#48 Up Down & In Between

I thought that I had decided on how I wanted my hair for our wedding.

I had something like this in mind - very simple!

However, during the dress fittings I was discussing this with my dressmaker & one of my bridesmaids, & it's seeming that the style of dress that I have chosen isn't really done justice with my hair down...

So updos... must stay far far away from THE wedding updo. You know the one.

At the moment I like a loose, messy look.

Perhaps with a braid somewhere in there?

But I do also like the finger wave a lot...

And maybe I could get away with something like this?

Not sure what you would even call that... semi updo to the side? ;)

And there I was thinking I might not get a hairdresser... Hmm...

Opinions? Suggestions? Warnings? Tips?

x

#47 Pods n Things

I really like wedding flowers that are either very casual, with that 'i just picked these from my own garden' look, or that are a bit unusual.

I especially love the use of things like pods, succulents, twigs & leaves in arrangements...

Not sure if I will be going so far as a whole bouquet of the same, although I do think it looks great in photographs!

What do you think?

laurie bailey photography Via new jersey bride

I think this bouquet is just about the perfect balance of traditional & contemporary...

Via angelsmith photography/rowena & chris

On a side note, how seriously awesome are lotus pods?

I think they look so amazing...

x

#46 Light Up My Life

"How many slams in an old screen door? Depends how loud you shut it.

How many slices in a bread? Depends how thin you cut it.

How much good inside a day? Depends how good you live 'em.

How much love inside a friend? Depends how much you give 'em."
- Shel Silverstein

I

YOU!

Thank you for being here :)

Oh, & how sweet are these sparklers from Wondercandle!

Sparklers are such a lovely little piece of magic don't you think?

x

#45 Engaged... Again!

The night before our engagement-ish celebration in Melbourne, my engagement ring met with a fate worse than death...

Well ok not actually worse, but it did die. Violently.

Lucky I'm not superstitious hey?

What followed was a lot of ridiculous behavior by one jewelers who shall remain nameless.

However. Happily - 3 months later - I have some sparkling new bling!

I haven't taken any photos & I'm feeling lazy having been working on long overdue Save the Dates as well as Wedding Favours all night, but I've found this picture from the wonderful wide web that is mightily similar...

As with my first ill fated engagement ring, it is a LOT more traditional than what I would have expected myself to like?

It's very different to my usual taste in jewelery, which is big & chunky whereas this is quite fine.

I did play with the idea of an Amber ring for a while, a big & chunky one, but came to the realisation that although I'm not someone who has been planning their wedding since they were little or in all honesty even believed i would ever get married, I LIKE that it looks like an engagement ring... I also feel oddly guilty for that?

Anyhow.

I feel ever so lucky & I LOVES it!

x

#44 Gretchen Hillhouse Design...

Or perhaps that should read Gretchen Hillhouse Divine?

After both the magnificent talent & the Gorgeous Gretchen herself!

But I'm getting ahead of myself.

Shall we start closer to the beginning?

This is a photo of my STUNNING little sister E (On the right), backstage at the Gretchen Hillhouse 'Heloise & Hildegarde' collection fashion parade (Unfortunately I couldn't locate a photo showing said amazing collection so I'll just make clear that her attire is her own).

Fast forward, & I'm going a teensy bit out of my mind trying to find anything remotely like what I want my wedding gown to be, a particularly snooty Canberra bridal shop assistant gives me a little panic inducing scare (see previous post) with her speech on how long it will take to alter a wedding dress as well as suggesting I do some rather strange things with a bolero - apparently she's a designer?.

Anyhow, it's safe to say I am officially freaking out.

Then Gretchen quite unexpectedly comes to mind...

I try not to get my hopes up as I ask E if she thinks Gretchen would be interested in rescuing me from wedding dress hell...

A nail biting wait for the call that says -YES!

I fly to Victoria within the week to have my initial meeting with Gretchen, a little extension on my visit, & in less than a month from thinking 'Hmm perhaps I could look at having my dress made by someone?' - the dress of my dreams...

IS FINISHED.

Unbelievable.

Gretchen Hillhouse, ladies & gentlemen, is an angel, a miracle worker, a ridiculously talented artist of so many mediums AND indescribably friendly, delightfully sweet & undeniably good looking to boot!

One visit to her home studio & I had complete confidence that she understood & would in fact most skillfully exceed my expectations in creating the gown that I had envisioned.

I also felt as though I had known her for years - Which is a strange & very lovely thing.

Gretchen Hillhouse with some of her exquisite jewelery & her breathtaking ceramic bowls.

Those bowls really do blow my mind... One day.

Via Gretchen Hillhouse Design

Well worth a visit to Gretchen's website to see LOTS more swoon inducing ceramics & jewelery...

I also love her jewelery, which as it just so happens, looks mighty bridal appropriate to me?

Um, hello ceramic wedding ring in the 5th photo?

Well maybe not so much the Electron Collection for wedding wear (Correction - MY wedding) but they're just so fun & quirky that I couldn't resist showing you ;)

I have 2 more fittings at the end of January, for final adjustments = weight loss, but it is completely constructed.

I really still can't believe it. SO exciting... It makes it so much more real?

So much of the planning process is not tangible but I have held the dress that I will be wearing when my love & I say 'I Do.'

Wow?

x

edit: Yay!!! Some pictures of the beautiful models Ella & Freda in the equally beautiful Heloise & Hildegarde collection!

Unfortunately blogger is having a tantrum and won't let me post them any larger, but still, it's a glimpse...

LOVELY no?

Thanks Gretchen :)

#43 Speaking of Which...

Um hello doily wedding dress!!!

Now why didn't I think of that?!?

via - jillian & dax - gia canali photography

Simply genius.

#42 A Horse and Controversy...

Hi there! Remember me?

Whilst it would appear to most that I had fallen off the proverbial horse of blogging, ok ok - be apparent to most that I had taken a tumble - I really do have quite a legitimate excuse.

It is a tale of spur of the moment decisions, 3 cities, 1 dressmaker most exceptional, many cuppas - wines - & over indulgence in all things that fatten, news of the elating/devastating variety, & much loved up-ness from those whose hugs are too often too too far away...

Before the whirlwind that has enveloped me this last while, I had a Wedding (& everything else) To Do List about as long as your arm. Actually, make that my arm.

Now that same To Do List is about as long as the arm of the BFG. (High 5 to you if you get the reference?)

The said list included, somewhere among the reams, a bit more effort on my part in getting around to posting on here with some kind of regularity.

BUT. I was also thinking (dangerous to be sure!), 'Why?'

Is there any point in this blog? It hasn't saved my nearest & dearest from wedding talk nearly as much as I hoped it would, It feels mighty self indulgent, & i was also starting to wonder if it was a little cuckoo to be writing to myself?

Then while away, one of my delicious bridesmaids told me that she had seen another lovely friend recently, who I haven't caught up with for quite a horrible length of time.

This friend told my BM that although she hates weddings- or more specifically all the kitsch that come with them, she has been enjoying reading these pages of ramble & that she thinks I will have a beautiful wedding & will BM please take lots of photos to show her.

CUE WARM FUZZY FEELING! Bless her socks & silver (pearly white) jewelery ;)

Even though I have what feels like a thousand exciting things to update on, it would seem that oddly enough, this warm fuzzy feeling has manifested in me a desire to sabotage myself & this page & quite possibly ostracize me...

I LOVE DOILIES.

Via - unknown & laura splan/museum of contemporary art

Via - apartment therapy

There. I've said it. It's out there.

I'm a loud & proud doily lover.

Please don't judge me?

Sanity from now on.

Mostly...

It's good to be home!

x

#42 Baskets Anyone?

If the results for an internet search of the words 'flower girl' is anything to go by, people subject their flower girls to a whole lot of scary.

I'm talking cringe worthy hideous. In numerous layers. Upon layer. Upon layer...

So I was wading through these marshmallowy nightmares and I started wondering...Do they know? These brides I mean? Do they they know it's so very 'ugh'? Is it a misguided budget decision perhaps? Or is this actually the taste of the majority as google would have me believe?

Most importantly- HOW DO I KNOW I'M NOT ONE OF THEM???

How do I know that my taste too, does not make people desperate to steal one of those drowning in kitsch flower girls baskets away to use as a sick bag substitute?

Calm down now eh?

I also wondered how I've lasted this long without starting a 'worst of' blog.

Anyway, I've been pretty wedding slack lately but I think I'm finally getting my wedding mojo back. So rejoice dear friends! Or despair? ;)

Here's some flower girl baskets that I think are pretty sweet. Minus the puffy stuff!

My favourite overall is the second one, it's quite unique I think?

Via - craftzine/Andrea DeHart, wedding flowers&reception ideas, tickled pink.

The centre one with the lavender in this next row - I don't actually like, but I like the concept.

Loving the Chrysanthemums and the Succulents.

Fun fact: Apparently you're not supposed to be able to kill Succulents... I can kill any plant. It's a talent.

Via - project wedding, pink chalk studio, tickled pink.

I already have my ring 'pillow' picked out but I think this one is a bit awesome too!

Via- tickled pink.

Is there anything you have ever loved, wedding or not, that you look back on later and ask yourself "WHY?"

Others than ex's of course! Ha.

Do share!

x

#41 Dress Ups Take Two - The Result...

In short, disheartening.

Not to mention somewhat alarming?

Via - Nicky Thomas

Here's a quick rundown.

I hate wedding dresses. (Ok this is a lie, because in fact I love a fair few of them, just none that are in any of the shops here, and none on the internet that are within budget.)

It would seem that people who work in bridal shops must first obtain a masters in how best to look down their noses at customers?

It turns out I can't count, and our wedding is 2 months closer than what I was thinking...

I have been informed that when it comes to dresses, you can count December and January out. My Wedding Dress will need to be completely fitted and ready by the end of November before everyone closes up shop.

Mocha is exceptionally good at letting me have a panic attack and making sure I'm laughing enough about it to come out the other side!

But yeah. Officially freaking out that I have been stuck in a wedding rut for so long and am now so far behind in all our preparations ie: Save the Dates, that due to the number of interstate and o/s guests, I wanted to have sent out 4 months ago... AND when I tried to get stuck into them the other day, realised that my plan was a flop and now needs a total rethink? Eek.

Among about a hundred other things...

How did this happen?

Help me universe! Help meeeeeeee!!!

x

#40 Dress Ups - Take Two...

Tomorrow I'm going with Mocha (my MOH) to play dress ups :)

Via - pxlshots

Last dress up mission, whilst a most interesting mixture of absolutely hilarious and disheartening, was not particularly successful... Fingers crossed for better luck this time!

It's exciting, but I've noticed that I have a bit of the whole ' champagne tastes on a milkshake budget' thing going on?

So whilst hopeful, I'm certainly not counting my chickens until I've found them on the dress rack. And tried them on. And get that feeling. If you know what I mean... ( Seriously, if you do - Congratulations!)

Wish us luck!!!

x

#39 Green?

Yes. Yes they are. Even the right shade in fact.

Most appropriately named "Bells of Ireland"? Why yes, they are indeed.

And their meaning is? Apparently - 'good luck' (not that i'm paying heed to such things!)

Available in Australia? No idea...

But I think they are a bit interesting. In a good way.

Also found out that Chrysanthemums (see previous post) are the flower of my birth month. I find that randomly amusing.

Totally lazy post from me? Check.

#38 My Little Flowerzilla

I am the eldest of the bunch that is my family.

No, the vague bananas reference is not entirely unintentional...

My youngest sister -Miss I- is a wee thing of only 4 years old & being so much younger than the rest of our family, she often 'speaks old'.

We recently asked her to be a Flower-girl at our wedding.

Here are some exerts of that conversation... (Please indulge me & imagine a "Charlie & Lola" induced British accent & incredibly matter of fact tone as you read?)

Me: So you know how 'Mr N' & I are getting married?

I:Yes.

Me: Well that means we will have a wedding, do you know what a wedding is? Have you ever been to one?

I: Look, I've read about them in books & I've seen them in movies, so yes, I know what they are.

Me: So then you probably know how there is a path, & 'Mr N' will stand at one end to wait for me, & before I come to meet him, some of my friends who will be called Bridesmaids will walk down the path & also some children who will be called Flowergirls?

I: (Most impatiently) Yes Yes yes, I've seen it in a MOVIE ok?

Me: Well Mr N & I were wondering if perhaps you would like to be a Flowergirl at our wedding? (In all honesty, I'm expecting some excitement at this)

I: Look 'C', it's yours & 'Mr Ns' wedding, so really, it's your choice ok? Do whatever you want?

Me: We already spoke about it & we would love you to, if you would like to?

I: Hmmmmm...................... Look 'C', I'm just not sure. I'll have a little think about it & get back to you ok? I can't decide right now.

Me: Ok, well there's plenty of time, you don't need to decide right now, but just so you know, you would get to wear a beautiful dress too...

I: I might just want to watch? I might not want to walk. I might just like to watch everyone else. Me: If you did decide to, & you don't have to decide right now, you wouldn't have to do it by yourself - interrupted-

I: I just don't know who I would do it with? I'm not sure who would want to do it...

Me: Well there will be other children & you would get to meet them before hand & all walk down together...

I: Look, 'C', I'll think about it, it's a lot to think about & I just don't know how I will feel on the day. I might just want to watch....

(A photo of Miss I on her last visit to see us)

And tonight talking on skype with her & the eldest of my younger siblings, my sister E.

E brought it up again & asked her of she had decided yet, & did she realise that it would be with her since E will be a Bridesmaid. I chimed in here with the info of what colour dress she will (?) be wearing, this particular colour, she excitedly informed me, was her most VERY favourite. After a little think she proclaimed, to E -

"Look, if you go? I'll go. If you will do it? Then I will do it."

There was then some discussion about flower petal scattering & whether or not it is allowed at our venue & the possibility of carrying something else for me, (I'm keeping secrets) at the suggestion of this she firmly put her foot down.

" No no, I don't really like ___?I'll carry flowers down instead. Yep. I'll carry some flowers. Like this (hands clasped in front)."

I then entered into delicate negotiations with Miss I regarding what would & wouldn't be carried/worn/done.

Uh oh....

What room is there for Bridezillas when there are Flowerzillas about?!?!

I don't have a hope. So there goes that plan eh! ;)

So. If someone turns up in our wedding photos dressed as nemo...or an elf...or a horse... no explanation necessary right?

x

#37 Tea For Two

I find this to be utterly delightful.

And also somewhat amusing.

Which results in me find it even more delightful.

In short? Yes. This delights me.

Via crazyfortea (naturally!)

#36 Trashing the Dresses Angelsmith Style!

I have been most suprised to find how many people have not heard of Trash the Dress sessions...

I first heard about them years ago & I think it's an absolutely fabulous idea.

Our gorgeous, sweet, hilarious & INCREDIBLY talented photographer Karalee of Angelsmith Photography recently shot this session with a twist - not one, but 2 beautiful brides!

Below is just a tiny portion of the shoot & more loveliness can be seen on the Anglesmith website (follow the link below this snippet of sneak peek).

A huge Thank You to the stunning brides Amy & Kat, & to the enviably amazing Karalee for letting me bring these to show and tell ;)

Via Angelsmith Photography

Breathtaking indeed.

I would be interested to hear your thoughts on the concept???

x