Save the Date!

ok, because I wasn't able to do the engagement photoshoot until late, it was too late to do get awesome postcard Save The Date Cards/magnets I had planned printed and mailed, so we're doing an e-savethedate! It's green-er anyways, right?
(I am not dissapointed. I am not dissapointed)

Anyways, hardcopy or not, I think they came out nice.
coming soon to an inbox near you.

bridal shower invitations have gone out

My shower will be Sunday, Sept. 5th, at Alyson's house in South Austin.
It's a lingerie shower, so I am nervous. eeeeek!
Bring on the awkwardness!


After the shower we will all head over to the Meatheads Luau in Dripping Springs.

Mittens? Seriously, who puts mittens on their party favors?!?

I ordered the clauddagh on these matchbooks, but recieved mittens. The Knot has good customer service though, they are sending out a corrected set, and I get to keep these.

Now, what to do with 100 personalized mitten matchbooks?

Cake Topper Search over??

ok, so this isn't exactly what I was going for, but I think this may totally work. My buddies Lloyd and Elizabeth have a booth at City-Wide and I saw this little ceramic heart shaped container, with a lid with the cutest little birds on top. So, as it stands now, sitting on top of the cake will be these little birds sitting on a heart.

I will keep my eyes out still, but this is a pretty rad fall-back option...

Engagement Shoot!

Today we had an amazing photoshoot!

The wonderful and talented Stephanie donated her time and expertise to take our Engagement Photos Saturday, Aug. 7.

We started on top of this cliff overlooking the lake, 360 Bridge, and an amazing view of downtown Austin. Then we headed over to the spot where we got engaged and shot a little and told the story. Another short car trip later we stopped at this nursery I LOVE on 360 and 2244 (Bee Caves) and used their amazing space as a backdrop for some pretty cute shots.

Lastly we headed down to South Congress and had lunch at Zen and visited/shot about 4 more spots of significance to us.

It was a really great day and I could not be more happy or excited with the way they turned out...

Wedding Season

So today my friends Tim and Sara were married in a beautiful church.

Afterwards we all poured into The Brixton, an Eastside bar.
Fiance looks mad sexy all dressed up. The jacket and tie have come off, but not the hotness.

Here's proof.

Hired the band!!

sooooo, it's official. The Modern Don Juans are going to be playing the reception!
(pause for girl squeal)
eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaakkkkkkkkkkkkkk

seriously, I am soooooooo excited. This is a brand new group, but filled with SUPER Talented guys who have been in some of the best modern rockabilly bands on the scene. They are:
Tony Estrada (Star Mountain Dreamers)
Bobby Trimble (Big Sandy & his Fly Rite Boys)
Tjarko Jeen (Ronnie Dawson)
Todd Wulfmeyer (Marti Brom & her Jet Tone Boys).

I can't wait to dance. I even got a second dress and shoes optimized for the dance floor! I've included links to a few video's below...
(if they're aren't there I am having problems and will have to fix later. Just type in "Modern Don Juans in google or YouTube)




I am still a little bummed about not being able to also afford to get The Bellfuries. Maybe wait for an anniversary party...

BACHELORETTE PARTY! plans now in the works

I am sooooo not trying to have a "typical" anything (shower, wedding, etc) and this goes to my bachelorette party as well. I have told my gals, with ALL joking aside, I *do not* want a downtown-bar-hopping-drunk-fest with penis straws, condom veils, etc etc. We'll leave that to the tacky sorority girls and twenty-somethings.

What I *do* want is am amazing weekend with some of my best girl friends. The plan is to have a really good time doing some of my favorite things.

So I have decided:
Day 1. Kick around 2-3 wineries tasting wine.
Check into our hotel or B&B, and go out to a nice dinner.
That night go to Gruene Hall for some Honky Tonk fun and dancing.

Day 2. go TUBING! I want to use Beztek’s and do the “long float”

To top it off, we have it planned for the weekend before my birthday!
The Weekend of SEPT 25/26. Let me know if you want in on the fun!

the never ending Cake Topper Search

ok, so I have been looking online (etsy/ebay/etc) and at estate/garage sales, antique stores, thrift stores, city-wide, etc etc (EVERYWHERE) since May trying to find cute but unique cake toppers and am still coming up empty. If anything I can find ONE of something, but not a match/similar item to have two...

Here are the latest I found/bought this weekend at City-Wide.
The first is a bird, which is the perfect size and shape, but I could only find one...


The next is a vintage figurine. I looked high and low for a vintage male figurine for D, but either they are the wrong scale, or wrong style.
UGH, this is frustrating...

Thank goodness I ordered my dress a size down!

HCG and Dr. Simeons protocol was a challenge and a sacrifice, but what a reward!

Tiny Abercrombie shorts I haven't been able to wear since 2006.

Got my dress(es)!

ok, so obviously I can't post a picture of the actual ceremony dress on here. Sooooo, I will post some cute veil pics instead!

His Ring

We wanted a simple ring, but more than just a plain band. I found these awesome and affordable bands on Overstock.

I bought the same design in a couple different metals so that he could try them on and decide which felt better and would be the safest and last. In the end we decided to keep both. He'll wear the lighter one in the summer (and working with his hands) and the other the rest of the time.

Dress Shopping with the girls

Yesterday I went dress shopping with MoH-A and BM-S and it was [mostly] awesome!

It was at Alfred Angelo, and I liked the girl we had helping us (Jordan). I tried on maybe 5 or 6 dresses, and I found a strapless taffeta one I really liked, but I kept thinking about a couple of the ones I loved at David's, and some I had seen online. What I didn't liek was the super high pressure, make a decision NOW! put money down NOW! If there's any thing I can say for David's, they didn't do that...

Anyways, here's a few pics of what I tried on...

Passports!!

This morning we applied for our passports!

It was easy breezy here in the ATX, just headed up to the main post office, turned in some forms, paid some money and swore that we were US Citizens and whatever else.

YAY! Mexico here we come!

I am marrying a shoe whore

specifically a converse whore. There are only 7 pictured here, but trust me, there are more...

wonder if we could get them to sponsor the wedding...

Wedding Party

ok, I was up laaaaaate last night playing around on the David's Bridal website, and ended up creating a mockup of the wedding party. I then brought it into photoshop this morning and customized it a bit more. It's not really that accurate, people aren't in the right order and the dresses probably won't be the ones chosen in the end, but still, rad, no?!

More Dresses

Last night I had an appointment to try on dresses at another shop. I have to say, I found 4 dresses I LOVE. I have heard some say, when you see the dress, “you’ll know.” Umm… nope.
Typical Libra, I am indecisive as hell. I can see any of the four in my pics, going down the aisle, etc. but especially two of them. I still want to go to one more store and then decide if I am going to buy retail from a store, or buy online for cheaper - scary ‘cause you can’t try on. And maybe it’s time to get the gals to go with me to help me decide…

Crafty Flowers

Several weeks ago (right after I was engaged) I saw the most amazing thing in RealSimple Weddings, a button boutonniere. It looked so charming and different I thought I’d be awesome to add to my projects and have the guys wear these instead of flowers.
So after the car show, trying on dresses and going to the Renegade Craft Fair on Saturday I was tired and desperate to get off my feet, but inspired. So last week I had ordered a much of buttons from Etsy, and they had all come in Wednesday and Thurs, so I was dying to begin my project. After searching forever, I finally found the floral wire I had bought forever ago and began the tedious task of sorting buttons. After coming up with several “flower” compositions I started putting them together.

I still have some more to go, but the majority are done. Look right for my handiwork.
These will be bundled together in clusters of 5 for the groomsmen, fathers, and ring bearer…

Dress Shopping at Unbridaled

Saturday after going to the little car show at Ginny's I pick up MoH-A and we went to a cute local bridal boutique, Unbridaled, to start looking at dresses. I was very excited specifically to try on dresses by Stephanie James. Unfortunately, as cute as I think tea length looks on others (and I see in pics of other's weddings) it just didn't feel "special" enough to me. The dresses look and felt like the vintage and repro dresses I already wear to Viva Las Vegas, Rockabilly Rave, or just to a local show.

I feel like there are only a few times in your life you can wear a big elaborate ball gown, so I think this is where I am headed...

bought my wedding band

So D and I went to the Macy's "Sip and Scan" event tonight night to start our registry (by the way, when you label an event "Sip and Scan" and put a chick holding a glass of wine/champagne on the invite, it is pretty much a HUGE disappointment that the only thing to "sip" is punch...) and after we turned in our scanner and picked up our goodie-bag we decided to head into the mall. I have seen these little channel set diamond bands advertised and wanted to take a look and try them on in person.

The intention was really JUST a first look, get an idea as to what carat weight and band width looked best with the engagement ring, see how the different diamonds and metals looked next to each other, etc etc. So after being really annoyed at the sales lady for making me wait about 5 minutes before coming over to unlock the cases and show me the rings, and dismayed by their limited selection, I was pretty much ready to go. She said, ok if you’ll hold on a second, let me go check the back, I may have something back there that I think may be what you’re looking for. So she comes back with a band that I do like, but like I said, I wasn’t really looking to purchase right this second. She takes out her calculator and plays with the price, quoting me approx 45% off the sticker price (typical part of "the game"). So I asked about the sizing (knowing that it isn’t included) because all “stock” rings come in 7, and she says she’ll throw it in. So then I asked if it is Rh plated and she said yes. Still looking for an out I said, well, thanks, what I really want is a palladium band to match, I don’t want to have to pay to get this plated every few years. She THEN informs me that what she is throwing in is actually a Lifetime Service for the ring which includes cleanings, re-sizing, inspections and repairs (including replacing diamonds if they should fall out), and Rh plating. All unlimited for the life of the ring! I said, ummmm SOLD!

So I am excited! I got a great deal on the ring, it looks good with my engagement ring and by itself, and I don’t have to worry about the expense of lifetime maintenance.

6 year anniversary

6 years ago, on May 8th, I met this fella at The Business show at Gypsy Tea Room. I immediately was attracted to the tattooed blonde but it wasn't until we started talking that I became interested.

But never would I have imagined that that one day I'd marry the guy for whom I bought a beer and later got backstage to hang out with Micky Fitz from The Business.

The picture above is from the night we met, backstage hanging out during Tiger Army's set. This pictue below is 6 years from that day, and we were fortunate enough to have wonderful friends to get us into The Rockabilly Revival to see Jerry Lee Lewis.

first personalized items arrive!

So after almost ordering items several times at work (hesitated because one: I couldn’t decide which color combo to go with - Chartreuse and Midnight Blue, or Slate Blue and Crimson, and two, I wanted D’s input as to the designs I had chosen) I finally ordered (4/23) and the items came in today!!! I received the 100 Luncheon Napkins (see below), 100 Beverage Napkins, and 100 matchbooks. The napkins (both sets) are PERFECT! The matchbooks color is a little off (a little more purple-y that I was hoping), but it’s ok, I am excited!

(Note: The red is a nice deep red foil. The camera captured the light reflecting off, which makes it appear much "hotter" than it is.)

Booked the Venue!

I found a venue!

With a 10-10-10 wedding date, only 6 months to plan, and a very limited budget, finding a spot for our wedding & reception has been DIFFICULT! But, I found a spot available, that allows your own caterer/food and alcohol and booked it!

It is a big old house with an upstairs balcony with stairs leading down to a giant wraparound deck with a covered patio, dance floor and bandstand and then a giant yard with a few old oak trees. The owner of the place is an awesome guy I am excited I finally found a spot at a reasonable price, THAT IS STILL AVAILABLE!

Once my wedding is complete and if everything goes well venue wise, I will give reviews for this place and help promote him. This is a spot recommended to me by GM-R, I would have NEVER found it otherwise. It hasn’t been suggested or written up on ANYTHING I can find, doesn’t come up with google searches, and doesn’t even have any yelp or citysearch reviews.

Colors Chosen

FINALLY DECIDED ON COLORS!

OK, after much MUCH debate I have finally decided on the colors.
I had almost decided last week and started ordering stuff, but I held off. After e-mailing by BM-J and explaining my dilemma she helped me to finally make a decision. It was between Chartreuse & Midnight Blue and Slate Blue & Crimson. I can totally envision both, and am in LOVE with both color combinations. BUT, chose Slate and Crimson!

Engagement Story

3-31-2010

It is D’s birthday and I had asked him the week before where he wanted to go for dinner. I gave him a few ideas/options. Surprisingly he chose this Asian/Sushi restaurant near my office, so I made reservations for 7 pm. So after work we get dressed and head out to Dragon Gate By Phoenix. We have a nice dinner of Edamame, Sushi, Seared Ahi Tuna, and a few Kirins and some Sake.

As we are heading home D suggests we stop at this lookout spot near the restaurant on 360. (Note: This is the spot that I drive past everyday on my way to work and always EVERY day I take the time to look to the right and enjoy the amazing view. I had just taken D’s parents there the weekend before when they were in town for his birthday, when he learned I loved the spot and decided this was where he wanted to do it.) I said “sure, I have never seen it at night!” So we pull in and park (2 other cars there). I sit on the stone wall, he doesn’t sit next to me but instead stands behind me and puts his arms around me while we enjoy the view of downtown through the ravine. Eventually I turn around to face him and after some kissin’ and huggin’ I ask him if he had a good birthday. He tells me there WAS still one thing that he really wanted for his birthday. Then he drops down to one knee and pulls a box out of his pocket and says “for you to be my wife.” So after asking if he were sure/serious, and some crying and squealing, I said YES!

And now I wear his beautiful ring.
A Diamond and Palladium engagement ring from Americus.

It was hard to keep it under wraps, D assumed I wouldn’t even wait until we got home to FB it. But I decided it would be nice to keep it to ourselves for the first night. On the way home we stopped by the store and I picked up a bottle of champagne. We each drank a couple glasses, talked, and then went up to bed. Then the next day I didn’t want to announce/post it on April Fool’s Day. I didn’t want A-Holes thinking I was pulling a prank (like I would joke about it at this point). So I just called my parents and my grandparents. My friend and I even sent messages back and forth planning on going shopping for something to wear to RoundUp, and it was SO HARD not to tell...

On 4/2 I announce on FB for all to see, and tell a few co-workers.

Engaged!

on D's Birthday, 3-31-2010