2 + 2 = ?

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I swear I can do math. But when it comes to planning a wedding, its like the numbers get a little overwhelming and your basic math skills go right out your ears. And I know I'm not the only one who has experienced this... its just that no one wants to admit it. I know, it's pretty embarrassing to admit, but I'll take one for the team.

It all started after we had picked our venue, the wonderful Valentine Museum, and knew how many people it could hold for the set up we wanted -- 75. So I started looking at paper products for invitations, save the dates, etc. During my search and pricing I started getting a little worried... it was pretty expensive. Then I realized that I was doing the math for 100 people and that each person would get an invitation, save the date, etc. Umm... wake up and do the math correctly. 75 divided by 2 was 37.5. At most I would need 50 of each to account for errors and f*ups. Those prices were starting to sound a lot sweeter.

Ok... so I didnt learn the first time. Or maybe its that I wasnt paying attention, but when I opened my box from Paper Source, I was greeted by 4 packs of envelopes. Ok... that's correct because they come 10 to a pack for a total of 40. And there were 4 packs of flat cards. Ok... that's what I ordered thinking that they also come 10 to a pack, but it felt awfully thick. Yeah, that's because they come 25 to a pack. So I went and bought 100 flat cards when I really only need half. Oh well, I guess I will just find something else to do with them. Maybe they can be used for the bridal shower or rehearsal dinner?!?!

Hopefully, this inability to do simple math has gotten out of my system, because it will get embarrassing.

Did you experience a similar inability to do simple math with wedding numbers? C'mon dont be shy.

It's like catnip... but for brides

You know how cats get when they get ahold of catnip? And they get all excited and run around?

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Well I'm pretty sure [read: actually] I was experiencing that same feeling when I opened the box from Paper-Source and pulled out the envelopes and flat cards I had ordered for our Save The Dates. I had totally trusted my gut when I chose the colors beet and leaf, but boy was I pleasantly surprised when I opened the box and found these inside:

They are the perfect shades of purple and green that I wanted. And then...

my stamps arrived. And it was that same feeling all over again. They turned out better than expected and match the envelope colors perfectly. I cant wait to get our save the dates all put together!

Did you have that "cat on catnip" feeling over any part of wedding planning?!?!

Bridesmaids Dresses - Check

My checklist of things to do is getting smaller... yay!

On one of my very first posts, I shared the dress that I was leaning towards for my b*maids. I knew I wanted to give my girls some options as far as which dress they wanted to wear, since not everyone likes or looks good in the same style. The great thing about JCrew is that they offer different styles in the same colors and fabrics, so you have a little more to choose from. And their dresses can be worn again, which is another thing that was important to me. If they were going to spend the $$ on the dress, I wanted them to get their money's worth out of it. The original dress I liked, in Spiced Wine, came in silk chiffon, so I looked at the other dresses in the same material and picked a 2nd option that wasnt strapless.

Well Wednesday, my MOH informed me that JCrew was having a 20% discount on all dresses... yeah, you read that right... 20% OFF ALL DRESSES! I've been watching the website weekly and from reading other bride's blogs, the dresses I picked never go on sale/clearance so I thought they would have to get them at full price. So you can imagine our urgency to jump on getting these dresses ordered before the sale ended 2 days later.

So I quickly sent texts to my 2 sisters and told them the dresses were on sale and that we needed to get them ordered by Friday afternoon at the latest. I'm happy to report that all dresses are ordered and by some freak of luck (probably the fact that she was shopping at midnight), my MOH actually got hers for an additional 20% off. 40% what a steal.

My MOH chose the strapless and my 2 sisters chose the v-neck. I like that they didnt all choose the same dress.

I cant wait til they come in!!! Then we can pick out shoes. :)

Did you have any luck with discount/sale prices for your b*maids dresses?

Save The Dates

I'm finally getting around to working on our save the dates. I know, I know. My calendar says I wanted to get them out last month and Justin told everyone we were getting them out late January. Oops!

The main thing holding up making them was we werent in agreeance of the style of save the dates we wanted. Justin wanted to do a postcard with our picture on it. Problem with that idea is, we dont have many pictures of us that we could use and we havent done our Epics yet either. I wanted to do something a little different. Something less expensive and time consuming. I'd rather spend time and $$ on the invitations since people will hold on to those a little longer.

So with that in mind, I started drafting a few ideas based on things I had seen online and in the stationery magazines I've received in the mail. Justin finally agreed on one design after I explained the vision in my head.

This morning I ordered my supplies so that we can get these babies put together and in the mail to our guests. finally!!!

So what did I get?!?!

First, I wanted to design our own stamps. So I went to Zazzle.com, found a design that I liked and customized it. The finished product:

Then I headed over to Paper-Source and ordered the paper products I need to put them together. I like the #10 size because they are a little different than the normal envelope size. I also want to play with our 2 colors -- purple & green (or beet & leaf according to Paper-Source).

I'm thinking about mixing up the envelope and notecards so that its a little more eye appealing.

Did it take you forever to get your ideas together for your save the dates, like it did us?

Ring Etiquette

Justin and I were in the grocery store last night picking up some things for dinner. We were standing in the checkout line and the girl behind the counter started commenting about my ring. "Wow, thats a relly pretty ring" then "That's a really big ring." I did what I always do, smiled and said "thank you." I'm used to people commenting about my ring and I still find myself holding my hand out and starring at it with googly eyes.





But it was the next thing that she said that really shocked me. Now let me remind you, she's just some random stranger checking out our groceries. She said, without taking her eyes off it, "should I even ask how much it cost." Umm... excuse me?!?!


I thought it was very rude and even more inappropriate. I dont even know how much my ring cost, I have an idea from the appraisal, but you dear stranger definitely should not. I just smiled and thanked god that she said it right as we were finished paying for our stuff. I grabbed our bag and headed to the door.


The whole situation got me thinking about what is/isnt appropriate when discussing engagement rings. I just feel like there are some questions you shouldnt ask, unless you are close to that person and one pissed off bride shared it best here. By the way, love that blog -- it definitely provides some great laughs.

Were you thrown off by someone's comment/action towards your engagement ring?

Itsy Bitsy Teeny Weeny Purple Polka Dot Bikini

Remember this yogurt commercial? It comes on frequently during Winter/Spring to remind people that bathing suit season is quickly approaching. And for me, after bathing suit season is our wedding and honeymoon -- in St. Lucia!!!





So of course I will be wearing a bikini and now is the time to start getting ready for bathing suit season. Most people have something to motivate, or remind, them to stay focused on their goal. Whats my motivation?

(photo courtesy of moi and bathing suit can be found at Target)

Yep, thats my new bathing suit that I bought in the winter. Some girls love shoes and accessories, I love bathing suits. I usually get at least 1 new bathing suit each summer and rotate them depending on my mood. The thing I like about this one is that it's purple -- my favorite color in case you hadnt picked up on that yet -- and you can mix and match however you want. I chose halter because that's my favorite top style and the polka dot bottoms for a little fun.

I think I might hang my bathing suit in a place I will see everyday to keep me motivated to reach my goal.

Do you have any wedding and/or honeymoon goals?

Pretty in Purple

Remember here when I talked about my purple wedding shoes?!?! Well, they arrived and I love, love, love them. They are pretty, very comfortable and the perfect shade of purple.

Wanna see? Oh and please excuse my unpedicured toes/feet and very pale legs.

Photos courtesy of moi

I'm very pleased with my find and cant wait to wear them with my dress.

How was your shoe search?