Bridesmaid/Now Bride Amanda's Wedding

Last weekend was Bridesmaid Amanda's wedding. It was very beautiful, and also very DIY'd (with help by yours truly) so I thought I'd share some pics.

Bonnie designed the Philly skyline "logo" for the wedding that was used on the programs, placecards, etc., and looked awesome. Here's a photo of the "suite" if you will (the three of us constructed all projects pictured, times 125 for the placecards, programs, and water bottles!):


Bonnie and I did the decorating of the rooftop where the ceremony would be held. It was ABSURDLY windy and caused us a lot of problems, and completely changed the plan we had. Aisle runner? Nope. Canopied huppa? Nope. (Almost didn't even have a huppa at all!) Fabric backdrop? Check. Swag on the aisle side of the chairs? Check. I guess this is a lesson to be learned. In the future, we need to consider the physics of everything or have a contingency plan. Double-sided tape can't fix everything! We did do very well with coming up with alternate solutions, though, although it did mean we only had 10 minutes to get ready for the actual wedding. And hey, guess what - we're not the only ones who had problems! The florist set up the flowers and they crashed and burned majorly because they were on the thinnest poles you could ever imagine. I mean even I knew that wasn't going to work! Lol, but that made us feel a little better considering they've been doing this for a lot longer than we have! (In the end, no one noticed, the arrangements were just put on the floor by their feet.) Oh, and did I mention the huppa fell down as everyone was seated (but luckily before people started walking down the aisle)? A couple of guests helped me put rocks back in the buckets that were holding up the poles. Oy. But, alas, it was still beautiful, and Amanda even said later on that the aisle runner was perfect... lol. Yes, I then told her there wasn't one. Just goes to show you're so focused on the big day you don't notice everything.




-C
xxx

Fancy Hat Party

As I mentioned in the post about my shower, one of my requests was that people wear fancy hats. I'm pretty sure that's happening. And I hope it's happening since I'm blogging about it :)

I've been asked "What classifies a 'fancy hat'? And where do I find one?"

Let's start with this. I love fancy hats. I think they're super awesome. I'd LOVE to have a derby party someday where everyone has to wear super awesome hats. And it drives me MAD that they're not "in style" in the way that you could wear a pillbox hat walking down the street without people looking at you like you escaped from a mental hospital or are 80 years old. My Meamaw used to rock a mean hat, and I'm jealous that she could do that! I mean A- she grew up in the days where hats were in fashion and not weird and B- she was old and old people can do whatever the eff they want. Let me clarify, by the way, that yes I do know certain hats are "in fashion" and some people don't give a crap what people think and wear awesome pillbox hats anyway. However, I'm telling you that these people get funny looks, and it's not as "in fashion" as it once was - as in almost everyone had a matching hat for their outfit for any major event. I WISH we still lived in those days. I would LOVE that! So anyway, my point is, I'm taking advantage of using my shower as a place where I can rock some awesome hats (yes, plural - I've got to make the most of this!) and not look crazy!

A fancy hat, by my standards, is basically just a pretty hat (like not of the baseball cap variety). Some examples would be:

The pillbox hat

Google Images

The wide brimmed sunhat

The sunday/church hat

Sarafina

WholesaleUrbanHats.com

The garden party hat (sometimes minus the "party")

Oprah.com

The fedora

Accessorize

The fur hat

TheClothesHorse

And for those who'd rather be a little less "fancy" or "out there" or whatever you want to call it:

The beret

Daily Vogue

The newsboy

AMomInRedHighHeels

So where can you find them? My very first suggestion would be to check out your grandma, aunt, or even neighbor's closets. See if there's anything hiding away in there. You never know, you could strike gold! My Meamaw had so many hats in her closets, and if I'd been engaged and knew I'd be having this shower when we were going through them after she died, I would have taken them all! My next suggestion would be a thrift, vintage, or consignment store. Then ebay or etsy. If you want to stick with a more modern hat versus vintage, check out sites like modcloth, alloy, delias, and pretty much any clothing store these days will have at least a fedora, if not a fun sun hat. Target has some cute hats, and I bet Wal-Mart does, too! Try out the hat names above for search terms, and let me know if you have any others for the list!

The point is for this to be fun, not stressful. So don't worry if you think you'll look silly - who cares?! It's fun!

-C

xxx

PS My FMIL is wearing a hat to our wedding! I'm so excited for that! I don't think she's gotten one yet, but I picture something like this:

Google Images

Birthday Green

So I was going to blog about something else today, but felt like my birthday post needed to be about something green. Soooo... guess what. I got my shoes AND my jewelry! Yayyyy!

Menbur Febo Platform Slingback

I found my shoes on both endless.com and amazon and ended up buying them off of amazon because there was a $20 off promotion, plus free shipping. When I got them they seemed kind of small, and I still may exchange them for a different size, not sure yet. They are just as bright in person, but totally awesome. I wore them to my dress fitting almost 2 weeks ago and all the people who work in the shop came in to take pics of my shoes! It was hilarious. I don't know what it is about people fussing over something you have like that that makes you love it even more, but it held true for these. Truth be told I was on the fence, but once everybody started squealing with joy and snapping shots of my shoes, I was sold on them. I love love love the hidden platform - it's going to be so comfy day-of! And what I wanted all along was a green peep toe pump with hidden platform - perfect!

Next up - jewelry: After the last post I was actually going to take some of your oh-so-rational advice of buying two pairs (lol). But then I clicked on this pair and in the "seller's other items" saw another pair that I loved even more!

from ellabelleboutique

I love, and I mean LOVE, tarnished gold looking jewelry, but I finally realized that I wanted a little more, I don't know, glam for my wedding. So I asked her if she could do them in silver and she said yes, she had antiqued silver she could use for it. Here they are in silver (I know, super high quality pic):

and here they are on my ears! The stone looks much greener in person, I promise.

THEN I had the genius idea of - "oh, maybe I should ask if she could make me a matching necklace instead of searching and hoping something I find matches the earrings!" Duh. Since her jewelry is handmade and not vintage, she obviously has all of the stones and should have them in a decent quantity. Makes sense, right? So that's what I did. I purchased the earrings to make sure I'd love them before ordering the necklace (because that would be a custom order) aaaand... I do! They're a little smaller than I expected, but nonetheless perfect. Love them! And they were only $15 (necklace will be $25)! Score. As soon as I get the necklace, I'll post pics. Hope you're not getting tired of seeing green jewelry :) I'm not even that worried about the necklace to be honest. If it doesn't turn out the way I want it, or it turns out it's too much (visually, not cost), then I can always just wear the earrings!

And this awesome vintage locket bracelet I bought :)

etsy seller ShabbyDragonfly

-C
xxx

Hairy Situation

Grow hair grow! I suppose maybe I shouldn't have chopped my hair off up to my chin last September knowing I'd want it to be long for my wedding a year later huh? "My hair grows so fast - it'll be long enough!" It's true - it will me long ENOUGH, but I wish I hadn't caved to my cutting urge so it'd be longER. At the moment it's already a little past my shoulders, but I love when my hair's super long and it would've been great to have that length at my wedding. Oh well, not like I can stretch it or anything! And yes I know, I could wear extensions if I really wanted to but I don't think it's necessary since it will technically be long enough. Anyway, I found my perfect hairstyle in my Summer Martha Stewart Weddings mag!

I've had in my head that I wanted something Carrie Underwood would have. Her hair always looks awesome. Plus, I always wanted something half up. And I'm sure my stylist would have done a great job off of just me telling her what I wanted, but I'm so glad I found these pics of a Carrie Underwood-esque style to take with me!

Next up - bridal party hair. I decided I wanted my bridal party to have the same hairstyle, hair length permitting. They're all wearing the same dress, but different shoes and probably different accessories, so I thought it would pull it together more if the hair was all the same. I don't care if they come to the stylist with me, have a friend do it, or do it themselves. It's just a low side bun, nothing too fancy. I don't think that's too much to ask, do you? I got a couple comments that that seems "bridezilla"-y of me. I don't think it is at all. I didn't demand it, I just said that's what I'd like. I don't see how that would really make me a bridezilla. Brides have demanded much more of their bridal party. I like to think I'm being pretty easy going by A- picking a hairstyle that's easy to do yourself or have a friend do if you want B- not forcing people to go to a stylist and spend money if they don't want to and C- if anyone's hair is too short, I've already said we'll figure something out, not a big deal. Anyway, here are a couple pics of what I'm thinking:

haircuthairstyles.com - Scarlett Johansson

shoppinglifestyle.com - Becki Newton

Google Images - Michelle Williams

Bridesmaid Lela already has a jump on this... she did it as her wedding hairstyle! (Yes that awful looking person I tried to cut out on the left is me. TERRIBLE picture of me!)

Anyway, also in Martha's summer issue was a tutorial on how to do a low side chignon. In my eyes, same thing. So bridal party - check it out!

Martha Stewart Weddings
Ok how creepy is this? She looks like she's going to stab somebody.

Also got an email from Daily Candy the other day with a how-to video on the look! Perfect timing Daily Candy! Check it out here http://www.dailycandy.com/all-cities/video/84231/How-to-Create-the-Perfect-Messy-Side-Bun?refcd=email:457432:10.

What do you think of the hairstyles?

-C
xxx

Showering of Me

abridalshower.com

I have a love/hate relationship with surprises. On the one hand, I love them, but on the other, I can't stand being the only one who doesn't know, so I hate them! My bridal shower is going to be in VA, per my request since I also requested the bachelorette party be in DC and it's that same night. Since this required MOH Ryann and Bridesmaid Lela to fly in, and me to drive down from Philly, I also kind of had to know the date. So I know the date and I know the state. I've made requests for mimosas and fancy hats*, so I know those, too. I don't know time, actual location, menu, details or anything at ALL about the bachelorette party. Why am I telling you this? Because I've already had a couple people try to (accidentally) tell me other details or ask me about things. As much as I hate surprises, like I said, a part of me also loves them, so note to all - don't tell me any other details pleaaase! Although I keep telling MOH Cassie and MOH Ryann it's unfair that I don't get to see the invite, truth be told I guess I don't really want to. The teasing is the part that gets me, though. *pouty face* I want to see it! (no I don't) lol.

On another note, because the shower's in VA, I know a lot of people won't be able to come. My friends AND family are scattered all over the place and I know coming to the wedding is a big enough trip for some, let alone coming to a bridal shower (however, public transportation-wise it's probably easier than bumblef**k NJ). So friends, please know that if you weren't invited (but were invited to the wedding) it's because I didn't want to ask you to come all that way. Family, please know that you were invited, even though you do live far away, just on the off chance you could come. Please don't think I expect you to make a special trip just for little ole me. I'd rather you be at my wedding if you have to pick one!

And on yet another note - I just have to share that invite production has officially begun! I can only do a few each night, so it's slow going, but I hope to have at least enough to give FH when he's here next week (for Bride-to-Be/Bridesmaid Amanda's wedding!!) to take back for those being invited in the UK. 23 down, 61 to go...

-C

xxx

*another blog, another day...

Glam Green Gems

Ok I think I need help. I found this awesome necklace/earring set a while back on Etsy, bought it, dismantled it, changed the beads around, and I love it. BUT, I don't think I love it for wedding jewelry. This is the necklace from the set I got (pre-dismantling):

I think what I'd love to get are some earrings kind of like what Angelina famously wore a few years ago (doesn't help that I already had a girl crush on her, she then had to go and wear fabulous green earrings as well).

So I currently have about 10 pairs of earrings in my Etsy cart... and I need help! Seriously. Help me? Please?? Here are my top contenders (click on the link under the picture if you want to see the other views on Etsy):

seller dreamyvintage

seller ellabelleboutique

seller Dalim

seller LondonsGate

As you can see, I'm a fan of big green stones. Not a huge fan of emeralds so much, plus I'm more of a vintage-looking-jewelry kind of girl (bonus if it's actual vintage!). So which ones do you like? The last ones may actually match a necklace I own. Key word is MAY. Do I buy yet another pair of green earrings on the off chance that they match the necklace? I also feel like if I get one of these kinds of earrings, unless I find a matching necklace from the same seller, it's going to be extremely difficult to match the stone so I'd probably just be wearing earrings. Do I need a necklace? I know, it depends on the neckline of the dress... but I can't show you that because FH reads my blog (sometimes)! It's sweetheart-ish, if that helps, and I'm wearing my hair half up (unless it rains, then all the way up). Thoughts??

-C
xx

Cork Placecards

I started a new project last week! Most of you know that I've been hoarding corks for... um... ever. Yes, seriously. It goes right along with my "I can't throw anything away" thing. I've been saving corks for a couple years now, and when we got engaged I knew I'd want to use them for a DIY project of some sort. Initially I thought I'd do placecards with a slit down the middle, like so:

Hip Hostess

I'd seen them for sale all over the place and thought, hey, that seems super easy to do, why don't I just make my own? *seems* was the key word there. I sat down with some corks and my x-acto knife one day and proceeded to almost lose 3 fingers in one sitting. I was honestly perplexed. How can this really be this difficult?! I thought it was going to be a quick and easy slice down the center and done. Nope. I put this project aside for awhile. When I was visiting MOH Ryann in Kansas, we went to a winery with her sister, friend, and parents and I ended up telling them about my cork collection/projects. Turns out, her parents have been collecting corks, too. They did something pretty awesome with them! They sliced corks in half and filled in the side of one of their cabinets with them and it looks great! MOH Ryann's mom said they used this super sharp knife to cut a slit down the middle in order to attach them to the side of the cabinet. So I starting thinking, maybe I just need a longer, sharper, knife.

Then I decided I liked the look of the two-corks-glued-together-with-ribbon-wrapped-around-it idea better! Like so:

WeddingBee Post

BONUS - this project really IS super easy! You hot glue two corks together, then wrap ribbon around them (with a tiny bit of glue to hold it on). That's it. Really. That's it. Here are mine (not my placecards, that's one I got from another wedding):

I felt so productive when I got 30 or so done the other night while watching Criminal Minds. Sure, it takes more corks to do (2 per place setting versus just 1), but it's so much easier and you don't have to deal with the potential issues involved in the slit ones:

- slit has to be at a bit of a diagonal so the card looks up or at least straight ahead (sounds frustrating)

- have to stabilize the cork somehow - attach something flat to the bottom or cut off the side of the cork so it stands up and doesn't roll around

- can watch TV while gluing instead of having to pay very close attention to where you cut

- potentially losing fingers...

So folks, cork donations continue to be accepted - and will be after the wedding, too! I plan on making a dart board out of corks someday. We'll see how long it takes me to get around to doing that... but I will do it!

One last thing - yesterday at Target I saw a box of "decorative corks" for $10. What?! There must have only been maybe 10-15 in there, and they weren't blank corks - they looked just like most of mine! Can you say rip off?

-C

xxx

Pieces of Me

I've mentioned before that I'll be using "pieces" of green glass as my centerpiece in lieu of flowers or anything else. Let me clarify. A "piece" of green glass is what each... piece is called. It's like how one might say a "piece" of art. I do not mean "piece" as in little tiny pieces of glass. It's just what you call it when you collect glass like this. Sure, you can just say "green glass" and I'm sure I do that sometimes, but I wanted to make sure people knew I would be using varying sizes and shapes of my green glass collection. I have to share this story, because I think it's pretty funny. Bridesmaid Amanda "Where do you get your pieces of green glass from?" Me "Ummm thrift stores, yard sales, etc." Bridesmaid Amanda "Oh... I thought you were smashing them and using the little pieces..." Ok not verbatim because my memory is terrible, but basically she thought I was using broken glass as my centerpieces, LOL. Of course she backed up her statement by saying that she knew I would make it look awesome, but come on, it's still pretty funny. :) Especially considering she's SEEN my bedroom, which is where a lot of my green glass collection is.

I've actually started cleaning and packing away a lot of it since I'll be moving at the end of July and will need to have it all packed up and ready for the wedding anyway (and a lot was already packed away since I live with roommates and can't decorate my house with it yet), so there's not nearly as much around as there used to be. I tried to put together a sampling of what my centerpieces could look like while I was packing some away, just so you all know what I mean by "green glass centerpieces".

There will be much more varying heights once I have everything out. Like I said, these are just the "pieces" I was putting away at the time. I have many, many (many) tall vases to add in for some height. As you can see, I have all different colors of green glass, which is what pulls together my wedding colors of varying greens (not just one specific green) and black.

I saw a cool idea the other day on Something Green (love that site). Not sure I'll use it for my wedding, but adding a tray under pieces of glass for centerpieces or room decor? Genius. Simple, but genius.

-C
xxx

Brit Fads

Fads from London that I don't think I could get into. And I mean these were EVERYWHERE. I don't even know what to call them, but not a fan...



These I could get into though :) Too bad they weren't peep toe. In the pic they look perfect but in person they're not really wedding shoe material.

Not too many new fads to note this trip. Purple was still prevolent. Small, romantic floral prints were big, but that's the case here, too. Everyone had a tight leather jacket, but I was already rocking one so I must've started that trend or something :) The only thing I was really hunting for was a fedora/boater/trilby hat. Those were all over the place, and I really liked them, but A - couldn't find one I absolutely loved (not for lack of trying!) B - couldn't justify spending as much as they cost for something I didn't absolutely love and C - I'd probably wear it once a month or something.

I was really hoping to find my green shoes over there! Imagine being like "yeah, I found my dream shoes in London". Again, not for lack of trying. As FH will tell you, we went in plenty of stores in search of green shoes...

-C
xxx

Wedding Nightmare

I had my first wedding disaster dream last week. Hm, actually, now that I think about it I guess this is dream number two. I'll tell you about both.

MOB is renovating umm... like her whole house for the wedding. Now, we've already discussed how my family likes to leave things til the last minute... so I've given her a cut off date on all renovations. The cut off date WAS July 1st, but as long as NO NEW PROJECTS (hear me, ma??) are started in July, then the cut off date for these projects to be FINISHED is August 1st. Have I mentioned that the venue for our wedding is my mom's backyard? So yes, I do feel like I have a right to impose certain cut off dates because if these things are being done in the weeks leading up to the wedding... well, I'll probably have a melt down, and we don't want that, do we? Have I also mentioned that no one is going inside the house - it's all outside - but almost all of the renovations are being done inside the house, using the excuse of doing it "for the wedding"? I know, yes, it's great to do things you've always wanted to do to your house. Yes, it will look great. That's not my point. My point is the renovations have got to stop at some point. If you were getting married at a venue you paid for, wouldn't you be freaking out that all the floors were ripped up 4 months before your wedding? I'm not officially freaking out yet, mind you, but stand my ground on the cut offs. My first wedding disaster dream was rather short, but basically MOB ended up getting so frustrated with all the renovations and problems with them that she called me one day and told me she sold the house and was moving to Florida. "Sorry." she said. If you're following, in my dream she just told me she sold my wedding venue, and offered only a "sorry". Lol. Now, she would never do this (she hates Florida), but technically I think that qualifies as a wedding disaster dream. Onto dream number 2.

Last week, while visiting FH, I was getting a little antsy not having any wedding stuff around me. Like I felt almost guilty (yes, to myself) for not doing any wedding stuff while I was away. So every now and then I'd have a mini panic attack that not everything was going to get done in time. Breathe in, breathe out. Breathe in, breathe out. So I had a dream while I was over there that basically the wedding was the next day and nothing was done and I was devastated. No decorations, nothing set up... it was awful. I keep thinking the wedding's going to sneak up on me (it totally is), but I guess my dream made it a little more literal - as in it was the day I got back from my London trip.

Anyway, just thought I'd share. I hear it's pretty common for the wedding disaster dreams to start about 4 months out. Is it true? Sometimes I wish I didn't want to do so much for my wedding, but that would basically require me to be an entirely different person, so that's not going to happen. I love doing the things I'm doing, but I definitely need to get moving!

I am definitely starting to stress. Like, when I saw FH's parents and friends last weekend and they said the next time they'd see me I'd be in a white dress.

!!!

Breathe in, breathe out. Breathe in, breathe out...

-C

xxx