Wedding Dress Woes

Throw everything you know about wedding dress shopping out the window!

Start Early. Or don't.
Don't pigeon-hole yourself.

Try dresses ON.
Stop looking.

Once the date was set, I started looking. I'm not one of those crazies who started looking more than a year in advance, however. But I started looking for shops and going into shops and quickly learned what was within my budget... and what was not.

One store I went into told me to try on dresses in size 18! 18!? I'm usually a 14, and yes I know that the "rule" is wedding dresses run small (although who thought that was a brilliant idea I'm not sure). So I started with the 18's, shockingly enough they were too big. I did try on a 16 or two that fit well or were tight. Guess what- not all dresses run that small! So don't give yourself a complex over it. Go by fit, not by size. In the end, my dress is a 14 and it fits like a glove! No alterations needed at this time. Huzzah for saving money. I know this is not the norm, but I also know someone who bought their dress off the rack and needed no alterations. So it is very possible!

This also means you must try things. New things, things you didn't think you would want. My dress is not what I "wanted"- but I couldn't be more pleased with it. It didn't hit me right away, I tried almost 20 on before I really liked anything. Not just regular like, but like-like. No, I didn't cry over it, but I also couldn't stop thinking about it either. The day I tried it on I left the store without purchasing it, but I went back shortly and ordered it.

Having just picked it up today, I want to wear it all day and look at it all the time. But its going to my parent's house so the groom isn't tempted to see it and I'm not tempted to actually wear it every day. 'Cuz I might.

No lie.

And since I can't show you anything... here's a picture of my accessories, to tame your curiosity...

Got any wedding tips? Share please! =)

ADIOS Valentine's Day

HAPPY V.D.!

(I just like typing that...)

Google stole my feels today- check out the home page.

While some of you may be dealing with this:

via

We will shortly be on our way to this:

via

See ya'll when we get back... if we come back ;)

What are your Valentine's Day plans? If you do that sort of thing...

Wedding Theme- UP and UP

I literally squealed with delight when I saw this in the $1 bin at Target. The wedding is taking on an UP theme, not entirely intentional or unintentional.

 How perfectly adorable is this?! I think we will use our thumb prints instead of hand prints. I may have guests write messages and put them in the mailbox. Or use it for the Dollar Dance. So many options! I can't wait to get started on it.

For size reference:

I couldn't resist giving you all some insight to my absence lately. Been a little preoccupied. Also, have a big trip coming up next month!

So there you have it. Have  great week everyone!!!

The Night Circus- Book Review

Lately I just have not been motivated to read. (Possibly because I've been forcing myself through the second book of Game of Thrones- I think maybe eventually I'll just watch the show). This made me sad. I mentioned this to a co-worker (who happens to be an avid book reader) and she knew right away I had to read a book she just finished.

From the cover art to the jacket synopsis, I was sold! My ONLY complaint is the time line jumps back and forth. Aside from that, this book is perfect. I tend to read a lot of period books, books about magic, etc and sometimes I over do it. While The Night Circus is set in the late 1800's/early 1900's and relies heavily on magic, it remains imaginative, clever, unique, mysterious, sad, and fun. The Night Circus has it all. The characters are engaging and really draw you in. Erin Morgenstern writes with such detail but in a way that is easy to read. I feel like I am finally out of my book funk- on to the next one!

Now someone please make this a movie!!

 

Have you read any good books lately?

P.S. Happy New Year!!!

Adorably Simple (and cheap) Gifts

How to make an adorable gift- great for many occasions, not just the holidays- with a few items. Here is what you need:

 

Small candle (These candle are from Bath and Body Works- on sale 3 for $10!)

Flat Snowflake ornament or tissue paper*

Washi Tape

Ribbon*

 

*(of which you probably have laying around- otherwise the Dollar $tore is your friend)

 

Here we Gooooo:

 

 Remove the string from the ornament. Remove the front label (don't worry it still tells you what scent the candle is on the bottom) and then wrap the washi tape around.

 

Like so:



 

Before, during and after progress shot.

 

Set the candle on top of the ornament and tie a ribbon around both to keep them in place.

OR fold a small piece of tissue paper around the candle and tie with a ribbon bow.

TADA- bonus, the ornament is now a cute little candle "holder."

 

And, wouldn't these even make cute favors?!

DIY Holiday Cards

Now that my cards have been sent, I can share with you all my cards!

Inspired by this find on Pinterest I decided to make my own cards. Easier said than done, but I'm pleased with the results none-the-less.

The Original

What you need:

A Cup

A paint plate

Paint- greens or blue/yellow to mix

Something for the ribbon (I used sparkly paint)

Cards/cardstock

It took me forever in Michael's to find cardstock that I liked. I went in hoping to just get 5x7 cards- apparently those are hard to come by without envelopes. So in the end I decided on round cardstock- which I thought would be cute with round wreaths.

I opted for a simple hand written message on the back- I'll sign them all later....

I leave you with this message:

Soooo fellow crafters- whats on your holiday craft list?!



Brotherly Love- Living with Pets

So, you may or may not know, rabbits run our house. Recently, we've been trying to get our two to become more comfortable around each other. At first, it wasn't going well.

Indy, who is almost 5 years old (middle aged), has been an only bunny for the better part of his life.

He's kinda spoiled.

Nero, a rescue approximately 2 years old (teenager), wants to not be an only bunny.

This is how tonight's interaction went:

Running, scuffling, lounging, thumping. All somewhat OK until Indy decided he wanted to check our Nero's corner of the apartment. Nero comes running right over to me/us on the sofa, looks up and Thumps! Thumps! Thumps! Hilarious I tells you! This is a huge milestone in our relationship, he recognizes us and knows who takes care of things when they get out of hand. Anyway, guess its ok for him to be in Indy's business but not the other way around.

Other than that, Indy spent a good portion of the evening at my feet. He knows who his momma is. =) But hopefully we are on the right track to allow them to spend more time together and less supervised.

Everybody is back in their respective "rooms" and winding down for the evening.

 

What crazy antics do your pets get up to!?