It's as easy as click, add, buy!

I had high hopes of creating many elements of our wedding, and some of my favorite details, I have seen other DIY brides create so beautifully and even better than the original. I still have a long list of these projects I definitely plan on doing by myself, but it sometimes is sooo easy to knock things off my To Do list by just buying said "adored details."

Take for example these beauties from For Your Party.



With just a click of a button, these are now mine. No Fuss No Muss.
I know I could have easily gocco'd these, but that would take time wouldn't it? They have a section called "Grab and Go" that makes it easy to buy as is, and not make any more decisions on color, type style, blah blah blah... And instant gratification is so much more fun!

Let's Get Punchy!

So, I am working on my STD's with the Tie the Knot theme. I found a few options for hole punches that will cut out small circles in a row so it is easier to thread yarn through. Martha calls this a "Japanese hole-punch." After a quick Google search I found out what that was:

um, looks complicated.


Upon further research I found out Martha created things like this while using it:



she is so fancy pants!


So I found a few other options that seem to be a little more user friendly.

First up, the Fiskars Border Punch "Threading Water" for $14.99

It even makes the cute scalloped design with it! But what if you don't want the scalloped edge on every project? Well, you are in luck, my dear, there is also a second option I found called the McGill Craftivity Ribbon Stitch Punch (whew! a mouthful for sure) it cuts the paper to look like this:


This one you can find for about $8.00. I think both are a great value. The first one got over 70 awesome reviews on one craft website. The second one I didn't find reviews of, but it looks like it might be more versatile. I will have to let you know how it goes.

Martha, you are truly my Beacon in the Night....

The other night, I woke up at approximately 3:24 am in, what else?, a panic about the wedding. On the agenda this time? Save the Dates. I have been working on this project for quite some time now, never fully satisfied with my designs. but wait, could it be? I might finally have my design idea? Drum-roll please.....

I was perusing Martha Stewart for some new inspiration and then I saw the cutest idea! It was a card tied with pink yarn that was a take on the phrase "tie the knot" Here is the best picture I could find of this project:




I am planning to put a little twist on this and created a little bird design who is also tying the knot. eeh! I am so excited! I think this little idea may just be the thing I was looking for all along. I think I may still actually tie the card with yarn, but may opt to use a pretty robin's egg blue color to match the theme more. Stay tuned to see how it all turns out!

Recessionista

I love this term! I've read it a few times this week, in many of the blogs I scour daily. Today, I found it on Blue Orchid Designs, they are doing this "recessionista give-away" what a great idea!

I think I may be considered one of these lovelies who always is looking for a deal- with or without a recession! And definitely am hoping my wedding will be a Recessionista's dream--pretty but without the price tag. Look at that hottie white dress that would be good for so many things, including a rehearsal dinner or shower, perhaps? :)

I also found an adorable pair of cute blue shoes that I may wear as my "something blue" on endless.com I love the trend of colored shoes, and while I never thought I would end up doing it, I love pictures that show the shoes peeking out from under the dress with a little pizazz. yeow!

these are cute, no? And for a grand total of $57 with Free Shipping (heeeyyy party ova here) they sound pretty good to me.


I have been inspired! The search is on!

I Do!

I found her, I FOUND MY DRESS!!! I said I fooouuuunnnndddd her!! ohhhh! She's a 'beaut too. I just wanted to wear it all day. I was so happy I was skipping across the bridal salon. I even hugged "her" goodbye one last time, before I left. With only 7 months to go, I finally found the dress. I was beginning to wonder if I ever would but then I struck gold. I ended up buying a dress that I have been coveting for quite some time now, and the second I put it on again, I just knew. I didn't think that feeling would happen for me, but it did. I am proof you should hold-out until you find "the one!"

The day was even more magical than just finding "the one" We just happen to arrive at my fabulous salon in Union Square Alexandra and there was a Prop 8 rally going on! Many people were marching down the middle of Union Square in support of keeping gay-marriage legal here in California. All the people in the salon lined the windows with a view below us of the march and we started cheering and jumping up and down to show our support. We were pointing to the sign that said "Bridal Salon" and to the dresses in the windows. Many people stopped and pointed up at us, so excited to see our support and a few camera crews even took our picture! It was so emotional and a great way to start the day!

oh, did you think I was going to let you leave without catching a glimpse of the dress? Heck no, sista! Here's a sneek peek, with more to come later: