#227: help me...

11th hour problem, ladies.

the b.f. is THE HARDEST person to buy a gift for. the guy is not materialistic, not a sports fanatic, not a video-gamer, not into massages and stuff, not a huge concert-goer.

he's sentimental, loves food (like me), appreciates nice things but isn't drawn like a moth to a flame to them (unlike me).

so besides the most obvious choice of 'nice clothes'...what could i get him? i was thinking about a gift certificate to a cooking class (that way, i'd get to go too) but...is that sentimental enough? i want to give him something that'll make him go "oh. my. god." because that's how he makes me feel...you know, pretty much every day.

if i got him a new car, i think it'd really knock his socks off. but then again, i'd have to sell everything i have, including the clothes on my back, to do that. so...

...on to plan b.

what are you getting your babe?

#226: knock off.

but not quite. ABS is all about creating affordable knockoffs, right? well, i don't which designer ABS is knocking off here but a zexy short french net veil and wild red lips would set this attire on fire. for a wondrous $378.


from brooklyn bride.

#225: p'owned.

have you ever seen that? "p'owned"? i never understood it. i still don't. but i'm just throwing it out there in case someone would like to enlighten me.

the very fun linda of silly little mischief tagged me a couple of weeks ago. i'm really an uninteresting person so instead of making up 7 more random tidbits 'bout myself, i'll refer you to when i got tagged the first time around. all of these continue to be true...and i'm guessing will be for a long long time. (except the cigarettes. i've set the quit date of 1.1.08!!!)

and then...abby over at weddingblogawards.com gave my blog the award for being the most dedicated. ME! DEDICATED! hollerrrr! thanks abby!

#224: doing good.

hot diggity, readers! thanks for all the sweet info on the photog post! i looked at some of the sites you suggested and voila, came across this picture. (great picture, don't you think? packages start at $800. i know. w.o.w.)


photo by aaron almendral.

favor and charity rolled into one? i dare say yes. i think this is such a fantastic idea. on a rather self-indulgent day, it's a great reminder to have one foot on the ground and be grateful for everything we are and have.

there's 'livestrong' of course...but i've also seen pink bands, red bands, blue bands, purple bands, etc. all supporting various causes. it could also be used as a paperweight for place cards with some ribbon or in pretty see-through pouches.

cheese warning: inspiration rocks and all of your suggestions frequently inspire me. i may not be able to write about them but i read ALL of your comments, sometimes over and over again (OCD), and always explore the possibility of your ideas. thank you.

#223: the photog.

i was inspired today by miss tulip of weddingbee. she posted her engagement photos and boy oh boy, did i love them.

so you all know about my huge crush on jessica claire. but her prices (though worth it in spades, i'm sure) give me major sticker shock. her packages start at $7,500. GULP! that means i would have to do everything else practically for free to stay within my budget. though i think that maybe if i were to sweat blood (like buckets of it), perhaps i could make it happen, i'm also all about being a comfortable, easy going bride the day of, you know?

so, when i saw that miss tulip's amazing photos were done by punam bean photography whose packages begin at $2,500, i felt...hope. not only did i HEART the images, but i got a sense of the photographer's style and personality on her site (i'm guessing she's a 'her'...) and needless to say, i likey'd!

so i've decided i want to start hunting down photographers via looking at more and more blogs aka photog blog stalking. brooklyn bride has a list of photogs oh her site so i figure it's a great starting point for this little mission of mine.

jillian kay starts at $2,400
the image is found starts at $4,000 for coverage and packages at $5,500.

hm. and then none of the other sites post their rates. and so the search continues...

what is the ABSOLUTE max you would spend on a photographer, keeping in mind that you love photography and that it's uber important to you? or, what's the max percentage of your budget you would allocate to photography...er, if your budget was $10,000?

#222: small and big.

from jessica claire.

i like this idea. you like?

#220: ferrero steal my heart.

i don't know a SINGLE person who doesn't like these bits of yummy. what a great (and economic!) favor/place card idea.


from knottie pbell

#219: off-white, white, beige.

did you know you could filter dresses on nordstrom.com by color? well you can, and i did. it was pretty much a treasure trove.


$228 calvin klein.


$178 calvin klein


$568 tadashi


$360 bcbg


$295 tracy reese
(side note: gosh, if they had a floor length version, i'd be all over it.)


$368 david meister

#218: hey mr. dj...

happy december everyone! december happens to be my FAVORITE FAVORITE FAVORITE month in the entire universe. i'm on an (un)healthy high for 31 full days straight. it's pretty fantastic.

so, i was considering what kind of music i'd walk down the aisle in. canon d? NEXT! i'm too abnormal to walk down in classic wedding music. here are my top choices. the song would play during the boys' entrance, the lighting of the candles by the mothers, the bridesmaids' walks, and then...for me.

that's right. 1 song. no switcheroo when the doors open for me. just. 1. song.

the frontrunners:
songbird - eva cassidy
by your side - sade
make me whole - amel larrieux
no one - alicia keys

any other suggestions?

#217: more vases.

this is even cheaper than ikea. i searched on craigslist for vases and look at what i found. 22 mismatched glass vases ranging from small to large for ten bucks. TWENTY TWO VASES! for TEN BUCKS. and guess who totally digs the mismatched concept. this girl.



if i was planning a wedding, i'd be all over these vases. all over them.

#216: not just for swedish meatballs.

i'm always praising the prices at ikea. so i thought i'd look again for some inspiration. and i found...


$2.99 at ikea for a lovely black bowl.
how about filling it with a tower of lemons for a small round table centerpiece.


$6.99 for a 6-pack of...beer glasses.
is it just me or would these make great vases.


$7.99 for a 51oz white pitcher. stuffed with pale pink carnations. you hear me?

#215: preowned bargains.

i'm sure you've heard of the website www.preownedweddingdresses.com. the last time i checked the dresses on sale, i didn't like any of them. but the site must be gaining some steam because today, i was able to find a few i would definitely go for. you know, if i was engaged.


$300


$500 (or best offer. use your bargaining skills!)


$400 (originally $4500!!!)


$450

oh, and guess what. i was talking to one of my friends who's married and was lamenting about how "affordable" wedding dresses start at $1000 and how i could never comprehend buying a pile of white fabric for ONE THOUSAND DOLLARS to wear for a total of 5 hours in my life. and she offered me up her dress. oh yes, she did. you know, for when the time comes for me to get married. you know, after i get engaged. anyways, i told her i hope she meant it because i really might take her up on it. and she said "puh-leeeeease use my dress. it's just sitting in my closet..." score!

#214: smells like cinnamon.

from hostess with the mostess

you get a little more than 400 10-inch cinnamon sticks here for $75.


wrap a thick bunch together with pretty ribbon of your wedding colors and WOLLA...a nicely scented centerpiece.

#213: anthro love.

from daisy chain. again!

those poofs of beauty are on display at an anthropology store amber visited. coffee filters sewn together. can you believe it.

#212: lovely stumps.

i know you've seen these everywhere. yesterday, i ran across a blogger who picked up some birch pieces during a hike or something and fashioned them into vases. and they looked as good as those in the pic above, which are actually for sale (@ $6.50 a pop). for the life of me, i can't find the blog today ('tis the life of a serial blog reader...or something) but for a rustic feel...or if you're going green...genuine birch vases as such could add an element of earthy to your occasion...and now we know it can be done en la casa!

#211: what's in a party.

first of all, what's up with the 'sluttage' comments on the previous post? as with all things on this blog, i'm sharing an idea. and the idea was to offer a more affordable alternative to what is otherwise a brilliant design concept. you like it, great. you don't like it, that's fine too. but i doubt there are really any brides who go around touting 'i want my bm's to look like sluts!'. so come on now, no need to be nasty. that said, thank you to the commenters who offered up some great suggestions!

back to the topic at hand. so i've always enjoyed planning parties. it's like conducting an orchestra and when everything's sync'd up, it's just awesome. granted, i haven't planned a party for 100+ guests but i was thinking last night that it shouldn't be so stressful. details are important but so is your sanity, right? and it got me thinking. if you could only focus on 3 things for your big day, what would they be?

my top 3:
1) invitations/seating.
2) food and liquor.
3) music choice (for the ceremony and reception)

so then it's nice to think about what didn't make the cut...the dress/shoes, makeup/hair, favors, cake, centerpieces, programs, registry, flowers...and remember that as long as my top 3 are the BEST they could possibly be, the rest is just icing on the cake. so to speak.

#210: american apparel.

from something old, something new.

twobirds bridesmaid features an amazing conception. but at $270/$290 a pop, it is out of my (imaginary) budget. the picture above reminded me of american apparel. i mean, aren't they the ones who first introduced 'how-to's on wearing long pieces of fabric a million different ways? anyways, so this version is kinda skin-tight but for a group of confident bridesmaids, but they'd more than fit the bill. literally, at less than $34 a pop and lots of pretty, bold colors. yes ladies. this is 1 dress, worn 3 different ways.

#209: plants that don't wither.

back to back inspiration from daisy chain.


succulent la

i bet if you buy these not-so-leafy wonders at a nursery and plant them yourself in funky pots, you'd have a mightily sturdy and luscious green centerpiece. the best part being...leftovers would look stellar in a kitchen window or bathroom.

#208: mason calls out to me.

over and over again, i keep coming across these mismatched tinted jars with mismatched flowers. and i love it.


from daisy chain.

#207: crystal.

from etsy seller sea glass vintage.

$14 for 6 of these puppies. someone please get them and invite me over for sherbet. is it sherbet or sherbert?

#206: for the short lengthed dress.

blogger is having uploading problems. so check out these tea-length dresses at posh girl vintage.

i'm thinking any of these would be great for the afterparty...or even just a casual wedding. why are all the 'affordable' dresses more apt for casual weddings. hm.

#205: a registry question.

from more ways to waste time.

i love her site because she posts etsy and ebay-finds-of-the-day to kindly share all of her lovely discoveries. i swear it's like having your own personal shopper (when i can afford the things she finds, that is). and my goodness, that ice bucket + 5 glasses will only set you back $36 (+shipping)! eek! i want it and i want it bad.

and it got me thinking. i read on someone's blog long ago yonder about setting up a registry on etsy. how would you feel as a gift-giver if the couple was registered on etsy. would it be a hassle because you'd have to set up an account? would it be a hassle if you're uncomfortable buying online? i wonder.

i asked the bf if he'd be creeped out about getting 2nd-hand ware for our 'new home together' (ahem once we get engaged/married, that is) and he said no. score.

there are many benefits to registering on etsy, if the option even exists. first and foremost, you're directly supporting someone's business or hobby. i really dig that. second, you get to choose items that are unique, original and more "you" aka not cookie cutter crate-and-barrel.

granted, a lot of items i think i'd want...like a cuisineart something something...or items that i should get new...like silverware...will have to be from a crate-and-barrel or the like. which is fantastic. but placemats? accessories? glasses? plates? i think having my own set, a set no one else has, a set someone has scoured a fair for, a set someone took the time to craft with their own hands...would really be something special.

what do you think?

#204: teal.

at smith and hawken for $9 buckeroos. i picture pale pink flowers. or white flowers. or just plain ol' greenery. maybe scallions? ha.

#203: just because.

again, from matthew mead. i'm sooo making this. anything with the word chocolate and the word silk...is equal to...heaven.

#202: scallions or leeks?

from matthew mead.

do you think it would be too stanky? but the varying heights is nice. i'd say the scallion centerpiece does the trick if you're looking for greenery leafy centerpieces. just...spray some body splash around it. ha.

#201: kermit is green.

jennifer tagged me to list my green ways.

first, thank you for caring enough to even tag me. i love this blog world. second, i'm embarrassed because i don't think i'm green enough. but you know what, to inspire is to perspire...or something like that. so these here are my baby steps to help the enviros.

1) i recycle bottles, cans, paper. well, i should mention that a big part of why i do it is because i'm co-habited with the bf and he is STRICT about this recycling business. but i also do it at the office. on my own. aaand, i reuse pretty bottles as vases. so...can i count this as one?

2) i never throw clothes or shoes away. it's all about goodwill.

3) i take public transpo 80% of the time. though...do buses emit more...emissions?

and now to the fun part...of tagging others so i can be further inspired.

e
manolo for the brides!
daisy chain
diy bride
the preppy wedding

#200: color blocks.

vintageous has some amazing wedding dress options. this dress is $195 and perfect for a 60's inspired wedding. and it could be your 'something old'. too bad it's already been sold, right?!

but hopefully it could serve as inspiration for black and white brides out there. those thin halter straps? to die for. and imagine the bms in very classy, simple, black velvet dresses.

i had found these beauts on the site before so i have to remember to keep checking back for new, or new to the site at least, dresses.

as an aside, i don't know why (um, could it be the cold weather as of late?) but i'm feeling very 'fall' and 'wintery'. i keep picturing a long-sleeved wedding dress, snow, velvet (that's why the mention above), deep dark green or blue or purple. and of course...yellow or rose gold...everywhere.

hm.

#199: i carry your heart.

i carry your heart in my heart. ee cummings, you're killing me!!! (courtesy of 'in her shoes', which is playing on HBO right now. can you say tearjerker?)

so for some reason, i felt compelled to dig around the net for pretty jewelry.


from twist.

"bf, isn't that a pretty fly ring?"

"it looks like the holes worms leave after digging around."

"um, ok."

#198: i'm a man (er, i mean...) meateater.

lawry's.

CLASSIC WEDDING
Lawry’s Original Spinning Bowl Salad
Rolls and Butter
Roasted Prime Ribs of Beef (6 ounce cut)
Freshly Ground Coffee, Hot Tea, Iced Tea
Dessert
Haagen Dazs Vanilla Ice Cream with Fresh Berries
*If you provide the wedding cake, we provide vanilla ice cream with berries. There is no cake cutting or serving fee.
$37 per person plus tax and 19% gratuity (add $6 for 10 ounce Lawry’s Cut)
Carvers: $50.00 each, 30 guests per carver

did i already cover Lawry's? well, it's just such a great deal. for some equally great food. granted, it'd have to be a daytime affair. but i was thinking...daytime makes sense. not everyone is going to want to deal with dancing and all the other things 'young'ish people think weddings are really for. so...a lunch banquet at lawry's with an afterparty to follow later in the evening after a little break...to accommodate the party people in your life (uh, ok, in my case, the bride too) wouldn't be ultra lame, right?...or would it?

your thoughts please!

edit: oh, i did talk about lawry's before!

#197: sale nation.

miss cherry blossom featured this dress on weddingbee. $46.50 for a gorgeous purple and gold for the maids. absolutely.

#196: hot hot hot.

from perfect bound.


from ms weddings.

at this site, mason jars are a hot $0.32/jar. mix and match with candles and flowers for a country feel.

#195: there's just something about donuts.

recipe here.

oh happy day featured this recipe of homemade donuts. gosh. they look so good, don't they? i'd make them for the day of...so the bridal party could nosh and be giggly from the sugar high.

#194: oh cee dee.

i noticed that my post numbers were at #193 but there were only really 192 posts. i discovered that i skipped 175. thusly...i went all the way back yonder and edited each post title. oh cee dee? quite.

#193: so fresh.

i went to the farmer's market this weekend and got coffee. what was out of the ordinary is that they had this set up of drip coffee for each individual cup. it was way cool. and it got me thinking. i love coffee. and so does the bf. we LOVE coffee.

i'm sure your local farmer's market features such a coffee vendor. what i would do (or what i should have done) is ask if they'd be willing to work a wedding for an hour or so. no big machines, no fancy gizmos...just their drip set up, their yummy coffee, and different milks and flavors. i'd be willing to pay for that kind of service as it would be my pleasure to get everyone caffeinated.

plus, 1 hour of no-machine no-nonsense coffee-making along with free advertising for a local vendor would be a rather economical (and fun!) option compared to a full-on coffee stand with tons of whirring and gadgety things...no?

#192: recycle.

from frolic.

the bf wants to get a compost thing. composte? i don't even know how it's spelled, that's how much i care about the environment. but isn't the above business card cute? it's printed on a cereal box! and bf and i go through quite a few cereal boxes. save the dates with a magnet strip would work. or...i would even go so far as to suggest invites on them. direction cards...ceremony programs...

the colors would be whimsical too.

my favorite is smart start.


yours?

#191: pink!

i love blush. blush makes everything better and prettier.

pink for breast cancer awareness month.

#189: destination wedding.

i feel like...
for the type of wedding i want to have...
the only way i could achieve it...
is to have a destination wedding.

i want...
just a few close friends...
and a few close family members...
by my side when i say i do.

but would it be selfish...
to leave out those who'd want to be there...
and defy all that is my mom's wish...
to make sure that i'm completely surrounded.

hm.
perhaps i should wait...
until i'm engaged...
to even start thinking about this.

blah.
who am i kidding...
i will keep thinking about it...
while i eat my chocolate.

#188: the craigslist way.

my size, $50. price negotiable. wow.

#187: thanks j.lo!

from dmitriy pavlov.

(as for the title of the post, you KNOW she had at least a little something to do with the great big gold comeback.)

how's that fantastically carved gold piece for a wedding band? i'm more and more inclined to mr. t it and wear my bling on the left and a separate wedding band on the right. after all, we do have two ring fingers...

#186: so pretty.

found broadway paper on the scoop.

for invites, menus, programs...

#185: carts carts carts.

push cart parties has all of these. the most appealing to me are the hot dog and pretzel (snacks to feed your dancing!) and ice cream carts (to cool you off while you're dancing!...er, see a theme here?). great favor replacement.

Beer Pushcart
Beverage Pushcart
Candy Cart
Chestnut Pushcart
Chicken Pushcart
Chinese Food Pushcart
Coffee & Tea Pushcart
Cold "Specialty" Pushcart
Cotton Candy Pushcart
Hot Dog Pushcart
Hot "Specialty" Pushcart
Ice Cream Pushcart
Italian Ice Pushcart
Mexican Food Pushcart
Nacho Pushcart
NY Egg Cream Pushcart
Peanut Pushcart
Popcorn Pushcart
Pretzel Pushcart
Soda Pop Pushcart
Sno Cone Pushcart
Frozen Drink Machine