sorry...

for the non-posting. I'm currently fulfilling my civic duty as a juror for a trial.

In the meantime, I'm also currently thinking a little less about wedding, trying to figure out how I'm going to finish our Halloween costumes, and trying to finish Twilight before the movie comes out.

Liancarlo

Darcy Miller (aka wedding expert at Martha Stewart Weddings Magazine) posted this today:


It's a Liancarlo. I thought it was in similar taste to my wedding gown. I love the shape of the top, and I, of course, love the tiers, which are very similar to original design of my mom's gown. My dress will have 4 real tiers though. And the flower appliques are to-die-for! My flower appliques will be on the top part of my dress.

Related posts:
I have "the" dress
Updating the dress
Monique Lhullier Inspiration

fit bride guide: tip #1

The first step I took getting into shape was making a promise to myself that I was going to stick to it.

Make a commitment to yourself. Say it out loud, and say it proud. Without commitment, you will fail. Think of it like your relationship with your special someone...except this relationship is with yourself. You need to promise yourself that you will not give up.

I would also suggest keeping this a lifelong goal. You're doing this for a better quality of life...let it last.

More tips to come. See my fitness progress again.

what's in?

With all this wedding planning, I'm not sure how to shop for everyday clothes, shoes, and accessories...you know...non-wedding related (NWR) shopping. I'm not even sure I know what's in anymore. Not that I have shopping in my budget, buuuuut I was able to pick up a couple of things at Target and Forever 21. Help me out though...I'm not sure what to wear these items with.

I really love the look of high-waisted pencil skirts with belts. It looks so classic to me. I got this one from Forever 21:


The fuschia grid pattern adds a little character to the classic look. What kind of top would you wear with it though? When I tried it on, I had a white and gray striped cotton tank that I tucked in...not bad, but not exactly professional looking. I think I can wear this some open-toe heels (d'orsay style) or some pumps.

I totally dig grandpa cardigans, and I'm so glad I'm seeing them again...like how Jerell from Project Runway paired his outfit with one on Episode 10:


It was the winning outfit of that episode! I picked up this one from Target:


I picked it up in navy and black as well. I could probably pair the black one with my pencil skirt above.

Some things I have my eye on...I have been obsessing (for like 3 years now) over the City bag by Balenciaga. I want it. I want it!


And I'm totally diggin' booties...please don't mistake for bootaaaaays. I like those too though. ;-)


These Pedro Garcia's are uber cute! I love the little peep toe...such a nice surprise! Get them at ShopBop. I would pair with some shiny black tights.

If I could only get one pair of jeans for the rest of the year, I would get these J Brand 9610 jeans for the season:


I love the little zipper detail! Show em off by wearing with some sexy heels for a dressed up look. Or pair 'em up with some cute flats for a more casual look. Tuck 'em into some boots if you're cold. Get them at Singer22.

Let's not forget about a coat for the season:


This Mike & Chris trench is super cute and versatile enough to go from day to evening. Get it here:

I would totally love to shop to help the economy, but I've got a wedding to fund...and a future home to save for. Here's to more bargain-hunting...if I can get by the fiance!

[+] obsess more

checking off...

the list so far:

1. wedding reception site - Irvine Hilton
2. colors - aqua and orange
3. photographer - { j a c }
4. my makeup artist - makeupbyliz (as highly recommended by MarkessaXO)
5. makeup for BMs, MOB & MOG - JAC Beauty
6. hair - Yvone of Loran Loran Salon at the Balboa Bay Club (she did my extensions)
7. wedding dress no. 1 - Mom's wedding gown
8. wedding dress no. 2 - that's right, I have 2 (and i got it for $35...another post)!
9. seamstress - Janet Brunton (working on the muslin garment of Mom's wedding gown)
10. wedding shoes - i've got like 4 pairs!

.idea.

Decals to decorate my aisle in lieu of an aisle runner. I especially love these circle decals.

Get them here.

photo credit: pretty.pretty.paper

Table Settings

How awesome does that look? Figure out what it is yet?

It's our sweetheart table. I must share my coordinator's wonderful ideas for our table settings. I was truly blown away, and I bow my head in shame because I had thought my ideas were good. Hers are AhhhhhhhMAZING!

Her vision of our sweetheart table: a white paillette linen (sort of a sequined table cloth), LED aqua light illuminating underneath the table amidst an orange room, vases filled with water and one floating candle lining half of the table, and orange flowers to sit in front of the vases. Can ya see it?

And then for the rest of the tables: She did two sets of ideas for me...one showing full use of our budget and another showing a more cost-effective use of decor. Each set features a table with a low centerpiece and a high centerpiece.

Version 1: High centerpiece


Aqua table cloths. Silver chargers on top of folded orange napkins, which would hang over the table. A menu to sit on top of the charger in the shape of a circle, in color aqua. The white circles are small bread/butter plates. In the center, a large cylindrical vase. This schematic featured the vase filled with aqua tinted water and a floating flower. We're considering the vase to be filled up with fruit: oranges, kumquats, etc. Smaller vases to surround the larger vase. Then flowers strategically placed in between the vases. And tea lights spread over the table. And how awesome would this look with chiavari chairs?

Here is the low centerpiece:


This table will have 4 smaller cylindrical vases filled with various fruits.

And here is the cost-effective version, Version 2:



The only difference is that instead of the aqua table linens, we'll use the white table linens that come with our venue. We still have to double check and make sure they're full length linens.

But how wonderful does this look? God, it sounds expensive though. I might forego the silver chargers as that would be an added expense..and the chiavari chairs as well.

Check back again...I'll be doing a post on my fab coordinator! Her ideas are grand!!

[+] obsess more

we just moved...

back home with Mom and Dad. The status of the economy is affecting us in that when the time comes for us to make the next step in our lives and buy a home, we might not be able to get the financing we need. We both still have jobs, for which we're both very thankful to have, and we are still able to make our monthly payments. But buying a home usually requires a 15-20% down payment now-a-days. We don't have that, especially with wedding expenses. So my parents have agreed to take us in to help us out in our dream of some day owning a home of our own. We said we'd only need to stay there for about 12-15 months. And instead of throwing away rent money (which equals my parents' monthly mortgage payment), we'll get to save that and put that towards...no, not wedding (*sigh*, though sometimes I wish it did), towards our home.

What changes have you made in the current economic situation? And is it affecting your wedding planning?

why i <3 { j a c }

There are lots of reasons, but here's one for now...

{ j a c } just posted their latest wedding...and the cruzy fun booth pix from that wedding!

With { j a c } ,we're going to have that fun booth at our wedding!

Yes, I still want the photobooth. Here's what I'm thinking...we're not doing the walk around each table and take pictures that no one is ever going to buy cuz they're so ugly from the undone decorations and half-eaten food. We're gonna have guests come to this fun booth and take all the pix they want. And with my kind of picture-whore friends...it'll be easy breezy to get them to do their thang! Guests will be able to check out their pix online and purchase if they like (which I'm sure they'll love)...and we'll be able to choose from pictures worthy of being put in our wedding album.

The photobooth will be our other source of entertainment...and our guests' favor. I plan to make button magnets so our guests can stick their photobooth picture on the fridge.

What do you think? Too many photobooths...or not enough? Hehe.

[+] obsess more

Brides Against Breast Cancer

Looking for a dress? Check out the Brides Against Breast Cancer Charity Wedding Gown Sale in LA, Oct. 27-29, at the Hyatt Regency Century Plaza, 2025 Avenue of the Stars, Los Angeles, CA 90067.

"Power Hours" Preview Sale
Monday, October 27, Noon - 4 pm $20 Admission
Reserve Your Tickets Here Today!
General Sale
5 - 9 pm Free Admission

Tuesday, October 28, noon - 9 pm Free Admission
Wednesday, October 29, 10 am - 5 pm Free Admission

Printable Flyer (feel free to print and distribute)

VIP Party Pre-Registration
Bride Pre-Registration
Volunteer Registration

Lucky No. 7

That's what he told me today. Well...we celebrated our 7-year anniversary. And we do consider ourselves lucky. It's so weird to me still that it's been that long. It totally doesn't feel like it. Seven years ago today, Dee and I were introduced to each other by a mutual friend. Who knew if we'd hit it off...apparently, she did. We don't know when exactly we were "together," but we'd like to think that meeting 7 years ago, to this day, is how it all started.

Dee, thank you for being my best friend. Thank you for loving me no matter what. You complete me. I love you. Happy Anniversary!

[+] obsess more

which photog?

Picking a photographer is not easy. It was difficult for us (when I say "us", I mean "me"). But we picked one, and I can't be more excited. I didn't think we were ever going to get to this point of wedding planning. Now...weeding out our list...we didn't have a long one. We chose three photogs to contact and meet with, and from those three, we would choose one.

If you want to recap on our photog interviews, here they are:

Photog #1
Photog #2
Photog #3

Our first elimination had to do with personality combatibility. P1 was mighty talented, but I was not impressed with our meeting with P1. P1 was sweet and all, but we didn't click at our first meeting. And compared to P2 and P3, it was easy to see how that personality factor really affected our decision. Also, P1's prices did not seem all that worth it...lacking in personality compatibility.

P2 or P3. Oh. Man. It was so hard to choose between the two. And I don't think I can share all the details, so I'll just get to the point. We picked P2...aka { j a c } photographers! Please check out their website and blog. We couldn't be more happy with our decision. They are a phenomenal husband and wife team. We're super excited that they will be documenting our big day. Can't wait until we take our engagement pix!

One big item checked off the list!

[+] obsess more

To do list

1. book a dj
2. design wedding stationery (neither of us have a background in design): invitations, menus, programs, etc.
3. make buttons for our seating and place cards (half-way done...post to come)
4. book photobooth (we are gonna have one...i want it so bad!)
5. take pro dance lessons (currently taking a social dance class at our local JC)
6. meet with my seamstress
7. find bridesmaids' gowns

This is all my brain can handle right now.