Inspiration Shops

Inspiration shops strikes when you least expect it. 

I've been tossing around ideas for our photo booth backdrop for months now. 

First, I wanted something textured and monochromatic, like this:  

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That idea didn't last too long because I crave color.  So I looked for something that combined color and texture and I found this:

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And after a couple days of crepe paper streamers and ribbon, I moved on.  Maybe I didn't need texture.  Maybe I need something that could withstand the rockin' reception we plan on throwing.  Because I have a feeling some of our friends would be a little too tempted to manhandle the backdrop if we had many tactile temptations, if you know what I mean.

So that left me with color. 

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Gorgeous, bold, and simple.  That backdrop is actually made of fabric from Ikea!  I liked it well enough, but I got busy with a bunch of other tasks on my list and the backdrop went to the back of my mind.  

Just the other day, I stopped into the local Kate Spade boutique and it hit me.

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Stripes!  Striking, festive, and much more "me" than a super busy pattern. (even though the rose wallpaper on the side would also make a gorgeous backdrop).  

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And have I ever mentioned my affinity for shiny things?  Because I love the reflective gold.  And chances are, no one will be wearing this pattern (just my luck--someone shows up in a gold and white cabana striped ensemble) so it won't compete too much with our guests' outfits.  


Yes!  This idea might get tweaked a bit, but only a bit.  I'm sticking to you shiny gold stripes--this is officially on my DIY list.


Are you going to have a photo booth at your reception?  Are you going to create your own backdrop?

Happy (and soggy) Friday!

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Rain.  It's become a four letter word to me (I know, it technically is a four letter word).   The "It-That-Must-Not-Be-Named" for our wedding. 


But on a gray and rainy day like today, I can't help but be thankful for Wellies.  

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And as I come to terms with the fact that I can't control everything on on our wedding day (or in life), I find myself admiring pictures like these.  Pictures that are beautiful despite, or maybe because of, the rain.  

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So here's to the rain: may it stay far, far away on our wedding day.  And if it decides to pay us a visit, may we remember to keep our Wellies on hand, along with our good spirits. 

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Cheers! And happy (soggy) Friday!

J Cray Cray: Final Thoughts

You can read part one here.

All my bridesmaids have purchased their dresses!

Lil $is, Big Sis, and Cuz will be wearing the Erica dress, in warm pebble.  

BMs Yazzi Fresh, KuBee, Lisee-Pie, and Step-on-Me will be wearing the following in Spiced Wine:

Aveline, Blakely, Sydney, and Arabelle (pictured from left to right).

So, if I step back and put them all together I have a bridal posse that will look something like this:  

I love it!

But I didn't always love it, so here goes.  

I wrote this post a couple times, and I couldn't get it right.  Thinking that the visual aid would help me write this out, I waited until all my ladies purchased their dresses.  And it's still hard to put myself back in the moment when I felt so upset over the bridesmaids dresses.  

And I can't say that bridesmaids dresses don't matter to me anymore.  Of course they do.  I've asked the women I love most in the world to buy a pretty dress and stand up with me when I get married.  That purchase matters!  But, I've come to realize perfection doesn't.  At least not in the way I thought of it before.  Perfection to me was in the beautiful images that I've seen across the blogosphere.  The perfection I get to have, is that they are all going to be there in the way that makes them happy.  And that is what I wanted to begin with!  I wanted that more than I wanted the perfect picture of mismatched, smiling bridesmaids.  

(I'm sure you ladies are lovely, but my posse is better.)

I wanted everyone to be happy.  And so, I have to say that I regret ever getting upset that three of my bridesmaids got the same dress, no matter what their reasons were.  And that's a tough thing for me to admit.  Regret is something I try my best to avoid at all costs!  But, I had my bridal blinders on and I didn't see what I should have:  everyone is happy with what they got and what they got makes them feel beautiful!  

And you know what?  THAT is perfect to me.  As long as I have my ladies by my side, as they are, the perfect picture is inevitable.

Have you had moments where your "bridal blinders" got you in trouble?  Did you have to change your perspective at any point in your planning process?  

Have You Seen This?

Have you guys seen this?

Too cute (and too smart).  File this under: where do kids get these things?


Anyway, just thought I'd share for anyone looking for a laugh. 




Enjoy! 


-Mich

When Left to My Own Devices...

I dreaded registering for presents.  I avoided it.  Not only did I not have any desire to register on my own, but I had no idea where to start!  So I decided to take my time, and ask the experts (i.e., friends and family--thanks guys!).  


To test the waters, I created our first wedding registry on Amazon.com.    

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And I discovered that I have an eye for the most useful, sensible items.  Wanna see?  Here are some of my favorite "essentials" off our Amazon registry.  

Totally practical! Let's take a closer look:

1.  Cobalt blue glasses - the most gorgeous color and they're well made.  Perfect for sipping iced tea.

2. Rest in Grease spoon rest, by Fishs Eddy - Because I want to begin my collection of Fishs Eddy products that I will call "One of Everything in the store," or "One of Everything" for short.

3.  Fishs Eddy Brooklyneese "Cawfee" cups - Um, yes please.  

4.  White marble pastry board - Because a. I have every intention of baking like a madwoman and b. I couldn't register for white marble countertops.

5. Dirt Devil Rechargable Hand Vac in Spice - because it's the best choice to pick up any pet hair left behind by my little Ollie.  Obviously.

6.  Polka Dot Dish Towel, Fishs Eddy - no kitchen is complete without one!

I realized that I stink at being practical, so to throw people off my scent I registered for some cookbooks!  They are all really common sense guides that I will (hopefully) get some use from.  What you don't see here is that I registered for about ten cookbooks to begin with, and I painfully narrowed it down to these four.  (7, 8, 9, 10)

Then I got back to registering for home decor, which is more important to me than most kitchen appliances (read: execpt for the KitchenAid Stand mixer). 

11.  Mojito Kit - I make a mean mojito, true story.  And I've wanted a wooden muddler for a while.  A must have for entertaining, am I right?

12.  Coop Bowl, CB2 - A lobster red bowl made of chicken coop wire.  Clearly, everyone needs one of these lovlies!

13.  Tiffany Vines Square Vase - I'm going to need a nice place to put all the flowers the Bear will get me after he sees how I managed to register for all the essentials.  

14. Teal Agate coasters - to protect the coffee table we don't have right now.  But we will!

15.  Glass Poron Wine Pitcher - This is the first item I registered for.  THE FIRST ITEM.  My inner wine nerd couldn't resist.  Just fill with a nice chilled bottle of rose, pick up the pitcher and tilt your head back so that wine pours out of the tiny spout directly into your mouth.  I've wanted one ever since a Spanish friend of mine introduced me to it.  

So let me finish the title of this post, "When Left to My Own Devices, I Register for Pretty Things.  And that's it."

Bare necessities?  I think I got 'em covered.

Did you enjoy registering for your wedding?  Was it easy to keep to the necessities or did you find yourself registering for things you just loved?