A Winner?

In honor of Gisele and Tom's engagement. Is this the winner? Might be!

Urgh, 2 more

Option 4


Option 5


I have the feeling I should probably leave this alone for awhile and come back to it in a month but I just really want to cross it off my list!

get me away from the adobe illustrator...

we now have an option 3, with rounded corners perhaps??

Sneak Eat 2

Way back when I really really wanted a mashed potato bar but logistically it just does not work in our space and having a seated meal but having guests get up for their mashed potatoes seemed cumbersome. The solution? Three varieties of mashed potatoes served in one glass after the salad and before the entree. Caramelized onion gravy on the side.

Better? Or Worse?

Option 1: Jennifer & John



Option 2: Madonna & ARod

You are Invited...

So I am cool and I obviously changed the names, date, location to show you my first draft of the invitation design. Can you tell I am going through GG withdrawal tonight!

I was in love with it at first but now I am feeling a little blah about it, I think I want something more creative...

Sneak Eat

I never talked about what we decided for the food did I? Well here is a sneak peek (eat) at our hor d'oeuvres.

• marinated pulled pork in potato cup (pictured above) - yumm, we are also going to make some for vegetarians
• wild mushroom and chevre tart - delicious
• baked artichoke and parm on brioche
• baked puff pastry with apple and goat cheese

We will probably add 2-3 more but these were definitely our favs.

The Dress?

OK well it isn't "THE Dress" but since I can't really post about that I thought I would share my plans for the rehearsal dinner dress.



I ordered this fabric from Fabric.com, I loved it so much and couldn't find a way to weasel it into the wedding, my fiance thinks we have too many patterns already and I think he is probably right, so my mom offered to make me a dress from it!

Seriously, I don't know how Amy Butler does it, her patterns keep getting better and better, it was even hard to choose one! But I picked the August Fields, Sunrise Grey, I liked that it went with the feel of the wedding but I could definitely wear it again.

The pattern is from Butterick, not sure if I am going to do a belt yet but this gives you an idea (the style without the collar).




So excited.

C to the B

I know I am a little biased but I love the wedding goodies we got at Crate&Barrel last week. I did get the cake stand with dome I mentioned and then these tea lights, 2 per table. I think they go perfectly with our "vintage modern" theme.

Dear Gossip Girl,

SPOILER ALERT! Do not read if you have yet to see tonight's episode.

Image found here.

Are you really going to make Eric or Serena be Rufus' son/daughter? Please do not let it be Serena, that is too creepy for words. And why do you make Blair look so gorgeous, she even cries beautifully, I am beyond envious.

XOXO,

Me

P.S. Did anyone else think Chuck was going to burn down the apartment, thus killing Lily? Why didn't he throw the letter in the fire instead of that fancy bucket, tres confused.

P.P.S. Please make Aaron shave his molester stash before he and Serena seal the deal.

Oh Wait!

I can cross one more thing off the list, I got my shoes today!


I found them at Lori's in Highland Park. They have more locations and a website, click here for info.

Update on the To Do List

It isn't looking all that bad!

Cut pouches

Silkscreen Out of Town totes

Sew pouches for invitations

Silkscreen tank tops

Stationery sets for bridesmaids (Gocco is not cooperating)

Favor cards

Welcome tote tags (just need to be printed)

Shred paper for favor boxes

Pick fabric and make ring pillow

Signs for food/dessert buffet/drink bins

Sign for Polaroid book/props

Table numbers

Seating cards

Coat check tags (SO cute but necessary?)

Save the Dates

Invitations

Menu Cards

Programs

Thank You cards

Finish wedding website

Register

Flowers (eek, another big one)

Order Out of Town totes supplies (water bottles, advil, pepto, popcorn,etc.)

Book Honeymoon (all hotels done, just need flights and rental car)

Wedding bands

Groomsmen suits

Groomsmen gifts

Flower girls/ring bearer outfits

Write vows/choose readings

Order beverages, alcohol, for drink bins, etc.

Wrap favors

Cut paper for favors

Order favors for 21 under

Take home boxes for dessert

Buy tea lights

Hair trial

Makeup

Shoes

Jewelry

Finalize music

6 Month Mark

So I have been absolutely horrible with keeping up with this blog but if any of you are still reading I am going to try to be more consistent in the final 6 months. Things are really coming together, the save the dates have been received to rave reviews, my dress came in, but there is still so much to do!

When I was home in MN for Thanksgiving I got to try on my dress, it is huge but better too big than to small. I love the dress but I just wasn't sure how much I loved me in the dress. Must get cracking on the gym schedule for sure.

I also got to see my custom belts I had gotten made for the bridesmaids in action, they are so adorable no! For the privacy of my friend I did crop her head out but I promise you she does indeed have one.

Deeeeelicious!

We are making some progress on building a fabulous dessert buffet. We have decided to go with Sweet Mandy B's for the mini cupcakes and some assorted bars. If you live anywhere near Chicago you must check this place out, the cupcakes were amazing and the guy who helped us was so nice and helpful.

Image found here.

As for the rest of the buffet it will be a bit random but I am hoping a huge hit nonetheless. Here are the goods so far:

Trader Joe's: Dark Chocolate Caramels & Milk Chocolate Pretzels, SO GOOD
Whole Foods: Two Bite Brownies & Mini Chocolate Chip Cookies, also, SO GOOD
Fannie May: Trinidads (the fiance's favorite) & Mint Meltaways, again, SO GOOD!

I am still scoping out where to get the vegan and gluten free treats but so far I like Bleeding Heart Bakery and Babycakes NYC.

I am so excited! We are thinking it will come to about 4 pieces per person which seems like a good amount and there will be take home boxes for anyone who wants leftovers. I also got these ADORABLE napkins from Paper Source, I can't afford to have them for cocktails but got enough for dessert. Since the display will be fairly simple with white and chocolate being the only colors I think this will be a nice pop of color.



We are trusting our awesome DOC to help pull this all together, otherwise I do not know how this would be possible.

Southern Weddings

I am so glad Tara posted about this site! Southern Weddings has a whole section called Inspiring Details that I may just spend all day perusing and bookmarking. (click to enlarge)

This Sunday, RSVP Today!

This Coming SUNDAY...

Join us for Mimosas…

Insider insights for planning

your Special Day…

& have a chance to WIN a copy of

The Wedding Book

Date: Sunday, November 9th

Time: Noon

Place: Scarlet Designs' Studio at 65 E. Oak Street (2^nd Floor), Chicago IL

What: Enjoy mimosas and listen to Lisbeth Levine, co-author with Mindy Weiss of The Wedding Book, as she shares advice on where to cut costs and where to splurge for your wedding and other special events planning. Mindy Weiss was recently featured on the Ellen DeGeneres Show as the wedding planner for Ellen & Portia's wedding (to check out the show where she shared her special day, visit http://ellen.warnerbros.com/2008/09/more_exclusive_moments_from_el.php?page=4).

Win: Attendees will be entered in a raffle for 1 of 5 signed copies of The Wedding Book.

Details: Cost $25. Proceeds will be donated to Chicago Fashion Foundation's scholarship fund. For more information, visit www.chicagofashionfoundation.org.

RSVP: by Friday, November 7^th to customerservice@scarletdesigns.com with your name, phone, email, wedding date & number in your party. We will contact you back to confirm your credit card number and confirm your RSVP.

Don't Forget to Make your Appt. with Special Occasion Separates by Scarlet Designs: We would like to extend a special gift promotion for your bridal party. Bring this card in and receive a men's tie in the same color as your bridesmaid dresses, a $75 value, with the purchase of each dress. All orders must be placed by 11/30/2008. May not be combined with any other discounts or promotions. All dresses must be transacted on one credit card.

Dear Gossip Girl,

Please never go off the air. Blair looked amazing (is it sad I want to be a character who is supposedly 17?) and Chuck is definitely starting to grow on me. But what the hell did you do to poor Jenny Humphrey? You should be ashamed of the eyeliner job you did on her.

XOXO,

Me

P.S. Dear Jordan, thank you for posting about this, hilarious and so true!

Candyland

We have our dessert tasting next Saturday, I am more excited about the dessert I think than the food. I want it to be incredible! I think we have decided to go with the popular all white look, I suppose there will still be a lot of brown with all the chocolate but anything else will be white. The other fun part is picking our display pieces, what do you think?

One of these from C&B (on sale right now!)



A bunch of these from CB2, they look just like the plates in the Amy Atlas tables I love so much



We have a beautiful vintage green glass cake plate we got off of e-Bay (sorry I don't have a picture)

I think I may need some jars...what about any of these?



Both from C&B, I know the bottom jars are technically for the bathroom but the large size could work...

This website has great deals on apothecary jars, some for under $10!

I am lucky that I just so happen to have a friend at work getting married May 1st (just a few weeks before me) who is also doing a dessert buffet so we can split the cost of the containers and then either divide them up or sell them on e-Bay.

Congrats!

Congrats to Molly and Michael!! Molly is going to look so cute, I can't wait to see how it all turned out!

YARD SALE

I was going to list these on e-Bay but thought I would offer them out to all you blog friends first. These are brand new J.Crew Marsala leopard ballet flats, retail price was over $200 at J.Crew. They are genuine calf hair, made in Italy and adorable. Sadly they are just a smidge too small for me. They have never been worn but I do not have tags or original box. Perfect for fall!

If you are interested please comment or e-mail me.

Oops, I know that is hard to read and I didn't mention it, they are a size 8. Thanks!

Congrats!

Congrats and good luck to Tina and Andy!

Sneak Peek: STD's

STD's are in the works! Here is a sneak peak, obviously some info was erased but I am sure you can use your imagination.

Top image will be the front, address will go inside the design, bottom image is the back, post card style. We found the design online for only $14.00 and we plan to use it on invites, programs, etc., totally worth it if you ask me!

Thoughts?

Homebound

Remember my PSA about going to the dentist? Well my root canal turned into me having the tooth pulled today and it was HORRIBLE, seriously HORRIBLE. On the bright side, it leaves me time at home to obsess over wedding details and blog about it!

I can think The Bride's Cafe for my latest obsession, is this bride not gorgeous! I love, love her hair and veil. I originally was thinking no veil but now, I might try and make this whole birdcage thing work.




Here are some great finds on Etsy and affordable too! My only small concern is that the birdcage veil/fascinator trend is all over the place right now but I still love it!

The popluar Twigs & Honey shop, she isn't taking custom orders right now but maybe soon, pieces run $50-60.



qgdesigns, veils run $60-75 and the pins are detachable so you could always use them again.



Sweets n' Lo, pieces run $40-50, more pins/fascinators than veils.



Portobello, $40-70.

Images Stephanie Williams via The Bride's Cafe and Etsy.

Fashion Disaster

Since Fall is coming any day now (yay my favorite season) I dug out my pair of not quite knee high boots. Now, I think I may have worn these boots twice in the few years I have had them so they are in great shape, I just have no clue what to wear them with! My fiance thinks they are cowboy boots which no, they are not, they are Seychelles brown leather boots I got from Anthropologie. They do have the chunkier wood heel and the metal rings on the sides which I suppose makes them slightly "cowboy." They are too tight to tuck jeans into so that is out, I suppose I have to wear them more slouchy.

PLEASE HELP! Or should I just sell them to someone who might get more use out of them, they definitely have that Anthro/Urban Outfitters vibe which I love but in reality doesn't work so well on me.

Sharing is Caring...

I promise I will spill the details of our caterer once everything is finalized. I don't want to jinx it. Florist is still in the works so if you have any recommendations for Chicago area I would love to hear them!

More Productivity!

We created a Google Map for our honeymoon, the more we add the more excited I am.


View Larger Map

SO Happy!

Success! We found our caterer, we are so excited. The food was great, we were blown away by the service and attention to detail and are thrilled. I can't tell you how glad I am to have that decision out of the way. I suppose flowers and invites are the next big ones but a little break is in order.

And the other good news? My poor mom has one less sewing project, they actually had table runners in a color we liked, "citron."

Fresh, Simple Flowers

So we have narrowed down our flower inspiration, all of these pictures were found on the Knot, MS Weddings, and the fab wedding of Brooklyn Bride. The fiance thought a lot of the other pics I had chosen looked "too fairy-ish" or "looks like a salad," gotta love it, so I am glad we were able to agree on some!

The Big Time

We have a busy, exciting week coming up! Flower meeting on Wednesday and tastings on Thursday, I am ready to get some of these big decisions out of the way.

Sadly, my awesome week is sightly ruined due to the root canal I have to have tomorrow but I suppose that is technically still this week. Seriously - go to the dentist. Don't feel bad for me because it is my own fault for putting off going to the dentist. Well actually, this would have happened regardless due to something from 10 years ago, but still, go! I now know an awesome one if you want a recommendation.

Enough of my PSA...we also signed our DOC! Yay! It was a hard choice because I talked to so many great DOC's (e-mail me if you want more info) but we are really happy with our choice.

It seems big time for a lot of other bloggers right now too. Tara is just starting to post her gorgeous pics and I can't wait to see more of Natalie's wedding (they both look AMAZING), Molly and Tina are getting so close, Darci this weekend and Jessica Lynn in just a week, seriously exciting!!

Woo hoo, Something Accomplished!

So if you recall a million posts ago I was thinking of places for our rehearsal dinner. We spent a very, very rainy day checking out Oak Park and we have a winner. Funny enough all three comments on that post recommended Winberies (thank you!) and that is the place we are going with. No private room but we loved the food and the manager was SO nice and helpful. We can't wait!

A - MAZ - ING

When I saw this on Once Wed Blog I think my jaw may have dropped, how gorgeous are these candy/dessert buffets, I hope ours turns out this nice!








P.S. Drink flags/cupcake flags shouldn't be that hard to make, what am I doing wrong?? So far that idea has gone out the window, I am a bit sad about it. Maybe there is still some hope...




Images found on Amy Atlas Events via Once Wed

P.S.

GG was amazing the other night.
P.P.S. yes I am still too old to be watching it.

Yes, Please.

So I want these, but not letters, numbers, and not for $21.00 each but for more like $5 or $6 each.

The Little Ones Are In!

We officially asked my fiance's two nieces and nephew to be in our wedding. I am so excited. They are adorable and since it seems I will never have any nieces or nephews on my side of the family I am happy I get to adopt such cute ones. Although I love Crewcuts (J.Crew) the high prices are not practical, but I do like these options from Watters. One of the girls is around 2-3 and the other 7-8 so I would want to have different dresses for each. What do you think? These could work...