Let the Inspiration Flow!

We're 7 1/2 months out from our wedding now. Most wedding etiquette experts suggest sending out invitations 6-8 weeks before the wedding. That would put us in early May (6 months from now).

Even though that's a long way off, I like to start looking at invitation inspiration now. I've been saving photos on my computer so when the time comes to start designing them, it'll be easier to narrow down what we like.

I love the script at the top of these cards. That, and those adorable chicken and cow pictures at the bottom....


I love the little dotted design on these cards...


The way the words are formatted on these cards is adorable. But older guests may have a hard time reading it...


Pop-up invitations?! Yes, please...


The calligraphy in this suite is to die for (and probably just as expensive!)...


Despite what wedding experts say, I think we plan on sending our invitations out a little earlier. The majority of our guests are from out of town, so we'd like to give them plenty of time to plan their trips.

I'm setting a self-assigned due date of February 1 to have all the invitations figured out in my head. That way, I can take all the time I need actually getting them made. The Gocco adventures will be plentiful!

Macy's Mania

On Saturday afternoon, Ryan and I headed to Macy's to complete our registry partnership.

They gave us a few pointers, then handed us our gun. I'm always disappointed that they don't look like actual guns. The Macy's one looked more like a Palm Pilot (omg, remember those?!).


I started off trying to follow our registry list, but it was causing more headaches than anything, so we just let go and went shopping.


Here are a few of the things we ended up registering for...

Bella Cucina Rotating Waffle Maker - I love homemade waffles. I fear this contraption might be the demise of my efforts to maintain a healthy weight.

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Hotel Collection Bath Towels in "Twilight" - No, not the movie. Just the color. And a very pretty color at that! To be honest, I'm still using the towels I took with me to my freshman year at college (a whopping 7 years ago!). I need some new fluffy ones.

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Wedgwood Sterling 5 Piece Place Setting - Even though we aren't especially fancy people, I really wanted China. I feel like it's a real investment, and something that a lot of my older relatives will really enjoy purchasing for us. We went with a simple design so that it will stay timeless.

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Pyrex 8 Piece Mixing Bowl Set - To quote my mother: "You must have a set of glass mixing bowls." Yeah, okay. I don't ask questions.

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Kate Spade Library Stripe Iced Beverage Glass - Water goblets to use with our china on special occasions. (I also asked for a set of matching champagne flutes for Christmas to use at our wedding.)

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KitchenAid 5 Quart Stand Mixer - This is a pretty big staple on registries now-a-days, isn't it? But who can resist when it comes in so many fun colors, and promises to make me a master pastry chef (wait... it doesn't?).

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Calphalon Unison Nonstick Cookware - Ryan and I had a really tough time deciding on cookware. We wanted something nonstick, dishwasher safe, and budget friendly (not $200 for a saucepan). This was not an easy task, but we eventually found this line, which is perfect!

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Presto Jumbo Electric Griddle - I could make an entire pound of bacon on this thing at one time. At! One! Time! My stomach is squeeling with excitement as we speak.

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Le Creuset Enameled Oval Dish - I really wanted a piece of Le Creuset bakeware, but man it's expensive! I decided on this one because it will be perfect for baked pasta dishes (yum!).

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After the registering was over and we were in the car on our way home, we discussed how registering was much less fun this time than when we did it at Crate and Barrel. I think the problem is that Macy's carries so many different lines, that you are constantly comparing prices and quality. At Crate and Barrel, what you see is what you get.

The one thing that no one warned me about is just how addictive registering can be! Once you get over the awkwardness of telling people what to buy you, it can actually be a lot of fun. I've added a ton of stuff online post-registering (Ryan might want to double check our lists to make sure he approves of it all!).

A Little Hanky Panky

I want to take a moment and say right now that I hate the word "hanky". But it's just so much more rhyme-y and easy to type than "handkerchief". Sigh.

Okay. Now that we have all that out of the way...

My Tears of Joy hankies arrived!

I bought 10 handkerchiefs a couple weeks ago, and then bought 10 more from a different seller earlier this week. Despite the drastic time difference, both packages arrived yesterday afternoon. Reason being that one package came from Philadelphia, and the other came all the way from Hong Kong!


Toa chie! (That's "thank you" in Chinese.)


Here are a few of my favorites...


Now for the downside.

Despite the one from China being advertised as "vintage handkerchiefs" in the title, when you delve into the item description, it states "vintage style floral print"... which essentially means they are reproductions.

I didn't notice this until they arrived in the mail and I wondered why on earth they were so stiff.

On the plus side, at least I know they are clean and free of rips and tears. But now I'm questioning if there is a way I can soften them up some. Perhaps washing them with a lot of fabric softener?

Does anyone have any ideas?

Pretty Pink Package

I'm feeling extremely popular with all these packages arriving all the time. I'm going to pretend that companies are sending me free promotional swag... instead of the reality where Kelly spends all her hard-earned money on junk from the internet.

Oh well. That's the life of a bride-to-be.

My latest package was an exciting one, though... my shoes arrived!


Even though I was on my lunch break, I immediately ripped open the box and pulled out my lovelies to admire them in person.


Ooooo... ahhhh. Sweet, beautiful, bright bright pink.

Of course I couldn't stop there. I had to try them on, prance around the house a little bit, and take a bunch of photos.


So what's the verdict?

They are hot!

Besides that, they may be a tad large (they don't come in half sizes, so this is as good as it gets). But the back of each shoe has an elastic band, so the size shouldn't be an issue on our wedding day. It's not noticeable at all when you look at them.


I'm so glad that I was able to find comfortable and cute shoes at such a great price. Every dollar that I save on little things like this really adds up in the end.

Plus, I came up with a great idea. If I can't think of anything else to get my Bridesmaids (so far, I've bought them Vera Bradley makeup bags), I could get them each a pair of silver flats.

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They will be wearing silver heels for the ceremony, but they might want some comfy shoes to change into for the reception (for all the hardcore dancing we'll be doing!).

Hand Me a Hanky

I did something a little frivolous and trendy.

I bought 20 vintage handkerchiefs on Ebay.


See, a while back, I made a list of "wedding wants". But that list isn't all inclusive. With all the fabulous inspiration in the blogosphere, it's hard not to get wrapped up in all the tiny little details, and continually add to that list.

So what will I do with the vintage handkerchiefs?


They are for a "Tears of Joy" basket at the ceremony site. Guests can choose (and keep) a vintage handkerchief for the ceremony. Whether the ladies are feeling a little emotional (there had better be some tears during our vows!), feeling a cold coming on, or just want a hankie to match their dress, I'm hoping people will take one. I think they're adorable and sweet.

Now I'm just debating with myself if I should buy more. All the people I know who had them at their wedding say they were a huge hit, and the basket was empty before the ceremony even began.

Ok... I realize how stupid this all seems. Please don't judge me.

I Found Them!

(Welcome to my newest followers: Little D Down Under and LM!)

So I found them.

My shoes.

In fact, I wasn't even looking.

I was browsing the internet for bridesmaid dresses (a post for its own day). I was on the Dessy Group website, when I saw them staring back at me.

Tutti Frutti

OMG, they're perfect. They match all my criteria: flat, cute, comfortable (looking), pink, and they come in size 11.

::double squeal:: They come in navy too!

Midnight

In fact... they come in 23 different colors to match your bridesmaids' dresses, your bouquet, or whatever.

Have I held off for the best part?

Oh yes. Yes, I have...

They're only $28!

Tall brides... you can thank me later.

My Hairstylist Rocks

Once upon a time, when I lived at home with my parents, I had a hairstylist that my mom and I regularly visited. She cut, colored, and styled my hair to perfection.

This is obviously not me, nor my hair.

But two things have happened since then...
1) I moved away.
2) My hairstylist quit her job.

Before my hairstylist left the salon, she gave my mom a lovely note saying how much she appreciated our business, and offered to continue cutting my mom's hair at her own home.

When I heard my mom would be visiting our hairstylist for a cut and color, I sheepishly suggested she might see if she was interested in doing my hair for the wedding. I figured it was a stretch because she was no longer in the "biz".


But when my mom asked, she accepted on the spot and added it to her calendar.

Score!


It's really the most ideal situation for us. Since she no longer does hair professionally, she won't be missing out on any Saturday income. Since she doesn't work for a salon, she doesn't have outrageous salon-set prices.

She offered to do 4 down styles, 1 bridal up-do, and 1 bridal makeup for $230.


Yeah... just writing that makes me feel guilty.

We will definitely be rounding up on that number when it comes time to write the check!