decided this was THE bag...I was going for it. I was torn between the marigold and the teal.

{Jo Totes}

While popular opinion was to go with the marigold, I was unsure. Shocking, I know. Look at that adorable houndstooth fabric inside! A perk that they both have it! Yesterday I decided to just go for it! Decided...then went to purchase....SOLD OUT! So I thought maybe it was fate and I was meant to have the other color....guess what!? SOLD OUT too...so maybe it was just not meant to be at all.

I need a new laptop bag too, but I do not have the energy to search for that!

Has it really been this long?

2010-09-23T18:28:00.000-05:00

I am shocked that I have taken such a long hiatus from blogging. It seemed so easy when talking about wedding planning, but now that has been over for a way long time. I am working on starting a new blog or actually started it at the beginning of the year to chronicle all of my creative adventures, but have yet to post. I always seem to be creating something....so that seems to be a good start. Honestly, I do not seem to have the time that I used to have to devote to creating really good posts....with pictures! A goal is to still post wedding pictures, but really, it has been over a year. Another goal is to finally pick songs for our wedding film. I also would love to get back to doing C25K, which I have not done since March...well, lets be honest, with barely week 1 complete, I never really started. There is always something. Blogging just has seem to lost its sparkle, which is why I started the new blog. Thinking that at least a focus would be better than nothing. Hmm...too much to think about, but nothing really substantial or worthy to post about.

Oh well...at least I am breaking the blogging dry spell. Let's hope it isn't another 3 months.

Way too long.

2010-05-08T11:45:00.000-05:00

It has been way to long since my last post.

Life has been so busy. I think back to this time last year...writing thank you notes for shower gifts, working with wedding vendors, finals for 2 classes I was taking...one was Statistics {yuck}, the list can go on and on...how did I do it? Minus the wedding stuff, the same things making life too busy are still present, but maybe I am putting more effort into what I have now, just as the wedding received all of my effort last year. I wish there was more time. One of my little art students made a "time machine" sculpture yesterday....he needs to get working on a "time freezing" machine. That sounds good.

{source}

With only 13.5 days left of school with kids....maybe I will finally get around to posting wedding pictures? get back to running? finally organize? have a garage sale? learn how to use my camera better? write my dissertation? hmmmm. huge "to do" list.

Couch to 5k Week 1 day 2

2010-03-10T18:13:00.000-06:00

{source}

I am glad to have this workout behind me. I worried about the weather forecast and if that would prevent me from working out. Fortunately it was a gorgeous day. I also bailed out on the first day of the new run/walk club at work because I did have time to get my gear together this morning. So I kinda felt that I was looking for an excuse to not do it today. So I made plan....a, b, C! Plan C was to go home and get it over with...then make dinner and do homework. Who would have thought that I would rather learn to run that do homework?

So about the "run" today. I felt really good about it! I felt around interval 5 that I was getting worn out, but once I got to 6, I could see the end and before I knew it, I was FINISHED! Whew. Looking forward to Friday and finishing week 1. My quads have been sore since Monday. I did stretch after Monday's workout, and again after today's, but I would rather they just stop aching. I am very surprised that my feet are not giving me problems! I plan to treat myself to new shoes over spring break if I keep it up...

I do need to find a 5k, so I keep myself motivated and have a purpose for doing this. I found one on June 12th that benefits Haiti...and that is our 1st anniversary weekend! That would also give me several extra weeks if I needed it to get prepared. I honestly cannot even imagine being able to run for 3 miles without stopping. Any suggestions for 5k's in May or June?

Couch to 5K Week 1 day 1

2010-03-08T16:19:00.000-06:00

{found here}

Well, the time has come. I have been so interested in the Couch to 5K program since reading about it on this blog. I have always said that my body was not made to run, but then I read the book Mindset, and realized that you can really do anything that you set your mind to. This book is amazing by the way as it relates to so may aspects of life. So anyway, it is time to challenge the fixed mindset I have had about my running abilities an actually get off the couch and do it.

I downloaded the podcast from Robert Ullrey, and set out on my first interval run/walk workout. The program is to briskly walk for a 5 minute warm-up, then do 8 intervals of 60 seconds running, 90 seconds walking recovery. I was feeling towards the end on interval 6 and 7 that I could not do this, and I will admit that I did not run the entire time. The last interval was very motivating and I finished it. Boy I did want to quit, and just walk though. This was followed by a 5 minute cool down and then I did some stretching.

I am a little bummed that the weather is supposed to be rainy the rest of the week. I thought, well maybe I would wait until March 18th when I am on spring break, but I was off work today and I was motivated. So this is it. Just day 1, I am committing to Wednesday and Friday of this week as well to complete the 3 sessions required for the program. Baby steps.

cute & stylish search continues

2010-02-24T21:26:00.000-06:00

I blogged about my search for cute and stylish camera bags recently. I have been receiving some slack from Chris about not using my DSLR enough, so it is time to search some more and make a decision.

I still love the Epiphanie bags. But through some communication with the company, found out that they will release new styles this summer. If you know me, you know that I like to weigh all of my options and not make a decision until I am positive that I will be completely satisfied with my choice. If you know me, then you also know that I can be incredibly indecisive. So there you go. Making a choice about where to go for dinner is usually equally difficult, let alone choose a bag for my camera. SO the prospect of potentially liking a new bag coming out this summer more, keeps me from committing at this moment. Also, I am concerned that Belle may be too bright and so am liking Lola more. Here is a review of the Lola bag. These bags will not ship until March probably...but I have waited this long!

Here are some new bags I found since my last search.

{Kelly Moore}

So here is the Kelly Moore bag. Cute, right? Love that they come in 7 different colors. If you click this link, you can watch a video of the bag in action. Kinda cool. Actually made me realize that this is not what I am looking for though. More of a messenger style and less like what I am envisioning.

Some others to consider...

{The Joy Bag}

Another messenger, so it does not make it on the short list.

{Jo Totes}

Jo Totes are one of the lesser expensive bags that I have found, but a little too plain for what I am thinking I want.

{*emera}

*emera now makes a quilted bag! Love that it can hold a laptop!!! And that this one zips! The other *emera bags do not zip.

The search will continue...I am not completely satisfied....yet!

Happy Valentine's Day

2010-02-14T21:45:00.001-06:00

It seems everyone sends out holiday or New Year cards their first married year, so I wanted to be different and send out Valentines. Okay, actually I did not have myself organized enough to send out holiday or New Year cards. But, I am actually glad. I love the red balloons, red photobooth curtain with the bit of red for Valentines day. Perfect for Valentines. Working at the last minute, but not willing to make these Saint Patrick's Day, Easter or first day of spring cards, I had to work quick. Even quicker I had to get them printed. I settled on the printing. Time was limited and I do not know where to get good printing done quickly. Kinko's offered the quickest solution. So to make up for the lack of fancy printing, I created cute wrap around address labels. Our return was wrapped to the back and written vertically.

It was a fun project, and I am very critical of anything I create. So while I like them, there is always room for improvement! Happy Valentines Day 2010!

Soundtrack

2010-01-30T12:18:00.000-06:00

Help! What songs did you pick for your wedding movie...heard any great timeless songs that really just scream "Time for a wedding montage!"???

I am horrible at making decisions which is why I decided to be very proactive and create a potential playlist for it in my itunes library. I am just so not sure. So here I am. Still have not made any decisions.

{our rehearsal dinner ClaryPhoto}

See how indecisive I am. AND how much my husband loves it!

12x12 paper lovelies...

2010-01-20T17:12:00.000-06:00

After my last post about Paper-Source I decided to peruse the papers to see about that lovely damask print paper for fun liners and wrapping gifts. While I was not able to find that paper, I did find many other lovelies that I have not seen before.

I love the idea of creating inexpensive artwork by framing beautiful paper. It creates an impact and as I mentioned can be very cheap! Here are some 12x12 paper lovelies that are....well....just lovely!

{White Eyelet}

{Bird Cages Overlay}

{Frame Wallpaper Pink Overlay}

{Brocade Overlay}

{Darling Dear}

I love how affordable a single sheet can be! Also think about how simple it could be to create your own pattern to frame by using a rubber stamp to repeat your design.

Damask Suite

2010-01-19T19:11:00.001-06:00

{Vintage Marquis by Paper Source}

I love damask. I have loved it for so many years before it was popular for weddings. I remember doing a project in 2003 using some vintage red damask wallpaper. Even after putting as many damask elements into my wedding last June, I still love it. I even try to incorporate damask wrapping paper at almost any occasion that requires a gift {and even ones that do not}!

I am excited to see all of these great pieces from Paper-Source!

home office storage

2010-01-08T21:17:00.000-06:00

{Timber Buffet from Target}

I have been wanting a piece of furniture to house our printer, laptops, mail, etc. for a while now. After much searching online and locally I finally decided that our best option was the Timber Buffet from Target. The biggest downside is that I had to order online so it still has not arrived {I ordered it January 3rd}. The space below is perfect, or at least the measurements seem perfect, for our printer and 2 laptops, our external hard drive and other items. The space above will be perfect for some basket to organize the mail.

I am getting the space ready as it currently contains a super amazing antique travel trunk that I acquired from my grandparents who got it from another long ago relative. I love this trunk! It just is not practical for anything other than putting things on...So the trunk was holding many, many magazines, mostly wedding magazines.

I love these magazines and am having a hard time parting with them, so I am going through and removing my most favorite pages and then will reuse the mags for an awesome project at work.

I cannot wait for the furniture to arrive, just another step in my quest to become organized!

Message in a cookie cutters

2010-01-05T18:48:00.000-06:00

I have been resisting the temptation to peruse the catalogs that come weekly. Today, I could not help but look through the Williams-Sonoma one. I am so very glad that I did! I stumbled upon the cutest cookie cutters I have ever seen! Message-in-a-cookie Cutters!

{Williams-Sonoma}

Apparently there was also a holiday version, that is of course sold out.

{Williams-Sonoma}

I really love the current set, my favorite is the scalloped edge cutter. Too cute! I still have some Christmas money burning a hole in my pocket...I just may have to get these!

Happy New Year!

2009-12-31T15:53:00.000-06:00

What an eventful year 2009 has been. The wedding consumed my life for the first half of the year. I really do not know how I did anything else those first six months of 2009! The second half has been a focus on work, school and being a newlywed!

I would love to engross myself in a project for 2010 that challenges me to venture into new things. I would love to take cooking classes. I would love to take a digital photography class. I took photography in college but boy has it been a while. How fun would it be to take a glass blowing class? Of course I hope this is the year I finally figure out how to eat right and lose those newlywed pounds, moving in together pounds, oh and the I am in a relationship and comfortable pounds. I hope this year I also figure out how to save money, like really, really, save money, especially at the Grocery. That is truly a skill that I need to learn!

2009 was fabulous! Cheers to 2010 and what the New Year will bring!

Cute & Stylish Camera Bag

2009-12-29T21:51:00.002-06:00

I am looking for a camera bag...one that is cute and stylish and does not scream "I AM A CAMERA BAG"! I did not see this as a being a difficult task until I started to search for one. Seriously, why are there not more options for women?

After about a week of Google searches, I have finally found some.

So just as a reminder, I am going for the non-camera bag looking bag...

I found a few Etsy sellers that make camera bags. At first, I thought this was the perfect solution...I pick the fabric, and in a few weeks it will arrive on my door step. Then I remembered how impatient I am. Nonetheless, this post may help others so here are some of my favorites from Etsy.

{Etsy Shop Janine King Designs}

{Etsy Shop GypsyRoseHandbags}

There are so many fabric choices if you go the Etsy route. The prices are reasonable too for a custom bag, and it appears that all your gear is adequately protected.

Somewhere along my search I came across *emera. These bags remind me of "Kate Spade meets camera bag".

{*emera}

I really love "The Print".

{The Print via *emera}

Is this bag not channeling Kate Spade? Well maybe Kate 9 years ago or so.

I also came across Jill-e bags. I do not love these bags, and they are more than I would want to spend for a medium/large camera bag. I will share one that I kinda like...

{Medium Bone Leather Camera Ba g via Jill-e}

I need to include The Shootsac in this review of stylish camera bags. My understanding of this bag is that it is for photo sessions and not to store your gear all the time. More for pros doing quick lens changes. So while I love the fashionable covers that this bag offers, I need something else right now.

{The Shootsac}

The bags I was most excited to find are from epiphanie. I love the turquoise bag and the red bag. They even have contrasting liners which I think is super chic!

{via Shutter Sisters}

{via epiphanie}

Belle and Lola are my fave's right now...there are new bags coming out next year from Epiphanie...I do not know that I can wait that long!

inside of Belle

inside of Lola

Doesn't everything look so nice and cozy inside? I am not sure what bag I am going to order. So many choices! What bag do you have?

truffles and tortes

2009-12-19T17:01:00.001-06:00

I am trying out two recently acquired recipes on Chris' family tomorrow for their annual holiday get together the Sunday before Christmas. I love making new and fun appetizers and dips to bring to a party. I will be honest that I have been craving the cranberry walnut torte concoction from Trader Joes. So when posed with the task to bring something different...I decided to see if I could make one myself.

{via Season to Taste}

I altered the recipe as the container I was using to make my torte was a 1 qt. souffle dish.

Here is my version:

8oz. package low fat cream cheese {softened}

5oz. crumbled Gorgonzola {room temperature}

Dried Cranberries

Walnut chips

I also used cling wrap in my dish instead of waxed paper. Check out the original recipe and directions here.

My next new treat are Oreo Truffles. The Beginning of Forever recently blogged about cake balls and how she calls them truffles. Which is so perfect...really, I wish I would have thought of it. lol. This rather settled my issue with "cake balls" so I am proud to say they have a new name now....cake truffles! I am so excited I found this Bakerella recipe.

So back to the Oreo truffles. After reading about the existence of these delectable delights I decided it was a perfect time to make them...

{via Flickr}

The recipe is super simple

1 package Oreo's divided

8 oz. cream cheese {softened}

White Chocolate Bark coating

Visit Bakerella for all the details.

Chicken? Again?

2009-12-16T17:03:00.001-06:00

I have a weird thing about chicken...I really am rather grossed out by it tend cut off all the parts that are "suspect". Like that long white stuff, or the other gross things that are in/on a chicken breast. So now you know something strange about me.

I am on a quest for good chicken recipes. I have been making a very tasty breaded chicken, I can do chicken and rice, I even ventured into stuffed chicken breasts and brussel sprouts after reading this post...but every time I tell my husband we are having chicken for dinner...I get the "oh" response....meaning....is there anything else!

So I need some good recipes. Anyone have anything to share? Don't be chicken! Please share!

Frankie and the Christmas Tree

2009-12-15T22:00:00.003-06:00

{Clary Pfeiffer Photography}

I love my little Frankie. I love his occasionally crossed eyes and all! He is my little cuddle-bug and is always happy to see me when I come home.

{Clary Pfeiffer Photography}

Frankie is a talker, a feline trashcan {he eats anything....anything}, and a destroyer of all Christmas trees. No matter how much I love him, the fact that I cannot even get my Christmas tree decorated has me peeved. Tonight, I came home and there was a large gap in branches on the tree as if a cat had taken a nap in the tree. While I do not have physical proof of Frankie being in the tree, I would bet money that he did in fact take a nap in the tree. Looking at the amount of droop in the branches, it appears that it was a very long nap.

Good thing Frankie is cute and likes to cuddle.

6 months!

2009-12-13T20:27:00.001-06:00

Today marks 6 months since we got married in June. I was looking forward to this day because we were going to the Fabulous Fox Theatre to see "A Christmas Carol".

{The Fabulous Fox}

The show was very good. Sometimes I get disappointed if I have a preconceived notion about what the performance/story line will be like...I was definitely not disappointed!

Then we were off to Our Lady of the Snows Shrine to see the "Way of Lights". We were too early so we went to have dinner. Nothing worth talking about here...we went to a place in Belleville, IL and I would not go back again. So we finally left dinner and it was dark so we went to see the lights. It was pretty, but so chaotic with all of the vehicles that I was so caught up in vehicles not observing the 2 lane rule that I really did not enjoy the lights. Again it was pretty but way crowded, and not organized well for the amount of traffic coming through.

So in the end, I convince my wonderful husband to treat me to something delicious!

We went to Ted Drews and checked out some holiday lights in South City. I was hoping the ice cream would cure the headache that was caused by the "way of lights" fiasco, but no such luck!

All in all it was a wonderful day, and I am counting down the days until winter break! {7}!

Oh Christmas tree!

2009-12-10T20:47:00.000-06:00

I was so very excited to get our tree this year. Chris' family has been cutting down their tree's Thanksgiving weekend, from the same tree farm for over 20 years. For the past three years I have been a part of this tradition. This year we went the Friday after Thanksgiving.

I was determined to find the perfect tree this year. Year one we got a white pine...long soft needles, very light in weight with flimsy branches. Since this was the first tree that I got to decorate all on my own, I went a little crazy with ornament purchasing...the poor tree could not hold many of my heavy ornaments. Our kitten at the time, Scout, pretty much left the real tree alone, but fell in love with my 4 foot pre-lit white tree...after much abuse, the white tree has been retired. Year two, I picked a beautiful Fraser Fir. It was pretty, but too round for our small living room. We also added an addition to our family in the form of a tree-climbing kitty named Frankie. He loved climbing the Fraser. We have always wanted a slim tree, but narrow trees were not available. This year, we were able to go to a small area with new trees that were a little more pricey. We selected a Canaan Fir. It is perfect. I wish I could take the credit for picking it, but my MIL actually found it. She has much more tree picking experience than me! Frankie is limiting his contact to nibbling the tips of the branches, and Scout leaves it alone.

So the tree has been undecorated, unlit in the living room for almost two weeks. I finally put the lights on...my least favorite part. I bought 2 strands of these really pretty lights to mix it up a bit, but part of one strand it out.

{via Target}

I love the way they look with the regular lights. I did not put on very many strands since I dislike putting the lights on so much. I am too impatient!

On another note, I received a Winter scented candle from my MIL. It is such a wonderful smelling candle...I think it has really gotten me into the tree decorating mood! I smell "tree", so I looked it up and it "is a festive blend of shimmering pine, crisp bay leaf, red cinnamon and warm winter woods"

{Bath and Bodyworks}

We have been burning this candle the last few nights and it is just so perfectly holiday-ish.

Rehearsal Dinner Recap

2009-12-09T19:54:00.002-06:00

Our rehearsal dinner was at the beautiful Spink Pavilion at the Missouri Botanical Gardens. I loved the pavilion in the dead of winter...freezing cold! So I had visions of perfection for June! The weather was gorgeous. Catering St. Louis is the caterer for MOBOT, and food was delish! I have blogged about the rehearsal dinner a few times and specifically about Spink here.
So now for the pro pics. As always, all photos are from Clary Pfeiffer Photography.

Engagement Session May 2009

2009-12-09T19:00:00.001-06:00

The recaps will now begin! We put off getting our engagement pictures until the month before the wedding. I really would not recommend this! Getting these pictures done let me know a few things...
First, we or rather I cannot be "dipped" to save my life. Such a bummer as I really wanted a romantic "dip" picture. This just did not work for us! Second, we need lots of direction. Our photographer Clary Pfeiffer captures moments instead of lots of posing which is a huge reason why I love her style so much...but we really needed direction, REALLY, taking pictures is hard work! I envy the couples that it all comes so natural for. SO enough about my photo issues, here are some of my favorite shots from our session. All photos are from Clary Pfeiffer Photography.

Semester is over!

2009-12-08T21:41:00.003-06:00

I am so thankful that the fall semester is over! I am just thaaaaaaat much closer to finishing.

I hope to FINALLY post wedding pictures, I mean it has only been about 6 months. I miss reading blogs and staying up to date with everything on my blog lists.

So....Here is a shot from our fabulous photographer Clary Pfeiffer visit Clary's blog too!

Dear Santa,

2009-11-30T20:32:00.002-06:00

{via Paper Source}

This would be perfect for a wedding picture! I love birds, love white on white frames. I would like this please Santa. :)

As a side note, my 4 yr. old nephew has been perusing catalogs and "signing up" for what he wants for Christmas. He makes some sort of markings and "sign's up"! Too cute.

busy

2009-11-07T17:25:00.003-06:00

I really dislike being busy. Wedding planning was fun. I loved it. I know that all brides do not though. I loved seeing everything come together and have a beautiful end product that I have crafted and designed.

It seems that I have gone from wedding planning heaven to dissertation hell. Now that the wedding is over, I have to devote my free time to this beast of a paper. Chapter 3 {rough draft} is due this Monday, but honestly....I still have not written chapter 2 {rough draft}. The lit review has left me with writers block. I have a much smaller paper due this Monday and I am using that to cure this block of mine. So today (saturday and tomorrow) I am writing. While everyone else is enjoying the uncharacteristically warm weather I am inside writing. Am I procrastinator, why yes! Do I love writing papers, and reading hundred of articles? Ummm, no. I like making things. This is why I enjoyed my undergraduate degree in Fine Art. No final papers usually for me....I got to make things.

So it is fitting that my dissertation topic revolves around learning styles...

I have time to write this 100+ page document. I am projected to finish May 2011. Plenty of time to solve my procrastination issue.

Groom's Cake

2009-11-07T15:11:00.005-06:00

I had decided on doing a groom's cake for our rehearsal dinner rather early in the planning stages. I decided to use Hock Cakes after reviews from Stlwed.

I did not know what I wanted the theme of the cake to be and believe me, it came down to the wire for me to decide. I have a serious problem with giving gifts that I am not sure if the receiver will like and this felt very close to something like that.

In the end, we love our cats Scout and Frankie. At the time, being summer and all, Scout would love to spend time in Chris' flip flops, with both from feet through one of the flip flops.

I know this post is rather out of order in the grand scheme of wedding recap, but I came across this recently on the Hock Cakes blog.

{via me}

The cake was such a hit at the part, some of our guests said it was the coolest cake they had seen! It looked really good, and tasted even better. Frankie, our siamese, looked pretty much like him, minus the occasionally crossed eyes. Scout was not as big or fluffy as he is in real like, but I am sure it is difficult to create fluffy hair with fondant. Other than the Scout critique, it was perfect. Most importantly, Chris love it!

blog love ~ Anna & Farid engagement pics

2009-11-05T18:54:00.004-06:00

I was so excited to find out that Beth Berry Photography posted the engagement pictures of my dear friend Anna. I was even more excited to see how fabulous they are!

There will definitely be more to come about this May wedding!

cake balls?

2009-10-30T20:01:00.004-05:00

{via flickr}

I was first introduced to these sweet cake treats a few years back. Unlike the above image, they were red velvet goodness covered in white chocolate. I first gave them a try for our housewarming party in 2006, and took them to work once too. They are so good, but the name "cake balls" does not seem to adequately describe their sweet, delicious gooey on the inside, crunchy chocolate shell outside! I am making triple chocolate cake enveloped in white chocolate for Halloween tomorrow to contribute to the family potluck feast...you can only eat so much candy!

Slice of Lime Feature

2009-10-09T23:39:00.003-05:00

{via Slice of Lime}

Emily of Slice of Lime created the invites, programs, photobooth sign, candy box labels, candy jar labels, sign board, rehearsal dinner invites, bridesmaid luncheon invites, thank you notes...and provided countless hours of therapy!

Just a side note...the busty pic of me is NOT my fav.

cracked mac...

2009-10-09T23:32:00.002-05:00

My beloved MacBook Pro has been ill of late. Funky stuff has been happening to the screen. Chris and I discovered that if we pinched the frame of the screen on the right side that we could get it to work. You just had to type with one hand, surf with one hand, etc...rather inconvenient.

This leads me to the other night. Chris was on the Pro and I heard this loud snap sound. The screen CRACKED internally. Not working now. Do I have an my stuff backed up? Nope...

I do not know what to do! I know I need to go to the Mac store and see about replacing the screen...anyone go through this? Ugh.

This has been one big reason why I have procrastinated about posting wedding pics. So inconvenient with the goofy screen...now I may lose everything! grrr....

Good thing the wedding pictures on on a disc. Wish me luck!

haute halloween

2009-09-19T14:36:00.005-05:00

{Rosanna Inc.}

I love this website! They have such beautiful and fun items. I am still in love with this that I have blogged about, and maybe one day I will get it! I am excited about the black ceramic items, I already have the small cake plate and the black teapot. I would love the medium size black cake plate to do a little mix and matching with my martha cake stands. I have the round set and the square set. I love cake stands!

So how cute would these cake stands be with some cupcakes decorated with candy corn or halloween candies? So fun!

mourning.

2009-09-06T09:00:00.001-05:00

I am still mourning not being able to wear my lovelies on my wedding day, so I got them out to play! I am thinking about dying them....but I don't know. They are so pretty...and if you recall, they have baby blue soles. so pretty.

thank you!

2009-09-05T21:27:00.003-05:00

I have been moving at a snail's pace to get the thank you notes finished. Finally, the last one has been written and then are stamped and ready to mail. I waited to mail them all together...not sure if that is what you are supposed to do, but that is the way I did it.

I love our note cards. Slice of Lime Design created them. I chose three different colored envelopes for fun! a yellow, chartreuse, and tiffany blue.

Ahhh.....something to cross off the list!

Irony...

2009-09-05T08:00:00.001-05:00

Want some?
So I just posted about writing blog posts and deleting....then I noticed this "draft".

Inspiration...I need some of that. life is great being a newlywed, but to be perfectly honest. It is weird.
Not weird with Chris, just weird in general. No one tells you how you will feel after the wedding. You are on such a high that it seems nothing can get you down. Then after the night is over...something changes.

There should be a support group for newlywed wives. Is it because Chris and I lived together and already made a home together that this funk exists? Would it be different if I did not have oodles of time on my hands? I am not sure, but I am sure this is part of it.

I have tried immersing myself in projects to keep me occupied, but nothing has been completed for various reasons. Frankly I am tired of feeling this way. Maybe I should be thankful for going back to work on Monday...in fact, I think that is just what I need. Back-breaking activity...Monday and Tuesday are sure to supply this.

Ironic "back breaking" activity is definitely what I got...good news, just started physical therapy!

long weekend

2009-09-05T07:54:00.001-05:00

Thank goodness this is a long weekend. I have felt so uninspired as of late and rather "ho-hum" about the every day routine. I have written a few posts then deleted before publishing as a way to get it out without airing all my dirty laundry.

So this long weekend is going to be a turning point. Overwhelmed with the miles of tasks I need to complete, and the ones I simply want to complete piling up, the time has come to take some action. "Inches not miles" has become my mantra and a way to occupy sleepless nights {which is a whole other related/unrelated issue}.

Why is it so difficult to balance the "have to do's" and the "want to do's"?

What do you do when you have truly bitten off more than you can chew? The plate is too full?

I am not a list maker, I typically do not get excited about crossing off a task...usually I make a list and then am still working on it. yeah still working on that ole list...until I eventually throw it away and start another one.

So this weekend, I am making a list...I plan to throw it away on Monday evening and abandon what is left and not feel guilty...Happy holiday weekend to me!

in the swing of things.

2009-08-28T19:13:00.003-05:00

I love a project, hence why I love wedding planning so much. I get so involved in the task at hand that everything else is just second fiddle to my new devotion. I decided to spend one day and give it all that I had to get things in order for a new year. Unfortunately, I over did it. I figured that the achy feelings would subside with some rest. I had a deadline for the aches and pains to go away, and well they decided to stick around. I find my self in a similar but different predicament as last year.

So it really sucks. Yes. I had another epidural. Even though last year I got really nauseous, this one was much worse, no nausea, just pain during the procedure. I feel like I did so well managing my pain last year that this was all that I needed. Hmmm. not so much. Long story short, and a copay to my general doctor, oral steriods and some PT on on the list of "to-do's" and hopefully and the very bottom is a visit to a or a few surgeons.

The good news is that I am most comfortable at work. I get up early since I cannot sleep as well and am working late. Laying around is not so good for a herniated disc.

I plan to keep very busy this weekend doing light house work and some much needed organizing. I have been so absent from blogging and reading blogs that I am ready for some thing inspiring. And I know I still need to post some wedding pics. It was all so exciting 2 months ago, and now I really just need a break from anything "wedding". How strange that it can change so fast.

where oh where...

2009-08-18T17:39:00.004-05:00

has summer gone?

I know the warm weather is not officially over, but I do have to say good-bye to afternoon naps, watching movies anytime of the day or night, sleeping in with Frankie {my kitty}, ahhh

As much as I am going to miss being off work, I am glad that I am going back to a schedule...welcoming the familiar and meeting the new. Hmmm.

I can sum up my prediction for tomorrow in one word...CRAZY.

Guess I better go pack my lunch and pick out my outfit for the first day of school!

middle maiden married

2009-07-29T20:46:00.003-05:00

I changed my name. officially. I decided I could not let go of my maiden name so I added it to my middle name. Good idea? Not really sure. So I went to the DMV to get my license changed, and my maiden would not fit with my first middle names in the space on the license where it would go. The DMV lady wanted to hyphenate me, but I did not legally hyphenate, so I told her that would not work. Then she wanted to put my last name as Maiden Married. Again, I said, not legally what I did so that would not work. Finally we settled on First Middle Married. It feels weird.

I so have to get used to the idea. Especially when I was on my way home I realized that I signed my new license with my maiden name. oops.

found.

2009-07-22T23:21:00.003-05:00

After searching and searching all day. My wonderful husband comes home {worked late} and joins in the search. Low and behold, he finds it after 20 mins. Where was it? Well, on a door knob...under a plastic shopping bag, under a paper gift bag, under 2 large handbags...I really do not know how I even fit it all on the knob.

I have a thing for door knobs. And for the record, I did check the inside of the 2 handbags, the inside of the paper gift bag, and the inside of the plastic shopping bag. I just did not take the plastic shopping bag off the knob. lol.

bridal brain

2009-07-22T18:41:00.004-05:00

I have suffered from bridal brain {similar to baby brain} for most of the planning process. Now that I am a newlywed, I cannot seem to kick it...or rather I am still feeling the aftermath.

I make no excuse for my clutter problem, combine that with the brain issue and it is a mess. I lose things. can't find them, then they show up in some crazy place. I have one spot that I put the most important of all items that I do not want to lose, but not everything can fit there.

Chris will joke with me about it. Sometimes I laugh and other times I get really p-o'd.

So my latest items that I am trying to locate are my wedding day clutch and earrings. I know for fact I had them the morning after the wedding when we had lunch at the Westin...from there, I am not sure. I know the clutch held important items {id, camera, cash} that made it into another handbag. So it was here. in this house.

I looked everywhere...under the bed, sofa, chair. In the office, in the bigger bag I carried on the wedding day...the list goes on...I even checked the laundry room thinking maybe it made it down the shoot? I simply cannot find it.

This post is already getting too long, but I called Chris to see if he had seen it {yeah right!} and he laughed at my forgetfulness, and told me that he had not see it, but had seen the little gold coin purse in the garage that I always misplace. don't ask. or do. :o)

Hmmm....the search continues.

Have you seen me?

changing names-got my hand slapped

2009-07-20T16:02:00.003-05:00

ok. so I have been patiently. PATIENTLY waiting to get our official copy of our marriage license so I can do the official name change...deposit the checks in my new name...etc.

I SWEAR when we got the license, we were told that we would get the official copy in the mail. so finally we are getting to the bottom of it and why it is taking SO LONG. apparently we were told that we had to wait a week after the wedding and come back for the official copy for a cost of $12. WHAT?

And the slightly rude person on the phone said we tell everyone this. AND she said "you must not have been paying attention" with a rather unfriendly tone. huh.

Was I the only one in lala land? SO I called Chris. He confirmed that we were not told this. wow. I am very irked. I pay attention.

Guess I know what I will be taking care of this week.

Thanks City Hall for setting me straight with a slap on the hand.

captured

2009-07-20T01:27:00.003-05:00

I love looking at the wedding photos and finding little things I missed the first time. I did not miss this one the first time, but wanted to share this cool shot!

I am currently going through all the shots in an attempt to pick my favs to get an album together. We shall see how that goes since I still have 500 favs. Clary is so fabulous!

Wedding Photos!

2009-07-17T07:52:00.004-05:00

{Clary Pfeiffer Photography}

Clary has our wedding on her blog! It is so exciting to see pictures. Hop over there to see a snippet of our wedding. Stay tuned for more photos from me!

banana bread

2009-07-14T13:47:00.005-05:00

yum. My grandma has the.best.ever. banana bread recipe. It just wrong how good it is.

I cannot eat a banana if it has even one dark spot on it...in fact I like them when they were green 10 minutes ago and now yellow. Anybody else?

I have been planning on making banana bread with my rejected banana's for about 2 weeks now. Chris asked me last night if I was going to let them turn completely black. um, yes actually. ;)

Now I was not really waiting for that, but today was the day I decided to finally do it. With the kitchen full of dirty dishes, china, pots, pans...etc...it was the perfect day! Prep batter...bake for 50 min and clean the kitchen in the meantime.

It smells. to. die. for. (will update with pic)

Did anyone ever get the banana bread toast from Cyrano's? Wow. that is some good toast.

Ok..I am rambling. must need more coffee.

One last note. I am in love with this batter bowl from Crate and Barrel (Thanks Jami!)
was not on the registry, but boy and I glad she veered. I use it for practically everything! love.

{Crate and Barrel}

no that is NOT my kitchen. heh. pancakes look good ;)

1 month ago

2009-07-13T16:58:00.004-05:00

It was our wedding day. At this time we were downtown taking pictures. Time was flying by, as it normally does on wedding day.

I love my china. Even though I did not get all of it, I plan to collect it over the years.

In honor of that fabulous day, today {and every 13th} we will eat off of our china...whether the meal be filet mignon or chinese takeout. Tonight we will be having filet.

{Dinner Plate, Vera Wang Lace}

Why the china? Well...Chris claims that we will never use it. So I simply have to prove him wrong. He does not think I can keep it up more than 2 months. We shall see.

{salad plate, detail}

An no celebration would be complete without dessert...I made one. giant. cupcake.

I am not pleased with the final result. My mom is super talented when it comes to baking and decorating cakes. She is simply phenomenal. She has her own buttercream recipe that is so
heavenly.

I have learned some of her tricks over the years...but today nothing was working. I tried to fashion an icing bag from some parchment paper...ugh. It was just a disaster. I really wanted it to look pretty. oh well.

Chris will honestly be happy with the trimmings and some ice cream. As long as it tastes good, he does not care much about how a cake looks.

{giant cupcake pan}

{assembled cupcake and trimmings}

so excited.

2009-07-13T00:31:00.003-05:00

I can barely contain myself. Our wedding images are in the mail and our fabulous, wonderful, amazing photographer Clary is beginning to blog about the events.

I will take my turn and share more pictures after I get images...but until then...an image from our rehearsal dinner. See more of Clary's favorites here...and stay tuned to future posts here!

{Clary Pfeiffer Photography}

French Memory Refreshed! DIY in under 30min.

2009-07-12T18:33:00.001-05:00

This french memory board needed a makeover. Something a little more special but not too much going on that it takes away from what it may display...

This project cost $0 as I used items that I already had. That is the best kind of makeover! I cannot believe how fast this project went...it will go even faster if you gather all your materials and have the hot glue gun plugged in and ready!

I removed the covered buttons on the top and saw that they were glued on over staples. I then removed the backing and had to reattach the small wooden pieces where some of the staples would hit. I used ATG taped to help it stick.

Black grosgrain ribbon with a white boarder was applied to the front and stapled in place.

I then used buttons that were intended for a winter coat {hello! its summer, who cares about new buttons!} and hot glued them where the ribbons crossed.

The buttons did not have a flat back...which caused them to not lay flat. I like the design on the buttons, so we will give it a whirl. They are glued pretty securely, so they should hold up just fine.
The refreshed french memory board may find a home in the new kitchen! Since the fridge is off limits, it would be great to display invitations and pictures {on a wall...away from the reach of Frankie!}

Kitchen update

2009-07-12T07:51:00.002-05:00

I feel that I have gotten so much done in the kitchen. While, I have really only rearranged items that I already own, or received as gifts...my only expense so far remains the can of spray paint.

I have a horrible problem of getting way too excited about a DIY project and not stopping to take a "before" picture...so I am going to have to scour my iphoto library to see if I have any before pics for my corkboard turned chalkboard project...which I diy'd the corkboard 3 years ago. Ah...I love reusing!

Today I spray painted two open back ornate frames...one for the chalk board...the other to display a few detail shots from the wedding {sugar bar or cake?}. I will cut the mat for that frame so I will just need the glass cut. I may even have some in another frame??? Good thing about having so much framed art collecting dust.

I am also going to search to see if I have a before of the kitchen...before I accessorized. Cause honestly, it is looking so much better already...that I cannot wait to see it finished.

Tomorrow I am going to get some fabric for my valance. I also have the idea of using a table cloth that I planned on using for the wedding at our sugar bar, but did not. That would also help me with the budget! I am not committed to using the table cloth yet. I am going to 2 fabric stores tomorrow to check out the stock.

Chris and I are going to have a real talk about the cabinets. I am leaning towards painting them now. Or doing a patterned metal insert. These are some inspiration pictures.

Basic cabinets. The color is very similar {if not exact} to ours.
This is an after of the above shot. I like the two different colors of paint and the extras on the white section to create a faux hutch. I also really like the black behind the open upper cabinets. It we do open uppers, then I would love to do the black! Imagine yellow flowers....blue/green walls, cute ceramic birdies....hmmm...ok. I have work to do.
This is patterned steel. Very cool. I think I would like it with a black cabinet....or maybe just on lower cabinets...or maybe not? I am not sure. gah! decisions.

{all images from Better Homes and Gardens}

kitchen mini makeover

2009-07-11T09:44:00.001-05:00

{Amy Atlas Events}

Throw in some tiffany blue and this is the color palette that I want for my kitchen. Problem is my cabinets are honey colored {icky} and the counter tops are just ehh. I am hoping to spruce up the kitchen with a valance, new light fixture over the sink and some DIY projects....were talking like $50 maybe $100, but that would be stretching it.....I think I can do it.

I bought some spray paint {creamy yellow} for a chalkboard project I plan to do this weekend...I also need a really cool piece of art...I would love to have one {black and white} of our sugar bar or our wedding cake...hmmm...

I plan to accessorize the space {have cute little white ceramic bird salt and pepper set}. Ugh. I really just want to paint the cabinets and I feel that the project would really pull together, but doing that seems really labor intensive and frankly I am way to creative to spend my time on that.

I am not sure what type of fabric to get for the valance. I was originally thinking black and white....but decided I needed yellow to add my punch of color against the honey colored cabinets and the pale blue/green wall. We also have black and white tile in the kitchen. I know, so retro. So here is what I am thinking for valance fabric. Black and white patterns are so easy to find...yellow? not so much!

{Picnic Damask Yellow, via Sew, Mama, Sew!}

{Antler Damask Tarragon, via Sew, Mama, Sew!}

{Anna's Drawing Room Sketchbook Ivory}

{Dandy Damask}

Since the walls are blue, I want to stay away from blue. I just don't know which direction I want to go! Suggestions?

Omaha Steaks

2009-07-10T14:03:00.005-05:00

Chris and I received a gift card at a shower for Omaha Steaks. So during my wedding registry exchange adventure today {which Macy's was RUDE, Crate and Barrel was sooooo nice} I thankfully remembered the gc we had and went to Omaha Steaks across from CB. Not really sure if there are any more in STL but I digress. The point is that I found a coupon is the value saver or whatever it is called {yes, I am finally starting to use coupons!} that seemed like a really good deal!

The coupon I had was for $39.99 and came with an additional 6 free burgers! The very nice sales lady also offered me a 3 additional items {from a list} for $19.99.

The gc was for $50 so decided it was worth getting some extra stuff. So I selected:
Mediterranean Chicken Breasts
Polynesian Pork Chops
Garlic Mashed Potatoes

For lunch today I had a gourmet frank and it was quite good! We are definitely stocked in the meat department for a while....we might need to have a party and grill out.

custom folders

2009-07-09T09:08:00.000-05:00

In an effort to declutter....and a desire for pretty things, I created my own personal file folders from paper remnants. See pretty can come from trash! lol.

This picture pretty much sucks...but the folders are super cute and have already been put to work!

Just to clarify...they are not blue folders, with added paper...they are actually made from large sheets of paper...folded...cut...trimmed...decorated. done!

inches...not miles

2009-07-08T23:49:00.003-05:00

I had lunch today with a friend. She shared some wise wisdom.
Take each day in inches, not miles. Today I took her advice and started on a marathon of a project...the basement. I would not even post a picture out of sheer embarrassment. I will paint you a picture...boxes, packing paper, bubble wrap strewn all about the basement. Stacks of new dishes, cake plates, and cocktail glasses...crates of work stuff...shelves loaded with art supplies, Christmas decorations and much more. AND piles of laundry. hmmm.....inches

inch one-sort all laundry....keep, donate, garage sale
inch two-sort bubble wrap and cool packing paper, recycle rest
inch 3-begin sorting garage sale items
inch 4-begin sorting wedding leftovers to sell
inch 5-take pictures to post of items to sell

Lots done...tomorrow I have several more inches planned....I just might get it all done!
*p.s. I also squirted soapy water on my Japanese Beetles...grrrr, and squirted weeds with killer. My yard is a mess....another day!

Photobooth Fave's...

2009-07-08T20:21:00.006-05:00

The photobooth {The Doublestrip Digital Photobooth} we had provided by Photobooth STL was so much fun. We created a poster for the booth and used an album that I converted into a scrapbook as our guest book.

The book was basically filled {I think ONE page was skipped}, and was so much fun to look at the day after the wedding.

So I want to share a few faves from the ole booth.
This makes me crack up.

The Iowa girls plus one and the groom!

I knew there would be an X and a horseshoe somewhere!!! hah!

What a great time. I only wish I would have spent more time in the booth!

Rehearsal Dinner

2009-07-04T02:06:00.003-05:00

Our rehearsal dinner was at the Missouri Botanical Garden's Spink Pavillion. The food was fantastic! I did all the flower arrangements and the branch arrangement on the buffet table.

The branches were so important to me...long story short...I planned on created more than just one arrangement, but time got away from me and I decided that one was enough. So when I was shaping the branches, I foolishly used river rocks in my pretty hanging votive holders/vases and well...lets just say some of those pretty holders did not make it. Yeah. dissappointing.

Clary Pfeiffer attended the event and I cannot wait to see her pro pics!

I kept the groom's cake a secret from Chris and pretty much everyone the entire time. It was very entertaining and Chris loved it. Frankie {the siamese} looks like Frankie...but Scout is not as fluffy as the real Scout...but it was still fun.

The gifts that we got our ringbearers and flower girl were "art suitcases" filled with all sorts of art goodies. They loved them. There was lots of personalized items in their for each kid including art aprons, colored pencils and notepads. Then there was wedding related items such as coloring books, and books on being a ring bearer or flower girl. They loved them and carried them around all night!

clutter

2009-07-03T17:31:00.004-05:00

I am a clutterer...that is not even a word, but I clutter everything.

Chris always comments that he can always tell where I have been...I leave a trail of clutter. This is not exactly what I want to be known for, but unfortunately it is a title that I have had most of my life.

Leaf...time to turn over.

I was introduced to Organized Home recently and I have read so much on the site. An article that I found hit particularly close to home was The ABCs of Household Paper Management.

So I have a project to organize my paper trail...or rather paper clutter.

{Paper Source}

I love the file folder offerings at Paper Source. I definitely need some of the goofy, fun ones....but I would really like the pretty ones.

Will I buy some?....most likely not. I need to be cost conscious in my efforts to organize, so I will use something I have...and do my best to make it pretty.

Mission De-Clutter is ON!

La Patisserie

2009-07-02T18:38:00.006-05:00

{La Patisserie}

love.love.love.so want.

if I had a gc I would buy all three. These have been on my wish list for a while. They would be perfect with everything else I have! AND they are not cake plates! :)

I'm Ready.

2009-07-02T07:41:00.003-05:00

to organize
to clean
to donate
to cook
to downsize
to save
to prioritize
I'm ready.

Nesting...

2009-06-29T16:47:00.003-05:00

Trying to kick the bridal habit is hard. I received a bride magazine in the mail the day of the the wedding....and I really wanted to start looking through it immediately.

Hi, I'm Andrea and I am a brideaholic.

I am trying to get in the groove of being a newlywed and have started nesting. I feel that I need magazines...pretties to look at to help ween me off wedding and on to home.

I need suggestions...for really good magazines. help a brideaholic out won't cha!

Wedding Goodies

2009-06-26T13:18:00.004-05:00

I started unpacking wedding goodies last night. It just seems like I should make a special dinner to christen the new dishes! AND a dessert for the many cake plates I received! Hmmmmm.....sounds like I need to go to the grocery.

...Exclusive Events decor peek!

2009-06-24T00:52:00.001-05:00

Check out a peek at some of what Exclusive Events did for our reception!

Road Trip Installment I: Day Trip

2009-06-19T22:38:00.012-05:00

I have all the pictures I want to post from our road trip today....it was just a day trip, but blogger does not seem to want to cooperate. So....my post will have to wait.

We intended to go up to Clarksville, Louisiana, and Hannibal this morning...but that did not happen. I was in charge of the alarm this morning and well...I should not be in charge of the alarm.

So SIL and MOH Jill, suggested going to St. Genevieve and visit Chaumette Winery. I was sold.
I do not know how to put their little photo gallery on this post so this will have to do.

Long story short, we did not go to Chaumette. I will explain more later....when I can post pics.

Up for tomorrow...we decided to be St. Louis tourists. We are going to go to the Arch, maybe the Art Museum, maybe Ted Drews, and to The Hill for dinner. Who knows what else we will do. There is going to be an art fair at the Galleria mall...maybe we will check that out too! I love art, but I typically never go to art fairs or outdoor art events. strange I know, especially if you know me and my relationship with art.

I digress....Blogger has decided to play nice...so I will now share my series of images from the day.
Um...yeah. Hello, Red Bud, Illinois! We had lunch at the China King and no we did not streak. I follow the rules.
Then it started to rain....really hard. We were on our way to St. Genevieve.
I brake for moo cows. Or actually, I make Chris brake.
This was out my side mirror...the rain drops look kinda cool...and how creepy is that large cloud?

Warning....this next one is nasty. Lets just say it was a strawberry or something. I almost tossed my cookies when I spotted this.
Anyone see that guy that analyzes this kind of thing? We just saw it the other day, and WOW. Reality is so much more ummmm real? And wouldn't you know, it was just below the wiper range....gag. Just wanted to share.

Hello Chester! Home of Popeye the Sailor Man! toot toot!
Apparently they have statues all around of the Popeye characters....I so wanted to see Whimpy. Here is Olive Oil. She is by the Courthouse.
Also by the courthouse was the most outlandish display of potted fake flowers I have ever seen! I so had to make Chris stop. This was only a portion of what was on display. Trust me, there were more.
Finally we see Popeye...before we go over this narrow bridge...to where? Missouri. Hmmm....I did not quite figure out this one...start in Missouri, go to Illinois....back to Missouri...all for good reasons, but boy was I confused. We know, or rather Chris knows, this is not the most direct route to St. Genevieve, but we needed to go to Red Bud first. :)

River was HI-IGH.

We did have to detour to Walgreens. I am not a good passenger. I get so car sick. I could not find the dramamine...finally I did. Chris said he was going to send a search party for me, I took so long...I got two different dramamines...chewable and regular (less drowsy), tums, ginger gum, favereds starbursts....hmmm. I think that is it. And we are off again.

Mistake #1...when driving down road to a small town, do NOT stop and stare at decrepit old historic building/house thing.

The "caretaker" (with beer in hand) asks us if we want a tour. Foolishly we said yes. We park on the drive....nope, he gestures for us to park in the grass....ok, we move to the grass. We get out and have to wait for "Momma" to bring down the keys...oh boy. We finally get inside...I am so not interested and ready to leave and have to seem interested and make nice. I feel there is something crawling on me even if there is not really anything so I am itching and swatting all around me...cobwebs are everywhere...fake flowers (so true to the period of the home) just strange....Chris is just laughing to himself and being really nice to the people. As soon as we could, we got out of there and took off....it was a really strange experience. Did I say strange?

Finally...St. Genevieve. I just love this hotel sign. So cute.

You see the problem with arriving in St. Gen (as the locals call it) at 5:00ish on a Friday, is that EVERYTHING is closed.....well, I guess not everything.
Sara's Ice Cream Shop. (my fav pic of the day)
I told Chris, I just want to go somewhere cute and get ice cream. Well, that is pretty much what we did. Since everything was closed when we got there....yeah...Mistake #2 call before you go. We decided to go home. I called Chaumette Winery thinking at least we would go there for dinner....but nope...All full for the evening. um. thank you.

And what is a Gewgaw? Someone please help me with that one.

Back home we went....we gathered up some Crate and Barrel gifts we wanted to return and purchased some new items with a gift card.
We had a gift card to Magiannos...neither of us had ever been....it was quite yummy.
Tried to take a pic of my dessert....pic not so good. Dessert was ok.
And the best part...of maybe the whole day?
Our waitress gave me this? Know what it is? I do not mean the sugar packet either! Boy I am easily amused sometimes! ;)

More tomorrow! hehe.

blog makeover

2009-06-18T20:07:00.003-05:00

Time to beat the Post wedding blues (ugh, totally a whole other post, chapter, novel)....we have yet to leave on our honeymoon....and while we are gearing up...I have been playing around with the ole blog.

Is it time to start a new one?

Do I just revamp this one?

I feel this one is pigeon-holed for "wedding", and in the next chapter I do not plan to be doing much wedding.

I do not know. I started laying out a new blog. Is it time to leave leave it behind? hmmmm...

We're Married!

2009-06-15T00:00:00.005-05:00

Well, it is official...we are married! Tomorrow we will plan our honeymoon, pack and then head out on our road trip! I am so excited!

There will be so many posts coming in the future. I do not have any pictures of us yet. I intentionally had my camera and even put it in my pocket....yes my dress had pockets! and I totally only took 10 pictures...none of which are of me! So you will have to wait until Clary
posts a preview!

I do want to share one story.
One night Chris decided to look through a bridal magazine...he then says to me..."I think I picked out your dress". So this was a magazine with probably a 1000 dresses in it. We went back and forth about whether or not I should tell him, and I said well, I cannot tell you if it is or isn't. Cause even if it was, I could not tell him! So he marked the page for me to look at later. When he left, I opened the magazine and low and behold....out of all the dresses in the entire magazine, he picked mine. What are the odds?

Of course, just like a guy, he totally forgot what which one he picked. He asked me sometime yesterday...maybe while we were laughing on the alter or alone in the limo bus if he was correct...

Here is the picture he saw in the magazine.

{Vineyard Collection, Maeve}

DIY dye job

2009-06-10T00:09:00.004-05:00

{Touch Ups, Abby}

Finally, I have decided on a shoes. They are comfy...much lower heel than my previous beauties. BUT their color is a very icy white. I could not stand the thought of dying these shoes...I have heard how expensive that can be. So, google to the rescue. I decided to see if I could DIY my wedding shoes. AND yes it can be done. Armed with a sample of my dress fabric, I brewed some tea. I soaked a cloth in the tea, and very carefully rubbed it over the entire surface of the shoes. I re-dipped very often. After allowing the shoes to dry overnight, they are practically a perfect match to my dress!!! Woohoo! I added some bling courtesy of Absolutely Audrey and voila! new shoes.

My details have details. Day 6

2009-06-08T08:27:00.004-05:00

The past six months or so, Chris has started saying to me that my details have details. I am a lover of details...so why not have details to the details? Maybe that is too detailed. In my quest to let go, I have decided to let go of some of my details. Will anyone even know....is anyone going to even say..."I cannot believe that she did not do xyz". I think there is enough going on that I should be ok.

Yesterday I met with my wedding planner...Krissi of Proposing Dreams and her assistant for the day, Amanda S. I am so glad to be working with these two girls on the big day! I still have things to organize and get accomplished, but I will say that I have scaled back on some items as they were honestly not that important and so they were cut.

There are a few more things to do...finish packing up tubs, create checklist so I do not forget to pack anything. Label all the tubs with their contents, finish my wedding day earrings, find a bracelet for the rehearsal dinner, wrap gifts for everyone, work on rehearsal dinner centerpieces (these have been scaled down....know anyone who may want to buy mitsumata branches?) I know there is more, but my brain can only hold so much these days.

I am still waiting for 2 pairs of shoes. My final fitting is today at 3pm. Will the shoes arrive by then? who knows. I just hope one of them works. ugh. how upsetting.

My veil arrived last Thursday so fortunately I did not have to go all bridezilla on them about that!

Well that is it for now. plenty I think.

Oh, one more thing...sorry for no pics in these random musings of a bride, but I promise so many pics in the coming weeks!

Wedding Party Entrance

2009-06-06T23:12:00.003-05:00

What song did you or do you plan to have played for your wedding party entrance?

We cannot agree...did I mention that we have not picked a first dance song yet either? Um...we need to get on this!

in response to my last post...

2009-06-05T14:04:00.001-05:00

From Chris...

Ok, I don’t twitter either, but I just sat down at my desk and I am typing an e-mail to my fiancé like I am twittering, I hope she gets this before something else happens so I can tell her that too. Ok, now I am going to go to the bathroom. End tweet : p

Smart ass.

tweet tweet!

2009-06-05T08:38:00.002-05:00

I don't twitter, but I just got back from tanning and whitening my teeth at the same time. I am so seriously excited about this teeth whitening business while you tan! It might be my subconscious but I totally notice a difference! end tweet.

let go

2009-06-04T23:10:00.005-05:00

Words of the day. let go.
I have decided to make a list of all that I hope to accomplish for the wedding. If I do not get it finished by the deadline....I am thinking Sunday eve...then I am letting it go.

I am having random attacks of a bridezilla persuasion. The victims so far have been my fiance and my mom. the photo person at Walgreens. ugh. I hate being mean.

I cannot explain the pressure and stress that I have been feeling. I have been so frantic to find shoes for the wedding. Finally some arrived today. And none work. So tonight I re-ordered 2 in different sizes. fingers crossed. There is still another shipment of shoes expected to arrive in the next day or so with some different styles.

Today my mom and I went to finalize the details of the reception. All is good and the venue has been paid. After that 2 hour meeting, and impromptu wine tasting, we went to lunch. While having an amazing Lobster Roll sandwich from Cyrano's Cafe in Webster Groves, I got a phone call. The call I have desperately been waiting to receive. My veil has finally arrived...for the second time. Long story short, my custom beauty turned out to be a beast when we first met the end of April. So after a trip back, the new veil has arrived and became two veils!

I feel much better now. I am also have a trial tomorrow so I plan to take the short veil and give it a whirl.

Well, time to tackle some more tasks before bed. Tomorrow will be a big day for packing up wedding stuff...and hopefully getting the marriage license!

p.s. 10 day forecast has now changed! Wedding day is scheduled to be partly cloudy and 81 degrees. Wonder what it will be tomorrow!

The Weather

2009-06-04T05:05:00.003-05:00

I cannot change it, so I must embrace it! I mentioned purchasing some giant umbrellas....maybe it I got them, then it would not rain? Chris put the kabosh on that idea and basically forbade me to purchase adorable umbrellas. Hmmm....what he doesn't know won't hurt him? heh.

SO I agreed to hold off purchasing until closer to the wedding...but you know that if I find something that I like, I am going to get it. I will be so p-o'd if I cannot find any closer to the day!

Oh boy. 9 days.

2009-06-04T01:09:00.005-05:00

See the problem with posting after midnight is that I feel that I have already lost a day before it has begun. Make sense? I am not really following that either.

So I had a list of tasks to do today and I am sad to report that I did not get get them all finished. But, many tasks not on the list were crossed off!

I started several months ago a little notebook and when I had a thought about something wedding that I wanted to do, I wrote it down. The idea was to not forget something I really wanted to do in all this wedding planning craziness! Well. I feel that it has actually worked. Everything on the list has now officially been crossed off the list.

The time has come to begin to pack up all the wedding goodies. I started creating a checklist so I would not forget to pack something and also so our planner does not forget to unpack anything.

I did get the parts of the presents together for the flower girl, Audrey, and the ring bearers (my nephews) Nate and Tyler.
I am still waiting on some pieces for their gifts.

How cute are those suitcases! I ordered the vinyl labels from Etsy seller Decal Monograms. She was very easy to work with and sent them VERY fast. I love etsy to pieces!

Tomorrow my mom and I have our final meeting for the reception to finalize all the details. Slice of Lime is creating so fab paper goods for the ceremony and reception....It is all coming together...

I am beginning to ramble, but I am on the craziest sleep schedule. I am up until about 2am. Them I will sleep until 4:30am or 5am, get up for an hour or so and do wedding stuff, then back to be until 9:30 am. How strange. That is the way is has been since Sunday. I just do not get it. Maybe too much on my mind!

Tomorrow, I will update my lovely readers on my progress. The biggest set for tomorrow is to pack up the candy buffet jars and sweets!

Day 11 Tasks

2009-06-03T00:39:00.004-05:00

What a busy day. I survived the CRAZIEST storm that I have even been out in. I got lots and lots of wedding stuff accomplished too!

The main gift for the Bridesmaids were wrapped today!
Purchased gifts for our Greeters
Purchased frames for family photos at the reception
Worked on music for DJ
Purchased new MAC lipstick
Ordered potential Rehearsal dinner shoes from Zappos
Gave final count to Catering St. Louis for the Rehearsal Dinner.
Went tanning AND whitened teeth at the same time (LOVE IT)

I am VERY excited about the frames. I loved this frame from Target, but did not purchase as I did not have a reason. I know, it is NOT like me to purchase responsibly. SO....when I decided to display some photos at the reception, not just any old frame would do. I was so bummed that I could not find this frame again at Target.

{Frame, Target}

I looked so many places....Hobby Lobby, HomeGoods, TJ Maxx...and no luck finding frames with this vintage modern feel. I bit the bullet and went to Art Mart...not wanting to pay a bajillion dollars for one frame. I found two fabulous frames....made by Umbra. A wee bit pricey ($18 for a 5x7) for my project, but oh well. The sales guy at Art Mart was very nice. I decided to rush home and google Umbra and find more fab frames. Low and behold, my coveted Target frame is made by the same company! Woot! So in the end, I was able to score some great frames that I will love to decorate my home with. AND they fit the feel of our reception so they will be perfect for my photo display! eeeeee! I cannot wait to see how it turns out. Now, I just need to get prints made of the vintage family photos!

Tasks for Day 10:
I decided to put these in writing so I stick to them!

Ok....Tasks for Day 10:
Finish stickering candy bar take-out boxes and tin tie bags
Get prints of family photos made
Soak rehearsal dinner branches (so excited)
Clean house
Get flower girl and ring bearer gifts together
Work on reception layout
Finalize Father/Daughter song
Finalize wedding day accessories-finish bracelet, decide on hair accessory

oh boy....that is a lot to do! Another post coming tomorrow!

Officially 11 days and counting

2009-06-02T00:02:00.004-05:00

Since it is just after midnight, we are officially 11 days to the big day. So I had a fitting Monday...everything was going perfectly and then I walk out and oh my, my dress is too short. Too short. Hmmm....I am 5'5ish and did not have the dress hemmed. So how can it be too short. AND since it is a ball gown, when it gets steamed and pressed, the skirting will actually get fuller and according to the seamstress...will actually get shorter!

I am so bummed. I love, love, love my shoes. I had them before I had my dress...so with 11 days to go I need to find a 2inch heel or less...yikes.

Boy do I love these shoes.
Lets hope I can get something that will work. in time. stressful? hmmm...not as stressful as the fact that my veil is still not in. that is another post.

13 days

2009-05-31T21:39:00.003-05:00

I cannot believe that I am 13 days away from getting married. That is insane. It seems that our 18 month engagement has gone by so fast. so fast. I still have so much to do these next 2 weeks. Fortunately my summer vacation has officially started. So I plan to get more accomplished...blog more (cannot believe it has been a month since my last post!) and relax. I really want to enjoy this time leading up to the big day.

I am working on a DIY project right now...waiting for the paint to dry so I can move on. Since I do not have a picture of that yet, I will share later.

The Girls

2009-05-02T20:20:00.003-05:00

April 18th my bridesmaids threw me the most fabulous shower! What made it so fabulous? The perfect Tiffany Cake! AND all the other special touches and details. I have wanted one FOREVER! I had gotten so wrapped up with everything wedding that I had actually forgotten about the cake...I am so glad that the girls did not! In fact, the night before the shower MOH Jill called to tell me not to be disappointed that Cardwell's were not going to allow desert from some other place since they served desert. I had no reason to believe anything different. So you can imagine my surprise when there was actually one there!

Cardwell's added a little chocolate and some raspberry sauce. Quite tasty!

Let me say that I HATE pictures of myself...especially all the ones of me opening gifts. Always making a goofy face. So let's say this is the best of the worst....I did get some fabulous gifts! TONS of Crate and Barrel boxes!

The girls had Cardwell's print a limited menu of shimmery blue paper. I had the Caribbean Shrimp Salad....so incredibly delish!! For favors, they donated to the Saint Louis Art Museum in my honor! What a cool idea. They know me so well. :). They also had light blue Jelly Belly beans in martini glasses for snacking. If you girls are reading this...thanks for making me feel so special!!! Love ya!!

*soon after this event, my camera went kaput. so it took me a while to get the pictures downloaded. Yeah for new camera's!

Stay tuned...

2009-05-02T20:15:00.005-05:00

I have been extremely busy since my last post. I won't go into details, but I have several posts planned. My camera also broke, so that posed an issue with most of the pictures I wanted to post, on that card. Fortunately I was able to get them off the card and now I am moving forward with my new basic point and shoot. I have grandiose dreams of owning a fancy camera one day...so I went cheap on the new camera. I am very happy with this new camera...so I hope it lasts for a while!

Hitch?

2009-04-16T20:41:00.002-05:00

{Hitch by Betsey Johnson}

Could you just imagine these peeking out from beneath my hem at the reception?

what's that commercial?

2009-04-13T20:42:00.005-05:00

You know the one that says they deliver "freaky fast?" Jimmy Johns? You know the one? I am thinking the post office must be up to something.

I dropped off the invites at 4:00 p.m. on Friday. By Saturday early afternoon, many in Missouri and Illinois already received their invitations....by today, New York and Philly received theirs. How is that possible?!? Freaky fast indeed!

I am looking forward to getting the mail tomorrow...will we have any RSVP's? :)

that's it?

2009-04-10T21:59:00.003-05:00

I was expecting to feel something fabulous while mailing out invitations to the most significant event in my life to date. I expected the postal worker to share my joy. Seriously, I did. I know that dropping off invitations on a Friday at 4:00pm isn't likely to bring a smile to a stranger, let alone a postal worker... But after the week that I had, I wanted more than "do you want to keep your bags?" seriously. I guess I will have to wait for my invitation to arrive to get excited.

Introducing...

2009-04-05T20:13:00.003-05:00

My completed bar cabinet project! It is not too large, so my glasses take up so much space....oh well! I love it! :)

DIY wedding card box

2009-04-05T18:43:00.005-05:00

Today we tackled the DIY project of our card box. I had purchased 3 patterned hat boxes from Hobby Lobby many, many months ago with this project in mind. I love the look of a faux wedding cake when all the boxes are stacked!

So a few hours later, our card box is finished! We could not be happier with the end result.

Here is what we did...

We took off the lids and turned the boxes upside down. Chris measured and cut a hole in the bottom of the box that was the same measurement of the box to be placed on top of it.

Here is a shot of all three boxes stacked. Since they all fit so snug, there was no need for ANY adhesive. To seal the opening at the bottom, we placed the lid to that box back on.

Here all three boxes are stacked and ready for decoration!

Around the base of each box, I applied ATG tape.

After the ATG tape, black ribbon was applied.

To add a little something extra, I created bows from a thicker black ribbon and used a little hot glue to hold them in place. That is it! I am not sure if it needs something extra...so.....

I placed faux anemone flowers on the bows. These are not permanent until I see what you think....should the flowers stay? Should I add some bling? What do you think?

Scout and Frankie

2009-04-04T07:10:00.003-05:00

Who doesn't love a cuddle. Aren't they precious!

stuffed and waiting

2009-04-03T08:02:00.000-05:00

The invitations that is.

Just have to get the outer envelope stamps and wait for April 10th to mail!

cake bling

2009-04-02T09:30:00.000-05:00

I have been searching for the perfect combination of stylish cake bling and affordability. I have searched ebay, numerous websites and finally etsy.

Several weeks ago or maybe even longer I convo'd an etsy seller MetalCreations.

After we chatted back and forth, I sent a pdf of my beloved "B"

{design by Slice of Lime Design}

The result....

I am beyond excited about it! I cannot wait to see it on top of our cake...

vintage fab

2009-04-01T21:23:00.002-05:00

{via Perfect Details}

I love the look of these shoes with the brooch looking detail....

eye candy

2009-03-30T19:34:00.003-05:00

I am making am effort to keep my personal laptop's desktop clean...a rather unruly task as I love to take screen shots as I pop around the net. While organizing my junk, I came across some rather fab "all things wedding" shots...check them out!

I wish I knew where I got this shot. Wedding heaven!

One bow...

Two bows...Three bows! Did you know I love bows? Wonder what my wedding cake will look like? Heh! ;)

heavenly wedding night

2009-03-27T00:30:00.003-05:00

I so cannot wait to spend our wedding night at the Westin.

The heavenly beds, the fab decor, the giant tub. Hmmmm. I may just want to spend all day there!

Didn't pay extra for the view....especially considering we will probably spend less that 9 hours in the room. tre sad.

I am already planning our anniversary stay at the Westin! heh.

quite red

2009-03-21T18:50:00.003-05:00

After visiting a few antique stores on Thursday, I had a much better idea about what I would find and what I could afford for my dining room bar cabinet mission. I found many prospects but did not purchase. After I got home, I measured the space to make sure that I found the right sized cabinet for the space. The dining room is small so a space conscious piece is essential.

Today after visiting two antique stores, I found a cabinet. It is not as tall as I hoped, but it is wood, has glass doors, and the space between the shelves is tall enough to hold tall bottles. I was sold! I was so excited that I did not even realize that it was 20% off! I mean, who see's large signs when they find the shabby cabinet of their dreams? seriously.

I was so excited, I immediately went to Lowe's...I bought new knobs (so wanted crystal ones, but did not like the ones they had) felt for the legs, wood filler, sand paper, and magnets for the doors. I knew that I had red paint left over from a previous project in the shade of "quite red" so I was set.

I could totally give a play by play of my afternoon/early evening project, but I am sure I would lose all of my readers very quickly...So lets just say that I WISH I had pictures to share. Alas I was so excited, and so distracted that I did not take a "before" picture. I know. Shame on me. But it will not be long before I will reveal my fab cab and also the new dining room color! yeah!

on a mission...

2009-03-20T11:34:00.005-05:00

I am on spring break....ahhhh the joys of being in education! So I have a few "to do's" scheduled for my week off. I want to find a cabinet for the dining room and paint it bright red. BUT the cabinet needs to have glass. Why? Well I have dreamed for a long time to one day own a red phone booth a la London, England and convert it to a "bar cabinet". Do I think I will actually ever own one. hardly likely....even if I do come across one, it will most likely be way too pricey.... So my search begins. I found something super cute and affordable at Ikea. Meet Biby.
Meet Biby's price tag....
Can you believe that? $290.13 for shipping. I about choked.

So on to another thrifty idea...JCPenny? Maybe? Am I ok with MDF? um no.

So while spending the entire day and evening with my Mom yesterday she has the brillant idea to go to an antique store....ohhhhh....all the treaasures. I found some cabinets that just might work....solid wood....totally paintable...and under $150. Sounds fab.

We are going out again today for some errands and plan to hit a few more antique stores. Boy I love junk! ;)

I do crazy things sometimes...

2009-03-18T21:52:00.004-05:00

Like painting my dining room....on a whim...while at Lowe's. Chris has no clue. hmmm. Just on a whim, I picked out "city storm", rather perfect for this rainy evening, came home, edged the room, and painted. So three hours later...voila a new dining room. I love fresh paint.
The dining room, in 2006, when we painted it a burnt orange color.

The new color...city storm.

charmed

2009-03-17T21:29:00.002-05:00

I so love gray and yellow.

{etsy seller charmdesign}

Its only $29.50....hmmmm

zazzle?

2009-03-16T19:44:00.003-05:00

The issue of postage is on the forefront. To zazzle or not to zazzle, that is the question. So I created a custom zazzle stamp (pictured above) that I think would go quite nicely with our invitation suite. But is it worth is to spend the extra money? Would it make more sense to go with this stamp instead?
Hmmm...I know the dragon fly is the first class odd-size 1 ounce stamp....but I just do not like any of the 2 ounce 59 cent stamps...

Each zazzle costs about 40 cents more.

you choose

2009-03-10T22:40:00.004-05:00

After the heels come off....which do you think are the perfect reception shoes...

Choice 1

Choice 2

Choice 3

Choice 4

{Images Via SandalWorld}

Cast your vote! Your opinion matters :)

The Bachelorette

2009-03-05T22:25:00.004-06:00

Oh please help me! I love, love, LOVE Jillian Harris' hair from her final appearance on The Bachelor. I am thinking it is in the running for perfect wedding day hair! Help me find a better picture....a bigger picture....any OTHER picture!? Eternally grateful.

makeup adventure

2009-03-05T21:49:00.005-06:00

I went to Sephora tonight and got the skinny on some makeup items and recommendations on some basics.

-waterproof liquid eyeliner
-waterproof mascara
-weightless foundation
-primer
-bronzer
-blush
-eye brightener

So lets start with my inspiration wedding day makeup.

{Sara Gabriel Veiling and Headpieces}

Love the drama of the eyes and the lips. I do not plan to do a red lip cause that is just not me, but definitely will do a bolder than my Viva Glam MAC lipglass.

So...will there be tears? I really do not know, but I want to be prepared. So, after suggestions from my Sephora expert, I selected.....

{Makeup forever waterproof eyeliner}

{DiorShow Blackout Waterproof Mascara}

I could not wait to get home and play with my new makeup. I even got a sample of a new primer (Sephora Mattifying Primer). It was fun trying out some stuff. However, I knew that the liner would be difficult as I am very partial to my felt tip of Lancome's Artliner. So after playing with my makeup, I decided it was time to wash my face....hmmmm, now where is that makeup remover? I am sure I have a sample from Lancome somewhere? Or was that the sample that leaked and I threw away. I wonder if I can get this off. Well, 2o minutes later and I still have racoon eyes. I feel very confident that these items will deliver fabulous results on the day of the wedding! I will definitely get some makeup remover for future uses though! ;0)

DIY wedding makeup...oh yeah!

2009-03-03T20:01:00.004-06:00

I love makeup! Going to MAC or Sephora is like going to a candy store! There are so many things that I am wanting to try so many beautiful colors. Ah heaven. I have recently become aware of of some products that I have never even heard of let alone even tried. I asked around and was not able to find out anything. Hmmm.

Primer-what is it?! Why do I need it? I do not know the exact answers to these questions, but I can tell you that I was able to get a few samples of some primers from Sephora. I tried the Sephora brand primer and I liked it...not sure what I am looking for, so I plan to try a few more. Another sample I have is by Smashbox. I plan to try that and also try to snag a sample of Laura Mercier. I hear Laura's is so fab.

Airbrush Foundation-huh? sounds so fab. I am dying to try the Dior AirFlash Foundation.

So what about waterproof eyeliner? I am thinking I need to look into this...any recommendations?

so fortunate

2009-02-28T21:51:00.003-06:00

I feel so fortunate to have such a caring family. Two of my Aunt's threw a fabulous bridal shower for me today! I definitely did not know what to expect. I felt rather strange having so much attention...but I better get used to it, my next shower is in April.

Chris and I got so many fabulous and really good gifts! Well, I should like them I did register for them. I know that the economy sucks, so such generosity from my Aunt's, planning and executing the shower, to my guests "showering" me with gifts means so much. I loved having everyone there today, I truly meant so much to me!