It's Really Real!

via Google Images

We're going to get our marriage license this afternoon. And getting married in 2 weeks (and 1 day)! This is really happening. How crazy! How exciting! How... scary!?

No, I'm not scared to get married... yet. Although I know there's still plenty of time to freak out. I'm scared that things won't get done, or that I'll forget something major! I mean, I know the important projects will get done, but I can't help it. It's what I do. I plan events at work, and this happens when the big ones roll around. Well, what really happens is that I freak out (usually internally) in the days leading up to said event, then the day of I just let go of things that haven't gotten done. I tell myself no one knows what I was planning, so no one's going to notice what's not there. Hmm. Do you see the irony there? Yeah. I have a blog. EVERYONE knows what I'm planning for my wedding. Damn! Maybe that's why I've recently had this problem with posting pictures of my projects. That way, if certain things don't get done, no one will be able to say, "Hey! I saw blah blah blah on your blog. Where is it?" Not to mention I'm all of a sudden having a problem with sharing every detail because I want people to be surprised by SOME things. I guess maybe before there was the chance people would forget about some of my projects and when they see them at the wedding go, "Ooh! I forgot about when I read about that!" But now? The possibility of people forgetting things within 2 weeks is pretty slim. I promise I'll post pics of everything after the wedding. I hope you'll still read my blog after I'm hitched? Pretty sure I'll still have plenty to say if you'll still listen. :)

Like I alluded to above, I've been getting things done that you haven't seen. I still have A LOT (at least in my mind) to do, but here's a taste of some things that I've managed to fit in, inbetween unpacking and cleaning for FH to get here. Yup, FH is here now, for good! :)

- my bolero is practically done. had my fitting with Bonnie this weekend. This was the first fitting, which is ridiculous because she's been doing this all off of measurements she took and it fits perfectly! Can't wait to see the final product!
- placecards - DONE!
- programs - 78% DONE! (I just need to go get more of the accent paper from Michaels this weekend and they'll be completely done!)
- coasters with conversation starters calligraphed on the back - DONE!
- booked rentals for things like plates, utensils, etc.: TaylorRental
- booked potties: Mr.John
- ordered/received the candy for my candy bar (aka candy buffet, but I like bar better): MetroCandy is SO FAST! I ordered it Monday evening and it was here by Wednesday.
- ordered cupcake liners for our dessert (spoiler alert - we're having cupcakes!) from Etsy seller LittleMonsterHugs (I spent wayyyy too much time worrying about this, but I can't help that I wanted them to be pretty! It's ridiculous the things I worry about, and the things I don't. Lol.)

My hair trial's tomorrow, too!

Alright, alright. I'll give you one picture. Let's see if you can figure out what they are!


Happy Labor Day Weekend ya'll!

-C
xxx

Today, Yesterday, and Tomorrow

Today is a lot of things. Today is the day before my RSVPs are due. *cough* I'd like to say today is the day I book my porta potties, additional rentals, and photobooth, but that really depends on their price quotes and response time. So today is the day I email all those people and attempt to get some booking done! Oh right, and today is exactly 30 days from our big day! (According to theknot.com; I would've thought it was yesterday since it was the 18th!) 30 days from today, I'm getting married. I really truly have no idea where that year long engagement went! I'm excited, but I'm also trying really hard not to have a major freakout! I have so much left to do, and only 30 days to do it! Do you have any idea how fast 30 days flies when you're planning a wedding?

Two words:

LIGHT

SPEED

Yesterday I had my "final" dress fitting (turns out I needed a couple more nips and tucks so I now have another final dress fitting Sept. 8th). So glad I finally have my jewelry and shoes decided, though!

Tomorrow (well, Friday - Sunday) I'm going home (AKA my wedding venue) even though my house is still a disaster area from moving - sorry FH but it looks like that's just how it's gonna be when you get here (in less than 2 weeks!!)! Other than the wedding weekend I was planning on only going home Labor Day weekend. Yeahhh I realized I definitely should go this weekend after starting to make a list of things I can do while I'm home. It's a pretty long list. It includes a site walk through with the tent guy, meeting with my caterer, meeting with my DJ, and scoping out photography locations for our first look and day after shots! The last one's my favorite :) One of my photographers is pushing for Wild West City for the day after shots. I'm not opposed to it, but I guess I think it'd be more me than FH? I got me some country roots but he's... well, he's British! I don't think they had British cowboys... But I have an email into WWC to see if we could get in there and we'll see what they say. I'd rather not have to pay admission to get pics taken in front of wild west cheesiness :) But if they let us in for free, that could be another story altogether...

I know I haven't posted much lately in the way of projects. It's not that I haven't been working on any, I have, but they're either slow going and not finished or I forgot to take pictures at the time. :( Don't worry, I'm sure there will be plenty in the coming weeks, and even after the wedding as well! Last weekend Bridesmaid Amanda, Bonnie and I worked on our "nuclear bombs" as their sig others called them (who were present during this project). AKA LED throwies for my chinese lanterns (they'll provide light for the lanterns with the battery operated LED light, versus having more string lights). They're done! I ordered my chinese lanterns from PaperLanternStore.com. As soon as those come in I have to figure out how the LED lights will get attached. I'm thinking fishing line, but need to see how the lanterns are constructed inside. I think I may need to stock up on fishing line before the wedding... Michael's must sell it, right? Since so many people use it for projects? I'll check that out this weekend when I go home.

Hopefully the LED project will make my tent look like this! Except, green instead of blue, of course. :)

Via TheKnot.com

-C
xxx

Wedding Crapfest 2010 (July Edition)

As I mentioned last week, MOH Cassie, Bridesmaid Amanda, and friend Bonnie were helping me with crafts this weekend. It actually turned into quite the marathon, and a successful one at that - which makes me happy! Even though it wasn't so much the weekend as just all day Saturday. We started the day with errands (including a Michael's trip, duh), ending errands at Target where the SECOND friend of mine announced their engagement to me! Yup, that's right, two of my friends now have told me, IN TARGET, that they're engaged. Does this have something to do with my Target obsession?!? A super special congrats to Bonnie and Matt, who will be getting married next spring!!

So now Bonnie gets to torture Amanda and I as payback for helping with our weddings! :) Even though she probably thinks she's going to be doing all of her projects herself. LOL. Bonnie - trust me on this - take all the help you can get!!!

So after errands were done (and announcements made), we came back and started on the arts & crafts. Here's (almost) everything we accomplished:

Table Names (several of "our" songs and some that just remind us of each other, including lyrics). Bonnie was all over that. I mean, I painted all the frames and printed all the lyrics and stuff, but she cut the paper and put it in the frames, thus, completing the project.

Cork placecard holders (now with ribbon and finally completed!)


Hat box (for the hats I'm bringing to my fancy hat shower) covered in green fabric. Don't you love how the floral print of the box looks like it's printed on the fabric? If you can't tell in the pics, trust me, it looks cool. This project isn't done yet, but will be (hopefully) before my shower in a couple weeks!

And last, but most definitely not least, my bouquet is done!! But that gets its own post :)

Special thanks to Cassie for bringing her camera so I could take some better pictures this weekend, and also for COMPLETELY doing my bouquet and just generally for coming up from DC just to help me with stuff! Also to Bridesmaid Amanda and Bonnie for being my slaves for the day, too!

-C
xxx

It's not you, it's me.

I am definitely someone who likes to do things myself, especially when it comes to events. Ok so maybe I'm a bit of a control freak. I know this. I've accepted this. I don't mean this as an insult to ANYONE who tries to help me (except #3 below). I truly appreciate the offers for help, but as far as most things are concerned, the reason for me not accepting said help is probably one of the following (this is mainly regarding DIY projects, but #3 refers to decorating):

1. I don't have a specific vision in mind and am going to make it up as I go along. This is usually the case. I let the creative juices flow and the errors come out until I figure out exactly how I want something to look. I am a planner, but not in the sense that I will map/measure/draw something out ahead of time. When it comes to creating or decorating things, I'm typically a go with the moment type of person.
2. I have a specific vision in mind, which will only make me look like a beotch if I go back and correct something you've done. I really don't want to do that!
3. You suck. (This really only applies to one person, who does not read this blog, but I will not name names in case someone else sees it and tells her. Some of you could probably guess who it is since I complain about her... often.)
4. Honestly? I like doing things alone sometimes. Taking my time, having a glass of wine, while watching a movie or trashy tv show. Plus, I tend to get creative at like midnight because I'm crazy like that. Obviously I'm not going to be like "come over and help!" at 1am.
5. I really don't have anywhere to do stuff. I tend to like to do crafts while watching bad tv, and, currently, we don't have a tv in our living room, nor even a floor to really sit on and spread out crafts (hardwoods).
6. I've always really just done things myself, so I'm not used to asking for help from others - or for others wanting to help!

This all being said, I really am trying to utilize help of others, since I know I'll really be needing it soon! Plus, I know when people ask me to help I really enjoy it, so I'm sure other people do, too! I promise it's not you, it's me, and I'm working on it. Once I have final prototypes for DIY projects, I'll definitely be enlisting help of others *cough* Bridesmaid Amanda *cough*. Wedding crap day soon? Your house...

I also have found that this blog has presented me with tons of help from people I wouldn't normally have asked! You never know who might know a jeweler, own a table, have had a good experience with a rental company, etc., until you start asking! In my case, I didn't really ask so much as complain on my blog :) but thanks to everyone who's reached out with helpful tips and contacts - I really appreciate it! I also love finding out all the secret talents my friends have!

This weekend, Bonnie (http://www.undesix.com/) & I were dubbed official decorators for Bridesmaid Amanda's wedding. It was more out of necessity, but I don't care cuz I'm so excited! Anyhoo - just wanted to clarify that I am ALL FOR teaming up with people as creative as, if not moreso than, me (and who I like, as opposed to #3 above, who not only sucks, but I can't stand). Collaborations of creative efforts are awesome, I'm just not used to having such collaborations. Bridesmaid Amanda's FH said this weekend that the three of us (me, Amanda, Bonnie) should go into business... and I think we really just might (Behind the Green Veil LLC anyone??). You know, unless one of us moves to California or something...

-C
xxx

PS I also enlisted MOH Cassie's mad DIY skillz, but that gets a separate post (or two).

Weekend Update

This is more for me than it is for you. I just like feeling accomplished :)

~get seeds started inside so I can have pretty flowers to see this spring/summer
~tend to my garden so it's ready when the seedlings are
~work out!
~add a couple things to my registry that I can't do online
~return things to Michael's... and buy things at Michael's (I have coupons, and a gift card I keep forgetting to use!)
~get started on VIP corsages (ok, at least THINK about what I want them to look like)
~spray paint my mini chalkboards (awesome yard sale find)
~not spend too much time at $ tree this weekend ($ tree rocks my world)
~go to Ulta (yup, found one) after the recommendation from MOH Ryann on the beauty post the other day, assuming she lets me know what I'm looking for
~check DSW for green wedding shoes (and then when I don't find anything, buy the Louboutins I've recently fallen in love with)
~get black spray paint for painting some of the thrifty finds I've gotten and foresee getting in the future
~oh right, should probably do my taxes considering we only have until Thursday
~send out the mass wedding email!
~start thinking of things to look for at BARKS next weekend!

Yeah... still need to do my taxes. But at least I got a lot of other things accomplished! And let me tell you, gardening itself took like... hmm... 5 hours straight I guess - and I have a tiny little garden! I think that also qualifies as a workout. So I worked out twice as much yesterday! Which makes me feel better about not doing my taxes... AND in lieu of spray painting the chalkboards (I already started this a while ago anyway, just needs a second coat) and the corsages, I DID work on my wedding jewelry. What? You didn't know I got wedding jewelry? Yup! Pretty sure it's a keeper, too. I purchased the necklace and earring set off Etsy (I heart Etsy). The only problem is there are these "beads" on them that make it look... kinda cheesy. So I borrowed jewelry tools from Bonnie and got cracking on taking them off (gotta give her credit, her idea). The necklace looks A LOT better, but the earrings I haven't done yet. Yes, there are only 4 beads total on the set... no, it shouldn't take that long... but I'm hesitant to take them off the earrings because they'll look really bare when I do, so I'm holding off on that until I find something to take the place of the cheesy beads. OH, and I also worked on my invites this weekend. They are thisclose to being done! And by "done" I mean the prototype is almost done and THEN I can start handmaking them all! I'm excited to start to be honest. Plus, I was reading another blog the other day about this girl who sent her invites earlier than "etiquette says" and she's so happy she did so she has at least a rough idea of how many people to expect. Thinking of doing that if I can get the invites ready in time! I also emailed 17 rental companies this weekend (backyard wedding = renting EVERYTHING). I already have 4 voicemails (and about 10 emails) that I haven't checked yet. I hate when you email people and they call you back! Lame-o's.

I heart feeling accomplished.

-C

xxx

PS I blame the fact that the corsages didn't get done (or thought about) on watching Paranormal Activity on Saturday night. I got home, called MOB and made her stay on the phone with me until I could wash my face, brush my teeth, and stock up on water, then I locked myself in my room for the rest of the night. Yes, that's where I do my crafts, but I just couldn't focus! We have a pretty big house and no one's ever home and it gets scary...

PPS I HATE that I can't do the symbol for heart on here and really freaking annoyed that when I tried the system actually ate about a paragraph of what I wrote and I had to write it all over again! It thought I was trying to write html. UGH.

My Vows...

For this weekend. To myself. :)

I, Cyndi, vow to...

~get seeds started inside so I can have pretty flowers to see this spring/summer
~tend to my garden so it's ready when the seedlings are
~work out!
~add a couple things to my registry that I can't do online
~return things to Michael's... and buy things at Michael's (I have coupons, and a gift card I keep forgetting to use!)
~get started on VIP corsages (ok, at least THINK about what I want them to look like)
~spray paint my mini chalkboards (awesome yard sale find)
~not spend too much time at $ tree this weekend ($ tree rocks my world)
~go to Ulta (yup, found one) after the recommendation from MOH Ryann on the beauty post the other day, assuming she lets me know what I'm looking for
~check DSW for green wedding shoes (and then when I don't find anything, buy the Louboutins I've recently fallen in love with)
~get black spray paint for painting some of the thrifty finds I've gotten and foresee getting in the future
~oh right, should probably do my taxes considering we only have until Thursday
~send out the mass wedding email!
~start thinking of things to look for at BARKS next weekend!

Oh I do love BARKS. So so so much! Well, actually, I'm sure the organization is fantastic, but what I really love is the BARKS Yard Sale they have twice a year! BARKS = Byram Animal Rescue Kindness Squad. Byram is a township near my mom's house (as in, so near they don't have their own zip code, they use ours), and twice a year they fill up Wild West City (the big "attraction" my hometown has - try not to be jealous) with donations that they receive. They then have volunteers who make up prices for things as they go, and you end up walking out of there with so.much.stuff for such.little.money. Since everything is donated, any money they make off of it helps the animals they rescue, so not only is everything super cheap, but you're helping the animals. I can't explain on how many levels I love the BARKS sales. And I can't WAIT to show you all the fun wedding stuff I got from there! Oh yes, I am predicting lots. They really have everything there: frames, furniture, glassware, linens, baskets, and lots of random stuff. The only downfall is... EVERY.SINGLE.TIME. it rains!! I'm not kidding. I've been there in torrential rains, I've been there the day after it rained and everything is muddy (it's all outside, and the sale sometimes runs Fri-Sun, sometimes just Sat-Sun), but I don't think I've ever been there when things haven't been wet. It's such a shame to see things get ruined, but they can't do anything about it because there's so much stuff they couldn't possibly cover it all. So usually I go into this just looking at everything without an agenda, but this year I've got a game plane. I've got a list. And I'm pretty confident I'll check off each thing on that list (and then some). Stay tuned!

Here's hoping I get a lot accomplished this weekend. Oh, and...

Happy Birthday Bridesmaid Amanda!!
And Happy Birthday to Aunt Wendy Tomorrow!

-C
xxx

Weekend Recap

This weekend Amanda (one of my bridesmaids) and I worked on wedding stuff together. She's getting married in June, so I helped her do some inventory, and she let me use her super kickass paper cutter to get some work done on my invites! We watched several episodes of Bridezillas back to back while doing wedding crap. It really is scary how crazy some people are (and that there are men crazy enough to marry them)! But, alas, it's pretty addicting, probably for the reassurance factor that you are not that bad. No matter who may call you a bridezilla during your wedding process *cough* fiancé *cough*, it makes you feel so much better about yourself seeing how absolutely insane these people are! I'm thinking of subjecting fiancé to an episode or two the next time he lets that term slip out - because he clearly doesn't know what a bridezilla is if he thinks I'm one!

Aside from cutting a lot of paper yesterday, I also worked on the following projects:

- deciding on the final design for my invites

- boutonnieres

- corsages for MOB and MOG

- LED throwies for my lanterns I have yet to buy

I think it was a very good thing that we decided to have a "Wedding Crap Day" at Amanda's house. I hope we can make this a habit. Even though I didn't help her much physically, just being there helped her to get things done, and vice versa. I find that when I'm home by myself I have the good intentions of getting a lot of wedding things accomplished, but never seem to get anything done. I get distracted by the cleaning my house needs or other such chores. For so long I chalked it up to having so much time that I didn't need to get anything done just yet, but that thought has got to go! I'm officially down to a little over 7 months to go and I have a list of DIY projects a mile long! It's time to get my bum in gear and start DIYing like it's my job. I've found that if I wear sneakers around my house instead of my comfy slippers, I'm less apt to sit down and more apt to do things, so I'm going to start doing that more often. Hey, whatever works, right?

Here's a pic of the bouts that are so close to being finished! They just need a final drop of hot glue or two in a couple key places and they're good to go. All except the groom's have the buttons on them now, I'll post another pic when they're all done! I'm very proud of them :) All I used were silk flowers (that I got for a nickle at a church yard sale), the leaves from the silk flowers, bright green ribbon from Michael's, floral tape (another yard sale), fishing line (yard sale), and buttons from Aunt Cheri's button jar*. The buttons have a sort of British look to them, which is why I added them (my fiancé and all of his groomsmen are from England). What do you think?

*Buttons from Aunt Cheri's button jar may make a later appearance as well. The jar is a collection of buttons from relatives who have passed away and passed on their sewing materials, because my family does not throw out anything that can be useful! There were some GORGEOUS buttons in there that I'd love to use in corsages and maybe even my bouquet! It was a nifty (and thrifty) find!