Reverse

I have decided that I'm returning the ModCloth dress that I had bought for the after party. Although I like it, I'm not going to keep it in hopes that I'll lose enough weight for it to look better. Plus, I have a great dress from Arden B that I wore for my birthday last year that will also go with the shoes that I want to get. (I've only worn the dress that one time, so it definitely needs to be worn again.) I'm sending the package back on Monday and getting a store credit that I'll put towards the shoes! (Or the Baklava dress I want for the shower/rehearsal dinner.)

But, for now, Matt and I are going to watch the 3rd season of Sons of Anarchy on Netflix! I'll post again next year!

Cut & Paste

168 days

Another package came in the mail today! It's the paper cutter that I ordered last weekend to use for cutting the invitations! I'm actually going to start working on them as soon as I finish my lunch! I made a mock-up and it came out really good (it's a pocketfold but I had to make it to fit my 6x9 invites) but making 150 by hand will be ridiculously time-consuming. So I bought the paper cutter so that I can cut several at a time wihtout it looking awful. (Well, let's hope it works the way I have planned.)

Mock up (missing one insert)

I will update as I work on them!

Christmas Come Again!

I just got the mail and I had THREE new packages that were all wedding-related! (I also got the Sping/Summer 2012 Lia Sophia catalog and there is some amazing new jewelry in it!)

The first package was a small one that contained my bottle of OPI's Rainbow Connection that I'm going to use on my toes! I bought OPI's Let Me See the Ring for my fingernails (because it's white and goes so perfectly with the wedding theme) but when I saw the Muppet collection, I knew I had to use Rainbow Connection!

The third package contained my dress that I plan on wearing for my send off (maybe for something else as well like the shower)! It's so simple and sweet!

And, last but not least, the fourth package had the socks that we had ordered for our groomsmen! We had to get alternates than the ones I originally posted because they were sold out so here are the pictures again.

 

Special Delivery

169 days

I came home to find a package in front of my door from ModCloth! In it was my a-maz-ing dress for the after party! I tried it on and it looks cute, but I'd ideally like to slim down a little for the wedding, so hopefully it will look a little better. Now all I need to do is order the shoes before they sell out in my size!

Here's Hoping

I just checked ModCloth to see if the shoes that I want for the after party are still available. They are, but they only have 3 pairs left in my size! I'm really nervous that by the time I have the money (Tuesday) they will be sold out! ModCloth usually restocks their items, but I'm afraid that because I want these shoes so badly it will be the one time they don't. We'll just have to wait and see...

And, of course, I again forgot to go to Staples to get my newsletters. Tomorrow, I will definitely be going. (I'm writing myself a note as I type.)

Bag It Up

170 days

I went to the Dollar Tree today to pick up some more things for the girls' clutches! I got everyone a Lip Smackers Skittles chapstick in their color, ponytail holders in their color as well as some to match their hair, a double-sided mascara (waterproof and regular), and an emory board. I want to eventually get them a packet of aspirin and some mints as well, but I'm going to wait on those so they are fresh. (Expired aspirin when you have a migraine is the worst.) Here are the chapsticks that I got:

An Elephant Never Forgets

But of course I do. I have completely forgotten about picking up the hard copies of our latest newsletter from Staples. I have also forgotten about writing the next newsletter which is due out at the end of the month. Oops. Hopefully posting this will help me remember that I need to pick them up tomorrow!

Bar-B-Q

171 days

Matt and I have decided that we will be having the rehearsal dinner at a nearby park. We want to keep it relaxed and laid back since the wedding is so formal. We're going to invite both our wedding party as well as any out of town guests that will already be there. We'll be having a barbeque (the park has grills) which will be much cheaper than going to a restaurant. Now my next problem is finding a dress that is casual enough for the dinner, but nice enough for the rehearsal...

Adieu!

172 days

I was browsing June 2012's board on the Knot earlier and someone posted about attire for their bridal shower. One of the answering posters linked a site (AX Paris USA) for cute, cheap dresses. I found one of these dresses and bought it to use for my send off dress!

I want something cute that will also be comfortable on the plane (because we'll be taking a plane wherever we end up going). Without further ado (pun intended), here's the dress!

Do You Have an Appointment?

So I FINALLY remembered to call Alfred Angelo about the bridesmaids' dress appointments in two weeks! I had to add my first dress fitting to the appointment! I'm so excited to do something with my dress again! It's been sitting in my closet for six months and I've only taken it out once!

That same day, I'm getting my hair cut (my usual 2 month appointment) but I'm also scheduling my wedding party's beauty appointments! The night before the wedding, I'm taking the girls to get their nails done (except for my two sisters). Then the morning of, we're getting our hair done and some are getting their makeup done as well. That means that I'll get to schedule my hair trial as well! It's so exciting to be getting things done again!

From the Registry to Our Home

173 days

Matt and I are back home in Rhode Island now! We got to scope out the gifts the other got from their families. Matt's godparents gave us a six-use cake dome from Bed, Bath, and Beyond that was on our registry and I have been wanting for months! His parents got us a GREAT Calphalon knife set and block as well as a TON of candy! My grandparents gave us money that we'll be able to use towards the chapel. My parents got me Pampered Chef martini glasses that match the wine glasses I already have. Matt's parents bought him a really nice watch (that he's told me he'll only wear on special occassions because he loves the one that I got him for everyday use) but it has to be resized. My siblings got me a candle holder and some candles to go with it from Yankee Candle that I LOVE.

cake dome 

knife set 

Pampered Chef glasses

Jack-in-the-Box

174 days

I was talking to Matt last night before bed and he was telling me that his parents got us the knife set that we had wanted and was on our registry!

My parents had us open the gifts that got both of us yesterday, as well. They got us the toasting flutes from Mikasa that we want for the ceremony! They also got us a $50 gift card for Kay Jewelers to help us buy our wedding rings!

Mikasa flutes

Tomorrow we're opening gifts with my grandparents and aunts because my Aunt Alicia was at her in-laws for Christmas this year!

Birthmas

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!

AND

Happy Birthday to Matt's friend and best man, Nick!

Twas the Day Before Christmas...

175 days

It's Christmas Eve! I can't believe how time has flown since Thanksgiving! Last night I went out with a few guy friends from home, including one of our ushers, and they talked about the wedding like my female friends do. It was SO funny! Everyone is so excited which makes me even MORE excited (as if I wasn't already)!

Matt will be here in a couple hours and we're going to open presents with my family. Then we're going to my grandparents' for their annual Christmas Eve party! Good food, here I come!!

The Party After the Party

I bought my after party dress! It's the black one that was in my post from last night, but here's a picture anyway.

ModCloth was having a sale and it was already on sale, plus no tax and free shipping, so I only paid $36 for it! I can't wait to try it on (free returns/exchanges if it doesn't fit) when it comes in!

Home for the Holidays

176 days

I'm back in the Berkshires at my parents' house. Matt is at his parents' house, but I'll see him tomorrow at my grandparents' Chirstmas Eve party. I'm really excited for Christmas even though there's barely any snow here and none in Rhode Island. (Thanks global warming.)

So now I'm waiting with my mom and siblings for my dad and gramma to get home with the pizza for dinner. We're going to play Sour Apples to Apples that I picked up at Target while we're waiting. (And talking to my aunt who never takes a breath or lets anyone get a word in edgewise.)

ModCloth

177 days

I've been prowling ModCloth lately because I LOVE their dresses (and most everything else of theirs) and I have finally figured out what I'm wearing for the after party! (Also for the bridal shower that my mom is hosting.)

I've gone through a million different options, but I finally found the winner...and the off white Grecian style dress I loved is what I'm wearing for the shower!

Here they are:

after party

bridal shower

Please Register Here

179 days

I'm currently going through our registry trying to weed out things that I want (or need) to buy before the shower/wedding. I've asked for a couple for Christmas, like a paper shredder, and I want to buy some others (blankets for the couch and loveseat) soon. I like that I used an all-in-one registry, but ever since they updated, I've been having SO many issues keeping it in the the order I want it. That's all really. Oh, except that I found these shoes and I need to buy them and use them for something:

Right This Way

Matt and I have come up with an idea on how to display the escort cards at the reception! I originally wanted to use vintage 1920s frames that would match the decor of the hotel, but that would prove to be WAY out of our budget. So we took that idea and went in a slightly different direction.
We're going to use black collage frames (from Target and Walmart) and put in a mixture of 1920s photos and quotes. Each frame will be for a different grouping of our guests (family, college friends, work friends, etc.) and the quotes and pictures will correspond to theme. We will use glue dots to secure the escort cards (in envelopes) to the frames as well as labeling each with its group and logo.
I think it will make it easier for guests to find their escort card. Plus, we'll get to keep and use the frames after the reception!

Here are the frames:

Both of our families

Bride college friends

Groom college friends



Bride high school, Gap, work, and dance friends

Groom work friends

And That Makes Two

181 days

Yesterday, after Matt got out of work, we ran some errands. One of them was paying another portion of the balance for the Biltmore! Courtesy of Matt's parents, we are now one step closer to the wedding and, more specifically, the ceremony! Of course, that is probably the first and last time that we will ever write a $5000 check.

Six Degrees of Separation

6 months until our wedding!!

Music to Our Ears

184 days

I got a voicemail on Tuesday from the head of the liturgical music for the college and chapel. She asked for my email so that we could communicate easier and set up a music consultation. So I called her back, gave her my email, and today she sent me a message. She asked if January 14 was okay to hear the vocalist and organist and also whether we wanted other instrumentalists. (The vocalist and organist are required, but they have other instruments available for an additional fee.) I asked about a violinist because I have always pictured our wedding with one. (To be honest, I don't like organs, but since it's required I have no choice.) We are going to see them on the 14th of next month and discuss weddings songs and such. I'm really excited!

I also sent in one of the three checks we need for the chapel today! We're one step closer to this wedding!

The Venue, the Brooch, and the Dress

187 days

I got an invitation in the mail today from the Biltmore for the menu sampling! It's on February 12 from 4 to 7 and we get to sample the menu possibilities and then choose our own menu for the wedding! I'm so excited and it's making the wedding seem that much more real...and closer!!

I FINALLY got the purple brooch that I ordered weeks ago. It's pretty and I only need one more to finish Hannah's bouquet!!

I also found a dress for our after party that I really like! I think I'm going to get it instead of the one from ModCloth. (That one's out of stock and this one is also cheaper.)

We're Going to the Chapel

188 days

Matt and I are sending in part of the deposit for the chapel! We've decided that it will be easier to send in a couple smaller payments rather than wait until we have it all. (We've been trying, but we end up using part or all of it.) I really just want to get this part of it out of the way, since we only have one more piece of the paperwork to send in (when Matt finally remembers it).

I'm also going to be ordering our invitation envelopes this week! We're buying matching ones from Vistaprint and I still have some Groupon deals! I'll be sure to post when I actually order them and post a picture here!

Speaking of Vistaprint, I also finished the I Spy cards! I really think they're a cute idea and will bring in a lot of extra pictures from the guests! Here's a picture:

Seasonal Slump

192 days

I have hit a slump in my DIY projects. I have the materials to work on the bouquets, but can't bring myself to do it. I think part of it is the holidays are getting closer and I'm trying to get everything done for that. I have to do most of the shopping this weekend, as well as my first Lia Sophia party, and so we'll see how I feel after that. I better get out of this slump soon, the 6 month mark is coming up next week!

On another note, I sent in the deposit for the photobooth a few weeks ago and it was never cashed. I sent an email and still have not gotten a response. However, yesterday the envelope was returned with the message that they couldn't forward it. So now we are debating on even having a photobooth; it all depends on if/when they reply to the email.

Sock It To Me

195 days

So I really like the look of the argyle socks for the men to wear and Express has just what I need: argyle socks in every color of the rainbow. (I found some for our ring bearer from Ralph Lauren that are more like Matt's since boys' pink argyle socks don't seem to exist anywhere.)

Here are the ones that we picked out, starting with Matt's:

White Wedding

196 days

I FINISHED MY BOUQUET!! It is absolutely beautifula and I am so incredibly happy with it! Here are the pictures!!

I also added the pictures of Nicole's bouquet in this post.

Jackpot!

197 days

First of all, I received four packages in the mail today, two of which were at least somewhat wedding related. The first was from Vistaprint, who must be filling a million and one orders for them to have taken this long. It contained (for the wedding) some fo the RSVP cards, the photoshare cards, the cards for our guestbook, stickers for the invitations, as well as our Christmas cards. The other wedding related package was from Lia Sophia. Most of the jewelry ordered at my party came in (there's a holiday lag so some is on backorder) including the earrings I bought for the wedding!! They are even more gorgeous in person (compared to the catalog) and I absolutely love them! (The other two packages were more Lia Sophia jewelry and the books I ordered from Barnes & Noble; the sequel to The Giver and the first Hunger Games book!)

Second, Matt and I went to Michael's to get new ribbon for my bouquet. I got this beautiful white ribbon with silver glitter designs on it. (I just realized I'm not sure how the rainbow ribbon will look with it, but we'll see.) I also bought another scrapbook for the stationery from the wedding since it won't all fit in with the pictures in the other scrapbook as well as more silver wire for the bouquets (which will hopefully allow me to finish them).

Third, I also received two more brooches in the mail! I got another orange one for Jess's bouquet and a green one for Shannon's.

I'm going to try to finish my bouquet tonight, but will probably post pictures tomorrow!

Teenage Wasteland

Happy Birthday to my baby brother! He turned 13 today!

Lemon-Lime

I published the next newsletter and I'm going to put it here, but I realized I had forgotten to put up the last one! So here are both!

The Yellow Issue

The Green Issue

Always Something

198 days

I got in the last brooch for my bouquet today and I've almost finished it!

I wired the brooch and arranged the bouquet. When Matt got home, he helped me wrap the "stems" in clear packing tape to keep the shape. Then I went to wrap it in the rainbow ribbon that I bought...and I hated it. I love the ribbon, but when it's wrapped around the stems it doesn't look good. So I've decided to buy thick double-faced satin ribbon to wrap around the stems and I'll use the rainbow ribbon to make the bow.

That means that I'll be posting pictures at a later date after I buy the ribbon. (Hopefully I can go tomorrow so I can finish it.)