eeeeeeee!

So the DIY Bride in me just shrieked a little in joy.  Save on Crafts is the most awesomest source in order to DIY your own wedding.  Bulk feathers? SURE! Branches? Why not! Solar powered lanterns? OK! Moss? In massive quantities. Beautiful vases for cheap? Absolutely!

 

I love the internet tubez.

UGH!

Just found the perfect bridesmaids dress.  Too bad my wedding is more than a year away!  Lets hope there's another perfect one a year from now.  Sigh.

$69.99 at Overstock.com

Long engagements suck.

I think I need to Say Yes to the Dress

I love having friends who are in random industries.  Like Corrie for instance, who is all about television (she works for TNT.  She really knows drama).

So when Corrie sent me a PR release this morning, I squealed.  My Federal Income Tax Law professor gave me a dirty look.  Why did I squeal?

Take a gander at this:
http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/tlc-also-says-yes-to-a-southern-dress-88907057.html

This salon is right by Lenox Mall.  I will be downtown all summer and will be ending work sometime in July.  I'm thinking about taking a random Tuesday and going with Corrie and Katherine and playing dress-up!  I'm thinking about telling them that my budget is $10K.

What do you think my best chances of being on tv are?  I'm thinking I should press the military angle.  What else?  Should I be a bridezilla?

Flower Hair Love

A few years ago on the Martha Stewart Show she had a craft week.  I was not in school then and it was just before law school, so clearly I was home and able to watch every single episode.  She had this woman on who made flowers out of this clay that air dries.  I tried to buy some online because I really wanted to try it, but the company DECO Soft Clay by Claycraft is based out of Hawaii and it's virtually impossible to find it anywhere else.  I bought that Crayola clay that's kinda foamy and played around with that for a bit.  Not exactly what I needed, but still fun.

I told you that story to tell you this story.  I am throwing around the idea of wearing a flower in my hair for the wedding.  While lovely, I don't think I'm really the tiara type.  I wanted something a little fancier than just a regular veil, particularly when that sucker comes off for the reception.  However, wearing a flower in your hair is a logistical nightmare.  Wilting, browning, etc.  Won't look so nice by the end.  I thought of doing an artsy flower corsage, but wasn't too thrilled with that idea.

And then

I remembered that show.  She had done all her own flowers and her bridesmaids bouquets using that clay.  I can't even imagine how long that took.  I wanted to see if I could figure out how to make one of my own.  Maybe. Perhaps.  Or buy one (better yet).

*DRUM ROLL PLEASE!*

Not only is she still working, she has an etsy shop!  Oh how I love etsy.  It's like crack for me.  Check this out!  How real do they look?  Better yet, I can save it for after the wedding as a keepsake.  When all those pretty bouquets die, I can have this.

On Estilo, she sells other products like this cherry blossom boutonniere.  I'm a total fan.

Or even this gorgeous dahlia:

I heart this fuchsia peony ring pillow. Wonder if we can get the pillow in navy?

Or how about gardenias as a wedding cake topper?

That's clay, folks.  It's a really soft, flexible clay.  It's not stiff like fimo (polymer clay).  And that gardenia flower hair pin number is a very reasonable $25.  Other fabric hairpieces are sometimes more than double this.  I will definitely be keeping this in mind.  She currently only has that gardenia made, but I wonder if she'd do a custom one?  Not sure.  Will have to do more research.  I will keep you updated.

Another Giveaway

So in addition to that Monique Lhullier giveaway you guys are all going to enter for me, I also need you to enter this other giveaway for me.  It's for the groomsmen this time.

Franklin + Gower is sponsoring a contest to giveaway a full wedding wardrobe for the groomsmen.  Totally brag worthy collection of men’s attire complete with customized detailing in fabrics that will make you swoon, it’s the coolest line on the face of the planet and I may actually let Chris get out of wearing his uniform if he decides to rock something from them.


Oh and the adorable bridesmaids dresses in the pics are by Thread, which Franklin + Gower can actually match! They can coordinate their detailing to go with a handful of Thread, Dessy and Alix + Kelly dresses…beyond fabulous.  And lucky for all of us, the team at Franklin + Gower l are giving away up to $15,000 (yes, you read that correctly…$15k) worth of merchandise. To enter, head on over to the Franklin + Gower Facebook page and become a fan. Then, click on the sweepstakes tab and enter to win!
The big winner will receive one (1) full set of groomsmen attire for the groom and each of the groomsmen in the bridal party for up to 16 participants. Each set of groomsmen attire is valued at $965.00. Total potential value of giveaway is $15,440.00

A Set of Groomsmen Attire consists of the following:
Men’s Blazer- Retail Value of $650.00 / Men’s Pants- Retail Value of $225.00 /Bowtie- Retail Value of $55.00 / Pocket Square- Retail Value of $35.00

So in other words…THIS could be mine…


Clearly there won't be 16 people in the grooms party, but if you win for me either you or your +1 can have one too.  They have some tamer versions of things too.  I'm thinking Navy pants with a lavender piped stripe and navy jacket with a fun print as the pocket square/tie.  What do you think?  PLEASE ENTER FOR ME!

I need you all to enter this post and win this dress for me

Seriously.  I need this dress by Monique Lhullier.  It's exactly what I've been searching for:

So take yourself over to http://www.weddingchannel.com/ourfamilywedding and enter for me!  I probably sent a bunch of you an invite to the contest already (I got more entries by inviting you).  CROSS YOUR FINGERS!


Deadline to enter is March 22.

New obsession

So, unless you're obsessed with crafts like I am, you probably have never heard of Japanese washi paper tape.  It's sort of like a cross between masking tape and adhesive paper.  I love Japanese inventions.  From Gocco to this!  Where do they come up with this stuff?

You can use washi paper tape to adorn everything from scrapbooks, gifts, cards, or just randomly decorate.  It comes in a dizzying array of colors and patterns and is totally the type of thing I love.  I have a vision for this, so stick with me.  It's available in the U.S. mostly through etsy sellers, and is rather affordable (from Pretty Tape, 3 rolls for $8.50).  I am strongly considering getting a bunch to adorn and decorate.  There will be a lot of whiteware and porcelain throughout the venue (Robin totally helped me out finding stuff this past week on the West Coast), and I think it would be awesome to jazz some plain white elements up.

On that note, Robin has promised to help me find white vases for my centerpieces.  I want the whole look to be unified, but eclectic and fun.  I am currently collecting white "vessels."  She has promised me a porcelain or white metal cowboy boot vase.  So, sports fans, if you are rummaging around in an antique store and see something nifty that would work, buy it for me (so long as it's less than $20ish).  I want things that are neat and different.  Teapots, jugs, gnomes, whatever.  They can be rustic and not pristine.  I don't mind.  If it's not white, but you think it can be easily spray prainted white without looking a hot mess, get that too!  As a general rule, glass and metal can probably be painted and still look neat. Porcelain may look okay, but if it's printed with any kind of design (flowers or what-not), it probably won't go over well.  I'm sticking with white to look uniform, but if you see something out there that's white + one of my wedding colors, get that too!  If nothing else, it'll be a cool story, right?  Would you love to point to some random thing at my wedding, jump up and down excitedly, and yell, "I BOUGHT THAT!!"  I thought you would.

Thanks to everyone!

I know three things now about keeping this blog:

1.  My friends clearly love wedding and such nonsense
2.  My friends love hunting for wedding stuff and sending it to me.
3.  All of this unsolicited scouting by my friends is making my need to make/need to buy list extraordinarily long.  Since I will either be spending time and/or money securing these must-haves, and time = money, I am going to have an equally extraordinarily expensive wedding.

Shout outs to Sarah and Ali who are the featured sponsors of this week's Aisle Trials.

Ali found this cool Customized Wedding Print by MadeByGirl:

Is that hard to see?  Probably.  Just click to make it bigger or you can go to the actual post on my blog.  Anyway.  It's pretty pricey -- $55.  But I am wicked good with Photoshop.  For realz.  I made our invitations and stationary and you will all be crazy impressed in a year when it gets sent to you.  I think I can make this poster myself.  Actually, I'm positive I can.  And the people at OfficeDepot Print Shop love me and will give me a crazy good discount.  I'm thinking this is totally doable.  I will begin taking orders soon.

Next sponsored link goes to Sarah who clearly loves looking at wedding favors.  She sent me a link to these birdcage tealight/escort card holders/favors.  They're rather pricey to give as favors and we already have a good idea for that.  However, I think I may be able to swing buying a few and hanging them from the rafters at the Cotton Dock or using it as sign holders identifying what is going on around the venue (think identifying the flavors of the desserts on my Epic Dessert Table).  Plus, I think I just really need these in my life.  You know -- because it would be complete without at least a few.

Groom Photography

I really love this picture.  I think Chris and his groomsmen need to do this:

They're doing cannonballs.

Birds of a feather

'member how I said I was on the hunt for vintage birdcages?  I still am.  So keep looking for me.  Guess what I found?

A birdcage NECKLACE.  I don't know if I'm courageous enough to wear this as my wedding day jewelry, but maybe for the rehearsal dinner?  I kinda love it.  I love quirky little things like this.  It's by Oh, Hello Friend and is only $23.50.  Not that I have $23.50.  But I still dig it.

Swoon

Everyone out there knows I'm a sucker for a good baked good.  mmmmmmmm sugar.  So you also know that the dessert table at the wedding is going to be uber importante (did you like how I mixed two languages there?  I'm trying to show how wordly I am).  Currently, I am obsessing over cakes.  I am about a year away from having to order one, but I am desperate for a tasting session.

So, in lieu of not being able to design a cake, I have been thinking long and hard about the look of the cake table.  I have decided that I need a custom cake stand:

I mean, who doesn't, right?  This Sarah's Stands over on etsy.com merchant can customize the stand in over 70 colors.  I think I seriously want/need a fuchsia one.

The cake stands from this merchant come in multiple sizes, but at $115-$245 a pop, I think this is waaaaayyyy to exorbitant.  I will need to do some mad googling.  Either that, or pretend I'm a student at GT still, take a trip over to the craft center, pay $15 for some clay and figure out how to make one myself.  Although, with my luck, it'll end up looking like a lopsided hunk of clay.

If all else fails, I really need these, don't I?

I think I may register for these.  Or something.  Although, Chris said I could pick out something for my birthday, maybe I'll select these adorable little stands.

A girl has to dream....

Color Career Counselor

So I just took this quiz that evaluates what careers you should look into based on your color preferences.  I remember doing this (it's based on the Dewey Color System) back in 5th grade.  I am quite satisfied with the results:

Welcome Lindsay

The Dewey Color System® is now the world's most accurate career testing instrument. 
This report based on your personality traits indicates your two most enjoyable day-day-day occupation skills. It’s a summary of the full report, the Color Leadership Evaluation 5.0.

“Studies indicate workplace enjoyment is the key to success. So as you read, consider only “Was I mostly having fun at work?” Disregard your present and past employer’s environment.

Best Occupational Category

You're a CREATOR

Keywords

Nonconforming, Impulsive, Expressive, Romantic, Intuitive, Sensitive, and Emotional

These original types place a high value on aesthetic qualities and have a great need for self-expression. They enjoy working independently, being creative, using their imagination, and constantly learning something new. Fields of interest are art, drama, music, and writing or places where they can express, assemble, or implement creative ideas.

CREATOR OCCUPATIONS
Suggested careers are Advertising Executive, Architect, Web Designer, Creative Director, Public Relations, Fine or Commercial Artist, Interior Decorator, Lawyer, Librarian, Musician, Reporter, Art Teacher, Broadcaster, Technical Writer, English Teacher, Architect, Photographer, Medical Illustrator, Corporate Trainer, Author, Editor, Landscape Architect, Exhibit Builder, and Package Designer.

CREATOR WORKPLACES
Consider workplaces where you can create and improve beauty and aesthetic qualities. Unstructured, flexible organizations that allow self-expression work best with your free-spirited nature.

Suggested Creator workplaces are advertising, public relations, and interior decorating firms; artistic studios, theaters and concert halls; institutions that teach crafts, universities, music, and dance schools. Other workplaces to consider are art institutes, museums, libraries, and galleries.

2nd Best Occupational Category

You're a SOCIAL MANAGER

Keywords:

Tactful, Cooperative, Generous, Understanding, Insightful, Friendly, and Cheerful

This very social type enjoys working in groups, sharing responsibilities, and being the center of attention. Fields of interest are instructing, helping, nurturing, care giving and instructing-especially young people. They discuss and consider feelings in order to solve problems, lead, direct, persuade, guide, organize and enlighten others.

WOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!  I mean, clearly I would have selectively endorsed this quiz.  Because it says I should be a lawyer, it is definitely accurate.  If it had said I should be a soccer player, I would have called it crock.

Want to play?  Go here and let me know your results!

поешьте, выпейте, и жените

I love a good theme as much as the next girl (See: Birthday 21-24), but please stop me before I do this.  Seriously.  Everyone knows how I get really carried away about things, but I want my wedding to be sassy and classy, not trashy:

So the groom is a count from Sweden and the bride (now a countess... jerk) is from Russia.  Does this remind everyone else a little of

I apologize to those of you who aren't obsessed with crappy, voyeuristic television.

The theme of this particular wedding was King Karl XII from Sweden meets Katerina the Great from Russia.  Really.  I didn't make that up.  In their defense, it does look really nice and Russians (in Russia) have some crazy weddings.  They also always take pictures in Red Square.  They love bizarre, funny pictures.  When I was there, there were tons of weddings.  The women always wore those fingerless lace gloves that are pointy (there's a little elastic thing that goes around the middle finger).  And they had some crazy poufey dresses.  I think they're more risky than we southern (ha!) brides are.

Reminds me a lot of Irish Traveler (they don't like being called "gypsies") weddings.  They're in Augusta.  Ask me about them.

Bridesmaids.  Notice the girl helping the bride out of the car on the left.  This is the bride:

Maybe it's a European thing?  When Jordan (aka Katie Price who's a Page 3 model in the UK) got married, this is what she wore:

But that's neither here nor there.  Anyway.  Forgive me.  I am easily distracted.  More pictures from the wedding I started this post about:

Obligatory Red Square photo.

Pretty sure my bridesmaids would kill me.


Photography: Alicia Swedenborg

Chris keeps threatening and saying that we're going to have a confederate wedding.  God help me -- I will never wear hoop skirts or a corset.  Although, maybe I should have a theme.  It may be worth it to see Chris in breeches.