Hair part 2

I've done some more thinking about hairstyles and have to agree with FSSIL's comment that styling my hair up will probably ensure it keeps looking good all day. So, I bring you the revised hair inspiration board.

This time I've made a point to include a few views of what the front might look like too. I really love that shot of Julianne Moore (center right), sleek but not severe. I'm not planning to wear a veil so I'm thinking of some little accents, maybe like the ones here. As much and I love the look of the bottom two they're probably not realistic for my straight, fine hair ... but I girl can dream, right?

Fragrant Florals

What what? A two post weekend? Well, I had so much fun with yesterday's attendants' dress post that I put together a little floral inspiration board to go with it!


Since I'm doing the floral arrangements myself our actual flowers will depend somewhat on what is in season here and readily available. I'm planning to do a combo of flowers from a farmer's market vendor and Trader Joes/Costco (because really, who can refuse 2 dozen roses for $15??)

Also, I have the crazy thought that I will try to grow some of the flowers I will use ... yeah, it's a crapshoot, but I figure if they grow, great, we'll have pretty flowers; if they grow at the right time, even better! I already planted some tulip bulbs, which will likely bloom way too early (but if it's a very cold spring I'm all set) and hope to start some rannunculus in the spring (that would be those purple flowers on the far left, middle row of the board.) And maybe, just maybe, I'll attempt to grow some calla lillies. I mean, one bulb is like $6-$8 but it grows a plant of 30 stems (which would run over $100 to buy). I like them odds!

On the bottom row of the board you can see some pomanders. I think they'd make an excellent decoration and provide a way to define the ceremony space on the rather vast IRT stage. While I'm planning fresh flowers for all the other arrangements the pomanders will definitely be silk ... see, I do have boundaries and occasionally know when to say no.

Lovely Ladies

I was tinkering around online this morning and decided to make a little bridesmaids' inspiration board. Now, my three attendants are all very different from one another in body type, skin tone, and personality. I love them all dearly and have no wish to see them suffer so, after talking with each of them about their likes and dislikes, we selected a color for each of them and each one will choose their own dress in that color.

Since there's no need to match one another exactly they have a lot of options for choosing a dress. And, since we're going with knee length-tea length there's not even a real need to shop for a traditional "bridesmaid" dress. For example, most of the photos on the board above came from Nordstroms or J. Crew. I know it is so cliche to say but I really do hope they will each choose something they will enjoy wearing again. (And if they choose something they won't wear again it won't be my fault! tee hee)

Ah, Saturday morning vicarious shopping ... good times.

Happy Birthday!!

Just a little birthday shout-out to (soon-to-be) nephew Sawyer, the cutest 2 year old Florida has ever seen!!

A new name?

No, this won't be a blog post debating the merits of changing my name when FH and I are married. Rather, it's about our wedding blog name.

I've been reading many, many, many other wedding blogs these days and have developed an inferiority complex. Our blog name is just totally lame! I am determined to come up with something cooler (because we are just such cool people, you know ... ha ha ha.)

What will to be? Some sort of word play on our names? Something that ties in to the DIY heavy content? If you've got a suggestion leave a comment!

Edited to add: Ooh, ooh ... how about "Bill and Jen's Excellent Wedding Adventure"! Anyone? anyone?

Cover me in jewels!

Since my computer was broken last weekend I had to do something to fill my time so I started working on my latest DIY: jewelry!

Now, I won't show you everything (because some of it might just be gifts) but I will show you the necklace and earrings I made for myself.


Now, once again, my amateur close-up photography skills leave much to be desired but I'm pretty darn happy with the jewelry. It looks a little pink here but they are actually a combination of ivory freshwater pearls and light gold swarovski crystals on sterling silver findings (the metal parts of jewelry). I had planned to look for a vintage brooch for my wedding dress sash (I know, I'm mean and haven't shown you the dress here) but now I think I'll make something to match the earrings and necklace.

For those other DIYers out there, JoAnn happens to have their sterling silver and gold plate findings for 50% off and their swarovski crystals for 40% off right now. Top that off with my 10% off your total purchase coupon and I got quite a deal!!

I could just SPIT!

Apparently my hard drive has crashed. After a couple of hours on the phone with some very nice young Indian men from Dell (like, in India, not Native Amerians) they are sending me a new hard drive. My laptop is still under warranty so there's no charge.

BUT

It is highly likely that everything saved on my hard drive is gone (or at least permanently inaccessible). My guest list with addresses- GONE. My wedding budget spreadsheet- GONE. The invitations I painstakingly spent hours designing- GONE. All our Microsoft Money records and household budget info- GONE. Years worth of photos of family and friends- GONE GONE GONE!

Might it have been a good idea to back up even one small bit of this data somewhere? Since you asked, yes. Why didn't I ever do this? Because I AM AN IDIOT!!!! ARRRRGH!

Okay, I'm better now. Cheery wedding posts will resume post-haste.

I fought the hair and the hair won ...

I've started doing a little research about hair and make-up for the wedding. It's a long way off but hey, I know that a Saturday in June is probably going to be a busy day for weddings and I want to be prepared.

I think getting my hair done was one of the things I was really sort of excited about when we started planning a wedding. Then I started realizing how much getting one's hair done costs and I freaked out a little. I considered trying to do my hair myself and attempted a little trial run yesterday ... yeah, not so much. FH came home to me standing in the middle of the bathroom with my curling iron swearing I was going to shave my head. Also, I have very fine hair and worry that even a simple style will not last if I try to do it myself.

Anyway, I have come to terms with the idea of paying a professional to make me look fabulous (probably a good idea since we're paying another professional to take hundreds of photos of us all day.) I will likely go with someone who will come to the hotel where we get ready that day since we plan to start photos at 10 am and none of the salons downtown even open until 9.

A few styles I like (all photos courtesy of Project Wedding):