tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-69662182505357416052011-07-30T21:40:34.060-07:00Two Dog Bridehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04619191764905848843noreply@blogger.comBlogger791100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6966218250535741605.post-88910293847280728412010-03-17T07:00:00.000-07:002010-03-17T07:00:07.191-07:00Go get a box. Then get a book. And finally get some glue and get a-<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">crackin</span>'!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_AxcQUBbACjA/S56_e4cL3nI/AAAAAAAAA2I/TKaTaSuB9Jc/s1600-h/card+box+003.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_AxcQUBbACjA/S56_e4cL3nI/AAAAAAAAA2I/TKaTaSuB9Jc/s400/card+box+003.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5449003136432463474" border="0" /></a><br />Working in an office, I have access to a lot of miscellaneous materials, including empty boxes. This box originally held envelopes, but now it's going to hold our cards! I've been collecting office boxes for everything from storage to the candy buffet to wrapping gifts. They've really come in handy to keep all my projects in order and away from my furry legged friends!<br /><br />After spending an hour or more in the attic looking at books, I had the brilliant idea to decoupage a card box in book pages! And, as luck would have it, I found the perfect book for this project. A book of wedding vows!<br /><br />I started out by pulling out pages that had a good look (I really liked the heart section dividers), and tearing them into smaller pieces.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_AxcQUBbACjA/S56_fneBBkI/AAAAAAAAA2Q/P1UMLRgUcuo/s1600-h/card+box+006.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_AxcQUBbACjA/S56_fneBBkI/AAAAAAAAA2Q/P1UMLRgUcuo/s400/card+box+006.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5449003149056607810" border="0" /></a><br />Then, I used my trusty Mod <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Podge</span> (best craft glue/sealer/whatever out there) to paste the pages to the box. (I have more than one jar of this stuff, but even if you have to buy it, I consider it no-cost to the project because it'll go such a long way.)<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_AxcQUBbACjA/S57BB4Z61oI/AAAAAAAAA2w/Nlfqw2OnmtY/s1600-h/rice+bags.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_AxcQUBbACjA/S57BB4Z61oI/AAAAAAAAA2w/Nlfqw2OnmtY/s400/rice+bags.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5449004837230007938" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">Oh Mod <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Podge</span>, how I love thee!<br /><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_AxcQUBbACjA/S56_ic7WeyI/AAAAAAAAA2Y/StOdOR3YxNw/s1600-h/card+box+005.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_AxcQUBbACjA/S56_ic7WeyI/AAAAAAAAA2Y/StOdOR3YxNw/s400/card+box+005.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5449003197766466338" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: left;">Once the bottom of the box was covered (I didn't cover the bottom of course), then I moved on to the lid. I used the lines on the top of the box and an <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">exacto</span> knife to cut an opening about 2" x 7". Plenty big enough for even the widest cards, but not for any fingers.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_AxcQUBbACjA/S56_jGnCBqI/AAAAAAAAA2g/QdDbJc1DMFA/s1600-h/card+box+007.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_AxcQUBbACjA/S56_jGnCBqI/AAAAAAAAA2g/QdDbJc1DMFA/s400/card+box+007.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5449003208955528866" border="0" /></a><br />I kept on going with the pasting, and pasting some more, and then looking for uncovered edges and pasting even more! Soon, I had a fully covered box!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_AxcQUBbACjA/S56_jtzHMsI/AAAAAAAAA2o/OKxLPGZFSwg/s1600-h/card+box+001.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_AxcQUBbACjA/S56_jtzHMsI/AAAAAAAAA2o/OKxLPGZFSwg/s400/card+box+001.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5449003219475182274" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">Ooh la la! That's a nice box!<br /><br /></span><div style="text-align: left;">Finally to top it off, I taped some ribbon in our wedding colors over the top to give it a splash of color and keep the lid on the box. And that's it!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_AxcQUBbACjA/S57CuUbGKBI/AAAAAAAAA24/LUeCxhlJkzQ/s1600-h/card+box+004.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_AxcQUBbACjA/S57CuUbGKBI/AAAAAAAAA24/LUeCxhlJkzQ/s400/card+box+004.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5449006700177008658" border="0" /></a><br />I am pretty proud of my <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">handi</span>-work. The entire project took maybe 45 minutes. I feel that it's simple, in keeping with the book theme, and most importantly... FREE!<br /><br />However, B seems to think that I ought to add another box to the bottom. He is worried that the box is too small and will get filled fast. I asked him how many envelopes he expects to get! I guess I just don't see us getting that many cards. A lot of women are invited to the shower, so I would hope they bring their gifts to the shower. I just can't imagine that many people would get us two gifts!<br /><br />So, I'm asking you instead. Leave the box as is? Or add another box on the bottom to make it taller? Adding another box wouldn't be challenging. I already have an extra box and more book pages, but I don't know if it's necessary. What do you think?<br /><span style="font-style: italic;"></span></div></div></div></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6966218250535741605-8891029384728072841?l=twodogbride.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Two Dog Bridehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04619191764905848843noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6966218250535741605.post-6775287629834032892010-03-16T07:00:00.000-07:002010-03-16T08:17:39.708-07:00One of the requirements for our <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">pre</span>-<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Cana</span> preparation was to attend a Natural Family Planning class. Unfortunately, the course B and I were required to attend did not really meet our expectations. The official name of the class was Conjugal Love and Natural Family Planning. It was taught by a unassuming elderly couple who finished each others' sentences and had used <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">NFP</span> for some 30 years. The wife taught the medical, health class aspect of the course. She talked about the basics of cervical mucus, the <a href="http://www.pregnancy.org/article/basal-body-temperature-chart-symptothermal-method"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Sympto</span>-Thermal Method</a>, why the church is <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Catholic_teachings_on_sexual_morality#Contraception">against the use of the pill</a>, <a href="http://archive.irh.org/pdf/t-chart0-1.pdf">charting</a> and the <a href="http://www.ccli.org/">Couple-to-Couple League</a>. While she was very nice and knew a lot, we were disappointed to hear that if we wanted to learn enough about <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">NFP</span> to actually put it into practical use, we would have to sign up for a three month long class.<br /><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.usccb.org/prolife/issues/nfp/images/09_poster_500.jpg"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 500px; CURSOR: pointer; HEIGHT: 388px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://www.usccb.org/prolife/issues/nfp/images/09_poster_500.jpg" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.usccb.org/prolife/issues/nfp/nfpweek/posters.shtml">source<br /></a><br /></div><br />The husband taught the conjugal love portion of the course. Conjugal love is basically a religious term for sex inside of marriage. Along with "the marital union", both terms are used to describe the intimate and spiritual act of intercourse within marriage. In the Catholic Church, conjugal love is a higher level of prayer and renewal of the couple's wedding vows, as well as an act of procreation. We weren't really certain what his part of the course was going to cover, but it basically covered the purpose and importance of the Sacrament of Holy Matrimony, the definitions of conjugal love itself and the reasons a couple would choose to use <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">NFP</span>.<br /><br />While he was a great and engaging presenter, every once in a while he'd say something that B and I knew was a little bit off. The husband would toss in a specifically skewed statistic about divorce or cohabitation or condom usage. At one point, he inaccurately said that the population of the United States had been declining since the invention of the birth control pill. B challenged him and suggested that he must have been talking about the birth rate instead. The husband agreed with B and instead went on to say that the only reason the population (correctly this time) was increasing was due to immigration. He stated that in order for us to maintain our own population without immigration, each child-bearing couple would have to have at least 3.33 children in order to account for those people who don't wed or are infertile.<br /><br />Another topic that he covered was how to decide how many children to have and when to have them. He gave some good ideas to consider including a couples' financial resources, what place you are in your life, and if both the husband and wife are ready to care for another life. He also suggested we consult the interests of our family ("You want to give your parents grandkids, don't you?"), the interests of the church ("Families with more than 3 kids are more likely to have a child enter the religious life.") and the interests of society.<br /><br />It was then that the odd rhetorical questions started. You like the society you live in, yeah? From my observations, it seems this class is white, non-Hispanic. Wouldn't you like to keep your society going? <span style="FONT-STYLE: italic">Excuse me. Did I just hear what I think I heard? Did you just suggest that we should have kids to keep the white race going??</span> Well, I must have inferred right, because B heard the same thing. And he called the husband out on it. B pointed out that his series of questions was extremely racist and that he was implying that we should have children in order to populate the white race. I have never heard B so offended and direct.<br /><br />The husband was not happy to hear this. He attempted to defend himself stating that he didn't mean to sound racist, but that he had been accused of being xenophobic in the past. His wife jumped in, saying her husband wasn't even American, he was a Dutch immigrant. <span style="FONT-STYLE: italic">We're not calling you xenophobic, dude, we're calling you racist.</span> This conversation was going no where fast. I jumped in and suggested we move forward and that he continue with his presentation.<br /><br />I was appalled. How can the Catholic Church stand behind such racism? Being a white girl who grew up in the suburbs, I've never been a victim of racism. But just experiencing that environment, I couldn't even imagine if there was a inter-racial couple in that class. Who else would have spoken up? I was also a little saddened that no one else in the class said anything against the racist comments or the little skewed statistics.<br /><br />It was unfortunate that was didn't have a better experience, since that was the required NFP class and it was the only one the diocese offered.<br /><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://nfpworks.files.wordpress.com/2008/04/nfp-trendy.jpg"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 342px; CURSOR: pointer; HEIGHT: 468px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://nfpworks.files.wordpress.com/2008/04/nfp-trendy.jpg" border="0" /></a><a href="http://www.umberttheunborn.com/">source</a><br /></div><br />However, we did get to hear a younger couple speak about their experiences with NFP in our weekend retreat. The other couple was in their mid-forties and had four daughters, all conceived with NFP. The best part about this couple was the enthusiasm of the husband. He was so gung-ho about how accurately they could plan to have their children, how NFP improved their intimacy and how much he looked forward to his "favorite days" of the month when they could have sex without conceiving. They told us that they were able to conceive each of their daughters within just a few months of trying. I thought that their testimonial and enthusiasm was enough to convince any couple to give NFP a try. I wish they would have taught the class that was required.<br /><br />Have you taken a class on NFP or have you considered trying NFP either to prevent pregnancy or conceive? Have you encountered any offensive behavior in your marriage prep classes or with a potential vendor?<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6966218250535741605-677528762983403289?l=twodogbride.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Two Dog Bridehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04619191764905848843noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6966218250535741605.post-73395747825666729202010-03-15T07:00:00.000-07:002010-03-15T07:00:01.271-07:00A wedding shower work party that is! Now, before you think I am some kind of overworked foreman, the shower work party was MOB-V's idea. I mentioned before that <a href="http://twodogbride.blogspot.com/2010/01/creepin-up-on-me.html">I asked for one big shower</a>. As a result, planning a party for 60 plus women is a lot to ask of anyone. So, MOB-V did what any good project manager would do. She delegated. This weekend, representatives from all families (along with my bridesmaids) came over to MOB-V's house to work on all of the shower projects. I was not allowed to work of course, but I was responsible for food, conversation and keeping glasses full.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_AxcQUBbACjA/S518whcZZgI/AAAAAAAAA0A/NPwCEOYxQ7w/s1600-h/shower+work+party+017.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_AxcQUBbACjA/S518whcZZgI/AAAAAAAAA0A/NPwCEOYxQ7w/s400/shower+work+party+017.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448648297241208322" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">MOB-V (in the middle) delegating duties during lunch</span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">I was really excited that someone from every side of my family could come together to help out with all the work MOB-V had lined up for them. There were cousins from my mom's side, my aunt from MOB-V's side, my <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">FMIL</span> and <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">FSIL</span>, aunts and cousins from my dad's side and my bridesmaids. Seventeen women all together! It was great to see them all mingling and talking and working together. What MOB-V thought would take all afternoon got accomplished in only a few hours!<br /></div></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_AxcQUBbACjA/S51-isMCNhI/AAAAAAAAA04/IDqm3nkilAg/s1600-h/shower+work+party+011.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_AxcQUBbACjA/S51-isMCNhI/AAAAAAAAA04/IDqm3nkilAg/s400/shower+work+party+011.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448650258630456850" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">My FSIL</span> J and Aunt DJ were having fun tying up favors!</span><br /></div><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_AxcQUBbACjA/S52AQZIHqvI/AAAAAAAAA1w/Yc-NnAajrsE/s1600-h/shower+work+party+010.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_AxcQUBbACjA/S52AQZIHqvI/AAAAAAAAA1w/Yc-NnAajrsE/s400/shower+work+party+010.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448652143299373810" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">Handmade washcloths crocheted by BM Bride, BM Momma and MOB-V wrapped around spoons provided by Aunt Baby A. I love the handmade touch!</span><br /><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_AxcQUBbACjA/S518xPsWOmI/AAAAAAAAA0I/vD1tcguyvkU/s1600-h/shower+work+party+002.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_AxcQUBbACjA/S518xPsWOmI/AAAAAAAAA0I/vD1tcguyvkU/s400/shower+work+party+002.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448648309656140386" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">Aunt Baby B, our flower girl K, BM Momma and BM <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">HairDye</span> rolled silverware</span>.<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-style: italic;"><br /><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_AxcQUBbACjA/S518xcqHYoI/AAAAAAAAA0Q/Xv5XAHZH-Qk/s1600-h/shower+work+party+001.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_AxcQUBbACjA/S518xcqHYoI/AAAAAAAAA0Q/Xv5XAHZH-Qk/s400/shower+work+party+001.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448648313136439938" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">Flower girl K turned out to be an expert silverware roller!</span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;"><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_AxcQUBbACjA/S51-iP5hsyI/AAAAAAAAA0w/GrHEqqCfGJQ/s1600-h/shower+work+party+003.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_AxcQUBbACjA/S51-iP5hsyI/AAAAAAAAA0w/GrHEqqCfGJQ/s400/shower+work+party+003.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448650251036635938" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">Grandma was in charge of blacking out the prices on all the BINGO prizes.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;"><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_AxcQUBbACjA/S51-jXmgK1I/AAAAAAAAA1I/d6tLgSfOu4w/s1600-h/shower+work+party+024.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_AxcQUBbACjA/S51-jXmgK1I/AAAAAAAAA1I/d6tLgSfOu4w/s400/shower+work+party+024.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448650270284196690" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">Cousin J, BM Irish and Aunt D worked on wrapping BINGO prizes. Look at that assembly line!</span><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_AxcQUBbACjA/S51-i7Zrx0I/AAAAAAAAA1A/dK3Dae1lwLk/s1600-h/shower+work+party+013.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_AxcQUBbACjA/S51-i7Zrx0I/AAAAAAAAA1A/dK3Dae1lwLk/s400/shower+work+party+013.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448650262714238786" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">BM Bride and Aunt D were also working hard on the line.</span><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_AxcQUBbACjA/S51_icFsEJI/AAAAAAAAA1g/YPk-Jd7E1zA/s1600-h/shower+work+party+009.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_AxcQUBbACjA/S51_icFsEJI/AAAAAAAAA1g/YPk-Jd7E1zA/s400/shower+work+party+009.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448651353820500114" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">That's productivity! Enough BINGO prizes for everyone to win at least once.</span><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_AxcQUBbACjA/S518yA41RHI/AAAAAAAAA0g/_f-B9V_sdaI/s1600-h/shower+work+party+015.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_AxcQUBbACjA/S518yA41RHI/AAAAAAAAA0g/_f-B9V_sdaI/s400/shower+work+party+015.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448648322861843570" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">My FMIL</span>, Aunt DJ and <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">FSIL</span> put together the centerpiece gift baskets.</span><br /><br /><br /><a style="font-style: italic;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_AxcQUBbACjA/S51_i1cux-I/AAAAAAAAA1o/gC9Cfc6gGB0/s1600-h/shower+work+party+016.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_AxcQUBbACjA/S51_i1cux-I/AAAAAAAAA1o/gC9Cfc6gGB0/s400/shower+work+party+016.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448651360628033506" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">Cousin M made bows for all the centerpieces.</span><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_AxcQUBbACjA/S51_h3bCHcI/AAAAAAAAA1Y/j3h7Q3GVIeM/s1600-h/shower+work+party+019.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_AxcQUBbACjA/S51_h3bCHcI/AAAAAAAAA1Y/j3h7Q3GVIeM/s400/shower+work+party+019.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448651343977913794" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">Two Dog Bride and B themed centerpieces! Awesome! And color coordinated to boot!</span><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_AxcQUBbACjA/S52DS7qRr1I/AAAAAAAAA14/bIXCTp_9Kwg/s1600-h/shower+work+party+004.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_AxcQUBbACjA/S52DS7qRr1I/AAAAAAAAA14/bIXCTp_9Kwg/s400/shower+work+party+004.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448655485464063826" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">And MOB-V had the ladies prep all the wedding floral containers with Oasis foam too!<br /><br /></span><div style="text-align: left;"><br />It was a great feeling to see all those women come together to help with the shower. On the other hand, it's still a little weird to think that this work party was all for me and B. I know that this is a part of getting married. Being the center of attention. Getting gifts. Having people ask about the planning. Hearing my family share memories and stories with each other about me. It's all very humbling, but I'm trying to just enjoy it all and take everything in. I can't wait to see the whole shower come together! There are even rumors brewing that my one of my uncles will be manning the kitchen and serving all the ladies so that MOB-V doesn't have to do anything but socialize!<br /><br />I'm so lucky and blessed to have such a great support system from all sides of my life. Thank you to all the women that came and helped out!<br /><br />Have you experienced any event in your wedding planning that made you realize how lucky you are? Do you know what's going on for your shower? Or are your hosts keeping you out of it?<br /></div></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6966218250535741605-7339574782566672920?l=twodogbride.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Two Dog Bridehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04619191764905848843noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6966218250535741605.post-40300859905805586982010-03-14T07:00:00.000-07:002010-03-14T17:05:00.814-07:00This weekend, MOB-V had some fresh floral arrangements set up for B and I to look at for our final centerpiece decisions.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_AxcQUBbACjA/S51zYXjI6ZI/AAAAAAAAAzI/_barF4c7eTo/s1600-h/CENTERPIECE_FINAL+007.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_AxcQUBbACjA/S51zYXjI6ZI/AAAAAAAAAzI/_barF4c7eTo/s400/CENTERPIECE_FINAL+007.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448637986663623058" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">Yay, fluffy and white!</span></div><br />When I walked into the house, this was the first arrangement I saw. Immediately I told MOB-V "This is perfect! I love it." She told me there were two more in the other room. <span style="font-style: italic;">Two more?</span><br /><br />So, I gathered up all three on the table to look at them together. I was still drawn to the first one. She had made three arrangements. One with only hydrangeas as the focal flower, another with just Fuji mums, and then a third that used both hydrangeas and Fuji mums together. The filler flowers included chrysanthemums, alstromeria, and carnations. I don't care how high school prom carnations are, I love their fluffy texture! (And their price!)<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_AxcQUBbACjA/S51zZ7-R-3I/AAAAAAAAAzg/1kXnbwvuq2w/s1600-h/CENTERPIECE_FINAL+003.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_AxcQUBbACjA/S51zZ7-R-3I/AAAAAAAAAzg/1kXnbwvuq2w/s400/CENTERPIECE_FINAL+003.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448638013621009266" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">Hydrangeas with chrysanthemums, alstromeria and carnations (and hypericum berries)</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_AxcQUBbACjA/S510QViaIoI/AAAAAAAAAzo/My-FOa9H-AI/s1600-h/CENTERPIECE_FINAL+001.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_AxcQUBbACjA/S510QViaIoI/AAAAAAAAAzo/My-FOa9H-AI/s400/CENTERPIECE_FINAL+001.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448638948196360834" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">Fuji mums and hydrangeas with chrysanthemums, alstromeria and carnations (and more hypericum berries)</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_AxcQUBbACjA/S510QoburXI/AAAAAAAAAzw/Z-6QhKLfkYI/s1600-h/CENTERPIECE_FINAL+005.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_AxcQUBbACjA/S510QoburXI/AAAAAAAAAzw/Z-6QhKLfkYI/s400/CENTERPIECE_FINAL+005.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448638953268620658" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">Fuji mums with chrysanthemums, alstromeria and carnations</span></div><br />I brought over B to show him our options. "They're different?" he asked. <span style="font-style: italic;">Typical. </span>I pointed out the different large flowers in each. He liked the Fujis airy feel a lot, but he didn't like the hypericum berries. I think he may have flicked them to see what they were.<br /><br />So, Fuji mums it is!<br /><br />I present you our centerpieces, complete with our blue and green book stacks.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_AxcQUBbACjA/S511HjWBxCI/AAAAAAAAAz4/XLrnCK9auiI/s1600-h/CENTERPIECE_FINAL+010.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_AxcQUBbACjA/S511HjWBxCI/AAAAAAAAAz4/XLrnCK9auiI/s400/CENTERPIECE_FINAL+010.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448639896795333666" border="0" /></a><br />Simple, fluffy and white. I think with the colored container and the books, the flowers really pop off the table. My hope is to have the reception hall provide us also with either an extra napkin or chair sash on the table to give a it a little more color. I'm really excited this decision is done. There is no more going back and forth, no more <a href="http://twodogbride.blogspot.com/2010/02/est-sur-la-table.html">researching flowers</a> or <a href="http://twodogbride.blogspot.com/2010/02/when-boys-are-away.html">third element options</a>.<br /><br />As well as visually being our favorite, this was also the cheapest option for us. For you DIY-ers out there, once MOB-V reworks our quote, I'll be breaking down the cost of the flowers to show you what this arrangement would run you. She gets wholesale prices being in the industry, but I think you'll find it pretty interesting from a DIY standpoint.<br /><br />Were you excited to be done making any particular wedding decision? Did any of your choices surprise you as being more budget friendly than you were expecting?<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6966218250535741605-4030085990580558698?l=twodogbride.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Two Dog Bridehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04619191764905848843noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6966218250535741605.post-21470969076927070852010-03-12T07:00:00.000-08:002010-03-12T17:14:07.439-08:00So let's just say life has caught up with me in the last few weeks. I've been blogging posts ahead of time and scheduling them out, but I found that I've come to a bit of a slow.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_AxcQUBbACjA/S5rmvDG6AtI/AAAAAAAAAzA/qWjU7gfFAkw/s1600-h/kitty+and+liz.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 307px; height: 230px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_AxcQUBbACjA/S5rmvDG6AtI/AAAAAAAAAzA/qWjU7gfFAkw/s400/kitty+and+liz.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5447920395220550354" border="0" /></a><br />For starters, there have been a lot of new changes at my office that have put my stress level into overdrive. First, I found out I was getting a new supervisor who happens to be a peer, recently promoted. To say I'm anxious about working for this person is an understatement. We haven't had the greatest relationship up to this point, but now I don't really get much of a choice in the matter. Additionally, we finally got our year end performance reviews, which is a stressful process in its own right. Even if I did do really well this year!<br /><br />After the new teams were announced, there was a little bit of desk rearranging. The majority of my friends were moved away from my desk. One girl moved to the back of the office, another girl moved to another room entirely (like the annex in The Office), and a guy moved to another office a few cities away! My day-to-day support network has nearly dissolved. We still hang out once a week, but there is something about having a close crew in my line of work that keeps your sanity during the day.<br /><br />All of this has lead to one burnt out Two Dog Bride. There has been a recent increasing in naps and me time as a result.<br /><br />Otherwise, in the world of wedding planning, I have a few projects up my sleeve in the gifts department that I can't quite share yet. I want to be able to give my gifts before I show them to you. But, I've spent the majority of my time this week hand-sewing and have the needle sticks to prove it.<br /><br />After this weekend, I'll have more time to put together some posts about the above named gifts, a no cost card box, our experiences in Natural Family Planning, cake table decorations and my lovely, ever-growing family!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_AxcQUBbACjA/S5rl2vj4CvI/AAAAAAAAAy4/SZeLePD3xak/s1600-h/to-do.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_AxcQUBbACjA/S5rl2vj4CvI/AAAAAAAAAy4/SZeLePD3xak/s400/to-do.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5447919427900672754" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">We <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">gots</span> lots to do!</span><br /></div><br />Anyone else have non-wedding stress influencing your life? Or influence your wedding planning?<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6966218250535741605-2147096907692707085?l=twodogbride.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Two Dog Bridehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04619191764905848843noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6966218250535741605.post-87425780796420319182010-03-10T07:00:00.000-08:002010-03-10T07:12:35.422-08:00Remember how B &amp; I wanted to incorporate our love of books into the wedding? Well, the time has come. Books lovers and hoarders, welcome to our attic.<br /><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_AxcQUBbACjA/S5Ws2i_vQkI/AAAAAAAAAxw/CueYFbJSuUc/s1600-h/book+centerpieces+009.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5446449377481540162" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: pointer; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_AxcQUBbACjA/S5Ws2i_vQkI/AAAAAAAAAxw/CueYFbJSuUc/s400/book+centerpieces+009.jpg" border="0" /></a><span style="FONT-STYLE: italic">Look to the right.<br /><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_AxcQUBbACjA/S5Ws29HCIrI/AAAAAAAAAx4/5DJ0uZzqTvs/s1600-h/book+centerpieces+010.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5446449384491459250" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: pointer; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_AxcQUBbACjA/S5Ws29HCIrI/AAAAAAAAAx4/5DJ0uZzqTvs/s400/book+centerpieces+010.jpg" border="0" /></a><span style="FONT-STYLE: italic">Look straight ahead.</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_AxcQUBbACjA/S5Ws3utwVsI/AAAAAAAAAyA/85_Yfmx0F8Q/s1600-h/book+centerpieces+011.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5446449397807208130" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: pointer; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_AxcQUBbACjA/S5Ws3utwVsI/AAAAAAAAAyA/85_Yfmx0F8Q/s400/book+centerpieces+011.jpg" border="0" /></a><span style="FONT-STYLE: italic">And finally to the right.</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_AxcQUBbACjA/S5Ws33caZpI/AAAAAAAAAyI/-Opzy0RiaFs/s1600-h/book+centerpieces+008.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5446449400150386322" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: pointer; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_AxcQUBbACjA/S5Ws33caZpI/AAAAAAAAAyI/-Opzy0RiaFs/s400/book+centerpieces+008.jpg" border="0" /></a><span style="FONT-STYLE: italic">And more somewhere back there.</span><br /><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: left">We have a lot of books. I was bound and determined to find the right books for our wedding. I knew I wanted to use them in the centerpieces and I was on a hunt. Originally, I had thought about painting the books white and using three under each floral arrangement. But before I started painting books, I wanted to see how many blue and green books I could find.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_AxcQUBbACjA/S5Wu0AFHkjI/AAAAAAAAAyY/XHIhHWLOCCg/s1600-h/book+centerpieces+004.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5446451532772381234" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: pointer; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_AxcQUBbACjA/S5Wu0AFHkjI/AAAAAAAAAyY/XHIhHWLOCCg/s400/book+centerpieces+004.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_AxcQUBbACjA/S5Wuz9pLvzI/AAAAAAAAAyQ/2mDyI9_70iM/s1600-h/book+centerpieces+003.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5446451532118343474" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: pointer; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_AxcQUBbACjA/S5Wuz9pLvzI/AAAAAAAAAyQ/2mDyI9_70iM/s400/book+centerpieces+003.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />And find I did! I found a little over forty books with green and blue hardcovers. For over an hour, I sat upstairs in the dust and cobwebs picking through boxes, sorting the books by size and then pairing them up. I didn't find enough for three books a table, but two books would work just fine. Some of the titles made really interesting pairs.<br /><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_AxcQUBbACjA/S5Wu0w3ra9I/AAAAAAAAAyo/lNe1EHYU_GQ/s1600-h/book+centerpieces+002.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5446451545869347794" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: pointer; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_AxcQUBbACjA/S5Wu0w3ra9I/AAAAAAAAAyo/lNe1EHYU_GQ/s400/book+centerpieces+002.jpg" border="0" /></a><span style="FONT-STYLE: italic">A Proper Breakfast and Step By Step: Organic Flower Garden<br /><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_AxcQUBbACjA/S5Wu0SAt5XI/AAAAAAAAAyg/A2CRKAvdlwo/s1600-h/book+centerpieces+001.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5446451537585759602" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: pointer; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_AxcQUBbACjA/S5Wu0SAt5XI/AAAAAAAAAyg/A2CRKAvdlwo/s400/book+centerpieces+001.jpg" border="0" /></a><span style="FONT-STYLE: italic">Why Ireland Never Invaded America and Great Tales of Science Fiction</span><br /><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: left">However, there was one title I just did not feel comfortable putting in the center of a table.<br /><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_AxcQUBbACjA/S5WyRDsWcnI/AAAAAAAAAyw/jyqb1UO_P2s/s1600-h/book+centerpieces+006.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5446455330493330034" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: pointer; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_AxcQUBbACjA/S5WyRDsWcnI/AAAAAAAAAyw/jyqb1UO_P2s/s400/book+centerpieces+006.jpg" border="0" /></a><span style="FONT-STYLE: italic">Um, yeah. Not really wedding appropriate.</span><br /><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: left">I'm super stoked about the books. And since I'm not planning on painting these anymore, I don't have to worry about ruining the books! I hate ruining books. I hate writing on them, I hate broken spines. I had a professor in college once ask me if I went to Catholic school because I refused to write in my literature books! I have a special place in my heart for well-cared for books.<br /><br />Now they are paired up and ready to go on each table. MOB-V is working on putting together a live floral arrangement for us this weekend, so we can really see what our centerpieces are going to look like. I'm planning on bringing over a few of the books to set up with the flowers as well. I'm looking forward to see the centerpieces really come together!<br /><br />What kind of gems do you have in your attic that you could use for your wedding? Is there any one element you've been looking forward to seeing come together? </div></div></div></div></div></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6966218250535741605-8742578079642031918?l=twodogbride.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Two Dog Bridehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04619191764905848843noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6966218250535741605.post-77919452485559043322010-03-09T07:00:00.000-08:002010-03-09T07:00:09.731-08:00<div>Where tradition says that the groom's parents typically host the rehearsal dinner, both B's parents' and my parents' contributions are going into the same lump wedding fund. So, it's up to us to plan the rehearsal dinner. I've dubbed it the mini-reception. We're not planning on a cake, or favors, or centerpieces, but our rehearsal dinner is bigger than some people's receptions.<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><br />B and I are planning on having around 200 people at our wedding. And since I asked for one big shower, MOB-V is planning on entertaining about 60 women. Those are two big parties we've got going. And as far as our rehearsal dinner goes, we need to feed about 45 people. That's right, forty-five. That includes our immediate families, our bridal party and their spouses or dates, and our nieces and nephews.<br /><br />We have a few places we are considering, but given the amount of people we need to feed, we are limited in our budget and therefore limited in our options.<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: left; font-weight: bold;">Elks Lodge #1523</div><br /><div style="text-align: left;"></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5444457347796316610" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; width: 300px; height: 225px; text-align: center;" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_AxcQUBbACjA/S46ZHKIqMcI/AAAAAAAAAxI/7f8y1eh1Gew/s400/elks+lodge.jpg" border="0" /><a href="http://royaloaklodge1523.tripod.com/royaloak/">source</a><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">While neither B nor I belong to the Elks Club, we drive by it every day. It's got a great location with two major highways just across the street. They have a digital sign out front that over the last few months has started looking more and more attractive. The other day, it said "Free Hall Rental". Now, we have yet to call them to see what their food prices are, but I know from friends and family that lodge menus are relatively reasonable. And a quick check of their website shows room for 30 to 200 people. Not too bad. Definitely a worthy option.<br /><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;">Duggan's<span style="font-weight: bold;"> Pub</span><br /><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.detroitsrestaurants.info/www.detroitsrestaurants.info/images/large/duggans-irish-pub-royal-oak-540x382.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; width: 540px; cursor: pointer; height: 382px; text-align: center;" alt="" src="http://www.detroitsrestaurants.info/www.detroitsrestaurants.info/images/large/duggans-irish-pub-royal-oak-540x382.jpg" border="0" /></a><a href="http://www.detroitsrestaurants.info/">source<br /></a></div><br />This iconic Irish restaurant is a family favorite. It's a pretty standard bar and grill, but they don't really have a separate or private party room. The upstairs has huge windows that open to make the second floor feel more like a rooftop deck. And in the summer time, it's a great place to watch classic cars cruise up and down the famous <a href="http://www.woodwarddreamcruise.com/">Woodward Avenue</a>. Although it's a family favorite for burgers and classic cars, I don't know if it's the right environment for us to be able to have a private party and time with our family and friends.<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">Marinelli's<br /></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.marinellis.com/marinellis_pictures/blueroom3.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; width: 667px; cursor: pointer; height: 444px; text-align: center;" alt="" src="http://www.marinellis.com/marinellis_pictures/blueroom3.jpg" border="0" /></a><a href="http://www.marinellis.com/marinellis_pictures/blueroom3.htm">source</a><br /></div><br />Marinelli's is our best budget option right now. They have menu details on their website for private party buffets from pizza to full entrees. They also have an option for specialized menus. The downside is that we've been there a lot for other parties. Baby showers, wedding showers, funeral luncheons, etc. It's a pretty standard location for us and I kinda feel like its too safe a choice, in the words of Simon Cowell. I'm hoping we can find something a little different. My step-sister and her family are coming from out of state and B's family is from about an hour away, so I want us to be able to show our close friends and family a good time.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Bath City Bistro</span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.bathcitybistro.com/photos/photo_feather.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; width: 358px; cursor: pointer; height: 271px; text-align: center;" alt="" src="http://www.bathcitybistro.com/photos/photo_feather.jpg" border="0" /></a><a href="http://www.bathcitybistro.com/feather.htm">source</a><br /></div><br />Now, as far as something that is a good time, check this place out! It's a Belgium trough bowling alley disguised as a cafe! Also known as feather bowling, there are only two places in Metro Detroit that offer this game: <a href="http://www.bathcitybistro.com/">Bath City Bistro</a> and <a href="http://www.cadieuxcafe.com/featherbowling/">The Cadieux Cafe</a> (featured on Anthony Bourdain's No Reservations). Some friends and I went for lunch there a few weeks ago and it was a blast! We rolled these wooden discs down the trough in a side-to-side fashion, much like a snowboarder in a half pipe, towards a feather in the ground. The team with the closest disc to the feather gets points for each disc closer to the feather than the other team's disc. Unfortunately, it's about an hour north of where our wedding will be held. B says total no go. It's just too far away for our guests to be expected to drive for dinner. What a shame! Alas, another time I guess.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">The </span>WAB<span style="font-weight: bold;"> (aka The Woodward Avenue Brewery)</span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://thewabsite.com/wp-content/gallery/wab-photo-gallery/59315337_l.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; width: 450px; cursor: pointer; height: 600px; text-align: center;" alt="" src="http://thewabsite.com/wp-content/gallery/wab-photo-gallery/59315337_l.jpg" border="0" /></a><a href="http://www.thewabsite.com/">source<br /></a></div><br />The WAB is a great local brewery and it has the great open air feel like Duggan's has. This photo is a shot of their downstairs room that holds up to 75 people. However, they have weird rules about when you can and can't rent this room for private parties. Basically its open outside of the weekends. No private rentals on Fridays or Saturdays. So, if we have our rehearsal on a Thursday, we're golden. Unfortunately, we don't actually have a date set with the church for the rehearsal.<br /><br />Wherever we decide to go, we are going to need a set date for the rehearsal first. But I would really like something unique for our family and close friends that either is something they've never seen or never been to before. Of course, we'd like it to be relatively affordable since we have to feed such a large group. And we want to give them all nice gifts too!<br /><br />What options have you considered for your rehearsal dinner venue? Are you planning your own, or are family members planning it for you? What would you like your family and attendants to experience at your rehearsal dinner?<br /></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6966218250535741605-7791945248555904332?l=twodogbride.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Two Dog Bridehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04619191764905848843noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6966218250535741605.post-76050933225390216092010-03-08T07:00:00.000-08:002010-03-08T19:42:17.207-08:00Have you ever learned something new during your wedding planning? I'm not talking about a new craft skill from a project or about how to properly size a bra. I'm talking about something that is totally non-wedding related.<br /><br />Check this out:<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/4/4e/SmiteScattles.jpg/360px-SmiteScattles.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 360px; height: 204px;" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/4/4e/SmiteScattles.jpg/360px-SmiteScattles.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/M%C3%B6lkky">source</a><br /></div><br />It's called <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/M%C3%B6lkky">Molkky</a>. It's a Finnish bowling yard game. But, the thing is, it looks a lot like this:<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://media.theknot.com/ImageStage/Objects/0003/0041102/large_image.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 310px; height: 300px;" src="http://media.theknot.com/ImageStage/Objects/0003/0041102/large_image.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><a href="http://weddings.theknot.com/Real-Weddings/41102/detailview.aspx?type=3&amp;id=41102">source</a><br /></div><br />Looks pretty similar, eh? Maybe if you are looking for that type of table number, you ought to just buy a Molkky set!<br /><br />I'm not sure how I stumbled upon Molkky, but as soon as I saw the numbered pins, I recognized the resemblance to the birch table numbers. Wiki had a list of different styles of bowling including Molkky. The classic ten-pin is popular in the U.S., but I have also played nine-pin, five-pin, bocce, lawn, and feather bowling. I didn't realize I was such a bowling enthusiast! But now I want one of these Molkky sets. And maybe a <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kubb">Kubb</a> game too!<br /><br />Have you seen anything as unconventional as game pins used in wedding decor? Have you ever had an ah-ha moment learning something new in your wedding planning research?<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6966218250535741605-7605093322539021609?l=twodogbride.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Two Dog Bridehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04619191764905848843noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6966218250535741605.post-49211340365035186822010-03-07T07:00:00.000-08:002010-03-07T07:00:04.514-08:00If there is one thing in all this planning I don't have a clue on, it is wedding bands. I am not a jewelery kind of girl.<br /><br />My daily jewelery consists of my engagement ring and a necklace. And I only wear a necklace because most of my work shirts have a V-neck and they just look odd without one. I have never been a ring or bracelet girl either. I hate wearing things on my hands, I do too much with them. I work with paint and glue and clay and fabric in my creative pursuits. All of which are messy. Most of my pajama pants and my jeans have some kind of art supply stain on them. Growing up, there was always paint or other medium on the floor and on my bed. (My mother loved that!)<br /><div><div><div align="center"><div><br /><br /></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5434402169978334914" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; width: 300px; height: 300px; text-align: center;" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_AxcQUBbACjA/S2rf-xwrrsI/AAAAAAAAAlA/6G-_z_VFrCE/s400/nojewlery.jpg" border="0" /><a href="http://www.marinesigns.com/safety/SignList.php?cat=ps">source</a><br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">B and I are going shopping for rings soon and I told him he needs to start thinking about what he wants before we get to the store. And apparently, I need to do the same thing.<br /><br />When I think about wearing my engagement ring and a wedding band together, it sounds like too much. I'm not sure if I'll be wearing both rings together, or if I'll go with my engagement ring on my right hand, or not wear my engagement ring at all. Because of my indecision, I've narrowed down a few characteristics I'm looking for.<br /><br />I want a wedding band that is a little bit thicker than my engagement ring and one that can stand on its own. But because I might wear them together, I want them to look cohesive. I don't want to be totting a fat yellow gold ring next to my delicate white gold engagement ring. Also, as far as cohesiveness, I want my wedding band to have some kind of detail that mimics the side stones in my engagement ring. But, lastly, I don't want my wedding band to have any stones in it. Matching the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">bling</span> in both stones would be pretty, but I'm just afraid over time I'll lose any little wedding band stones in a project, or down the sink.<br /><br />I poked around online to find some inspiration and hopefully narrow down what I'm looking for.<br /></div><div></div><br /><div></div><div></div><br /><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5434402186036874018" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; width: 250px; height: 250px; text-align: center;" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_AxcQUBbACjA/S2rf_tlViyI/AAAAAAAAAlY/dUPO0CPopiU/s400/ring_3.jpg" border="0" /></div></div></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.overstock.com/Jewelry-Watches/14k-White-Gold-Comfort-Fit-Womens-Wedding-Band/4044469/product.html?cid=123620&amp;fp=F&amp;ci_src=14110944&amp;ci_sku=12064259">source</a><br /></div><br />I liked the brushed finish on this ring while still being shiny, but I think it's too wide to wear next to my engagement ring.<br /><br /><br /><p></p><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5434402187059160914" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; width: 280px; height: 280px; text-align: center;" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_AxcQUBbACjA/S2rf_xZEZ1I/AAAAAAAAAlg/YAwlarIj8dE/s400/ring_4.jpg" border="0" /></p><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/White-Gold-Womens-Wedding-Band/dp/B001FYAC8U">source</a><br /></div><br />This one also has the same brushed finish. I don't know if I want the majority of the ring in the brushed finish, or maybe just the detail brushed like that.<br /><p></p><br /><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5434402174212175282" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; width: 280px; height: 280px; text-align: center;" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_AxcQUBbACjA/S2rf_BiG9bI/AAAAAAAAAlI/peBL3AXzTrk/s400/ring_5.jpg" border="0" /></p><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/White-Gold-Womens-Wedding-Band/dp/B000U5FNBG">source</a><br /></div><br />And this is my favorite so far. It's a little wide, but I really really really love the offset detail on this band. I want something with a line detail that mimics the side stones on my engagement ring, but I think that these offset lines would be interesting to look at if I wore the rings together or separate. Either way, I'm not sure if I'm going to find this at a local jeweler. I'm actually hoping that I might be able to convince a local store to add this offset detail to a plain band they might already have. A few lines shouldn't be any more difficult than engraving on a ring, would it?<br /><br />What kind of wedding band are you looking for? Have you ever considered not wearing your engagement ring after the wedding?<br /><p></p><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6966218250535741605-4921134036503518682?l=twodogbride.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Two Dog Bridehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04619191764905848843noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6966218250535741605.post-36320623857944351322010-03-06T07:00:00.000-08:002010-03-06T07:00:06.161-08:00After seeing all the beautiful hair flowers and fascinators around the web, I decided to try my hand at making my own. You know my motto already, if I think I can make it, I'll try it. That and I wanted to wear one.<br /><p>So here goes:<br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_AxcQUBbACjA/SnoVQvAnbcI/AAAAAAAAAHI/2nzptE-2ITU/s512/DIY%20006.jpg" /></p><p><br />If you can thread a needle and simple-sew, you can make this flower. Here's the supplies I used:</p><ul><li>Fake flowers of choice from craft store<br /></li><li>White thread</li><li>Pins</li><li>Pearl-looking beads from craft store</li><li>Alligator barrette</li></ul><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_AxcQUBbACjA/SoBY2uvLyzI/AAAAAAAAAJA/3Eia9Kn4F3Y/s640/flowertutorial%20003.jpg" /></div><p><br /></p><p>When you go to the craft store for your supplies, look for fake flowers that can be easily pulled apart. Most fake flowers are made with a plastic center and fabric flower petals stacked and then backed by another hard green plastic piece. I would recommend looking for fake peonies, ranunculus or other large fluffy looking flowers. I would not recommend using fake roses, mostly because the fake petals are so tightly packed, you may not be able to get the soft look that is very IN right now.</p><p>Start with popping the flower heads off the stems:</p><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_AxcQUBbACjA/SoBY3Wk11HI/AAAAAAAAAJE/t6fjgwiVfI8/s640/flowertutorial%20004.jpg" /></p><p></p><p><br /></p><p>Then, pull apart the flowers themselves so you have loose fabric petals.</p><p>Play around with the petals, stacking them into a shape you want. You can use less or more depending on how full or fluffy you want the flower, or you can use less of the larger outer petals depending on how large or small you want your flower.</p><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_AxcQUBbACjA/SoBY3_WfWyI/AAAAAAAAAIM/LwY-leZjPOM/s640/flowertutorial%20005.jpg" /></p><p></p><p><br /></p><p>Once you have a stack that looks good to you, pin the layers together so the stack stays together the way you like it.</p><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_AxcQUBbACjA/SoBY4fK2U1I/AAAAAAAAAIQ/j8HbqovH7ZU/s512/flowertutorial%20006.jpg" /></p><p></p><p><br /></p><p>Once you have the layers stacked, starting from the underside of the flower, start sewing a simple stitch in the center to get the pieces to hold together. After about 5-8 pass-throughs, get out your pearl beads.</p><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_AxcQUBbACjA/SoBY9zKyl0I/AAAAAAAAAIU/J3e0puhhy1A/s640/flowertutorial%20007.jpg" /></p><p></p><p><br /></p><p>In order to speed things up, I added the beads in while I was sewing the flower together itself. After a few pass-throughs, I started to add beads on my needle while I was sewing. At first, I added one large bead per pass, and then I started to add on other smaller beads, several at a time, onto the thread before making my next pass through. In this way, you'll get a cluster look to the center of your flower.</p><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_AxcQUBbACjA/SoBY-l9XlnI/AAAAAAAAAJQ/TwwTV_OIYts/s640/flowertutorial%20009.jpg" /></p><p></p><p><br /></p><p>You'll want to make sure you pull the thread tight each time, otherwise, the beads will end up loose on top of the flower. Continue to pass-through, adding beads each time until you get the size bead cluster you want.</p><p>Once the top of your flower looks good to you, you'll want to start to sew on your alligator barrette. Again, starting from the back side of the flower, simple sew each outer edge of the barrette to the back of the flower. You will end up stitching through the bead cluster on top, but don't worry, there will be enough room to get through the beads and the beads will hide most of your stitches underneath them. When you pull your thread through the top of the flower, try to sew back between the same beads you came through, thus making your stitch go back under the beads.</p><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_AxcQUBbACjA/SoBY_eMBk9I/AAAAAAAAAIg/JsrxuQcdnB8/s640/flowertutorial%20011.jpg" /></p><p></p><p><br /></p><p>I probably sewed each side of my barrette about 20-30 times before I felt comfortable that the barrette was going to stay in place. I will advised though that over time the metal edges of the alligator barrette will wear on the stitching, so don't play with the flower more than you have to. Or, my other suggestion would be to wrap the edges of the barrette you plan to sew in a very small amount of clear tape in order to "coat" the edges of the barrette and help prevent some of the wear and tear on your work.</p><p>Otherwise, you're done! Admire your handy-work, you crafty bride, you!</p><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_AxcQUBbACjA/SoBct4EJcaI/AAAAAAAAAJk/pVjyd_VUDXI/s512/DIY%20009.jpg" /></p><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">*All photos not credited were taken by author.<br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">Have you considered making your own hair flower? What other ideas have you seen used?</p><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6966218250535741605-3632062385794435132?l=twodogbride.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Two Dog Bridehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04619191764905848843noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6966218250535741605.post-71633142390282599452010-03-05T07:00:00.000-08:002010-03-05T07:00:06.035-08:00Recently I had a really good hair day, so I called up MOB-V to see if she could run a quick hair trial for me. I want to make sure my natural curls are showcased on my wedding day, so I need to have good curls styled to work with. Just like a stylist wants you to show up with day-old-dirty hair for an updo, MOB-V wanted me to come with good curls for my trial.<br /><div> </div><br /><div>Here's what good curls look like:</div><br /><div> </div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_AxcQUBbACjA/S43OlDJncRI/AAAAAAAAAwA/Rcp4vJhqDWU/s1600-h/14-5.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_AxcQUBbACjA/S43OlDJncRI/AAAAAAAAAwA/Rcp4vJhqDWU/s400/14-5.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5444234660456919314" border="0" /></a><a href="http://www.amyboevephotography.com/">source</a> : Amy Boeve Photography<br /></div><br /><div>I came armed with inspiration photos, my DIY hair flower (tutorial soon, I promise), and my veil (or rather BM Irish's veil).</div><br /><div> </div>We started out with a half up-half down do, but I was not feeling MOB-V's choice of flower placement. I looked like a little girl waiting for her first ballet recital - in the 80s!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_AxcQUBbACjA/S43PieYxyqI/AAAAAAAAAww/-Dk4k6e68jw/s1600-h/hair+trials+002.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_AxcQUBbACjA/S43PieYxyqI/AAAAAAAAAww/-Dk4k6e68jw/s400/hair+trials+002.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5444235715740289698" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_AxcQUBbACjA/S43PJA9npJI/AAAAAAAAAwI/tnZSjGfXlXY/s1600-h/hair+trials+003.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_AxcQUBbACjA/S43PJA9npJI/AAAAAAAAAwI/tnZSjGfXlXY/s400/hair+trials+003.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5444235278345020562" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">Oi vay is that bad...</span><br /></div><div> </div><br /><div>Hair flowers are not meant to be crowns. So instead, we decided to gather the hair a little lower and pull it back farther on one side. MOB-V pulled a ring of curls forward in the front, teased my hair, and then laid the curls back on top to keep the natural look on top.<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_AxcQUBbACjA/S43PJSepFbI/AAAAAAAAAwQ/l_ojuM5Wqtg/s1600-h/hair+trials+015.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_AxcQUBbACjA/S43PJSepFbI/AAAAAAAAAwQ/l_ojuM5Wqtg/s400/hair+trials+015.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5444235283046929842" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_AxcQUBbACjA/S43PJ2eR7UI/AAAAAAAAAwY/TgPkLJvZzSc/s1600-h/hair+trials+017.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_AxcQUBbACjA/S43PJ2eR7UI/AAAAAAAAAwY/TgPkLJvZzSc/s400/hair+trials+017.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5444235292709088578" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">Lopsided is not my style.<br /></span></div><br /><div> </div>While I like the way the hair flower looks in this style, the overall shape of the style was a bit too extreme to have all my hair back on one side and pretty much down on the other. Not to mention, by this point the top of my hair was getting pretty fuzzy.<br /><div> </div><br /><div>We decided instead to try pulling all my hair back in a low wide pony-tail type gather.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_AxcQUBbACjA/S43PKPFF8sI/AAAAAAAAAwg/FPYTCN8OPeA/s1600-h/hair+trials+020.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_AxcQUBbACjA/S43PKPFF8sI/AAAAAAAAAwg/FPYTCN8OPeA/s400/hair+trials+020.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5444235299314332354" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_AxcQUBbACjA/S43QPW-LXeI/AAAAAAAAAw4/KvjRWPWpILs/s1600-h/hair+trials+021.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_AxcQUBbACjA/S43QPW-LXeI/AAAAAAAAAw4/KvjRWPWpILs/s400/hair+trials+021.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5444236486843784674" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_AxcQUBbACjA/S43PKiaGkuI/AAAAAAAAAwo/qVJFICAwWl0/s1600-h/hair+trials+022.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_AxcQUBbACjA/S43PKiaGkuI/AAAAAAAAAwo/qVJFICAwWl0/s400/hair+trials+022.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5444235304502727394" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">Mama likey!<br /></span></div><br />The wide pony look turned out to be a lot better looking from all sides! It's out of my face and there is definitely some natural curl action going on. This style is a good contender, but I think I still want MOB-V to try the big low bun look I like too. I'm not sure if a low messy bun will give me enough natural curl action, but I do really like what MOB-V came up with.<br /><br />What do you think? Anyone having family or friends do your wedding day hair? And for my natural curly brides, are you rocking the curls au naturale?<br /></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6966218250535741605-7163314239028259945?l=twodogbride.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Two Dog Bridehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04619191764905848843noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6966218250535741605.post-27972830884758502722010-03-03T07:00:00.000-08:002010-03-03T08:33:44.866-08:00I know a lot of blogging brides have posted up their iPod reception playlists. However, I want to take this time to talk about a different kind of playlist. I'm going to call it my Let's Get Pumped Up playlist.<br /><br /><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5444078035047075074" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 292px; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_AxcQUBbACjA/S41AIQB8zQI/AAAAAAAAAv4/EE7KcgV0x0A/s400/dancing.jpg" border="0" /></div><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><a href="http://www.gettyimages.com/detail/BD8298-001/Riser">source</a><br /></div><div><br />When I was younger, I used to dance in front of my mirror every day as part of my morning routine. I know it might seem silly, but I genuinely think that singing and dancing with my hot self did wonders for my self esteem. I danced as part of my routine from early junior high through college. I don't make a habit of it now, only because I live with B. I'll admit, I'm a little embarrassed to be dancing uninhibited in front of him. That, and well, dancing at 6 AM is not really a priority for my stressed-out adult self these days. With time, I think I'll go back to dancing more in the house.<br /><br />I've been compiling a playlist of songs that get my dance juices flowing and just generally make me upbeat and happy. A lot of these are girl power type songs, which also help in the self confidence department. But on the morning of my wedding, when I'm more than likely going to be sick-to-my-stomach nervous, I think it would be a great time to reintegrate the dancing and singing into my preparations.<br /></div><div><br />So here's a few of the songs I've already set up on my list:</div><br /><div>Pop by N*Sync</div><br /><object height="344" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/TWZKw_MgUPI&amp;hl=en_US&amp;fs=1&amp;"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/TWZKw_MgUPI&amp;hl=en_US&amp;fs=1&amp;" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div>All I Want To Do by Sugarland<br /></div><br /><object height="340" width="560"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/npbiMJzNJII&amp;hl=en_US&amp;fs=1&amp;"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/npbiMJzNJII&amp;hl=en_US&amp;fs=1&amp;" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="560" height="340"></embed></object><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div>Comfort Eagle by Cake<br /></div><br /><object height="344" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/p07Qdq2Jzv0&amp;hl=en_US&amp;fs=1&amp;"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/p07Qdq2Jzv0&amp;hl=en_US&amp;fs=1&amp;" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div>Girlfriend by Avril Lavigne<br /></div><br /><object height="344" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/Bg59q4puhmg&amp;hl=en_US&amp;fs=1&amp;"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/Bg59q4puhmg&amp;hl=en_US&amp;fs=1&amp;" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div>Stronger by Kanye West</div><br /><object height="340" width="560"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/PsO6ZnUZI0g&amp;hl=en_US&amp;fs=1&amp;"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/PsO6ZnUZI0g&amp;hl=en_US&amp;fs=1&amp;" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="560" height="340"></embed></object><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div>Criminal by Fiona Apple<br /></div><br /><object height="340" width="560"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/FFOzayDpWoI&amp;hl=en_US&amp;fs=1&amp;"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/FFOzayDpWoI&amp;hl=en_US&amp;fs=1&amp;" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="560" height="340"></embed></object><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div>Show Me Love by Robyn (Anyone remember this song?)<br /></div><br /><object height="340" width="560"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/Ia2OkrWNmzE&amp;hl=en_US&amp;fs=1&amp;"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/Ia2OkrWNmzE&amp;hl=en_US&amp;fs=1&amp;" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="560" height="340"></embed></object><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div>There are a lot more songs on my list, but these are just a few highlights. Of course, this list grows everyday while I listen to my <a href="http://www.zune.com/">Zune </a>at work. For now, I'm just keeping a list running in my bridal journal. Sometime before the big day, I'll compile these songs so they are ready to go.<br /></div><br /><div>Have you thought about making a morning prep playlist? What songs make you feel good and get your juices moving 'n' shaking?</div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6966218250535741605-2797283088475850272?l=twodogbride.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Two Dog Bridehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04619191764905848843noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6966218250535741605.post-48329516068205016442010-03-02T07:00:00.000-08:002010-03-02T07:17:27.206-08:00So a while back, I caught <a href="http://www.weddingbee.com/2008/08/26/my-diy-boudoir-photos/">this blog article</a> about DIY boudoir photos. While I'm a big photography fan and know that B would love to have his own little Two Dog Bride spread, I'm not entirely certain I want to a) spend money on additional photography and b) get nekkie in front of someone other than B. I thought about asking one of my already married BMs to take the photos for me, but I don't even know if I'd be comfortable enough in front of my own friends to take good photos. If you've seen the episode of Keeping Up With the Kardashians where Khloe fails at making a sexy video for hubby Lamar Odom, then you can see how silly my being uncomfortable would turn out.<br /><br /><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.celebrific.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/88680_Celebutopia-Khloe_Kardashian-The_Mel_B_Sugar_Factory_Couture_Lollipop_Launch-02_122_104lo.jpg"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 454px; CURSOR: pointer; HEIGHT: 679px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://www.celebrific.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/88680_Celebutopia-Khloe_Kardashian-The_Mel_B_Sugar_Factory_Couture_Lollipop_Launch-02_122_104lo.jpg" border="0" /></a><a href="http://www.dalesinc.com/blog/">source</a><br /></div><br />Instead, I think I'm going to take a stab at it by myself first. I figure if they turn out looking like total crap, then maybe I'll call up my photographer or one of the BMs. If it gets to that, I think I'll ask the BMs if anyone would like to swap sessions. Then all the husbands and husbands-to-be can get some saucy photos of their ladies!<br /><br />To prepare for my personal shoot, I found some inspiration online for poses that I think would be most flattering to my big behind.<br /><br /><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.rawphotodesign.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2009/06/connecticut-boudoir-photos-06.jpg"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 375px; CURSOR: pointer; HEIGHT: 563px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://www.rawphotodesign.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2009/06/connecticut-boudoir-photos-06.jpg" border="0" /></a><a href="http://rawphotodesign.com/blog/?p=1711">source</a><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: left"><br />Bending forward to fix a stocking or a shoe gives that great sexy hair look and I could angle my big behind away from the camera this way.<br /><br /><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.reddeliciousphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/05/dsc_2807e.jpg"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 425px; CURSOR: pointer; HEIGHT: 637px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://www.reddeliciousphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/05/dsc_2807e.jpg" border="0" /></a><a href="http://www.reddeliciousphotography.com/?p=203">source</a><br /></div><br />Rocking my corset will give my waist a great shape and my girls a lift. Plus, B loves my corset bra. And I like the way her hands are placed so that her forearms hide her thighs a bit. I also love how dead on and confident she is. I want to look life in the face like that.<br /><br /><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3157/2814735394_ca61b11937_o.jpg"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 432px; CURSOR: pointer; HEIGHT: 288px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3157/2814735394_ca61b11937_o.jpg" border="0" /></a><a href="http://lucidgraphicdesign.blogspot.com/2008/09/boudoir-photography-session-boise-idaho.html">source</a><br /></div><br />Then there is the ever popular laying down, upside-down shot. This flattering angle is a great sexy look, but I worry that getting my camera this close to the bedspread will just showcase the horrible dog hair action that's always going on.<br /><br /><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.destinflweddingphotographer.com/images/pensacola%20boudoir%20photography.jpg"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 750px; CURSOR: pointer; HEIGHT: 563px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://www.destinflweddingphotographer.com/images/pensacola%20boudoir%20photography.jpg" border="0" /></a><a href="http://www.destinflweddingphotographer.com/destin%20boudoir%20photographer.htm">source</a><br /></div><br />And who says I even have to show my bad features? I could do some sexy necklace playing/chewing shots and focus in on my eyes and hair instead.<br /><br />I'm definitely going to go the soft lighting route, too. At this point, I figure so long as I have a clean house to myself for a few hours I can test this out. If all else fails, I get to prance around in my underwear for a while and who doesn't do that when they are home alone anyways?<br /><br />Would you consider taking your own boudoir photos? Have you seen any particular poses you find flattering? And would you take pictures for a close friend if you were asked? </div></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6966218250535741605-4832951606820501644?l=twodogbride.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Two Dog Bridehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04619191764905848843noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6966218250535741605.post-28178667313305256332010-03-01T07:00:00.000-08:002010-03-01T07:00:08.902-08:00With my first dress fitting coming up this week, I hit the stores today to do a little shoe shopping. If you remember, I've <a href="http://twodogbride.blogspot.com/2009/12/finding-my-glass-slipper.html">already bought two pairs</a> of shoes. However, I don't think I'll wear either of the pairs I already have. One gives me blisters and the other has too big of a heel. I don't want to be taller than B at the altar! So I tried to find some nice flats or sandals to wear. I'm not a big dress shoe kinda girl. Sorry, that's just not me. I wobble in pumps. So then what <span style="font-style: italic;">is</span> me?<br /><br />Walking into <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">TJMaxx</span> and finding these:<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_AxcQUBbACjA/S4sNVYW7yeI/AAAAAAAAAvw/kQDtaTbO6H8/s1600-h/shoes+004.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_AxcQUBbACjA/S4sNVYW7yeI/AAAAAAAAAvw/kQDtaTbO6H8/s400/shoes+004.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5443459235574434274" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">Please ignore my winter leg hair and my dog-hairy floor.</span><br /></div><br />Oh, yeah. Those are bridal blue Converse! On clearance!<br /><br />And while I am psyched about finding some sweet sneakers that would not only match my colors but also be super comfy, I think I'll need to actually see the sneakers with the dress before I make my decision to wear them for the wedding.<br /><br />To be on the safe side, I also headed over to <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">DSW</span> to scope out their sandal selection and found these:<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_AxcQUBbACjA/S4sNU9Yu8HI/AAAAAAAAAvo/CLKcFbGNOIM/s1600-h/shoes+003.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_AxcQUBbACjA/S4sNU9Yu8HI/AAAAAAAAAvo/CLKcFbGNOIM/s400/shoes+003.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5443459228334223474" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">I painted my toes, just for you guys.<br /></span></div><br />I live in flip flops all summer long and have bought the same pair of brown flip flops for three years in a row. I wear them so much, they barely last the three to four months of warm weather here in Michigan. So I know that I will be more than comfortable in flip flops. If the sneakers don't look right to me, these will be my backups.<br /><br />Which would you prefer? Sneakers or sandals? And if I wore one for the ceremony and one for the reception, which should I wear to each?<br /><div></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6966218250535741605-2817866731330525633?l=twodogbride.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Two Dog Bridehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04619191764905848843noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6966218250535741605.post-46293265180174651752010-02-28T07:00:00.000-08:002010-02-28T07:00:02.193-08:00If you haven't figured out by now, I have curly hair. Yes, it's true. And with curly hair comes challenges. It's almost always frizzy, large and unruly.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_AxcQUBbACjA/S4iLwDPMgJI/AAAAAAAAAuY/SN-TCvRw7RA/s1600-h/afropuff.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_AxcQUBbACjA/S4iLwDPMgJI/AAAAAAAAAuY/SN-TCvRw7RA/s400/afropuff.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5442753807296266386" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Webcam</span>, circa 2002.<br /><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_AxcQUBbACjA/S4iO3PvL5fI/AAAAAAAAAuo/yab1wXmlmrM/s1600-h/algerparty+004.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_AxcQUBbACjA/S4iO3PvL5fI/AAAAAAAAAuo/yab1wXmlmrM/s400/algerparty+004.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5442757229445637618" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">Halloween, 2008</span><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-style: italic;"><br /></span></span>When I was a kid, I complained about getting my hair brushed a lot. I hated it. It hurt and I didn't want to put up with it. Curly hair does not brush nice. It pulls and tears. So, my mother cut my hair short. Like soccer-mom short. From the time I was seven until I was about ten, I had a super short cut.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_AxcQUBbACjA/S4iU7ldFMcI/AAAAAAAAAvg/Yz_00S_WJEQ/s1600-h/IMG_0001.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 277px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_AxcQUBbACjA/S4iU7ldFMcI/AAAAAAAAAvg/Yz_00S_WJEQ/s400/IMG_0001.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5442763901064524226" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_AxcQUBbACjA/S4iU6Ys2_iI/AAAAAAAAAvI/LGYuKcxKyL4/s1600-h/IMG_0002.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 269px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_AxcQUBbACjA/S4iU6Ys2_iI/AAAAAAAAAvI/LGYuKcxKyL4/s400/IMG_0002.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5442763880461172258" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_AxcQUBbACjA/S4iU7XIFgDI/AAAAAAAAAvY/cyaBNYqGD2E/s1600-h/IMG_0003.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 278px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_AxcQUBbACjA/S4iU7XIFgDI/AAAAAAAAAvY/cyaBNYqGD2E/s400/IMG_0003.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5442763897218367538" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">Yes, I was a cheerleader with that hair, circa 1994<br /></span></div><br />I grew out my hair by the time I was in junior high, but I didn't know how to take care of it. I brushed it with a horse hair brush (which only ever got the surface) and I wore it in a pony tail, thinking that was good enough. But when my grandmother went to brush my hair one day, she found a birds' nest the size of a large pancake in the back of my head and promptly cut it out. My hair is so thick and so curly that even with a near bald spot in the back of my head, I could still wear it in a pony tail without anyone knowing. Somehow I survived junior high without being a total reject.<br /><br />In high school and college I learned to perfect the curly hair style. I learned to brush it only in the shower and only with conditioner in it. I started using moose and hair spray and let it air dry in the mornings. With time I learned to respect the hair. It was like snake-charming Medusa.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_AxcQUBbACjA/S4iU65LT6mI/AAAAAAAAAvQ/If-JGZgyfgE/s1600-h/IMG_0004.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 228px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_AxcQUBbACjA/S4iU65LT6mI/AAAAAAAAAvQ/If-JGZgyfgE/s400/IMG_0004.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5442763889178831458" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">Circa 2000<br /></span></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_AxcQUBbACjA/S4iObCVia-I/AAAAAAAAAug/leZdGPABTFQ/s1600-h/janewedding+001.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_AxcQUBbACjA/S4iObCVia-I/AAAAAAAAAug/leZdGPABTFQ/s400/janewedding+001.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5442756744812063714" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">My dad and I, circa 2005</span><br /></div><br />Now, I love my curls! Love them. People ask me all the time if that's my natural curl.<br /><br />Yup. I wash, condition, throw in some curling lotion and it does the rest.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_AxcQUBbACjA/S4iPoExnxUI/AAAAAAAAAuw/bo5fJveN5ZA/s1600-h/philly+09+013.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_AxcQUBbACjA/S4iPoExnxUI/AAAAAAAAAuw/bo5fJveN5ZA/s400/philly+09+013.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5442758068316652866" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">Summer, 2009</span> </div><br />I've got the daily routine down. But when it comes to picking a wedding hairstyle, I'm a little apprehensive. I want something that shows off my natural curls. If I don't have my own curls in there, I worry that I won't look like me.<br /><span style="font-style: italic;"></span></div></div><br />For example, here's two formal hairstyles I wore for <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">MOH</span> and BM <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Irish's</span> weddings:<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_AxcQUBbACjA/S4iQ1FPkDKI/AAAAAAAAAu4/QyBI3w5ReO0/s1600-h/liz+and+mark.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_AxcQUBbACjA/S4iQ1FPkDKI/AAAAAAAAAu4/QyBI3w5ReO0/s400/liz+and+mark.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5442759391292165282" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">Me and <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">MOH's</span> brother M-Boy, October 2006</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_AxcQUBbACjA/S4iQ1ifq-OI/AAAAAAAAAvA/tsivM4cxvr4/s1600-h/wedding+day+027.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_AxcQUBbACjA/S4iQ1ifq-OI/AAAAAAAAAvA/tsivM4cxvr4/s400/wedding+day+027.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5442759399144356066" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">Me and B, December 2006</span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">As you can see, very little natural curl action going on there. Not that I don't think both hair styles are very pretty, they are just not what I'm looking for on my own wedding day.<br /><br />I have a few ideas up my sleeve that I'm going to run by MOB-V. Yes, that's right, she's my hair stylist too. MOB-V is a licensed barber and hair stylist. She's been cutting my hair since about 1999. When she can't cut my hair anymore, I don't know what I'll do. Probably go back to the soccer mom look.<br /><br />Hopefully, I can find a style that is sophisticated, out of my face and natural curl friendly. If anyone can work my hair like that, it's MOB-V.<br /><br />Any curly haired brides out there? Are you showcasing your natural curl or doing something completely different?<br /></div></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6966218250535741605-4629326518017465175?l=twodogbride.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Two Dog Bridehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04619191764905848843noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6966218250535741605.post-30361451783945602442010-02-27T07:00:00.000-08:002010-02-27T07:00:04.369-08:00So remember when I talked about <a href="http://twodogbride.blogspot.com/2010/01/let-children-play.html">entertaining</a> my smaller out of town guests? Well, I decided to make a fun <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">placemat</span> for them!<br /><br />I basically started out by printing off a variety of wedding related clip art and images off the web to play around with. I also found a site with mazes of letters (monogram anyone?) and made my own wedding <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">word search</span> to use for activities. I cut the different images out and laid them out on a sheet of 11" x 17" paper until I liked what I saw and <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">wha</span>-la!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_AxcQUBbACjA/S4hdCWwdGaI/AAAAAAAAAuI/AUXhB3FnTqo/s1600-h/placemat+edit.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_AxcQUBbACjA/S4hdCWwdGaI/AAAAAAAAAuI/AUXhB3FnTqo/s400/placemat+edit.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5442702444727179682" border="0" /></a><br />We have <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">placemat</span>!<br /><br />And because I was so pleased with myself, I HAD to make another design for the back side...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_AxcQUBbACjA/S4hdC_xLUsI/AAAAAAAAAuQ/qoREkhMHiD0/s1600-h/placemat+002.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_AxcQUBbACjA/S4hdC_xLUsI/AAAAAAAAAuQ/qoREkhMHiD0/s400/placemat+002.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5442702455736062658" border="0" /></a><br />PIRATE <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">PLACEMAT</span> SURPRISE!!<br /><br />Oh yeah, that's right.<br /><br />I'm not sure what to write on the pirate side of the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">placemat</span>, but I think it'll have to be something about finding the "hidden treasure" <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">placemat</span>. The plan is to use the handy-dandy home copier to print these out since I'll only need about 15 of them. But now I'm so excited about them, I'm wondering if I want to make them for all the guests!<br /><br />Any thoughts what I should write on the hidden treasure side? And if you were an adult guest, would you get a kick out of getting a <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">placemat</span>? Or would you just find it silly?<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6966218250535741605-3036145178394560244?l=twodogbride.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Two Dog Bridehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04619191764905848843noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6966218250535741605.post-53056650735105787542010-02-26T07:00:00.000-08:002010-02-26T07:00:07.088-08:00This week I got a phone call that my dress is in! I still have to set up my first fitting, but while I was thinking about it, I wanted to share my tips for trying on dresses.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_AxcQUBbACjA/S4Xrr4KJ9aI/AAAAAAAAAtw/rtUtDZSPMDw/s1600-h/point.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_AxcQUBbACjA/S4Xrr4KJ9aI/AAAAAAAAAtw/rtUtDZSPMDw/s400/point.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5442014863788996002" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Imma</span> gonna tell you.</span> (Wow, old college pic! And yes, I <span style="font-style: italic;">had </span>an eyebrow ring.)<br /></div><br />I'm a jeans size 16 and a bridal gown size 20. Trying on dresses was not something I was looking forward to. I knew going in that a lot of salons carry smaller middle of the road sizes like tens and twelves and sometimes even eights. Well, there was no way I was going to fit my huge rear into a size eight, but with some assistance, I was able to zip up twelves and even put on tens enough to see what the dress might look on me in the right size.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">1) Do your research. Style and store.</span><br /><br />For bigger girls like me, the thought of trying on dresses is stressful enough. The one thing I had going on for me confidence wise was that I knew what style of dresses looked good on me before I got to the store. Take a look at your closet and see what kind of outfits you have that you already know look good on you. Read some articles on body shapes and dress types. If you are a <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">uber</span>-<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">hippy</span> chick like me, don't even bother to ask to try on a trumpet or mermaid style. Believe me, you won't even be able to get it on in a small size. I tried. However, there were a few smaller A-line styles I was able to put on over my head enough to see what the bodice looked like, even though the skirt might not have come all the way over my hips.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://img4.realsimple.com/images/holidays-entertaining/weddings/0717/wedding-dress-1_300.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 357px;" src="http://img4.realsimple.com/images/holidays-entertaining/weddings/0717/wedding-dress-1_300.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><a href="http://www.realsimple.com/holidays-entertaining/weddings/dress-attire/wedding-dresses-how-to-choose-perfect-dress-for-your-body-type-10000001706135/page3.html">source</a><br /></div><br />Also, call ahead to the salon and ask if they carry larger sizes or what their standard size is. I wish I would have done this from the start. I finally asked the last store and was surprised to find they had a whole section of larger sizes. I wasn't originally planning on going to that particular salon, but then when I did, I ended up finding my dress there!<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">2) Get a some support wear.</span><br /><br /><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Spanx</span> and other <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">shapewear</span> might not be the most attractive undergarments, but get some before you go dress shopping.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://site.mawebcenters.com/victoriasbridalcouture1/_images//8950.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 359px; height: 420px;" src="http://site.mawebcenters.com/victoriasbridalcouture1/_images//8950.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><a href="http://site.mawebcenters.com/victoriasbridalcouture1/_images//8950.jpg">source</a><br /></div><br />Wearing my long line corset bra and a pair of <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">Spanx</span> allowed me to squeeze into some of the smaller size samples I would have never thought I could fit into. I went to one store right after work, didn't have my long line bra with me and it was a total waste. The long line bra supports my girls really well, so when I tried on dresses, the girls were in the right place, my waist was smaller and I looked hot! Without the corset, I felt like a total <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">schlub</span>. <span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /><br />3) Bring a friend. Or two.</span><br /><br />Honest friends will tell you when you look hot and when a style is just not you. Your friends know what looks good on you and can be a reassuring voice. I know that's not really a tip specific to plus sized shopping. But on the other end, if you have a friend who rocks a 12 or a 14, she might be able to try on some of the smaller dresses so that you can see what they look like on a body instead of on the hanger. I know more than one woman who used this approach when they know that they couldn't squeeze into both bridal and bridesmaid's gowns. It's not the most confidence boosting tip, but it's a more reliable process than spending hundred of dollars on a dress you've only seen in a catalogue or on the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">internets</span> on a model.<span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /><br />4) Do not buy the sample.</span><br /><br />I had a sales woman try and convince me to buy the sample size, two sizes too small. She assured me it could be let out and even though it was a good deal, my gut told me otherwise. Just because you can squeeze into a dress in the store, doesn't mean it fits. An ill-fitting outfit just draws attention to body flaws and the last thing a bride wants on her big day is for a seam to bust open or to fall out of the top of the dress because it doesn't fit right. Get measured and sized for the largest part of your body. A dress can always be taken in, but it can't always be let out. You don't want this to be you.<br /><br /><object width="560" height="340"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/QEha_VnPtFQ&amp;hl=en_US&amp;fs=1&amp;"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/QEha_VnPtFQ&amp;hl=en_US&amp;fs=1&amp;" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="560" height="340"></embed></object><br /><br />Or this:<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://cm1.theinsider.com/media/0/148/67/oops-3.0.0.0x0.389x640.jpeg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 389px; height: 640px;" src="http://cm1.theinsider.com/media/0/148/67/oops-3.0.0.0x0.389x640.jpeg" alt="" border="0" /></a><a href="http://www.theinsider.com/news/1398428_Don_t_Breathe">source</a><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Please don't be like Britney.</span><br /></div><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">5) Don't get discouraged!</span><br /><br />It's frustrating to go from store to store and try to squeeze into dresses. But the longer you put it off, the more stressful and pressured you'll feel. So start early and do your research. Take your time. If you plan ahead, find some stores that carry a selection of larger samples and go prepared, the dress shopping experience can and should be enjoyable.<br /><br />What are other dress shopping tips you've either found or used for making the experience less frustrating?<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6966218250535741605-5305665073510578754?l=twodogbride.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Two Dog Bridehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04619191764905848843noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6966218250535741605.post-25254537786131812092010-02-25T07:00:00.001-08:002010-03-03T08:42:53.920-08:00The first step in our <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">pre</span>-<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Cana</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">preparation</span> was to meet with a certified marriage counselor. But before we could actually meet with him, our counselor had us take a kind of compatibility survey.<br /><br /><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://serc.carleton.edu/images/NAGTWorkshops/assess/Assessment1.jpg"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 279px; CURSOR: pointer; HEIGHT: 357px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://serc.carleton.edu/images/NAGTWorkshops/assess/Assessment1.jpg" border="0" /></a><a href="http://serc.carleton.edu/images/NAGTWorkshops/assess/Assessment1.jpg">source</a><br /></div><br />From what I understood, taking a survey like this is a required part of the process in the Catholic Church. It's used to see what issues we would need to address in our counseling and what already worked well in our relationship. The survey we took, <a href="https://www.prepare-enrich.com/webapp/pe_main/mainsite/home/template/DisplaySecureContent.vm;pc=1267060998942?id=pe_main_site_content*pages*home*public*HomeLinks.html&amp;xlat=Y&amp;emb_org_id=0&amp;emb_prp_id=0&amp;emb_unq_id=0&amp;emb_lng_code=ENGLISH">Prepare/Enrich</a>, was very similar to the kinds of things you see on dating sites like <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">eHarmony</span>.com or Match.com. The questions included basics like how long we'd been together and how many kids we each wanted to have, as well as more complex agree/disagree statement questions like "I feel that my fiance listens to me." B and I took the same survey separately so that we didn't know who answered what.<br /><br />I loved this part of the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">pre</span>-<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">Cana</span> work. First, I love any kind of personality test you can think of. I love self-assessments and learning more about myself. I always think it is interesting to see what kind of definition or grouping a test will lump me into. I've taken the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Myers-Briggs_Type_Indicator">Myers-Briggs</a>, the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Keirsey_Temperament_Sorter"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">Keirsey</span> Temperament</a>, and the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DISC_assessment">DISC assessment</a>. All personality tests are fascinating to me, even the poorly made ones like "What Star Wars character are you most like?" Secondly, I have always enjoyed counseling. I used to volunteer in the mental health field in high school, and ever since then, have found a couple counseling sessions here and there helps me organize my thoughts and rationale any time I come up on some major stress or life changes. Sometimes just having an outside observer ask clarifying questions about your situation helps clear things up.<br /><br />So, when we sat down to meet with the counselor for the first time, I was excited. He started by getting to know us and then going through the assessment section by section. The questions we answered filtered back to sections like communication, financial management, relationship roles, conflict resolution and parenting expectations. As a couple, it turned out we were pretty harmonious!<br /><br /><br /><p><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_AxcQUBbACjA/S4XT_Vl_s0I/AAAAAAAAAtY/d-Ff6IFGOMU/s1600-h/disneyworld+094.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5441988809828840258" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: pointer; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_AxcQUBbACjA/S4XT_Vl_s0I/AAAAAAAAAtY/d-Ff6IFGOMU/s400/disneyworld+094.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />While we didn't fit into the highest category of compatibility, the counselor praised our strengths as a couple. We had great communication skills, handled conflict resolution well, had a good understanding of our relationship roles with each other and had the best family and friends network score you could get. Our weakest element was our spiritual beliefs. While B and I share spiritual values, the counselor felt our weakness was more based on organized religion, not spirituality. We both grew up Catholic, but we both struggle individually with different parts of the Church's expectations and dogma.<br /><br />The other interesting thing that the survey covered was our personal <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">stressors</span>. We both stress about our jobs, or lack thereof. And where B stresses out about finances and lack of exercise, I get stressed about not having (or making) enough time for my friends.<br /><br /></p><p align="center"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_AxcQUBbACjA/S4XYhDcqWpI/AAAAAAAAAtg/UjNsaVJRNhw/s1600-h/lizT_tigers.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5441993787119917714" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: pointer; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_AxcQUBbACjA/S4XYhDcqWpI/AAAAAAAAAtg/UjNsaVJRNhw/s400/lizT_tigers.jpg" border="0" /></a><em>Me and The MOH at a Tigers game!</em></p><p>Putting things like our weaknesses and <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">stressors</span> down on paper helps us to better understand each other's ticks and hot buttons. Also, hearing reassurance on our strengths and what we were doing right made me feel a lot closer to B. Even though nothing had really changed over the three meetings we had on the counselor's couch, I felt a lot closer to him than I had before we started this <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">pre</span>-<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">Cana</span> process.<br /><br /></p><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_AxcQUBbACjA/S4XaGfa6v1I/AAAAAAAAAto/rlRYWv09BVU/s1600-h/med_redbull_airraces013.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5441995529795583826" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: pointer; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_AxcQUBbACjA/S4XaGfa6v1I/AAAAAAAAAto/rlRYWv09BVU/s400/med_redbull_airraces013.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Has anything in your wedding preparations made you feel instantly closer with your fiance?<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6966218250535741605-2525453778613181209?l=twodogbride.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Two Dog Bridehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04619191764905848843noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6966218250535741605.post-89640453264431053522010-02-24T07:00:00.000-08:002010-02-24T07:00:00.894-08:00So, when talking about our honeymoon, we wanted somewhere with a little bit of urban flavor for exploration, a little bit of adventure, and a little bit of rest and relaxation. What did we decide on to find all three?<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_AxcQUBbACjA/S4SdjYLnLqI/AAAAAAAAAtQ/PMd_4d-ZHY4/s1600-h/view_from_diamond_head_oahu_hawaii1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_AxcQUBbACjA/S4SdjYLnLqI/AAAAAAAAAtQ/PMd_4d-ZHY4/s400/view_from_diamond_head_oahu_hawaii1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5441647480882540194" border="0" /></a><a href="http://thesummer.wordpress.com/2009/04/08/">source</a><br /></div><br />Hawaii!<br /><br />We figured we would be able to visit Honolulu for our urban fix. See a little bit of American history and see a new city. For our adventure needs, there are all kinds of outdoor activities to check out. Where I totally want to look into the volcano, B is all for cliff jumping into the ocean! Plenty of options for us. And for our relaxation, the islands are covered in great beaches and resorts. We still have to get in touch with the travel agent and see if all this is doable in our budget. B and I figure that if we can work it, we would love to see three islands in ten days. If the budget is a problem, then we are willing to negotiate down to two islands in three days. With that, we'll have to see what kind of magic the travel agent can work for us!<br /><br />Has anyone else been to Hawaii? If we can't do three islands, what two islands would you recommend?<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6966218250535741605-8964045326443105352?l=twodogbride.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Two Dog Bridehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04619191764905848843noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6966218250535741605.post-80665895604132118602010-02-23T07:00:00.000-08:002010-02-24T06:58:58.368-08:00When B and I first met, we talked a lot about travel. I have been out of the country several times, where B had never even been to the West Coast. So when it came to talking about were we wanted to go on our honeymoon, we had a lot of options. We could go somewhere close and simple like Texas or Mexico or North Carolina, but B and I wanted to go big. BIG. We wanted to go somewhere we might not be able to go to again.<br /><br />We started to look at our options. For B, there was one place that he knew he wanted to go. <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Machu_Picchu"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Machu</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Picchu</span></a>, Peru.<br /><br /><p align="center"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 764px; HEIGHT: 558px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://www.kutztown.edu/activities/clubs/geology/photos/Machu_Picchu.jpg" border="0" /><a href="http://www.kutztown.edu/activities/clubs/geology/">source</a></p><div align="left">While stunningly beautiful and <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">definitely</span> somewhere we both would love to go, we agreed that it was not really honeymoon material. We're both interested in the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Incan</span> history and culture, but hiking up into the mountains did not really appeal to two couch potatoes. And traveling in a group is not really romantic either. Not to mention, the cost of a trip like that was way out of our budget.</div><p align="left">So we started thinking about other destinations.</p><p align="left">First I tried to convince B to go to Thailand. </p><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 500px; HEIGHT: 375px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://uniquetraveldestinations.files.wordpress.com/2009/09/phi-phi-island-1.jpg" border="0" /> <p align="center"><a href="http://uniquetraveldestinations.wordpress.com/2009/09/19/the-secret-islands-bond-put-on-map/">source</a><br /></p><p></p><p>The hotels were super cheap, but the flights made up for it in sheer dollars. Totally out of budget for us.</p>Then we looked at Rio <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">de</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">Janerio</span>, Brazil,<br /><p align="center"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 800px; HEIGHT: 600px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://miaroseworld.files.wordpress.com/2009/11/rio.jpg" border="0" /><a href="http://miaroseworld.com/">source</a></p><p>But B didn't feel the city had a safe enough history for us to be wandering around <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">and exploring</span> neighborhoods. The flight was expensive as all-get-out, too.</p><p>We considered a three city tour of Europe. We could use a <a href="http://www.eurail.com/"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">EuroRail</span> Pass</a> and see Barcelona (for some beaches), Paris (for the romance) and Amsterdam (for the party)!</p><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 560px; HEIGHT: 420px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://cache.virtualtourist.com/2602495-Barceloneta_Beaches-Barcelona.jpg" border="0" /> <p align="center"><a href="http://www.virtualtourist.com/travel/Europe/Spain/Catalunya/Barcelona-274654/Things_To_Do-Barcelona-Barceloneta_Beaches-BR-2.html">source</a><br /><br /><br /></p><p></p><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 800px; HEIGHT: 533px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://www.holidaycityflash.com/article%20pix/Paris_cafe.jpg" border="0" /> <p align="center"><a href="http://www.holidaycityflash.com/france/paris_cafe.htm">source</a><br /><br /></p><p align="center"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 533px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://cruises.about.com/library/graphics/baltic/109-0991_IMG.JPG" border="0" /><a href="http://cruises.about.com/cs/netherlands/l/blamsterdam26.htm">source</a><br /></p><br />But we worried about the trip logistics of going from country to country, the cost of the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">EuroRail</span> Pass versus the cost of taking puddle-jumping flights instead, and the challenges of not speaking anything other than English.<br /><br />We're still undecided. We know we want something a little bit relaxing (maybe with a beach), with a little bit of an urban area and sight seeing (somewhere we could explore and walk around), and something a little bit adventurous (we want some danger)!<br /><br />What suggestions do you have for us? What kind of honeymoon do you want? Adventurous? Relaxing? Or a bit of both?<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6966218250535741605-8066589560413211860?l=twodogbride.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Two Dog Bridehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04619191764905848843noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6966218250535741605.post-41046710102185979122010-02-21T07:00:00.000-08:002010-02-22T18:37:29.403-08:00As I have mentioned before, BM Bride is also planning her wedding to B's best friend and Best Man, Best Line Man. (He's an electrical line man by trade, what else could I call him?)<br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5439989201943394434" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; width: 400px; height: 300px; text-align: center;" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_AxcQUBbACjA/S365W1vL-II/AAAAAAAAAsg/QBZ1JL465Qs/s400/rachel+tim+tigers.jpg" border="0" /><br /><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Anywho</span></span>, she and I have very different attitudes about how to plan a wedding. I have been a <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">crafter</span></span> since birth. I want to make as much as possible and hopefully save a buck doing it. I <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">himm</span></span>-and-<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">haww</span></span> over ideas and buy stuff on a whim.<br /><br />BM Bride wants it done. She wants to keep things simplified and get them checked off the list. She's currently juggling a full-time job, graduate school and wedding planning all at the same time. In the first few months of being engaged, she was on a war path. She and Best Line Man did cake testing, booked their baker, bought her wedding gown off the rack, ordered invitations, ordered bridesmaids' dresses, booked the photographer and had already consulted a florist. She is the task master of my group and when she makes a decision, she sticks with it. Despite not having a lot of free time to do wedding planning things, she's a master at delegating and has her family to help when she can't.<br /><br />So, when I asked for help nailing down a third element for our centerpieces, BM Bride was the voice of reason. She sent me this email:<br /><blockquote><p>To me it all looks like too much. In every centerpiece there is way too much going on. Isn't a centerpiece supposed to be one big thing? I like the book idea with possibly a large floral arrangement on top. The small and then a large arrangement doesn't look right to me. Do the big or the small one on top of the books one or the other. Otherwise I don't think it looks right. You don't have to have extravagant vases full of flowers either. Keep it simple, that is always best.</p></blockquote><em>Only one floral arrangement?</em> I never thought of that. It could be a good idea on my sanity and my pocketbook. After I found the vases in two sizes, I thought I wanted to do each arrangement in a different flower with only one type of flower per vase to get that chic, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">monocromatic</span></span> feel. But if I did a larger single arrangement, I could use a couple different flowers for texture and still go with the monochromatic look.<br /><br />I ran BM Bride's suggestion by B and he was totally on board. "That's exactly what I was thinking. Let's just do one thing."<br /><br />Check. Decision made. Done!<br /><br />I still have to run our new idea by MOB-V, but I think she'll like it. She has been trying to keep me simple, but I haven't really been listening. Going down to one arrangement per table will simplify things for purchasing less flowers, for my aunts and friends who will be making fewer arrangements and for transporting less of them over to the hall. And I think my florist volunteers will love me more for making things easier.<br /><br />Now, our centerpieces will be the one large vase with a variety of inexpensive all white flowers for that fluffy, chic, <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">monochromatic</span> look. I'm still planning on using <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">votives</span></span> around the arrangement and setting them on top of some books, but the how of the books is still up in the air. I'm just glad I've got the flower design out of the way so MOB-V and I can put together prices.<br /><br />So, a big thank you is in order to BM Bride for being so straight-forward. Whenever I've needed a KISS (keep it simple, stupid!) reminder, she's been there to help me realize that some things are just not worrying about. Sometimes it's better to make a decision, stick with it and move on.<br /><br />Have you gotten any help from someone who thinks differently than you? What decisions have you made lately that you were glad to get off your plate?<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6966218250535741605-4104671010218597912?l=twodogbride.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Two Dog Bridehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04619191764905848843noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6966218250535741605.post-86242523155597863442010-02-20T07:00:00.000-08:002010-02-20T07:00:00.845-08:00<div align="left">... the girls will play. With flowers that is!<br /><br />After talking with MOB-V about our centerpieces, we headed out to Flower Factory to price out vases. Unfortunately, the nice <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">cyclinder</span> and square glass vases I wanted were way out of our budget. Since we would be buying our own containers, we needed something on the cheaper end, so our budget could go towards flowers.<br /><br />Enter the deal of the day! </div><div align="left"></div><div align="center"></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5439980602499097234" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_AxcQUBbACjA/S36xiST5YpI/AAAAAAAAAsY/PnYUP6eH3ZE/s400/012310+029.jpg" border="0" /><br /><br />Green and teal blue pots. They are supposed to be dissolving planters for your garden. A potted plant in these pots can be planted directly into the ground. After some time (we're talking like months and months), the pots dissolve and the plants are in the earth permanently!<br /><br />But the bonus for us was that they came in our wedding colors and they were only $1.25 each for the 5" x 5" ones and $0.65 each for the 3.5" x 3.5" ones! Bonus bonus bonus! I was <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">geeked</span>. They were way cheaper than the $7-$15 a piece glass ones we saw and despite the organic qualities, they held up really well. MOB-V soaked one in water for a week to see what would happen and to our delight, nothing happened. We were good to go.<br /><br />So, MOB-V took our stash of silk flowers and green/blue vases home to play around with some <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">arrangements</span>. Since we found two sizes of vases and I wanted monochromatic, white <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">arrangements</span>, we decided to go the single flower arrangement route in each. We made samples using dahlias and <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">alstromeria</span>. I also brought over a few more elements for us to play around with, including a stack of books, a mason jar, some wine glasses, a small <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">porcelain</span> dish and a plain picture frame to use as a table number stand in.<br /><br />Here are some options we came up with:<br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_AxcQUBbACjA/S2G_irZLKKI/AAAAAAAAAeQ/pDETlFF8D_c/s1600-h/option6.bmp"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5431833228070299810" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_AxcQUBbACjA/S2G_irZLKKI/AAAAAAAAAeQ/pDETlFF8D_c/s400/option6.bmp" border="0" /> <p align="center"></a><em>Imagine candles in the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">votives</span> and the mason jar. (And yes, I know about the dangers of candles in old blue mason jars, but this is a stand in for clear ones.)</em><br /><br /></p><div align="center"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_AxcQUBbACjA/S2G_cx_hcrI/AAAAAAAAAeI/GoRZgFj3dAU/s1600-h/option5.bmp"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5431833126762541746" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_AxcQUBbACjA/S2G_cx_hcrI/AAAAAAAAAeI/GoRZgFj3dAU/s400/option5.bmp" border="0" /></a> <em>We were thinking the white <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">porcelain</span> dish could hold some candy or peanuts or something <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">munchie</span>.</em><br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_AxcQUBbACjA/S2G_cqUugkI/AAAAAAAAAeA/35R2mnm35PM/s1600-h/option4.bmp"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5431833124703994434" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_AxcQUBbACjA/S2G_cqUugkI/AAAAAAAAAeA/35R2mnm35PM/s400/option4.bmp" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_AxcQUBbACjA/S2G_cWWqV9I/AAAAAAAAAd4/zRqq7kRZb9I/s1600-h/option3.bmp"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5431833119343400914" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_AxcQUBbACjA/S2G_cWWqV9I/AAAAAAAAAd4/zRqq7kRZb9I/s400/option3.bmp" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_AxcQUBbACjA/S2G_cLKGfxI/AAAAAAAAAdw/fT45ZEgPneQ/s1600-h/option2.bmp"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5431833116337930002" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_AxcQUBbACjA/S2G_cLKGfxI/AAAAAAAAAdw/fT45ZEgPneQ/s400/option2.bmp" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_AxcQUBbACjA/S2G_bvrXiiI/AAAAAAAAAdo/ga9fS6_qi1U/s1600-h/option1.bmp"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5431833108961266210" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_AxcQUBbACjA/S2G_bvrXiiI/AAAAAAAAAdo/ga9fS6_qi1U/s400/option1.bmp" border="0" /></a> </div><br /><div align="left">After our little experimentation session, I took the photos home to B to get his opinion. He liked the one with the books and the wine glass candle best. But I liked the one with the mason jar. B turned out to be very anti-mason jar. (Apparently, he doesn't read wedding blogs like I do.) He thought the whole look was very <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">hodge</span>-<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">podgey</span>. He liked the two flower arrangements, but we could not agree on a third element for the tables. </div><br /><div></div><div align="left">Instead, we went back to the drawing board to look for the perfect third element. I posted on message boards and emailed my bridesmaids looking for help. Every idea I thought of was shot down by B (who wanted something simple) or MOB-V (who was trying to keep me in budget). Balloons, more books, wooden block letters, water carafes, photos. Nothing seemed to fit. I hit a wall. I needed something inexpensive, chic and coordinated for our third thing. I needed help. </div><div align="left"> </div><div align="left"></div><div align="left">Have you ever hit a wedding planning wall? How did you get past it? And do you have any ideas what to use as a third element?</div></div><br /></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6966218250535741605-8624252315559786344?l=twodogbride.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Two Dog Bridehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04619191764905848843noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6966218250535741605.post-734388856132172832010-02-19T07:00:00.001-08:002010-02-19T07:00:07.049-08:00When I first started to think about centerpieces, I thought that FI and I were going to have to go the full on DIY route. MOB-V runs a small wedding florist company on the side and while she said she would be able to do all our personal flowers, she didn't think she would be able to find time to do our centerpieces on the day of or the day before.<br /><br />However, I love flowers. I'm a huge gardener. I wasn't going to go without. So I tried to find ideas where we could still have flowers, but be able to DIY them with little skill. The idea was use a few blooms sumberged in vases and a pillar candle.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_AxcQUBbACjA/S3oFQypNcXI/AAAAAAAAApw/RA4SkaSKHAw/s1600-h/IMG_0003.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 284px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_AxcQUBbACjA/S3oFQypNcXI/AAAAAAAAApw/RA4SkaSKHAw/s400/IMG_0003.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5438665286033961330" border="0" /></a><br />I was thinking a cylinder vase with a hydrangea bloom, a square vase with a floating mum and a pillar candle with a paper band. I was initially inspired by this photo.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_AxcQUBbACjA/S3oJYHxBEII/AAAAAAAAAp4/JVXg3r96wSU/s1600-h/floating+hydrangea.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 250px; height: 317px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_AxcQUBbACjA/S3oJYHxBEII/AAAAAAAAAp4/JVXg3r96wSU/s400/floating+hydrangea.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5438669810009444482" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">I have no idea where I pulled this from. Do you know?</span><br /></div><br />And I wanted a fuji mum or some button mums like this:<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://media.theknot.com/ImageStage/Objects/0003/0060624/large_image.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 310px; height: 300px;" src="http://media.theknot.com/ImageStage/Objects/0003/0060624/large_image.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><a href="http://weddings.theknot.com/Real-Weddings/60624/detailview.aspx?id=60624&amp;type=3&amp;wedding+details=Centerpieces&amp;pageIndex=3">source</a><br /></div><br /><br />Something simple and chic and totally DIY.<br /><br />But then some of my aunts and one of MOB-V's friends volunteered to help arrange flowers and set up the reception. Bonus! I love my aunts to death and I'm so glad they and MOB-V's friend offered to help with our centerpieces! Now I get to find crazy awesome big fluffy centerpiece inspiration photos. I still want simple and chic, but I want big, fluffy, white flowers.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://s3.amazonaws.com/wedding_prod/photos/reception_flowers_293_11_m.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 330px; height: 450px;" src="http://s3.amazonaws.com/wedding_prod/photos/reception_flowers_293_11_m.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><a href="http://www.projectwedding.com/photo/browse?photo_to_show=463142&amp;tag=reception+centerpiece&amp;thumbs_page=8">source</a><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://media.theknot.com/ImageStage/Objects/0003/0038456/large_image.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 310px; height: 300px;" src="http://media.theknot.com/ImageStage/Objects/0003/0038456/large_image.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><a href="http://weddings.theknot.com/Real-Weddings/38456/detailview.aspx?type=3&amp;location=188&amp;id=38456">source</a><br /></div><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://inthenowweddings.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2008/04/img_4411.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 640px; height: 426px;" src="http://inthenowweddings.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2008/04/img_4411.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://inthenowweddings.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2008/04/img_4365.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 640px; height: 426px;" src="http://inthenowweddings.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2008/04/img_4365.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><a href="http://inthenowweddings.com/blog/category/flowers/page/3/">source</a><br /></div><br />I love the monochromatic look. I love the lush fullness of these arrangements. I'm not totally sure if I want one big arrangement with a lot of flowers in it, or if I want to go the multiple arrangements with single flower arrangements. Maybe one little vase with carnations or little mums and maybe another with big dahilias or hydrangeas. Either way, lots of white and lots of fluff!<br /><br />What kinds of flowers do you want for your centerpieces? What do you think of the monochromatic trend?<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6966218250535741605-73438885613217283?l=twodogbride.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Two Dog Bridehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04619191764905848843noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6966218250535741605.post-40557033404399690612010-02-18T07:00:00.000-08:002010-02-18T07:00:04.055-08:00After less than a week from originally contacting <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/JealousCat">JealousCat</a> on <a href="http://www.etsy.com/">Etsy</a>, lookie what is for sale!<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_AxcQUBbACjA/S3YUXutR5II/AAAAAAAAApQ/Zl-31dMjVbQ/s1600-h/jealouscat+print+screen.jpeg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 238px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_AxcQUBbACjA/S3YUXutR5II/AAAAAAAAApQ/Zl-31dMjVbQ/s400/jealouscat+print+screen.jpeg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5437555998003946626" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Oh yeah! That's right! My weddingy pirate bracelet!!<br /><br />Tharr be a mighty shiny trinket! What lovely treasure! I can't contain me joy! Bring on the rum and the wenches! It be time to parrrrrtay!<br /><br />Ahem!<br /><br />I am really excited about this bracelet! I've never bought anything custom made off of Etsy before, so this is new to me. But I am really looking forward to having a classy looking bracelet with just a hint of pirate in there!<br /><br />Have you bought anything custom made for your wedding? What kinds of unique things, hobbies or interests are you "sneaking" into your wedding?<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6966218250535741605-4055703340439969061?l=twodogbride.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Two Dog Bridehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04619191764905848843noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6966218250535741605.post-36758404169152832002010-02-17T07:00:00.001-08:002010-02-17T12:49:37.288-08:00The one element I haven't discussed <a href="http://twodogbride.blogspot.com/2009/12/hey-i-can-do-that-invitations-part-1.html">in</a> <a href="http://twodogbride.blogspot.com/2010/01/hey-i-can-do-that-invitations-part-2.html">our</a> <a href="http://twodogbride.blogspot.com/2010/01/hey-i-can-do-that-invitations-part-3.html">invit</a><a href="http://twodogbride.blogspot.com/2010/02/hey-i-can-do-that-invitations-part-4.html">ation</a> <a href="http://twodogbride.blogspot.com/2010/02/hey-i-can-do-that-invitations-part-5.html">suite</a> is the map. People need to know where they are going, eh?<br /><br />Since I no longer have access to all the graphic design software I used to use in college, I had to resort to other means. Enter <a href="http://www.weddingmapper.com/wedding/create_map">WeddingMapper.com</a>. Good, quick and easy tutorials to make your own maps using a little Google Maps, a little print screen, and a little Microsoft Word line art. Seriously, I would be doing them a disservice to try and mimic their tutorial.<br /><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.weddingmapper.com/images/wedding/what_is_a_wedding_map.gif?1265754350"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 444px; CURSOR: pointer; HEIGHT: 329px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://www.weddingmapper.com/images/wedding/what_is_a_wedding_map.gif?1265754350" border="0" /></a><a href="http://www.weddingmapper.com/wedding/create_map">source</a><br /></div><br />Anywho, the tutorial went well, but I had some tricky times lining stuff the map on my printer and getting it just right. I wanted to print the maps on simple 4 x 6 index cards. Instead of fighting the printer and going out of my batty-a-double-ess mind, I cheated a little bit. After printing out a copy of my WeddingMapper Word version, I used the ol' cut and tape method. I traced the map onto a card, taped on our names, the date, location icons and hand wrote in the street names. And then? I used my favorite wedding planning/office supply tool evah. My all-in-one printer's COPIER! Oh yeah, how I love my copier.<br /><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://freshgadgetnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/Canon-PIXMA-Office-All-in-one-Printer.jpg"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 500px; CURSOR: pointer; HEIGHT: 314px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://freshgadgetnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/Canon-PIXMA-Office-All-in-one-Printer.jpg" border="0" /></a><a href="http://freshgadgetnews.com/computers/printer-and-scanner/canon-pixma-office-all-in-one-printer-line-with-wireless-models/">source</a><br /></div><br />Try to get Word to print on an index card? Phishaw. It's easy peasy when you can just copy from your index card master and print other little index cards. Lots and lots of little index card babies.<br /><br />Whah-la!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_AxcQUBbACjA/S3IOOTKX3aI/AAAAAAAAAnY/IC_F6wzYYs0/s1600-h/invite+map+001.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5436423339014348194" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: pointer; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_AxcQUBbACjA/S3IOOTKX3aI/AAAAAAAAAnY/IC_F6wzYYs0/s400/invite+map+001.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><span style="FONT-STYLE: italic">I'm sorry, but I had to blur out all the identifying information. And the uneven edge at the top is my tape. This is the master copy, the rest are crisp and clean.</span> </div><br />And on the back, I typed up a quick few lines with all the important locales, addresses and what our guests should be doing there.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_AxcQUBbACjA/S3IOOzboN7I/AAAAAAAAAng/eL5zBitDusA/s1600-h/invite+map+002.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5436423347676657586" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: pointer; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_AxcQUBbACjA/S3IOOzboN7I/AAAAAAAAAng/eL5zBitDusA/s400/invite+map+002.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="FONT-STYLE: italic; TEXT-ALIGN: center">Again with the blurring. Sorry.<br /></div><br />I know they aren't super fancy or super chic, but the long and short of it is that they are readable, instructional and functional. And for the cost of two packs of index cards, I'm pretty damn satisfied with them.<br /><br />What route (pun intended!) are you going for maps? Are you making them yourself, having them professionally done, or foregoing them all together?<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6966218250535741605-3675840416915283200?l=twodogbride.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Two Dog Bridehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04619191764905848843noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6966218250535741605.post-51768815770734848312010-02-16T07:00:00.000-08:002010-02-16T07:00:05.959-08:00Last time I talked about my ring bearer, I was planning to <a href="http://twodogbride.blogspot.com/2010/02/my-brain-bulb-moment.html">DIY a pillow</a> using crocheted flowers. I started out by searching for tutorials on how to make simple crochet flowers. Let me just say Googling "crochet flowers" gives you a lot of results! I did find one though that turned out to be super cute and super easy from <a href="http://thehandmadedress.blogspot.com/2007/09/crochet-flower-tutorial.html">The Handmade Dress</a>.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_YCRDd_Nomk8/Rv6HgSBx4lI/AAAAAAAAAcU/sxhTpyVeOOY/s400/IMG_0531.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_YCRDd_Nomk8/Rv6HgSBx4lI/AAAAAAAAAcU/sxhTpyVeOOY/s400/IMG_0531.JPG" alt="" border="0" /></a><a href="http://thehandmadedress.blogspot.com/2007/09/crochet-flower-tutorial.html">source</a><br /></div><br />Samantha of The Handmade Dress has one of the best online crochet tutorials I've seen in a while. Most crochet tutorials are just typed out patterns. While patterns are fine for someone who crochets a lot and knows all the lingo, step-by-step photos are a great help to make sure you're doing the right thing before you get too far along.<br /><br />The green yarn I had around the house turned out to be a little bit thicker than what was recommended, so I had to do one less treble crochet stitch that what the pattern says. Not too bad for the first one though, eh?<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_AxcQUBbACjA/S3X6N8jj5FI/AAAAAAAAAoQ/joFoBRU2zGc/s1600-h/pillow+and+pom+002.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_AxcQUBbACjA/S3X6N8jj5FI/AAAAAAAAAoQ/joFoBRU2zGc/s400/pillow+and+pom+002.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5437527242620265554" border="0" /></a><br />I like it!<br /><br />In fact, I was so pleased with myself, I made some more! I also tried one with blue yarn, but the shade was too grayish for our color palette. So, instead I made two in white to go with the green one I already had.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_AxcQUBbACjA/S3X6OAq2sTI/AAAAAAAAAoY/X2fld9hFZfA/s1600-h/pillow+and+pom+010.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_AxcQUBbACjA/S3X6OAq2sTI/AAAAAAAAAoY/X2fld9hFZfA/s400/pillow+and+pom+010.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5437527243724599602" border="0" /></a><br />I eyeballed the flowers together in a cluster on the center of the pillow, simple sewed the flowers to one side of the pillow and then sewed a spare ivory button in the center of each. (Heck yeah those buttons are from my work shirts! I know my resources.)<br /><br />Once I had the flowers attached to one piece, I placed my two fabric pieces outsides together and pinned the basic pillow outline.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_AxcQUBbACjA/S3X6OqBx3oI/AAAAAAAAAog/s2ulY6HtXxw/s1600-h/pillow+and+pom+011.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_AxcQUBbACjA/S3X6OqBx3oI/AAAAAAAAAog/s2ulY6HtXxw/s400/pillow+and+pom+011.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5437527254826606210" border="0" /></a><br />I sewed a simple stitch around the edge, leaving about a 1/3 inch gap between the stitch and the edge. You can see where I drew some light pencil lines on the far ends of the fabric. I ended up cutting off about 1/2 inch on each of the longer ends because I felt the pillow was too long in that direction. I sewed almost all the way around the edges, except for about 3 inches on one of the ends. Then, I turned the whole thing right-side out, pullin through the remaining unsewn 3 inch edge.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_AxcQUBbACjA/S3X6PB7ppjI/AAAAAAAAAoo/q4pwX5DBD2g/s1600-h/pillow+and+pom+013.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_AxcQUBbACjA/S3X6PB7ppjI/AAAAAAAAAoo/q4pwX5DBD2g/s400/pillow+and+pom+013.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5437527261243352626" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;"><br /><br /></span><div style="text-align: left;">After turning the pillow right side out, I grabbed my pillow fill and stuffed that baby to the brink. As a tip, when you get to the corners, use the eraser-end of a pencil to make sure you get enough stuffing in there. Once I felt my pillow was sufficiently stuffed for my liking, I pinned the opening together to sew up the rest of the pillow. In order to do this part, you have to fold in the raw edge first, then pin the pillow shut.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_AxcQUBbACjA/S3YBHT4KqhI/AAAAAAAAAow/k3i4Z1-ejkU/s1600-h/pillow+and+pom+015.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_AxcQUBbACjA/S3YBHT4KqhI/AAAAAAAAAow/k3i4Z1-ejkU/s400/pillow+and+pom+015.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5437534825203018258" border="0" /></a><br />From here, you have to sew a blind stitch in between the layers of fabric, so that your stitch doesn't show on the outside of the pillow. Here's a great <a href="http://www.ehow.com/video_4988902_sew-blind-stitch.html">instructional video</a> on how to sew a blind stitch on Ehow.com. I know how to do it, but I would do poorly teaching someone else. Regardless, the object is to not see the stitch.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_AxcQUBbACjA/S3YBH7TGWqI/AAAAAAAAAo4/8Q2mI37H8Z8/s1600-h/pillow+and+pom+018.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_AxcQUBbACjA/S3YBH7TGWqI/AAAAAAAAAo4/8Q2mI37H8Z8/s400/pillow+and+pom+018.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5437534835784964770" border="0" /></a><br />As you can see, my blind stitch skills are remedial at best. I'm crossing my fingers that my guests won't notice a sloppy 3 inch stitch when my little ring bearer parades down the aisle!<br /><br />Not too bad for a hand sewn job!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_AxcQUBbACjA/S3YBIbwNF-I/AAAAAAAAApA/KrEkxR2gqZU/s1600-h/pillow+and+pom+016.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_AxcQUBbACjA/S3YBIbwNF-I/AAAAAAAAApA/KrEkxR2gqZU/s400/pillow+and+pom+016.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5437534844496975842" border="0" /></a><br />I still need to put a ribbon in the middle of the pillow to actually hold the rings. Or, our faux rings, as the church won't let a ring bearer carry the real rings. MOB-V told me that to get a dimple look in the center of the pillow, I would simply have to sew a few stitches through the center of the pillow. She suggested I use a button on each side to help strengthen the dimpled stitch. If I do use buttons, a simple ribbon bow glue-gunned on top should hide the button and hold the faux rings in place.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_AxcQUBbACjA/S3YBInSClwI/AAAAAAAAApI/ilKryGJhmMw/s1600-h/ringshots+002.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_AxcQUBbACjA/S3YBInSClwI/AAAAAAAAApI/ilKryGJhmMw/s400/ringshots+002.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5437534847591683842" border="0" /></a><br />Brilliant!<br /><br />Would you ever make your own ring bearer pillow, out of felt or otherwise? Have you ever considered using crochet as a medium for any or part of your DIY wedding projects?<br /><span style="font-style: italic;"></span></div><span style="font-style: italic;"></span></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6966218250535741605-5176881577073484831?l=twodogbride.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Two Dog Bridehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04619191764905848843noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6966218250535741605.post-74426641609716786362010-02-15T07:00:00.000-08:002010-02-24T07:50:07.535-08:00In the last month or so, a few <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">bloggers</span> have addressed the social stereotypes of what a bride is or <a href="http://www.apracticalwedding.com/2010/02/wedding-sexism-this-time-its-for-men.html?utm_source=feedburner&amp;utm_medium=feed&amp;utm_campaign=Feed%3A+APracticalWedding+%28A+Practical+Wedding%29&amp;utm_content=Google+Reader">what a groom is</a>. Or on the inverse, <a href="http://www.apracticalwedding.com/2010/02/what-wife-isnt-part-i.html?utm_source=feedburner&amp;utm_medium=feed&amp;utm_campaign=Feed%3A+APracticalWedding+%28A+Practical+Wedding%29&amp;utm_content=Google+Reader">what a wife is not</a> and what a husband is not. Traditional American gender roles are more noticeable than ever in the events leading up to and surrounding a wedding. The woman is expected to want a fancy white gown, to <a href="http://offbeatbride.com/2010/01/of-brides-and-zillas?utm_source=feedburner&amp;utm_medium=feed&amp;utm_campaign=Feed%3A+OffbeatBride+%28Offbeat+Bride%29&amp;utm_content=Google+Reader">care about every detail</a>, and even in the modern <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">blogosphere</span>, a bride needs to be crafty and all Martha Stewart about it. On the other hand, the man is expected <a href="http://www.weddingbee.com/2010/02/05/dichotomy/">not to care</a> at all. And if he does play an active role in the planning, well then he's The Holy Grail of grooms.<br /><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bluemilk.files.wordpress.com/2008/01/bride-and-groom.jpg"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 471px; CURSOR: pointer; HEIGHT: 324px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bluemilk.files.wordpress.com/2008/01/bride-and-groom.jpg" border="0" /></a><a href="http://www.infovisual.info/06/075_en.html">source</a><br /></div><br />I think if you're a bride who likes crafty stuff, then go crafty. If you have fourteen other things going on in your life right now (i.e. work, grad school, sick family members, children, etc) and don't have that kind of time, it's perfectly O.K. to say "Screw it" and delegate your ideas to a professional or family and friends! If your groom wants to be involved, let him have his say and some of the planning responsibilities!<br /><br />I want B to be involved. I like to craft and make stuff for sure, but there are some things I don't give two rats you-know-whats about. B has been wonderful in cooperating with me in planning this monstrosity. When he has an opinion about a detail or doesn't want to do a certain dance, I listen and go with it, no questions asked.<br /><br />B and I already have an unique perspective on gender roles in our relationship. In 2008, B lost his job of 13 years as a result of the dwindling economy. For a man who has been told by society all his life that he is supposed to be the provider, B has done really well adapting to not being the primary bread winner in our little family.<br /><br /><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.catalogs.com/info/bestof/wp-content/uploads/2009/05/father-knows-best.jpg"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: pointer; HEIGHT: 309px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://www.catalogs.com/info/bestof/wp-content/uploads/2009/05/father-knows-best.jpg" border="0" /></a><a href="http://www.catalogs.com/info/bestof/top-10-yo-daddy-o-tv-dads">source</a><br /><span style="FONT-STYLE: italic">Father Knows Best, right?</span><br /></div><br />At first we struggled with the dichotomy of the woman being the one who goes to work every day. Our expectations of each other were all mixed up. I initially expected that if he was going to be home, then he should be the one solely responsible for the house. I got extremely lazy about chores, picking up after myself and even cooking (which I love to do). On the other end, he was an emotional wreck. He spent his quiet time trying to come to terms with the relief of being out of a dead-end job versus the strain of not having a steady source of income anymore. My co-workers joked that they were jealous and wanted their own personal maid to clean their houses. His friends teased that he was "living the dream" having his woman provide for him while he sat at home and watched ESPN all day long. And after coming home from work to find B sitting on the couch day after day, I started to understand why the stereotypical male provider would expect his stay-at-home wife to have the house clean and dinner on the table. What else did he have to do while I sat in my cube all day?<br /><br />Well, it took a while for us to realize we couldn't have those stereotypical expectations about our relationship. They were disrespectful and ingenuine. We had to work together as a family unit to not only address our finances, but also to address the home. I'm not going to say it was easy. We definitely had fights about it and they weren't pretty. However, over time we came to a few conclusions. First, B was contributing his unemployment into the household budget, so I wasn't the only one paying the bills. Secondly, just like I shouldn't be responsible as a wife to clean up after him all day, neither would he be responsible to pick up my crap. If we were going to be a team, then we needed to act like a team and treat each other as equals, not as two halves. We learned a lot living together with one income. We learned to communicate our expectations about who should be responsible for what and how we felt individually when one person didn't hold up their end of the bargain. We worked through a lot of uncertainty, feelings of disrespect, really messy rooms, small bank accounts, and self-doubt.<br /><br />In fact, we are still learning. B is still unemployed. I am still working full time (Thank God). And instead of managing just a household, we are now trying to pay for a wedding, too. Sure, our families have offered financial help, but the majority of the budget is still coming from our bank accounts. The most important thing we learned in those first few months was how to communicate better. We know now that we can't tolerate our friends and co-workers making gross generalizations about us. We defend each other and our relationship against people who assume B sits at home all day twidling his thumbs or who assume I'm some kind of <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">uber</span>-<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">feminst</span> because I bring home the bacon. We've strengthened our team together as a united front and we've already tackled some major financial issues that stereotypically divide relationships, rather than improve them. I know now that when I vow to be with B "in good times and in bad", I'll look back at the last year and a half fondly, knowing that our first "bad" time is already behind us.<br /><br /><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_AxcQUBbACjA/S3b1MhjagKI/AAAAAAAAApo/oWREaYSl7Tk/s1600-h/disneyworld+089.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5437803195610595490" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: pointer; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_AxcQUBbACjA/S3b1MhjagKI/AAAAAAAAApo/oWREaYSl7Tk/s400/disneyworld+089.jpg" border="0" /></a><span style="FONT-STYLE: italic">We "defeated" Dino-Ride together too, which is a whole different story.</span><br /></div><br />Do you and your future spouse fit into traditional American gender roles? Or do meet more as equals? And have you been through any trials in your engagement that you feel will strengthen your marriage in the future?<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6966218250535741605-7442664160971678636?l=twodogbride.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Two Dog Bridehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04619191764905848843noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6966218250535741605.post-54318716518176649172010-02-14T07:00:00.000-08:002010-02-14T07:00:03.582-08:00Happy Valentine's Day everyone!<br /><br />If you haven't caught on already, I read a lot of craft blogs. In the past week, my Google Reader has been filled with all kinds of cute ideas for decorations, valentines and baked goods. But there was one tutorial that really stuck out to me.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a256/dmdlnt/LBS1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 400px;" src="http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a256/dmdlnt/LBS1.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><a href="http://www.livingwithlindsay.com/2010/01/teach-me-tuesday-easy-scrap-fabric.html?utm_source=feedburner&amp;utm_medium=feed&amp;utm_campaign=Feed%3A+LivingWithLindsay+%28Living+with+Lindsay%29&amp;utm_content=Google+Reader">source</a><br /></div><br />It's an adorable heart wreath from <a href="http://littlebirdiesecrets.blogspot.com/">Little Birdie Secrets</a>, via <a href="http://www.livingwithlindsay.com/">Living With Lindsay</a>! And a seriously easy tutorial to boot. Just using a Styrofoam form, a ton of 2 inch squares of fabric, some glue and a pencil, my flower girl could make this wreath in about an hour. You simply put your fabric over the tip of the pencil, dip the end in Elmer's glue and stick in into the form. When the glue dries, the fabric is good and in there.<br /><br />But I wasn't thinking Valentine's Day. I <span style="font-style: italic;">was</span> thinking about my flower girl. I was thinking how I could borrow this idea for a flower girl pomander!<br /><br />Unfortunately, our church doesn't let flower girls drop petals. So, I needed to come up with an alternative. I've seen lots of ways to make flower girl pomanders.<br /><br />I've seen other DIY brides make them out of flowers (real or fake)<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bp0.blogger.com/_MZf7d8Errzk/SJKUAh_GNsI/AAAAAAAABpY/MPIa1ZdY-jY/s400/IMG_2678.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://bp0.blogger.com/_MZf7d8Errzk/SJKUAh_GNsI/AAAAAAAABpY/MPIa1ZdY-jY/s400/IMG_2678.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><a href="http://huckleberrykaren.blogspot.com/2008_08_01_archive.html">source</a><br /></div><br />Tissue paper<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3255/2548240637_c415426ffc.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 375px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3255/2548240637_c415426ffc.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><a href="http://beautifulpaper.typepad.com/oh_so_beautiful_paper/wedding-planning.html">source</a><br /></div><br />Or something totally different!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.weddingbeepro.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/03/3391028.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 478px; height: 500px;" src="http://www.weddingbeepro.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/03/3391028.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><a href="http://www.weddingbeepro.com/2009/04/02/hollys-flowers/">source</a><br /></div><br /><br />So, why not use fabric? I made a visit over to MOB-V to "shop" in her never ending supply of quilt fabrics. Sure enough, she had fabric for me! Wedding freebie! Not only did she give me the fabric to use, she also cut it for me with her rotary cutter in nice clean squares. She cut about a full yard of fabric, but I ended up using maybe 3/4 of a yard for my pomander.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_AxcQUBbACjA/S3SXWt6blxI/AAAAAAAAAoI/6ql6N3CVjzQ/s1600-h/pillow+and+pom+019.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_AxcQUBbACjA/S3SXWt6blxI/AAAAAAAAAoI/6ql6N3CVjzQ/s400/pillow+and+pom+019.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5437137066680620818" border="0" /></a><br />Before starting the tutorial, I made small indents on the top and bottom of the Styrofoam ball to glue in my ribbon handle. I was too impatient to wait for the glue to dry all the way, so I used a few straight pins to hold the ribbon in place. If anything else, the pins probably got glued good in there too, so it shouldn't come out if my little flower girl decides to swing it around a bit.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_AxcQUBbACjA/S3SXVuew6MI/AAAAAAAAAnw/J9WXnXu8fi8/s1600-h/pillow+and+pom+005.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_AxcQUBbACjA/S3SXVuew6MI/AAAAAAAAAnw/J9WXnXu8fi8/s400/pillow+and+pom+005.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5437137049653143746" border="0" /></a><br />After the ribbon was set, I started jabbing my fabric into the ball. I used a 3" ball and tried to evenly place the five different patterns I had to get an even light blue/aqua look.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_AxcQUBbACjA/S3SXV15FaGI/AAAAAAAAAn4/wiR-W2r9W1E/s1600-h/pillow+and+pom+003.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_AxcQUBbACjA/S3SXV15FaGI/AAAAAAAAAn4/wiR-W2r9W1E/s400/pillow+and+pom+003.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5437137051642587234" border="0" /></a><br />After about 30 minutes of good stuffing, the ball was full and I was done.<br /><br />Ta-da!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_AxcQUBbACjA/S3SXWaHkkXI/AAAAAAAAAoA/WGm9dSmHCJs/s1600-h/pillow+and+pom+006.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_AxcQUBbACjA/S3SXWaHkkXI/AAAAAAAAAoA/WGm9dSmHCJs/s400/pillow+and+pom+006.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5437137061367026034" border="0" /></a><br />Momma likey!<br /><br />One aside, if you decide to make one of these, don't set it in your lap while you work. The more the fabric rubbed against my jeans, the more the clean cut edges frayed. You can't really tell from a distance, but I ended up with a lot of threads on my pants. I picked off the bigger clumps and then "sealed" the whole thing by spraying a layer of hair spray all over it. (Kinda like how you stop a run in your 'hose!) And for fear of it getting lopsided sitting in a closet for the next five months, it's currently "in storage" hanging from my office curtain rod. I hope B doesn't mind the errant decoration in there, he's been really good about my constant project messes up until now. I think it'll keep there good for now.<br /><br />Have you stumbled on any non-wedding tutorials or blogs to borrow projects from?<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6966218250535741605-5431871651817664917?l=twodogbride.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Two Dog Bridehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04619191764905848843noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6966218250535741605.post-69666491620411612172010-02-13T07:00:00.002-08:002010-02-13T07:00:04.852-08:00B and I never really thought about taking dance lessons for our first dance, unlike his Best Man and BM Bride. They signed up at a local community center to learn a few varieties of dance. I know their first dance in April will be super classy and swanky. However, we're probably just going to do the high school dance shuffle, or B will push me around the dance floor in awkward rhythms just like he does at every other wedding. I swear, he turns and pushes me wherever. He tells me its a lesson in me letting go.<br /><br />Regardless, we're thinking about doing something a little more interesting at our reception. At least for us.<br /><br /><object width="480" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/8UFIYGkROII&amp;hl=en_US&amp;fs=1&amp;"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/8UFIYGkROII&amp;hl=en_US&amp;fs=1&amp;" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8UFIYGkROII">source</a><br /></div><br />That's right. The Soujla Boy dance. Now, I know for some people this is not a new thing. But B volunteered recently to participate in a staff versus students dance off of Soulja Boy.<br /><br />"Hey Babe, wanna do me a favor?" B asks.<br /><br />"What's that?"<br /><br />"Find out how to dance the Soujla Boy while I'm gone. I want you to teach it to me tonight."<br /><br />Glad to see he knows I have the better rhythm and dance skills in our relationship. So, I went on the source of all videos, YouTube, and found an instructional video with Soulja Boy himself giving the step-by-step moves.<br /><br /><object width="480" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/slsbbQ5RPP4&amp;hl=en_US&amp;fs=1&amp;"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/slsbbQ5RPP4&amp;hl=en_US&amp;fs=1&amp;" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=slsbbQ5RPP4">source</a><br /></div><br />Within fifteen minutes, I had it down. Trying to teach B though was not as easy. We laughed a lot and had a ton of fun learning it together.<br /><br />Now that we know the dance, we're thinking we might sneak this up on our guests as a fun bonus dance. Maybe we'll even teach it to our guests! I'm sure our older crowd would have a blast learning it and might even take it home to show their teenage kids!<br /><br />Are you planning on doing any unexpected entertainment at your reception for your guests?<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6966218250535741605-6966649162041161217?l=twodogbride.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Two Dog Bridehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04619191764905848843noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6966218250535741605.post-42877684109921644792010-02-12T07:00:00.000-08:002010-02-12T07:00:07.665-08:00After learning that<a href="http://twodogbride.blogspot.com/2010/02/very-modern-catholic-church-shopping.html"> our priest was asked to leave the church</a>, B and I decided to stay with the parish and get married by the new priest. We rationalized that it's not about the priest who says our Mass, but the fact that we are coming together to get married in the eyes of God. Our guests will not care one way or the other who says the Mass. They will be witnessing our marriage to each other, not worrying about who the priest is.<br /><br /><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://primetime.unrealitytv.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2008/12/the-priests.jpg"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: pointer; HEIGHT: 295px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://primetime.unrealitytv.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2008/12/the-priests.jpg" border="0" /></a><a href="http://primetime.unrealitytv.co.uk/the-priests-coming-to-itv1/">source</a><br /><span style="FONT-STYLE: italic">Although that funny priest on the right looks like a pretty cool guy.</span><br /></div><br />In the Roman Catholic Church, a couple wanting to get married must fulfill a few requirements. First, at least one person in the couple must be a confirmed Catholic, or adult in the church (meaning you've gone through <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Confirmation">Confirmation</a>). Secondly, you must go through <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Pre</span>-<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Cana</span> preparation work, usually involving some form of <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">pre</span>-martial counseling, meeting with the officiating priest and a weekend couples' retreat.<br /><br />Once the new priest was assigned, we set up a meeting with him to get things rolling. Turns out he was a really cool guy. <span style="FONT-STYLE: italic">What was I supposed to expect from a priest, some ol' meanie?</span> He was a little overwhelmed in taking over the duties of not one, but two churches! (Our parish is a sister parish of another church, managed by the same staff.) He was also a little behind with getting weddings set up because his old church would set up couples with a date before meeting with them. B and I were still in limbo though because our old priest wouldn't give out dates until he was able to meet with the couples. Because of this hiccup, our new priest had lots of couples to meet with who didn't even have dates yet for 2010! Luckily, we were able to get our date without any issues.<br /><br />He asked us a few basic things about ourselves (where we were baptized, did we still go to church and how often) and then he got to my most dreaded question: did we live together.<br /><br /><span style="FONT-STYLE: italic">We're screwed.</span> I thought for sure he was going to say he wouldn't marry us. Instead, he asked if there was any way we could not live together before the wedding. <span style="FONT-STYLE: italic">Sorry buddy. I don't know if you've seen the economy around here, but we've only got one income between us. </span>Well, what about "living together as brother and sister" he asked? Fair enough, we could agree to that. At least to the priest. The logistics of that arrangement, B and I would talk about later. Regardless, it did prompt a series of "Thanks Bro" and "Hiya Sis" comments between B and I for the remainder of the week.<br /><br />Aside from the cohabitation questions, he also asked us what I like to refer to as the mini-vows before the vows. When you first fill out your paperwork with the church, they go over the basics of the vows to be sure both parties know what they are getting into. Techincally, he had us review the Statement of Intentions:<br /><blockquote>"Have you come here freely and without reservation to give yourselves to each other in marriage?"<br /><br />"Will you honor each other as husband and wife for the rest of your lives?"<br /><br />"Will you accept children lovingly from God, and bring them up according to the law of Christ and his Church?"</blockquote><br />This was the first time I thought, <em>Wow, this is for serious.</em> Not that I didn't think about the weightiness of marriage prior to becoming engaged, or even afterwards, but listening to the priest ask us each those questions individually just seemed like the first real thing in all this wedding planning. I think a lot of us get caught up in the details of the wedding and tend to push aside the actual marriage that is being celebrated. It was refreshing to be reminded that B and I are acually getting married, not just planning a big party. And even though we'll have to make that same committment to our congregation, friends and family on our wedding day, it was awesome to have that real reminder of what we are doing early on in our preparations.<br /><br />The rest of the meeting was rather painless. He set us up with a packet of information on logistics about the ceremony and how to get our <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">pre</span>-<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Cana</span> work started. We had to first take a personality and relationship inventory, and then discuss the results with a certified marriage counselor. We also had to go to a natural family planning class and a weekend retreat. He wished us well and said he'd see us again in the spring.<br /><br />Not too shabby. We had a set date. We didn't get booted out of the church for living in sin. And he turned out to be a pretty cool guy. Now, we get to start working on the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">pre</span>-<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">Cana</span> preparation.<br />How was your first meeting with your officiant? For those of you getting married in a religious ceremony, did you find your officiant to be welcoming or strict?<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6966218250535741605-4287768410992164479?l=twodogbride.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Two Dog Bridehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04619191764905848843noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6966218250535741605.post-75685813605266596762010-02-11T07:00:00.000-08:002010-02-12T16:32:13.619-08:00So this weekend, I took some time to research fortune cookie sayings and love quotes for the "Take a Wish" portion of our guest book. Today I typed up, printed and cut out some 200 one-liners for our guests. (Only because I'm neurotic and didn't want anyone to pick the same wish.) Most of the wishes are sayings about love, friendship, hope and are just generally positive. I didn't put anything gloomy and doomsday in there. We just don't need those kind of vibes on our wedding day.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_AxcQUBbACjA/S3B9do2m2pI/AAAAAAAAAmo/pu8QNP2QFb4/s1600-h/wishbowl+001.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_AxcQUBbACjA/S3B9do2m2pI/AAAAAAAAAmo/pu8QNP2QFb4/s400/wishbowl+001.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5435982698372323986" border="0" /></a><br />Using a pencil, I simply rolled up each wish and dropped it in the jar. However, after filling one jar, I grabbed another and then decided that maybe I should just pile all of the wishes into the actual container we'll be using.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_AxcQUBbACjA/S3B9eq1ezOI/AAAAAAAAAm4/XG15wSs6xyo/s1600-h/wishbowl+003.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_AxcQUBbACjA/S3B9eq1ezOI/AAAAAAAAAm4/XG15wSs6xyo/s400/wishbowl+003.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5435982716084341986" border="0" /></a><br />That looks nicely full doesn't it? And, the best part about putting all the wishes in there now? The whole jar can get transported to the hall just like that! I plan on wrapping some satin ribbon around the middle of the jar and adding a quick "Take a Wish" sign, but alas, there was no double-stick tape in the house. Looks like I'll be making a trip back to <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Michaels</span> or <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Joanns</span> sometime soon. (Seriously though, when am I not there?)<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_AxcQUBbACjA/S3B9d25WBwI/AAAAAAAAAmw/wXH8EgQ1CzA/s1600-h/wishbowl+002.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_AxcQUBbACjA/S3B9d25WBwI/AAAAAAAAAmw/wXH8EgQ1CzA/s400/wishbowl+002.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5435982702141900546" border="0" /></a><br />Well, yes, I think it might be!<br /><br />The total project time was about two hours. However, the finding and typing out of all the wishes was the most time consuming part. I rolled the paper while listening to potential first dance/daddy-daughter dance songs. The cutting and rolling took maybe 30 relaxing, mindless minutes. If you are looking for something a little unique, but aren't a really crafty bride, this was a project that took very little craft <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">skillz</span>.<br /><br />What kind of quick and dirty projects have you finished lately?<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6966218250535741605-7568581360526659676?l=twodogbride.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Two Dog Bridehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04619191764905848843noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6966218250535741605.post-1921861881302656772010-02-10T07:00:00.000-08:002010-02-12T16:35:27.451-08:00Remember when I bought this?<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_AxcQUBbACjA/S2Sby9vj1BI/AAAAAAAAAkI/aKCUx4_i9sc/s1600-h/012310+032.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5432638350385468434" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; width: 300px; cursor: pointer; height: 400px; text-align: center;" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_AxcQUBbACjA/S2Sby9vj1BI/AAAAAAAAAkI/aKCUx4_i9sc/s400/012310+032.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Well, with some luck, I'm hoping I can use it to make one of these:<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bp0.blogger.com/_8qtQX1KRgAA/Rp3Cvchoc-I/AAAAAAAABUE/KXlt1fwB6SI/s400/Wish+bowl+2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; width: 374px; cursor: pointer; height: 400px; text-align: center;" alt="" src="http://bp0.blogger.com/_8qtQX1KRgAA/Rp3Cvchoc-I/AAAAAAAABUE/KXlt1fwB6SI/s400/Wish+bowl+2.jpg" border="0" /></a><a href="http://weddingplanningbayarea.blogspot.com/2006/02/table-gallery.html">source</a><br /></div><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_pfbhI8ucqQk/Swog4R5EdjI/AAAAAAAAAfY/CyYe4EOZkn0/wish_bowl_5181628_large_thumb%5B6%5D.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; width: 262px; cursor: pointer; height: 382px; text-align: center;" alt="" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_pfbhI8ucqQk/Swog4R5EdjI/AAAAAAAAAfY/CyYe4EOZkn0/wish_bowl_5181628_large_thumb%5B6%5D.jpg" border="0" /></a><a href="http://amarieweddings.com/gallery">source</a><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.weddingbee.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/07/11/img-02101.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; width: 320px; cursor: pointer; height: 240px; text-align: center;" alt="" src="http://www.weddingbee.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/07/11/img-02101.jpg" border="0" /></a><a href="http://www.weddingbee.com/2008/07/12/wish-bowl-guestbook/">source</a><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://images.theknot.com/ImageStage/Objects/0003/0020058/large_image.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; width: 310px; cursor: pointer; height: 300px; text-align: center;" alt="" src="http://images.theknot.com/ImageStage/Objects/0003/0020058/large_image.jpg" border="0" /></a><a href="http://www.theknot.com/">source</a><br /></div><br />A wish bowl! I have always thought traditional guest books were lame. Like remind you of a funeral sign in book lame. The last thing I want to do is for people to think funeral at our wedding. (No offense to brides who are going that route, but it's just not our style.)<br /><br />So I bought two large glass fish bowls to use for our wedding guest book. One is for our guests to drop in wishes or words of wisdom or warnings! The other? That's for our guests to take a wish for themselves!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.hitched.co.uk/Chat/resized-image.ashx/__size/550x0/__key/CommunityServer.Discussions.Components.Files/27/4375.make-a-wish.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; width: 360px; cursor: pointer; height: 450px; text-align: center;" alt="" src="http://www.hitched.co.uk/Chat/resized-image.ashx/__size/550x0/__key/CommunityServer.Discussions.Components.Files/27/4375.make-a-wish.jpg" border="0" /></a><a href="http://www.hitched.co.uk/Chat/forums/p/130519/1327190.aspx">source</a><br /></div><br />How cool is that? One jar to take a wish and another to make one! I lurve it!<br /><br />So I'm trying to come up with some good fortune-cookie-inspired wishes/fortunes to put inside my "Take a Wish" bowl. I love fortune cookies. I'm a little superstitious about them too, only reading the slip after I've eaten the whole cookie. I save almost every fortune I get and they are all over my house. I have them in my wallet and taped to the inside of desk drawers. Here are a handful I found just now within an arms reach of my computer:<br /><blockquote>One minute of time worth more than one ounce of gold.<br />You will make a name for yourself.<br />Be careful or you could fall for some tricks today.<br />There is beauty in simplicity.<br />Your hard work will soon pay off.<br />Your friends admire your creativity.<br />Your home is a place from where you will draw happiness.</blockquote>I love eating fortune cookies. Mostly for the fortunes.<br /><br />Do you have any suggestions for wishes or fortunes for the "Take a Wish" bowl?<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6966218250535741605-192186188130265677?l=twodogbride.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Two Dog Bridehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04619191764905848843noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6966218250535741605.post-30437691369127535962010-02-09T07:00:00.000-08:002010-02-12T16:44:21.819-08:00It's high time I show you how I added some color to our invitations! If you haven't been playing along... <br /><br />First I <a href="http://twodogbride.blogspot.com/2009/12/hey-i-can-do-that-invitations-part-1.html">found my inspiration</a>, then I scored <a href="http://twodogbride.blogspot.com/2010/01/hey-i-can-do-that-invitations-part-2.html">a deal</a> on a kit, next I got a <a href="http://twodogbride.blogspot.com/2010/01/hey-i-can-do-that-invitations-part-3.html">motif</a> going, and it wasn't until recently I began <a href="http://twodogbride.blogspot.com/2010/01/hey-i-can-do-that-invitations-part-4.html">the printing process</a>.<br /><br />The easiest addition of color I used was the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">RSVPs</span>. Early on, I found some blank 4 Bar sized <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">notecard</span> stationary at <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">TJMaxx</span> in the blue and green colors. I wasn't entirely sure what I was going to use them for, but they turned out to be great as <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">RSVPs</span>. I supplemented the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">notecards I bought</span> with more 4 Bar cards from <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">Michaels</span> in blue and green to have enough for the invitations.<br /><br /><br /><p><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_AxcQUBbACjA/S23wb7MTUTI/AAAAAAAAAlw/lbWwHwlnr_w/s1600-h/invites+and+pom+012.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5435264687842480434" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; width: 400px; cursor: pointer; height: 300px; text-align: center;" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_AxcQUBbACjA/S23wb7MTUTI/AAAAAAAAAlw/lbWwHwlnr_w/s400/invites+and+pom+012.jpg" border="0" /></a></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Yes, I realize my spacing is off on the cards. Unfortunately I only just noticed this while writing this post. I just don't have room in the budget for new cards. C'est la vie. That's what happens when you make things from scratch with love. (And you don't have a full time editor in-house.)</span><br /></p><p><br />Although I love looking at more clever RSVP wording (i.e. Mad Libs, advice for the couple, or "Hell yeah we're coming!"), I couldn't get B to get on board with anything really creative for the RSVPs. He was concerned people wouldn't fill out the extra lines, so we just kept it simple.<br /><br />Another large color element was our outer envelopes. The kit I bought had outer envelopes already, but I decided to use them for inners and get separate colored outer envelopes. This was a challenging task that involved a lot of measuring and remeasuring of the inner envelope and then ordering a bunch of sample envelopes to see what would work with our invitations. I thought I wanted green envelopes, but I was not feeling any of the green shades available. Too olive or too neon. Instead, we went with a fun turquoise shade to compliment the other wedding shade.<br /><br />And lastly, I added a belly band. "A what?" said B. <span style="font-style: italic;">It holds the invitation all together.</span> "Oh, that's pretty cool!" We'll see how cool B thinks they are when he's got to help me assemble them. That's a tricky part.<br /><br />Either way, I made the belly bands out of scrapbook paper.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_AxcQUBbACjA/S23y1Kf4UOI/AAAAAAAAAmA/nNCFD8e2Dm8/s1600-h/DIY+shots+004.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5435267320471113954" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; width: 400px; cursor: pointer; height: 300px; text-align: center;" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_AxcQUBbACjA/S23y1Kf4UOI/AAAAAAAAAmA/nNCFD8e2Dm8/s400/DIY+shots+004.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />I used a cutting mat with a grid on it to make sure the bands came out cleanly. I used a straight edge and an <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">exacto</span> knife to cut the paper into one inch strips.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_AxcQUBbACjA/S23y1lfRIFI/AAAAAAAAAmI/qBypN90cy2Q/s1600-h/DIY+shots+006.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5435267327716302930" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; width: 400px; cursor: pointer; height: 300px; text-align: center;" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_AxcQUBbACjA/S23y1lfRIFI/AAAAAAAAAmI/qBypN90cy2Q/s400/DIY+shots+006.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Turns out the paper I chose (haphazardly, I might add - bad DIY bride, buying things without an use for them yet!), worked out perfectly to wrap around our invitations. A 12 x 12 sheet was just right for 12 strips with enough overlap for the belly band to attach to itself.<br /><br />Even after adding colored RSVP cards, outer envelopes and belly bands, I still wasn't finished. I wanted, I needed, just one more element.<br /><br />A monogram.<br /><br />Now, we're not using the monogram in anything else really, but when I saw <a href="http://www.marthastewartweddings.com/article/click-print-monogram-labels">Martha's monogram templates</a> I knew I had to use them in our invitations. I printed out sheets and sheets of Ks on regular printer paper first. Then, I used our flower motif stamp and stamped a blue (or a green) stamp in the center of each one. Enter the <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=42H8dGkeaJc">Martha Circle Cutter</a> and you've got some monograms.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_AxcQUBbACjA/S230vBD6pqI/AAAAAAAAAmY/ux2rnr8aJiQ/s1600-h/DIY+shots+043.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5435269413881947810" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; width: 400px; cursor: pointer; height: 300px; text-align: center;" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_AxcQUBbACjA/S230vBD6pqI/AAAAAAAAAmY/ux2rnr8aJiQ/s400/DIY+shots+043.jpg" border="0" /></a> </p>These will be placed on the belly band to hide our seams and sloppy tape jobs.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_AxcQUBbACjA/S3ITdmY5cdI/AAAAAAAAAno/iNPcmu4BjaA/s1600-h/invites+final+003.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_AxcQUBbACjA/S3ITdmY5cdI/AAAAAAAAAno/iNPcmu4BjaA/s400/invites+final+003.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5436429099431719378" border="0" /></a> <p></p><p>And that was that. Not too shabby, eh??<br /><br />What extra elements did you add to your invitations to get the overall look you were going for?</p><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6966218250535741605-3043769136912753596?l=twodogbride.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Two Dog Bridehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04619191764905848843noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6966218250535741605.post-11289802853599411452010-02-07T07:00:00.001-08:002010-02-12T19:04:17.085-08:00<div align="left">Remember how I said <a href="http://twodogbride.blogspot.com/2010/01/shiver-me-timbers.html">I like pirates</a>? While I was looking for some more wedding pirate inspiration and ideas on how to incorporate pirates into my wedding in a classy way, I found this on etsy.</div><div align="center"><br /><br /></div><div align="center"></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5434104185341674194" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; width: 400px; height: 377px; text-align: center;" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_AxcQUBbACjA/S2nQ9yfBAtI/AAAAAAAAAk4/Vvm5_vHLA6o/s400/etsy_piratebracelet.jpg" border="0" /> <p align="center"><a href="http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=39204576">source</a><br /><br /></p>How sweet is that? A little blingy, a little sparkly, a little piratey. Heck yeah.<br /><br />But, the black beads? Not very weddingy.<br /><br />I sent a message to the seller to see if she can make me a similar bracelet to match my already etsy purchased necklace and my MOH-designed pearl earrings, but sans black beads. We'll see.<br /><br />Who says I can't wear a Jolly Roger on my wedding day?<br /><br />What lucky wedding "distractions" have you found lately?<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6966218250535741605-1128980285359941145?l=twodogbride.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Two Dog Bridehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04619191764905848843noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6966218250535741605.post-38871835241958422252010-02-06T07:00:00.002-08:002010-02-12T16:49:45.836-08:00If I think I can make it, I'll try it before I buy it.<br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5431868168807727250" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; width: 300px; height: 400px; text-align: center;" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_AxcQUBbACjA/S2HfUfyJQJI/AAAAAAAAAeY/1CT9VypcFgo/s400/PILLOW+FILL.jpg" border="0" /><br /><div>That's two pre-cut squares of blue felt and a large bag batting. It was my thought, while wandering through the Costo of craft stores, that I could make my own ring bearer pillow. I've seen plenty examples of the Brooklyn Bride's pillows, so I figured I could make my own. </div><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5431869844604418242" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; width: 400px; height: 300px; text-align: center;" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_AxcQUBbACjA/S2Hg2CnNeMI/AAAAAAAAAeg/kTkd-EKdNXI/s400/BROOKLYNBD.jpg" border="0" /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/vbecidyan/2818235136/">source</a><br /></div><br />I can wield some scissors, a needle and thread. And I may have stuffed a pillow or two.<br /><br /><div>These are two pillows I made in high school. The green one was made from a hideous, olive green, faux velvet polo shirt. If you find an ugly shirt at the thrift store, you can make it into a pillow. It makes the best, most softest, airplane pillow evah!<br /></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_AxcQUBbACjA/S2zl2pHVABI/AAAAAAAAAlo/2_2x0fhnJ1Q/s1600-h/desk+and+pillows+008.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_AxcQUBbACjA/S2zl2pHVABI/AAAAAAAAAlo/2_2x0fhnJ1Q/s400/desk+and+pillows+008.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5434971577241632786" border="0" /></a><br /><div>Anywho, I decided to start my search for felt ringbearer pillow inspiration. I turned to Etsy and found a few ideas I thought I could emulate.<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5431870886958578610" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; width: 400px; height: 398px; text-align: center;" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_AxcQUBbACjA/S2Hhytrzu7I/AAAAAAAAAeo/KF57MR79u4U/s400/etsywhite.jpg" border="0" /><a href="http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=35397824">source</a><br /></div><br /><p align="center"></p><div style="text-align: center;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5431880456358939890" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; width: 400px; height: 400px; text-align: center;" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_AxcQUBbACjA/S2HqfuepTPI/AAAAAAAAAfI/_oUZKf2nkzU/s400/etsybird.jpg" border="0" /><a href="http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=34259609&amp;ref=sr_gallery_9&amp;&amp;ga_search_query=felt+ring+pillow&amp;ga_search_type=handmade&amp;ga_page=&amp;order=&amp;includes[]=tags&amp;includes[]=title">source</a><br /></div><br /><p align="center"></p><div style="text-align: center;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5431882414459381378" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; width: 400px; height: 400px; text-align: center;" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_AxcQUBbACjA/S2HsRs-K5oI/AAAAAAAAAfQ/M8T9cEhl1cA/s400/etsygumdrop.jpg" border="0" /><a href="http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?ref=vl_other_2&amp;listing_id=38715467">source</a></div><p align="center"> </p><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5431882972513899122" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; width: 400px; height: 333px; text-align: center;" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_AxcQUBbACjA/S2HsyL4vEnI/AAAAAAAAAfY/-qslqD46AnU/s400/etsyblue.jpg" border="0" /><a href="http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=38494248&amp;ref=sr_gallery_21&amp;&amp;ga_search_query=ring+pillow&amp;ga_search_type=handmade&amp;ga_page=&amp;order=&amp;includes[]=tags&amp;includes[]=title">source</a><br /></div><br /><p align="center"></p>Unfortunately, while those are lovely, I have a few self imposed herdles in making this project. First, I don't want to buy any more materials. That means I am stuck with what I have in the house. Secondly, I want it to look better than my lumpy olive green high school project. And third, I need to be able to finish it in a fairly short amount of time because I already have a ton of other projects going on.<br /><br /><div>For starters, I have light blue felt and batting. Additionally, in my already large stash of wedding supplies, I also have a lot of ribbon in varying shades of green and blue (most of which I plan to use later for an escort card ribbon board). So that's what I have to work with.</div><br /><div>Or so I thought. </div><br /><div></div>Because then I found this inspiration.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5431875766785394946" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; width: 301px; height: 400px; text-align: center;" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_AxcQUBbACjA/S2HmOwdLyQI/AAAAAAAAAe4/q75eSzAHv1s/s400/etsycrochet.jpg" border="0" /><a href="http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=33013703">source</a><br /></div><br /><div>Are those crocheted flowers? They are!! And can I crochet? I can!</div><br />My brain bulb went off!<br /><br /><div>I have lots of green and blue yarn leftover from making B an afgan two Christmases ago. I can learn to make crochet flowers, can't I? This might turn out better looking than I expected!</div><br />Have you ever had a wedding DIY light bulb moment? What was your great idea?<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6966218250535741605-3887183524195842225?l=twodogbride.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Two Dog Bridehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04619191764905848843noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6966218250535741605.post-76753253999621676492010-02-05T07:00:00.000-08:002010-02-11T20:57:08.185-08:00It has everything to do with candy. It has to do with buying candy for candy buffets.<br /><div></div><br /><div>Now that I have a good start on <a href="http://twodogbride.blogspot.com/2010/02/gathering-and-harvesting.html">my candy buffet containers</a>, it's time to talk about the important supplies: The CANDY.</div><br /><div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.inkycircus.com/jargon/images/halloween_candy_aisle_1.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; width: 500px; cursor: pointer; height: 375px; text-align: center;" alt="" src="http://www.inkycircus.com/jargon/images/halloween_candy_aisle_1.JPG" border="0" /></a><a href="http://www.inkycircus.com/jargon/2005/10/happy_halloween.html">source</a><br /></div><br />Now, I'm not the best at math, so if my numbers seem off, please let me know. But, buying candy for a candy buffet involves a series of careful calculations.</div><br /><div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.wisebread.com/files/fruganomics/imagecache/blog_image_full/files/fruganomics/blog-images/1407846907_7a2d4c2423.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; width: 283px; cursor: pointer; height: 400px; text-align: center;" alt="" src="http://www.wisebread.com/files/fruganomics/imagecache/blog_image_full/files/fruganomics/blog-images/1407846907_7a2d4c2423.jpg" border="0" /></a><a href="http://idolschmidol.blogspot.com/2008_03_01_archive.html">source</a><br /></div><br />I see on message boards all the time, "How much candy do I buy?" and "How much does a candy buffet really cost?" The long and short is that the cost is determinate on how much candy you buy per person and how many people you have at your party. It also is determinate on how much your candy costs. More simply, the cheaper the candy, the cheaper the overall cost of the buffet. If you want all that lovely color coordinated candy that you see on Amy Atlas's creations over at <a href="http://mysweetandsaucy.com/"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">MySweetAndSaucy</span>.com</a>, well, you're going to pay a pretty penny for it.</div><br /><div>When I first started doing the research on the candy buffet idea to see if it was even in our budget, I couldn't find a lot of <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">DIY</span> resources. Most of what I stumbled upon were blog posts from vendors answering potential customers questions with a lot of <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">vague answers</span> like I just recited above. The best resource I found was from a woman who did her own research for a <a href="http://www.mitzvahlicious.com/blog/2008/6/19/candy-buffet-cost-comparison.html">candy-themed Bat Mitzvah</a>. The best thing about her post is that she illustrates how to break down your cost by ounce. Yes. By ounce. That may seem a little odd, since most of the information you can find on candy buffets suggests you buy a quarter-pound to a half-a-pound of candy per guest. But unfortunately, most candy is not sold by the pound. </div><br /><div></div>Planning on buying leftover Valentine's Day or Easter candy? That stuff is going to be sold by the ounce and in packages of all sizes: 24 oz, 16.7 oz, 18 oz, etc. As a wise math teacher once told me, the math is a lot easier if you only have to convert your measurements once. (This is also where always having to write the measurement after the answer when you "show your work" comes into your real life.)<br /><div><br />So, using the Mitzvah-<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">licious</span> article as a starting point, I did some <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">reconnaissance</span>. I started simply by going to the store with a little notebook and jotting down information for each candy I wanted. I wrote down what size the package was (how many ounces), what the cost was (price for that package), and what store I was at (so I knew where to go back to). When I got home, I figured out the per ounce price of each type of candy.</div><br /><div>So, for example, I found the classic multi colored <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">Jordan</span> Almonds at Party City for $19.99 for a 44 ounce bag. Broken down by ounce, that's $0.46 per ounce of candy. Sounds like a good deal, yeah? Well, take that price per ounce and turn it into a half-a-pound (or 8 ounces, for those of you who need a conversion refresher). </div><div align="center"><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">8 ounces x $0.46/ounce = $3.68/person.</span></div><br /><div>And say you are like me and having about 200 guests at your wedding?</div><div align="center"><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">$3.68/person x 200 people = $736.00!!</span></div><br /><div>That's more than most people pay for a really nice <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">buttercream</span> wedding cake. And that doesn't even include the jars, the scoops and the bags! Seriously. Not as cheap as it sounded when you looked at it per ounce. And way over our favors budget.<br /></div><br /><div>But I did some more shopping around for cheaper candy. At my local <a href="http://www.gfs.com/en">Gordon Food Service </a>(a restaurant supplier open to the public), I found a lot of gems. Gummy worms for $0.16 an ounce. Those same <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">Jordan</span> Almonds for $0.23 an ounce. And <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">Dum</span>-<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">Dum</span> suckers (always cheap) at $0.03 each. Averaging these three candies alone, gives me $0.14 an ounce on average. Now, that's a number I can work with.</div><div align="center"><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">$0.14/ounce x 8 ounces/person x 200 people = $224.00</span></div><br /><div>Much more doable. That's a <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">DIY</span> bride using some wicked math skills that she hasn't had to use since sophomore year of high school!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://goingconcern.com/_old/two%20thumbs%20up.jpeg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; width: 347px; cursor: pointer; height: 447px; text-align: center;" alt="" src="http://goingconcern.com/_old/two%20thumbs%20up.jpeg" border="0" /></a><a href="http://goingconcern.com/cgi-bin/mt/mt-search.cgi?blog_id=20&amp;tag=Taxes&amp;limit=20">source</a><br /></div></div><br /><div>Through my research, I found that I would need to keep my average price per ounce as close to $0.16 per ounce as possible. In that range, I could easily hit that quarter-pound to half-a-pound per guest that all the experts recommend. I haven't exactly started buying my candy yet. I know there will be a few things I will splurge on to get a little bit of a green and blue theme going. But, I'm not going to stress out if I can't get the candy I want. I'm making signs for each jar with colored ribbon, so I'm sure there will be enough theme tied in there. Besides, most green candy is sour apple or lime and I don't really want an <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">appletini</span> themed candy buffet. (Even though they are delicious.)</div><br /><div>For those of you doing candy buffets, have you done any budget <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_12">reconnaissance</span>? Or are you scrapping the budget in favor of the aesthetic?</div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6966218250535741605-7675325399962167649?l=twodogbride.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Two Dog Bridehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04619191764905848843noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6966218250535741605.post-24557471945390803182010-02-04T07:00:00.000-08:002010-02-04T07:00:06.184-08:00So after we decided on having a candy buffet for our favors, I hit the garage sales to look for cheap vases and containers I could use for the buffet.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_AxcQUBbACjA/S2ZSLVGv7cI/AAAAAAAAAkQ/fHpcB9E6uRw/s1600-h/ideas+006.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5433120355066572226" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: pointer; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_AxcQUBbACjA/S2ZSLVGv7cI/AAAAAAAAAkQ/fHpcB9E6uRw/s400/ideas+006.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />This was my stash after just one day on the garage sale path. Four flower vases, one large hurricane and a square vase. Not too shabby. I think I spent all of $15.00 total. So far I've added two fishbowls and a large margarita glass given to me by a friend. Additional pieces include a star glass dish I trash picked (freebie!), two low bowls and a wide apothecary jar I bought at the Costco of craft stores. (Don't worry, everything will be going through the dishwasher once or twice before being used for food.)<br /><br />Now my collection looks more like this:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_AxcQUBbACjA/S2ZSL_YD7WI/AAAAAAAAAkY/E9H0lsq-e6g/s1600-h/candy+005.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5433120366413475170" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: pointer; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_AxcQUBbACjA/S2ZSL_YD7WI/AAAAAAAAAkY/E9H0lsq-e6g/s400/candy+005.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Twelve containers in all. Originally I thought I might pick up a few more apothecary jars from my favorite discount store, The One, The Only, TJ Maxx. But I'm trying really hard not to buy any more stuff for the wedding. (It's not gonna happen, but I might as well try.)<br /><br />Here's the problem though. I have all these jars, but are they all usable? No matter how impressive and delicious the buffet looks, people still need to be able to get the candy out. Some of my containers are just not conducive to hand grabbing action.<br /><br />Especially the flower vases I picked up at the garage sales.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_AxcQUBbACjA/S2ZUr_XxCAI/AAAAAAAAAkg/ebdf6KVFsWk/s1600-h/candy+006.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5433123115191306242" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: pointer; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_AxcQUBbACjA/S2ZUr_XxCAI/AAAAAAAAAkg/ebdf6KVFsWk/s400/candy+006.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Not a lot of room to get a hand in or get candy out. And there is no room in there to use a scoop. You couldn't scoop much, there is no room to turn up the scoop.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_AxcQUBbACjA/S2ZUsfy48ZI/AAAAAAAAAko/EEikFJmj_PA/s1600-h/candy+007.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5433123123895005586" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: pointer; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_AxcQUBbACjA/S2ZUsfy48ZI/AAAAAAAAAko/EEikFJmj_PA/s400/candy+007.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />The fish bowl is better. Definately room for good candy grabbin' action. (Nice little ribbon collection, eh? I gotta store it somewhere.)<br /><br />What do you think? Should I keep the small mouthed flower vases? Or spend the extra money for some more apothecary jars?<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6966218250535741605-2455747194539080318?l=twodogbride.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Two Dog Bridehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04619191764905848843noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6966218250535741605.post-2637156066680248782010-02-03T08:00:00.000-08:002010-02-03T08:37:55.779-08:00I've been keeping a secret from you. Not entirely intentionally though.<br /><br />I talked before about my idea to make little writing favors for our guests with <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">DIY</span> matchbook notebooks and custom golf pencils? Well, I am not making little writing favors at all. That idea, although sheer genius on my part, was scrapped long ago in favor of...<br /><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://myecochicwedding.com/WordPress/wp-content/uploads/2009/10/CandyBuffet1.jpg"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 310px; CURSOR: pointer; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://myecochicwedding.com/WordPress/wp-content/uploads/2009/10/CandyBuffet1.jpg" border="0" /></a><a href="http://www.theknot.com/">source</a><br /></div><br />A CANDY BUFFET!<br /><br />Now I didn't come to the idea of a candy buffet on my own. Of course there is a lot of inspiration out there for candy buffets.<br /><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.ohnuts.com/blog/candy-buffet.jpg"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 640px; CURSOR: pointer; HEIGHT: 401px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://www.ohnuts.com/blog/candy-buffet.jpg" border="0" /></a><a href="http://www.ohnuts.com/blog/2009/03/how_to_create_a_candy_buffet_1.html">source</a><br /></div><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.ayleebits.com/wp-content/photos/orig_080823cbuffet23.jpg"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 660px; CURSOR: pointer; HEIGHT: 438px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://www.ayleebits.com/wp-content/photos/orig_080823cbuffet23.jpg" border="0" /></a><a href="http://www.watsonsspecialevents.com/crystalsweetbuffets/index.html">source</a><br /></div><br />We decided on a candy buffet because my Dad loved it.<br /><br />B and I took all the favor options over to my folks house to bounce around ideas and give them a general update of how the planning was coming along. We mentioned a few ideas to my parents before we brought up the candy buffet.<br /><br />"What's a candy buffet?" they asked. We explained. <span style="FONT-STYLE: italic">You know how there are usually little candy favors on the table? Well instead you give the guests bags or baskets and let them pick out their own candy.</span><br /><br />"I LOVE IT!" shouted my Dad. "That's really original! What a cool idea!"<br /><br />Now, you and I and all the other brides out there in blog-land know that the candy buffet is a big trend right now. My Dad? He has no idea. Same goes for most of our guests. Wedding guests are not worrying about weddings for months on end like brides are. They don't read wedding blogs religiously. They worry only about what they are going to wear and what they are going to get the happy couple for a gift. Their worries begin when they get the invitation some six weeks before the big day.<br /><br />It was my Dad who convinced me that the candy buffet was the right thing to do for us. His enthusiasm reminded me that not everything design-wise in our wedding had to be original. It just has to reflect us and be fun!<br /><br />So bring on the candy, I say!<br /><br />What do you think of the candy buffet trend? Have you ever had a family member help you make a wedding related decision?<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6966218250535741605-263715606668024878?l=twodogbride.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Two Dog Bridehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04619191764905848843noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6966218250535741605.post-77793726717774301362010-02-01T10:27:00.000-08:002010-02-01T10:27:00.366-08:00<p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:100%;">Both B and I were raised Catholic, but neither of us really had a parish we belonged to as adults. B used to go to a very small and very old-fashioned Eastern European church in a rough neighborhood in the city. However, that parish has since been closed. The last church I belonged to was in college and is located on the other side of the state. When we were looking for a church to get married in, we </span><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" style="font-size:100%;">didn</span><span style="font-size:100%;">’t have a lot of options set up.<br /></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:georgia;font-size:100%;" >So what were we to do but go church shopping? We started shortly after our engagement last February. Every Sunday we picked a new church by our house to go to Mass and see if we liked their style. We were looking to see if the priest gave an engaging sermon, and if we liked the layout, the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">décor</span> and the music. It <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">wasn</span>’t long before we found Saint Mary’s.</span><br /></p><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_AxcQUBbACjA/S2R6DJ7EbPI/AAAAAAAAAkA/94GA-QEFYXQ/s1600-h/saint+marys.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_AxcQUBbACjA/S2R6DJ7EbPI/AAAAAAAAAkA/94GA-QEFYXQ/s400/saint+marys.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5432601245137530098" border="0" /></a><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/buckeye616/2473513098/">source</a><br /></div><br />The church is absolutely beautiful and it's in a good central location for our guests. We liked the priest a lot! He was funny and engaging and called me out for wearing a green sweater for Saint Patrick's Day. We knew right away this was the church for us.<br /><br />The first thing we had to do was sign up as registered parishioners. In the Catholic Church, many churches will not marry a couple unless at least one of them is a registered and active parishioner in that parish. So we marched over to the church office and signed up. We talked with the desk clerk about meeting with the priest to get a date and set up our <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">pre</span>-<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">cana</span> marriage preparation work (also a requirement I'll talk about later.)<br /><br />We got our meeting date set up with the priest for about two months later in June. We couldn't confirm our date until we were able to meet with the priest. No big deal, our meeting was scheduled for a year before our actual wedding. Since we were church shopping so early, we had a few months to spare before we actually had to get anything started. We were satisfied with our selection. Worry-free, we spent the weeks going to Mass and getting back into the church.<br /><br />However, the week before our meeting with the priest, a few things happened. First, B got a message from the church secretary that said our meeting would need to be rescheduled. She didn't give us a time frame for a new appointment, she simply said she would call us back when she had a time available. <span style="font-style: italic;"><br /><br />That's really odd. </span><br /><br />When B called her back to get a new appointment, she gave him a bunch of strange excuses on why she didn't have a time frame. She simply said that something had come up and Father had to attend to that something.<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Well, the priest had mentioned his sick mother in prayer a few times, maybe she's gotten really sick or passed away?</span><br /><br />B and I decided that must have been what happened. His mother must be really sick. He must have had to leave town. Why else wouldn't the secretary know when he would be able to have more appointments?<br /><br />And then there was a phone call from my dad. Dad likes to call me randomly about things he sees in the paper.<br /><br />"Did you see the article in today's paper?" <span style="font-style: italic;">No, I don't get or read the paper.</span> "Your priest isn't at St. Mary's anymore."<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Uh, excuse me? What do you mean?</span><br /><br />What he meant was that the priest we found so charismatic and funny? The priest we liked? He had been removed from duty due to allegations of a sexual relationship with a young woman back in the seventies. From what details I could gather from various news sources, he was in a relationship with a young woman of consenting age early in his relationship (he was like 24, she was like 18). There were some details that said he was disciplined by the diocese back when it happened. But then some other sources talked about how much counseling the young woman went through over the last 30-some-odd years and that only now did she have the strength to accuse him properly. The problem now was that the authorities could do nothing about it because the woman was of consenting age at the time of the relationship. Either way, he wasn't working at our church anymore.<br /><br />What did that mean for us? It meant a temporary administrator for a few months until the diocese assigned a new full time priest in July. And at least four months until we could even call to get an appointment with the new priest. The secretary told us to call back in October.<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">October? Are you kidding me?! We can't even get our date secured by then?</span><br /><br />No. We couldn't get a date until we met with the priest. So we were just hanging out there hoping we could get our date at the church. We had already invested about three months of our time and money into the parish. We didn't want to change churches. This was a decision we had made, it was already checked off the list.<br /><br />After looking at our options and some discussion, B and I decided we would stay with our parish. We figured that which ever priest God gave us would be the right priest for us. We prayed that when we finally did get to meet with the priest, our date was still available. We knew that our reception venue would likely be able to accommodate a date change if necessary, but that didn't make us feel much better about the situation. Instead, all we could do was pray and wait.<br /><br />Have you had any hiccups with your officiant? If you were in my shoes, would you have stayed with the same church? Or looked for another location?<br /><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-style: italic;"></span></span></span><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-style: italic;"></span></span></span></span></span><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6966218250535741605-7779372671777430136?l=twodogbride.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Two Dog Bridehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04619191764905848843noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6966218250535741605.post-13911032141736786712010-01-31T14:00:00.000-08:002010-01-31T14:00:00.194-08:00So now that I had <a href="http://twodogbride.blogspot.com/2010/01/hey-i-can-do-that-invitations-part-2.html">my supplies</a> and <a href="http://twodogbride.blogspot.com/2010/01/hey-i-can-do-that-invitations-part-3.html">my inspiration down</a>, it was time to move into the design phase.<br /><br />I made a quick mock up of the supplies I had to get a general idea of where I was going with my design. And by quick, I mean pretty haphazard. I printed up the invites with some stock fonts, put down a few stamps, mixed in some colored card stock I had bought (long ago with the intention of using it for save the dates), and some scrapbook paper.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_AxcQUBbACjA/S2RuW5KjDCI/AAAAAAAAAjo/-rsM7COUMYs/s1600-h/DIY+013.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_AxcQUBbACjA/S2RuW5KjDCI/AAAAAAAAAjo/-rsM7COUMYs/s400/DIY+013.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5432588390096899106" border="0" /></a><br />I scrapped the kit's response envelopes and instead I am going to use colored card stock and envelopes to brighten up the ensemble. I also plan to make belly bands using scrap book paper and the <a href="http://www.marthastewartweddings.com/article/click-print-monogram-labels">Martha monograms</a> from her label downloads. I bought the blue outer envelopes from <a href="http://www.jampaper.com/Envelopes/BriteHueRecycledEnvelopesPaper">Jam Paper</a>.<br /><br />To say my first mock up was messy, is an under statement. I had things misspelled, lines with just one word, mixed up spacing. It was a mess.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_AxcQUBbACjA/S2RwX8NbYYI/AAAAAAAAAjw/hUSF_24SROc/s1600-h/invites+and+pom+003.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_AxcQUBbACjA/S2RwX8NbYYI/AAAAAAAAAjw/hUSF_24SROc/s400/invites+and+pom+003.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5432590607117410690" border="0" /></a><br />And I decided I didn't like the font a ton, nor the stamps on the reception card. I needed to simplify my design a bit.<br /><br />I downloaded a bunch of fonts from <a href="http://www.dafont.com/">DaFont.com</a>. After playing around with a few different versions, I settled on Prophecy Script for the names and bigger lines and Pristina for the detail information.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_AxcQUBbACjA/S2RYQrnmsOI/AAAAAAAAAiw/CtooYHc_IjE/s1600-h/invitiations+006.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_AxcQUBbACjA/S2RYQrnmsOI/AAAAAAAAAiw/CtooYHc_IjE/s400/invitiations+006.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5432564094125650146" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_AxcQUBbACjA/S2RYRE_2LOI/AAAAAAAAAi4/MaGzVNZJ9yA/s1600-h/invitiations+007.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_AxcQUBbACjA/S2RYRE_2LOI/AAAAAAAAAi4/MaGzVNZJ9yA/s400/invitiations+007.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5432564100938214626" border="0" /></a><br />Although I had to block out our names on the invitation, you can see Prophecy Script really well on the reception card. I wanted to use a font that reminded me of my own handwriting for our names. Plus, the inspiration invitation had a more pronounced handwriting font.<br /><br />I did all the typing in Microsoft Word and used the paper templates from the kits in order to get the alignment right. Just like working with the cootie catchers, alignment was a trial and error process. When DIYing anything on paper, make sure you have enough supplies to goof up on at least once. You need to be able to test if your printer is going to happily feed the paper. You need to be able to make sure your margins are even and in the right place. You need to make sure you don't print on the pearlescent border. (Oops! Yes, I totally did that on one test page.)<br /><br />The nice thing about my invitation layout was that I wasn't trying to center the text. I only had to worry about one edge of the margins because I choose to right justify the text. I needed to leave space on the left hand side of the invitation design for my stamps! The reception card was a little trickier because I had to get the template to print two copies on one page. This resulted in a lot of tinkering with the spacing in Word so that both copies would be centered on their respective pages. I think I got them pretty close, but I kept reminding myself that they were DIY and didn't need to be perfect.<br /><br />The most important thing to remember when DIYing your own invitations? They don't need to all be perfect, your guests will not be getting together to compare their invitations. No one is going to hold up two of your invites and complain that the stamping isn't in the same place.<br /><br />I kept repeating that fact when I started to actually stamp the flower graphic design.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_AxcQUBbACjA/S2Rg3Zpo7DI/AAAAAAAAAjI/r_Fbqy-GgC0/s1600-h/012310+002.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_AxcQUBbACjA/S2Rg3Zpo7DI/AAAAAAAAAjI/r_Fbqy-GgC0/s400/012310+002.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5432573555410267186" border="0" /></a><br />As you can see, I tend to get sloppy with my stamping once I get going. I'll admit, I was watching football while I was working. I wanted the stamps to overlay each other like they were in the inspiration photo. However, I had a few duds where the stamp either was horribly uneven or the stamps weren't even touching each other.<br /><br />This is what a good stamp assembly line looks like.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_AxcQUBbACjA/S2Rg25r5D1I/AAAAAAAAAjA/YHFLXb0OwjE/s1600-h/012310+001.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_AxcQUBbACjA/S2Rg25r5D1I/AAAAAAAAAjA/YHFLXb0OwjE/s400/012310+001.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5432573546829778770" border="0" /></a><br />Yes, you're looking at these upside-down. It was the most efficient way to lay them out on my little living room table.<br /><br />I stamped all the invitations with the green stamp first, since it was the lighter color. I wanted the blue to come out clean on top. Once those were complete, I turned the stack around and started stamping the blue. When stamping, it's important to 1) not mix colors while stamping and 2) use one stamp and one color until that step of the job is done, then clean your materials before moving on to the next step. Always always always clean your stamps when you are done using them. Ink can build up and change the contour of the stamp if you don't. Besides, cleaning stamps is easy-peasy-pie. Just run it under cold water and rub the surface of the stamp with the palm of your hand. Works pretty good! (You can get soaps for stamps, but I'm lazy and water works fine.)<br /><br />Not too shabby eh?<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.invitationsbydawn.com/pics/EasiestWeddingPics/Dawn/MA4797FCBGlr.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="http://www.invitationsbydawn.com/pics/EasiestWeddingPics/Dawn/MA4797FCBGlr.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><a href="http://www.invitationsbydawn.com/We_ViewEns.cfm?sItemCode=WedEns8445&amp;format=WedEnsDD">source</a><br /><br /><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_AxcQUBbACjA/S2Rxi7stJAI/AAAAAAAAAj4/xxTtKNIklzM/s1600-h/finished+invite.bmp"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_AxcQUBbACjA/S2Rxi7stJAI/AAAAAAAAAj4/xxTtKNIklzM/s400/finished+invite.bmp" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5432591895470351362" border="0" /></a><br />Next step? Adding color elements to the kit!<br /><br />Did you go through one mock up or more of your projects? Have you ever considered using stamps for a wedding project? How did it turn out?<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6966218250535741605-1391103214173678671?l=twodogbride.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Two Dog Bridehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04619191764905848843noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6966218250535741605.post-17582853946463706742010-01-30T05:45:00.000-08:002010-02-12T19:26:47.100-08:00With Valentine's Day just around the corner, it just occurred to me that I haven't shared our engagement story with you. Well sit right down there and I'll spin you a tale about a very observant, self-doubting, uniquely organized woman and a not-so-sneaky, great poker face, hopeless romantic of a man.<p><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_AxcQUBbACjA/S1j10ihDifI/AAAAAAAAAZY/NCf3NmnJRfw/s1600-h/spartans+008.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_AxcQUBbACjA/S1j10ihDifI/AAAAAAAAAZY/NCf3NmnJRfw/s400/spartans+008.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5429359633762585074" border="0" /></a></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Ah, yes. Sets the tone nicely, doesn't it?</span><br /></p><p>Last year, Valentine's Day fell on a Saturday. Which means that Friday was a Friday the 13th. For most people, Friday the 13th is a bad day. There are all kinds of superstitions about cats and ladders and mirrors. There is a whole series of horribly not-scary movies made about the day. But for B, Friday the 13th has always been a great day. You see, he was born on a Friday the 13th and if he had it his way, might have wanted to be married on Friday the 13th. (Sorry, buddy. Not gonna happen.)<br /></p><p>Anyways, all I asked for Valentine's Day was a nice dinner at a restaurant I've never been too. I love to try new food and B is a deli counter and diner sniffing out monster in this city. I've had some great food at places I would have never thought to look at, all because of B. So, I told B I didn't want to know where we were going, but just what the dress code was and when I should be ready. I didn't want to be that chick trying to make everyday jeans look better than they actually are.<br /></p> <p> On that fateful Friday the 13th, I got home from work, got ready and went to dinner - at the top of the RenCen in downtown Detroit. We had a lovely "Lovers' Feast" featuring all kinds of Top Chef-esqe dishes with "Romance Enhancing Components" like oysters, fennel and chocolate. Ooh la la! Twas delish!<br /></p><p> After dinner, he handed me a card. Now, B has never cared much for cards. He thinks they don't say enough, he thinks they are a cop-out. He would rather write a novel for you on the inside of a blank note card. But the card he handed me that evening had only a few lines in it about how he is looking forward to loving me forever. Could this be it?</p><p>REWIND the DVR a bit.</p><p><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_AxcQUBbACjA/S1kDPZSMGSI/AAAAAAAAAZg/1t9RhMxgXX0/s1600-h/wedding+032.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_AxcQUBbACjA/S1kDPZSMGSI/AAAAAAAAAZg/1t9RhMxgXX0/s400/wedding+032.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5429374388791941410" border="0" /></a></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-style: italic;">So cute! (early in the relationship)</span><br /></p><p>Somewhere along our relationship, after the conversation changed from "when I get married" to "if we get married", I had told myself that I would not look for The Signs. I would not think at our anniversary, "Is this it? Is he going to propose?" I would not think that every fancy dinner or quiet walk was the perfect opportunity to propose. I figured that when the time came, it would be right. I had seen friends eat themselves up trying to decipher when their better halves were going to propose. So when I found myself sitting at that table, card in hand, soft light all around, I still was in denial.</p><p>Even earlier that week, when I noticed the garnet ring that perfectly fits my ring finger was missing from its place on my ring holder? I shrugged it off, thinking I must have left it another purse or somewhere else in the house. When I was getting ready for dinner that evening, I found the garnet ring in my jewelry box, but in the wrong spot. <span style="font-style: italic;">I must I have misplaced it there after a night of drinks and debauchery. I never do remember much from those nights.</span> Even then, I didn't think <span style="font-style: italic;">Tonight's the night</span>.<br /></p><p>Now I will admit, I did indeed place that perfectly sized ring there some eight months prior. And I knew that since I didn't wear jewelry very often that B would need at least some direction when he decided it was time. But the constant thinking of when and where would have driven me mad.</p><p><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_AxcQUBbACjA/S1kD8vbpdxI/AAAAAAAAAZw/GrbxqGEraio/s1600-h/cruise+094.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_AxcQUBbACjA/S1kD8vbpdxI/AAAAAAAAAZw/GrbxqGEraio/s400/cruise+094.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5429375167831308050" border="0" /></a></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Our cruise to Mexico in 2008 would have been a great time to propose!</span><br /></p><p><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_AxcQUBbACjA/S1kDtRt3lgI/AAAAAAAAAZo/HGd4Qyavnt0/s1600-h/cruise+008.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_AxcQUBbACjA/S1kDtRt3lgI/AAAAAAAAAZo/HGd4Qyavnt0/s400/cruise+008.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5429374902156629506" border="0" /></a></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Knock it off there TwoDogBride. Stop a-wishin'.</span><br /></p><p>Back to LIVE.<br /></p><p>As I'm reading the card, he hands me a box wrapped in bright red paper with a bow on top. He tells me that since I was complaining about my own jewelry selection at home earlier that week, hopefully "this will work". The whole package is wrapped in tape like a forcefield. I'm trying to pick at the paper nicely and while I'm finally peeling it open, I can see him out of the corner of my eye. <span style="font-style: italic;">Why is he sitting so awkwardly on his chair? It looks like he's going to get up?</span> He comes around the table and gets down on one knee and says "Will you marry me?"</p><p>I was shocked! I said Yes before I even popped open the box! I wanted to smile, I wanted to cry, but all I could do was shake and stare in wonder at him. Even moments before, I had no idea it was coming. I think my self-denial was so strong, I was trying desperately to soak it all in.<br /></p> <p>I loved that he was so sweet and old fashioned! We were at this little corner table, so there wasn't any big attention drawn to us or anything. Just perfect. And as I'm staring at my hand in amazement, gawking at my hand, he says to me "And by the way, we're not going home tonight."<br /></p><p><span style="font-style: italic;">Um what?</span><br /></p><p>He had booked a hotel room for us at the hotel in the RenCen, had already arranged for my dad to watch our dogs, and even packed me an overnight bag for the next morning. He had packed, checked in and gotten back to the house on Friday all before I came home from work!<br /></p><p>B has the best poker face ever.</p><p><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_AxcQUBbACjA/S1kEqJaCBMI/AAAAAAAAAZ4/Z01Rbs5m2SM/s1600-h/movies+007.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_AxcQUBbACjA/S1kEqJaCBMI/AAAAAAAAAZ4/Z01Rbs5m2SM/s400/movies+007.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5429375947897963714" border="0" /></a></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-style: italic;">You don't know what he's thinking, do ya? I have to make a silly face to look serious.</span><br /></p> <p>Come to find out, B did take that garnet ring from off of my ring holder! He was a well educated proposer. He took the ring to the jeweler to get the right size, so my ring fits wonderfully. He actually took the perfectly sized ring from its home about two weeks earlier. Turns out when he put it back, he purposefully put it in the wrong place so that I would think I did it myself! Clever B, very clever.<br /></p> <p>I couldn't imagine sneaking around the house for two weeks trying to plan everything without my knowing! When he was asked by a friend whether he was nervous, he said that he wasn't nervous about me saying yes, but more so about me finding out because I'm so observant that I notice misplaced and missing things around the house all the time.<br /></p> <p>And although he brought me an overnight bag, it was packed with scraps. He tried to grab things I wouldn't notice were gone, which meant things from the back of my closet. I found myself the next morning wearing an ill-fitting pair of jeans (that probably need to be donated to charity) and a short sleeve sweater that is totally designed for wearing a shirt underneath. Who thought your worst jeans and a short sleeve sweater would be so romantic?</p><p>Now that you all know how things went down, here are some gratuitous ring shots for your enjoyment.</p><p><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_AxcQUBbACjA/S1t5Eu_FS7I/AAAAAAAAAaQ/wNYdTUSnvlA/s1600-h/012310+061.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_AxcQUBbACjA/S1t5Eu_FS7I/AAAAAAAAAaQ/wNYdTUSnvlA/s400/012310+061.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5430066897964321714" border="0" /></a></p><p><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_AxcQUBbACjA/S1t5EJayCaI/AAAAAAAAAaI/qGGRE4CkfkQ/s1600-h/012310+060.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_AxcQUBbACjA/S1t5EJayCaI/AAAAAAAAAaI/qGGRE4CkfkQ/s400/012310+060.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5430066887879952802" border="0" /></a></p><p><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_AxcQUBbACjA/S1t5FKE1fXI/AAAAAAAAAag/GoyYhD6hYmM/s1600-h/012310+056.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_AxcQUBbACjA/S1t5FKE1fXI/AAAAAAAAAag/GoyYhD6hYmM/s400/012310+056.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5430066905236209010" border="0" /></a></p><p>B got this figurine for me a while ago. He said it reminded him of what we would have looked like if we met as kids. Awwwww. Insert smiley here.<br /></p><p><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_AxcQUBbACjA/S1t5FajH5UI/AAAAAAAAAao/K8lG4q1WHx0/s1600-h/012310+057.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_AxcQUBbACjA/S1t5FajH5UI/AAAAAAAAAao/K8lG4q1WHx0/s400/012310+057.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5430066909658211650" border="0" /></a></p><p>And I leave you with a glimpse of our infamous book collection.</p><p>Was your proposal a secret? Did anyone ruin the surprise and if so, how?<br /></p><p></p><p> </p><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6966218250535741605-1758285394646370674?l=twodogbride.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Two Dog Bridehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04619191764905848843noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6966218250535741605.post-8397817877602577952010-01-29T10:30:00.000-08:002010-01-29T10:30:00.494-08:00This week has been full of a constant cootie catcher assembly line. I started on Sunday night cutting out the squares while watching football. However, I didn't really think about how much work cutting would be! It took about four cuts a side, which is about 16 cuts a square. Multiply that by 200 cootie catchers and that's A LOT of cutting!! My thumb was not happy.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_AxcQUBbACjA/S2Ji601_aGI/AAAAAAAAAiA/9L0rePKGkMk/s1600-h/cooties+003.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_AxcQUBbACjA/S2Ji601_aGI/AAAAAAAAAiA/9L0rePKGkMk/s400/cooties+003.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5432012863319271522" border="0" /></a><br />Neither was my dog.<br /><br /><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Didja</span> notice the Band-Aid? Yeah, I was starting to develop a blister. Good thing I caught it early on in the callous stage. Thank you Band-Aid for helping me cut some 3200 times. Oi <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">vay</span>.<br /><br />And then there has been folding and folding and folding!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_AxcQUBbACjA/S2Jk9DbIGxI/AAAAAAAAAio/wJD2XuXJ-WY/s1600-h/cooties+006.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_AxcQUBbACjA/S2Jk9DbIGxI/AAAAAAAAAio/wJD2XuXJ-WY/s400/cooties+006.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5432015100616121106" border="0" /></a><br />I invited a few of the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">BMs</span> over on Monday to fold with me and spend some good quality girl time. I thought the more the merrier when it comes to crafting. Well, it turns out, it was the more the chattier!<br /><br />While I was thankful for their help and the good company, we didn't get done half the work I thought we would. What we were able to finish added up a lot!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_AxcQUBbACjA/S2Jj7o-9BdI/AAAAAAAAAiY/FSXdyVCSa_A/s1600-h/cooties+005.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_AxcQUBbACjA/S2Jj7o-9BdI/AAAAAAAAAiY/FSXdyVCSa_A/s400/cooties+005.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5432013976827135442" border="0" /></a><br />Impressive!!<br /><br />And I should give a thank you to the supply manager at my office who let me "borrow" 200 sheets of green and blue paper for this project. I was super lucky that I didn't have to buy the paper myself, because I didn't even need a whole ream of either color. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">DIY</span> tip? Know and use what resources you have.<br /><br />I still have a long way to go, but I'm enjoying making them. It's a nice quiet project that doesn't require much thought once I get going. And I'm thinking another girls' night of folding might be on the horizon.<br /><br />Despite the challenges, I'm enjoying this project!<br /><br />Have you ever underestimated the amount of time or effort needed to finish a project? Ever have a <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">DIY</span> injury?<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6966218250535741605-839781787760257795?l=twodogbride.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Two Dog Bridehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04619191764905848843noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6966218250535741605.post-79945108045289519372010-01-28T18:27:00.000-08:002010-01-28T20:11:41.199-08:00So I got a-cootie-catcher-<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">crackin</span>. I did some searching and found a template from <a href="http://ruffledblog.com/2008/09/freebie-fridays-cootie-catcher-menu-template/">The Vintage Glam blog</a> that worked well for me.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_AxcQUBbACjA/S2JKtSjgSaI/AAAAAAAAAfo/QsDusWKmtcg/s1600-h/cootie+catcher+template.bmp"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 396px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_AxcQUBbACjA/S2JKtSjgSaI/AAAAAAAAAfo/QsDusWKmtcg/s400/cootie+catcher+template.bmp" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5431986242497563042" border="0" /></a><br />Unfortunately, the template they now feature on their site doesn't have these sassy lines. You should be able to add a border on the slide yourself. Either way, the template is fairly straight-forward. The template is created in <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Powerpoint</span>, but the idea could be adapted into a word document too.<br /><br />In order to be able to understand how the template is laid-out, you need to have a basic understanding of how to fold a cootie catcher. Here's a quick run through if you didn't know or if you wanted a refresher.<br /><br />Once you've cut out your square, start with your paper like this:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_AxcQUBbACjA/S2Jbw7KTQQI/AAAAAAAAAhI/dm7srZKDDP4/s1600-h/cooties+007.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_AxcQUBbACjA/S2Jbw7KTQQI/AAAAAAAAAhI/dm7srZKDDP4/s400/cooties+007.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5432004996634984706" border="0" /></a><br />Fold the paper in half side to side like this:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_AxcQUBbACjA/S2JbxYQgaTI/AAAAAAAAAhQ/uvZKR5Bb3D8/s1600-h/cooties+008.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_AxcQUBbACjA/S2JbxYQgaTI/AAAAAAAAAhQ/uvZKR5Bb3D8/s400/cooties+008.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5432005004445641010" border="0" /></a><br />I know for some of you, the inclination is to fold on the diagonal, but don't. Folding on the diagonal makes weird creases through the outside of your cootie catcher. If you want nice smooth sides, fold side to side.<br /><br />Unfold the paper flat again and then fold it side to side the other direction, making a cross at the center of the paper. You will need the center mark accurate in order to base all your other folds on.<br /><br />Unfold the paper flat and lay it face down. Bring one corner up to the center and crease. I bring mine to just short of center in order to have space between the edges.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_AxcQUBbACjA/S2JaftjkI-I/AAAAAAAAAhA/7Vh-YjVUVMo/s1600-h/cooties+010.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_AxcQUBbACjA/S2JaftjkI-I/AAAAAAAAAhA/7Vh-YjVUVMo/s400/cooties+010.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5432003601413448674" border="0" /></a><br />Repeat with the other four corners.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_AxcQUBbACjA/S2JZ5LBLSRI/AAAAAAAAAg4/4ayVrfJhaY0/s1600-h/cooties+011.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_AxcQUBbACjA/S2JZ5LBLSRI/AAAAAAAAAg4/4ayVrfJhaY0/s400/cooties+011.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5432002939307378962" border="0" /></a><br />Flip that bad boy over and repeat the fold corner to center motion with the four new corners.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_AxcQUBbACjA/S2JcpXvay_I/AAAAAAAAAhg/DnvWFHZDs-0/s1600-h/cooties+012.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_AxcQUBbACjA/S2JcpXvay_I/AAAAAAAAAhg/DnvWFHZDs-0/s400/cooties+012.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5432005966379535346" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_AxcQUBbACjA/S2Jdjp3csqI/AAAAAAAAAho/3T0LCNCT-UY/s1600-h/cooties+013.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_AxcQUBbACjA/S2Jdjp3csqI/AAAAAAAAAho/3T0LCNCT-UY/s400/cooties+013.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5432006967677465250" border="0" /></a><br />Now you have all the basic folds of the cootie catcher, you'll want to fold it flat a few times to ensure all the creases are strong.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_AxcQUBbACjA/S2JfDi35J0I/AAAAAAAAAhw/o1jmpf_P9B8/s1600-h/cooties+014.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_AxcQUBbACjA/S2JfDi35J0I/AAAAAAAAAhw/o1jmpf_P9B8/s400/cooties+014.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5432008615067723586" border="0" /></a><br />I crease the folds in about every direction I can, so that all my creases are sharp before opening up the cootie catcher. Once your folds are clean, stick those fingers inside and open it up!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_AxcQUBbACjA/S2JfEOy4zmI/AAAAAAAAAh4/llPkTL6ek24/s1600-h/cooties+015.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_AxcQUBbACjA/S2JfEOy4zmI/AAAAAAAAAh4/llPkTL6ek24/s400/cooties+015.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5432008626857889378" border="0" /></a><br />Ta-<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">da</span>!<br /><br /><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Alrighty</span>, now that you know how the cootie catcher is constructed, you will be better able to understand the dimensions you are looking at flat on your computer monitor.<br /><br />On the template, each question and answer are their own text boxes which allow for easy typing and alignment. Easy only applies to the typing part. Alignment was the biggest pain in the rear for me on this project. Every time I added a line to a question, like going from a two liner to a three liner, the box would change size. The center of the box stayed the same, but the bigger the question, the bigger the box. So, I constantly found myself trying to move the text boxes around and get them lined up. When I thought I had things lined up right, I would print out a sample to fold and see where I was at.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_AxcQUBbACjA/S2JJEAE0nSI/AAAAAAAAAfg/7VfV2Kqq3-0/s1600-h/DIY+shots+019.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_AxcQUBbACjA/S2JJEAE0nSI/AAAAAAAAAfg/7VfV2Kqq3-0/s400/DIY+shots+019.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5431984433650769186" border="0" /></a>As you can see, I had some trouble keeping the questions on the right part of the cootie catcher. I drew little arrows on the inside, showing me which way the text needed to be moved. Then, I would unfold the whole thing, hold it up next to my screen and try to move the boxes again into place. And that is where understanding the layout and dimensions became most important.<br /><br />The first version I made took a long time to line up. I think I printed out at least five different testers for the first version before I liked what I saw. We made four different versions of the game and after the first, the others went much better.<br /><br />Now, it's just a matter of folding some 200 cootie catchers!<br /><br />Did you run into any hiccups you had to adjust and tinker with in your <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">DIY</span> projects?<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6966218250535741605-7994510804528951937?l=twodogbride.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Two Dog Bridehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04619191764905848843noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6966218250535741605.post-86379673875013305512010-01-26T11:59:00.000-08:002010-01-26T13:06:02.922-08:00<div align="left">When I picked up the new Martha Stewart Weddings 15th Anniversary Issue this week, I was surprised to find that the idea of using cootie catchers at a wedding was initially published in 2001!<br /></div><div align="center"><br /></div><div align="center"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 360px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 450px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://images.marthastewart.com/images/content/pub/weddings/2010Q1//mw297p2rr_0110_cootiecatcher_xl.jpg" border="0" /> <a href="http://www.marthastewartweddings.com/photogallery/15-years-of-good-things-for-weddings?lpgStart=1&amp;currentslide=1&amp;currentChapter=1#ms-global-breadcrumbs">source</a><br /></div><div align="center"><br /></div><div align="left">Since I first saw them early on in my wedding planning, I have been trying to come up with a way to incorporate cootie catchers into my reception. </div><div align="left"> </div><div align="left"></div><div align="left">I love the color coded hearts on the inside of this one.<br /></div><div align="center"><br /></div><div align="center"></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5431146457033309842" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 267px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_AxcQUBbACjA/S19O7V6XfpI/AAAAAAAAAdg/I5zFU4_ILpo/s400/Cootie_catcher-_Cox_and_Cox.jpg" border="0" /> <p align="center"><a href="http://sugarblossomweddings.blogspot.com/2008/09/love-fortune-tellers.html">source</a><br /></p><p align="left">This one has the menu listed on the inside.<br /></p><br /><p align="center"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 426px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 639px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://www.newyorkfood.com/blogs/image.axd?picture=2009%2F9%2FOrigami+Menu1.JPG" border="0" /><a href="http://www.newyorkfood.com/blogs/?tag=/wedding">source</a></p><p align="left">And just look at how lovely these menu cootie catchers look at each place setting! They add color without being overwhelming and they are just so darn cute!</p><br /><p align="center"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 426px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 639px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://www.newyorkfood.com/blogs/image.axd?picture=2009%2f9%2fOrigami+Menu+Table.JPG" border="0" /><a href="http://www.newyorkfood.com/blogs/?tag=/wedding">source</a></p>We're planning on having a buffet style dinner, so we can't put a menu inside. And although I find them quite entertaining on a slow day at work, I didn't quite see how just using them as the original game was very us. I'm not sure our male guests would be really interested in playing the cootie catcher game to learn their future.<br /><br /><br /><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 476px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 357px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://cache.gawker.com/assets/stills/southpark1_jez.flv.jpg" border="0" /> <p align="center"><a href="http://jezebel.com/5168555/the-cootie+catcher-blast-from-the-past-glimpse-of-the-future">source</a></p><p align="left">But then I saw this example and thought, what about trivia? </p><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 430px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 322px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://mindyweiss.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2009/04/cootie-catchers-3.jpg" border="0" /><br /><div align="center"><a href="http://www.mindyweiss.com/blog/2009/04/">source</a></div><p><br />I like trivia. B likes trivia. Some of our guests (especially the extended families) might not know a lot about our relationship or how we met. Sounds like a good idea. But did it pass B's editorial desk and his concerns about people knowing everything about us? IT DID!</p><p>I was so excited I started to compile a list of questions to use that were light hearted, fun, silly and things even our close family might not know about us. I actually came up with a list of about 50 questions. Some of my favorite questions?</p>What is B's natural hair color? (Tricky tricky, he's bald!)<br />What was the first gift B got me? (A BBQ grill! Seriously, it was a housewarming gift.)<br />What is my favorite color? (Green, duh.)<br />What is B's favorite color? (Blue. See a trend here?)<br />What day did we get engaged? (You'll find out soon.)<br />Why is October important to us? (Both of our birthdays are in October!) <p>Some aren't as interesting like where we live currently, where we had our first date, and where we got our bachelor degrees at. But the best part about coming up with so many great questions? We can make four different versions of our cootie catchers. That way we can have a variety at each table. I'm hoping it'll spark some fun conversation and mingling among the guests!</p><p>Now I just need to find a template and get a-crackin!</p><p>Would you be surprised to find out that one of your DIY ideas wasn't as new and as fresh as you thought it was? Would you ever consider incorporating personal trivia into your wedding? How?</p><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6966218250535741605-8637967387501330551?l=twodogbride.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Two Dog Bridehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04619191764905848843noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6966218250535741605.post-85592926006359388002010-01-25T10:00:00.000-08:002010-01-25T10:00:04.300-08:00So I have previously talked about how B and I took a pretty conventional route in <a href="http://twodogbride.blogspot.com/2009/12/picking-our-venue-or-where-simple.html">picking a reception venue</a>. But, what I didn't get to show you before, I now have. Pictures of the venue! While MOB-V and I were out running errands this weekend, we decided to swing by the venue so that she could see the hall and so I could ask a few follow up questions.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_AxcQUBbACjA/S1zTMqoaZ5I/AAAAAAAAAc4/zisa1KHOvEU/s1600-h/012310+047.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_AxcQUBbACjA/S1zTMqoaZ5I/AAAAAAAAAc4/zisa1KHOvEU/s400/012310+047.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5430447465257658258" border="0" /></a><br />The Royalty House is a large reception venue with up to four events going on at once. Secretly, I think it looks like a ski chalet. Unfortunately, we are nowhere near the mountains in Metro Detroit.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_AxcQUBbACjA/S1zTOL-hJBI/AAAAAAAAAdY/RmFx7SX1KmU/s1600-h/012310+053.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_AxcQUBbACjA/S1zTOL-hJBI/AAAAAAAAAdY/RmFx7SX1KmU/s400/012310+053.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5430447491388613650" border="0" /></a><br />One of the most impressive things about this hall is the gorgeous lobby. You can see the main doors under the stairs, but once you come into the lobby, these double staircases and a large elaborate fireplace fill the large lobby. The staircases lead up to a small ceremony space that holds about 80 people. Most of the lighting in the lobby is natural and comes from large skylights that flood the area with sun light. Some of the places we looked at had little piddly lobbies. The Royalty House has enough space for guests to mill about and get some breathing room, no matter if they have one event or four on the night of our reception.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_AxcQUBbACjA/S1zTM9UyaqI/AAAAAAAAAdA/6IJ0mmScra0/s1600-h/012310+048.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_AxcQUBbACjA/S1zTM9UyaqI/AAAAAAAAAdA/6IJ0mmScra0/s400/012310+048.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5430447470275619490" border="0" /></a><br />This is the banquet room itself. While the walls are a nice neutral green and cream that will compliment our green and blue color scheme well, the chairs are an unflattering maroon. Now, I've never been the type person who felt that chair covers were a necessity, but they happened to be part of the package promotion that they were offering when we booked. So, bye-bye maroon chairs! Hello white chair covers and sassy sashes!<br /><br />When I was there, I also was able to have a few follow up questions cleared up like, <span style="font-style: italic;">Could we use an extra chair sash or napkin as a table runner?</span> Yes. <span style="font-style: italic;">And where would the gift table be?</span> In the back of the room. <span style="font-style: italic;">Awesome.</span> (I really didn't want it to be in the front of the room because I've heard too many horror stories about gifts being stolen.) A<span style="font-style: italic;">nd if we wanted to bring in a late night snack, would they take care of it?</span> You bet. <span style="font-style: italic;">And where would our candy buffet go? </span>Right here.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_AxcQUBbACjA/S1zTNiqFx0I/AAAAAAAAAdQ/5g8Os0yRML4/s1600-h/012310+050.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_AxcQUBbACjA/S1zTNiqFx0I/AAAAAAAAAdQ/5g8Os0yRML4/s400/012310+050.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5430447480297080642" border="0" /></a><br />That's a corner of the dance floor for those of you playing along. They also said that they would be able to fill up the candy buffet or put out favors, so long as I gave them detailed instructions or a photo that shows them how to set it up. They seemed pretty cooperative, but said they didn't want me to be disappointed if it didn't turn out just how I wanted. I'm not too worried. I'm not doing a DOC. However, I have friends of the family who have volunteered to help set up and I'll pretty much be doing the same thing with them. MOB-V and I have plans to make mock ups at home of all the set ups before we pack them up and delegate to someone else.<br /><br />I was really glad we were able to stop in and talk to someone. And I was excited to see the hall more set up than I previously had. Last time I was there, they were in the process of setting up for an event they were having later that day, so the tables were uncovered and the separating wall was pulled back, exposing all four rooms together. It was hard to get a really good idea of what the room would look like for our reception. The dance floor was a LOT bigger than I had remembered! MOB-V loved it though and it reassured me that we picked the right place for our guests.<br /><br />What kind of follow-up questions did you have for your venue? Did you learn anything you were surprised to find out about or were you reassured in your decision?<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6966218250535741605-8559292600635938800?l=twodogbride.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Two Dog Bridehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04619191764905848843noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6966218250535741605.post-43348696123224242572010-01-24T14:37:00.000-08:002010-01-24T15:04:06.288-08:00This weekend, MOB-V and I went to a favorite store of ours to get some great deals on party planning and wedding supplies.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_AxcQUBbACjA/S1t7JJ66n6I/AAAAAAAAAbI/CRoYgJcODXc/s1600-h/012310+007.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_AxcQUBbACjA/S1t7JJ66n6I/AAAAAAAAAbI/CRoYgJcODXc/s400/012310+007.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5430069172937334690" border="0" /></a>The <a href="http://www.flowerfactory.com/">Flower Factory</a>. Now, MOB-V runs a small party planning and floral business on the side, so she's got the wholesale hook-up on this store. But, they do offer personal memberships as well. Either way, this store is the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Costo</span> and Sam's Club for craft supplies. They've got everything you could imagine to run a little party planning business: silk flowers, glass vases, all things wicker, kids crafts, home and garden <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">chachkies</span>, candy, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">scrapbooking</span> supplies, fake feathers and trims, baby and wedding shower stuff, as well as general party supplies. I love it. Unfortunately, it's also a regional store to the Michigan and Ohio area.<br /></div><br />We had done some <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">reconnaissance</span> a few months ago at this store, so when we went for a second time, I had a list. Our main priority for the morning? Silk flowers to play with for bouquets and <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">centerpieces</span>.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_AxcQUBbACjA/S1t7JS_LKkI/AAAAAAAAAbQ/Im_LLKyH7XM/s1600-h/012310+012.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_AxcQUBbACjA/S1t7JS_LKkI/AAAAAAAAAbQ/Im_LLKyH7XM/s400/012310+012.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5430069175371115074" border="0" /></a><br />Let me just start out by saying they have tons and tons of flowers. This is just the white large stem flowers. There is a whole back wall of this stuff, not including the some 20 aisles of bright colors and <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">pre</span>-made arrangements.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_AxcQUBbACjA/S1t9BUc3cwI/AAAAAAAAAb4/j7kiEtsWjYA/s1600-h/012310+027.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_AxcQUBbACjA/S1t9BUc3cwI/AAAAAAAAAb4/j7kiEtsWjYA/s400/012310+027.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5430071237348389634" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_AxcQUBbACjA/S1t9A-01y1I/AAAAAAAAAbw/ujGSE6srHEg/s1600-h/012310+008.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_AxcQUBbACjA/S1t9A-01y1I/AAAAAAAAAbw/ujGSE6srHEg/s400/012310+008.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5430071231543364434" border="0" /></a><br />We had already discussed getting white flowers like dahlias and hydrangea and roses for my bouquet and our centerpieces. For my girls, I wanted the same, but with a little splash of blue or green in there. Kinda like this:<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.stylemepretty.com/wp-content/gallery/christian-oth-studio-elegant-ct-wedding/090523LEHEVE0167.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 600px;" src="http://www.stylemepretty.com/wp-content/gallery/christian-oth-studio-elegant-ct-wedding/090523LEHEVE0167.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><a href="http://www.stylemepretty.com/gallery/photo/christian-oth-studio+15450">source</a><br /></div><br />And this:<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_AxcQUBbACjA/S1uDZNqnRiI/AAAAAAAAAcY/Elm7Nm-g-jU/s1600-h/roses+and+hyd.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_AxcQUBbACjA/S1uDZNqnRiI/AAAAAAAAAcY/Elm7Nm-g-jU/s400/roses+and+hyd.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5430078244913628706" border="0" /></a>(can someone please tell me where I got this from??)<br /></div><br />I want lush looking, big fluffy arrangements and bouquets. So we started grabbing things and set up shop in the corner of the store, bunching groups and making different combinations of flowers. Does this look like a possible bridesmaid contender?<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_AxcQUBbACjA/S1t7J14232I/AAAAAAAAAbY/zGOK9w_LAP4/s1600-h/012310+020.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_AxcQUBbACjA/S1t7J14232I/AAAAAAAAAbY/zGOK9w_LAP4/s400/012310+020.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5430069184739860322" border="0" /></a><br />That could work. I love the blue hydrangeas, but they are a bit too overwhelming here. I want more white for the girls, with just a bit of blue and green in there. MOB-V said she could get smaller ones at the floral wholesaler to give that little splash of color. But we're just brainstorming today.<br /><br />Here I am modeling a bridal bouquet option.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_AxcQUBbACjA/S1t7KQplghI/AAAAAAAAAbo/2hnhYGWD3B0/s1600-h/012310+023.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_AxcQUBbACjA/S1t7KQplghI/AAAAAAAAAbo/2hnhYGWD3B0/s400/012310+023.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5430069191923565074" border="0" /></a><br />Nice early morning photo, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">TwoDogBride</span>. No make-up and my hair still in its morning half-dry stage. (I let my hair air dry everyday to curl naturally. By one in the afternoon I usually look presentable and not like I ran out of my house late.)<br /><br />Anyways, we'll be - or rather, MOB-V will be - using these to make mock ups of the actual flower arrangements and bouquets. I know I want white. I want fluffy. Other than that, I leave the actual flower choices up to MOB-V. It's what she does best.<br /><br />Along with that, I also got some supplies for other wedding projects I've got up my sleeve. I walked away with all my escort cards and a simple garter set that I plan to add on to. I also bought about 5 glass bowls/vases in varying shapes and sizes.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_AxcQUBbACjA/S1uGLJ5_aHI/AAAAAAAAAcw/d1Mr8eQ_FFo/s1600-h/012310+032.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_AxcQUBbACjA/S1uGLJ5_aHI/AAAAAAAAAcw/d1Mr8eQ_FFo/s400/012310+032.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5430081301921097842" border="0" /></a><br />I also got some of this.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_AxcQUBbACjA/S1uGKzwWAcI/AAAAAAAAAco/Eq1T6xMeT6g/s1600-h/012310+042.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_AxcQUBbACjA/S1uGKzwWAcI/AAAAAAAAAco/Eq1T6xMeT6g/s400/012310+042.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5430081295975055810" border="0" /></a><br />And two of these.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_AxcQUBbACjA/S1uGKYQTBGI/AAAAAAAAAcg/SIFjxvp08Pg/s1600-h/012310+028.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_AxcQUBbACjA/S1uGKYQTBGI/AAAAAAAAAcg/SIFjxvp08Pg/s400/012310+028.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5430081288592884834" border="0" /></a><br />What could those last two things be for? One project together? Or two? I guess you'll have to wait to find out.<br /><br />Total price for my loot? $62.89. Sweetness. MOB-V bought the flowers as a business expense, so I can't take credit for those. But all in all, I'm pretty excited about my findings and now I just want to hole myself up in my craft room and make things!<br /><br />Do you have a favorite store for your craft supplies? Or are you an online shopper? Gotten any really good deals lately?<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6966218250535741605-4334869612322424257?l=twodogbride.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Two Dog Bridehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04619191764905848843noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6966218250535741605.post-51854648525465624632010-01-18T08:30:00.000-08:002010-01-30T08:52:08.509-08:00Now that I had <a href="http://twodogbride.blogspot.com/2010/01/hey-i-can-do-that-invitations-part-2.html">my basic supplies</a>, I needed to decide what to do with them. I started to look for inspiration that would work with my paper. I needed something on a flat card and something that I could branch off of to add a little color. But I wanted something a little different. The last thing I wanted was for people to be able to tell it was a kit invitation right away.<br /><br />I looked at the examples of invitations I had saved. There were examples that used scrapbook paper to add in the color. Others used ribbon or a design motif to jazz it up.<br /><br />Then there was one that caught my eye.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.invitationsbydawn.com/pics/EasiestWeddingPics/Dawn/MA4797FCBGlr.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="http://www.invitationsbydawn.com/pics/EasiestWeddingPics/Dawn/MA4797FCBGlr.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><a href="http://www.invitationsbydawn.com/We_ViewEns.cfm?sItemCode=WedEns8445&amp;format=WedEnsDD">source</a><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">Blue and green and seemingly <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">stampable</span>? Talk to me.<br /><br />I don't remember which came first. The realization of my muse invitation or buying the muse stamp?<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_AxcQUBbACjA/S1O3EhfATXI/AAAAAAAAAWo/oGC15nyScUw/s1600-h/DIY+shots+030.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_AxcQUBbACjA/S1O3EhfATXI/AAAAAAAAAWo/oGC15nyScUw/s400/DIY+shots+030.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5427883264247352690" border="0" /></a>personal photo<br /></div><br />Perfect! It's not as large as the inspiration photo's logo, but it works! Plus, I can't get the bleed design that the inspiration invitation has because my kit has a thin, glossy ivory border. The stamp ink would just smear off of it.<br /><br />Now that I have the basic layout inspiration, I need to think about what other elements I can add to the kit that will make it more us.<br /><br />For those of you <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">DIYing</span> your invitations, what was your muse? Are you emulating a professional design or creating an original idea?<br /></div></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6966218250535741605-5185464852546562463?l=twodogbride.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Two Dog Bridehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04619191764905848843noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6966218250535741605.post-91186528592731423352010-01-17T08:00:00.000-08:002010-01-21T21:20:45.175-08:00So when B and I started thinking about the kind of reception we wanted to have, we started to think about all the cool things we had seen at our family and friends' receptions or at other parties. The things we remembered from others weddings were same things we wanted our guests to remember from our wedding. Hopefully we'll be able to incorporate some of our dream ideas into our reception should the budget allow.<br /><br />Of course, I'm a photo freak, so I really want a photo booth of some kind.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://fuzzyco.com/photos/misc/photobooth040204.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 629px;" src="http://fuzzyco.com/photos/misc/photobooth040204.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><a href="http://fuzzyco.com/photos/misc/photobooth040204.jpg">source</a><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.weddingaces.com/wp-content/uploads/wedding-photo-booth-inspiration.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 615px; height: 920px;" src="http://www.weddingaces.com/wp-content/uploads/wedding-photo-booth-inspiration.JPG" alt="" border="0" /></a><a href="http://www.weddingaces.com/wp-content/uploads/wedding-photo-booth-inspiration.JPG">source</a><br /></div><br />Hopefully, we can convince our photographer to set this up for us for a fee. I'm not into the DIY photo booths on laptops idea. I worry that we would either botch it or someone would break our stuff.<br /><br />B read that they offered a chocolate fountain at our hall and he was set on having a big spread!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.sunion.warwick.ac.uk/socs/su354/Choc%20Fountain.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 365px; height: 548px;" src="http://www.sunion.warwick.ac.uk/socs/su354/Choc%20Fountain.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><a href="http://www.sunion.warwick.ac.uk/socs/su354/Choc%20Fountain.jpg">source</a><br /></div><br />We thought about doing a late night snack too. Some of our friends have done things like pizza, but we wanted something a little different.<br /><br />My idea was to rent an ice cream cart to pass out treats. B and I had Lemon Ice on our first date and I thought that would be another great way to incorporate a little bit of our history as a couple into the reception.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.capitalchurros.com/miers/images/ic_cart.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 410px; height: 354px;" src="http://www.capitalchurros.com/miers/images/ic_cart.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><a href="http://www.capitalchurros.com/miers/images/ic_cart.jpg">source</a><br /></div><br />B suggested getting some White Castle burger platters. Slider heaven!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://cravingtongue.files.wordpress.com/2009/03/white_castle.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 498px; height: 270px;" src="http://cravingtongue.files.wordpress.com/2009/03/white_castle.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><a href="http://cravingtongue.files.wordpress.com/2009/03/white_castle.jpg">source</a><br /></div><br />Hopefully, we can at least squeeze in the White Castle. I mean, it's a Detroit favorite. I would love the photo booth idea, but I worry how much it will add to the budget.<br /><br />What dream ideas do you have for your reception? Are you going to be able to add them in or are you going to go without?<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6966218250535741605-9118652859273142335?l=twodogbride.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Two Dog Bridehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04619191764905848843noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6966218250535741605.post-38539210447989581332010-01-16T07:15:00.000-08:002010-01-21T21:17:07.349-08:00<span style="font-style: italic;"></span>Part of being Catholic means you come from a Catholic family and you probably grew up with a little bit of Catholic guilt in you. My mother was the Catholic heart of my family and my father converted to Catholicism before they were married. But since my mother's passing, the Catholic pressure in my family now resides with the older relatives. For the purpose of this post, I'll refer to them as The Aunts, my mother's sisters. They include my godmother, two other aunts and my aunt who is a nun. (Having a nun in the family makes me a better Catholic by association only.)<br /><div align="left"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_AxcQUBbACjA/S1ZZ19lUWOI/AAAAAAAAAXQ/csaisgiy5BY/s1600-h/aunts+and+uncles.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_AxcQUBbACjA/S1ZZ19lUWOI/AAAAAAAAAXQ/csaisgiy5BY/s400/aunts+and+uncles.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5428625184440735970" border="0" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">personal photo<br />(My Aunt Godmother is on the far right, Sister Aunt is second in from the right.)<br /></div><div align="left"><br />They are a wonderfully old fashioned group of women who have taught me about baking perfect cookies, about how to properly host parties for more than 40 people in a basement, and about who my mother was as a young woman. I love them dearly and couldn't ask for any better role models. However, they are also old fashioned in that they feel traditional roles are the right roles, including no sex and no living together before marriage. The expectation is that you fall in love, get married and then live together.<br /><br />Along the course of our relationship, B and I began talking about moving in together. We had already been dating for over a year and he was staying at my house most nights. His roommate was waiting to propose to his own girlfriend, and had been implying to B for months that he also wanted his girlfriend to move in. Which in turn meant B would need to move out.<br /><br />For B, I think moving in together was the next natural step. For me, it was scary. Big time scary. In my two serious relationships in the past, I had moved or was planning on moving for the guy. Both situations turned out to be major fails. I moved home from school for the first guy and transferred to the local university. He ended up cheating on me, so I moved back. Five years later, I was planning on moving to California with my boyfriend at the time, when he decided he wanted to start the new chapter of his life unattached. After that, I bought myself a house, set roots and said <em>If anyone was going to move, it was going to be the man. Not me.</em> But when it came to B, it took me a long time to realize that he was neither one of my ex-boyfriends. He was not one of <em>those</em> guys. We had already begun to talk about marriage and our future together. Even still, I was unsure about him moving in with me.<br /><br />It took time to <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">convince</span> myself that living together was the right thing to do for us. I prayed to make the right decision, but I didn't turn to the Church for advice. I already knew what the Church (and The Aunts) would say. That was obvious. But to me, I felt that asking B to move in was, in a way, my proposal to him. In our discussions, we had agreed that our living together would have to be treated as if it were already a marriage. If we had disagreements, we'd have to work them out. Everything that was mine, would be his. And everything that was his, would be mine. There was no running away, no storming out. If we choose to live together, we would work hard to treat each other like husband and wife and not like roommates.<br /><br />In April of 2008, I asked B to move in. It wasn't long until we were sharing dishes and small storage spaces and bathrooms. We've had our hiccups and <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">disagreements</span> since, but we've done well resolving our problems large and small. Our biggest challenge so far has been about chores, but I tell B that one of the reasons I love him is because we are the same amount of lazy. When it comes to cleaning up, neither one is more neat than the other, so we don't get upset by small messes or the other leaving stuff laying around. We've learned a lot about each others habits and ticks. For us, living together has definitely made our relationship stronger. B said that our relationship was the first real adult relationship he had been in. There were no parents to check in with and no one else to report to. Just us.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_AxcQUBbACjA/S1Za_j3kVJI/AAAAAAAAAXY/onWzJwHlzIg/s1600-h/med_fireworks_wayne002.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_AxcQUBbACjA/S1Za_j3kVJI/AAAAAAAAAXY/onWzJwHlzIg/s400/med_fireworks_wayne002.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5428626448848278674" border="0" /></a>personal photo<br /></div><br />From the start, our parents were supportive. My parents definitely wanted me to <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">exercise</span> caution, but they stood behind our decision. My <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">FMIL</span> is still fairly religious and I worried that B's parents may give us grief about moving in. Regardless, they were supportive as well. It took a while for us to break the news to our extended family. I didn't rush to tell my grandmother about it and I <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">definitely</span> wanted to avoid telling The Aunts at all cost.<br /><br />But by the time Christmas came around that year, we had been living together for almost a year. I sent out Christmas cards from the both of us with our address on them. A week or so later, we went to my mother's family's Christmas party. I talked with my cousins about my life, introduced B to a whirlwind of people and prepared to talk to The Aunts. I was fearful that someone would say something about the Christmas cards. That one of The Aunts would give me that <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">disapproving</span> Mom look when they learned we were living together.<br /><br /></div><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; width: 272px; height: 272px; text-align: center;" alt="" src="http://cuteoverload.files.wordpress.com/2009/04/2242074105_569fb8d107.jpg" border="0" /> <p align="center"><a href="http://cuteoverload.files.wordpress.com/2009/04/2242074105_569fb8d107.jpg">source </a>(The Dissapproving Bun)</p><p align="left">But there is one thing about The Aunts that I forgot in all my worries. <em>If you don't have anything nice to say, don't say anything at all.</em> It was the trumping rule. Not one family member made a comment to us about our living arrangement. Not one word. I was relieved. Successful Christmas party.<br /><br />We decided that living together was a great choice for us to make. It worked for us, I think primarily because we choose to treat the relationship like a marriage and with the understanding that co-<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">habitating</span> was not going to be a permanent situation. For us, co-<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">habitating</span> was an opportunity to grow together as a couple towards marriage.<br /><br />Although I am secure in our decision, there have been a few times where I worry about what other people think. For instance, when we first registered as parishioners of our new church, we asked the office worker if we should sign up separately because we weren't married. He shrugged and told us to sign up as one family if we were living together. Still no big deal, even at the church office! <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">Occasionally</span> we get cards from family members addressed only to our first names, who either don't know the other's last name or don't want to acknowledge we are not married. It's times like that I have to remind myself that honestly, no one else gets a say in this relationship. Our decisions as a couple are between B and I and will continue to be so for the rest of our lives.<br /><br />I think if you are considering co-habitation, you need to make sure that it is right for you and your significant other. You need to set boundaries for <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">responsibilities</span> and have an understanding how co-<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">habitating</span> may change your relationship. If you are thinking about co-<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">habitating</span> as some kind of marriage test, you need to agree on a time frame to discuss marriage again if the relationship isn't naturally progressing that way. Don't get stuck in a situation where you might want to get married in the future, but the other just wants the milk for free. That's not healthy. Don't worry about what other people will think because more likely than not, the people that love you will support your decision and those who don't agree will just keep their mouths shut. If you and your significant other communicate well and can share your fears and apprehension about living together, you can resolve those concerns together too.<br /><br />Would you consider living together before marriage? What expectations does your family have about co-habitation? Does the opinion of others play a big role in your decision making as a couple?<br /></p><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6966218250535741605-3853921044798958133?l=twodogbride.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Two Dog Bridehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04619191764905848843noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6966218250535741605.post-67784734165682437352010-01-15T05:30:00.000-08:002010-01-15T07:11:40.875-08:00I read a lot of blogs. My Google Reader is set up with categories for cute stuff (a la <a href="http://cuteoverload.com/">CuteOverload</a>), funny stuff (a la <a href="http://myfirstfail.com/">MyFirstFail</a>), and crafting stuff (a la <a href="http://blog.craftzine.com/index.html">Craftzine</a>). I am always on the look out for DIY wedding ideas on my craft blogs. They are great places to get ideas, even if the crafts might not be geared specifically for weddings. Call it DIY Bride Eye. So when I saw <a href="http://www.designspongeonline.com/2009/01/diy-wenesdays-january-21st-2009.html">this post</a> on <a href="http://www.designspongeonline.com/">Design*Sponge</a> about matchbook notebooks, I wanted to try to make it as a favor possiblity for our guests. Plus, I had some downtime at work.<br /><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.designspongeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/notepads1.jpg"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 475px; CURSOR: pointer; HEIGHT: 346px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://www.designspongeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/notepads1.jpg" border="0" /></a><a href="http://www.designspongeonline.com/2009/01/diy-wenesdays-january-21st-2009.html">source<br /></a></div><br />I grabbed some of my always available office supplies. Thank you office supply closet! I cut a piece of a red manila file folder for the cover and then cut some scrap printer paper into pages for the inside. A few folds, a marker and a staple later? Wha-la! Mini matchbook notebook!<br /><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_AxcQUBbACjA/S0qgIHk053I/AAAAAAAAAV4/WSu0gdt2bZw/s1600-h/matchbooks+007.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5425324762454091634" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: pointer; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_AxcQUBbACjA/S0qgIHk053I/AAAAAAAAAV4/WSu0gdt2bZw/s400/matchbooks+007.jpg" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_AxcQUBbACjA/S0qgIjAHFBI/AAAAAAAAAWA/SdaG4FuWbT4/s1600-h/matchbooks+010.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5425324769816286226" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: pointer; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_AxcQUBbACjA/S0qgIjAHFBI/AAAAAAAAAWA/SdaG4FuWbT4/s400/matchbooks+010.jpg" border="0" /></a>personal photos<br /></div><br />I only put eight pages of printer paper inside the first one I made. Although cute, it looked a little weak. So, I experimented and I found about 15 pages was ideal. It allows enough to write on to make the notebooks worthwhile, but not too much that the staple is pushing its limits.<br /><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_AxcQUBbACjA/S0qgHVT06QI/AAAAAAAAAVo/-gL60p8YsqA/s1600-h/matchbooks+001.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5425324748961016066" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: pointer; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_AxcQUBbACjA/S0qgHVT06QI/AAAAAAAAAVo/-gL60p8YsqA/s400/matchbooks+001.jpg" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_AxcQUBbACjA/S0qgH72lqiI/AAAAAAAAAVw/xzPVRFF8Alc/s1600-h/matchbooks+004.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5425324759307364898" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: pointer; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_AxcQUBbACjA/S0qgH72lqiI/AAAAAAAAAVw/xzPVRFF8Alc/s400/matchbooks+004.jpg" border="0" /></a>personal photos (left to right: 10 pages, 15 pages, 20 pages)<br /></div><br />As you can see, the 10 page is okay, but you can still get 15 pages of regular printer paper in there. By the time you have 20 pages, the stapler takes a lot of muscle to work and makes me worry the matchbook may not hold its shape over time.<br /><br />The mock up was so easy, I thought this would be a great favor for our guests! Something hand-crafted, simple to make, personalized and unique to us. B is currently teaching high school English and I graduated with my bachelor's in Creative Writing. And when I showed my mock-up to B, it passed the Editorial check! He liked them! So the notebook makes good sense. However, we couldn't just give out notebooks. We would also have to give our guests something to write with.<br /><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://images.marthastewart.com/images/content/pub/weddings/2005Q4/a101013_win05_pencils_l.jpg"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 225px; CURSOR: pointer; HEIGHT: 281px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://images.marthastewart.com/images/content/pub/weddings/2005Q4/a101013_win05_pencils_l.jpg" border="0" /></a><a href="http://www.marthastewartweddings.com/good-things/save-the-date-pencils">source<br /></a></div><br />Personalized pencils! You know like the ones that your parents bought for you with your name on them so your siblings wouldn't use them? So cute! Could a favor get any more practical? Even the guys could drop them in their pocket, or toss them in the glove box. Need to jot down a phone number three months later? "Hey, there's that notebook from our friends' wedding!" Oh yeah, I love practical.<br /><br />However, I started to do some research and found that custom pencils are not cheap. The more features you have (rounded, erasers, more than one line of text) the pricier they get. I needed another option. In my adventures through the promotional websites I was looking at, something else caught my eye. "Why not golf pencils?" Sure enough, we could get golf pencils with one line of text printed for a reasonable price, but there was a catch. There is always a catch. We would have to order at least 750 golf pencils to even place an order. Even at three pencils a guest, that's still about 150 pencils extra we'd have laying around our house for the next five years. And from a pricing standpoint, they still calculated out to be more than we were planning on paying for per favor.<br /><br />So, now I'm left with the possiblity of homemade matchbook notebooks and the knowledge of 750 golf pencils being a bit out of our budget. Still, it's a pretty attractive option that deserves more thought.<br /><br />Do you think the matchbook notebook is a good idea? Have you ever thought about DIYing your favors? What other DIY ideas have you seen?<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6966218250535741605-6778473416568243735?l=twodogbride.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Two Dog Bridehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04619191764905848843noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6966218250535741605.post-15134415903653386242010-01-13T12:19:00.000-08:002010-01-13T14:10:34.949-08:00<div align="left">I have to admit, there are a few guests I am really really really excited to hear are going to be coming into town for our wedding. My step-sister and her family! Since my Dad and MOB-V were married, my step-sister or Big Sister C, has been overwhelmingly awesome to me. She is about ten years my senior but acts like she's my bestest friend. They usually come into town every few years or so, but I've been out to California a few times to visit her and her gaggle of children. Yes, I said gaggle. </div><div align="center"><br /></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5426330943504698978" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_AxcQUBbACjA/S04zPkFOzmI/AAAAAAAAAWQ/Jn1iqqrQxv0/s400/Nathan.Owen.Shyanne.Madison.Miranda.Emma.Kaitlan.Steven.jpeg.JPG" border="0" /> <p align="center"> personal photo</p><p align="left">Some back story: Big Sister C married young right out of high school and had four children. A few years later, she ended up divorced. She then met another awesome guy who also had two children of his own from his first marriage. Since then, they've had two more together and were married in 2006. Big Sister C and her hubby are some of the coolest, relaxed, parents of eight you will ever met. They are the extreme sports, camping in the woods, always tan kinda family. I love spending time with them. I just wish they lived in Michigan! </p>This week I got message from MOB-V saying that Big Sister C, her hubby and her six kids will be coming to Michigan for our wedding and the Fourth of July weekend. Already, my parents have a huge itinerary planned for them. There is of course our wedding, but my Dad has also planned a camping trip, barbecue, and a day trip to a nearby theme park while they are in town! I'm just a little bit jealous about the theme park trip because B and I will be on our honeymoon, but we'll live.<br /><br /><br />With the six California kids coming to the wedding, that now makes 12 children attendees at our wedding. We better find something for them to do! I know that the kids will enjoy the trip, but I want to do something special for them (and our other kid guests). Especially since most the kids will be over the age of ten by then. I remember going to weddings as a pre-teen and thinking how uncool all my aunts and uncles were. I had fun with my cousins (all of them are almost ten years older than me), but I would have loved something else to do.<br /><br />I want to make them all buckets or kits of stuff to do. I plan on having three different baskets. One for the two teenage girls that will be coming, another for the little girls and a third for the boys. And if possible, I'd of course like to DIY some of the elements in the baskets.<br /><br /><br /><br />Maybe a coloring book?<br /><br /><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 321px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 480px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://www.scrapduo.com/kids/sparklingbride.jpg" border="0" /><br /><div align="center"><a href="http://www.scrapduo.com/kids/">source</a></div><div align="center"> </div><br />Or a chic I Spy game?<br /><br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5426348890487263298" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 225px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 281px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_AxcQUBbACjA/S05DkNzUEEI/AAAAAAAAAWg/RM0edbZ5hrk/s320/ispy.jpg" border="0" /><br /><p align="center"><a href="http://www.marthastewartweddings.com/article/i-spy-conversation-starter">source</a><br /></p><br /><br />Or a placemat!<br /><p align="center"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5426336535960286658" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_AxcQUBbACjA/S044VFmi9cI/AAAAAAAAAWY/brkzWpzhprE/s320/placemat.jpg" border="0" /><a href="http://www.saucysprinkles.com/2008/07/twist-of-lime-wedding.html">source</a></p><p>Or something they can use at the reception, like crazy straws! </p><p><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://www.foryourparty.com/grab/img_CrazyStraws/crazystraws1web.jpg" border="0" /> </p><p align="center"> <a href="http://www.foryourparty.com/grab/spid.php?cat=CrazyStraws&amp;lang=EN&amp;theme=FYPx">source</a><br /><br /></p><p>Or a disposable camera?</p><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 288px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 369px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://www.cameras101.com/Images/CamerasImage.jpg" border="0" /> <p align="center"><a href="http://www.cameras101.com/">source</a><br /></p><p>Whatever we concoct, I'm sure the kids will love it! I can't wait to see them!</p><p>Are you having children at your wedding? How are you planning on keeping them entertained?</p><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6966218250535741605-1513441590365338624?l=twodogbride.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Two Dog Bridehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04619191764905848843noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6966218250535741605.post-17356493083928989812010-01-12T05:30:00.000-08:002010-01-12T05:30:01.058-08:00<p>Now that I had <a href="http://twodogbride.blogspot.com/2010/01/how-you-gonna-top-that-part-3.html">my supplies</a>, I was ready to experiment. Lucky for me, I took my time and achieved what I was looking for on the first try. Remember the inspiration picture?<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_AxcQUBbACjA/S0e9PTystlI/AAAAAAAAAUo/xnUMAzsO6fo/s1600-h/DIY+shots+016.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5424512346899658322" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 315px; CURSOR: pointer; HEIGHT: 419px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_AxcQUBbACjA/S0e9PTystlI/AAAAAAAAAUo/xnUMAzsO6fo/s320/DIY+shots+016.jpg" border="0" /></a> </p><p>I used some additional supplies that I had already, including Modge Podge (great glue/sealer for everything), assorted small paint brushes, scrapbook paper in my wedding colors, and a wooden 4"x4" square (that ended up being the base).<br /></p><p>Anyways, my steps went something like this:</p><p></p><p></p><blockquote><p>1) Coat head, doll stand (feet) &amp; peg (body) in Modge Podge for a smooth surface and to seal wood.</p><p>2) Draw hair shape and facial features in light pencil on head before painting to see what it'll look like. By sealing the wood in Modge Podge first, you will be able to easily erase any light marks you don't want to use.<br /></p><p>3) Once you've got a nice face, use small brushes (and a very steady hand) to paint on face and hair. If you don't have a light color for the cheeks, just skip them. Simpler is better. Have a piece of scrap paper nearby to test on if you are worried about things like making unevenly sized eyes or cheeks.<br /></p><p>4) Use white or black paint respectively to coat the peg and stand for your bride or groom as a base. I left some room at the top of each peg to allow for a neck and shoulders. I coated my own doll in white and B's doll in black.<br /></p><p>5) Take your fabric drape it on your dolls until you get the right shape to form a dress and suit. This was a trial and error process.<br /></p><p></p><blockquote>5a) I'm separating this into it's own step. Draping is not easy and will take a few goofs to get it right. I used a combination of Elmer's Glue and Krazy Glue to get the fabric to go where I wanted and stay there. I also used some simple sewing on the back of the bride's dress to hold it together and get it to give the tiered shape I was looking for. The suit coat was a pain. I cheated a bit of a hem by gluing a hem on the inside. And the vest is made from some scrap I had at home. I painted on B's tie.<br /></blockquote><p></p><p></p><p>6) Paint wooden base white</p><p></p><blockquote><p>6a) Glue scrap paper to top of base and once dry, trim to size.</p><p>6b) Seal base with Modge Podge to finish wood and scrap paper top.</p></blockquote><p></p><p>7) Once both bride and groom are completed, glue in place on wooden base.</p></blockquote><p></p><p></p><p style="TEXT-ALIGN: left">Ta-da!!<br /></p><p style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><img src="http://diy.weddingbee.com/pics/38204/cake_topper_1.jpg" /></p><p style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><img src="http://diy.weddingbee.com/pics/38204/cake_topper_2.jpg" /></p><br /><p style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><img src="http://diy.weddingbee.com/pics/38204/caketopper_001.jpg" /></p><p style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><img src="http://diy.weddingbee.com/pics/38204/caketopper_004.jpg" /></p><p style="TEXT-ALIGN: center">all personal photos</p><p>For the back of the dress, I pinched the fabric twice to create the layers. The folds at the bottom were glued on the bottom inside edges to make the pleats. I simple sewed the tops of the pleats where I pulled the fabric together. The jewel on the back is a simple scrapbook embellishment. I wanted something small I could put on the front too, but the jewel was too big for that. I didn't want to totally mimic my dress (which has straps) because I am more concerned with it being cute rather than being matchy-matchy with my real dress. It's a cake topper, not a Cabbage Patch kid!<br /></p><p>I was really impressed with how well this project turned out! I ended up scraping the pipecleaner arms because I could not figure out how to affix them to the dolls without looking a total mess. I made a bouquet too, but that looked awful as well. Anything that didn't look cute ended up in the trash. The only thing I wish I would have added was another wooden piece to resemble my own curls. However, I couldn't find anything in the wood crafts aisle that even remotely resembled curly hair. I thought about using pipecleaners, but that just seemed too sixth-grade art project to me. It's not fair that B's bald head makes for a really easy cake topper doll!</p><p>For the next six months, my little friends are safely packed in a Kleenex box in my closet. Alas, until we meet again!</p><p>Have you ever had to improvise a DIY project when part of it didn't work? How did it turn out?<br /></p><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6966218250535741605-1735649308392898981?l=twodogbride.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Two Dog Bridehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04619191764905848843noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6966218250535741605.post-25776744292914457292010-01-11T07:00:00.000-08:002010-01-21T21:20:28.189-08:00I was raised Catholic. I went to Catholic school from kindergarten through eighth grade. I went to youth group in high school and I was active in my student parish at university.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_AxcQUBbACjA/S0nvwtQcdtI/AAAAAAAAAVg/LtEAkBaPwHI/s1600-h/turin.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_AxcQUBbACjA/S0nvwtQcdtI/AAAAAAAAAVg/LtEAkBaPwHI/s400/turin.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5425130846205802194" border="0" /></a>friend's photo (Traveling in Turin, Italy on a high school youth group pilgrimage. I'm in the yellow on the bottom and BM Irish is on my left in the green.)<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_AxcQUBbACjA/S0nvev8vR1I/AAAAAAAAAVY/TpNAV8wM-xI/s1600-h/st+toms+retreat.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 190px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_AxcQUBbACjA/S0nvev8vR1I/AAAAAAAAAVY/TpNAV8wM-xI/s400/st+toms+retreat.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5425130537690810194" border="0" /></a>friend's photo (Group photo from college church retreat. I am in the kelly green shirt on the left.)<br /></div><br />Church has always had a place in my social life. I feel that going to church is just as much about community as it is about religion. But when it came to my dating life, I didn't have the same perspective. After two failed relationships with an outright atheist and an apathetic agnostic, I realized I needed to also consider my significant other's religious background when looking for men. So when I decided to look for someone older, I also looked for someone who was either practicing or raised Christian.<br /><br />I have a pretty liberal outlook on religion. I think you should be the best whatever-it-is-you-are you can be. Be the best Muslim, be the best Mormon, be the best Buddist. It doesn't matter to me. However when it came to dating, a Christian upbringing became important to me over time for connecting on a personal background and basic values basis. When I dated outside my religion, I found my non-Christian dates didn't understand why I wanted to go to church (even if I did so inconsistently). One guy agreed to go to midnight Mass on Christmas Eve with me, but once we were there, he acted like a six-year-old and tried to talk to me through the whole thing. He pouted when I told him to be quiet. It became apparent to me at that time that finding someone with a common background would be more important than I had previously thought<span style="font-style: italic;">.<br /><br /></span>With online dating, you offer up a lot of basic information about yourself right upfront. I knew B was raised Catholic going into our first date. However, while sitting on the tarmac under the shadow of an airplane wing, I learned a lot more about his religious upbringing. Most notably was that he traveled to Denver in 1993 for <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_youth_day">World Youth Day</a>. That stuck out to me because I also went to World Youth Day in 2000 to Rome and in 2002 to Toronto. That fact alone stood out to me because I thought "Hey, here is a guy who knows about World Youth Day. He understands where I'm coming from, this might work." When I heard he had been to Denver, it was the first moment I thought that I felt our relationship would go beyond one date.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_AxcQUBbACjA/S1Zbp7YFYRI/AAAAAAAAAXg/Ar7_n7v1eXs/s1600-h/med_fivepin019.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_AxcQUBbACjA/S1Zbp7YFYRI/AAAAAAAAAXg/Ar7_n7v1eXs/s400/med_fivepin019.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5428627176713183506" border="0" /></a>personal photo<br />(early in our relationship, Fall 2006)<br /></div><br />I think about it now and I am amazed to think that the first connection I had with B is over religion. Even as a young adult I felt that although I enjoyed going to church and the community I found there, I never really felt that my religion was that defining or that important to me. But now that we are preparing to be married together as a Catholic couple, I see that our religious upbringings have far reaching implications into how we decide to live our lives on a daily basis, how we decide to interact with other people and each other, and most importantly, how we decide to raise our children.<br /><br />Have you taken your religious background into account when dating? Do you feel that your religious upbringing has an impact on your current life today? And if so, is it a positive or negative impact?<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6966218250535741605-2577674429291445729?l=twodogbride.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Two Dog Bridehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04619191764905848843noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6966218250535741605.post-68330021371340817082010-01-10T07:45:00.000-08:002010-01-10T07:45:00.493-08:00Even though B didn't want to put our engagement pictures on display as table numbers for everyone to see, he was agreeable to using them for our Save the Date. There are a lot of options for Save the Dates now, they have become unto themselves in the wedding stationary world.<br /><br />Some people want magnets.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.weddingbee.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/01/z709957.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 303px;" src="http://www.weddingbee.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/01/z709957.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><a href="http://www.weddingbee.com/2007/01/12/vista-print-save-the-date/">source</a><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">Some people do cards.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://images.etsy.com/all_images/5/5fd/86f/il_430xN.10881548.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 430px; height: 430px;" src="http://images.etsy.com/all_images/5/5fd/86f/il_430xN.10881548.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><a href="http://etsywedding.blogspot.com/2007_10_01_archive.html">source<br /></a></div><br />Some get really creative.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.alieliflorals.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2009/10/save_the_date_green.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 360px; height: 450px;" src="http://www.alieliflorals.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2009/10/save_the_date_green.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><a href="http://www.marthastewartweddings.com/">source</a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.creative-bride.com/mm5/graphics/00000001/TAN4435-107_med.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 300px;" src="http://www.creative-bride.com/mm5/graphics/00000001/TAN4435-107_med.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><a href="http://www.creativeweddingfavors.com/CCTAN4435-107-daisy-petal-save-the-dates.html">source</a><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">I wanted something simple. And if we were going to use our engagement photos, I wanted our guests to be able to enjoy them as well. Enter the standard photo postcard. The process was pretty simple and straight forward. Upload photo to Walgreens.com. Print details about wedding location city, date, wedding website and password on back of card.<br /><br />They shipped to the house in about a week and ran us about $78.00 for 80 Save the Dates. I added a few stamp elements that we are using in the rest of our stationary, addressed them and sent them on their merry way!<br /><br />Here's the picture we used!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_AxcQUBbACjA/S0fJbmQvVdI/AAAAAAAAAVA/P4IJxO6x1n4/s1600-h/IMG_0396_sm.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 435px; height: 290px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_AxcQUBbACjA/S0fJbmQvVdI/AAAAAAAAAVA/P4IJxO6x1n4/s320/IMG_0396_sm.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5424525752155461074" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_AxcQUBbACjA/S0fHnu8aEYI/AAAAAAAAAUw/JBnWucm5n0I/s1600-h/projects+12+001.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 435px; height: 326px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_AxcQUBbACjA/S0fHnu8aEYI/AAAAAAAAAUw/JBnWucm5n0I/s320/projects+12+001.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5424523761621275010" border="0" /></a><br />Here they are, the day before they shipped out!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_AxcQUBbACjA/S0fH7X7y1lI/AAAAAAAAAU4/0SUw3iOFYaY/s1600-h/std+stack+2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 434px; height: 324px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_AxcQUBbACjA/S0fH7X7y1lI/AAAAAAAAAU4/0SUw3iOFYaY/s320/std+stack+2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5424524099042072146" border="0" /></a><br />My favorite part about them? The photo is perfect to go in a 5"x7" picture frame. Which means not only do our guests get to stay informed of the upcoming wedding with our website information, but they also get a nice photo of us to frame. For some of The Aunts, I know this will be important to them. Nice photos of us are hard to come by.<br /><br />I sent them out on Monday and by Tuesday, I was already getting Facebook messages from my cousins saying they received them. A few even went onto the wedding website and signed the guestbook! Even my brother, who lives over an hour away, got his by Wednesday. It's been fun to get comments from people who are excited to celebrate with us!<br /><br />What did you do for your Save the Dates? If you haven't started, would you do something simple or more creative?<br /></div></div></div></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6966218250535741605-6833002137134081708?l=twodogbride.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Two Dog Bridehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04619191764905848843noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6966218250535741605.post-7991615873166773952010-01-09T11:30:00.000-08:002010-01-21T21:16:28.568-08:00<div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div>So I had my <a href="http://twodogbride.blogspot.com/2010/01/how-you-gonna-top-that-part-2.html">muse</a>, but the question was, could I imitate successfully? I went up to my local <a href="http://www.joanns.com/">Joann Fabrics</a> to see what I could find.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_AxcQUBbACjA/S0e9OHDTwkI/AAAAAAAAAUQ/I9HoFQMnQwU/s1600-h/DIY+shots+012.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_AxcQUBbACjA/S0e9OHDTwkI/AAAAAAAAAUQ/I9HoFQMnQwU/s320/DIY+shots+012.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5424512326299796034" border="0" /></a>Some remnant scraps, reminiscent of a wedding gown, tuxedo and our wedding colors.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_AxcQUBbACjA/S0e9OwfCNeI/AAAAAAAAAUg/ar7deVC0wxA/s1600-h/DIY+shots+014.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_AxcQUBbACjA/S0e9OwfCNeI/AAAAAAAAAUg/ar7deVC0wxA/s320/DIY+shots+014.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5424512337421940194" border="0" /></a>Some pipe cleaners with green and flesh colors. Some simple paint in soft colors - pink, browns and black for facial features, plus three blues and two greens! And some <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">jewelies</span> for fun? (I also bought little plastic flower buttons to make a bouquet with, but you'll have wait to see what happened to them.)<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_AxcQUBbACjA/S0e9OhQSutI/AAAAAAAAAUY/9-mVYbQSeNY/s1600-h/DIY+shots+013.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_AxcQUBbACjA/S0e9OhQSutI/AAAAAAAAAUY/9-mVYbQSeNY/s320/DIY+shots+013.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5424512333333576402" border="0" /></a>And then the essential elements. The doll pins for the body, the doll stands for the feet, and the doll heads for the heads, of course. The unusual thing going on here is obviously the abundance of bodies and feet, but the package only came with four heads. (The two not seen here are being used elsewhere.) It's kinda like the hot dogs versus hot dog bun issue - never the same number.<br /><br />All in all, I spent about $50.00 in materials. I wish I would have had scrap white and black fabric at home already, because I would have saved in buying them.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_AxcQUBbACjA/S0e9PTystlI/AAAAAAAAAUo/xnUMAzsO6fo/s1600-h/DIY+shots+016.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_AxcQUBbACjA/S0e9PTystlI/AAAAAAAAAUo/xnUMAzsO6fo/s320/DIY+shots+016.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5424512346899658322" border="0" /></a>Now, how do I get my <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">nekid</span> little wooden friend to look like that?<br /><br />Have you made anything just off a picture? Does "winging it" scare you off of <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">DIY</span> projects? Or do you dive right in?<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6966218250535741605-799161587316677395?l=twodogbride.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Two Dog Bridehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04619191764905848843noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6966218250535741605.post-305247381204674402010-01-08T06:10:00.000-08:002010-02-12T16:18:52.777-08:00<div align="left">There are a lot of women in my office. A lot of young women.</div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; width: 653px; height: 411px; text-align: center;" alt="" src="http://featuresblogs.chicagotribune.com/photos/uncategorized/2008/10/26/joan_secretaries_smoking_ep_4.jpg" border="0" /></div><div align="center"><a href="http://featuresblogs.chicagotribune.com/entertainment_tv/2008/10/mad-men-hamm-1.html">source</a></div><div align="center"></div><div align="left"> </div><div align="left">Since I've been at my current positon, my office has hired eleven women under 35 in two years. As a result, there have been a few weddings and engagements in our office. The older women love to live vicariously through us too. We engaged ladies are constantly being asked about wedding <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">preparations</span> or having conversations with the older women like "Did you get your dress yet?" and "It'll go by so fast!" Weddings are a pretty common topic here.</div><div align="left"> </div><div align="center"></div><div align="left">Here's a timeline for you:</div><ul><li><div align="left">We start with D, M, &amp; K all being engaged. </div></li><li><div align="left">December 2008 - C gets engaged</div></li><li><div align="left">February 2009 - B and I get engaged over Valentine's Day weekend</div></li><li><div align="left">June 2009 - D marries high school sweetheart in a lake-side ceremony</div></li><li><div align="left">August 2009 - M gets married up north &amp; goes on two week honeymoon to Greece!</div></li><li><div align="left">September 2009 - <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">HL</span> is engaged to another co-worker's uncle</div></li><li><div align="left">October 2009 - K weds in a historical Detroit hotel, takes photos with the Detroit Tigers!</div></li><li><div align="left">October 2009 - MW gets engaged low key, doesn't tell anyone for weeks</div></li><li><div align="left">December 2009 - HF &amp; J get engaged to each other and no one knew they were dating</div></li></ul><p align="left">And for next year?</p><ul><li>May 2010 - HF &amp; J get married</li><li><div align="left">June 2010 - B &amp; I get married</div></li><li><div align="left">July 2010 - C gets married</div></li><li><div align="left">August 2010 - MW gets married</div></li><li><div align="left">September 2010 - <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">HL</span> gets married</div></li></ul><div align="left">Holy crap that is a lot of weddings next year, which means a lot of people will be taking long vacations! Four of us are all on the same team. There is definitely wedding fever going on around here! </div><div align="left"> </div><div align="left">With weddings and wedding planning always in the list of available small talk topics, I find it difficult to talk about my wedding with my friends without having someone else butting in with their opinion. Everyone has an opinion. It can be overwhelming when people constantly feel that they have the right to burst into your conversation. We do work in a "floor" type environment where we sit facing each other, so I try to keep any really personal conversations out of the office entirely. </div><div align="center"><br /></div><p align="center"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5424400236373249122" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; width: 320px; height: 276px; text-align: center;" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_AxcQUBbACjA/S0dXRniSjGI/AAAAAAAAAUI/1_4TO0pUCK0/s320/cubes.png" border="0" /><a href="http://www.mylifeinacube.com/post/32487884/how-was-yoouur-weekend">source</a></p><p align="left">Regardless, even conversations about favors or decor can turn into a group discussion. I really don't want unsolicited advice about how you did your seating chart when I haven't even sent out my invitations. People who know very little about me shouldn't really be jumping in on my conversations. Otherwise, I enjoy working with most of my co-workers. It's not about the job, it's the people you work with that make the difference. However, it's hard to separate friend co-workers from the other <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">acquaintance</span> co-workers. This goes for conversations and it goes for guest lists.</p><p>Trying to decide which of my co-workers I want to invite to the wedding is probably the hardest decision I have to make. I have two friends who I consistently talk to, know about their personal lives and spend time with them outside of work. They are a no-<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">brainer</span>. I've already told them they are invited. However, there are about six others that are up in the air. I've been thinking about it all year. I was hoping I wouldn't have to worry about who to invite until our invitations were ready to be sent out, at least until April. Unfortunately, MOB-V wants my shower <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">invitation</span> list by the end of the month. And I think some of my co-workers would like to come to the shower, but I can't invite people to the shower that I'm not inviting to the wedding. Quite a dilemma. </p>So, how do I decide who to invite? Who is a true friend to me and who just talks to me out of convenience? I tried to go by who I see outside of the office, however that will include people who always assume they are invited to things but I don't really care to invite at all. Or, I though about inviting people who I talk to about of personal information, but I don't see them outside of work at all. And then there is the always challenging problem of how-to-invite-only-a-few-people-from-one-group-and-not-the-whole-group-without-offending-the-rest-of-the-group. I'm at a loss, but I need to make a decision soon.<br /><br />Do you talk about your wedding plans with your co-workers? Are you inviting co-workers at all? And how do you decide who is friend and who is simply an <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">acquaintance</span>?<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6966218250535741605-30524738120467440?l=twodogbride.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Two Dog Bridehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04619191764905848843noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6966218250535741605.post-86509992321752901372010-01-07T06:19:00.001-08:002010-01-09T13:42:04.198-08:00I was <a href="http://twodogbride.blogspot.com/2009/12/how-you-gonna-top-that.html">on the search</a> for the perfect polymer clay topper. I looked at inspiration photos. I himmed-and-hawwed over paying upwards of $150 for a custom cake topper. Was it worth it? Could I find something cheaper? And what if I don't like it once I get it?<br /><br />That was, until I saw <a href="http://www.bakerella.com/time-to-open-presents/">this post</a> on Bakerella.<br /><br /><p align="center"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5424003087112359842" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; width: 311px; height: 320px; text-align: center;" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_AxcQUBbACjA/S0XuEfP0T6I/AAAAAAAAATY/_W4Qt2N8Kfg/s320/lollipop+shop.jpg" border="0" /><a href="http://www.bakerella.com/time-to-open-presents/">source</a></p>Og-emm-gee. Adorable! Peg dolls? So cute. Etsy seller <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/lollipopworkshop">Lollipop Workshop</a> makes all the little details and stands. And, just my luck, she makes cake toppers too!! (Unfortunately, her shop is closed for the holidays, so she doesn't have anything for sale right now.) Check these out!<br /><br /><div align="left"></div><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; width: 300px; height: 400px; text-align: center;" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ix5jM1wK71Q/Sm75GGlqyyI/AAAAAAAAEDI/t6GzeEeI0ig/s400/il_430xN.80313074.jpg" border="0" /> <p align="center"><a href="http://incweddings.blogspot.com/2009_07_01_archive.html">source</a> </p><p align="center"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; width: 550px; height: 330px; text-align: center;" alt="" src="http://www.brendasweddingblog.com/storage/lollipop-workshop-1.jpg" border="0" /><a href="http://www.brendasweddingblog.com/blogs/2009/9/29/wedding-cake-toppers-from-lollipop-workshop.html">source</a></p><p align="center"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; width: 300px; height: 400px; text-align: center;" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_qEGF-cBL5p8/Ssf7vNrVzbI/AAAAAAAABGg/WoK67sj7okY/s400/lollipopworkshop+on+etsy.jpg" border="0" /><a href="http://wobinmarie.blogspot.com/2009/10/cuteness.html">source</a></p><p align="left">The idea of peg dolls never occured to me before I saw the Bakerella post. But now after I spent some time looking at them, I thought "I can make those." Looks like a wooden base with little wooden clothespins, beads for heads and pipe cleaner arms. Not sure where she gets the little ponytails and buns from, but I was going to take a trip to Joanns to find out.</p><p align="left">What kind of "A Ha!" moment have you had in your planning? Ever see something and think you could make it without any instruction?</p><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6966218250535741605-8650999232175290137?l=twodogbride.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Two Dog Bridehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04619191764905848843noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6966218250535741605.post-49788450777138159872010-01-06T09:44:00.000-08:002010-01-06T10:39:27.248-08:00<div align="left">When everyone else was texting me "Happy New Year!" or drunken 1AM messages this past weekend, my step-mom, MOB-V, sent me the following:</div><blockquote><p align="left">Only three months until your shower! :oP</p></blockquote><div align="left">Hu-buh-wha? Three months? Are we really getting that close? </div><div align="center"><br /></div><div align="center"></div><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://sathishsp.files.wordpress.com/2009/01/surprisedbaby.jpg" border="0" /> <p align="center"><a href="http://http//sathishsp.wordpress.com/category//a-day-to-remember/page/2/">source</a><br /></p><div align="left"></div><br /><div align="left">After being engaged for the better part of a year now, I surprise myself at how unaware I am of the approaching events. I've been following my <a href="http://www.theknot.com/">TheKnot.com</a> checklist month by month to stay on top of things, but I really only look at the tasks scheduled for the current month. Looking ahead more than one month can be really overwhelming.</div><br /><p align="left">When I visited my folks this week, MOB-V told me she needs all the shower invitees addresses by the end of this month. One of my aunts, Aunt J is designing and printing my shower invites match the rest of my wedding color scheme and she has to have all the invitations ready to go by the middle of February. Which means MOB-V wants them in the mail by the first of March. So yes, my shower is sneaking up on me. My friends have been crafting for the past few months at the request of MOB-V and several aunts have been enlisted to go bargin hunting for prizes. </p><p align="left">MOB-V has requested I stay out of it all. She knows me too well. My A-type, gotta-get-involved, and organized personality comes from MOB-V. I assume some of it came from my mom as well, but MOB-V sculpted me through high school and college - that time in your life where staying on top of everything and becoming independent is key. So I only know a few details about the shower so far, most of which are things I requested.</p><div align="left">First of all, I am having one BIG shower. And by big, I mean 60 women strong.</div><p align="center"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 475px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 322px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://www.bartertheatre.com/plan_your_visit/images/redhat_day11.jpg" border="0" /></p><div align="center"><a href="http://dots731.blogspot.com/2008/04/whoa-nelly.html">source</a> (I love the Red Hat Society!)</div><p align="left">This number is complied from my mom's side of the family (some 25 cousins and aunts), my dad's side (about 10 women), MOB-V's side (about 5 ladies), B's family (maybe another 10) and my friends.</p><p align="left">What I didn't want was four or five different showers all over God's Green Earth. I want all sides of my family to come together for this event. MOB-V offered to throw/host/organize my shower because she said she was not my mom and therefore, ettiquette could be disregarded. Really, I think the ettiquette that the mother of the bride shouldn't throw the shower is outdated. It was considered poo-poo in the past because it made it look like Mommy and Daddy were trying to bulk up their little bride's dowery. Seriously though, I've lived on my own for the last 5 years. I own my own house. Dowery has nothing to do with it. MOB-V has done a great job of involving all sides of the family.</p><p align="left">My Fairy Godmother (kinda like the head of The Aunts on my mom's side) offered to throw a shower for that side of the family. As much as I would have appreciated this, there have been tensions in the past with The Aunts and my immediate family. Since my mother's passing, I have made efforts to stay in touch with The Aunts and the rest of the family. I want my mother's family to be included in my new family with B. The last thing I wanted to happen was to have one Mom's side and one Everyone-else shower. </p><p align="left">Secondly, I know a lot of things are revolving around my interests. MOB-V has put a lot of thought into making the shower Me-themed. BM Momma and BM Bride have been crotching dishcloths to use as part of the favors (they taught me to crotchet!). And the centerpieces are going to be gift baskets of sorts that relate to my life and relationship with B. So far I know there is going to be a gardening one, a book/reading one, and a cookie baking one. </p><p align="left">I love me some cookies!</p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5423692683504272914" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 213px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_AxcQUBbACjA/S0TTwnsoRhI/AAAAAAAAATQ/IK82jX_L_U4/s320/cookies.jpg" border="0" /> <p align="center"><a href="http://www.bakerella.com/mix-things-up/">source </a>(if you are familiar with these cookies, they may make another appearance)<br /></p><p>And third, I asked to play one game. Gift Bingo. I love me some Gift Bingo. You pass out blank Bingo cards to the guests and they fill in the empty squares with the gifts they think the bride will open. When the bride opens that place setting you wrote in the top right corner? You get a square. Make a Bingo, win a prize. Fill in the whole card? Get a big prize! </p><p>This game comes compliments of The MOH's family. We've played it at her wedding shower, her baby shower and her sister-in-law's baby shower. My favorite part of Gift Bingo? It keeps guests entertained and focused on the gift opening when there are a lot of gifts to open. And with 60 plus women? It'll keep the loss in interest down to a minimum. </p><p>I mentioned my love of Gift Bingo to a co-worker who said "I win that everytime." How you ask? She said she either puts a bunch of small things in a basket or ties a bow with spoons and spatulas and serving utensils on top. Then she makes sure her gift is on the side of the stack nearest the bride. When she gets the Bingo card, she writes all those little items across the same line. As soon a the bride opens her gift? Instant Bingo! (And I thought we were cheating when we asked the other people at the table what they bought. Apparently, I've been playing this game wrong for a while.)</p><p>I am excited about my shower, mostly to see how everyone comes together to put it on! I'm having MOB-V keep track of all her little elves so I know how many hostess gifts I need to get/make for my shower thank yous. But that's a post for another time.</p><p>Have any of your wedding events creeped up on you? Do you know what's going on for your shower?</p><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6966218250535741605-4978845077713815987?l=twodogbride.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Two Dog Bridehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04619191764905848843noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6966218250535741605.post-68979809827894670782010-01-04T09:45:00.000-08:002010-02-06T15:05:51.219-08:00The first step to making your own invitations is finding the paper. I <a href="http://twodogbride.blogspot.com/2009/12/hey-i-can-do-that-invitations-part-1.html">started my search</a> out online looking at kits and plantable paper and colored cardstock. To say there are a lot of options out there is a serious understatement. When I went shopping at my favorite craft stores (Joann's and Michael's), I would scour through the discount scrapbook paper, trying to find something I could use. Something to strike inspiration, something on sale.<br /><br />One day, I noticed that our local Office Depot was going out of business. All over the windows were big yellow signs. Up To 70% Off The Whole Store! I thought I might swing inside to see what deals I could score on cardstock. The whole store was picked over. There were about ten aisles of seriously disorganized product left. I went to the paper section, but it was mostly business envelopes and recycled printer paper. I would have even bought some resume paper to play with, but alas, cardstock was just not in my future. But while I didn't find card stock, I did find these:<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_AxcQUBbACjA/Sz5gfLPr7BI/AAAAAAAAAO4/brKzoKMcZu8/s1600-h/invitiations+002.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5421877090111450130" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; width: 240px; cursor: pointer; height: 320px; text-align: center;" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_AxcQUBbACjA/Sz5gfLPr7BI/AAAAAAAAAO4/brKzoKMcZu8/s320/invitiations+002.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /></div>Not too shabby. Simple wedding intivation kits. White invitations with a silver border, matching RSVP cards, evelopes and response envelopes. All the basic pieces needed. Gartner Invitations, 50 invitations to a kit, priced at $35.99 a set. I knew based on our initial guest list estimates we were going to need at least 100 invitations. In order to make sure I had enough to play with, I grabbed three boxes worth. I marched up to the counter with my purchase. I knew I was going to get a deal, I figured at least 30% off, about $25 a box. $75.00 for 150 invitations would be a good deal. But when the clerk gave me my total, I almost asked him to repeat it. The total was $31.49 for all of them including tax!<br /><br />I felt like I had just found gold. Just discovered the eighth wonder of the world! Bride on a budget rejoice!! That meant the invitations were just under $0.21 a piece. I was so excited, I texted B about my steal before I even got back to my car. And when I got home to open them up, perfect!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_AxcQUBbACjA/Sz5gffZ_VCI/AAAAAAAAAPA/AxI8mEnhNpM/s1600-h/invitiations+003.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5421877095523374114" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; width: 320px; cursor: pointer; height: 240px; text-align: center;" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_AxcQUBbACjA/Sz5gffZ_VCI/AAAAAAAAAPA/AxI8mEnhNpM/s320/invitiations+003.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Outer envelope under invitation on the left, RSVP envelope on top and RSVP cards (two to a page) on the right. And just for good measure:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_AxcQUBbACjA/Sz5gg6jhy4I/AAAAAAAAAPI/H8qAdZrUVxg/s1600-h/invitiations+004.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5421877119991008130" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; width: 320px; cursor: pointer; height: 240px; text-align: center;" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_AxcQUBbACjA/Sz5gg6jhy4I/AAAAAAAAAPI/H8qAdZrUVxg/s320/invitiations+004.jpg" border="0" /></a>I give this purchase the always-awesome left thumbs up!<br /><br />Have you ever found an unexpected deal when you were looking for something else?<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6966218250535741605-6897980982789467078?l=twodogbride.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Two Dog Bridehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04619191764905848843noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6966218250535741605.post-43200177621398745382010-01-03T08:33:00.000-08:002010-01-03T10:08:05.438-08:00<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_AxcQUBbACjA/S0DTgtd_jTI/AAAAAAAAASQ/cCSXxEjIqls/s1600-h/IMG_0498_sm.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_AxcQUBbACjA/S0DTgtd_jTI/AAAAAAAAASQ/cCSXxEjIqls/s400/IMG_0498_sm.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5422566510268747058" border="0" /></a>B and I are born Detroiters. We love the city no matter how much it deteriorates and we try to take any opportunity to support our local businesses. That goes for live music, art and good food.<br /><br />We decided to take our engagement photos at the city's most recognized landmark, The Renaissance Center. Detroit is working on revitalizing the riverfront into a bright public space. There is currently a finished mile of boardwalk and open space for Detroiters to enjoy. There are sitting areas, open air stages, concessions and a carousel that is adorably representative of the river life. The hope is to have it cover a 5.5 mile stretch from the Blue Water Bridge to Belle Isle. We love that our city is trying to make the riverfront more attractive to residents and vistors alike. One sunny June day, we met our wonderfully talented photographer <a href="http://akbphotography.blogspot.com/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Amy Boeve</a> to walk with us along the river and go what she does best! <p>Go here for all the preview photos: <a href="http://akbphotography.blogspot.com/2009/08/esessionchristian-liz.html" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Amy Boeve Photography - E-Session</a></p> <p>Here are a few from our collection for you to check out:</p> <p><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_AxcQUBbACjA/S0DSGVXNgnI/AAAAAAAAAQw/1ArHnUWmIEE/s1600-h/IMG_0378_sm.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_AxcQUBbACjA/S0DSGVXNgnI/AAAAAAAAAQw/1ArHnUWmIEE/s400/IMG_0378_sm.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5422564957609624178" border="0" /></a></p><p>Amy was great with direction and had us start out each pose by looking at her first, then transitioning into looking at each other and then getting cuddly. I had shown her lots of inspiration photos with couples looking dreamily into each other's eyes, or standing in a crowd of people with the camera only focusing in on the couple. However, after we got the photos back, it turned out we liked the more traditional face-forward shots than the cuddly ones.<br /></p><p><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_AxcQUBbACjA/S0DSGmJsBtI/AAAAAAAAAQ4/DueN_fMYGBs/s1600-h/IMG_0396_sm.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_AxcQUBbACjA/S0DSGmJsBtI/AAAAAAAAAQ4/DueN_fMYGBs/s400/IMG_0396_sm.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5422564962116306642" border="0" /></a></p><p><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_AxcQUBbACjA/S0DSG9-pGgI/AAAAAAAAARA/h0pRNTGd4lQ/s1600-h/IMG_0405_sm.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_AxcQUBbACjA/S0DSG9-pGgI/AAAAAAAAARA/h0pRNTGd4lQ/s400/IMG_0405_sm.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5422564968512428546" border="0" /></a></p><p><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_AxcQUBbACjA/S0DSHYAarZI/AAAAAAAAARI/nSVN1ZBovOY/s1600-h/IMG_0409_sm.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_AxcQUBbACjA/S0DSHYAarZI/AAAAAAAAARI/nSVN1ZBovOY/s400/IMG_0409_sm.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5422564975499193746" border="0" /></a></p> <p><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_AxcQUBbACjA/S0DStamZYKI/AAAAAAAAARY/EKUN7b4rIC0/s1600-h/IMG_0434_sm.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_AxcQUBbACjA/S0DStamZYKI/AAAAAAAAARY/EKUN7b4rIC0/s400/IMG_0434_sm.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5422565629030391970" border="0" /></a></p> <p><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_AxcQUBbACjA/S0DSt8ggrDI/AAAAAAAAARg/tnpmtyyBjzw/s1600-h/IMG_0439_sm.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_AxcQUBbACjA/S0DSt8ggrDI/AAAAAAAAARg/tnpmtyyBjzw/s400/IMG_0439_sm.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5422565638132509746" border="0" /></a></p><p>What is it with these sassy standing apart shots? Who started this trend? I've never been a fan of the shots where the couple are both just staring blankly at the camera. So instead I just wanted to laugh awkwardly at B.<br /></p><p><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_AxcQUBbACjA/S0DSuO-GVMI/AAAAAAAAARo/6x2PWrsFZbM/s1600-h/IMG_0456_sm.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_AxcQUBbACjA/S0DSuO-GVMI/AAAAAAAAARo/6x2PWrsFZbM/s400/IMG_0456_sm.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5422565643088450754" border="0" /></a></p><p>I loved the shots Amy got of us with the Ren Cen in the background. We tried to take some closer to the front of the building, but it was just so tall, it was hard to get everything in and still have a good photo of us. The one at the top of this post is one of my absolute favorite.<br /></p><p><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_AxcQUBbACjA/S0DTgKjY70I/AAAAAAAAASA/WPBBbOZmQVo/s1600-h/IMG_0474_sm.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_AxcQUBbACjA/S0DTgKjY70I/AAAAAAAAASA/WPBBbOZmQVo/s400/IMG_0474_sm.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5422566500896141122" border="0" /></a></p><p>I've seen some super cute carousel shots, but have you ever seen a carousel with an eagle? The carousel was all blues and greens to mimic the river and it's wild life. I think I'm on some kind of crane, but everything else was native birds, or fish like carp and trout. As we watched it go around waiting to get on, B spotted the bald eagle and called dibs. It was the only not blue or green looking wildlife on the whole carousel! And trying to kiss? Looks so cute in other people's photos, but it is not easy to time the alternating up-an-down of the "horses". Not easy at all, but a lot of giggling fun!<br /></p><p><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_AxcQUBbACjA/S0DSuvadXAI/AAAAAAAAARw/h-T-gDH0jqc/s1600-h/IMG_0471_sm.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_AxcQUBbACjA/S0DSuvadXAI/AAAAAAAAARw/h-T-gDH0jqc/s400/IMG_0471_sm.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5422565651797335042" border="0" /></a></p><p><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_AxcQUBbACjA/S0DSu5pxRjI/AAAAAAAAAR4/YtH14IRcibM/s1600-h/IMG_0472_sm.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_AxcQUBbACjA/S0DSu5pxRjI/AAAAAAAAAR4/YtH14IRcibM/s400/IMG_0472_sm.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5422565654545909298" border="0" /></a></p><p>Okay, maybe that's more of a guffaw. I laugh with very little inhibition.<br /></p><p><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_AxcQUBbACjA/S0DTgeebp9I/AAAAAAAAASI/v0r_H_lQ2lU/s1600-h/IMG_0489_sm.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_AxcQUBbACjA/S0DTgeebp9I/AAAAAAAAASI/v0r_H_lQ2lU/s400/IMG_0489_sm.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5422566506244057042" border="0" /></a></p><p><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_AxcQUBbACjA/S0DTh4lTKbI/AAAAAAAAASY/8sm29MKtdOQ/s1600-h/IMG_0511_sm.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_AxcQUBbACjA/S0DTh4lTKbI/AAAAAAAAASY/8sm29MKtdOQ/s400/IMG_0511_sm.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5422566530432051634" border="0" /></a></p> <p><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_AxcQUBbACjA/S0DTiH5UoOI/AAAAAAAAASg/6hQOlgTtMMg/s1600-h/IMG_0513_sm.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_AxcQUBbACjA/S0DTiH5UoOI/AAAAAAAAASg/6hQOlgTtMMg/s400/IMG_0513_sm.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5422566534542565602" border="0" /></a></p><p><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_AxcQUBbACjA/S0DU9_RdRUI/AAAAAAAAASo/9a-x5ddqcYs/s1600-h/IMG_0517_sm.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_AxcQUBbACjA/S0DU9_RdRUI/AAAAAAAAASo/9a-x5ddqcYs/s400/IMG_0517_sm.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5422568112775841090" border="0" /></a></p><p>There is also a sidewalk fountain on the riverfront which made for some really fun pictures. At the time, there were about 20 to 30 kids running around in the fountain in their swimsuits! I am amazed Amy was able to time her shots without getting the kiddies in every shot.<br /></p><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_AxcQUBbACjA/S0DU-dqWuyI/AAAAAAAAASw/WH3FJpoZrm8/s1600-h/IMG_0522_sm.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_AxcQUBbACjA/S0DU-dqWuyI/AAAAAAAAASw/WH3FJpoZrm8/s400/IMG_0522_sm.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5422568120933333794" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_AxcQUBbACjA/S0DU-lIVj1I/AAAAAAAAAS4/x8WH1fbqw54/s1600-h/IMG_0540_sm.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_AxcQUBbACjA/S0DU-lIVj1I/AAAAAAAAAS4/x8WH1fbqw54/s400/IMG_0540_sm.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5422568122938134354" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_AxcQUBbACjA/S0DU_F3DCxI/AAAAAAAAATA/XZ47vGeCAIE/s1600-h/IMG_0552_sm.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_AxcQUBbACjA/S0DU_F3DCxI/AAAAAAAAATA/XZ47vGeCAIE/s400/IMG_0552_sm.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5422568131723987730" border="0" /></a>source (all photos by <a href="http://www.amyboevephotography.com/">Amy Boeve Photography</a>)<br /></div><br />We had a lot of fun during our photo shoot. We didn't get as many photos of us actually in the Renaissance Center, but I think the outdoor photos suited our personalities better. I laughed the whole time! I expect lots of laughing photos in my future.<br /><br />And did anyone notice the sassy blue flats in the photo near the top? Yeah, I totally bought those as a wedding day shoe option, but after walking from the car to the water and down the riverfront about a quarter of a mile, my heels were screaming with blisters. Thank goodness I brought my flip flops too, I live in those things all summer. Definitely something to consider when picking your fashionable photo-shoot attire.<br /><br />What experiences did you have taking your engagement photos? Did you choose a location special to you?<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6966218250535741605-4320017762139874538?l=twodogbride.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Two Dog Bridehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04619191764905848843noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6966218250535741605.post-18444238009502406002010-01-01T13:35:00.000-08:002010-02-12T19:04:33.263-08:00<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.826valencia.org/store/img/signs/haveyougotscurvy.gif"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 428px;" src="http://www.826valencia.org/store/img/signs/haveyougotscurvy.gif" alt="" border="0" /></a><a href="http://www.826valencia.org/store/signs.html">source</a><br /></div><br />Arrrgh, me like pirates! Me have sign about scurvy at me work post since t'was a wee worker. Thy betroath'd and me have our mates over for <a href="http://www.talklikeapirate.com/">Int'rnation'l Talk Like A Pirate Day</a>! Yee a scalywag if ya don't know what that be. Walk the plank!<br /><br />Seriously though, I love pirates. And although not a lot of people dressed like pirates at our International Talk Like A Pirate Day party, we had a lot of fun trying to teach people how to talk like one.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_AxcQUBbACjA/Sz5n1w40TVI/AAAAAAAAAPQ/iYNeNqUfGIw/s1600-h/pirates.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 361px; height: 270px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_AxcQUBbACjA/Sz5n1w40TVI/AAAAAAAAAPQ/iYNeNqUfGIw/s320/pirates.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5421885174754594130" border="0" /></a>friend's personal photo<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">What an attractive snarl I have.<br /><br />But what does this have to do with weddings, you ask? I want to put something pirate in the wedding. I haven't yet decided if I am going to tell B about it or not. This weekend, we spent some time with friends and the pirate topic came up. While I know my friends have great ideas, I wasn't planning on the suggestions I'd get from the women. Pirate flags in the flowers! Pirate ties for the men! You should wear a pirate garter!<br /><br />Pirate garter? Now there's an idea. As a crafty DIY bride, I first think in terms of Etsy.com.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://ny-image0.etsy.com//il_430xN.104509120.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 430px; height: 365px;" src="http://ny-image0.etsy.com//il_430xN.104509120.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><a href="http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=35105148&amp;ref=sr_gallery_5&amp;&amp;ga_search_query=pirate+garter&amp;ga_search_type=handmade&amp;ga_page=&amp;includes%5B%5D=tags&amp;includes%5B%5D=title">source<br /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://ny-image3.etsy.com//il_430xN.89914279.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 430px; height: 286px;" src="http://ny-image3.etsy.com//il_430xN.89914279.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><a href="http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=30768912&amp;ref=sr_gallery_11&amp;&amp;ga_search_query=pirate+garter&amp;ga_search_type=handmade&amp;ga_page=&amp;includes%5B%5D=tags&amp;includes%5B%5D=title">source<br /></a></div><br />And if you expand your search with a little bit of Google magic?<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.customweddinggarters.com/garters/00theme/023_skulls/blue_sil_skull/skull_blu_012_blue_lg.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 172px;" src="http://www.customweddinggarters.com/garters/00theme/023_skulls/blue_sil_skull/skull_blu_012_blue_lg.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.customweddinggarters.com/garters/00theme/023_skulls/blue_sil_skull/skull_blu_010_grn_lg.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 145px;" src="http://www.customweddinggarters.com/garters/00theme/023_skulls/blue_sil_skull/skull_blu_010_grn_lg.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.customweddinggarters.com/garters/00theme/023_skulls/skull_dec/skull_101_aqua_lg.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 226px;" src="http://www.customweddinggarters.com/garters/00theme/023_skulls/skull_dec/skull_101_aqua_lg.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><a href="http://www.customweddinggarters.com/24_skulls_pbg1_garters.html">source<br /></a></div><br />How's that last one for a something blue? I really like the idea of my garter being a little bit of crazy fun. Hopefully I can find something that will be perfect. Or maybe I can try my hand at a new sewing project. I already have some other DIY projects up my sleeve that will use the sewing machine, so it wouldn't be a difficult extra project. Although if the garter only had a skull on it, would B get the joke? Or does it need something more piratey? Maybe I'll just bring some of our pirate props to the reception to use for the garter toss? This idea is definitely worth exploring more.<br /><br />Do you have any unusual accessories or activities you are planning on doing?<br /></div></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6966218250535741605-1844423800950240600?l=twodogbride.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Two Dog Bridehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04619191764905848843noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6966218250535741605.post-64939861983633030182010-01-01T10:30:00.000-08:002010-02-22T18:55:53.357-08:00Before I met B, my co-workers told me I needed to look for someone older. <p><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.optimalcareinc.com/Portals/0/Photos/older%20man%20in%20glasses.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; width: 484px; cursor: pointer; height: 322px; text-align: center;" alt="" src="http://www.optimalcareinc.com/Portals/0/Photos/older%20man%20in%20glasses.jpg" border="0" /></a></p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.optimalcareinc.com/">source </a>(Okay, that's too old. And he's married. But he's an adorable old man!)<br /></p><p>I was 22 then. I had been in the working world for almost two years and I was on the hunt for my first house. The other 22-year-olds I kept meeting were still living at home with mom or still in college. Not that there is anything wrong with that at 22. It's just that I have always been ahead of the curve for my age. I graduated high school at 17 and finished college at 21. So when I was living the life of most 30-somethings at 22, my co-workers' advice made sense to me.<br /></p><p>I already had been using online dating, but with no luck. After talking to my co-workers, I updated my profile to look for men in the 25 to 28 range. Three to six years older than me. When I first emailed B, he was 27. Handsome, raised Catholic, into live music and bald. After a few emails about guitars, comedians and our love of literature, we agreed to meet.<br /></p><p>We met for a day date at a local air show. Neither of us are really into airplanes, but a day date is such a great way to get to know someone without all that evening date pressure. We ended up spending more than four hours sitting out on the tarmac, trying to find shade under airplane wings, talking and eating Lemon Ices. We just clicked. I had always attracted shy guys, but B was far from shy. He was easy to talk to about anything. The only thing we didn't really share was a 5 year gap in pop culture references. When he tried to start up a conversation about television shows or movies that were cool when he was 13 or 14, I knew little or nothing of what he was talking about because I was 8 or 9 when those shows came out!</p><p>Afterwards, we retreated to the shade of a local restaurant. Once we got inside, we realized just how sun burnt we were and how long we had been enjoying each others' company in the baking August heat. I had brought sunscreen with me, but B didn't put it on until an hour into the date and by then, his head was lobster red. He was witty and charming. I didn't get butterflies when I first time I saw him, but when I left the restaurant that night, I definitely was butterfly-full for the whole ride home. </p><p>We agreed to go out again and met the following week in a popular suburban downtown. We ater Arabic food and saw "An Inconvenient Truth" at an little indie movie theatre. Although documentaries are typically not romantic, he totally pulled some high-school moves on me, sharing a bucket of popcorn and gingerly holding my very sweaty-nervous hand. After the movie, B walked me to my car, surprising me with a bouquet of yellow lilies and our first kiss in the parking lot! </p>And (in the words of Detroiter broadcaster Paul W. Smith), now you know the rest of the story.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_AxcQUBbACjA/S1ZfEL4rn0I/AAAAAAAAAXw/-bLFEoAhoHw/s1600-h/fourth10+034.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5428630926356356930" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; width: 400px; cursor: pointer; height: 300px; text-align: center;" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_AxcQUBbACjA/S1ZfEL4rn0I/AAAAAAAAAXw/-bLFEoAhoHw/s400/fourth10+034.jpg" border="0" /></a>personal photo<br /></div><br />How did you and your fiance first meet? Was it effortless? Or did you have a courtship more like When Harry Met Sally?<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6966218250535741605-6493986198363303018?l=twodogbride.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Two Dog Bridehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04619191764905848843noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6966218250535741605.post-19963689843863897162009-12-30T17:16:00.000-08:002010-01-21T21:23:15.280-08:00Everyone who's everyone has a theme song. Think about it. Darth Vader walks in the room? Dun, dun, dun, dun-dah-dun, dun-dah-dun. Or what about the opening to your favorite TV show? Everyone knows the theme song to M.A.S.H. or Friends. A good song makes an entrance.<br /><br />B and I? We want to make an entrance. The official kick-off of a rockin' reception is the bridal party introductions. A few years ago, some of B's friends hired a professional ring announcer to announce their party. It an obvious hit with their guests. So, we have been on the constant quest for the perfect introduction song. Something that says, "It's time to party!" and "Get up out of your seats!"<br /><br />Early on, I just wanted something with an awesome beat. The first song I thought of was Comfort Eagle by Cake<br /><br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/p07Qdq2Jzv0&amp;hl=en_US&amp;fs=1&amp;color1=0x234900&amp;color2=0x4e9e00"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/p07Qdq2Jzv0&amp;hl=en_US&amp;fs=1&amp;color1=0x234900&amp;color2=0x4e9e00" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br /><br />B and I love this song. We can't help but get into the bass line. The problem? The lyrics. Um, talking about religion being a cult? Not really appropriate for our Catholic wedding. The Aunts (my mother's family) would not like it at all.<br /><br />Instead, I asked B to help find something. He's got much wider musical tastes than I do. We joked about finding some old school rap or hip-hop song. Something to scare The Aunts a little bit, but that our friends would get hype about. His suggestion? "A** 'N' Titties" by <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DJ_Assault">DJ Assult</a>. Yeah. That'll get people out of their seats. A definite no. (If you don't know this tune and search for it, at your own risk.)<br /><br />So far, we're really getting no where but laughing at each other and having a lot of fun. I mentioned our search to a co-worker in passing and he suggested the original American Gladiator theme song.<br /><br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/eBHg6RlcZzw&amp;hl=en_US&amp;fs=1&amp;color1=0x234900&amp;color2=0x4e9e00"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/eBHg6RlcZzw&amp;hl=en_US&amp;fs=1&amp;color1=0x234900&amp;color2=0x4e9e00" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br /><br />I can see it now. B and I, sporting red and blue helmets, swinging joust sticks at each other. A perfect start to the party!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://laist.com/attachments/la_ryan/malibu.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 384px;" src="http://laist.com/attachments/la_ryan/malibu.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><a href="http://laist.com/2007/08/23/malibu_v_20.php">source </a>(My hair looked like that once.)<br /></div><br />Do you have a specific idea what to do for the bridal party intros? Or will you just leave it to the DJ to decide?<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6966218250535741605-1996368984386389716?l=twodogbride.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Two Dog Bridehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04619191764905848843noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6966218250535741605.post-69348162292763889642009-12-29T14:48:00.001-08:002010-01-21T21:17:26.935-08:00When I first saw this photo, I was in color love.<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3138/2630515998_03bc3782b3_o.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 550px; height: 366px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3138/2630515998_03bc3782b3_o.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><a href="http://joshmccullock.blogspot.com/2008/07/john-whitneys-wedding.html">source</a> (straight from the photog, not from another blog)<br /></div><br />I love this whole wedding. The bride is gorgeous and there are sweet detail shots of all the maid's shoes and chunky rings! All different! All the women in this photo are down right beautiful!<br /><br />Then today, I see this photo on a real wedding from <a href="http://with--this--ring.blogspot.com/">With This Ring</a>.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_nw73BWgPQLA/SoIUjY1282I/AAAAAAAAKZo/EwIiy6mkYTw/s800/sara183.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 480px; height: 319px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_nw73BWgPQLA/SoIUjY1282I/AAAAAAAAKZo/EwIiy6mkYTw/s800/sara183.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><a href="http://with--this--ring.blogspot.com/2009/12/real-wedding-recap-sara-hillary-part_29.html">source<br /></a></div><br />OMG, Yes please. Please check out this wedding, I love all the details of it including the hodge-podge of fabric linens and buttons and the colorful bouquets! I've already sent the first photo to my bridesmaids, but you can be sure that they will be getting this one as well.<br /><br />I just love the non-matching look. Call it a trend, but I think it's genius. Think about it from your bridesmaids' perspective. "You mean I get to pick my own dress?" "You mean I don't <span style="font-style: italic;">have</span> to shell out $200+ on a dress I'll only wear once?" "Hmm... I might seriously wear this thing again..." You might run into a bridesmaid that is so good at her job, she'll want to wear whatever the bride wants, even if its non-matching. But no worries, you know what your ladies look hot in. The best part about letting the bridesmaids pick our their own dresses? You don't have to find a dress that looks good on all body types. So you have a pear shaped friend? Let her find a cute A-line number. Have a petite cousin? She can rock those saucy V-necks that are otherwise totally inappropriate on your more "blessed" lady friends.<br /><br />My girls were shocked to hear I was letting them pick their own dresses. A few were concerned about the correct combo of chaos, like making sure there are two short and three long dresses. Or all short. Or being sure they don't get mostly light colors with one girl in a dark shade. I'm not too worried about it. This is one decision I made right off the bat and I am delegating it out to the posse.<br /><br />But how to keep everyone on the same page? Some brides make packets of paint chips or fabric swatches for their maids to have on hand when shopping for a mis-matched dress. I, on the other hand, tried to make everything as simple as possible. I'm a get-to-the-point kinda person and emailing the gang is the best way for us to stay together. My entourage is pretty savvy. Here's the rules I sent them:<br /><div></div><blockquote><div>1) Buy a green dress - lean towards kelly green or teal or light green.<br /><br /></div> <div>2) No olive or brown colors. Only happy colors!</div> <div><br />3) Short or long, it doesn't matter.</div> <div><br />4) Look for softer flowy fabrics like chiffon or organza. It will be summer and our church is not really well air conditioned. Plus, they are good for cute dancing!</div> <div><br />5) If you are getting your dress from a bridesmaid dress manufacturer, be sure it is ordered by December so that it's back in time to make any alterations, etc. If you want to order from the store we went to together, they offer FREE alterations with every bridesmaids dress.</div> <div><br />6) If you are looking at something more casual, I trust you all have enough sense to get something you think is appropriate to wear at a wedding and not to garden in.</div> <div><br />7) If you are not comfortable finding a dress on your own, I'm happy to help, but I want you to have a dress you will like and wear. If you want to go out shopping, let me know - we can hit the town!</div> <div><br />8) And, if you want to know what make/model a dress you liked was, email me or whatever and I will get you the style number/color.</div> <div><br />9) Shoes and hair will also be left up to you, so if you want to score a deal on shoes too - totally go for it.</div></blockquote><div></div>My ladies have totally gone for it. I have two maids (BM Momma and BM Bride) who already have their dresses purchased and at home. BM Momma got hers from David's Bridal's discontinued rack on super sale and had the right size shipped to her house from another store for a whopping $55.00 total for the dress and the shipping. Super sassy!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_AxcQUBbACjA/SzqMxU5XIfI/AAAAAAAAAOw/NdE0QEhI8iM/s1600-h/jackie+dress.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 244px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_AxcQUBbACjA/SzqMxU5XIfI/AAAAAAAAAOw/NdE0QEhI8iM/s320/jackie+dress.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5420799880544592370" border="0" /></a>(friend's personal photo)<br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br />That's also our little ring bearer in the background. BM Bride also got hers for a steal off the rack in a kelly green color. BM HairDye has her eye set on a more pricey Watters dress, but she loves it to death and will very likely wear it again and again and again.<br /><br />I can't wait to see how they all come together! Hooray for super casual, coordinated chaos!<br /><br />What do you think of the non-matching bridesmaid trend?<br /></div></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6966218250535741605-6934816229276388964?l=twodogbride.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Two Dog Bridehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04619191764905848843noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6966218250535741605.post-9110971617725983232009-12-27T15:53:00.000-08:002010-01-01T11:54:24.571-08:00No one wants to get sick. Unfortunately, it’s the beginning of winter and the heart of the cold-catching season.<br /><br />I’ve been sick since the first week of December. First it was a simple cold. Then it became one of those coughs where you sleep sitting up and spend two to three hours a night coughing. The doctor told me it was a virus and gave me some prescription cough syrup. A week later, the cough mostly gone, I started having chest pain every time I coughed or sneezed. Back to the doctor, I was diagnosed with pleurisy and given some antibiotics.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.toothpastefordinner.com/120102/another-stupid-cold.gif"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 302px; height: 419px;" src="http://www.toothpastefordinner.com/120102/another-stupid-cold.gif" alt="" border="0" /></a><a href="http://www.toothpastefordinner.com/120102/another-stupid-cold.gif">source<br /></a></div><br /><br />Although I’ve been a legitimate brat as a result, B has been wonderful through it all. I felt so bad when I was having my nightly coughing fits. He slept on the couch for three nights straight because I was keeping him up. Quite the opposite from his occasional congested snoring! He got my medication filled when I just didn’t want to leave the house. And through the insanity of running around for Christmas this week, he’s helped me take my meds on time and made sure I got the rest I needed, even if I wanted to keep going. B has been the calming reminder I needed, that my health is more important than well-wrapped presents or cookies or even the people I just couldn’t get out to see. He boxed up the sugar cookies I forgot to put away, drove his car to all our holiday gatherings and even ate the casserole I accidentally baked a fork into. (I blame it on the cocktail of cold and pain medication I’ve been on.)<br /><br />It’s nice to be at a point in my life where there will always be someone there to take care of me. Not that my parents wouldn’t be there, or a friend, but even though we haven’t said our vows yet, that “in sickness and in health” part is definitely being tested this month. We’ve had our share of “in good times and in bad” this year as well, with the stress of unemployment, the economy, time with friends, continuing education, and a loss in the family. I’m lucky to have B in my life to share all the good and bad experiences with. And I’m happy to have him take care of me when I need it. I just have to remember not to be such a brat at him when he’s trying to help.<br /><br />What does your fiance do for you when you are sick or feeling under the weather?<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6966218250535741605-911097161772598323?l=twodogbride.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Two Dog Bridehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04619191764905848843noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6966218250535741605.post-56716559452188892772009-12-26T08:20:00.000-08:002009-12-26T14:39:02.263-08:00About three years ago, I stood up in BM Irish's wedding.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully(