OOTD

We went for a tasting today at our reception venue. The food was amazing! We had Chicken Marsala (my favorite), Veal Saltimbocca, and Stuffed Shrimp (stuffed with crab meat). Afterwards, we went to the jewelry store and I finally made a decision on a ring. We've been looking around for a while now and I really thought I was going to get a wrap or double band but I surprised myself. I ended up getting a really pretty diamond band, simple and classic -just like my engagement ring. I'd post a picture but I won't have it for another 6 weeks or so because it is being ordered in my size. I promise to post it when it comes in though.

Anyway, here's what I wore today:

Marshalls Gray Sweater

Forever 21 Leggings (yes, I wear leggings A LOT)

Qupid Boots

*Please excuse my hair. I desperately need a trim and thankfully, I will be getting one on Monday.

OOTD...well last Saturday's OOTD

We were going to go to the movies last Saturday night but my fiance's battery died in his car and my car was full of snow. By the time we cleaned my car off, and charged his battery, we missed the movie so we ended up just going for a drive instead which was actually really nice.
This was my first outfit selection of the night. I was going to wear this until my fiance asked me if I was going on an interview. He doesn't get that you can wear a blazer without going to an office. So I switched my top to this cropped cable knit shrug.

Forever 21 Tube Top Tunic

Strawberry's Leggings

The Limited Black Shrug

Dollhouse Boots

Juicy Couture Necklace

Bracelet -Express (I think)

A little online shopping haul

Pearls + Bow= Love

Love these stretchy bracelets. I've been wanting/needing a belt like this for some time now.

My bridal clutch came in! So exciting!!!

front

back

inside

It came with a short chain strap and a longer one too.

Wedding Wednesday Hair

I really can't decide what to do with my hair. One thing that I do know is that I'm not going to wear a traditional veil. If anything, I'll wear a birdcage veil, but I'm not even sure if I want to do that either. I almost never wear my hair up so originally I was thinking of doing something like this:

or this (minus the crown, of course):
This is Rima Fakih (2010 Miss USA), by the way. Isn't she gorgeous?

Then I stumbled upon this picture of Monica Cruz (Penelope's sister)
and I started to consider wearing my hair up.
I really like this updo as well (love the headband too):

(Style Me Pretty)

I don't really want a hairstyle that screams "bridal hair." I know that may sound strange but I want more of a sexy, tousled look (think Victoria's Secret hair) than "perfect," traditional, typical, expected (do you see where I'm going with this?) wedding hair.

Some may argue that you should wear a veil since this is the one day in your life when you can. Well, besides Halloween, anyway. Others will argue that sleek, sophisticated "bridal hair" is the best way to go because it will complement dress that you will be wearing.

Opinions, Thoughts, Suggestions???

If Only They Were Practical

This one is probably the most practical out of them all but I had a case like this before and it wasn't long before the stones started to come off and it looked like crap.

I really wish I could get cases like these but I am constantly in motion when I'm on the phone. I just can't sit still. Ever. I can't imagine these being too comfortable resting on my shoulder or holding up too well when it gets thrown around in my purse or in my car. They're so pretty though!!!

Anyone have a blinged out cell phone case that works for them??

So, I went shopping today...

I almost forgot about the semi-annual sale until one of my favorite bloggers reminded me (thank you!) I went to VS earlier today and they were wiped out. I was a little disappointed but I'm still happy I went.

Another blogger posted these and as soon as I saw them I knew I had to have them because I still don't have "something blue." It must have been fate because this was the last pair!

I stocked up on lotion as you can see. I love how this stuff smells.
While I was out sopping I picked up some nail polish:

(from left to right: Rimmel Base & Top Coat PRO -Walmart-, China Glaze Re-fresh Mint -Sally Beauty Supply-, Finger Paints Brushstroke Blush -Sally Beauty Supply-)

Then I went to Burlington and I got... Shoes!

Bamboo -Style: Justine in Pink-

Rampage -Style: Viola in Blush Patent-

Headband -Burlington-

Can you tell that I'm wayyy over this winter crap with all of the springy pastel colors that I bought today?? Because I am. I can't wait for the warm weather to come back. I think I'm suffering from a little winter depression. Anyone else get that during the cold, snowy months?

Love is in the Air

All of the stores have their Valentine's Day stuff out and I couldn't resist buying these pretty sparkly hearts with pearl accents. I just took down my Christmas decorations a few days ago so it's a little odd to have Valentine's stuff out already but then again, it is about a month away.

Dining Room Table:

Front Door:

Our Guest Book Table

Finally, things are coming together and I have completed a project! Our "guest book table" is all done. Remember my last post, where I showed you all of the Best Wishes cards that I stamped? Well, I turned my vision into a reality and it's such a great feeling. The only thing missing from this picture is the feather pen that I showed you here. It's packed away at my parent's house. I'm running out of room here. The entire corner of my dining room is piled high with wedding stuff. It's out of control.

Cost Breakdown:

Glass Bowl/Vase -Marshalls- $5.99

White Ceramic Holder (wrapped in pink ribbon) -AC Moore- $4.99

Blank Index Cards (2 packs of 100) -WalMart- $1.99

"Best Wishes" Stamp -Ebay- $4.99

Picture Frame -TJ Maxx- $3.99
Pink Satin Ribbon - Michaels- $2.99

DIY Wedding Project- Lace Votive Holders

I love lace, pearls, and all things feminine and girly. I couldn't possibly have plain, old, boring glass votive holders. I saw this picture on Martha Stewart Weddings and I fell in love with the soft, romantic feel of these lace-wrapped candles.
So, I got to work and wrapped all of my votives holders in lace. I used two different kinds of lace as you can see here. Look at that naked glass holder, how dull, right?

Here's what I did:

First: Measure around the votive to determine how much lace you will need for each and cut all of the strips. I hot glued the thinner lace strips on, using super thin strips of glue. Then I sealed the ends with hot glue on top so the lace can't peel back. You can't see the glue at all unless you are really looking for it. I used three strips of thin lace on each votive holder.

For the thicker lace, I used AC Moore brand Tacky Glue. Most craft stores have their own brand. I found that this worked better on this particular lace pattern because there was a lot of "open space" and the hot glue showed through. This tacky glue is great because it goes on white (like Elmer's glue) and dries completely clear.

The end result:

Of course, I bought pink unscented votives. A wedding planner advised us to make sure all of the candles are unscented as some people may have allergies/issues.

These votives will be on our tables, circling around out centerpieces. I'll post pictures of a mock table as soon as I figure out exactly what it's going to look like.

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year Everyone!

I, for one, am ready to bring on 2011. Don't get me wrong 2010 was a good year- I got engaged, became a better cook, I tried shrimp, lobster, and crab (that's a big deal for me as I don't eat seafood), myself, my family, and my friends all have thier health. Really you can't ask for more than that but I am ready to see what 2011 has in store.

I was never one for resolutions, as they are usually made to be broken

and I feel that you can start at resolution at any time of the year that you see fit.

So instead of resolutions, I have set a few goals for 2011:

• Exercise at least 3 times a week- not to loose weight, just to tone up and be healthy.
• Resist the urge to micromanage and plan, plan, plan every little detail of my life. Sometimes being too organized isn't a good thing.
• Find myself (on a career level and decide where I am supposed to be)
• Get my computer room painted! This horrid red is driving me crazy!
  

Some things that I'm looking forward to in 2011:

• Our wedding and all of the wedding related festivities leading up to it!
• New beginnings- in life, love, careers etc.
• Our honeymoon- oh yeah, still need to plan that.
  
  What are your plans for 2011?