Happy Early 2009!

{Photo Credit}

I know today is only New Year's Eve but I wanted to take a moment and say that 2008 bought so many good things and not so good things. But I look forward to 2009 and pushing even harder to acheive those goals that I went lazy on in 2008. I hope you all can sit back sometime today or tomorrow and write yourself a little note about what you really want to accomplish in 2009. Seal it and put it in a place where you won't be tempted to go in and change or tweak it. Put a reminder in your phone for January 31, 2010 labled note and the hiding place. Next year when you open that evelope see how well you did. I am doing this, and I'm so excited. So here goes my resolutions:


~Lose 30 lbs. (I know it's cliche but I really need to get in shape if I want to lose weight for my wedding. And I have a year and some change to do so.) Joining Weight Watchers {again!} January 5, 2009

~Relax more ( I am always moving and going, going, going) I need to slow down a little

~Get 7-8 hours of sleep at least 5 days out of the week (I am good to get 6 hours each night now :o)

~Spend more girly time with my girlies, they are too cute for words and they deserve a little more time with me

~Plan this wedding as budget friendly as possible

~Have 90% of my items on the wedding checklist done

~Have a getaway with my fiance

So here are my resolutions what are some of yours, and will you participate in the above challenge for yourself? Happy 2009 Ya'll!! Be Safe :o)

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Real Weddings::Brooke & Craig {10/11/2008}

Meet Brooke & Craig, they tied the knot at The Boar's Head Inn in Historic Charlottesville, VA.Their lovely wedding was coordinated by the oh-so-fabulous Jennifer Carroll Events with the beautiful flowers by Pat's Floral Designs. The AMAZING photography is by the lovely Jen Fariello Photography. ENJOY!

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Merry Christmas to you all!!!

I just wanted to take a moment and wish everyone a very Merry Christmas. May the day bring you much joy and happiness. Enjoy the time with your family and lets all count our blessings.

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Balero or Jacket

Since I will be getting married in March, I will definately need a balero or some sort of cover-up. Virginia is still really cold late March and early April, I'm just not sure if I want to do a full removable jacket or just a cute balero. Etsy has the most talented designers, I found a bunch that I just adored. If you are having a winter wedding or just want to add a chic little balero to your wedding day ensemble then check these cute little fashions out.

maryandangelika's Shop
lolashowgirl

Bonzie

Rohm

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I Have Been Tagged.....6 Random Things

I was tagged by Jessie, check it out HERE!

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Hair Ideas...

I hate to even bring this up because I'm mad at myself for not listening to my fiance. In June I decided to chop my hair off. My fiance kept saying he liked my long hair but I would look good with whatever I chose to do (I think he knew what he was planning in July). Well I chopped it and got the Rihanna a-symetrical bob and in July he proposed, I immediately thought oh my goodness my hair, LOL! I've always wanted my hair long on my wedding day because I want the whole beautiful updo. My hair grows super, super slow, since July it has only grown about 3 inches, and the winter weather is not good on my hair at all. I'm african-american and I choose to relax my hair every 6 weeks to keep my hair straight and I flat-iron my hair everyday. Between the weather, chemicals & heat my hair breaks and sheds but to keep my hair manageable I have to have these things.

I decided that I would grow my hair for the next 15 months and when it's time for my wedding I will add some extentions to get the look I really want. Keep in mind I want to wear a Birdcage Veil so I want a classic updo.

Here are a few inspiration pics:

Tia Mowry {Image Credit}

Tyra Banks {Image Credit}

Thandi Newton {Image Credit}

Rihanna {Image Credit}

Which do you guys like? Or would you suggest I work with my own hair?

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Inspiration Friday

I want to change things up a bit and provide a simple inspiration board instead of doing a D.I.Y project. I'm not taking the D.I.Y away completely I will just rotate each week. So enjoy my very first inspiration board. Some of you may have seen this in a contest on another blog, well that was me! I made it, unfortunately I didn't win but I came close and got great comments on my board.

The Peacock Wedding::



{{PHOTO CREDIT BELOW}}
Peakcock Picture: http://www.nikonians-images.org
Manolo Blahnik Shoes: http://www.bergdorfgoodman.com/
Parasols: http://www.lunabazaar.com/
Wedding dress: http://www.casablancabridal.com/
Bridesmaid dress: http://www.jcrew.com/
Invitations: http://www.milkfedpress.com/
Centerpieces: http://www.brides.com/
Blue martini: http://www.cocktailtimes.com/
Cake: http://www.soireeevents.blogspot.com/ (Regeti's Photography)

Table setting: http://www.totallytabletops.blogspot.com/

Jewelry: http://fussjewelry.com/

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Happy Birthday to ME!!!

Happy Birthday to ME, Happy Birthday to ME!! Today is my birthday, the BIG 27!! I'm working today but fortunately my co-workers ROCK!! and they always make it fun!

{PHOTO CREDIT}

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First Look at Dress Ideas

I have not been officially dress shopping yet but I have been cyber dress-looking, yep I totally made that phrase up, lol. I have an hour glass shape, but a little more in the hips. I am not too fond of the poofy a-line, and everything I have read recommends hippy women wear the poofy a-line. I really like the slim-a-line & drop waist. I won't be sure what looks right on me until I actually try something on but below are some that I love! They are all Maggie Sottero designs (love, love this designer). Which do you think will work best on a curvy women?

Harlow

The picture is being stubborn! Click the link...

Abigail

Rhianna Royale

Vogue

Vogue Royale

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Please pinch me!

I just got note that I actually won something! I have never won a contest, the lottery or anything of that nature. I just got an email from Mrs. Bee of Weddingbee to let me know that I was the winner of a custom aisle runner from The Original Runner Co. ! It's a $500 value!! I can't believe it, I was going to make my own but this is truly a blessing being that I'm on a budget! THANKS so much!

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D.I.Y Friday~Cute Gift Card Holders (For Your Wedding Party)

I'm a blog stalker, period, not just for wedding blogs. I use to run my own online baby boutique, I sold nothing but handmade baby items and let me just say there is some real talent out there. Anyway I fell in love with the talent of one particular fabric designer, Heather Bailey. I found her blog about 7 months ago and her fabric looks good enough to eat, lol. She also features some really neat Do-It-Yourself projects using her products which are just gorgeous and reasonably priced.

I found these really cute gift card boxes on her site. These would be the perfect gift for your MOH or bridesmaids. What a great way to dress up boring old gift cards! Here is the pattern and other instructions for her cute boxes. Be sure to visit her store for the paper products needed for this project.

Happy Black Friday BTW, I hope you find some great deals today. My day starts at 3:00am and I'm at the stores by 4:00am, I'm a shopping fool!!

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Happy Thanksgiving!!

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HELP! I Really Need Your Input!!!

Friday we went to see another venue and all I can say is I'm in LOVE! Oh my goodness ladies, this venue is so perfect for us. It's classic, gorgeous & newly remodeled. The Vinton War Memorial has everything a bride can ask for in a venue. And for once since our wedding planning began someone didn't look at me like I was crazy because we want to book so far out from the wedding, they actually gave a significant discount, more than $1000 OFF! Say What?!? I was so excited. Since they remodeled, everything is up to date, with warm colors like, lime greens, toupes, browns & some orange.

Lobby (for cocktail hour)::

Now my issue comes in the colors because our original color palette was champagne, chocolate brown & lime green. I changed the colors because we really thought that we wanted to go with the art museum so we wanted colors that were more modern & could compete with the strong achitecture of the museum (black, white & lime green). But after visitng the Vinton War Memorial I want to go back to my orginial color palette. The chairs as you can see at VWM are not the chiavari chairs that I would like, but they are actually not that bad. And being the budget bride that I am, we will just have to go with it. Anywhooo... which color palette do you suggest I go with? Please be honest and give me as much feedback as you would like!

Reception Ballroom::

This is where the ceremony would be (I Love fireplaces!)::

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Shoe Candy!

I am a lover of shoes and nice expensive shoes, but who are we kidding I can't afford the shoes I drool over on a daily basis (*cough* MICHAEL KORS *cough*). Although we are on a tight budget for our wedding I will be getting a pair of designer shoes for my wedding day, they will be something that I can wear over and over because I figure if I spend that much on a pair of shoes I want to be able to wear them more than once. So here are some that I've have been stalking out!


Michael Kors::



Michael Kors::

Betsey Johnson::

Have you been shoe stalking for your wedding? Are you going designer or just basic?

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D.I.Y Friday~ Super Market Flower Bouquets

I am definately a bride on a budget as most of you know, but when my fiance and I set our wedding budget I put aside a good chunk of money for a beautiful real flower bouquet. I knew that I wanted a full professionally made bouquet, and I thought that meant hiring a florist. Then while reading With This Ring I learned that Real Simple made it really simple {pardon the pun} to make your own beautiful "professional looking" bouquet out of flowers purchased from your local grocery store. All you need is a bouquet of supermarket flowers, floral stem wire, a few floral pins & some beautiful satin ribbon in your coordinating wedding color. For full details visit {Real Simple}.

Carnations::

Irises, Statis & Carnations::

Baby's Breath::

Colorful Varied Bouquet::

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Are you in the VA, MD or DC Area??

There is an AMAZING contest annoucement today on one of my favorite wedding blogs! Janie Medley, owner of The Bride's Cafe & Janie Medley Floral Design has brilliantly teamed up with Ritzy Bee Events and EliseTheuer to offer the The Unltimate Wedding Giveaway. One lucky couple in the Virginia/DC/Maryland area getting married between April 2009 & December 2009 will win some great essential for their wedding. For more details visit The Bride's Cafe.

I hope they have this contest again for the couple of 2010!

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Reconnect....After 10 Years!

My fiance and I will celebrate our 10 year anniversary December 1st. I bet you're like WHAT???. We have been dating since our junior year of high school, but he only proposed this past July. We really feel like we need some away time, time to come back together and reconnect. I think we have just gotten so used to each other & in our routine of life with our girls that we forget to pay attention to our life as a couple. We have date night sometimes but it's been about 5 years since we left the girls with their grandparents and headed out for a long weekend alone.

So we booked ourselves a couples getway in the beautiful moutains of Pigeon Forge, Tennessee. The Preserve Resort has beautiful cabins with everything a couple wants, hot tub, fireplace & a great view! The cabins are all very reasonably priced and the view to me is worth a million bucks!! This would make a great honeymoon if you're not into the tropical beach thing. Can you just imagine being suggled up with your new hubby in a beautiful cabin over looking the Smokey Mountains. Ok so I can't wait until January because I am all about this trip!

{{Photos Courtesy of The Preserve Resort}}

Stop drooling all over the keyboard and book your trip already!!!

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