Presents for my Pretties: The Search for the Perfect BM Gift

So now that the ladies got their dresses, I started to think about what I wanted to get them as my thank you for being such great bridesmaids.

I knew that there would be beautiful tissue paper & some great font on a tag... but I didn't know much else...

Source / Shim & Sons

Thank goodness for the Internet! With a keyboard and trusty mouse in hand I found some great things to gift the girlies with.

Tiffany's Playing Card Set / $30

Source / Tiffany's

Sigh. I just want to sit and sip coffee on a Sunday morning 

with my ladies in these robes.

Etsy Seller PlumPrettySugar sells these

 knee-length kimono robes by the 5... perfect for a BM gift -- as
Miss Bunting had mentioned previously!

Gift Certificate for some pampering at a local spa?

Source / Soothing Creations 

With their grey & white striped sweaters to get me started, I started editing my ideas and thinking about something that they might wear on our big day.  While I am normally not that practical of a gal (heck, I spent how many hours upon hours cutting little tiny tiny triangles for our STDs?!), I wanted something that they'd use again.

I originally wanted to make everyone robes -- similar to PlumPrettySugar's gorgeous dreamy ones.  But time was ticking and I knew that I could be going in a little over my head with a To Do wedding list the size of two of my arms!

But purses -- little bags -- could be doable!  I sought out Keyka Lou's adorable accessories patterns and the pattern for her pocket clutch was in my inbox in a moments time.

KeykaLou's patterns are precious!!

Source / Keyka Lou

Especially if I use the fabric that I am using to create the guys ties!

Amy Butler's Midwest Modern Grey & White Fabric

Source / Hawthorne Threads

I am planning on sewing a little message or quote inside, personalized to each.

Now I wanted to get them something else.  Something to accompany the sweaters & purses.

I decided to start to research lockets. Just the idea of a locket reminds me of something timeless, romantic and thoughtful.  It is heartfelt and is a piece you treasure.  You give a locket to someone you love.  A grown-up version of a friendship necklace (which I have exchanged many with cousin Sweet Cream!).

Me & Cousin Sweet Cream always loved exchanging 

Best Friend necklaces... seriously, we probably did it at least 5 times!

Source / Kaboodle

I decided that lockets would be the perfect gift for the girlies!

Lockets are timeless.  They are a gift you give with your soul.

Source / Nordstrom's 

If someone gave me this locket, 

I know that I meant something special to them!

Source / Mimi Boutique

Sigh.  Look at these beauts I picked for my girls.

Etsy Seller TrystByKerry makes breathtaking personalized lockets...

And I can't wait to get them!!

Source 

I can't wait to finish their bags and put everything together!

Did you gift you BMs with any gift or presents?  What was it? How did you come up with the idea?  What was the best BM gift you have gotten!

My Littlest Lady: Saying Yes to the Dress! Part II

I know that being a tween can be an awkward age for anyone.  There can certainly also be a slim & awkward selection of dresses to chose from to be in someone's wedding.

My littlest lady, FSIL Sweet Cream, is laid back & go with the flow, so I know that she wouldn't care too much about what I put her in for the big day.  She trusts my fashion expertise! I know this because she always hopes that I pick out her birthday and Christmas presents and that they are some kind of stylish wardrobe piece. (hey! I would too if I was the first girl with jeggins in my class, JUST as they were starting to hit the runways of middle school).

Since older FSIL Sweet Cream sometimes steals things from her 12-year-old sister, I was originally thinking that the littlest lady could totally fit into a size 0 of the BM dresses...and then with a few stitches here and there of a pretty shell top that would go underneath, we would be in business.

This is exactly what I pictured doing to my littlest lady's dress.

A few stitches would make this age appropriate and adorable!

Source: Stylehive

Rhianna does the "shirt under dress" good

 Source: IWantThatLook

Kate B. uses a tank under her sweetheart necklined 

denim number

Source: Fabsugar

My vision entailed a silkier or nicer shell -- not just some tank top.  But it didn't work out.  Not everyone was in agreement with the idea...

So...onward with the hunt! I was surprised of the minimal offerings for tween girls at the bridal store.  Dresses screamed out flower girl or bridesmaid -- with nothing in between.  Where are the Jr. BM dresses when you need one?  I wanted the littlest lady to feel confident, beautiful... & like she fit in with the big girls.

Surprisingly, after wandering in to David's Bridal, we found two different dresses that could be "the one."

Source: David's Bridal Jr. BM Dresses

While the littlest lady liked both, we decided on the one on the left, since the feeling of the fabric was so close to the everyone else's dresses.

Problem solved!  We might get it hemmed so that it matches the hemline of the BM dresses.  We'll see what she wants to do when it gets a little bit closer.

Did you have a crazy time coordinating tweens with the rest of your party?  How did you solve it?  Is it OK with you that they aren't really in the same "look?"

My Ladies: Saying Yes to the Dress(es)! Part I

As you may or not remember, my inspiration from a dreamy, coveted cloth lead me down the brick road of wedding decisions to lock in yellow as one of my colors.

So I began my journey searching for the perfect yellow dress.

Now originally I was thinking about all different dresses for each one of my beloved girlies.  And I'm not talking about different styles from the same maker (even though that is a great idea too!).  I'm just talking different dresses.

The sea of greens makes this party pop!

(source)

I bow down out in respect of this perfect array of

beiges and whites!! Oh so lovely!!

(source)

i DIE! I want all different vintage dresses!! This has charm,
adorable charm, written all over it.  If only I had a little bit more time!!
(source)

So with the sales ladies' words lingering in my ear that involved hard dates of when we should order -- of course just in CASE of any issues -- we set out to find the dress.

I had in mind something short, sassy and sweet.  I didn't want them cashing in their 401Ks.  And -- even though it is the most cliched thing I could say -- I really wanted them to be able to wear it again.

After seeing "27 Dresses," that cliche now sometimes makes me giggle...

even though I know, Bees...sometimes it is true!

(Source)

And while my mind was all over the place as I had fun seeing my chicas in gorgeous gowns... It just wasn't what I envisioned for the day.  Maybe I'll share some from our impromptu photo shoot another time. another day. 

The most fun was when a bridal store would be too busy to dote all over us... so we would just play dress up all by ourselves.  And have photo shoots!

And while I loved those some of those dresses -- I really had envisioned pockets.  I. love. pockets.  And something a lot less "bridesmaidy."

I got to the point where I couldn't find anything that was a match for what was going on in my head that I was actually debating about whipping up dresses for all of my ladies!  

Until I found these.  (Sorry girls, even though I would love to -- I could very well imagine panic setting in as I crossed off days in the calendar. (Props to you bees out there who can pull off such a thing)).

  

There are pockets AND a bow in the back.  Pinch me please!!

(Source)

In yellow. At a local outlet.  For under $60.  Yes, urban legend it is not.  

I found them when I wasn't even looking.  While yellow was originally impossibly to find anywhere, Easter made that shade seem to pop up in stores like happy little daffodils.  

The dresses look amazing in person.  Although BM Sweet Cream was originally trying to talk me out of the idea because she thought the craftsmanship would show in the price tag, she completely changed her mind after seeing them.  And because the prom rush created dressing room lines that beelined around the store, she tried it on OVER her clothes first -- just to see.  I seriously almost lost it laughing so hard and insisted on taking a pic.

I love that dress with those shoes, BM Sweets!!

(self pic!)

So we made a date and all the ladies joined me to buy their dresses.  I had to threaten FSIL Sweet Cream not to wear it beforehand and I'm letting them wear whatever grey shoes they want.

FSIL Sweet Cream tries it on for size.  

(Pic by me!)

And somehow we pulled off...getting the right size non-returnable dress for Cousin Sweet Cream and shipping it to the West coast.  It fits her perfectly -- thank goodness!

Since the vows WILL take place in a Catholic church, I wound up finding these adorable grey & white striped cardigans at Forever 21.

I was going to send away for sweaters just like this

that had a three digit price tag -- not two!

(source)

Did you go the "off the rack" path with your ladies?  If so, where at?? Were you as worried as me about them spending an arm & a leg on a dress they might never wear again?  Did you find some unexpected accessory for your girls when you weren't even really looking for it?!

Now... I just had to figure out something for 12-year-old FSIL Sweet Cream... 

Wifely Advice: A Thing of the Past?

As a former "women studies" buff in college, I love a good blast to the past to see the change and progression of woman, as a wife, single gal, mother and employee, throughout history.  I find it completely fascinating to see the roles, even in the fictional world of television shows -- such as Mama Ingalls, Donna Reed, Mrs. Arnold, Lynette Scavo -- become different.

But sometimes it is almost shocking how to see how not a lot of things really have changed over time.

A couple months ago Mrs. Flamingo wrote about a 1930s "Marital Rating Scale," which had me hysterical and immediately forwarding it on to Mr. Sweet Cream.  I loved how a "Mrs." would get "demerits" for "slow in coming to bed," "wearing red nail polish," and "puts her cold feet on husband at night to warm them."  Mr. Sweet's favorite "merit" for the "Mr." on the Husband's Chart was giving "wife ample allowance or turns pay check over to her."

Courtesy of Mrs. Flamingo (via: TheThoughtCatalog)

Courtesy of Mrs. Flamingo (via: TheThoughtCatalog)

I thought it was worth sharing some other marital rib-ticklers or shockers from days long ago...

A 1955 article in Housekeeping Monthly gives some wonderful tips for the wife.  I can't believe that it says what he has to say is more important and can't imagine this Mrs. in pearls and heels running around getting a fire ready for her hubby!  Thank goodness I wasn't a wife in those days -- I would certainly complain in Mr. Sweet Cream didn't come home for dinner -- or stayed out all night long without letting me know.  I would be worried!!

(Source)

While I would love to be a wife whose priority was her husband and making a mean pineapple upside down cake, maybe I'm better off as a bride of the 21st century.

Published decades earlier, a 1930's guide to marriage set titled "How to be a Good Wife" and "How to be a Good Husband" give some surprisingly wise and modern thoughts:

• Don't pose as a weak little thing that cannot go on a journey unless your husband buys your ticket and put you on the train.  Wives who do this got out-of date while Queen Victoria was alive.  And a woman who still persists in being femininely frail has few admirers, to-day.  Of course, if a wife asks her husband to come and see her off because she enjoys his company, that's quite another thing.
• Don't overlook the fact that the average husband like being made a fuss of.  If you do it honestly and don't gush about it, there is nothing he won't do for you.  Of course, it has got to be genuine.
• "Don't forget that very true remark that while face powder may catch a man, baking power is the stuff to hold him.
• Don't be one of those wives who demand that their husbands do this or that for them.  No man worthy of the name will be "bossed."  On the other hand, don't be a tame kitten or a doormat, for husbands look down on spineless women. Steer a middle course and your husband will appreciate your wisdom.

(source)

Some great advice in the husband's guide includes:

• Don't be so absorbed in making a living that you have no time to make a life.
• Do take care not to be led into expenses that you cannot afford in order to keep up appearance.  The attempt to do this is only to often accompanied by vulgarity and disastrous consequences.
• Do take the utmost care always to honour your wife in the presence of children.  If they hear you constantly snapping her up or contradicting her, the inevitable result will be that before long the will lose their respect for her and you.

Tips for the future hubby are practical, fair and more modern
for the partnership of marriage then that of the booming 1950s!
(Source)

So it just proves that through time -- whether Mama Ingalls or on the ladies on Wisteria Lane -- wives are always looking for some good advice... or maybe it's the authors that just feel like giving it.

Either way -- 

What is the best advice that you have received as a newlywed that you think is worthy of a page in a book that your grandkids could look back on?  What "wifely" advice are you so happy that you received?

Mission Impossible: Operation Registry

Registering for gifts is like a grown-ups version of a dream Christmas list.  When else do you get to single-handedly hand pick what you want to be gifted for a party where you are the guest of honor??  So while BM Sweet Cream shrieked with glee after hearing that me & Mr. Sweets were going to register, I wasn't that thrilled inside. 

Why the crazy talk you ask?

Because me & Mr. Sweet Cream were up against Mission Impossible.

Mr. Sweet Cream & me hopefully didn't look as crazy as Tom & Keri

zapping barcodes... although we might have felt this way.

(Source)

I'm sure that many of you Bees may be cohabiting like Me & Mr. Sweets.  We originally didn't plan it that way -- but that's for a different day, different post.

So we have tons of things that we would have registered for -- but we already bought it ourselves.  Like our Dyson that we found on clearance at Target after the vacuum we originally got from a second hand shop died after it ate way too many our Christmas tree needles.  And our grill that we had to get to kick off last summer.

But the bigger problem? I am a mid-century, antiquing junkie.  

So years before the Sweets bought their first home, there were boxes and boxes of dishware, serving pieces, glasses, coffee cups, bakeware, gadgets & gizmos -- all created between the decades of World War II and the era of Gloria Steinem -- up in Mama & Papa Sweet Cream's attic.  Think of it as a hope chest on steroids. 

OK. It wasn't this bad... but it was really really bad.

(Source)

So I already have my fair share of Salem North Star plates:

When I pull out one of these plates and serve a 

homemade piece of pie to Mr. Sweets, my heart smiles

And this is my favorite pattern of all my bowls & casseroles.

Seriously.  How can you not be happy when

serving something in this pattern?!

I have a mixed collection of real silverware from the 20th century that I love and a whole buffet-server full of serving pieces...So, with two things up against us (co-habitating and said addiction to mid-century kitchen items -- heck all mid-century items to tell you the truth!), Mr. Sweet Cream and I began to think about what we could register for.

We hung a piece of looseleaf on the side of the refrigerator and as we realized something we could use, we would jot it down.  Although it happened slowly... a full piece stainless steel pot and pan set here, a 10 cup food processor there, it got easier when we visited the store.  With guns in hands we said "YES!" to a folding banquet table that we realized we could need for hosting sit down dinner holidays to our two families.  We gave high-fives to each other after finding the patio furniture that we lusted over -- and immediately took aim at the bar code.  We started figuring out things that we could use... in all price ranges for all of our guests.

Throughout our registering at Target, Home Depot & Kohl's we registered for great things, including:

• A smoker
• New Sheets
• Tons of brand new bath towels
• a Pizza stone
• Grill accessories
• A Brita waterfilter
• 16 mini dessert shot glasses
• a Heating Lamp for outside
• a collapsable grill for tailgating (Go Phillies!)
• Massaging shower head
• Great new door mats for outside
• a new mailbox
• a ceiling fan for our bedroom
• Etc. Etc. Etc.

I was insistant on not letting that gun own us and not giving in to a desire to zap everything and anything in sight.  I wanted us to think of the suggestions for our guests as if we would really buy it.  

And while I would love to register somewhere like Amazon.com, knowing our guest list, I don't know how many people would use it.   I know that a lot of Bees register for their honeymoons -- which is a great idea -- but we aren't going through a travel agent.

I am going to try not to cheat and look at what is bought in the days that lead up to my shower. I love a surprise so I think I'll be good.

Did you have a hard time thinking about what to register for?  Did your co-habitating lead you to have needs and wants already crossed off?  What is your top registry item that you are hoping you get at your shower?  Did you register somewhere out-of-the-ordinary -- like a sport good store or favorite charity?  

[NOTE to brides near a Kohl's: Although not an original thought-of store for registering, they have a ton of kitchen appliance we needed -- and give our guests 15% off our gifts!  So they are like giving our guests a gift (of a discount) for buying us gifts! Very nice, Kohl's! Very nice!]

Save the Last Dance -- and the first one -- for me.

Our song is the slamming screen door, sneakin' out late, tapping on your window...When we're on the phone and you talk real slow 'cause it's late and your mama don't know... Oh wait.  That isn't OUR song!  That's T.Swift's song with one of her many beaus.

As for our song. That is TBD.

There's a funny thing about first songs.  I don't know if it's just couples now-a-days put some much darn thought into it.  Maybe its just us detailed bees?

I remember Freddie Prinze, Jr. & Julia Stiles listening to records and putting so much thought into what "their" song was in the horrible movie -- even though I loved it -- Down to You.  And they were only dating for a few months.

Even though it seems perfectly
romantic to be skimming vinyl and sitting Indian style....
This somehow isn't realistically how me & Mr. Sweet Cream are picking our song...

Mama Bunts & Papa Sweets had a first song picked out - but on the wedding day the band could think of how to play the song.  So what did they wind up with as "their song?" Elvis' "Can't Help Falling In Love."  It must have been the times because that is also the song of not one, but two, of my friends' parents' songs who all got married in the 70s.

I do like that song -- especially the Ingrid Michaelson version... even though the original is great too.  No debates here.  It's definitely on our playlist.

Ingrid Michaelson's version makes me think of

real-live, can't-live-without-you true love...

I digress.  Our real "song" from many, many moons ago is Aerosmith's Don't Wanna Miss a Thang.  Am I dating myself?

 

Fast forward 15 years...that isn't a song we really want for our song.

So now, I'd love share with the hive some of my top choices -- which I preface by saying that Mr. Sweet Cream liked all of them until I excitedly said, "OK, Mr. Sweets. So this is our song?!?"  

A hesitated shuffling of the feet and a cock-eyed squinty look told me no... in fact it wouldn't be.  Don't worry, bees.  I asked him what his choices are.  He said that he would have to think about it -- but hasn't come up with much.  (Although nothing is better than Papa Sweet Cream wanting to dance to a Jimi Hendrix song for our dad/daughter dance.  He doesn't know which one... he just loves Jimi Hendrix & Led Zep.  And bees, the man don't dance!!)

Just for fun - let me run through the list of could-have-beens for our first song as man & wife:

Otis Redding / That's How Strong My Love Is

I just love the lyrics to this tune.

Jason Mraz & Colbie Caillat / Lucky

What a sweet duet!

Natasha Beddingfeld / Love Like This

This was almost going to be it!  Mr. Sweet Cream loved the lyrics...

But for whatever reason, he changed his mind.

Cat Power / Sea of Love

Sigh. How can you not like this...

I actually wound up finding an amazing song -- actually from the Bee Boards -- that is the top running as we speak.  At first Mr. Sweets wasn't so sure about it... but after playing it 45+ times as he was working around the house I think it may have grown on him.  I really do think he likes it now!

Joss Stone & Common / What We Gonna Do Now

The lyrics are great! We both like that its a little peppy so we are not stuck into a standard sway.  We can have some fun!  But would we prefer something a little more classic? I don't know the answer to that one quite yet.

Did you and your FH agree right away on "your song?" Did you have "a song" already, but want a new one for your wedding day?  How did you decide?  What were your top contenders?

Also: Are you following Freddie Prinze's movie-mom's advice and going for something "timeless" and "classic," or do think that something the represents "you" (as a couple) is much more important?

Let's Talk Labels (And I don't mean Prada or Versace!)

I was blessed with pretty decent handwriting in all shapes and sizes -- I can do everything from a mean cursive to perfectly sized capitols.

Which should have told my parents from a very early age that it wasn't in my pipeline to become a doctor.

Even though I used to be fluent in doctor writing after working for one during high school,

I certainly don't know what the heck this says!

Even though I took my time with each loop and swirl - I do admit that cursive Z's were hard.  Which certainly didn't help when I was scribbling in my diary about jazz class or zebras at the zoo.

Cursive Z's are hard -- and not just for Billy Madison!!

(source)

So even though I have become a lot better at my cursive z's, I decided I wouldn't be handwriting on our slate grey envelopes.  And while there are a number of gorgeous, swirly, delightful options for addressing the invite envelopes out there...

Mrs. Plaid's awesome DIY addressed envelopes...

Her tutorial is awesome!

This bride free-styled all in a scribbly larger-than-life address
with a brown India ink brush pen that I simply love.

I love the loops and ink blots of Bryn of Paperfinger's calligraphy

(source)

Lettergirl has a ton of great ideas for those who have proof of the sketching 

abilities from their old school marble notebooks.  

This envelop just oozes charm in a kitched-up-kind of way.

(source)

For one reason or the other I found the wrap around label the best for our tastes.  They are easy.  They are adaptable -- depending on what font/imagery you chose.  Not to mention cheap (with the exception of some out beautifully designed by a pro to order).

Etsy Seller, ImbueYouIDo sells these sweet wrap around labels

Although I would love to do the kitched-up-kind of envelope inspired from lettergirl, I do picture myself being way too obsessive about each loop and swirl. I can imagine batches of hair on our red carpet, crying as Mr. Sweet Cream quickly whips away crumbled wasted envelopes out of my sight.

For my STDs I decided on using some sticky paper that I was sitting in my craft closet I was able to pick my favorite font, and in a word doc typed all the labels, printed and used my handy paper cutter and wa-la...

Wrap around labels!

How did you address your invites?  Were they by hand? By computer? By a pro?  Do you have a great tip to share about doing this dreaded task?

So Sweet! A Super Sweet Invite Suite

With a lot of pressure riding on the invitations - it was time to pull the threads of inspiration & get decision making!


According to David Tutura:


Invitations should set a tone of excitement for your entire affair! The outside of the envelope, the stamps, the layout of the invitation, and the font—all the details count. When you’re creating invitations, imagine what it will be like for your guests to be receiving them. A great invitation grabs the attention of your guests and guarantees the impression that yours is a wedding not to be missed.

Thanks, David.  No pressure added.  None at all.  Especially for a bride that obsesses over paper & fonts.

So I got to work.  It would have to evoke the laid-back-ness of BBQ - not black tie.  And I knew that I would likely go the Etsy route (I love the idea of supporting independent designers).  I was thinking about designing them myself by have been holding out into splurging on photoshop.


With words swirling in my head about the essence that I wanted to evoke (sweet, fun, laid-back, charming, true love, vintage, simplistic romance)... I found these pretty pieces of paper:

Etsy Designer twoforjoypaper

Etsy designer NewBorrowedandBlue plays off MadLibs

in this adorable invite

and I just love the fonts & wording (we are "super excited" to be getting married too!)

in this invite from Etsy designer SwoonCreative

But one stood out in particular.  Given our history of Mr. Sweet Cream riding me on his handle bars everywhere after my bike got stolen in 8th grade, my heart melted when my eyes fell upon this:

Etsy Designer RazzleDazzle's sweet bicycle silhouette certainly encompasses

sweet, fun, laid-back, charming, true love, vintage...don't you think?

Sigh.  It was perfect.  Except I wanted it to speak to our feeling for each other.  Besides love paper and fonts -- I love words.

Although I certainly love the word "hitched" when speaking about tying the knot, I preferred "married" for our invite. It just felt a little more formal.  As much as a wedding that involved pulled pork could be.

And I just loved the words on this cake topper:  

"This day I will marry my friend, the one I laugh with, live for, dream with, love." 

I also wanted to tiptoe around the formality of my father & mother "cordially inviting" guests' presence...  Although I certainly think that it is lovely -- it just didn't fit with the feel of our wedding.

So I worked with Razz, going back and forth via email & her sending me things in the mail and vice versa.  Finally... Tada!!

via RazzleDazzle

Gorgeous! No?

But wait! Something was missing...

With that tree inspiration lingering in my mind, I begged Razz to incorporate a tree with our initials for the reception card.  I really think  that it adds that deep down tug at the heart strings that I was pining for.

So this adorable tree with our initials was swapped out for a duo on a bike for our reception card & now I am completely in love with our invites.

But it's not finished quite yet.  I'm still thinking about a way to incorporate a simply beautiful Bob Marley quote about love -- as well as a DIY wedding map.  I may add a bit of fabric here & perhaps some baker's twine there...But more on that later.  I can wait to share my full invitation suite with the hive!!

I seriously suggest jotting down the words that you want to evoke for your day to help with the planning process.  What made you chose yours?

Do you have a favorite phrase that had to make it into the invite?  Was your invite formal or not-so-much?  Were you brave enough to DIY the whole thing?