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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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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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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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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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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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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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!

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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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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Reinspired!

Didn't want to leave you hangin' before the long weekend.

So here is the inspiration board from Elizabeth Anne Designs which we're now working with.

In trying to explain the new color scheme to our wedding party, it was hard for everyone to see it and get it. So my girls will be wearing champagne colored dresses. They will carry plummy colored bouquets.

The girls' dress. The belt will not contrast the dress. All monochromatic here.

This is the fabric and color my girls' dresses will be.

Groomsmen will wear gray suits, beige shirts, and gray ties. My groom in a black suit, gray and white tattersall shirt, and Burberry check tie in beige and gray. They guys will sport plummy colored boutonnieres.

I will wear a white gown (duh), and carry a white bouquet.

Here's the inspiration board I came up with:

you likey?

I own those shoes. I just ordered that Burberry tie for Dee. I ordered that cake topper a while back from Etsy seller Goose Grease. She's waiting for pictures of my gown to paint the topper respectively. And my gown will hopefully look very close to the gown in my board.

Sources: Burberry large check tie - burberry.com, black suit by Hermes - nymag.com, flowers - knot.com, Sergio Rossi shoes - zappos.com, nude colored dress - coquette blog, boutonniere - brides.com, cake from marthastewart.com, gray suit - Express.com, minted.com, gray tie - macys.com, flowers - knot.com, etsy seller Goose Grease.

We'll be working off both these boards to execute the new vision. I can't wait. My coordinator's already come up with some great ideas. I can't wait to share them!

Happy Holidays everyone! Thanks for reading!

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colors officially changed

Went BM dress shopping Nov. 8th. I started feeling iffy same day, made it known on Nov. 10th.

It's been 2 weeks. We are going with nude and plum. Coordinator notified. BMs dress colors switched and orders placed. No turning back now.

p.s. I am pleased.

new-ish color scheme

Remember that uneasy feeling I couldn't shake off during BM gown shopping...it persisted. And I got to talking to my coordinator, who started to help me understand what was going on in my head when I was thinking of pulling off aqua and orange. Breaking it down, it seemed like I was trying really hard to rebel against wedding cliches (pink and brown, Tiffany blue, etc). And I was making it a goal of being different...to stand out in a sea of brides.

So which color scheme would I go with then...well, if you've been following my blog, then you've seen it before. So it's not entirely new to me, but it's very different from where I was originally headed. It's a little safe, but my coordinator reminded me that being safe is better than being sorry. And she also brought up the point that I should be able to look back 50 years from our wedding day and still love everything about it, not have the feeling of "what the hell was I thinking?!" Okay, the color palette...so here it is...again:

It's the nude and plum inspiration board from this post. The main neutral colors, nude and gray will be accented by plummy colors since my wedding is in the late spring/early summer. Source: Elizabeth Anne Designs.

I'm still sitting on it for now. My coordinator suggested I wait a week to see how I feel. I've got 3 more days til that week is up. I'm still good with switching the color palette right now.

I got really lucky with my BM's gowns too. Two of my girls had not placed their order yet, so I can still change colors. I asked Siri to send me swatches of some other color considerations, and they did...lightning fast! I really appreciate it! And I loved the color swatches they sent.

with flash

without flash

without flash. for some reason, I didn't take a picture of this with flash.

I would go with Shantung in Sand (look at 1st and 2nd picture of swatches; it's the top right swatch) for the new color palette. It's a beautiful color! My coordinator has already come up with some great ideas! I'm excited all over again! It's kind of fun being back at square 1.

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More Deals

1. 30% off EVERYTHING at Tobi (including sale items, but excluding Comme des Garcons, Love Quotes, APC & Nudie Jeans) with code 30FORYOU until tomorrow, 11/20.

2. 30% off everything but handbags & pre-orders at Revolve Clothing (I think it works on sale items) with code GIVEGOODGIFT - expires TODAY (11/19)

3. 40% off at Ivy Blue with code oneyear through 11/21 - excludes Velvetine Bags and Golden Goose boots

4. Shopbop is offering 40% off the Designer Boutique with code DB40 through 11/21. (this isn't valid on items on the "main site")

Source - www.grechenscodes.com

Hurry, before they expire!

Bridesmaid Gown Shopping

Okay, so I've been having second thoughts on the aqua and orange color palette. How did that come about? Well...my girls and I went to Siri to find the BM gown. While I let the girls pick the dress, I did have some criteria that I wanted the dress to meet: all BMs must have same dress, the choice must be unanimous, tea length, oh, and cleavage must not be visible. Here are some pix from the day:

It was a lot of fun watching them try on dresses..and funny because the samples were so huge. It was a little hard to picture them as they would fit the girls. I think stores need to start carrying smaller sample sizes in addition to the size 8 and 10 samples they carry in the store. Anyways, they finally narrowed down their choices.

These were the 2 dresses going head to head:

Francesca (left) and Harvard (right). The dresses were huge! Please excuse the length, and the humongousness of the dresses on my girls.

Well, the girls went through dress selection as jury would go through deliberations for a verdict in a case; I know because I was just part of jury. It was interesting hearing their deliberations, and I was a little surprised with their final decision but ultra happy because it was my first choice dress for them. They chose Harvard!

I love my cousin. Hehe.

So then we all picked the fabric, which had to be some type of aqua, and they preferred a contrasting belt. So they chose a parsley green to go with the aqua.

And here is where I started to feel uncomfortable. The aqua was looking so baby blue to me, and I didn't like that. I started thinking, "omg, that's not me." But I ignored that feeling. I took a bunch of pictures with my camera...hoping that the aqua would look the way I imagined. It never did.

I kept ignoring the uneasiness. We got the girls measured, and everyone would either place their order at the store or phone it in.

After coming home, I uploaded my pix onto my computer right away, and I stared and stared at them forever! It was not a pretty obsession. So then I went through my blog to figure out how I ended up here. And then I decided I was not happy with my color scheme.

Up next...new color consideration.

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trying my luck...

to win a Rebecca Minkoff Kerry bag!


I love Rebecca Minkoff! Yummy leather, and urban-chic style! Carried by Hayden Panettiere, Vanessa Hudgens, Agnes Deyne and other fashion icons. I own 2 Matinee bags and 2 Rose clutches.

Grechen's Closet is holding a contest right now for the chance to win a signed Rebecca Minkoff Kerry bag. Try your luck too!

Click-->here to try.

Don't forget to check out the rest of the site. It will definitely come in handy for the holiday season!

Happy Shopping!

fit bride guide: tip #2

baby steps.

Start out slowly.

Don't overwork yourself on the first workout. It's not going to make a huge difference. So don't expect much. Get to know your body. Do a little cardio and add in a little weight training.

Need some direction? Check out www.trainwithmeonline.com. This website is a community for people wanting to get in shape and stay fit. It's an awesome resource. They offer free workout routines. FREE. They have pictures and videos (you can download these to your ipod) of the exercises.

They have forums with people asking the same questions you have and trained professionals who answer your questions. I asked what workout would be most beneficial to me during my lunch hour. The trainer suggested I do the Intermediate level Full Body Fitness workouts. There are 6 Intermediate Full Body Fitness workouts, and I mixed them up everyday. I lost 18 lbs combining my workout with watching my diet.

When it came to my diet, I didn't cut anything from my diet...yet. I started out by sticking to a 1600 calorie diet, and then gradually went down to 1200 calories. And I drank lots of water. Lots and lots of water. I still do. My body started telling me what was good for me and was bad for me. I then started to avoid foods with lots of sugar (high fructose corn syrup) and trans fat. Organic is great..all natural and ingredients you can pronounce. I do allow myself to indulge once in a while. I love me some dessert! And believe me, I work it off hard to make up for it. And I try to avoid alcohol as much as I can...it's hard, but again, there are times when you just give in.

It helps a lot that Dee is mindful of our training (yep, we totally work out together) and eating habits. So try and get your significant other to join you. The buddy system works here!

Eat breakfast! Make some oatmeal or grab some fruit.

Going out to eat? Ask the waiter to take half your order and put it in a take-out box. Ask for dressing on the side if you get a salad. Get grilled instead of fried.

Take a multivitamin. I can't remember where I read it, but studies showed that women found their hunger was suppressed longer when they took a multivitamin.

Caffeine. Controversial, but it helps...regulate the body. Also, eat lots of fiber-rich foods.

Green tea. It's negative calories. I just buy a box from the grocery store, stick my tea bag in some hot water, and drink. No sugar added.

Want some reading material? Read David Zinczenko's The Abs Diet.

It's got a lot of interesting and useful information! It's not about a diet, it's about making a lifestyle change. And don't worry, it's an easy read. It's like he's talking to you. I got my copy before they came out with a women's version. I'm not sure how they differ, but for women who have read the "male" version, it's worked. And I enjoy reading it!

Try and stick to your plan for 21 days. Doing something for 21 days consistently makes it routine behavior to you. You'll feel the difference. You'll know the next time you eat a greasy slice of pizza, that it was the wrong decision. Your body will tell you. You will see results, but be patient. You won't want to give it up after seeing results.

see my other fitness posts here.

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