Jewel Be Gorgeous Feature at Vanilla Retro

Hey Guys! 

Go Check out Michelle at Vanilla Retro today!  She's got a little feature on my mom and her Etsy shop, Jewel Be Gorgeous where you can get amazing custom brooch bouquets!

Sara's Wedding

I do apologize in advance for the crappy photos.  I think my camera has seen better days... or needs a good maintenance.  Hmmm...

Anywho... this past weekend we went to Sara's Wedding. You remember, the one with the brooch bouquet my mom made?!? 

It was my first Jewish/Quaker wedding...

Yes, you read that correctly.

And I loved every minute and detail of it!

It was a circular ceremony - not more than 20-25 minutes.  Once the wedding party had walked in, we all closed the circle around the Hoopa.  Sara and Joe stood up there together looking so dashing and darling and dapper! 

How stinking cute are they?!?  I only took a few pictures with the flash as a courtesy to the photographer who was moving all around the circle.  Someone at our wedding ruined quite a few photos by flashing in our photographers pictures so I decided to not ruin their moments. 

Look at Sara - Isn't she just too cute!?!

The little hat attached to her veil was her grandmothers from her wedding 57 years ago.

Loved how they incorporated that something old.

After the ceremony, there was Bluegrass entertainment. 

Which, I was a little leery of at first, but it was a blast! 

We ended up square dancing and just bouncing and tapping our feet all night!

Sara had the sweetest little vignettes placed on each table.  Just something simple and lovely.

Sara & Joe had also made these little cross stitch hangers for the back of their chairs. 

They say Mr. & Mrs. Fox. 

The bouquets sitting on the wedding party table.

The entry table had pictures of all their family marriages as well as a typewriter, which they used as their guestbook.  Everyone was asked to type a little message to the bride and groom. 

Then there was the skating crew being represented of course. 

Please don't judge me in this picture.  No clothes are fitting anymore and this one clearly was not flattering!

Me, Jill, Sara, Nancy, Jennifer



Sara & I - She's "holding" the baby

All in all it was a wonderful night with great friends, entertainment, food, and feel!  The atmosphere was so great!  I heard that the drinks were to die for... like Candy was what I kept hearing.  They served a signature punch in mason jars.  Love.  But it was just another great party! 

Thanks to The Darling's for having Mr. K & I.  We thoroughly enjoyed ourselves and wish you all the very best!!! 

Wedding Wear

We recently got some wedding stuff in the mail! 

YAY!!!  It's that time again!!! 

This weekend, Mr. K is going on his "Hangover II" bachelor party in Vegas.  Last year I swear that they totally had a HANGOVER experience.  I think it took Mr. K about a week to recover fully.  These guys just aren't what they used to be.  And now he's going back with four of the same friends to have another HANGOVER experience.  Lucky kids they are!

I'm hoping he takes some pictures so that I can share his experience (since I never have ones like he does)!

Anyways, we have two weddings so far this summer to attend.  One in Iowa on our anniversary weekend and another in Chicago over Labor Day weekend.  So excited to make the Chicago one AN ENTIRE WEEKEND IN CHICAGO!  Cha-Ching. 

But for now, I must figure out what to wear...
I've been eyeing a few things from JCrew and Banana Republic. 
I'll have my Stella & Dot jewelry to wear - at least I'm set there... But here are two sets that I came up with. 

Banana Republic:

I of course like the little black dress because it will go with everything and anything but I'm loving that electric blue dress right now as well.  And the back is to die for!  I'd just have to figure out what to wear with whatever I chose.  Is the electric blue too much for a wedding?

Then there's JCrew:

I don't know if you can tell, but I think I seem to find this one a bit more flexible as far as options.  See how many jewels are on there?  All available here and there are some GREAT sales going on right now!

I'm also hoping that whatever I choose, I can wear for HOOPLA - Stella & Dot's yearly party training!  It's a big huge convention and this year they are looking at around 4000 attending!  Woah! 

Ok... enough for now. 
Any suggestions on budget friendly wedding wear? 

Specials & A Winner

Good Friday Morning Blog Hogs! 

All I can say is TGIF!  I could barely get up this morning... getting ready for a show this weekend for Stella & Dot and working on stuff for my mom and trying to get my life in order... again...I think that's a constant battle, but I digress...

Anyways I have a couple of things to announce today...
Some Specials 
Discounts - Giveaways - Etc.

Today over at Hey Gorgeous, she's having a giveaway of a pair of Glint Flower Earrings

from Stella & Dot (via me) as a part of her week of giveaways in honor of her birthday.  Look for it a bit later today! 

Other giveaways this week include -
Friday - Monogrammed Notecard Set  from Lemon and Lavendar 

Thursday - Papertalk Press ($125 Gift Card)

Wednesday -  Fine & Fluerie Flower Hair Piece

Wednesday - Anastasisia Marie Cards ($100 Gift Card)

Tuesday - Wedding Paper Divas ($50 Gift Card)

Monday -Vatne Cluster Pearl Bracelet

Sunday - Wedding Chicks (10 Custom Totes)

*most are open for a week long so make sure to check when the contests end*

I saw this BBQ Giveaway on Fresh Home Blog today. Looks like 1 entry per day! Love it!

Honey I'm Home offered a 40% off Printable Michael's coupon yesterday! Valid through May 21st!

$50 Vintage Pearl Giveaway over at Three P's in a Pod - Ends May 30th.

She also has a $100 giveaway going on too....check it out!

Don't forget that the Vintage Link Necklace is 20% off through June 30th due to it's feature in the June Issue of Essence Magazine

Promo Code ESSENCE20

And announcing the winner of last weeks giveaway...

The only entrant (before the deadline)...

Melanie! 

Check out her Blog - Message From The Muellers!  

And look for this blog line up next week:

Monday - My DIY Doormat

Tuesday - Bedroom Update and Link Party

Wednesday - Eighties Skating Show Recap

Thursday - Hallway/Entryway Update

Friday - The Hangover Review?!?  We'll see..

And of course a weekly roundup! 

*And Make sure you guys hold me to it*

Happy Weekend!

Deposit A Gift

Ahhh... Wedding Wednesday is upon us again. 

When we did our registries, I was trying to think of our guests and what would be most convenient for them. Everyone told me that most people give cash, but I wanted to give them an option.  I choose to make registries at Crate and Barrel, Target, and Macy's.  I didn't advertise any of them, but if people asked, I told. 

Now, looking back, I think any newly married couple might prefer cash gifts.  I know that we could have used money better than some of the gifts we got.  And that's nothing against the gifts...we asked for them... I just think we could have put the gifts to better use if they were cash.  But I think we only got 1 or 2 items that weren't on a registry. Sometimes I think when you go in and register you probably get super excited and scan whatever you think you might want ever... or if you are like me, you have a husband who just goes around and scans EVERYTHING in sight! 

And I don't want you to think we are ungrateful! We appreciate everything we got!  And for us, it really wasn't about the gifts... it was about throwing a great party for our guests!  We must have done something right because everyone still either asks "When are you getting married again?" or tells us "That was a great party!"

But the other day I came across a website called Deposit a Gift.  It looks amazing!  Basically, you create a registry with them, people can deposit monetary gifts to your registry, and then you can cash it out!  You can use the money on whatever!   Isn't that great?!?

I think this is something any soon to be bride should look into!  You never know what you'll need cash for and even though you might want that cute little teapot or set of china, you might get better use out of having the money! 

If I could do it all over again, I'd defintely start a registry here and one with Registry 360 by The Knot.  

Could you have used the cash gifts after your wedding?  I know we could have!  ;)

I mean, who can't find a use for cash? 

Or maybe you did get a good amount... what did you find yourself using it for?

And things will always come up... after spending a ton of mulah on your wedding,

it's nice to have a little stash to count on!

TGIW - Thank god it's Wednesday

Anyone else super bothered by darn daylight savings?

BHLDN by Anthropologie

Love is in the air! My love of everything Antrho!  Anthropoligie that is! 

So why wouldn't they open a wedding store that everyone will fall in love with?  The dresses are whimsy, classic, and unique... I love them.  I love them so much that I'm contemplating redoing our wedding.  Well, not really, but don't think it didn't cross my mind! 

Anthropologie has debuted their own wedding store, called BHLDN. It's an online collection that features wedding gowns, bridesmaid and party dresses, lingerie, vintage-inspired jewelry, headpieces, and of course... what wedding would be complete without shoes!?!? 

These are my 2 faves:

They of course have their own signature gowns created in true Anthropologie fashion, but they will also feature established up and coming designers like Fleur Wood, Tracy Reese (<--A FAVE OF MINE), and Catherine Deane who will create exclusive designs for them from the tailored to the trimmed and embellished! Prices range from $1000 to $4000 for gowns. 

And apparently later this year, they are even going to roll out a line of wedding decorations which will feature everything from cake toppers to lanterns and decor! 

*All Images via BHLDN.com*

Wedding Wednesday

Why not!?  I mean, who doesn't love weddings and even though mine is over... You all know that I still follow the wedding blogs out there! 

Once again it's raining/sleeting/icing/freezing raining again here in Indiana so I am obviously thinking DESTINATION!  I'd so much rather be back in Aruba (our honeymoon), in Mexico or even Florida!  Who wouldn't?  Warmth and sunshine is calling my name...

While destination weddings are beautiful, they have pros and cons just like any other weddings.  They have different cons like the challenges of planning from afar and not being as intimately involved as you would be if you were having it at a venue down the block from where you live.  Or, smaller guest list and acknowledging that not all guests will be able to afford to make the trip.  I know that for me, my mom will not get on a plane so I could never have had my wedding in Mexico or somewhere exotic and warm, but I'm OK with that!  Maybe 2nd time around with Mike when we renew our vows in 50 years or something... I see us being together in 50 years, but not renewing... another story for another time. 

All I can say on this one is, "Yes Please!"

via Green Wedding Shoes

Coming from Green Wedding Shoes, this wedding took place in Puerta Vaerta Mexico. 

What a lovely location.  And how perfect is that beach?!  I mean, seriously!



Via Green Wedding Shoes

 As for this setting... "Where do I sign?"



via Destination Wedding Magazine
and JoannaTano.com

Or, if warm is not your thing... why not try ol' Par-ee?  "Oui!"

via

Just a few pretty shots from a few pretty locations.  Anyone out there have their own destination wedding? 

-- A Royal Wedding --

Wow.  I heart Wills.  I've loved him since I was little.  I think it had something to do with my mother's obsession with The Royal Family.  She loved Diana.  She had a book, she watched the wedding, she watched her funeral. 

So now, the fascination with Royals has been passed down to me.  I happened to have today off so I was uber lucky to get to watch all this ROYAL ENGAGEMENT coverage! 

First of all... how beautiful is Kate?  She is unbelievably gorg!  Such a striking look!  And she just seems so sure of herself!  Love that! 

Secondly... what better way to make your mother a part of the day than to share her engagement ring with your love?!?  I think that was so special.  And the engagement ring is so unique and lovely.  Everything about this engagement just seems so perfect! 

So now the planning begins.  I thought today I'd remind us of some past Royal Wedding Dress choices. 

1.  Obviously Princess Diana.  Look at that dress!  A definitely show stopper!

2.  Queen Elizabeth II.  The current queen.  A lovely simple wedding dress. 

3.  Grace Kelly.  Who doesn't love Grace Kelly?  She looks absolutely gorgeous in this dress and it has  a timeless elegance about it. 

 
I don't think Kate's dress will look anything like these, but I'm sure it will be a show stopper in itself!  Any Royal Wedding Dresses you love?!

-- I'm In Love --

I came across the blog Green Wedding Shoes when looking for green wedding shoes. Pretty unbelievable, right?! Anyways, it's a very sassy, very idea-full, very lovely blog that I still follow. I found these couple of pictures on there and had to share. 

I think I'm in love with this cake. If I could do it all over, this would be my cake. 

via Green Wedding Shoes

 I love the vintage feel of this wedding.  It was what I was hoping to achieve...not sure if I did or not. 

via Green Wedding Shoes

See Parts One and Two of this wedding over at GWS.  :)

-- Wedding Wednesday -- Ruby Slippers --

So I totally woke up today thinking it was Thursday.  I have Fridays off which makes Thursdays so bearable, but not this week.  Now that I know it's Wednesday I'm totally bummed. 

In keeping with our Halloween recap, I thought I'd go Dorothy on you.  :)  I kept telling Mike we needed a pair of Ruby Red Slippers to put under the monster box.  I think it would have been funny.  He didn't like so much. 

But any of these pairs would do, don't you think?  Did you wear colored shoes for your wedding day?  Mine were bronzy... with some jewels, but a friend of mine wore purple and I've seen some sassy hot pink ones lately!  :)


From Mfrezza @ circle.stylemepretty.com

 Which ones would Dorothy wear to your wedding?!?