Choices, choices!

You'd think that with all these weeks of being home, I'd have something to show for it on the wedding front.  Alas, nada.  For the past year, I've floated along in a sea of excess time.  Things were too far out to really plan and I had all the time in the world.  I perused blogs and websites for hours discovering every wedding-related idea on earth and gathering inspiration.  On one hand this did help me to develop themes and ideas of what I want.  But not really.

Here in Minnesota, I've found myself awash in choices.  For everything, really.  Limitless brands of salad dressing.  An entire aisle devoted to facewash.  This plethora of options has not been present in my life over the past two years.  On my little island I'm lucky to find facewash at all!

And so it is with wedding planning as well.  It's decision time and I'm reluctant to pull the trigger.  The dress.  The invitations.  The centerpieces.  I have less than two weeks until I'm back on-island so I don't have much more time to dwell.

Next on the list is meeting with our reception venue.  Unlike many places, they don't have set menu options.  This is kind of nice, since they would probably be open to any ideas I have.  In reality, though, it's just more stressful!  I don't know which way to go with the food.  Do I fill out the menu with memory-eliciting comfort food?  Go for laid-back picinic fare?  Add some fun with hotdogs?  Or should I just try to have a nice, elegant menu?  Beats me.  At this point, I just want someone to tell me what to do!

:: links ::

mac & cheese : hot dog : burger : boxed meal : pasta salad : lemonade

Sweet home Minnesota

I know I've been MIA lately, but I promise I have a lot of good excuses!

But let's just get to the point.  I am currently blogging from the other side of the globe.  That's right, I'm home in Minnesota!  We flew back last weekend to see family and, of course, get some wedding planning in.  I'm going to be dress shopping, meeting with the ballroom folks, cake testing (just because), and any other miscellaneous bits of planning I can squeeze in, since the next time I'll be here will be <2 months before the wedding!

I'll try to post as progress is made but my internet connection is less-than-desirable, so we shall see.

For now, I'm signing-off to celebrate the 4th with my family!  I hope it warms up!  I'll leave you with my first inspiration board for tabletops at the reception.

:: links ::

thread tealight directions here : wax votive luminaries directions here : buttons from here

$1 make-up

My future sister-in-law tipped me off to the amazing sale happening right now at E.L.F. (eyes lips face) cosmetics.  Apparently Nordstroms has bought out the line and everything with the e.l.f. logo on it is up for grabs at the stellar price of $1 on their website!  $1 for brushes, eyeliner, blush, eyeshadows, mascara and more!  Plus, you can get $5 off when you spend at least $10.  I'm not really into make-up (as in I wear it a few times a year) but that made it all the more exciting news for me as I can afford to build up my beauty arsenal and try out some new things über-cheap!

Non-matching bridesmaids

Before I was engaged I loved this idea.  In fact, for the past six years since planning my sister's wedding I knew I wanted my bridesmaids to wear something different.  Not different colors entirely, and not different models of the same color dress, but unique styles in the same color spectrum.

I love this.  I would like for my bridesmaids to wear something in yellow - hopefully not in that traditional bridesmaid satin fabric.  I'm thinking cotton, chiffon, or something more along those lines.  Casual, summery, cute and fun.

A few more examples...

Sources: photo 1, photo 2, photo 3, photo 4, photo 5, photo 6

Birthday shoutout

Today is my sister's birthday.  In six days, I will be in Minnesota and will actually get to see her - in person! For the time being, I managed to unearth this (poorly stitched) photo series of her on the day of my college graduation.  It was the first test for the "panorama" feature on a new camera.  Coincidentally, it's one of the only pictures I have of my parent's yard (where we plan to have the ceremony).  In seven days I will be in that yard - how exciting!

I hope you have a wonderful birthday, hermana mia!

Happy father's day!

"The life and love we create is the life and love we live."

Leo Buscaglia

Fun with colors

This is such a fun little tool to try.  You can choose up to 10 colors and the application will pull photos from Flickr to populate your real-life color palette.  Enjoy!