ok, so my wedding will be a little trendy

Because.... we're having a candy buffet!
and it's going to be the yummy kind. No color coordination, no excess decorations...just bunches of rainbow candy goodness.

I had never heard of a candy buffet (or a candy bar, as I keep saying to everyone's confusion), until I entered the world of wedding blogging. Now I can't imagine my wedding without it!

Here are some of my inspiration shots (all taken from the Flickr Candy Buffet photo pool)

Last night, aunt jet and I made a mock set up before we pack up the containers for the attic. I'm running out of storage space! Here's a photo of the set up I'm planning at this point, though we may add a piece or two.



Now, the best part, how much this set up is costing me....are you ready?

Every single piece on the table was purchased from a thrift store or borrowed from a relative.
The total cost of all the containers is less than $50!

I can't stop thinking about weddings

I work in human resources. A big part of my job is recruiting, which means I get to see lots of applications every day. Usually it's very boring and I process them as quickly as possible to get them off my desk.... But yesterday, an application came to my desk and I almost gasped in jealousy. This girl had the most beautiful handwriting I had ever seen. It was impeccable. As i flipped through the pages I couldn't even read what her application said I was so mesmerized by the perfection of her handwriting.

That moment, I thought--"If this girl doesn't get hired, I'm going to hire her as my calligrapher!"

I might ask her, even if my company does hire her. I wish I could show you the beautiful hand-writing, but it's all confidential :-(

This just proves to me that I think about weddings waay too much. :-)

In other news, I was given this award by HisMrs @ Blushing Bride Bulletin, Elizabeth @ Love and Marriage, Trisha @ Fall Wedding Bride

Thank you ladies! I love reading your blogs :-)

"These blogs are exceedingly charming. These kind bloggers aim to find and be friends. They are not interested in self-aggrandizement. Our hope is that when the ribbons of these prizes are cut, even more friendships are propagated. Please give more attention to these writers. Deliver this award to eight bloggers who must choose eight more and include this cleverly-written text into the body of their award"

I think every blog I would've given this award to has already received it many times. If you haven't received it yet, please take it and pass on the love. I love you all, bloggers!

Post about my busy weekend to come soon. :-)

Inspiration [Fridays]

Can't get enough of the yummy whites and greens and the light and lush hydrangeas. This board made me stop wishing for fall, and wish for spring!

Garden Hydrangeas by Snippet and Ink

Have a fantastic weekend. Mine's going to be a busy one, and I hope to come back with a big fat picture post of....well, you'll see. Here's a little taste:

How shall we seat you?

The other week I was at Aunt Jet's brainstorming about place cards. My first requirement was no tented placecards! This ruled out a plain table with rows displayed, and the ribbon board idea.

Here was some of my original inspiration:

Tags

Mini Logs

Pin Board

Wheat Grass

As we pulled into the driveway after our quick trip to JoAnn's and OfficeMax, i noticed their garbage can filled to overflowing with thin branches from Uncle Jet's apple and pear tree pruning. Hot Dog; an idea! We could cut the branches into small sections, slit the tops and use them to display the placecards!

Aunt Jet had already created a mockup of brown felt on foam, covered in moss...these little sticks will be the perfect addition.

here is Aunt Jet working hard cutting the slits with a paring knife!

and the almost-finished product! (we'll be using a brown satin ribbon-not the organza picture here, and a thicker ivory card stock)

Then, just a few days ago, Jess at Project: 10K Wedding posted about placecard ideas and my idea (which I was thought was totally orginal and groundbreaking, of course!) was on there.

Here is a picture which displays the idea perfectly! ( we probably won't use a centerpiece or florals, just some more votives)

What do you think?

a little detail

Hi bloggers! I'm back from Cali and while I hat being back to single digit temperatures, I'm ready to dive back into wedding projects full force.

Have I ever mentioned that I LOVE thrifting?

Thrifting: The act of shopping at thrift stores, resale shops, flea markets and garage sales to find the best things for the best deals!

I was browing through the jewelry counter at a local thrift store the other weeks and saw this broken pin.



Then an idea came to me. I'm going to have the seamstress attached it to the skirt of my dress (I can't pin it because the pin portion has broken off the back).
Because my skirt is gathered on the left side at my hip, this will be the perfect little accent.

Isn't it just too cute? I've got lots of other thrift store find to be posted soon!

What wedding items have you found in unexpected places?

Just the things I love

As you are reading this, I am probably on a plane to Cali for a [short] long weekend with my love. This will likely be my last trip to California as a fiancee! Although fihates taking pictures, I hope to come back with at least a few. We have no exciting plans(except for V-day!) Some apartment searching if we feel like it, and maybe work on the wedding music. Otherwise I hope to relax, even if the forecast is 56 and raining!


Here's something to hold you over:
I was tagged with the letter "J" by Sarah at Downtown Southern , so here goes!

Jam (the homemade strawberry kind)

source

Jiliberto's Mexican Food. A hole-in-the wall to beat them all in hubby's hometown of Escondido. We usually share the carne asada fries...which, while heart-attack inducing, are absolutely out of this world.

There is no possible way to make this meal look appetizing to you, so just take my word for it.

source

Jogging. I don't know what the difference is between jogging and running, but I love them both! I've been know to have a much better habit of it, (wedding planning's been taking up every evening!) But when the weather hits about 45, I can be found jogging out in the streets with my ipod nano and nike plus.

source

June! Simple for the fact that it will soon my wedding anniversary month and I've been counting down until this month for the last 4! I can't wait for June!!

Journalism. Little known fact: just last year I was the editor in chief of my student newspaper. I love reading small town papers (ok, and critiquing them). I don't read the Tribune as often as I should, but maybe that's for the better. After student newspapers, the "real life" news kind of goes downhill (read: is depressing).

source

Java. Ok, i love coffee. you knew I had to get it in there somehow.

source

Jazz. I have a little bit of a closet love the for Herbie Hancock and the gang.

source

The easiest DIY project!

Check out Mrs. Peach's awesome DIY tutorial for these pew decor prisms. I saw this picture and feel in love with it!...especially because I plan to use a lot of baby's breath for my ceremony decor (shout out to HisMrs, who's also a baby's breath bride!) I'm planning to use baby's breath in some galvanized pails at the front of the church..and this will be the perfect accent!

These looked SO easy and beautiful, I was excited to start on them last night. I purchased ivory cardstock and use an 8.5 x 11 for each prism. I planned on buying the ribbon and finishing last night, but Joann's only had 1.5 inch and 3/8 inch sage ribbon, and I wanted 1 inch or 7/8.

Here's me and aunt jet putting them together...it seriously took about 15 minutes!

.

2nd reception dress

I've gotten varying opinions about this, but I wanted to see what you bloggers think:

Should I wear my wedding dress for my 2nd reception in Cali (a month after the wedding)
or
buy a fun white party dress?

The reception is more of a dinner party set up with 80-100 people and it's being held outdoors. I won't know 90% of the people, and I want to dress appropriately, but still bride-ly (that cannot be a word!)

I found Amanda Archer's dresses via Etsy and I was amazed. can you imagine these cute little numbers (all in white)!

White Cotton Dress

Pleated Collar Dress

Pleated Dress

the cutest stationery

2009_2_10 001, originally uploaded by Latte Love.

I found this adorable stationery line at Office Max while shopping with Aunt Jet last night! I'd send a link to it, but it looks like Office Max only allows access to their catalog with a login, which I didn't want to make! (I know the picture is terrible, but the packaging was so plastic-y and reflective and I couldn't find any photos online)

I'm a sucker for cheap, cute stationery, even though I never use it! Would you?

PS. lots of DIY goodness to come...I hate to post up half-done projects, so I've been waiting, but things are finally starting to come along...and I'll be back to normal blogging!

today feels like a no-wedding day

Today is National Wear Red Day. In honor of Heart Health Month, millions of men and women are supporting heart health by wearing red today. I am in charge of the wellness intiative at work and I've been promoting this all week.

The irony? I hate red! Like hate it, with a deep loathing passion. (I don't mean to offensive, just explanatory) I certainly I have no red in my wardrobe, except a paint-covered tshirt. So I pinned a red paper heart to my shirt in order to not be a total hypocrite.

ooh, blackberry. why do I look so tired?!

I need a day off from all things wedding. Tonight I'm going to clean my disasterous bedroom, do about 4 loads of laundry, watcha movie and get 10 hours of sleep.

Tomorrow I will work on invitation wording, purchase paper and start making table runners. or another day.

so instead, here is this:
USING ONLY ONE WORD!
Copy and change the answers to suit you and pass it on. It's really hard to only use one word answers.
1. Where is your cell phone? close
2. Your significant other? far
3. Your hair? awkward
4. Your mother? different
5. Your father? wise
6. Your favorite thing? ring
7. Your dream last night? scary!
8. Your favorite drink? latte
9. Your dream/goal? happiness
10. What room are you in? office
11. Your hobby? blogging
12. Your fear? moving
13. Where do you want to be in 6 years? (location, or state of being?) Mommy.
14. Where were you last night? movie
16. Muffins? depends
17. Wish list item? DSLR
18. Where you grew up? home
19. Last thing you did? potty
20. What are you wearing? jeans
21. Your TV? lack
22. Your pets? future
23. Friends? close
24. Your life? lonely
25. Your mood? ready
26. Missing someone? lots
27. Car? rattles
28. Something you're not wearing? jewelry
29. Your favorite store? express?
30. Your favorite color? green
33. When is the last time you laughed? yesterday
34. Last time you cried? yesterday
35. Who will resend this? others
36. One place that I go to over and over? shower
37. One person who emails me regularly? AJ
38. My favorite place to eat? Panini
39. Why you participated in this survey? break
40. What are you doing tonight? laundry!

And also, because Hannah sent me these questions:

1. If you were stuck with one dessert for the rest of your life, what would it be? (You would get other "regular" food too, of course): Blondie (from applebees...and it's the only thing I like there!)
2. What's your perfect weekend-getaway? depends on with whom. Future hubby? Cabin in the woods and a double sleeping bag!
3. What item on your registry to you want the most, and why? Dyson Vaccuum. Do i even need to explain?
4. Have you ever heard of a Chi-Weeny? If not, can you guess what it is? Yes, Chihuahua Daschund. but not for me! I'm a midsize/big doggy person.
5. Plain-white, chocolate, or strawberry milk? plain, 2%

Here are the directions:

1. Leave me a comment & your e-mail address saying, "Interview me." If you dare.
2. I will respond by emailing you five questions. (I get to pick the questions).
3. You will update your blog with the answers to the questions.
4. You will include this explanation and an offer to interview someone else in the same post.
5. When others comment asking to be interviewed, you will ask them five questions. (you get to choose the questions.)

reception flower

I'd have never thought I'd be a girl to wear a flower in her hair. I mean, ever.

But with a short hairstyle that I'll likely wear down for the wedding, I'd love to add this little beauty for the reception from Etsy seller, Twisted Vintage.

It's the perfect size (not too huge!) And get this, it's only $15!

just dropping in to say...

You can now welcome Weddingbee's newest Hive Hostess! That's right, me!
I was chosen to be the hostess of the Money $-) and the Chicago boards on Weddingbee, so if you don't already spend half your work day there, you should go check out the wonderfully informative boards and fabulous blogs and start some discussions of your own!

That certainly brightened up my crazy and kind of discouraging work day!

What's making you smile today?

the dress, part 2

Hi, my name is Katie, and I can be very scatterbrained. I just realized I never finished the saga of my wedding dress! (Part 1) But first...

Dear E,
If you click on the photo links in this post, you will be sorry. Not only will you not be surprised on our wedding day, I will probably have your hide. So do us both a favor, and don't peak.
I love you!
Katie

All photos in this post are linked in order to protect the anonymity of said wedding dress from inquiring fiance eyes.

When I last left this story, I had signed the contract for a seamstress to make my dress...a strapless dress I had convinced myself I liked. But something was missing. After the craziness of the holidays, I started going through the pictures of my dress shopping experiences, andI found the first dress I tried on with my mom and sisters.
I will always remember the look on my mom's face as I came out of the dressing room in a Casablanca 1831, 8 sizes too big, and stepped in front of the mirrors. She was crying!

I felt gorgeous in this dress, and looked so happy. Here is Sis K2 taking a photo of me in the dress.

But I had some concerns.
First the beading. If you look closely in the designer pic (the first link) you can see the little crystals scattered all over the bodice. This was a bid no-no for me and it was hard to look past.

Second, the back! Oh, i just couldn't get over how ugly the back of the dress was. The straps didn't seem to fit with the style of the front, I thought they looked like bra straps and the back was SO plain.

Thirdly, the buttons. Now, I don't hate buttons. In fact, a lot of the time I like buttons. But not only did they go down the back of the bodice, the back of the whole dress...they went the length of the train!

At the time, I couldn't get over my issues with the dress, but now that I was having the dress custom made, I couldn't imagine wearing anything but a v-neck.

So, 6 weeks after signing my contract with the seamstress I gave her a frantic call, explaining the situation and my change of heart and begging her to see what she could do to change the style of the neckline, back and bodice (I liked the strapless dress' skirt best) She had already started cutting the material and sewing the dress! She asked for some pictures which I promptly emailed to her, and then I spent the next hour refreshing my email to hear her response. It was worth the wait.

"Hi Katie,
I looked at the pictures, this should be fine to make these changes, I just have to recut a few things. How low do you want the back to be?
Thanks,
R"

What?! I was in shock. I knew this woman was a master seamstress, but this was unbelievable to me. And no extra cost? I owe this woman big time.

I sent her the following pictures for inspiration for the back of the dress

Back 1
Back 2
Back 3

Soooo much better than the back on the Casablanca!

Her response:

"Sounds good, I will probably start those changes on Monday or Tuesday, I have to finish up some stuff for [a local high school's] Homecoming. Let me know if you think of any other changes before then.
Have a good weekend,
R"

In other words--don't change your mind again, bridezilla!

But I couldn't be happier with my decision and I can't wait to see the dress finished!!

Designer photos: source 1, source 2