tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-51730749493046908892011-10-22T08:10:14.363-05:00A DIY bride just waiting for her big day to arrive so she can marry the man she loves!Jennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18121319728492514987noreply@blogger.comBlogger1641100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5173074949304690889.post-38381048802030732912010-12-05T10:37:00.006-06:002010-12-05T11:17:12.938-06:00Now that we've got our professional photos back from our wonderful photographer, Nathan Russell, we're trying to figure out what to do with them. One thing I knew I wanted to do was send out a personalized Christmas cards this year using one or some of our wedding pics.<br /><br />I've used Shutterfly in the past to order prints and make photo books of our engagement pictures, as well as my boudoir shoot for my mister. I've also recently ordered our wedding <a href="http://www.shutterfly.com/cards-stationery/thank-you-cards">thank you cards</a> from there as well. Check them out:<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/TPvGwZzoadI/AAAAAAAABe8/zpF9ZY0nMzE/s1600/ty%2Bcard.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 230px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/TPvGwZzoadI/AAAAAAAABe8/zpF9ZY0nMzE/s320/ty%2Bcard.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5547245900900362706" border="0" /></a>Courtesy of Shutterfly<br /><br /></div>I decided to use a photo that we took on our honeymoon for the thank you card. The card was very easy to design so I knew I needed to go back when Christmas rolled around.<br /><br />I decided Shutterfly must be <span style="font-style: italic;">the</span> place for <a href="http://www.shutterfly.com/cards-stationery/christmas-photo-cards">photo Christmas cards</a>. These are the wedding pictures that I wanted to use:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/TPvIHCWZb2I/AAAAAAAABfc/6quOUSdx2MY/s1600/JennRandy%2B%2B115.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/TPvIHCWZb2I/AAAAAAAABfc/6quOUSdx2MY/s320/JennRandy%2B%2B115.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5547247389252349794" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/TPvIGz13tSI/AAAAAAAABfU/MxQ3icNK9A0/s1600/JennRandy%2B%2B113.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/TPvIGz13tSI/AAAAAAAABfU/MxQ3icNK9A0/s320/JennRandy%2B%2B113.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5547247385357825314" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/TPvIGn-8YgI/AAAAAAAABfM/5Fx6JvI7f9Q/s1600/JennRandy%2B%2B112.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/TPvIGn-8YgI/AAAAAAAABfM/5Fx6JvI7f9Q/s320/JennRandy%2B%2B112.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5547247382174654978" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/TPvIGK-42xI/AAAAAAAABfE/6IHrcg1dxwk/s1600/JennRandy%2B%2B111.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/TPvIGK-42xI/AAAAAAAABfE/6IHrcg1dxwk/s320/JennRandy%2B%2B111.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5547247374389795602" border="0" /></a><br />I have these in color and black and white. However, I do think the black and white is more romantic. Which photo do you like the best?<br /><br />Now on to the cards. Here are some of my favorites:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/TPvEWSfTShI/AAAAAAAABe0/dqNlkVRdWDo/s1600/card%2Boption%2B4.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 319px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/TPvEWSfTShI/AAAAAAAABe0/dqNlkVRdWDo/s320/card%2Boption%2B4.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5547243253236189714" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/TPvEWK0eMII/AAAAAAAABes/lssaQYJ-nhw/s1600/card%2Boption%2B3.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 318px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/TPvEWK0eMII/AAAAAAAABes/lssaQYJ-nhw/s320/card%2Boption%2B3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5547243251177500802" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/TPvEV8YZmwI/AAAAAAAABek/GDfLLjdvLNU/s1600/card%2Boption%2B2.png"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 318px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/TPvEV8YZmwI/AAAAAAAABek/GDfLLjdvLNU/s320/card%2Boption%2B2.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5547243247301663490" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/TPvEVzy2gzI/AAAAAAAABec/2Kx39IjOPac/s1600/card%2Boption%2B1.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 230px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/TPvEVzy2gzI/AAAAAAAABec/2Kx39IjOPac/s320/card%2Boption%2B1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5547243244996690738" border="0" /></a>All courtesy of Shutterfly<br /></div><br />Aren't these cards just the cutest? There are some many options it's hard to narrow it down. Which card do you think works the best with my photo?<br /><br />Here's a link to the <a href="http://www.shutterfly.com/cards-stationery">full list</a> if you want to order your Christmas cards on Shutterfly as well.<br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">***I am writing this post to get 50 free Christmas cards from Shutterfly. If you have a blog, you should do it too!</span><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/5173074949304690889-3838104880203073291?l=futuremrshopefully.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Jennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18121319728492514987noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5173074949304690889.post-64935089847700741402010-11-02T10:03:00.003-05:002010-11-02T10:03:52.827-05:00I'm gonna be a wife by 6pm today. Holy crap, that's weird.<br /><br />It's 11:45pm right now. I just got home from the rehearsal dinner which was awesome! I (ahem) just have to you finish the wedding cake before I go to bed. God...why did I save it til the last minute? I was organized, I swear. This week just flew by.<br /><br />I'm so ready to be married. When we were practicing tonight Mr. P kept sneaking little smiles at me. I think he's ready too.<br /><br />I know I haven't had a whole lot of time with the hive, but I want to thank everyone for showing me their support and love in the short time I have been around. Thank you for sharing your honest opinions with me and inspiring me to make my wedding the best that it could possibly be. I appreciate more than you know. And to the Bees, I love y'all. Thanks for making me want to be a Bee. I'm so glad I got this experience.<br /><br />I don't know how I'm going to sleep tonight, I'm so dang excited. I'm leaving you with our current weather forecast for our wedding day. Eek!<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Cloudy with a 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Some thunderstorms may be severe with damaging winds...small hail and heavy rainfall in the morning. Some thunderstorms may produce damaging winds...small hail and heavy rainfall in the afternoon. Highs in the lower 80s. South winds 5 to 10 mph. </span><br /><br />See ya on the flipside!<br />Miss (soon to be Mrs.) Plaid!<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/5173074949304690889-6493508984770074140?l=futuremrshopefully.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Jennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18121319728492514987noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5173074949304690889.post-61451181541642348882010-11-02T10:03:00.001-05:002010-11-02T10:03:23.102-05:00So I'm now two days away from gettin' hitched. TWO freakin' days! And I'm here to tell you that when people say the last week before the wedding is crazy, it really is. It's not a lie. It can not be overcome. At least I couldn't do it.<br /><br />I don't mind the craziness. I actually thrive on chaos. But I did think this week would be a breeze. I've been checking things off my to do list since last August in hopes that this final week would be cake. Literally. I wanted to only have the cakes to worry about this week.<br /><br />Yeeeaaahhh...not so much. So what exactly have I been doing all week? Running to eight million stores (some more than once), baking cakes, buying presents for ushers and parents, decorating cakes, cleaning, going out to dinner with family that has arrived early, oh, and trying not to go insane.<br /><br />This week has been packed with weird wedding dreams, fear that it's going to rain on my wedding day (currently there's a 40% chance) and only one slight breakdown after a batch of icing didn't work out.<br /><br />But I have to say, the programs are done, everything is organized to head to the venue, the groom's cake is complete and the wedding cake is iced and waiting to be decorated in the morning! I'd say this week's been a success. All that's left to do is buy the booze for Saturday, get my nails done and go rehearse for Saturday!<br /><br />Was your final week crazy? Or did you think you'd be able to battle the norm and have a calm last week?<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/5173074949304690889-6145118154164234888?l=futuremrshopefully.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Jennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18121319728492514987noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5173074949304690889.post-34251261706353557442010-11-02T10:02:00.001-05:002010-11-02T10:02:58.499-05:00Haha...I'm not frustrated at all. :)<br /><br />Our RSVP deadline was over about three weeks ago. I set it a bit early knowing I needed to know guest numbers to finish some remaining projects earlier than the week before the wedding. Apparently many of our invited guests had a different idea.<br /><br />I'm not sure what our RSVP return rate actually was, but it was not good. We had to track down many people for an answer. It surprised me to find out that many people think they don't have to respond to an RSVP if they're not coming. It also surprised me to find out that a lot of people don't feel the need to respond if they told you a year ago in passing that they'd be at your wedding. Honestly though, a week out from our wedding, this is the only thing that has caused us stress.<br /><br />After all the tracking down was complete, I thought it was finally time I start working on my table assignment project. I told y'all I was planning on making <a href="http://www.weddingbee.com/2010/08/23/candy-wedding-favors/">Texas shaped lollipops</a> for each guest with their name and table number on the back. Check 'em out!<br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/TLzHP-a0KkI/AAAAAAAABdI/uWAAeRL3_zE/s1600/candy+1.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 103px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/TLzHP-a0KkI/AAAAAAAABdI/uWAAeRL3_zE/s320/candy+1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5529513519771560514" border="0" /></a><br />Cute, right? So I got all my lollipops made and was ready to label. (It did take me awhile to figure out who to sit with who...seating charts are hard, I'm not gonna lie.) My sister, Co-MOH Sarah, came over on her day off and helped me label all the pops and stick them on my Styrofoam trees. It took us a few hours to get everything organized, but we finished and we felt triumphant.<br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/TLzHQVmPjaI/AAAAAAAABdQ/a--Y3fjIcZg/s1600/candy+2.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 310px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/TLzHQVmPjaI/AAAAAAAABdQ/a--Y3fjIcZg/s320/candy+2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5529513525993508258" border="0" /></a><br />Not two hours after we finished, Mr. P came home and to tell me someone else had RSVP-ed yes. Grrr! It wouldn't have been a big deal if this new guest had a seat at a table that made sense for him to be at. Because it was Mr. P's guest, I handed the seating chart over to him to be redone. A few more people decided they'd come to, so we ended up adding more tables and rearranging all our guests to fit the stragglers in.<br /><br />Well, my mom came in on Saturday and the first task we tackled was relabeling all the lollipops with everyone's new table numbers. Thank god I had enough sense to print the table number on a separate label from the names. Now our seating assignments are really done. Project complete! And only one more major project to complete before Saturday!!!<br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/TLzIL2cWH_I/AAAAAAAABdY/ZGkuHhDqZVs/s1600/DSCN0457.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/TLzIL2cWH_I/AAAAAAAABdY/ZGkuHhDqZVs/s320/DSCN0457.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5529514548422647794" border="0" /></a><br />What was your RSVP return rate? Were you surprised by people's assumptions when it came to RSVPs? How did you tackle seating assignments?<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/5173074949304690889-3425126170635355744?l=futuremrshopefully.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Jennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18121319728492514987noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5173074949304690889.post-85013466158714876252010-11-02T10:01:00.001-05:002010-11-02T10:02:27.064-05:00<div style="text-align: center;">***I'm sorry y'all. The last couple weeks have been crazy so I haven't been updating. I'm gonna post a whole bunch today to catch y'all up. ***<br /></div><br />In less than 2 weeks!<br /><br />Ok, back to the blog post. I told y'all a long time ago that I wanted to add some Celtic traditions into our wedding. But I've been struggling with how to do it exactly.<br /><br />Then I stumbled upon <a href="http://www.weddingbee.com/2008/09/24/write-your-own-wedding-ceremony/">Mrs. Cherry Pie's ceremony</a> and more specifically, her handfasting ceremony. Handfasting is a Celtic wedding unity ceremony that symbolizes the coming together and remaining together of the couple.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/TLZeLh8no3I/AAAAAAAABck/7lCbI3v0ai0/s1600/050080.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 273px; height: 273px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/TLZeLh8no3I/AAAAAAAABck/7lCbI3v0ai0/s320/050080.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5527709144828060530" border="0" /></a><a href="http://www.myspiritualwedding.com/content/view.php?content_id=005423&amp;category_id=009017"><span style="font-size:78%;">Source</span></a><br /><br /></div>Once we decided we wanted to include this tradition, we had to decide what material we wanted to use to bind our hands together.<br /><br />Cords...<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/TLZftadJxXI/AAAAAAAABc8/BX4nmh8EJ3s/s1600/handfast-cords.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 256px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/TLZftadJxXI/AAAAAAAABc8/BX4nmh8EJ3s/s320/handfast-cords.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5527710826444211570" border="0" /></a><a href="http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.rosehavendesigns.com/handfast-cords.jpg&amp;imgrefurl=http://www.rosehavendesigns.com/handfasting.html&amp;usg=__7B5OBc49ZvkTqlcspVsjPCYO1v0=&amp;h=350&amp;w=280&amp;sz=24&amp;hl=en&amp;start=0&amp;sig2=qK0zOaN5vVkGW84YHsbcag&amp;zoom=1&amp;tbnid=ezEtKI2nCa_TEM:&amp;tbnh=170&amp;tbnw=131&amp;ei=j1-2TNnxOYSclgf-iMWWBQ&amp;prev=/images%3Fq%3Dhandfasting%2Bcords%26um%3D1%26hl%3Den%26sa%3DN%26biw%3D1280%26bih%3D645%26tbs%3Disch:1&amp;um=1&amp;itbs=1&amp;iact=hc&amp;vpx=142&amp;vpy=75&amp;dur=414&amp;hovh=170&amp;hovw=136&amp;tx=74&amp;ty=133&amp;oei=j1-2TNnxOYSclgf-iMWWBQ&amp;esq=1&amp;page=1&amp;ndsp=20&amp;ved=1t:429,r:0,s:0"><span style="font-size:78%;">Source</span></a><br /><br /></div>Ribbons...<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/TLZeLQh1sqI/AAAAAAAABcc/vcyJGexbbnc/s1600/010956.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 273px; height: 273px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/TLZeLQh1sqI/AAAAAAAABcc/vcyJGexbbnc/s320/010956.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5527709140152332962" border="0" /></a><a href="http://www.favorideas.com/wedding-themes/multicultural-themes/the-practical-side-of-the-handfasting-ceremony/"><span style="font-size:78%;">Source</span></a><br /><br /></div>Oh ribbon. Confession time: I've probably spent more money on ribbon than anything else (craft-wise) for this wedding. It's ridiculous how many spools of ribbon I've gone through in the last year while creating my wedding look.<br /><br />I only got as far as ribbons for options and it was decided. Ribbons! After Googling handfasting ribbons I found out even more about the tradition. Apparently each ribbon color represents something about the marriage.<br /><br /><ul><li><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">Red</span>: passion, strength, lust, fertility</li><li><span style="color: rgb(255, 102, 0);">Orange</span>: encouragement, attraction, kindness, plenty</li><li><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 0);">Yellow</span>: charm, confidence, joy, balance</li><li><span style="color: rgb(0, 153, 0);">Green</span>: finances, fertility, charity, prosperity, health</li><li><span style="color: rgb(51, 102, 102);">Blue</span>: tranquility, patience, devotion, sincerity</li><li><span style="color: rgb(204, 51, 204);">Purple</span>: Power, piety, sanctity, sentimentality</li><li>Black: strength, wisdom, vision, success</li><li>White: purity, concentration, meditation, peace</li><li><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">Gray</span>: neutrality, canceling, balance</li><li><span style="color: rgb(255, 102, 102);">Pink</span>: unity, honor, truth, romance, happiness</li><li><span style="color: rgb(153, 51, 0);">Brown</span>: earth, grounding, talent, telepathy, home</li><li><span style="color: rgb(153, 153, 153);">Silver</span>: treasure, values, creativity, inspiration</li><li><span style="color: rgb(255, 204, 0);">Gold</span>: energy, wealth, intelligence, longevity</li></ul><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:78%;"><a href="http://www.myspiritualwedding.com/content/view.php?content_id=005423&amp;category_id=009017">Source</a></span><br /></div><br />I do love me some color so of course I had to buy all of the colors. I just couldn't leave anything out. So I was off to JoAnns once again in search of ribbon.<br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/TLZeMuIJyaI/AAAAAAAABc0/0nN6iAhiPvE/s1600/DSCN0441.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/TLZeMuIJyaI/AAAAAAAABc0/0nN6iAhiPvE/s320/DSCN0441.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5527709165277530530" border="0" /></a><br />I started by cutting the same length of ribbon in each color. But because I got such thin ribbon, I noticed the ribbon was getting all tangled up. So I grabbed a piece of fabric and sewed the center of each ribbon to the fabric. This way the ribbons are way more manageable.<br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/TLZeMC8x8cI/AAAAAAAABcs/Aq4dsiQxq1E/s1600/DSCN0440.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/TLZeMC8x8cI/AAAAAAAABcs/Aq4dsiQxq1E/s320/DSCN0440.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5527709153687105986" border="0" /></a><br />What type of unity ceremony are you including in your wedding day? Are you planning on incorporating any ethnic rituals in your day?<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/5173074949304690889-8501346615871487625?l=futuremrshopefully.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Jennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18121319728492514987noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5173074949304690889.post-36947155082585926872010-10-18T17:25:00.000-05:002010-10-18T17:26:07.901-05:00I have a secret to confess. There's been a new man in my life lately. At least there has been for the last week or so. His name is Fred and he's adorable. Move over Mr. P, there's a new man in town. :)<br /><br />Are you ready for an introduction? Here goes nothin'. Meet Fred...the zombie!<br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/TLPNrpmyf3I/AAAAAAAABcI/b4sdee0-QGY/s1600/DSCN0460.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/TLPNrpmyf3I/AAAAAAAABcI/b4sdee0-QGY/s320/DSCN0460.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5526987317500346226" border="0" /></a><br />Isn't he adorable? I love how he turned out! And if you don't remember (<a href="http://www.weddingbee.com/2010/08/12/zombie-grooms-cake/">click here</a>), I'm planning on making a big brain cake for Mr. P's groom's cake. And what goes with a brain? Why, a zombie, of course!<br /><br />Fred is made mostly of gumpaste (a material used for making flowers on cakes) with a little help from some wire and Styrofoam. I tried to add a bunch of subtle details to make Fred even cuter. If you look closely his ribs are exposed on his chest. And under his ribs, a giant heart. I also decided to have Fred hold a small yellow gumpaste flower identical to the ones that will make an appearance on the wedding cake.<br /><br />Are any of you ladies brave (or crazy, which is what most people think) enough to make your groom's cake? And more importantly has your fiance adequately trained you for the inevitable zombie apocalypse?<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/5173074949304690889-3694715508258592687?l=futuremrshopefully.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Jennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18121319728492514987noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5173074949304690889.post-26948045097990533492010-10-11T21:30:00.001-05:002010-10-11T21:30:41.362-05:00Do you ever just stop and look at your boyfriend (or girlfriend) and think, "God I love this person!" The feeling just overwhelms you, right? Well, it got me thinking, what are the little things that make me love Mr. P so much? So I did what I always do, I made a list.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">1. He makes me laugh everyday.</span> I once told him if he makes me laugh at least once a day it's a great day. He doesn't even have to but he does. This is by far the most important thing on this list.<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">2. He's cute. </span>For some reason I feel the need to catcall or whistle at him when he walks from the bed to the bathroom in his boxers.<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">3. He's got an even cuter butt. </span>I seriously have to use restraint not to slap him on the butt every time he walks by.<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">4. He sings to me.</span> Badly, but still he sings. And he comes up with his own songs too.<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">5. He's sweet. </span>He takes me to dinner when I don't get the promotion at work that I wanted so badly.<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">6. He's supportive.</span> He gets angry at my bosses when I don't get the promotion that I wanted so badly.<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">7. He loves me.</span> He takes me to chick-flicks without complaining. He's even the one to suggest it sometimes!<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">8. He's practical.</span> He teaches me how to shoot zombies in the head. You never know when the next apocalypse might happen.<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">9. He's a sugaraholic just like me.</span> He likes Dr. Pepper just as much as I do and loves sweets, especially the ones I make for him.<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">10. He's got a nook that I fit perfectly in.</span> Seriously, when I hug him we fit together like two Legos. God, that sounded dorky.<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">11. He makes me smile. </span>I still get this huge grin on my face every time I come home to him.<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">12. He's nurturing.</span> He's gonna be a great dad someday. I can just tell.<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">13. He's a total geek. </span>He's comfortable enough to dance around and do weird things in front of me without getting embarrassed.<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">14. We can enjoy silence together. </span>And it's not awkward at all. I hate awkward silences.<br /><br />There are plenty more, but I won't bore you with more of my reasons. What are your reasons for loving your man or woman?<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/5173074949304690889-2694804509799053349?l=futuremrshopefully.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Jennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18121319728492514987noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5173074949304690889.post-20361509799139925412010-10-03T18:46:00.002-05:002010-10-03T18:46:44.847-05:00Does that song remind anyone else of the opening scene of My Best Friend's Wedding? No? OK, moving on.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><object width="480" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/dJ-MVAzdUK4?fs=1&amp;hl=en_US"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/dJ-MVAzdUK4?fs=1&amp;hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object></div><br /><br />I already showed y'all our guest book in my last post. However, I also love the idea of collecting well wishes and advice from guests and wise married people.<br /><br />Since we've already got one tree, I didn't want to add another like these:<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/TKFLf4E9zcI/AAAAAAAABZk/ftF3TB3OCn4/s1600/wish+tree+3.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/TKFLf4E9zcI/AAAAAAAABZk/ftF3TB3OCn4/s320/wish+tree+3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5521777629134179778" border="0" /></a><a href="http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://signaturek.files.wordpress.com/2009/08/kj111.jpg&amp;imgrefurl=http://paperdollromance.blogspot.com/2010/04/wedding-style-guest-book.html&amp;usg=__aG_1ajUXlAQSe-Rp7gPoe_d1vds=&amp;h=598&amp;w=399&amp;sz=59&amp;hl=en&amp;start=23&amp;sig2=wpscgfR0gQDDzS4-tqGrzg&amp;zoom=1&amp;tbnid=1SFsQePLDEFX6M:&amp;tbnh=166&amp;tbnw=109&amp;ei=U0uhTPifHMOqlAev2JXwCg&amp;prev=/images%3Fq%3Dwedding%2Bwish%2Btree%26um%3D1%26hl%3Den%26sa%3DX%26biw%3D1280%26bih%3D645%26tbs%3Disch:10%2C417&amp;um=1&amp;itbs=1&amp;iact=rc&amp;dur=391&amp;oei=UEuhTNOQBcGblgf2qOSVAw&amp;esq=2&amp;page=2&amp;ndsp=22&amp;ved=1t:429,r:7,s:23&amp;tx=64&amp;ty=55&amp;biw=1280&amp;bih=645"><span style="font-size:78%;">Source</span></a><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/TKFLf5KvhnI/AAAAAAAABZc/b5uWovL5LUw/s1600/wish+tree+2.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 227px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/TKFLf5KvhnI/AAAAAAAABZc/b5uWovL5LUw/s320/wish+tree+2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5521777629426845298" border="0" /></a><a href="http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.herecomestheguide.com/images/blog/WishTree3.jpg&amp;imgrefurl=http://www.herecomestheguide.com/blog/detail/how-to-make-your-own-wish-tree/&amp;usg=__DnC1PC0uuuHb4rjgepsYL2k-1-o=&amp;h=248&amp;w=350&amp;sz=32&amp;hl=en&amp;start=0&amp;sig2=mjEx9p1DuSrJMD3qgG6tcg&amp;zoom=1&amp;tbnid=ogEBNdXmEmRltM:&amp;tbnh=126&amp;tbnw=178&amp;ei=OkuhTMWlJ4Kdlge74ImVAw&amp;prev=/images%3Fq%3Dwedding%2Bwish%2Btree%26um%3D1%26hl%3Den%26sa%3DX%26biw%3D1280%26bih%3D645%26tbs%3Disch:10%2C114&amp;um=1&amp;itbs=1&amp;iact=hc&amp;vpx=576&amp;vpy=70&amp;dur=592&amp;hovh=189&amp;hovw=267&amp;tx=150&amp;ty=98&amp;oei=OkuhTMWlJ4Kdlge74ImVAw&amp;esq=1&amp;page=1&amp;ndsp=23&amp;ved=1t:429,r:3,s:0&amp;biw=1280&amp;bih=645"><span style="font-size:78%;">Source</span></a><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/TKFLfrnGXpI/AAAAAAAABZU/XbH_YCRFR6E/s1600/wish+tree.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 261px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/TKFLfrnGXpI/AAAAAAAABZU/XbH_YCRFR6E/s320/wish+tree.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5521777625787686546" border="0" /></a><a href="http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://blog.bohoweddingsandevents.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/wedding-wish-tree.jpg&amp;imgrefurl=http://blog.bohoweddingsandevents.com/2010/08/03/wedding-wish-trees/&amp;usg=__4AS1F9w5qJ8hOA7DyfX4yGWXV14=&amp;h=370&amp;w=302&amp;sz=23&amp;hl=en&amp;start=0&amp;sig2=NEQIsofzX_UVYlUeQ7n1cA&amp;zoom=1&amp;tbnid=-0nJgqaR2jFPaM:&amp;tbnh=134&amp;tbnw=105&amp;ei=IkuhTLKaAYP6lwe9tbH6Ag&amp;prev=/images%3Fq%3Dwedding%2Bwish%2Btree%26um%3D1%26hl%3Den%26sa%3DN%26biw%3D1280%26bih%3D645%26tbs%3Disch:1&amp;um=1&amp;itbs=1&amp;iact=hc&amp;vpx=121&amp;vpy=154&amp;dur=513&amp;hovh=249&amp;hovw=203&amp;tx=133&amp;ty=110&amp;oei=IkuhTLKaAYP6lwe9tbH6Ag&amp;esq=1&amp;page=1&amp;ndsp=23&amp;ved=1t:429,r:0,s:0"><span style="font-size:78%;">Source</span><br /></a></div><br />As gorgeous as these trees are, they're just not what I was looking for. So I continued my search and started finding these inspiration photos:<br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/TKFMsBPfOfI/AAAAAAAABZs/UCt-DiUPawM/s1600/wishline.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/TKFMsBPfOfI/AAAAAAAABZs/UCt-DiUPawM/s320/wishline.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5521778937264290290" border="0" /></a><a href="http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.dognbird.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/heart-clothesline-wedding-guestbook.jpg&amp;imgrefurl=http://ashmorevisuals.co.uk/blog/&amp;usg=__PIKQpqd9GWHTlC2WxGVKwTmtQYg=&amp;h=400&amp;w=400&amp;sz=30&amp;hl=en&amp;start=0&amp;sig2=YBWCvpQWRMjGbYTFBBzepQ&amp;zoom=1&amp;tbnid=9E6zTVXlCA4b6M:&amp;tbnh=134&amp;tbnw=119&amp;ei=kkuhTJXRFsOblgeH19j_Ag&amp;prev=/images%3Fq%3Dwedding%2Bwishes%2Bclothesline%26um%3D1%26hl%3Den%26sa%3DN%26biw%3D1280%26bih%3D645%26tbs%3Disch:1&amp;um=1&amp;itbs=1&amp;iact=hc&amp;vpx=162&amp;vpy=166&amp;dur=482&amp;hovh=225&amp;hovw=225&amp;tx=118&amp;ty=125&amp;oei=kkuhTJXRFsOblgeH19j_Ag&amp;esq=1&amp;page=1&amp;ndsp=22&amp;ved=1t:429,r:1,s:0"><span style="font-size:78%;">Source</span></a><br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/TKFMseNDgSI/AAAAAAAABZ0/-nwnBBo2rjo/s1600/wishline2.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/TKFMseNDgSI/AAAAAAAABZ0/-nwnBBo2rjo/s320/wishline2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5521778945038713122" border="0" /></a><a href="http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_4jSPl2gIZew/S2Y389ETldI/AAAAAAAABNE/deGWCcj1eb0/s400/clothesline%2Bescort%2Bcards.jpg&amp;imgrefurl=http://asyouwishwed.blogspot.com/2010/02/real-wedding-carla-cian-details.html&amp;usg=__Q8RFocmZBxOML28HgF2n334vhN8=&amp;h=400&amp;w=267&amp;sz=33&amp;hl=en&amp;start=0&amp;sig2=AqZCnqeBVlUm398hszkgyA&amp;zoom=1&amp;tbnid=HAcpcyCCI5k3bM:&amp;tbnh=191&amp;tbnw=121&amp;ei=1kuhTJrlNcKblgeN4oHDBA&amp;prev=/images%3Fq%3Dwedding%2Bwish%2Bclothesline%26um%3D1%26hl%3Den%26sa%3DN%26biw%3D1280%26bih%3D645%26tbs%3Disch:1&amp;um=1&amp;itbs=1&amp;iact=rc&amp;dur=452&amp;oei=skuhTKWjOsKblgfS0PGUAw&amp;esq=9&amp;page=1&amp;ndsp=18&amp;ved=1t:429,r:3,s:0&amp;tx=75&amp;ty=106"><span style="font-size:78%;">Source</span></a><br /></div><br />Oh my god, this is perfect! See there once was this girl who made all her flowers out of paper and got a little excited and cut a crapload more than necessary. Remember these?<br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/TKFN6W9cC1I/AAAAAAAABZ8/AVS4kzYQPx4/s1600/flower+circles.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/TKFN6W9cC1I/AAAAAAAABZ8/AVS4kzYQPx4/s320/flower+circles.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5521780283123960658" border="0" /></a><br />I can totally use the extra circles cut from security envelopes for well wish papers! I bought some twine and mini clothespins from JoAnns and Home Depot and now I'm all set. I also plan to mix in some family wedding photos with the well wish papers. The venue has a gorgeous mantle that I plan to hang the twine from. I can't wait to see how it looks all set up and full of wishes and advice!<br /><br />Are you doing more than one guest book? Are you looking forward to hearing advice from the older, wiser ones?<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/5173074949304690889-2036150979913992541?l=futuremrshopefully.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Jennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18121319728492514987noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5173074949304690889.post-87885058159178234462010-09-30T21:59:00.001-05:002010-09-30T21:59:59.994-05:00I knew from the moment I saw the thumb print/guest book tree trend, I was going to have to include it in our wedding day!<br /><br />I've always wondered what people do with their guest books after the wedding. I didn't want a book with people's signatures just hanging around collecting dust. I love the idea that I can take our guest book and display it proudly in our house after the wedding.<br /><br />These were some of the first examples of this trend that I found:<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/TKFGJ1wmAqI/AAAAAAAABY8/WTJx2bm5H9s/s1600/guest-book-tree.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/TKFGJ1wmAqI/AAAAAAAABY8/WTJx2bm5H9s/s320/guest-book-tree.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5521771752996602530" border="0" /></a><a href="http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://mysanfranciscobudgetwedding.files.wordpress.com/2010/04/guest-book-tree.jpg&amp;imgrefurl=http://mysanfranciscobudgetwedding.wordpress.com/2010/04/05/contemplating-alternatives-to-a-guest-book/&amp;usg=__RT9MXxn_LlL0dWebd9pyORjT_28=&amp;h=1000&amp;w=1000&amp;sz=122&amp;hl=en&amp;start=0&amp;sig2=vCS9hp8dYvk5bTLd59teag&amp;zoom=1&amp;tbnid=-SVFwa5fPDAviM:&amp;tbnh=129&amp;tbnw=132&amp;ei=jkWhTMaqJMb_lgfVhd33Ag&amp;prev=/images%3Fq%3Dguest%2Bbook%2Btree%26um%3D1%26hl%3Den%26sa%3DN%26biw%3D1280%26bih%3D645%26tbs%3Disch:10%2C114&amp;um=1&amp;itbs=1&amp;iact=hc&amp;vpx=788&amp;vpy=197&amp;dur=2&amp;hovh=225&amp;hovw=225&amp;tx=149&amp;ty=129&amp;oei=jkWhTMaqJMb_lgfVhd33Ag&amp;esq=1&amp;page=1&amp;ndsp=21&amp;ved=1t:429,r:11,s:0&amp;biw=1280&amp;bih=645"><span style="font-size:78%;">Source</span><br /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/TKFGKIkmpuI/AAAAAAAABZE/OAQsAzs2TKU/s1600/TREE2_thumb.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 256px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/TKFGKIkmpuI/AAAAAAAABZE/OAQsAzs2TKU/s320/TREE2_thumb.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5521771758046586594" border="0" /></a><a href="http://www.weddingbee.com/2009/12/28/the-poodles-guestbook-%E2%80%93-help/"><span style="font-size:78%;">From the fabulous Mrs. Poodle</span></a><br /></div><br />How can you not love this trend? And what a perfect opportunity to get Mr. P involved in the wedding planning again!<br /><br />I asked him to draw a tree with just branches. Check out what he came up with:<br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/TKFIJJM2n-I/AAAAAAAABZM/qnClxDWeUdQ/s1600/DSCN0427.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/TKFIJJM2n-I/AAAAAAAABZM/qnClxDWeUdQ/s320/DSCN0427.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5521773940058791906" border="0" /></a><br />I was blown away by how quickly he drew this and how awesome it looks. He started with pencil and traced over it in Sharpie. I think it took him only an hour and a half. Thank god he's artisic because I, ladies, am not. At least not with a pencil and paper.<br /><br />I am, however, proficient with fonts and lettering. Once he finished the tree I added the lettering underneath. I chose Centurion Ho for the lettering.<br /><br />What are y'all doing for a guest book? Are you going traditional with a book, or doing something a bit more trendy like a tree like me, <a href="http://www.weddingbee.com/2010/09/07/wedding-table-numbers/">postcards</a> like Miss Starfish, or a <a href="http://www.weddingbee.com/2010/09/24/homemade-bridesmaid-gifts/">bench</a> like Mrs. Sand Dollar?<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/5173074949304690889-8788505815917823446?l=futuremrshopefully.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Jennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18121319728492514987noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5173074949304690889.post-11348334883556602232010-09-28T20:56:00.000-05:002010-09-28T20:57:07.191-05:00Over the years Mama Plaid has been a great inspiration to me and an even better shoulder to cry on and the best cheerleader a girl could ask for.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/TJ-H7ZF0tLI/AAAAAAAABYs/Labz8hCld1E/s1600/mom+wedding1.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/TJ-H7ZF0tLI/AAAAAAAABYs/Labz8hCld1E/s320/mom+wedding1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5521281122596861106" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">I finally got to be my mom's cheerleader last summer at her wedding!<br /><br /></span></div>In turn, I feel she deserves to look just as beautiful as me on my wedding day. From the moment I announced my engagement, she's been right there willing to help. Granted, it's been more difficult than either of us ever imagined with her in Idaho and me in Texas. But she's still there for anything and everything I need and is also planning to come down here a week early to help with all the last minute things that are bound to pop up.<br /><br />Back to the task at hand: finding Mama Plaid a gorgeous dress to wear to my wedding. She knew she wanted to wear yellow (one of her favorite colors and also one of my wedding colors), but she also knew she wanted to lose a significant amount of weight before she went dress shopping. So we had to wait until September before we could even start the hunt.<br /><br />As September rolled around, my mom was 40 pounds lighter and was ready to go dress shopping. We heard about this site, <a href="http://www.helenebridal.com/">Helene Bridal</a>, from one of my bridesmaids, and decided to check it out. It is an awesome site! There are so many options. We both went through the dresses separately and then decided on one together. One of the great features of this store is that they will make it to fit exactly so you don't have to get it altered!<br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/TJ-H7s4QoFI/AAAAAAAABY0/ylM9xT_J9yI/s1600/mom+dress.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 169px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/TJ-H7s4QoFI/AAAAAAAABY0/ylM9xT_J9yI/s320/mom+dress.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5521281127908679762" border="0" /></a><br />Isn't it gorgeous?!?! It's great quality, fits perfectly and it arrived quickly. I'm so glad we found this site and my mom was able to get a dress that she loves. I can't wait to see her in it on our wedding day! I also bought Mama Plaid a gorgeous silvery gray pashmina to wear with it if she chooses!<br /><br />Where did your mom find her fabulous dress? Did you get to go shopping with her or did you two have to do it via the internet?<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/5173074949304690889-1134833488355660223?l=futuremrshopefully.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Jennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18121319728492514987noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5173074949304690889.post-56987992527095580022010-09-27T20:25:00.001-05:002010-09-27T20:25:57.098-05:00At last. I finally did a trial run of my wedding cake. Here's a reminder of what I was aiming for:<br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/TJfW5u_4TXI/AAAAAAAABYk/RXfv5hEkcF8/s1600/cake.png"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 180px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/TJfW5u_4TXI/AAAAAAAABYk/RXfv5hEkcF8/s320/cake.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5519116155722681714" border="0" /></a><br />I decided to just make one tier just to get an idea of what it'll look like on the big day. I'd say it was a success. Sure, there are some adjustments that need to be made, but overall, a success!<br /><br />I started the night before by making royal icing for the detail work on the cake. I used four different shades of blue to mirror the various shades of my bridesmaids' dresses. And just a reminder, the pattern mimics the lace pattern on my own dress.<br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/TJfUvBYQKAI/AAAAAAAABYE/ziUJtxN1DxY/s1600/deco.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 218px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/TJfUvBYQKAI/AAAAAAAABYE/ziUJtxN1DxY/s320/deco.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5519113772654929922" border="0" /></a><br />I piped these the night before so that the royal icing would have time to dry overnight.<br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/TJfUvRUQ1XI/AAAAAAAABYM/u5m1Mijorh0/s1600/DSCN0420.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/TJfUvRUQ1XI/AAAAAAAABYM/u5m1Mijorh0/s320/DSCN0420.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5519113776933164402" border="0" /></a><br />The next morning I whipped up some French buttercream. If you've never tasted French buttercream, you must make it immediately. It's the only kind of buttercream I can stand. It's completely unhealthy for you as it is mostly egg yolks and butter, but it's to die for. (Seriously, if you want my recipe, PM me)<br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/TJfUvvFzjgI/AAAAAAAABYU/eQfe0lQYhVM/s1600/DSCN0421.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/TJfUvvFzjgI/AAAAAAAABYU/eQfe0lQYhVM/s320/DSCN0421.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5519113784925588994" border="0" /></a><br />Using a dummy cake (it's Styrofoam), I iced the cake. It's definitely not a great job, but it'll be clean the day of, promise! Another awesome thing about French buttercream is that it's light yellow in color, due mostly to the egg yolks. It works perfectly for my cake since my colors are yellow and blue!<br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/TJfUv2P5qJI/AAAAAAAABYc/YwtGIODTeO4/s1600/DSCN0422.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/TJfUv2P5qJI/AAAAAAAABYc/YwtGIODTeO4/s320/DSCN0422.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5519113786846980242" border="0" /></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/TJfUvRUQ1XI/AAAAAAAABYM/u5m1Mijorh0/s1600/DSCN0420.JPG"><br /></a>And voila, one complete mini cake. I used the topper version of the Willow Tree figurine I originally planned on using. Weddingbee reader <a href="http://boards.weddingbee.com/profile/mrstilly">mrstilly</a> graciously sent me hers to use. You'll also notice the gumpaste flowers I showed y'all in a <a href="http://www.weddingbee.com/2010/08/27/diy-wedding-cake/">previous post</a>.<br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/TJfUui3c4DI/AAAAAAAABX8/E3OECgc5yfA/s1600/cake.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 250px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/TJfUui3c4DI/AAAAAAAABX8/E3OECgc5yfA/s320/cake.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5519113764464287794" border="0" /></a><br />There are two things I am definitely planning to change on my day-of design. One, the lace detail design needs to be smaller. I piped them too big. I am also toying with the idea of moving the flowers up to the top edge of each tier instead of being at the bottom edge of each tier.<br /><br />I have a secret to tell y'all. Yes my cake trial was a success; however, I'm not making that cake for my wedding. I know, you're probably thinking, oh lord, she changed her mind AGAIN! Yes, I did, but I have a good reason, promise!<br /><br />After making this mini cake, I had an epiphany. I was making this cake for my guests, not for me. I don't like fancy, elaborate cakes. I love to decorate them, but for me, I like simple. I didn't make this decision lightly. I argued in my heads for days and then talked to Mama Plaid and Sister Plaid and now I feel like I've got a clear vision of <span style="font-style: italic;">my</span> cake in my head. It only took me 14 months to find it.<br /><br />I think because I'm a cake decorator by trade I'd been putting all this unnecessary pressure on myself. I think I thought all my guests were expecting some over-the-top masterpiece. I'd love to give them that, but it just wouldn't be a wedding cake for <span style="font-style: italic;">me</span>. So, yes, I've changed my mind yet again, but this is it. No more changes and I couldn't be happier.<br /><br />I know this is kind of a long post, so if you're still with me, thank you for listening and hopefully understanding. And I'm sorry, but y'all are going to have to wait until after my wedding to see the newly designed dream cake. Sorry ladies. :)<br /><br />Have you made any wedding decisions that you realized later were more for your guests than for yourself? What did you do?<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/5173074949304690889-5698799252709558002?l=futuremrshopefully.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Jennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18121319728492514987noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5173074949304690889.post-6478070473290368272010-09-26T11:58:00.001-05:002010-09-26T11:58:59.393-05:00<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/TJfPtSOThJI/AAAAAAAABX0/qiZ9JzWx64s/s1600/wall.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/TJfPtSOThJI/AAAAAAAABX0/qiZ9JzWx64s/s320/wall.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5519108245258732690" border="0" /></a><a href="http://stein.bioch.dundee.ac.uk/%7Echarlie/layman/layman.php?section=2&amp;menu=0&amp;popup=1"><span style="font-size:78%;">Source</span></a><br /><br /></div>A big ole wedding planning brick wall! With under two months to go it's been very difficult to find the motivation to take care of all those pesky little details that have been looming over my head. I come home from work and instead of knocking a few things off my to do list everyday, I ignore it instead.<br /><br />I'm a bad bad bride-t0-be. But it's a new week and I'm going to be motivated. I've got five weeks left to make it all happen. I've ignited a fire under my butt and I'm off.<br /><br />I finally got around to doing a test run of my wedding cake (a mini version-more on that later this week.) I also finally went and bought our ushers' ties and am in the process of securing the park pavilion we hope to host our day after brunch in. I'm also supposed to meet with our photographer this week to go over a day-of timeline. Oh and I finally took my dress in for alterations and bustling.<br /><br />There's really not much left but it seems like a lot. I wish it were October already. I'm very thankful to have had a long enough engagement (15 months) to get everything done, but I think we could have shaved off a few months to avoid this final two month lull.<br /><br />Have any of you hit a wall while planning? Did you ever just wish the big day was here already?<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/5173074949304690889-647807047329036827?l=futuremrshopefully.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Jennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18121319728492514987noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5173074949304690889.post-61922865437855724632010-09-22T11:55:00.001-05:002010-09-22T11:55:45.356-05:00Do y'all remember the shoes that I gushed about a couple months ago? No? Let me remind you.<br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/TJfLlFOLTOI/AAAAAAAABXs/FADlXOnyVGo/s1600/100_0466.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/TJfLlFOLTOI/AAAAAAAABXs/FADlXOnyVGo/s320/100_0466.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5519103706283068642" border="0" /></a><br />I love them. I still love them. But sadly I won't be wearing them on my wedding day anymore. They're very tall. And by tall I mean four and three quarter inches tall. You see, Mr. Plaid is 6'6" so I could wear eight inch heels and still be shorter then him. So I thought, four and three quarter inches was nothing.<br /><br />But they're too tall. They hang out of the bottom of my dress. I bought the dress before the shoes and the dress can't be made longer. So goodbye fabulous shoes.<br /><br />I found these Nina shoes on clearance at DSW a few weeks ago and got it in my head that I could dye them myself. Yeeeeaaahhh...that did not end well. So moving on again.<br /><br />I searched online and found a cute pair on <a href="http://www.chadwicks.com/">Chadwicks.com</a>. They were very basic but I liked them. I figured if I got them and they were too plain, I could always spruce them up. And at $25, I couldn't lose anything. So order them I did!<br /><br />When they arrived, they indeed were too plain. But they fit perfectly and I really liked the style. These were<span style="font-style: italic;"> the</span> shoes. They were also the perfect height. The dress covered most of them, with just a hint of blue poking out the bottom!<br /><br />So, what do you need to spice up a pair of shoes? Glitter, of course! And possibly some flowers, you know, for just a little something extra!<br /><br />1. All started with two shoes...<br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/TJfK4svCA7I/AAAAAAAABWs/Z-2L_lg1uLY/s1600/DSCN0400.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/TJfK4svCA7I/AAAAAAAABWs/Z-2L_lg1uLY/s320/DSCN0400.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5519102943795741618" border="0" /></a><br />2. The shoes were stuffed with newspapers and prepared for their glitterizing.<br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/TJfK5Khh4VI/AAAAAAAABW0/Z3gvmO6vRnU/s1600/DSCN0401.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/TJfK5Khh4VI/AAAAAAAABW0/Z3gvmO6vRnU/s320/DSCN0401.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5519102951792173394" border="0" /></a><br />3. Glitter away!<br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/TJfK5g1CpWI/AAAAAAAABW8/UiL5JOOFsFc/s1600/DSCN0402.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/TJfK5g1CpWI/AAAAAAAABW8/UiL5JOOFsFc/s320/DSCN0402.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5519102957779592546" border="0" /></a><br />4. And voila! Glitterfication complete! Oooo sparkly!<br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/TJfK6O3rQ0I/AAAAAAAABXE/bW5TKYBS3AY/s1600/DSCN0404.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/TJfK6O3rQ0I/AAAAAAAABXE/bW5TKYBS3AY/s320/DSCN0404.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5519102970138673986" border="0" /></a><br />6. Of course that wasn't enough, so faux flowers were deconstructed.<br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/TJfK6l86ITI/AAAAAAAABXM/42zGR6BEmYw/s1600/DSCN0405.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/TJfK6l86ITI/AAAAAAAABXM/42zGR6BEmYw/s320/DSCN0405.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5519102976334635314" border="0" /></a><br />7. Then reassembled and beads were added to the center.<br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/TJfLicSBVkI/AAAAAAAABXU/e8TK7Jdbw2E/s1600/DSCN0406.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/TJfLicSBVkI/AAAAAAAABXU/e8TK7Jdbw2E/s320/DSCN0406.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5519103660933600834" border="0" /></a><br />8. The flower was then glued to the shoes.<br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/TJfLjK1RQXI/AAAAAAAABXc/qBfp6_OaIfs/s1600/DSCN0413.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/TJfLjK1RQXI/AAAAAAAABXc/qBfp6_OaIfs/s320/DSCN0413.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5519103673429475698" border="0" /></a><br />One more picture on my foot for good measure. Please excuse the horrible toe paint job. Eww!<br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/TJfLjsLH0DI/AAAAAAAABXk/L14q18dzGdQ/s1600/DSCN0416.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/TJfLjsLH0DI/AAAAAAAABXk/L14q18dzGdQ/s320/DSCN0416.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5519103682379501618" border="0" /></a><br />So what do y'all think? Are they fancy enough? If the flower too much? Did you have to embellish your wedding shoes to make them picture worthy?<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/5173074949304690889-6192286543785572463?l=futuremrshopefully.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Jennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18121319728492514987noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5173074949304690889.post-50572441895401684692010-09-20T14:15:00.000-05:002010-09-20T14:16:01.277-05:00I just realized that I never shared Mr. Plaid's bling with y'all. (I know that title is totally lame. Let me just say that coming up with titles is definitely not my strong suit. Sorry.)<br /><br />Just stating for the record, I am ecstatic that Mr. Plaid <span style="font-style: italic;"> actually</span> wants to wear a ring. It seems to me that about half the married men in the world wear a ring, while the other half don't. I think it's nice when the man wears a ring because it's like they're bragging about their awesome wife! That's probably not the reason guys wear a ring, but it sounds good to me so I'm just gonna go with it. ;)<br /><br />However, Mr. Plaid is in the same boat as me. He works with his hands, i.e. large power tools, and can't wear his ring to work. Boo. Or rather, shouldn't wear his ring so as to avoid any crazy accidents involving his ring and/or his finger having to be removed. Eeek!<br /><br />But when he's not working he'll be sporting this beauty come the end of October:<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/TJbP_gRod_I/AAAAAAAABWc/shd58u_feI8/s1600/DSCN0398.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 315px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/TJbP_gRod_I/AAAAAAAABWc/shd58u_feI8/s320/DSCN0398.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5518827083291719666" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">His ring by itself</span><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/TJbQAaophxI/AAAAAAAABWk/Sbfz4d_QCEU/s1600/DSCN0399.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/TJbQAaophxI/AAAAAAAABWk/Sbfz4d_QCEU/s320/DSCN0399.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5518827098957514514" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Our rings together!</span><br /></div><br />It's it gorgeous? It's white gold with a tungsten carbide inlay. It's very heavy, at least compared to my featherweight ring. I really hope he can get used to wearing it as he is very much a non-jewelry wearing type of man.<br /><br />Was your fiance excited to wear his wedding band? Was it an easy choice or a challenge to find something he liked?<br /><br />PS...I promise I've got more DIY coming this week. I know the DIY storm that I started with has been a little lacking as of late, but more to come, promise!<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/5173074949304690889-5057244189540168469?l=futuremrshopefully.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Jennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18121319728492514987noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5173074949304690889.post-31810543687869606922010-09-19T21:46:00.001-05:002010-09-19T21:46:32.296-05:00It's bachelorette party time! And it was semi-Elvis themed! Even better! (Sorry about all the exclamation points, but they're very necessary.)<br /><br />My kick-ass Co-MOH Leesa decided it would be best to rent a van and drive everyone downtown and home so we wouldn't have to deal with drinking and driving. And her awesome husband (and our officiant, Guy - more on that later) offered to drive the ladies around. Check out our sweet ride and driver!<br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/TJAm9Ni_qDI/AAAAAAAABVk/Bn8rMMS0wkg/s1600/61177_494392913083_625888083_6944149_4573880_n.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/TJAm9Ni_qDI/AAAAAAAABVk/Bn8rMMS0wkg/s320/61177_494392913083_625888083_6944149_4573880_n.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5516952376579172402" border="0" /></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/TJAmhqRKa3I/AAAAAAAABVU/SeIK3usMyBs/s1600/60310_494392993083_625888083_6944152_3091647_n.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/TJAmhqRKa3I/AAAAAAAABVU/SeIK3usMyBs/s320/60310_494392993083_625888083_6944152_3091647_n.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5516951903252671346" border="0" /></a><br />I'll let the pictures do the talking from here on out. First stop, El Arroyo, my favorite Tex-Mex in Austin for a little dinner!<br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/TJAm9-QriqI/AAAAAAAABVs/rUVm36mU9go/s1600/61177_494392918083_625888083_6944150_4869806_n.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/TJAm9-QriqI/AAAAAAAABVs/rUVm36mU9go/s320/61177_494392918083_625888083_6944150_4869806_n.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5516952389655693986" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/TJAm83c8h7I/AAAAAAAABVc/3rnSjARKLvg/s1600/60310_494392998083_625888083_6944153_7162072_n.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/TJAm83c8h7I/AAAAAAAABVc/3rnSjARKLvg/s320/60310_494392998083_625888083_6944153_7162072_n.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5516952370648221618" border="0" /></a><br />BM Tiffani order myself and all five bridesmaids kick-ass Elvis t-shirts. You can see four of them above.<br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/TJAm-cjfWZI/AAAAAAAABV8/_9QK8s1j3Xg/s1600/61315_494393068083_625888083_6944155_4905536_n.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/TJAm-cjfWZI/AAAAAAAABV8/_9QK8s1j3Xg/s320/61315_494393068083_625888083_6944155_4905536_n.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5516952397787650450" border="0" /></a><br />Cheers! (Quick side note: If you've never had a Mexican martini before, look up a recipe immediately and enjoy. They are quite delicious!)<br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/TJAmg4PNF7I/AAAAAAAABU8/fI27m9Uo_GI/s1600/58743_494393188083_625888083_6944159_2704384_n.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/TJAmg4PNF7I/AAAAAAAABU8/fI27m9Uo_GI/s320/58743_494393188083_625888083_6944159_2704384_n.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5516951889822685106" border="0" /></a><br />First stop, Spill. And you wouldn't believe who we ran into. Captain Morgan!<br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/TJAn4ZuWQ2I/AAAAAAAABWE/cpbL97CQaKY/s1600/61339_494393263083_625888083_6944161_2784673_n.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 238px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/TJAn4ZuWQ2I/AAAAAAAABWE/cpbL97CQaKY/s320/61339_494393263083_625888083_6944161_2784673_n.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5516953393460298594" border="0" /></a><br />We got free Captain and Cokes, decks of cards and do y'all remember slap bracelets from the '90s? He gave us slap koozies. They were awesome. Sadly, I lost mine somewhere that night. Boo.<br /><br />Then it was on to Pure to do some dancing! And of course, more drinks!<br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/TJAm94susoI/AAAAAAAABV0/BjG-v9HV1tA/s1600/61212_494393528083_625888083_6944173_4420457_n.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/TJAm94susoI/AAAAAAAABV0/BjG-v9HV1tA/s320/61212_494393528083_625888083_6944173_4420457_n.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5516952388162728578" border="0" /></a><br />We ended the night at Pete's Piano Bar. Co-MOH Leesa's best friend's husband plays there.<br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/TJAmhVZ4R3I/AAAAAAAABVM/IRQqen9QYo0/s1600/60226_494393608083_625888083_6944176_6779199_n.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/TJAmhVZ4R3I/AAAAAAAABVM/IRQqen9QYo0/s320/60226_494393608083_625888083_6944176_6779199_n.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5516951897652086642" border="0" /></a><br />He was supposed to sing some Elvis songs for me. I don't think he ever actually did, but I still had a blast, as evident from the next picture. I blame the liquid on my pants on my sister. She's got a beer in her hand, I don't. Boo Sarah, boo.<br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/TJAmhDmWksI/AAAAAAAABVE/xyB55lRGLjA/s1600/59365_494393683083_625888083_6944183_4126131_n.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/TJAmhDmWksI/AAAAAAAABVE/xyB55lRGLjA/s320/59365_494393683083_625888083_6944183_4126131_n.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5516951892872565442" border="0" /></a>Let me tell you, the next day was not pretty. I kinda wish I didn't drink quite so much, but I had a blast, so I can't really complain. I can not thank my BMs and friends enough!<br /><br />I specifically asked my BMs not to cover me with phallic stuff and condoms and they did a great job. My friend Shawn made me this super awesome veil!<br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/TJAmguod1GI/AAAAAAAABU0/Ykb-gYdK9BQ/s1600/47526_494393408083_625888083_6944168_920982_n.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/TJAmguod1GI/AAAAAAAABU0/Ykb-gYdK9BQ/s320/47526_494393408083_625888083_6944168_920982_n.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5516951887244285026" border="0" /></a><br />Did your 'maids throw you a kick-ass bachelorette? Mine was exactly what I'd been dreaming of!<br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/TJAn4o1S8MI/AAAAAAAABWM/fwigLsNJ7NI/s1600/98ba.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/TJAn4o1S8MI/AAAAAAAABWM/fwigLsNJ7NI/s320/98ba.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5516953397515972802" border="0" /></a><br />I can't resist sharing this with you. My cutie, Olive, modeling my veil and ready for marriage!<br /><br /><span style="font-size:78%;">***All photos taken by me and Co-MOH Leesa</span><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/5173074949304690889-3181054368786960692?l=futuremrshopefully.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Jennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18121319728492514987noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5173074949304690889.post-13468601516144973822010-09-15T23:52:00.000-05:002010-09-15T23:53:20.093-05:00... you love with love... oh James Taylor. I got showered with lots of love this past weekend.<br /><br />My bridesmaids decided to throw me a bridal shower/bachelorette party extravaganza all crammed into one day of delightfulness. BM Jenna even flew in from San Francisco for the weekend to party with us!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/TJAgyzA0_xI/AAAAAAAABT8/9ZMX19KXOog/s1600/DSCN0390.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/TJAgyzA0_xI/AAAAAAAABT8/9ZMX19KXOog/s320/DSCN0390.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5516945600588087058" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">MB Tiffani, Co-MOH/Sis Sarah, me, Co-MOH Leesa, BM Jenna<br /></span></div><br />It was a very intimate affair. Four out of five of my fabulous BMs were able to make it and a few friends joined the party too. I can't get over how generous everyone was. I felt so loved!<br /><br />I'll start by showing you the details that my sister/Co-MOH Sarah agreed to take for me.<br /><br />BM Tiffani ordered chocolates off <a href="http://www.theknot.com/">TheKnot.com</a> with our names on them and in our wedding colors. She also ordered custom cocktail napkins and personalized confetti. Is she cute, or what?<br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/TJAicXSeXdI/AAAAAAAABUk/sV8ZBqNZpV0/s1600/details.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/TJAicXSeXdI/AAAAAAAABUk/sV8ZBqNZpV0/s320/details.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5516947414212042194" border="0" /></a><br />My sister organized the games. We kept them pretty tame. We played a game similar to <a href="http://scattergories.net/">Scattergories</a> first. (If you don't know what that game is, go buy it immediately. It's awesome!) And then we played the Newlywed Game. My sis emailed Mr. P and got his answers. Some of them were very interesting. For instance, I apparently remind him of a chipmunk. (Homework: Ask your SO what animal you remind them of? It'll be interesting. Promise.)<br /><br />Co-MOH Leesa made lots of delicious food. Orange pecan mini-muffins, white bean dip, cinnamon fruit dip and loads more. Serious loads. We have lots of leftovers. Please come over and eat them so I don't get fat. Just kidding... sort of.<br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/TJAgzGkpR6I/AAAAAAAABUE/Jlo99oOJ34I/s1600/IMG_0421.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/TJAgzGkpR6I/AAAAAAAABUE/Jlo99oOJ34I/s320/IMG_0421.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5516945605838587810" border="0" /></a><br />There was a bit of a lingerie theme to the shower. Check out these adorable cookies BM Jenna made.<br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/TJAgzXwJdTI/AAAAAAAABUM/GjaYllnLQFs/s1600/IMG_0423.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/TJAgzXwJdTI/AAAAAAAABUM/GjaYllnLQFs/s320/IMG_0423.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5516945610450236722" border="0" /></a><br />Cute, huh?<br /><br />And I got some fabulous lingerie to temp Mr. P with.<br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/TJAihd-3lkI/AAAAAAAABUs/Y01-lpul9T0/s1600/lingerieshower.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/TJAihd-3lkI/AAAAAAAABUs/Y01-lpul9T0/s320/lingerieshower.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5516947501908203074" border="0" /></a><br />I also got a picnic basket filled with wine, cheese, wine glasses and crackers, an awesome spatula for pancake flipping (Mr. P was very excited about this gift as he picked it out when we were registering) and an aphrodisiac cookbook. Oh yeah, and a panty sundae.<br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/TJAgz6K7-pI/AAAAAAAABUU/QcOkasoNxHI/s1600/IMG_0425.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/TJAgz6K7-pI/AAAAAAAABUU/QcOkasoNxHI/s320/IMG_0425.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5516945619689405074" border="0" /></a><br />I sent the picture Mrs. Cheeseburger posted of her <a href="http://www.weddingbee.com/2010/02/09/the-cutest-naughty-shower-gift-ever/">panty sundae</a> to my sis in hopes she'd re-create it for me!<br /><br />Check out this gorgeous cake my co-worker Bert made for me! And it was funfetti inside. My favorite!<br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/TJAgyTHzqoI/AAAAAAAABT0/KTOvnTXERJU/s1600/61177_494392908083_625888083_6944148_523429_n.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/TJAgyTHzqoI/AAAAAAAABT0/KTOvnTXERJU/s320/61177_494392908083_625888083_6944148_523429_n.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5516945592027425410" border="0" /></a><br />My bridesmaids and friends are awesome. I love y'all so much. Up next, bachelorette fun!<br /><br />Did you have an awesome bridal shower? Was there a theme?<br /><span style="font-size:78%;"><br />***All photos taken by Co-MOHs Sarah and Leesa</span><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/5173074949304690889-1346860151614497382?l=futuremrshopefully.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Jennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18121319728492514987noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5173074949304690889.post-59641799059202340802010-09-13T12:30:00.000-05:002010-09-13T12:31:21.647-05:00Yep, that's right, I went for my hair and make-up trial on Thursday and it came out perfect!!! Now I'm even more excited for my wedding day.<br /><br />I went to the appointment with these two pictures for inspiration (thanks Miss Earrings for posting the first one!):<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/TI44xbbEgTI/AAAAAAAABTE/rDmgR7lJFTU/s1600/hairmakeup.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/TI44xbbEgTI/AAAAAAAABTE/rDmgR7lJFTU/s320/hairmakeup.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5516409015401480498" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;"><a href="http://www.cpatrickphoto.com/blog/?p=4581">Hair</a>;<a href="http://www.bellasugar.com/tag/1940s+Makeup">Makeup</a><br /><br /></span></div>As y'all know, I had a really hard time deciding what to do with my hair. I couldn't decide if I wanted it down, up, short or long. Because I couldn't decide, I figured long hair would give me more options, so no pre-wedding chop for me. I also decided I would get hot with hair on my neck, so I decided to go for an up-do.<br /><br />I knew I wanted a '40s style hairdo so I asked the stylist to start with the idea in my picture and then just run with it. And I wanted to go vintage-y with the makeup, as well, so enter bold red lip, with subtle eyes. She did a great job!<br /><br />Here's my before picture:<br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/TI457uywxNI/AAAAAAAABTM/EOjIRYH79YQ/s1600/DSCN0360.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/TI457uywxNI/AAAAAAAABTM/EOjIRYH79YQ/s320/DSCN0360.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5516410291911443666" border="0" /></a><br />I can't believe I just posted that! Please forgive the giant bags and circles under my eyes and the horrible hair that was under a hat all day at work. Ick!<br /><br />And now the after:<br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/TI458cD1GMI/AAAAAAAABTU/b4b0f8Hf9Uc/s1600/DSCN0366.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/TI458cD1GMI/AAAAAAAABTU/b4b0f8Hf9Uc/s320/DSCN0366.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5516410304062625986" border="0" /></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/TI45-O_y85I/AAAAAAAABTc/la19dhEfc1g/s1600/DSCN0362.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/TI45-O_y85I/AAAAAAAABTc/la19dhEfc1g/s320/DSCN0362.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5516410334915785618" border="0" /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/TI45-07KDrI/AAAAAAAABTk/D5g2A81M7Bs/s1600/DSCN0363.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/TI45-07KDrI/AAAAAAAABTk/D5g2A81M7Bs/s320/DSCN0363.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5516410345096875698" border="0" /></a><br />And one more with my veil and earrings:<br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/TI48R523U9I/AAAAAAAABTs/Xmm7p7Srugk/s1600/DSCN0370.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/TI48R523U9I/AAAAAAAABTs/Xmm7p7Srugk/s320/DSCN0370.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5516412871861818322" border="0" /></a>***All photos of me taken by Mr. P and myself.<br /><br />I won't bore you with more pictures, but I did take some right before bed, eight hours later, and it looked great! I few hairs had fallen and the lipstick wasn't as bright. The stylist said the day of she'd add lip stain under the lipstick, so that will help with fading. And just to see how long the makeup would really last, I slept in it. The next morning the eyes were perfect except right under my eyes. The dark circles were back. I say it was a complete success!<br /><br />SIDE NOTE: She used airbrush makeup and I have now discovered that not only am I ticklish every where else on my body, I'm also ticklish on my face.<br /><br />Did your hair trial come out as gorgeous as you had hoped? Or did you have to go a couple times to get it right? Have any of you experience airbrushed make-up?<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/5173074949304690889-5964179905920234080?l=futuremrshopefully.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Jennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18121319728492514987noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5173074949304690889.post-89501136392544587172010-09-09T05:28:00.001-05:002010-09-09T05:28:14.063-05:00Simply put, I heart my photographer big time. I know I've shown y'all some of his amazing work with our <a href="http://www.weddingbee.com/2010/08/23/engagement-pictures-9/">engagement shoot</a> and my <a href="http://www.weddingbee.com/2010/08/30/boudoir-shoots/">boudoir shoot</a>, but I swear, he just keeps getting better and better.<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/TIbhAvUYxFI/AAAAAAAABSc/Uo1hYLt-2nQ/s1600/nathan.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 213px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/TIbhAvUYxFI/AAAAAAAABSc/Uo1hYLt-2nQ/s320/nathan.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5514342196579976274" border="0" /></a><a href="http://www.facebook.com/#%21/photo.php?pid=228695&amp;fbid=1081941012609&amp;op=1&amp;o=global&amp;view=global&amp;subj=1348857633&amp;id=1348857633"><span style="font-size:78%;">Nathan, with his adorable wife/assistant Amy</span></a><br /><br /></div> Let me start at the beginning though. Let's start with how I found the fabulous Nathan Russell. One day I was perusing Weddingbee and I was searching the local Austin board when I came across a thread about an awesome deal on a photographer. I just happened to be in the market for a photographer so I clicked on the link.<br /><br />It lead to <a href="www.nathanrussellphoto.com">Nathan Russell</a>'s website. Basically he is in the process of growing his wedding portfolio, so he was offering five lucky brides one hell of a deal! The deal included an engagement shoot, a bridal session (or in my case, a boudoir) and an entire day of wedding photography. (Oh yeah, and he may be throwing in a second shooter on the wedding day!) All for the small price of five hundred buckaroos! And to top it all off, after the wedding he's going to give us a $500 gift certificate to use on his site to order an album or prints.<br /><br />Now, if you don't think he's totally awesome yet, let me share a little more. My boudoir session was his first and because it was so successful, he has decided to offer the option to all his future clients! How awesome is that?!<br /><br />Oh, and he just informed me that he'd like to throw in a photo booth set-up, complete with background and props, for no additional charge. I think he must be psychic because two days before I decided to scrap the whole photo booth plan because I just couldn't figure out how to do it and decided it wasn't that important. Now I get to have an awesome photo booth and I don't even have to worry about it!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/TIbiA87Pb1I/AAAAAAAABSs/O-Xr2l3Mzn4/s1600/photobooth.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/TIbiA87Pb1I/AAAAAAAABSs/O-Xr2l3Mzn4/s320/photobooth.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5514343299744231250" border="0" /></a><a href="http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.weddingaces.com/wp-content/uploads/wedding-photo-booth-inspiration.JPG&amp;imgrefurl=http://www.weddingaces.com/2009/09/photobooth-inspiration/&amp;usg=__cqlIHRJrbgC35ibW97Bgt4hFka0=&amp;h=920&amp;w=615&amp;sz=382&amp;hl=en&amp;start=0&amp;sig2=BQJxNp6PTbMoW4CSr4fqWQ&amp;zoom=1&amp;tbnid=BR7P4GkwZQjHxM:&amp;tbnh=163&amp;tbnw=109&amp;ei=reGGTNveEILGlQfj-tS3Dg&amp;prev=/images%3Fq%3Dwedding%2Bphotobooth%26um%3D1%26hl%3Den%26sa%3DN%26biw%3D1280%26bih%3D645%26tbs%3Disch:10%2C114&amp;um=1&amp;itbs=1&amp;iact=hc&amp;vpx=131&amp;vpy=138&amp;dur=1708&amp;hovh=275&amp;hovw=183&amp;tx=107&amp;ty=148&amp;oei=reGGTNveEILGlQfj-tS3Dg&amp;esq=1&amp;page=1&amp;ndsp=20&amp;ved=1t:429,r:7,s:0&amp;biw=1280&amp;bih=645"><span style="font-size:78%;">Some awesome photo booth pics!</span></a><br /></div><br />Do you have a crush on your photographer? Where did you find yours? And are you planning on a photo booth at your wedding?<br /><span style="font-style: italic;"><br />***I'm not getting paid to say any of these nice things about Nathan. He's just awesome and everyone should know it!</span><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/5173074949304690889-8950113639254458717?l=futuremrshopefully.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Jennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18121319728492514987noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5173074949304690889.post-41900502297265892722010-09-07T19:40:00.001-05:002010-09-07T19:40:34.318-05:00Apparently men have wedding nightmares too! At least one man, ahem Mr. Plaid, had one.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/TIWe5_5qLEI/AAAAAAAABSU/ZE2N7j7mf3c/s1600/nightmare.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 317px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/TIWe5_5qLEI/AAAAAAAABSU/ZE2N7j7mf3c/s320/nightmare.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5513988038028045378" border="0" /></a><a href="http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://watchmojo.com/blogs/images/nightmare.jpg&amp;imgrefurl=http://www.watchmojo.com/blog/space/2009/01/20/women-have-more-nightmares-than-men-study-finds/&amp;usg=__YLQBYtpAm3TNbKp7RXO7lCYXP4E=&amp;h=415&amp;w=411&amp;sz=45&amp;hl=en&amp;start=0&amp;sig2=A_Hp1Vm2CdPxJt8CYXMVsw&amp;zoom=1&amp;tbnid=TaXNKilfVOT8NM:&amp;tbnh=167&amp;tbnw=163&amp;ei=wJ6FTOrnOMP6lwes49m8Dg&amp;prev=/images%3Fq%3Dwoman%2Bhaving%2Bnightmare%26um%3D1%26hl%3Den%26biw%3D1280%26bih%3D645%26tbs%3Disch:1&amp;um=1&amp;itbs=1&amp;iact=rc&amp;dur=380&amp;oei=wJ6FTOrnOMP6lwes49m8Dg&amp;esq=1&amp;page=1&amp;ndsp=18&amp;ved=1t:429,r:2,s:0&amp;tx=94&amp;ty=131"><span style="font-size:78%;">Source</span></a><br /><br /></div>I woke up Sunday feeling well-rested from our day at the lake on Saturday to a grumpy Mr. Plaid. Here's how what it went down:<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Me: "What's wrong?"</span> <span style="font-style: italic;"><br />Mr. Plaid: "I dreamt that you left me for someone better." (Sad face)</span> <span style="font-style: italic;"><br />Me: "What?!"</span> <span style="font-style: italic;"><br />Mr. Plaid: "I know you'd never actually do that but it all seemed so real!"</span><br /><br />I laid back down in bed and gave him a big ole bear hug. Poor baby. I hate those dreams that seem so real that when you wake up it takes a minute to figure out if what just happened was a dream or reality. It's freaky.<br /><br />And this is not the first time Mr. Plaid had a wedding nightmare. A few months ago he woke up and said he dreamt that nobody came to our wedding. My thoughts on that subject: "Oh well!"<br /><br />Of course I want people there, but if they can't be bothered to show, not my problem. If I did everything in my power to convince them to come, oh well. I know everyone has a million things going on in their own lives so I'm not going to stress if people don't come. However, if NO ONE shows, I will be more than a little depressed. But that'll never happen, so that's one nightmare that won't be coming true.<br /><br />So ladies, has your fiance suffered from wedding nightmares? Have you?<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/5173074949304690889-4190050229726589272?l=futuremrshopefully.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Jennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18121319728492514987noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5173074949304690889.post-31794920545480060352010-09-05T13:14:00.002-05:002010-09-05T13:18:27.569-05:00Lucky for our guests, we're planning on twelve to fourteen. Tables, that is. I'm here to talk table numbers with you fine ladies (and gentlemen, if you're out there too.)<br /><br />Now I know that assigned seating is a not a necessary thing at weddings, but to keep the night running smoothly, I have chosen to assign seats. Actually, I'm really only assigning tables, not specific seats. I also like the idea of assigned tables because I recently went to a wedding and ended up at the "reject" table, because it's all that was left after everyone else was seated. It was no fun and totally awkward. I don't want my guests to feel like that.<br /><br />And what do you need to assign tables? Table numbers! I already told y'all about <a href="http://futuremrshopefully.blogspot.com/2010/05/treat-and-seat.html">how each guest will find out which table they'll be sitting at</a>, but how will they know which table is which? A cute little table number, of course!<br /><br />Here's a little table number inspiration before I share with you what I ended up making for our table numbers:<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/TGhpNX5z75I/AAAAAAAABRc/JhdjS95wEYg/s1600/number2.htm"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 213px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/TGhpNX5z75I/AAAAAAAABRc/JhdjS95wEYg/s320/number2.htm" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5505766222936141714" border="0" /></a><a href="http://classifieds.weddingbee.com/topic/very-cute-wood-table-numbers"><span style="font-size:78%;">Source</span></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/TGhpN3Rbt_I/AAAAAAAABRk/Tzst_e5ffdA/s1600/number3.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/TGhpN3Rbt_I/AAAAAAAABRk/Tzst_e5ffdA/s320/number3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5505766231356717042" border="0" /></a><a href="http://diy.weddingbee.com/topic/wooden-frame-table-numbers-rustic-country-folksy"><span style="font-size:78%;">Love the Scrabble letters!</span></a><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/TGhpM7UU4BI/AAAAAAAABRU/iC5YN9XvN30/s1600/number1.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 135px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/TGhpM7UU4BI/AAAAAAAABRU/iC5YN9XvN30/s320/number1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5505766215262724114" border="0" /></a><a href="http://www.projectwedding.com/wedding-ideas/diy-vintage-frame-table-numbers"><span style="font-size:78%;">Source</span></a><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">In the true Plaid fashion, I couldn't make up my mind as to what I wanted to do for numbers. So I did a little of everything. I love the wooden numbers. And I definitely wanted to incorporate our engagement pictures in some way.<br /><br />So I started with some leftover yellow cardstock from our invitation extravaganza and made a little table tent. Then I went out and bought little wooden numbers at Michaels. Unfortunately apparently "1"s are in high demand because I went to three different Michaels looking for "1"s and only found a few, so I ended up buying "I"s. Hopefully no one will notice.<br /><br />I decided to paint the numbers blue to contrast with the yellow cardstock. Then I used a little decorative lacey punch on the corners of each photo and glued a picture and number to each yellow table tent. Check 'em out:<br /></div></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/TGhr26cX1DI/AAAAAAAABRs/BljNwza_Lfs/s1600/DSCN0342.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/TGhr26cX1DI/AAAAAAAABRs/BljNwza_Lfs/s320/DSCN0342.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5505769135605797938" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/TGhr3qwa-LI/AAAAAAAABR0/YXFrtNr60bo/s1600/DSCN0343.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/TGhr3qwa-LI/AAAAAAAABR0/YXFrtNr60bo/s320/DSCN0343.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5505769148574791858" border="0" /></a><br />I'm so glad I found a way to incorporate our engagement photos into our wedding decor. What are y'all using for table numbers? Or are you foregoing the whole assigned seats idea altogether?<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/5173074949304690889-3179492054548006035?l=futuremrshopefully.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Jennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18121319728492514987noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5173074949304690889.post-21807791389872199842010-09-02T18:25:00.002-05:002010-09-02T18:26:18.392-05:00You got it! I'm talking about a Sweetheart's Table at the reception. I love love love the idea of an individual table just for the bride and groom. Why you ask? Well let me tell you....<br /><br />First, chances are we're not going to be sitting a whole lot at the reception anyways. So, to me, it makes more sense to have a table just for the two of us. That way if we get up to chat we're not abandoning our fellow table-mates.<br /><br />Second, it seems romantic. On the off chance that we do actually sit at our table we get it all to ourselves. We can share some private moments that I know we'll be craving that day.<br /><br />Third, well let me show you in pictures:<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/S5W9pYIEYfI/AAAAAAAAArg/tJf8D5hLqCw/s1600-h/sh1.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/S5W9pYIEYfI/AAAAAAAAArg/tJf8D5hLqCw/s320/sh1.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5446467842923061746" border="0" /></a><a href="http://www.verbenadesigns.com/JLD1.JPG"><span style="font-size:78%;">Source</span></a><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/S5W-B8EviGI/AAAAAAAAAro/Ky71cDRmmRY/s1600-h/sh2.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/S5W-B8EviGI/AAAAAAAAAro/Ky71cDRmmRY/s320/sh2.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5446468264889649250" border="0" /></a><a href="http://celebrityweddings.us/yahoo_site_admin/assets/images/Sweetheart_Table.336150235.JPG"><span style="font-size:78%;">Source</span></a><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/S5W-xevstcI/AAAAAAAAArw/xUT93OPf6Ss/s1600-h/sh3.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/S5W-xevstcI/AAAAAAAAArw/xUT93OPf6Ss/s320/sh3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5446469081650476482" border="0" /></a><a href="http://i36.tinypic.com/15zi979.jpg"><span style="font-size:78%;">Source</span></a><br /></div><span style="font-size:100%;"><br />Here's what I came up with for our sweetheart table:</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/TGhhHQaQt9I/AAAAAAAABRE/ZiuA-E939wk/s1600/DSCN0340.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/TGhhHQaQt9I/AAAAAAAABRE/ZiuA-E939wk/s320/DSCN0340.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5505757321752524754" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/TGhhHr_f6GI/AAAAAAAABRM/yLoWGTKyIeQ/s1600/DSCN0341.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/TGhhHr_f6GI/AAAAAAAABRM/yLoWGTKyIeQ/s320/DSCN0341.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5505757329156466786" border="0" /></a><br />You're gonna have to use your imagination and see this against a nice clean white table cloth, not my oatmeal colored throw.<span style="font-size:100%;"> And I may include some jars with candles on our table just like the ones I'm using for the centerpieces.<br /><br />The first part of this post is a bit of a repeat for y'all, but please follow to the end if you're interested in my project!<br /><br />It was very easy to make and didn't take much time either. I went to Michaels and bought this olive branch cluster thing fr0m the floral department. I think it cost five bucks. Then, using a bunch of leftover flowers from our bouquets, I covered the olive branch cluster.<br /><br />I really liked the idea of incorporating our initials in someway. I found some thick cardboard (I think it was backing a stack of vellum I'd purchased for another project.) Yay for free stuff! I printed out "J &amp; R" (I'm not sure what font I chose) and then cut them out of the cardboard with an Xacto knife. And of course, decided to spice them up with a little glitter.<br /><br />Using some leftover (do you see a trend yet?) yellow ribbon, I hung the letters from the middle of the branches.<br /><br />Are y'all having a sweethearts table? How are you planning to decorate your special table?</span><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/5173074949304690889-2180779138987219984?l=futuremrshopefully.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Jennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18121319728492514987noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5173074949304690889.post-10377298521398584252010-08-22T17:01:00.001-05:002010-08-22T17:01:41.853-05:00I feel like a mom watching her baby go away to college. I have released my wedding invitations into the world. Two days ahead of schedule! Go me! They've been done for about a month and have been patiently waiting in a shoe box, ready to go!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/TG8vnTeOAGI/AAAAAAAABR8/snik0NSm7mo/s1600/DSCN0344.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/TG8vnTeOAGI/AAAAAAAABR8/snik0NSm7mo/s320/DSCN0344.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5507673221585829986" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/TG8vn5U9FuI/AAAAAAAABSE/Ifbd0OJuX20/s1600/DSCN0345.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/TG8vn5U9FuI/AAAAAAAABSE/Ifbd0OJuX20/s320/DSCN0345.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5507673231747520226" border="0" /></a>**Taken by Mr. Plaid!<br /><br />I hope they make it safely to where they need to go. That means I could have RSVPs as early as next week. Eeeep! I'm so excited. It's all becoming so real!<br /><br />The reveal is coming soon. Promise. I was actually going to post the reveal without sending them out, but like I said, I'm ahead of schedule so you'll just have to wait.<br /><br />Were you sad to see your invitations go? Or were you more excited to see the RSVPs arrive?<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/5173074949304690889-1037729852139858425?l=futuremrshopefully.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Jennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18121319728492514987noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5173074949304690889.post-14383230442784412792010-08-11T11:00:00.000-05:002010-08-11T11:07:27.760-05:00OK, well maybe just to a bride who has been stressing over a giant project she decided to take on that's been sitting in her closet now for many months now. What can I say? It was too big. And I just didn't want to do it.<br /><br />Remember those jars I told you about that I scored for free from work?<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/TGCLhAdqs4I/AAAAAAAABQU/pIQQFTNoMt4/s1600/DSCN0077.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/TGCLhAdqs4I/AAAAAAAABQU/pIQQFTNoMt4/s320/DSCN0077.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5503552143823123330" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/TGCLhuPVTyI/AAAAAAAABQc/s_H-soGED9M/s1600/DSCN0078.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/TGCLhuPVTyI/AAAAAAAABQc/s_H-soGED9M/s320/DSCN0078.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5503552156111032098" border="0" /></a><br />Guess what ladies? I finally did something with them. And let me explain why they defeated me for so long before my brilliant fiance helped this sister out.<br /><br />Basically, the jars were free, but they had these pain-in-the-butt labels stuck on them. And I mean stuck. Like they used extra super-strength glue on these bad boys. God forbid a corner of a label peel off. They weren't taking any chances.<br /><br />Anyways, it was taking F-O-R-E-V-E-R (Sandlot, anyone?) to scrape the labels off. I was having to soak them in hot water, then scrape with an old credit card, then try to wipe off all the glue with Goof-Off, then run under water, another round of Goof-Off and more water. It was horrible. I got a big ole blister on my hand.<br /><br />I was feeling defeated, so I finally broke down and asked my fiance if he'd help. He agreed. Yay! But then they continued to sit there for another week. Stupid jars. Here comes the genius idea:<br /><br />Instead of peeling the labels off, just cover them up! Novel idea, right? I feel like such a dummy. It took me many months and a blister, just for my fiance to come along and tell me to cover them up. Why didn't I think of that?<br /><br />So cover them up is what I did! I used three different wedding wrapping papers (all bought at the dollar store) and four different ribbons to jazz these jars up. And some of that trusty double-sided tape that I love.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/TGCNYvjf_VI/AAAAAAAABQs/B52S61ckrC8/s1600/DSCN0314.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 235px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/TGCNYvjf_VI/AAAAAAAABQs/B52S61ckrC8/s320/DSCN0314.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5503554200868486482" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/TGCNZSRlIXI/AAAAAAAABQ0/pK2DIrzE2Cw/s1600/DSCN0318.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/TGCNZSRlIXI/AAAAAAAABQ0/pK2DIrzE2Cw/s320/DSCN0318.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5503554210188566898" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Oh yeah, thinking hard, in a not-so-attractive crafting outfit! :)</span><br /><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/TGCNYIASdgI/AAAAAAAABQk/AKGtZnZ91To/s1600/DSCN0313.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 226px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/TGCNYIASdgI/AAAAAAAABQk/AKGtZnZ91To/s320/DSCN0313.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5503554190251816450" border="0" /></a><br />I plan on grouping three jars together on each table for the centerpiece. Each cluster will sit on top of a square of either yellow or blue fabric and each jar will hold a floating candle. I'm hoping for a very romantic glow to the reception area.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/TGCNZ28uJcI/AAAAAAAABQ8/wAHKv0Wvl1s/s1600/DSCN0319.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/TGCNZ28uJcI/AAAAAAAABQ8/wAHKv0Wvl1s/s320/DSCN0319.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5503554220033189314" border="0" /></a><br />Did you spend months fretting over a project, only to figure out a simple, no-brain way of accomplishing it? Nothing like a little fiance to the rescue!<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/5173074949304690889-1438323044278441279?l=futuremrshopefully.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Jennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18121319728492514987noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5173074949304690889.post-41382437641201854412010-08-02T08:45:00.002-05:002010-08-02T08:48:08.295-05:00Hey Everyone! It's a wonderful Monday! I found out late last week that I'm going to be the newest bee on Weddingbee!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/TFbMcjThcII/AAAAAAAABQM/7VSkwfBCU7Q/s1600/weddingbee.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 299px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/TFbMcjThcII/AAAAAAAABQM/7VSkwfBCU7Q/s320/weddingbee.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5500808785765167234" border="0" /></a><a href="www.weddingbee.com"><span style="font-size:78%;">Source</span><br /></a></div><br />I've worked so hard to get this, I can't believe I finally have it! I'll still be writing here but feel free to check out my stuff on Weddingbee too. It'll be posts you've already read on here for awhile first though. Yay!<br /><br />Have a great Monday!<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/5173074949304690889-4138243764120185441?l=futuremrshopefully.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Jennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18121319728492514987noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5173074949304690889.post-79706375994945001912010-07-29T05:00:00.001-05:002010-07-29T05:27:01.085-05:00You know, every time I hear that Beyonce song now, I think of Glee, when the football players are dancing on the field. Classic!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/TE-S1Y8JL3I/AAAAAAAABOo/KjNZBd0Y0P4/s1600/glee.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/TE-S1Y8JL3I/AAAAAAAABOo/KjNZBd0Y0P4/s320/glee.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5498775115968098162" border="0" /></a><a href="http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://img2.timeinc.net/ew/dynamic/imgs/091211/Glee/single-ladies_400.jpg&amp;imgrefurl=http://www.ew.com/ew/gallery/0,,20326696_5,00.html&amp;usg=__Pip77D-6-HSNKXWVvzvDZe5VgXw=&amp;h=400&amp;w=400&amp;sz=126&amp;hl=en&amp;start=0&amp;sig2=qs31lyqwXjSWDieXk-VYAw&amp;tbnid=zrrIxeaQOcrYJM:&amp;tbnh=152&amp;tbnw=152&amp;ei=tpJPTI6OIsG88gaslaXYAQ&amp;prev=/images%3Fq%3Dglee%2Bsingle%2Bladies%26um%3D1%26hl%3Den%26sa%3DN%26biw%3D1280%26bih%3D645%26tbs%3Disch:1&amp;um=1&amp;itbs=1&amp;iact=rc&amp;dur=85&amp;page=1&amp;ndsp=16&amp;ved=1t:429,r:4,s:0"><span style="font-size:78%;">Source</span></a><br /></div><br />And if, for some reason, you have not seen this episode, <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z8Ow9hAD_Jc">click here now</a>! And seriously, if don't watch Glee, you should be. All the cool kids are doing it ;)<br /><br />OK, now on to what this post is really about. My wedding band arrived yesterday! My fiance is a good fiance and ordered mine last week. I have been a bad fiance and still have not ordered his. I will this week, I promise.<br /><br />It's perfect! It's very dainty, had tiny little stones in it and it's super light. It took me forever to decide what kind of band I even wanted and ultimately chose this one because the stone settings resembled the settings on my engagement ring (where the diamonds are anyways).<br /><br />So here's my extremely lousy attempt at being an artist. I don't know what happened to my photography skills, but they've definitely gone missing.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/TE-UFsIufOI/AAAAAAAABO4/_OenoFC7UoI/s1600/DSCN0306.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 317px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/TE-UFsIufOI/AAAAAAAABO4/_OenoFC7UoI/s320/DSCN0306.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5498776495510682850" border="0" /></a><br />Here's my band and engagement ring. This is the box the band came in. Nothing special. And PS...I seriously need to clean my engagement ring. It usually sparkles more than that.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/TE-UFQat46I/AAAAAAAABOw/g-NFTIsSFzc/s1600/DSCN0293.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 258px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/TE-UFQat46I/AAAAAAAABOw/g-NFTIsSFzc/s320/DSCN0293.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5498776488069948322" border="0" /></a><br />Now on top of this awesome Dr Pepper box, our favorite type of drink. And, unfortunately, the bad habit I have yet to be able to kick. :(<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/TE-UGGCOjrI/AAAAAAAABPA/-ZJcTY9mBZw/s1600/DSCN0309.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 254px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/TE-UGGCOjrI/AAAAAAAABPA/-ZJcTY9mBZw/s320/DSCN0309.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5498776502462746290" border="0" /></a><br />This one's for my fiance, Star Wars fan extraordinaire. I found it in his man room and thought, why not hang my rings of Darth Vader's light saber.<br /><br />Here's the thing. When I opened the box and popped the ring on to my finger (to make sure that it fit OK, obviously, and not at all because I can't wait to wear it everyday for the rest of my life), it really set in. Holy crap, I'm getting married. This is all real. The party I've been planning for almost a year now is actually happening. It's happening really soon. I'm going to be someone's wife. Weird. That'll take some getting used to.<br /><br />How'd you choose your wedding band? Did you have a moment when it really set in that you are getting married, that it's all real?<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/5173074949304690889-7970637599494500191?l=futuremrshopefully.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Jennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18121319728492514987noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5173074949304690889.post-11972228016543414872010-07-27T12:56:00.001-05:002010-07-27T13:08:24.857-05:00Yeah, that's right, I threw an extra "chica" in there. Cue porn music! Haha, just kidding.<br /><br />I told y'all I was planning on doing a boudoir shoot with my photographer and I've got pictures back, baby! And let me just tell y'all, it was so much fun! I thought I'd be crazy nervous, but I was so relaxed. Let me clue you in on why I think I was so calm.<br /><br />1. The photographer's wife came along too. I'd met her at my engagement shoot previously. She's super nice and definitely helped relax the mood.<br />2. My sister was also there to calm the nerves.<br />3. I super planned so that everything was thought of and taken care of ahead of time.<br />4. I had some delicious Dos XX at the ready (although I didn't end up really needing the liquid courage after all)<br />5. I had a little playlist on my iPod playing in the background.<br /><br />I decided to do the shoot at my sister's apartment and it worked out brilliantly. We rearranged some furniture, I made some quick decorations using an extra canvas and some fabric I had laying around and draped the bed with white sheets.<br /><br />I brought five outfits with me, and love every single one. My photographer recommended multiple so that we'd have options. Here are mine:<br /><br />-Rugby shirt, boy shorts, tube socks, xBox game controller (my fiance is a gamer)<br />-50s style dress, apron, mixing bowl, whisk, spatula, cookbooks, cupcake (I'm a pastry chef)<br />-my wedding night nightie, sheer robe, veil, high heels<br />-blue men's button-up shirt, black bra and underwear, tie, pearls<br />-lacey tank top, boy shorts<br /><br />So without further ado (and Dad, I know you read my blog sometimes, please stop reading NOW. Close your browser page immediately)!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/TE3QXVSHw6I/AAAAAAAABOA/L6HuAdqc8Io/s1600/jenncollins++006.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/TE3QXVSHw6I/AAAAAAAABOA/L6HuAdqc8Io/s320/jenncollins++006.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5498279819357963170" border="0" /></a><br />Cause you know, I look sexy every time I'm playing the xBox and shooting zombies and whatnot.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/TE3QX1b2UKI/AAAAAAAABOI/DjtotyVy6nM/s1600/jenncollins++017.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/TE3QX1b2UKI/AAAAAAAABOI/DjtotyVy6nM/s320/jenncollins++017.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5498279827988697250" border="0" /></a><br />Oh yes, let me help you with that cupcake. (wink, wink) ;)<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/TE3QYxmPsEI/AAAAAAAABOQ/gBltIzwnCQc/s1600/jenncollins++042.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/TE3QYxmPsEI/AAAAAAAABOQ/gBltIzwnCQc/s320/jenncollins++042.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5498279844138430530" border="0" /></a><br />Umm...wow. That's all I can say about this shot. I look hot. I never thought I could pull off hot!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/TE3QZc4c-3I/AAAAAAAABOY/RMYpK-v6Ra8/s1600/jenncollins++054.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 213px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/TE3QZc4c-3I/AAAAAAAABOY/RMYpK-v6Ra8/s320/jenncollins++054.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5498279855757523826" border="0" /></a><br />We ended up going with the pearls over the tie, and it was my photographer's idea to bring a Polaroid and shoot some pics of me like I was doing my own photo session.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/TE3QZ2GocRI/AAAAAAAABOg/cfI97PalqS4/s1600/jenncollins++071.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/TE3QZ2GocRI/AAAAAAAABOg/cfI97PalqS4/s320/jenncollins++071.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5498279862527881490" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;"><a href="http://www.nathanrussellphoto.com/">All photos by the fabulous Nathan Russell</a><br /><br /></span></div>I also got to have a pillow fight with the camera. Again, the photographer's idea. His wife and my sister stood out of frame and threw the white feathers into the shot. I also had some in my pillowcase so when I swung, they flew out.<br /><br />All in all, I say it went brilliantly. I never thought I could pull off sexy, but somehow I managed to. It was my photographer's first boudoir shoot and he did an awesome job and had some great ideas!<br /><br />Seriously, if you are at all considering a boudoir shoot, I say do it! It's up to you how much you want to show off. I opted for more covered up than scandalous, so do what you want. It really will boost your confidence after you get the photos back.<br /><br />Now I have to decide what to do with the photos. As you might recall, I'm gifting them to my fiance on our wedding day. I think what I'll probably do is make him a little book and possibly frame one for his home office. Just a small frame that he can enjoy while he's gaming. I just wish I didn't have to keep it a secret for another three months. It's killing me!<br /><br />Are you planning a boudoir shoot? Need any more tips? Just message me.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/5173074949304690889-1197222801654341487?l=futuremrshopefully.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Jennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18121319728492514987noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5173074949304690889.post-29850630261395054342010-07-26T12:45:00.000-05:002010-07-26T13:48:57.337-05:00That's right ladies, this is the final installment for my photo inspiration. So let's get underway.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/TE3J-gjAfvI/AAAAAAAABNA/QCznpAI4s2w/s1600/bride+in+converses.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 213px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/TE3J-gjAfvI/AAAAAAAABNA/QCznpAI4s2w/s320/bride+in+converses.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5498272795815083762" border="0" /></a><a href="http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://kateheadley.typepad.com/.a/6a00e553a0b7cb883301156fb617fc970c-700wi&amp;imgrefurl=http://kateheadley.typepad.com/photography/2009/05/custom-converse.html&amp;usg=__dzlp7yHmUT_JarN59yZgCgR12V8=&amp;h=1052&amp;w=700&amp;sz=584&amp;hl=en&amp;start=0&amp;sig2=BD96g_phX9Jof_6Hc1dRBQ&amp;tbnid=ShBc8nOUunLeBM:&amp;tbnh=166&amp;tbnw=110&amp;ei=eMpNTKqzOIX6lweO4eX1DQ&amp;prev=/images%3Fq%3Dbride%2Bin%2Bconverses%26um%3D1%26hl%3Den%26sa%3DN%26biw%3D1280%26bih%3D645%26tbs%3Disch:10%2C228&amp;um=1&amp;itbs=1&amp;iact=rc&amp;dur=197&amp;page=1&amp;ndsp=16&amp;ved=1t:429,r:10,s:0&amp;biw=1280&amp;bih=645"><span style="font-size:78%;">Source</span></a><br /><br /></div>Let's start off with a bride in some kick-ass Converses. Perhaps in blue? Perhaps like the ones I just happen to have in a box in my wedding closet? I can not wait to jump and dance around in my Converses all night long!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/TE3J_LhlvhI/AAAAAAAABNI/6tep6lI_X5E/s1600/bridegroomgoofy.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 229px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/TE3J_LhlvhI/AAAAAAAABNI/6tep6lI_X5E/s320/bridegroomgoofy.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5498272807351860754" border="0" /></a><a href="http://www.weddingbee.com/2010/07/02/funny-wedding-moments/#more-150587"><span style="font-size:78%;">Source</span></a><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">That's Mrs. Pencils and her hubby from Weddingbee. I really hope our photographer can capture some personality shots of my and my fiance. We're both total weirdos and funny faces just come naturally to me so hopefully we'll be relaxed enough in front of the camera to get some great shots.<br /><br /></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/TE3J_lQLoaI/AAAAAAAABNQ/Q5qiTSZLZC4/s1600/bridetwirling.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/TE3J_lQLoaI/AAAAAAAABNQ/Q5qiTSZLZC4/s320/bridetwirling.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5498272814258168226" border="0" /></a><a href="http://www.rtweddings.co.uk/blog/wp-content/uploads/2008/11/cerasoli_2216.jpg"><span style="font-size:78%;">Source</span></a><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">I think Mrs. Cola (again from Weddingbee) talked about a twirling shot and I just fell in love. I was that little girl that would watch The Sound of Music and be jealous of Liesl and her dress when she was dancing with Rolf in the gazebo singing "I am Sixteen, Going on Seventeen." I have always wanted a dress that twirled. I have no idea if my wedding dress will, in fact, twirl, but damn it, I'm gonna try!<br /><br />This last photo that I hope gets captured is a weird one. I really want a photo of me eating at the wedding. I know that sounds strange, especially for me. See I'm the kind of person that hates when people watch me eat. I get all paranoid that there's something on my face. I know, I'm weird, whatever. But we're serving burritos at our wedding. And for some reason I think it'd be awesome to see a bride in her wedding dress stuffing her face with burrito.<br /><br />Ummm, yeah. Y'all probably think I'm crazy now. Oh well. So are there any unique shots that you have to have taken on your wedding day? Any suggestions for shots you think I might be missing?<br /></div></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/5173074949304690889-2985063026139505434?l=futuremrshopefully.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Jennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18121319728492514987noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5173074949304690889.post-82429148579251650262010-07-24T17:03:00.000-05:002010-07-26T12:44:28.828-05:00...to say...I'm having a bridal shower!!! (Haha, yes, I knew I was having one, but I got the invite in my inbox today and all I can think is, Yay!)<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/TEjBx_ONgDI/AAAAAAAABMY/h2K9QONy99Q/s1600/bridal+shower.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 242px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/TEjBx_ONgDI/AAAAAAAABMY/h2K9QONy99Q/s320/bridal+shower.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5496856409734479922" border="0" /></a><br />My fabulous bridesmaids, yes all five of them, are throwing me what I know will be one kick-ass bridal shower. They even included one of my wedding colors on the invite!<br /><br />Most of the plans for the shower are on the down-low. All I do know is that my sister is in charge of games. Yay! There will be games. That was one of my requests. Yes, I do want to play all those cheesy bridal shower games. It's part of getting married, darn it! :)<br /><br />I also, happen to know that my shower has a lingerie theme. Let, me just say....bow-chica-bow-wow! Haha, another one of my requests. What can I say? You only get married once and I want to make all the festivities as fun as possible.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/TEjEWLTP8lI/AAAAAAAABMg/o8hhjL9Y_fM/s1600/lingerie.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/TEjEWLTP8lI/AAAAAAAABMg/o8hhjL9Y_fM/s320/lingerie.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5496859230475383378" border="0" /></a><a href="http://www.weddingbee.com/2010/02/09/the-cutest-naughty-shower-gift-ever/"><span style="font-size:78%;">Source</span></a><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br />What is <span style="font-style: italic;">that</span>? Ummm...it's a pasty sundae, of course. (Courtesy of Mrs. Cheeseburger from Weddingbee!)<br /><br /></div></div>I only wish I didn't have to wait until September to party. :(<br /><br />Is anyone else as excited about their bridal shower as I am? Is yours a secret? Does it have a specific theme?<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/5173074949304690889-8242914857925165026?l=futuremrshopefully.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Jennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18121319728492514987noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5173074949304690889.post-56900456318614213082010-07-22T14:51:00.001-05:002010-07-23T09:40:05.951-05:00As promised, I'm back with the second installation of photo inspiration. Haha, say that seven times fast. I know the first batch was pretty run-of-the-mill, but I just want to make sure my photographer knows what pictures are important for me to have.<br /><br />So on to ceremony photos!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/TEdSG9ZllaI/AAAAAAAABMA/XSXcu-O9bKs/s1600/handfasting.gif"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 158px; height: 241px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/TEdSG9ZllaI/AAAAAAAABMA/XSXcu-O9bKs/s320/handfasting.gif" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5496452149743556002" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;"><a href="http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.celebrant2u.com.au/images/handfasting.gif&amp;imgrefurl=http://www.celebrant2u.com.au/weddings_content_new.html&amp;usg=__x0XXLajxU4TF6ezr8RJ6b4cTQHE=&amp;h=241&amp;w=158&amp;sz=21&amp;hl=en&amp;start=82&amp;sig2=FUnwj8vgvF3AATkb1pt0vQ&amp;tbnid=35-9FJgX7CIXvM:&amp;tbnh=158&amp;tbnw=102&amp;ei=qlBHTOa9GtGMnQeh_JWfBA&amp;prev=/images%3Fq%3Dhand%2Bfasting%26um%3D1%26hl%3Den%26sa%3DN%26biw%3D1280%26bih%3D645%26tbs%3Disch:10%2C2052&amp;um=1&amp;itbs=1&amp;iact=hc&amp;vpx=690&amp;vpy=315&amp;dur=1988&amp;hovh=192&amp;hovw=126&amp;tx=80&amp;ty=71&amp;page=5&amp;ndsp=19&amp;ved=1t:429,r:9,s:82&amp;biw=1280&amp;bih=645">Source</a><br /><span style="font-size:100%;"> </span><br /></span><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size:78%;"><span style="font-size:100%;">We're planning to include a small handfasting ceremony and I want to make sure it is captured on film.<br /><br /></span></span></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/TEdSFnxICKI/AAAAAAAABLw/nY3Vek3Ibv0/s1600/bridegroom+kiss.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 255px; height: 296px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/TEdSFnxICKI/AAAAAAAABLw/nY3Vek3Ibv0/s320/bridegroom+kiss.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5496452126756833442" border="0" /></a><a href="http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.greenbrideguide.com/sites/default/files/u481/bride%2520groom%2520kiss%2520hydrangea%2520ceremony%2520tin%2520pail.jpg&amp;imgrefurl=http://www.greenbrideguide.com/blogs/eco-chic-style&amp;usg=__Aajuo2oU4wbFyOePpuvxc-a_cWk=&amp;h=296&amp;w=255&amp;sz=38&amp;hl=en&amp;start=0&amp;sig2=GaGjddznClcQUqnYzJ0bKg&amp;tbnid=YXdmAm8IfmIXHM:&amp;tbnh=175&amp;tbnw=153&amp;ei=HFFHTOHaCcT6lwej_MDuAw&amp;prev=/images%3Fq%3Dbride%2Band%2Bgroom%2Bend%2Bof%2Bceremony%2Bkiss%26um%3D1%26hl%3Den%26biw%3D1280%26bih%3D645%26tbs%3Disch:1&amp;um=1&amp;itbs=1&amp;iact=rc&amp;dur=273&amp;page=1&amp;ndsp=17&amp;ved=1t:429,r:10,s:0&amp;biw=1280&amp;bih=645"><span style="font-size:78%;">Source</span></a><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">We haven't discussed our special wedding day kiss yet, but I want something with a little personality if we can pull it off. And our probably will look like the couple above as I am 11 inches shorter than my fiance.<br /><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/TEdSHU_91qI/AAAAAAAABMI/71ov1ljC8DA/s1600/recessional.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 242px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/TEdSHU_91qI/AAAAAAAABMI/71ov1ljC8DA/s320/recessional.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5496452156078544546" border="0" /></a><a href="http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://kseidlphoto.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2009/10/recessional.jpg&amp;imgrefurl=http://kseidlphoto.com/blog/%3Fp%3D1730&amp;usg=__bZxRMq2xuFq2Gu7Fh7zVB_OpK_w=&amp;h=604&amp;w=800&amp;sz=349&amp;hl=en&amp;start=0&amp;sig2=PX2OaZ-5lf4-06E5UdQoPw&amp;tbnid=MwdmrODCmC0sRM:&amp;tbnh=172&amp;tbnw=211&amp;ei=q1FHTKikAoHGlQeEyODtAw&amp;prev=/images%3Fq%3Dwedding%2Bexcited%2Brecessional%26um%3D1%26hl%3Den%26biw%3D1280%26bih%3D645%26tbs%3Disch:1&amp;um=1&amp;itbs=1&amp;iact=hc&amp;vpx=666&amp;vpy=265&amp;dur=125&amp;hovh=195&amp;hovw=258&amp;tx=65&amp;ty=88&amp;page=1&amp;ndsp=16&amp;ved=1t:429,r:8,s:0&amp;biw=1280&amp;bih=645"><span style="font-size:78%;">Source</span></a><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">This bride kinda reminds me of Vienna from the Bachelor. I love love love this picture! I want to look that excited when I'm walking back up the aisle with my husband on my arm. (Hopefully my mouth won't be open quite as wide, but you get the picture.) Plus I've got a kick-ass song in mind to help motivate the ecstatic mood. More on that later. ;)<br /><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/TEdSGbDdAdI/AAAAAAAABL4/EDpFRbW2rNg/s1600/bridegroomquietmoment.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/TEdSGbDdAdI/AAAAAAAABL4/EDpFRbW2rNg/s320/bridegroomquietmoment.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5496452140523913682" border="0" /></a><a href="http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://images.blueolivephotography.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2008/04/jenneil_blogw06.jpg&amp;imgrefurl=http://www.blueolivephotography.com/blog/vancouver/tofino/&amp;usg=__b7qJ2nJw7IE420ujI3iXH5eleYE=&amp;h=316&amp;w=475&amp;sz=67&amp;hl=en&amp;start=0&amp;sig2=6OMcGuzc8-YhgWSq2xnqSQ&amp;tbnid=d24arN3m6fpY3M:&amp;tbnh=162&amp;tbnw=214&amp;ei=RVFHTMqVIoO8lQeFr8jsAw&amp;prev=/images%3Fq%3Dbride%2Band%2Bgroom%2Bquiet%2Bmoment%26um%3D1%26hl%3Den%26biw%3D1280%26bih%3D645%26tbs%3Disch:10%2C228&amp;um=1&amp;itbs=1&amp;iact=hc&amp;vpx=124&amp;vpy=221&amp;dur=729&amp;hovh=183&amp;hovw=275&amp;tx=212&amp;ty=64&amp;page=1&amp;ndsp=18&amp;ved=1t:429,r:12,s:0&amp;biw=1280&amp;bih=645"><span style="font-size:78%;">Source</span></a><br /></div><br />Since we're planning on taking most of our photos before the ceremony, I really think it's important for our photographer to capture my fiance and I as the realization sets in that we're stuck with each other for the rest of our lives. I mean, blessed to find each other to spend the rest of our lives with. This shot is absolutely beautiful. I have a slight feeling that I may not be able to achieve something this serene as I may be bouncing off the walls with excitement.<br /><br />I know these shots are still kinda run-of-the-mill, but, again, they're important ones that I for sure want captured on our special day.<br /><br />Next up, the fun, unique shots, that'll make our wedding the best day ever!<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/5173074949304690889-5690045631861421308?l=futuremrshopefully.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Jennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18121319728492514987noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5173074949304690889.post-40066453199316032942010-07-20T14:28:00.000-05:002010-07-22T17:24:49.395-05:00This past weekend I started compiling my list of must-take photos for my photographer. I know it's a bit early, but you know me, "the early bird gets the worm"!<br /><br />I'm going to break this post up in to three parts: before the ceremony, the ceremony and the reception and the little details. I've got high expectations and seeing as how my photographer is beyond awesome and talented, I have no doubt that he'll be able to take amazing shots on my wedding day!<br /><br />So here we go! A look into my must-have pictures of my special day!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/TEX_9VSj-VI/AAAAAAAABLQ/DqP7qjP9c3U/s1600/dresshanging.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 250px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/TEX_9VSj-VI/AAAAAAAABLQ/DqP7qjP9c3U/s320/dresshanging.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5496080349427661138" border="0" /></a><a href="http://gallery.weddingbee.com/photo/wedding-dress-on-a-longhorn"><span style="font-size:78%;">Source</span></a><br /><br /></div> There's the obligatory dress shot. However, mine won't be on a steer head. Sorry to disappoint. Mine will be hanging on a hanger with my new surname on it.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/TEX_9KeERsI/AAAAAAAABLI/YDmalTM03-g/s1600/bridewithmom.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 222px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/TEX_9KeERsI/AAAAAAAABLI/YDmalTM03-g/s320/bridewithmom.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5496080346523125442" border="0" /></a><a href="http://www.facebook.com/#%21/photo.php?pid=2609683&amp;op=1&amp;o=global&amp;view=global&amp;subj=625888083&amp;id=599025859"><span style="font-size:78%;">Source</span></a><br /><span style="font-size:78%;">This is my beautiful Co-MOH, Leesa</span><br /><br /></div> I love seeing pictures of moms helping their daughters into their wedding dresses. A definite must. Plus my mom's just so cute and tiny, it'll be an adorable shot.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/TEX_85zp11I/AAAAAAAABLA/h1X8FSPPYlE/s1600/bridesgettingready.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/TEX_85zp11I/AAAAAAAABLA/h1X8FSPPYlE/s320/bridesgettingready.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5496080342050264914" border="0" /></a><a href="http://www.facebook.com/#%21/photo.php?pid=2609643&amp;op=3&amp;o=global&amp;view=global&amp;subj=625888083&amp;id=599025859"><span style="font-size:78%;">Source</span></a><br /><span style="font-size:78%;">Again, my beautiful Co-MOH, Leesa</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/TEYC-FHQVPI/AAAAAAAABLg/Vr91NzKKKCg/s1600/brideshoes.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 222px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/TEYC-FHQVPI/AAAAAAAABLg/Vr91NzKKKCg/s320/brideshoes.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5496083660800021746" border="0" /></a><a href="http://www.facebook.com/#%21/photo.php?pid=2609642&amp;op=2&amp;o=global&amp;view=global&amp;subj=625888083&amp;id=599025859"><span style="font-size:78%;">Source</span></a><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">I love my shoes so much that I've gotta have some killer shoe shots. And I fully intend to make my sister strap my shoes on me... haha.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/TEYEM1Lk4KI/AAAAAAAABLo/Yxb4UPbpA_k/s1600/groomtie.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 210px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/TEYEM1Lk4KI/AAAAAAAABLo/Yxb4UPbpA_k/s320/groomtie.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5496085013732843682" border="0" /></a><a href="http://www.briankhang.com/blogpictures/sb7.jpg"><span style="font-size:78%;">Source</span></a><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">And of course this day isn't <span style="font-style: italic;">all</span> about me (just kidding) so I'd love to have some groom getting ready shots. They'd just be too cute!<br /><br /></div></div>Are there any must have shots that you're dying your photographer captures of you while you're getting ready? Are you making a list, or just hoping you get killer pictures without a list?<br /><br />Stay tuned, more photo inspiration to come!<br /></div></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/5173074949304690889-4006645319931603294?l=futuremrshopefully.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Jennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18121319728492514987noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5173074949304690889.post-44630312092238133672010-07-18T18:27:00.005-05:002010-07-19T14:07:09.412-05:00Traditionally the father walks the bride down the aisle and gives her away to the groom. I've always known this tradition wasn't for me. Not the whole tradition anyways.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/TEOTGWRUpkI/AAAAAAAABKw/69yaDcyoT8c/s1600/daddy+girl.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/TEOTGWRUpkI/AAAAAAAABKw/69yaDcyoT8c/s320/daddy+girl.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5495397707588871746" border="0" /></a><a href="http://lifelessserious.files.wordpress.com/2009/10/daddy-girl-brunette.jpg"><span style="font-size:78%;">Source</span></a><br /><br /></div>I guess I'd say that my relationship with my father is not as strong as some girls. My parents got divorced when I was seven and my sister and I lived with our mom full time. We saw our dad every week, but we never shared the same bond with him as we did our mom.<br /><br />So when I first considered walking down the aisle when I get married, I thought about asking my mom. But then that didn't seem right exactly. It's hard to explain. As much as I want to stray from the norm, I can't fight the fact that I am, in fact, a traditionalist.<br /><br />Then I thought, I'll just walk by myself. I'm a strong, confident woman, I can do this myself. But that wasn't right either. The day is about me and my groom, but it's also about my family. I want to include them in every way that I possibly can.<br /><br />I decided to ask my dad. I know what I said at the beginning of the post, but I wanted to. In the last few years, even though we live far away from each other, he seems to take more of an interest in my life. And he's been extremely generous with the whole wedding. That's not to say I'm asking him because he's giving us money. I know it would make him happy, and I want everyone to be happy on our wedding day, not just the groom and I.<br /><br />But I'm doing it on my terms. Yes, my dad will walk me down the aisle. But I'm going to walk down the stairs when I come out of the house at the venue alone, all by myself. Then my dad will meet me at the bottom of the stairs to walk me down the aisle. As we approach my groom, I will say goodbye to my dad and walk the last few steps by myself.<br /><br />There will be no "giving me away". I have been on my own for over 4 years now and there's no one to give me away accept for myself. Even if I did still live at home, the idea of one human giving another away seems almost like slavery or something. No thanks! My dad will just have to be okay with my decision.<br /><br />Is your father walking you down the aisle? Would you consider yourself a traditionalist?<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/5173074949304690889-4463031209223813367?l=futuremrshopefully.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Jennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18121319728492514987noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5173074949304690889.post-85631019843060752732010-07-18T13:31:00.000-05:002010-07-18T14:07:02.684-05:00So y'all know that I'm that crazy bride that has decided to make her own cake. But to defend myself, I do have a <span style="font-style: italic;">bit</span> of experience in the cake decorating and baking department. ;)<br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br />You'd think being a cake decorator would make choosing a cake design for my own wedding cake easy-peasy... but it has not been. I've turned back into indecisive bride. Yay.<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><br />These are some of the cakes that I've been crushing on throughout my design process:<br /><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/TD-k2ck9opI/AAAAAAAABJw/wLQCj53SI5Q/s1600/cake1.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 310px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/TD-k2ck9opI/AAAAAAAABJw/wLQCj53SI5Q/s320/cake1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5494291325706412690" border="0" /></a><a href="http://weddings.theknot.com/Real-Weddings/42381/detailview.aspx?id=42381&amp;type=3&amp;wedding+details=Cake&amp;Sort=KnotPicks"><span style="font-size:78%;">Source</span></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/TD-k2rOisCI/AAAAAAAABJ4/SAKYInuQm2c/s1600/cake2.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 269px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/TD-k2rOisCI/AAAAAAAABJ4/SAKYInuQm2c/s320/cake2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5494291329638903842" border="0" /></a><a href="http://rosesen.files.wordpress.com/2010/02/b-w-lace-cake_300.jpg"><span style="font-size:78%;">Source</span></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/TD-k3JSawbI/AAAAAAAABKA/ZWEvxihSWJ8/s1600/cake3.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 307px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/TD-k3JSawbI/AAAAAAAABKA/ZWEvxihSWJ8/s320/cake3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5494291337708224946" border="0" /></a><a href="http://www.getmarried.com/members/brides/72/h/76192/images/blog/eyelet.cake.wb_109_big.jpg"><span style="font-size:78%;">Source</span></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/TD-k3Z1UGLI/AAAAAAAABKI/3QronxP0MRE/s1600/cake4.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 201px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/TD-k3Z1UGLI/AAAAAAAABKI/3QronxP0MRE/s320/cake4.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5494291342149556402" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://www.bridalguide.com/media/images/cake-gallery/Ron%20Ben-Israel_5.jpg"><span style="font-size:78%;">Source</span></a><br /><br /></div>I got the idea to incorporate the lace pattern on my dress in some way and now can not get it out of my head. And then I found this cake on Martha Stewart's website yesterday:<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/TD-mI1OlkII/AAAAAAAABKQ/7Aj5scj4tUI/s1600/cake5.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 256px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/TD-mI1OlkII/AAAAAAAABKQ/7Aj5scj4tUI/s320/cake5.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5494292741072720002" border="0" /></a><a href="http://www.marthastewartweddings.com/photogallery/50-great-cakes#slide_10"><span style="font-size:78%;">Source</span><br /></a></div><br />That got me thinking. I can use the same technique, but in blue and in the shape of the lace design from my dress!<br /><br />I knew I wanted to incorporate simple yellow flowers in between each tier of the cake. I actually made these a few months ago out of gumpaste and attached them to cross stitch rings. I made around 200 flowers total.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/TENQp1IFiCI/AAAAAAAABKo/ZoQ6JlIlIPw/s1600/DSCN0288.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/TENQp1IFiCI/AAAAAAAABKo/ZoQ6JlIlIPw/s320/DSCN0288.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5495324649887991842" border="0" /></a><br />Y'all have seen my awesome blue cake plate already but here's one more picture because I love it so much.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/TD-m9nPb5MI/AAAAAAAABKg/EhJJaFzpUGU/s1600/DSCN0026.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 180px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/TD-m9nPb5MI/AAAAAAAABKg/EhJJaFzpUGU/s320/DSCN0026.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5494293647851250882" border="0" /></a><br />And without further ado, my cake design as best as it can be drawn using Paint. net. Trust me, the actual cake will look much better.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/TD-m9ZqYSjI/AAAAAAAABKY/Ng1kt_fWQ3s/s1600/cake.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 180px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/TD-m9ZqYSjI/AAAAAAAABKY/Ng1kt_fWQ3s/s320/cake.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5494293644206164530" border="0" /></a><br />I can't wait to see how it turns out. I'm going to do a trial run in a couple weeks to make sure all the techniques are successful and I'll be sure to show y'all pictures.<br /><br />How'd you come up with your wedding cake design? Were you just as indecisive as I was?<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/5173074949304690889-8563101984306075273?l=futuremrshopefully.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Jennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18121319728492514987noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5173074949304690889.post-52865459416205386562010-07-14T15:14:00.005-05:002010-07-15T03:13:40.590-05:00Yay! I've been waiting to get to the 100 day mark for over 400 days! You know what this means now? I can finally start looking at TheKnot's 100-Day Countdown Calendar that I bought, oh I don't know, 300 days ago!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/TD4cc0XbabI/AAAAAAAABJQ/a2GnZPQPSw8/s1600/knotcal.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 253px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/TD4cc0XbabI/AAAAAAAABJQ/a2GnZPQPSw8/s320/knotcal.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5493859876857407922" border="0" /></a><a href="http://media.theknot.com/blimages/P2205_m.jpg"><span style="font-size:78%;">Source</span></a></div><br />OK, in all seriousness, it is going to be exciting to look at that calendar every day from now until the wedding, but that's not really what I'm excited about. I am using my 100 days left as an excuse to really light a fire under my ass. Yes I still have a massive to-do list (it's all small stuff, at least), but I really need to get on this whole working out thing.<br /><br />I know one of the first posts I ever wrote, way back in July 2009, was about my mister being able to carry me over the threshold. I don't know why it was so important to me then, but it's still important now. These next three months are go time for working out. I'm down ten pounds since I got engaged, but I want to push it for another ten if I can.<br /><br />I showed my mom the 100 push-up challenge that's become popular in bride world months ago and my mom, sister and I all had plans to start it, but none of us did. (I know, we suck!) But now my mom's back to it and she's asked me and my sister to jump on board too.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;">I'm not actually going to do the push-up challenge (I hate push-ups), but there's also a 200 sit-up and 200 squat challenge, both of which I will be doing.<br /></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/TD4cdZ5XddI/AAAAAAAABJY/kvToSpt5XDw/s1600/situp.gif"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 183px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/TD4cdZ5XddI/AAAAAAAABJY/kvToSpt5XDw/s320/situp.gif" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5493859886931867090" border="0" /></a><a href="http://www.twohundredsitups.com/what.html"><span style="font-size:78%;">Source</span></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/TD4cdui7yVI/AAAAAAAABJg/lNjDnGGP6go/s1600/squat.gif"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 183px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/TD4cdui7yVI/AAAAAAAABJg/lNjDnGGP6go/s320/squat.gif" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5493859892474923346" border="0" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.twohundredsquats.com/"><span style="font-size:78%;">Source</span></a><br /><br /></div>On top of that, I'm trying to do Zumba 4 days a week and a Crunch power yoga/pilates workout once a week.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/TD4ce9z5jeI/AAAAAAAABJo/V5I0M6YxTk4/s1600/zumba.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 291px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/TD4ce9z5jeI/AAAAAAAABJo/V5I0M6YxTk4/s320/zumba.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5493859913752481250" border="0" /></a><a href="http://image.myilive.com/wp/uploads/2009/08/zumba_dance.jpg"><span style="font-size:78%;">Source</span></a><br /></div><br />I really hope I can keep up with it all and get some more pounds off because I've got to go in for my first fitting soon. I can't believe we're at 100 days!<br /><br />Was the 100 day mark monumental for you? What did it mean for you?<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/5173074949304690889-5286545941620538656?l=futuremrshopefully.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Jennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18121319728492514987noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5173074949304690889.post-52901575138692749252010-07-13T17:45:00.002-05:002010-07-13T05:28:47.929-05:00<div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;">Do you remember that episode of Dawson's Creek where they had that Alterna-Prom and Jack brought a guy and Pacey loved Joey, but then Dawson kissed Joey and ruined everything? Man those were the days....I miss that angst-y show. And if you don't remember it, you missed out on a great show. Go watch it immediately! :)<br /></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/TDukXP2TFUI/AAAAAAAABJA/DcRQhHj73uo/s1600/dawsons-creek.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 229px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/TDukXP2TFUI/AAAAAAAABJA/DcRQhHj73uo/s320/dawsons-creek.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5493164889806673218" border="0" /></a><a href="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/users/1/13839/41_2007/dawsons-creek.jpg"><span style="font-size:78%;">Source<br /></span></a></div><br />If the kids in Dawson's Creek can have an Alterna-Prom, then I can have an Alterna-Wedding (in my head at least). When I was little I always daydreamed about my wedding. In this daydream I was always barefoot on a beach somewhere with all my closest friends and family, waves crashing in the distance, a big bonfire going, seashell decor, the works!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/TDulceVVdZI/AAAAAAAABJI/YYkviC3sHGo/s1600/mexico.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 256px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/TDulceVVdZI/AAAAAAAABJI/YYkviC3sHGo/s320/mexico.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5493166079105922450" border="0" /></a><a href="http://pixdaus.com/pics/1269378875aIcLZ6t.jpg"><span style="font-size:78%;">Source</span></a><br /></div><br />Well, I live in Texas and the only coast is on the gulf and we all know the state of the gulf right now. Tar balls were not in my daydream. And I guess we could go somewhere tropical and get married on a beach, but destination weddings limit the amount of people that can come and I want as many people that I love there as possible.<br /><br />So we're not getting married on a beach and that's totally OK. But... if we did, here are some of the details I'd include:<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/TDukCmOjdHI/AAAAAAAABI4/s-0m5SamkEI/s1600/surfboard+wedding.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 230px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/TDukCmOjdHI/AAAAAAAABI4/s-0m5SamkEI/s320/surfboard+wedding.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5493164535036736626" border="0" /></a><a href="http://community.theknot.com/cs/ks/blogs/wedding_style_file/archive/2010/07/07/ceremony-decor-idea-surfboard-altars.aspx"><span style="font-size:78%;">Source</span></a><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">Surfboard altar...how awesome is that?<br /><br /></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/TDukCXI7IhI/AAAAAAAABIw/prvAFXloljQ/s1600/shell+bouquet.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 225px; height: 281px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/TDukCXI7IhI/AAAAAAAABIw/prvAFXloljQ/s320/shell+bouquet.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5493164530986590738" border="0" /></a><a href="http://images.marthastewart.com/images/content/pub/weddings/2009Q3//mwd104697_sum09_shellflower_l.jpg"><span style="font-size:78%;">Source</span></a><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">Thank you Martha Stewart for your unbelievable cute-ness!<br /><br /></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/TDukBQYZF9I/AAAAAAAABIg/uux61Whs5d8/s1600/beach+wedding1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/TDukBQYZF9I/AAAAAAAABIg/uux61Whs5d8/s320/beach+wedding1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5493164511992551378" border="0" /></a><a href="http://www.weddingcakespictures.org/beach-wedding-cake2.jpg"><span style="font-size:78%;">Source</span></a><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/TDukAUuRm8I/AAAAAAAABIY/siuLNz_yeas/s1600/beach+wedding.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/TDukAUuRm8I/AAAAAAAABIY/siuLNz_yeas/s320/beach+wedding.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5493164495978208194" border="0" /></a><a href="http://weddingmagic.files.wordpress.com/2009/02/beach-wedding.jpg"><span style="font-size:78%;">Source</span></a><br /></div><br />There are endless possibilities with the sand. Hearts, writing, lots of things!<br /><br />So what do you think of my Alterna-Wedding? Have you planned one in your head as well?<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/5173074949304690889-5290157513869274925?l=futuremrshopefully.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Jennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18121319728492514987noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5173074949304690889.post-90187526429896339732010-07-11T18:26:00.009-05:002010-07-13T05:29:10.799-05:00Yeah, normally I don't feed into the whole, "I love Texas", "Texas is the best state ever" stuff, but in this case I'll say it loud and proud, "God Bless Texas!"<br /><br />Why God Bless Texas you ask? Well, they have these little places called fireworks stands. And by little, I mean freakin' huge. P.S. If you've never been to a fireworks stand before (I'm from Jersey; fireworks aren't legal), then you must go. Granted it'll be a bit overwhelming, but seriously, you have to see if for yourself.<br /><br />OK, now what in the heck does this have to do with my wedding? Sparklers, baby! A couple weekends ago when the Fourth rolled around I was able to pick up 130 sparklers for $20. That's right, 20 buckaroos, y'all! No they're not those fancy "wedding" sparklers, but they're <span style="font-style: italic;">my</span> wedding sparklers and they're gonna be awesome!<br /><br />And instead of explaining why I <span style="font-weight: bold;">need</span> sparklers at my wedding, I'll just show you.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/TDpVHYwVh0I/AAAAAAAABHg/xe7cxx5a7RA/s1600/spark2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/TDpVHYwVh0I/AAAAAAAABHg/xe7cxx5a7RA/s320/spark2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5492796280924374850" border="0" /></a><a href="http://www.sparklersonline.com/media/photo_gallery/large/23.jpg"><span style="font-size:78%;">Source</span></a><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/TDpVH72BfqI/AAAAAAAABHw/GuyngKzmJcs/s1600/sparkler3.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/TDpVH72BfqI/AAAAAAAABHw/GuyngKzmJcs/s320/sparkler3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5492796290343468706" border="0" /></a><a href="http://www.facebook.com/#%21/photo.php?pid=921081&amp;id=65356809952"><span style="font-size:78%;">Source (Taken by my photographer!)</span></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/TDpVG_RsdeI/AAAAAAAABHY/Qz3I9DHO4zU/s1600/spark1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 200px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/TDpVG_RsdeI/AAAAAAAABHY/Qz3I9DHO4zU/s320/spark1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5492796274084967906" border="0" /></a><a href="http://photos.weddingbycolor.com/p/000/006/751/m/42971/p/thumbnail/127759.jpg"><span style="font-size:78%;">Source</span></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/TDpVHv_jDvI/AAAAAAAABHo/1v4x50Y-DC8/s1600/spark4.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/TDpVHv_jDvI/AAAAAAAABHo/1v4x50Y-DC8/s320/spark4.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5492796287162191602" border="0" /></a><a href="http://www.bridalinquirer.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2009/01/sparklers2.jpg"><span style="font-size:78%;">Source</span></a><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size:100%;">OK, so umm, if you don't get it, then leave please. Haha, just kidding. If you've learned anything about me from reading this blog, you know what's coming next... a little DIY project!<br /><br />This was one of the easiest projects I've completed so far. The only thing I paid for were the sparklers. Everything else was stuff I had lying around from other projects! And it </span><span style="font-size:100%;">was nothing a little hot glue and some double-sided tape couldn't handle.</span><br /><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/TDpW-dJPQiI/AAAAAAAABH4/HX2fFK34VGg/s1600/DSCN0280.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/TDpW-dJPQiI/AAAAAAAABH4/HX2fFK34VGg/s320/DSCN0280.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5492798326506996258" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">The arrangement I plan on using</span><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/TDpXPbgRzAI/AAAAAAAABIA/iaeKestpLfs/s1600/DSCN0281.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 176px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/TDpXPbgRzAI/AAAAAAAABIA/iaeKestpLfs/s320/DSCN0281.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5492798618124536834" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">My sign to prompt guests<br /><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/TDpXg8r7prI/AAAAAAAABII/iLq1qmTQr7Q/s1600/DSCN0282.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/TDpXg8r7prI/AAAAAAAABII/iLq1qmTQr7Q/s320/DSCN0282.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5492798919089563314" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">The boxes of matches I covered to make them<br />look less match-y :)</span><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/TDpXoliT16I/AAAAAAAABIQ/GBMsfwFUvlY/s1600/DSCN0283.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 185px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/TDpXoliT16I/AAAAAAAABIQ/GBMsfwFUvlY/s320/DSCN0283.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5492799050314143650" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">And of course, my jars full of sparklers</span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">adorned with ribbon!</span><br /><br /></div><span style="font-size:100%;">Now y'all just have to keep your fingers crossed that we don't have a burn ban in effect come October.<br /><br />What do you think? What are you planning for your send-off? Do you think the sparklers will singe my dress? (Eeek!)<br /></span></div></div></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/5173074949304690889-9018752642989633973?l=futuremrshopefully.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Jennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18121319728492514987noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5173074949304690889.post-50397145450562900992010-07-07T12:38:00.013-05:002010-07-08T13:58:06.120-05:00I'm so excited to finally show you guys my wedding invitations! I originally planned to wait until I'd sent them out to post pictures on here, but seeing as how maybe five people that are attending my wedding actually read my blog, I decided I wouldn't make the rest of you wait. So here goes nothin'.<br /><br />Let's start with what our guests will see when they open their mailbox.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/TDS-hKQFmzI/AAAAAAAABFY/U6jzfYg-i88/s1600/DSCN0266.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/TDS-hKQFmzI/AAAAAAAABFY/U6jzfYg-i88/s320/DSCN0266.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5491223322568268594" border="0" /></a><br />As I mentioned before I wrote all the guests' addresses with a silver calligraphy pen that really popped against the dark blue envelopes. I couldn't decide which wedding stamps I liked best so I used them all.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/TDTDY4q8qnI/AAAAAAAABHQ/P38hvRs6kM0/s1600/stamps.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 103px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/TDTDY4q8qnI/AAAAAAAABHQ/P38hvRs6kM0/s320/stamps.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5491228677968276082" border="0" /></a><a href="http://www.usps.com/"><span style="font-size:78%;">Source</span></a><br /><br /></div>I kept the back simple by writing our names and address along the bottom edge of the flap, also in silver ink, and separated by cute little hearts.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/TDS-h7GN-HI/AAAAAAAABFg/zWZ31x9Vkk4/s1600/DSCN0267.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 227px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/TDS-h7GN-HI/AAAAAAAABFg/zWZ31x9Vkk4/s320/DSCN0267.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5491223335680211058" border="0" /></a><br />And now for what our guests will see when they open (very carefully so as to not destroy the envelope liner) their invitations!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/TDS-ibO6XgI/AAAAAAAABFo/H0r6j8o13uY/s1600/DSCN0268.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/TDS-ibO6XgI/AAAAAAAABFo/H0r6j8o13uY/s320/DSCN0268.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5491223344306609666" border="0" /></a><br />Wait for it...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/TDS_F5EuvII/AAAAAAAABFw/2ZlJ7QArbsE/s1600/DSCN0269.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/TDS_F5EuvII/AAAAAAAABFw/2ZlJ7QArbsE/s320/DSCN0269.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5491223953612389506" border="0" /></a><br />Wait for it...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/TDS_GnKXXKI/AAAAAAAABF4/got5StTHuZg/s1600/DSCN0270.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/TDS_GnKXXKI/AAAAAAAABF4/got5StTHuZg/s320/DSCN0270.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5491223965984054434" border="0" /></a><br />Wait for it...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/TDS_HY3MiEI/AAAAAAAABGA/BH4gjGLqqOM/s1600/DSCN0271.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/TDS_HY3MiEI/AAAAAAAABGA/BH4gjGLqqOM/s320/DSCN0271.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5491223979325425730" border="0" /></a><br />Ta da!!!<br /><br />Here's everything that I'm sending out to my guests: Invitation with belly band, map with directions on back and an RSVP card directing people to our wedding website.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/TDS_hX_tczI/AAAAAAAABGI/ToSqaPjRCDg/s1600/DSCN0272.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 274px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/TDS_hX_tczI/AAAAAAAABGI/ToSqaPjRCDg/s320/DSCN0272.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5491224425769300786" border="0" /></a><br />The map and RSVP card are secured behind the invitation with the belly band, which was made with royal blue ribbon and accented with an "H" made of cardstock, which will soon be both of ours last initial.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/TDS_h0d-6NI/AAAAAAAABGQ/T7qwWj91Rag/s1600/DSCN0273.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 115px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/TDS_h0d-6NI/AAAAAAAABGQ/T7qwWj91Rag/s320/DSCN0273.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5491224433412466898" border="0" /></a><br />The map was drawn by me using Paint.net and the inspiration maps I've collected, and I used one of our favorite engagement photos for our RSVP card.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/TDTBJAyXXZI/AAAAAAAABG4/DA6sccPFQBw/s1600/map+and+directions.png"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 236px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/TDTBJAyXXZI/AAAAAAAABG4/DA6sccPFQBw/s320/map+and+directions.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5491226206245707154" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/TDTBI2SHaeI/AAAAAAAABGw/W6Xmlkie9l4/s1600/rsvp.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 233px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/TDTBI2SHaeI/AAAAAAAABGw/W6Xmlkie9l4/s320/rsvp.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5491226203426089442" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Photo taken by Nathan Russell; Edited by me!</span><br /><br /></div>The lace edges of the invitation were done using an awesome scrapbooking tool I found at Michaels. Pretty, huh?<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/TDTBJ0NMPHI/AAAAAAAABHA/KFpjClzTdc0/s1600/detail.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 94px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/TDTBJ0NMPHI/AAAAAAAABHA/KFpjClzTdc0/s320/detail.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5491226220048432242" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/TDS_iRrkqQI/AAAAAAAABGY/SVg1IbmU55o/s1600/DSCN0274.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 256px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/TDS_iRrkqQI/AAAAAAAABGY/SVg1IbmU55o/s320/DSCN0274.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5491224441254095106" border="0" /></a><br />And when our guests open the main invitation, they will then lay their eyes upon my mister's awesome, original drawing. I asked him to draw our invitation several months ago, and what he came up with was perfect. We then scanned it in to the computer and I cleaned and refined it using Paint.net and added the text.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/TDS_i_D07sI/AAAAAAAABGg/X2uUXuxu4CI/s1600/DSCN0278.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/TDS_i_D07sI/AAAAAAAABGg/X2uUXuxu4CI/s320/DSCN0278.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5491224453435420354" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/TDTBV03UjvI/AAAAAAAABHI/YL1aGOt6tPU/s1600/invitationbestsofar.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 223px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/TDTBV03UjvI/AAAAAAAABHI/YL1aGOt6tPU/s320/invitationbestsofar.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5491226426383568626" border="0" /></a><br />Last, but not least, here's a cost breakdown of our invitations:<br /><br />Cardstock and Envelopes: $52.96 (from Paper and More!)<br />Copies of Map and Invite: $52.74 (from Office Depot)<br />RSVP Photo Cards: $10.80 (from Shutterfly)<br />Ribbon for Belly Band: $ 5.41 (from Michaels)<br />Lace Scrapbooking Tool: $9.59 (on sale from Jo Anns)<br />Silver Pens: $ 6.21 (from Michaels)<br />Envelope Liners made from Wrapping Paper: $1.00 (from Dollar Tree)<br />Postage: $20 (from USPS)<br /><br />TOTAL: $158.71 or $2.11 per invitation<br /><br />Not bad, if I do say so myself, and extremely rewarding!<br /><br />What do you guys think? Did you DIY your invitations? And were you able to find a way to get your fiance involved as well?<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/5173074949304690889-5039714545056290099?l=futuremrshopefully.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Jennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18121319728492514987noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5173074949304690889.post-14030035834321982452010-07-05T16:40:00.008-05:002010-07-06T05:26:51.847-05:00I'm sorry, you don't speak Spanish? Me neither. I used Google translator to write this post title. Basically....<span style="font-weight: bold;">WE'RE GOING TO MEXICO!!!</span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/TDJcCH2UxtI/AAAAAAAABEQ/wJ2Zgs-JLYo/s1600/oceancortur.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 274px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/TDJcCH2UxtI/AAAAAAAABEQ/wJ2Zgs-JLYo/s320/oceancortur.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5490552087254451922" border="0" /></a><a href="http://www.venere.com/img/hotel/5/7/2/9/279275/image_hotel_exterior_outside_1.jpg"><span style="font-size:78%;">Source</span></a><br /><br /></div>We are staying at the Ocean Coral &amp; Turquesa Resort in Puerto Morelos. The article that I posted in the last post from <a href="http://www.travelandleisure.com/slideshows/best-affordable-all-inclusives/11">Travel + Leisure</a> reasons that this resort is perfect because:<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/TDJcC4ixd1I/AAAAAAAABEg/Vxld2dJW48w/s1600/oceancortur3.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/TDJcC4ixd1I/AAAAAAAABEg/Vxld2dJW48w/s320/oceancortur3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5490552100325783378" border="0" /></a><a href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3210/2353291813_3dbd7544cc.jpg"><span style="font-size:78%;">Source</span></a><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">"Luxury travel agent Natalie Nevares likes the little touches at Ocean Coral &amp; Turquesa: “Chaise lounges studded with air jets are built right into the children’s pool, so parents can sit in the water with a pina colada, enjoying the bubbles and watching the kids play all day,” she says. Opened in late 2007, these side-by-side oceanfront resorts are still sparkling new. Guests </span></span><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">share six restaurants (including a tapas bar), a spa, four pools plus a children’s pool, and a lovely stretch of palapa-shaded beach that boasts the world’s second-largest barrier reef right offshore. And because the resorts are just 15 minutes fr</span></span><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">om the Cancun airport, you can catch an early flight from the U.S. and be swimming in the Cari</span></span><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">bbean before lunch."</span><br /><br /></span><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/TDJcDMy5Z6I/AAAAAAAABEo/KGVNwUXv-HM/s1600/oceancortur4.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 238px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/TDJcDMy5Z6I/AAAAAAAABEo/KGVNwUXv-HM/s320/oceancortur4.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5490552105762121634" border="0" /></a><a href="http://static.mltvacations.com/images/drc/hotels/tuy_occt_occt_1.jpg"><span style="font-size:78%;">Source</span></a><br /><br /></div>We will be staying there for 6 nights/7 days and we cannot wait! We will be staying in a Privilege Junior Suite with an ocean view. The room has a two-person jacuzzi, private balcony, aromatherapy candles and much, much more! And because we signed up for a Privilege Suite we also get preferred seating at the restaurants, a special lounge equipped with Wi-Fi, hors d'oeuvres and drinks and access to a private beach.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/TDJcCsyaTAI/AAAAAAAABEY/-zqtNhzKxNU/s1600/oceancortur2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 274px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/TDJcCsyaTAI/AAAAAAAABEY/-zqtNhzKxNU/s320/oceancortur2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5490552097170148354" border="0" /></a><a href="http://www.venere.com/img/hotel/5/7/2/9/279275/image_room_double_1.jpg"><span style="font-size:78%;">Source</span></a><br /><br /></div>I've also already found a couple activities we can do outside the resort. I've always wanted to go zip lining and what a better time than on our honeymoon! It's on a nature reserve called Bocal del Puma. It's a half day tour that starts out with a 1 km bike ride through the jungle (where we might see wild animals!)<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/TDJc-XaZuiI/AAAAAAAABEw/8T-RtNoyhVo/s1600/bocal1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/TDJc-XaZuiI/AAAAAAAABEw/8T-RtNoyhVo/s320/bocal1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5490553122224454178" border="0" /></a><br />Then you get harnessed in and you get to soar through the tree-tops on a zip line<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/TDJc-wT2mSI/AAAAAAAABE4/dPR1Aq99cqI/s1600/bocal2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/TDJc-wT2mSI/AAAAAAAABE4/dPR1Aq99cqI/s320/bocal2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5490553128907872546" border="0" /></a>and you finish the day off with a visit to two cenotes which are large, deep open water pools in the ground.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/TDJc_F8a2mI/AAAAAAAABFA/9g7igmJKtyM/s1600/bocal3.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/TDJc_F8a2mI/AAAAAAAABFA/9g7igmJKtyM/s320/bocal3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5490553134715165282" border="0" /></a><a href="http://www.bocadelpuma.com/index5.html"><span style="font-size:78%;">Source (All three photos)</span></a><br /><br /></div>We're also interested in going to the Little Mexican Cooking School. They feed you breakfast in the morning and then spend the day teaching how to make authentic Mexican food, including guacamole and salsa. They also serve local beers and sangria, to, you know, "aid" in the cooking process. And you get to take home a cookbook and souvenir apron. Doesn't it just sound to-die-for?!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/TDJeCWkKsTI/AAAAAAAABFI/dJOAMq0LtsQ/s1600/lmcs.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/TDJeCWkKsTI/AAAAAAAABFI/dJOAMq0LtsQ/s320/lmcs.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5490554290228080946" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/TDJeC7raMgI/AAAAAAAABFQ/vPtra2aEQgU/s1600/lmcs2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 239px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/TDJeC7raMgI/AAAAAAAABFQ/vPtra2aEQgU/s320/lmcs2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5490554300190568962" border="0" /></a><a href="http://www.tripadvisor.com/Travel-g240327-d1595721/Puerto-Morelos:Mexico:The.Little.Mexican.Cooking.School.html"><span style="font-size:78%;">Source</span></a><br /><br /></div>Are you as excited for your honeymoon as we are?<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;font-size:85%;" >PS. None of these places are paying me to speak about them. I'm just very excited about all of them! </span><br /></div></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/5173074949304690889-1403003583432198245?l=futuremrshopefully.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Jennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18121319728492514987noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5173074949304690889.post-23719830802947266452010-07-02T21:10:00.007-05:002010-07-03T05:29:38.278-05:00<span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">And by goin' place</span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" >s</span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">, I mean on a honeymoon. Where exactly are we going? You shall have to wait. I will reveal that in good time.</span><div style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" class="im"><br /> <br />We knew from the start that we wanted to go on a honeymoon. We didn't want to postpone it. We didn't want to just take a mini-moon. It was very important to us to find a way to swing a honeymoon with our budget.<br /><br /></div><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"> We knew we wanted some place warm, beachy and where the drink</span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" >s</span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"> are a-flowin'. We decided all-inclusive would be our best bet. It's all fine and dandy that we were able to make those decisions, but where do we go from there?</span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/TC6fVuNLwrI/AAAAAAAABDs/g6nuppPeOHU/s1600/mexico.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/TC6fVuNLwrI/AAAAAAAABDs/g6nuppPeOHU/s320/mexico.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5489500191340610226" border="0" /></a><a href="http://www.mexico-vacation-rebate.com/images/mexico-beaches.jpg"><span style="font-size:78%;">Source</span></a><br /></div><br />Neither one of us has traveled much in the Caribbean or Mexico so we had no clue. I did a lot of searching on sites like <a href="www.CheapCaribbean.com">CheapCaribbean.com</a>, but soon realized I had no idea what a good all-inclusive resort was supposed to have and which resorts were not up to par. Talk about being overwhelmed.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/TC6f17rSdpI/AAAAAAAABD0/qXXWk_H4Q0Y/s1600/overwhelmed.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 212px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/TC6f17rSdpI/AAAAAAAABD0/qXXWk_H4Q0Y/s320/overwhelmed.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5489500744712353426" border="0" /></a><a href="http://www.deborahbayles.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/12/Overwhelmed.jpg"><span style="font-size:78%;">Source</span></a><br /></div><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Originally my mister was going to be in charge of the honeymoon decision. However, we quickly realized that we'd need to work on this decision together so we decided to sit down on a Sunday afternoon and figure it out. Of course, we still didn't know what we were looking for.</span><br /> <br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"> We started by looking at </span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" >a </span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">few suggestions that I received from the lovely ladies in the <a href="www.weddingbee.com">Weddingbee</a> hive. Once we checked out the various resorts' websites, we decided it would be smart to look them up on <a href="www.tripadvisor.com">TripAdvisor</a> as well. Thank god for TripAdvisor. I'm pretty sure it saved us from the possibility of making a bad decision. Seriously, if you're searching for a honeymoon locale, make sure you use TripAdvisor.</span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/TC6gKtcWBPI/AAAAAAAABD8/xI_y3-0VILM/s1600/palace.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/TC6gKtcWBPI/AAAAAAAABD8/xI_y3-0VILM/s320/palace.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5489501101668828402" border="0" /></a><a href="http://s3.hubimg.com/u/292474_f520.jpg"><span style="font-size:78%;">Source</span></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/TC6giqmrmMI/AAAAAAAABEE/PO1KdzUmSu0/s1600/barcelo.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 274px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/TC6giqmrmMI/AAAAAAAABEE/PO1KdzUmSu0/s320/barcelo.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5489501513223739586" border="0" /></a><a href="http://www.venere.com/img/hotel/5/5/6/4/244655/image_hotel_exterior_aerialview_1.jpg"><span style="font-size:78%;">Source</span></a><br /><br /></div>We were still having problems narrowing the choices down until my mister happened upon this awesome helpful article: <a href="http://www.travelandleisure.com/articles/best-affordable-all-inclusives/1/?PKW=PKWGGcheapallinclusivehotel&amp;gclid=CO6354-eqqICFQG4sgoduxHyRw">Check it out!</a><br /><br />We ended up choosing one of the resorts listed in the article. Can you guess which one?<br /><br />Did you have a hard time picking a honeymoon locale or did it come easily to you? What tools did you use to help you decide?<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/5173074949304690889-2371983080294726645?l=futuremrshopefully.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Jennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18121319728492514987noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5173074949304690889.post-55347635738706360392010-06-30T20:36:00.000-05:002010-07-02T13:43:44.585-05:00Little ole me was perusing The Wedding Chicks Blog, one of my main wedding blog stops today and guess what I found?!?! My wedding dress in action!<br /><br />I know I've posted tons of pictures of me in my dress, but other than that, the only picture I've seen of a girl in my dress is the one on David's Bridal.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/TCusHc0rnXI/AAAAAAAABDE/ISEhpJLeqF0/s1600/dress.htm"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 226px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/TCusHc0rnXI/AAAAAAAABDE/ISEhpJLeqF0/s320/dress.htm" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5488669814877298034" border="0" /></a><a href="http://pics.classifieds.weddingbee.com/62256.David_s_Bridal_Lace_VW9768.JPG"><span style="font-size:78%;">Source</span></a><br /><br /></div>And no offense to the David's Bridal model, but she looks slightly anorexic. I'm not what you'd call a skinny girl. I've got curves and I love them. My curves just make me nervous when I look at the model in <span style="font-style: italic;">my</span> dress.<br /><br />Enter Wedding Chicks! Check out this <a href="http://www.weddingchicks.com/wedding-chicks/bridal-fashion/49529/soft-pink-and-lace-wedding-ideas/">bride</a>. She's wearing my dress and she's curvy.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/TCussmA5WQI/AAAAAAAABDM/w8eE4aLtVZs/s1600/dress+1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/TCussmA5WQI/AAAAAAAABDM/w8eE4aLtVZs/s320/dress+1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5488670452999608578" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/TCussxLqGHI/AAAAAAAABDU/k_3JjdkFZeE/s1600/dress+2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 254px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/TCussxLqGHI/AAAAAAAABDU/k_3JjdkFZeE/s320/dress+2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5488670455997536370" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/TCustRYlF_I/AAAAAAAABDc/xO5W2Z3A_hQ/s1600/dress+3.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 241px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/TCustRYlF_I/AAAAAAAABDc/xO5W2Z3A_hQ/s320/dress+3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5488670464641669106" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/TCustmmcYgI/AAAAAAAABDk/kZbCswkx8-8/s1600/dress+4.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 254px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/TCustmmcYgI/AAAAAAAABDk/kZbCswkx8-8/s320/dress+4.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5488670470336963074" border="0" /></a><a href="http://www.weddingchicks.com/wedding-chicks/bridal-fashion/49529/soft-pink-and-lace-wedding-ideas/"><span style="font-size:78%;">Source<br /></span></a></div><br />I feel so much better about my dress choice now that I've seen it on this girl. I decided to Google my dress to see if I could find some other "real bride" photos. No such luck! Oh well.<br /><br />Have you Google-d your dress? Have you found photos of other brides in your dress? Did it make you feel better about your choice?<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/5173074949304690889-5534763573870636039?l=futuremrshopefully.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Jennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18121319728492514987noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5173074949304690889.post-3834974040371976122010-06-28T08:49:00.009-05:002010-06-30T05:30:14.903-05:00<span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">After many discussions involving Jedi robes and Stormtrooper outfits, we decided it would be impossible for me to DIY those outfits for at least six men.<br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/TCjXqnbIGiI/AAAAAAAABCc/kMlLNmy-QKg/s1600/jedi+storm.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/TCjXqnbIGiI/AAAAAAAABCc/kMlLNmy-QKg/s320/jedi+storm.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5487873273088186914" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;"><a href="http://www.alhankeser.com/files/jedi-robes-279x300.jpg">Source</a>; <a href="http://www.thecostumeshop.ie/blog/wp-content/uploads/2008/04/dlx-stormtrooper.jpg">Source</a></span><br /><br /></div><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">We came to the conclusion that we'd just have to settle on traditional tuxes. And just for the record, we didn't actually consider the costumes mentioned above in actual seriousness. We're not that geeky. My mister might be sometimes, but I'm definitely n</span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">ot. ;)</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><br />Anyways...off to Men's Warehouse we went. Since I bought my dress at David's Bridal</span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">,</span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"> we figured why not use their brother company to outfit the men. As soon as we walked through the doors, we were whisked back to the tuxedo rental department. </span> <div style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" class="im"><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/TCjYQ85qlOI/AAAAAAAABCk/rFqKhwruhMI/s1600/Mens_Warehouse.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 177px; height: 153px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/TCjYQ85qlOI/AAAAAAAABCk/rFqKhwruhMI/s320/Mens_Warehouse.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5487873931688449250" border="0" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.mode-elle.ca/kids/images/Mens_Warehouse.jpg"><span style="font-size:78%;">Source</span></a><br /><br /></div></div><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"> The saleswoman then began asking questions about style and color. We figured out most of our answers before we even got there since my mister likes to claim that he know</span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">s nothing about nothing when it comes to weddings. I didn't want the saleslady to overwhelm poor little him. :)</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">A while back I posted about how I wanted him to sport <a href="http://futuremrshopefully.blogspot.com/2009/10/man-fashion-what-i-want.html">suspenders</a> on the big day. He was so not down for that...boo. At least he doesn't want to wear a bow tie. Thank god. So we're going with a blue vest and long tie, plain white shirt, black tux and those wonderful shiny black shoes.</span> <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">We decided with the blue of the vest and tie, it's not necessary to do boutonnieres for the men. That'll save us a little more time and money. W</span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">e're pinching pennies left and right, y'all</span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">,</span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"> and we're still gonna have a fabulous wedding!</span><div style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" class="im"><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/TCj-rfOi_MI/AAAAAAAABC0/aYAhu0hUFLw/s1600/groomsmen.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 430px; height: 323px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/TCj-rfOi_MI/AAAAAAAABC0/aYAhu0hUFLw/s320/groomsmen.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5487916169021291714" border="0" /></a><a href="http://www2.davidsbridal.com/dyw/stage.jsp"><span style="font-size:78%;">I used David's Bridal handy dandy "Dress Your Wedding" function.</span><br /></a></div><br />We also decided to outfit our officiant, Guy, in the same thing, but with a black vest and tie. My father will also be wearing this combination so that his wife can wear what ever colors she chooses without clashing with him.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/TCj-rn7GoMI/AAAAAAAABC8/2JlKUf7D3kc/s1600/officiant.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 474px; height: 356px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/TCj-rn7GoMI/AAAAAAAABC8/2JlKUf7D3kc/s320/officiant.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5487916171355660482" border="0" /></a><a href="http://www2.davidsbridal.com/dyw/stage.jsp"><span style="font-size:78%;">Source<br /></span></a></div><br />It was also very important to us to keep the cost down for all the men so we chose a tux that comes in under $100. And because more than five tuxes are being rented for our wedding, my mister's tux rental is free! I love free stuff!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/TCjYuKc3bYI/AAAAAAAABCs/XVGMWFrBwd8/s1600/lady_jumping.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 280px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/TCjYuKc3bYI/AAAAAAAABCs/XVGMWFrBwd8/s320/lady_jumping.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5487874433541959042" border="0" /></a><a href="http://www.harmonymindbody.co.uk/USERIMAGES/lady_jumping.jpg"><span style="font-size:78%;">Yep, that's so not me, but if I had fabulous purple boots I'd definitely wear them when jumping for joy!</span><br /></a></div><br /></div><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"> So, how'd you chose your groomsmen</span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">'</span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">s attire? Are you going tux, or </span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">a </span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">bit more casual with a suit?</span><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/5173074949304690889-383497404037197612?l=futuremrshopefully.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Jennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18121319728492514987noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5173074949304690889.post-75324070299308923672010-06-23T12:51:00.007-05:002010-06-24T09:41:02.614-05:00Do you have memories of awkward middle school and prom dances with the boy you liked? No? Well, I'm not afraid to admit that I do. I think I've even got some pictures that accurately captured the awkwardness.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/TCJNyX4KlAI/AAAAAAAABB8/ewuAUTTqUdo/s1600/dance.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 222px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/TCJNyX4KlAI/AAAAAAAABB8/ewuAUTTqUdo/s320/dance.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5486032823889073154" border="0" /></a><a href="http://jerrybrunoblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/10/Awkward-Dance.jpg"><span style="font-size:78%;">Source</span></a><br /><br /></div>No, that's not me, but I wanted to give you an idea of what awkward looked like.<br /><br />So here's the deal: Up until six months ago the mister and I had never danced together. We'd spent two and half years together and never danced together. I'm not sure how that happened exactly. I know he's not a big dancer, unless of course he's trying to make me laugh, but I love to dance.<br /><br />We'd been to a couple <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" >of </span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">weddings together, but no</span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" >t</span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"> one them had dancing</span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" >.</span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"> (I know, </span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" >sacrilege</span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">, right?) However, in January, my cousin got married and they had dancing</span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" >,</span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"> </span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" >so </span>we finally got to dance together. It was just one song, but definitely a start. Then in March, two more of our friends got married<span style="color:#ff0000;">,</span> and this time we got to dance to slow and fast songs. The mister did awesome and I had a blast. Have I mentioned how much I love to dance?<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/TCJUce0cobI/AAAAAAAABCM/ovfM-UvW-O4/s1600/HPIM2073.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 238px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/TCJUce0cobI/AAAAAAAABCM/ovfM-UvW-O4/s320/HPIM2073.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5486040144376799666" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">I believe my sister or dad took this picture.<br /></span></div><br />I told my mister the other day to be prepared for me to be on the dance floor at least 80 percent of the time at our wedding. I figure if people want to talk to me<span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" >,</span> they can come dance with me too! Is that rude?<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/TCJR29rc1uI/AAAAAAAABCE/kJkLH1kmOPk/s1600/dance+chart.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/TCJR29rc1uI/AAAAAAAABCE/kJkLH1kmOPk/s320/dance+chart.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5486037300802279138" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Now, for what this post is really about: Our official first dance together as a married couple! When I was younger, I always dreamed I'd dance to "Can't Help Falling in Love" by Elvis (I love love love Elvis!) or "You Look Wonderful Tonight" by Eric </span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" >Clapton</span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">. I love both of those songs, but have since learned that they're very popular and somewhat cliche. I know I shouldn't care that so many brides are using the same songs, but I'm human, and I do. </span><br /> <br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"> So the search began for a song that meant something to us, that represented both of us. After suggesting a few duds, I finally picked something the mister liked. Without further ado, our first dance song: </span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><object width="445" height="364"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/4v3evgMl82g&amp;hl=en_US&amp;fs=1&amp;color1=0xe1600f&amp;color2=0xfebd01&amp;border=1"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/4v3evgMl82g&amp;hl=en_US&amp;fs=1&amp;color1=0xe1600f&amp;color2=0xfebd01&amp;border=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="445" height="364"></embed></object><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:85%;">*I can't find Kenny Wayne singing this song, so this is a cover. :(</span><br /></div><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">I introduced the mister to Kenny Wayne Shepherd after we started dating</span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" >,</span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"> and the mister loved his music. The mister's favorite type of music is rock, so I thought it would be a perfect choice. Not to mention, Kenny Wayne Shepherd is the first band I ever saw in concert (if you don't count Raffi or Johnathan Sprout).</span><br /> <br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"> The only problem is that the song is a bit faster than the typical first dance song, but not quite fast enough to dance like it's a fast song. And no, we haven't started practicing yet. I think if we practice a few times</span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" >,</span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"> we'll be fine. We're not planning any spectacular dance moves, twirls or dips, so we should be safe, but a little practice never hurts. </span><br /> <br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"> Neither one of us really likes to be the center of attention, so we're toying with the idea of inviting our parents out to dance halfway through the song to take some of the heat off us.</span><br /> <br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"> Are you doing a first dance? How did you choose your song? Are you planning any special moves</span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" >,</span> or have you taken dance lessons to get ready for your number?<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/5173074949304690889-7532407029930892367?l=futuremrshopefully.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Jennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18121319728492514987noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5173074949304690889.post-1902915225334561442010-06-21T21:22:00.009-05:002010-06-24T09:33:55.228-05:00This past weekend we celebrated our third anniversary together. I can’t believe we’ve been together for three years. Of course, we’ve had our ups and downs but we’re now more solid then ever and can’t wait to get married in October.<br /><br />We exchanged gifts…<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/TCESCEOCS1I/AAAAAAAABBs/LJttXwOodwU/s1600/DSCN0231.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/TCESCEOCS1I/AAAAAAAABBs/LJttXwOodwU/s320/DSCN0231.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5485685647815625554" border="0" /></a><br />…and then headed out to see Toy Story in 3D.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/TCESBvexdrI/AAAAAAAABBk/NN6yTxPmn5Y/s1600/DSCN0230.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/TCESBvexdrI/AAAAAAAABBk/NN6yTxPmn5Y/s320/DSCN0230.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5485685642248681138" border="0" /></a><br />We’re cute, huh?<br /><br />Ok, let me get to the meat of this post this post. Anniversaries. I don’t think I can express how important anniversaries are to me. They are a celebration of the last year that you’ve spent together – the highs and the lows, the laughing and the crying. With each year brings new experiences, new opportunities to learn from each other. I can’t wait to spend the rest of my years learning from my mister.<br /><br />Now on to the fun part of anniversaries…presents! I’m not gonna lie, I love getting presents. However, I love giving them even more! I’m sure y’all know this already, but there are handy dandy lists out there that tell you what to buy your husband each year. If not, here’s a list:<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/TCNsoGK1MMI/AAAAAAAABCU/ry0qxzoyb5I/s1600/anny+gifts.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/TCNsoGK1MMI/AAAAAAAABCU/ry0qxzoyb5I/s320/anny+gifts.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5486348207174004930" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Info from About.com. Table by me!</span><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:78%;"><br /></span></div>Honestly, the classic side of the list seems more interesting to me. I feel like I can take those gift elements and make them into something very creative. I don’t know if my mister is going to follow this list, or if I should even suggest it. I do think it’d be fun to go through the list together each year.<br /><br />Are y’all gonna follow the classic anniversary gift list or modern anniversary gift list? Or are you just going to go in your own direction with your anniversary gift giving?<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/5173074949304690889-190291522533456144?l=futuremrshopefully.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Jennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18121319728492514987noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5173074949304690889.post-83713520288408815882010-06-17T18:56:00.009-05:002010-06-19T14:57:34.589-05:00<span style="font-family:arial;">As promised, I'm back to share my envelope calligraphy "short cut". And trust me, if I didn't convince you that calligraphy was a must in my last post, I'll pull you in with this one. ;)</span> <p style="font-family: arial;" class="MsoNormal"><br />Use your handy dandy home printer! I know, you probably still think I'm crazy, but get on this safari ride and let me take you on my calligraphy adventure.<br /><br />Let's start at the very beginning; it's a very good place to start... (Anyone else singing Sound of Music... umm, no, just me? Your loss. Just kidding!)<br /><br />1. Pick a font that will look totally kick a$$ on your invitation envelopes. I picked Scriptina.</p><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/TBq3hn61D9I/AAAAAAAABAM/N-COxWv5dh0/s1600/scriptina.png"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 218px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/TBq3hn61D9I/AAAAAAAABAM/N-COxWv5dh0/s320/scriptina.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5483897284556296146" border="0" /></a><a href="http://img.1001fonts.com/fonts/2873.big.png"><span style="font-size:78%;">Source</span></a><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family:arial;">Isn't it just gorgeous? OK, did you pick your font? Moving on.</span> </div><p style="text-align: left; font-family: arial;" class="MsoNormal">2. Next, go into Microsoft Word, or whatever word processing program you fancy. (I used Word, so my directions will apply more specifically to that program.) Under the tab, Tools, click on Letter and Mailings and then Envelopes and Labels.</p><p style="text-align: left; font-family: arial;" class="MsoNormal"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/TBvRJcdBf7I/AAAAAAAABAU/FN8i5feRcJI/s1600/step+2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 373px; height: 280px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/TBvRJcdBf7I/AAAAAAAABAU/FN8i5feRcJI/s320/step+2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5484206931440664498" border="0" /></a><br />3. A little window will open up. This window will allow you to enter the address, change the font and move the address to wherever you desire it to be on the envelope. Handy, huh?</p><p style="text-align: left; font-family: arial;" class="MsoNormal"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/TBvRJv7HvSI/AAAAAAAABAc/RuG5MYF9lb4/s1600/step+3.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 369px; height: 276px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/TBvRJv7HvSI/AAAAAAAABAc/RuG5MYF9lb4/s320/step+3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5484206936667176226" border="0" /></a><br />4. Hit print. And actually, before you hit print, check the bottom right of the window for a little box called Feed. This box will show you how to feed your envelope into your printer.</p><p style="text-align: left; font-family: arial;" class="MsoNormal"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/TBvRKZ14qWI/AAAAAAAABAk/8uhRcL0jQqk/s1600/step+4.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 360px; height: 269px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/TBvRKZ14qWI/AAAAAAAABAk/8uhRcL0jQqk/s320/step+4.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5484206947919505762" border="0" /></a><br />5. If you've got all your addresses in a spreadsheet, you can actually do a mail merge and print all your envelopes at one time. Me, being the smart person I am, decided to make this step more difficult, but I will not burden you with my troubles.</p><p style="text-align: left; font-family: arial;" class="MsoNormal"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/TBycKaj3A6I/AAAAAAAABAs/mJJmlQndc-k/s1600/DSCN0223.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/TBycKaj3A6I/AAAAAAAABAs/mJJmlQndc-k/s320/DSCN0223.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5484430148972774306" border="0" /></a><br />6. Once you've got your printed envelopes, you need to choose a pen that you want to use for your calligraphy. Because my envelopes are dark, I decided to go with a metallic silver. If you've chosen lighter envelopes, you may want to stick to a classic black.</p><p style="text-align: left; font-family: arial;" class="MsoNormal"><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/TB0gab_K1BI/AAAAAAAABA8/rAQzic3MJ-E/s1600/DSCN0225.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/TB0gab_K1BI/AAAAAAAABA8/rAQzic3MJ-E/s320/DSCN0225.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5484575559768527890" border="0" /></a><br />I picked my pens (yes, that's right, pens, I bought four different kinds) at Michael's, one of my homes away from home.<br /><br />7. Simply trace the printed font with your calligraphy pen and voila! You're now a calligraphy master. Congratulations!</p><p style="text-align: left; font-family: arial;" class="MsoNormal"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/TB0gbOcTrxI/AAAAAAAABBE/jhfWUIuLkSk/s1600/DSCN0229.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/TB0gbOcTrxI/AAAAAAAABBE/jhfWUIuLkSk/s320/DSCN0229.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5484575573312515858" border="0" /></a></p><p style="text-align: left; font-family: arial;" class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left; font-family: arial;" class="MsoNormal"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/TB0fW4482rI/AAAAAAAABA0/f7RAYPRVCv4/s1600/DSCN0224.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/TB0fW4482rI/AAAAAAAABA0/f7RAYPRVCv4/s320/DSCN0224.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5484574399295969970" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">*All photos are personal unless marked otherwise.</span></p><p style="text-align: left; font-family: arial;" class="MsoNormal">So do you see calligraphy master in your future?</p><br /></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/5173074949304690889-8371352028840881588?l=futuremrshopefully.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Jennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18121319728492514987noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5173074949304690889.post-7247088913137501082010-06-16T09:09:00.005-05:002010-06-16T09:38:29.577-05:00Designing and building your wedding invitations is not enough - if you're like me.<br /><br />I decided right before I started assembling my invitations that I'd also like to try to hand write everyone's addresses on the envelopes in <span style="font-weight: bold;">calligraphy</span>. That's right, apparently I was going to learn calligraphy. Like I said, I'm crazy! But seriously, look at these gorgeous envelopes:<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/TBjc58fYHwI/AAAAAAAAA_c/dB5sunIHCog/s1600/calligraphy+5.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/TBjc58fYHwI/AAAAAAAAA_c/dB5sunIHCog/s320/calligraphy+5.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5483375434371964674" border="0" /></a><a href="http://barbarakua.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2009/12/imgp4541.jpg"><span style="font-size:78%;">Source</span></a><br /><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/TBjc5UuekxI/AAAAAAAAA_U/-1SeJrMYvpM/s1600/Calligraphy+4.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/TBjc5UuekxI/AAAAAAAAA_U/-1SeJrMYvpM/s320/Calligraphy+4.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5483375423697883922" border="0" /></a><a href="http://www.weddingsunveiledmagazine.com/Blog/Calligraphy3.jpg"><span style="font-size:78%;">Source</span></a><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/TBjc5Ed-KPI/AAAAAAAAA_M/O5DF-yWwRMA/s1600/calligraphy+3.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/TBjc5Ed-KPI/AAAAAAAAA_M/O5DF-yWwRMA/s320/calligraphy+3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5483375419333683442" border="0" /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_JE58K_E42GI/Sw1REh8wi1I/AAAAAAAAAdU/sHryf75LzeA/s1600/leslie+1.jpg"><span style="font-size:78%;">Source</span></a><br /><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/TBjc4GECw9I/AAAAAAAAA-8/cwRSUivkliE/s1600/calligraphy+1.gif"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 247px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/TBjc4GECw9I/AAAAAAAAA-8/cwRSUivkliE/s320/calligraphy+1.gif" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5483375402581935058" border="0" /></a><a href="http://www.calligraphylady.com/blog_wedding_invitations/envelope_addressing_service.gif"><span style="font-size:78%;">Source</span></a><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">And just for kicks, cause you look like you might need a little more convincing, check out one last envelope:<br /><br /></div></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/TBjc4r7WXxI/AAAAAAAAA_E/nMrUeb463HU/s1600/calligraphy+2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 221px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/TBjc4r7WXxI/AAAAAAAAA_E/nMrUeb463HU/s320/calligraphy+2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5483375412746018578" border="0" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.abundanzaink.com/envelope3.jpg"><span style="font-size:78%;">Source</span></a><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">Alright, now that I've convinced you that calligraphy is a must have (or at least convinced you that I'm nuts), do you want to see my attempts at calligraphy? Here goes nothin'.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/TBjfjjRVJkI/AAAAAAAAA_8/c_d3qgrcTpk/s1600/DSCN0220.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/TBjfjjRVJkI/AAAAAAAAA_8/c_d3qgrcTpk/s320/DSCN0220.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5483378348179924546" border="0" /></a><br />Not bad. I tried four different fonts and two different pens. If you want to practice, I suggest printing out an address in the font you want to use, and then just mirroring it on a piece of paper.<br /><br />I decided that the font Scriptina looked the best, so I moved on to writing on actual envelopes.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/TBjfEEo_W1I/AAAAAAAAA_s/-A3_-VwtnQ8/s1600/DSCN0221.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/TBjfEEo_W1I/AAAAAAAAA_s/-A3_-VwtnQ8/s320/DSCN0221.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5483377807381715794" border="0" /></a><br />Well it's a little large but not absolutely horrible. The writing's a little crooked but I could draw pencil lines if I had to. I did have to run out to Michael's a grab a smaller pen. The first one was a bit too thick.<br /><br />Check out my next attempt:<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/TBjfEvB-SmI/AAAAAAAAA_0/8EEo2MYGo1U/s1600/DSCN0222.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/TBjfEvB-SmI/AAAAAAAAA_0/8EEo2MYGo1U/s320/DSCN0222.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5483377818760792674" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">*The last three photos are all from my personal camera.</span><br /></div><br />Pretty freakin' good, right? Haha, I cheated - sort of. I think I'll call it a shortcut. I'll let you in on my little shortcut for perfect calligraphy in my next post, so stay tuned.<br /><br />Have you decided to go above and beyond on any of your DIY wedding projects? Did you come up with any shortcuts to save time or make them easier?<br /></div></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/5173074949304690889-724708891313750108?l=futuremrshopefully.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Jennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18121319728492514987noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5173074949304690889.post-2014844752485833032010-06-14T16:08:00.004-05:002010-06-14T16:35:20.504-05:00What exactly is an invitation extravaganza you ask? Well I'm defining it as when a group of awesome friends get together to help you build your dream wedding invitations. The group is usually paid gratuity through the purchase of delicious margaritas.<br /><br />I had four days in a row off of work including this past weekend and decided I needed to take full advantage of all that free time. It was the perfect time to hold my invitation extravaganza. My two co-MOHs, my officiant/friend and my mister all joined in to help assemble our wedding invitations.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/TBafVnlA5QI/AAAAAAAAA-0/OJhGKbHfb2I/s1600/DSCN0199.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/TBafVnlA5QI/AAAAAAAAA-0/OJhGKbHfb2I/s320/DSCN0199.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5482744790120457474" border="0" /></a><br />And of course, as promised I provided margaritas.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/TBadGNLsmgI/AAAAAAAAA-s/bw-NMo6qkBY/s1600/DSCN0206.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/TBadGNLsmgI/AAAAAAAAA-s/bw-NMo6qkBY/s320/DSCN0206.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5482742326313654786" border="0" /></a><br />We didn't actually finish all the invites in one day because we got hungry. We spent about 2.5 hours that day working as a team and then I spent another couple hours the following day finishing them up.<br /><br />Now I'm not quite ready to reveal our invites yet, but here's a little sneaky peak:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/TBadEIIybvI/AAAAAAAAA-c/gT6qGdpV-_U/s1600/DSCN0214.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/TBadEIIybvI/AAAAAAAAA-c/gT6qGdpV-_U/s320/DSCN0214.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5482742290599538418" border="0" /></a><br />Did your invites turn out the way you imagined? (PS...I can't wait to show ya'll our wonderful invites and I'm so grateful to have such awesome friends that are willing to glue and cut and measure just for me!)<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/5173074949304690889-201484475248583303?l=futuremrshopefully.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Jennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18121319728492514987noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5173074949304690889.post-30535256325281536692010-06-11T09:10:00.004-05:002010-06-11T09:20:40.018-05:00...You would cry too if it happened to you! Well hello lovely readers. It is in fact my birthday. I am the ripe old age of 26. This is the age I'll be when I marry my wonderful mister.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/TBJFpDVmeCI/AAAAAAAAA-U/dScar8zRWZk/s1600/birthday-cupcake.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/TBJFpDVmeCI/AAAAAAAAA-U/dScar8zRWZk/s320/birthday-cupcake.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5481520268036175906" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">My mom sent me a virtual funfetti (my favorite) cupcake this morning!</span><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>But more on the post title: I got rejected from Weddingbee (again!) I found Weddingbee before we even got engaged and have been an avid reader ever since. I knew right away I wanted to be a bee blogger for the site when my time came. I applied and got rejected. I applied again and got rejected again. I applied one more time and guess what? I got rejected again. I thought maybe the whole third times the charm would work for me. Guess not.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/TBJFol9UEgI/AAAAAAAAA-M/N0_12qDtNMU/s1600/wb.png"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 128px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/TBJFol9UEgI/AAAAAAAAA-M/N0_12qDtNMU/s320/wb.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5481520260149678594" border="0" /></a><br />It sucks, but you know what it made me realize? I was planning my wedding for my someday potential Weddingbee readers. How ridiculous is that? I should be planning my wedding for me (and when I say me, I really do mean me and my mister.) I shouldn't be planning it for complete strangers.<br /><br />I was trying to impress people I didn't even know. Thankfully, our wedding planning hasn't gotten completely out of control yet, but sometimes it looks like it could head that way. I'm lassoing it in now though. I've got a little over four months to make this wedding all about us and no one else.<br /><br />I don't need Weddingbee to have an awesome wedding. I've got my readers on here and my family and friends to cheer me on and I'm so thankful for all of you.<br /><br />So please remember to plan for yourself. It's your special day and no one else's!<br /><br />Have you caught the Weddingbee bug?<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/5173074949304690889-3053525632528153669?l=futuremrshopefully.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Jennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18121319728492514987noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5173074949304690889.post-17582847479188647862010-06-09T13:48:00.003-05:002010-06-09T14:03:21.495-05:00We're not doing a bouquet toss. Whew! I said it. That's right, we're straying from tradition. So there!<br /><br />Of course, that's not to say I won't be handing my bouquet off to some lucky lady at some point during the night but I will not be launching it into the air. I will not make (and embarrass) all the single ladies by making them stand in a group on the dance floor for everyone to stare at. Ick! (This is just my personal preference, not everyone's. Don't hate.)<br /><br />We're going to do something instead that I've seen at at least one wedding in the past. We're going to do an anniversary dance. For those of you that don't know what an anniversary dance it is defined as such:<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">The anniversary dance is a special dance for all the married couples at a wedding. Throughout the song, the DJ names off numbers of years being married, starting with less than one year [That's when the newlyweds are off the dance floor]. It continues with less than two years, five years, ten years, and so on until the couple who has been married the longest is left dancing.</span><br /><br /></span><div style="text-align: left;">Make sense? I love the idea! And I've thought of the perfect song too! It's called "The Best Things Happen While Your Dancing". Danny Kaye sings in the song in my all-time favorite Christmas movie, White Christmas. I like it because it light-hearted and will also appeal to the older crowd which is who the anniversary dance is for in the first place.<br /><br /><object width="580" height="360"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/fZXYYfHICSc&amp;hl=en_US&amp;fs=1&amp;rel=0&amp;border=1"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/fZXYYfHICSc&amp;hl=en_US&amp;fs=1&amp;rel=0&amp;border=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="580" height="360"></embed></object><br /><br />So one lucky married lady will go home with my awesome bouquet at the end of the night and I couldn't be more excited!<br /><br />Are you skipping the bouquet toss? Are you doing something in place of it like an anniversary dance?<br /></div></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/5173074949304690889-1758284747918864786?l=futuremrshopefully.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Jennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18121319728492514987noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5173074949304690889.post-31014924682225060832010-06-07T17:38:00.004-05:002010-06-07T17:57:31.517-05:00I had a plan before summer came. I have a strapless bikini top I intended on wearing all summer long to prevent shoulder and chest tan lines. I knew if I were sunbathing on my stomach I would have to untie the back so I didn't have a tan line going across my exposed back in my wedding dress.<br /><br />Well, guess what? I threw it all in the garbage this past Saturday. (PS...I also messed up a couple weeks ago when I purchased a cute, new bathing suit from Old Navy that was NOT strapless....oops!)<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/TA13sxgG5ZI/AAAAAAAAA98/nhcqLb6ggH8/s1600/DSCN0188.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 295px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/TA13sxgG5ZI/AAAAAAAAA98/nhcqLb6ggH8/s320/DSCN0188.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5480167932665718162" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Yes I'm modeling in my sports bra after an awesome workout. I'm not letting a "little" sunburn take me<br />away from making my body hot for my wedding day :)</span><br /><br /></div>Look how sad I look. :( It's sad really because I love the pool and it was almost 100 here in Austin. I did put suntan lotion on (SPF 30) but I happen to be a fair-skinned strawberry-blond hair sporting girl. I burn. It's horrible. I guess I need to live like a vampire from now until October to prevent more of these mistakes from happening.<br /><br />If I plan on avoiding the sun for the rest of the summer (which I'm telling you right now is very unlikely) I'm gonna have to find color somewhere in time to climb into my dress in October. I have this fear that I'm going to be the same color as my dress and that's just not appealing to me or my mister.<br /><br />In walks spray-tanning. I don't trust do-it-yourself tanners as I've messed those up in the past. I was told the spray tan places where someone actually sprays you as opposed to the ones where you go in a booth are better.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/TA14V2qIhpI/AAAAAAAAA-E/1Gqf979jAhM/s1600/spraytan.gif"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 198px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/TA14V2qIhpI/AAAAAAAAA-E/1Gqf979jAhM/s320/spraytan.gif" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5480168638424581778" border="0" /></a><br />So I'm adding one more thing to my to do list: Go get a spray tan. I'm planning on dragging my sister along to try it with me in the next month or so. We'll see if it works for real then. I just want to look sun-kissed, not sun-baked.<br /><br />Have you gone spray tanning? Was it successful and do you have any tips for me before I go?<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/5173074949304690889-3101492468222506083?l=futuremrshopefully.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Jennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18121319728492514987noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5173074949304690889.post-57582797081749058302010-06-05T10:13:00.006-05:002010-06-05T12:46:47.995-05:00That's right, I said PRE, not POST. That means before the wedding. You probably think I'm crazy but let me rewind a minute.<br /><br />I always thought I'd be a long-haired bride. I've been growing my hair out since last August and it's a couple inches past my shoulders now. (You see I'm a Gemini and have to constantly change the length of my hair.)<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/TAqLoqbGL7I/AAAAAAAAA80/K_0zPDESgp0/s1600/JennRandy++031.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 213px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/TAqLoqbGL7I/AAAAAAAAA80/K_0zPDESgp0/s320/JennRandy++031.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5479345427348598706" border="0" /></a><br />I've been trying to find hair inspiration pictures for long hair and just can't seem to find any that I love. I want a retro up-do to go with the feel of my dress and jewelry but nothing's right.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/TAqMFbOqARI/AAAAAAAAA9c/j7zhZsLtDZo/s1600/forties-rockabilly-hairstyles.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 251px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/TAqMFbOqARI/AAAAAAAAA9c/j7zhZsLtDZo/s320/forties-rockabilly-hairstyles.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5479345921486094610" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/TAqMdLIRmgI/AAAAAAAAA90/mC8144H2pt4/s1600/Z_-_BETTY_GRABLE.34704401.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 258px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/TAqMdLIRmgI/AAAAAAAAA90/mC8144H2pt4/s320/Z_-_BETTY_GRABLE.34704401.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5479346329481222658" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/TAqMET4oG6I/AAAAAAAAA9E/TrWLdqORk5U/s1600/1940s-glam.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 304px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/TAqMET4oG6I/AAAAAAAAA9E/TrWLdqORk5U/s320/1940s-glam.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5479345902334778274" border="0" /></a><br />Lately I've been thinking about chopping my locks off.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/TAqMckmx7vI/AAAAAAAAA9s/tv_jbrUVX_I/s1600/natalie-portman-short-hair.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 226px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/TAqMckmx7vI/AAAAAAAAA9s/tv_jbrUVX_I/s320/natalie-portman-short-hair.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5479346319140187890" border="0" /></a><br />Haha, not that short. Gotcha! I don't have the guts to go that short. I'm thinking more like this.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/TAqMD5WJZ-I/AAAAAAAAA88/sZlG8t_TSUE/s1600/34_ReeseWitherspoon.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 210px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/TAqMD5WJZ-I/AAAAAAAAA88/sZlG8t_TSUE/s320/34_ReeseWitherspoon.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5479345895210837986" border="0" /></a><br />I've had my hair short before and my mister actually likes my hair better short so it's definitely a possibility. If girls can add extensions to their hair on their wedding, why can't I take some length off mine? Check out some of my short-hair inspiration photos.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/TAqMcf7ckPI/AAAAAAAAA9k/i093kHu15l4/s1600/Jennie-Garth-002470.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 206px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/TAqMcf7ckPI/AAAAAAAAA9k/i093kHu15l4/s320/Jennie-Garth-002470.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5479346317884690674" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/TAqMEs22FcI/AAAAAAAAA9M/usYHa41SLrk/s1600/Anya+Monzikova+short+hairstyle+2009.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 296px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/TAqMEs22FcI/AAAAAAAAA9M/usYHa41SLrk/s320/Anya+Monzikova+short+hairstyle+2009.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5479345909038192066" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/TAqMFHFGohI/AAAAAAAAA9U/QZgtJx7PNZA/s1600/drew-barrymore-retro-hairstyle-09.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/TAqMFHFGohI/AAAAAAAAA9U/QZgtJx7PNZA/s320/drew-barrymore-retro-hairstyle-09.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5479345916077318674" border="0" /></a><br />What do ya'll think? Should I just say "screw the long hair, I'm going short" or should I stick with the long hair so that I have more options? Would ya'll ever cut your hair before the wedding?<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/5173074949304690889-5758279708174905830?l=futuremrshopefully.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Jennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18121319728492514987noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5173074949304690889.post-5238575229297799932010-06-02T10:22:00.005-05:002010-06-02T10:40:36.735-05:00As I prepare myself for my big, fat DIY invitation extravaganza, I started thinking about my first invite attempt and why it is no longer with us. (NOTE: it really is an extravaganza. I am currently gathering all necessary materials and in a couple weeks time my friends will rendezvous at my house to assemble my glorious invitations. Of course, I'm also bribing them with delicious margaritas!)<br /><br />I actually posted this picture along time ago when I was initially gathering invitation inspiration.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/TAZ5vIKXv2I/AAAAAAAAA8U/1uM2pzC52BY/s1600/stiched+invite.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 233px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/TAZ5vIKXv2I/AAAAAAAAA8U/1uM2pzC52BY/s320/stiched+invite.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5478199847294582626" border="0" /></a><br />I love the booklet look. It's so simple, yet so elegant. I have since seen other girls use this style for their invites and they are all adorable! It just didn't work out for me.<br /><br />Here's my attempt at the booklet invitation:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/TAZ6vR9P__I/AAAAAAAAA8k/fzBOJZx3OK8/s1600/DSCN0182.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/TAZ6vR9P__I/AAAAAAAAA8k/fzBOJZx3OK8/s320/DSCN0182.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5478200949435531250" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/TAZ6vz7yojI/AAAAAAAAA8s/nI48MXSfeBo/s1600/DSCN0183.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/TAZ6vz7yojI/AAAAAAAAA8s/nI48MXSfeBo/s320/DSCN0183.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5478200958556217906" border="0" /></a><br />I thought it was lovely, but after showing a few people the general consensus was that the trees looked dead. Well, poo! I thought it looked cool at first, but now all I see are dead trees and no one wants dead trees on a wedding invite.<br /><br />I was back to the drawing board. I really like the idea of incorporating trees into the design but nothing I tried was exactly right.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/TAZ5vc9t5aI/AAAAAAAAA8c/9lG2AJ6qrN4/s1600/Tree+Carving+Invite.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/TAZ5vc9t5aI/AAAAAAAAA8c/9lG2AJ6qrN4/s320/Tree+Carving+Invite.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5478199852878652834" border="0" /></a><br />That's when I got the idea to ask my mister to draw our invitation. He's an artist, although he doesn't draw much anymore, and I knew he'd do brilliantly. I did have to wait a couple months for his picture as he was operating on "man time" not "nutty bride, I need it now" time. But let me just tell you it was worth the wait!<br /><br />I can't wait to show ya'll. Hopefully in a couple weeks our invitation will be completely assembled and I can unveil them. Or I may make you wait until I send them out in August.<br /><br />How did you decide what you wanted your invitations to look like? Did you take on the DIY invite?<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/5173074949304690889-523857522929779993?l=futuremrshopefully.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Jennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18121319728492514987noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5173074949304690889.post-44663696429183874022010-06-01T19:39:00.002-05:002010-06-01T19:45:24.164-05:00We spent our Memorial Day weekend with the mister's family. His sister (and one of our bridesmaids, Tiffani) was hosting a family reunion at her ranch a couple hours outside Austin. As far as I can tell, a great time was had by all.<br /><br />It got me thinking, a wedding is really just a big family reunion. Sure, some friends are thrown in the mix, but aren't friends really family too?<br /><br />I can't wait for our wedding to be here. It's less than <span style="font-weight: bold;">five</span> months away now! I'm dying to see friends I haven't seen in over a year and family I haven't seen in even longer. I want our special day to be a big ole' reunion. I want everyone to just relax and have fun. Kick up their heels and dance the night away!<br /><br />What mood are you aiming for with your wedding? Are you as excited as me to see all your family and friends that day?<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/5173074949304690889-4466369642918387402?l=futuremrshopefully.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Jennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18121319728492514987noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5173074949304690889.post-66278232819750120402010-05-27T17:34:00.002-05:002010-05-27T17:42:56.878-05:00Yes, I'm singing "You're a Grand Ole Flag" to you....wasn't it puuuurty? Haha, back in the day I was quite the patriotic song fanatic. I mean, I still am, but just not to the same degree.<br /><br />Anyways, that's not what this post is about. Focus, Jenn, focus! Okay, back on track. I'm talking about color schemes for weddings, of course. Way back in August (man that seems like centuries ago) I was planning our wedding with blue and red (and white obviously) in mind.<br /><br />When I told my mom, she immediately expressed concern that it might look a bit too patriotic. I agreed (sort of), but thought I could do it tastefully enough to where it didn't come off all American pride wedding. However, if you've been faithfully reading my blog, which I know all of you have :), then you know we're no longer using red and blue as our colors.<br /><br />But I thought in honor of the upcoming Memorial Day Weekend I would show you some of my favorite blue and red inspiration boards.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/S_71IwwrO1I/AAAAAAAAA8E/CSp8kjBHAOc/s1600/redblue3.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/S_71IwwrO1I/AAAAAAAAA8E/CSp8kjBHAOc/s320/redblue3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5476083727805922130" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/S_71IhfpDII/AAAAAAAAA78/QeLf7-beLwY/s1600/redblue2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 154px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/S_71IhfpDII/AAAAAAAAA78/QeLf7-beLwY/s320/redblue2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5476083723707944066" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/S_71IKAXG5I/AAAAAAAAA70/QwQRl1Jw2PE/s1600/redblue1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/S_71IKAXG5I/AAAAAAAAA70/QwQRl1Jw2PE/s320/redblue1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5476083717402729362" border="0" /></a><br />Here's my original inspiration board too.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/S_71JVwqQ_I/AAAAAAAAA8M/1iel6AEanAg/s1600/present+2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/S_71JVwqQ_I/AAAAAAAAA8M/1iel6AEanAg/s320/present+2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5476083737737970674" border="0" /></a><br />Well ladies, have a great Memorial Day Weekend and happy beginning of Summer! See you on the other side!<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/5173074949304690889-6627823281975012040?l=futuremrshopefully.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Jennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18121319728492514987noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5173074949304690889.post-81683564628106399902010-05-26T21:31:00.004-05:002010-05-26T21:46:31.539-05:00I know I told ya'll about a registering experience at Bed Bath &amp; Beyond about a month back, but I haven't shared with you our experience at the second store we registered at.<br /><br />It was divine! We registered at Macy's, <a href="http://www.macys.com/">Macys.com</a> to be exact. I love when I don't have to talk to people to get something done. Again, where would I be without the internet?<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/S_3cZbq0MOI/AAAAAAAAA7s/uQzKCMuWx5k/s1600/macys.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 86px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/S_3cZbq0MOI/AAAAAAAAA7s/uQzKCMuWx5k/s320/macys.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5475775051434569954" border="0" /></a><br />We decided to register at a second store because we couldn't find any plates that we really liked at Bed Bath &amp; Beyond. The ones they carried were okay, but not great. We were looking for blue. Their blue plates just didn't cut it.<br /><br />I decided to look at Macy's since I'd already created a "fake" registry there so that I could enter some wedding contest (and no I didn't win; I never win anything...boo). Anyways, I discovered that Macy's carries Fiesta dishes!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/S_3cZH-EkoI/AAAAAAAAA7k/eS-fgPuD7so/s1600/fiestaware.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 173px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/S_3cZH-EkoI/AAAAAAAAA7k/eS-fgPuD7so/s320/fiestaware.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5475775046146626178" border="0" /></a><br />What if I told you that since I was a small child I have lusted after Fiesta plates? It's true. I love the simplicity of the plate and the bold colors they offer.<br /><br />We decided on their Cobalt blue dishes, but also decided to throw some Scarlet red dishes in as well. I plan on having a red and blue theme in my kitchen so this will work out perfectly.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/S_3b8bxQe5I/AAAAAAAAA7c/0X1I5QDDrBg/s1600/fiesta.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/S_3b8bxQe5I/AAAAAAAAA7c/0X1I5QDDrBg/s320/fiesta.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5475774553245383570" border="0" /></a>Dishes are they only thing on this registry. Is that weird? Did you have to go to another store to find one thing that you wanted to register for that you couldn't find anywhere else?<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/5173074949304690889-8168356462810639990?l=futuremrshopefully.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Jennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18121319728492514987noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5173074949304690889.post-41890274756627798252010-05-24T18:26:00.004-05:002010-05-24T18:42:25.020-05:00I surely do love me some pictures.<br /><br />As ya'll know by now we've got an amazing photographer, Nathan Russell, booked to shoot our wedding day. However, he's only one man and he simply can't be everywhere all at the same time that night. I'm hoping that all my camera-happy friends (you know who you are) will be there to get lots of candids of the reception and ceremony.<br /><br />Now comes the question, how do I collect said photos from my many "photographers"? The last couple weddings I've attended, the couples have had little cards sitting out for guests to take telling them where to find the wedding pictures online. These cards I've seen have only pertained to the pro shots, but I want mine to include all pictures.<br /><br />Enter, good ole Shutterfly.com. You can create a little website/share site where people can upload and order photos from a specific event. It's perfect. I jumped right in and created a simple page for guests to use.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/S_sNwjFzs-I/AAAAAAAAA7E/zKrpt4lIEsw/s1600/share+site.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 200px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/S_sNwjFzs-I/AAAAAAAAA7E/zKrpt4lIEsw/s320/share+site.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5474984899703452642" border="0" /></a><br /><br />All that was left to do was figure out how to let people know that the share site exists. Enter trusty photo card. I used one of our engagement pics, added some background and text in Paint.net and ordered 80 prints from Shutterfly.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/S_sOLwqiq2I/AAAAAAAAA7U/kKX6EBIZhZU/s1600/photo+sharing+card.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/S_sOLwqiq2I/AAAAAAAAA7U/kKX6EBIZhZU/s320/photo+sharing+card.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5474985367203654498" border="0" /></a><br />They came in the mail today and they're perfect! I plan on uploading all the pro pics on to the share site once I receive them as well. I love technology. It's so easy to share with people that don't live right down the street.<br /><br />How are you sharing photos of your special day? Are you just counting on pro shots or do you think friends and family will have some valuable pictures too?<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/5173074949304690889-4189027475662779825?l=futuremrshopefully.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Jennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18121319728492514987noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5173074949304690889.post-4439881933381017042010-05-22T19:50:00.003-05:002010-05-22T20:08:42.708-05:00I really don't know how I would have survived 20 years ago, let alone plan a wedding. I hate the phone, unless, of course, I'm texting someone. I'll say it again, I hate the phone! Ugh....thus the start of my current problem.<br /><br />I have been cruising along just fine checking things off my to-do list left and right. And then it got difficult. So far I've pretty much been able to do everything online. But now I've got to book a bartender for the reception and I've also got to rent linens and possibly some extra tables for the reception. And unfortunately these things have to be done over the phone.<br /><br />I've known about them for months and I keep putting it off. I really hate the phone. Did I mention that already? I have literally been putting off these phone calls for a couple months now. I know I need to make them, but I can't seem to force myself.<br /><br />Have you struggled with any aspects of wedding planning? Are you a a phone-a-phobe like me?<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/5173074949304690889-443988193338101704?l=futuremrshopefully.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Jennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18121319728492514987noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5173074949304690889.post-28347901407949178022010-05-19T17:42:00.005-05:002010-05-19T17:57:26.426-05:00<span style="font-size:100%;">Wouldn't you agree? No? Well too bad cause I'm sending a map your way anyways.<br /><br />For those of you ladies who live in wedding blog load like me, I'm sure you've seen many awesome hand-drawn maps women are sending out to their wedding guests. Check these out:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/S_RqHCHHCtI/AAAAAAAAA60/BjxkhdjWXl0/s1600/map+3.gif"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 224px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/S_RqHCHHCtI/AAAAAAAAA60/BjxkhdjWXl0/s320/map+3.gif" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5473116116220316370" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/S_RqG9BjYWI/AAAAAAAAA6s/7VsmdPZbkD8/s1600/map+2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 228px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/S_RqG9BjYWI/AAAAAAAAA6s/7VsmdPZbkD8/s320/map+2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5473116114854830434" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/S_RqGV6M0-I/AAAAAAAAA6k/_78sBQfLwkM/s1600/map+1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/S_RqGV6M0-I/AAAAAAAAA6k/_78sBQfLwkM/s320/map+1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5473116104355009506" border="0" /></a><br />Aren't they adorable? A definite must-have! So of course I decided I had to include one in my invitation suite (just because).<br /><br />I started off by following a tutorial that suggested printing out a Google Map of the area. Then I traced the simple highways lines and roads to create my wedding map. However, after spending about an hour playing around with that technique, I decided I'm not a drawer so I moved on.<br /><br />No I didn't give up. I DO NOT give up. I just moved on to a different method: my trusty Paint.net. Using the curved line tool I just drew the general shape of the highways I wanted to include on my map.<br /><br />Next I started adding icons for the venue, hotel, my house, downtown and various other locales around town. I also labeled all the roads and highways and threw a compass on the map for good measure.<br /><br />So without further ado, I present to you my super awesome map:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/S_RrqEeEYQI/AAAAAAAAA68/ULpwSI420TU/s1600/Wedding+Map.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 224px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/S_RrqEeEYQI/AAAAAAAAA68/ULpwSI420TU/s320/Wedding+Map.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5473117817660530946" border="0" /></a><br />Forgive my constant "tooting my own horn"-ness. I keeps me motivated to continuing DIY-ing if I think I'm doing an awesome job on every project. Please don't judge.<br /><br />This isn't the last you'll see of my map. Ya'll are gonna have to wait until the invitation suite is complete to see my map in action, in it's full glory.<br /><br />Are you including a map with your invites? Did you do it yourself or have it commissioned?</span><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/5173074949304690889-2834790140794917802?l=futuremrshopefully.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Jennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18121319728492514987noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5173074949304690889.post-65073796857838243842010-05-17T16:58:00.005-05:002010-05-17T17:25:35.905-05:00That's right ladies (and gents) our engagement pictures are finally in! And let me just tell you, we worked it. There was modeling head-to-toe, smising (I hate that term), neck extensions, etc. Check 'em out!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/S_G95xI-AdI/AAAAAAAAA5c/KufKNJTDajE/s1600/1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/S_G95xI-AdI/AAAAAAAAA5c/KufKNJTDajE/s320/1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5472363822373011922" border="0" /></a><br />Look at that sass!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/S_G96IYN9rI/AAAAAAAAA5k/qP04Vltl_U4/s1600/2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/S_G96IYN9rI/AAAAAAAAA5k/qP04Vltl_U4/s320/2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5472363828610987698" border="0" /></a><br />Cute!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/S_G96Ux9puI/AAAAAAAAA5s/_awWmEC3iIc/s1600/3.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/S_G96Ux9puI/AAAAAAAAA5s/_awWmEC3iIc/s320/3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5472363831940196066" border="0" /></a><br />Even cuter!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/S_G96tYomjI/AAAAAAAAA50/T679QKK9aIM/s1600/4.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/S_G96tYomjI/AAAAAAAAA50/T679QKK9aIM/s320/4.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5472363838544845362" border="0" /></a><br />Action shot down Congress Ave!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/S_G96xUvCkI/AAAAAAAAA58/DZ2Z6WOm9lw/s1600/5.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/S_G96xUvCkI/AAAAAAAAA58/DZ2Z6WOm9lw/s320/5.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5472363839602231874" border="0" /></a><br />Check out the mister's attitude in this pic! Hand on hip, hip sticking out, they definitely need a male ANTM!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/S_G-CEtatuI/AAAAAAAAA6E/O2rfP-ofdlY/s1600/6.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/S_G-CEtatuI/AAAAAAAAA6E/O2rfP-ofdlY/s320/6.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5472363965065115362" border="0" /></a><br />If you look closely I'm giving my mister a classic Jenn face!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/S_G-CdwL3-I/AAAAAAAAA6M/UrB2fjyC7PM/s1600/7.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/S_G-CdwL3-I/AAAAAAAAA6M/UrB2fjyC7PM/s320/7.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5472363971787612130" border="0" /></a><br />The token cute couple pic!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/S_G-Cl5cScI/AAAAAAAAA6U/7ubckjwTLPI/s1600/8.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/S_G-Cl5cScI/AAAAAAAAA6U/7ubckjwTLPI/s320/8.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5472363973973920194" border="0" /></a><br />Love this pic! I felt like a 3 year old running through the wild flowers!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/S_G-DL93BmI/AAAAAAAAA6c/3LHf-hiitvE/s1600/9.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/S_G-DL93BmI/AAAAAAAAA6c/3LHf-hiitvE/s320/9.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5472363984192996962" border="0" /></a><br />My absolute favorite picture. I know our faces aren't in it but it just seems so carefree. I want to blow this picture up and print it on canvas to hang on our wall!<br /><br />I love that we got to take some pictures in the city and also in the fields of wildflowers showing both sides of Austin. I'm not sure what I'm going to use the pictures for yet, but you'll see them again, I promise!<br /><br />Did you have as much fun with your engagement shoot as we did?<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/5173074949304690889-6507379685783824384?l=futuremrshopefully.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Jennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18121319728492514987noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5173074949304690889.post-80965079392003682042010-05-14T18:58:00.004-05:002010-05-14T19:38:52.550-05:00Enter the ever popular boudoir photo shoot. Who doesn't love a little boudoir, eh?<br /><br />Anyways....I want to do a little somethin' somethin' for my mister to say thanks for hanging in there through all the wedding planning craziness. What better way then with some scantily clad photos of yours truly?<br /><br />You wanna hear something awesome? My photography package includes a bridal session and I don't really think I need a million photos of me in my wedding dress not on my wedding day so my photographer is willing to do a boudoir shoot with me instead! How awesome is he? I think my photographer crush just got a little bit stronger!<br /><br />He suggested we look at inspiration photos to get an idea of what type of shots we want to capture. Check out what I've found so far:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/S-3qTefS18I/AAAAAAAAA48/_-gxOeCtlWU/s1600/boudoir+5.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/S-3qTefS18I/AAAAAAAAA48/_-gxOeCtlWU/s320/boudoir+5.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5471286742647756738" border="0" /></a><br />I love the idea of incorporating my veil into the photo shoot.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/S-3qSrshJdI/AAAAAAAAA40/UW7nPF8VeYQ/s1600/boudoir+4.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 162px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/S-3qSrshJdI/AAAAAAAAA40/UW7nPF8VeYQ/s320/boudoir+4.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5471286729013011922" border="0" /></a><br />Since I am a pastry chef, an apron would make an awesome addition to the shoot.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/S-3qSl3d7HI/AAAAAAAAA4s/wimZSQeesr8/s1600/boudoir+3.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/S-3qSl3d7HI/AAAAAAAAA4s/wimZSQeesr8/s320/boudoir+3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5471286727448325234" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/S-3qR_gQ6cI/AAAAAAAAA4c/zt7uCNcyZLY/s1600/boudoir+1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 233px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/S-3qR_gQ6cI/AAAAAAAAA4c/zt7uCNcyZLY/s320/boudoir+1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5471286717150456258" border="0" /></a><br />I love the casual quality of these last two. They're very "me".<br /><br />As you can tell from most of the pictures, I am aiming for more cute-sexy, rather than sexy-sexy. I just don't think I can pull off the super sexy look. It's just not me.<br /><br />When it comes to wardrobe, I've got a few ideas so far. I'll have to run them past the photographer and see what he thinks.<br /><br />1. Lacey tank top, boy shorts and possibly cowboy boots<br />2. Sexy bra and panties with an apron and possibly a cupcake or cake or cookbook<br />3. Simple bra/panties with a short robe over top<br />4. Something bridal<br /><br />Oooo I'm so excited to make this happen. Are you gifting your fiance anything? Are you, too, doing a boudoir shoot? Any advice?<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/5173074949304690889-8096507939200368204?l=futuremrshopefully.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Jennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18121319728492514987noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5173074949304690889.post-58460392193446873472010-05-12T19:26:00.005-05:002010-05-12T20:01:01.923-05:00Remember this thing?<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/S-tLsSAk-HI/AAAAAAAAA4E/-KeTyF_uxWA/s1600/100_0479.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/S-tLsSAk-HI/AAAAAAAAA4E/-KeTyF_uxWA/s320/100_0479.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5470549396492187762" border="0" /></a><br />Yeah that was one of my first DIY projects - my veil. Well after writing about it, I promptly decided that I hated it. Welcome back to my indecisive world, how I've missed ya'll!<br /><br />And thus began the search for the perfect veil. I decided to steer clear of the DIY veil again and just spring for an already assembled veil instead.<br /><br />I still wanted a birdcage style veil. At least I haven't changed my mind on that matter. So I headed over to the ever-faithful Etsy.com. I almost immediately found this veil and fell in love.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/S-tLsHkfHzI/AAAAAAAAA38/7eEPA1iJmj4/s1600/veil.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 246px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/S-tLsHkfHzI/AAAAAAAAA38/7eEPA1iJmj4/s320/veil.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5470549393690009394" border="0" /></a><a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/40822985/point-desprit-rosette-bridal-blusher"><span style="font-size:78%;">Source</span><br /></a></div><br />It's freakin' perfect! It's the same material as the bottom part of my dress and it really goes with the 1940s feel of my dress. The only thing I struggled with was the price.<br /><br />Luckily I had already tried my hand at the DIY veil and knew it wasn't good so I took the plunge and added it to my shopping cart. And here's where the fun begins!<br /><br />I waited anxiously for my veil to arrive and after two weeks it still hadn't arrived. Sad face. I sent the shop owner an email to see what was going on and she said the veil got returned to here the day before. The box had been marked undeliverable. What?!<br /><br />We verified my address and she sent it again. Another two weeks later and still no veil. So I emailed again and again it had been returned. What the hell?!<br /><br />Thankfully (and randomly) the shop owner lives in Austin and offered to allow me to come to her house to pick it up. Yay!!! So without further ado, here's my awesome, perfect, wonderful veil on me:<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/S-tN-gFoHAI/AAAAAAAAA4U/zlFWlc3fXsA/s1600/DSCN0097.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/S-tN-gFoHAI/AAAAAAAAA4U/zlFWlc3fXsA/s320/DSCN0097.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5470551908532362242" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Please excuse the double chin and the hand/camera in face.</span><br /></div><br />What do you think? Are you wearing a veil? Where did you go for veil inspiration? (SIDE NOTE: The seller's neighbors had ten peacocks living in their front yard....only in Austin)<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/5173074949304690889-5846039219344687347?l=futuremrshopefully.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Jennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18121319728492514987noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5173074949304690889.post-57001864362294261452010-05-11T09:22:00.007-05:002010-05-11T10:10:27.069-05:00After deciding a few weeks ago that I really wanted to bring out the "Texas" in our wedding, I started searching for ways to do that. I showed you our one favor that is also doubling as a escort card in my last post and now I'm going to show you our other favor that I've been working on that just screams TEXAS!<br /><br />I stumbled upon <a href="http://www.marthastewartweddings.com/article/seed-matchbook-favors-how-to?backto=true&amp;backtourl=/photogallery/floral-favors#slide_5">this gem</a> on Martha Stewart Weddings a few months back and bookmarked it just in case I could somehow work it into our wedding. After deciding on the first favor, the Texas lollipops, I thought it'd be nice to give a guests a little something extra.<br /><br />Wildflowers are a huge part of Texas, especially the Austin area as Ladybird Johnson started a huge initiative to allow wildflowers to grow along all the highways around town. Check out more about this <a href="http://www.wildflower.org/">here</a>.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/S-lq5QVjilI/AAAAAAAAA28/d8IYY_Up39s/s1600/wildflowers.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 210px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/S-lq5QVjilI/AAAAAAAAA28/d8IYY_Up39s/s320/wildflowers.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5470020754288642642" border="0" /></a><a href="http://www.wildnatureimages.com/images%203/Bluebonnets-Oak-Tree-V..jpg"><span style="font-size:78%;">Source</span></a><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br /><span style="font-size:100%;">Perfect! I've found a way to incorporate Martha's genius seed/matc</span><span style="font-size:100%;">h</span><span style="font-size:100%;">book packets. Wanna know </span><span style="font-size:100%;">how I did it? Here's a quick tutorial:</span><br /><br /><span style="font-size:100%;">1. Here's what I started with when I downloaded the template from Martha.</span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/S-lr0UfSB5I/AAAAAAAAA3E/qe0mHUfyU9s/s1600/original+seed+packet.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 248px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/S-lr0UfSB5I/AAAAAAAAA3E/qe0mHUfyU9s/s320/original+seed+packet.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5470021769015461778" border="0" /></a>For those of you have have been following my blog, you know those colors don't match my colors so I headed into my trusty Paint.net to do a little color switch-a-roo!<br /><br />2. I changed the colors to blue and yellow and also played with the fonts and text and got this:<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/S-lr0qUhz7I/AAAAAAAAA3M/sFcMfcmt1SU/s1600/seed+packets.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 247px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/S-lr0qUhz7I/AAAAAAAAA3M/sFcMfcmt1SU/s320/seed+packets.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5470021774875938738" border="0" /></a><br />3. Once I printed out a bajillion of them on my home printer on cardstock I was finally ready to begin. (In hindsight, it may have been smarter to get these printer somewhere, but oh well.)<br /><br />4. I began by creasing all the sheet following Martha's handy dandy crease line markers. (There are three.)<br /><br />5. Then I cut them all our on my Cricut cutter and folded them along the crease lines.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/S-lw2WEoDLI/AAAAAAAAA3U/zjvQcJm7554/s1600/IMG_0275.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/S-lw2WEoDLI/AAAAAAAAA3U/zjvQcJm7554/s320/IMG_0275.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5470027301358406834" border="0" /></a><br />6. Next it was time to fill glassine bags with seeds. (I purchased my flower seeds at the local dollar store. It was a bit of a struggle to find the right size glassine bags for the right price but I did finally find them <a href="http://www.auctiva.com/stores/viewstore2.aspx?id=662192&amp;styleid=80">here</a>. ) I put about a pinch of seeds in each bag.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/S-lw29wY1oI/AAAAAAAAA3c/jh6fZRoXIQ0/s1600/IMG_0277.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/S-lw29wY1oI/AAAAAAAAA3c/jh6fZRoXIQ0/s320/IMG_0277.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5470027312010942082" border="0" /></a><br /><br />7. Then I folded over each bag, stuck it in the bottom flap of the matchbook and stapled.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/S-lw3EPcJLI/AAAAAAAAA3k/kUKZxNo4BY0/s1600/IMG_0279.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/S-lw3EPcJLI/AAAAAAAAA3k/kUKZxNo4BY0/s320/IMG_0279.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5470027313751794866" border="0" /></a><br />And VOILA, they're done.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/S-lw3ajfaHI/AAAAAAAAA3s/TwtBzJz6Yfs/s1600/IMG_0280.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/S-lw3ajfaHI/AAAAAAAAA3s/TwtBzJz6Yfs/s320/IMG_0280.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5470027319741474930" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/S-lw3xQ9WXI/AAAAAAAAA30/VN_jABKzdMY/s1600/IMG_0281.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/S-lw3xQ9WXI/AAAAAAAAA30/VN_jABKzdMY/s320/IMG_0281.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5470027325837760882" border="0" /></a><br />I'm going to have these at each place setting at the reception to add a little more color to each table. (Thanks Mom and Sarah for helping! I would've taken me a million times longer to do these without you!)<br /><br />Have you found the perfect favors for your guests? Where did you find them? Is anyone finding more inspiration at Martha Stewart then anywhere else?<br /><br /></div></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/5173074949304690889-5700186436229426145?l=futuremrshopefully.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Jennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18121319728492514987noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5173074949304690889.post-40938855485992439322010-05-08T08:54:00.004-05:002010-05-08T09:53:15.969-05:00Let's talk favors! Wedding favors I mean. I knew from the second I started planning that I was going to have edible favors. That's what I'd be most excited about receiving so I know other people will appreciate them too.<br /><br />I started racking my brain for the perfect favor. And then I saw this picture (ala Martha Stewart, course.)<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/S-V1WyFrZbI/AAAAAAAAA2c/AqxBSrpP4Z4/s1600/lollipop+stand.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 225px; height: 281px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/S-V1WyFrZbI/AAAAAAAAA2c/AqxBSrpP4Z4/s320/lollipop+stand.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5468906356774495666" border="0" /></a><br />Then the ball began rolling. I can make these tree/cone things and have lollipops sticking out of them. We have the perfect lollipop molds at work and I might be able to borrow.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/S-V6hChPCzI/AAAAAAAAA2s/AmfbQsZ4iVI/s1600/txlolli.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 316px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/S-V6hChPCzI/AAAAAAAAA2s/AmfbQsZ4iVI/s320/txlolli.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5468912030541876018" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Don't they go perfectly with our Texas Chic theme? Now I also need a solution for how to assign people to tables at the reception. Here's what I'm thinking:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/S-V6gjRp7iI/AAAAAAAAA2k/_hXGlFik8sY/s1600/lollipop+escort+cards.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 201px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/S-V6gjRp7iI/AAAAAAAAA2k/_hXGlFik8sY/s320/lollipop+escort+cards.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5468912022155030050" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/S-V6hY1bh5I/AAAAAAAAA20/on3OF5y-xts/s1600/txlolliassign.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 316px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/S-V6hY1bh5I/AAAAAAAAA20/on3OF5y-xts/s320/txlolliassign.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5468912036532160402" border="0" /></a><br /><br />What do ya'll think? What are you doing for favors and escort cards?<br /><br />PS. I also making another small favor for our guests. I'm working on it this weekend so I'll have pictures early next week!<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/5173074949304690889-4093885548599243932?l=futuremrshopefully.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Jennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18121319728492514987noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5173074949304690889.post-17684028048304627672010-05-06T15:38:00.001-05:002010-05-06T15:39:41.700-05:00Yay my mom will be there in a matter of hours! We're gonna spend the weekend celebrating Mother's Day and working on DIY projects of course! Can wait to show ya'll what we come up with!!!<br /><br />Who's been helping you our along the way with little projects and tasks?<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/5173074949304690889-1768402804830462767?l=futuremrshopefully.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Jennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18121319728492514987noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5173074949304690889.post-39563756492869874482010-05-05T05:00:00.003-05:002010-05-08T09:25:54.441-05:00Every wedding I've ever been to has had an even number of bridesmaids and groomsmen. I know that's the norm but I just didn't think it was necessary for us. However when we started planning and talking I could tell the mister really wanted symmetry.<br /><br />We decided on three each. That seemed like a reasonable number for our small-ish wedding, right? I chose mine three months ago. Actually I already had them picked out before he ever proposed but don't tell him, ok?<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/S-BkRBMa5FI/AAAAAAAAA18/3QL7KiGs38M/s1600/bms.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/S-BkRBMa5FI/AAAAAAAAA18/3QL7KiGs38M/s320/bms.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5467480191168865362" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">You've met them before but here they are again. My sister Sarah, my college friend Jenna and my friend Leesa. Sorry ladies for the semi-embarrassing photos. Thought it'd be fun! :) PS...My sister does not normally sport a mohawk; it was just a Halloween costume.<br /></span></div><br />Then the wait began. The mister could not choose his men. He kept picking a different group of three every time we talked. I think he was just confused and worried he'd get it wrong.<br /><br />Eventually though he did make an important decision. He knew he wanted to include his rather large family as much as possible. He picked his dad to be his Best Man (yay, his dad is awesome!) Then he chose his little bro, Shawn to be a groomsmen along with his nephew A.J.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/S-BkRsASiBI/AAAAAAAAA2E/skA84V_5IZ4/s1600/gm1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/S-BkRsASiBI/AAAAAAAAA2E/skA84V_5IZ4/s320/gm1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5467480202660710418" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">That's his brother Shawn, his Dad (with my adorable future niece, Addison) and A</span><span style="font-size:78%;">.J catching some crazy air on his skateboard!<br /><br /></span></div>But he also wanted to include some friends so enter friends Grady and Jarred. Now if you're keeping track that means he's up to five. What happened to three?<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/S-BkSUdEjtI/AAAAAAAAA2M/wDwfrGZdwAY/s1600/gm2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/S-BkSUdEjtI/AAAAAAAAA2M/wDwfrGZdwAY/s320/gm2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5467480213518847698" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Meet Jarred and Grady.</span><br /><br /></div>He asked me if I wanted to add anyone else and I said no. I don't have anyone that I would put on the same level as my initial three ladies. Again I could tell he was uncomfortable having our sides be uneven.<br /><br />So one night he suggested having his two sisters stand up for him, but on my side so that we'd each have five and five. I think that's an awesome idea! So he asked and they're in! Welcome Ashley and Tiffani.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/S-BkS6Bs2DI/AAAAAAAAA2U/DD0kCq8g06Q/s1600/sisters.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/S-BkS6Bs2DI/AAAAAAAAA2U/DD0kCq8g06Q/s320/sisters.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5467480223604594738" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Meet the mister's sisters, Ashley and Tiffani!<br /></span></div><br />We're also including two more friends, Rockie and Brandon, plus the mister's other two brothers, Brett and Garan, as ushers.<br /><br />So balance has been restored in our wedding world at last! How many people are standing up for you on your wedding day? Are the sides even? Was it coincidence or did you make it so?<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/5173074949304690889-3956375649286987448?l=futuremrshopefully.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Jennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18121319728492514987noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5173074949304690889.post-63372124476664074372010-05-04T11:04:00.003-05:002010-05-04T12:55:05.171-05:00I thought I was done with my bouquets back in October. But then I started working on some other flower projects and found this <a href="http://www.weddingchicks.com/wedding-chicks/diy-templates/do-it-yourself-projects/29722/do-it-yourself-paper-flowers/">tutorial</a>. I had a box of security envelopes that I'd bought for another project that never was so I thought I'd give it go. And let me just tell you the flowers came out awesome!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/S-Beqt8aILI/AAAAAAAAA1k/L3H50n1apYc/s1600/DSCN0079.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/S-Beqt8aILI/AAAAAAAAA1k/L3H50n1apYc/s320/DSCN0079.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5467474035608264882" border="0" /></a><br />I went through the entire box of envelopes and got a huge pile of flowers.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/S-BfO-IWQQI/AAAAAAAAA10/9fWbreE80I4/s1600/DSCN0086.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/S-BfO-IWQQI/AAAAAAAAA10/9fWbreE80I4/s320/DSCN0086.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5467474658428600578" border="0" /></a><br />After completing them I decided that they would look awesome in our bouquets too. So I disassembled the 4 bouquets I made months ago and mixed in some blue flowers and it was like there were angels singing over my head! What was once an ok bouquet just turned in to a perfect bouquet!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/S-BerJaO3ZI/AAAAAAAAA1s/FRnamUoeiZ4/s1600/DSCN0145.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/S-BerJaO3ZI/AAAAAAAAA1s/FRnamUoeiZ4/s320/DSCN0145.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5467474042981113234" border="0" /></a><br />Hallelujah! Haha. I freakin' love them!!!<br /><br />Have you completed any DIY projects just to go back and jazz them up some more? Did they turn out better than they were at first?<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/5173074949304690889-6337212447666407437?l=futuremrshopefully.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Jennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18121319728492514987noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5173074949304690889.post-55446021227139731302010-05-03T20:15:00.005-05:002010-05-03T21:06:30.241-05:00Sorry, Pretty in Pink was on TV over the weekend and it inspired the title of this blog entry! (PS...don't you just love Ducky!) Ok, as promised, here is the first of many DIY posts. And can I just tell you, I have been B-U-S-Y!!! SO first up are our arbor decorations!<br /><br />Do you remember the bouquets I made for myself and my ladies? If not, <a href="http://futuremrshopefully.blogspot.com/2009/10/my-bouquets-are-finished.html">check 'em out!</a> (Although actually they look a bit different now - another post is necessary. But same concept!) Well, when I finished with the bouquets I had a bunch - and by bunch I mean hundreds (I think my sister and I got a little carried away) - of tissue paper circles left over. I knew I'd find some use for them so I slipped them into an envelope and saved them for later.<br /><br />Well then a couple weeks ago, my sister and I headed out to my venue to take some measurements and photographs of some specific areas of the site, one of them being the arbor. They have a metal arbor already set up with fake ivy and twinkle lights wrapped around it. Well when we got there flowers were still up from a wedding over the weekend. It immediately gave me an idea of what I wanted.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/S996EM5xwHI/AAAAAAAAA0k/UTPFiStYwjc/s1600/DSCN0109.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 270px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/S996EM5xwHI/AAAAAAAAA0k/UTPFiStYwjc/s320/DSCN0109.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5467222685252698226" border="0" /></a><br />Enter leftover paper flowers. In addition to the yellow and white flowers I originally made, I also added some blue flowers in (made with security envelopes)! I headed to my favorite store, JoAnn Fabrics for two Styrofoam half-balls and one rectangular Styrofoam piece. I think it was about 1.5 feet long.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/S997fTSSCpI/AAAAAAAAA1c/Qaa3y34UtWQ/s1600/DSCN0085.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/S997fTSSCpI/AAAAAAAAA1c/Qaa3y34UtWQ/s320/DSCN0085.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5467224250334186130" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/S997ed83e3I/AAAAAAAAA1U/FoWhpDDOlvI/s1600/styrofoam.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/S997ed83e3I/AAAAAAAAA1U/FoWhpDDOlvI/s320/styrofoam.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5467224236017286002" border="0" /></a>First I inserted a couple pieces of long wire through the Styrofoam pieces so that I will be able to attach them to the metal frame of the arbor. Then, I just started inserting the individual flowers until the entire surface was covered. It was very easy and didn't take much time at all. (Keep in mind that the flowers were already made.)<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/S996GLCx9iI/AAAAAAAAA08/NYImgZ8S9p8/s1600/DSCN0148.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/S996GLCx9iI/AAAAAAAAA08/NYImgZ8S9p8/s320/DSCN0148.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5467222719113328162" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/S996EuRFFDI/AAAAAAAAA0s/hx06KOCWcO8/s1600/DSCN0147.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 307px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/S996EuRFFDI/AAAAAAAAA0s/hx06KOCWcO8/s320/DSCN0147.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5467222694208803890" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/S996FUSsZWI/AAAAAAAAA00/aZNw7Io26ew/s1600/DSCN0149.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/S996FUSsZWI/AAAAAAAAA00/aZNw7Io26ew/s320/DSCN0149.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5467222704416122210" border="0" /></a><br />Here's my question now though, do you think I should add ribbon to make it look a bit more interesting or simply leave it with just the flowers?<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/S997dZ8Gx4I/AAAAAAAAA1E/1zrhq0VP9a4/s1600/arbor+decorated.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 270px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/S997dZ8Gx4I/AAAAAAAAA1E/1zrhq0VP9a4/s320/arbor+decorated.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5467224217760483202" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/S997d2Q7y_I/AAAAAAAAA1M/KIB4KWUqLps/s1600/arbor+decorated+ribbons.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 270px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/S997d2Q7y_I/AAAAAAAAA1M/KIB4KWUqLps/s320/arbor+decorated+ribbons.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5467224225364036594" border="0" /></a>Please excuse my crappy ribbons, I promise the real thing will look much better if I decide to use ribbon.<br /><br />How did you decorate you ceremony space? What inspired your ideas?<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/5173074949304690889-5544602122713973130?l=futuremrshopefully.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Jennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18121319728492514987noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5173074949304690889.post-16553314966280751902010-05-02T14:42:00.004-05:002010-05-02T15:06:38.526-05:00It's been really exciting lately in wedding world for us. We've been making lots of decisions and it's really starting to feel like we're gonna have a wedding in six months! I'm so excited that it's finally all starting to come together.<br /><br />It all started with a "little" thing called a to-do list. I love love love lists but for some reason couldn't make myself sit down and write one for all the wedding stuff I needed to do. Every time I thought about actually doing it, I got overwhelmed and gave up. But a couple weeks ago I finally conquered the wedding to-do list. And let me just say, whew!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/S93Zig7QJXI/AAAAAAAAA0c/iVAmyfYaHUM/s1600/DSCN0146.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/S93Zig7QJXI/AAAAAAAAA0c/iVAmyfYaHUM/s320/DSCN0146.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5466764709674886514" border="0" /></a><br />Wanna know how I did it? First I took a notebook and literally wrote down everything I could possibly think of that I needed to do (small things too!) Then I went back through and sorted it by vender-to-do, DIY-to-do, and miscellaneous. I chose a different colored highlighter for each and got to work. Then I typed them all up on separate lists, printed them out and hung them up on what has recently become my wedding closet (actually I really have more of a whole wedding loft!)<br /><br />So hopefully now I've motivated you to get going on your to-do lists. Since writing the lists I've<br /><br />-I've designed our programs (I think they're totally kick-ass)<br />-the mister drew the graphic for our invites and I designed them<br />-I've got favors set up to execute<br />-The mister finally chose his wedding party (and has asked most of them)<br />-I've designed our centerpieces<br />-I've designed our aisle decorations<br />-We've taken our engagement photos<br />-We finished registering<br />-I made our arbor decorations<br /><br />So go now! Get on it! If you're like me you've only got less than six months left! Look forward to lots of DIY posts soon. My mom's coming into town next weekend to celebrate Mom's Day and help with some of my DIY projects.<br /><br />How did you get organized and stay focused during your wedding planning process? Did you ever get overwhelmed?<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/5173074949304690889-1655331496628075190?l=futuremrshopefully.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Jennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18121319728492514987noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5173074949304690889.post-70227062384693157612010-04-28T19:59:00.004-05:002010-04-28T20:13:40.614-05:00I guess I've kept ya'll waiting long enough, right? So you wanna know which caterer we chose? Do ya do ya? We chose Freebirds!<br /><br />For those of you non-Texans Freebirds is to-die-for.If you are ever in Austin, it is a must-eat for sure. They're known for their custom, made-to-order burritos. So that's what we'll be having at our wedding. I love that each of our guests will get exactly what they want in their burrito.<br /><br />They'll have a choice of rice, 2 kinds of beans, 2 kinds of cheese, various vegetables and many original recipe sauces. There will be chicken, steak and veggie (for the two that I know of veggie friends.) Plus chips, salsa and queso. Can you say yummy?!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/S9jcfAyo34I/AAAAAAAAA0U/TWHsJ8cvCCo/s1600/burrito.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 234px; height: 234px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/S9jcfAyo34I/AAAAAAAAA0U/TWHsJ8cvCCo/s320/burrito.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5465360573160546178" border="0" /></a><br />So why Freebirds? (other than the reasons mentioned above of course) It's mine and the mister's favorite place to eat. We eat there probably every other week or so. And when I first moved down here I used to eat there one or two times a week. What can I say...I'm a fan!<br /><br />We also love how casual Freebirds will keep our reception. We are striving for a laid back, fun reception and this will definitely add to that aesthetic.<br /><br />How did you choose what to serve your guests? Are you giving your guests the ability to customize their meal?<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/5173074949304690889-7022706238469315761?l=futuremrshopefully.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Jennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18121319728492514987noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5173074949304690889.post-45735441366290434092010-04-26T17:00:00.000-05:002010-04-26T17:49:25.214-05:00Thus begins the catering drama. Which actually isn't that drama-filled at all. I am just indecisive. Ask anyone. Ask my fiance. It bugs the crap out of him. So anyways, let's rewind and start at the beginning.<br /><br />After we got engaged one of the first things we discussed was food. As giant food lovers, of course it was top on the list. Originally we were thinking some nice authentic Texas BBQ would be great. We really wanted to get it from our favorite place, Rudy's. Just picture it, sliced brisket and turkey, creamed corn, buttered potatoes, the works! I got a quote and everything and it was within our budget, but then we decided, after finding out some friends of ours who were getting married 8 months before us were having BBQ at their wedding we changed our minds.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/S9YW-jXjGQI/AAAAAAAAA0M/iDmol7YltmI/s1600/rudys.bbq_1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 166px; height: 149px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/S9YW-jXjGQI/AAAAAAAAA0M/iDmol7YltmI/s320/rudys.bbq_1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5464580461762386178" border="0" /></a><br />We moved towards the next best option, Tex Mex - by far our favorite type of food. I emailed my favorite Tex Mex place, El Arroyo to get a quote on fajitas. We wanted to keep it simple with just fajitas, beans and rice and then some chips and dip.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/S9YW-LqYS_I/AAAAAAAAAz8/31CartuZBWw/s1600/El_Arroyo_.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 146px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/S9YW-LqYS_I/AAAAAAAAAz8/31CartuZBWw/s320/El_Arroyo_.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5464580455398919154" border="0" /></a>But then I figured I should be sensible and get at least one more quote for fajitas from somewhere else because that's what any sensible bride would do right?<br /><br />The mister came home one night from work with a recommendation from a co-worker for a catering company called Dagar's. He used them for his wedding a few years ago and it was delicious. So we headed to their next open house to sample some of their fine cooking for ourselves. And let me tell you...it was freaking delicious! Yummy!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/S9YW98AkO_I/AAAAAAAAAz0/Q8LEjvPTqYo/s1600/Dagars.png"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 169px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/S9YW98AkO_I/AAAAAAAAAz0/Q8LEjvPTqYo/s320/Dagars.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5464580451197008882" border="0" /></a><br />Now in steps fate (maybe). We were in our favorite burrito joint, Freebirds, and as I was paying at the register I noticed a little flier that said, "We Cater". OMG, seriously? How perfect would it be to have our favorite burritos at our wedding? Hmmm, the only drawback may be that it seems a bit informal.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/S9YW-Ql_CPI/AAAAAAAAA0E/SBeIKUAenjs/s1600/freebirds.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 175px; height: 175px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/S9YW-Ql_CPI/AAAAAAAAA0E/SBeIKUAenjs/s320/freebirds.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5464580456722663666" border="0" /></a><br />Ugh, what to do, what to do? (I know I know, you haven't really seen the true form of my indecisiveness yet, but you just wait, it's coming! Are you ready for it?)<br /><br />Up next: Where are we getting our food from for the big day?<br /><br />Did ya'll have trouble deciding what food to have at your wedding?<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/5173074949304690889-4573544136629043409?l=futuremrshopefully.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Jennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18121319728492514987noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5173074949304690889.post-79995581217138578792010-04-24T12:31:00.007-05:002010-04-24T12:54:56.659-05:00I finally get to use all those moves I've learned from watching all however many seasons of America's Next Top Model I've watched over the years. I've got to smile with my eyes, know how to pose from head to toe, etc. Haha, just kidding. Even if I did know how to do all that stuff, which I don't, I wouldn't anyways. And my mister sure as hell doesn't know how to do that stuff. He wouldn't even know what I was talking about.<br /><br />So what am I talking about? Engagement photos! It's the big day. The sun is shining and at 5pm today we'll be meeting our photographer, <a href="http://www.nathanrussellphoto.com/">Nathan Russell</a>, in downtown Austin for our photo shoot! (If you can't tell, I'm super duper stoked!)<br /><br />We're gonna start downtown with an awesome mural I found and maybe a couple other locales and then move on to a field of wildflowers as the sun starts to set behind hills. I hope we get some amazing shots. Because we changing locations I feel it's only appropriate to have an outfit change in the middle as well.<br /><br />For downtown, we're going to go a little more formal. And for any of you that know Austin, formal isn't really all that fancy, just a little more than t-shirts. So here's what we'll be sportin':<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/S9MsXHCExTI/AAAAAAAAAzU/BQPBxsPQ0Xs/s1600/DSCN0123.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/S9MsXHCExTI/AAAAAAAAAzU/BQPBxsPQ0Xs/s320/DSCN0123.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5463759548466906418" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Shirt: Kohls</span><br /><br /></div>The mister will be wearing this white and gray plaid shirt with jeans. We haven't decided on shoes yet.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/S9Mtw3WbJsI/AAAAAAAAAzc/qfhve0KKW-E/s1600/formal+outfit.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/S9Mtw3WbJsI/AAAAAAAAAzc/qfhve0KKW-E/s320/formal+outfit.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5463761090445518530" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Dress and Shoes: Target</span><br /></div><br />I fell in love with this dress because the bottom part reminds me of an apron which is only appropriate for a baker lady like me!<br /><br />For the wildflower field I wanted to do something more casual that really screams "us".<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/S9MuQPIDw_I/AAAAAAAAAzk/vgiuhYggOM4/s1600/casual.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/S9MuQPIDw_I/AAAAAAAAAzk/vgiuhYggOM4/s320/casual.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5463761629403661298" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Shirt: Target, Sandals: Old Navy (I think)</span><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br />I asked the mister to chose his favorite T-Shirt which just happened to be a super awesome Iron Man shirt I bought him for Christmas and he'll be wearing it with his favorite pair of jeans and some flip flops.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/S9Mu0ln-hGI/AAAAAAAAAzs/R5NLPQ7dRnE/s1600/casual+outfit.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/S9Mu0ln-hGI/AAAAAAAAAzs/R5NLPQ7dRnE/s320/casual+outfit.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5463762253918405730" border="0" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:78%;">Shirts and sandals: Forever 21<br /></span></div><br />I was gonna go the favorite t-shirt route too but then I decided none of my t-shirts were engagement photo worthy so what was a girl to do? Go shopping of course! I chose this shirt because if I could be anywhere it'd be London, plus it's got a heart on it so I thought it'd be cute. I'll be wearing it with my favorite pair of jeans too.<br /><br />So what do ya'll think of our outfits? How'd you chose what you wanted to wear in your photos?<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/5173074949304690889-7999558121713857879?l=futuremrshopefully.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Jennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18121319728492514987noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5173074949304690889.post-27685412027891962812010-04-20T14:19:00.005-05:002010-04-20T14:33:41.994-05:00That's right ya'll, I'm talking about the registering process. A couple weeks ago I finally convinced the mister to head over to Bed Bath &amp; Beyond for some gun-shootin' fun! (You know, the scanner gun variety.)<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/S84ArBkAlaI/AAAAAAAAAzM/prgGexJj--M/s1600/bbb.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/S84ArBkAlaI/AAAAAAAAAzM/prgGexJj--M/s320/bbb.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5462304137200833954" border="0" /></a><a href="http://www.bafed.org/wp-content/uploads/2009/08/bed-1.jpg"><span style="font-size:78%;">Source</span></a><br /><br /></div>We had a great experience. The girl that helped us was quick and gave us some catalogs to look at while she entered our info into the computer to set up our registry. We were excited to get started.<br /><br />However, as soon as we left her little office we were overwhelmed by the sheer volume of product in that store. It's freakin' huge! So little ole' organizer me decided we should start in the kitchen section and just go from there. One step at a time.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/S84ASpVt6XI/AAAAAAAAAzE/lkmwaHAjHJ4/s1600/DSCN0088.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/S84ASpVt6XI/AAAAAAAAAzE/lkmwaHAjHJ4/s320/DSCN0088.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5462303718381578610" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Here's the mister scanning some plastic storage containers. Don't mind the sleepy look. It was a long week and he was hungry.<br /></span></div><br />It was actually kinda fun once we loosened up and coped with the fact that we just had to scan everything we wanted. We both struggled with feeling a bit greedy scanning anything and everything but the lady told us we needed to have two times the amount of items on our registry as invites we plan to send out. That means roughly 140 items. Eek! I think we currently have 50-something items on there. Only 90 more to go!<br /><br />We only made it through the kitchen department though. We got hungry and tired so headed across the parking lot to TGI Fridays for some sustenance. But we're gonna head back soon to conquer the rest of the store.<br /><br />BB &amp; B is so good they even called a week later because they noticed we'd only done half the store. They were concerned that maybe we needed help with colors and designs in the bedding and drapery section. How sweet!<br /><br />We haven't decided if we'll register a second place yet or not. I feel like we can find everything at one place, but maybe we should for more variety.<br /><br />Did you have fun registering? Did you feel greedy? How many places are you registering?<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/5173074949304690889-2768541202789196281?l=futuremrshopefully.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Jennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18121319728492514987noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5173074949304690889.post-2133580914256438382010-04-16T20:23:00.002-05:002010-04-16T20:27:47.346-05:00Are you having a library-themed wedding? Maybe you're just incorporating books into your decor. I was reading through one of my favorite blogs today, <a href="http://lillyella.blogspot.com/">lillyella</a> and found this awesome project!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/S8kOZ0MoQVI/AAAAAAAAAy8/RCfGOYneQJI/s1600/book+vase.png"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 243px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/S8kOZ0MoQVI/AAAAAAAAAy8/RCfGOYneQJI/s320/book+vase.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5460911859834569042" border="0" /></a><br />How cool is that? Follow <a href="http://lillyella.blogspot.com/2010/04/crafting-book-vases.html">this</a> for the tutorial. How awesome would it be to use these for centerpieces as vases? If it fit with my decor I would totally do it. So because I can't, you should!<br /><br />Have you found any awesome projects you're just dying to do if only they fit in with your theme or decor?<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/5173074949304690889-213358091425643838?l=futuremrshopefully.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Jennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18121319728492514987noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5173074949304690889.post-85705226031941200112010-04-13T21:09:00.005-05:002010-04-13T21:35:38.469-05:00As I mentioned in a previous post, I'll be wearing a "not-so-sexy" slip thing under my dress because it's really the only thing that'll hold everything in or in place on my wedding day. However....it's totally not what I really want to be wearing under my dress. Especially when it comes off later that night.<br /><br />Here's what I'd rather spend my wedding night wearing:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/S8Um4BwN_9I/AAAAAAAAAys/9upoymeS32o/s1600/lingerie.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/S8Um4BwN_9I/AAAAAAAAAys/9upoymeS32o/s320/lingerie.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5459812867241803730" border="0" /></a><br />There's the classic bridal lingerie.<br /><br />Or...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/S8Uofv7s_nI/AAAAAAAAAy0/__njOENnia4/s1600/lingerie+2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 370px; height: 277px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/S8Uofv7s_nI/AAAAAAAAAy0/__njOENnia4/s320/lingerie+2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5459814649164529266" border="0" /></a><br />...there's something with a bit more of the "bau-chica-bauwow" factor. My mister loves blue so I could go the blue route or something with a extra bit of sexiness like corset/garter set.<br /><br />There will definitely be some quick changing in the bathroom so my mister doesn't have to see the unsightly dress undergarment. His eyes will only see what should be under my dress (in my dream world anyways.)<br /><br />What are ya'll doing about your wedding night lingerie? Are you able to wear it under your dress or are you gonna have to do a quick switch-a-roo in the hotel room too? (haha...that rhymed!)<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/5173074949304690889-8570522603194120011?l=futuremrshopefully.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Jennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18121319728492514987noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5173074949304690889.post-29912549233003549892010-04-10T19:36:00.004-05:002010-04-10T20:06:28.466-05:00I realized just this week that my wedding is actually taking on a theme. I definitely didn't have a clear vision when I started planning. I knew my colors - blue and yellow.<br /><br />I knew I wanted classy, but casual. But apart from that, I had no clue. But over the last few months I've started collecting inspiration and have actually completed (or at least started) several DIY projects that I've noticed all fall into my new found theme.<br /><br />I call it Texas chic. <span style="font-weight: bold;">Texas Chic</span> - <span style="font-style: italic;">adj. having country qualities while maintaining a sense of classiness. </span><span>Does that make sense?</span><br /><br />The lace on my dress has inspired some other lace details throughout the wedding which will keep it classy while elements like the mason jars and paper flowers will keep the even relaxed, laid back and Texan. Not to mention the delicious Tex-Mex fajitas we plan on serving (more on that decision later).<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/S8EgIDV1ubI/AAAAAAAAAyc/mTfaJ_DfFlg/s1600/fajitas1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/S8EgIDV1ubI/AAAAAAAAAyc/mTfaJ_DfFlg/s320/fajitas1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5458679546057701810" border="0" /></a><br />Wanna know what really made me realize my theme? I was perusing Martha Stewart's addictive wedding website this week and found this awesome idea for <a href="http://www.marthastewartweddings.com/article/seed-matchbook-favors-how-to?backto=true&amp;backtourl=/photogallery/floral-favors#slide_5">wedding favors</a>.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/S8EgRe6kvSI/AAAAAAAAAyk/QI6EML-Xb8Q/s1600/seed+matchbook.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 256px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/S8EgRe6kvSI/AAAAAAAAAyk/QI6EML-Xb8Q/s320/seed+matchbook.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5458679708078357794" border="0" /></a><br />This favor stood out for two reasons. One, I remember as a kid combing through my mom's basket of matches she collected and seeing many from people's weddings. Also, wildflowers are a big part of Texas, especially down here in Austin. (If you wanna know more <a href="http://www.wildflower.org/feature/?id=42">check this out</a>!) Could this be any more perfect?<br /><br />This combined with another Texas themed favor I'm already planning on making will just add to the Texas flavor of our wedding! And thus a wedding theme is born. :)<br /><br />Does your wedding have a theme? Did you have it from the beginning or did it develop as you went through the planning process?<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/5173074949304690889-2991254923300354989?l=futuremrshopefully.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Jennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18121319728492514987noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5173074949304690889.post-7114152807349953892010-04-08T05:00:00.001-05:002010-04-08T05:26:34.606-05:00I'm not actually referring to beauty and people, but it's true of that too. I'm talking about what to wear under your wedding dress. (Men that read this blog - I know there are a few of you - feel free to skip as this post probably won't interest you.)<br /><br />Girls, when you purchased your dress did you think about undergarments first? I sure as heck didn't. And let me tell you, it has been a difficult search. Here are some pictures of my dress so that you will understand my difficulty.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/S7eUNaxj1oI/AAAAAAAAAyM/IlAQv9hRjlQ/s1600/dress+front+back.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/S7eUNaxj1oI/AAAAAAAAAyM/IlAQv9hRjlQ/s320/dress+front+back.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5455992431829046914" border="0" /></a><a href="http://www.davidsbridal.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplayView?storeId=10052&amp;catalogId=10051&amp;categoryId=3001516&amp;currentIdx=69&amp;subCategory=-49999486%257c3001447%257c3001516&amp;catentryId=6110586&amp;sort="><span style="font-size:78%;">Source</span></a><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size:100%;">So basically I needed something strapless and backless. Backless? I know right. Well I didn't have any luck when searching, so I turned to the ladies of Weddingbee and one lady pointed me in the directions of <a href="http://www.herroom.com/">Her Room</a> and this particular undergarment:<br /><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/S7eUy8j1QQI/AAAAAAAAAyU/MCr03RWwD18/s1600/undergarment.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 207px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/S7eUy8j1QQI/AAAAAAAAAyU/MCr03RWwD18/s320/undergarment.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5455993076553433346" border="0" /></a><a href="http://www.herroom.com/QT-4420-Backless-and-Strapless-Adhesive-36-Inch-Full-Slip.shtml"><span style="font-size:78%;">Source</span></a><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><br />With a couple clicks this slip would be mine in a few days. Of course as soon as it came in the mail I took the opportunity to try on my dress one more time, but with this slip underneath. Overall I like it. It's got this sticky stuff on the cups to hold them in place and it's pretty slimming.<br /><br />My only issue is that it seems like it sags a bit. So I'm going to see if the seamstress can sew the garment in. I hold they can so it stays in place better on my wedding day.<br /><br />Here's my other issue. If any of you have worn a strapless dress or just have some kind of creative, genius idea please share. My dress is backless. A lot of times my bras make lines or indentations in my back. What do I wear the day off the wedding before I get into my dress so that I can avoid lines?<br /><br />Next up: What's underneath is not to be seen by the groom...A Change of Wardrobe!<br /><br />Did you have a difficult time shopping for your undergarment? Or are you able to wear your "something special" for your groom under your dress the whole day?<br /></span></div></div></div></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/5173074949304690889-711415280734995389?l=futuremrshopefully.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Jennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18121319728492514987noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5173074949304690889.post-24217967767834793542010-04-06T05:00:00.001-05:002010-04-06T05:26:07.982-05:00I started planning our wedding with 441 days until <span style="font-style: italic;">the</span> big day - October 23, 2010. I can't believe more than half that time has already passed. Craaazzy!<br /><br />What better way to celebrate 200 days left than to recap what I've accomplished so far (and of course I'll go over what's left too)<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Taken Care Of:</span><br /><ul><li>Venue</li><li>Catering (just need to sign the contract)</li><li>Flowers</li><li>My Dress</li><li>My accessories (jewelry, veil, garter, two pairs of shoes, undergarments)</li><li>Bridal party chosen</li><li>Officiant chosen</li><li>Sweetheart table deco complete</li><li>Save the Dates sent</li><li>Cake designed (groom's cake too)</li><li>Cake table decorations acquired</li><li>Photographer booked</li><li>Hair/make-up stylist booked</li><li>Hotel block set up</li><li>Wedding Website set up</li><li>Bridesmaid dresses purchased</li><li>First dance song chosen</li><li>Corsages for mother/grandmothers made<br /></li></ul><span style="font-weight: bold;">Not Taken Care Of (Yet):<br /></span><ul><li>Ceremony decor (aisle and arbor)</li><li>Invitations</li><li>Groomsmen not chosen</li><li>Groom-wear not chosen</li><li>Guest book not complete</li><li>Programs not complete</li><li>Card basket not complete</li><li>Seating assignments/favors not complete</li><li>Finish registering</li><li>Take engagement shots</li><li>Get dress altered</li><li>DJ not booked</li><li>Day-Of Timeline not complete</li><li>Booze not acquired</li><li>Sandal basket not complete</li><li>Boutonnieres not complete</li><li>Bridesmaid shoes not purchased</li><li>Attendant and parent gifts not purchased</li><li>Ceremony not written</li><li>Vows not written</li><li>Song list not complete</li><li>Centerpieces not complete</li><li>Out-of-Town bags not complete</li></ul>Haha....wow, that's still a lot to do. But I think we're on track. We've completed a lot so far and many of the things on the "Not Complete" list are half started.<br /><br />Do you think we're on track? How much did you have left to do with 200 days left of planning?<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/5173074949304690889-2421796776783479354?l=futuremrshopefully.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Jennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18121319728492514987noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5173074949304690889.post-31339402066424905782010-04-05T05:00:00.001-05:002010-04-05T05:30:11.968-05:00Hair and Make-Up! Who doesn't love gettin' all prettified? Especially when you get to follow it up with putting on a pretty white dress too!<br /><br />Let's start with my hair inspiration. I want a retro look. My dress channels a bit of the 1940s so I want that to carry through with my 'do.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/S7eARLbqTXI/AAAAAAAAAxU/95IidX6rp-w/s1600/hair+1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 252px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/S7eARLbqTXI/AAAAAAAAAxU/95IidX6rp-w/s320/hair+1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5455970506197585266" border="0" /></a><a href="http://hot1940shairstyles.com/"><span style="font-size:78%;">Source</span></a><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/S7eAoTglxrI/AAAAAAAAAxc/ilpfEJSoxRg/s1600/hair+2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 304px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/S7eAoTglxrI/AAAAAAAAAxc/ilpfEJSoxRg/s320/hair+2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5455970903502735026" border="0" /></a><a href="http://tyrashow.warnerbros.com/blog/images/gs1_face.jpg"><span style="font-size:78%;">Source</span></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/S7eBB8eHRUI/AAAAAAAAAxk/z0xZ9l7VyJE/s1600/hair+3.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/S7eBB8eHRUI/AAAAAAAAAxk/z0xZ9l7VyJE/s320/hair+3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5455971343994930498" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/S7eBIsYekhI/AAAAAAAAAxs/CPoPyuciRBs/s1600/hair+4.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/S7eBIsYekhI/AAAAAAAAAxs/CPoPyuciRBs/s320/hair+4.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5455971459935408658" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/S7eBPbwOjhI/AAAAAAAAAx0/bCLAg55U5aA/s1600/hair+5.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 306px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/S7eBPbwOjhI/AAAAAAAAAx0/bCLAg55U5aA/s320/hair+5.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5455971575730703890" border="0" /></a><a href="http://gallery.me.com/brizytait"><span style="font-size:78%;">Last three: KAG gallery</span></a><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size:100%;">It's a lot of waves and curls. How cute would it be if all my girls went with this theme too?<br /><br />Ok and again I want the retro theme to carry through to my make-up. Here are a couple inspiration photos.</span><br /><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/S7eB4m5-ntI/AAAAAAAAAx8/6s23JO0EiOU/s1600/makeup+1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/S7eB4m5-ntI/AAAAAAAAAx8/6s23JO0EiOU/s320/makeup+1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5455972283099029202" border="0" /></a><a href="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/users/2/20652/52_2007/DitaVonTeese.jpg"><span style="font-size:78%;">Source</span></a><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/S7eCHZP8uSI/AAAAAAAAAyE/q4eg-m1g17Q/s1600/makeup+2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 225px; height: 279px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/S7eCHZP8uSI/AAAAAAAAAyE/q4eg-m1g17Q/s320/makeup+2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5455972537131120930" border="0" /></a><a href="http://cdn-write.demandstudios.com/upload//3000/200/40/8/23248.jpg"><span style="font-size:78%;">Source</span></a><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><br />It's pretty much a dark eye and a bold lip. But do I go red or pink on the lips?<br /><br />Where did you get your hair and make-up inspiration?<br /></span></div></div></div></div></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/5173074949304690889-3133940206642490578?l=futuremrshopefully.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Jennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18121319728492514987noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5173074949304690889.post-20480994909071915212010-04-03T12:24:00.005-05:002010-04-03T12:42:54.372-05:00Way back when I told ya'll that my awesome bridesmaid, Jenna, and my other awesome friend, Katie, offered to pay for me to get my make-up and hair done on my wedding day. I have great friends! (Originally I was planning on doing both myself. I don't know if you've noticed a trend, but I plan or planned on doing almost everything myself. Can you say CRAZY?!?!?!)<br /><br />Ok back to hair and make-up. Jenna graciously searched hi and low on the internet for the perfect salon for my big day. She decided on <a href="http://www.keepaustingorgeous.com/">Keep Austin Gorgeous</a>. Their prices were right and it seemed like they could handle our group of five. And bonus, they're not far from my house or our venue!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/S7d70PqIrvI/AAAAAAAAAxE/YKQhjivz4uw/s1600/kag.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 143px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/S7d70PqIrvI/AAAAAAAAAxE/YKQhjivz4uw/s320/kag.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5455965611069320946" border="0" /></a><a href="http://profile.ak.fbcdn.net/object3/264/53/n94640958304_7823.jpg"><span style="font-size:78%;">Source</span></a><br /><br /></div>I went in for my free consultation on Thursday and met with Kelli. She was great! She gave me a tour of the place. They just expanded next door so they can now handle two wedding parties at the same time without the two parties interrupting each other. They also have a kitchen so we can bring breakfast and drinks in that day! So I signed on the dotted line, handed over a deposit check and walked out even more excited for October 23rd to get here!<br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/S7d99_xn_OI/AAAAAAAAAxM/GfOFfRLRv4I/s1600/kag+1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 213px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/S7d99_xn_OI/AAAAAAAAAxM/GfOFfRLRv4I/s320/kag+1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5455967977627712738" border="0" /></a><a href="http://gallery.me.com/brizytait#100335/100103brizy_tait103&amp;bgcolor=black"><span style="font-size:78%;">Source<br /></span></a></div><br />They can do just about anything with my hair that I can imagine and offer airbrush make-up and temporary eyelash extensions (I think they last three days or something) if I want them. I can't wait to hang out here with my three awesome bridesmaids and my mom and chow down on some breakfast tacos and mimosas!<br /><br />Up next: What I want my hair and make-up to look like!<br /><br />How'd you find your salon? Have you had airbrush make-up before? (I'm curious how it works)<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/5173074949304690889-2048099490907191521?l=futuremrshopefully.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Jennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18121319728492514987noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5173074949304690889.post-18268027622213498462010-03-31T20:56:00.006-05:002010-04-01T09:26:42.481-05:00So I keep reading about all these brides that are finding great bargains, either online or at store like Goodwill and the Salvation Army. Well I want some of those deals darn it!<br /><br />Well I found something even better....FREE stuff!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/S7Srq1AiGYI/AAAAAAAAAw0/v58-LXtB0zU/s1600/DSCN0077.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/S7Srq1AiGYI/AAAAAAAAAw0/v58-LXtB0zU/s320/DSCN0077.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5455173800924682626" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Check it out. I work in a bakery and we use apple sauce in our best-selling vegan cookie. I knew I wanted to attempt to incorporate jars into our decor some way or another. I was planning on just saving them and having friends save them once we emptied jars of pasta, jalapenos, etc. But then the other day I noticed that we use 5 jars of apple sauce for each batch of cookies at work. PERFECT! I asked the cookie makers at work to save the jars for me and now I've got 20. It only took a week to save that many and I've got them saving at least another weeks worth.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/S7Sr96BjsuI/AAAAAAAAAw8/kQrOrWa9R5s/s1600/DSCN0078.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/S7Sr96BjsuI/AAAAAAAAAw8/kQrOrWa9R5s/s320/DSCN0078.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5455174128688673506" border="0" /></a><br />So what am I planning on doing with these wonderful jars you ask? Well I'm not exactly sure but check out these pics of some of my inspiration ideas.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/S7SoDpfsAWI/AAAAAAAAAwc/t6KmsyrQ7VU/s1600/mason+jar+flowers.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/S7SoDpfsAWI/AAAAAAAAAwc/t6KmsyrQ7VU/s320/mason+jar+flowers.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5455169829284348258" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/S7SoW_5tsOI/AAAAAAAAAwk/J39KrENVjsU/s1600/mason_jar_candle.png"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/S7SoW_5tsOI/AAAAAAAAAwk/J39KrENVjsU/s320/mason_jar_candle.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5455170161716605154" border="0" /></a><a href="http://marvinblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/07/mason_jar_decor.png"><span style="font-size:78%;">Source</span></a><br /><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/S7SonalysdI/AAAAAAAAAws/kHl4gVnwQY0/s1600/mason+jar+aisle.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 238px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/S7SonalysdI/AAAAAAAAAws/kHl4gVnwQY0/s320/mason+jar+aisle.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5455170443758711250" border="0" /></a><br />So I'm thinking I might definitely want to use them as aisle decorations and may even incorporate them into my centerpieces.<br /><br />Have ya'll found bargains or free things that you've been able to incorporate into you decorations or wedding in general?<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/5173074949304690889-1826802762221349846?l=futuremrshopefully.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Jennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18121319728492514987noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5173074949304690889.post-27808668641655238332010-03-30T05:00:00.001-05:002010-03-30T15:02:15.708-05:00This weekend our friends, Mandy and Jarred, got married. And it was freakin' gorgeous! They couldn't have picked a more perfect day. It was sunny and 80 here in Austin, Texas.<br /><br />We arrived at 4pm to help set up for the ceremony and reception. There were many small, cute details that only a future bride would notice. The tables were all labeled by local Austin sites (instead of numbers), there was a basket of kids activities, a home-made card box and a whole table of family photos. All the little details were to-die-for!<br /><br />Here are a few pictures for their big day:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/S7FOLT1TeaI/AAAAAAAAAvs/Z395dae5S0A/s1600/mandy.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/S7FOLT1TeaI/AAAAAAAAAvs/Z395dae5S0A/s320/mandy.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5454226579931756962" border="0" /></a><br />I love this picture! Look how excited she looks in the mirror!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/S7FOY3x4IhI/AAAAAAAAAv0/abO60J1FeZY/s1600/shoes.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/S7FOY3x4IhI/AAAAAAAAAv0/abO60J1FeZY/s320/shoes.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5454226812919357970" border="0" /></a><br />Check out her killer shoes. And for those of you that read Weddingbee I believe these are close, if not the same, as Miss Fro Yo's shoes.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/S7FOnQ-NcdI/AAAAAAAAAv8/JPU1OMINB7Y/s1600/bride+and+groom.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/S7FOnQ-NcdI/AAAAAAAAAv8/JPU1OMINB7Y/s320/bride+and+groom.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5454227060200141266" border="0" /></a><br />The happy couple!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/S7FO1li2CJI/AAAAAAAAAwE/RQDbuzHZj7Q/s1600/wedding+party.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/S7FO1li2CJI/AAAAAAAAAwE/RQDbuzHZj7Q/s320/wedding+party.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5454227306240673938" border="0" /></a><br />The wedding party, complete with bridesmaid dresses from Anthropologie!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/S7FPSvztJ-I/AAAAAAAAAwM/qv3KYl8FfEM/s1600/cake.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/S7FPSvztJ-I/AAAAAAAAAwM/qv3KYl8FfEM/s320/cake.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5454227807211956194" border="0" /></a><br />Look at the cute custom bride and groom toppers. They also had their cats, Pino and Cheddar made.<br /><br />Since I've been planning my wedding now for awhile, going to this wedding only made me more anxious. I wish we could get married now. I'm so excited to have my special day. I guess I'll just have to wait til October! Haha.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/S7FQPo2AvcI/AAAAAAAAAwU/ISEczcX0UsY/s1600/DSCN0073.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/S7FQPo2AvcI/AAAAAAAAAwU/ISEczcX0UsY/s320/DSCN0073.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5454228853314600386" border="0" /></a><br />One last picture of me and my handsome mister! Hope ya'll had a great weekend too!<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/5173074949304690889-2780866864165523833?l=futuremrshopefully.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Jennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18121319728492514987noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5173074949304690889.post-48291277385652324172010-03-29T16:52:00.002-05:002010-03-29T17:05:51.813-05:00<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/S7EkMJxvAOI/AAAAAAAAAvk/5w5vq2Qp9jk/s1600/sixpence.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 288px; height: 274px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/S7EkMJxvAOI/AAAAAAAAAvk/5w5vq2Qp9jk/s320/sixpence.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5454180414923931874" border="0" /></a><br />Did you know that's the end of the whole "Something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue" thing? I never did. Why doesn't that part get repeated?<br /><br />So basically this English saying says that the silver sixpence represents wealth and financial security. And if you <a href="http://futuremrshopefully.blogspot.com/2009/10/traditional-traditions.html">remember</a> there is a similar Swedish tradition where the bride puts a silver coin from her father and a gold coin from her mother in her shoe. It's suppose to ensure that the bride is never without either.<br /><br />I'm not Swedish but I do think it'd be fun to combine their tradition with the English tradition for my wedding. I am going to ask my Dad for a nickel or dime and my mom for a penny(closest to gold) and I'm going to hot glue them to the bottom of my shoes.<br /><br />What do you think? Are you incorporating the last part of the famous saying into your wedding day? Why do you think the last part is rarely repeated?<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/5173074949304690889-4829127738565232417?l=futuremrshopefully.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Jennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18121319728492514987noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5173074949304690889.post-2172148543774002912010-03-27T09:49:00.007-05:002010-03-27T14:22:59.886-05:00Everyone knows the saying, "Something old, something new, something borrowed, and something blue", right? Am I taking part in that tradition you ask? Of course. I don't really know why but I just feel like I just should.<br /><br />My Something New: (There are lots - but I'll pick one)<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/S64cWYzO7oI/AAAAAAAAAvM/-0YiNI3yPh0/s1600/000_0020.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/S64cWYzO7oI/AAAAAAAAAvM/-0YiNI3yPh0/s320/000_0020.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5453327369732288130" border="0" /></a><br />My beautiful, wonderful dress....how I love thee!<br /><br />My Something Blue(s): (It's one of my colors so there are lots of these too!)<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/S64fTfvsc4I/AAAAAAAAAvU/7mntPMGmJS8/s1600/blues.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/S64fTfvsc4I/AAAAAAAAAvU/7mntPMGmJS8/s320/blues.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5453330618591769474" border="0" /></a><br />Let's see...there's my ring, my shoes (both pairs), my dress sash, my wedding jewelry (earrings and necklace) and my cake stand. That's kinda a lot. What can I say, I love me some blue!<br /><br />My Something Borrowed: (it's also blue, surprise surprise!)<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/S64gAO8VwNI/AAAAAAAAAvc/mwfMURsRJgI/s1600/garter.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 196px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/S64gAO8VwNI/AAAAAAAAAvc/mwfMURsRJgI/s320/garter.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5453331387175518418" border="0" /></a><br />Tradition says the "something borrowed" should come from a happily married woman. I immediately thought of my Aunt. She and my Uncle have been married for over 10 years and are very happy. I also wanted to borrow something from her because she will not be able to make it to my wedding. I'm happy that she had a garter for me to borrow because, A. It's beautiful, and B. I wanted a garter. I just didn't have the energy to make one. Now I can check that off the list. Easy peasy!<br /><br />My Something Old: (or Four)<br /><br />I don't have this yet. I've asked each of my grandparents to contribute a something old for my wedding. I don't think any of them are going to be able to make it down here to Texas so I want to have something of theirs with me on my big day. I'm not sure what they'll come up with but I'll be happy with anything.<br /><br />Are ya'll following this tradition? If so, what are your somethings?<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/5173074949304690889-217214854377400291?l=futuremrshopefully.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Jennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18121319728492514987noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5173074949304690889.post-15854612570388509232010-03-25T05:00:00.002-05:002010-03-25T05:30:51.604-05:00I've been DIY-ing my butt off lately. (Well not literally. I want my sizable ass to say sizable thank you very much. Haha!) Anyways, wanna see my most recent project??? Do ya?? Do ya??<br /><br />Little "Tears of Joy" tissue packets!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/S6q-oba8DTI/AAAAAAAAAu0/_RAwVq8tZxM/s1600/DSCN0063.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/S6q-oba8DTI/AAAAAAAAAu0/_RAwVq8tZxM/s320/DSCN0063.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5452379900650196274" border="0" /></a><br />Aren't they adorable? I love how they turned out. And they were relatively easy. Lots of steps (which I will momentarily be sharing with you) but easy nonetheless. So without further ado, I present you the steps for making these cute tissue packets.<br /><br />1. Measure the tissue. Then, using the ruler figure out your envelope flaps. (This part probably took the longest. Lots of trials before I got it right.)<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/S6rAN5VMCDI/AAAAAAAAAvE/WjL8mKs1i4s/s1600/envelope.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 370px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/S6rAN5VMCDI/AAAAAAAAAvE/WjL8mKs1i4s/s320/envelope.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5452381643845929010" border="0" /></a><br />2. Once you get the envelope drawn out, use a copier to copy the design onto vellum sheets of paper.<br /><br />3. Now the fun part. Cutting all of the envelopes out. Uggh....enter callus on scissor finger. Oh yeah and one very large paper cut. :(<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/S6q9lhX5xhI/AAAAAAAAAuc/XSdlMtpCBRA/s1600/DSCN0056.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 180px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/S6q9lhX5xhI/AAAAAAAAAuc/XSdlMtpCBRA/s320/DSCN0056.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5452378751196841490" border="0" /></a><br />4. Ok, now fold all flaps over and crease. I tried using the creaser that came on my paper cutter but the paper was too thin and it actually cut through the vellum. So I just creased them all by hand.<br /><br />5. Bear with me, we're almost done. Now you're going to stuff the envelope with the tissue and then glue the side flaps together and then glue the bottom flap to the sides.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/S6q-AJvgQpI/AAAAAAAAAuk/TvUZZcL355I/s1600/DSCN0060.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/S6q-AJvgQpI/AAAAAAAAAuk/TvUZZcL355I/s320/DSCN0060.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5452379208709849746" border="0" /></a><br />6. Lastly, you're going to print out circle labels (I got some Post-It brand labels from Office Max. Bonus: the labels are removeable so guests won't have to rip the envelope or sticker to get the tissue out!) I typed "For Your Tears of Joy" on mine.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/S6q-WWfUOOI/AAAAAAAAAus/XPFUhZ7L9Wo/s1600/DSCN0062.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/S6q-WWfUOOI/AAAAAAAAAus/XPFUhZ7L9Wo/s320/DSCN0062.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5452379590088734946" border="0" /></a><br />I'm not done with these yet. These little envelopes are not going to stand alone. They're part of a bigger project. Ya'll will just have to wait to see what's to come.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/S6q--RpLgaI/AAAAAAAAAu8/PzABAjKIjcY/s1600/DSCN0064.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/S6q--RpLgaI/AAAAAAAAAu8/PzABAjKIjcY/s320/DSCN0064.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5452380275982696866" border="0" /></a><br />What little DIY projects are you proud of? Are any of ya'll providing your guests with tissues for the ceremony?<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/5173074949304690889-1585461257038850923?l=futuremrshopefully.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Jennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18121319728492514987noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5173074949304690889.post-69805808607844489032010-03-23T05:00:00.001-05:002010-03-23T05:27:36.372-05:00Everyone's seen it....almost every movie involving a bachelor party also involves a stripper. But honestly, how many real life bachelor parties do you know of that involve strippers? I can't think of any.<br /><br />That leads to the question: How many bachelors actually want a stripper at their bachelor party? I know my fiance doesn't. And he's not just saying that. Most of my other guy friends feel the same way. They'd rather spend their "last free night as a single man" with their buddies hanging out drinking, gaming and shooting the shit. They definitely don't want to spend it getting lap dances.<br /><br />That's not to say that their aren't guys out there that would very much enjoy a lap dance or ten at their bachelor party. I guess I just don't understand it. What's the point? What's the thrill? I guess I'm just at a loss.<br /><br />I honestly don't know how I'd feel if my fiance did want a stripper at his bachelor party. I'd be shocked, mostly just because I know him and strippers are not his thing. But past the feeling of shock, I just don't know. I think I'd be disgusted, but I don't know that it'd really go much further than that. He is a grown man and he can make his own decisions and I trust him.<br /><br />However, if I were a guy, this is the only type of stripper I'd want at my party:<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/S6go82yqBlI/AAAAAAAAAuU/w4SGQYAF2pU/s1600-h/DSCN0028.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 180px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/S6go82yqBlI/AAAAAAAAAuU/w4SGQYAF2pU/s320/DSCN0028.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5451652374897231442" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">This is a cake I made for a friend's bachelor party who is getting married this coming weekend!<br /><br /></span></div>What do ya'll think about strippers at bachelor parties? How many of you even know anyone who has had one? (Maybe it's more common than I think.)<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/5173074949304690889-6980580860784448903?l=futuremrshopefully.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Jennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18121319728492514987noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5173074949304690889.post-68728708734335338632010-03-22T05:00:00.002-05:002010-03-22T05:30:23.038-05:00Since diving into the wedding blog community last summer, I've noticed a huge topic of debate is "Should I change my name after I get married?" Hmmm....good question.<br /><br />I'm sure you've all thought about it at some point in your life. I know when I was little I always said I'd change my name as long as it was something more interesting than my current last name. (Don't get me wrong, I love that I share a last name with my wonderful family, but having a last name that is in the top 50 most popular in the world out of hundreds of thousands of last names, I wouldn't be opposed to having something a bit more unique.)<br /><br />So what do I do, I agree to marry someone with just as boring a last name. Haha, figures! But that's really not a great reason to take or not take someone's last name.<br /><br />Let's break it down with reasons For and Against:<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-style: italic;">For</span>: Tradition</span><br /><br />Tradition states that the woman shall take her husbands name after marriage. It's just what people always did, no question.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Against</span>: It's the 21st Century, hello!<span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span>Tradition, smadition. Women are much more independent now then they used to be. Many want to keep their birth name as a way of saying, I'm my own individual self!<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-style: italic;">For</span>: One Team, One Dream!</span><br /><br />Some women choose to take their husbands name because they want to be one team. Teams have one name, not two. This usually also helps in the "what last name do they get" debate when you have children.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Against</span>: We Are Family</span><br /><br />Some women want to maintain strong ties with their family in a more physical way. Sharing a last name can allow them to do so.<span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-style: italic;"><br /><br />Against</span>: I'm Just Lazy</span><br /><br />Some women are just lazy. They don't want to have to deal with changing their names on everything, including credit cards, social security cards, car insurance, bank accounts, etc.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Against</span>: I'm a Career Lady Now</span><br />Some women, like my mom, use their name in their place of business. In her case, her name is her business.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-style: italic;">For</span>: It's a Commitment</span><br /><br />Not only do you need to be one team, but it's a commitment. It's a way of saying I'm an totally and whole-heartedly committed to you and this marriage.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Against</span>: It's Ugly!</span><br /><br />Haha....I'm going back to my childhood again, but what if the name is just ugly or doesn't work right with your first name. For instance if my first name ended with a "k" sound (i.e. Mike) and I took my fiance's last name and the two names were said together it would sound like a dirty word. Umm, no thanks!<br /><br />I could compromise and do the hyphen but I'm just not the hyphen type of girl. Even though there are many reasons not to change my name, I am totally for it. I love what it symbolizes and I want to be one team. That's not to say I can't still be an individual, but my first name says that. I don't need my last name to do that too.<br /><br />So now I get to look forward to all those forms I will have to fill out once we're married. Great fun!<br /><br />Are you ladies changing your names? What made you decide?<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/5173074949304690889-6872870873433533863?l=futuremrshopefully.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Jennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18121319728492514987noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5173074949304690889.post-37935745765588816952010-03-20T09:00:00.003-05:002010-03-20T12:50:36.433-05:00Now that I've told ya'll my plans for our two special cakes, let's talk cake tables.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/S56S9KHCw4I/AAAAAAAAAt0/1d1kiAOXHPU/s1600-h/caketable1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 204px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/S56S9KHCw4I/AAAAAAAAAt0/1d1kiAOXHPU/s320/caketable1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448954178548450178" border="0" /></a><a href="http://www.liweddings.com/mywedding/album/i/50137.jpg"><span style="font-size:78%;">Source</span></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/S56TNR2nDNI/AAAAAAAAAt8/-lNMDpeDXVs/s1600-h/caketable2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/S56TNR2nDNI/AAAAAAAAAt8/-lNMDpeDXVs/s320/caketable2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448954455504915666" border="0" /></a><a href="http://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj187/quickcandles/2858956654_412230a2fe.jpg"><span style="font-size:78%;">Source</span></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/S56Th5n1N0I/AAAAAAAAAuE/4JPL5aEVVNY/s1600-h/caketable3.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 220px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/S56Th5n1N0I/AAAAAAAAAuE/4JPL5aEVVNY/s320/caketable3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448954809777731394" border="0" /></a><a href="http://www.evrimgallery.com/Portland-Photographer/acadian-ballroom-wedding-23.jpg"><span style="font-size:78%;">Source</span></a><br /><br /></div>Don't you just love a gorgeous cake table? After seeing these pictures and many more just like these I began to think about how I wanted to decorate my cake table.<br /><br />I'm thinking maybe some flower petals, possibly some candles, but most definitely some wooden (or in my case, chipboard) letters. I just died when I saw "I DO" spelled out on that one couple's cake table. So what did I do? I ran out to the nearest Michaels and purchased large letters, "I", "D" and "O"! Oh and some paint!<br /><br />Here's what I came up with:<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/S56UnaoHG-I/AAAAAAAAAuM/pg0C1SEHcbo/s1600-h/IMG_0074.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/S56UnaoHG-I/AAAAAAAAAuM/pg0C1SEHcbo/s320/IMG_0074.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448956004048247778" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Taken by yours truly<br /><br /></span><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size:100%;">I started out painting the tops of the letter yellow and all the sides blue. But after I finished painting there was something missing. I know! Glitter. Glitter makes everything better in my opinion. I think the glitter will be a nice touch with some candles flickering close by.<br /><br />What do ya'll think? How are you decorating your cake table?</span><br /></div></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/5173074949304690889-3793574576558881695?l=futuremrshopefully.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Jennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18121319728492514987noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5173074949304690889.post-23298803611602998812010-03-18T05:00:00.002-05:002010-03-18T14:20:14.662-05:00Since I talked about our (potentially) gorgeous cake in the last post I figured I should talk about what I plan on doing for my mister's special cake.<br /><br />And let me just say that until I moved to Texas 4 years ago, I had never even heard of a Groom's Cake. I thought the bride and groom just shared the wedding cake. I was so naive. Haha. :)<br /><br />So once I embraced the whole Groom's cake idea, and honestly why wouldn't I take the opportunity to make another cake, I started to brainstorm. I almost immediately thought: ZOMBIES!!!<br /><br />He is super into zombies. Zombie movies, zombie video games (I have to confess I'm quite the shot when it comes to killing some zombies), zombie anything. But how do I make an awesome zombie-themed groom's cake? Simple! What do zombies love most?<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/S56P1ULTWoI/AAAAAAAAAtk/mReEwTASXNI/s1600-h/zombie-culture.png"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 246px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/S56P1ULTWoI/AAAAAAAAAtk/mReEwTASXNI/s320/zombie-culture.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448950745276832386" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://shriekster.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/11/zombie-culture.png"><span style="font-size:78%;">Source</span></a></div><br />Brains! I'm going to make a giant brain cake. Then I plan on molding all sorts of little zombies to climb on the brain, eat the brain, crawl across the table towards the brain...you get the picture. I may even throw in a few themed zombies, for instance: super heros, Star Wars characters, etc.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/S56QDsAqDyI/AAAAAAAAAts/MwPj17I8kxg/s1600-h/Brain+Cake.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 280px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/S56QDsAqDyI/AAAAAAAAAts/MwPj17I8kxg/s320/Brain+Cake.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448950992192802594" border="0" /></a><a href="http://www.cakes.co.nz/Portals/300/birthday/3D/Brain%20Cake.jpg"><span style="font-size:78%;">Source</span></a><br /><br /></div>Awesome, right? So I figured cool, we'll serve this at the less formal, more intimate rehearsal dinner. Wrong. He wants it at the wedding. So his brain cake will be sitting next to our gorgeous lacey wedding cake. Haha, it'll be a nice juxtaposition at least.<br /><br />Are you having a groom's cake for your groom? How did you decide what to get and what will it look like?<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/5173074949304690889-2329880361160299881?l=futuremrshopefully.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Jennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18121319728492514987noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5173074949304690889.post-6834811352829684112010-03-16T09:00:00.001-05:002010-03-16T11:33:28.168-05:00<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/S50gMptnpQI/AAAAAAAAAsg/BI_VEsUT478/s1600-h/DSCN0024.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 180px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/S50gMptnpQI/AAAAAAAAAsg/BI_VEsUT478/s320/DSCN0024.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448546525915882754" border="0" /></a><br />Guess what arrived yesterday? My beautiful cake stand!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/S50gX7jGpRI/AAAAAAAAAso/e_9Ufzm0V64/s1600-h/DSCN0026.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 180px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/S50gX7jGpRI/AAAAAAAAAso/e_9Ufzm0V64/s320/DSCN0026.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448546719682176274" border="0" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/S50ghN2raYI/AAAAAAAAAsw/0E1mpbodHQw/s1600-h/DSCN0027.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 180px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/S50ghN2raYI/AAAAAAAAAsw/0E1mpbodHQw/s320/DSCN0027.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448546879214938498" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">All Personal Photos<br /><br /></span></div>I ordered it from <a href="http://www.lookintheattic.com/mo179cpcob12.html">Look in the Attic &amp; Company</a>. Isn't it gorgeous?! And there are thistles etched in the underside of the plate which is a nice little nod to my Scottish heritage.<br /><br />So I guess without further ado I will show ya'll what I plan on doing for our wedding cake. Let's start with some inspiration photos:<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/S50iXOH4b-I/AAAAAAAAAs4/2FgbTJ4oJlo/s1600-h/cakeinsp1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 310px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/S50iXOH4b-I/AAAAAAAAAs4/2FgbTJ4oJlo/s320/cakeinsp1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448548906511658978" border="0" /></a><a href="http://weddings.theknot.com/ODB/themes/realweddings/detailview.aspx?STOPREDIRECTING=TRUE&amp;id=42381&amp;type=3&amp;wedding+details=Cake&amp;Sort=KnotPicks&amp;ODBTHEMENAME=Real-Weddings&amp;MsdVisit=1"><span style="font-size:78%;">Source</span></a><br /><br /><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 269px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/S50ilTAksuI/AAAAAAAAAtA/ZVA2Dhcc_jQ/s320/cakeinsp2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448549148341351138" border="0" /><a href="http://img4.realsimple.com/images/09weddings/b-w-lace-cake_300.jpg"><span style="font-size:78%;">Source</span></a><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size:100%;">With both of these cakes, I am attracted to the lacey, flowery patterns. </span>Then I realized that my <a href="http://futuremrshopefully.blogspot.com/2009/10/i-made-huge-purchase-on-tuesday-night.html">dress</a> has a lacey, flowery pattern on it so why not echo my dress in the cake?<br /><br />I'm going to be using a technique called embroidery to draw the flowers on my cake. Here's an example of this technique:<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/S50jrD4KRpI/AAAAAAAAAtI/wvT7n7p3un8/s1600-h/Embroidery.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 256px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/S50jrD4KRpI/AAAAAAAAAtI/wvT7n7p3un8/s320/Embroidery.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448550346870376082" border="0" /></a><a href="http://www.cakesbysueonline.com/Embroidery.jpg"><span style="font-size:78%;">Source</span></a><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size:100%;">I am planning on covering the cake in white fondant and then doing the embroidery work in white as well. I'm hoping for a very subtle, yet elegant look.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-size:100%;">I am also planning on incorporating some small yellow flowers into the design. I'm thinking forsythia might be a nice option.<br /><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/S50kjff2O0I/AAAAAAAAAtQ/5FSgm-_lacY/s1600-h/forsythia.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/S50kjff2O0I/AAAAAAAAAtQ/5FSgm-_lacY/s320/forsythia.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448551316357266242" border="0" /></a><a href="http://www.xmission.com/%7Eforsyth/images/forsythia.jpg"><span style="font-size:78%;">Source</span></a><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size:100%;">Again, these flowers will be very simple and elegant and I like their earthy quality. I think that'll go well with the general feel of our wedding day. (Bonus: They're one of my mom's favorite flowers</span>, so she'll be happy to see them!)<br /><br />And to top it all of, I plan to purchase the Willow Tree Topper seen here:<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/S50lYnoXglI/AAAAAAAAAtY/kwKL24OaioY/s1600-h/topper.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_5Pb3K5JhyVU/S50lYnoXglI/AAAAAAAAAtY/kwKL24OaioY/s320/topper.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448552229073551954" border="0" /></a><a href="http://www.weddingmountain.com/p-9440-willow-tree-promise-figurine.aspx"><span style="font-size:78%;">Source</span></a><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size:100%;">So what do ya'll think? How did you decide on a cake design? What were you inspired by? How many of you are crazy enough to tackle your own cake?</span><br /></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/5173074949304690889-683481135282968411?l=futuremrshopefully.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>