loboromo

Love this!

2010-07-21T18:21:00.000-07:00

{from here}

This product is amazing. I was a bit skeptical as it is $42 a bottle, but as I was going to get $25 dollars off for recycling my used Kiehl's containers (did you know about their instore, container recycling program? Really quite an amazing deal, seeing how you have to recycle or throw the bottles away anyway...)

and lo and behold, the Midnight Recovery Concentrate beckoned. The sales woman mentioned a few things about its anti-aging, skin repairing benefits, and before I knew it, it was mine! I have been using it for about 4 days, and my skin seriously has never looked better. No more dry flakiness, and my pores are barely noticeable! Now my skin feels smooth and velvety, kind of like a babies, well you know... It might just be my imagination, but I also feel like my skin is more radiant and fine-line-less. Totally worth it. Love this!

Closet Case

2010-07-13T17:16:00.000-07:00

{Jenna Lyons closet from Domino}

This morning as I rooted around in my closet I thought to myself, "I'm kind of hungry. What time is it? I need to hurry and get dressed. Did I wear this recently?" and also, "I need to re-organize my closet." How does it happen that one moment your closet is an clean, organized haven of possible wardrobe combinations, and the next moment it is a deep, chaotic cave that you can't find a thing to wear in? My dream closet would be much bigger than my current closet and might include the desciptive phrase, "it used to be a bedroom, but was converted to a closet..." It would also have wallpaper, a place to sit (deciding on outfits can be tiring! And some clothes are complicated and you need some support while getting them on! Putting on shoes!), and some art. Case in point... Closet perfection:

{Domino}

I would also take this wonderfully organed and put together room, er, I mean closet. Can I also have the contents please?

{Domino}

{Not sure...}

The ultimate closet dream... Carrie Bradshaw's closet!

Rachel Zoe's closet is not as "Bananas" as I would have thought. "I" do not "die." Never the less it is much larger than my closet now, and I would not shake a stick at it. Case closed.

Hello again!

2010-06-28T09:33:00.000-07:00

Oh, what a glorious weekend! Well, actually not much spectacular happened, but it was wonderful to watch the world cup and lie about in my pajamas past 7:30am. Heaven!

There was the normal hustle and bustle of the weekend- laundry, marketing, cleaning, seeing friends, church, a baby shower, the World Cup (Team USA! so sad. Moving on... Go Argentina!), etc. I also did a bit of baking and made these blueberry muffins. Seriously, they are super simple and amazing. Also, I made them a bit healthier and used half whole wheat flour and less oil. They still were light, fluffy, and delicious. Now if only instead of losing the recipe and crouching over a computer, teetering on the side of my counter, I had this lovely recipe box and recipe cards:

{Rifle Paper Co.}

Love this! I also have a very unsightly collection of stained, crumpled computer printouts that are not very LOBOROMO at all. I hate cutesy recipe cards and boxes, but this box, made from reclaimed wood by local craftsmen, and adorable cards to go inside. I would gladly handwrite all my recipes on these cards and bake way more often if I had such a cute recipe box. Although for now, I will have to come up with another solution for storing my recipes, as sadly I do not have the recipe for extra money at the moment...

{All via Rifle Paper Co.}

Vive le weekend!

2010-06-25T14:29:00.000-07:00

{Can i just live in a pretty outdoor tent all summer?}

I don't know if it was just me, but this week was a long and rough one. Feeling like it must have taken a year to get from Monday to Friday. Not that it was without fun mind you - I hung out with my sister (which then turned sad, as she moved to North Carolina), had a sunset picnic with M, watched the USA get to the next round of the World Cup, rediscovered my love of gummy bears... It's just that it is summertime and I am at work. I would so much rather be out enjoying the weather, eating ice-cream, napping, etc.

Not meaning to complain. Just explaining why I haven't posted anything recently. This weekend I am going to get refreshed and replenished and on Monday i will be raring to go! See you then.
xo, Sarah

And the winner (or the loser) of the ugly shirt contest...

2010-06-16T12:19:00.000-07:00

Here is the dubious 80's shirt in all it's glory. As you can see this photo was taken with my camera phone in the bathroom at work (I'm glamorous like that). What I was hoping was more retro-80's-Vogue-chic, was deemed more 80's-dowdy-ugly by my sister, friend and husband. Literally, Michael thought I was wearing this as a joke. Humph. So, not so modern and cute as I thought... After being told my shirt was ugly, I made Michael try on his ugly yellow, striped, polyester, hawaiian inspired bowling shirt and see whose shirt was uglier. I lost.

The outfit photo cometh...

2010-06-15T09:52:00.000-07:00

I know, I know, you were all waiting with baited breath to see the actual outfit that I wore to the wedding. Well, here it is! In real life, I feel like it was more successful. Or maybe I need to learn to take better pictures. I love the J.crew skirt. So cute and perfect in real life. The belt was worn a bit too low, now that I see it. (btw, am I hunching? Oh dear...) Oh, well. Next time. That is the fun of fashion! You can experiment and try new things, and wear the same old thing from your closet in different ways. Today, I am wearing an 80's thrift store top that I am trying to bring back. By bring back, I mean wear in a modern way, yet also reference the past. I kind of feel like I should be on an episode of Designing Women. Remember that show? Anyhoo, that is neither here nor there...

Here is a photo of me and my cute husband:

Adorable. I'll try to rustle up a pic of my outfit today, and you can let me know what you think...

Really?! With Sarah York.

2010-06-04T14:25:00.000-07:00

{Another wedding photo by Levi, of course!}

Really, I haven't posted since last weekend?! Come on, was I really so busy? Really?? Ie: sorry for the lack of posts lately (and sorry for the not so funny homage to "Really? With Seth and Amy" from SNL. It was much funnier in my head). I have been super inspired by design blogs and plans this week, and should be sharing said inspiration, but am also feeling blah at work, and so am trying to soak it all in so I then have something interesting to say. Poor Michael gets the brunt of the blah's when I get home everyday...
On an exiting note! I have been busy working on jewelry with a friend for our new business, August Mae Designs. And good news, a few of our rings we bought by a local store! On a consignment basis, Stripe Design Group will be selling a limited selection of our one of a kind creations! Hopefully soon it will be on a not-so-much-consignment basis! We are trying to also get our etsy site up and running, but being such newbies, it is taking awhile... If you are interested, photos should be up this week, here.
In the meantime, i am trying to just get and keep our house clean, let alone try and decorate. Oh, and I have an order coming in the mail from J.crew for my outfit for a wedding this weekend in Redding, CA. I don't know that much about Redding, as I only have visited once when I was young, and I only remember it being hot. That said, I was trying to find something summery and appropriate for a garden, summery wedding. Also, on a sort of tangent... The new J.crew catalog shoot in Guatamala?! I die. What I wouldn't give to be a part of those catalog shooting trips!

{Jcrew of course}

{an August Mae Designs ring! As worn to the office. Sorry for the bad phone pic}

I am thinking of wearing some gold shoes (espadrilles?), a cream colored, short sleeve cardigan, and maybe a brown belt and flower corsage? I would love to figure out a flower hat type-accoutrement but I only have a few hours, and I really should be cleaning, napping and spending some quality time with M. I'll post pics of my outfit on Monday. Come on back and check it out! Really!

Happy Memorial Day Weekend!

2010-05-28T10:31:00.000-07:00

I don't know about you, but I am beyond ready for a three day weekend. For me, this was a long week. I can't wait to sleep in, make coffee, climb back into bed, and maybe take a nap! Ah... I'm turning into such an old person. Not tonight though! Tonight, M and I are going to hit the town, New Zealand style and see this concert:

I love their show, and they are so cute, so I can't wait to see them live. I really hope they wear this:

The piano belt? Love it. Have a wonderful weekend!

My obsession...

2010-05-27T10:59:00.000-07:00

Hello, my name is Sarah, and I am a chair-o-holic. I love chairs, of all different styles and colors. I like the way they add to a space, yet are not as big a commitment as a couch. I found the chair above at an antique store for $40, and I think I may have to go buy it. It doesn't even need to be re-upholstered! Unlike my friends below:

These were on craigslist, and I almost bought them, but then my husband (the voice of reason) asked where we would put the chairs. What a silly question, where would we put them? There is ALWAYS ROOM FOR MORE CHAIRS! Okay, maybe not... He convinced me, they would be a big project that I don't really need at the moment. Then I saw this beauty:

again on craigslist (must stop looking for chairs on there...). But again, where would we put it? It would look fabulous re-upholsterd in this:

{via oliver fabrics}

Paint the legs a glossy white? It is not to be though. Even if it is only $10. (I know! $10!) I already have a wingback chair in the living room that needs to be re-upholstered in this:

{via oliver fabrics}

Even that can't be done at the moment, however, because a friend of mine and i are busy starting our ring empire... (and by ring, i mean jewelry. In case you were wondering...) Behold, August Mae Designs:

Soon to be found on etsy.com! More photos and info, coming soon...

Taking a Stand

2010-05-19T14:14:00.000-07:00

So, here is the nightstand that I found a few weekends ago at a little antique store. The place used to be called "Chair-ish the Thought", (Ha! Love it.) but now is owned by a darling couple who were having a great sale. The place is packed with stuff. Many chairs, but also other really amazing things. Including this nightstand, which I immediately wanted to paint (and might still), but the green is starting to grow on me... I was thinking white (BIG surprise, I know) but maybe I should do something more interesting and unexpected. Any recommendations or ideas?

Is it wrong to be in love with a Kitchen Aid Mixer, when it feels so right?

2010-05-10T16:31:00.000-07:00

I received the best present in the mail the other day. Okay, it wasn't really a present as I knew it was coming, but my sheer excitement when it arrived made me feel like a little kid on Christmas. Sad, I know... I was instantly smitten with the pistachio color at Bed, Bath & Beyond, and had to have it. That meant waiting for it to come in the mail, but I am so glad I waited. The pale shade of green is juuuuust right. Not to bright, yet not overly subtle you can't tell it is green. It is so pretty, yet it works so well! It mixes things with ease, and is not hard to use at all. The blueberry muffins I made for Mother's day were amazingly simple and delicious! Everyone (well, my mom, dad and Michael) was quite impressed with my baking skills. I just want to bake all day! Cookies and cakes and pies, oh my! Next up, perfect pizza dough! I am determined I can make dough even more delicious that Trader Joes. Don't get me wrong, I love TJ's dough (especially the whole wheat) but there is so much pressure once you buy it to use it right away before it goes bad. Eek! So, I am making my own so there is no pressure, just a lot more work that plopping dough onto the counter. At least I have my new friend to help!

Still waiting for photos.... But in the meantime, nightstands.

2010-05-04T13:17:00.000-07:00

{via The Brass Petal}

I like this simple nightstand. fun lines, utilitarian, unfussy. Also, a metal, which would be a good contrast from all the wood I have in the house. The wooden dressers from craigslist, and the wood floors. I want to paint the dressers, but Michael loves wood. I love me some wood (double entendre not indended...)but I really think they would look even better painted. Maybe a pretty french gray? Or you can never go wrong with white...

{again, not sure.}

Love all the white on white on white texture. My bedding is all white, but I need some white nightstands, lamp, headboard, etc...

{via here}

Okay, this isn't really a nightstand, but could be used for one. Right? Love the gate legs. Also, love the sofa. And the pillows, and the art, and the rug...

{via here}

I loved reading about this blogger, Nichole, who also loves the color white. Who doesn't though, right? Oh, not everyone? Okay. I love other colors as well, and honestly wouldn't want to live in an encapsulating white space (I think it would feel to modern and not LOBOROMO enough. See what I did there? It's going to be a thing!), but the allure and clean simplicity of a white bedroom makes me swoon. Did I just talk myself into a white nightstand? What do we think of this? Or this:

{via Amazon}

PS. Just got the wedding photos last night. Good heavens there are a lot of them! I'll be posting them soon!

Ikea does weddings! Kind of... Did we already know about this?

2010-04-29T16:49:00.000-07:00

Everyone knows the wonder that is Ikea. It really has almost everything, and when you wander through the showrooms, everything looks so great, and then you see the price and it is so cheap! A frame for 3 bucks? You can always use a frame! Michael and I were there the other night buying a few simple things for our home and amazingly only bought a few simple things for our home. "How restrained!" you must be thinking. Nope, we only had 40 minutes before they closed, because of our slight detours to get dinner at the world's best pizza place (well, one of the worlds best at least), and also another detour to pick up some of the best sauce that you can eat on anything (ice cream? No...i take it back).
All this food talk is making me hungry, but beside the point. Have you seen the Ikea wedding idea website? It is in Swedish, I suppose. I really don't know what it says... But the photos I understand! I should have used more Ikea stuff at our wedding! We did use very inexpensive things, in a chic way, but I love these photos for inspiration! I think all of the ideas would make for lovely weddings.

{image via}

I especially love the last image of the table top. So pretty! The glasswear, the feathers! Perfect. With a little creativity, Ikea can look like a million bucks. I think I may need to make a return trip again, even if I don't have a wedding as an excuse to shop anymore. Darn!

New name X 2!

2010-04-26T23:01:00.000-07:00

I just love this wallpaper... But that is neither here, nor there...

{image via}

I am back from the chaotic thrill of what is a wedding and then honeymoon, and normal life has begun again. Actually, life is not normal, because I am married! The wedding needs a whole post of its own, as it was frenetic, amazing, joyful, overly emotional, and all the very confusing and wonderful things that as I now, know, make up a wedding! Anyway, more on that later... The honeymoon, wow. Needs another post of its own as well. (aren't I a bit self-obsessed, thinking everyone wants to hear the nitty-gritty details...) Really though, Ireland was amazing, and then we were stuck there for 4 extra days due to THE volcanic ash cloud from Iceland. What a weird way to end a honeymoon, stuck in Ireland, then on a plane, praying that your plane will not crash, due to the engines being clogged by ash... A story for the grandkids! "In my day, planes couldn't even fly through ash clouds! We just sat and waited!"
I forgot where this was going... Oh, yes. I have a new name, and so does my blog! Sarah York. A nice ring to it, I think (very similar to Sarah Ferguson the Duchess of York, or so I keep hearing). I'll take it! Goodbye, Gunnison! I'm a new York! (Ha! Guess how many times I have heard that? You don't want to know...I'm sorry, you didn't need to hear it either.) I also recetly discovered there was already a blog called "Pretty Lovely Things", so I am really not original. Hmm.. So, from now on I will be going by, loboromo. Lovely, bohemian, romantic, modern- which is how I would like my life to be characterized. Love it, hate it? Original or not. Here I come!

We did it! Two weeks ago now...

2010-04-18T05:01:00.000-07:00

It all kind of feels like it was a dream... A very happy dream, but still. Is that normal??

Raindrops cannot fall on my be-veiled head!! Let us talk about fashion this Friday instead!

2010-03-26T12:58:00.000-07:00

So... weather.com is predicting rain showers for April 3. Not acceptable. We could have everything inside, but it would be cramped and not what I envisioned, so it must not happen. Have moved on from panic to a strange serene calm, and am quite certain it will not rain. Maybe delusional, but I. will. remain. calm. CALM!

Let's change the subject. I am really into polka dots these days. I will be wearing polka dot tights for the rehearsal dinner in 1 week, (though not just the tights, obviously will also be wearing this lovely dress ) and love this polka dot skirt above and below:

{image via}

Because I cannot entertain the possiblity of rain in the coming week, I will entertain the possiblity of adding this blue, polka dotted skirt to my closet instead...

Pretty Lovely Blooms

2010-03-25T16:53:00.000-07:00

{image via EmersonMade}

I am late to the bandwagon I am sure, but I have fallen hard for EmersonMade. The flower corsages are so adorable, and I love that Emerson models them herself. So cute! Also, once I saw the house that she and her husband live in in New Hampshire on Design*Sponge I was smitten. Can I move in please?

{All further images via }

I keep seeing Hunter Boots everywhere, and I have decided that I need some. Don't mind the fact that I live in a California beach town, and should invest more in flip-flops than in rubber boots, but that is neither here nor there. What I want to talk about is the coat. I haven't thought I could pull of a leopard print coat, but I totally want to. Maybe if i rocked it with the giant pink flower like in the picture. I am thinking Elizabeth Taylor meets hippie chic but updated for today. Too much?

Are these Frette Linens? I love the monogram. Also the stripes. Hmm... I really do need bedding at the moment. Anyway, so cute and so inspiring to make my life a little more lovely. Maybe I will start by odering a bloom. More on topic for my life at the moment- How can i use it for the wedding?

Strike a Pose

2010-03-23T11:16:00.000-07:00

Michael and I had so much fun with our photographer Levi Matthew last weekend, modeling for our engagement photos. They came out so cool, and I am beyond excited to see what the wedding photos will bring. Driving all around San Luis with Levi was super fun, and we all listened to good music and looked for pretty locations. Not hard to find where we were! I, of course, had way to many outfits and didn’t get through half of them. It was so hard to choose what to wear! I was torn between this adorable dress I got on sale at Anthro, and the black skirt I ended up wearing. The dress, I am going to wear to the rehearsal dinner with these tights and these shoes. I’ll have to post a picture to see how it all comes together, but I am hoping for a look something out of 1940’s Vogue. Surely the perfect outfit to wear for pizza and beer at the Mountain pizza place with tie-dyed curtains and overly bright, murals on the walls… Right?

{Images via the wonderful Levi}

Chandelier, I love you.

2010-03-18T15:13:00.000-07:00

So this rug has me thinking about how to start making my little cottage house into a real home (cliche, I know, but true). There are so many inspiring homes out there, it makes me think that everyone is living in a beautifully styled home with linens, and colorful pillow, with just the right amount of modern touches thrown in. Most people I know do not live in beautifully styled homes. Not that they are ugly, they would just not usually be featured in a magazine or on a blog. I guess the purpose of a home is to be comfortable and inviting for the people who live there, not so pretty and well styled that it should be on a blog... I need to remember that, but at the same time, I need to live somewhere pretty, instead of my burlap, flower, candle, jar, box, magazine, clothes filled little house. You don't want to see pictures of that (trust me. I just clothes my eyes and stumble by) so here are some lovely rooms for inspiration...

{Of course i love this. Gray and white. So relaxing! Also, I love wallpaper so much. Darn rental.}

{above images via here}

{image via- I can't remember. I need to stop doing that...}

18 days… But who’s counting?

2010-03-16T15:08:00.000-07:00

{via Rifle Paper Co.}

The countdown is on! Only 18 days away from Michael and my wedding. Our to do list is raging, and there are so many things that I know I am forgetting… One thing that I have not forgotten and really want is a wedding certificate. I think technically it is a Quaker wedding certificate, but since we are not Quaker, I am just calling it a Wedding Certificate. The prettiest ones I have seen are made by Anna Bond at Rifle Paper Co. Unfortunately, since my wedding is only 18 days away, she can’t make one. So, I am determined to try to make my own. This may be a crazy scheme, as there are a million other things I need to be doing. Oh dear! Too much to do too little time. I better get to work. Crazy or not, here I come!

Gorgeous Design! Enough said.

2010-03-11T16:43:00.000-08:00

{this photo I especially love. Lavender and Chartreuse? With a good dose of white. Ahhh...}

I found this blog as I usually find other blogs, by looking on blogs. Enough of that word, right?! Emma’s blog is amazing and simple, and the photos are so great. Simple, yet make you really look at them to soak in all the details… Plenty of design eye candy to be had. Here is a sample:

{a fireplace in the bedroom. Need I say more? Except perhaps, firehazard! I would be too nervous to have my sheets that close, but lovely all the same.}

With a new little cottage (the term I have decided is correct, as our little place isn’t really a duplex or apartment, yet still shares one- the bathroom-wall with our neighboring “cottage”) to decorate, I have been obsessed with design blogs and ideas of how to make our house into a home. I think I need to clean, unpack and really assess what we need… But first, we have to get married. I have flour sacks to make into napkins, and they will not hem themselves. Also, the burlap has arrived!!

Scents and Scentsibility

2010-03-10T13:28:00.000-08:00

Perfume and scent is a debatable issue where I come from. Is that Mars you ask? Well, actually no. I believe we are not supposed to wear fragrance at my workplace, as people are allergic. The local library also has a sign saying it is a “Fragrance Free” place. My thought is, what do you do if you have put perfume on and you are about to go in? It’s not like you can take it off. Hmm… I really do love perfume, but I am somewhat picky. For myself, I want something slightly floral, but not overly sweet, or overly spicy. My fist perfume was Exclamation! Bought from the local drugstore. I thought I was the coolest thing ever. It was about $10 which back then was quite expensive, which made me think I was sophisticated! Ha! My taste now tends toward expensive perfumes, such as Carnal Flower by Frederic Malle. At $300 a bottle, that stuff better smell good! Something more in my price range is the scent (and lotion combo. Yay!) called the Charmer. The description says it has vanilla and honeysuckle, but I just know it smells delicious. Sadly my nose is not that astute, and I just know that I love it. I don’t know how to describe it, other than to say it makes me feel pretty. And who doesn’t want that?

{from Anthropologie}

This lotion is also availabe in Darling Blue, Flaming June and Lady in Yellow. Also lovely fragrances, but somehow not so "me". Maybe they are "you"?

J'adore Polyvore

2010-03-09T09:18:00.000-08:00

Currently, all I can think of is the wedding. Or that is really all i should be thinking of, as my to do list is getting longer and raging out of control. I need to hem napkins, and think of ceremony decor, write thank yous, and to do lists for other people... My house is a mess and full of jars, boxes, and lingerie. (Thank you bridal shower!)

{burlap inspiration}

{more lovely burlap}

What I really want to do right now is play around with Polyvore, this new cool site that lets you create fashion/inspiration boards. I should make some regarding the wedding, certainly that would be allowed. Let’s start with the 40 yards of burlap I just ordered. Yeehaw! Burlap, you say? yes! Tablecloths are expensive, and burlap with lace runners will be lovely. Right? Right. Below are my first feeble attempts at Polyvoring. What is Polyvore, really? Well, just the coolest website/fashion social site/magic tool! It is an amazing thing that you can use to make inspiration boards online, from practically any image. As one who does not own photoshop, let me just say, LOVE. I can’t stop clipping images with the “clipper” tool. There is so much that I see that I forget about, or want to blog about, and then just forget. No more losing the things I love, as I can save them to Polyvore and make them into an inspiration board later. Also, they have TONS of items, broken down by category (natch!) that you can browse. Which means, you can also shop while you are getting inspired... Love this!

{Sorry these are so tiny... Still experimenting...}

Outfit envy

2010-03-02T16:46:00.000-08:00

The amount of blogs i read a day is really starting to reach a fever pitch. Really. I love to see how other people live, what they wear, what designs are inspiring them, etc. The amount of creativity is amazing. One new blog I am loving is Cupcakes and Cashmere. Oh, to live in LA and wear pretty outfits, write a blog, live your life, and get paid for it. Sign me up! Emily's style is great. Adventurous yet classic, hers is the kind of style I strive for and sometimes achieve. On a good day. Mostly, when i get dressed I look in my closet and think " I need to go shopping". Except, now that i have moved into a new house and will soon be sharing it with Michael, (read: one closet), I need to get rid of half my wardrobe. I'm sick of it anyway, and need to make room for something new. The next time I look in my closet, instead of "meh", i want to be thinking, "I'm ready for my close-up, blog land".

Love this lace top Apparently, it's from Forever 21 (?!)

{All Images via Cupcakes and Cashmere}

After the wedding...

2010-02-25T13:11:00.000-08:00

Sibella Court via {The Design Files}

Image via {The Brass Petal}

Image via Not sure where...

There are days when all i want to think about is the wedding. I think about flowers, ceremony décor, cupcake sprinkles, whether it will rain, if it does rain- will we get married outside in the rain and have cute umbrellas? How will my hair look in said rain? What if I get mud on my dress, or what if I fall over? Should I get a faux fur shrug? Or maybe a cute sweater… But then, what color would I get? Where from? What would the fabric be????

Because my brain is working overtime on wedding details, some days I need to think about other things. Recently, I have been more and more inspired by interior design. I love design. I have fears about going into it as a profession, and have played with the idea, but I already went to school, and feel like I should be doing instead of going back to school! I feel like I could do it, but don’t even know where to begin. Right now I am starting out by looking. Books, magazines, blogs, life. Now I just need more time to explore. After the wedding… Now, salt and pepper shakers. Needed? Ideas???

You're invited...

2010-02-23T12:57:00.000-08:00

I have been so busy and frantic the past few days that I had a mini break-down yesterday and had to take a sick day. Does this happen to all brides? That said, we did get our invitations mailed yesterday and they were so pretty! All my slaving away over the addresses paid off. Now I hope that at least someone appreciates them. If not, I love them and it was worth it. I basically did the method where you pick a pretty font, print the address on your envelope in a similar envelope color, then trace over it. No cream pen was to be found in all of Santa Cruz, so I used gauche paint, which I had read that some calligraphers use for envelopes. It took some practice getting the right amount of paint in the cheap calligraphy pen I bought, but in the end it was great. My advice if you decide to do this:

1. Practice. I know it goes without saying, but my earlier envelopes are much less sure handed than my later ones.

2. Don't be to picky with flaws. I made several mistakes on envelopes which will have to be re-done, but if you make a tiny error, don't worry because it will still look great overall and no one will notice. (See above paragraph on "Will anyone notice?".

3. Plan wisely. I thought this would take some time, but it took A LOT of time. Plan on your back aching, your eyes hurting and your hand being ready to fall off after 70 envelopes or so. Your new favorite friend will be the one with the shortest name.

There was also some debate over what to include in the envelope. In the circles I run around with, registry details and engagement photos are expected. Since we are having neither, (engagement photos are yet to happen) and I didn't want to put the actual registry information in the invitation... We went with a wedding website, or blog. It was free, easy to set up, non cheesy (so many "wedding websites" are so ugly, right?) and we can update it as we go along before the wedding.

Now onto the million other tasks left to do in a month. A month! Wow!

Love this...

2010-02-12T14:49:00.000-08:00

Wishing everyone a happy Valentines' Day!

{via Smitten}

Earrings and shoes and veil, Oh my!

2010-02-11T16:13:00.000-08:00

Yes, that is correct. I have completed the trifecta that is my wedding dress accessories. Even though I love to bling it up and accessorize an an average day, I want to be simple and timeless on my wedding day. Although, I am debating on a flower to put in my hair for the ceremony...
Veil: By Rohm on Etsy

Shoes: Moschino Cheap and Chic via Ebay (*I am still trying to buy these, but I feel like they WILL BE MINE)

Earrings: Kenneth Jay Lane on Charm and Chain

So, I know my wedding is all white, gray and neutral... I just wanted a touch of green to give me some razz-ma-tazz. Love!

Less than two months. Yipee!

2010-02-10T16:31:00.000-08:00

Although I am loving this time in my life, I am also feeling overwhelmed by everything. The attention, the details, the major decisions, the people… I am rather an introvert, so all this flurry and activity is a bit hard to take. Oddly, I like it, but I don’t want to have to deal with it. Does that make sense? I want to be fawned over and “the bride”, yet, I don’t want to actually have to deal with everything. Dichotomous and confusingly obnoxious. I know.

As for the photos below… I just thought they were lovely, and inspiring for my all white scheme… I really think it will be lovely, and I can’t wait for everything to come together. Also, we have our photographer and invitations are being shipped to us tomorrow! Yay!

{via Martha Stewart}

{via 100 Layer Cake}

{so sorry, I don't know...}

{via Weddings and Cookies}

Oh and I am also stealing the lovely DIY cakes stand idea from Weddings and Cookies as well. So cute!

Not wedding related, but blech!!

2010-01-26T14:28:00.000-08:00

{image via HGTV}

This is just wrong. I love french country, toile and chandeliers as much as the next girl, but this?! I am slightly appalled. And yet, a part of me (maybe my inner Liberace) says, maybe it could be fun?

Zen and the art of wedding planning

2010-01-14T18:53:00.000-08:00

{image via snippet and ink}

I had a moment of panic the other day. The whole planning process just seemed to loom over me in a giant un-doable mass and I panicked that everything would not come together in time and I would have an ugly ad-hoc wedding. I love wedding blogs that are sane and make you feel like although a wedding is a super special thing, it is not the be all end all of life, or your identity as a couple. A wedding is a celebration of love and commitment between two people, with a great celebratory party following. That's it. Must remember that... After the panic, and after talking to my very sane mother and a few friends and a sister, and my lovely fiance, I settled down and am super excited about the planning process and making everything come together. It is going to be amazing, timeless, classic, elegant... I can't wait!

Love is all you need.

2010-01-07T11:59:00.000-08:00

{Skyland Church, Los Gatos, CA}

I have been engaged about a week and a half and already I am stressing about the wedding. Don’t get me wrong, I am still in a state of bliss and happiness and can’t stop looking at my beautiful ring (!), but still I am a bit overwhelmed by the planning already. We have decided to get married in March, which may get pushed to April, and that is only a few months away! Eek! Now that I am officially looking for places, I know the nightmare that is wedding venue shopping on a budget. A lovely little farm in Carmel started at $15,000. #?@! Who will pay that much I don’t know. A lovely little church is on the list and only $500, (swoon!), but their hall has many restrictions and we won’t be able to use it. So… We have to find another place, or somewhere nearby for the reception. And so the search continues...

In other news, I found my dress! I thought that would be one of the most challenging aspects, but the first dress I found, I fell in love with. Which is like a metaphor for Michael and I. He was the first “boyfriend” I ever had, and the one I fell in love with. No need to try others on. I instantly knew (about the dress), bought it and now just have to wait to actually wear it! It also fit perfectly, so I only need to add a bustle. Perfect. Now I need a veil, shoes and earrings…

{image via Once Wed}

On an emotional note… I thought I would be really calm and just be able to go with the flow, but now that I am actually planning the wedding I feel like I am turning into crazy-neurotic bride! Maybe once a place and day have been firmly established I can focus on other things that sound way more fun to plan and will stop feeling like I have an ulcer. Maybe it is the money issue and I need to stop trying to be frugal and just find an awesome place and worry about the rest later? What I probably really need to do (but who wants to do what they ought, while in the middle of a self pity-despair party?) is remember that Michael and I are getting married and starting our life together. The Beatles are right. All we really need is love. And a killer location…

It's official!

2009-12-28T13:17:00.000-08:00

Michael and I are officially engaged. In a state of shock, amazement and love...

Color scheming...

2009-12-15T15:48:00.000-08:00

{Images via- I don't remember, so sorry! If you know, can you please help?}

Thoughts on Bridesmaid Dresses

2009-12-09T13:19:00.000-08:00

Okay, so more to show and less to say about bridesmaid dresses. I am really thinking gray and blue, and had thought lighter shades of those colors, (and also a hint of lavendar, maybe) but i was drawn toward the second one most of all. I would love to buy that and wear it! I don't want my bridesmaids spending a ton of money. I also saw some cute dresses over at J.Crew... I might have to investigate!

{all dresses from Mod Cloth}

Love this.

2009-12-08T16:13:00.000-08:00

But is it "us"? I keep going back and forth over what kind of wedding is "us"-meaning Michael and I. We are definitely not super fancy, as we don't have that much money, and we aren't super hip DIY either. I think we are classy and simple, with an eclectic twist. Can i turn that into a wedding? Well, that is yet to be seen. I keep seeing different ideas, venues and inspirations and they are all so cool, I want to make it work. I think I need to take a step back from the pre-wedding planning and figure out what is truly important. The rest will all fall into place, right? Right.

Why do "wedding" things cost so much?

2009-12-03T13:10:00.000-08:00

Today I finally heard back from the city in Pacific Grove, regarding the cost of renting some of their city buildings, and wow. That is how that city is making enough money to send out their weekly paper to the residents. Mystery solved. $2500 for 4 hours. Seriously? Plus $75 for each additional hour. Plus insurance, and I don't think that is including tables or chairs. Hmm.. I guess this is the moment when you go from fantasy to harsh reality, unless I am willing to compromise on other things. Which, maybe I am? The other Community Center and Senior Center are much less expensive, but not quite as pretty. Would they do? Hmm...

Style Crush

2009-11-25T18:13:00.000-08:00

I wish i could be this chic and fabulous everyday. Also, a new font. What do we think?
{image via Fashion Toast}

2009-11-24T09:35:00.000-08:00

Okay, so a slight update… There is a ring! And it is almost on my finger. This is just the way it would be for me and M. All roundabout and bumbling, but I love it because it is so us. Right now, I know which ring I will be getting, I just don’t know when. I am dying of excitement! We talked briefly of when we want to get married, and are thinking early spring. Can a wedding be planned in 3 months or less? What takes the most time? First things first (still don’t know what that would be… The guest list?) I have started on a sample budget:
$1000-my dress, accessories, et all
$200-M’s suit, etc.
$500- Invites, stamps
$300-Bridesmaid and Groomsman gifts
$500-Flowers
$1000-Venue
$2500-Food
$1000-Wine, Beer, drinks
$200-Dessert
$500-Décor
$3000-Photography
$300-Marriage license, parent gifts,
$800-Wedding Rings
Total- $11,800
Am I being reasonable? Or am I delusional thinking that some of these categories will be that cheap. My dress takes up a tenth of the budget, but really. I must look good on my wedding day. I think what I am most unsure of is the food and venue. Where can we get married for a small amount of money, and have good food that is not going to cost a fortune in the Santa Cruz/Monterey area? Really I think $11k is a bit too much and wish I could be one of those brides who only spends $6k or even $2k (amazing!), but alas, if there is one thing I know how to do, its spend money. Hopefully we’ll be able to do this for around $10,000. Just like this lovely bride, I think it’s a good goal to shoot for.

So much inspiration, so little time…

2009-11-19T14:53:00.000-08:00

There is so much loveliness out there in the wedding blog world. Just when I think I have seen the best idea, or prettiest dress or loveliest wedding- there is something else the next day that totally enchants me yet again! M and I were talking the other day, and I think we might be getting married in the early spring (!). Like February or March. Is that enough time to plan a totally kick a** wedding? I hope so! Now I better get back to soaking in all the ideas I can get, so I am ready to dive in and make it happen. I love these invites BTW, featured on this lovely blog.

{image via 100 Layer Cake}

Now, Perkier and more upbeat!

2009-11-16T12:15:00.000-08:00

I feel like I have been a bit all over the map as of late- high, low, good mood, bad mood… Poor M has probably had to deal with most of it, but I think I am coming across not how I truly am, and need to take a moment and a deep breath, and focus on the good things in life. Not get stressed out about the things in life that I can’t control, and are made up in my mind. So, time to focus on the positive and look at pretty, lovely things. Like this lovely dress posted on the Satorialist. Perfect color, perfect shoes. Ahh... That's better! Plus she is smoking, and that would take the edge off...

Growl.

2009-11-14T17:53:00.000-08:00

This week has been a bear (where did that saying come from. I like bears!) and I am so glad it’s Friday. I took Wednesday off for Veterans Day thinking it would give me a re-charge, and while it did that, it made me even more inspired to find a job I really love. I loved Peonies and Polaroids post on projects and dreams. I feel like I am in a weird place of wanting to do so many different things, and feel like I can't accomplish any of them. Hm. I heard a quote once ( I can't remember where. I hate that!) that was something to the effect of when you are feeling overwhelmed and don't know what to do, don't think about all the things you could do, want to do, or should do. Just think of what to do right now. In the present. This is obviously not always the solution, but I feel like I need to stop trying to figure out my whole life, and just focus on the next right thing. And tonight, that next right thing is making pizza and watching a movie with M. Enough rambling for one evening. Like Mason Jennings says, Be here now.

And we're off!

2009-11-12T19:03:00.000-08:00

Okay, that sounds kind of negative, but it means that the (still) boyfriend and I are serious about getting married early next year. Like February or March. Can we plan a wedding in that amount of time? I guess we'll see! we don't have a lot of money, I'm thinking maybe $10,000 if both our parents pitch in a bit, and if we pitch in what we have. Not a lot on my end with STUDENT LOANS. (Had to be capitalized, as they really do shout in real life too.) So, now that we have a time frame, but still no ring, I am starting to really look into venues and think about what to do first. I am thinking venues are probably the place to start. Hmm... Or maybe we need to figure out our overall design-style for the wedding. Does everyone do that? I feel like just choosing colors is so impersonal, unless colors are your style? I feel like my indecisive nature will not do well with so many choices and so little time. However, at the end of the day, I just want to married to the man I love.

Step #1?

2009-11-06T00:13:00.000-08:00

Where and how does one even begin to start thinking about and planning a wedding?! Invitations?

Confession

2009-11-05T10:16:00.000-08:00

So…. I’ll stop beating around the bush and just admit it. I am ready to get married. Michael and I have talked, and I know he wants to get married (to me, obviously) and I have made it clear that I don’t want to be engaged forever. As much as the wedding planning process seems like fun, it also seems overwhelmingly overwhelming, and I don’t want to get bogged down with that for a year of my life. Plus, I want to start a life with the man I love (Cue cheesy music, now!).
So, I am not engaged, but after talking about going ring shopping, this weekend no less, I think I should maybe start to do a little actual planning instead of just reading about weddings and thinking about “someday”…. That is why I am here to admit that I am not yet engaged, but am going to start doing some actual wedding planning.
Neither I, not my not yet fiancé are very wealthy, and have far too many bills to even contemplate… I think our parents will give us a bit of money, but at the same time we don’t want to spend very much as we both think weddings that cost a ton of money are quite obnoxious and over the top. Okay, I think I said that and Michael just agreed… I have read that people do weddings for any amount of money, so I am inspired that I can too. If we really want to save some money, we could get married in a Taco Bell like this couple. Nachos Bellgrande for everyone!

Ghosts of dresses future?!

2009-10-30T16:32:00.000-07:00

Friday again at last. Ahh... Doesn't the day just start off better, when you wake up and know that you have the next two days off? I have been away at jury duty fulfilling my civic duty, but alas, was an alternate juror, which is all the glitz of the trial with none of the glamour of the jury room. (I know, such proper adjectives to use about jury duty...) Anyway, I don't want to talk about that, I want to talk about SarahSeven. Her dresses are so lovely and ethereal. They are so modern, yet vintage at the same time. They are so unique and flirty. Can you tell I am in love? I think Sarah (who I also happen to love because of her great name!) is a dress genius! I want to wear this to a Christmas party or similar sometime soon! She has a nifty website, and also Etsy store, so you can buy from her directly. If my life turns out more like the latter end of A Christmas Carol this year, instead of the sad Cratchit family beginning I feel as though I am in (okay not really, but it has been so long since I have actually shopped that I am becoming delusional. My blood-shopping levels are low.), then I will buy one of these lovely frocks and wear it everyday of the holiday season! All I need now are some Wolford tights and cute shoes, which I MUST already own in the deep recesses of my closet.

How to know when you've lost it?

2009-10-27T21:35:00.000-07:00

I often wonder when the point comes when one cannot feasibly wear certain things. Like when do you become the crazy old lady wearing things you ought’nt and getting stares. Then you catch yourself one day in the mirror and think, “that lady is way too old to wear that ____. Oh wait. That’s me…” I guess shopping at certain places, such as Urban Outfitters, becomes a no-no. Do you want to be wearing the same skirt as your grand-daughter? No. Okay, so I am only 26, and don’t have to be worrying about this quite yet, but it is in my impatient nature to plan ahead. Since I am still in the acceptable age group, I was looking at the UO website and there are some really cute things, such as this blouse. Adorable! I’m thinking about eating every last crumb in my house for the next few weeks so I can buy it. Or these boots. Hmm, I feel a whole outfit coming together. Maybe this skirt. A pair of opaque black tights. I cannot really afford to go shopping at the moment, as I just had the unfortunate experience of shelling out money for a car repair of the cosmetic kind. Sad when your car can get a makeover and you can't even buy yourself a new outfit. Darn. Maybe next month!

Gold Rush!

2009-10-23T14:43:00.000-07:00

Okay, so if is Friday, it’s Frock Friday right? Right. I am headed to Gold Rush country this weekend, and it seemed so appropriate that Rachel Zoe’s daily Zoe Report newsletter featured a gold one shouldered dress by Derek Lam. I DIE! Oops, isn’t that trademarked now? Anyway… The dress is totally rocks, and I am becoming more and more of a fan of 70’s style. It was so sexy and glamorous, but could also be totally groovy (natch!) and down to earth at the same time.
Also, one shouldered things are sometimes a bit odd. I am not a fan of the faux- one shoulder. You know, the one with a fancy big cross the chest then over the shoulder “real” strap, and on the other side a regular old spaghetti strap. What is that? Not good in my opinion… The first one shoulder dress that I fell in love with was Nicole Kidman’s Balenciaga wedding gown. She looked radiant, and the dress was beyond amazing (too bad I can't find a decent picture of it...). I have yet to jump on the band wagon with this trend, but perhaps I should channel my best Farrah Fawcett, Breck girl, and rock it. I’ll be a “goldie” but goody!

Pretty and Lovely

2009-10-22T16:44:00.000-07:00

I love this photo. (From this lovely blog). The idea of it is so fabulous! I want to have this in my house, and be in the middle of a project involving it... Now if only I could figure out what that would be?

2009-10-21T11:54:00.000-07:00

I feel like I have vaguely heard of the brand Lyell, but this morning I took new notice, because these photos are dreamy… The clothes are gorgeous, simple and understated. Also reminiscent of a past era, but in a good way. I love the wallpaper in the background and would happily move into this semi-dilapidated looking architectural gem. Today I am in the mood to be British and roam the moors, Wuthering Heights style. That could also be influenced by my recent viewing of the new Masterpiece Theater adaptation of Wuthering Heights. Forget Heathcliff, look at the houses! Love!!!

Another Chanel post this week... I apologize, but it is an emergency.

2009-10-13T16:50:00.000-07:00

There has been a loss in my family. My family of cosmetics that is. Or maybe it is just a missing person. Either way, i am distraught. While in Palm Beach last month, my sister bought me the most gorgeous shade of Chanel lip gloss called, “Dragon Rouge”. It is a gorgeous 1940’s-ish red color, that was perfect on my pale skin. It made me look instantly glamorous and sophisticated and added a je ne sais quoi to whatever i was wearing. (why do i keep using French when I speak of Chanel? I don't know, but it is getting to be a bit much, even for me.) I went to apply it this morning, and it was gone! I have been in a panic at my desk all day, thinking it must have fallen out of my purse somehow. Is this what parents feel like when a child goes missing? (Okay, admittedly a bit extreme, but I have no frame of reference…). Maybe I should put up posters? Did it fall out at the apple farm I visited on Sunday? L’horreur! (Okay, I'm done. I promise!) Chanel stuck on a farm in the mud? Hopefully it fell out in my car, or closet, or Michael’s car. If not, I’ll shed a tear, then it’s off to the Chanel counter for me!

*update* I feel a bit silly writing this. My lip gloss has been found, and was on the front seat of my car the whole time. Now my face will match the color of my lips…

Rain, rain, go away… Can you come again another day, when I have my Hunter boots?

2009-10-12T11:05:00.000-07:00

I love the rain. The cozy feel of being stuck inside watching the rain plop against the windows, creating a lovely haze as you look out. It congers up happy feelings from my past, when my sister and I would curl up on the couch with hot chocolate and watch movies to our hearts content. The rain felt like a sheltering cocoon, lending a sense of mystery and glamour to my un-mysterious and not so glamorous life. I think I also watched a lot of period movies, in which the heroine walked across the fields/was rescued/proposed to etc., all in the rain. It was all very farmative for my romantic sensibilities. Make sense? (ha! get it? Sense and... oh dear.)
Something I find a bit unglamorous is the soggy shoes and frizzy hair that seem to also arrive with the rain. I have decided to alleviate one of these wrongs, I need Hunter boots. I imagine I will look like Kate Moss at Glastonbury...

Hmm, maybe not. But I will have dry feet, and look very chic. Now if I can only find the Kate Moss cure for frizzy hair.

Chanel-ling Marie Antoinette

2009-10-07T16:03:00.000-07:00

The Chanel spring 2010 fashion show looked exquisite. I wish I could have been there to see the spectacle in all its glory. It reminded me of something my Art History professor used to talk about (Anne. A lovely, very disorganized woman, who taught Baroque art, and once lost all the classes tests and gave us all A’s. See why I like her?).The lavish events that the nobility threw were way grander than any art they produced and were considered the true masterpieces of their time. Fashion shows remind me of this. In a way they are about more than the clothes that they are showing, they are about the spectacle and the idea of the Fashion house for the moment.
J’adore Chanel, and the show they put on. I mean, models tromping around in clogs, in a fake Le Petit Trianon barn recreation is fabulous and way over the top. I love this idea for a wedding. Not quite as lavish of course, unless you have the money of Marie Antoinette or Chanel, which sadly, i do not. Hmm. How to do extreme lavishness on a budget? Maybe i'll just let them eat cake.

May I live here please?

2009-10-06T12:15:00.000-07:00

I love this room. The patterns! The wallpaper! The lampshade! Swoon. If i lived here, of course I would have to become a bohemian artist/painter/girl about town. Naturally, I couldn't be like I normally am, in sweatpants, eating ice cream, with magazines strewn all over the place. Oh no. This kind room would work its magic on me, and i would start wearing cute little dresses, drinking champagne and dancing until midnight. A girl can dream...

Meetiversary

2009-09-28T16:29:00.000-07:00

Two years ago, after years of being single, (and a bit overweight and melancholy if I do say so myself… I know, single? Shocking.) I decided to make a new, new years resolution. This would be the year of saying yes. (Come to think of it, I was a bit like Jim Carrey in Yes Man, except I was not quite as funny). Not yes to everything,everything but yes to going out with new people and trying new experiences. This was to span the gamut to just about any function I would be invited to.
The year was quite a success in terms of dates, and I had gone out with old friend dates, online dates, blind dates, you get the idea. In September, I reluctantly (I was not always happy about saying yes, but did so anyway…) agreed to drive all the way back to Santa Cruz to attend a friend’s birthday party at a sushi restaurant (I do not like sushi. Too fishy and rubbery, and a horrible texture in general). I arrived hoping to sit with friends, but alas no seats. I was ready to feign illness, but instead sat across from twins, who looked almost exactly alike and kindly made small talk. I talked with them all throughout the evening, and noticed the particular attention from the twin without a girlfriend. He was very talkative and attentive, and dared me to try one of his disgusting looking sushi rolls. I took the plunge, and swallowed the nastiness. Gag. But he was cute… At the end of the night, Michael asked me for my phone number so we could go to an art show in a few weeks. And what did I say to that? Exactly.

Di and I

2009-09-24T15:39:00.000-07:00

The other day my sister Whitney and I were talking, and it went like this: (Whit)
“so guess what?” (Me) “what?”- “I am looking at Diana cameras?” “I love Diana cameras”
I won’t insult you with anymore of our highly intelligent conversation. Anyway, what came out of this was us both buying Di's! (I can call her Di, right? It's not too soon, as we haven't technically met yet.) I just bought mine today, and can’t wait to see it come in the mail. I suffer from a complex of thinking that I can’t possible come up with interesting photos, because mine err toward the cheesy grin-people in the middle-variety. I of course mix this up with the fake laugh, jump, ponder, model, etc. This is going to change (don’t worry, I will still do all of the above) to include my lovely Di-photos.

As soon as I get time to go out and use it… At the moment I am busy trying to go to Fabric School in Berkeley, which means lots of driving and lots of painting and time spent BEING creative (Sometimes an exhausting task, when forced to do so). Hmmph. Also, trying to not lose all of my friends, neglect my boyfriend, work, keep up with pop culture (I love random facts. People updater on igoogle, how do i love thee?), do annoying things like laundry, dishes, dusting, cleaning behind the stove, sweeping… Who has the time? I certainly feel like I don’t. Not to mention trying to take care of myself and go to the gym, and , oh, I don’t know… shower?

I will make this happen. Thoughts on time management techniques for the lazy procrastinator?

Fashion Friday!

2009-09-18T09:48:00.000-07:00

I have decided to have a weekly theme on Fridays. Really, just because I like words that start with the same letter, alliteration. (Yes, I did have to google that.) I got a lovely e-mail from Ruche, with their new arrivals, and there were so many lovely things! I forgot that I am not to be shopping at the moment, and gleefully was adding things to my cart. It turned out that I am completely obsessed with all their dresses. Perhaps Frock Friday???

Tahoe!

2009-09-14T09:06:00.001-07:00

Tahoe was pretty amazing last weekend. The weather was gorgeous and the lake was beautiful. I had no idea it was so pretty, and it felt so far away from everything. Just what I needed. Work was really making me feel a bit insane. Ah, but the mountain air made me feel like a normal person again. It was so refreshing to be away from it all. M and i stayed at a funny little casino in Nevada and gambled the night away! (not really, but we did play blackjack!) Did not get a picture of the funny little '80's casino, but just imagine a lot of wood, on top of wood, and even more wood.
This map had such vintage charm, i loved it! Gave the most random facts about things around the lake, like what bridge to stand on and see jumping trout. Sadly, we could not find the bridge or the trout... We did see lovely vistas, on our mini hikes. I kept thinking I was getting sunburned, so we didn't get too far on our hikes. D@$* being pale.

Now back to life and back to work... Back to dreaming of another vacation...

Happy Weekend!

2009-09-04T13:02:00.001-07:00

I am so excited for the three day weekend! I can't even describe the level to which I am ready to not be working. M and I are off to Tahoe for two days of relaxation and fun! We are staying at a cheesy casino in Nevado, so if I come back smelling of stale cigarettes and cougars, I cannot be blamed... Happy Labor Day!

2009-09-02T14:10:00.000-07:00

Mason Jars. I love them and have become obsessed with collecting pictures of them for inspiration. Now I just need to collect the real thing so I can actually use them someday… They are so simple and unassuming with their clean lines, and unfussy attitude. It makes them ideal for an unfussy way to display simple flower arrangements. I really am sick of big over the top centerpieces that are ugly, and you know cost a fortune. Have brides these days not heard of the recession?! Or poverty?? If they have the money and taste to do that, then good for them. I on the other hand, (read: too many student loans), will be content and dare I say, happier with the simple jar of flowers. Someday, I’ll do that, and it will be fabulous.

Best idea. Ever.

2009-08-20T10:28:00.000-07:00

This is one of the cutest things I have ever seen. What a clever and thoughtful idea! I love just about everything Anna designs over at Rifle Made, but this is so adorable, I really am bowled over by the cuteness. I am not planning a wedding yet, (well, not engaged yet, so not supposed to “officially” be planning yet… On a side note, how many women just start planning because they love weddings and cannot wait to plan their own??? Exactly.) but when I do, I am going to send these to my bridesmaids and officially ask them to be involved. Most will be my sisters, but they will love the thoughtfulness, and since two of them live far away, they will especially love an invitation in the mail. This looks like it might be a bit fiddly and time consuming, and since I am busy with school related arts and crafts, I better start making these now! xo

2009-08-10T10:58:00.000-07:00

I have had a fixation with dresses lately. I am drawn to them and can’t seem to stop wearing them, or finding pretty ones. Everywhere I look, there is some lovely dress calling my name and wanting me to buy and then wear it. Today it was a wedding dress by Caroline Seikaly. Perfection! I think this also was calling my name for other reasons, (ie. I would like to get married to my boyfriend!) but it is totally the dress of my dreams. Tulle and lace…. With just the slightest beading. Who would not feel like a beautiful-fashionista-princess in it? Plus it is not strapless! There are many lovely strapless gowns, and they look lovely on some people, but not all people, and it is just an overdone wedding dress style. Now I just have to find out where to buy said dress. Oh, and get engaged! :) Minor detail…

2009-08-06T15:48:00.000-07:00

Image via Snippet & Ink

Actual Summer Dress

2009-07-07T22:36:00.000-07:00

Ok, so the dress I am wearing to my first summer wedding is pretty perfect. The best part is, it's free! I borrowed it from my sister, so it is not technically mine, but that is the lovely thing about borrowing special occasion dresses. You don't want to wear them more than once, because everyone will already see it, and the "wow" factor will be over. This is probably a gross-celebrity induced neurotic tendency that I have, but there it is. I want to wear pretty, lovely, and new things all the time. This kind of attitude has helped the major credit card debt of the America happen, and so I am trying to embrace a more spendthrift attitude. Hence, the borrowed, albeit perfect, summer dress. Voila:

Next time I go to a wedding, hopefully it will be my own and I will be wearing this...

A girl can dream!

Perfect summer dress

2009-06-24T11:57:00.000-07:00

What girl isn't in the mood to wear a flirty and frilly dress when the weather starts to heat up? This one by Holly Stalder looks perfect. I love the layers of chiffon, so pretty. The color is also lovely, although canary yellow would do nothing for me. I wish. Still, it is available in other colors, and I have some summer weddings to go to, and a custom made dress would make the horror that is the boquet toss, a little more bearable.