Wednesday, September 30, 2009

Nummy dresses

I'm so easily influenced.  Someone in the blogosphere said "nummy" yesterday, and I'd forgotten what a perfect word that is.

But really.  Never have I actually ever weighed just how crazy would I be to plunk down $3K for a dress, um, just because.  But damn, Giambattista Valli (on Gilt now) -- love.ly.






And less than $3K but still way out of my price range...







Le sigh.

Dress Details


And this groomal is *adorable*! The bowtie and the patterned pants are so precious!


Love Shak #7: Clouds of moss

* Once Wed, feat. Laurie Cinotto of lalalaurie on etsy

Okay, part 2 of the moss love: in my search for moss-covered initials for last week, I came across this beautiful mossy ring pillow, and it had to get its own post. Because it *comes with a tutorial*! I know, usually I am the link queen (I *try* to let the creator keep the credit!) but this post by Sapphire2009 is nearly a year old, and didn't link to the original post on Once Wed. So, just to make sure that the post doesn't get lost, here it is.

***Edit: double woot, I rock! Here's the original post on Once Wed, project created by Laurie Cinotto. But since it's all here, I might as well keep the directions up. And, sidenote: I had no idea that Once Wed had so many rockin projects that also includes cost! That's pure genius right there.

Once Wed, feat. Laurie Cinotto of lalalaurie on etsy


What You’ll Need:
A 5″ x 5″ X 2″ piece of Styrofoam
2 feet ribbon (2″ wide)
3 yards of ribbon (1/4″ wide)
A 6″ x 6″ scrap of fabric
A handful of sphagnum moss
Straight pins
Round-headed corsage pins
A pair of scissors

Instructions
1. Center your fabric face up on the Styrofoam square Fold the fabricedges over sides of the Styrofoam and secure with straight pins. Wrapthe corners neatly and pin. (see figure 1)

2. Turn your Styrofoam over so the fabric side is down. Take yoursphagnum moss and stretch it out across the top of the Styrofoam. Be surethat the moss completely covers the surface. (see figure 2)

3. Cut a length of the skinnier ribbon and run it diagonally across themossed surface. Attach both ends of the ribbons on the sides of theStyrofoam using straight pins. Repeat this process to create a diagonalgrid of ribbon on the top of the pillow.

4. Take your corsage pins and stick them into the points where theribbons intersect on the pillow top. (see figure 4)

5. Turn the pillow on it’s side and pin the end of the wider ribbon inthe center of the side, using your straight pins. (see figure 5)

6. Wrap the ribbon around all four sides, concealing the fabric edges andskinny ribbon tails. Pull it tightly as you go and keep the ribbon edgeslined up with the edges of the pillow. (see figure 5)

7. When you pass your starting point, fold under the ribbon tail and pinit down using your corsage pins. (see figure 6)

8. Trim off any loose moss bits.

9. Cut a 12″ length of the skinnier ribbon and tie it to the corsage pinin the center of the pillow. Attach your rings by tying a bow. (seefigure 7)

What it costs:
Styrofoam square $.90
Ribbon $3.00
Corsage Pins $2
Small bag of moss $1.80
Total = $7.70

PS: L, you know that all you gotta do is tell me what ribbons or pick some out, and I'm totally on this project for ya, right? hee....

Tuesday, September 29, 2009

Chickdowntown Giveaway @ The City Sage

Pretty much, I feel like a variation of one type of jeans style looks good on me -- but I think it'd be *so* awesome to win this giveaway on The City Sage -- cute Current/Elliott boyfriend jeans!  courtesy of Chick Downtown!  Here's what I'd pair with the, well, pair :)...


yes, please (luxe + light)

There are *so* many lovelies out there.








feat. on Sashley





Monday, September 28, 2009

Le sigh {gilt}


 BCBG "Centurian" on Gilt Fuse

Somebody buy this, please.  And then comment + share photos.  Because omg, these even come in real sizes (read: 8, 10, 12!!) -- $171 on Gilt Fuse, normally $360.  Sale ends at 11p tomorrow night!  Gosh darn, why is pay day on the 30th?

Just go ahead and fall out of your chair right now

Because I almost did, I laughed so frickin hard.  In a(n incredibly) good way.



Thank you, Mrs. Mary Jane, for sharing this awesome invite/announcement from The Offbeat Bride -- which rocks, but it's the self-interview that I lovelovelovelovelove + that knocked me off my chair.

Um, Julia, can we be friends?  Except crap, I am not nearly as funny as you.  But I make some kick-ass brownies.  Well, okay, technically they're Duncan Hines or Betty Crocker.  Hmm...

Happy Monday!


I used to sing this to my husband back in the day.  I highly recommend we do this again soon :)

Happy Monday!

Sunday, September 27, 2009

Polyvore-tastic!



yes, pretty pretty please


holy. smokes.  Have y'all ever seen One Hundred Wishes, a stunningly beautiful ribbons + papers + millinery + lovely lovely treasures shop by Andrea Singarella, blog author of Everyday Beauty ?

Gorgeous gorgeous gorgeous.  Velvet ribbon, what?  Wait a second, ruffled velvet ribbon?  Dupioni silk ribbon? Paper lace?  Cute charms?  Be still my beating heart. 



And isn't that shop just so cute? That background + the silhouettes are *so* precious!  Le sigh.

Saturday, September 26, 2009

Le Sigh (courtesy of Life)

Lisa Larsen./Time & Life Pictures/Getty Images

Dreamiest wedding *ever*, right? Le sigh.

Thank you, Life, and Lisa Larsen.




Trying to reign in the spending

So. I sort of accidentally won this ebay auction. Because I'd lost the other ones, so I thought I'd lose this one. And at $24 + shipping of like $7, what a steal!



Um, and I think I really really like this one.  My bust fits (finally!) but damn, that waist is *tiny!*  So, we're working on that, because...


Um I think this is the perfect church/convalidation ceremony dress.  I know, I know, there's that pesky question of how I really feel about the church.  And I'm trying to work on that.  Because, we're not as close as we used to be.  And... I mean, I maintained my faith and devotion all through college.  But... for some other reasons I'd rather not go into here, I've... been doing some avoidance.  I say it's because I haven't found a Home -- like, college was Home, St. Mary's was incredible.

And my dad has pointed out that, growing up, he & my mom took us to a church about a 25 minute drive away.  That's pretty long, considering another Catholic church was right down the road from us. So, maybe I just need to try a little harder to find my new Home.

And... I've recently worked out with a friend... I mean, it's not like I'm holding Him responsible for this event that happened.  Although... maybe I am. But there's nothing... not like prayer won't help, but I know there's only so much He can do.  I could go into, "Yes, through Him, all things are possible," but ... I know He gives us free will, so He is limited, to an extent.

Anyway.  Not to give myself a deadline.  But wouldn't it be lovely to be able to get married in the church on, well, a nice round number :)?  Like, oh, five years of marriage?  And I know I shouldn't -- and I know I don't want to -- just get married in the church so I can have another wedding.  Because, not like I don't think I've already committed myself to the Hubs forever, but in the Church -- I mean, that's not law, you know? That's not just legal stuff, made by man.  And nor are our feelings, and I don't mean to put anyone's civil ceremonies down, or anything like that.  But you involve God -- it shouldn't just be an excuse to throw a party, you know?  You're inviting Him in, and I'm sure it might amuse Him to see all the pretties around and everything, but uh I bet He's got other things going on, right?

Anyway.  But... I think I've found it.  The dress, that is.  Which puts me, well, one more step on solid ground, where I feel comfortable.  Maybe that sounds ridiculous, but I feel like I need to get as comfortable as possible, that if I knock out all the distractions, pretty soon, I'll have nothing left but... well, my thoughts and feelings on what's causing this riff. Rift? whatevs.

Anyway, back to a lighthearted note:  and I also saw this crazy crazy huge headband at Arden B.


 omg, I love it.  It's so crazy big + over the top.  And um I think it would look *phenomenal* with that vintage, old-lady lookin dress that's so conservative yet chic to me :)  But it is BIG.  BUT only $24!! le sigh.  I'll keep you updated, hee, if you've made it this far :D

Friday, September 25, 2009

Friday Love

mmm, yes please



So, I know I'm an emotional eater, and I'm trying to work on that.  But mmmm, this sooo looks like something I need right now. 

Week's Lovelies

Honestly, I came across too too too many lovelies this week to refrain from sharing!  Just a sampling...



  • This beautifully fun fabric in the Dolce collection by Tanya Wendelken featured on decor8.









  • And who am I kidding, *everything* here on decor8 of Homes & Gardens.




    • The beautiful romanticism in these photos by Duston Todd, featured by Snippet & Ink. (Okay, you know it's the lace that's getting me, and the total Cinderalla-/Southern Belle-esque dress, I *love* it!!)










    feat.vanka, designed for Lucky Me!


  • Thursday, September 24, 2009

    so what i need right now


    Note to Self

    Any of you ever feel like writing yourself a little pep-talk-note?




    Dear Self:

    Oooookay.  So, we may have looked at our schedule ... a little incorrectly.  Maybe "Brief due on 9/28" along with "Objections due on 9/24" didn't quite register as "due Monday after Thursday deadline, and you don't work on Fridays."

    But that's okay.

    We can do this.

    We don't have to have a work party on Saturday, we *can* avoid the office.

    Go Cara, You can do it!  The flowers are an advance for the fabulous afternoon/night/maybe early Friday morning-but-that's-it! of work :)


    xoxoxo,
    me.