Wednesday, December 31, 2008

wedding hair





Side-sweep pony or side bun? It's gonna be on the side for me for sure.

photo credits: not sure for 1st, 2nd, & 4th pic; 3rd pic - the knot

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lace & pleats

it sounds so nice together...this is what I had in mind.





photo source for all pictures above: Martha Stewart


photo source: me



photo source for pictures above: Siri

but alas, i doth changed my mind...well...'cept for those BM dresses. That last one is "the" BM dress.

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Tuesday, December 30, 2008

initial wedding idea

And then in September of 2007, while helping my mom find an outfit for a wedding she was going to attend, I asked her if she still has her wedding dress. Low and behold, she does. I ask if I can try it on, and she hesitates and says that I might not be able to fit as she was so small back in the day. Well, let me tell you...I was back down to the weight I was when I first started college, and I wanted to prove her wrong.

And I did prove her wrong...I fit into the dress, perfectly!

I told my mom I would love to wear her dress if she'd allow me to update the look a bit; she agreed, and I had "the" dress. And then the inspiration came soon after.

This Monique Lhuillier was inspiration for the updated look of my mom's dress. The tiers were already there and so was the shape. I found a wonderful lady who was just as excited as I was to work on the dress. photo credit: Monique Lhuillier


Here's the lace from the top. I love the flower appliques!


The pleated Georgette silk is dreamy and strike me as very unique...though, I've seen a lot of pleated wedding dresses lately...so it looks like in terms of wedding fashion, I'm in!


And my initial idea for our wedding theme was "Modern-Vintage: Lace and Pleats."

...to be cont'd.

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Monday, December 29, 2008

going back...

to when I started planning...a review and evolution of my wedding planning.

History:


06.30.2007 - he gave me that beautiful ring above. we're officially engaged; decided on a 2-year engagement
07.01.2007 - started gathering ideas for wedding

Um..yea, I think I started planning right after I stopped crying from his proposal. Here's what I thought about wedding first.


I was thinking we would have a small and simple wedding. We were thinking destination wedding. Hawaii or Mexico. I started researching. And it started to sound like a pain in the a$$. The legal stuff, the guest list, our parents' idea of the wedding...it was too much to handle.

I bought that dress...but the size 0 was waaaaay too big. I mean it had an extra 3 ft. I could stand on top of my bed, and it still dragged on the ground. I needed to find a different dress and plan for a different kind of wedding.

Where did your planning start? Did you go 180 on your original ideas?

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Sunday, December 28, 2008

i <3 martha stewart

She has the best ideas! And she just executes everything so beautifully. Look at this...so simple and so pretty!


I love the purples and the pop of orange to contrast.

Here are some more Martha Stewart creations:


If my venue was vintage-y, and I was having my wedding in the afternoon, I would totally use tea tins to hold my flowers.


Another centerpiece I would use for a daytime wedding. I love the origami napkin action. Love the colors too!


Let's not forget to decorate the seating card table. It needs to be pretty too!


I would love to carry this down the aisle! Before seeing this bouquet, I was totally set on carrying an all-white bouquet. Now, I'm not so sure.

This next one is not a Martha Stewart creation, but I love its simplicity...something for my bridesmaids to carry:


For the life of me, I do not know who to credit for this cutey-patootie bouquet. I love the use of Gerbera Daisies!

Where do you find your flower inspiration?

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Wednesday, December 17, 2008

fit bride guide: tip #3

Sorry for the short hiatus. I guess it's that time of wedding planning where it's kind of stagnant. Or...we're just at the end of that part.

Alright, so my next tip: TAKE A BREAK.

Yup, it's okay to take a break. Take at least 1 day from your workout week to rest. It'll help keep you sane.

I don't mean go out and binge on food and drinking. Maybe have some dessert (with moderation please!).

Your body needs some time to recoup, and it deserves a reward.

Also, don't forget to take a break when you're sick. You don't need to put your body through more stress. It's not going to help make you better.

As the holiday is fast approaching, I'd like to encourage you to stick to your workout plan; you'll feel better after stuffing yourself silly. So check out www.trainwithmeonline.com. Again, it's a free website that offers free workout routines and exercises...not to mention the support of a fitness-committed online community.


See all my fitness posts here.

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Wednesday, December 10, 2008

P.O.'d

Not Pretty Obsessed, Pissed Off, actually. I really hope I'm not being too insensitive...but here's me being honest. When I asked my girls to be my bridesmaids, I had to begin with one of the precursors: "Being a bridesmaid comes with certain financial responsibilities. As I'm not rich, I can't afford to take care of everything for you, so if you think this will be a financial burden for you, you don't have to accept. I will not be hurt...BUT I would love it if you can share my day with me as my bridesmaid." Yea, it sucks that I had to start off like that. For the most part, my girls have been great about the financial situation to me, and I am grateful for it.

So, girls, if you're reading, thank you from the bottom of my heart for helping to make this as close to my dream wedding as possible.

The groomsmen on the other hand are being a pain in my a$$...complaining about money issues and getting together to meet and converse about it. Well, not all of them. But I hate this excuse: "...if we have to spend more money on our outfits, then we'll have to take it out of your gift." blah blah blah. I'm hurt. There's a tear in my heart because you say such things. I mean, really, it hurts.

Here's what I think: If I were asked to be in a bridal party, I would like to think that I would do everything asked of me. I would understand from the beginning that I will be devoting my time and even my money to this wedding. And that I would still give a gift I planned to give had I not been in the wedding party. Or, I would know that I'm totally not capable of being there when needed, or that I wouldn't be able to afford it, so I would kindly decline.

Having a wedding is EXPENSIVE. If you haven't had a wedding or you're guessing what it costs, you just don't know. So please, complain to someone else about your money problems. We're in a recession. I get it. How do you think we feel? We're freakin' planning a wedding.

It's not like I'm not trying to find ways to save. But you agreed to help make this the best day of our lives...so please, keep your promise. Or leave.


End rant.

Photo credit: here

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Thursday, December 4, 2008

40% off Calvin Klein

40% off everything for 4 days only at the Calvin Klein website. Sale ends 12/07/2008. Easy returns via return shipping or in the store.

Dee is ordering a suit. Black, 2-button. Hopefully it's a score for us...if not, we'll just return. But still on the lookout for some great suits.

Went shopping over the Thanksgiving weekend...Burberry is calling Dee's name. Wasn't exactly from the Burberry store (which was more European cut), but it was Burberry from the Macy's Men Store (I call it US cut). Dee has wide shoulders, big biceps, and a big chest, oh, and he's 5'8". But I looooooooooooouvre the Euro cut...fitting jacket, slim straight pants...*drool* On a mission!

Wednesday, December 3, 2008

Teeth

Source: nytimes.com

Has anyone ever seen the movie Teeth? Oh man...it's...different. It's described as a cruel comedy. I did laugh while watching it. Anyways, that not what I'm talking about though...I was just reminded of it when I went to the dentist this morning. If you've seen the movie, I don't know why I'm reminded of the movie...I think it's just the title.

Enough...I just want to say FLOSS people! And BRUSH too!

I've been pretty good about it, though, this morning my dentist found that one of my gum pockets (waaay in the back) was very loose, and she gave me a shot of antibiotic. It was expensive man! So seriously...take care of your teeth. Brush at least twice a day. I'm trying to get into the habit of brushing after lunch.

I'm motivated to take better care of my teeth because tooth decay is something that unfortunately runs in my family. My dad is without molars, and my grandpa has no more front teeth. And Dee is really good about dental hygiene. Not to mention the wedding is fast approaching...I want to show off some pearly whites fo sho! Luckily, I signed up for lifetime whitening with my dentist. I get free gel whenever I want while I'm a patient there. I hear that the whitening gels you can buy at the grocery store are just as effective though...doh!

I'm also planning on getting a cosmetic procedure done to make the calcium deposits (I was lucky to get the white spots and not the dark ones) on my teeth match the coloring of the rest of my teeth.

See the white spots...I only have it on my front two teeth though...and it's more pronounced on certain spots. Source: here

I have always wanted this fixed ever since it's become more pronounced. So wedding is a good enough excuse to get it done for me. Anyone else planning to fix their smile cosmetically for the wedding?

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Monday, December 1, 2008

Cyber Monday Deals etc.

I should have posted earlier...so sorry. Here are some good deals I came across:

Pink Mascara: 50% off today only! Some exclusions apply.
J. Crew: extra 30% off sale items; use code EXTRA30

Courtesy of Toutie:

Shop Rumor: 30% until 12/30; use code toutie
Ralph Lauren: 30% off for Friends and Family until 12/8; use code HOL2008
Cole Haan: 30% off with code HOLIDAYSALE
Basic Boutique: Use code SHOPTHESALE for 40% off new, 30% off sale. All sales final.
Gargyle: 50% off; use code ggbfs08

Courtesy of Grechen's Codes:

Kim & Maki: 30% off with code TURKEY
night owl paper goods: 25% off all orders with code friend08
Lindsay Lou: 44% off everything + free shipping with code Cyber44
Belen Echandia: 40% off with code newbie; must also mention "grechen"
Owl's Lab: 40% off today only; use code cyber40
Max & Chloe: 25% off; use code CYBR2008
Le Train Bleu: 40% off with code cybermonday, today only
Ravinstyle: 30% off today only; use code MONDAY
Chick Downtown: 45% off with code BLACKFRIDAY; ends today
Funky LaLa: 30% off with GET30 and 50% off sale with 50MORE; ends today
French Corner Soho: 30% off with thanks30; ends today

MORE...ending today!

Shopemilygrace: 25% off with THANKS
Shop LA Style: 30% off with SHARE30
Shop Robertson: 30% off with “grechen30
Singer22: 20% off with TURKEY20
Stewart+Brown: 20% off sale sweaters with SALESALE
Tobi: 30% off with WEGOBBLE (includes sale items)
Wink NYC: 30% off with 4DAY
Yoox: free shipping with THX@YOOX
Tory Burch: 40% off with SALE40
Ivy Blue: 30% off with “friday
chantal: 30% off with Black30

From Issa of We Wear Things:

white house black market has 25% off everything today with promocode 8775

and kenneth cole has a sale today too from 8pm-10pm by a full price item get a second item free

Happy Shopping!

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