{{BRIDAL SHOWER #1}} Work Peeps!!

Last week was ever so busy but there was a light at the end of the tunnel with a GREAT shower given to me by my WONDERFUL co-workers (Thanks Sherry, Beth, Sharon, Patti & Susan). I had such a great time, everyone was beyond generous. FH was pleasantly surprised when I got home and my Jeep Compass was packed full of gifts, the both of us really appreciate everything! Here are a few pics from the shower::

{Me having a GREAT time!}

The infamous toilet paper dress, it was funny to watch!
{From left:: Janney, Sandra, Little Grace & Kristin}

{From the left:: Cindy, Susan, Sharon, Sherry, Roger, Patty, Beth & Me (Center)}

The lovely gifts I received, so thankful!

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30 Days to GO!!!!!

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My oh my how the time has flown right by me. I woke up this morning and realized that 30 days from now I will be getting married to the sweetest most sincere person I know.

I Love You Babe!!


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BUSY Wedding Week!!

Hey all!! Please excuse the lack of posts this week but I have a very busy week ahead of me. We are now just 32 days away from our big day and there is lots to be done! On the schedule for this week:

• Monday (yesterday):: Buy 3 plastic storage containers to hold all of my wedding items
• Tuesday:: Go to DB (during lunch break) to pick up my youngest daughters dress, Dress fitting with the bridal party at 5:00pm
• Wednesday:: Hair consultation & Work Bridal Shower (WOOT, these ladies are so sweet for doing this for me)
• Thursday:: Nothing booked so far....
• Friday:: Get marriage license, last visit with florist (drop off all vases) & pay remaining balance, pay remaining balance on venue.

I am feeling just a bit overwhelmed but I know the end product will be all worth it!

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{{BUDGET Find:: Display Easels}}

I have really been on the search for a great but affordable way to display our table numbers. Everything that I came across and actually liked was just too pricey. So off to the Dollar Tree I went hoping to find some cute frames or photo clips. Well not only did I find the cutest display easels but they were packed 2/$1, eeeeek I was just way too excited. They are so cute and my numbers fit like a glove!!! So if you are anywhere near a Dollar Tree I suggest you guys check them out. They also had great frames, nice votive holders & small cylinder vases.

I am having a dress fitting this weekend so keep your fingers crossed that it still fits like a glove. Have a GREAT weekend everyone!!!!

{FRAMES:: used for bathroom poems & wish table}

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{{My D.I.Y. Door Signs & Program Basket}}

Here are my D.I.Y. door signs for the Bridal Suite/Do Not Disturb & the Groom's Suite. They were very easy to make, I simply printed the wording on a laser printer, embossed them & added the crystals.

Here is my program basket, I followed the same directions as listed above and just glued the sign to damask ribbon and added it to my basket that I purchased from T J Maxx for $5.99. As you will see there are no programs in the basket yet because I am currently working on them, they are a very detailed design and I want them to be as perfect as possible so give me a week or two to get those printed and assembled.

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{{My Bathroom Baskets}}

This weekend was a very productive one! I was able to get a lot of my D.I.Y. projects out of the way, the only items left to finish are my memory vases, programs and menu’s. I decided not to do the moss/flower initials because it is just too much trouble and not worth the stress to me. I am going to start by showing you the bathroom baskets (Inspired by Jessica), they turned out great and I think I did pretty well on the overall cost. My baskets were $4.99 each (T J Maxx), which was a steal and I plan on using them for storage after the wedding. The items in the basket were purchased at CVS & Dollar General; I mostly shopped in the travel section because the prices were right. Now most will pose the question of “Are Bathroom Basket really necessary?” and to that I will say no, but it is a nice gesture to offer guests and I made room in my budget to include them.

Here is what I put in the baskets:

~Lotion ($2.50 each) ~Deodorant ($2 each) ~Hairspray (.99 each) ~Gel (.99 each) ~Q-Tips (2/.99) ~Cough Drops (.49 each) ~Gas-X ($2 each) ~Pepto ($1.50 each) ~Advil ($1.89 each) ~Ant-Acids (.99 each) ~Goody’s (.59 each) ~Cleansing Cloths (.99 each) ~Shout Wipes (1 box $1.99) ~Safety Pins (.50) ~Combs (.99 pack of 10) ~Floss Picks (.99 each) ~Lint Roller ($1.99 each) ~Band-Aids ($1.89 each) ~First Aid Kit (.99 each) ~Nail File/Clippers (.99 each) ~Gum ($1.00 for 4 packs) ~Mints (.49 each)

Women's Basket Only: *Tampons (used from Mega pack already purchased) *Sanitary Napkins (.99) *Bobby Pins (.99) *Elastic Hair Ties (.99) *Sewing Kit (.50)

Total Cost: $62.97 with baskets (way under my $100 budget)

The poem I used:

So happy you're here to share in our special day,

but should something happen to go astray…

Please help yourself to the contents within the basket.

Use only what you need and leave the rest,

It may also be useful to another guest.

So repair the damage that may have been done,

Then hurry on back and join in the fun!

{Men's Basket}

{Women's basket}

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{New Wedding Trends for 2010}

OneWed has annouced their Top Ten Wedding Trends for 2010 and what a fabulous list they have put togther. Check them out:

1. Screw the Trends - Be Yourself
   The top wedding trend for 2010 is personalization. Instead of a cookie-cutter ceremony and reception, the new focus is on customizing the big day for the bride, groom and wedding party. Do you and your future hubby share a special hobby? Whether it’s exotic travel or tennis, find a way to make your passions part of the celebration. Also, the emphasis on individual style includes your bridesmaids. Instead of clones wearing the same dress, shoes and identical updos, try picking a color scheme and giving each bridesmaid the opportunity to choose a dress that shows her personality… and complements yours.
   
2. Bright Color, Black Backdrop
   For the latest wedding look, the only thing white should be the bride’s wedding dress. Black accents and bright, bold colors are in, for everything from bridesmaid dresses to flowers to table linens. However, if you want a timeless dress for your bridal party, you can always do classic black with vibrant accessories and bouquets.
   
3. Earth-friendly “I Do’s”
   You can have a sustainable love and a sustainable wedding. Eco-conscious nuptials are all the rage, featuring pre-owned and vintage wedding dresses, LED lighting, recycled paper invitations and locally–grown food and flower choices. Couples are making a commitment to each other and the environment with green weddings!
   
4. Groomed for Success
   Today’s groom not only rocks a tux, he dives into the planning process… and a little man-scaping along the way. As a fashion-conscious guy with a vision for his wedding (or at least a few worthy ideas), he’s jumping online and searching blogs like: The Man Registry, The Plunge, Temple of the Groom, The Groom Says, and Ben the Groom. It’s wedding planning with a healthy shot of testosterone and a great distraction while you go dress shopping.
   
5. Everything Old is New Again
   Maybe it started with Mad Men, or with the desire to wear a pillbox hat, or a fixation with a fabulous birdcage veil. Brides are catching vintage fever and falling head over heels for retro looks like Depression era glass and tea-length dresses. On the upside, vintage looks are not only classic but eco-friendly and affordable. Brides can channel old-school glamour with a modern twist… and keep budget worries in the past.
   
6. You Can Go Home Again
   Backyard rustic chic is the best way to describe the newest wedding venue - your own backyard. Whether the wedding actually IS in your own backyard, a local park, beach, barn or even the “backyard” of a fabulous resort, the idea is to invite just your nearest and dearest to a wedding that’s long on comfort, charm and love, but low on artifice, pretension, and unnecessary extras. Low heels, casual dresses, and a tent in case of rain are all you need!
   
7. Mix and Mingle
   Instead of a traditional sit down dinner, experiment with a new twist on wining and dining. To get your guests mingling, try an extended cocktail hour, lounge-style seating or a family-style meal. Anything you can do to shake up the format will give your guests a chance to socialize more freely… and avoid the awkward introductions at the table with assigned seating. Also, couples want to maximize their time with guests and are taking advantage of first-look photo sessions (to cut down on photo time after the ceremony), pre-wedding festivities and after-parties to keep the celebration going.
   
8. Return to Romance
   Forget the “perfect day.” Now couples are letting go of the pressure and creating a “perfect for us” wedding. Romance is in the air with special engagement photo sessions, videotaped proposal stories to capture the memory (and possibly share at the reception) and a renewed focus on marriage. A few other romantic touches include the abundance of lace and tulle on the bridal runway for 2010 dress trends and the continuing popularity of deeply emotional vows and toasts.
   
9. Food You Can Eat
   We all cheered when wedding menus expanded beyond chicken, beef and fish, but let’s face it, infusions, foams, mousses and “bites” left a lot of us speed-dialing for delivery after a wedding reception. Fortunately, today’s wedding receptions are serving upscale comfort food at sit down meals, buffets and as late night snacks. Desserts are getting a make-over, too, as hard-to-eat fondant is upgraded to butter cream icing on wedding cakes (softer and sweeter) and the cakes are paired with palate-friendly sweets like pies, brownies and cookies.
   
10. iDo
    Tech-savvy couples are embracing online wedding planning to save time and money…and tweeting about it along the way. Aside from status updates, brides-to-be are experimenting with LED lighting, iPod DJ’s and digital cameras to complement their professional wedding vendors. WeddingPreParty.com is also a top destination for Facebook-friendly couples who want to bring their friends and guests into the planning process.

They are also celebrating the re-launch of their super helpful and easy to use Dress Gallery, which contains over 2,000 dresses and 3,000 images. Brides can search a vast array of styles, designers, prices, fabrics, necklines, lengths, embellishments, colors and silhouettes.

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{{My Drink Dispensers}}

Sorry for the hiatus but we have been hammered with snow storms almost back to back here in VA and I lost power for three days, so I am just now gettting back in the swing of things. I love the winter and wished for snow but definitely not this much.

Ok so on to wedding realted news... I have found my drink dispensers, CHECK that off. They are beautiful one gallon hexagon shaped drink dispensers. I purchased them from T J Maxx and they were marked with a super price of $14.99 each which is half price compared to others I had my eye on. I could have rented these for $20 each from my caterer but thought that owning my own would be a better value and I can use them when fh and I have cookouts and parties which is something we love to do. I will be serving Rosemary Lemonade and Southern Sweet Tea with Lemon in the dispensers.

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{{We Finally Got Our Rings}}

We have rings people! After much procrastination and lots of searching the beau and I finally decided on rings. I love my ring, its simple yet beautiful, in the end I decided against the Tacori band that matched my ring because I didn't like the way it fit and I didn't like that it couldn't be worn by itself. The ring that I got actually has the same milgrain as my band and I get a little diamond bling to go with it. My FH decided to go with a tugsten carbide ring because he works out 5 days a week and wanted to get something that could get scratched and not matter, he really likes it. Thanks to Carolyn at Ben David's for her help and patience!

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I Need Your Votes!!!

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Hey my lovely readers I could really use your help! I would love to win the best blogger in Roanoke and with your votes I just might pull it off! If you have a minute can you please go HERE and cast your vote for http://mydreamring.blogspot.com/ as the Best Local Blogger, I would really appreciate it!!! Love you guys!!

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{{My Guestbook Arrived}}

First I would like to thank you guys for all the lovely comments about my invitations and the magazine nod, you all are so sweet.



A couple weeks ago I received my beautiful guestbook from Shutterfly! I was quite nervous when I ordered it because I wasn't sure of the quality because I have not ordered a book from them before. I have to say that the quality is AMAZING and the price so right for my budget, I used a 30% off code as well as free shipping so I saved about $28. If you ladies are looking to do a different guestbook, consider Shutterfly.

**All pictures are property of MyDreamRing

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