We're moving!!!

Yay!! Okay I'm going to be a very bad bridal blogger for the next couple of weeks. We found the almost completely perfect apartment in Lafayette. Lafayette is only a 15min drive to the city and only 5 min to Berkley. The apt. is a 1min walk to the BART station. It's a gorgeous 2 bedroom 2 bathroom. It's also really close to shopping, restaurants, and a reservoir for hiking and boating. There are only 3 tiny detractors- 1. It's carpeted (white -puppy potty nightmare) 2. It doesn't have a patio or balcony (still hoofing it downstairs with the pups) 3. We have a view of the crazy cross memorial (the guy who is putting a cross in his yard for every fallen soldier in Iraq)

Making up for that, we have laundry in the apt. and 2 bathtubs and we'll save a ton of money on rent to move into a nicer place.

So, now we need to pack and get everything settled.

A Weekend of Backsliding

Hi, 

This is going to be one of those embarrassing soul-baring posts. Fair warning given:

I've been trying to faithfully stick to a combination Wii fit and OnDemand Excercise TV plan. I've also been trying to stick with the Body for Life eating plan, but can never quite get to that meal 6.  Yeah I cancelled my Crunch membership after getting laid off, but figured there is no time like the present to get in wedding shape. According to the Wii fit, I am overweight bordering on obese with a BMI of 29.04. That's almost 30% fat, yuck! I think the Wii is being a tad harsh, but still...

I was recently reading a blog that said to really lose weight you have to tell your friends and family (all of them) that you are trying. So, that's the plan for this post. Now feel free to ask me how it's going and remind me that the pictures from my wedding will last a lifetime. Haha, that ought to do it. Oh and if you have diet or excercise related thoughts, I would love to hear them. 

This Lantern....sigh

Hi,

Lately I've been reading Bridal magazines. It's the combination of being unemployed and getting a professional discount. So, I got subscriptions to 3 of them for $8. Steve will be happy to tell you that he thinks ripping little snippets out of these magazines just proves that I am teetering on the brink of pack rat status. However, in the most recent issue of Elegant Bride I came across these (for lack of a better word) lanterns that a couple uses to light a path. I've been trying to find them everywhere.

Search terms used:

candle lanterns

luminaries

candle luminaries

decorative lanterns

decorative luminaries

metal luminaries

victorian lanterns

So, if anyone has any other search terms or ideas on locating something like this. I would love to hear them. The only thing I've found that is even remotely close is this victorian coach light (only $6 a piece)

Hi everyone

So were getting closer and the you can cut the excitment with a cake knife!! were narrowing down the the colors (Navy or dark blue w/ a lavender accents) which looks good even though I was not convinced until I saw them together and now I'm a believer! We should be traveling to Ohio to scout locations in May even though we've pretty much located the spot. (Roses Run). I could use some suggestions on grooms man's gifts. Rather than giving the Norm (Flask w/ initials). So keep on keeping on and BLOG to you soon!

Lavender Tangent

Now I'm thinking about Lavender and doing a bit of research and I came across these. 

Lavender Wands

Lavender favours, or faggots, were originally used to scent linen and other stored fabric and clothes. They were often used to mark the dozens, and the half-dozens, in piles of linen in a bride's dowry chest, and it was usually the children who were set to work to make them. Nowadays, they make nice small gifts, either individually or in a "bunch" to put in a vase.

YOU WILL NEED:
Freshly gathered lavender stems, about 30cm. (12") long and 1 metre of narrow ribbon.

METHOD:
Take an uneven number of stems of lavender, 15 is about right. Tie these together tightly, with the end of the ribbon, just below the flower heads. Turn the bunch upside down and carefully bend the stems back over the flower heads, one by one. Start to weave the long end of the ribbon in and out of the stems, as there is an odd number it will have a basket effect. Shape the head as you go, pulling the weaving tight as you get to the bottom of the flower heads. Wind the ribbon round a couple of times, and slip knot the end. Use any remaining ribbon to make a bow. Trim the ends of the stems level. You can bind these with the ribbon too, and make a loop to hang up the "favour".

Cute favor idea or not? I'm not a huge fan of candy or useless knicknacks as favors, but want something that people will actually want to take home and that is special. 

Wow a new color pallette

Hi,

Danielle just sent me this amazing bridal board (originally from http://snippetandink.blogspot.com/2009/02/board-345-navy-lavender.html) 

What is everyone's feeling on Lavender (little know fact: Steve loves the scent of lavender and it was one of the first inside jokes we had as a couple)

I guess I usually associate it with spring, but looking at this board it seems like it could work for October. Also that would solve several flower issues.

Wedding Dress Update (based on your feedback)

Hey,
Great comments so far. I wanted to give more details on the ones that everyone like and even found more pictures. (If you click on these pics they get much bigger)

#32 has been the run away favorite so far. The dress is by Jim Hjelm

(Ivory Silk Organza trumpet gown, sleeveless Alencon lace empire bodice accented with Ivory satin ribbon, V-neckline, 2 tiered lace accented skirt, low open V-back, chapel train)

I still like the dress a lot, but after seeing the back I am worried that we may have some foundation garment challenges.

Price $3,000-#5,000 (yikes)



#3 is Anne Barge her La Fleur collection, but of course I can't find the dress on her site anymore

Price $3,000-$5,000(yikes, but I'm sure I can find a knockoff for cheaper)

#28 is Demetrios from the Ultra Sophisticates collection

(Sleeveless beaded V-neck tulle with empire bodice. Attached train.) There was only one additional picture of the dress

Price not given



#15 is Mori Lee by Madeline Gardner

(Delicate chiffon with lace. Lace appliqués decorate the sheer halter bodice and meets the center-shirred midriff. Corset tie-back on the A-line skirt with chapel length train. Available in 3 Lengths: 55", 58", 61" Colors Available: White/Silver, Ivory/Silver) Here is a picture of the front and a picture of the back.

Price $600 or less




#17 is from Eden Bridals

(Matte Luxury Crepe gown features a bodice of Lace and Beading. Open Lace and Beading embellish the empire waist and side slits on the front and back of the A-Line skirt. The back is open leading to a Chapel length Train.)

I found a picture of the detail and the back.

Price $600 or less