Cake Idea

I am loving this cake below... would probably change up the colors... but size is perfect, motif is perfect. I love it. Not sure where I got it from or who to credit (sorry:)

Bridal Shower Ideas

Okay I know it is REALLY early to be thinking about my bridal shower... but my mom brought it up, so I started thinking about it. As a little girl I always love playing tea party, and I think that a tea party themed bridal shower would be awesome!! Although I don't want to go with the "typical" tea party colors i.e. pinks and pastels... I am thinking bright yellow, white and black, and damask. If I was not doing the casablanca themed wedding, these would so be my colors. Growing up, I always wanted yellow to be my main color in the wedding, but changed my mind when E and I started talking about the wedding. So I figure having it for my bridal shower would be perfect!! So here are some pictures for what I am looking for. Of course I want the yellow instead of lime green though. Pictures are from Jennifer Skog Photography

Below are some inspiration boards and pictures with the yellow that I am going for (not sure where I got these from, so please let me know if they are yours so I can credit you!!):

Oh and we have to do the glamorous hats for the shower as well like the one below!! I have always wanted to wear one of these hats, but since I don't go to the derby very often, or to afternoon tea, I have never had an excuse to get one... well here is my chance!!!

My Awesome Monograms

Okay so Jessica from Jessicas Design Shop designed my awesome monograms!! I hate designing monograms, so I knew I wanted to get someone else (an expert) to take care of them for me. And they are perfect!! I hope to use each of them in different parts of my wedding, from the invites to the aisle runner, to details at the reception I am pumped!! Which one do you like best???

Check Jessica out, she is awesome!! Oh and I figured out how to make text a link. Yay!

Zodiac Sign

So I got one of those stupid forward emails from my bridesmaid Pam.... I don't plan on forwarding it on, but it did have tidbits about different zodiac signs that I thought were interesting. I am a Taurus so this is mine... lets see how much it holds up!

TAURUS - The Enduring One. Charming but aggressive. Can come off as boring, but they are not. Hard workers. Warm-hearted. Strong, has endurance. Solid beings that are stable and secure in their ways. Not looking for shortcuts. Take pride in their beauty. Patient and reliable. Make great friends and give good advice. Loving and kind. Loves hard -passionate. Express themselves emotionally. Prone to ferocious temper-tantrums. Determined. Indulge them selves often. Very generous.

So the boring part is definitely true... hard worker definitely true... I have endurance. I love stability and security (duh I work for the government!)
Shortcut part not so much me... I like shortcuts.
Definitely NOT patient, but I am reliable.
I consider myself a good friend for sure and definitely give primo advice (at least I think so lol)
I am definitely passionate and I try to be kind. The emotional part is VERY true as well as the temper tantrums... man I can throw some good hissy fits!!!
I am VERY determined, and love to indulge. Definitely generous.

Well I think that sums me up fairly well!

Lets see E's.
GEMINI - The Chatterbox. Smart and witty. Outgoing, very chatty. Lively, energetic. Adaptable but needs to express them selves. Argumentative and outspoken. Like change. Versatile. Busy, sometimes nervous and tense. Gossips. May seem superficial or inconsistent. Beautiful physically and mentally.

Haha... I just laughed at the Chatterbox part... that man LOVES to talk my ear off that is for sure!! I wouldn't say E is that outgoing, but definitely smart. Witty?? I wouldn't describe him as necessarily witty. The adaptable and needing to express themselves is very true... as well as the next part. Man him and I will debate for hours (of course I always win lol). Very outspoken... actually we both are! Now the last part is so true. He is sooo beautiful... on the inside and the outside. My sexy man!! That is why I love him so!!

Here are the rest: How do yours hold up?

CAPRICORN - The Go-Getter (Dec 22 - Jan 19) Patient and wise. Practical and rigid. Ambitious. Tends to be Good-looking. Humorous and funny. Can be a bit shy and reserved. Often pessimistic. Capricorns tend to act before they think and can be Unfriendly at times. Hold grudges. Like competition. Get what they want.

AQUARIUS - The Sweetheart ( Jan 20 - Feb 18) Optimistic and honest . Sweet personality. Very independent. Inventive and intelligent. Friendly and loyal. Can seem unemotional. Can be a bit rebellious. Very stubborn, but original and unique. Attractive on the inside and out. Eccentric personality.

PISCES - The Dreamer (Feb 19 - Mar 20) Generous, kind, and thoughtful. Very creative and imaginative. May become secretive and vague. Sensitive. Don't like details. Dreamy and unrealistic. Sympathetic and loving. Kind. Unselfish. Good kisser. Beautiful.

ARIES - The Daredevil (Mar 21 - April 19)Energetic. Adventurous and spontaneous. Confident andenthusiastic. Fun. Loves a challenge. EXTREMELY impatient. Sometimes selfish. Short fuse. (Easily angered.) Lively, passionate, and sharp wit. Outgoing. Lose interest quickly - easily bored. Egotistical. Courageous and assertive. Tends to be physical and athletic.

CANCER - The Protector (June 21 - July 22)Moody, emotional. May be shy. Very loving and caring. Pretty/handsome. Excellent partners for life. Protective. Inventive and imaginative. Cautious. Touchy-feely kind of person. Needs love from others. Easily hurt, but sympathetic.

LEO - The Boss (July 23 - Aug 22)Very organized. Need order in their lives - like being in control. Like boundaries. Tend to take over everything. Bossy. Like to help Others. Social and outgoing. Extroverted. Generous, warm-hearted. Sensitive. Creative energy. Full of themselves. Loving. Doing the right thing is important to Leos. Attractive.

VIRGO - The Perfectionist (Aug 23 - Sept 22)Dominant In relationships. Conservative. Always wants the last word. Argumentative. Worries. Very smart. Dislikes noise and chaos. Eager. Hardworking. Loyal. Beautiful. Easy to talk to. Hard to please. Harsh. Practical and very fussy. Often shy. Pessimistic.

LIBRA - The Harmonizer (Sept 23 - Oct 22)Nice to everyone they meet. Can't make up their mind. Have own unique appeal. Creative, energetic, and very social. Hates to be alone. Peaceful, generous. Very loving and beautiful. Flirtatious. Give in too easily. Procrastinators. Very gullible.
SCORPIO - The I One (Oct 23 - Nov 21)Very energetic. Intelligent. Can be jealous and/or possessive. Hardworking. Great kisser. Can become O bsessive or secretive. Holds grudges. Attractive. Determined. Loves being in long Relationships.Talkative. Romantic. Can be self-centered at times. Passionate and Emotional.

SAGITTARIUS - The Happy-Go-Lucky One (Nov 22 - Dec 21)
Good-natured optimist. Doesn't want to grow up (Peter Pan Syndrome). Indulges self . Boastful. Likes luxuries and gambling. Social and outgoing. Doesn't like responsibilities. Often fantasizes. Impatient. Fun to be around. Having lots of friends. Flirtatious. Doesn't like rules. Sometimes hypocritical. Dislikes being confined - tight spaces or even tight clothes. Doesn't like being doubted. Beautiful inside and out.

More E-Pic Examples

Okay I cannot wait to show these to E so he will actually get excited about the engagement pictures. After seeing these he should go tell his Prof to go ... himself! These are awesome!! Photographers include: http://www.hee.ca/, Hyon Smith, and Todd Kim

Beautiful Program

I just found some pictures of a program I really like. I want something simple for my program, but that still incorporates our theme... these are beautiful and are from Gold Star Press from Etsy.

Mr and Mrs

Love this detail for E and I's chairs at the reception. I will probably decorate them with lots of bling though to make them Moroccanesh! (if that is a word!? lol)

They are by Studio J Photography. I found them off of Budget Savvy Bride Blog

Idea for Kids Table

I found this by way of Budget Savvy Bride's blog originating from Kimberly Hurst's blog. LOVE this idea for the kids table favor. I will probably do a little goodie bag for the kids and this one idea is a must have. LOVE IT!!

Engagement Shoot Dress ideas

Okay I have found all of these dresses at Nordstroms. I have realized that if you want a wide selection of dresses for a reasonable price, shop at Nordstroms. All of them are under $150, with most under or around $100. These are some ideas and looks I am going for. The weather could be freezing at the end of March or it could be a mild spring day. I would LOVE for the temp to be in at least the 60s, with partly cloudy big fluffly cloud type of day... but it could also rain and storm. But since we will only have a one time shot at it, I just want it to be decent. And I want to wear a dress in some pictures, so here are some options.

Ideas for Engagement pics

Okay, since my mind is on engagement pictures right now I figured I would share some great engagement pictures taken in DC. These are some must take pics!! They are all from borrowedbluephotography at http://www.borrowedbluephoto.com/

Chandelier I bought from Ebay

Okay... I just couldn't help myself. I bought a chandelier from ebay... so technically at this moment it doesn't go with my theme of Moroccan, but it does go with the vintage feel. So I am thinking I spray paint it a brass/antique gold/rust color like below and it will work awesome. Can't decide if I want to get a few more, but I am thinking of hanging it above the center of the dance floor for sure. I will leave my moroccan lanterns for the tent, I don't want to mix to much in the tent... I think they may clash. But if I keep it out on the dance floor I think it will work perfectly. Okay, I need to stop buying random little things until my mom book the coordinator since I really don't want to spend my money needlessly on things that won't mesh.

BTW - wasn't planning on getting a coordinator, but my mom offered to pay for it, and I definitely am starting to realize the benefit in having someone make sure all of my thoughts and dreams come together in a cohesive manner, rather than risk it being thrown together in a haphazard way. They are the experts!!

I am thinking something like this from http://www.beckersblog.com/

Some newer ideas

Okay... so I was reading some blogs today and got to thinking... about how to incorporate nice non-alcoholic drinks for the guests of mine that won't be slamming the bottled beers or signature cocktails (lol). Okay I know my side of the family... half of them are big drinkers, the other half are not or in "recovery" lol... E's side of the family is probably somewhere in the middle. So what perfect way for those that won't be drinking alcohol, than to do something cute like this so they don't have to wait in line!! Great for the kids too!

Both this idea above and the one below I got from http://budgetsavvybride.wordpress.com/page/3/

(bear with me I don't know how to do the whole link in a normal word thing I am new at this)

How to screen off areas... I am thinking something like this but with some nicer linens that go with my jewel colors... hmm maybe too much for the budget though!! But I love the idea!

Oooh Im Loving These

Photo above is from Project Wedding

These candle holders are awesome!! They are from CB2 (by Crate and Barrel). I found them on http://practicallymarried.wordpress.com/, which is one of my new favorite blogs! They are so affordable and as soon as I get some money together I may have to get some!! Although they may be a bit too modern... hmm.

For those of you silver brides, they have these in silver right now for $1.95 a piece... and they have awesome mercury colored silver vases as well!! These would be awesome for centerpieces

http://www.cb2.com/family.aspx?c=583&f=5201

Another fight

So Mr. Perfect and I got in another nasty argument last night. I am trying to book our engagement pictures for this spring during cherry blossom season. So that gives us about a 3 week window. On top of that, Mr. Perfect is finishing up last semester at school (in Detroit, E is not moving here to DC where I live till after graduation in spring), and our photographer has to fly down to DC to do our shoot... I really wanted her to do the e-pics, and she agreed to fly down for us. Well Mr. Perfect's school sucks and his professor pretty much expects him to put damn class above EVERYTHING... so Mr. Perfect can't set a date for when he can fly down here for the shoot. Well I have been badgering him because I want to give our photographer a heads up and get everything booked and ready... well you can guess it started another argument because Mr. Perfect wouldn't commit to the date that looks the best for everyone. It is penciled in for the Monday right after his spring break ends, which he said would probably be the best. He doesn't have class on Monday so I figured that gives him the majority of his SPRING BREAK (key word break here) to work on whatever school projects he needs to get done. He says his professor expects the students to be working on their films during their spring break. What??? It is called a break for a reason!!! So I am trying my best to accomodate him (I have to take off work that day). But honestly how can he let his professor rule his entire life like that??? I mean it is a two-three days he would be down here. How ridiculous is this?
So I feel sooooo frustrated... and Mr. Perfect feels soooo frustrated and on top of the long distance, it just sucks. So it turns into a stupid huge argument (once again!). I understand to some degree where he is coming from... we both NEED him to graduate this spring. But at the same time, how does 2 days out of an entire semester really matter, especially since they are over his spring break?? How can a professor expect to control people's lives like this?
I don't deal well with not knowing the Whys of things, and this is one of those times, that I can't let it go, until I understand it.
So... I am frustrated as hell to say the least. Mr. Perfect is frustrated as hell... and we are getting nowhere.
The one thing good that did come out of the argument was that he understood why I feel that this engagement shoot is so important.... he knows and I know that yes in the end we don't NEED to do the shoot during cherry blossom season (but hell I am a bridezilla when it comes to this, I can admit it), but I just LOVE cherry blossoms!!! And to me it encompasses the beginning of our new life together in DC... and that is why I really want to do it then... so he understands the superficial part. But what really got to me is the fact that he understood I want this engagement shoot to represent our relationship... to celebrate our relationship and to celebrate our future together... and I REALLY needed him to understand that and tell me he did.
So I guess the argument had a silver lining. We may have not gotten anywhere with it, but at least he understands me... I just need to work on better understanding where he is coming from.
Im just sick of this stupid university keeping us apart I guess... and yes I am pouting. But his graduation (and therefore arrival in DC date) has already been delayed 5 months and this among other things involving his school and our relationship is just rearing the last straw.
I just feel like his school has been putting so many important things in this relationship and our engagement on hold, and I don't want to have to deal with it any longer. And that is really what it comes down to. 3 months to go, and I hope to God that diploma is in his hand. E-pics or not.

Free Stuff

I found this stuff from one of my favorite blogs.

http://www.vintageglamblog.com/

And they are from Martha Stewart Weddings

You can use them as escort cards, favor tags or even out of town bags.

Download Round Labels template.pdf

Linen Options

I have been working with Bill from Fabulous Events (http://www.fabulousevents.info/) for my linens who is absolutely AWESOME to work with. We havn't put a deposit down yet, but I cannot wait to get my arse back to Michigan to play around with the linens in person!! He has come up with some beautiful ideas. The picture above is my favorite so far! We won't be doing chair covers, but I love the tie around the chair! Cannot wait to see what else he comes up with!!

LOVE this

Okay... since we are having a backyard wedding I am constantly in search of ideas and pictures for this type of wedding. Check this picture out!!! I LOVE it!!! Don't know where I found it from... I really need to start documenting where I find these pictures from!! But oh it is so beautiful! I have already bought some globe lights from another former bride off of craigslist - they aren't as big as these in the pictures, but they will still look awesome!! I may have to be on the hunt for some huge lights like this!!